JP2009017936A - Washing and drying machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a small and low-cost washing and drying machine which has the function of blowing warm air. <P>SOLUTION: An air blower 26 for circulation, an evaporator 35 and a condenser 36 are arranged in a ventilation path 31 of the washing and drying machine 1 for drying clothes in a rotation drum 4 by blowing dried and heated air into the rotation drum 4. An external air inlet 41 is formed in a ventilation duct 22 constituting the ventilation path 31 and a PTC heater 42 is attached to the external air inlet 41. Air sucked from the external air inlet 41 by an air blower 47 for discharge is heated by the PTC heater 42 and then is released to the outside of the washing and drying machine 1 through a blowout opening 48. A control device brings the temperature of the external air close to the temperature set by an operation input section and makes the temperature of the blowout opening 48 lower than a predetermined temperature according to the temperature of the external air and the temperature of the blowout opening 48. The control device adjusts the temperature of air blown by the blower 47 for discharge to preferentially set the temperature of the blowout opening 48 to be lower than the predetermined temperature prior to the approximation of the temperature of the external air to the set temperature. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a washing / drying machine for washing and drying clothes.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been a washing and drying machine that includes a drying chamber for storing clothes after washing and a circulation path communicating with the drying chamber, and circulates warm air in the circulation path to dry clothes in the drying chamber (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). In addition to the function of drying clothes in the drying chamber, these have a function of adjusting the room temperature (air conditioning function) by discharging warm air to the outside from the outlet on the circulation path.

In the washing and drying machine according to the above-described prior art, since the air outlet is always exposed to warm air, the air outlet tends to be hot. Usually, the hot air outlet is often formed in the front of the washing and drying machine (the same as that described in the above-mentioned patent document), and the outlet is provided in a place where the user's hand can touch. It was. Therefore, in order to ensure safety when using the air conditioning function, a measure for preventing the user from directly touching the outlet has been required.
JP 2001-239096 A JP 2002-273087 A

However, as a measure for preventing the user from directly touching the air outlet, it is conceivable to provide a protective member at the air outlet, but this may increase the length of the device and increase the cost.
This invention is made | formed in view of the said situation, The objective is to provide the small size and low-cost washing-drying machine which has a warm air blowing function.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the washing and drying machine of the present invention, a circulation path, a drying chamber provided in the circulation path for storing wet clothes after washing, and the circulation path through the circulation path Warm air is supplied to the drying chamber after supplying air to the drying chamber to dry clothes and drying and heating air containing moisture by passing through the drying chamber. A circulating means, hot air discharging means for heating air sucked from the outside of the circulation path, blowing the heated air through at least a part of the circulation path, and discharging the air from the outlet to the outside; Temperature setting means for setting the target temperature, outside air temperature detecting means for detecting a substantial external temperature, outlet temperature detecting means for detecting a substantial temperature of the outlet, the outside air temperature detecting means, and Detection by the outlet temperature detecting means Based on the above, the external temperature is made closer to the target temperature set by the temperature setting means, the temperature of the outlet is made lower than the predetermined temperature, and the external temperature is prioritized over approaching the set target temperature. And the control means which adjusts the temperature of the air discharged | emitted by the said warm air discharge | release means so that the temperature of the said blower outlet may be made lower than the said predetermined temperature, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  According to the above means, the outside temperature is brought close to the target temperature set by the temperature setting means based on the detected values by the outside air temperature detecting means and the outlet temperature detecting means, and the outlet temperature is made lower than the predetermined temperature. And by adjusting the temperature of the air discharged by the hot air discharge means so as to make the temperature of the outlet lower than the predetermined temperature in preference to approaching the external temperature to the set target temperature, The air outlet does not become hot, and a measure for preventing the user from directly touching the air outlet becomes unnecessary. Therefore, it is not particularly necessary to provide a protective member or the like, and the washing and drying machine can be made small and low cost.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8. FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of a drum-type (horizontal shaft type) washing / drying machine 1 according to the present embodiment. A water tank 3 is disposed inside an outer box 2 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2). A rotating tub (drum) 4 (corresponding to the drying chamber of the present invention) is disposed inside the water tub 3.
The water tank 3 and the rotating tank 4 are both cylindrical and have respective openings 5 and 6 at the front end (left side in FIG. 1). Among these, the opening 6 of the rotating tub 4 is for putting in and out the laundry (clothing), and the opening 5 of the water tub 3 surrounds it. The opening 5 of the water tub 3 is connected to the opening 7 for taking in and out the laundry formed on the front surface of the outer box 2 by a bellows 8, and the opening 9 of the outer box 2 has a door 9 (FIGS. 1 and 2). Is openable and closable.

