JP2002210289A - Drum type washing and drying machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent accumulation of lint in a communication part of an air trap of a bubble detector for a heat exchanger to always detect a bubble without an error. SOLUTION: This washing and drying machine is provided with a second water pour tube 83 as a water pour means pouring water into the air trap 69 of the bubble detector 80 which detects the bubble through the air trap 69 communicated with the heat exchanger 60. Thereby, even if the lint carried by air circulated in time of drying catches in the communication part of the air trap 69 of the bubble detector 80 for the heat exchanger 60, the water poured into the air trap 69 by the second water pour tube 83 washes away the lint.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a drum type washing / drying machine having a foam detection device for detecting foam via an air trap connected to a heat exchanger.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a drum type washing and drying machine, washing of laundry is performed by rotating the drum while the laundry is accommodated in a drum together with detergent and washing water. I have. Therefore, during the washing, the washing water containing the detergent is vigorously stirred, and if the detergent is a general non-low-foaming detergent, a large amount of foam is generated. When a lot of bubbles are generated, the laundry is raised by rotating the drum and then dropped to perform the washing by the impact force, but the bubbles in the drum receive the laundry as a buffer. If the impact force of the tap washing is excessively reduced, a sufficient washing effect cannot be obtained.

In a drum type washing and drying machine, the laundry is also dehydrated by rotating the drum. On the other hand, especially when the dehydration is performed immediately after washing, the dehydration occurs as described above. And the bubbles that have accumulated between the tank and the water tank containing it have hindered the rotation of the drum,
As a result, the rotation speed of the drum does not increase, and sufficient dehydration cannot be performed.

[0004] For this reason, in a drum type washing and drying machine, it is recommended to use a low foaming detergent with less foaming, and it is said that a non-low foaming detergent cannot be used. The low-foaming detergent is one that suppresses foaming by the type of surfactant added, has low foaming, has good foam erasing properties, so-called bubble elimination, and takes a long time to wash laundry with less dirt. It is a level that is considered to be most suitable for speed courses where washing is performed without water and fully automatic washing machines that use water. On the other hand, non-low-foaming detergents have a lot of foaming, but have good stain removal, good fragrance, and are inexpensive, and many users want to be able to use the same even in a drum type washing and drying machine. .

[0005] In view of this, as shown in FIG. 17, the applicant has provided a foam detecting device 1 in a drum type washing and drying machine.
When the foam detection device 1 detects the generation of a large amount of bubbles, the invention in which control such as reducing the amount of water in the drum 2 or decreasing the rotation speed of the drum 2 was first invented. . In this case, the amount of washing water is reduced by reducing the amount of water in the drum 2, and the frequency of washing water is reduced by lowering the rotation speed of the drum 2, so that the generation of more bubbles is suppressed. In addition, washing can be performed without causing the problem of adverse effects due to the above-mentioned foaming.

In this case, the foam detecting device 1 is provided with the air trap 4 in communication with the heat exchanger 3 of the drum type washer / dryer, and the pressure sensor 6 is connected to the air trap 4 via the air tube 5. It is configured to communicate. In this configuration, when a lot of bubbles are generated in the drum 2, the bubbles flow from the water tank 7 containing the drum 2 to the heat exchanger 3 communicating therewith, and further from the heat exchanger 3 to the air. After reaching the trap 4, the air pressure in the air trap 4 is increased. Then, the pressure sensor 6 communicated with the air trap 4 via the air tube 5 responds and outputs a bubble detection signal.
Control is performed to reduce the amount of water in the inside or to reduce the rotation speed of the drum 2.

The heat exchanger 3 is hollow and has a lower portion communicating with the inside of the water tank 7 through a communication port 8 and an upper portion having a blower blade 11 of a blower 10 installed therein through a duct 9 as shown in FIG. And 12. Also, the casing 12
Communicates with a case 15 in which a heater 14 for generating hot air of a heater 13 is provided.
Communicates within. Thus, the drying unit 17 is constituted, of which the water injection pipe 1
8, and a water supply valve 20 is connected to the water supply pipe 18 via a water supply tube 19.

In this configuration, at the time of drying, the drum 2 is rotated by the motor 21 provided on the back of the water tank 7, and the water supply pipe 20 is supplied from the water supply valve 20 through the water supply tube 19.
While water is being supplied to the blower 8, the blower 10 and the heater 13 are operated. Then, in a state where the drum 2 is rotated, air in the water tank 7 (air in the drum 2) is passed through the inside of the heat exchanger 3 from the lower communication port 8 to the upper part as shown by an arrow A. .
At this time, the water injected into the water injection pipe 18 from the water supply valve 20 is supplied into the heat exchanger 3 by the fountain port 18 a of the water injection pipe 18.
17 (see FIG. 17), the water is sprayed down as shown by the arrow B, and the flowing water is supplied to the water tank 7 passing through the heat exchanger 3.
The water vapor in the air inside is touched, cooled and dehumidified by condensation.

Then, the dehumidified air is then
After being sent into the case 15 of the heater 13 from the inside of the casing 12 of the blower 10 and heated by the heater 14 for generating hot air to be warmed, the air is returned to the water tank 7 through the duct 16 and further. It is returned into the drum 2. The air returned into the drum 2 removes moisture from the laundry in the drum 2 in the process of passing through the drum 2, and then passes through the heat exchanger 3 from the bottom to the top again. It is repeated and circulated, and thus the laundry is dried.

