JP2013146351A - Washing and drying machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a washing and drying machine capable of, when detecting the foam during washing or draining, discharging foam having invaded the upstream portion of a drying air channel and preventing the foam from being attached to drying components such as a drying filter in a subsequent step, to prevent the occurrence of troubles such as filter wetting and an air passage failure and suppress time and water quantity required for removing the foam.SOLUTION: A washing and drying machine 100 includes a water tank 2 and a rotary drum 3 inside an outer casing 1. To a suction side of an air-blow fan 70 disposed in the inside upper portion of the outer casing 1, connected is a lead-out pipe. To the lead-out pipe, connected is a lead-out duct 60 communicating with the water tank 2. When a foam detection circuit detects the existence of foam inside a lead-out duct 60 during washing, an operation control part 8 controls to switch a water-supply valve 51 to a third water supply outlet during draining, feed water to the lead-out duct 60 from a water supply nozzle 57 via a sub-water supply pipe 56, and discharge the foam to the outside via a drain hose 28.

Description

  The present invention relates to a washing and drying machine provided with a drying air path for circulating drying air in a rotating drum that rotates inside a water tank.

  A drum-type washing and drying machine that has been widely used in recent years supports a bottomed cylindrical water tank in a housing in a horizontal posture or an oblique horizontal posture, and rotates in a coaxial manner inside the water tank. A cylindrical rotating drum is accommodated. The washing and drying machine includes a drying air passage for circulating the drying air in the water tank and the rotating drum, and the drying air passage is provided with a blower fan that sucks air from the rotating drum and a heater that heats the air. Yes.

  The water tank and the rotating drum have an opening opening on the same side, and during washing operation, the laundry is put into the rotating drum through the opening and is stored in the bottom of the water tank and the rotating drum. It is soaked in the drum and repeatedly lifted and dropped by the rotation of the rotating drum, and when it is dropped, it is struck against the circumferential surface of the rotating drum and washed. Then, during the drying operation, the laundry is repeatedly lifted and dropped by the rotation of the rotating drum in the same manner as the washing operation, repeatedly comes into contact with the drying air circulating through the drying air passage, and is deprived of moisture and dried.

In the washing and drying machine as described above, foam may be abnormally generated during the washing operation. When the occurrence of this bubble abnormality is detected, conventionally, the washing operation is weakened (the rotational speed of the motor that rotates the rotating drum is decreased), the water supply is stopped, the drain valve is opened, the water is drained, and the water in the tank is circulated. The washing sequence is changed, for example, the shower water supply is stopped from the opening side.
In addition, if a foam abnormality is detected for the first time, the washing operation is continued by changing the washing sequence such as stopping the shower water supply or weakening the washing operation without draining the water. Some of them perform a washing sequence such as draining when detected for the second time.
In addition, during the intermediate dehydration during rinsing, the foam becomes resistance and the dewatering speed does not increase (foam becomes a load and the motor drive torque number becomes insufficient). There is also provided a washing machine configured to add a foam extinguishing step of performing drainage after performing stirring and stirring at a low rotational speed.

The following washing machines have been developed to prevent foam restraint during dehydration in the rinsing process.
The washing machine of Patent Document 1 measures the amount of water, the amount of cloth, and the drainage time by the water level detection means, the cloth amount detection means, and the time measurement means, grasps the drainage state from the measurement results, and rinses according to the drainage state. The rotational acceleration (dehydration rotational acceleration) of the motor at the time of the previous dehydration start is changed.
The washing machine of Patent Document 2 detects the amount of foam in the aquarium or the remaining amount of drainage water based on the number of revolutions of the washing and dewatering tub detected by the number of revolutions (rotation speed) detecting means in the intermediate dehydration step. When the remaining amount of waste water is detected, low rotation dewatering or low rotation intermittent dewatering is additionally performed while operating the water supply valve after the intermediate dewatering process, and the process proceeds to the next process such as rinsing.

JP 2011-177462 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-42387

Bubbles that are abnormally generated during the washing process and the rinsing process may not only stay in the water tank but also enter the intake portion of the dry air passage. Foam that has entered the dry air passage is difficult to be discharged during drainage, and the foam may remain as it is. There was a problem that occurred.
In addition, when foam is abnormally generated during washing, foam restraint may occur due to foam remaining in the drying air passage during intermediate dehydration during rinsing. In this case, although a foam extinction process is performed, there exists a problem that a foam extinction process requires time and uses much water.

  The washing machines of Patent Documents 1 and 2 prevent foam restraint. And even if the structure of the washing machine of patent documents 1 and 2 was applied to the washing dryer which has a dry air passage, the bubble which entered the dry air passage cannot be made to disappear, and bubble restraint arises with the said foam Can not cope with the case.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and when bubbles are detected during washing or dehydration, the bubbles that have entered the upstream portion of the drying air passage can be discharged, and are dried in subsequent steps. A washing and drying machine that can prevent bubbles from adhering to dry parts such as filters, prevent the occurrence of problems such as filter wetting and poor ventilation, and reduce the time and amount of water required for foam removal processing The purpose is to provide.

  The washing / drying machine according to the present invention includes a water tank, a rotating drum inside the water tank, a drying air passage through which the drying air supplied into the water tank and the rotating drum flows, and an air blower disposed in the drying air passage. In a washing / drying machine comprising a fan and configured to perform washing and drying, foam detection means for detecting foam, and air passage water supply means for supplying water to an upstream side portion of the blower fan in the drying air passage And water supply control means for supplying water by the air passage water supply means when foam is detected by the foam detection means during washing.

  The washing / drying machine according to the present invention is configured to drain water from the water tank when water is supplied by the air passage water supply means.

  The washing / drying machine according to the present invention includes an end determination unit that determines the end of drainage of the water tank, and the water supply control unit is configured to end the water supply after the end determination unit determines the end. It is characterized by being.

  The washing / drying machine according to the present invention is configured to rotate the rotating drum at a lower rotational speed than during washing before supplying water by the air passage water supply means.

  In the washing and drying machine according to the present invention, after supplying water by the water supply control means, water is supplied to the water tank, the rotating drum is rotated at a lower rotational speed than during washing, and water is supplied again by the air passage water supply means. It is configured.

  The washing / drying machine according to the present invention is characterized in that the foam detecting means is configured to detect foam in an upstream portion of the blower fan.

  The washing and drying machine according to the present invention includes a water tank, a rotating drum inside the water tank, a motor for rotating the rotating drum, and a drying air passage through which drying air supplied into the water tank and the rotating drum flows. In the washing and drying machine comprising a blower fan disposed in the drying air passage and configured to perform washing, rinsing, and drying, a bubble restraint detecting means for detecting foam restraint, and the drying air passage An air passage water supply means for supplying water to the upstream portion of the blower fan, and a water supply control means for supplying water by the air passage water supply means when the bubble restriction detection means is detected during dehydration. .

  The washing / drying machine according to the present invention is characterized in that the water supply control means is configured to supply water during drainage after rinsing.

The washer / dryer according to the present invention comprises end determination means for determining end of drainage of the water tank,
The water supply control means is configured to end water supply after the end determination means determines the end.

  The washing / drying machine according to the present invention includes a rotation speed control means for controlling the rotation speed of the motor, and a rotation speed detection means for detecting the rotation speed of the motor, wherein the foam constraint detection means is the rotation speed control means. Based on the difference between the rotation speed controlled by the means and the rotation speed detected by the rotation speed detection means, it is configured to detect bubble restraint.