The rotating tub 4 is also formed with a hole 10 (only a part is shown) in almost the entire circumferential side portion (body portion). This hole 10 functions as a water passage hole during washing and dehydration and is dried. Sometimes it functions as a vent hole. In addition, a plurality of baffles 11 for stirring the laundry are provided on the inner surface of the peripheral side portion of the rotating tub 4.
In the water tank 3, a hot air outlet 12 is formed at the upper part of the front end face (a part above the opening 5), and a hot air inlet 13 is formed at the upper part of the rear end face part. In addition, a drain outlet 14 is formed at the bottom of the bottom of the water tank 3, a drain valve 15 is connected to the drain outlet 14 outside the water tank 3, and a drain hose 16 is further connected to the drain valve 15. Thus, the water in the water tank 3 is discharged outside the apparatus.

A rotating shaft 17 is attached to the rear surface (back surface) of the rear end surface portion of the rotating tub 4 at the center, and the rotating shaft 17 is inserted through the central portion of the rear end surface portion of the water tub 3 so as to be rotatable. It protrudes backward. A large number of hot air introduction holes 18 are formed around the center of the end surface portion on the rear side of the rotating tub 4.
On the other hand, a motor 19 is attached to the rear surface (back surface) of the rear end surface portion of the water tank 3. The motor 19 is of an outer rotor type, and in this case, is a brushless DC motor, and the rotor 19a is attached to the rotary shaft 17, and in this configuration, the drive device that rotates the rotary tank 4 around the rotary shaft 17 It is supposed to function as.
The water tank 3 is elastically supported on the bottom surface of the outer box 2 by a plurality of suspensions 20 (only one is shown), and the support form is a horizontal axis in which the axial direction of the water tank 3 is front and rear. Moreover, it has an upwardly inclined shape, and the rotating tub 4 has the same configuration.

A base plate 21 is disposed below the water tank 3 (on the bottom surface of the outer box 2), and a ventilation duct 22 is disposed on the base plate 21. The ventilation duct 22 has an air inlet 23 at the top of the front end, and the hot air outlet 12 of the water tank 3 is connected to the air inlet 23 via a return air duct 24 and a connection hose 25. . The return air duct 24 is piped so as to bypass the left side of the opening 5 of the water tank 3.
On the other hand, a casing 27 of a circulation fan 26 is connected to the rear end portion of the ventilation duct 22, and an outlet portion 28 of the casing 27 is connected to the temperature of the water tank 3 through a connection hose 29 and an air supply duct 30. It is connected to the wind inlet 13. The air supply duct 30 is piped so as to bypass the left side of the motor 19.
As a result, the return tank 24, the connection hose 25, the ventilation duct 22, the casing 27 of the circulation fan 26, the connection hose 29, and the air supply duct 30, the water tank 3. An air passage 31 is provided by connecting the hot air outlet 12 and the hot air inlet 13. The ventilation path 31 and the water tank 3 form the circulation path of the present invention.

  The circulation fan 26 has a blower fan 32 inside a casing 27, and the blower fan 32 is rotated by a motor 33 disposed outside the casing 27, so that a blower action is provided. Then, after the air in the rotating tub 4 is taken out of the rotating tub 4 through the ventilation passage 31, the circulation is performed to return the hot tub 4 from the hot air introduction hole 18 into the rotating tub 4. Accordingly, a circulation device 34 that circulates the air in the rotating tub 4 is constituted by the ventilation path 31 and the circulation fan 26.

  Thus, in the ventilation path 31, the evaporator 35 is disposed at the front part and the condenser 36 is disposed at the rear part inside the ventilation duct 22. These evaporator 35 and condenser 36 are not shown in detail, but are tube-shaped with fins in which a large number of heat transfer fins are arranged on the refrigerant distribution pipe at a fine pitch, and are excellent in heat exchange. A wind flowing through the ventilation duct 22 as described later passes between the heat transfer fins.

  The evaporator 35 and the condenser 36 include a compressor 37 and a throttle (particularly an electronic throttle valve or capillary tube) 38 shown in FIG. 3 and a heat pump 39 (along with the circulation fan 26). In this heat pump 39, the compressor 37, the condenser 36, the throttle 38, the evaporator 35, and the compressor 37 are cycle-connected in this order by the connection pipe 40. The refrigerant is circulated when the compressor 37 is operated. The compressor 37 is disposed outside the ventilation duct 22 even in the outer box 2.

  An outside air inlet 41 is formed on the upper wall in the middle portion of the ventilation duct 22 between the portion where the evaporator 35 of the ventilation passage 31 is disposed and the portion where the condenser 36 is disposed. The outside air inlet 41 is provided with a heating member, in this case, an electric heater, in particular, a PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) heater 42 (corresponding to the heat source of the present invention). The PTC heater 42 is provided in such a manner that the upper surface of the PTC heater 42 is substantially flush with the upper surface of the ventilation duct 22, so that the drain valve 15 and the drain hose 16 below the water tank 3 and other parts in the outer box 2 are arranged. The components are prevented from colliding with the PTC heater 42 due to vibration or the like when the rotating tank 4 rotates. The PTC heater 42 is formed of two heaters so that the temperature of the air blown out of the washing / drying machine 1 can be adjusted.

