JP2013081711A - Washing and drying machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a washing and drying machine capable of effectively dehydrating laundry in a low electric power consumption and solving a problem of laundry being stuck to a rotational drum.SOLUTION: The washing and drying machine comprises: a washing tub 2; a rotational drum 3 rotating inside the washing tub 2; a dry air channel for circulating dry air inside the washing tub 2 and the rotational drum 3; and a fan 70 disposed in the dry air channel for generating dry air. The washing and drying machine is configured to implement in order the following steps of: washing laundry inside the rotational drum 3; dehydrating laundry in a plurality of times; and drying laundry by contacting it with the dry air. The washing and drying machine comprises fan control means, which is configured to stop the operation of the fan 70 until the last dehydrating step of a plurality of dehydrating steps begins, and start to operate the fan 70 in the last dehydrating step.

Description

  The present invention relates to a washing and drying machine provided with a circulation air passage for circulating drying air in a rotating drum that rotates inside a washing tub.

  In recent years, oblique drum type washing and drying machines have been widely used. This washer-dryer elastically supports a bottomed cylindrical laundry tub with a tilted axis with respect to a horizontal plane so that the opening on one side faces upward, and the bottomed cylindrical tub is placed inside the laundry tub. The rotating drum is configured to be coaxially rotatable with one side opening facing the same side as the opening of the washing tub. The laundry is put into the inside of the rotating drum through the opening of the washing tub and the rotating drum, immersed in the washing water accumulated at the bottom of the washing tub, and washed by repeatedly lifting and dropping due to the rotation of the rotating drum.

  After the laundry has been washed, most of the residual moisture is dehydrated and dried by contact with the drying air introduced into the rotating drum. The drying air circulates in the drying air passage constituted by connecting the introduction port and the outlet port opened in the washing tub with the air duct and including the washing tub and the rotating drum in the middle.

  The drying air passage is provided with a fan for raising the drying air. A cooling unit is provided on the upstream side of the fan, and a heater is provided on the downstream side. The dry air comes into contact with the laundry in the rotating drum, deprives the laundry of moisture, cools in the cooling section, becomes dry air from which the contained moisture is condensed and removed, and is heated when passing through the heater. Return to the rotating drum. The laundry in the rotating drum is dried by repeating contact with the circulating drying air in this way.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a laundry dryer that prevents unevenness of laundry and wrinkling of the laundry. In such a washing and drying machine, the washing process, the dehydration process and the drying process of the laundry in the rotating tub are sequentially performed. In the dehydration process, the rotating tub is rotated at high speed while warm air is fed into the rotating tub. In addition, the unwinding process is performed once or a plurality of times so that the laundry stuck to the inner peripheral wall of the rotating tub is evenly scattered in the rotating tub, and then the drying process is started. As a result, the entire laundry in the rotating tub can be exposed to the warm air without being left over, and drying unevenness of the laundry and wrinkling of the laundry can be prevented.

JP-A-9-321316

  However, the washing and drying machine of Patent Document 1 operates the heater and the fan from the start of the first dehydration process. Since the laundry contains a large amount of moisture at the initial stage of the dehydration process, the amount of heat of the warm air sent into the rotating tub (rotating drum) is absorbed by the moisture and does not contribute to the temperature rise of the laundry itself. Therefore, the temperature rise of the laundry itself is delayed, the efficiency is lowered, and the power consumption is increased. Moreover, since moisture is rapidly removed, the laundry becomes soft and may enter the hole of the rotating drum and stick to the rotating drum. In order to eliminate the sticking of the laundry, a step of shaking the laundry is required. As a result, the time required for the dehydration process becomes longer, and the efficiency decreases.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides a laundry dryer that can efficiently dehydrate laundry with low power consumption and can eliminate the sticking of laundry to a rotating drum. With the goal.

  A washing and drying machine according to the present invention is provided with a washing tub, a rotating drum that rotates inside the washing tub, a drying air passage that circulates drying air inside the washing tub and the rotating drum, and the drying air passage. A washing step for washing the laundry inside the rotating drum, a plurality of dehydration steps for dehydrating the laundry, and bringing the laundry into contact with the drying air. In the washing and drying machine in which the drying process is performed in order, the operation of the fan is stopped until the final dehydration process is started among the plurality of dehydration processes. In the dehydration step, the fan control means for controlling to start the operation of the fan is provided.

  In the present invention, the washing and drying machine is provided with a washing tub, a rotating drum that rotates inside the washing tub, a drying air passage that circulates drying air inside the washing tub and the rotating drum, and the drying air passage. A fan for raising dry air and fan control means. The laundry dryer sequentially performs a washing process for washing the laundry inside the rotating drum, a plurality of dehydration processes for dehydrating the laundry, and a drying process for bringing the laundry into contact with the drying air and drying the laundry. The fan control means stops the operation of the fan until the final dehydration step is started, and starts the operation of the fan in the final dehydration step. Therefore, the laundry dryer can efficiently dehydrate the laundry by sending the drying air into the rotating drum in the final dehydration process in which a certain amount of moisture has been removed from the laundry. In addition, since the drying air is not sent in the initial dehydration process, the power consumption is reduced. In addition, sticking of the laundry to the rotating drum can be eliminated.