  In the washing / drying machine according to the present invention, when foam restriction is detected by the foam restriction detection means, before supplying water by the air passage water supply means, the water is supplied to the water tank and the rotary drum is rotated to discharge the foam. It is characterized by comprising a erasing means.

In the present invention, when foam is detected during washing, water is supplied to the upstream side portion of the blower fan of the drying air passage, so that the foam that has entered the upstream side portion can be erased and discharged, and drying is performed in the subsequent steps. It is possible to prevent bubbles from adhering to dry parts such as a filter, and to prevent occurrence of problems such as filter wetting and poor ventilation.
And since water can be efficiently supplied to the bubble generation | occurrence | production part and a bubble can be erase | eliminated and discharged | emitted, the time and water quantity which a bubble removal process requires can be suppressed.

  In the present invention, the amount of water used can be suppressed by stopping the water supply to the upstream side portion (hereinafter referred to as “airway water supply”) when determining the end of drainage, and further by performing additional water supply. (By continuing the water supply), the foam can be reliably discharged when remaining in the upstream portion or the water tank.

  In the present invention, the amount of foam can be reduced to some extent by rotating the rotating drum at a lower rotational speed than during washing before supplying the air passage, and the foam can be discharged more reliably during the air supply. it can.

  In the present invention, the foam can be discharged more reliably by performing the foam extinction process after the air supply and supplying the air supply again. And since airway water supply is performed before a foam extinction process, the time of a foam extinction process and the quantity of water can be reduced compared with the past.

  In the present invention, when bubble restraint is detected during dehydration, water is supplied to the upstream side portion of the blower fan, so that rotation failure of dehydration can be suppressed, and abnormal temperature rise and abnormal vibration of the motor can be suppressed. And the next step can be sufficiently rinsed. And the foam which invaded the said upstream part can be discharged | emitted, the adhesion of the foam to dry parts, such as a filter, can be prevented in a subsequent process, and generation | occurrence | production of malfunctions, such as filter wetting and ventilation defect, can be prevented. it can.

  In the present invention, when bubble restraint is detected and airway water supply is performed, the amount of water used can be suppressed by stopping the airway water supply when determining the end of drainage, and additional water supply By carrying out, it can be reliably discharged when bubbles remain in the upstream part or the water tank.

  In the present invention, the rotational speed control means and the rotational speed detection means are provided, and the bubble restriction is detected based on the difference between the rotational speed controlled by the rotational speed control means and the rotational speed detected by the rotational speed detection means. By comprising so, bubble restraint can be detected correctly.

  In the present invention, the foam can be reliably discharged by providing the above-mentioned foam extinguishing means and supplying the air passage after the foam extinguishing process by the foam extinguishing means.

According to the present invention, when foam is detected during washing, water is supplied to the upstream side portion of the blower fan in the drying air passage, so that the foam that has entered the upstream side portion can be discharged, and the drying filter is used in the subsequent steps. It is possible to prevent bubbles from adhering to dry parts, etc., and to prevent problems such as filter wetting and poor ventilation.
Then, water can be efficiently supplied to the bubble generation portion to eliminate or discharge the bubbles, and the time and amount of water required for the bubble removal process can be suppressed.

1 is a perspective view schematically showing an appearance of a washing / drying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which briefly shows the internal structure of the washing / drying machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the formation aspect of the derivation | leading-out duct and the introduction duct which concern on embodiment of this invention. It is an expanded sectional view of the support part vicinity of the drum motor which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control system of the washing / drying machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the washing operation by CPU of the operation control part which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the washing operation by CPU of the operation control part which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the washing operation by CPU of the operation control part which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the washing operation by CPU of the operation control part which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the rinse operation by CPU of the operation control part which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the rinse operation by CPU of the operation control part which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the other process sequence of the washing operation by CPU of the operation control part which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the other process sequence of the washing operation by CPU of the operation control part which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the other process sequence of the washing operation by CPU of the operation control part which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the other process sequence of the rinse operation by CPU of the operation control part which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the other process sequence of the rinse operation by CPU of the operation control part which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings showing embodiments thereof.
(Configuration of the washing and drying machine 100)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the external appearance of a washing / drying machine 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically showing the internal configuration of the washing / drying machine 100.

As shown in FIG. 2, the washing / drying machine 100 includes a water tank 2 and a rotating drum 3 inside an outer casing 1. The water tank 2 is a large-diameter bottomed cylindrical body having an opening 20 in the entire end portion on one side, and is opened by a plurality of support legs 21 (only one is shown) erected on the bottom surface of the outer casing 1. It is elastically supported in a state in which an inclined posture with the axis 20 inclined upward with respect to the horizontal plane is maintained. The support leg 21 has a damper 210 in the middle, and a weight sensor 211 is provided below the damper 210. The weight of the laundry put into the rotating drum 3 is detected by the weight sensor 211. Examples of the weight sensor 211 include strain gauge type, piezoelectric type, capacitance type, electromagnetic type, and tuning fork type weight sensors.
On the front surface of the outer casing 1 (the left side surface in FIG. 2), a laundry input port 11 is opened at a position facing the opening 20 of the water tank 2 so as to be opened and closed by a lid 10. The space between the two openings 20 is liquid-tightly sealed by the bellows 12. 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 having a slightly smaller diameter than the water tank 2, and has an opening 30 on one side facing the inside of the opening 20 of the water tank 2, and a drum motor 4 fixed at the center of the bottom of the water tank 2. It is connected to the end of the output shaft 40 and is configured to rotate coaxially inside the water tank 2 by driving the drum motor 4. The washing / drying machine 100 includes an inverter circuit 84 (see FIG. 5) including a switching element that drives the drum motor 4 by periodically switching, and a rotation speed sensor 85 (see FIG. 5) that detects the rotation speed of the drum motor 4. The operation control unit 8, which will be described later, determines the duty ratio of the PWM signal supplied to the inverter circuit 84 based on the rotational speed detected by the rotational speed sensor 85 and controls the rotation of the rotary drum 3. It is configured.
A large number of small holes 32 are formed through the entire surface of the peripheral wall of the rotating drum 3, and a plurality of baffles 33 extending in the axial length direction are provided on the inner surface of the peripheral wall so as to protrude evenly in the circumferential direction. Yes. In FIG. 2, only a part of the small hole 32 and one baffle 33 are shown.

  In the washing operation of the washing and drying machine configured as described above, the lid body 10 is opened, the laundry is put into the rotary drum 3 through the openings 20 and 30 located inside the insertion slot 11, and the lid body is opened. After closing 10, as will be described later, washing water is supplied into the water tank 2, and then the drum motor 4 is driven to tumbl 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 placed in the washing water that enters the rotating drum 3 through the small holes 32. It is soaked and repeatedly lifted and dropped by the action of the baffle 33. At the time of dropping, it is struck against the inner surface of the rotating drum 3 and washed.

  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 FIG. 2) provided inside the lower part 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, and the first water supply outlet is connected to the upper peripheral surface of the water tank 2 via the main 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 fed into the water tank 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.

  A second water supply outlet of the water supply valve 51 is connected to a water supply nozzle 54 via a small-diameter sub-water supply pipe 53. The water supply nozzle 54 is provided on the wall surface of the introduction duct 61 described later. 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.

