JP2013013536A - Washing and drying machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a washing and drying machine capable of surely informing a user of the clog of a filter.SOLUTION: A washing and drying machine comprises controlling means 88. The controlling means 88 causes clog detection means 17 to detect a clog of a filter 51 in a drying process, and then causes a filter cleaning lamp 10f to blink or turn on after the drying process operation has completed. In a prescribed time after the blinking or lighting of the filter cleaning lamp 10f has started, if a power is not turned off by a power switch 14h, then the power is automatically turned off, and in the next time operation, the filter cleaning lamp 10f again is caused to blink or turn on once the power is turned on by the power switch 14i. Otherwise, in the prescribed time, if the power is turned off by the power switch 14h, then the filter cleaning lamp 10f is turned off when the power is turned on by the power switch 14i in the next time operation. With these processes, a user is surely informed that the filter 51 is clogged and urged to clean the filter 51, thereby finally preventing the decrease of the drying performance.

Description

  The present invention relates to a washing / drying machine for washing and drying laundry stored in a rotating drum.

Conventionally, this type of washing and drying machine has been proposed to collect lint and the like generated in the drying process with a filter provided in the circulation air passage. (For example, see Patent Document 1)
FIG. 3 shows a longitudinal sectional view of a conventional washing and drying machine described in Patent Document 1. As shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 3, a water tank 103, a dewatering tank 105 inside the water tank 103, and a drying air circulation passage 107 through which drying air flows are arranged in the outer box 101. The drying air circulation passage 107 is formed by a duct 139, and a blower 141, a dehumidifier 143, and a heater 145 are arranged therein. One outlet 139 a of the drying air circulation passage 107 communicates with the drying air inlet 117 of the dewatering tank 105. The other suction port 139b communicates with the drying air outlet 119 of the dewatering tank 105, and a filter 147 is provided. The drying air outlet 119 has a shape that also serves as a loading / unloading port for loading and unloading laundry when the door 125 is opened. Moreover, the opening peripheral part of the water tank 103 where the opening / closing door 125 faces is provided with a communication port 149 a that communicates with the suction port 139 b and the drying air outlet 119 in a part of the flexible member 149 extended from the outer box 101. .

  The filter 147 is made of a material that filters lint and the like, and is disposed in a drawer type filter case 151 that can be attached to and detached from the outer box 101. Therefore, the filter 147 can be cleaned by pulling the filter case 151 out of the outer box 101.

  According to the washing and drying machine configured as described above, when the washing operation is finished and the drying operation is started, the drying air generated by the heater 145 is sent into the dehydrating tank 105 from the drying air intake port 117, and drying is performed. Done. Then, the drying air that has finished work returns from the drying air outlet 119 to the drying air circulation passage 107. At this time, moisture is removed from the drying air when it passes through the dehumidifier 143, and the drying air is repeatedly circulated from the drying air inlet 117 to the dehydration tank 105. During this drying operation, lint generated in the dewatering tank 105 is collected by the filter 147.

JP-A-8-243292

  However, in the above-described conventional configuration, it is necessary for the user to regularly check whether or not lint or the like has accumulated in the filter by pulling out the filter case and cleaning it if it has accumulated. For this reason, if confirmation is forgotten, there is a problem that lint accumulates too much and the flow of the drying air is obstructed, resulting in a decrease in drying efficiency.

Also, in order to inform the user that the filter is clogged, for example, a filter cleaning lamp is provided, blinking for a certain period of time after driving, and urged to be cleaned. Since the power is cut off, there is a problem that the user does not notice the next operation and does not clean the filter and performs the operation, and the drying efficiency decreases.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, reliably notifies the user that the filter is clogged, and prompts the filter to be cleaned, thereby preventing a decrease in drying performance, and for the user. It aims at providing the washing-drying machine which can implement | achieve energy saving by reducing the useless alert | report of the filter clogging.