Further, an air discharge path 43 is provided from the front end portion of the ventilation duct 22 where the air suction port 23, which is a portion between the rotary tank 4 and the evaporator 35, in the ventilation path 31 to the front outside the apparatus. . The air discharge path 43 communicates with the air suction port 23 of the ventilation duct 22, and a switching damper 44 is provided at the communication portion.
Specifically, the switching damper 44 is located on the side of the air discharge path 43 and is supported so that the upper end portion thereof can be turned up and down by a support shaft 45. The switching damper 44 is driven by a motor or an electromagnet which is not shown in FIG. It is rotated by the power of the source, and as shown by a solid line and a two-dot chain line in FIG. 1, the ventilation path 43 and the ventilation duct 22 (ventilation path 31) are communicated and blocked, and the circulation device of the ventilation path 31. 34 functions as an air path switching device for communication and blocking.

  In addition, an exhaust port 46 is provided in a portion of the ventilation path 31 that is closer to the rotary tub 4 than the portion where the evaporator 35 is disposed and that is adjacent to the air inlet 23 of the ventilation duct 22. The exhaust port 46 is in a position that reaches when the switching damper 44 closes the air suction port 23 (when the air discharge passage 43 is opened), and is therefore closed by the switching damper 44 when the air suction port 23 is closed. The switching damper 44 is opened when the air inlet 23 is opened (when the air discharge path 43 is closed).

Further, a discharge blower 47 (corresponding to the blower of the present invention) is provided inside the air discharge passage 43, and the blower outlet 48 of the air discharge passage 43 ahead of the discharge blower 47 is not shown in FIG. A shutter 49 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) that is opened and closed by the power of a driving source such as a motor or an electromagnet is provided. The ventilation duct 22, the outside air inlet 41, the PTC heater 42, the discharge fan 47, and the outlet 48 correspond to the hot air discharge means of the present invention.
In addition, at the upper part in the outer box 2, a power supply system control unit 50, a display system control unit 51, a water supply valve 53, a water supply case 54, and a water supply hose 55 attached to a water supply port 52 (shown in FIG. 2) Is arranged.

  FIG. 4 shows a control device 56 (corresponding to the control means of the present invention) including the control unit 50 of the power supply system and the control unit 51 of the display system. The control device 56 is composed of, for example, a microcomputer, and functions as a control means for controlling the overall operation of the washing / drying machine. An operation panel 57 (see FIG. 2), various operation signals are input from an operation input unit 58 including various operation switches, and a water level detection signal is input from a water level sensor 59 provided to detect the water level in the water tank 3. And the temperature of the evaporator 35, the temperature of the condenser 36, the temperature of the compressor 37, the temperature outside the washing / drying machine 1, and the room temperature (where the washing / drying machine 1 is installed) Temperature detection signals are input from temperature sensors 60 to 64 which are temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of the outside air) and the temperature of the air outlet 48 of the air discharge path 43, respectively.

  The outside air temperature sensor 63 (corresponding to the outside air temperature detecting means of the present invention) is formed of a thermistor, but is not limited thereto, and is attached to the back surface of the lower front portion of the outer box 2 as shown in FIG. ing. A through hole 65 is formed in the vicinity of the outside air temperature sensor 63 of the outer box 2. By sucking outside air into the outer box 2 through the through hole 65 by a suction fan (not shown), the washing dryer 1 The inside is dried. The outside air temperature sensor 63 detects the outside air temperature (outside air temperature) substantially by touching the outside air introduced into the outer box 2 through the through hole 65.

  On the other hand, the air outlet temperature sensor 64 (corresponding to the air outlet temperature detecting means of the present invention) is formed by a thermistor, but is not limited to this, and is on the outer peripheral surface of the ventilation duct 22 (the outer peripheral surface of the air inlet port 23). ). Since the warm air discharged from the air outlet 48 passes through the ventilation duct 22, the air outlet temperature sensor 64 substantially detects the temperature of the air outlet 48. In addition, a display unit 66 provided adjacent to the operation input unit 58 of the operation panel 57 is connected to the control device 56. The display unit 66 is not limited to this, but an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) with a backlight is used.

  The control device 56 is used to drive the motor 19, the circulation fan 26, the compressor 37, the throttle 38, and the switching damper 44 in this case based on the input of the various signals and the control program stored in advance. In this case, for driving the shutter 49, the motor 68, the PTC heater 42, the discharge fan 47, the water supply valve 53, and the drain valve 15 are controlled via a drive circuit 69.

  Here, based on FIG. 7, the operation panel 57 used by the user when washing or drying will be described. As described above, the operation panel 57 is formed by the operation input unit 58 operated by the user and the display unit 66 provided adjacent thereto. On the right side of the operation panel 57, a power key 70a composed of an "ON" key 70a and a "OFF" key 70b for turning the power of the washing / drying machine 1 on and off, a washing operation mode (including rinsing and dehydration). , A washing / drying operation mode (including rinsing and dehydration), a drying operation mode, and an air conditioner mode (including a cooling operation mode and a heating operation mode) are selected, respectively, a “washing” key 71a, a “washing / drying” key 71b, and “drying” ”Key 71c, operation mode key 71 constituted by“ air conditioner ”key 71d, and various operations of the washer / dryer 1 and, as will be described later, in order to control the outside air temperature, the external target temperature and blow A setting dial 72 (corresponding to the temperature setting means and the air volume setting means of the present invention) for setting the air volume of the air discharged from the outlet 48 is formed.