  A third water supply outlet of the water supply valve 51 is connected to a water supply nozzle 57 via a small-diameter sub-water supply pipe 56. The water supply nozzle 57 is provided on the wall surface of the outlet duct 60 described later. When the water supply valve 51 is switched to the third water supply outlet, the water supply from the water supply source reaches the water supply nozzle 57 via the sub-water supply pipe 56 and is sent into the outlet duct 60.

  The fourth water supply outlet of the water supply valve 51 is connected to the front lower part of the water tank 2 via the cooling water pipe 55. A concave groove 22 extending in the front-rear direction is formed in the lower peripheral surface of the water tank 2, and a cooling plate 23 is installed so as to cover the upper portion of the concave groove 22. The cooling plate 23 is inclined with the rear part at the bottom, and a plurality of recesses are arranged in parallel on the upper surface. When the water supply valve 51 is switched to the fourth water supply outlet, the water supply 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 connecting portion 24 is connected to the rear end portion of the concave groove 22. The connecting portion 24 is connected via a drain pipe 25 to a cylindrical filter case 26 fixedly supported at the front lower part inside the outer casing 1. Inside the filter case 26 is housed a lint filter that captures foreign matters such as fiber waste. The filter case 26 is connected to the circulation pump 120 via a water pipe (not shown), and the discharge side of the circulation pump 120 is communicated with the upper front side of the water tank 2 via a return pipe 121. .

  The filter case 26 is connected to a drain hose 28 laid along the bottom surface of the outer casing 1 via a drain valve 27. An air trap 24 a is connected to the right side portion of the connecting portion 24. The air trap 24a has an air chamber (not shown). A pressure guiding pipe (not shown) extending upward is connected to the air chamber, and a water level sensor 24b is attached to an upper end portion of the pressure guiding pipe.

  When the drain valve 27 is closed, the washing water supplied to the inside of the water tank 2 enters the filter case 26 through the connecting portion 24 and the drain pipe 25, fills the filter case 26, and then drains the pipe 25, It collects in the inside of the connection part 24 and the water tank 2. The washing water is sucked into the circulation pump 120 by driving the circulation pump 120 to be pressurized, and sent to the upper part of the water tank 2 through the return pipe 121, and from the tip of the return pipe 121 to the inside of the rotary drum 3. Water is supplied.

  Air remains in the air chamber of the air trap 24a even after the connecting portion 24 is filled with washing water. The air pressure in the air chamber increases as the water level of the washing water accumulated with the filter case 26 as the bottom increases. The water level sensor 24b is a pressure sensor that detects the air pressure in the air chamber that propagates through the pressure guiding tube. The detection signal of the water level sensor 24b is given to the operation control unit 8.

  The drain valve 27 is opened after the washing operation. By this opening, the wash water in the water tank 2 is drained to the drain hose 28 through the drain pipe 25 and the filter case 26. At the time of this drainage, foreign matters such as fiber waste contained in the wash water are captured and removed by the lint filter in the filter case 26, so there is no possibility of being discharged to the sewer pipe through the drain hose 28.

  The washing and drying machine further includes a drying air passage through which the drying air supplied into the water tank 2 and the rotating drum 3 flows. The drying air passage has a lead-out duct 60 and an introduction duct 61 that are integrally formed with the water tank 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 water tank 2 from the front, and the upper and lower sides of the 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 water tank 2, these ribs are not shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, the lead-out duct 60 is provided so as to extend with an appropriate length in the circumferential direction at the lowermost edge portion of the bottom surface of the water tank 2 and to rise obliquely upward at one side end. . FIG. 3 also shows the concave groove 22 formed as described above on the lower peripheral surface of the water tank 2 and the cooling plate 23 installed on the upper portion of the concave groove 22. The lower part of the lead-out duct 60 communicates with a lead-out port 62 that opens into the water tank 2 at the rear position of the cooling plate 23. The upper end portion of the lead-out duct 60 communicates with a lead-out pipe 63 that protrudes upward from the upper peripheral surface of the water tank 2.
As shown in FIG. 3, electrodes 81 and 82 are arranged in the longitudinal direction in the middle of the outlet pipe 63. The electrode 81 is provided at a position above the electrode 82. As will be described later, when foam enters the outlet duct 60 during washing and the foam penetrates to a position where the electrodes 81 and 82 are immersed, the electrodes 81 and 82 are short-circuited by the foam. When the electrodes 81 and 82 are short-circuited by bubbles, a current flows between the electrodes 81 and 82, and thereby the bubble detection circuit 83 (see FIG. 5) detects that bubbles have entered. The operation control unit 8 is configured to determine whether or not bubbles have entered the position of the electrode 81 in the outlet duct 60 based on the output potential of the bubble detection circuit 83. The electrodes 81 and 82 may be juxtaposed in a direction crossing the longitudinal direction.

  The introduction duct 61 includes a circular portion provided at the center of the bottom surface of the water tank 2 and a linear portion that is continuous with one end of the circular portion and rises obliquely upward. The upper end of the straight line portion communicates with an introduction pipe 64 that protrudes upward from the upper peripheral surface of the water tank 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 water tank 2 is opened.

  FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view in the vicinity of the support portion of the drum motor 4. As shown in part in FIG. 4, the output shaft 40 of the drum motor 4 is rotatably supported by a bearing 41 and protrudes toward the inside of the water tank 2, and the protruding end portion connects the connecting bracket 42. Through the center of the bottom surface of the rotating drum 3. 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 introduction port 65 at the end of the introduction duct 61, and an oil seal 67 fitted and fixed to the introduction port 65 is slid on the flange portion. It touches.

  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 blower fan 70 for raising dry air is disposed on the upper part of the water tank 2. The suction side of the blower fan 70 is connected to the end of the outlet pipe 63 via a connecting duct 69. A filter 71 for removing dust is interposed in the connecting duct 69. A heater 72 is provided on the discharge side of the blower fan 70, and the blower fan 70 and the heater 72 are unitized. The heater 72 is connected to the end of the introduction pipe 64 through an air supply pipe 79.

  The connection duct 69 communicates with an exhaust duct 73 for exhausting dry air. The exhaust duct 73 communicates between the filter 71 and the blower fan 70 on the upper peripheral surface of the connection duct 69. An exhaust port 73 a is formed at the tip of the exhaust duct 73. On the lower surface of the connecting duct 69, an air inlet (not shown) is opened between a communication point with the exhaust duct 73 and the blower fan 70. A guide plate (not shown) for guiding the dry air to the exhaust duct 73 is provided at a location where the connection duct 69 communicates with the exhaust duct 73. The intake port is opened or closed by the pivoting of the guide plate.

  When the blower fan 70 is driven in the dry air passage configured as described above, the dry air is sucked and pressurized from the outlet duct 60 connected to the suction side, and the introduction duct 61 connected to the discharge side. Sent out. The dry air sent into the introduction duct 61 flows from the outer periphery of the water tank 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 dry air introduced into the rotary drum 3 flows out into the water tank 2 through a large number of small holes 32 formed in the peripheral wall, and is led out into the lead-out duct 60 through the lead-out port 62 formed as described above. And sucked into the blower fan 70 again.

  In the drying operation of the washing and drying machine, the blower fan 70 is driven, the heater 72 is operated, the drum motor 4 is driven, the rotary drum 3 is repeatedly rotated at a low speed, and the water supply valve 51 is connected to the fourth water supply outlet. And the cooling water is allowed to flow on the cooling plate 23.

