JP2020081056A - Washing and drying machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a washing and drying machine capable of achieving improvement in usability regarding a drying operation.SOLUTION: A washing and drying machine 1 includes: a water tub 3; a drain passage 5; a circulation passage 20; a blower part 21; a heating part 22 provided in the circulation passage 20; and a water filter 30 including a container 40. The blower part 21 circulates the air in the water tub 3 by taking it out into the circulation passage 20 from a take-out port 20D and returning it to the water tub 3 from a return port 20E. The water filter 30 captures foreign objects from the air by passing the air in the circulation passage 20 in the water in the container 40. The washing and drying machine 1 includes: a water level sensor 61 for detecting a water level in the container 40; a drain valve 34 for opening/closing a water guide passage 33 for guiding the water in the container 40 to the drain passage 5; and a control part 60. When the lowering speed of the water level detected by the water level sensor 61 when the drain valve 34 is opened is below a predetermined threshold value, the control part 60 determines that there exists clogging of foreign objects in the container 40, and executes dissolution processing for dissolving the clogging of foreign objects.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a washer/dryer.

The washing/drying machine described in Patent Document 1 below includes an outer tub in which water is stored, a drum which is disposed in the outer tub to accommodate laundry, and a circulation air passage. The circulating air passage includes an air suction port and an air discharge port connected to the outer tub, and a blower unit having a blower and a heater. In the drying operation, the blower operates so that the air in the outer tub is circulated so as to be sucked into the circulation air passage from the air suction port and flow into the outer tub from the air discharge port. The circulating air is heated by the heater in the circulation air passage. The heated air dries the laundry in the drum. A drying filter that captures foreign matters such as lint and dust contained in the circulating air by a mesh-shaped filter element is arranged in the blower unit. The dry filter can be removed from the blower unit for cleaning the filter element.

JP, 2011-244984, A

In the washer/dryer described in Patent Document 1, it is assumed that the filter element is clogged and the performance is deteriorated such as time extension in the drying operation and power consumption increase. Therefore, in order to prevent such performance deterioration, it is necessary for the user to remove and dry the dry filter at high frequency, so that maintenance of the dry filter is troublesome.

The present invention has been made under such a background, and an object of the present invention is to provide a washer/dryer capable of improving usability in a dry operation.

The present invention relates to a water tub in which water is stored, a washing tub that is housed in the water tub and that stores and rotates laundry, a drainage channel that discharges water from the water tub, and an outlet connected to the water tub. And a circulation path having a return port, an air blower for extracting air in the water tank from the outlet into the circulation path and returning the air from the return port into the water tank to circulate, and provided in the circulation path. A heating unit that heats air in the circulation path, and a container that stores water by configuring an upstream portion of the circulation path closer to the outlet than the heating unit in the circulation path. A water filter that captures foreign substances from the air by passing the air from the outlet toward the return port into the water in the container, a water level sensor that detects the water level in the container, and water is supplied into the container Note A water channel, a water supply valve that opens and closes the water injection channel, a water conduit that guides the water in the container to the drain channel, a drain valve that opens and closes the water channel, and the air blowing unit and the heating unit operate to dry. A control unit that executes an operation, when the rate of decrease of the water level detected by the water level sensor when the drain valve is opened in a state where water is accumulated in the container falls below a predetermined threshold value, the inside of the container A determination unit that determines that there is foreign matter clogging, and that executes a resolution process that eliminates foreign matter clogging by operating the blower unit or opening and closing each of the water supply valve and the drain valve. It is a washer/dryer.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that, as the elimination processing, the control unit opens the water supply valve for a predetermined time while the drain valve is open.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the control unit, as the elimination process, opens the water supply valve for a predetermined time in a state where the drain valve is closed to collect water in the container and then open the drain valve. To do.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that, as the elimination process, the control unit operates the blower unit so that the air flows through the circulation path with stronger force than in the dry operation.

Further, the present invention notifies that there is an abnormality in the water filter when the number of times the controller determines that the foreign matter is clogged in the container reaches a predetermined number. It is characterized by further including a notification unit.

According to the present invention, in the drying operation of the washer/dryer, the air in the water tank is circulated so as to be taken out from the outlet into the circulation path and return from the return opening into the water tank. The circulating air becomes hot air by being heated by the heating unit in the circulation path, and dries the laundry in the washing tub. A water filter having a container that constitutes an upstream side of the heating unit in the circulation path on the outlet side passes air from the extraction port to the return port in the circulation path for circulation through the water stored in the container. By doing so, the foreign matter is captured from the air. This can prevent foreign matter from reaching the heating unit and deteriorating the performance of the heating unit.
When the control unit that executes the drying operation opens the water supply valve with the drain valve closed, the water filter function is enabled by the water being supplied from the water injection channel and accumulating in the container. Is captured by the water filter and collects in the container with the water. When the control unit opens the drain valve, the foreign matters accumulated in the container are discharged to the drain passage together with water through the water conduit. Therefore, the user does not need to access the water filter and perform maintenance to remove foreign matter in the container. Therefore, it is possible to improve the usability in the dry operation.
Then, the control unit, if the rate of decrease of the water level in the container detected by the water level sensor when the drain valve is opened when water is accumulated in the container falls below a predetermined threshold value, there is clogging of foreign matter in the container. Then decide. In this case, the control unit executes the elimination process for eliminating the clogging of the foreign matter by operating the blower unit and opening/closing the water supply valve and the drain valve. Therefore, even if the container is clogged with foreign matter, the user does not have to access the water filter to perform maintenance for clearing the clogging of the foreign matter in the container, which improves the usability in the dry operation.

Further, according to the present invention, in the elimination process in which the water supply valve is opened for a predetermined time with the drain valve being opened, the foreign matter clogged in the container is removed by the momentum of the water that is rapidly discharged after being supplied into the container. Can be washed away into the headrace.

Further, according to the present invention, with the drainage valve closed, the water supply valve is opened for a predetermined time to store water in the container and then the drainage valve is opened. By this, it is possible to remove the foreign matter clogged in the container and flush it into the water conduit.

Further, according to the present invention, in the elimination processing in which the air having a stronger momentum than in the dry operation is caused to flow into the circulation path, the momentum of the air can remove the foreign matter clogged in the container and push it into the water conduit. ..

Further, according to the present invention, when the number of times the control unit determines that there is foreign matter clogging in the container reaches a predetermined number of times, that is, foreign matter clogging in the container is automatically cleared in the washer/dryer. If the degree of difficulty is severe, the user is informed that there is an abnormality in the water filter. In other words, the clogging of non-severe foreign matter is automatically eliminated in the washing and drying machine without the user having to access the water filter for maintenance, and thus the usability can be improved.

FIG. 1 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional right side view of a washer/dryer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a left side view of the water filter arranged in the washer/dryer. FIG. 3 is a front view of the water filter. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the water filter. FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view including a cross section taken along the line AA of FIG. FIG. 7 is a staircase sectional view of the water filter taken along the line BB of FIG. 3. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the water filter and its peripheral portion. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the washer/dryer. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a process performed by the washer/dryer. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a drying operation performed by the washer/dryer. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the adjustment process performed during the drying operation. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the adjustment processing according to the first modification. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the adjustment process according to the second modification. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the adjustment process according to the third modification. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the adjustment process according to the fourth modification. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the cooling process performed during the drying operation. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a cleaning process for cleaning the water filter. FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the cleaning process according to the first modification. FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the cleaning process according to the second modification. FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the cleaning process according to the third modification. FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a process for detecting and eliminating clogging of foreign matter in the water filter. FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the elimination process for eliminating the clogging of foreign matter in the water filter. FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the resolution process according to the first modification. FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing the elimination process according to the second modification. FIG. 26 is a right side view of a schematic vertical section of a washer/dryer according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional right side view of a washer/dryer 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The direction orthogonal to the plane of FIG. 1 is called the left-right direction X of the washer/dryer 1, the left-right direction in FIG. 1 is called the front-back direction Y of the washer-dryer 1, and the vertical direction in FIG. 1 is the vertical direction of the washer-dryer 1. It is called Z. In the left-right direction X, the back side in the plane of FIG. 1 is called the left side X1, and the front side in the plane of FIG. 1 is called the right side X2. In the front-rear direction Y, the left side in FIG. 1 is called the front side Y1, and the right side in FIG. 1 is called the rear side Y2. Of the vertical direction Z, the upper side is called the upper side Z1 and the lower side is called the lower side Z2. The washer/dryer 1 is a so-called drum type washer/dryer, and executes a washing operation, a rinsing operation, a dehydration operation, and a drying operation. The washer/dryer 1 includes a housing 2, a water tank 3 arranged in the housing 2, a water supply channel 4 and a drainage channel 5 connected to the water tank 3, and drainage for capturing foreign matter from water flowing through the drainage channel 5. It includes a filter 6, a washing tub 7 contained in the water tub 3, a motor 8 for rotating the washing tub 7, and a drying unit 9 for drying the laundry L in the washing tub 7.