  The washing / drying machine according to the present invention is provided in the drying air passage, and stops the operation of the heating means for heating the passed drying air and the heating means until the final dehydration process is started, And a heating control means for controlling to start the operation of the heating means in the final dehydration step.

  In the present invention, the washing and drying machine is further provided with a heating unit and a heating control unit that are provided in the drying air path and heat the passing drying air. The heating control means stops the operation of the heating means until the final dehydration process is started, and starts the operation of the heating means in the final dehydration process. Therefore, the laundry can be dehydrated more efficiently by sending warm air into the rotating drum in the final dehydration step in which a certain amount of moisture has been removed from the laundry. Moreover, by not sending warm air in the initial dehydration process, power consumption can be reduced and sticking of the laundry to the rotating drum can be eliminated.

  The washing / drying machine according to the present invention includes a motor that rotates the rotating drum, and a rotation speed that is controlled so that the rotation speed of the motor is maximized in the final dehydration process among the plurality of dehydration processes. And a control means.

  The present invention includes a motor for rotating the rotating drum, and a rotation speed control means for controlling the rotation speed of the motor so as to be maximized in the final dehydration process among a plurality of dehydration processes. The laundry can be dehydrated more efficiently by driving the fan or the heating means at the timing when the dehydration by the centrifugal force is most promoted.

  The washing and drying machine according to the present invention includes a rotation time control unit that controls the rotation time of the motor to be the longest in the final dehydration step among the plurality of dehydration steps. .

  In the present invention, there is provided a rotation time control means for controlling the rotation time of the motor so as to become the longest in the final dehydration step among the plural dehydration steps. The laundry can be dehydrated more efficiently by driving the fan or the heating means at the timing when the dehydration by the centrifugal force is most promoted.

  The washing / drying machine according to the present invention includes a motor for rotating the rotating drum, and a rotation time for controlling the rotation time of the motor to be the longest in the final dehydration process among the plurality of dehydration processes. And a control means.

  The present invention includes a motor that rotates the rotating drum, and a rotation time control unit that controls the rotation time of the motor to be the longest in the final dehydration process among the dehydration processes of a plurality of times. The laundry can be dehydrated more efficiently by driving the fan or the heating means at the timing when the dehydration by the centrifugal force is most promoted.

  In the present invention, the operation of the fan is stopped until the final dehydration process is started among the multiple dehydration processes, and the operation of the fan is started in the final dehydration process. In the final dehydration step in which a certain amount of moisture has been removed from the article, the drying air can be sent into the rotating drum to efficiently dehydrate the laundry. In addition, by not feeding dry air in the initial dehydration step, power consumption can be reduced and sticking of the laundry to the rotating drum can be eliminated.

1 is a perspective view schematically showing an appearance of a washing / drying machine according to an embodiment. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows schematically the internal structure of the washing / drying machine which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the formation aspect of a lead-out duct and an introductory duct. It is an expanded sectional view near the support part of a drum motor. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control system of the washing / drying machine which concerns on embodiment. It is a timing chart which shows drive control of a drum motor, a fan, and a heater. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the control action of the operation control part at the time of a dehydration operation and a drying operation. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the control action of the operation control part at the time of a dehydration operation and a drying operation.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings illustrating embodiments thereof. FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the appearance of a washing and drying machine according to the embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically showing the internal configuration of the washing and drying machine according to the embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the washing / drying machine includes a washing tub 2 and a rotating drum 3 inside an outer casing 1 constituting an exterior. The washing tub 2 is a large-diameter bottomed cylindrical body having an opening 20 provided over the entire surface at one end, and a plurality of support legs 21 (1) erected on the bottom surface of the outer casing 1. Only the book is shown), and is elastically supported while maintaining an inclined posture in which the opening 20 side faces upward and the axis is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane.

  On the front surface of the outer casing 1 (the left side surface in FIG. 2), a laundry inlet 11 is opened at a position facing the opening 20 of the washing tub 2 so as to be opened and closed by the lid body 10. A space between the opening 20 of the washing tub 2 and the bellows 12 is liquid-tightly sealed. As shown in FIG. 1, a door opening button 13 is provided in the vicinity of the lid 10 on the front surface of the outer casing 1. The lid 10 is opened by operating the door opening button 13.

  The rotating drum 3 is a bottomed cylindrical body slightly smaller in diameter than the washing tub 2, and is a drum fixed at the center of the bottom of the washing tub 2 with the opening 30 on one side facing the inside of the opening 20 of the washing tub 2. The drum 4 is connected to the end of the output shaft 40 of the motor 4 and is rotated coaxially inside the washing tub 2 by driving the drum motor 4.

