JP2024018370A - Clothing treatment apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a clothing treatment apparatus capable of flexibly controlling a temperature in drying operation.

SOLUTION: A clothing treatment apparatus comprises: a body; an accommodation tub; a circulation air passage for returning at least part of air flowing out of the accommodation tub to the accommodation tub; a heating device for heating air flowing in the circulation air passage to generate warm air; an outside air introduction air passage which allows the circulation air passage to communicate with the outside of the body to introduce air outside the body into the circulation air passage; an opening/closing device capable of adjusting an opening of the outside air introduction air passage; a temperature detection section for detecting a temperature of air flowing in the body or the circulation air passage; and a control device capable of executing drying operation for drying clothing in the accommodation tub by controlling the heating device and the opening/closing device. During the drying operation, the control device adjusts output of the heating device and adjusts the opening of the opening/closing device on the basis of the detection results of the temperature detection section.

SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

COPYRIGHT: (C)2024,JPO&INPIT

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to garment processing devices.

Conventionally, in a washing machine, which is an example of a clothes processing device, during drying operation, a heating section for heating air to obtain drying air is repeatedly turned on and off depending on the temperature detected by a temperature detection section. A technique is known that can reduce shrinkage of clothing and suppress uneven drying.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-185090

However, as in the conventional configuration, temperature control when the heating section is repeatedly turned on and off is based on whether or not to heat the air. It was difficult to perform accurate temperature control.

Therefore, a clothing processing device is provided that can perform flexible temperature control during drying operation.

The clothing processing device according to the embodiment includes: a main body; a storage tank provided inside the main body in which clothes are stored; a circulation air path that returns at least a part of the air flowing out from the storage tank to the storage tank; A heating device that heats the air flowing through the circulation air path to generate warm air; and an outside air introduction that communicates the circulation air path with the outside of the main body and introduces air outside the main body into the circulation air path. an air passage, a opening/closing device that can adjust the opening degree of the outside air introduction air passage, a temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of air flowing within the main body or through the circulation air passage, and controlling the heating device and the opening/closing device. a control device capable of executing a drying operation for drying clothes in the storage tank, the control device controlling the output of the heating device during the drying operation based on the detection result of the temperature detection section. and the opening degree of the opening/closing device.

This figure shows an example of the schematic configuration of the washer/dryer according to the first embodiment, and shows a state in which the opening/closing member is rotated to the fully closed position. This figure shows an example of the schematic configuration of the washer/dryer according to the first embodiment, and shows a state in which the opening/closing member is rotated to the fully open position. A block diagram showing an example of the electrical configuration of the washer/dryer according to the first embodiment Flowchart showing an example of control contents in drying operation executed in the washer/dryer according to the first embodiment A diagram showing over time the temperature related to the drying operation, the operating status of the first heater and the second heater, and the opening/closing status of the opening/closing member regarding the drying operation according to the first embodiment. Flowchart showing an example of control contents of the heater control process executed in the drying operation according to the first embodiment A diagram illustrating over time the temperature related to the heater control process, the operating status of the first heater and the second heater, and the opening/closing status of the opening/closing member regarding the heater control process according to the first embodiment. Flowchart showing an example of control contents of the heater control process executed in the drying operation according to the second embodiment A flowchart showing an example of the control contents of the heater control process executed in the drying operation according to the third embodiment

Hereinafter, clothing processing apparatuses according to a plurality of embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, in each embodiment, substantially the same elements are given the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. In addition, in the following embodiments, the words "first, second, etc." attached to the constituent elements are simply to distinguish similar constituent elements, and are used to indicate the superiority and inferiority of the constituent elements, and the terms "first, second, etc." It does not mean any element.

(First embodiment)
First, a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7.
A washer/dryer 10 shown in FIG. 1 is an example of a clothing processing device that can perform processing such as washing, rinsing, dehydration, and drying on clothing. The washer/dryer 10 is a so-called vertical axis type washer/dryer in which the central axis of rotation of the rotary tub is oriented in the vertical direction. Although details are not shown, the clothing processing apparatus of this embodiment can also be applied to, for example, a drum-type washer/dryer with a horizontal axis or an oblique axis. Moreover, the clothes processing apparatus of this embodiment can also be applied to a dryer only for drying without a washing function. The washer/dryer 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes a main body 11, an outer tank 12, a rotating tank 13, a motor 14, a drainage mechanism 15, and a circulation air path 20. In FIG. 1, the installation surface side of the washer/dryer 10, ie, the vertically lower side, is the lower side of the washer/dryer 10, and the opposite side to the installation surface, ie, the vertically upper side, is the upper side of the washer/dryer 10.