The housing 2 is formed in a box shape. The front surface 2A of the housing 2 is, for example, a vertical surface. The front surface 2A is formed with an opening 2B that allows the inside and outside of the housing 2 to communicate with each other. The front surface 2A is provided with a door 10 that opens and closes the opening 2B, and a display operation unit 11 including switches and a liquid crystal panel. The user can freely select the operating conditions of the washer/dryer 1 or instruct the washer/dryer 1 to start or stop the operation by operating a switch or the like of the display operation unit 11. You can By the display operation unit 11 functioning as an example of the notification unit, information regarding the operation of the washer/dryer 1 is visually displayed on the liquid crystal panel or the like of the display operation unit 11.

The water tank 3 is connected to the housing 2 via a support member 15 such as a shock absorber or a suspension rod, and is elastically supported by the support member 15. The aquarium 3 has a cylindrical circumferential wall 3A centered on an axis J extending in the front-rear direction Y along the horizontal direction H, and a disc-shaped body that is vertically disposed and closes the hollow portion of the circumferential wall 3A from the rear side Y2. It has a back wall 3B and a ring-shaped front wall 3C connected to the front end edge of the circumferential wall 3A. At the center of the back wall 3B, a through hole 3D is formed that penetrates the back wall 3B in the front-rear direction Y along the axis J. The front wall 3C includes an annular first front surface 3E protruding from the front end edge of the circumferential wall 3A toward the axis J, and a cylindrical second front surface 3F protruding from the inner peripheral edge of the first front surface 3E to the front side Y1. And an annular third front surface portion 3G protruding from the front end edge of the second front surface portion 3F toward the axis J. Inside the third front surface portion 3G, a doorway 3H communicating with the hollow portion of the circumferential wall 3A from the front side Y1 is formed. The doorway 3H faces the opening 2B of the housing 2 from the rear side Y2 and is in communication with the opening 2B.

The water supply passage 4 has one end (not shown) connected to a faucet (not shown) and the other end 4A connected to, for example, the circumferential wall 3A in the water tank 3. Since the other end 4A is provided with the elastically deforming portion 4B formed of, for example, a bellows hose, the vibration of the water tank 3 is suppressed from being transmitted to the entire water supply passage 4. At the time of water supply, water from the faucet is supplied from the water supply passage 4 into the water tank 3. Water such as tap water or detergent water in which a detergent is dissolved is stored in the water tank 3. A main water supply valve 12 that is opened and closed to start and stop water supply is provided in the middle of the water supply path 4.

The drainage channel 5 is connected to the lower end of the water tank 3, for example, the lower end of the first front surface portion 3E of the front wall 3C. The water in the water tank 3 is discharged out of the machine through the drainage channel 5. Since the elastically deformable portion 5A formed of, for example, a bellows hose is provided at the end of the drainage path 5 connected to the water tank 3, it is possible to suppress the vibration of the water tank 3 from being transmitted to the entire drainage path 5. A main drain valve 13 that is opened and closed to start and stop drainage is provided in the middle of the drainage path 5.

The drainage filter 6 is provided in the drainage path 5 at an upstream portion closer to the water tank 3 than the main drainage valve 13. Since the front end of the drainage filter 6 is exposed to the front surface 2A of the housing 2, the user can hold the front end of the drainage filter 6 and attach/detach the drainage filter 6 to/from the housing 2. A known structure can be used as the structure of the drainage filter 6.

The washing tub 7 is one size smaller than the water tub 3 and can store the laundry L therein. The washing tub 7 includes a cylindrical circumferential wall 7A arranged coaxially with the circumferential wall 3A of the water tub 3, a disc-shaped back wall 7B in which a hollow portion of the circumferential wall 7A is closed from the rear side Y2, and a circumferential wall 7A. And an annular wall 7C having an annular shape projecting from the front end edge of the above to the axis J side. A plurality of through holes 7D are formed in at least the circumferential wall 7A of the washing tub 7, and water in the water tub 3 travels between the water tub 3 and the washing tub 7 through the through holes 7D. Therefore, the water level in the water tub 3 and the water level in the washing tub 7 match. A support shaft 14 extending along the axis J to the rear side Y2 is provided at the center of the back wall 7B of the washing tub 7. The rear end portion of the support shaft 14 passes through the through hole 3D of the rear wall 3B of the water tank 3 and is arranged on the rear side Y2 of the rear wall 3B.

Inside the annular wall 7C, a doorway 7E communicating with the hollow portion of the circumferential wall 7A from the front side Y1 is formed. The entrance/exit 7E faces the entrance/exit 3H of the water tank 3 and the opening 2B of the housing 2 from the rear side Y2 and is in a state of communicating therewith. The doorways 3H and 7E are collectively opened and closed by the door 10 together with the opening 2B. The user of the washer/dryer 1 puts the laundry L in and out of the washing tub 7 through the opened opening 2B and the entrances 3H and 7E.

The motor 8 is arranged inside the housing 2 on the rear side Y2 of the back wall 3B of the water tank 3. The motor 8 is connected to a support shaft 14 provided in the washing tub 7. The driving force generated by the motor 8 is transmitted to the support shaft 14, and the washing tub 7 rotates around the axis J together with the support shaft 14. A clutch mechanism (not shown) that transmits the driving force of the motor 8 to the support shaft 14 or interrupts the drive force of the motor 8 may be provided between the motor 8 and the support shaft 14.

The drying unit 9 includes a circulation path 20 connected to the water tank 3, an air blowing section 21 that generates an air flow in the circulation path 20, and a heating section 22 that heats the air in the circulation path 20. The circulation path 20 is a flow path arranged on the upper side Z1 of the water tank 3 in the housing 2. The circulation path 20 has an intermediate portion 20A extending in the front-rear direction Y, a rear portion 20B extending from the rear end of the intermediate portion 20A to the lower side Z2, and a front portion 20C extending from the front end of the intermediate portion 20A to the lower side Z2. , Is fixed to the housing 2. An outlet 20D is formed at the lower end of the rear portion 20B. The outlet 20D is connected to, for example, the back wall 3B in the water tank 3 and is in communication with the water tank 3 from the rear side Y2. A return port 20E is formed at the lower end of the front portion 20C. The return port 20E is connected to, for example, the upper end of the second front surface portion 3F of the front wall 3C in the water tank 3, and is in a state of communicating with the inside of the water tank 3 from the upper side Z1. Since both ends of the circulation path 20 connected to the water tank 3 are provided with elastically deformable portions 20F formed of, for example, bellows hoses, the vibration of the water tank 3 is suppressed from being transmitted to the entire circulation path 20.

The blower unit 21 is a so-called blower, and includes a rotating blade 23 arranged in a region near the outlet 20D inside the circulation path 20, and a motor (not shown) for rotating the rotating blade 23. In the drying operation, as the rotary blades 23 rotate, the air in the water tub 3 and the air in the washing tub 7 is taken out from the take-out port 20D into the circulation path 20 and then the return port 20E, as shown by the thick dashed arrow. Is returned to the water tank 3. As a result, the air in the water tank 3 circulates so as to sequentially flow through the water tank 3 and the circulation path 20.

The heating unit 22 is a heat exchanger in a heat pump or a general heater, and at least a part of the heating unit 22 is provided in the circulation path 20. The portion of the heating unit 22 provided in the circulation path 20 has a plurality of fin-shaped heat radiation units 22A. In the drying operation, the heat radiating portion 22A becomes hot due to the operation of the heating portion 22, so that the air flowing in the circulation path 20 is heated and becomes hot air when passing around the heat radiating portion 22A. In the dry operation, foreign matter such as lint and dust is generated, and the foreign matter flows along with hot air. If foreign matter adheres to and accumulates on the heat radiation section 22A of the heating section 22, there is a risk that the heating efficiency of the heating section 22 will decrease and the performance of the circulation path 20 will deteriorate due to the deterioration of the air flow. There is a need to.