[0010]

When the laundry is dried as described above, lint (thread waste) is scattered from the laundry. The lint scattered from the laundry goes out of the drum 2 into the water tank 7, is carried by the air from the water tank 7 to the heat exchanger 3, and enters the heat exchanger 3. Then, the air trap 4 is caught on the inner wall surface of the heat exchanger 3, in particular, a portion where the air trap 4 communicates with the heat exchanger 3, and the air trap 4 overlaps and is gradually deposited. When lint is deposited on the communicating portion of the air trap 4 with the heat exchanger 3 in this manner, the air flow cross-sectional area of the portion is reduced, so that the change in air pressure at the time of bubble generation is not normal, and the detection of bubbles is not possible. An error may occur.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to prevent lint from accumulating in a communication portion of an air trap of a foam detection device with respect to a heat exchanger so that foam detection is always performed. An object of the present invention is to provide a drum type washer / dryer that can be performed without error.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, a drum type washing and drying machine according to the present invention comprises:
A drum provided inside the water tank and rotated at the time of washing, dehydration, and drying, a heat exchanger connected to the water tank, and a blower and a heater connected to the drum, A drying unit for drying and drying the laundry by performing dehumidification and heating of the air in the water tub by circulating air therethrough, through an air trap communicated with the heat exchanger. A foam detection device for detecting bubbles is provided, and a water injection means for injecting water into the air trap is provided (the invention of claim 1).

[0013] According to this aspect, even if the lint is caught in the communicating portion of the air trap of the bubble detection device with the heat exchanger by injecting water into the air trap of the bubble detection device by the water injection means, the lint is trapped in the air trap. From the heat exchanger into the heat exchanger.

In this case, if the heat exchanger is a water-cooled type that dehumidifies the air in the water tank by injecting water into the heat exchanger, the water injection means for injecting water into the air trap is provided in the heat exchanger. It is preferable to be provided branched from a water injection channel for water injection (invention of claim 2). In this case, the water supply into the heat exchanger and the water supply into the air trap can be performed by one water supply source such as a water supply valve.

The ratio of the amount of water injected into the air trap to the amount of water injected into the heat exchanger is preferably 5: 5 or less (the invention of claim 3). In this case, it is possible to remove the lint caught in the communicating portion of the air trap with the heat exchanger while maintaining the dehumidifying performance of the heat exchanger at a high level.

Further, it is preferable that the water injection means for injecting water into the air trap is provided so as to inject water into the air trap from near a communication portion of the air trap with the heat exchanger. In this case, the water is directly injected into the communicating portion of the air trap with the heat exchanger, so that the lint caught on that portion can be effectively drained off.

In addition, the water injection means for injecting water into the air trap is preferably provided with a pipe so as not to be lower than the air trap on the way (the invention of claim 5). In this case, no water remains in the water injection means for injecting water into the air trap, and clogging due to freezing of the remaining water can be avoided.

The lower portion of the air trap near the communicating portion with the heat exchanger is preferably formed to have a shape which is inclined without being depressed toward the inside of the heat exchanger (the invention of claim 6). In this case, the flow of the water injected into the air trap into the heat exchanger becomes smooth, and the lint caught on the communicating portion of the air trap with the heat exchanger can be more reliably washed off.

Second, the drum-type washing and drying machine of the present invention comprises:
A water tank and a drum provided inside the water tank and rotated during washing, spin-drying, and drying, and communicated with the water tank;
It has a water injection pipe inside, has a water-cooled heat exchanger in which water is injected from its fountain port, a blower and a heater connected thereto, and circulates the air in the water tank through them. A drying unit that dehumidifies and heats the air in the water tub to dry the laundry, thereby detecting bubbles through an air trap connected to the heat exchanger. A detection device is provided, and the fountain port of the water injection pipe is provided toward a communication portion side of the air trap with respect to a heat exchanger (the invention of claim 7).

According to this structure, the water for dehumidification in the heat exchanger is injected from the fountain port of the water injection pipe toward the communication portion of the air trap with respect to the heat exchanger, so that the water for dehumidification is used. The lint caught in the communicating portion of the air trap with the heat exchanger can be washed off.

Third, the drum type washer-dryer of the present invention comprises:
A water tank, a drum provided inside the water tank and rotated during washing, dehydration and drying, a heat exchanger connected to the water tank, and a blower and a heater connected thereto; A drying unit for circulating the air in the water tub through them to dehumidify and heat the air in the water tub to dry the laundry, wherein the air trap communicated with the heat exchanger A foam detection device that performs foam detection through is provided, and at least the inner wall surface of the heat exchanger on the side where the air trap is communicated,
A mirror finish is provided (the invention of claim 8).

According to this, lint adhesion on the inner wall surface of the heat exchanger on the side to which the air trap communicates can be avoided by the mirror-finished configuration of the surface, and thus a part of the inner wall surface is formed. It is possible to prevent the lint from being caught in the communicating portion of the air trap with the heat exchanger.

In this case, the inner wall surface of the heat exchanger at least on the side to which the air trap is communicated may be subjected to a process for providing water repellency instead of finishing the mirror surface. 9 invention). According to this method, lint is prevented from being attached to the inner wall surface of the heat exchanger on the side where the air trap is communicated, by a process that provides water repellency on the surface, and thus, a heat forming part of the inner wall surface is formed. It is possible to prevent the air trap from being caught in the communicating portion of the air trap with the exchanger.