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, the present invention provides a rotating drum for storing laundry, a water tank that rotatably includes the rotating drum, a motor that rotationally drives the rotating drum, the water tank, and the rotating drum. A drying means for supplying drying air therein, a control means for sequentially controlling a series of steps of washing, rinsing, dewatering and drying, and a circulation air passage for circulating the drying air in communication with the water tank and the drying means. A filter chamber disposed in the circulation air passage, a filter that is detachably housed in the filter chamber and filters foreign matters mixed in the drying air, and a clogging detection unit that detects clogging of the filter. A filter cleaning lamp for notifying the filter of clogging and encouraging the user to clean the filter; a power switch for turning on / off the power to the control means; and Input setting means for setting force, and display means for displaying the contents of the input setting and the operating state, and having the filter cleaning lamp, and the control means is configured to detect the filter by the clogging detection means in a drying process. When the clogging is detected and the filter cleaning lamp is flashed or lit after completion of the drying stroke operation, and the power switch is not turned off within a predetermined time after the filter cleaning lamp flashes or lit, When the power is automatically turned off after a lapse of time, the filter cleaning lamp blinks or lights up when the power is turned on by the power switch during the next operation, and when the power is turned off by the power switch within the predetermined time. When the power is turned on by the power switch during the next operation, the filter cleaning lamp is turned off. It is obtained by a configuration in which.

  Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the deterioration of the drying performance by reliably telling the user that the filter is clogged and prompting the user to clean the filter.

  The washing / drying machine of the present invention can prevent the deterioration of the drying performance by surely telling the user that the filter is clogged and prompting the filter to be cleaned. Further, it is possible to realize energy saving by preventing erroneous notification of filter clogging and reducing unnecessary notification.

The longitudinal cross-sectional view of the washing-drying machine in embodiment of this invention Enlarged view of the operation display section of the washer / dryer Longitudinal section of a conventional washer / dryer

1st invention supplies the air for drying to the rotating drum which accommodates the laundry, the water tank which contains the said rotating drum rotatably, the motor which rotationally drives the said rotating drum, and the said water tank and the rotating drum A drying means, a control means for sequentially controlling a series of steps of washing, rinsing, dehydration and drying, a circulation air passage for circulating drying air in communication with the water tank and the drying means, and a circulation air passage arranged in the circulation air passage. A filter chamber, a filter that is detachably stored in the filter chamber and filters foreign matter mixed in the drying air, a clogging detection means that detects clogging of the filter, and a notification of clogging of the filter A filter cleaning lamp for prompting a user to clean the filter, a power switch for turning on and off the power to the control means, and an input setting means for setting input to the control means; The control means includes a filter cleaning lamp and display means for displaying the contents of the input settings and the operating state, and the control means detects clogging of the filter by the clogging detecting means during a drying process, and performs a drying stroke operation. When the filter cleaning lamp blinks or lights up after completion, and the filter cleaning lamp blinks or lights up, if the power switch is not turned off within a predetermined time, the power is automatically turned off after the predetermined time has elapsed. When the power is turned on by the power switch at the next operation, the filter cleaning lamp blinks or lights up, and when the power is turned off by the power switch within the predetermined time, the power is turned on by the power switch at the next operation. By turning off the filter cleaning lamp when entering, Filter reliably tell that is clogged, it is possible to promote the cleaning of the filter, it is possible to prevent deterioration of drying performance.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the first aspect of the invention further includes filter detection means for detecting attachment / detachment of the filter from the filter chamber. When the filter detection means detects that the filter has been removed in time, by turning off the filter cleaning lamp when the power is turned on by the power switch during the next operation, preventing false notification, Since the filter cleaning lamp does not blink or light up in vain, energy is saved.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in particular, when the control means of the second aspect of the invention detects that the filter has been removed within the predetermined time after the filter cleaning lamp blinks or lights up, Since the power is automatically turned off, energy saving can be realized.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Further, the present invention is not limited by this embodiment.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a washing / drying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an operation display unit of the washing / drying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  1 and 2, the washing / drying machine 1 includes a rotating drum 2 in which a water tank 3 is suspended in a washing / drying machine main body 44 by a suspension structure (not shown) and is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape in the water tank 3. However, the axial center direction is inclined downward from the front side toward the back side. On the front side of the aquarium 3 is formed a clothing doorway 11 leading to the opening end of the rotary drum 2, and a door 9 is formed on the front side of the washing and drying machine main body 44 and closes the opening provided on the upward inclined surface so as to be openable and closable. By opening, the laundry can be taken in and out of the rotary drum 2 through the clothing entrance 11. Since the door 9 is provided on the upward inclined surface, the work for putting in and out the laundry can be performed without bending the waist.