The main body 11 is formed into a hollow box shape by a combination of metal such as a stainless steel plate, resin material, etc., and constitutes the outer shell of the washer/dryer 10 . The main body 11 houses therein an outer tank 12, a rotating tank 13, a motor 14, a drainage mechanism 15, and a circulation air passage 20. The outer tank 12 and the rotating tank 13 are formed into a bottomed cylindrical shape with an open upper side. The outer tank 12 can store water therein. In this case, the outer tank 12 functions as a water tank. The outer tank 12 has an upper opening and an inner lid (not shown). The upper opening communicates the inside and outside of the outer tub 12 and functions as an entrance for clothing. The inner lid opens and closes the upper opening. A user puts clothes in and out of the rotating tub 13 through the upper opening with the inner lid open.

The outer tank 12 has an exhaust port 121 and an air supply port 122. The exhaust port 121 and the air supply port 122 communicate the inside and outside of the outer tank 12. The exhaust port 121 is provided, for example, at a position near the bottom of the peripheral wall that constitutes the cylindrical portion of the outer tank 12. The air supply port 122 is provided, for example, at the top of the outer tank 12. The rotating tank 13 is rotatably arranged inside the outer tank 12 and can store clothes therein. The outer tank 12 and the rotating tank 13 function as storage tanks that can store clothing. In this case, the outer tub 12 and the rotating tub 13 that constitute the storage tank function as a washing tub during a washing operation in which clothes are washed, and function as a drying chamber during a drying operation in which clothes are dried.

The motor 14 is provided, for example, on the outside of the bottom of the outer tank 12. The motor 14 is connected to the rotating tank 13 and rotates the rotating tank 13 relative to the outer tank 12. Further, the rotating tank 13 has a plurality of holes 131 and stirring blades 132. The hole 131 communicates the inside and outside of the rotating tank 13. The hole 131 mainly functions as a water hole through which water enters and exits during a washing operation, and functions primarily as a ventilation hole through which air enters and exits during a drying operation. The stirring blade 132 is provided at the inner bottom of the rotating tank 13 so as to be rotatable around a vertical axis. The stirring blade 132 is connected to the motor 14 and rotationally driven by the motor 14 . Further, the stirring blade 132 has, for example, a blade member (not shown) on the back side that stirs up water, and the water in the outer tank 12 is pumped through a circulation waterway (not shown) provided between the rotating tank 13 and the outer tank 12. Circulate.

The drainage mechanism 15 has a function of discharging water stored in the outer tank 12 to the outside of the washer/dryer 10. The drain mechanism 15 includes a drain valve 151 and a drain pipe 152. The drain valve 151 is a liquid opening/closing valve that can be opened and closed electromagnetically. The drain pipe 152 is made of, for example, a flexible hose, one end of which is connected to the drain valve 151, and the other end of which is drawn out of the washer/dryer 10. When the drain valve 151 is opened, the water stored in the outer tank 12 is discharged to the outside of the washer/dryer 10 through the drain pipe 152. Further, the washer/dryer 10 includes a water supply mechanism, although details are not shown. The water supply mechanism has a function of being connected to an external water source such as a tap, and supplying water from the external water source into the outer tank 12 . As shown in FIG. 3, the water supply mechanism includes, for example, a water supply valve 16, a water injection case (not shown), and the like.

The circulation air passage 20 is provided outside the outer tank 12 and the rotating tank 13, which are storage tanks, and is configured to be able to circulate at least a portion of the air that has flowed out from the outer tank 12 and the rotating tank 13. The circulation air passage 20 connects the exhaust port 121 and the air supply port 122. In the following description, the exhaust port 121 of the circulation air path 20 is assumed to be the most upstream part of the circulation air path 20, and the air supply port 122 of the circulation air path 20 is assumed to be the most downstream part of the circulation air path 20. This will be explained as the most downstream part. In this case, the exhaust port 121 constitutes an inlet of the circulating air passage 20, and the air supply opening 122 constitutes an outlet of the circulating air passage 20.