  Inside the drying air passage, the above-described flow of the drying air is generated by driving the blower fan 70. The dry air is heated by the heater 72 and introduced into the rotating drum 3. The laundry inside the rotating drum 3 is repeatedly lifted and dropped by the rotation of the rotating drum 3. The drying air introduced into the rotating drum 3 hits the laundry in the rotating drum 3, deprives the laundry of moisture and flows out into the water tank 2, toward the outlet 62 that opens at the bottom of the bottom of the water tank 2. Flowing.

  The dry air flowing in this manner is cooled in contact with the cooling water flowing on the cooling plate 23, becomes dry air from which the contained water has been condensed and removed, reaches the outlet 62, and is sent out into the outlet duct 60. The condensed and removed water flows on the cooling plate 23 together with the cooling water, reaches the rear end portion of the cooling plate 23 and flows down into the concave groove 22, and passes through the connecting portion 24, the drain pipe 25, and the filter case 26. The water is drained through the drainage hose 28.

  On the other hand, the dry air that has become dry air rises in the outlet duct 60, is sucked into the blower fan 70 through the outlet pipe 63, is pressurized, and is reheated by the heater 72 to become hot air of high temperature and low humidity. Then, it is introduced into the rotary drum 3. The laundry in the rotating drum 3 is dried by repeating contact with the drying air circulating with cooling and heating as described above.

  As described above, the drying operation of the washing / drying machine is performed not only in the circulation state but also in the state where the intake port and the exhaust duct 73 are opened, with the intake port and the exhaust duct 73 being closed. By opening the intake port and the exhaust duct 73, the dry air that has taken away moisture from the laundry and has flowed into the water tank 2 reaches the outlet 62 that opens at the bottom of the bottom of the water tank 2, and enters the outlet duct 60. Sent out. The wet dry air sent into the outlet duct 60 is guided to the exhaust duct 73 by the guide plate and exhausted from the exhaust port 73a. Due to the exhaust, the connection duct 69 has a negative pressure, and air outside the connection duct 69 is sucked from the opened intake port. In general, the air outside the connection duct 69 is drier than the air that has taken moisture from the laundry. This air is sucked into the blower fan 70 and pressurized, heated by the heater 72 and introduced into the rotary drum 3 as hot air. The laundry in the rotating drum 3 is dried by repeating contact with the drying air that flows with heating and exhausting as described above.

  As described above, water is supplied through the auxiliary water supply pipe 53 by switching the water supply valve 51 to the second water supply outlet. This water supply is performed by operating the blower fan 70 and the heater 72 in the dry air passage at the start of the supply of the washing water, and passing the warm air generated by heating the wind generated by the blower fan 70 by the heater 72 into the introduction duct 61. We carry out in state letting you. This warm air acts as a conveying air for the washing water fed from the water supply nozzle 54, and the washing water flows in the introduction duct 61 together with the conveying air, reaches the introduction port 65 provided at the end, and communicates with the communication holes 68 and 68. It is fed into the rotary drum 3 through the introduction hole 34.

  Further, the water supply by the auxiliary water supply pipe 53 is performed without operating the blower fan 70 and the heater 72 for the purpose of cleaning the inside of the introduction duct 61. This water supply catches foreign matter (fiber waste etc.) in the introduction duct 61 and flows downward, and is drained into the drainage hose 28 through a drain pipe (not shown) connected to the lower end of the introduction duct 61.

  In this embodiment, as will be described in detail below, when the occurrence of foam abnormality is detected during the washing operation, and when the bubble restraint is detected during intermediate dehydration during the rinsing operation, the water supply valve 51 is switched to the third water supply outlet, and water supplied from the water supply source is sent from the water supply nozzle 57 through the auxiliary water supply pipe 56 to the inside of the outlet duct 60, and the bubbles are discharged.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the washing / drying machine 100. The operation control unit 8 of the washing / drying machine 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 8a, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 8b, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 8c, an input / output interface 8d, a rewritable nonvolatile memory 8e, and It is a computer formed by connecting a timer 8f via a shared bus. The CPU 8a reads the control program stored in the ROM 8b into the RAM 8c and executes it. The nonvolatile memory 8e is composed of, for example, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) or an EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory).

The operation panel 15 described above is connected to the input / output interface 8d. The operation panel 15 is provided with various switches operated by the user, such as a power switch, a start switch for instructing operation start, and a switch for selecting operation details.
Further, the water level sensor 24b and the weight sensor 211 described above are connected to the input / output interface 8d. The detection signal of the water level sensor 24b is given to the CPU 8a via the input / output interface 8d, and the CPU 8a recognizes the water level of the stored water inside the water tank 2 based on the detection signal of the water level sensor 24b. The detection signal of the weight sensor 211 is given to the CPU 8a via the input / output interface 8d, and the CPU 8a recognizes the mass of the laundry put into the water tub 2 based on the detection signal of the weight sensor 211.
The aforementioned bubble detection circuit 83 and the rotation speed sensor 85 are connected to the input / output interface 8d.

  Further, the input / output interface 8 d is connected to the inverter circuit 84, the water supply valve 51, the drain valve 27, the blower fan 70, and the heater 72. The drum motor 4 is connected to the inverter circuit 84. The CPU 8a executes a control program stored in the ROM 8b according to the operation contents of the operation panel 15, and gives operation commands to the inverter circuit 84, the water supply valve 51, the drain valve 27, the blower fan 70, and the heater 72, and the washing operation described above. And a drying operation and a dehydrating operation are performed.

Hereinafter, the foam removal process of the washing / drying machine 100 will be described in detail.
First, the foam removal process when foam is detected during a washing operation will be described.
(Foam removal processing during washing operation)
6 to 9 are flowcharts showing a washing operation processing procedure performed by the CPU 8a of the operation control unit 8.
First, the CPU 8a of the operation control unit 8 determines whether or not the start key of the operation panel 15 is turned on by the user (S1). When the CPU 8a determines that the start key is not turned on (S1: NO), the determination process is repeated.
When the CPU 8a determines that the start key is turned on (S1: YES), the CPU 8a detects the cloth amount (mass) by the weight sensor 211 (S2). The CPU 8a sets a washing water level, a washing time, a dehydration time, and the like based on the detected cloth amount.
Then, the CPU 8a switches the water supply outlet of the water supply valve 51 to the first water supply outlet (opens the first water supply outlet), and starts water supply (S3).

Next, the CPU 8a determines whether or not the water level has reached the washing water level based on the output value of the water level sensor 24b (S4). When it is determined that the water level has not reached the wash water level (S4: NO), the CPU 8a repeats the determination process.
When it is determined that the water level has reached the washing water level (S4: YES), the CPU 8a controls the drive of the drum motor 4 to tumbl the rotating drum 3 at a predetermined rotational speed (S5). At this time, the CPU 8 a simultaneously closes the first water supply outlet, drives the circulation pump 120, and performs circulating shower water supply for supplying water in the water tank 2 from the tip of the return pipe 121 to the inside of the rotary drum 3.

Then, the CPU 8a determines whether or not bubbles are detected by the bubble detection circuit 83 (S6). That is, it is determined whether or not bubbles enter the lead-out duct 60 and exceed the electrode 81, the current between the electrodes 81 and 82 is energized and detected by the bubble detection circuit 83. If the CPU 8a determines that a bubble has been detected (S6: YES), the process proceeds to step S21 in FIG.
When the CPU 8a determines that bubbles are not detected (S6: NO), the CPU 8a determines whether the set washing time has elapsed (S7). When it is determined that the washing time has not elapsed (S7: NO), the CPU 8a returns the determination process to step S6.

