JP2004215943A - Garment drier and drier with washing function - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To stabilize a heat pump in a safety state and to attain shortening of a drying time and energy saving. <P>SOLUTION: This garment drier comprises an air circulation path 38 for circulating air in the order of a radiator 44, a drying chamber 35 and a heat sink 43. The heat sink 43 and the radiator 44 constitute a heat pump cycle using a coolant. Then, the air circulation path 38 is provided with an exhaust port 47 formed between the drying chamber 35 and the heat sink 43 for partially exhausting circulating air flowing through the air circulation path 38; and an air suction port 48 formed at a part of the air circulation path 38 from the drying chamber 35 to the radiator 43 for sucking outside air covering a part of circulating air exhausted from the exhaust port 47. Thus, the heat pump is stabilized in the safety state, and thermal energy is not exhausted wastefully. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a clothes dryer and a dryer with a washing function used in ordinary households.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The configuration and operation of the conventional example will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 shows a drum-type clothes dryer, in which a rotating drum 3 rotating around a horizontal shaft 2 as a fulcrum is arranged in an outer case 1.
[0003]
A clothing input port 4 formed on the front surface of the rotary drum 3 is opened on the front surface of the outer case 1 and is opened and closed by a door 5.
[0004]
An air circulation path 7 including a drying chamber 6 set inside the rotating drum 3 is configured. That is, the air circulation path 7 includes a drying chamber 6, a blowing chamber 8, a heat exchange chamber 9, and the like on the way, and the air in the drying chamber 6 flows from the rotating drum side exhaust port 10 on the back wall to the blowing chamber 8, Subsequently, the air is circulated to the drying chamber 6 again through the air supply port 11 provided in front of the drying chamber 6 through the heat exchange chamber 9.
[0005]
A fan 12 is arranged in the blower chamber 8, a heat absorber 13 is arranged in the heat exchange chamber 9 on the upstream side, and a radiator 14 is arranged in the downstream side.
[0006]
The heat absorber 13 and the heat radiator 14 constitute a heat pump including a compressor 15 and an expansion mechanism 16 such as a capillary tube. High-humidity air from the drying chamber 6 is cooled and dehumidified by the heat absorber 13 and thereafter. The air becomes dry air and reaches the radiator 14, where it is heated and becomes high-temperature air.
[0007]
Then, the high-temperature air is supplied from the air supply port 11 to the drying chamber 6, where the clothing A is dried.
[0008]
Reference numeral 17 denotes a motor whose rotation is transmitted to the rotating drum 3 and the fan 12 via belts 18 and 19.
[0009]
By the way, if the air (circulating air) in the air circulation path 7 is circulated as it is, the amount of heat of the whole air increases and the amount of heat of the refrigerant in the heat pump cycle increases, the pressure increases, and the compressor 15 is overloaded. It takes. Therefore, a part of the circulating air heated by the radiator 14 is discharged from the exhaust port 20 provided in the air circulation path 7 from the radiator 14 to the drying chamber 6 (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0010]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-7-178289 (FIG. 1)
[0011]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described conventional configuration, since the drying air heated by the radiator 14 is discharged before the drying chamber 6, there is a problem that clothes cannot be efficiently dried. That is, there is a problem that heat energy necessary for drying clothes is wastefully released.
[0012]
The present invention is intended to solve such a problem of the conventional configuration, and has an object to stabilize a heat pump in a safe state, to shorten a drying time, and to save energy.
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has an air circulation path that circulates air in the order of a radiator, a drying chamber, and a heat absorber, wherein the heat absorber and the radiator constitute a heat pump cycle using a refrigerant. An exhaust port for discharging a part of circulating air flowing through the air circulation path formed between the drying chamber and the heat absorber in the air circulation path, and a part of an air circulation path extending from the drying chamber to a radiator. And a suction port for sucking in the outside air by supplementing the circulating air discharged from the discharge port to stabilize the heat pump in a safe state and prevent unnecessary heat energy from being discharged.