The circulation air passage 20 includes an exhaust duct 21, a storage chamber 22, and an air supply duct 23. The exhaust duct 21 is provided, for example, on the outer peripheral surface of the outer tank 12 and extends in the vertical direction. The exhaust duct 21 has one end, that is, the upstream side, connected to the exhaust port 121 of the outer tank 12, and the other end, that is, the downstream side, is open into the main body 11. In other words, the circulation air passage 20 is open into the main body 11 midway. The washer/dryer 10 may include a dehumidifying mechanism (not shown). The dehumidification mechanism has a function of cooling and dehumidifying the air within the circulating air passage 20 by supplying water into the circulating air passage 20. The dehumidification mechanism is connected to, for example, an external water source, and cools and dehumidifies the air in the exhaust duct 21 that comes into contact with the water by flowing water supplied from the external water source into the exhaust duct 21. In this case, during the drying operation, the hot air containing water vapor from the clothes in the rotating tub 13 comes into contact with the water supplied into the exhaust duct 21 to be cooled and dehumidified. The water flowing through the exhaust duct 21 is then discharged to the outside of the machine via the drainage mechanism 15.

The storage chamber 22 is formed in a shape that has a space inside. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the storage chamber 22 has a plurality of inlets 221, 222, 223 and an outlet 224, three in this case. The inlet portions 221, 222, 223 and the outlet portion 224 are formed, for example, to penetrate the storage chamber 22 in the thickness direction, and communicate the inside and outside of the storage chamber 22. The inlets 221, 222, and 223 serve as an inlet for air from outside the accommodation chamber 22 to the inside of the accommodation chamber 22, while the outlet part 224 serves as an outlet for air from the inside of the accommodation chamber 22 to the outside of the accommodation chamber 22.

At least some of the inlet parts 221 , 222 , and 223 located on the upstream side of the storage chamber 22 are located near the other end of the exhaust duct 21 . In this case, the exhaust duct 21 and the storage chamber 22 are not physically connected and are separated from each other. Further, an outlet portion 224 located on the downstream side of the storage chamber 22 is connected to the air supply duct 23. The air supply duct 23 has one end, that is, the upstream side, connected to the outlet part 224 of the storage chamber 22, and the other end, that is, the downstream side, is connected to the outer tank 12. That is, the air supply duct 23 connects the storage chamber 22 and the outer tank 12. In the following description, the inlet portion 221 may be referred to as a first inlet portion 221, the inlet portion 222 may be referred to as a second inlet portion 222, and the inlet portion 223 may be referred to as a third inlet portion 223.

The washer/dryer 10 also includes a filter device 31 , a blower device 32 , a heating device 33 , an outside air introduction path 40 , and an opening/closing device 41 . The filter device 31 , the blower device 32 , and the heating device 33 are provided within the circulation air path 20 . The filter device 31 collects foreign substances such as dust and dirt contained in the air flowing in the circulation air path 20 . The filter device 31 includes, for example, a first filter member 311 and a second filter member 312. As shown in FIG. 1 and the like, the first filter member 311 is provided, for example, inside the exhaust duct 21 and near the downstream end of the exhaust duct 21. The second filter member 312 is provided, for example, inside the storage chamber 22 and on the downstream side of each inlet portion 221 , 222 , 223 . The first filter member 311 collects foreign matter contained in the air discharged from the outer tank 12. The second filter member 312 collects foreign matter contained in the air that has entered the storage chamber 22 .

The blower device 32 and the heating device 33 are provided inside the storage chamber 22 . The air blower 32 is configured by, for example, a sirocco fan, a turbo fan, or the like. The blower device 32 sucks air into the storage chamber 22 through each inlet portion 221 , 222 , 223 and sends the sucked air to the air supply duct 23 side. The heating device 33 is located downstream of the blower device 32 and has a function of heating the air flowing through the circulation air path 20 to turn it into warm air.

As shown in FIG. 3, the heating device 33 includes a plurality of heaters 331 and 332, in this case two heaters. The plurality of heaters 331 and 332 are configured by, for example, PTC heaters that are an example of electric heaters. In the following description, the heater 331 may be referred to as a first heater 331 and the heater 332 may be referred to as a second heater 332. Note that the number of multiple heaters that the heating device 33 has is not limited to two, but may be three or more.

The outside air introduction air passage 40 is provided in the middle of the circulation air passage 20, and communicates the circulation air passage 20 with the outside of the main body 11. The outside air introduction air passage 40 is connected to the third inlet portion 223 of the storage chamber 22 . The outside air introduction path 40 is for guiding air outside the main body 11, that is, outside air, into the circulation air path 20. That is, outside air is supplied into the circulation air path 20 from the outside air introduction air path 40. The opening/closing device 41 is configured to be able to open and close the outside air introduction air passage 40. The opening/closing device 41 can adjust the opening degree of the outside air introduction air passage 40.