The drying unit 9 includes a water filter 30 that captures foreign matter contained in the air flowing through the circulation path 20 with water, a water injection path 31 that supplies water to the water filter 30, and a water supply valve 32 that opens and closes the water injection path 31. Including. The drying unit 9 includes a water conduit 33 that guides the water in the water filter 30 to the drainage channel 5, a drain valve 34 that opens and closes the water conduit 33, and an overflow channel 35 that causes the water in the water filter 30 to overflow into the water channel 33. Further includes. In the following, the water filter 30, the water injection passage 31, the water supply valve 32, the water guide passage 33, the drainage valve 34, and the overflow passage 35 will be described after the circulation passage 20 constituting the drying unit 9 is described in detail.

A portion of the circulation path 20 closer to the outlet 20D than the heat radiation portion 22A of the heating portion 22 is referred to as an upstream portion 20G. The upstream portion 20G is configured by a part of the middle portion 20A and the entire rear portion 20B. When the rotary blades 23 of the blower unit 21 are arranged closer to the outlet 20D than the heat radiating unit 22A, the portion of the circulation path 20 closer to the outlet 20D than the rotary blades 23 may be regarded as the upstream portion 20G. Good. The rear portion 20B includes a first portion 20BA extending in the horizontal direction H from the outlet 20D and bent to the lower side Z2, and a second portion 20BB extending from the rear end of the middle portion 20A to the lower side Z2. The elastic deformation portion 20F is provided in the first portion 20BA.

The vertical posture of the water filter 30 in the washing/drying machine 1 is constant, but the horizontal and front/back postures of the water filter 30 are arbitrarily set according to the arrangement space of the water filter 30 in the washing/drying machine 1. It can be changed. Hereinafter, for convenience, FIG. 2 is regarded as a left side view of the water filter 30, and the water filter 30 is specified using the left-right direction X, the front-back direction Y, and the up-down direction Z. Therefore, the direction orthogonal to the paper surface of FIG. 2 is the horizontal direction X of the water filter 30, the horizontal direction of FIG. 2 is the front-back direction Y of the water filter 30, and the vertical direction of FIG. 2 is the vertical direction Z of the water filter 30. Is. In addition, according to FIG. 2, FIG. 3 is a front view of the water filter 30, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the water filter 30 seen from the right side X2.

The water filter 30 has a box-shaped container 40 made of resin, for example. The container 40 includes an oval plate-shaped bottom wall 41 that is long in the left-right direction X, an elliptic cylindrical bottom wall 42 that is long in the left-right direction X and rises from the bottom wall 41 to the upper side Z1 while lining the outer edge of the bottom wall 41. It has a rectangular contour that is long in the direction X, and a lateral wall 43 that projects from the outer edge of the upper end of the lower sidewall 42 in bottom view. The container 40 includes a rectangular tubular upper side wall 44 that is long in the left-right direction X and rises to the upper side Z1 while lining the outer edge of the lateral wall 43, and a top wall 45 that extends in the horizontal direction H and is connected to the upper end of the upper side wall 44. Have more. The lateral wall 43 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction H, and accordingly, the upper ends of the lower side wall 42 and the lower ends of the upper side walls 44 are also inclined with respect to the horizontal direction H. The lower side wall 42, the side wall 43, and the upper side wall 44 form an entire side wall 46 of the container 40. The side wall 46 has an overall tubular shape and surrounds the internal space 40A of the container 40 from the side, that is, from the front, back, left, and right.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. The bottom wall 41 is formed in a plate shape that descends toward the left side X1, and closes the internal space 40A of the container 40 from the lower side Z2. A drain port 41A extending to the lower side Z2 and vertically penetrating the bottom wall 41 is formed at the left end portion of the bottom wall 41. The entire upper surface portion 41B of the bottom wall 41 is inclined so as to descend toward the drainage port 41A (see also FIG. 7, which is a step sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 3). The drainage port 41A is located at the lower end of the internal space 40A. The bottom wall 41 is provided with a tubular connecting portion 41C that projects to the lower side Z2 while framing the drainage port 41A. The bottom wall 41 is integrally provided with a vertically long box-shaped overflow portion 41D extending from the left end of the bottom wall 41 to the upper side Z1. On the left wall of the overflow portion 41D, two pipe portions 41E projecting to the left side X1 are provided side by side in the vertical direction Z. The inner space of the pipe portion 41E on the lower side Z2 is an overflow port 41F communicating with the inner space of the overflow portion 41D.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view including a cross section taken along the line AA of FIG. The lower side wall 42 is integrated with the bottom wall 41 and surrounds a lower region of the internal space 40A of the container 40. A connecting portion 42A connected to the bottom wall 41 on the lower side wall 42 is curved in an arc shape (see also FIG. 7). A communication port 42B that communicates with the internal space of the overflow portion 41D is formed at the lower end of the left wall of the lower side wall 42. In the lower side wall 42, a connecting portion between the left wall and the rear wall, a connecting portion between the rear wall and the right wall, a connecting portion between the right wall and the front wall (not shown), and a connecting portion between the front wall and the left wall. Are each curved in an arc shape. Therefore, in the inner surface portion 42C of the lower side wall 42, a portion corresponding to these connecting portions is provided with a curved portion 42D that is curved in an arc shape in a plan view. A circular water supply port 42E penetrating the lower side wall 42 is provided in the curved portion 42D in the connecting portion between the rear wall and the right wall of the lower side wall 42. The water supply port 42E is opened laterally along the curve of the curved portion 42D, specifically, substantially horizontally, facing the front side Y1. The lower side wall 42 is provided with a tubular connecting portion 42F (see FIG. 4) protruding from the water supply port 42E to the outside of the lower side wall 42. The connecting portion 42F extends substantially horizontally along the tangential direction to the outer peripheral surface of the connecting portion 42A that is curved on the lower side wall 42.

The lateral wall 43 is formed in a ring shape with the upper end of the lower side wall 42 being bordered, and is integrated with the lower side wall 42. The upper side wall 44 surrounds an upper region of the internal space 40A of the container 40. The upper side wall 44 is provided with a ring-shaped guide portion 44A having a rim at the lower end. The guide portion 44A extends beyond the inner edge of the lateral wall 43 into the internal space 40A of the container 40. The guide portion 44A is provided at a position higher than the water supply port 42E. The left wall of the upper side wall 44, together with the left wall of the lower side wall 42, is connected to the overflow portion 41D of the bottom wall 41 and closes the internal space of the overflow portion 41D from the right side X2. The ceiling wall 45 closes the internal space 40A of the container 40 from the upper side Z1. An insertion hole 45A penetrating the ceiling wall 45 in the vertical direction Z is formed at the right end portion of the ceiling wall 45, and an outlet 45B penetrating the ceiling wall 45 in the vertical direction Z is formed at the left end portion of the ceiling wall 45. It The ceiling wall 45 is provided with a cylindrical connecting portion 45C which is projected to the upper side Z1 while bordering the insertion hole 45A, and is provided with a cylindrical connecting portion 45D which is projected to the upper side Z1 while bordering the outlet 45B. The container 40 of the water filter 30 is configured by combining a bottom wall 41, an overflow portion 41D, a lower side wall 42 and a side wall 43, an upper side wall 44, and a ceiling wall 45.

The container 40 further includes a lower baffle plate 47 and an upper baffle plate 48 arranged in an upper region of the inner space 40A of the container 40, and a vertical pipe 49 provided over the upper region and the lower region of the inner space 40A. The lower baffle plate 47 is formed in a rectangular shape extending from the lower end of the right wall of the upper side wall 44 to the lower left side in parallel with the lateral wall 43. A lower surface of the lower baffle plate 47 is provided with a single or a plurality of ribs 47A projecting toward the lower side Z2 and extending in the front-rear direction Y. The upper baffle plate 48 is formed in a rectangular shape that extends from the upper end of the left wall of the upper side wall 44 to the lower right side. The right end portion of the upper baffle plate 48 is arranged on the upper side Z1 of the left end portion of the lower baffle plate 47. The lower surface of the upper baffle plate 48 is provided with a single or a plurality of ribs 48A that project toward the lower side Z2 and extend in the front-rear direction Y. The vertical pipe 49 is inserted into the connecting portion 45C and the insertion hole 45A of the top wall 45, passes through the right side X2 of the upper baffle plate 48, and penetrates the right portion of the lower baffle plate 47 in the up-down direction Z. The lower end of the vertical pipe 49 is arranged slightly apart from the right portion of the upper surface portion 41B of the bottom wall 41 to the upper side Z1. An inlet 49A is formed in the vertical pipe 49 by cutting out the lower end of the vertical pipe 49 in an inverted L shape in a front view. The lower baffle plate 47 and the vertical pipe 49 are integrated. The water supply port 42E formed in the lower side wall 42 is arranged on the right side X2 of the vertical pipe 49 and is adjacent to the inlet 49A. The water supply port 42E is arranged at a position closer to the inlet 49A than the outlet 45B of the ceiling wall 45.