[0014]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has a radiator, a drying chamber, an air circulation path that circulates air in the order of a heat absorber, wherein the heat absorber and the radiator constitute a heat pump cycle using a refrigerant. An exhaust port for discharging a part of circulating air flowing through the air circulation path formed between the drying chamber and the heat absorber in the air circulation path, and a part of an air circulation path from the drying chamber to a radiator. The air conditioner further includes an intake port for supplementing the circulating air discharged from the exhaust port and sucking outside air, or an intake port formed between the drying chamber and the heat absorber.
[0015]
According to the present invention, at least one of the exhaust port and the intake port is provided with a control valve for adjusting the amount of circulating air.
[0016]
Further, the present invention has an air circulation path for circulating air in the order of a radiator, a drying chamber, and a heat absorber, wherein the heat absorber and the radiator constitute a heat pump cycle using a refrigerant, and the air circulation path includes: An exhaust port for discharging a part of the circulating air flowing through the air circulation path formed between the drying chamber and the heat absorber; and an exhaust port formed for a part of the air circulation path from the drying chamber to the radiator. An intake port for supplementing the circulated air component and sucking outside air, and a control valve for adjusting the amount of circulating air in at least one of the exhaust port and the intake port, and a state detecting means for detecting a state of the heat pump cycle. And the control valve is configured to operate according to the state detecting means.
[0017]
In the present invention, the state detecting means detects the temperature of the dry air.
[0018]
Further, in the present invention, the state detecting means detects the ambient temperature.
[0019]
In the present invention, the state detecting means detects the temperature of the refrigerant.
[0020]
In the present invention, the state detecting means detects the pressure of the refrigerant.
[0021]
According to the present invention, in the clothes dryer of the above invention, an outer tub for storing water is provided so as to include the drying chamber, and a drain port for draining washing water is provided in the outer tub.
[0022]
As described above, in the air circulation path, the exhaust port formed between the drying chamber and the heat absorber, and the intake port formed in a part of the air circulation path from the drying chamber to the radiator, or between the drying chamber and the heat absorber. By providing the air inlet formed in the heat pump cycle, the characteristics of the heat pump cycle can be utilized as much as possible, which contributes to shortening of drying time and energy saving and stabilizing the heat pump cycle in a safe state.
[0023]
Further, by providing a control valve for adjusting the amount of circulating air in at least one of the exhaust port and the intake port, the drying performance can be further improved, the drying time can be reduced, and energy saving and safe operation can be realized.
[0024]
In addition, since the state of the heat pump cycle is detected by having the state detecting means such as the temperature of the dry air, the ambient temperature, the refrigerant temperature, and the refrigerant pressure, and the control valve is appropriately controlled accordingly, the drying performance is further improved. Increased drying time, energy saving and safe operation can be realized.
[0025]
In addition, because of the high drying performance configuration as described above, heat sinks, radiators, and compressors can be made more compact, and with them, clothes dryers or dryers with washing functions can be made more compact. It becomes possible.
[0026]
【Example】
(Example 1)
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a cylindrical water tank 33 elastically supported by a plurality of suspensions 32 is arranged in an outer case 31. Inside the water tank 33, a cylindrical rotary tank 35 for accommodating clothes 34 is rotatably provided and driven to rotate by a motor 36. The rotary tub 35 has a plurality of dehydration holes 35a communicating with the water tub 33, and functions as a washing room during a washing operation and as a drying room during a drying operation. An opening 31a through which clothes 34 are put in and out, and a door 37 that opens and closes the opening 31a are provided on the front surface of the outer case 31.
[0027]
In addition, an air circulation path 38 including a rotary tank 35 is formed in the outer case 31. That is, the air circulation path 38 has a rotary tank 35, an outward duct 39, a heat exchange section 40, a return duct 41, and the like on the way, and the air in the rotary tank 35 flows from the outward duct 39 to the heat exchange section 40, It is guided to the front of the rotary tank 35 by the return duct 41, and circulates again from the air supply port 42 to the rotary tank 35.