The opening/closing device 41 includes, for example, an opening/closing member 411 and a drive section 412. The opening/closing member 411 is composed of, for example, a damper. The opening/closing member 411 is rotated by a drive section 412. The drive unit 412 is composed of, for example, a motor or a solenoid that is an example of an electric actuator. When the opening/closing member 411 is open, outside air is introduced into the circulation air path 20.

As shown in FIG. 1, when the opening/closing member 411 is in the fully closed position, that is, the rotation angle θ is approximately 0°, the outside air introduction air passage 40 is in the fully closed state. The fully closed state is not limited to a configuration in which the introduction of outside air from the outside air introduction air passage 40 is completely blocked, and may be such that a slight amount of outside air is introduced from the outside air introduction air passage 40. As shown in FIG. 2, when the opening/closing member 411 is in the fully open position, that is, the rotation angle is about 90°, the outside air introduction air passage 40 is in the fully open state. In this case, the rotation angle θ means, for example, the angle of the opening/closing member 411 with respect to the vertical direction.

The opening/closing member 411 is provided between the second entrance section 222 and the third entrance section 223. When the opening/closing member 411 is in the fully closed position, the second inlet portion 222 is opened and the third inlet portion 223 is closed. On the other hand, when the opening/closing member 411 is in the fully open position, the second entrance section 222 is closed and the third entrance section 223 is opened. The amount of air introduced from the second inlet section 222 and the third inlet section 223 can be arbitrarily set by adjusting the rotation angle θ of the opening/closing member 411. In this way, the amount of air introduced from the second inlet section 222 and the third inlet section 223 changes according to the opening and closing of the opening/closing member 411, but the first inlet section 221 is always open, and the first inlet section 221 is always open. Air can always be introduced from the inlet portion 221.

The amount of air introduced from the third inlet portion 223, that is, the amount of outside air introduced from the outside air introduction air passage 40, decreases as the rotation angle θ of the opening/closing member 411 becomes smaller. On the other hand, the amount of outside air introduced from the outside air introduction air passage 40 increases as the rotation angle θ of the opening/closing member 411 increases. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, when the rotation angle θ of the opening/closing member 411 is approximately 0°, the amount of outside air introduced from the outside air introduction air passage 40 becomes the lowest value. As shown in FIG. 2, when the rotation angle θ of the opening/closing member 411 is approximately 90°, the amount of outside air introduced from the outside air introduction air passage 40 reaches its maximum value.

The washer/dryer 10 can perform a drying operation by driving the blower device 32, heating device 33, and opening/closing device 41. When the blower device 32 and the heating device 33 are driven, the air supplied from the blower device 32 to the heating device 33 side is heated as it passes through the heating device 33, becomes warm air, and passes through the air supply duct 23 to the outer tank. 12 and into the rotating tank 13. When the pressure inside the outer tank 12 increases due to the supply of hot air, part of the air inside the outer tank 12 is discharged into the exhaust duct 21 from the exhaust port 121. The air flowing through the exhaust duct 21 is discharged into the main body 11 from the downstream end of the exhaust duct 21.

A part of the air discharged from the exhaust duct 21 is sucked into the storage chamber 22 from the first inlet portion 221 of the storage chamber 22 by the blower 32 . Therefore, the air sucked in from the first inlet portion 221 is mainly air discharged from the outer tank 12. Since the first inlet portion 221 is always open as described above, a portion of the air discharged from the exhaust duct 21 is always sucked into the storage chamber 22 from the first inlet portion 221. Furthermore, when the second inlet section 222 is open, air is sucked into the accommodation chamber 22 from the second inlet section 222 of the accommodation chamber 22 due to the blowing action of the air blower 32 . The air sucked in from the second inlet portion 222 is mainly air outside the outer tank 12 and inside the main body 11, that is, inside the machine. Then, the air sucked into the storage chamber 22 from the first inlet part 221 and the second inlet part 222 passes through the heating device 33 again to become warm air and is supplied into the outer tank 12 and the rotating tank 13.

When the opening/closing device 41 is driven to open the outside air introduction air passage 40, air outside the main body 11 is sucked into the storage chamber 22 from the third inlet portion 223 of the storage chamber 22. In the drying operation, by taking in outside air from the third inlet portion 223, the temperature difference between the inside and outside of the washer/dryer 10 can be suppressed, and the temperature rise inside the washer/dryer 10 can be slowed down. In this way, the drying operation is performed using the air flowing out from the outer tank 12, the air outside the outer tank 12 and inside the main body 11, and the air outside the main body 11.