With reference to FIG. 1, the water filter 30 is arranged in the housing 2 below the rear region 2C around the back wall 3B of the water tank 3 and fixed to the housing 2. In the rear portion 20B that constitutes the upstream portion 20G in the circulation path 20, the lower end portion of the first portion 20BA is connected to the connecting portion 45C of the ceiling wall 45 of the container 40 of the water filter 30 from the upper side Z1, and the first portion 20BA The internal space communicates with the internal space of the vertical pipe 49 of the container 40 and the inlet 49A. In the rear portion 20B, the lower end of the second portion 20BB is connected to the connecting portion 45D of the top wall 45 of the container 40 from the upper side Z1, and the internal space of the second portion 20BB communicates with the outlet 45B of the container 40. As a result, the internal space 40A of the container 40 is located between the internal space of the first portion 20BA and the internal space of the second portion 20BB, and communicates with these internal spaces, and the container 40 is connected to the internal space of the circulation path 20. It constitutes a part of the upstream portion 20G. The container 40 is arranged at a position closer to the outlet 20D of the circulation path 20 than the heating unit 22 in the upstream portion 20G.

The water injection passage 31 branches from the portion of the water supply passage 4 closer to the faucet than the main water supply valve 12, and is connected to the connecting portion 42F (see FIG. 4) of the lower side wall 42 of the container 40. The internal space of the water injection channel 31 communicates with the water supply port 42E of the lower side wall 42. The water supply valve 32 is provided in the middle of the water injection passage 31 and opens and closes the water injection passage 31.

The first portion 33A forming the end portion on the water filter 30 side in the water conduit 33 is connected to the connecting portion 41C of the bottom wall 41 of the container 40 from the lower side Z2, and the internal space of the water conduit 33 is the drainage of the bottom wall 41. It communicates with the mouth 41A. The drainage port 41A extends to the lower side Z2 and is connected to the upper end of the first portion 33A. The second portion 33B, which forms an end portion on the opposite side of the first portion 33A in the water conduit 33, is connected to the upstream portion of the drainage passage 5 closer to the water tank 3 than the drainage filter 6. The second portion 33B may be directly connected to the drainage filter 6. Since each of the first portion 33A and the second portion 33B is provided with the elastically deformable portion 33C configured by, for example, a bellows hose, the first portion 33A and the second portion 33B are elastically deformable. In the water conduit 33, the third portion 33D between the first portion 33A and the second portion 33B is fixed to the water tank 3 via the bracket 50, for example. The third portion 33D may be directly fixed to the water tank 3. In the water conduit 33, since the first portion 33A and the second portion 33B forming a part of the water conduit 33 are elastically deformable, the vibration of the water tank 3 is transmitted from the third portion 33D to the container 40 of the water filter 30, the drain passage 5, or the drain filter 6. It can be prevented from being transmitted. The third portion 33D may not be fixed to the water tank 3.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the water filter 30 and its peripheral portion. The drain valve 34 is provided in the first portion 33A of the water conduit 33 and opens and closes the water conduit 33. The drain valve 34 includes a valve body (not shown) that is disposed in the first portion 33A and moves to open and close the water conduit 33, and an electric actuator 34A such as a torque motor that moves the valve body. The main water supply valve 12, the main drainage valve 13, and the water supply valve 32 may be configured similarly to the drainage valve 34, or may be configured by a known valve such as a solenoid valve. The overflow channel 35 is connected to the overflow port 41F of the lower Z2 pipe section 41E of the overflow section 41D of the bottom wall 41 and the first portion 33A.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the washer/dryer 1. The washer/dryer 1 further includes a controller 60 and a water level sensor 61. The control unit 60 is configured as a microcomputer including, for example, a CPU 62, a memory 63 such as a ROM or a RAM that stores various count values and threshold values described later, and a timer 64 for clocking, and is built in the housing 2. (See also FIG. 1). Each of the motor 8, the display operation unit 11, the main water supply valve 12, the main drainage valve 13, the blower unit 21, the heating unit 22, the water supply valve 32, and the drainage valve 34 is electrically connected to the control unit 60.

The control unit 60 controls the rotation of the motor 8 to generate a driving force in the motor 8 or stop the rotation of the motor 8. When the user operates the display operation unit 11 to select the operating conditions of the laundry Q and the like, the control unit 60 receives the selection. The control unit 60 controls the display of the display operation unit 11. The control unit 60 controls opening and closing of the main water supply valve 12 and the main drain valve 13. When the control unit 60 opens the main water supply valve 12 with the main drain valve 13 closed, water is supplied to the water tank 3 to collect water. When the control unit 60 opens the main drain valve 13, the water tank 3 is drained. The control unit 60 operates the blower unit 21 to generate wind and circulate it between the washing tub 7 and the circulation path 20. The control unit 60 operates the heating unit 22 to turn the air circulating between the washing tub 7 and the circulation path 20 into hot air. The control unit 60 controls opening/closing of the water supply valve 32 and the drainage valve 34 related to the water filter 30. The water level sensor 61 is a known sensor that detects the water level in the container 40 of the water filter 30, and is attached to the pipe portion 41E (see FIG. 8) of the upper Z1 of the two pipe portions 41E of the overflow portion 41D of the container 40. Be done. The detection result of the water level sensor 61 is input to the control unit 60 in real time.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a process performed by the washer/dryer 1. The controller 60 operates the motor 8 to open and close the main water supply valve 12 and the main drain valve 13, respectively, thereby performing the washing operation (step S1), the rinsing operation (step S2), and the dehydration operation (step S3). Execute in order. The rinse operation may be performed multiple times, and the dehydration operation may be performed between the wash operation and the rinse operation, or between the rinse operation and the next rinse operation. After the dehydration operation, the control unit 60 operates the blower unit 21 and the heating unit 22 to open and close the main water supply valve 12, the main drainage valve 13, the water supply valve 32, and the drainage valve 34, thereby executing the drying operation. (Step S4). In the washer/dryer 1, only the drying operation may be executed without performing the washing operation, the rinsing operation, and the dehydration operation.

Prior to the start of the washing operation, detergent is put into the washing tub 7. In the washing operation, the control unit 60 opens the main water supply valve 12 for a predetermined time to supply water to the water tub 3 and the washing tub 7 with the main drain valve 13 closed, and then causes the motor 8 to rotate the washing tub 7. As a result, the laundry L in the washing tub 7 is tapped and washed. In tapping, tumbling is repeated in which the laundry L is lifted to some extent and then falls naturally on the water surface. Contamination is removed from the laundry L by the impact of tumbling and the detergent components contained in the detergent water accumulated in the washing tub 7. When the control unit 60 opens the main drain valve 13 and drains water after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of tumbling, the washing operation ends.

In the rinsing operation, the control unit 60 opens the main water supply valve 12 for a predetermined time to supply water to the water tub 3 and the washing tub 7, and then causes the motor 8 to rotate the washing tub 7. Then, the tumbling described above is repeated, so that the laundry L is rinsed with tap water in the washing tub 7. When the controller 60 drains water after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of tumbling, the rinsing operation ends. In the dehydration operation, the control unit 60 rotates the washing tub 7 for dehydration with the main drain valve 13 opened. The laundry L in the washing tub 7 is dewatered by the centrifugal force generated by the spin rotation of the washing tub 7. The water that has exuded from the laundry L due to the dehydration is discharged from the machine through the drainage channel 5.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the drying operation. At the start of the drying operation, the control unit 60 operates the heating unit 22 to preheat the heat radiation unit 22A of the heating unit 22 (step S11) and open the water supply valve 32 with the drain valve 34 closed (step S12). ). As a result, the water from the faucet passes through the water supply path 4 and the water injection path 31 and is supplied and accumulated in the container 40 from the water supply port 42E of the container 40 of the water filter 30. At this time, the control unit 60 stops the blower unit 21 so that the water in the container 40 does not scatter. That is, the control unit 60 opens the water supply valve 32 and stores water in the container 40 before the blower unit 21 operates to start the drying operation. Further, even if the water supplied from the water supply port 42E into the container 40 splashes to the upper side Z1, the guide portion 44A (see FIG. 6) in the container 40 guides this water to the lower side Z2. When the water level in the container 40 detected by the water level sensor 61 rises to the reference water level W (see FIG. 5) that blocks a part of the inlet 49A at the lower end of the vertical pipe 49, the function of the water filter 30 becomes effective. The part 60 closes the water supply valve 32 and ends the water supply to the water filter 30. The control unit 60 may determine whether the water level in the container 40 has risen to the reference water level W based on the detection result of the water level sensor 61, or based on the elapsed time without using the water level sensor 61. May be. This required time is the time required for the water level in the container 40 to rise to the reference water level W from the empty state of the container 40, is determined in advance by an experiment or the like, and is stored in the memory 63. The water supply to the water filter 30 may be performed before the washing operation. However, when the water in the water filter 30 may overflow due to the vibration caused by the dehydration operation, it is preferable to supply water to the water filter 30 after the dehydration operation.