[0028]
In the air circulation path 38, a heat absorber 43 is disposed on the upstream side of the heat exchange section 40, and a radiator 44 is disposed on the downstream side. The heat absorber 43 and the radiator 44 constitute a heat pump including a compressor 45 for compressing the refrigerant and a throttle means 46 for reducing the pressure of the high-pressure refrigerant, and the humid air from the rotary tank 35 absorbs the heat The air is dehumidified and absorbed in the heat sink 43, and then becomes dry air to reach the heat radiator 44, where the air is heated to a high temperature.
[0029]
Then, the high-temperature air is supplied from the air supply port 42 to the rotary tank 35 and is used for drying the clothes 34 therein. Arrow B indicates the flow of circulating air, and arrow C indicates the flow of the refrigerant circulating in the pipeline.
[0030]
The heat energy released from the radiator 44 to the circulating air is substantially equal to the sum of the power consumption of the compressor 45 and the amount of heat absorbed from the circulating air and the outside air by the heat absorber 43. Therefore, the radiator 44 obtains an output equal to or more than the electric power input to the compressor 45, heats the circulating air, and puts the circulating air into the clothing 34 in the rotating tank 35.
[0031]
However, if the air (circulating air) in the air circulation path 38 is circulated as it is, the amount of heat of the air as a whole increases and the amount of heat of the refrigerant in the heat pump cycle increases, and the pressure increases. Load is applied. Therefore, in the air circulation path 38, an exhaust port 47 for discharging a part of the circulating air and an intake port 48 for sucking outside air are provided between the rotary tank 35 and the heat absorber 43 to supplement the discharged circulating air. Was.
[0032]
As described above, the reason why the exhaust port 47 is provided between the rotary tank 35 and the heat absorber 43 is that the heat pump cycle is stabilized in a safe state, and the heat required for drying the clothes by utilizing the characteristics of the heat pump cycle. This is because the energy can be used as efficiently as possible, that is, the circulating air heated by the radiator 44 can be directly supplied to the rotary tank 35, thereby shortening the drying time and realizing energy saving.
[0033]
With the above-described configuration, the drying performance is improved, so that the compressor 45, the heat absorber 43 and the radiator 44 are made more compact, and accordingly, the dryer with the washing function and the clothes dryer are made more compact.
[0034]
Although the intake port 48 is provided between the rotary tank 35 and the heat absorber 43 in the first embodiment, the same effect can be obtained by providing the air inlet 48 between the air circulation path 38 from the rotary tank 35 to the radiator 44. .
[0035]
In the first embodiment, the exhaust port 47 and the intake port 48 are provided. However, the air port, which plays both roles, and the exhaust port 47, and the drain port, which discharges water such as washing water, play both roles. One such as a functional port may be provided.
[0036]
In the present embodiment, the dryer having the washing function is used. However, the same effect can be obtained for a clothes dryer having no drainage port for draining the washing water and having a configuration necessary for washing.
[0037]
(Example 2)
4 (a), 4 (b), 5 (a), 5 (b), 6 (a), and 6 (b), the characteristic feature is that at least one of the exhaust port 47 and the intake port 48 supplies circulating air. A control valve 51 for adjusting the amount is provided.
[0038]
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a drying cycle in which the control valve 51 is provided in the exhaust port 47 and the suction port 48, FIG. 5 is a control valve 51 in the suction port 48 side, and FIG. .
[0039]
In each figure (a), the control valve 51 is closed to form an air circulation path, and in (b), the control valve 51 is opened to discharge a part of the circulating air, and supplement the discharged amount to suck in the outside air. FIG. Thus, the open / close state of the control valve 51 can be adjusted alternatively.
[0040]
In the above configuration, since the open / close state of the control valve 51 can be selectively adjusted, a stable drying cycle can be maintained, the drying performance can be further improved, the drying time can be shortened, and energy saving and safety can be achieved. Driving can be realized.
[0041]
When the dryer with a washing function is provided with the above-described configuration, the control valve 51 provided on the exhaust port 47 side can also function as a drain valve provided for draining water such as washing water. it can.
[0042]
(Example 3)
The characteristic feature in FIG. 7 is that the control valve 51 can arbitrarily adjust the opening area.