  The keys 70a, 70b, 71a to 71d are formed by push-down type switches. The setting dial 72 is formed by a “start” key 72a that can be pushed down at the center and functions as a rotary operation element. The outer peripheral portion is covered with a cover made of a transparent synthetic resin material. A covered annular illumination part 72b is formed. In the illumination part 72b, two types of light emitting diodes (Light Emitting Diodes) for blue and red are incorporated, respectively, and when these are turned on, the illumination part 72b is blue or red. Flashes on.

On the other hand, a setting key 73 formed by a push switch is provided on the left side of the operation panel 57 and below the display unit 66. The setting key 73 is formed by various setting keys 73a to 73h arranged in a horizontal row, the “flour water” key 73a is operated when the water is used for water supply, and the “reservation” key 73b is a reservation. What is operated when selecting the washing mode, “washing” key 73c is operated when setting the washing time, “rinsing” key 73d is operated when setting the rinsing time, “dehydration” "Key 73e is operated when setting the dehydration time," drying "key 73f is operated when setting the drying time," air blowing temperature "key 73g (corresponding to the temperature setting means of the present invention) ) Is operated when setting the external target temperature, and the “air volume” key 73h (corresponding to the air volume setting means of the present invention) is operated when setting the air volume of the air blown from the air outlet 48. Than is.
In addition, an operation mode display 74 and a current time display 75 (shown in FIG. 7) of the washing / drying machine 1 are displayed on the display unit 66 formed above the setting key 73 when the washing / drying machine 1 is started.

  Next, the operation of the washing / drying machine having the above configuration will be described. In the following description, the washing / rinsing operation, the dehydration operation, and the drying operation are well-known operation operations, and thus the description of the operation on the operation panel 57 shown in FIG. In the washing / drying machine 1 configured as described above, when the standard operation course is started, the washing (washing and rinsing) operation is started first. In this washing operation, the operation of supplying water into the water tank 3 is performed by the water supply valve 53, and then the motor 19 is operated, whereby the rotating tank 4 is alternately rotated in both forward and reverse directions at a low speed.

When the washing operation is completed, the dehydration operation is then started. In this dehydration operation, after the water in the water tank 3 is discharged, an operation of rotating the rotating tank 4 in one direction at a high speed is performed. Thereby, the laundry in the rotating tub 4 is centrifugally dehydrated.
When the dehydration operation is completed, a drying operation is next performed. In this drying operation, the switching damper 44 is set so as to block the ventilation passage 43 from the ventilation passage 31 and allow the ventilation passage 31 to communicate with the circulation device 34, as indicated by a solid line in FIG. In this state, the motor 33 of the circulation fan 26 is operated while rotating the rotating tub 4 containing the wet clothes after washing in both forward and reverse directions at a low speed. As a result of the blowing action of the blower fan 32, the air in the water tank 3 flows from the hot air outlet 12 into the ventilation duct 22 through the return air duct 24 and the connection hose 25 of the ventilation path 31, as shown by solid arrows in FIG. Inflow.

  At this time, the operation of the compressor 37 of the heat pump 39 is started. As a result, the refrigerant sealed in the heat pump 39 is compressed by the compressor 37 to become a high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant, and the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant flows into the condenser 36 and exchanges heat with the air in the ventilation duct 22. As a result, the air in the ventilation duct 22 is heated, and conversely, the temperature of the refrigerant is lowered and liquefied. The liquefied refrigerant is then depressurized through the restrictor 38 and then flows into the evaporator 35 to be vaporized. Thereby, the evaporator 35 cools the air in the ventilation duct 22. The refrigerant that has passed through the evaporator 35 returns to the compressor 37.

  As a result, the air that has entered the rotating tub 4 from the water tank 3 becomes moisture-containing by drying the clothes, and the moist air flows into the ventilation duct 22 and is then cooled by the evaporator 35. Then, it is dehumidified (dried), and then heated by the condenser 36 to warm air. Then, the hot air is supplied into the water tank 3 from the hot air inlet 13 through the connection hose 29 and the air supply duct 30, and is further supplied into the rotary tank 4 from the hot air introduction hole 18. The warm air supplied into the rotary tub 4 takes away moisture from the laundry and dries the clothes, and then flows into the ventilation duct 22 from the warm air outlet 12 through the return air duct 24 and the connection hose 25.

