CN111373086A

CN111373086A - Washing and drying machine

Info

Publication number: CN111373086A
Application number: CN201880075502.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 西浦直人; 福井秋陆
Original assignee: Qingdao Haier Washing Machine Co Ltd; Haier Smart Home Co Ltd; Haier Asia Co Ltd
Current assignee: Qingdao Jiaonan Haier Washing Machine Co Ltd; Haier Smart Home Co Ltd; Aqua Co Ltd
Priority date: 2017-11-22
Filing date: 2018-11-20
Publication date: 2020-07-03
Anticipated expiration: 2038-11-20
Also published as: JP7048932B2; WO2019101048A1; CN111373086B; JP2019092879A

Abstract

A washing and drying machine capable of improving exhaust efficiency and preventing water from entering a circulation air path, wherein the full-automatic washing and drying machine comprises: an outer tub elastically supported in the casing; a circulation air duct (50a) in which a heater (130) and a blower fan (120) are disposed, and which circulates warm air generated by operation of the heater (130) and the blower fan (120) between the circulation air duct (50a) and the inside of the tub; an internal exhaust port (115) which is provided in the circulation air duct (50a) and discharges a part of the warm air flowing through the circulation air duct (50 a); and an upper exhaust air passage (240) having an external exhaust port (241) facing upward and facing the outside of the housing (10) on the top surface thereof, and configured to allow the warm air discharged from the internal exhaust port (115) to flow to the external exhaust port (241). An upper communication port (244), which is an inlet of warm air flowing in the upper exhaust air passage (240), is provided below the external exhaust port (241) so as not to vertically overlap the external exhaust port (241).

Description

Washing and drying machine

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a washing and drying machine.

Background

Conventionally, a washing and drying machine is known which is equipped with a drying function for laundry in a so-called pulsator type washing machine (full automatic washing machine) which washes laundry by generating water flow in a washing and drying tub by a pulsator disposed at the bottom of the washing and drying tub. For example, patent document 1 describes an example of such a washing and drying machine.

The washing and drying machine of patent document 1 includes a circulation air duct in a rear portion of a top cover provided at an upper portion of a casing. The circulation wind path includes a warm air supply device for generating and supplying warm air, and circulates the warm air between the circulation wind path and the water tank. An exhaust port is provided in the circulation air duct, and a part of the circulating warm air is discharged from the exhaust port to the outside of the circulation air duct. A rear cover covering the rear part of the top cover is provided with a concave part, and the upper part of the concave part is covered by an exhaust hood. The exhaust hood has a plurality of exhaust ports facing the front of the washing and drying machine. The warm air discharged to the outside of the circulation air passage reaches a space formed by the concave portion and the exhaust hood above the circulation air passage, and is discharged to the outside of the washing and drying machine from the discharge port.

When a part of the warm air circulating in the circulation air passage is discharged from the upper portion of the circulation air passage, that is, the upper surface portion of the washing and drying machine (the exhaust hood in patent document 1) through the exhaust air passage, if the discharge port is provided so as to face upward rather than forward, that is, so as to be disposed laterally as in patent document 1, the warm air is easily discharged smoothly from the discharge port, and improvement of the exhaust efficiency can be expected.

However, when the outlet is directed upward, water from the outside easily enters the exhaust air passage through the outlet when the washing and drying machine is wet. In addition, water condensed at the exhaust port by the discharged warm air being cooled by the outside air easily drops directly into the exhaust air passage. Since there are electrically-charged components such as a fan and a heater in the circulation air passage, it is undesirable for water entering the exhaust air passage from the outside to reach the circulation air passage.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open No. 2014-136059

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a washing and drying machine capable of improving exhaust efficiency and preventing water from entering a circulation air passage.

Means for solving the problems

The washing and drying machine of the main scheme of the invention comprises: an outer tub elastically supported in the casing; an inner tub rotatably disposed in the outer tub and containing laundry; a circulation duct in which a heater and a blower fan are arranged, and warm air generated by operation of the heater and the blower fan is circulated between the circulation duct and the inside of the tub; a first exhaust port provided in the circulation duct, the first exhaust port discharging a part of the warm air flowing through the circulation duct; and an exhaust air passage having a second exhaust port facing upward and facing the outside of the housing on a top surface thereof, the second exhaust port being configured to allow the warm air discharged from the first exhaust port to flow toward the second exhaust port. Here, the inlet of the warm air flowing into the exhaust air passage is provided below the second exhaust port so as not to overlap the second exhaust port in the vertical direction.

According to the above configuration, since the second exhaust port of the exhaust air passage facing the outside of the housing faces upward, the warm air discharged from the first exhaust port and flowing into the exhaust air passage is easily smoothly discharged from the second exhaust port, and improvement of the exhaust efficiency of the warm air can be expected.