The reference water level W is set to a position lower than the overflow port 41F (see FIG. 5). The reference water level W may have a lower limit and an upper limit, and the water level that transitions between these lower and upper limits may be regarded as the reference water level W. When the water level in the container 40 rises to a predetermined water level that matches the overflow port 41F, water above the predetermined water level in the container 40 overflows into the overflow channel 35 outside the container 40 through the overflow port 41F and overflow channel 35. It is guided to the water conduit 33 by way of and is discharged to the outside of the machine through the water conduit 33 and the drainage channel 5 (see FIG. 1). Therefore, it is possible to prevent water overflowing from the container 40 from spilling in the washer/dryer 1 and wetting electric parts such as the control unit 60. A maximum water level lower than the predetermined water level and higher than the reference water level W is set as the water level in the container 40. The maximum water level is set on the slightly lower side Z2 at the lower end of the overflow port 41F.

After supplying water to the water filter 30, the control unit 60 executes the main drying process by operating the blower unit 21 while continuously operating the heating unit 22 (step S13). As a result, heated air is generated as described above, and is circulated so as to sequentially flow through the water tank 3 and the circulation path 20. This air is showered on the laundry L in the laundry tub 7 and absorbs the moisture in the laundry L. As a result, the laundry L is dried. The air that has absorbed the water content of the laundry L becomes moist air and is taken out from the outlet 20D into the circulation path 20 and flows toward the return port 20E, as indicated by the thick dashed arrow in FIG.

The air immediately after flowing into the circulation path 20 from the outlet 20D during the main drying process passes through the first portion 20BA of the rear portion 20B and descends in the vertical pipe 49 of the water filter 30. The air that has descended in the vertical pipe 49 flows into the container 40 of the water filter 30 from the inlet 49A at the lower end of the vertical pipe 49, as indicated by the thick dashed arrow in FIG. Since the inlet 49A is formed in an inverted L shape as described above, the air flowing into the container 40 from the inlet 49A descends through the water accumulated in the container 40, and the bottom wall 41 of the container 40 is closed. Turn to X2 on the right side before climbing in the water. At this time, this air is dehumidified by exchanging heat with the water in the container 40. Further, the foreign matter contained in the air (see the foreign matter V in FIG. 5) is captured by the water in the container 40 and accumulates in the container 40 together with the water. This can prevent foreign matter from reaching the heating unit 22 and degrading the performance of the heating unit 22. In other words, the water in the water filter 30 can not only trap foreign matters generated during the drying operation, but also dehumidify the moist air. This can reduce the number of parts and save water. Further, since the container 40 is arranged at a position closer to the outlet 20D than the heating unit 22 in the upstream portion 20G of the circulation path 20, the water filter 30 is separated from the air immediately after being taken out from the outlet 20D to the circulation path 20. The foreign matter can be captured quickly (see FIG. 1). As a result, it is possible to reduce the area in the circulation path 20 where the air containing the foreign matter spreads, and thus it is possible to prevent the foreign matter from adhering to most of the circulation path 20. Furthermore, since the container 40 is arranged away from the heating unit 22, even if steam is generated in the container 40 due to a rise in water temperature due to heat exchange between air and water, this steam reaches the heating unit 22. Hateful.

The air from which the water content and the foreign matter are removed further rises above the water surface in the container 40 and flows to the left side X1 along the lower baffle plate 47 in the lower region of the internal space 40A of the container 40. The foreign matter remaining in the air is separated from the air and drops into the water in the container 40 when passing through the rib 47A on the lower surface of the lower baffle plate 47. The air that has passed over the left end of the lower baffle plate 47 rises and flows to the right side X2 along the upper baffle plate 48 in the upper region of the internal space 40A. The foreign matter remaining in the air is separated from the air and drops into the water in the container 40 when passing through the rib 48A on the lower surface of the upper baffle plate 48. The air that has passed over the right end of the upper baffle 48 rises while turning to the left side X1, reaches the outlet 45B of the ceiling wall 45, and passes through the outlet 45B from the inside of the container 40 to the second portion 20BB of the rear portion 20B. And flows up to the return port 20E and rises in the second portion 20BB.

The air that has risen in the second portion 20BB passes through the rotary blades 23 of the blower portion 21 and flows in the middle portion 20A of the circulation path 20 to the front side Y1 as shown by the thick broken line arrow in FIG. It is reheated by passing through the heat radiating portion 22A of the heating portion 22. The reheated air descends in the front portion 20C of the circulation path 20 toward the return port 20E, and is supplied from the return port 20E into the water tub 3 and the washing tub 7 to wash the laundry L in the washing tub 7. Reused for drying.

Referring to FIG. 11, when the main drying process of step S13 is continued for a predetermined time of, for example, about 2 to 3 hours, control unit 60 stops heating unit 22 (step S14). In this state, since the blower unit 21 is still in operation, the cold air circulates and is blown onto the laundry L in the washing tub 7, whereby the laundry L is cooled down. Then, when the circulation of the cool air is continued for a predetermined time of several tens of minutes, the control unit 60 drains the water filter 30 by opening the drain valve 34 as a process at the end of the drying operation (step S15). As a result, the water and the foreign matter in the container 40 of the water filter 30 are discharged to the water conduit 33 through the drainage port 41A of the bottom wall 41 of the container 40 and guided from the water conduit 33 to the drainage channel 5. In particular, the drainage port 41A extends from the upper surface portion 41B of the bottom wall 41 of the container 40 to the lower side Z2 and is connected to the water conduit 33, and the upper surface portion 41B of the bottom wall 41 inclines so as to descend toward the drainage port 41A. Therefore (see FIG. 5), the foreign matter in the container 40 smoothly reaches the drainage port 41A and drops without remaining on the bottom wall 41, and heads to the water conduit 33 and the drainage channel 5. Furthermore, since R chamfers 65 (see FIG. 5) are provided at the corners of the container 40, the connection between the side wall 46 and the lower baffle 47, and the connection between the side wall 46 and the upper baffle 48, see FIG. It is possible to prevent foreign matter from remaining on these corners and the connection. The control unit 60 may stop the blower unit 21 during the drainage of the water filter 30, but may operate the blower unit 21 if the drainage is promoted.

The foreign matter guided to the drainage channel 5 is captured by the drainage filter 6 (see FIG. 1). The user does not have to perform maintenance to access the water filter 30 to remove the foreign matter in the container 40 because removing the foreign matter accumulated in the drainage filter 6 also means removing the foreign matter in the container 40. .. Therefore, it is possible to improve the usability in the dry operation. The drainage filter 6 may be omitted, and in that case, the foreign matter guided to the drainage channel 5 passes through the drainage channel 5 and is discharged outside the machine as it is.

When the water in the container 40 runs out, the drying operation ends. The control unit 60 may determine whether or not the water in the container 40 is exhausted, depending on the detection result of the water level sensor 61, or may be determined based on the elapsed time. This required time is longer than the time required for the water level in the container 40 to descend from the reference water level W to the bottom wall 41, is determined in advance by experiments, etc., and is stored in the memory 63. The control unit 60 keeps the drain valve 34 open until the water supply valve 32 is opened and the water is supplied from the water supply port 42E into the container 40 in step S12 of the next drying operation after the completion of the drying operation. By doing so, the inside of the container 40 is emptied. Thus, it is possible to prevent mold and miscellaneous bacteria from propagating in the container 40 due to water remaining in the container 40 between the end of the drying operation and the start of the next drying operation.