During this drying operation, outside air is introduced into the ventilation path 31 from the outside air inlet 41 of the ventilation duct 22 (ventilation path 31), and at the initial stage of the drying operation, a PTC heater 42 provided at the outside air inlet 41 is installed. Generate heat (heater on). Thereby, outside air is introduced into the ventilation path 31 while being heated by the PTC heater 42. The heat generation of the PTC heater 42 is executed only in the initial stage of the drying operation. After a predetermined time from the start of the drying operation, the heat generation of the PTC heater 42 is stopped (heater off) and the drying is completed in that state. Therefore, after the heat generation of the PTC heater 42 is stopped, outside air that is not heated by the PTC heater 42 is introduced into the ventilation path 31.
Along with the introduction of the outside air from the outside air introduction port 41 to the ventilation path 31, the rotation tank 4 is connected to the rotation tank 4 from the exhaust port 46 provided on the rotation tank 4 side of the ventilation path 31. A part of the circulating air passing through the ventilation path 31 from inside is discharged out of the ventilation path 31.

  In addition to the above drying operation, the space where the washing / drying machine 1 is installed can be cooled. In the following, the operation will be described together with the operation of the operation panel 57 shown in FIGS. First, when the user depresses the “air conditioner” key 71d of the operation input unit 58, the washing / drying machine 1 enters the cooling operation mode, the blue illumination LED of the setting dial 72 is turned on, and the illumination unit 72b of the outer peripheral unit is turned on. Lights blue. At the same time, the display unit 66 of the operation panel 57 displays “COOL” indicating that it is in the cooling operation mode (not shown). When the “start” key 72a of the setting dial 72 is depressed in this state, the cooling operation mode of the washing / drying machine 1 starts.

  At this time, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 1, the switching damper 44 is switched so that the air discharge passage 43 is communicated with the air passage 31 and the air passage 31 is blocked in the circulation device 34. While the operation of the compressor 37 of the heat pump 39 is started, the shutter 49 is opened as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 1, the outlet 48 is opened, and the discharge fan 47 is operated.

As a result, as indicated by broken line arrows in FIG. 1, the air outside the ventilation duct 22 is introduced into the ventilation duct 22 from the outside air inlet 41 and cooled through the evaporator 35. Then, the cooled air is discharged from the blowout port 48 to the front outside the machine through the air discharge path 43, and the space where the washing / drying machine 1 is installed is cooled.
At this time, it is necessary to cool the condenser 36 that is at a high temperature, and a water-cooled pipe that executes this with water supplied from the water supply valve 53 is incorporated in the condenser 36 (not shown).
Further, in this case, the switching damper 44 closes the exhaust port 46, so that an air flow discharged outside the apparatus without passing through the evaporator 35 from the outside of the ventilation path 31 (not cooled). This avoids the possibility of being able to cool and effectively cools a space such as a washroom in which a clothes dryer is installed.

  Next, the heating operation mode for heating the space where the washing / drying machine 1 is installed will be described. As described above, when the user depresses the “air conditioner” key 71 d of the operation input unit 58, the washing / drying machine 1 enters the cooling operation mode, the blue illumination LED of the setting dial 72 is turned on, and the illumination of the outer peripheral portion is performed. The part 72b lights up in blue. In this state, when the “air conditioner” key 71d is depressed again, the washing / drying machine 1 enters the heating operation mode. Thereby, the red illumination LED of the setting dial 72 is turned on, and the illumination part 72b on the outer peripheral part is lit red. In this state, the display unit 66 is provided with a heating operation in-progress display 76 formed by the letters “HOT” to indicate the heating operation mode, a heating operation time display 77, and an initial external target temperature. A temperature setting display 78 indicating the value and an air volume setting display 79 indicating the initial value of the air flow of the air are displayed (shown in FIG. 8). Thereby, if necessary, the user changes the external target temperature and the air flow rate (detailed later).

  Next, when the “start” key 72 a of the setting dial 72 is depressed, the heating operation mode of the washing / drying machine 1 is started. In this case, the switching damper 44 is switched so that the air discharge path 43 is communicated with the air flow path 31 and the air flow path 31 is blocked by the circulation device 34 in the same manner as described above. At this time, the PTC heater 42 generates heat so that the outside air temperature approaches the initial value of the target temperature shown in the temperature setting display 78 of the display unit 66 described above, and the shutter 49 is opened and the air outlet 48 is opened. The discharge blower 47 operates so as to blow the air volume indicated on the air volume setting display 79 of the display unit 66 (the compressor 37 of the heat pump 39 is not operated).

  Thus, the air outside the ventilation duct 22 is introduced into the ventilation duct 22 through the outside air inlet 41 while being heated by the PTC heater 42 and passes through the evaporator 35 (in this case, the evaporator 35 is in an inoperative state). The introduced outside air is not cooled), and the warm air of the set air volume is discharged from the air outlet 48 to the front outside the apparatus through the air discharge passage 43, and the space where the washing and drying machine 1 is installed is heated.