Furthermore, since the inlet of the warm air flowing into the exhaust air passage does not vertically overlap the second exhaust port, the water entering from the second exhaust port does not directly drop into the inlet of the warm air. Thus, the water entering the circulation duct is less likely to be supplied to the upstream side through the inlet of the warm air, and is less likely to reach the circulation duct.

In the washing and drying machine of the scheme, the following structure can be adopted: the exhaust air passage includes a first rib extending downward so as to surround the second exhaust port. In this case, the first rib has a height such that water passing through the second air outlet from the outside of the cabinet and heading toward the inlet of the warm air in an oblique straight line impinges on the second rib.

According to the above configuration, the first rib blocks water that passes through the second exhaust port from the outside of the housing and travels in an oblique straight line to the inlet of the warm air, and the water that enters the exhaust air passage is less likely to reach the inlet of the warm air.

In the washing and drying machine of the scheme, the following structure can be adopted: the exhaust air passage includes an exhaust port group including a plurality of the second exhaust ports, and a second rib extending downward so as to surround the exhaust port group. In this case, the second rib has a height such that water passing through the second exhaust port from the outside of the cabinet and heading toward the inlet of the warm air in an oblique straight line hits the second rib.

According to the above configuration, the water flowing from the outside of the housing to the inlet of the warm air through the second exhaust port and traveling in the diagonal straight line can be blocked by the second rib, and the water entering the exhaust air passage is less likely to reach the inlet of the warm air.

In the washing and drying machine of the scheme, the following structure can be adopted: the bottom surface of the exhaust air passage includes a raised surface raised higher than the surrounding surface. In this case, the inlet of the warm air is provided in the rising surface.

According to the above configuration, since the water storage space capable of storing water to a certain extent before the water reaches the inlet of the warm air can be secured in the exhaust air passage, even when a large amount of water enters the exhaust air passage, the entering water hardly reaches the inlet of the warm air.

In the washing and drying machine of the scheme, the following structure can be adopted: the air conditioner further includes a drain port for discharging water entering the exhaust air passage. In this case, the bottom surface of the exhaust air passage includes an inclined surface that is inclined downward toward the drain port.

According to the above configuration, water that has entered from the second exhaust port and dropped to the bottom surface of the exhaust air passage can be smoothly guided to the drain port by the inclined surface and discharged from the drain port. This makes it more difficult for water entering the exhaust air passage to reach the inlet of the warm air.

In the washing and drying machine of the scheme, the following structure can be adopted: the air conditioner further includes a relay air passage provided below the exhaust air passage and connected to the inlet of the warm air and the first exhaust port. In this case, the first exhaust port is located below the inlet of the warm air so as not to overlap the inlet of the warm air in the up-down direction.

According to the above configuration, the warm air discharged from the first exhaust port flows through the relay air duct and the exhaust air duct, and is discharged to the outside of the housing from the second exhaust port. Here, since the first exhaust port does not vertically overlap the inlet of the warm air flowing into the exhaust air passage, even if water that enters the exhaust air passage and reaches the inlet of the warm air drops into the relay air passage, the water does not directly reach the first exhaust port and hardly reaches the circulation air passage.

Effects of the invention

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a washing and drying machine capable of improving exhaust efficiency and preventing water from entering a circulation air passage.

The effects and significance of the present invention will become more apparent from the description of the embodiments shown below. However, the following embodiments are only examples for carrying out the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the contents described in the following embodiments.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a side sectional view of a full automatic washing and drying machine of an embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a rear perspective view of an upper portion of the full automatic washing and drying machine of the embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the drying apparatus of the embodiment.

Fig. 4 (a) and 4 (b) are perspective views of the warm air generation unit according to the embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the air path unit and the filter unit detached from the air path unit according to the embodiment.

Fig. 6 (a) is a perspective view of the air path unit in the state where the upper air path member is removed in the embodiment, and fig. 6 (b) is a perspective view of the upper air path member in the inverted state in the embodiment.

Fig. 7 is a rear view of the upper panel in which the periphery of the exhaust hood portion of the embodiment is enlarged.

Fig. 8 is a rear sectional view of the drying device cut at a position of a central portion of the warm air generating unit of the embodiment.

Fig. 9 is a rear sectional view of a main part of the drying device cut at positions of the lower exhaust air duct and the upper exhaust air duct in the embodiment.

Fig. 10 is a side sectional view of a main part of the drying device cut at a position of a drain port of an upper exhaust air duct according to the embodiment.

Description of the reference numerals

1: a full-automatic washing and drying machine (washer-dryer); 10: a housing; 20: an outer tub; 24: a washing and dehydrating tub (inner tub); 50: a drying device; 50 a: a circulation air path; 115: an internal exhaust port (first exhaust port); 230: a lower exhaust air passage (relay air passage); 240: an upper exhaust air passage (exhaust air passage); 241: an external exhaust port (second exhaust port); 242: an exhaust port group; 243: a raised surface; 244: an upper communication port (inlet of warm air); 245: the 1 st rib (first rib); 246: the 2 nd rib (second rib); 247: a water outlet; 248: an inclined surface.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 1 is a side sectional view of a full automatic washing and drying machine 1 of the present embodiment. Fig. 2 is a rear perspective view of an upper portion of the full automatic washing and drying machine 1 of the present embodiment.

