JP2019097921A - Clothes dryer - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a clothes dryer which has devised a mounting position of an odor sensor which can detect a plurality of kinds of odor as it is constituted so as to measure the property of odor.SOLUTION: A clothes dryer includes: a storage tub in which clothes are stored; a circulation air passage connected to the storage tub; a circulation blower which circulates the air in the storage tub through the circulation air passage; and an odor sensor provided in the circulation air passage and capable of measuring the property of odor.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  Embodiments of the present invention relate to a clothes dryer.

  Conventionally, a clothes dryer equipped with an odor sensor that detects odor has been considered. For example, the washing machine disclosed in Patent Document 1 also functions as a clothes dryer for drying clothes, and is configured to detect a gas constituting an odor component with a gas sensor to set washing conditions.

Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2010-22556

  As in the washing machine of Patent Document 1 described above, by controlling the operation based on the odor in the tank, it can be expected to perform the operation under more optimal operating conditions. However, most of the odor sensors provided conventionally have a single probe that detects odor, and therefore can detect only one type of odor that responds to that probe. The odor sensor can not detect multiple types of odors. Therefore, in recent years, development of an odor sensor capable of detecting a plurality of types of odors has been advanced by configuring odor characteristics so as to be able to be measured.

  Therefore, the present embodiment provides a clothes dryer in which a creative device is applied to the mounting position of an odor sensor that can detect a plurality of types of odors by being configured to be capable of measuring odor characteristics.

  The clothes dryer according to the present embodiment includes a storage tank, a circulation air passage, a circulation blower, and an odor sensor. Clothes are stored in the storage tank. The circulation air passage is connected to the storage tank. The circulation fan circulates the air in the storage tank through the circulation air passage. An odor sensor is provided in the circulating air passage and can measure the characteristics of the odor.

Longitudinal side view schematically showing a configuration example of a washing machine according to the first embodiment Longitudinal back view schematically showing a configuration example of a washing machine according to the first embodiment The figure which shows roughly the structural example of the circulating air path and heat pump unit which concern on 1st Embodiment. A diagram schematically showing an example of the configuration of an odor measurement system according to the present embodiment A diagram schematically showing an example of the configuration of an odor sensor according to the present embodiment The figure which shows schematically the example of the adsorption pattern of the odor substance measured by the odor sensor which concerns on this embodiment A diagram schematically showing an example of a suction pattern for determination according to the present embodiment The figure which shows roughly the structural example of the circulating air path and heat pump unit which concern on 2nd Embodiment. The figure which shows schematically the structural example of the circulating air path and heat pump unit which concern on 3rd Embodiment. The figure which shows schematically the structural example of the circulating air path and heat pump unit which concern on 4th Embodiment. Vertically cut back view schematically showing a configuration example of a washing machine according to a fourth embodiment The figure which shows schematically the structural example of the circulating air path and heat pump unit which concern on 5th Embodiment. The figure which shows roughly the structural example of the circulating air path and heat pump unit which concern on 6th Embodiment. The figure which shows schematically the structural example of the circulating air path and heat pump unit which concern on 7th Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, a plurality of embodiments according to a clothes dryer will be described with reference to the drawings. In each embodiment, substantially the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

First Embodiment
The washing and drying machine 1 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a so-called drum type washing and drying machine provided with washing and drying functions of clothes, and also functions as a clothes dryer for drying clothes in the drying process. The casing 2 constituting the main body of the washing and drying machine 1 is in the form of a substantially rectangular box, and the front surface portion 2a is formed in a slightly downward sloping shape. The laundry entrance which is not illustrated is formed in the front part 2a. Moreover, the door 3 which opens and closes a laundry entrance is rotatably provided in the front part 2a.

  In the housing 2, the water tank 4 is elastically supported via the suspension 5. The water tank 4 has a bottomed cylindrical shape with an open front and a closed rear surface, with the axial direction oriented in the front-rear direction, and is disposed in a slightly upward sloping state. The front opening of the water tank 4 is connected to the laundry entrance through a bellows (not shown). The water tank 4 is an example of a storage tank in which laundry such as clothes is stored. The water tank 4 also functions as an example of a washing tub in the washing process for washing laundry such as clothes and the like and in the rinsing process for rinsing the laundry, and is dewatered from the rotating tank described later in the dewatering process for dewatering the laundry. It also functions as an example of a dewatering tank that receives water, and also functions as an example of a drying tank during the drying process of drying the laundry.

  In the water tank 4, the drum 6 which is an example of a rotation tank is rotatably arrange | positioned. Like the water tank 4, this drum 6 also has a bottomed cylindrical shape having an opening at the front and a closed rear surface, and the axial direction is directed in the front and back direction, and the inclination is slightly upward. It is arranged. A large number of holes 6 a are formed in the peripheral wall portion and the rear wall portion of the drum 6. These holes 6a function as water holes through which water passes during the washing process, the rinsing process, and the dewatering process, and function as the ventilation holes through which the drying air passes during the drying process.