  Hereinafter, based on FIG. 5, the adjustment method of the ventilation temperature from the blower 47 for discharge by the control apparatus 56 in heating operation mode is demonstrated. First, in step S501, it is determined that the washing / drying machine 1 is in the heating operation mode, and then in step S502, the high temperature flag is not turned on (the air outlet 48 is still hot or the outside air temperature is If it is determined that the temperature has not been increased), the temperature of the air outlet 48 detected by the air outlet temperature sensor 64 is a first threshold value (although not limited to this, this embodiment) Is set to 70 ° C. or higher) (step S503).

  When the temperature of the air outlet 48 is equal to or higher than the first threshold value, the air temperature needs to be adjusted. Therefore, after the high temperature flag of the control device 56 is turned on (step S509), the temperature of the air outlet 48 is increased. Further, it is determined whether or not it is equal to or higher than a second threshold value (which is not limited to this, but is set to 75 ° C. in the present embodiment) (step S510). This second threshold corresponds to the predetermined temperature of the present invention. If the temperature of the air outlet 48 is equal to or higher than the second threshold value, both of the two heaters constituting the PTC heater 42 are turned off (step S514). Thus, even when both of the two heaters of the PTC heater 42 are turned off during the adjustment of the air temperature from the air outlet 48 described above, the discharge fan 47 in the air discharge path 43 continues to operate. Has been.

  When the temperature of the air outlet 48 is equal to or higher than the first threshold value and lower than the second threshold value (step S510), the outside temperature (the temperature of the space where the washing / drying machine 1 is installed) is the target temperature. It is determined whether or not it is greater than a certain set value (set by operating the operation panel 57 by the user) (step S512). If the outside air temperature is equal to or higher than the set temperature, both of the two heaters of the PTC heater 42 are turned off (step S514). If the outside air temperature is lower than the set temperature, only one heater constituting the PTC heater 42 is turned off. (Step S513). Thus, even when only one heater of the PTC heater 42 is turned off, the discharge blower 47 is continuously operated.

  In step S503, when it is determined that the temperature of the air outlet 48 is lower than the first threshold value, the outside air temperature is set to a third threshold value (which is not limited to the set temperature). It is determined whether or not it is lower than the above (set to 3 ° C. in the embodiment) (step S504). When the outside air temperature is lower than the set temperature by the third threshold value or more, both the two heaters constituting the PTC heater 42 are turned on (step S505). If the outside air temperature is not lower than the third threshold value by the set temperature (step S504), it is necessary to adjust the blowing temperature, and therefore, after the high temperature flag of the control device 56 is turned on (step S511), the step Proceed to S512. In step S512, as described above, it is determined whether or not the outside air temperature is equal to or higher than the set temperature, and the PTC heater 42 is turned off according to the result (step S513 or step S514). In this way, even when two or one of the PTC heaters 42 are turned off, the discharge blower 47 in the air discharge path 43 is continuously operated as in the case described above. is there.

  If it is determined in step S502 that the high temperature flag has already been turned on (it has been detected that the outlet 48 has become hot or the outside temperature has increased in the past), the outlet 48 It is determined whether or not the temperature is equal to or lower than a fourth threshold value (which is not limited to this, but is set to 65 ° C. in the present embodiment) (step S506). When it is determined that the temperature of the air outlet 48 is equal to or lower than the fourth threshold value, it is considered that the air outlet 48 that has become hot has been lowered to a temperature at which it can be touched by natural cooling or the like. Then, it is determined whether or not the outside air temperature is lower than the set temperature by a fifth threshold value (which is not limited to this, but is set to 5 ° C. in this embodiment). When the outside air temperature is lower than the set temperature by the fifth threshold value or more, after turning off the high temperature flag of the control device 56 (step S508), both the two heaters constituting the PTC heater 42 are turned on (step S505). ).

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S506 that the temperature of the air outlet 48 is higher than the fourth threshold value, or in step S507, it is determined that the outside air temperature is not lower than the fifth threshold value by the set temperature. In this case, it is considered that the temperature of the air outlet 48 or the outside air temperature still needs to be lowered, and the process proceeds to step S514 where both of the two heaters constituting the PTC heater 42 are turned off. Thus, even when both of the two heaters of the PTC heater 42 are turned off, the discharge blower 47 in the air discharge path 43 is continuously operated as in the case described above. Further, when it is determined in step S501 that the washing / drying machine 1 is not in the heating operation mode, this control routine ends.

In this way, the control device 56 brings the temperature outside the washing / drying machine 1 detected by the outside air temperature sensor 63 close to the target temperature set by the setting dial 72, and the air outlet detected by the air outlet temperature sensor 64. The air temperature from the outlet 48 is adjusted by turning the PTC heater 42 on and off so that the temperature of 48 is lower than the second threshold value (predetermined temperature).
Further, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5, the control device 56 performs the determination based on the external temperature and the set temperature after performing the determination based on the temperature of the outlet 48. Priority is given to controlling the temperature of the air outlet 48 to be lower than the predetermined temperature rather than bringing the outside air temperature close to the set target temperature.