The full automatic washing and drying machine 1 includes a cabinet 10 constituting an external appearance. The casing 10 includes: a square cylindrical body part 11 with open upper and lower surfaces; an upper panel 12 covering the upper surface of the body section 11; and a footstool 13 for supporting the body part 11. An outer inlet 14 for putting laundry is formed in the upper panel 12. The outer inlet 14 is covered with an openable and closable upper cover 15.

Inside the cabinet 10, the outer tub 20 is elastically suspended and supported by four suspension bars 21 having a vibration-proof device. The tub 20 is composed of a substantially cylindrical tub body 20a having an open upper surface, and a tub cover 20b covering the upper surface of the tub body 20 a. An inner inlet 22 for introducing laundry is formed in the outer tub cover 20b at a position corresponding to the outer inlet 14. The inner inlet 22 is openably and closably covered by a tub cover 23.

Inside the outer tub 20, a substantially cylindrical washing and dehydrating tub 24 having an open upper surface is disposed. A plurality of dewatering holes 24a are formed on the inner circumferential surface of the washing and dewatering tub 24 over the entire circumference. A balancing ring 25 is provided at an upper portion of the washing and dehydrating tub 24. A pulsator 26 is disposed at the bottom of the washing and dehydrating tub 24. A plurality of blades 26a are radially provided on the surface of the pulsator 26. The washing and spin-drying tub 24 corresponds to the inner tub of the present invention.

A driving unit 30 for generating a torque to drive the washing and dehydrating tub 24 and the pulsator 26 is disposed at an outer bottom of the outer tub 20. The drive unit 30 includes a drive motor 31 and a transmission mechanism portion 32. The transmission mechanism unit 32 has a clutch mechanism, and by switching operation of the clutch mechanism, transmits the torque of the drive motor 31 only to the pulsator 26 to rotate only the pulsator 26 in the washing process and the rinsing process, and transmits the torque of the drive motor 31 to the pulsator 26 and the washing and dehydrating tub 24 to rotate the pulsator 26 and the washing and dehydrating tub 24 integrally in the dehydrating process.

A drain port 20c is formed at the outer bottom of the outer tub 20. The drain valve 40 is provided in the drain port portion 20 c. The drain valve 40 is connected to a drain hose 41. When the drain valve 40 is opened, the water stored in the washing and dehydrating tub 24 and the outer tub 20 is discharged to the outside of the machine body through the drain hose 41.

A drying device 50 and a water supply device 60 are disposed at the rear portion of the cabinet 10 above the outer tub 20. The drying device 50 and the water supply device 60 are attached to the fixed plate 16 disposed at the rear part of the upper surface of the body part 11 and covered with the upper panel 12.

The drying device 50 dries the laundry accommodated in the washing and dehydrating tub 24. The drying device 50 includes a heater and a circulation duct 50a in which a blower fan is disposed, and the circulation duct 50a is connected to the inside of the tub 20 through an air suction duct 71 and an air discharge duct 72. The intake duct 71 and the exhaust duct 72 are flexible ducts formed of an elastic material such as rubber, and have a bellows portion, not shown, at the middle portion thereof. The warm air generated by the operation of the heater and the blower fan is discharged from the circulation air duct 50a and introduced into the tub 20 through the intake duct 71. The warm air discharged from the tub 20 is introduced into the circulation air passage 50a through the exhaust duct 72. Thus, the warm air circulates between the circulation air passage 50a and the tub 20.

The water supply port 61 of the water supply device 60 exposed to the outside is connected to an external water supply hose, not shown, extending from the faucet. The water supply device 60 includes a water supply valve and a detergent container, and tap water from a tap is supplied into the outer tub 20 together with the detergent contained in the detergent container by opening the water supply valve. The water supply device 60 may include a bath pump.

Next, the structure of the drying device 50 will be described in detail with reference to fig. 3 to 10.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the drying device 50 of the present embodiment. Fig. 4 (a) and (b) are perspective views of the warm air generation unit 51 according to the present embodiment, and fig. 4 (b) shows a state in which the upper case 110b is removed. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the air path unit 52 and the filter unit 53 detached from the air path unit 52 according to the present embodiment. Fig. 6 (a) is a perspective view of the air path unit 52 in the present embodiment with the upper air path member 52b removed, and fig. 6 (b) is a perspective view of the upper air path member 52b in the inverted state of the present embodiment. Fig. 7 is a rear view of the upper panel 12 in which the periphery of the exhaust cover portion 54 of the present embodiment is enlarged. Fig. 8 is a rear sectional view of the drying device 50 cut at a central portion of the warm air generating unit 51 according to the present embodiment. Fig. 9 is a rear sectional view of a main part of the drying device 50 cut at positions of the lower exhaust air duct 230 and the upper exhaust air duct 240 according to the present embodiment. Fig. 10 is a side sectional view of a main part of the drying device 50 cut at the position of the drain port 247 of the upper exhaust air duct 240 according to the present embodiment. In fig. 3, a partial perspective cross-sectional view of the upper panel 12 integrally formed with the exhaust cover portion 54 constituting the drying device 50 is shown, and the outline of the exhaust cover portion 54 is indicated by a broken line.