  Further, in the present embodiment, a heater (not shown) is provided at the bottom of the water tank 4. The heater has a function of heating the water supplied into the water tank 4 to warm it. That is, the washing and drying machine 1 according to the present embodiment is configured to be capable of performing a hot water washing operation of washing the laundry with warm water and a hot water rinsing operation of rinsing the laundry with the hot water.

  A drum motor 7 is provided at the back of the water tank 4, and the drum 6 is rotationally driven by the drum motor 7 via a rotation shaft 7a. In the inside of the peripheral wall portion of the drum 6, a plurality of baffles (not shown) for scraping up the laundry are provided. The laundry such as clothes is accommodated in the drum 6 so as to be able to be put in and out of the drum 6 through the laundry entrance, the opening of the water tank 4 and the opening of the drum 6.

  The water tank 4 is provided with an upward air outlet 8b at the top of the front of the peripheral wall portion, and an air inlet 8a at the top of the rear wall. A filter 10 is connected to an upper portion of the air outlet 8 b via a connection duct 9 formed in a bellows shape so as to be capable of absorbing vibration. The filter 10 has a configuration in which a lint filter (not shown) is detachably mounted in a box-like case constituting the main body. The filter 10 captures foreign matter such as lint contained in the air flowing in the circulation air passage 20 as described later.

  The front end of the exhaust duct 11 is connected to the rear of the filter 10. After the exhaust duct 11 extends rearward from the filter 10, the exhaust duct 11 turns downward, and the lower end portion of the exhaust duct 11 extends rearward in the housing 2 via the connection duct 18a formed in a bellows shape so as to be able to absorb vibration. It is connected to the upstream side of the unit case 13 of the heat pump unit 12 provided below the water tank 4 in the lower part. The unit case 13 constitutes the outer shell of the heat pump unit 12. The unit case 13 extends along the lateral direction of the washer / dryer 1 behind the suspension 5, that is, along the horizontal direction. Further, on the downstream side of the unit case 13, one end portion of the air supply duct 19 is connected via a connection duct 18b formed in a bellows shape so as to be capable of absorbing vibration. The other end of the air supply duct 19 extends upward and is connected to the air inlet 8 a of the water tank 4.

  Here, the washing / drying machine 1 includes the air outlet 8 b of the water tank 4 by the connection duct 9, the filter 10, the exhaust duct 11, the connection duct 18 a, the unit case 13 of the heat pump unit 12, the connection duct 18 b, and the air supply duct 19. And the air inlet 8a are connected in communication with each other. The circulation air passage 20 is connected to the air outlet 8 b at the upstream end which is one end portion outside the water tank 4 and in the inside of the housing 2 and is connected to the air inlet 8 a at the other end downstream side. ing.

  As illustrated in FIG. 3, the heat pump 21 provided in the heat pump unit 12 forms a refrigeration cycle by cyclically connecting a compressor 22, a condenser 23, a throttling device 24, and an evaporator 25 by means of a refrigerant pipe 26. Among these, the condenser 23 and the evaporator 25 that constitute the heat exchanger are disposed inside the unit case 13 that constitutes a part of the circulation air passage 20. Further, the circulation air path 20 is provided with a circulation fan 14. The circulation blower 14 circulates the air in the water tank 4 through the circulation air passage 20 by rotationally driving the circulation fan 16 by the fan motor 17. By driving the circulation fan 14, the air in the water tank 4 is introduced into the circulation air passage 20, and flows from the upstream side which is the air outlet 8b side to the downstream side which is the air inlet 8a side. It has become.

  In the unit case 13, the evaporator 25 is disposed on the air outlet 8 b side of the water tank 4, that is, on the upstream side of the circulation air passage 20. On the other hand, the condenser 23 is disposed on the air inlet 8 a side of the water tank 4, that is, on the downstream side of the circulation air passage 20. That is, in the circulation air passage 20, the condenser 23 is disposed downstream of the evaporator 25. The evaporator 25 is an example of the dehumidifying means, and functions as a dehumidifying means for cooling and dehumidifying the air flowing in the circulating air passage 20 from the air outlet 8b side to the air inlet 8a side, that is, from the upstream side to the downstream side. Do. On the other hand, the condenser 23 is an example of a heating means, and functions as a heating means for heating the air flowing in the circulating air passage 20 from the air outlet 8b side to the air inlet 8a side, that is, from the upstream side to the downstream side. .

  As illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the washer / dryer 1 is equipped with an odor sensor 100. In the present embodiment, the odor sensor 100 is provided inside the circulation air passage 20, in this case, between the evaporator 25 and the condenser 23. That is, in the present embodiment, the odor sensor 100 is not provided, for example, in the water tank 4 to directly measure the odor in the water tank 4, but is included in the air flowing from the water tank 4 into the circulation air passage 20. In other words, it is arranged to indirectly measure the odor in the water tank 4 outside the water tank 4.