  A large number of small holes 32 are formed through the entire surface of the peripheral wall of the rotary drum 3, and a plurality of baffles 33 extending in the axial direction are provided on the inner surface of the peripheral wall so as to be evenly spaced in the peripheral direction. Has been. In FIG. 2, only a part of the small hole 32 and one baffle 33 are shown in order to avoid complication of the drawing.

  In the washing operation of the washing / drying machine configured as described above, the lid 10 is opened, the laundry is put into the rotary drum 3 through the openings 20 and 30 located inside the charging slot 11, and the lid 10 Is closed, water is supplied into the washing tub 2 as described later, and the drum motor 4 is driven to rotate the rotating drum 3. As described above, the rotating drum 3 includes a large number of small holes 32 and a plurality of baffles 33, and the laundry inside the rotating drum 3 is washed water introduced into the rotating drum 3 through the small holes 32. The baffle 33 is repeatedly lifted and dropped by the action of the baffle 33, and is hit against the inner surface of the rotating drum 3 and washed when dropped.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an operation panel 15 including an operation unit for various operations and a display unit for various displays is provided on the front upper portion of the outer casing 1. The operation panel 15 is connected to an operation control unit 8 (see FIGS. 2 and 5) provided inside the lower portion of the outer casing 1. The washing operation described above, the drying operation described later, and the dehydration operation performed between them are a series of processes or individually independent depending on the operation of the operation control unit 8 according to the operation of the operation panel 15. It is executed as a process.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a connection port 50 that can be connected to a water supply source such as water supply is provided on the upper surface of the rear portion of the outer casing 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the connection port 50 is connected to a water supply valve 51 provided inside the outer casing 1. The water supply valve 51 is a multiple solenoid valve having a plurality of water supply outlets.

  A water supply outlet of the water supply valve 51 is connected to a water supply opening that opens on the upper peripheral surface of the washing tub 2 via a water supply pipe 52. When the water supply valve 51 is switched to the first water supply outlet, the water supply from the water supply source is sent into the washing tub 2 through the main water supply pipe 52. In the middle of the main water supply pipe 52, a detergent case can be arranged as is well known, and an appropriate amount of detergent can be introduced together with the water supply.

  The 2nd water supply outlet of the water supply valve 51 is connected to the water supply nozzle 54 provided in the middle of the introduction duct 61 mentioned later via the small diameter auxiliary | assistant water supply pipe 53. FIG. When the water supply valve 51 is switched to the second water supply outlet, the water supply from the water supply source reaches the water supply nozzle 54 via the sub-water supply pipe 53 and is sent into the introduction duct 61.

  The third water supply outlet of the water supply valve 51 is connected to the front lower part of the washing tub 2 via the cooling water pipe 55. In the washing tub 2, a concave groove 22 extending in the axial length direction is formed on the lower peripheral surface, and a cooling plate 23 is constructed so as to cover the upper portion of the concave groove 22. The cooling plate 23 is inclined with the rear portion at the bottom, and a plurality of concave portions are arranged in parallel on the upper surface. When the water supply valve 51 is switched to the third water supply outlet, the water supplied from the water supply source is sent to the front upper part of the cooling plate 23 through the cooling water pipe 55 and stays in the plurality of recesses sequentially while staying in the plurality of recesses. It is used as cooling water that cools the drying air that flows backward along the upper surface and circulates as described later.

  A drain pipe 24 is connected to the rear end of the concave groove 22. The drain pipe 24 is connected to a cylindrical filter case 25 fixedly supported at the front lower part inside the outer casing 1. Inside the filter case 25 is housed a lint filter that captures foreign matters such as fiber waste.

  The rear portion of the filter case 25 is connected to a drain hose 27 laid along the bottom surface of the outer casing 1 via a drain valve 26. An air trap 28 is provided on the upper front side of the filter case 25. The air trap 28 is a cavity that communicates with the inside of the filter case 25. A pressure guiding pipe 28a extending upward is connected to the air trap 28, and a water level sensor 29 is attached to an upper end portion of the pressure guiding pipe 28a.

  When the drain valve 26 is closed, the washing water supplied to the inside of the washing tub 2 enters the filter case 25 through the drain pipe 24 and fills the filter case 25, and then the drain pipe 24 and the washing tub. 2 accumulates inside. The air trap 28 is left with air after the filter case 25 is filled with the washing water. The air pressure in the air trap 28 increases as the level of the washing water accumulated with the filter case 25 as the bottom increases. The water level sensor 29 is a pressure sensor that detects the air pressure in the air trap 28 that propagates through the pressure guiding tube 28a. The detection signal of the water level sensor 29 is given to the operation control unit 8. The operation control unit 8 recognizes the water level of the washing water based on the detection signal of the water level sensor 29.

  The drain valve 26 is opened after the washing operation. With this opening, the washing water in the washing tub 2 is drained to the drain hose 27 through the drain pipe 24 and the filter case 25. At the time of this drainage, foreign matters such as fiber scraps contained in the washing water are captured and removed by the lint filter in the filter case 25 and are not likely to be discharged to the sewer pipe through the drain hose 27.