Fourth, the drum-type washing and drying machine of the present invention comprises:
A water tank, a drum provided inside the water tank and rotated during washing, dehydration and drying, a heat exchanger connected to the water tank, and a blower and a heater connected thereto; A drying unit for circulating the air in the water tub through them to dehumidify and heat the air in the water tub to dry the laundry, wherein the air trap communicated with the heat exchanger And a communication section of the air trap with respect to the heat exchanger is prevented from protruding into the heat exchanger, and a portion of the heat exchanger where the air trap is communicated is provided. The inner edge portion is chamfered (the invention of claim 10).

According to this structure, the communicating portion of the air trap to the heat exchanger does not protrude into the heat exchanger, and the inner edge of the portion of the heat exchanger connected to the air trap is chamfered. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the lint from being caught on the communicating portion of the air trap with the heat exchanger.

[0026]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. First, as shown in FIG. 2, a door 32 is provided at the center in the front part of an outer box 31 forming an outer shell of the entire drum type washer / dryer, an operation panel 33 is provided at an upper part, and a drawer-type detergent is supplied. Case 34 is provided. Among them, the door 32 is, as shown in FIG.
A laundry doorway 35 formed at the center of the front of the outer box 31
The operation circuit unit 36 is provided at the upper part on the back side of the front part of the outer box 31, and the control circuit unit 37 is provided at the lower part. The operation circuit unit 36 responds to the operation of the operation panel 33 by the user, and the control circuit unit 37 functions as control means for controlling the overall operation of the drum type washer / dryer based on the operation. Things.

A water tank 38 is provided inside the outer box 31. The water tank 38 has a cylindrical shape, and is arranged in a horizontal axis shape whose front and rear directions (left and right in FIG. 3) are arranged in a horizontal direction, and furthermore, a pair of left and right sides (see FIG. 1). Is supported by the elastic support device 39 of the above. Inside the water tank 38, a drum 40 is disposed coaxially with the water tank 38. The drum 40 functions as a common tub for washing, dewatering, and drying, and has a large number of small holes 41 that are both water holes and air holes in almost the entire area of the body (partly shown in FIG. 3). Only baffle 4 on the inner periphery of the torso
2 (only one is shown).

Each of the water tank 38 and the drum 40 has openings 43 and 44 for taking in and out the laundry at the front part. Of these, the opening 43 of the water tank 38 is closed by the bellows 45 to wash the outer box 31. Connect to the doorway 35 in a watertight manner,
The opening 44 of the drum 40 faces the opening 43 of the water tank 38.

On the back of the water tank 38, a motor 46 is provided as a driving device for rotating the drum 40. In this case, the motor 46 is of an outer rotor type,
The stator 46a is attached to the back of the water tank 38, and the rotating shaft 46c attached to the center of the rotor 46b is inserted into the water tank 38, and the center of the back of the drum 40 is attached to the front end thereof.

A water basin 47 is attached to the lower surface of the water tub 38, and a heater 48 for heating the washing water is disposed inside the water basin 47. A drain valve 49 is provided at the rear of the water basin 47 through a drain valve 49. The drain hose 50 is connected. In this case, drain valve 4
Reference numeral 9 denotes an electric type which is opened by the driving force of an electromagnet or a motor.

On the other hand, a blower 51
Is disposed, and a heater 52 is disposed on the front side. Among them, the blower 51 is, as shown in FIG.
Are provided inside the casing 53, and a motor 55 for rotationally driving the blowing blades 54 is provided outside the casing 53, and these are connected by a belt transmission mechanism 56. On the other hand, the heater 52 is configured by providing a heater 58 for generating hot air inside a case 57,
The inlet 7 communicates with the outlet of the casing 53 of the blower 51.

Further, a duct 59 shown in FIG. One end of the duct 59 communicates with the outlet of the case 57 of the heater 52.
The other end faces the inside of the water tank 38.

A heat exchanger 60 is also provided on the back of the water tank 38. The heat exchanger 60 is of a water-cooled type in which water is poured from the upper portion to exchange heat with water to cool, condense, and dehumidify the moisture of the air passing therethrough. are doing. As shown in FIG. 1, the heat exchanger 60 has a shape curved concentrically with respect to the rotation shaft 46 c of the motor 46, which is the center of rotation of the drum 40. It is arranged on the left side in FIG.

The heat exchanger 60 has an air inlet 61 serving as a water outlet, which is a communication port, at the lower portion, and the air inlet 61 communicates with the inner lower portion of the water tank 38. or,
The upper part of the heat exchanger 60 is connected to the blower 5 by a duct 62.
1, the heat exchanger 60, the duct 62, the blower 51, and the heater 5
The drying unit 63 is constituted by the duct 2 and the duct 59.

The heat exchanger 60 has a water injection pipe 6
4 is provided horizontally. The water injection pipe 64 has, for example, a large number of fountain ports 64a in a horizontal line on a lower surface facing the lower part in the heat exchanger 60, and a connecting part 64b at one end is located outside the heat exchanger 60. ing. And the irrigation pipe 6
4 has a branch port 65a, for example, Y
One end of a first water injection tube 66 is connected via a U-shaped pipe joint 65, and the other end of the first water injection tube 66 is connected to a water supply valve 67.

Here, the water supply tube 66 and the pipe joint 65 constitute a water supply passage 68 for supplying water to the heat exchanger 60, and a water supply valve 67, which is a water supply source, is connected to the outer box 3
1 at the top.

An air trap 69 is attached to the heat exchanger 60 at the back of the upper and lower middle portions. As shown in detail in FIGS. 5 and 6, the air trap 69 is formed of an independent hollow part, and has a first projecting upward and projecting upward.
A connection port 71 protruding forward (to the right in FIG. 6) at a lower portion, a second connection port 72 protruding outward, particularly to the left in FIG. 5, and left, right, and lower portions. And a mounting portion 73 protruding in three directions. In this case, the second connection port 72 is located near the connection port 71.