The washer/dryer 10 also includes an air passage temperature sensor 51, an outer tub temperature sensor 52, and a control device 60, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. The air passage temperature sensor 51 or the outer tank temperature sensor 52 functions as a temperature detection section. The air passage temperature sensor 51 is disposed, for example, on the outer surface of the storage chamber 22 at a position between the heating device 33 inside the storage chamber 22 and the outlet portion 224 of the storage chamber 22. The air passage temperature sensor 51 detects the temperature of the air flowing inside the main body 11 or through the circulation air passage 20.

The air passage temperature sensor 51 is capable of detecting room temperature, which is the atmospheric temperature within the main body 11, when hot air is not flowing in the circulation air passage 20. When hot air is flowing in the circulation air path 20, the air path temperature sensor 51 stores the temperature of the air immediately after passing through the heating device 33 and the warm air supplied into the outer tank 12. It is detected indirectly through the wall of the chamber 22. The outer tank temperature sensor 52 is provided, for example, on the outer surface of the outer tank 12. The outer tank temperature sensor 52 detects the temperature of the outer surface of the outer tank 12. In this case, the temperature of the outer surface of the outer tank 12 detected by the outer tank temperature sensor 52 correlates with the temperature inside the outer tank 12.

The control device 60 is mainly composed of a microcomputer having, for example, a CPU 601, a storage area 602 such as ROM, RAM, and rewritable flash memory, and a timer 603 capable of measuring time. The control device 60 controls the operation of the washer/dryer 10 and executes various processes. The motor 14 , the drain valve 151 , the water supply valve 16 , the air blower 32 , the first heater 331 , the second heater 332 , the drive section 412 , the air passage temperature sensor 51 , and the outer tank temperature sensor 52 are electrically connected to the control device 60 . These are connected and operate based on control from the control device 60.

The control device 60 is capable of executing drying operation. The drying operation is an operation in which the clothes in the outer tub 12 and the rotating tub 13 are dried by controlling the operations of the blower device 32, the first heater 331, the second heater 332, and the drive unit 412. Further, the control device 60 can adjust the opening degree of the opening/closing member 411 and the output of the heating device 33 based on the detection result of the air passage temperature sensor 51. The control device 60 can selectively introduce outside air into the circulation air path 20 and adjust the rotation angle θ of the opening/closing member 411 based on the measured value of the air path temperature sensor 51 during the drying operation. With this, the amount of outside air taken into the circulation air path 20 can be adjusted. Furthermore, during the drying operation, the control device 60 adjusts the output of the heating device 33 by individually controlling the operations of the first heater 331 and the second heater 332 based on the measured value of the air path temperature sensor 51. can do.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7, an example of the control content executed by the control device 60 when drying operation is executed will be described. Graphs (a) in FIGS. 5 and 7 are temperatures related to the drying operation, and show changes in the measured values of the air passage temperature sensor 51 during the drying operation. Graphs (b) in FIGS. 5 and 7 show changes in the operating status of the first heater 331. Graphs (c) in FIGS. 5 and 7 show the operating status of the second heater 332. Graphs (d) in FIGS. 5 and 7 show changes in the opening/closing status of the opening/closing member 411. In this case, it is assumed that the drying operation is started with the outside air introduction air passage 40 closed, that is, the opening/closing member 411 is not rotating.

When the drying operation is started (start in FIG. 4), the control device 60 acquires the temperature t detected by the air passage temperature sensor 51 in step S11 before operating the heating device 33. The temperature t corresponds to room temperature, which is the atmospheric temperature inside the main body 11. Next, the control device 60 drives the heating device 33 and the blower device 32 in step S12. At this time, in the heating device 33, all the heaters 331 and 332, in this case the first heater 331 and the second heater 332, are driven. In step S13, the control device 60 determines whether the temperature t detected by the air passage temperature sensor 51 is less than a predetermined temperature T0, for example, 20°C. When the temperature t detected by the air passage temperature sensor 51 is less than the temperature T0 (YES in step S13), the control device 60 shifts the process to step S14.

In step S14, the control device 60 determines whether the temperature T detected by the air passage temperature sensor 51 is equal to or higher than the temperature Ta1, for example, 80°C. When the detected temperature T of the air passage temperature sensor 51 is equal to or higher than the temperature Ta1 (YES in step S14), the control device 60 moves the process to step S15, operates the drive unit 412, and rotates the opening/closing member 411. It is rotated to an angle θ1, for example, about 45°. The rotation angle θ1 can be set to any angle within the range of 10° to 80°, for example. The rotation angle θ1 can be set to a smaller value as the temperature t detected by the air passage temperature sensor 51 is lower. Further, the opening/closing member 411 may be rotated in stages until the rotation angle θ1 is reached. Furthermore, a plurality of predetermined temperatures T0 may be set in stages, and the rotation angle θ1 of the opening/closing member 411 may be set in correspondence with each predetermined temperature T0.

