JP2006141527A - Washing/drying machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent washed or dried laundry from being left in a drum when the next washing process is started, and to prevent the dried laundry from getting wet. <P>SOLUTION: A flag F1 which identifies whether the last process is drying when a specified operation ends and after the end of the operation is notified (S11) and a cover open flag F2 which identifies whether the top cover is open for more than a specified time period are stored in a nonvolatile memory (S14 to S16) and the power is shut off by a power off switch operation or an automatic power-off mechanism (S17 to S19). When the operation starts the flags F1, F2 are read out after a start key is operated and in case the last process of the previous operation is drying and the cover is not open it is determined that the chances of dried laundry is left behind in the drum are high and the operation is restricted and a display or a buzzer notifies that there is still some laundry to be taken out. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a washing and drying machine capable of automatically executing each process from washing to drying.

  Conventionally, in a washing machine, when the operation of a preset driving course is finished, for example, a buzzer is sounded to notify the user to that effect, and an automatic power-off circuit is activated after a predetermined time has elapsed. A process at the end of operation that automatically shuts off the power is performed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Further, in recent years, not only washing but also fully automatic washing and drying machines that automatically perform a series of steps from washing to drying have been popularized. As described above, after the operation end buzzer notification, the automatic power-off process by the automatic power-off function is executed. Thereby, useless power consumption after the end of operation can be suppressed. Further, by completely shutting off the main power supply by the auto power off function, the standby power consumption can be made zero or almost zero.

  In the above-described washing and drying machine, the operation time is significantly longer than that of a washing machine that performs only washing, and even if it is short, it takes 2 hours or more, usually about 3 hours. Therefore, for example, store laundry in the washing tub before going to bed and instruct execution of automatic operation, take out the laundry that has been washed and dried the next morning, or wash the laundry before going out. It is often used in such a manner that it is stored in a tub and instructed to perform automatic operation, and the laundry that has been washed and dried is taken out after returning home. For this reason, when the buzzer notification for the end of operation is given, the user is often not near the user. When the user comes to the side of the washer / dryer, the power is cut off by the auto power off function. The panel indicator has already disappeared.

  In other words, at this time, the washing / drying machine is simply turned off, and some users forget that they have instructed automatic operation of washing / drying, and take out the laundry from the washing tub. Sometimes you forget. In addition, even if the laundry remains in the washing tub, it is possible to instruct the next washing operation by turning on the power of the washing and drying machine. There was a risk of unintentionally getting wet by water supply.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2003-24691 (paragraph 0187 and FIG. 18)

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the object of the present invention is to perform a washing operation without noticing when a user forgets to take out the dried laundry from the washing tub. It is an object of the present invention to provide a washing / drying machine capable of preventing the previously dried laundry from being wetted by performing.

The present invention, which has been made to solve the above problems, automatically executes washing, rinsing, dehydration and drying processes on the laundry stored in a washing tub disposed inside the housing. In the washing and drying machine having the function of
Lid opening / closing detection means for detecting opening / closing of a lid for taking in and out laundry in the washing tub;
Lid opening determination means for determining whether or not the lid has been opened by the lid opening / closing detection means at least after the operation of the drying process or during the period from the end of the operation to immediately before the start of the next washing operation; ,
An operation control means for prohibiting at least a driving operation involving water supply into the washing tub in the next washing when it is determined by the lid opening determining means that the lid has not been opened;
It is characterized by having.

  Usually, when the lid is opened after the automatic operation in the washing / drying machine is finished, it can be assumed that the user opened the lid to take out the laundry that has been washed and dried from the washing tub. . Therefore, in the washing / drying machine according to the present invention, the lid opening determining means includes the lid opening / closing detection means at least after the operation of the drying process is completed or during the period from the end of the operation to immediately before the start of the next washing operation. Determine whether the body has been released. In the configuration in which the power is automatically shut off by the auto power off function after the operation is finished, the above “after the operation is finished” is a period from the time when the operation is finished until the power is shut off by the auto power off or the power switch off. The “period from the end of the operation to just before the start of the next washing operation” refers to the period from the time when the power is turned on again until the operation is started in addition to the period until the power is turned off.