On the other hand, a connection receiving port 74 and mounting receiving bosses 75 located at three places around the connection receiving port 74 are formed in the back of the upper and lower intermediate portions of the heat exchanger 60. The connection port 71 of the air trap 69 is inserted into the connection receiving port 74 until the tip thereof is substantially flush with the inner surface of the heat exchanger 60, and the air trap 69 communicates with the inside of the heat exchanger 60. ing. Therefore, the connection port 71 of the air trap 69
Functions as a communicating portion of the air trap 69 with the heat exchanger 60, and the connection port 74 is connected to the heat exchanger 60.
Function as a portion where the air trap 69 is communicated.

Further, an O-ring 76 which is a seal member fitted to the outer periphery of the connection port 71 is sandwiched between the folded air trap 69 and the heat exchanger 60, and the mounting bosses 75 The air trap 69 is placed on the heat exchanger 60
The heat exchanger 60 is mounted airtight, watertight, and at an angle substantially along the curved shape of the heat exchanger 60.

Thus, one end of the air tube 78 is connected to the first connection port 70 of the air trap 69, and the other end of the air tube 78 is connected to the pressure sensor 79 shown in FIG.
To form a bubble detection device 80. The pressure sensor 79, which is the main component of the bubble detecting device 80, has a pressure of about several hundred [P
a) (reference value: several tens [mmH ₂ O]), which can detect a minute air pressure, and a water level sensor 81 provided side by side with the water tank 38 via an air tube 82 and an air trap (not shown). While the stored water level in the inside is similarly detected by air pressure, it is about ten times more sensitive. The pressure sensor 79 and the water level sensor 81 are also provided at the uppermost part in the outer box 31.

The second connection port 72 of the air trap 69
Is connected to one end of a second water injection tube 83, and the other end of the second water injection tube 83 is connected to a branch port 65 a of the pipe joint 65. This second water injection tube 8
Numeral 3 is a water injection means for injecting water into the air trap 69. In this case, in particular, in this case, by connecting to the branch port 65a of the pipe joint 65, a water injection passage 68 for injecting water into the heat exchanger 60 is provided. It is provided by branching from.

Further, in this case, the amount of water flowing through the second water supply tube 83 relative to the amount of water flowing through the water supply passage 68, that is, the amount of water W1 injected into the heat exchanger 60, is changed.
The ratio of the amount of water W2 injected into the tube 9 is 5: 5 or less, in which the latter W2 is less than half of the former W1.
8: 2. In addition, the second water injection tube 83 is provided so as not to be lower than the air trap 69 on the way.

As shown in FIG. 4, a water supply pump 84 is mounted at the upper left corner (upper left corner in FIG. 4) of the inner top of the outer box 31. The water supply pump 84 is provided with the priming water supply port 8.
The priming water is supplied from the water supply port 5, and water other than tap water, such as bath water, is suctioned from a water suction port 86 through a water suction hose (not shown), and the sucked water other than tap water is discharged from a water discharge port 87.

Further, a water injection case 88 is provided in front of the water supply pump 84 (downward in FIG. 4) and at the left front portion (lower left portion in FIG. 4) of the upper inside of the outer box 31. . Although not shown in detail, the water injection case 88 has first and second two tap water supply paths and a supply path other than tap water, and their outlets are common, as shown in FIG. The water tank 38 communicates with the inside of the water tank 38 through a water supply pipe 89 from the upper front.

A water outlet 87 of the water supply pump 84 is connected to a supply path other than tap water of the water injection case 88 via a connection hose 90. A priming water supply port 85 of the water supply pump 84 is connected to a first tap water supply path of the water injection case 88 via a connection hose 91.

In addition, the aforementioned detergent charging case 34
Although not shown in detail, a detergent storage unit for storing detergent,
A finishing agent storing section for storing a finishing agent such as a softener, housed in the water injection case 88, a detergent storing section is set in the first tap water supply path, and a second tap water supply path is provided. The finishing agent storage section is set at the end.

A water distribution device 92 is provided in the upper right part of the water supply pump 84 in the upper part of the outer box 31. This water distribution device 92 distributes tap water, and has one water inlet 93 connected to a water tap via a water supply hose (not shown).
In this case, however, three water supply valves 94, 95 and 67 are provided. In this case, the water supply valves 94, 95, and 67 are electrically driven like the drain valve 49.

The water supply valve 67 is connected to the heat exchanger 60.
Is the water supply source of the water supply channel 68 for supplying water to the
The water supply valve 94 is connected to the water injection case 8 through a connection hose 96.
8, and a water supply valve 95 is connected to a second tap water supply path of the water injection case 88 via a connection hose 97. In addition, FIG. 1 shows a temperature sensor 98 made of, for example, a thermistor provided at a lower portion on the back surface of the water tank 38 to detect the water temperature and the air temperature in the water tank 38.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. First, based on a user's operation, when the operation of the drum-type washing and drying machine, particularly the operation of the standard course, is started, washing (not shown), rinsing, dehydrating, and drying are sequentially performed.
During washing, the washing water (tap water) is opened through the connection hose 96 by opening the water supply valve 94 and the water injection case 8.
The water is supplied into the water tank 38 together with the detergent set in the detergent charging case 34 in the inside 8. Then, after the water is supplied, the drum 40, in which the laundry (not shown) is previously stored from the laundry entrance 35, is rotated at a low speed by the motor 46, so that the laundry in the drum 40 is sequentially raised and then dropped. Washing is performed by washing.