Next, in step S16, the control device 60 determines whether the detected temperature T of the air passage temperature sensor 51 is equal to or higher than the temperature Ta2, for example, 85°C. When the detected temperature T of the air passage temperature sensor 51 is equal to or higher than the temperature Ta2 (YES in step S16), the control device 60 moves the process to step S17, and moves the opening/closing member 411 to the fully open position, in which case the rotation angle is approximately 90°. The outside air introduction air passage 40 is fully opened.

On the other hand, if the temperature t detected by the air path temperature sensor 51 is equal to or higher than the temperature T0 (NO in step S13), the control device 60 moves the process to step S21 so that the temperature T detected by the air path temperature sensor 51 is It is determined whether the temperature T1 is, for example, 85° C. or higher. As shown by the arrow S1 in FIG. 5, when the detected temperature T of the air passage temperature sensor 51 is equal to or higher than the temperature T1 (YES in step S21), the control device 60 moves the process to step S17, and controls the opening/closing member. 411 is in the fully open position. In this case, the rotation angle θ is rotated to approximately 90° to bring the outside air introduction air passage 40 into the fully open position.

In this embodiment, it is determined whether or not to open the outside air introduction air passage 40 in stages according to the temperature t, that is, the room temperature, detected by the air passage temperature sensor 51 before the heating device 33 operates. . For example, in a low-temperature environment such as winter, the temperature of the outside air taken in from the outside air introduction air path 40 is low, so if the amount of outside air taken in from the outside air introduction air path 40 is suddenly increased, the air in the circulation air path 20 will decrease. The temperature drops rapidly. Therefore, the temperature fluctuation of the air in the circulation air path 20 may not be stabilized, which may impede the efficiency of drying clothes. Therefore, when the room temperature is low, by adjusting the opening degree of the opening/closing member 411 to gradually increase the amount of outside air taken in from the outside air introduction air path 40, the temperature of the air in the circulation air path 20 can be increased. It is possible to suppress unstable temperature fluctuations such as dropping.

In step S18, the control device 60 determines whether a predetermined period Ts, for example, 10 minutes, has elapsed since the outside air introduction air passage 40 was fully opened. By maintaining the outside air introduction air passage 40 in a fully open state for a predetermined period of time, the temperature inside the circulation air passage 20, which has become susceptible to fluctuations due to the active intake of outside air, becomes stable. In this case, as shown in FIG. 5(a), the measured value of the air passage temperature sensor 51 during the predetermined period Ts temporarily trends downward as the outside air introduction air passage 40 is opened, and then , will rise at an approximately constant rate of increase.

When the predetermined period Ts has elapsed since the outside air introduction air passage 40 was fully opened (YES in step S18), the control device 60 causes the process to proceed to step S19. After executing the heater control process for a predetermined period in step S19, the control device 60 stops the heating device 33 and the blower device 32 (step S20), and ends the drying operation (end).

The control device 60 can execute the heater control process of step S19, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The heater control step includes a step of adjusting the output of the heating device 33 based on the detection result of the air path temperature sensor 51. Then, the control device 60 can execute the heater control step after adjusting the rotation angle θ of the opening/closing member 411 in the initial stage of the drying operation. In this embodiment, in the heater control process, the opening/closing member 411 is always in the fully open position, that is, the outside air introduction air passage 40 is in the fully open state.

In the heater control step, the control device 60 performs step T2 when the detected temperature T2 of the air passage temperature sensor 51 becomes, for example, 80° C. or higher (YES in step A11), as shown by arrow A1 in FIG. The process moves to A12, where only one of the first heater 331 and the second heater 332, for example the second heater 332, is operated, and the other heater, for example the first heater 331, is stopped. That is, the control device 60 reduces the output of the heating device 33 when the temperature T detected by the air path temperature sensor 51 becomes equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature T2 when the outside air introduction air path 40 is fully open.