  Next, a configuration example of the odor sensor 100 will be described. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the odor sensor 100 constructs the odor measurement system S together with the control device 200 provided in the washing and drying machine 1. The control device 200 is configured mainly of, for example, a microcomputer, and controls the overall operation of the washing and drying machine 1 by controlling drive sources such as the drum motor 7, the circulation blower 14, and the compressor 22. In addition, the control device 200 functions as an odor measurement unit that measures the odor of laundry such as clothes housed in the water tank 4, more specifically, in the drum 6 by cooperating with the odor sensor 100. .

  As illustrated in FIG. 5, the odor sensor 100 has a configuration in which a plurality of sensor elements 102 are mounted on a substrate 101. Each sensor element 102 has a structure in which a substance adsorption film 104 for adsorbing odorous substances is provided on the surface of the sensor main body 103. The odor sensor 100 may further include an excitation electrode.

  The substrate 101 can be made of, for example, a silicon substrate, a substrate made of quartz crystal, a printed wiring substrate, a ceramic substrate, a resin substrate, or the like. The substance adsorption film 104 is, for example, a thin film made of a π electron conjugated polymer. The π electron conjugated polymer film can contain at least one of an inorganic acid, an organic acid and an ionic liquid as a dopant.

  The sensor body 103 measures the change in physical, chemical, or electrical characteristics of the substance adsorbed on the surface of the substance adsorption film 104, thereby measuring the state of adsorption of the substance on the substance adsorption film 104. It is provided to function as a part, ie a transducer. As elements showing physical, chemical or electrical characteristics, for example, quartz oscillator sensor, surface acoustic wave sensor, field effect transistor sensor, charge coupled device sensor, MOS field effect transistor sensor, metal oxide semiconductor sensor , Organic conductive polymer sensors, electrochemical sensors, etc. can be considered. In addition, the element which comprises the sensor main-body part 103 is not limited to these sensors, For example, various elements can be used suitably according to the kind etc. of the substance to make it a measuring object.

  Further, the structure of the sensor main body 103 can have various different structures depending on, for example, the type of the substance to be measured. For example, in the case of using a quartz oscillator, a structure in which normal electrodes are provided on both sides may be used, or only a single-sided electrode capable of obtaining a so-called Q value can be used as a separation electrode. You may use the thing of a structure.

  The π electron conjugated polymer used as the substance adsorption film 104 is, for example, polypyrrole and its derivative, polyaniline and its derivative, polythiophene and its derivative, polyacetylene and its derivative, polyazulene and its derivative, etc., so-called π electron conjugated polymer It is preferable to use a polymer having a skeleton of Usually, such a π electron conjugated polymer develops conductivity by the skeleton polymer itself becoming a cation in the oxidized state and containing an anion as a dopant. In addition, the element which comprises the substance adsorption film 104 is not restricted to these macromolecules, For example, various elements can be used suitably according to the kind etc. of the substance to make it a measuring object. Further, as a component constituting the substance adsorption film 104, a neutral π electron conjugated polymer containing no dopant may be used.

  In the case of using a π-electron conjugated polymer having conductivity and having a dopant, various substances can be used as the dopant. Examples of usable dopants include inorganic ions such as chloride ion, chloride oxide ion, bromide ion, sulfate ion, nitrate ion and borate ion, and organic acid anions such as alkyl sulfonic acid, benzene sulfonic acid and carboxylic acid, Polymeric acid anions such as polyacrylic acid and polystyrene sulfonic acid are conceivable.

  Also, in addition to direct anionic conjugates as described above, neutral π-electron conjugated polymers include both salts such as, for example, sodium chloride, cations, such as ionic liquids, and anions Doping may be performed in a chemical equilibrium manner by coexistence of an ionic compound. As an ionic liquid which can be used, the ionic liquid of a pyridine type, an alicyclic amine type | system | group, an aliphatic amine type | system | group, etc. are considered by the cation, for example. In addition, various structures can be synthesized by selecting the type of anion to be combined with this. As the cation, for example, ammonium-based ions such as imidazolium salts and pyridinium salts, phosphonium-based ions, inorganic-based ions and the like are considered. Further, as the anion, for example, a halide ion such as bromide ion and triflate, a boron ion such as tetraphenyl borate, and a phosphorus ion such as hexafluorophosphate are considered.

  The content of the dopant contained in the π electron conjugated polymer is, for example, in the range of 0.01 to 5, preferably 0.1, assuming that 1 molecule of dopant is contained per 2 repeating units forming the dopant. Adjust to the range of 2. If the content of the dopant is less than the lower limit of this range, the characteristics of the film disappear, and if it is more than the maximum, the effect of the adsorption characteristics of the polymer itself disappears, and a film having desirable adsorption characteristics is formed. Is difficult. In addition, the dopant, which is a low molecular weight substance, becomes a dominant film, and the durability of the film is significantly reduced. Therefore, the detection sensitivity of odorous substances can be suitably maintained by adjusting the content of the dopant within the above-mentioned range.