At this time, for example, if the detergent used is a non-low-foaming detergent, or if the amount of the low-foaming detergent is too large, a large amount of foam is generated in the drum 40, It reaches the inside of the water tank 38 from the small hole 41 and the opening 44, and further from the inside of the water tank 38 to the inside of the heat exchanger 60 communicating with the lower air inlet 61, and further inside the heat exchanger 60. From the air trap 69 to the inside of the air trap 69 through the connection port 71 under the air trap 69, and the air pressure in the air trap 69 is increased.

Then, the pressure sensor 79 connected to the air trap 69 via the air tube 78 responds and outputs a bubble detection signal. The output (bubble detection signal) of the pressure sensor 79 is input to the control circuit unit 37, and the control circuit unit 37 executes a control operation based on the input. The control operation is, for example,
The drainage valve 49 is opened to reduce the water in the drum 40, or the rotation speed of the motor 46 is reduced to reduce the rotation speed of the drum 40, or both.

At the time of rinsing, washing water containing no detergent is supplied into the water tub 38 in the same manner as described above, and after the water is supplied, the drum 40 is rotated at a low speed by the motor 46 to wash the laundry in the drum 40. Rinse with the same tap wash. Even at the time of this rinsing, many bubbles may be generated due to the remaining detergent at an early stage such as the first time,
When it reaches the inside of the air trap 69 as described above and increases the air pressure in the air trap 69, the pressure sensor 7
In response, the control circuit unit 37 executes the control operation described above. At the time of dehydration, the drum 40 is rotated at a high speed by the motor 46, so that the water contained in the laundry is shaken off and discharged from the small holes 41 by centrifugal force, and drained through the drain valve 49 and the drain hose 50 in order. .

At the time of drying, the drum 40 is rotated at a low speed by the motor 46, the water is supplied from the water supply valve 67 to the water supply pipe 64 through the first water supply tube 66 and the pipe joint 65 of the water supply passage 68, and the blower 51 is The heater 52 is operated. Then, in a situation where the drum 40 is rotated at a low speed, the air in the water tank 38 (air in the drum 40) flows through the heat exchanger 60 through the lower air inlet 61 as shown by an arrow C in FIGS. From the top to the top. At this time, the water injected into the water injection pipe 64 from the water supply valve 67 is injected into the heat exchanger 60 from the fountain port 64a of the water injection pipe 64 as shown by the arrow D, and flows down. in water,
Water vapor in the air in the water tank 38 passing through the heat exchanger 60 is cooled by touch and dehumidified by condensation.

Then, the dehumidified air is then
After being sent from the inside of the casing 53 of the blower 51 into the case 57 of the heater 52 and heated by the hot air generating heater 58 to be warmed, it is returned to the water tank 38 through the duct 59, and furthermore. It is returned into the drum 40.
The air returned into the drum 40 removes moisture from the laundry in the drum 40 in the process of passing through the drum 40, and then passes through the heat exchanger 60 from the bottom to the top again. It is repeated and circulated, and thus the laundry is dried.

When the laundry is dried as described above, lint (thread waste) is scattered from the laundry.
The lint scattered from the laundry goes out of the drum 40 into the water tank 38, is carried by the air from the water tank 38 to the heat exchanger 60, and enters the heat exchanger 60. Water reaching the pipe joint 65 from the water supply valve 67 via the first water supply tube 66 of the water supply passage 68 is branched from the branch port 65a of the pipe joint 65 to the second water supply tube 83,
The air trap 69 passes through the second water injection tube 83.
As shown by the arrow E in FIG. 6, the air is injected into the air trap 69 from the second connection port 72, and reaches the heat exchanger 60 through the connection port 71 of the air trap 69.

For this reason, as shown in FIG. 6, even if the lint 1 is hooked on the communicating portion of the air trap 69 with the heat exchanger 60, particularly on the inner edge of the front end of the connection port 71, the above-mentioned air trap 69 is not affected. The water is injected into the air trap 69 and is flowed down by the water flowing from the connection port 71 of the air trap 69 into the heat exchanger 60.

Therefore, the lint 1 does not accumulate in the portion, and the air flow cross-sectional area in the portion does not decrease due to the lint 1 thus accumulated. It does not become abnormal, and the bubble can be always detected without error.

In the case of the above configuration, the heat exchanger 60
Is a water-cooled type in which water in the water tank 38 is dehumidified by being injected into the inside thereof, whereas a second water injection tube 83 which is a water injection means for injecting water into the air trap 69 is provided with a heat pipe. Injection channel 6 for injecting water into exchanger 60
8 and is provided. Thereby, the heat exchanger 6
Since water can be injected into the inside of 0 and the inside of the air trap 69 by one water supply source such as the water supply valve 67, the configuration can be rationalized and the cost can be reduced.

Further, in the case of the above configuration, the heat exchanger 6
The ratio of the amount of water W2 injected into the air trap 69 to the amount of water W1 injected into water 0 is 5: 5 or less, where the latter W2 is less than half of the former W1. While maintaining the heat exchanger 60 high.
The lint 1 caught in the communicating portion of the air trap 69 with the lint can be drained off.