  The rotating drum 2 is formed with a large number of through holes 8 communicating with the inside of the water tank 3 on its peripheral surface, and is provided with stirring protrusions (not shown) at a plurality of positions on the inner peripheral surface. The rotating drum 2 is rotationally driven in the forward and reverse directions by a motor 7 attached to the back side of the water tank 3. Further, a water injection pipe 12 and a drain pipe 13 are connected to the water tank 3, and water is poured into and drained into the water tank 3 by control of a water injection valve and a drain valve (not shown).

  The control means 88 is disposed on the inner lower surface of the washing / drying machine main body 44, and controls a series of processes such as washing, rinsing, dewatering and drying. The input setting means 14 performs input settings such as a washing course by the user to the control means 88, and the display means 10 displays the contents of the input settings performed by the input setting means 14 and the display of the driving state. . The operation display unit 4 arranges the input setting unit 14 and the display unit 10 together above the door 9. The display means 10 is controlled by the control means 88.

  When the door 9 is opened, laundry and detergent are put into the rotating drum 2, the washing course is set on the operation display unit 4, and the operation is started, the water tank 3 is filled with a predetermined amount from the water injection pipe 12. The rotary drum 2 is driven to rotate by the motor 7 and the washing process is started. By the rotation of the rotating drum 2, the laundry accommodated in the rotating drum 2 is lifted in the rotating direction by the stirring protrusion provided on the inner peripheral wall of the rotating drum 2, and the stirring operation of dropping from the lifted appropriate height position Is repeated, so that the laundry has the effect of tapping and washing. After a predetermined washing time, the dirty washing liquid is discharged from the drain pipe 13 and the washing liquid contained in the laundry is dehydrated by a dehydrating operation of rotating the rotary drum 2 at a high speed. Rinsing is performed by pouring water from the road 12. In this rinsing process, the laundry stored in the rotary drum 2 is repeatedly agitated by the rotation of the rotary drum 2 being lifted and dropped by the agitating protrusions, thereby rinsing.

  The washing / drying machine 1 is provided with a function of drying laundry stored in the rotary drum 2. After the air in the water tank 3 is exhausted and dehumidified, the dried air is heated to return to the water tank 3 again. A circulating air flow path 5 for blowing air is formed.

  A heat pump unit 31 as a drying means provided with a dehumidifying means such as an evaporator, a heating means such as a condenser, and a blower fan 66 as a blowing means is disposed in the middle of the circulating air passage 5. By rotationally driving the blower fan 66, an air flow is generated in the circulation blower path 5, and the air in the rotary drum 2 containing the laundry flows through the through holes 8 and the circulating air introduction pipe from the water tank 3 to the blower fan side. High temperature that is always dried by exhausting to the passage 16 and dehumidifying the evaporator located upstream of the blower fan 66 by dew condensation and heating by heat exchange with a condenser that is heated to about 400 ° C. Of air. The dried high-temperature air is sent from the blower fan 66 to the blower duct 33 that is conducted to the water tank 3 and blown into the water tank 3. The high-temperature dry air blown into the water tank 3 enters the rotary drum 2 through the through-holes 8 and again escapes into the water tank 3 while being exposed to laundry such as clothes, and is introduced into the circulating air introduction pipe line 16. The drying process is carried out by repeating the circulation of the air in the circulating air flow path 5 described above.

  Further, in the drying process using the circulation air flow path 5, foreign matters such as lint generated mainly from laundry such as clothes are circulated in the air flowing through the circulation air flow path 5, and the evaporator of the heat pump unit 31 Causes such as clogging of the condenser, biting into the rotating portion of the blower fan 66, and accumulation on the inner surface of the blower fan 66 are caused. In order to prevent this in advance, in the middle of the circulating air introduction path 16, specifically in the middle of the circulating air introduction pipe line 16 on the upstream side of the heat pump unit 31 provided with the evaporator, the condenser, and the ventilation fan 66. A filter chamber 36 that houses a filter 51 for removing foreign substances in the circulating air is provided. As a result, even if foreign matter such as lint is mixed into the air after the laundry is dried and introduced into the circulating air introduction pipe 16 side on the evaporator side, the filter 51 passes through the filter chamber 36. And is not mixed into the circulating air downstream. Therefore, the functions of the evaporator, the condenser, and the blower fan 66 of the heat pump unit 31 are maintained for a long time.