As shown in fig. 3, the drying device 50 includes a warm air generating unit 51, an air path unit 52, a filter unit 53, and an exhaust cover portion 54. The exhaust hood portion 54 is formed as a part of the upper panel 12. The air duct unit 52 to which the filter unit 53 is attached and the warm air generating unit 51 are integrated and attached to the fixing plate 16, and then the upper panel 12 is attached to the body 11, thereby completing the drying device 50.

Referring to fig. 4 (a), (b) and 8, the warm air generation unit 51 includes a case 110, a blowing fan 120, and a heater 130, and generates warm air by the operation of the blowing fan 120 and the heater 130. The case 110 is formed by combining a lower case 110a having an open upper surface and an upper case 110b having an open lower surface. A gasket 110c for sealing is provided between the lower case 110a and the upper case 110 b. The casing 110 includes a fan chamber 111 and a discharge air passage 112 extending from the fan chamber 111. A suction port 113 connected to fan chamber 111 is formed in the top surface of case 110, and a discharge port 114 connected to discharge air passage 112 is formed in the bottom surface of case 110. The discharge port 114 protrudes downward and is connected to the upper end of the intake duct 71. Further, an internal exhaust port 115 connected to the vicinity of the outlet of the fan chamber 111 is formed on the top surface of the case 110. Further, a drain tube 140 extending in the vertical direction is integrally formed with the housing 110. The internal exhaust port 115 corresponds to a first exhaust port of the present invention.

The blower fan 120 is, for example, a centrifugal fan, and includes a blower fan 121 and a blower motor 122 for rotating the blower fan 121. Blower 121 is disposed in fan chamber 111 so as to face suction port 113, and blower motor 122 is disposed on the outer bottom surface of casing 110. Heater 130 is, for example, a semiconductor heater, and is disposed in front of discharge port 114 in discharge air passage 112.

Referring to fig. 5 to 10, duct unit 52 includes an intake air duct 210, a filter chamber 220, and a lower exhaust air duct 230. These intake air passage 210, filter chamber 220, and lower exhaust air passage 230 are integrally formed by joining a lower air passage member 52a having an open upper surface and an upper air passage member 52b having an open lower surface. A gasket 52c for sealing is provided between the lower air passage member 52a and the upper air passage member 52 b. The lower exhaust air passage 230 corresponds to the relay air passage of the present invention.

The air passage unit 52 has an air passage forming portion 52d having an open upper surface formed outside the upper surface of the upper air passage member 52 b. The upper surface of the air passage forming portion 52d is covered with the exhaust cover portion 54, thereby forming an upper exhaust air passage 240 connected to the lower exhaust air passage 230. As shown in fig. 7, a groove portion 54a constituting the outer peripheral portion of the exhaust cover portion 54 is formed on the rear surface of the exhaust cover portion 54. As shown in fig. 3, the upper end of the air passage component 52d is accommodated in the groove 54a, and abuts against the sealing gasket 54b attached to the groove 54 a. The upper exhaust air passage 240 corresponds to the exhaust air passage of the present invention.

The intake air passage 210 has a horizontally long and vertically flat shape. An air passage outlet 211 is formed in the bottom surface of the right end portion of the intake air passage 210. The air path outlet 211 is connected to the suction port 113 of the warm air generating unit 51.

The filter chamber 220 is provided below the left end of the intake air passage 210, and has a substantially rectangular box shape that is slightly long in the front-rear direction. An insertion port 221 for inserting the filter unit 53 is formed in the front surface of the filter chamber 220. An inlet port 222 is formed in the bottom surface of the filter chamber 220. The introduction port 222 protrudes downward and is connected to the upper end of the exhaust duct 72. Further, an external air inlet port 223 for taking in external air is formed in the bottom surface of the filter chamber 220 in front of the inlet port 222. The filter chamber 220 communicates with the intake air passage 210 through an outlet port 224 formed in the top surface.

The intake air passage 210 and the filter chamber 220 constitute a circulation air passage 50a together with the casing 110 of the warm air generating unit 51.