FIG. 7 shows this based on the inventor's experiment under the condition that the water temperature is 10 ° C., and W 1:
When W2 = 10: 0, the dehumidifying performance (heat exchange performance) of the heat exchanger 60 is 914 [W], and W1: W2 =
At 8: 2, 6: 4, and 5: 5, the same level of dehumidification performance was obtained (W1: W2 = 4: 6, 2: 8: the dehumidification performance was reduced, and W1: W2 = 2: 8 in particular). Then the dehumidification performance is 82
0 [W]).

In this case, the water injected into the air trap 69 also passes through the heat exchanger 60 and then enters the water tank 38.
By contacting the air inside, it is used for dehumidification. Therefore, the dehumidification performance does not decrease from W1: W2 = 8: 2 to 5: 5. However, W1: W2 = 4: 6,
If the ratio is 2: 8, the heat is injected from the water injection pipe 64 and the heat exchanger 6
Insufficient amount of water for the original dehumidification passing through the whole area within 0,
As a result, the dehumidifying performance decreases. Therefore, the ratio of the amount of water W2 injected into the air trap 69 to the amount of water W1 injected into the heat exchanger 60 is preferably 5: 5 or less, in which the latter W2 is less than half of the former W1. It is preferable that the ratio be in the range of 5: 5 to 8: 2 except for 10: 0 where water is not injected into the air trap 69.

In addition, the second water injection tube 83, which is a water injection means for injecting water into the air trap 69, connects the second connection port 72 of the air trap 69 to be connected thereto with the air trap 69 for the heat exchanger 60. Is formed in the vicinity of the connection port 71 which is a communication part of the air trap 69 so that water is injected into the air trap 69 from the vicinity of the connection port 71. Thereby, the air trap 6 for the heat exchanger 60 is
Water is directly injected into the communication portion 9 to effectively drain the lint 1 caught in that portion.

In addition, the second water injection tube 83, which is a water injection means for injecting water into the air trap 69, is piped so as not to be lower than the air trap 69 on the way. As a result, no water remains in the water injection means for injecting water into the air trap 69, and clogging due to freezing or the like of the remaining water is avoided, so that the lint caught on the communicating portion of the air trap 69 with the heat exchanger 60 is prevented. Can be drained off reliably.

8 to 16 show the second to seventh embodiments of the present invention.
The same parts as those in the embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. Only different parts will be described.

[Second Embodiment] In the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 to 11, the water distribution device 92 is provided with a water supply valve 101 in addition to the three water supply valves 94, 95, 67 (FIG. 8). See FIG. 8). The air tube 69 has the second
Instead of the connection port 72, a second connection port 102 is formed so as to project obliquely upward from an intermediate portion on the right side in FIG. The second connection port 102 has the second connection port 102 described above.
Instead of the water injection tube 83, one end of a second water injection tube 103 functioning as water injection means for water injection into the air trap 69 together with the water supply valve 101 is connected, and the other end of the second water injection tube 103 is supplied with water. Connected to valve 101.

Further, in this case, the injection pipe 6 of the heat exchanger 60
4 is connected to one end of a first water injection tube 104 constituting a water injection passage for water injection into the heat exchanger 60 instead of the above-described pipe joint 65 and first water injection tube 66. The other end of one water injection tube 104 is connected to the water supply valve 67. That is, in this case, the second water injection tube 103 (water injection means for water injection into the air trap 69) is connected to the first water injection tube 104 (heat exchanger 60).
Water supply valve 101 without branching
And a connection port 7 which is a communication portion of the air trap 69 with the heat exchanger 60.
It is provided so that water is injected into the air trap 69 from a portion separated from the upper part of the air trap 69.

The water injection into the heat exchanger 60 and the water injection into the air trap 69 may be performed by piping as described above. Particularly in this case, the second water injection tube 103
Is located on the side of the water supply valve 101, so that the piping is easy and the length of the second water injection tube 103 can be shortened.

[Third Embodiment] In the third embodiment shown in FIG. 12, the connection port 71 of the air trap 69 (the heat exchanger 6
As shown by the inclined surface 111, the lower part near the communication part with respect to 0 has a shape that is inclined without depression toward the inside of the heat exchanger 60. In this case, the water injected into the air trap 69 from the water supply valve 101 through the second water injection tube 103 flows into the heat exchanger 60 smoothly, and the lint caught on the communicating portion of the air trap 69 Can be more reliably removed. In this case, the water injection into the air trap 69 is performed by the configuration of the second embodiment, but may be performed by the configuration of the first embodiment.

[Fourth Embodiment] In a fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 13, the fountain port 121 of the water supply pipe 64 for supplying water into the heat exchanger 60 is connected to the connection port 71 of the air trap 69 (the heat exchanger 60). To the side of the air trap 69 (communication portion). In this case, the water for dehumidification in the heat exchanger 60 is directed from the fountain port 121 of the water injection pipe 21 to the communication part (connection port 71) of the air trap 69 with respect to the heat exchanger 60 as shown by F in the figure. As a result, the lint 1 caught on the communicating portion of the air trap 69 with the heat exchanger 60 can be washed down by the dehumidifying water. Therefore, even in this case, the heat exchanger 60
Lint does not accumulate in the communicating portion of the air trap 69 with the air trap 69, and the accumulated lint 1 does not reduce the air flow cross-sectional area in that portion, so that the bubble detection can always be performed without error. Become like

Therefore, in this case, the water may not be injected into the air trap 69. However, by simultaneously performing the water injection as shown in the drawing, the lint trapped in the communicating portion of the air trap 69 with the heat exchanger 60 is formed. 1 can be more reliably removed. In this case, the water injection into the air trap 69 is performed by the configuration of the second embodiment, but may be performed by the configuration of the third embodiment or the first embodiment.