  As described above, when the lid is opened, it can be assumed that the user has taken out the laundry from the washing tub, so there is no problem even if an operation for supplying water into the washing tub is executed (at least once). There is no problem in that the dried laundry is wetted), but if the lid is not opened, there is a high possibility that the dried laundry remains in the laundry tub. Therefore, in such a case, the operation control means prohibits an operation operation involving at least water supply to the washing tub in the next washing.

  As a result, the user forgets to take the dried laundry out of the washing tub and remains in the washing tub, so that water is supplied into the washing tub for the next washing and dried with great care. It is possible to prevent the laundry from getting wet or being washed again.

  In the washing / drying machine according to the present invention, preferably, when the operation control unit prohibits the driving operation, the washing / drying device may further include a notification unit that notifies the user of the fact.

  According to this configuration, when the operation cannot be started because there is a high possibility that dried laundry remains in the washing tub, the user is notified by the notification means, and the user notices this. You can take out the laundry.

  In addition, some users know that, based on experience, there is a possibility that sufficient drying may not be achieved by one drying process, or laundry that has become cold in the washing tub over time For example, when it is desired to warm by drying again, there is a case where the drying process is intentionally performed again without removing the dried laundry from the washing tub. Therefore, in order to avoid that the operation is prohibited during such an operation, the operation control means is an operation that does not involve water supply into the washing tub regardless of the determination result by the lid opening determination means. If it exists, it is good also as a structure which permits.

  According to this, at least the dried laundry remaining in the washing tub can be prevented from getting wet by the water supply of the next washing, and the operation is prohibited when it is intended to continue the drying process. There is no loss of operability.

  Further, as one aspect of the washing and drying machine according to the present invention, when the lid opening determination unit detects that the lid body is opened for a predetermined time or longer by the lid opening / closing detection unit, the lid body It is preferable to adopt a configuration in which it is determined that is open.

  In general, it takes a certain amount of time to take out the laundry from the washing tub. According to the above configuration, when it is determined whether the laundry has been taken out reliably and it can be assumed that the laundry has been taken out reliably. It is possible to allow the next washing operation to be permitted.

  In the washing and drying machine, the operation may be terminated when, for example, washing, rinsing, and dehydrating processes are performed without performing the drying process. At this time, the laundry tub contains wet (wet) laundry after dehydration. In this case, even if you forget to remove the laundry from the laundry tub, There is no problem of getting things wet with water. Therefore, only after the drying process is completed, control may be performed to prohibit or permit the next laundry operation according to the estimation result of whether or not to forget to take out the laundry.

  Hereinafter, a drum-type washing and drying machine which is an embodiment of the washing and drying machine according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a right side longitudinal sectional view showing a schematic internal configuration of the drum type washing and drying machine of the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a front longitudinal sectional view showing a schematic internal configuration of the drum type washing and drying machine of the present embodiment. FIG.

  An upper surface 1a of a substantially box-shaped housing 1 constituting the outer shape of the drum type washing and drying machine is inclined downward from the back side toward the front side, and an opening 2 for putting laundry is formed in this portion. An upper lid 3 is provided to open and close the opening 2.

  Inside the housing 1, on the pedestal portion 4, the outer tub 5 whose peripheral surface is substantially cylindrical and whose both end surfaces are substantially closed is left and right with the end surfaces facing the left and right side surfaces of the housing 1. A spring (not shown) suspended and supported from above both sides and a damper 6 that supports the lower portion of the outer tub 5 forward and backward are held so as to be moderately swingable. Inside the outer tub 5, a horizontal drum 7 in which both end surfaces of a substantially cylindrical peripheral surface with a large number of water passage holes are substantially closed is a horizontal tub that extends in the left-right direction as a washing tub in the present invention. It is provided so as to be rotatable about the axis C. The main shaft 8 fixed to the center of the left end surface of the drum 7 is supported by a bearing held in a bearing case 9 fixed to the left end surface of the outer tub 5. On the other hand, the auxiliary shaft 10 fixed to the center of the right end surface of the drum 7 is supported by a bearing held by a bearing case 11 fixed to the right end surface plate 5 </ b> R of the outer tub 5. The main shaft 8 and the auxiliary shaft 10 form a horizontal axis C that is a rotation shaft of the drum 7.