The lower exhaust air passage 230 is partitioned from the intake air passage 210 by the lower partition wall 52a1 formed in the lower air passage member 52a and the upper partition wall 52b1 formed in the upper air passage member 52 b. The lower exhaust air passage 230 has a horizontally long shape, and includes a first air passage 231 located closer to the hot air generator 51 and a second air passage 232 located farther from the hot air generator 51. The first and

second air passages

231, 232 are partitioned by a partition wall 233. A lower communication port 234 that communicates the first air passage 231 and the second air passage 232 is formed in the partition wall 233. An introduction port 235 is formed in the bottom 231a of the first air passage 231 at the end opposite to the partition wall 233. An annular protrusion 236 is formed around the introduction port 235, and a gasket 237 is attached to a groove 236a formed on the back side of the protrusion 236. The inlet 235 is connected to the internal outlet 115 of the warm air generating unit 51. The inlet 235 and the internal exhaust port 115 are sealed by a gasket 237. The bottom surface 232a of the second duct 232 is lower than the bottom surface 231a of the first duct 231 by one section. This ensures a large height between the bottom surface 232a of the second air passage 232 and the lower edge of the lower communication port 234.

The lower exhaust air passage 230 is provided with an exhaust valve unit 250 for opening and closing the lower communication port 234. As shown in fig. 6 (a), the discharge valve unit 250 includes a shutter 251 that closes the lower communication port 234 from the second air passage 232 side, and a motor 252 coupled to a rotary shaft 251a of the shutter 251. The rotation of the motor 252 is transmitted to the rotating shaft 251a, whereby the shutter 251 is switched to a position to close and open the lower communication port 234.

The upper exhaust air passage 240 is located above the lower exhaust air passage 230, and has a laterally long shape. The exhaust cover portion 54 forms a top surface of the upper exhaust air passage 240. A plurality of external air outlets 241 are formed on the top surface of the upper exhaust air passage 240 in a front-to-rear and left-to-right arrangement on the right side, i.e., on the first air passage 231 side of the lower exhaust air passage 230 as viewed from the front of the dryer 50. Each of the external exhaust ports 241 has an oblong shape elongated in the left-right direction. Each of the external exhaust ports 241 faces the outside of the cabinet 10 upward. The plurality of external exhaust ports 241 constitute an exhaust port group 242. The external exhaust port 241 corresponds to a second exhaust port of the present invention.

A raised surface 243 that rises higher than the surrounding surface is formed on the left side, i.e., on the second duct 232 side of the lower exhaust air duct 230, as viewed from the front of the drying device 50, on the bottom surface of the upper exhaust air duct 240. The rising surface 243 has a substantially rectangular upper communication port 244 for communicating the upper exhaust air passage 240 with the second air passage 232 of the lower exhaust air passage 230. The upper communication port 244 is an inlet of warm air flowing into the upper exhaust air passage 240. The upper communication port 244 is provided apart from the exhaust port group 242 in the longitudinal direction of the upper exhaust air passage 240, and thus does not vertically overlap the exhaust port group 242, that is, does not overlap all the external exhaust ports 241, below the exhaust port group 242.

A first rib 245 extending downward so as to surround the entire periphery of each of the outside air outlets 241 is formed on the top surface of the upper air outlet passage 240. Further, a second rib 246 extending downward so as to surround the side and the rear of the upper communication port 244 side of the exhaust port group 242 is formed on the top surface of the upper exhaust air passage 240 outside the first rib 245. Without the first and

second ribs

245 and 246, at the external exhaust port 241 located near the upper communication port 244, water from the outside of the casing 10 can go straight to the upper communication port 244 in an oblique direction through the external exhaust port 241. Therefore, the first rib 245 and the second rib 246 have a height such that the water thus traveling from the outside of the casing 10 through the external air outlet 241 and along the oblique straight line toward the upper communication port 244 hits these first rib 245 and second rib 246. Note that the first rib 245 and the second rib 246 correspond to the first rib and the second rib of the present invention, respectively.

In the upper exhaust air passage 240, a bulging portion 240a bulging rearward is provided at a position rearward of the exhaust port group 242, and a drain port 247 is formed in a bottom surface of the bulging portion 240 a. The drain port 247 is located lower than the upper communication port 244, and an inclined surface 248 that further declines toward the drain port 247 side after declining in a direction away from the upper communication port 244 is formed on the bottom surface of the upper exhaust air passage 240. A groove 249 is formed in the bottom surface of the upper exhaust air passage 240 at a position corresponding to the upper partition wall 52b 1. The drain port 247 is connected to an upper end of the drain cylinder 140 integrally formed with the case 110 of the warm air generating unit 51.

Referring to fig. 5, the filter unit 53 includes a filter main body 310 and a front panel part 320 provided at the front of the filter main body 310. The filter body 310 has a double filter structure including a lower filter 311 and an upper filter 312 which are vertically overlapped with each other, and is accommodated in the filter chamber 220 of the air path unit 52. The front panel 320 closes the insertion port 221 of the filter chamber 220. The front panel portion 320 is provided with a handle 321. The user can attach and detach the filter unit 53 to and from the air passage unit 52 by holding the handle 321 and moving the filter unit 53 in the front-rear direction.