Referring to FIG. 6, at the start of the next drying operation (step S12), in the container 40, water is supplied from the water supply port 42E of the inner surface portion 42C of the side wall 46 in order to make the function of the water filter 30 effective. To be done. The water supply port 42E is provided in a curved portion 42D that is curved in an arc shape in the inner surface portion 42C, and opens laterally along the curved portion of the curved portion 42D. Therefore, the water supplied from the water supply port 42E into the container 40 swirls around the vertical axis (not shown) in the container 40 as shown by the thick broken line in FIG. 6, and spirals along the inner surface portion 42C. While drawing, it flows down toward the drainage port 41A. By the water swirling in this manner, foreign matter attached to the inner surface portion 42C of the side wall 46 can be removed, and the foreign matter can be discharged from the drainage port 41A of the bottom wall 41 to the water conduit 33. That is, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from sticking to the inner surface portion 42C by cleaning the entire area of the inner surface portion 42C each time water is supplied.

Further, the water supply port 42E is arranged at a position closer to the inlet 49A than the outlet 45B. Therefore, the air flowing into the container 40 from the inlet 49A can be quickly passed through the water from the water supply port 42E, so that the foreign matter can be quickly removed from the air. Further, the water from the water supply port 42E can be focused on the portion of the inner surface portion 42C of the container 40 on the inlet 49A side where foreign matter is likely to adhere, and the foreign matter can be removed from this portion. Further, the water supplied from the water supply port 42E into the container 40 is guided to the lower side Z2 by the guide portion 44A provided at the inner surface portion 42C of the side wall 46 of the container 40 at a position higher than the water supply port 42E all around. Therefore, this water can be quickly stored in the container 40 so as not to splash to the upper side Z1. Further, since water can be made to flow in a spiral shape along the inner surface portion 42C, foreign matter in the container 40 can be collected by water and reliably guided to the water conduit 33.

During the hot air circulation for a long time in the main drying process (step S13), it is assumed that the water level in the container 40 is lowered due to the water in the container 40 being evaporated or splashed by the hot air. When the water level in the container 40 is lower than the reference water level W, the air in the container 40 does not pass through the water and flows out of the container 40. Performance decreases. On the contrary, when the water level exceeds the reference water level W due to the moisture condensed from the moist air due to the heat exchange in the container 40, the area of the container 40 immersed in the water increases at the inlet 49A. Then, the flow velocity at the inlet 49A becomes high, and the water in the container 40 becomes wavy. Also in this case, the performance of the water filter 30 that captures the foreign matter deteriorates. Therefore, the control unit 60 executes an adjustment process during the main drying process of adjusting the water level that can fluctuate in the container 40 so as to become the optimum reference water level W.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the adjustment process. Each time a predetermined time has elapsed (YES in step S21), the control unit 60 temporarily stops the blower unit 21 (step S22) and determines whether the current water level in the container 40 has changed from the reference water level W. It periodically confirms based on the detection result of the water level sensor 61 (step S23). In order to accurately detect the water level in the container 40 while the water surface in the container 40 is stable, the air blower 21 is stopped in step S22. If the current water level in the container 40 does not change from the reference water level W (YES in step S23), there is no particular problem, so the control unit 60 operates the blower unit 21 (step S24) and continues the main drying process. To do.

When the current water level in the container 40 has changed from the reference water level W (NO in step S23) and the current water level in the container 40 falls below the reference water level W (YES in step S25), the control unit 60 replenishes the water. The process is executed (step S26). As the replenishment process, the control unit 60 opens the water supply valve 32 for a predetermined time of, for example, 3 seconds to replenish the container 40 with water. By the replenishment process, it is possible to suppress the decrease in the water level in the container 40 and maintain the water level in the container 40 at the reference water level W. Therefore, the deterioration of the performance of the water filter 30 can be suppressed. If the current water level in the container 40 exceeds the reference water level W (NO in step S25), the control unit 60 executes the drainage process (step S27). As the drainage treatment, the control unit 60 opens the drainage valve 34 for a predetermined time of, for example, 3 seconds to drain the container 40. Then, the control unit 60 returns to step S23, confirms whether the water level in the container 40 after the replenishment process or the drainage process has reached the reference water level W, and repeats the replenishment process and the drainage process as necessary.

The washer/dryer 1 may not be provided with the water level sensor 61, and as the adjustment processing in that case, the first to fourth modified examples can be mentioned. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the adjustment processing according to the first modification. It should be noted that, in each of the flowcharts to be described below, the same processing steps as those already described are given the same step numbers, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. In the first modification, the washer/dryer 1 has an inlet temperature sensor 70 that detects the temperature of the air flowing through the inlet 49A of the container 40 of the water filter 30 and an outlet temperature that detects the temperature of the air flowing through the outlet 45B of the container 40. And a sensor 71 (see FIG. 9). Known temperature sensors can be used as the inlet temperature sensor 70 and the outlet temperature sensor 71. The detection result of the inlet temperature sensor 70 is called the inlet temperature, and the detection result of the outlet temperature sensor 71 is called the outlet temperature. The inlet temperature does not have to be the air temperature at the inlet 49A, and may be the air temperature in any region on the upstream side of the water in the container 40 in the flow direction of the air in the container 40. The outlet temperature does not have to be the air temperature at the outlet 45B, and may be the air temperature in any region on the downstream side of the water in the container 40 in the air flow direction in the container 40. The control unit 60 checks the difference between the inlet temperature and the outlet temperature while continuing the main drying process (step S31). When the water level in the container 40 decreases, the temperature of the air flowing into the container 40 through the inlet 49A and flowing out through the outlet 45B is less likely to decrease. Therefore, when the water level in the container 40 falls below the reference water level W, the difference between the inlet temperature and the outlet temperature becomes less than the predetermined threshold value. In that case (YES in step S31), the control unit 60 executes the supply process (step S32). As the replenishment process in step S32, the control unit 60 opens the drain valve 34 for a predetermined drainage time to completely drain the container 40, and then opens the water supply valve 32 for a predetermined water supply time to remove the water inside the container 40. Water is supplied to the container 40 until the water level reaches the reference water level W. That is, the control unit 60 replaces the water in the container 40. The drainage time and the water supply time are determined in advance by experiments or the like and stored in the memory 63.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the adjustment process according to the second modification. In the second modification, the washer/dryer 1 includes a humidity sensor 72 that detects the humidity of the air flowing through the outlet 45B of the container 40 of the water filter 30 as a detection value (see FIG. 9 ). A well-known one can be used as the humidity sensor 72. The control unit 60 confirms the humidity at the outlet 45B, specifically, the absolute humidity with the humidity sensor 72 while continuing the main drying process (step S33). When the water level in the container 40 decreases, the water in the container 40 decreases, so that the humidity of the air flowing out of the outlet 45B after flowing into the container 40 through the inlet 49A also decreases. Therefore, when the water level in the container 40 falls below the reference water level W, the humidity at the outlet 45B becomes less than a predetermined threshold value. In that case (YES in step S33), the control unit 60 executes the above-described supply process (step S32).

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the adjustment process according to the third modification. In the third modification, the washer/dryer 1 includes a wind speed sensor 73 that detects the wind speed at the outlet 45B of the container 40 of the water filter 30 as a detected value (see FIG. 9 ). As the wind speed sensor 73, a known one can be used. The control unit 60 confirms the wind speed at the outlet 45B while continuing the main drying process (step S34). When the water level in the container 40 decreases, the amount of water that hinders the flow of air in the container 40 decreases, so that the wind velocity of the air flowing through the outlet 45B in order to flow out from the container 40 increases. Therefore, when the water level in the container 40 falls below the reference water level W, the wind speed at the outlet 45B exceeds a predetermined threshold value. In that case (YES in step S34), the control unit 60 executes the above-described replenishment process (step S32).

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the adjustment process according to the fourth modification. In the fourth modification, the washer/dryer 1 includes an overflow sensor 74 that detects the presence or absence of water at the overflow port 41F, that is, the overflow sensor 74 that detects the overflow water from the overflow port 41F (see FIG. 9). As the overflow sensor 74, a known bubble detection sensor or the like can be used. The overflow sensor 74 is arranged, for example, around the overflow port 41F. When the water level in the container 40 rises to the overflow port 41F and the water in the container 40 reaches the overflow port 41F, the overflow sensor 74 detects the occurrence of overflow, and the control unit 60 increments the number of occurrences of overflow ( +1) The number of occurrences of overflow is stored in the memory 63 and initialized to zero at the start of the drying operation. The control unit 60 confirms the number of times overflow has occurred while continuing the main drying process (step S35). When the water level in the container 40 is higher than the reference water level W, overflow occurs frequently, so that the number of times overflow occurs exceeds a predetermined threshold value. In this case (YES in step S35), the control unit 60 executes the above-described replenishment process (step S32) and lowers the water level in the container 40 to the reference water level W.