  The washing dryer further includes a drying air path for circulating the drying air. The drying air path extends along the bottom surface of the washing tub 2 and has a lead-out duct 60 and an introduction duct 61 that are integrally formed with the washing tub 2. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing how the lead-out duct 60 and the introduction duct 61 are formed. This figure shows the state which looked at the bottom of washing tub 2 from the front, and the upper and lower sides of a figure correspond to the upper and lower sides of FIG. In addition, although many ribs for ensuring the strength are provided on the outer surface of the washing tub 2, these ribs are not shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the lead-out duct 60 has an appropriate length in the circumferential direction including the bottom bottom of the washing tub 2 and is provided so as to rise obliquely upward at one side end. . In FIG. 3, the recessed groove 22 formed as described above on the lower peripheral surface of the washing tub 2 and the cooling plate 23 installed on the upper portion of the recessed groove 22 are also illustrated. The lower part of the outlet duct 60 communicates with the outlet 62 that opens into the washing tub 2 at the rear position of the cooling plate 23. The upper end portion of the outlet duct 60 communicates with the outlet pipe 63 that protrudes upward from the upper peripheral surface of the washing tub 2.

  The introduction duct 61 includes a circular portion provided at the center of the bottom surface of the washing tub 2 and a linear portion that continues to the circular portion and rises obliquely upward. The upper end portion of the straight portion communicates with an introduction pipe 64 that protrudes upward from the upper peripheral surface of the washing tub 2. An output shaft 40 of the drum motor 4 protrudes at the center position of the circular portion, and an introduction port 65 having a circular cross section that is coaxial with the protruding portion and opens toward the inside of the washing tub 2 is opened. .

  FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view in the vicinity of the support portion of the drum motor. An output shaft 40 of the drum motor 4, which is partially shown in the figure, is rotatably supported by a bearing 41 and protrudes toward the inside of the washing tub 2, and the protruding end portion rotates via a connection bracket 42. The drum 3 is fixed at the center of the bottom surface. A thin sealing plate 66 is clamped and fixed between the connection bracket 42 and the rotary drum 3. On the outer periphery of the sealing plate 66, a flange portion is provided around the inner side of the inlet port 65 at the end of the introduction duct 61, and an oil seal 67 fitted and fixed to the inlet port 65 on the outer surface of the flange portion. Are in contact.

  On the bottom surface of the rotary drum 3, a plurality of introduction holes 34 arranged on the outer periphery of the fixed portion of the connection bracket 42 are opened, and these introduction holes 34 are provided at corresponding positions of the sealing plate 66. The communication port 68 communicates with the introduction port 65.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a fan 70 for raising dry air is disposed on the upper part of the washing tub 2. The fan 70 is unitized together with a suction-side filter 71 and a discharge-side heater 72, and is fixedly supported inside the outer casing 1. The end of the outlet pipe 63 protruding from the upper part of the washing tub 2 is connected to the suction side of the fan 70, and the end of the introduction pipe 64 is connected to the discharge side of the fan 70.

  In the dry air passage configured as described above, when the fan 70 is driven, the dry air is sucked and pressurized from the lead-out duct 60 connected to the suction side, and the lead-out pipe 63, the filter 71, the fan 70, Via the heater 72, it is sent out to the introduction duct 61 connected to the discharge side. The drying air sent into the introduction duct 61 flows from the outer periphery of the washing tub 2 toward the center, reaches the introduction port 65, and is introduced into the rotary drum 3 through the communication hole 68 and the introduction hole 34. The drying air introduced into the rotating drum 3 flows out into the washing tub 2 through a number of small holes 32 formed in the peripheral wall, and is led out into the outlet duct 60 through the outlet port 62 formed as described above. And sucked into the fan 70 again.

  In the drying operation of the washing and drying machine, the fan 70 is driven, the heater 72 is operated, the drum motor 4 is driven, the rotary drum 3 is rotated repeatedly at a low speed, and the water supply valve 51 is connected to the third water supply outlet. Switching is performed by flowing cooling water over the cooling plate 23.

  As described above, the circulation of the drying air occurs in the drying air path by driving the fan 70. This dry air is heated when passing through the heater 72 and introduced into the rotary drum 3. The laundry inside the rotating drum 3 is repeatedly lifted and dropped by the rotation of the drum motor 4. The drying air introduced into the rotary drum 3 hits the laundry in the rotary drum 3, deprives the laundry of moisture, flows out into the washing tub 2, and opens to the bottom bottom of the laundry tub 2. It flows toward.

  The dry air flowing in this way is cooled by contact with the cooling water on the cooling plate 23 provided at the lower part of the washing tub 2, reaches the outlet 62 as dry air from which the contained water has been condensed and removed. It is sent out into the duct 60. The condensed and removed water flows backward on the cooling plate 23 together with the cooling water, reaches the rear end portion, flows down into the concave groove 22, drains into the drainage hose 27 through the drainage pipe 24 and the filter case 25. Is done.