Thereafter, if the detected temperature T of the air passage temperature sensor 51 exceeds the temperature T4, for example, 70°C (NO in step A13), and the detected temperature T of the air passage temperature sensor 51 exceeds the temperature T1, for example, 85°C. If it is less than (NO in step A15), the operation of only the second heater 332 is maintained. On the other hand, the control device 60 stops the operation of the second heater 332 when the detected temperature T of the air passage temperature sensor 51 becomes equal to or higher than the temperature T1 (YES in step A15), as indicated by the arrow A2 in FIG. Then, the heating device 33 is stopped (step A16). Thereafter, the temperature of the air in the circulation air path 20 gradually decreases as the heating device 33 is stopped.

Then, as shown in the arrow A3 portion of FIG. 7, when the detected temperature T of the air passage temperature sensor 51 becomes lower than temperature T3, for example, 75° C. (YES in step A17), the control device 60 executes the process in step A12. Then, one of the first heater 331 and the second heater 332, for example, the second heater 332, is operated. Thereafter, the temperature of the air in the circulation air passage 20 decreases more slowly than before the temperature T detected by the air passage temperature sensor 51 reaches the temperature T3. As shown by the arrow A4 in FIG. 7, when the detected temperature T of the air passage temperature sensor 51 becomes, for example, 70° C. or lower (YES in step A13), the control device 60 shifts the process to step A14. .

In step A14, the control device 60 operates one heater, in this case, the second heater 332, and the other heater, in this case, the first heater 331. That is, the control device 60 increases the output of the heating device 33 when the detected temperature T of the air passage temperature sensor 51 becomes equal to or lower than the temperature T4. In this way, the control device 60 can control the temperature of the air in the circulating air path 20 by adjusting the output of the heating device 33 based on the temperature T detected by the air path temperature sensor 51. After that, the control device 60 shifts the process to step A11 and proceeds with the process from step A11 onwards.

According to the embodiment described above, the washer/dryer 10, which is an example of a clothes processing device, includes a main body 11, an outer tank 12, a rotating tank 13, a circulation air path 20, a heating device 33, and an outside air introduction air path. 40, a switching device 41, an air passage temperature sensor 51, and a control device 60. The outer tank 12 and the rotating tank 13 are provided inside the main body 11 and store clothes therein. The circulation air passage 20 is for returning at least a portion of the air flowing out from the outer tank 12 and the rotating tank 13 to the outer tank 12 and the rotating tank 13. The heating device 33 heats the air flowing through the circulation air path 20 to generate warm air. The outside air introduction air passage 40 communicates the circulation air passage 20 with the outside of the main body 11 and introduces the air outside the main body 11 into the circulation air passage 20. The opening/closing device 41 can adjust the opening degree of the outside air introduction air passage 40. The air passage temperature sensor 51 detects the temperature of the air flowing inside the main body 11 or through the circulation air passage 20. The control device 60 can control the heating device 33 and the opening/closing device 41 to execute a drying operation for drying the clothes in the outer tub 12 and the rotating tub 13. Then, the control device 60 adjusts the output of the heating device 33 and the opening degree of the opening/closing device 41 during the drying operation based on the detection result of the air passage temperature sensor 51.

According to this, by controlling the output of the heating device 33 in combination with the adjustment of the opening degree of the opening/closing device 41, it is possible to perform temperature control using outside air in addition to temperature control by the heating device 33. can. Therefore, the temperature of the air flowing through the circulation air path 20 can be controlled more precisely. This allows for more stable temperature control than in the case where the temperature of the air flowing through the circulation air passage 20 is controlled only by controlling the operation of the heating device 33. As a result, more flexible temperature control can be achieved.

The control device 60 adjusts the opening degree of the opening/closing device 41 based on the detection result of the air passage temperature sensor 51, and then adjusts the output of the heating device 33. According to this, temperature control by adjusting the degree of opening of the opening/closing device 41, that is, adjusting the amount of outside air taken in, can be more finely controlled than the temperature control by the heating device 33. Therefore, by adjusting the opening degree of the opening/closing device 41 before adjusting the output of the heating device 33, temperature control at the initial stage of the drying operation can be performed more efficiently and stably, for example. As a result, the entire drying operation can be performed efficiently.

Further, the control device 60 adjusts the output of the heating device 33 after a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the opening/closing device 41 was opened to open the outside air introduction air path 40 . Here, the temperature tends to fluctuate for a predetermined period after the outside air introduction air passage 40 is opened and outside air is taken into the machine. Therefore, more stable temperature control can be achieved by adjusting the output of the heating device 33 after a predetermined period has elapsed since outside air is taken into the machine.