[0043]
In the above configuration, since the opening area of the control valve 51 can be arbitrarily adjusted, a stable drying cycle is maintained, the heat energy is not extremely changed, the high drying performance is maintained, and the drying time is reduced. Shortening, energy saving and safe driving can be realized.
[0044]
When the dryer with a washing function is provided with the above-described configuration, the control valve 51 provided on the exhaust port 47 side can also function as a drain valve provided for draining water such as washing water. it can.
[0045]
(Example 4)
8 has a control valve 51 for adjusting the amount of circulating air in at least one of the exhaust port 47 and the intake port 48, and has a state detecting means 61 for detecting the state of the heat pump cycle. Things. The state detecting means 61 detects the temperature of the dry air, and the control valve 51 operates according to the state detecting means 61.
[0046]
In the above configuration, the state detecting means 61 detects the temperature of the dry air in order to provide a stable heat pump device. The control valve 51 is operated to an appropriate heat pump cycle state so that the temperature of the dry air detected by the state detection means falls within a predetermined temperature range.
[0047]
For example, as shown in FIG. 9, when the state of the heat pump, that is, in the third embodiment, the temperature of the dry air is within a predetermined range, the control valve is in an OFF state in which the control valve is closed (FIG. 4A), and the outside of the predetermined range. In this state, the control valve is turned on (FIG. 4B).
[0048]
By operating and adjusting the control valve 51 in accordance with the state detecting means 61 to control the amount of circulating air discharged, overload is not applied to the compressor 45 and the like, so that the heat pump cycle can be stabilized more safely. There is.
[0049]
Further, since heat energy is not wastefully discharged, the drying performance is further enhanced, the drying time can be reduced, and energy saving can be realized.
[0050]
(Example 5)
The feature of FIG. 10 is that the state detecting means 62 detects the ambient temperature. The ambient temperature refers to the ambient temperature of a clothes dryer and a dryer with a washing function.
[0051]
In the above configuration, the state detecting means 62 detects the ambient temperature in order to provide a stable heat pump device. The control valve 51 is operated to an appropriate heat pump cycle state according to the characteristics of the ambient temperature detected by the state detection means 62.
[0052]
Since the ambient temperature of the clothes dryer and the dryer with the washing function changes depending on the season (particularly in summer and winter), the amount of heat released to the surrounding air also changes.
[0053]
For this reason, by operating and adjusting the control valve 51 in accordance with the state detection means 62, the amount of circulating air discharged is prevented from being overloaded on the compressor 45 and the like, so that the heat pump cycle is stabilized in a safe state. Has the effect of causing
[0054]
Further, since heat energy is not wastefully discharged, the drying performance is further enhanced, the drying time can be reduced, and energy saving can be realized.
[0055]
(Example 6)
The characteristic configuration in FIG. 11 is that the state detecting means 63 detects the temperature of the refrigerant.
[0056]
In the above configuration, the state detecting means 63 detects the temperature of the refrigerant in order to provide a stable heat pump device. The control valve 51 is operated to an appropriate heat pump cycle state so that the temperature of the refrigerant detected by the state detection means 63 falls within a predetermined temperature range.
[0057]
By operating and adjusting the control valve 51 in accordance with the state detection means to adjust the discharge amount of the circulating air, the overload is not applied to the compressor 45 and the like, so that the heat pump cycle has an effect of stabilizing the heat pump cycle in a safe state. .
[0058]
Further, since heat energy is not wastefully discharged, the drying performance is further enhanced, the drying time can be reduced, and energy saving can be realized.
[0059]
(Example 7)
The characteristic configuration in FIG. 12 is that the state detecting means 64 detects the pressure of the refrigerant.
[0060]
In the above configuration, the state detecting unit 64 detects the pressure of the refrigerant in order to provide a stable heat pump device. The control valve 51 is operated to an appropriate heat pump cycle state so that the pressure of the refrigerant detected by the state detection means 64 falls within a predetermined pressure range.