When determining that the washing time has elapsed (S7: YES), the CPU 8a opens the drain valve 27 and starts draining (S8).
The CPU 8a uses the water level sensor 24b to determine whether or not the water level has reached a preset reset water level that is a criterion for determining whether or not to end drainage (S9). When determining that the water level has not reached the reset water level (S9: NO), the CPU 8a repeats the determination process.
When the CPU 8a determines that the water level has reached the reset water level (S9: YES), the CPU 8a determines whether additional drainage time has elapsed after reaching the reset water level (S10). This additional drainage time is set based on the experimental result according to the amount of cloth. In addition, after ensuring the required time calculated | required by experiment, you may decide to set longer than this required time by a user. When it is determined that the drainage time has not elapsed (S10: NO), the CPU 8a repeats the determination process.
When the CPU 8a determines that the drainage time has elapsed (S10: YES), the drain valve 27 is closed (S11), the washing process is terminated, and the process proceeds to the intermediate dehydration in the next step.

If the CPU 8a determines that bubbles have been detected in step S6, the CPU 8a turns off the circulation pump 120 (stops operation) and stops circulating shower water supply in step S21 (S21). The CPU 8a starts foam suppression tumbling that rotates the rotating drum 3 at a lower rotational speed than that during normal washing (S22).
The CPU 8a determines whether or not bubbles are detected by the bubble detection circuit 83 (S23). If the CPU 8a determines that a bubble has been detected (S23: YES), the process proceeds to step S31 in FIG.
When the CPU 8a determines that bubbles are not detected (S23: NO), the CPU 8a determines whether the set washing time has elapsed (S24). When it is determined that the washing time has not elapsed (S24: NO), the CPU 8a returns the process to step S23.

When determining that the washing time has elapsed (S24: YES), the CPU 8a opens the drain valve 27 and starts draining (S25).
The CPU 8a switches the water supply outlet of the water supply valve 51 to the third water supply outlet (opens the third water supply outlet), and starts the water supply (airway water supply) to the outlet duct 60 (S26).
The CPU 8a determines whether or not the water level has reached the reset water level by the water level sensor 24b (S27). Here, the reset water level is set in consideration of the flow rate per hour of air supply. Alternatively, the reset water level may be adjusted to the same value as when air supply is not performed and the additional drainage time after detection of the reset water level is lengthened. When determining that the water level has not reached the reset water level (S27: NO), the CPU 8a repeats the determination process.

When it is determined that the water level has reached the reset water level (S27: YES), the CPU 8a closes the third water supply outlet and stops the air supply (S28).
The CPU 8a determines whether or not an additional drainage time after detection of reaching the reset water level has elapsed (S29). When determining that the drainage time has not elapsed (S29: NO), the CPU 8a repeats the determination process.
When the CPU 8a determines that the drainage time has elapsed (S29: YES), the CPU 8a closes the drain valve 27 (S30), and ends the process.

If the CPU 8a determines that bubbles have been detected in step S23, the CPU 8a opens the drain valve 27 and starts draining in step S31 (S31).
The CPU 8a switches the water supply outlet of the water supply valve 51 to the third water supply outlet (opens the third water supply outlet), and starts water supply to the outlet duct 60 (S32).
The CPU 8a determines whether or not the water level has reached the reset water level by the water level sensor 24b (S33). When it is determined that the water level has not reached the reset water level (S33: NO), the CPU 8a repeats the determination process.

When it is determined that the water level has reached the reset water level (S33: YES), the CPU 8a closes the third water supply outlet and stops the air supply (S34).
The CPU 8a determines whether or not an additional drainage time after detection of reaching the reset water level has elapsed (S35). When it is determined that the drainage time has not elapsed (S35: NO), the CPU 8a repeats the determination process.
When determining that the drainage time has elapsed (S35: YES), the CPU 8a closes the drainage valve 27 (S36).

The CPU 8a switches the water supply outlet of the water supply valve 51 to the first water supply outlet (opens the first water supply outlet), and starts water supply to the water tank 2 (S37).
The CPU 8a determines, based on the output value of the water level sensor 24b, whether or not it has reached a foam dewatering level for performing foam defoaming tumbling in step S39 described later (S38). The foam tumbling removes the foam reliably, after supplying water to the water tank 2 up to the foam extinction level after the first water supply, and then rotating the rotating drum 3 at a rotational speed lower than the rotational speed during normal washing. It is rotated for the set bubble extinction time. The bubble extinction level and the bubble extinction time can be obtained by experiments or the like. CPU8a repeats a determination process, when it determines with the water level not having reached the foam water extinction level (S38: NO).
If the CPU 8a determines that the water level has reached the foam extinction level (S38: YES), the CPU 8a starts the foam extinction tumbling (S39).
The CPU 8a determines whether or not the bubble extinguishing time has elapsed (S40). When it is determined that the bubble extinguishing time has not elapsed (S40: NO), the CPU 8a repeats the determination process.

When the CPU 8a determines that the bubble extinguishing time has elapsed (S40: YES), the CPU 8a opens the drain valve 27 and starts draining (S41).
The CPU 8a switches the water supply outlet of the water supply valve 51 to the third water supply outlet (opens the third water supply outlet), and starts water supply to the outlet duct 60 (S42).
The CPU 8a determines whether or not the water level has reached the reset water level by the water level sensor 24b (S43). When it is determined that the water level has not reached the reset water level (S43: NO), the CPU 8a repeats the determination process.

When it is determined that the water level has reached the reset water level (S43: YES), the CPU 8a closes the third water supply outlet and stops the air supply (S44).
The CPU 8a determines whether or not an additional drainage time after detection of reaching the reset water level has elapsed (S45). When it is determined that the drainage time has not elapsed (S45: NO), the CPU 8a repeats the determination process.
When the CPU 8a determines that the drainage time has elapsed (S45: YES), the drain valve 27 is closed (S46), the process is terminated, and the process proceeds to the intermediate dehydration in the next step. When the set washing time and washing tumbling are not performed, washing tumbling may be performed again.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when bubbles are detected after the start of washing tumbling for rotating the rotating drum 3 at the set number of rotations, the rotating drum 3 is rotated at a number of rotations lower than the number of rotations. Perform bubble suppression tumbling. Thereafter, when bubbles are not detected, air passage water supply is performed to supply water to the outlet duct 60 during drainage after the end of the washing time. Even when the bubbles do not reach the electrode 81 due to the bubble suppression tumbling, the bubbles may remain in the outlet duct 60. Here, bubbles can be reliably removed from the outlet duct 60 by performing the air supply. Moreover, in this case, foam can be eliminated without interrupting the washing operation.

  When foam is detected even after foam suppression tumbling is performed, that is, when foam reaches the electrode 81, the washing operation is interrupted to perform drainage, and at the same time, air supply is performed to discharge the foam. Thereafter, the water is supplied to the water tank 2 up to the foam extinction level, and the foam extinction tumbling is performed. Thereby, a bubble can be excluded reliably. Here, since the airway water supply is performed before the bubble tumbling tumbling, the bubble erasing time can be shortened. The foam water level can be lowered as compared with the case where no air supply is performed, and the amount of water used for removing the foam can be reduced.