  The rotor 122 of the drum motor 12 that is an outer rotor type DC motor is fixed to the tip of the main shaft 8 that protrudes leftward from the left end surface of the outer tub 5, while the bearing case 9 that also serves as a motor base is attached to the bearing case 9. The stator 121 is fixed. When a drive current is supplied to the stator 121, the rotor 122 rotates accordingly, and the drum 7 is rotationally driven via the main shaft 8 at the same rotational speed as the rotor 122.

  Although not shown, an opening that can be opened and closed by an inner lid is provided at a position facing the opening 2 formed in the housing 1 from the upper part of the peripheral surface of the outer tub 5 diagonally forward, and the peripheral surface of the drum 7 is also provided. An opening that can be opened and closed by a drum lid is provided. Although the drum 7 is rotatable, a drum lock mechanism 13 is provided below the stator 121 so that the drum 7 maintains a stopped state at a position where the opening of the drum 7 coincides with the opening of the outer tub 5 in the radial direction. It has been. Then, in a state where the position of the drum 7 is fixed by the drum lock mechanism 13, all of the upper lid 3, the inner lid and the drum lid are opened, and the laundry can be taken in and out obliquely from above. It can be done.

  A water supply port 14 connected to an external water faucet via a hose is provided at the rear part of the upper surface 1a of the housing 1, and water supplied to the water supply port 14 passes through a water supply valve 15 and a detergent container 16. Water is poured into the outer tub 5. On the other hand, one end of the drain pipe 17 is connected to the lowermost part of the peripheral surface of the outer tub 5. By opening the water supply valve 15 with the drain valve 18 provided on the drain pipe 17 closed, washing water (water containing water or detergent) necessary for washing or rinsing is stored in the outer tub 5. be able to. Further, the water stored in the outer tub 5 can be discharged out of the machine through the drain pipe 17 by opening the drain valve 18. Although not shown, a bath water pump for sucking bath water and supplying it instead of tap water is installed next to the water supply valve 15.

  A drying unit 20 for a drying function is attached to the outside of the right end face plate 5R of the outer tub 5. That is, a connection port 21 is formed in the lower rear portion of the right end face plate 5R, and the drying unit 20 is connected to the dehumidification pipe 22 whose lower end is connected to the connection port 21 from the right side and to the upper end of the dehumidification pipe 22. A fan casing 23, a fan 24 housed in the fan casing 23, a fan motor 25 for rotating the fan 24, a heater casing 26 connected to the fan casing 23 from the right side, and the heater casing 26 And a heater 27 for drying. Further, an exhaust port 28 is formed in the lower part of the outer peripheral surface of the outer tub 5 near the center in the left-right direction. The exhaust port 28 and the connection port 21 are communicated with each other by a duct 29 extending in a substantially horizontal direction. ing.

  The dehumidifying pipe 22 extends upward along the right end face plate 5 </ b> R from the connection port 21, bends in the middle, wraps around the outer tub 5, and its upper end is connected to the fan casing 23 from the rear. Inside the dehumidifying pipe 22 is provided a cooling water supply port 30 through which cooling water flows down. The fan 24 is accommodated in the fan casing 23 with its rotating shaft extending forward and backward, and a heater casing 26 is connected to the fan casing 23 on the right side of the fan 24. The heater casing 26 extends forward from the connecting portion along the right end face plate 5 </ b> R, and is bent downward at a substantially right angle in the middle, and a lower end portion thereof is connected to an opening 31 formed in the bearing case 11.