  Next, based on FIG. 6, the control method by the control apparatus 56 in the case of changing the set value of the external target temperature in the heating operation mode of the washing / drying machine 1 will be described. When the heating operation mode is initially set, the external target temperature and the air volume stored in the nonvolatile memory of the control device 56 are preferentially displayed on the display unit 66 of the operation panel 57 as initial values. (Temperature setting display 78 and air volume setting display 79 in FIG. 8). First, in step S601, if it is determined that the “blower temperature” key 73g of the operation panel 57 has not yet been depressed and the setting change flag is not turned on (the setting change enable mode is not set), step S601 is executed. In S610, it is determined whether or not the “air temperature” key 73g is depressed again. If it is determined that the “air temperature” key 73g is depressed, the setting change enable mode is set, and after the setting change flag is turned on in step S611, the process proceeds to step S602. If it is determined in step S610 that the “air temperature” key 73g is not depressed, this control routine ends.

  If it is determined in step S601 that the setting change flag has already been turned on, or if the setting change flag has been turned on in step S611, in step S602, the “air temperature” key 73g is set during the setting change enable mode. It is determined whether or not it has been depressed. If it is determined that the “air temperature” key 73g has not been depressed, it is determined in step S603 whether or not the “start” key 72a of the setting dial 72 has been rotated during the setting change enable mode.

  If the “air blowing temperature” key 73g is depressed or the “start” key 72a is rotated during the setting change enable mode, the process proceeds to step S604, and the set temperature is increased by 1 ° C. Next, in step S605, it is determined whether or not the newly set air temperature has exceeded 30 ° C. This is because the set value of the external target temperature is 30 ° C. as the upper limit. When the set value of the target temperature exceeds 30 ° C., the set temperature is forcibly set to 15 ° C. (step S606).

  If neither the “air temperature” key 73g or the “start” key 72a is operated during the setting change possible mode, or the newly set air temperature does not exceed 30 ° C., or the air temperature setting value is If the set temperature exceeds 30 ° C. and the set temperature is forcibly set to 15 ° C., then the process proceeds to step S607, and either the “air temperature” key 73g or the “start” key 72a remains for a predetermined time. It is determined whether or not an operation has been performed. This is for ending the setting changeable mode when neither the “air blowing temperature” key 73g nor the “start” key 72a is operated for a predetermined time during the setting changeable mode.

  If it is determined that both the “air temperature” key 73g and the “start” key 72a have not been operated for a predetermined time, after the setting change flag is turned off in step S608, the external target set at that time is set. The temperature is stored in the nonvolatile memory of the control device 56. The set value of the external target temperature stored in the nonvolatile memory is not erased even when the control device 56 is turned off. Therefore, when the power of the washing / drying machine 1 is turned on again and the control device 56 is activated again, the control device 56 preferentially displays the initial value of the external target temperature on the display unit 66 of the operation panel 57. . If it is determined in step S607 that the “air blowing temperature” key 73g or the “start” key 72a is operated within a predetermined time, the process returns to step S602, and the change of the set temperature is continued. As described above, the setting of the external target temperature described above can be changed even during blowing in the heating operation mode.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case of changing the setting of the external target temperature has been described. However, the setting change of the air volume of the air blown from the outlet 48 can be performed by the same method as the setting change of the external target temperature. . In this case, once the “air volume” key 73h of the operation input unit 58 is pressed down, the setting mode for changing the blower air volume is entered, and then the “air volume” key 73h is continuously pressed or the “start” key 72a is rotated. As a result, the setting of the air flow rate changes from strong → medium → weak → strong → medium → weak.

  Thereafter, when the “air volume” key 73h and the “start” key 72a are not operated for a predetermined time while the air volume is in a state, the air volume at that time is newly set. When changing the air volume from the discharge blower 47 based on the setting, the number of discharge blowers 47 to be operated by changing the operation rotational speed per unit time of the discharge blower 47 or providing a plurality of discharge blowers 47 There are various methods such as changing. The air volume after the setting change is also stored in the non-volatile memory of the control device 56, and is set with priority when the control device 56 is activated. Further, the setting of the blowing air volume can also be changed during the blowing in the heating operation mode, as in the case of changing the setting of the external target temperature.

  According to the present embodiment, the target temperature set by the operation input unit 58 is set to the temperature (outside air temperature) of the space where the washing / drying machine 1 is installed based on the detected values by the outside air temperature sensor 63 and the outlet temperature sensor 64. And the temperature of the air outlet 48 is made lower than the predetermined temperature, and the temperature of the air outlet 48 is made lower than the predetermined temperature in preference to approaching the outside air temperature to the set target temperature. The air temperature of the blower 47 is controlled. Thereby, the blower outlet 48 does not become high temperature, and a measure for preventing the user from directly touching the blower outlet 48 becomes unnecessary. Therefore, it is not particularly necessary to provide a protective member, and the washing and drying machine 1 can be made small and low cost.