Next, the bubble removal process when the bubble restraint is detected during the rinsing operation will be described.
(Bubble removal process during rinse operation)
FIGS. 10 and 11 are flowcharts showing the procedure of the rinsing operation by the CPU 8a of the operation control unit 8. FIG.
First, the CPU 8a opens the drain valve 27 (S51).
Then, the rotating drum 3 is rotated to start intermediate dehydration (S52). The CPU 8a performs inverter control of the drum motor 4 by the inverter circuit 84 so that the rotation speed (the number of rotations per unit time) of the rotating drum 3 increases stepwise in accordance with the dehydration time set based on the amount of cloth. To do.
The CPU 8a determines whether or not bubble restraint is detected (S53). The CPU 8a compares the set rotational speed with the rotational speed detected by the rotational speed sensor 85, and when the difference between the set rotational speed and the detected rotational speed is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, that is, when the acceleration follow-up delay is detected. It is determined that bubble restraint has occurred.

When the CPU 8a determines that the bubble restriction is detected (S53: YES), the CPU 8a determines whether or not the bubble restriction is detected for the first time (S54). If the CPU 8a determines that this is the first time (S54: YES), the process returns to step S53.
When the CPU 8a determines that the bubble restraint is not detected for the first time (S54: NO), the CPU 8a starts the bubble extinguishing process (S55). Specifically, the drum motor 4 is stopped, the first water supply outlet is opened, water is supplied to the water tank 2 up to the foam water extinction level, and the rotary drum 3 is rotated at a predetermined rotation speed for the foam extinction time, and then drained. . The foam extinction level, the foam extinction time, the rotation speed, and the like can be obtained by experiments and the like.
The CPU 8a determines whether or not the bubble extinguishing process has been completed (S56). When the CPU 8a determines that the foam extinguishing process has not ended (S56: NO), the determination process is repeated. If the CPU 8a determines that the foam extinguishing process has been completed (S56: YES), the process returns to step S52.

When the CPU 8a does not detect the bubble restraint in step S53 (S53: NO), the CPU 8a determines whether or not the rotational speed (rotational speed) of the rotary drum 3 detected by the rotational speed sensor 85 is equal to or higher than a predetermined rotational speed ( S57). If the CPU 8a determines that the rotation speed is not equal to or greater than the predetermined rotation speed (S57: NO), the process returns to step S53.
When it is determined that the CPU 8a has reached the predetermined number of revolutions (S57: YES), the CPU 8a determines whether or not the set dehydration time has elapsed and the intermediate dehydration has ended (S58). If the CPU 8a determines that the intermediate dehydration has not ended (S58: NO), the process returns to step S53.

When the CPU 8a determines that the intermediate dehydration has ended (S58: YES), the CPU 8a closes the drain valve 27 (S59).
Next, the CPU 8a opens the first water supply outlet of the water supply valve 51 (S60), and determines whether or not the water level has reached the rinse water level set according to the amount of cloth, based on the output value of the water level sensor 24b ( S61). When the CPU 8a determines that the rinse water level has not been reached (S61: NO), the determination process is repeated.
When the CPU 8a determines that the rinse water level has been reached (S61: YES), the CPU 8a starts the rinse tumbling for rotating the rotating drum 3 at a predetermined rotation speed (S62).
The CPU 8a determines whether or not the rinsing time set according to the amount of cloth has passed (S63). When determining that the rinsing time has not elapsed (S63: NO), the CPU 8a repeats the determination process.

When it is determined that the rinsing time has elapsed (S63: YES), the CPU 8a determines whether or not bubble restraint is detected during intermediate dehydration (S64).
If the CPU 8a determines that bubble restraint has been detected (S64: YES), the CPU 8a opens the drain valve 27 and starts draining (S65).
The CPU 8a switches the water supply outlet of the water supply valve 51 to the third water supply outlet, and starts water supply to the outlet duct 60 (S66).
Then, the CPU 8a determines whether or not the water level has reached the reset water level based on the output of the water level sensor 24b (S67). Here, the reset water level is set in consideration of the flow rate per hour of air supply. Alternatively, the reset water level may be adjusted to the same value as when air supply is not performed and the additional drainage time after detection of the reset water level is lengthened. When determining that the water level has not reached the reset water level (S67: NO), the CPU 8a repeats the determination process.

When it is determined that the water level has reached the reset water level (S67: YES), the CPU 8a closes the third water supply outlet and stops the air supply (S68).
The CPU 8a determines whether or not an additional drainage time after the detection of reset water level arrival has elapsed (S69). When it is determined that the drainage time has not elapsed (S69: NO), the CPU 8a repeats the determination process.
When the CPU 8a determines that the drainage time has elapsed (S69: YES), the CPU 8a closes the drain valve 27 (S70) and ends the process. Here, when rinsing is performed again, the process returns to step S51.

If the CPU 8a determines in step S64 that no bubble restraint has been detected (S64: NO), the CPU 8a opens the drain valve 27 and starts draining (S71).
The CPU 8a determines whether or not the water level has reached the reset water level based on the output of the water level sensor 24b (S72). When it is determined that the water level has not reached the reset water level (S72: NO), the CPU 8a repeats the determination process.

When it is determined that the water level has reached the reset water level (S72: YES), the CPU 8a determines whether or not an additional drainage time after the detection of the reset water level has elapsed (S73). When it is determined that the drainage time has not elapsed (S73: NO), the CPU 8a repeats the determination process.
If the CPU 8a determines that the drainage time has elapsed (S73: YES), the CPU 8a closes the drainage valve 27 (S74) and ends the process. Here, when rinsing is performed again, the process returns to step S51.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when bubble restraint is detected during intermediate dewatering, when the bubble restraint is detected for the first time, dewatering is continued, and when bubble restraint is detected two or more times, Intermediate dehydration is resumed after dehydration is interrupted and the foam is removed. And when foam | bubble detection is performed once, an air path water supply process is performed at the time of the waste_water | drain after a rinse process. Therefore, even when bubbles remain in the lead-out duct 60, the bubbles can be removed, and it is possible to prevent bubbles from being restrained when intermediate dehydration is performed to perform rinsing again. In addition, the rotation failure during dehydration can be suppressed, the abnormal temperature rise and abnormal vibration of the drum motor 4 can be suppressed, the dehydration can be surely performed, and the next process can be sufficiently rinsed. In addition, since the airway water supply treatment is performed after the rinsing process, the time of the foam extinguishing process after the foam restraint detection can be shortened compared to the conventional method, and the amount of water used for the foam removal by reducing the foam extinguishing water level. Can be reduced.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when the foam is detected at the time of washing or when the foam restraint is detected at the time of intermediate dehydration of the rinse, the air duct water supply to the outlet duct 60 is performed. It is possible to discharge the foam that has entered 60, prevent the foam from adhering to the drying unit such as the filter 71 in the subsequent process, and prevent the occurrence of problems such as wetting of the filter 71 and poor ventilation. .
In addition, according to the airway water supply of the present embodiment, it is possible to efficiently supply water to the bubble generation part and erase or discharge the bubbles, thereby suppressing the time and amount of water required for the bubble removal process. Can do.

The procedure of the foam removal process during the washing operation and the rinsing operation is not limited to the above-described procedure.
Below, the other example of the foam removal process at the time of a washing operation and a rinse operation is demonstrated.
First, another example of the foam removal process during the washing operation will be described.
(Another example of foam removal processing during washing operation)
In the case of this example, the airway water supply is not stopped when the reset water level is reached at the time of the airway water supply, and after continuing the airway water supply for a predetermined time, the third water supply outlet is closed and the drainage is finished.
12 to 14 are flowcharts showing the processing procedure of the CPU 8a in this case.
Steps S1 to S11 of this processing procedure are the same as steps S1 to S11 of FIG.
If the CPU 8a determines that bubbles have been detected in step S6, the CPU 8a turns off the circulation pump 120 in step S81 of FIG. 12 (S81). The CPU 8a starts foam suppression tumbling for rotating the rotary drum 3 at a lower rotational speed than that during normal washing (S82).