  In this configuration, when the fan 24 is driven to rotate, the air in the outer tub 5 flows into the fan casing 23 through the exhaust port 28, the duct 29, the connection port 21, and the dehumidifying pipe 22. The air flowing into the fan casing 23 is sent out into the heater casing 26. At this time, if the drying heater 27 is energized, the air is warmed by heat exchange with the drying heater 27, and Then, it is fed into the outer tub 5 from the opening 31. A hot air discharge port 7 a is formed around the auxiliary shaft 10 on the right end surface of the drum 7, and the hot air is introduced into the drum 7 through the hot air discharge port 7 a. Then, after removing moisture from the wet laundry after dehydration in the drum 7, it passes through a water passage hole formed in the peripheral surface of the drum 7 and comes out in a gap between the outer tub 5 and the drum 7. Then, it flows again into the duct 29 from the exhaust port 28. As a result, the hot air circulates in the circulation air path constituted by the outer tub 5, the duct 29, the dehumidifying pipe 22, the fan casing 23, and the heater casing 26, and is indicated by a thick arrow in FIG. A warm air stream like this is formed.

  The air returned from the duct 29 to the dehumidifying pipe 22 contains a large amount of moisture. At this time, if the cooling water is flowing down from the cooling water supply port 30, the air is rapidly cooled thereby, and the water vapor contained in the air is condensed and liquefied and flows down along the inner wall surface of the dehumidifying pipe 22. It is discharged to the outside through the pipe 17. That is, when passing through the dehumidifying pipe 22, the air is dehumidified and returns to the fan casing 23 in a dry state. Thereby, at the time of drying operation, the dry warm air can be continuously fed into the drum 7 while removing moisture generated from the laundry stored in the drum 7.

  FIG. 3 is an electric system configuration diagram of a main part of the drum type washing and drying machine of the present embodiment. The control unit 40 that functions as a lid opening determination unit and an operation control unit in the present invention is mainly configured by a microcomputer including a CPU, ROM, RAM, a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory, etc. Under the state where the drive power is supplied from 50, various controls for performing the operation of each process of washing, rinsing, dehydration and drying are executed based on the control program stored in the ROM.

  A key input signal is given to the control unit 40 from the operation unit 42, and a water level detection signal from a water level sensor 45 that detects the water level of water stored in the outer tub 5 is supplied to the outer tub 5 (drum 7) A temperature detection signal from a temperature sensor 46 that detects the temperature of hot air supplied to the inside detects the open / closed state of the upper lid 3, and the lid open / close detection signal from the upper lid switch 47 as lid opening / closing detection means in the present invention. Are entered respectively. A load driving unit 41 is connected to the control unit 40, and the drum motor 12, the fan motor 25, the drying heater 27, the water supply valve 15, the drainage valve 18, and the bath water pump 48 are connected via the load driving unit 41. Etc. are controlled independently. The control unit 40 is connected to an auto power off (APO) circuit 49 for automatically shutting off power supply after a predetermined operation is completed. Furthermore, the control unit 40 sends various display control signals to the display unit 43 and sends a ringing signal to the buzzer 44 as necessary. The display unit 43 and the buzzer 44 function as notification means in the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of a washing / drying process in a standard automatic operation course by the drum type washing / drying machine of this embodiment.
When the user puts the laundry into the drum 7 and instructs the operation unit 42 to start driving, a washing process is first executed (step S1). That is, the control unit 40 opens the water supply valve 15 via the load driving unit 41 and stores the detergent water up to a predetermined water level in the outer tub 5 based on the water level detection signal from the water level sensor 45. Then, the drum motor 12 is operated to rotate the drum 7 in reverse at an appropriate speed (about 40 to 50 rpm), thereby washing the laundry stored in the drum 7 while stirring.