  However, on the other hand, foreign matter such as collected lint accumulates on the filter 51 in the filter chamber 36, and the air flow resistance gradually increases and the air volume decreases, thereby reducing the drying function. The filter 51 is detachable so that it can be cleaned.

  Further, clogging detection means 17 is provided downstream of the filter chamber 36 in the circulating air introduction pipe line 16. As the clogging detection means 17, for example, a thermistor is used, and the clogging of the filter 51 can be detected by detecting the temperature of the circulating air by the thermistor.

  Further, the filter 51 and the filter chamber are provided with filter detection means 77 configured by a combination of a permanent magnet (not shown) and a hall sensor (not shown). Whether it is set or set can be detected.

  In FIG. 2, the operation display unit 4 starts, as the input setting means 14, a power switch 14 i that is operated when the washing dryer is turned on, and a power switch 14 h that is operated when the power is turned off. Start switch 14g that is operated when pausing, washing / drying changeover switch 14f that selects whether to drive only washing, only dry, or both washing and drying, and to select each driving course The course switch 14e further includes individual time setting switches 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d and the like for selecting whether or not to perform the detailed time of each process of washing, rinsing, dehydration and drying. As for the turning on / off of the power, the control unit 88 automatically turns off the power when a predetermined time elapses even if the power switch 14h operated when turning off the power after completion of operation is not pressed by the automatic OFF function. It is controlled by.

  The display means 10 is a course lamp 10c for displaying the set operation course, a washing / drying lamp 10d for displaying the setting of the washing / drying switch 14f, and a three-digit 7-segment display unit. A digital display unit 10b for performing display, remaining time display, etc., an individual setting lamp 10e for displaying individually set time, a child lock lamp 10a to be turned on when child lock is set, and lint on the filter 51, etc. A clogging detection means 17 detects the clogging, and has a filter cleaning lamp 10f that blinks or lights up when alerting cleaning. When the drying process is started without the filter 51 being set in the filter chamber 36, the display means 10 performs an abnormal display.

  The operation and action of the washing / drying machine configured as described above will be described below.

  When this washing / drying machine starts operation and the clogging detecting means 17 detects that the filter 51 is clogged during the drying process, the operation time is extended rather than stopping immediately. Then, the drying process is performed and the operation is terminated.

  Then, after the operation is completed, the filter 51 is not automatically turned off immediately, but the filter cleaning lamp 10f on the display means 10 of the operation display unit 4 is blinked or turned on for a predetermined time, thereby cleaning the filter 51 to the user. Call attention to. The longer the display that informs the user that the filter 51 is clogged after the operation is completed, the more reliable it is, but this is not desirable from the viewpoint of energy saving. For example, the display automatically stops after about 4 hours. The power is turned off.

  If the power is automatically turned off after 4 hours of the predetermined time, it is determined that the user has not been notified of clogging of the filter 51, and the user turns on the power for the next washing or drying. When the power switch 14i to be operated is pressed, the filter cleaning lamp 10f is blinked again to alert the user to clean the filter 51.

When the power is turned off within 4 hours of the predetermined time, unlike the case where the power is automatically turned off, the power switch 14h that is operated when turning off the power is pressed, so the user takes the laundry. When the user noticed that the filter cleaning lamp 10f was blinking, the filter 51 was removed and it was determined that the filter was cleaned, and the user pressed the power switch 14i to be operated when the power was turned on for the next washing or drying. Sometimes the filter cleaning lamp 10f is turned off. The removal of the filter 51 can be detected by the filter detection means 77. For example, before the power is turned off within 4 hours, it is detected that the filter 51 has been removed and then set again. In this case, it is determined that the user has cleaned the filter, the filter cleaning lamp 10f is turned off, the power is automatically turned off, and the power switch 14i is operated when the user turns on the power for the next washing or drying. When pressed, the filter cleaning lamp 10f is turned off. As a result, erroneous notification can be prevented, and the filter cleaning lamp can be prevented from being flashed or lit unnecessarily, thereby saving energy.