  Further, the thickness of the substance adsorption film 104 can be appropriately selected according to the characteristics of the substance to be adsorbed. Specifically, the thickness of the substance adsorption film 104 may be adjusted, for example, in the range of 10 nm to 10 μm, and more preferably in the range of 50 nm to 800 μm. When the film thickness is 10 nm or less, sufficient detection sensitivity can not be obtained. In addition, when the film thickness is 10 μm or more, the upper limit of the weight that can be measured by the sensor element is exceeded, which is not preferable.

  In addition, the substance adsorption film 104 is prepared, for example, by diluting a solvent stock solution with various solvents and dissolving a dopant component in this to prepare a membrane liquid, which is dropped onto the surface of the sensor element by, for example, a microdispenser. It can be formed by In addition, the manufacturing method of the substance adsorption film 104 is not restricted to this, It can manufacture by various methods.

  According to the sensor element 102 configured as described above, the vibration of the sensor main body 103 is different according to the type of odorous substance adsorbed to the substance adsorption film 104. Therefore, the odor sensor 100 can specify the type of odorous substance adsorbed on the substance adsorption film 104 based on the change in the vibration of the sensor body 103.

  And odor sensor 100 is provided with two or more sensor elements 102 constituted in this way. Further, the plurality of sensor elements 102 are arranged in an array on the substrate 101. Therefore, by making the configuration of the substance adsorbing film 104 provided on the surface of each sensor element 102 different for each element, it becomes possible to adsorb odor substances having various characteristics. In this case, one sensor element 102 can detect one type of odor substance by adjusting the configuration of the substance adsorption film 104, or one sensor element 102 detects a plurality of types of odor substances. It can also be configured as possible.

  Further, the combination of the sensor elements 102 mounted on one odor sensor 100, in other words, the combination of the substance adsorption film 104 can be appropriately changed according to, for example, the type of odor substance to be measured. Then, according to the odor sensor 100 configured as described above, the adsorption pattern to the substance adsorption film 104 is different depending on the characteristics of the odor substance, for example, the molecular structure and the like.

  That is, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the adsorption pattern output by the odor sensor 100 differs depending on the type of odor substance adsorbed to the substance adsorption film 104. Therefore, the odor sensor 100 can specify the type of odor substance based on the difference in the adsorption pattern of the odor substance on the plurality of sensor elements 102, in other words, the plurality of substance adsorption films 104. .

  Here, so-called odor sensors, which are conventionally provided, are mostly those in which a single probe is used to detect odorous substances, and therefore can only detect one kind of odorous substances that respond to the probes. Also, it is only possible to measure the amount of the odorous substance.

  On the other hand, the odor sensor 100 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of sensor elements 102, and the configuration of the substance adsorbing film 104 of each sensor element 102 is different from each other to provide a plurality of different characteristics. It is possible to measure odorous substances of different types. That is, the odor sensor 100 according to the present embodiment can be used by appropriately combining the configurations of the sensor main body 103 and the substance adsorption film 104 that constitute the sensor element 102. Therefore, the characteristics of the odor substance to be measured If so, various sensor configurations can be made according to the type of odor substance.

  Further, according to the odor sensor 100 according to the present embodiment, various odorous substances can be detected without any limitation by appropriately combining the configurations of the sensor main body 103 and the substance adsorbing film 104 that constitute the sensor element 102. Can. In addition, according to the characteristic of the odor substance to be detected, by mounting a necessary number of sensor elements 102 of the necessary configuration on the substrate 101, qualitatively measuring each of a plurality of types of odor substances contained in the entire odor. Can. Further, according to the odor sensor 100, it is possible to quantitatively measure the existing amount of the odorous substance based on the output intensity of the sensor element 102. Therefore, the odor sensor 100 according to the present embodiment is a sensor suitable for quantitatively analyzing the entire odor including a plurality of odor substances and qualitatively.

  Next, a measurement mechanism of odor by the odor measurement system S according to the present embodiment will be described. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 4, when the odor substance contained in the odor is adsorbed on the substance adsorption film 104 of the sensor element 102 as illustrated in FIG. 4, based on the change in vibration of the sensor main body 103 accompanying the adsorption, The adsorption pattern Pa of the odorous substance is output to the control device 200. On the other hand, the control device 200 stores data of a plurality of types of determination suction patterns Pb in the storage unit 201 configured of a storage medium such as a memory, for example. Then, the control device 200 collates the suction pattern Pa obtained from the odor sensor 100 with a plurality of judgment suction patterns Pb stored in the storage unit 201.

  As illustrated in FIG. 7, the adsorption pattern for determination Pb defines in advance an adsorption pattern to be output when a predetermined odor substance is measured by the odor sensor 100, and in the present embodiment, a washing machine In particular, for example, various adsorption patterns outputted when odorous substances contained in “soil” are measured, various adsorption patterns outputted when odorous substances contained in “detergent” are measured The various adsorption patterns that are output when the odorant contained in the “softener” is measured are prepared as the adsorption pattern for determination Pb. Further, as the types of stains, for example, respective adsorption patterns of oil stains, sebum stains, mud stains, sweat stains and the like are prepared. Moreover, as a kind of detergent, each adsorption | suction pattern about several types of detergent marketed is prepared, for example. Moreover, as a kind of softener, each adsorption | suction pattern about several types of softeners marketed is prepared.