  When the predetermined washing time is completed, the drain valve 18 is opened to discharge the detergent water in the outer tub 5, and then an intermediate dehydration process is executed (step S2). That is, the drum 7 is rotated at a high speed of, for example, about 1000 rpm with the drain valve 18 opened. Then, the detergent water infiltrated into the laundry by centrifugal force acting on the laundry is discharged from the laundry, scattered through the water passage hole, and discharged to the outside through the drain pipe 17. After this intermediate dehydration process, usually two rinsing processes are executed (step S3). That is, as in the washing process, the water supply valve 15 is opened to store the tap water in the outer tub 5, and the drum 7 is driven at a low speed to rinse the laundry. In addition, the intermediate | middle dehydration process similar to step S2 is performed between two rinse processes.

  When the second rinsing process, that is, the final rinsing process is completed, the final dehydration process is executed by rotating the drum 7 at a high speed in the same manner as the intermediate dehydration process (step S4). Thereafter, a drying process is executed (step S5). That is, the control unit 40 drives the fan motor 25 through the load driving unit 41 and energizes the drying heater 27 to feed the dry hot air into the drum 7 as described above. Further, the drum 7 is rotated at a low speed by the drum motor 12 and the laundry is agitated so that the warm air is applied to the laundry as evenly as possible. Further, when the drying operation for a predetermined time is performed, the cool-down is performed by cutting off the energization to the drying heater 27 and sending the unheated air into the drum 7, and the predetermined cool-down is performed. Later, the fan motor 25 and the drum motor 12 are turned off to complete the entire process.

  In addition to the operation course in which everything from washing to drying is automatically executed as described above, for example, an operation course in which all the processes are completed when the final dehydration process is completed without performing the drying process. Various driving courses are available. Of course, in addition to such a predetermined driving course, the user can manually execute, for example, only a single stroke or set his or her favorite driving time.

  The drum type washing and drying machine of the present embodiment has a great feature in the process at the end of operation when the whole process as described above is completed and the process at the start of operation when starting the operation. This point will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a control flowchart of the process at the end of operation in the drum type washer / dryer of this embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a control flowchart of the process at the start of operation in the drum type washer / dryer of this example.

  As described above, when a predetermined final process such as the final dehydration process and the drying process is completed, the control unit 40 executes the process at the end of operation in the procedure as shown in FIG. That is, first, the buzzer 44 is sounded to notify the user of the end of driving (step S11), and the load output is turned off via the load driving unit 41 (step S12). Specifically, for example, when the drying process is the final process, the power supply to the fan motor 25, the drying heater 27, the drum motor 12, and the like is cut off. Next, prohibition of operation of the water use course is set (step S13). The water use course here refers to a course in which water is poured into the outer tub 5, that is, a course including easy washing, and does not include, for example, a course of only a drying process.

  Subsequently, a flag F1 for identifying whether the last process ended immediately before was a process in the washing process (process of washing, rinsing, dehydration, etc.) or a drying process is stored in the nonvolatile memory. Store (step S14). With this flag F1, it is possible to determine whether the laundry accommodated in the drum 7 at this time is dry after the drying process is completed, or whether the laundry is wet or wet.

  Then, the control unit 40 determines whether or not the open state of the upper lid 3 has continued for a predetermined time or more based on the lid open / close detection signal from the upper lid switch 47 (step S15). The predetermined time here is determined in advance in consideration of a standard time required for taking out the laundry accommodated in the drum 7, and may be set to, for example, several seconds to 10 seconds. If the upper lid 3 is in the open state for a predetermined time or more, it is determined that the laundry has been taken out of the drum 7 by the user, and the lid open flag F2 is stored in the non-volatile memory (step S16) and goes to step S17. Proceed with In step S16, for example, “1” is written as the flag F2, and when this writing is not performed, the flag F2 is set to “0”. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S14 that the upper lid 3 has not been opened for a predetermined time or longer, it is determined that the user has not yet taken out the laundry from the drum 7, and the process of step S16 is skipped. Then, the process proceeds to step S17.