During the hot air circulation in the main drying process, it is assumed that the water temperature in the container 40 rises due to heat exchange with the moist air. If the water temperature in the container 40 rises, the dehumidification performance of the water filter 30 will fall. Therefore, the control unit 60 executes the cooling process for lowering the water temperature in the container 40 during the main drying process, that is, during the operation of the blower unit 21 and the heating unit 22.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the cooling process. As the cooling process, for example, every predetermined time of 10 minutes to 20 minutes (YES in step S41), the control unit 60 opens the water supply valve 32 (step S42) and supplies the cold water from the tap into the container 40. As a result, the rise in the water temperature in the container 40 is suppressed, so that the dehumidification performance of the water filter 30 can be prevented from decreasing. In particular, since the control unit 60 opens the water supply valve 32 at predetermined time intervals during the drying operation to supply water into the container 40, the control unit 60 periodically suppresses an increase in the water temperature in the container 40, so the water filter 30 The deterioration of dehumidification performance of can be continuously suppressed. Then, when the predetermined water supply time has elapsed since the water supply valve 32 was opened (YES in step S43), the control unit 60 closes the water supply valve 32 (step S44). Since the control unit 60 executes the cooling process with the drain valve 34 closed, the controller 60 keeps the drain valve 34 closed even when the water supply valve 32 is opened every predetermined time in step S42. Therefore, excess water in the container 40 is discharged to the outside of the container 40 through the overflow port 41F. As a result, the control unit 60 opens the water supply valve 32 to supply water into the container 40, and at that time, overflows excess water from the overflow port 41F into the overflow passage 35, thereby suppressing an increase in the water temperature in the container 40. The amount of water required to do so can be supplied into the container 40. In this case, the control unit 60 does not stop the blower unit 21 or open/close the drain valve 34 to discharge the water in the container 40, so that the time can be shortened and the burden on the blower unit 21 and the drain valve 34 can be reduced. Can be reduced. Further, since the foreign matter floating on the water surface in the container 40 is discharged relatively frequently by the cooling process, it is possible to prevent a large amount of foreign matter from accumulating in the container 40.

In the drying operation, water and foreign matter are discharged from the container 40 by the wastewater treatment in step S15, so that there is almost no stain in the container 40 after the drying operation. However, when the drying operation is repeated, foreign matters, scales and the like become persistent dirt and adhere to the inside of the container 40, and only water supply for starting the drying operation (step S12) and drainage at the end of the drying operation (step S15) are performed. May not be completely removed. Therefore, the control unit 60 executes the cleaning process inside the container 40 by operating the blower unit 21 and opening/closing the water supply valve 32 and the drain valve 34, respectively. The timing at which the control unit 60 executes the cleaning process may be the timing after the control unit 60 executes the drying operation a predetermined number of times. Further, the cleaning process may be executed every time after the drying operation. Further, a well-known turbidity sensor 75 (see FIG. 9) for detecting the turbidity of water in the container 40 is provided, and when the turbidity detected by the turbidity sensor 75 is at a severe level above a predetermined level, the control unit 60 may perform a cleaning process during a dry operation. Further, the cleaning process may be executed when a predetermined time has elapsed from the previous cleaning process. Furthermore, the cleaning process may be performed when the laundry L to be dried this time is likely to generate lint, such as a blanket. When executing the cleaning process during the drying operation, the control unit 60 suspends the drying operation by temporarily stopping the blower unit 21 and the heating unit 22 and draining the container 40 before starting the cleaning process. ..

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the cleaning process. With the start of the cleaning process, the control unit 60 opens the water supply valve 32 with the drain valve 34 closed (step S50). When the water level in the container 40 reaches the predetermined water level by opening the water supply valve 32 (YES in step S51), the control unit 60 closes the water supply valve 32 (step S52) and opens the drain valve 34 (step S53). ). An example of the predetermined water level here is the above-mentioned maximum water level. Then, when a predetermined drainage time has elapsed since the drain valve 34 was opened (YES in step S54), the control unit 60 closes the drain valve 34 (step S55). In addition, in step S55, the control unit 60 increments (+1) the number of times of water supply, which is zero at the start of the cleaning process. The number of times of water supply is stored in the memory 63. The control unit 60 repeats the processing of steps S50 to S55 until the number of times of water supply reaches a predetermined number. When the number of times of water supply reaches the predetermined number (YES in step S56), control unit 60 ends the cleaning process. In this way, the control unit 60 repeats the processing of opening the water supply valve 32 for a predetermined time with the drain valve 34 closed to collect water in the container 40 and then opening the drain valve 34 a predetermined number of times. In this case, the foreign matter remaining in the container 40 can be removed by the force of the water accumulated in the container 40 and discharged at a stroke. In addition, during the cleaning process, the control unit 60 may operate the blower unit 21 to generate wind in the container 40, and the wind may accelerate the removal of the foreign matter.

Examples of the cleaning process include the first to third modifications other than those described above. FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the cleaning process according to the first modification. In the first modification, the control unit 60 opens the water supply valve 32 and the drain valve 34 with the start of the cleaning process (step S57). Thereby, the water supply and drainage of the container 40 are simultaneously performed. Then, when a predetermined time has elapsed since the water supply valve 32 and the drainage valve 34 were opened (YES in step S58), the control unit 60 closes the water supply valve 32 and the drainage valve 34 (step S59), thereby ending the cleaning process. To do. In this way, the control unit 60 opens the water supply valve 32 for a predetermined time while the drain valve 34 is open as the cleaning process according to the first modification. In this case, the foreign matter remaining in the container 40 can be removed by the force of the water that is supplied into the container 40 and then quickly discharged.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the cleaning process according to the second modification. In the second modified example, with the start of the cleaning process, the control unit 60 opens the drain valve 34 with the water supply valve 32 closed and operates the blower unit 21 (step S60). Then, when a predetermined time has passed from step S60 (YES in step S61), the control unit 60 closes the drain valve 34 and stops the blower unit 21 (step S62), thereby ending the cleaning process. In this case, the foreign matter remaining in the container 40 can be removed by the force of the wind generated in the container 40.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the cleaning process according to the third modification. The cleaning process according to the third modified example corresponds to a combination of the cleaning process according to the first modified example and the cleaning process according to the second modified example. In the third modification, the control unit 60 opens and closes the water supply valve 32 and the drainage valve 34 with the start of the cleaning process, thereby simultaneously supplying and draining the container 40 (step S57). Then, when the predetermined time has elapsed (YES in step S58), the control unit 60 closes the water supply valve 32 with the drain valve 34 open and operates the blower unit 21 (step S63). Then, when a predetermined time has elapsed from step S63 (YES in step S61), the control unit 60 closes the drain valve 34 and stops the blower unit 21 (step S62), thereby ending the cleaning process. Thus, as the cleaning process according to the third modification, the control unit 60 operates the blower unit 21 after opening the water supply valve 32 for a predetermined time with the drain valve 34 open. In this case, the foreign matter remaining in the container 40 is removed by the force of the water that is supplied into the container 40 and then quickly discharged, and the force of the air that flows through the container 40 in accordance with the operation of the blower unit 21. You can

A large amount of foreign matter may be generated in one drying operation, or a large amount of foreign matter may adhere to the container 40 as the drying operation is repeated, so that the foreign matter may be clogged in the container 40, particularly in the drainage port 41A. Therefore, the control unit 60 detects the clogging of the foreign matter in the container 40 and executes the processing for eliminating the clogging at a predetermined timing. Examples of this timing include the timing after the control unit 60 has performed the drying operation a predetermined number of times, and the timing at which the control unit 60 opens the drain valve 34 during the drying operation, particularly during the above-described cleaning process.