  The control device 200 collates the adsorption pattern Pa obtained from the odor sensor 100 with the plurality of determination adsorption patterns Pb stored in the storage unit 201, and determines or matches the adsorption pattern Pb that matches or approximates the adsorption pattern Pa. Check the presence or absence. In addition, when the control apparatus 200 determines that both adsorption | suction patterns are "approximation", the approximation degree of both the patterns can be changed suitably, and can be set. Then, when there is an adsorption pattern Pb for determination that matches or approximates to the adsorption pattern Pa, the control device 200 confirms that there is an odor substance corresponding to the adsorption pattern Pb for determination. That is, for example, when the suction pattern Pa matches or approximates, for example, the judgment suction pattern Pb1, the control device 200 determines that oil stains are attached to the laundry in the water tank 4, and the suction pattern Pa For example, when it matches or approximates to the determination adsorption pattern Pb11, it is determined that the detergent A is present in the water tank 4, and when the adsorption pattern Pa matches or approximates the determination adsorption pattern Pb21, for example, the water tank It is determined that the softener A is present in 4.

  The washing and drying machine 1 provided with the above-described odor measuring system S is creatively applied to the mounting position of the odor sensor 100 constructing the system S. That is, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, in the present embodiment, the odor sensor 100 is provided inside the circulation air passage 20, in this case, between the evaporator 25 and the condenser 23 in this embodiment. Here, the mounting position is a position downstream of the filter 10 and downstream of the evaporator 25 and upstream of the condenser 23 in the circulation air passage 20. It has become.

  By the way, in the odor sensor 100 described above, when the odorant is adsorbed on the substance adsorption film 104, the odorant can not be adsorbed on the substance adsorption film 104 unless the odor substance is removed from the substance adsorption film 104. The odorous substance can not be returned to a detectable state. The substance adsorption film 104 can also adsorb water molecules, and even when water molecules are adsorbed to the substance adsorption film 104, if the water molecules are not removed from the substance adsorption film 104, the substance adsorption film 104 becomes odorous. The substance can not be adsorbed, that is, the odorous substance can not be returned to the detectable state. That is, the odor sensor 100 is a sensor that requires refreshing for removing various substances adsorbed on the substance adsorption film 104.

  According to the washing and drying machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the odor sensor 100 having such characteristics is provided in the circulation air passage 20. Therefore, for example, by driving the circulation fan 14 in a state where the clothes are not inserted into the water tank 4, the air flowing in the circulation air passage 20, in this case, the air containing little or no odor substance generated from the clothes. Thus, odorous substances adsorbed on the substance adsorption film 104 can be blown away. That is, the odor sensor 100 can be efficiently refreshed by utilizing the air circulation system provided in the washing and drying machine 1. The washing and drying machine 1 may be configured to have a dedicated refresh stroke for driving the circulation fan 14 in a state where clothes are not inserted into the water tank 4.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the odor sensor 100 is provided on the downstream side of the evaporator 25 having the air dehumidifying function in the circulation air passage 20. According to this configuration, even if air containing moisture flows from the inside of the water tank 4 into the circulation air passage 20 in the drying process, the water contained in the air is removed by the evaporator 25 before reaching the odor sensor 100. Can. Therefore, a configuration in which water molecules are not easily adsorbed to the substance adsorption film 104 can be realized.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the odor sensor 100 is provided on the downstream side of the filter 10 for capturing foreign matter in the circulation air passage 20. According to this configuration, even if air containing foreign matter such as lint flows into the circulating air passage 20 from within the water tank 4, the foreign matter contained in the air can be removed by the filter 10 before reaching the odor sensor 100. it can. Therefore, it can be avoided that the odor sensor 100 is contaminated by foreign matter such as lint, that is, the odor sensor 100 is surrounded by foreign matter such as lint and the odor can not be detected.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the odor sensor 100 is provided in the circulation air passage 20 on the upstream side of the condenser 23 having the function of heating air. Here, since the condenser 23 generates heat in the drying process, the odor material may be denatured by the heat. According to the present embodiment, the odor substance can be detected by the odor sensor 100 before the odor substance is denatured by the heat of the condenser 23. That is, even during the execution of the drying process, it is possible to make it possible to measure odorous substances.

  The odor sensor 100 may be provided downstream of the filter 10 and upstream of the evaporator 25 in the circulation air passage 20. Also with this configuration, it is possible to prevent at least the odor sensor 100 from being contaminated by foreign matter such as lint, and that the odorous substance is thermally denatured before reaching the odor sensor 100.