In the full automatic washing and drying machine 1, washing operation, washing drying operation, or drying operation of various operation modes is performed. The washing operation is an operation of performing only washing, and a washing process, an intermediate dehydration process, a rinsing process, and a final dehydration process are sequentially performed. The washing and drying operation is an operation of continuously performing washing to drying, and then the final dehydrating process performs a drying process. The drying operation is an operation of performing only drying, and only the drying process is performed.

In the washing process and the rinsing process, the pulsator 26 rotates right and left in a state that water is accumulated in the washing and dehydrating tub 24. A water flow is generated in the washing and dehydrating tub 24 by the rotation of the pulsator 26. During the washing process, the laundry is washed by the generated water flow and the detergent contained in the water. In the rinsing process, the laundry is rinsed by the generated water flow.

In the intermediate dehydration process and the final dehydration process, the washing dehydration tub 24 and the pulsator 26 are integrally rotated at a high speed. The laundry is dehydrated by the centrifugal force generated in the washing and dehydrating tub 24.

In the drying process, an internal air circulation drying process is performed first, and then an external air introduction drying process is performed. In the inside air circulation drying process, the lower communication port 234 is closed by the shutter 251 in the lower exhaust air passage 230 (see fig. 9). Accordingly, the exhaust through the lower exhaust air passage 230 and the upper exhaust air passage 240 is not performed. In the warm air generating unit 51, the blower fan 120 and the heater 130 operate. When the blower fan 120 is operated and the blower fan 121 is rotated, air is sucked into the casing 110 from the suction port 113 as shown by arrows in fig. 8, and wind is generated in the fan chamber 111. The generated air flows through discharge air duct 112, is heated by heater 130, and is discharged as warm air from discharge port 114. The warm air discharged from the discharge port 114 is supplied into the outer tub 20 through the intake duct 71.

The warm air supplied into the outer tub 20 flows in the washing and dehydrating tub 24. In the washing and dehydrating tub 24, the pulsator 26 rotates right and left at fixed times. The laundry in the washing and dehydrating tub 24 is agitated by the pulsator 26 and brought into contact with the warm air flowing in the washing and dehydrating tub 24. The warm air flowing through the washing and dehydrating tub 24 is discharged from the tub 20 through the exhaust duct 72, and is again sucked into the casing 110 through the inlet port 222, the filter chamber 220, and the intake air passage 210 from the suction port 113 as shown by arrows in fig. 8.

In the inside air circulation drying process, since the air is not exhausted through the lower exhaust air duct 230 and the upper exhaust air duct 240, the outside air passing through the outside air inlet 223 is hardly taken in, and the warm air circulates between the circulation air duct 50a and the outer tub 20, so that the temperature in the washing and dehydrating tub 24 is rapidly increased.

Foreign matter such as lint coming out of the laundry by the agitation of the pulsator 26 is mixed into the warm air discharged from the outer tub 20. The warm air passes through the lower filter 311 and the upper filter 312 of the filter unit 53 in the filter chamber 220, and foreign matter contained in the warm air is collected by these

filters

311, 312.

When the temperature in the washing and dehydrating tub 24 is continuously raised and the moisture is evaporated from the laundry to make the warm air contain a large amount of moisture, the drying process is switched to the outside air introduction drying process. The switching of the introduction of the drying process into the outside air may be performed based on the time elapsed after the drying process is started, or may be performed based on the temperature in the tub 20 detected by the temperature sensor and the humidity in the tub 20 detected by the humidity sensor.

In the outside air introducing and drying process, as shown by the broken line arrows in fig. 9, the shutter 251 is opened in the lower exhaust air passage 230, and the lower communication port 234 is opened. This allows air to be discharged through the lower exhaust air passage 230 and the upper exhaust air passage 240, and the external air can be taken in through the external air inlet 223. In this state, the blowing fan 120 and the heater 130 are operated. The outside air taken in from the outside air inlet port 223 passes through the filter chamber 220, is mixed with the warm air taken in from the inlet port 222, and flows into the intake air passage 210, so that the warm air mixed with the outside air is taken into the casing 110. At this time, the outside air passes through the lower filter 311 and the upper filter 312 in the filter chamber 220, and foreign matter such as dust contained in the outside air is collected by these

filters

311 and 312.