  In this embodiment, as a method for alerting the user to clean the filter, the lamp blinks or is lit. However, not only the visual effect due to the display of such a lamp, but also a buzzer sound may be appealed to hearing.

  In addition, blinking and lighting that appeal to the visual sense using a lamp, and the method of appealing to the sense of hearing using a buzzer are also effective to change these combinations at the end of driving and at the next power-on. For example, four hours after the end of driving Only the filter cleaning lamp may be turned on, and the next time the power is turned on, the filter cleaning lamp blinks and a buzzer sounds to appeal more strongly.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the control means detects clogging of the filter by the clogging detection means in the drying stroke, and blinks or lights the filter cleaning lamp after the drying stroke operation ends. When the power is not turned off by the power switch within a predetermined time after the filter cleaning lamp blinks or lights up, the power is automatically turned off after the predetermined time has elapsed, and the power is turned on by the power switch at the next operation. The filter cleaning lamp blinks or lights up, and when the power is turned off by the power switch within the predetermined time, the filter cleaning lamp is turned off when the power is turned on by the power switch during the next operation. By making sure that the filter is clogged, Cleaning can be promoted, it is possible to prevent deterioration of drying performance.

  Further, it has filter detection means for detecting attachment / detachment of the filter from the filter chamber, and the control means indicates that the filter has been removed within the predetermined time after the filter cleaning lamp blinks or lights up. When the filter detection means detects, the filter cleaning lamp is turned off when the power is turned on by the power switch during the next operation, thereby preventing false notification and causing the filter cleaning lamp to flash or turn on unnecessarily. It is energy saving because it disappears.

  The control means automatically turns off the power when the filter detection means detects that the filter has been removed within the predetermined time after the filter cleaning lamp blinks or lights up. realizable.

  As described above, the washing / drying machine according to the present invention reliably informs the user that the filter is clogged, and prompts the filter to be cleaned, thereby preventing a decrease in drying performance and realizing energy saving. Since it becomes possible, it is applicable to the use of electrical appliances, such as another washing machine which has the function to dry clothes.

2 Rotating drum 3 Water tank 4 Operation display section 5 Circulating air path 7 Motor 10 Display means 10f Filter cleaning lamp 14 Input setting means 14h Power switch operated when turning off the power 14i Power switch operated when turning on the power 17 Detection of clogging Means 31 Heat pump unit (drying means)
36 Filter room 44 Washer / dryer body 51 Filter 77 Filter detection means 88 Control means

Claims (3)

A washing drum for storing laundry; a water tub for rotatably containing the rotating drum; a motor for rotationally driving the rotating drum; a drying means for supplying drying air into the water tub and the rotating drum; Control means for sequentially controlling a series of steps of rinsing, dehydration, and drying; a circulation air passage that circulates drying air in communication with the water tank and the drying means; and a filter chamber disposed in the circulation air passage; A filter that is detachably stored in the filter chamber and that filters foreign matter mixed in the drying air, a clogging detection means that detects clogging of the filter, and the filter cleaning that reports clogging of the filter. A filter cleaning lamp for prompting a person, a power switch for turning on and off the power to the control means, an input setting means for setting an input to the control means, and the filter And a display means for displaying the contents of the input settings and the operating state, and the control means detects clogging of the filter by the clogging detecting means during the drying stroke, and after the drying stroke operation is completed. The filter cleaning lamp blinks or lights up, and after the filter cleaning lamp blinks or lights up, if the power switch is not turned off within a predetermined time, the power is automatically turned off after the predetermined time has passed. When the power is turned on by the power switch during operation, the filter cleaning lamp blinks or lights up, and when the power is turned off by the power switch within the predetermined time, the power is turned on by the power switch at the next operation. A washing dryer that sometimes turns off the filter cleaning lamp. Filter detection means for detecting attachment / detachment of the filter from the filter chamber, and the control means detects that the filter has been removed within the predetermined time after the filter cleaning lamp blinks or lights up. The washing / drying machine according to claim 1, wherein when the means detects, the filter cleaning lamp is turned off when the power is turned on by the power switch during the next operation. 3. The control unit according to claim 2, wherein the control unit automatically turns off the power when the filter detection unit detects that the filter has been removed within the predetermined time after the filter cleaning lamp blinks or lights up. Washing and drying machine.