  On the other hand, the dry air that has become dry air rises in the lead-out duct 60, is sucked into the fan 70 through the lead-out pipe 63, is pressurized, is reheated by the heater 72, and becomes hot air of high temperature and low humidity. It is introduced inside the rotating drum 3. As described above, the laundry in the rotating drum 3 is dried by repeating contact with the drying air (warm air) circulating with cooling and heating.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control system of the washing / drying machine according to the embodiment. The operation control unit 8 of the washing / drying machine is a computer in which a CPU 8a, a ROM 8b, a RAM 8c, an input / output interface (I / O) 8d, and a timer 8e are connected by a shared bus. The ROM 8b stores a control program, which will be described later, the maximum rotational speeds K1 to K4 (K1 <K2 <K3 <K4) of the drum motor 4 in the first to fourth dehydration processes, and the rotation times T1 to T4 (T1) in which the drum motor 4 should rotate. ≦ T2 ≦ T3 ≦ T4) and the allowable unbalance amount for unbalance detection.

  The input / output interface 8d is connected to the operation panel 15 described above. The operation panel 15 is provided with various operation switches operated by the user, such as a power switch, a start switch for instructing operation start, and a switch for selecting operation contents. The signal is given to the CPU 8a through the input / output interface 8d. The operation panel 15 includes a display unit for performing various displays such as a display for assisting operation and a display of an operation state. The display on the display unit is made in response to an operation command given from the CPU 8a via the input / output interface 8d.

  The input / output interface 8d is connected to an unbalance detection unit 46 that detects an unbalanced state during dehydration and a rotation number detection unit 45 that detects the rotation number of the drum motor 4. As the rotation speed detection unit 45, a heel sensor or a tachometer can be used. As the unbalance detection unit 46, when a method of performing unbalance determination based on variations in the rotational speed of the drum motor 4 is employed, a hall sensor or a tachometer can be used as the unbalance sensor. Alternatively, when adopting a method of performing unbalance determination based on the amount of change in the current value of the drum motor 4, a current transformer or the like can be used as an unbalance sensor.

  Further, the input / output interface 8d is connected to the drum motor 4, the fan 70, the heater 72, the water supply valve 51, the drain valve 26, the water level sensor 29, and the like described above. The CPU 8a reads out and executes the control program stored in the ROM 8b in accordance with the operation contents of the operation panel 15 to the RAM 8c, and gives operation commands to the drum motor 4, the fan 70, and the heater 72 via the input / output interface 8d. The washing operation, the dehydration operation, and the drying operation are executed by operating.

  The washing / drying machine of the present invention is configured as described above, and a washing operation, a dehydrating operation, and a drying operation are sequentially performed. The washing operation includes processes such as normal washing and rinsing, and detailed description thereof is omitted because the operation of each process is a known operation. Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 6-8, the operation | movement of the spin-drying | dehydration operation and drying operation of the washing dryer of this invention is demonstrated.

  FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing drive control of the drum motor 4, the fan 70, and the heater 72. In FIG. 6, the number of rotations of the drum motor 4 in each step and the driving timing of the fan 70 and the heater 72 are shown. 7 and 8 are flowcharts showing the procedure of the control operation of the operation control unit 8 during the dehydration operation and the drying operation.

  After the washing operation is completed, as shown in FIG. 7, the CPU 8a of the operation control unit 8 rotates the drum motor 4 to execute a balance process for adjusting the distribution of the laundry inside the rotating drum 3 (step S1). In the balancing process, for example, while the drum motor 4 is driven so as to repeat the forward rotation and the backward rotation at a low rotation number every short time as shown in FIG. After the required time has elapsed, the unbalance detection unit 46 detects the unbalance of the rotating drum 3.

  The CPU 8a determines whether or not the unbalance amount detected by the unbalance detection unit 46 is equal to or less than the allowable unbalance amount stored in the ROM 8b in advance (step S2). For example, the unbalance detection unit 46 detects an eccentricity amount indicating the magnitude of the eccentric load of the rotary drum 3 and uses this as an unbalance amount, and the unbalance amount is stored in advance in the ROM 8b. Judge by comparing with quantity.

  If the CPU 8a determines that the unbalance amount is not less than or equal to the allowable unbalance amount (step S2: NO), the CPU 8a returns the process to step S1, and performs the balancing process until the detected unbalance amount becomes equal to or less than the allowable unbalance amount. repeat.

  When the CPU 8a determines that the unbalance amount is equal to or less than the allowable unbalance amount (step S2: YES), the CPU 8a determines that no significant vibration is generated even if the rotary drum 3 is rotated at a high speed, and the rotation speed of the drum motor 4 is determined. Stepwise dehydration is performed (step S3). In the first dehydration process, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, the laundry is pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the rotary drum 3 by centrifugal force by increasing the rotational speed of the drum motor 4 stepwise. The washing water contained in the laundry is shaken off by centrifugal force through a large number of small holes 32 formed in the peripheral wall, falls along the inner surface of the washing tub 2, and is removed from the machine through the drain pipe 24, the drain hose 27, and the like. To be drained. Further, in the first dehydration process, the rotation speed detection unit 45 detects the rotation speed of the drum motor 4.