  In step S17, it is determined whether or not the power switch is turned off by the user. If the power switch is turned off, the process proceeds to step S19, and the power supply circuit 50 supplies the control unit 40 with the power switch. The drive power, that is, the main power is cut off. As a result, all (or almost all) power supplies of the present washing / drying machine are turned off, and the standby power consumption becomes almost zero. In this state, the microcomputer that is the center of the control unit 40 has completely stopped operating, but the information stored in the nonvolatile memory is retained even in the power-off state.

  If it is determined in step S17 that the power switch has not been turned off by the user, it is next determined whether or not the elapsed time from the load output OFF time in step S11 is a predetermined time or more (step S11). S18). The fixed time here can be set to, for example, about several minutes. If the fixed time has not elapsed, the process returns to step S15. On the other hand, if the elapsed time from the load output off time exceeds a certain time in step S18, the process proceeds to step S19, where the auto power off circuit 49 is activated to shut off the main power and supplied from the power circuit 50. Forcibly turn off the drive power.

  Therefore, regardless of whether or not the upper lid 3 is opened for a predetermined time or more, when the user turns off the power switch, the main power supply of the washer / dryer is shut off. Similarly, regardless of whether or not the upper lid 3 is opened for a predetermined time or longer, the main power supply automatically turns on when the elapsed time from the load output OFF time exceeds a certain time. Blocked. In the state where the main power supply is shut off, the control unit 40 has completely stopped operating as described above, so the display on the display unit 43 disappears and the operation keys of the operation unit 42 other than the power switch are not accepted. On the other hand, the upper cover 3 is opened for a predetermined time or more before the power is shut off regardless of whether the power is shut off by turning off the power switch or by the automatic power-off circuit 49. When this occurs, the lid open flag F2 is written in the nonvolatile memory.

  Next, the operation start process will be described with reference to FIG. When the user turns on the power switch (step S21), driving power is supplied from the power supply circuit 50 to the control unit 40, and the control unit 40 is activated. Thereby, various operation keys can be received. For example, the user sets a desired driving course with the operation unit 42 (step S22) and presses the start key (step S23). After the power is turned on in step S21, the control unit 40 detects whether or not the upper lid 3 has been opened by the upper lid switch 47, and if it is determined that the upper lid 3 has been opened, the lid opening flag F2 is stored in the nonvolatile memory. (Steps S24 and S25). That is, even if the upper lid 3 is not opened after the previous operation, if the upper lid 3 is opened after the current power-on, the user may have forgotten to take out the laundry and take out the laundry. Therefore, the lid opening flag F2 is set to “1”.

  In response to the operation of the start key, the control unit 40 first reads the flag F1 stored in the nonvolatile memory, and determines whether or not the last stroke of the previous operation was the drying stroke by using the flag F1 (step S1). S26). If it is determined that it is not a drying process, it is assumed that the laundry is wet or damp even if the laundry has not been taken out of the drum 7 after the end of the previous operation. Therefore, there is little possibility that the problem of wetting the laundry that has been dried at least will occur. Then, it progresses to step S31 and gives driving permission and starts the driving | running | working of the driving course set by the user.

  If it is determined in step S26 that the last process of the previous operation was a drying process, it is next determined whether or not the set operation course includes a washing process using water (step). S27). If it is determined that the current driving course does not include the washing process using water, specifically, for example, the driving course only includes the drying process, the laundry that has been dried after the end of the previous driving is temporarily stored in the drum 7. Even if it is not taken out from the inside, there can be no problem that the dry laundry is wetted. Then, it progresses to step S31 and gives driving permission and starts the driving | running | working of the driving course set by the user.

  In step S27, when it is determined that the driving course set this time includes a washing process using water, the lid opening flag F2 stored in the nonvolatile memory is read out, and the flag F2 is set. By determining, it is determined whether or not the upper lid 3 has been opened after the end of the previous operation or after the current power-on, that is, whether or not the laundry has been taken out (step S28). If the flag F2 is “1” and it is determined that the laundry has been taken out, there is no problem, so the process proceeds to step S31 to give driving permission and drive the driving course set by the user. To start.