[0061]
By operating and adjusting the control valve 51 in accordance with the state detection means 64 to control the discharge amount of the circulating air, an overload is not applied to the compressor 45 and the like, so that the effect of stabilizing the heat pump cycle in a safe state is obtained. is there.
[0062]
Further, since heat energy is not wastefully discharged, the drying performance is further enhanced, the drying time can be reduced, and energy saving can be realized.
[0063]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, an exhaust port that discharges a part of the circulating air flowing through the air circulation path between the drying chamber and the heat absorber, and an exhaust port that is discharged from the exhaust port between the drying chamber and the radiator. By providing an intake port that sucks in outside air by supplementing the circulating air, it prevents unnecessary release of thermal energy, thereby saving power and shortening the drying time, and keeping the heat pump in a safe state. Has the effect of stabilizing.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a dryer with a washing function according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 1; FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a drying cycle having a control valve according to the second embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a drying cycle having a control valve on the intake port side of the second embodiment. FIG. FIG. 7 is a view showing a drying cycle having a control valve on the exhaust port side of FIG. 7; FIG. 8 is a view showing a drying cycle having a control valve of Embodiment 3; FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the operation of the control valve according to the detected heat pump state of the fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a drying cycle having an ambient temperature state detecting means of the fifth embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a drying cycle having a refrigerant temperature state detecting means according to the sixth embodiment. Is a schematic block diagram of a clothes drying machine shown Figure 13 prior art example shown the drying cycle having a state detection means of the refrigerant pressure of the embodiment 7 [Description of symbols]
31 Exterior Case 32 Suspension 33 Water Tank 34 Clothing 35 Rotation Tank 35a Dehydration Hole 36 Motor 37 Door 38 Air Circulation Path 39 Outgoing Duct 40 Heat Exchange Section 41 Incoming Duct 42 Air Supply Port 43 Heat Sink 44 Radiator 45 Compressor 46 Throttling Means 47 Exhaust port 48 Inlet port 51 Control valve

Claims (12)

There is an air circulation path that circulates air in the order of a radiator, a drying chamber, and a heat absorber. The heat absorber and the radiator constitute a heat pump cycle using a refrigerant. An exhaust port for discharging a part of the circulating air flowing through an air circulation path formed between the vessels, and a circulating air component discharged from the exhaust port formed in a part of an air circulation path from the drying chamber to the radiator. A clothes dryer provided with a suction port for sucking outside air to supplement the above. The clothes dryer according to claim 1, wherein the air inlet is formed between the drying chamber and the heat absorber. 3. The clothes dryer according to claim 1, wherein a control valve for adjusting an amount of circulating air is provided in at least one of the exhaust port and the intake port. 4. The clothes dryer according to claim 3, wherein the control valve selectively adjusts the open / close state. 4. The clothes dryer according to claim 3, wherein the control valve arbitrarily adjusts an opening area. There is an air circulation path that circulates air in the order of a radiator, a drying chamber, and a heat absorber. The heat absorber and the radiator constitute a heat pump cycle using a refrigerant. An exhaust port for discharging a part of the circulating air flowing through an air circulation path formed between the vessels, and a circulating air component discharged from the exhaust port formed in a part of an air circulation path from the drying chamber to the radiator. An intake port for supplementing outside air, and a control valve for adjusting the amount of circulating air in at least one of the exhaust port and the intake port, and a state detecting means for detecting a state of the heat pump cycle, A clothes dryer wherein the control valve is operated in accordance with the state detecting means. 7. The clothes dryer according to claim 6, wherein the air inlet is formed between the drying chamber and the heat absorber. The clothes dryer according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the state detecting means detects a temperature of the dry air. The clothes dryer according to claim 6, wherein the state detection unit detects an ambient temperature. 8. The clothes dryer according to claim 6, wherein the state detecting means detects a temperature of the refrigerant. The clothes dryer according to claim 6, wherein the state detection unit detects a pressure of the refrigerant. The clothes dryer according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein an outer tub for storing water is provided so as to include the drying chamber, and a drain port for draining washing water is provided in the outer tub. Dryer with function.

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