In addition, since the on / off of the PTC heater 42 is controlled based on both the difference between the outside air temperature and the set temperature and the temperature of the air outlet 48, the air outlet is considered in consideration of the user's needs for the outside air temperature. 48 fine temperature control can be performed.
Further, the control device 56 turns on and off the PTC heater 42 that heats the air sucked from the outside of the ventilation path 31, adjusts the temperature of the air discharged by the discharge blower 47, and turns off the PTC heater 42. Even in this case, the temperature of the air outlet 48 can be lowered early by continuously operating the discharge blower 47 without stopping it. Moreover, even if the PTC heater 42 is turned off, the user can prevent the user from misunderstanding that the discharge fan 47 continues to operate.

  Moreover, since the operation input part 58 for setting the external target temperature and the air volume of the air blown by the discharge blower 47 is provided, a heating operation that matches the user's wishes can be performed. Further, the set external target temperature and the air flow rate are stored in the non-volatile memory of the control device 56, and when the control device 56 is activated and the heating operation mode is set next time, the stored external target temperature is stored. The target temperature and the air volume of the air are set with priority. Thereby, it is not necessary to set the external target temperature and the air volume of the air which a user desires every time the heating operation mode is started, and the washing / drying machine 1 can be made easy to use. In addition to the external target temperature, the air flow rate can be set, so that the external temperature can be adjusted more quickly.

<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be modified or expanded as follows.
The heat source for heating the air used in the heating operation mode is not limited to the PTC heater. For example, the condenser 36 installed in the ventilation duct 22 may also be used. In this case, the condenser 36 may be provided between the outside air inlet 41 and the discharge blower 47, and the air sucked by the discharge blower 47 may be heated by passing through the condenser 36.
The attachment positions of the outside air temperature sensor 63 and the air outlet temperature sensor 64 are not particularly limited to the above-described embodiment, and any position can be used as long as the air temperature and the air outlet 48 can be detected substantially. It can be attached to a position.

Vertical sectional view of the entire washing and drying machine according to this embodiment External perspective view of the washer / dryer Cycle diagram of heat pump Electrical configuration block diagram The flowchart which shows the adjustment method of the ventilation temperature in heating operation mode The flowchart which shows the method of changing the setting value of the external target temperature in heating operation mode Diagram showing the state of the operation panel when the washing dryer is started Diagram showing the state of the operation panel when the heating operation mode is set

Explanation of symbols

  In the drawings, 1 is a washing dryer, 4 is a rotating tub (drying chamber), 22 is a ventilation duct (warm air discharge means), 26 is a circulation fan (warm air circulation means), 31 is a ventilation path (circulation path), 35 is an evaporator, 36 is a condenser, 37 is a compressor, 38 is a throttle, 39 is a heat pump (warm air circulation means), 41 is an outside air inlet (warm air discharge means), 42 is a PTC heater (warm air discharge) Means, heat source), 47 blower for discharge (hot air discharge means, blower), 48 outlet (hot air discharge means), 56 control device (control means), 63 outside air temperature sensor (outside air temperature detection means) , 64 is an outlet temperature sensor (air outlet temperature detecting means), 72 is a setting dial (temperature setting means, air volume setting means), 73g is an “air blowing temperature” key (temperature setting means), and 73h is an “air volume” key (air volume). Setting means).

Claims (3)

The circuit,
A drying chamber provided in the circulation path for storing wet clothes after washing;
Warm air is supplied to the drying chamber through the circulation path to dry the clothes, and the moisture-containing air is dried and heated in the circulation path by passing through the drying chamber. Hot air circulation means for supplying to the drying chamber;
Hot air discharging means for heating air sucked from the outside of the circulation path, blowing the heated air through at least a part of the circulation path, and discharging the air from the outlet to the outside;
Temperature setting means for setting an external target temperature;
An outside temperature detecting means for detecting a substantial outside temperature;
Outlet temperature detecting means for detecting a substantial temperature of the outlet;
Based on the detected values by the outside air temperature detecting means and the outlet temperature detecting means, the external temperature is brought close to the target temperature set by the temperature setting means, the temperature of the outlet is made lower than a predetermined temperature, and Control means for adjusting the temperature of the air discharged by the hot air discharge means so that the temperature of the outlet is lower than the predetermined temperature in preference to bringing the external temperature close to the set target temperature. A washing and drying machine comprising: The warm air discharge means has a heat source that heats air sucked from the outside of the circulation path, and a blower that discharges air heated by the heat source from the outlet.
The control means turns on and off the heat source, adjusts the temperature of the air discharged by the hot air discharge means, and continues to operate the blower even when the heat source is turned off. The washing / drying machine according to claim 1, wherein:   In addition to the temperature setting means, an air volume setting means for setting the air volume of air discharged by the hot air discharge means is provided, and the external target temperature and the temperature set by the temperature setting means and the air volume setting means are provided. The air volume from the air discharge means is stored in a non-volatile memory, and the next time the control means is activated, the stored external target temperature and the air volume from the warm air discharge means are given priority. The washing / drying machine according to claim 1, wherein the washing / drying machine is set.

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