Second Embodiment
The present embodiment is different from the above-described embodiment in the mounting position of the odor sensor 100. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 8, in the present embodiment, the odor sensor 100 is provided downstream of the condenser 23 in the circulation air passage 20 in the present embodiment. The odor sensor 100 is directly attached to the condenser 23 downstream of the condenser 23. That is, the odor sensor 100 is in contact with the condenser 23.

  According to the present embodiment, for example, by causing the condenser 23 to generate heat, the odor substances adsorbed on the substance adsorption film 104 can be blown away by the heat. That is, the odor sensor 100 can be efficiently refreshed using the heating means provided in the washing and drying machine 1. In addition, the washing and drying machine 1 may be configured to include a dedicated refreshing process for causing the condenser 23 to generate heat.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, since the odor sensor 100 is in contact with the condenser 23, the heat of the condenser 23 can be easily transmitted to the odor sensor 100, and therefore, the refresh can be performed efficiently. In the present embodiment, for example, the odor sensor 100 may be accommodated in a heat-resistant case in preparation for the case where the condenser 23 is excessively heated. In the case of providing a heat resistant case, it is preferable not to use a closed case, for example, a case having a hole or a slit for ventilation, in order to secure air permeability to the odor sensor 100 to some extent.

Third Embodiment
Also in the present embodiment, the mounting position of the odor sensor 100 is different from that of the above-described embodiment. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 9, in the present embodiment, the odor sensor 100 is provided between the condenser 23 and the circulation fan 14 in the circulation air passage 20 in the present embodiment. That is, in the present embodiment, the odor sensor 100 is separated from the condenser 23 and is not in contact with the condenser 23.

  Also according to this embodiment, for example, by causing the condenser 23 to generate heat, the odor substances adsorbed on the substance adsorption film 104 can be blown away by the heat. That is, the odor sensor 100 can be efficiently refreshed using the heating means provided in the washing and drying machine 1. In addition, also in this embodiment, the washing and drying machine 1 may be configured to include a dedicated refresh stroke for causing the condenser 23 to generate heat.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the odor sensor 100 is not in contact with the condenser 23. Therefore, even when the condenser 23 is excessively heated, the influence of the heat on the odor sensor 100 can be suppressed. In addition, it is possible to eliminate the need for a configuration for measures against heat, such as housing the odor sensor 100 in a heat resistant case, and to avoid complication of the configuration.

  Further, the air flowing in the circulation air passage 20 is sucked into the circulation blower 14 on the upstream side of the circulation blower 14, so that the air is concentrated to the circulation blower 14 without being diffused so much. Flow. On the other hand, on the downstream side of the circulation fan 14, the air is diffused by the rotation of the fan 16. According to the present embodiment, the odor sensor 100 is provided upstream of the circulation fan 14. Therefore, the odor sensor 100 can measure the odor substance before the air is diffused, in other words, before the odor substance is diffused, and the measurement accuracy can be improved.

Fourth Embodiment
Also in the present embodiment, the mounting position of the odor sensor 100 is different from that of the above-described embodiment. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, in the present embodiment, the odor sensor 100 in the circulation air passage 20 has a connection portion between the circulation air passage 20 and the water tank 4, in this case, an air inlet 8a. It is provided in the vicinity. Here, the “nearby” of the connection portion between the circulation air passage 20 and the water tank 4 means, for example, that the circulation blower 14 is not driven and the air in the water tank 4 moves positively or forcibly in the present embodiment. In a natural state, the air within the water tank 4 is intended to have a range that can be reached by moving in a drifting manner.

  And in this embodiment, the odor sensor 100 is provided in the circulation air path 20 at a position higher than the overflow port 400 at least. The overflow port 400 is an opening for discharging the water in the water tank 4 when the water level in the water tank 4 exceeds a predetermined water level, that is, the water level at the height at which the overflow port 400 is provided. The overflow 400 prevents the water level in the water tank 4 from exceeding the predetermined water level.

  According to the present embodiment, the odor sensor 100 is mounted in the circulation air passage 20 in such a range that the air can reach even in a natural state in which the air in the water tank 4 does not move positively or forcibly. . According to this configuration, for example, the odor sensor 100 can measure the odor without driving the circulation blower 14.

Fifth Embodiment
Also in the present embodiment, the mounting position of the odor sensor 100 is different from that of the above-described embodiment. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 12, in the present embodiment, the circulation air passage 20 is provided with an outside air introduction hole 500 for introducing the outside air into the circulation air passage 20. In the present embodiment, the outside air introduction hole 500 is provided, for example, on the upper surface of the circulation air passage 20 and between the evaporator 25 and the condenser 23. That is, the outside air introduction hole 500 is provided on the upper surface of the circulation air passage 20 at a portion downstream of the evaporator 25 and upstream of the condenser 23.

  The odor sensor 100 is provided below the outside air introduction hole 500 in the circulation air passage 20. When the outside air flows into the circulating air passage 20 through the outside air introduction hole 500, the lower area of the outside air introduction hole 500 is the area that is on the downstream side of the air flow. That is, in the present embodiment, the odor sensor 100 is disposed downstream of the flow of the outside air flowing in through the outside air introduction hole 500.