In the course of the external air being introduced and dried, the flow rate of the warm air supplied into the tub 20 is increased by the amount of the taken-in external air, so that a part of the warm air containing a large amount of moisture in the tub 20 is discharged to the outside of the cabinet 10 through the lower exhaust air passage 230 and the upper exhaust air passage 240. That is, as shown by solid arrows in fig. 9, a part of the warm air flowing through the circulation air passage 50a in the tub 20 is discharged from the internal air outlet 115 and discharged into the lower exhaust air passage 230 through the inlet 235. The warm air discharged into lower exhaust air passage 230 flows through first air passage 231 and second air passage 232 in this order, and is discharged into upper exhaust air passage 240 through upper communication port 244. The warm air discharged into the upper exhaust air passage 240 flows toward the exhaust port group 242, and is discharged to the outside of the casing 10 through the respective outside exhaust ports 241 of the exhaust port group 242.

By performing the external air introduction drying process in this way, the moisture evaporated from the laundry is effectively discharged from the inside of the tub 20 to the outside of the cabinet 10, and the inside of the tub 20 is easily dehumidified, thereby facilitating the drying of the laundry. Since a part of the warm air from the tub 20 flows through the circulation air passage 50a and is reheated by the heater 130, the temperature inside the tub 20 is kept high. When the introduction of the external air into the drying course is finished, the drying course is finished.

In the upper exhaust air passage 240, the external exhaust port 241 facing the outside of the housing 10 faces upward, so that the warm air discharged from the internal exhaust port 115 and flowing into the upper exhaust air passage 240 above is easily and smoothly discharged from the external exhaust port 241. Thus, in the present embodiment, the exhaust efficiency of the warm air containing a large amount of moisture is improved, and thus the drying efficiency of the laundry can be expected to be improved.

However, when the top panel 12 or the like is wet, water from the outside easily enters the upper exhaust air passage 240 through the outside exhaust port 241. Further, the water condensed at the external exhaust port 241 is easily dropped directly into the upper exhaust air passage 240 by the discharged warm air being cooled by the external air.

In the present embodiment, the upper communication port 244, which is an inlet of warm air flowing into the upper exhaust air passage 240, is formed so as not to overlap all the external exhaust ports 241 in the vertical direction, and therefore water entering from the external exhaust ports 241 does not directly drop to the upper communication port 244. Accordingly, water entering upper exhaust air passage 240 is less likely to enter the upstream side through upper communication port 244 and less likely to reach lower exhaust air passage 230 and further the inside of rear case 110, that is, circulation air passage 50a, and therefore, it is possible to prevent contact between the entering water and the electric components such as blower fan 120 and heater 130 in circulation air passage 50 a.

In the present embodiment, a raised surface 243 that is raised higher than the surrounding surface is formed on the bottom surface of the upper exhaust air passage 240, and an upper communication port 244 is provided in the raised surface 243. Therefore, a water storage space in which a certain amount of water can be stored before the water reaches the upper communication port 244 can be secured in the upper exhaust air passage 240. Thus, even when a large amount of water enters the upper exhaust air passage 240, the entering water hardly reaches the upper communication port 244.

In the above embodiment, the bottom surface of the upper exhaust air passage 240 is provided with the drain port 247 and the inclined surface 248 that is inclined downward toward the drain port 247. As shown in fig. 10, water entering from the external air outlet 241 and dropping to the bottom surface of the upper exhaust air passage 240 easily flows down the inclined surface 248 and is guided to the drain opening 247. The water guided to the drain port 247 passes through the drain cylinder 140 and is drained from the lower end of the drain cylinder 140 to the bottom of the outer tub 20. This makes it more difficult for water entering upper exhaust air passage 240 to reach upper communication port 244. The water dropped to the bottom surface of the upper exhaust air passage 240 may be accumulated in the groove 249. When the water stored in the groove 249 overflows, the overflowing water flows down the inclined surface 248 and is guided to the drain port 247. Further, water stored in the groove 249 evaporates spontaneously at a high speed.

In the above embodiment, the first rib 245 and the second rib 246 block water that passes through the external air outlet 241 from the outside of the housing 10 and travels in an oblique straight line to the upper communication port 244. Therefore, the water entering the upper exhaust air passage 240 is more unlikely to reach the upper communication port 244. Water that enters the upper exhaust air passage 240 and passes through the top surface of the upper exhaust air passage 240 to reach above the upper communication port 244 is blocked by the second rib 246. This prevents the entering water from dropping from above to the upper communication port 244 through the top surface of the upper exhaust air passage 240.

In the present embodiment, the inlet 235 of the lower exhaust air passage 230, that is, the internal air outlet 115 connected to the inlet 235 is provided so as not to overlap the upper communication port 244 in the vertical direction. Therefore, even if water that has entered upper exhaust air passage 240 and reached upper communication port 244 falls into lower exhaust air passage 230, the water does not directly reach internal exhaust port 115. Therefore, even if water enters the lower exhaust air passage 230, the water is less likely to reach the circulation air passage 50 a.