  The CPU 8a determines whether or not the rotational speed of the drum motor 4 detected by the rotational speed detection unit 45 has reached the maximum rotational speed K1 stored in advance in the ROM (step S4), and reaches the maximum rotational speed K1. If it is determined that it has not been performed (step S4: NO), such determination is repeated until the maximum rotational speed K1 is reached.

  When the CPU 8a determines that the rotation speed of the drum motor 4 detected by the rotation speed detection unit 45 has reached the maximum rotation speed K1 (step S4: YES), the CPU 8a continues the rotation of the drum motor 4 at the maximum rotation speed K1. (Step S5).

  The CPU 8a determines whether or not the time during which the drum motor 4 has rotated in the dehydration step 1 has reached the rotation time T1 stored in advance in the ROM 8b (step S6). When it is determined that the rotation time T1 has not been reached (step S6: NO), such determination is repeated until the rotation time T1 is reached.

  When the CPU 8a determines that the time during which the drum motor 4 has rotated in the dehydration process 1 has reached the rotation time T1 (step S6: YES), the CPU 8a ends the dehydration process, and as shown in FIG. The drum motor 4 is driven so as to repeat the forward direction rotation and the reverse direction rotation every short time, and a loosening process for loosening the laundry inside the rotary drum is performed (step S7).

  In the loosening process, for example, the unwinding process is timed by the timer 8e. After the required time has elapsed, the CPU 8a executes a balancing process for adjusting the distribution of the laundry inside the rotating drum 3 (step S8). In the balancing process, for example, while the drum motor 4 is driven so as to repeat the forward rotation and the backward rotation at a low rotation number every short time as shown in FIG. After the required time has elapsed, the unbalance detection unit 46 detects the unbalance of the rotating drum 3.

  The CPU 8a determines whether or not the unbalance amount detected by the unbalance detection unit 46 is less than or equal to the allowable unbalance amount stored in advance in the ROM 8b (step S9), and determines that it is not less than or equal to the allowable unbalance amount. If so (step S9: NO), the process returns to step S8, and the balancing process is repeated until the detected unbalance amount is equal to or less than the allowable unbalance amount.

  When the CPU 8a determines that the unbalance amount is equal to or less than the allowable unbalance amount (step S9: YES), the rotational speed of the drum motor 4 is increased stepwise, and the maximum rotational speed is set larger than the dehydration process. Two dehydration steps are performed (step S10). In the dehydration step 2, as shown in FIG. 6, the rotational speed of the drum motor 4 is increased stepwise, and the washing water contained in the laundry is drained out of the machine by centrifugal force. Further, in the dehydration 2 step, the rotation speed of the drum motor 4 is detected by the rotation speed detector 45 as in the above-described dehydration 1 process.

  The CPU 8a determines whether or not the rotational speed of the drum motor 4 detected by the rotational speed detection unit 45 has reached the maximum rotational speed K2 stored in advance in the ROM (step S11), and reaches the maximum rotational speed K2. If it is determined that it has not been performed (step S11: NO), such determination is repeated until the maximum rotational speed K2 is reached.

  When determining that the rotation speed of the drum motor 4 detected by the rotation speed detection unit 45 has reached the maximum rotation speed K2 (step S11: YES), the CPU 8a continues the rotation of the drum motor 4 at the maximum rotation speed K2. (Step S12).

  The CPU 8a determines whether or not the time during which the drum motor 4 has rotated in the dehydration step 2 has reached the rotation time T2 stored in the ROM 8b in advance (step S13). When it is determined that the rotation time T2 has not been reached (step S13: NO), such determination is repeated until the rotation time T2 is reached. Here, it is preferable that the rotation time T2 of the drum motor 4 in the dehydration 2 step is longer than the rotation time T1 of the drum motor 4 in the dehydration 1 step.

  When the CPU 8a determines that the time during which the drum motor 4 has rotated in the dehydration step 2 has reached the rotation time T2 (step S13: YES), as shown in FIG. 6, the forward rotation and the reverse rotation are performed at a low rotation speed. The drum motor 4 is driven so as to be repeatedly performed every short time, and a loosening step of loosening the laundry inside the rotating drum is performed (step S14).

  In the loosening process, for example, the unwinding process is timed by the timer 8e. After the required time has elapsed, as shown in FIG. 8, the CPU 8a executes a balancing process for adjusting the distribution of the laundry inside the rotating drum 3 (step S15). In the balancing process, for example, the timer 8e measures the balancing process while driving the drum motor 4 so as to repeat the forward rotation and the backward rotation at a low rotation speed every short time as shown in FIG. After the elapse of time, the imbalance detection unit 46 detects the imbalance of the rotating drum 3.

  The CPU 8a determines whether or not the unbalance amount detected by the unbalance detection unit 46 is less than or equal to the allowable unbalance amount stored in advance in the ROM 8b (step S16), and determines that it is not less than or equal to the allowable unbalance amount. If so (step S16: NO), the process returns to step S15, and the balancing process is repeated until the detected unbalance amount is equal to or less than the allowable unbalance amount.