The CPU 8a determines whether or not bubbles are detected by the bubble detection circuit 83 (S83). If the CPU 8a determines that a bubble has been detected (S83: YES), the process proceeds to step S101 in FIG.
When the CPU 8a determines that bubbles are not detected (S83: NO), the CPU 8a determines whether the set washing time has elapsed (S84). When it is determined that the washing time has not elapsed (S84: NO), the CPU 8a returns the process to step S83.

When determining that the washing time has elapsed (S84: YES), the CPU 8a opens the drain valve 27 and starts draining (S85).
The CPU 8a opens the water supply outlet third water supply outlet of the water supply valve 51 and starts water supply to the outlet duct 60 (S86).
The CPU 8a determines whether or not the water level has reached a preset reset water level, which is a criterion for determining whether or not to end drainage, using the water level sensor 24b (S87). When it is determined that the water level has not reached the reset water level (S87: NO), the CPU 8a repeats the determination process.

If the CPU 8a determines that the water level has reached the reset water level (S87: YES), the CPU 8a determines whether or not the time for additionally supplying the air passage has elapsed after reaching the reset water level (S88). The additional air passage water supply time is set by, for example, obtaining the time required to discharge the bubbles when the bubbles remain in the outlet duct 60 after reaching the reset water level. The reset water level or the additional drainage time in step S90 may be set without considering the flow rate of the airway water supply, and may be adjusted by setting this additional airway water supply time. Further, the additional airway water supply time may be set according to a user instruction.
When it is determined that the air passage water supply time has not elapsed (S88: NO), the CPU 8a repeats the determination process.

When determining that the air passage water supply time has elapsed (S88: YES), the CPU 8a closes the third water supply outlet and stops the air passage water supply (S89).
The CPU 8a determines whether or not an additional drainage time after detection of reaching the reset water level has elapsed (S90). When determining that the drainage time has not elapsed (S90: NO), the CPU 8a repeats the determination process.
When the CPU 8a determines that the drainage time has elapsed (S90: YES), the CPU 8a closes the drain valve 27 (S91) and ends the process.

If the CPU 8a determines that bubbles have been detected in step S83, the CPU 8a opens the drain valve 27 and starts draining in step S101 (S101).
The CPU 8a switches the water supply outlet of the water supply valve 51 to the third water supply outlet (opens the third water supply outlet), and starts water supply to the outlet duct 60 (S102).
The CPU 8a determines whether or not the water level has reached the reset water level by the water level sensor 24b (S103). When it is determined that the water level has not reached the reset water level (S103: NO), the CPU 8a repeats the determination process.

If the CPU 8a determines that the water level has reached the reset water level (S103: YES), the CPU 8a closes the third water supply outlet and stops the air supply (S104).
The CPU 8a determines whether or not an additional drainage time after detection of reaching the reset water level has elapsed (S105). When it is determined that the drainage time has not elapsed (S105: NO), the CPU 8a repeats the determination process.
When the CPU 8a determines that the drainage time has elapsed (S105: YES), the CPU 8a closes the drain valve 27 (S106).

The CPU 8a switches the water supply outlet of the water supply valve 51 to the first water supply outlet, and starts water supply to the water tank 2 (S107).
The CPU 8a determines whether or not the previously set bubble water level has been reached based on the output value of the water level sensor 24b (S108). CPU8a repeats a determination process, when it determines with the water level not having reached the foam water extinction level (S108: NO).
When the CPU 8a determines that the water level has reached the foam extinction level (S108: YES), the CPU 8a starts the foam extinction tumbling for rotating the rotating drum 3 at a rotation speed lower than the rotation speed during normal washing (S109).
The CPU 8a determines whether or not a preset bubble extinguishing time has elapsed (S110). When it is determined that the bubble extinguishing time has not elapsed (S110: NO), the CPU 8a repeats the determination process.

When the CPU 8a determines that the bubble extinguishing time has elapsed (S110: YES), the CPU 8a opens the drain valve 27 and starts draining (S111).
The CPU 8a switches the water supply outlet of the water supply valve 51 to the third water supply outlet, and starts water supply to the outlet duct 60 (S112).
The CPU 8a determines whether or not the water level has reached the reset water level by the water level sensor 24b (S113). When it is determined that the water level has not reached the reset water level (S113: NO), the CPU 8a repeats the process.

When determining that the water level has reached the reset water level (S113: YES), the CPU 8a determines whether or not an additional air passage water supply time has elapsed (S114). CPU8a repeats a process, when it determines with the said airway water supply time not having passed (S114: NO).
When determining that the air passage water supply time has elapsed (S114: YES), the CPU 8a closes the third water supply outlet and stops the air passage water supply (S115).
The CPU 8a determines whether or not an additional drainage time after detection of reaching the reset water level has elapsed (S116). When it is determined that the drainage time has not elapsed (S116: NO), the CPU 8a repeats the determination process.
When the CPU 8a determines that the drainage time has elapsed (S116: YES), the CPU 8a closes the drain valve 27 (S117) and ends the process.

  As described above, in this example, as shown in step S88 and step S114, when the reset water level is reached at the time of air supply, the third water supply outlet is closed and drained after additional air supply is performed. Therefore, the bubbles can be reliably discharged even when the bubbles remain in the outlet duct 60 when the reset water level is reached. In addition, after detecting that the reset water level has been reached in the case of air supply in step S102, the air supply in the air is stopped in step S104. You may decide to perform additional air supply of water later.

Next, another example of the foam removal process during the rinsing operation will be described.
(Another example of foam removal during rinsing operation)
FIG.15 and FIG.16 is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the rinse operation by CPU8a of the operation control part 8 in this case.
First, the CPU 8a opens the drain valve 27 (S121).
Then, the rotating drum 3 is rotated to start intermediate dehydration (S122).
The CPU 8a determines whether or not bubble restraint is detected (S123). The CPU 8a compares the set rotation speed with the rotation speed detected by the rotation speed sensor 85, and determines that bubble restriction has occurred when the difference between the set rotation speed and the detected rotation speed is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

When the CPU 8a determines that the bubble restriction is detected (S123: YES), the CPU 8a determines whether or not the bubble restriction is detected for the first time (S124). If the CPU 8a determines that this is the first time (S54: YES), the process returns to step S123.
When the CPU 8a determines that the detection of the bubble restraint is not the first time (S124: NO), the CPU 8a starts the bubble extinguishing process (S125). Specifically, the drum motor 4 is stopped, the first water supply outlet is opened, water supply is started, the rotary drum 3 is rotated for a predetermined time, and then drained.
The CPU 8a determines whether or not the foam extinguishing process has been completed (S126). If the CPU 8a determines that the bubble extinguishing process has not ended (S126: NO), the determination process is repeated. If the CPU 8a determines that the foam extinguishing process has been completed (S126: YES), the process returns to step S122.