Specifically, with reference to FIG. 22, if the control unit 60 opens the drain valve 34 in a state where water has accumulated in the container 40 up to, for example, the maximum water level (YES in step S71), the water level in the container 40 changes. The clogging of foreign matter is detected by monitoring the decrease speed (step S72). The water level decrease rate is obtained by dividing the difference between the detection values of the water level sensor 61 at the start timing and the end timing of the predetermined time by the predetermined time. The difference between the detection values of the water level sensor 61 is the amount of decrease in the water level. When the container 40 is clogged with foreign matter, the container 40 is less likely to be drained, so the rate of decrease of the water level falls below a predetermined threshold value. When the rate of decrease of the water level in the container 40 falls below the predetermined threshold value (YES in step S72), the control unit 60 determines that the container 40 is clogged with foreign matter (step S73). Note that the control unit 60 does not directly compare the decrease rate and the threshold value, but compares the decrease amount of the water level after a lapse of a predetermined time with the threshold value corresponding to the water level, thereby clogging the foreign matter in the container 40. The presence or absence of may be determined. In this case, the control unit 60 can determine that the foreign matter is clogged when the amount of decrease in the water level in the predetermined time falls below the threshold value. Further, in step S73, the control unit 60 increments (+1) the number of times the initial value is zero. The number of detections is stored in the memory 63.

If the number of times of detection is less than the predetermined number of times (NO in step S74), the control unit 60 clears the clogging of foreign matter by operating the blower unit 21 or opening/closing the water supply valve 32 and the drainage valve 34, respectively. Resolution processing is executed (step S75). Therefore, even if the container 40 is clogged with foreign matter, the user does not need to access the water filter 30 to perform maintenance for clearing the clogging of the foreign matter in the container 40, thereby improving the usability in the dry operation. .. Details of the resolution process will be described later. After the elimination process, the control unit 60 supplies water into the container 40 by closing the drain valve 34 and opening the water supply valve 32 (step S76). When the water level in the container 40 rises to the predetermined water level (YES in step S77), the control unit 60 drains the container 40 by closing the water supply valve 32 and opening the drain valve 34 (step S78). An example of the predetermined water level here is the above-mentioned maximum water level. The control unit 60 re-detects the clogging of the foreign matter by monitoring the rate of decrease of the water level in the container 40 during the drainage (step S79). When the rate of decrease of the water level falls below the predetermined threshold value (YES in step S79), the control unit 60 determines that the foreign matter is still clogged in the container 40 and increments the number of detections (step S73). The threshold value in step S79 and the threshold value in step S72 may be the same or different.

The control unit 60 repeats the elimination process (step S75) and the re-detection of foreign object clogging (steps S76 to S79) until the number of detections reaches a predetermined number. The number of times of detection is the number of times that the control unit 60 has determined that there is a foreign object clogging in the container 40. When the number of times of detection reaches a predetermined number of times, that is, when the clogging of the foreign matter in the container 40 is so severe that it is difficult to automatically eliminate it in the washer/dryer 1 (YES in step S74), The control unit 60 notifies the user that the abnormality of severe clogging of the foreign matter in the container 40 exists in the water filter 30 by the display of the display operation unit 11 or the alarm of the buzzer (not shown) (step S80). ). In other words, non-severe clogging of foreign matter is automatically eliminated in the washer/dryer 1 without the need for the user to access the water filter 30 for maintenance, thereby improving usability. The control unit 60 may stop or interrupt the drying operation in step S80.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the resolution process of step S75. With the start of the elimination process, the control unit 60 opens the water supply valve 32 and the drain valve 34 (step S81). Thereby, the water supply and drainage of the container 40 are simultaneously performed. Then, when a predetermined time has elapsed since the water supply valve 32 and the drainage valve 34 were opened (YES in step S82), the control unit 60 closes the water supply valve 32 and the drainage valve 34 (step S83), thereby ending the elimination process. To do. As described above, the control unit 60 opens the water supply valve 32 for a predetermined time while the drain valve 34 is open as the elimination process. In this case, a large amount of water that is rapidly discharged after being supplied into the container 40 can remove foreign substances that are clogged in the container 40 and forcibly discharge into the water conduit 33.

In addition to the above-mentioned thing, the 1st and 2nd modification is mentioned as a cancellation process. FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the resolution process according to the first modification. In the first modification, the control unit 60 supplies water into the container 40 by closing the drain valve 34 and opening the water supply valve 32 with the start of the elimination process (step S84). As a result, when the water level in the container 40 rises to the predetermined water level (YES in step S85), the control unit 60 drains the container 40 by closing the water supply valve 32 and opening the drain valve 34 (step S86). An example of the predetermined water level here is the above-mentioned maximum water level. As described above, as the elimination process according to the first modification, the control unit 60 opens the water supply valve 32 for a predetermined time with the drain valve 34 closed to collect water in the container 40, and then opens the drain valve 34. In this case, a large amount of water accumulated in the container 40 and discharged at a stroke can remove foreign substances clogged in the container 40 and forcibly discharge them to the water conduit 33.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing the elimination process according to the second modification. In the second modified example, the control unit 60 opens the drain valve 34 with the water supply valve 32 closed with the start of the elimination process (step S87). When the water level in the container 40 drops to the predetermined water level due to the opening of the drain valve 34 (YES in step S88), the control unit 60 operates the blower unit 21 with the drain valve 34 opened (step S89). The predetermined water level may be a water level such that the water in the container 40 does not splash even if the blower 21 operates, and the container 40 at this time may not be empty. When the water level in the container 40 has dropped to the predetermined water level, the control unit 60 rotates the rotary blades 23 of the blower unit 21 at high speed so that the air flows through the circulation path 20 with a stronger force than in the dry operation. .. Therefore, a large amount of air force can remove the foreign matter clogged in the container 40 and forcibly discharge it into the water conduit 33. Then, when a predetermined time has elapsed from step S89 (YES in step S90), the control unit 60 stops the blower unit 21 (step S91), and ends the elimination process.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the water filter 30 is arranged below the rear region 2C of the housing 2. If the water or steam in the container 40 does not reach the blower unit 21 or the heating unit 22, the water filter 30 may be arranged above the rear region 2C as in the modification shown in FIG. Note that, in FIG. 26, members that are functionally the same as the members described above are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the drum type washer/dryer 1 in the above-described embodiment, the washing tub 7 may be arranged such that the axis J is inclined in the horizontal direction H. The washer/dryer 1 may be a vertical washer/dryer in which the axis J extends vertically.

The various processes in the above-described embodiments may be appropriately combined and executed.

1 Washing/Drying Machine 3 Water Tank 5 Drainage Channel 7 Washing Tank 11 Display Operation Section 20 Circulation Path 20D Outlet 20E Return Port 20G Upstream Part 21 Blower Section 22 Heating Section 30 Water Filter 31 Water Injection Channel 32 Water Supply Valve 33 Water Conduit 34 Drainage Valve 40 Container 60 Control unit 61 Water level sensor L Laundry

Claims (5)

An aquarium that holds water,
A laundry tub which is housed in the aquarium and stores laundry and rotates;
A drainage channel for discharging water from the water tank,
A circulation path having an outlet and a return port connected to the water tank;
An air blower for circulating the air in the water tank from the outlet into the circulation path and returning the air from the return opening into the water tank,
A heating unit provided in the circulation path for heating the air in the circulation path;
In the circulation path, a container that stores water by configuring an upstream portion of the heating unit on the outlet side is provided, and air that flows from the outlet to the return port in the circulation path is supplied to the water in the container. A water filter that captures foreign matter from the air by passing it through
A water level sensor for detecting the water level in the container,
An injection channel for supplying water into the container,
A water supply valve for opening and closing the water injection passage,
A water conduit for guiding the water in the container to the drainage channel,
A drainage valve for opening and closing the water conduit,
A control unit that operates the blower unit and the heating unit to perform a drying operation, and a reduction rate of the water level detected by the water level sensor when the drain valve is opened in a state where water is accumulated in the container. Is less than a predetermined threshold value, it is determined that there is foreign matter clogging in the container, and the clogging of foreign matter is eliminated by operating the blower unit or opening and closing each of the water supply valve and the drain valve. A washer/dryer including: a control unit that executes a canceling process. The washer/dryer according to claim 1, wherein the control unit opens the water supply valve for a predetermined time while the drain valve is open as the elimination process. The washing according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit opens the drain valve after the drain valve is closed to open the water supply valve for a predetermined time to collect water in the container as the elimination process. Dryer. The washing according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit operates, as the elimination process, the blower unit so that air flows through the circulation path with a stronger force than in a dry operation. Dryer. The notification unit for notifying that there is an abnormality in the water filter when the number of times the control unit determines that there is clogging of foreign matter in the container has reached a predetermined number of times, further comprising: The washer/dryer according to any one of claims.

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