  When the CPU 8a determines that the unbalance amount is equal to or less than the allowable unbalance amount (step S16: YES), the rotational speed of the drum motor 4 is increased stepwise, and the maximum rotational speed is set larger than the dehydration two steps. Three dehydration steps are performed (step S17). In the dehydration step 3, as shown in FIG. 6, the rotational speed of the drum motor 4 is increased stepwise, and the washing water contained in the laundry is drained out of the machine by centrifugal force. Further, in the dehydration 3 step, the rotation speed of the drum motor 4 is detected by the rotation speed detection unit 45 as in the above-described dehydration 2 process.

  The CPU 8a determines whether or not the rotational speed of the drum motor 4 detected by the rotational speed detection unit 45 has reached the maximum rotational speed K3 stored in advance in the ROM (step S18), and reaches the maximum rotational speed K3. If it is determined that it has not been performed (step S18: NO), such determination is repeated until the maximum rotational speed K3 is reached.

  When determining that the rotation speed of the drum motor 4 detected by the rotation speed detection unit 45 has reached the maximum rotation speed K3 (step S18: YES), the CPU 8a continues the rotation of the drum motor 4 at the maximum rotation speed K3. (Step S19).

  The CPU 8a determines whether or not the time during which the drum motor 4 has rotated in the dehydration process 3 has reached the rotation time T3 (step S20). When it is determined that the rotation time T3 has not been reached (step S20: NO), such determination is repeated until the rotation time T3 is reached. Here, the rotation time T3 of the drum motor 4 in the dehydration 3 step is preferably longer than the rotation time T2 of the drum motor 4 in the dehydration 2 step.

  When the CPU 8a determines that the time during which the drum motor 4 has rotated in the dehydration 3 process has reached the rotation time T3 (step S20: YES), the CPU 8a ends the dehydration 3 process and, as shown in FIG. The drum motor 4 is driven so as to repeat forward rotation and reverse rotation every short time, and a loosening process for loosening the laundry inside the rotary drum is performed (step S21).

  In the loosening process, for example, the unwinding process is timed by the timer 8e. After the required time has elapsed, the CPU 8a causes a balance process to adjust the distribution of the laundry inside the rotating drum 3 (step S22). In the balancing process, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, while the drum motor 4 is driven so that the forward rotation and the backward rotation are repeated every short time at a low speed, the balancing process is timed by the timer 8e. After the elapse of time, the imbalance detection unit 46 detects the imbalance of the rotating drum 3.

  The CPU 8a determines whether or not the unbalance amount detected by the unbalance detection unit 46 is less than or equal to the allowable unbalance amount stored in advance in the ROM 8b (step S23), and determines that it is not less than or equal to the allowable unbalance amount. If so (step S23: NO), the process returns to step S22, and the balancing process is repeated until the detected unbalance amount is equal to or less than the allowable unbalance amount.

  When the CPU 8a determines that the unbalance amount is equal to or less than the allowable unbalance amount (step S23: YES), the rotational speed of the drum motor 4 is increased stepwise, and the maximum rotational speed is set to be larger than the dehydration process 3. 4 steps of dehydration are performed (step S24). The CPU 8a drives the fan 70 and the heater 72 when the dehydration process 4 starts (step S25). In the dehydration process 4, the rotational speed of the drum motor 4 is increased stepwise as shown in FIG. 6, and the operation of the fan 70 and the heater 72 is started when the dehydration process 4 starts. As a result, the washing water contained in the laundry is drained out of the machine by centrifugal force. Further, the dry air is sucked from the outlet duct 60 and pressurized, heated when passing through the heater 70, and sent as hot air to the introduction duct 61 connected to the discharge side. The warm air sent out into the introduction duct 61 is introduced into the rotary drum 3 and comes into contact with the laundry inside the rotary drum 3. In the dehydration process 4, the rotation speed of the drum motor 4 is detected by the rotation speed detection unit 45, as in the above-described dehydration process 3.

  The CPU 8a determines whether or not the rotational speed of the drum motor 4 detected by the rotational speed detection unit 45 has reached the maximum rotational speed K4 stored in advance in the ROM (step S26), and reaches the maximum rotational speed K4. If it is determined that it has not been performed (step S26: NO), such determination is repeated until the maximum rotational speed K4 is reached.

  When the CPU 8a determines that the rotation speed of the drum motor 4 detected by the rotation speed detection unit 45 has reached the maximum rotation speed K4 (step S26: YES), the CPU 8a continues to rotate the drum motor 4 at the maximum rotation speed K4. (Step S27).

  The CPU 8a determines whether or not the time during which the drum motor 4 has rotated in the dehydration process 4 has reached the rotation time T4 (step S28). If it is determined that the rotation time T4 has not been reached (step S28: NO), such determination is repeated until the rotation time T4 is reached.