In the present embodiment, since the bottom surface 232a of the second air passage 232 of the lower exhaust air passage 230 connected to the upper exhaust air passage 240 via the upper communication port 244 is provided lower than the bottom surface 231a of the first air passage 231, a water storage space capable of storing a certain amount of water before the water reaches the lower communication port 234 can be secured in the second air passage 232. Thus, even if water enters lower exhaust air passage 230, the water is more unlikely to reach circulation air passage 50 a. Further, since water is less likely to accumulate in the position where the shutter 251 provided in the second air passage 232 is submerged, the accumulated water can be prevented from affecting the opening and closing operation of the shutter 251.

In addition, in the present embodiment, since the lower communication port 234 of the lower exhaust air passage 230 does not vertically overlap the upper communication port 244, water does not directly drip from the upper communication port 244 to the lower communication port 234, and it is difficult for water to enter the first air passage 231 through the lower communication port 234. Even if water enters the first air passage 231 and flows through the bottom 231a of the first air passage 231, the entering water is less likely to reach the introduction port 235 and less likely to reach the internal air outlet 115 through the introduction port 235 because the protrusion 236 is provided around the introduction port 235.

While the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications other than those described above may be made to the embodiments of the present invention.

For example, in the above embodiment, the internal air outlet 115 is provided in the casing 110 of the warm air generation unit 51. That is, the internal air outlet 115 is provided at a position between the blower fan 120 and the heater 130 in the circulation air path 50 a. However, the inner air outlet 115 may be provided at any position in the circulation air passage 50 a. For example, the internal exhaust port 115 may be provided in the intake air passage 210 located upstream of the blower fan 120 in the circulation air passage 50 a.

In the above embodiment, the lower exhaust air passage 230 is provided as the relay air passage between the upper exhaust air passage 240 and the inner exhaust port 115. However, the lower exhaust air passage 230 may not be provided, and the upper communication port 244 of the upper exhaust air passage 240 may be connected to the inner air outlet 115 as an introduction port.

In the above embodiment, the shutter 251 is disposed in the lower communication port 234. However, the shutter 251 may be disposed in the introduction port 235 to open and close the introduction port 235, or may be disposed in the upper communication port 244 to open and close the upper communication port 244.

In the above embodiment, both the first rib 245 and the second rib 246 are provided in the upper exhaust air passage 240. However, only one of the first rib 245 and the second rib 246 may be provided in the upper exhaust air passage 240.

Further, in the above embodiment, the exhaust cover portion 54 is formed integrally with the upper panel 12. However, the exhaust hood portion 54 may be formed separately from the upper panel 12.

In the above-described embodiment, the present invention is applied to the fully automatic washing and drying machine 1 having a drying function for laundry in a so-called pulsator type washing machine. However, the present invention can also be applied to a drum-type washing and drying machine equipped with a laundry drying function in a drum-type washing machine in which a horizontal shaft drum is disposed in a tub.

In addition, the embodiments of the present invention can be modified in various ways as appropriate within the scope of the technical idea shown in the claims.

Claims

A washing and drying machine is characterized by comprising:

an outer tub elastically supported in the casing;

an inner tub rotatably disposed in the outer tub and containing laundry;

a circulation duct in which a heater and a blower fan are arranged, and warm air generated by operation of the heater and the blower fan is circulated between the circulation duct and the inside of the tub;

a first exhaust port provided in the circulation duct, the first exhaust port discharging a part of the warm air flowing through the circulation duct; and

an exhaust air passage having a second exhaust port facing upward and facing the outside of the housing on a top surface thereof, the second exhaust port being configured to allow the warm air discharged from the first exhaust port to flow toward the second exhaust port,

the inlet of the warm air flowing into the exhaust air passage is provided below the second exhaust port so as not to overlap the second exhaust port in the vertical direction.
The washer-dryer according to claim 1,

the exhaust air passage includes a first rib extending downward so as to surround the second exhaust port,

the first rib has a height such that water passing through the second exhaust port from the outside of the cabinet and traveling in an oblique straight line toward the inlet of the warm air hits the second rib.
The washer-dryer according to claim 1 or 2,

the exhaust air passage includes an exhaust port group including a plurality of the second exhaust ports, and a second rib extending downward so as to surround the exhaust port group,

the second rib has a height such that water passing through the second exhaust port from the outside of the cabinet and traveling in an oblique straight line toward the inlet of the warm air hits the second rib.
The washer-dryer according to any one of claims 1 to 3,

the bottom surface of the exhaust air passage includes a raised surface raised higher than the surrounding surface,

the raised surface is provided with an inlet of the warm air.
The washer-dryer according to any one of claims 1 to 4,

further provided with: a water outlet for discharging water entering the air exhaust passage,

the bottom surface of the exhaust air passage includes an inclined surface that is inclined downward toward the drain port.
The washer-dryer according to any one of claims 1 to 5,

further provided with: a relay air passage provided below the exhaust air passage and connected to the inlet of the warm air and the first exhaust port,

the first exhaust port is located below the inlet of the warm air, and does not overlap with the inlet of the warm air in the up-down direction.