  On the other hand, when the lid opening flag F2 is “0” and it is determined that the laundry is not taken out, there is a high possibility that the laundry dried in the previous operation still remains in the drum 7. Moreover, if the current operation is executed as it is, water is poured into the drum 7, so that there is a very high possibility that the dried laundry will be wetted. Therefore, the control unit 40 prohibits the operation (step S29), and performs a notification of forgetting to take out the laundry by, for example, blinking a specific display on the display unit 43 or sounding the buzzer 44 (step S30). . Thereby, the user notices that the laundry remains in the drum 7, and can take out the laundry and perform the current laundry.

  As described above, in the drum type laundry dryer according to the present embodiment, even when the user forgets to take out the laundry after drying from the drum 7 and performs the next washing, the laundry is very dry. It is possible to reliably prevent things from getting wet (washing again).

  It should be noted that the above embodiment is merely an example of the present invention, and it is obvious that modifications and modifications as appropriate within the spirit of the present invention are included in the scope of the claims of the present application. For example, in the above embodiment, it was estimated whether or not the laundry was taken out by opening and closing the upper lid provided on the housing. However, in the drum type laundry dryer of the above embodiment, the laundry is washed from the drum as a washing tub. In addition to the upper lid, the inner lid and the drum lid need to be opened in order to take out objects. Therefore, it can be estimated whether the laundry is taken out by opening and closing the inner lid or the drum lid. Also, rather than detecting whether the upper lid, the inner lid or the drum lid is in an open state or a closed state, an operation for opening such a lid was performed (for example, for opening the lid). It may be detected whether the lid is opened or closed by detecting whether or not the switch has been operated. Moreover, although the said Example applies this invention to a drum type washing-drying machine, naturally this invention is applicable also to washing-drying machines of other forms, such as a spiral type.

The right side longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the schematic internal structure of the drum type washing-drying machine by one Example of this invention. The front longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the schematic internal structure of the drum type washing-drying machine of a present Example. The electric system block diagram of the principal part of the drum type washing-drying machine of a present Example. The flowchart which shows the flow of the standard washing-drying process by the drum type washing-drying machine of a present Example. The control flowchart of the process at the time of the completion | finish of operation in the drum type washing-drying machine of a present Example. The control flowchart of the process at the time of the driving | operation start in the drum type washing-drying machine of a present Example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Housing 2 ... Opening 3 ... Upper lid 5 ... Outer tub 7 ... Drum 12 ... Drum motor 15 ... Water supply valve 18 ... Drain valve 20 ... Drying unit 25 ... Fan motor 27 ... Drying heater 40 ... Control part 41 ... Load drive Unit 42 ... Operation unit 43 ... Display unit 44 ... Buzzer 45 ... Water level sensor 46 ... Temperature sensor 47 ... Upper lid switch 48 ... Bath water pump 49 ... Auto power-off circuit 50 ... Power supply circuit

Claims (4)

In a laundry dryer having a function of automatically executing each process of washing, rinsing, dehydration, and drying with respect to the laundry stored in a washing tub disposed inside the housing,
A lid opening / closing detection means for detecting opening / closing of a lid for putting the laundry in and out of the washing tub;
Lid opening determination means for determining whether or not the lid has been opened by the lid opening / closing detection means at least after the operation of the drying process or during the period from the end of the operation to immediately before the start of the next washing operation; ,
An operation control means for prohibiting at least a driving operation involving water supply into the washing tub in the next washing when it is determined by the lid opening determining means that the lid has not been opened;
A washing and drying machine comprising:   The washing / drying machine according to claim 1, further comprising notification means for notifying a user when the operation control means prohibits the driving operation.   The washing and drying according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the operation control means permits an operation operation not involving water supply to the washing tub regardless of a determination result by the lid opening determination means. Machine. The lid opening determining means determines that the lid has been opened when the lid opening / closing detecting means detects that the lid has been opened for a predetermined time or more. Item 4. A washing and drying machine according to items 1 to 3.

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