  When the CPU 8a determines that the rotation time of the drum motor 4 in the dehydration 4 process has reached the rotation time T4 stored in the ROM 8b in advance (step S28: YES), the CPU 8a ends the dehydration 4 process and proceeds to the drying process. (Step S29). Here, the rotation time T4 of the drum motor 4 in the dehydration 4 step is preferably longer than the rotation time T3 of the drum motor 4 in the dehydration 3 step.

  In the drying process, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, the CPU 8a drives the drum motor 4 so that the rotating drum 3 repeats forward rotation and reverse rotation every short time, and also drives the fan 70 and the heater 72. By doing so, the laundry inside the rotary drum 3 is sufficiently brought into contact with the introduced drying air. After the required time has elapsed, the process ends.

  According to the present invention, in the final dehydration process in which a certain amount of moisture has been removed from the laundry, the operation of the fan 70 and the heater 72 is started, so that the heated dry air is fed into the rotating drum, thereby efficiently. The laundry can be dehydrated. In addition, power consumption can be reduced by not sending dry air in the initial dehydration step. In addition, it is possible to avoid a sudden loss of moisture and to eliminate sticking of the laundry to the rotating drum.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the dehydration process is performed four times and the fan 70 and the heater 72 are driven at the start of the fourth dehydration process has been described. However, the number of dehydration processes is not limited to four and is necessary. The fan 70 and the heater 72 may be driven from the start of the final dehydration process. Further, the time when the fan 70 and the heater 72 are driven is not limited to the start time of the final dehydration process, but may be an arbitrary time point in the final dehydration process.

  Moreover, although the case where it increased sequentially from the 1st time to the 4th time was demonstrated about the maximum rotation speed of the rotating drum 3 of each time dehydration process, and the operation time of each time dehydration process, it is not restricted to this but arbitrary as needed You may make it set to. In addition, the maximum rotation speed and the rotation time may be temporarily stored in the RAM 8c, and each time the dehydration process ends, the maximum rotation speed and the rotation time may be updated to execute the next dehydration process.

  Further, instead of the rotation times T1 to T4, the continuation times t1 to t4 that should continue to rotate at the maximum rotation speed in each dehydration process are stored in the ROM 8b in advance, and in steps S6, S13, S20, and S28, respectively. Further, it may be determined whether or not the time during which the rotation continues at the maximum rotation speed has reached the continuation times t1 to t4 stored in the ROM 8b in advance. In this case, it is preferable that the durations t1 to t4 increase in order.

  In the above embodiment, the washing and drying machine that drives the fan 70 and the heater 72 in the final dehydration process has been described. However, the heater 72 may be stopped and only the fan 70 may be driven.

  Further, in the above embodiment, a washing / drying machine in which the washing tub 2 and the rotating drum 3 are supported in a slanting horizontal position, that is, a so-called slanted drum type washing / drying machine has been described. Needless to say, the present invention can also be applied to a washing / drying machine in which the 2 and the rotating drum 3 are supported in a horizontal position or a vertical position.

  Moreover, in the above embodiment, although the washing-drying machine provided with the cooling plate 23 which dehumidifies the humid dry wind which flowed out from the rotating drum 3, and the heater 72 which heats the dry wind which became dry air was demonstrated. The configuration for dehumidifying and heating the dry air is not limited to these. For example, the present invention can be applied to a washing and drying machine including a heat pump device that dehumidifies and heats dry air, and it goes without saying that the same effect can be obtained.

  The above embodiments are merely examples and should not be considered as limiting. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the meanings described above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

2 Washing tub 3 Rotating drum 4 Drum motor (motor)
8 Operation control unit (fan control means, heating control means, rotation speed control means, rotation time control means)
70 Fan 72 Heater (heating means)

Claims (5)

A washing tub, a rotating drum that rotates inside the washing tub, a drying air passage that circulates drying air inside the washing tub and the rotating drum, and a fan that is provided in the drying air passage and wakes up the drying air A washing process for washing the laundry inside the rotating drum, a plurality of dehydration processes for dehydrating the laundry, and a drying process for bringing the laundry into contact with the drying air in order. In a certain washing and drying machine,
Fan control for controlling to stop the operation of the fan until the final dehydration process is started, and to start the operation of the fan in the final dehydration process. A washing and drying machine comprising means. A heating means provided in the drying air path for heating the passing drying air;
Heating control means for controlling to stop the operation of the heating means until the final dehydration process is started, and to start the operation of the heating means in the final dehydration process. The washing / drying machine according to claim 1, wherein A motor for rotating the rotating drum;
3. A rotation speed control means for controlling the motor so that the rotation speed of the motor is maximized in the final dehydration process among the plurality of dehydration processes. The washing dryer described.   The washing / drying machine according to claim 3, further comprising a rotation time control means for controlling the rotation time of the motor to be the longest in the final dehydration step among the plurality of dehydration steps. . A motor for rotating the rotating drum;
The rotation time control means for controlling the rotation time of the motor so as to be the longest in the final dehydration step among the plurality of dehydration steps. The washing dryer described.

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