[Fifth Embodiment] In the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 14, the inner wall surface of the heat exchanger 60 on the side where the air trap 69 communicates is finished to have a mirror surface 131 shape.

In this embodiment, lint is prevented from adhering to the inner wall surface of the heat exchanger 60 on the side where the air trap 69 is communicated with the heat exchanger 60, and thus the heat exchanger 60 forms a part of the inner wall surface. The lint can be prevented from being caught in the communicating portion of the air trap 69 with the exchanger 60. Therefore, even in this case, lint does not accumulate in the communicating portion of the air trap 69 with the heat exchanger 60, and the accumulated lint does not reduce the air flow cross-sectional area in that portion. The detection of bubbles can always be performed without error.

Therefore, also in this case, the water injection into the air trap 69 may not be performed.
It is not necessary to provide the fountain port 121 toward the connection port 71 side of the air trap 69, but by performing them together as shown in the drawing, the lint of the communicating portion of the air trap 69 with the heat exchanger 60 is increased. Can be removed more reliably. In this case as well, the water injection into the air trap 69 is performed by the configuration of the second embodiment.
This may be performed by the configuration of the third embodiment or the first embodiment. The mirror surface 131 may be finished on the entire inner wall surface of the heat exchanger 60.

[Sixth Embodiment] In the sixth embodiment shown in FIG. 15, the inner wall surface of the heat exchanger 60 on the side where the air trap 69 is communicated is replaced with the above-mentioned mirror surface 131 shape. In addition, processing 141 for providing water repellency, such as fluororesin coating, is performed.

In this embodiment, the adhesion of the lint on the inner wall surface of the heat exchanger 60 on the side where the air trap 69 is communicated can be avoided by the processing 141 for providing water repellency, thus forming a part of the inner wall surface. It is possible to eliminate the lint from being caught in the communicating portion of the air trap 69 with the heat exchanger 60. Therefore, even in this case, the heat exchanger 60
Lint does not accumulate in the communicating portion of the air trap 69 with the air, and the accumulated lint does not reduce the air flow cross-sectional area of the lint, so that bubble detection can always be performed without error. Become.

Therefore, in this case as well, water injection into the air trap 69 may not be performed.
It is not necessary to provide the fountain port 121 toward the connection port 71 side of the air trap 69, but by performing them together as shown in the drawing, the lint of the communicating portion of the air trap 69 with the heat exchanger 60 is increased. Can be removed more reliably. In this case as well, the water injection into the air trap 69 is performed by the configuration of the second embodiment.
This may be performed by the configuration of the third embodiment or the first embodiment. The processing 141 for providing water repellency is performed by the heat exchanger 60.
May be applied to the entire inner wall surface.

[Seventh Embodiment] In the seventh embodiment shown in FIG. 16, a connection port 151 functioning as a communicating part with the heat exchanger 60 is provided in the air trap 69 instead of the connection port 71 described above. It is formed shorter than 71, so that the communication part of the air trap 69 with the heat exchanger 60 does not protrude into the heat exchanger 60. In this case, a tapered inclined chamfer 152 is formed on the inner edge of the portion (connection receiving port 74) of the heat exchanger 60 where the air trap 69 is communicated, which is exposed thereby.

In this embodiment, the heat exchanger 60 at the communication portion (connection port 151) of the air trap 69 with the heat exchanger 60 is provided.
Due to the non-projecting structure to the inside and the chamfer 152 of the inner edge of the portion (connection receiving port 74) where the air trap 69 of the heat exchanger 60 communicates, the lint of the communicating portion of the air trap 69 with the heat exchanger 60 is provided. Can be eliminated. Therefore, the air trap 6 for the heat exchanger 60
Since lint does not accumulate in the communicating portion 9 and the accumulated lint does not reduce the air flow cross-sectional area of the portion, lint can always be detected without error.

Therefore, in this case as well, it is possible not to inject water into the air trap 69. However, by performing the same operation as shown in the drawing, the flow of the lint in the communicating portion of the air trap 69 with the heat exchanger 60 is performed. Dropping can be performed more reliably. Also in this case, the fountain port 12 of the water injection pipe 21 is also used.
1 may be provided toward the connection port 71 side of the air trap 69. Furthermore, the inner wall surface of the heat exchanger 60 at least on the side to which the air trap 69 is communicated has the aforementioned mirror surface 1.
It may be finished in a 31 shape.
1 may be applied.

In addition, in this case as well, the water injection into the air trap 69 is performed by the configuration of the second embodiment.
This may be performed by the configuration of the third embodiment or the first embodiment.

The chamfer of the inner edge of the portion (connection receiving port 74) of the heat exchanger 60 where the air trap 69 communicates is not limited to the tapered slope, but may be a curved surface. In addition, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and shown in the drawings, and can be implemented with appropriate modifications without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0082]

As described above, according to the drum type washer / dryer of the present invention, lint is prevented from accumulating in the communicating portion of the air trap of the foam detecting device with the heat exchanger, and the foam is always detected. Therefore, the control operation and the like at the time of the occurrence of the abnormality of the foam can be always performed without the error, and the washing can be surely performed without causing the problem of the adverse effect due to the foaming.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a rear view of an entire drum type washing and drying machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention, with an outer case back plate removed.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the entire drum type washer / dryer.

FIG. 3 is a cutaway side view of the entire drum type washer / dryer.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the entire drum type washer / dryer with an outer box top plate removed.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged rear view of a main part.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional side view of a main part along the line GG of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a characteristic diagram showing the relationship between the dehumidifying performance of the heat exchanger and the ratio of each water injection amount of the heat exchanger and the air trap.