  According to the washing and drying machine 1 according to the present embodiment, external air is introduced into the circulation air passage 20 from the outdoor air introduction hole 500 by driving, for example, the circulation fan 14, and the air is generated from the outside air, that is, clothes. The odor substance adsorbed on the substance adsorption film 104 can be blown away by the air containing no odor substance. That is, the odor sensor 100 can be efficiently refreshed by using the introduction configuration of the outside air into the circulation air passage 20 provided in the washing and drying machine 1.

  The washing and drying machine 1 may be configured to have a dedicated refresh stroke for introducing the outside air into the circulation air passage 20 from the outside air introduction hole 500. In addition, the washing and drying machine 1 may include a damper for opening and closing the outside air introducing hole 500, and for example, the outside air introducing hole 500 may be closed by the damper when the odor sensor 100 does not need to be refreshed. Further, the position of the outside air introduction hole 500 in the circulation air passage 20 can be appropriately changed and implemented, for example, it may be provided upstream of the evaporator 25 or provided downstream of the condenser 23 May be Also in this case, by providing the odor sensor 100 on the downstream side of the position of the outside air introduction hole 500, the outside air introduced from the outside air introduction hole 500 can be efficiently introduced to the odor sensor 100.

Sixth Embodiment
Also in the present embodiment, the mounting position of the odor sensor 100 is different from that of the above-described embodiment. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 13, in the present embodiment, the circulation air passage 20 includes the discharge unit 600 that discharges part of the air flowing in the circulation air passage 20. The discharge unit 600 includes a discharge hole 601 provided on a wall surface of the circulation air passage 20 and a damper 602 for opening and closing the discharge hole 601. In the present embodiment, the discharge unit 600 is provided downstream of the filter 10 and upstream of the evaporator 25. For example, by appropriately controlling the opening and closing of the damper 602 in the drying step, the washing and drying machine 1 discharges the air including the water flowing into the circulation air passage 20 from the water tank 4 from the discharge hole 601 to achieve drying efficiency. It is the composition which can aim at improvement.

  And in this embodiment, the odor sensor 100 is provided in this discharge part 600. As shown in FIG. In this case, the odor sensor 100 is provided on the inner surface of the damper 602 that constitutes the discharge unit 600.

  According to the present embodiment, when the damper 602 is opened in a state where air is flowing in the circulation air passage 20, part of the air flowing in the circulation air passage 20 is discharged from the discharge hole 601 to the outside of the circulation air passage 20. Will be At this time, since the odor sensor 100 is provided on the inner surface of the damper 602, the air discharged from the discharge hole 601 contacts the odor sensor 100. Therefore, the odor substances adsorbed on the substance adsorption film 104 can be blown away by the air discharged from the discharge holes 601. That is, the odor sensor 100 can be efficiently refreshed by utilizing the discharge configuration of air out of the circulation air passage 20 provided in the washing and drying machine 1.

  In addition, the washing and drying machine 1 may be configured to include a dedicated refresh stroke for discharging the air from the discharge unit 600 to the outside of the circulation air passage 20. Further, the position of the discharge portion 600 in the circulation air passage 20 can be appropriately changed and implemented, for example, may be provided upstream of the filter 10 or may be provided downstream of the evaporator 25. It may be provided downstream of the condenser 23. Further, the odor sensor 100 is not limited to the inner surface of the damper 602, and may be provided, for example, on the outer surface or the side surface of the damper 602, the end surface or the periphery of the discharge hole 601, or the vicinity of the discharge portion 600. That is, the odor sensor 100 can be appropriately changed and installed as long as the odor sensor 100 can be in contact with the air discharged from the discharge unit 600.

Seventh Embodiment
Also in the present embodiment, the mounting position of the odor sensor 100 is different from that of the above-described embodiment. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 14, in the present embodiment, the circulation air passage 20 is provided with a bypass air passage 700 in which a part of the air flowing in the circulation air passage 20 branches and flows. In the present embodiment, the bypass air passage 700 is provided downstream of the circulation blower 14 in the circulation air passage 20. Further, the bypass air passage 700 is provided adjacent to the circulation fan 14 at a portion immediately downstream of the circulation fan 14. When air flowing in the circulation air passage 20 passes through the circulation fan 14, most of the air is directed to the water tank 4 without being introduced into the bypass air passage 700, but some air is branched into the bypass air passage 700 Flow. Then, the air branched into the bypass air passage 700 joins the air flowing in the circulation air passage 20 when passing through the bypass air passage 700.

  In the present embodiment, the odor sensor 100 is provided in the bypass air passage 700. Also according to this configuration, a part of the air flowing in the circulation air passage 20 passes through the bypass air passage 700, so that odorous substances contained in the air, in other words, odorous matter generated from clothing in the water tank 4 Can be detected well.