When the CPU 8a does not detect the bubble restraint in step S123 (S123: NO), the CPU 8a determines whether or not the rotational speed of the rotary drum 3 detected by the rotational speed sensor 85 is equal to or higher than a predetermined rotational speed (S127). If the CPU 8a determines that the rotation speed is not equal to or higher than the predetermined rotation speed (S127: NO), the process returns to step S123.
When it is determined that the CPU 8a has reached the predetermined number of revolutions (S127: YES), the CPU 8a determines whether or not the set dehydration time has elapsed and the intermediate dehydration has ended (S128). If the CPU 8a determines that the intermediate dehydration has not ended (S128: NO), the process returns to step S123.

When the CPU 8a determines that the intermediate dehydration has been completed (S128: YES), the CPU 8a closes the drain valve 27 (S129).
Next, the CPU 8a opens the first water supply outlet of the water supply valve 51 (S130), and determines whether or not the rinse water level has been reached based on the output value of the water level sensor 24b (S131). When the CPU 8a determines that the rinse water level has not been reached (S131: NO), the determination process is repeated.
If the CPU 8a determines that the rinse water level has been reached (S131: YES), it starts rinse tumbling (S132).
The CPU 8a determines whether or not the rinsing time has elapsed (S133). If the CPU 8a determines that the rinse time has not elapsed (S133: NO), the determination process is repeated.

When it is determined that the rinsing time has elapsed (S133: YES), the CPU 8a determines whether or not bubble restraint is detected during intermediate dehydration (S134).
When it is determined that the bubble restraint is detected (S134: YES), the CPU 8a opens the drain valve 27 and starts draining (S135).

The CPU 8a switches the water supply outlet of the water supply valve 51 to the third water supply outlet, and starts water supply to the outlet duct 60 (S136).
The CPU 8a determines whether or not the water level has reached the reset water level based on the output of the water level sensor 24b (S137). When determining that the water level has not reached the reset water level (S137: NO), the CPU 8a repeats the determination process.

When it is determined that the water level has reached the reset water level (S137: YES), the CPU 8a determines whether or not an additional air passage water supply time has elapsed (S138). The additional air passage water supply time is set by, for example, obtaining the time required to discharge the bubbles when the bubbles remain in the outlet duct 60 after reaching the reset water level. The aforementioned reset water level or additional drainage time may be set without considering the flow rate of the airway water supply, and may be adjusted by setting this additional airway water supply time.
When it is determined that the air passage water supply time has not elapsed (S138: NO), the CPU 8a repeats the determination process.
When determining that the air passage water supply time has elapsed (S138: YES), the CPU 8a closes the third water supply outlet and stops the air passage water supply (S139).
The CPU 8a determines whether or not an additional drainage time after detection of reaching the reset water level has elapsed (S140). When it is determined that the drainage time has not elapsed (S140: NO), the CPU 8a repeats the determination process.
If the CPU 8a determines that the drainage time has elapsed (S140: YES), the CPU 8a closes the drainage valve 27 (S141) and ends the process. Here, when rinsing is performed again, the process returns to step S51.

If the CPU 8a determines in step S134 that no bubble restraint has been detected (S134: NO), the CPU 8a opens the drain valve 27 and starts draining (S142).
The CPU 8a determines whether or not the water level has reached the reset water level based on the output value of the water level sensor 24b (S143). CPU8a repeats a process, when it determines with the water level not having reached the reset water level (S143: NO).

When it is determined that the water level has reached the reset water level (S143: YES), the CPU 8a determines whether or not an additional drainage time after the detection of the reset water level has elapsed (S144). When it is determined that the drainage time has not elapsed (S144: NO), the CPU 8a repeats the determination process.
If the CPU 8a determines that the drainage time has elapsed (S144: YES), the CPU 8a closes the drainage valve 27 (S145) and ends the process.

  As described above, in this example, when the reset water level is reached at the time of air supply, when the additional water supply is performed, the third water supply outlet is closed and the drainage is finished. Thus, the bubbles can be reliably discharged even when the bubbles remain in the outlet duct 60.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the electrodes 81 and 82 and the foam detection circuit 83 are applied as means for detecting foam at the time of washing is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this case. Bubbles may be detected using an optical sensor, or bubbles may be detected using ultrasonic waves.
Further, the means for detecting the bubble restraint is not limited to the case described in the embodiment.

  The embodiment described above is an exemplification of the present invention, and the present invention is implemented in variously modified forms within the scope defined by the matters described in the claims and the description of the claims. Can do.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Outer casing 2 Water tank 211 Weight sensor 24b Water level sensor 3 Rotating drum 4 Drum motor 51 Water supply valve 53, 56 Sub water supply pipe 54, 57 Water supply nozzle 60 Outlet duct 61 Introduction duct 69 Connection duct 70 Blower fan 73 Exhaust duct 8 Operation control part (Airway water supply means, water supply control means, end determination means, bubble restraint detection means)
81, 82 Electrode 83 Bubble detection circuit (bubble detection means)
84 Inverter circuit (rotational speed control means)
85 Rotational speed sensor (rotational speed detection means)
15 Operation panel 71 Filter 100 Washer / dryer

Claims (11)

A water tank, a rotating drum inside the water tank, a drying air passage through which the drying air supplied into the water tank and the rotating drum flows, and a blower fan disposed in the drying air passage, washing and drying In a washing and drying machine that is configured to perform
Bubble detection means for detecting bubbles;
Air passage water supply means for supplying water to the upstream side portion of the blower fan of the dry air passage;
A washing / drying machine comprising: a water supply control means for supplying water with the air passage water supply means when foam is detected by the foam detection means during washing.   The washing / drying machine according to claim 1, wherein when the water is supplied by the air supply unit, the water in the water tank is drained. Comprising an end determination means for determining the end of drainage of the water tank,
The washing / drying machine according to claim 2, wherein the water supply control unit is configured to end water supply after the end determination unit determines the end.   The washing / drying machine according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the rotary drum is configured to rotate at a rotation speed lower than that during washing before water is supplied by the air passage water supply means.   After water is supplied by the water supply control means, water is supplied to the water tank, the rotating drum is rotated at a lower rotational speed than during washing, and water is supplied again by the air passage water supply means. The washing / drying machine according to any one of claims 2 to 4.   The washing / drying machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the foam detection means is configured to detect foam in an upstream portion of the blower fan. A water tank, a rotating drum inside the water tank, a motor for rotating the rotating drum, a drying air path through which the drying air supplied into the water tank and the rotating drum flows, and an air blower arranged in the drying air path A washing and drying machine comprising a fan and configured to perform washing, rinsing and drying;
Foam restraint detection means for detecting foam restraint;
Air passage water supply means for supplying water to the upstream side portion of the blower fan of the dry air passage;
A washing / drying machine comprising: a water supply control unit configured to supply water by the air passage water supply unit when the bubble constraint detection unit detects the bubble constraint during dehydration.   The washing / drying machine according to claim 7, wherein the water supply control means is configured to supply water during drainage after rinsing. Comprising an end determination means for determining the end of drainage of the water tank,
The washing / drying machine according to claim 8, wherein the water supply control means is configured to end water supply after the end determination means determines the end. A rotational speed control means for controlling the rotational speed of the motor;
A rotational speed detecting means for detecting the rotational speed of the motor;
The bubble restraint detection means is configured to detect foam restraint based on a difference between a rotation speed controlled by the rotation speed control means and a rotation speed detected by the rotation speed detection means. The washing and drying machine according to any one of claims 7 to 9.   When bubble restriction is detected by the bubble restriction detection means, before the water supply by the air passage water supply means, the water tank is supplied with foam extinguishing means for rotating and rotating the rotating drum to drain the water. The washing / drying machine according to any one of claims 7 to 10.

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