FIG. 8 is a view corresponding to FIG. 4, showing a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 5;

11 is an enlarged vertical sectional side view of a main part along the line HH in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a view corresponding to FIG. 11, showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a view corresponding to FIG. 11, showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a view corresponding to FIG. 11, showing a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a view corresponding to FIG. 11, showing a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a view corresponding to FIG. 11, showing a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 1 showing a conventional example.

FIG. 18 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 3;

[Explanation of symbols]

38 is a water tank, 40 is a drum, 46 is a motor, 51 is a blower, 52 is a heater, 60 is a heat exchanger, 63 is a drying unit, 64 is a water injection pipe, 65 is a pipe joint, 66 is a first water injection tube, 67 is a water supply valve, 68 is a water injection passage, 69 is an air trap, 71 is a connection port (communication part of the air trap to the heat exchanger), 72 is a second connection port, 74 is a connection receiving port (air of the heat exchanger). A portion communicating with the trap), 78 is an air tube, 79 is a pressure sensor, 80 is a bubble detection device, 83 is a second water injection tube (water injection means), 101 is a water supply valve (water injection means), and 102 is a second water injection valve (water injection means). A connection port, 103 is a second water injection tube (water injection means), 111 is an inclined surface, 121 is a fountain port of a water injection pipe, 131 is a mirror surface, 141 is a process for providing water repellency, 151 is a connection port (air to the heat exchanger). Communication part of trap), 15 Shows a chamfer.

Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Takayuki Hirano 991, Anata-cho, Seto-shi, Aichi Prefecture Inside the Higashishiba Aichi Factory (72) Inventor Satoshi Nishiwaki 991, Anata-cho, Seto-shi, Aichi Prefecture Inside the Higashishiba Aichi Factory ( 72) Inventor Katsuhiko Asanuma 991 Anada-cho, Seto-shi, Aichi F-term in Toshiba Aichi factory (reference) 3B155 AA16 CA02 CB07 FA37 KA25 LB18 LB31 4L019 AA02 AA05

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A water tank, a drum provided inside the water tank, and rotated during washing, spin-drying, and drying; a heat exchanger connected to the water tank; a blower and a heater connected to the heat exchanger Having a drying unit that circulates the air in the water tub through them to perform dehumidification and heating of the air in the water tub to dry the laundry. A drum-type washing / drying machine, comprising: a foam detection device that detects bubbles via a communicating air trap; and a water injection means for injecting water into the air trap. 2. A water-cooling type in which a heat exchanger is injected into the inside thereof to dehumidify air in a water tank, and a water injection means for injecting water into an air trap is configured to inject water into the heat exchanger. The drum-type washing / drying machine according to claim 1, wherein the drum-type washing / drying machine is provided so as to be branched from a water injection channel. 3. The drum type washing and drying machine according to claim 2, wherein the ratio of the amount of water injected into the air trap to the amount of water injected into the heat exchanger is 5: 5 or less. 4. A water injection means for injecting water into the air trap,
The drum-type washing / drying machine according to claim 1, wherein the drum-type washing / drying machine is provided so that water is injected into the air trap from near a communication portion of the air trap with the heat exchanger. 5. A water injection means for injecting water into the air trap,
2. The drum type washing and drying machine according to claim 1, wherein the pipe is arranged so as not to be lower than the air trap on the way. 6. The drum type washer-dryer according to claim 1, wherein a lower portion of the air trap near the communicating portion with the heat exchanger is formed to be inclined without indentation toward the inside of the heat exchanger. . 7. A water tank, a drum provided inside the water tank, and rotated during washing, spin-drying, and drying; and a water pipe connected to the water tank and having a water injection pipe therein. It has a water-cooled heat exchanger filled inside, a blower and a heater connected to the heat exchanger, and circulates the air in the water tank to dehumidify and heat the air in the water tank. And a drying unit for drying the laundry, provided with a foam detection device that detects bubbles via an air trap communicated with the heat exchanger, and the water injection port of the water injection pipe, A drum type washing / drying machine provided to face a communication portion of the air trap with respect to a heat exchanger. 8. A water tank, a drum provided inside the water tank, and rotated during washing, spin-drying, and drying; a heat exchanger connected to the water tank; a blower and a heater connected to the heat exchanger Having a drying unit that circulates the air in the water tub through them to perform dehumidification and heating of the air in the water tub to dry the laundry. A drum type wherein a foam detector is provided for detecting bubbles via a communicated air trap, and at least the inner wall surface of the heat exchanger on the side where the air trap is communicated is mirror-finished. Washing and drying machine. 9. The heat exchanger according to claim 8, wherein at least the inner wall surface of the heat exchanger on the side to which the air trap is communicated is subjected to a process for providing water repellency instead of finishing the mirror surface. Drum type washer / dryer. 10. A water tank, a drum provided inside the water tank, and rotated during washing, spin-drying and drying, a heat exchanger connected to the water tank, and a blower and a heater connected to the heat exchanger Having a drying unit that circulates the air in the water tub through them to perform dehumidification and heating of the air in the water tub to dry the laundry. In addition to providing a bubble detection device that detects bubbles via a communicating air trap, a communication portion of the air trap with respect to the heat exchanger is prevented from protruding into the heat exchanger, and an air trap of the heat exchanger is provided. A drum-type washing and drying machine characterized in that a chamfer is applied to an inner edge portion of a communicating portion.