  In the present embodiment, a refresh function unit 701 is further provided in the bypass air path 700. The refresh function unit 701 has a refresh function for removing the substance adsorbed to the substance adsorption film 104 of the odor sensor 100. The refresh function unit 701 can be configured, for example, by a blower such as a blower fan, a heater such as a heater, or a combination of these units.

  When the refresh function unit 701 is configured by a blower, the material adsorbed on the material adsorption film 104 can be blown away and removed by the blower action. Further, when the refresh function unit 701 is constituted by a heating means, the substance adsorbed on the substance adsorption film 104 is blown away by heat, volatilized, thermally denatured, or burned off by the action of the generated heat. It can be removed by Further, when the refresh function unit 701 is configured by the air blowing means and the heating means, the substance can be removed by the synergetic effect of the air blowing action and the heat action.

  According to the present embodiment, the refresh function unit 701 is provided in the bypass air path 700 together with the odor sensor 100, that is, the refresh function unit 701 is present in the immediate vicinity of the odor sensor 100. Therefore, the refresh function by the refresh function unit 701 can be efficiently applied to the odor sensor 100, and the odor sensor 100 can be refreshed satisfactorily.

  In the bypass air passage 700, the refresh function unit 701 may be provided upstream or downstream of the odor sensor 100, and may be provided downstream of the odor sensor 100. The odor sensor 100 and the refresh function unit 701 may be arranged in parallel. The refresh function unit 701 may be provided outside the bypass air passage 700, for example, in the vicinity of the inlet of the bypass air passage 700, in the vicinity of the outlet, or the like.

(Other embodiments)
The present embodiment is not limited to the plurality of embodiments described above, and can be expanded or modified as follows, for example. For example, the plurality of embodiments described above may be implemented in combination as appropriate. That is, the washing and drying machine 1 may have a configuration in which the odor sensor 100 is mounted at each of the positions exemplified in the plurality of embodiments, that is, a configuration in which the plurality of odor sensors 100 are mounted in the circulation air passage 20 .

  Further, the present embodiment is not limited to a so-called drum-type washing and drying machine in which the rotation axis of the rotation tank extends in the horizontal direction or the inclination direction, and so-called vertical axis type washing in which the rotation axis of the rotation tank is in the vertical direction It can be applied to a dryer. Moreover, this embodiment can be applied to a pure clothes dryer having no washing function. Further, the dehumidifying means is not limited to the evaporator 25 constituting the heat pump 21, and may be, for example, a water-cooled dehumidifying means having a function capable of dehumidifying air. Moreover, a heating means is not restricted to the condenser 23 which comprises the heat pump 21, For example, a heater etc. should just have a function which can heat air.

  Note that the present embodiment is presented as an example, and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The present embodiment and the modifications thereof are included in the scope and the gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

  In the drawings, 1 is a washing / drying machine (washing machine, clothes dryer), 4 is a water tank (storage tank), 10 is a filter, 14 is a circulation fan, 23 is a condenser (heating means), 25 is an evaporator (dehumidifying means Reference numeral 100 denotes an odor sensor, 500 denotes an outside air introduction hole, 600 denotes a discharge unit, 700 denotes a bypass air path, and 701 denotes a refresh function unit.

Claims (11)

A storage tank in which clothes are stored;
A circulating air passage connected to the storage tank;
A circulation fan that circulates the air in the storage tank through the circulation air passage;
An odor sensor provided in the circulation air path and capable of measuring odor characteristics;
Clothes dryer equipped with. A dehumidifying means for dehumidifying the air flowing in the circulation air passage;
The clothes dryer according to claim 1, wherein the odor sensor is provided downstream of the dehumidifying unit in the circulation air passage. A filter for capturing foreign matter contained in the air flowing in the circulation air path;
The clothes dryer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the odor sensor is provided downstream of the filter in the circulation air passage. A heating unit configured to heat the air flowing in the circulation air passage;
The clothes dryer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the odor sensor is provided upstream of the heating unit in the circulation air passage. A heating unit configured to heat the air flowing in the circulation air passage;
The clothes dryer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the odor sensor is provided downstream of the heating unit in the circulation air passage.   The clothes dryer according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the odor sensor is in contact with the heating means.   The clothes dryer according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the odor sensor is provided between the heating means and the circulation fan in the circulation air passage.   The clothes dryer according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the odor sensor is provided in the vicinity of a connection portion between the circulation air passage and the storage tank in the circulation air passage. The circulation air passage has an outside air introduction hole for introducing outside air into the circulation air passage,
The clothes dryer according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the odor sensor is provided downstream of the outside air introduction hole in the circulation air passage. The circulation air passage includes a discharge unit that discharges part of the air flowing in the circulation air passage,
The clothes dryer according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the odor sensor is provided in the discharge unit. The circulation air passage includes a bypass air passage that flows a part of air flowing in the circulation air passage,
The clothes dryer according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the odor sensor and a refresh function unit for removing a substance adsorbed by the odor sensor are provided in the bypass air path.

Images