Further, the control device 60 reduces the output of the heating device 33 when controlling the opening degree of the opening/closing device 41 so that the outside air introduction air passage 40 is fully opened. According to this, the output of the heating device 33 is reduced when the temperature of the air flowing through the circulation air path 20 has stopped decreasing even if the outside air introduction air path 40 is fully opened and the intake amount of outside air is set at the upper limit. As a result, the temperature of the air flowing through the circulation air path 20 can be lowered. In this way, by giving priority to temperature control by taking in outside air over temperature control by controlling the heating device 33, efficient and stable temperature control can be performed.

(Second embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 8. In this second embodiment, the control device 60 executes the control details shown in FIG. 8 instead of the control details shown in FIG. 6 during the drying operation. In the case of this embodiment, the content of control of the heater control process performed by the control device 60 is different from that of the first embodiment. The control content shown in FIG. 8 includes the processing from step B11 to step B13 in addition to the processing from step A11 to step A17 shown in FIG. 6. In this case, when increasing the output of the heating device 33 after decreasing the output of the heating device 33, the control device 60 controls the opening degree of the opening/closing device 41 so that the outside air introduction air passage 40 is fully closed. . The opening degree of the opening/closing device 41 may be controlled before the output of the heating device 33 is increased or after the output of the heating device 33 is increased.

Specifically, the control device 60 controls one of the first heater 331 and the second heater 332 when the detected temperature T of the air passage temperature sensor 51 becomes equal to or higher than the temperature T2 (YES in step A11). Only the heater, for example, the second heater 332 is operated, and the operation of the other heater, for example, the first heater 331 is stopped (step A12). Thereafter, when the detected temperature T of the air passage temperature sensor 51 exceeds the temperature T4 (NO in step A13) and the detected temperature T of the air passage temperature sensor 51 is less than the temperature T1 (step A15 If the answer is NO), only the second heater 332 remains in operation.

On the other hand, when the detected temperature T of the air passage temperature sensor 51 becomes equal to or higher than the temperature T1 (YES in step A15), the control device 60 stops the operation of the second heater 332 and stops the heating device 33 (step A16). When the temperature T detected by the air passage temperature sensor 51 is equal to or lower than the temperature T3 (YES in step A17), the control device 60 moves the opening/closing member 411 to the fully closed position in step B11, and in this case sets the rotation angle θ to approximately 0°. Rotate until. After that, the control device 60 returns the process to step A12 and operates one of the first heater 331 and the second heater 332, for example, the second heater 332.

If the temperature T detected by the air passage temperature sensor 51 is equal to or lower than the temperature T4 (YES in step A13), the control device 60 determines in step B12 whether or not the opening/closing member 411 has rotated to the fully closed position. do. If the opening/closing member 411 has rotated to the fully closed position (YES in step B12), the control device 60 moves the process to step A14, and switches one heater, in this case, the second heater 332, to the other heater. Heater In this case, the first heater 331 is operated. After that, the control device 60 shifts the process to step A11 and proceeds with the process from step A11 onwards.

On the other hand, if the opening/closing member 411 has not been rotated to the fully closed position (NO in step B12), the control device 60 moves the process to step B13 and rotates the opening/closing member 411 to the fully closed position. After that, the control device 60 shifts the process to step A14. Note that once the control device 60 rotates the opening/closing member 411 to the fully closed position, it may keep the opening/closing member 411 in the fully closed position while executing the heater control process, or it may rotate the opening/closing member 411 to the fully closed position. Depending on the detected temperature T, the opening/closing member 411 may be opened again.

According to such a second embodiment, when the output of the heating device 33 is increased after decreasing the output of the heating device 33, the temperature of the air in the circulation air path 20 is in a lowered state. Therefore, when increasing the output of the heating device 33 again, the temperature of the air in the circulation air path 20 is raised quickly by completely closing the outside air introduction air path 40 and preventing the introduction of outside air. be able to. Thereby, temperature control during drying operation can be performed more efficiently.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 9. In the heater control process, the control device 60 of this embodiment executes the control details shown in FIG. 9 instead of the control details shown in FIG. 6 . The control contents shown in FIG. 9 include the processing of step C11 in addition to the processing of steps A11 to A17 shown in FIG. 6. In this case, when the heating device 33 is stopped, the control device 60 controls the opening degree of the opening/closing device 41 so that the outside air introduction air passage 40 is fully closed. The opening degree of the opening/closing device 41 may be controlled before or after the heating device 33 is stopped.

Specifically, when the detected temperature T of the air passage temperature sensor 51 is equal to or higher than the temperature T1 (YES in step A15), the control device 60 stops the heating device 33 (step A16), and then in step C11. , the opening/closing member 411 is rotated to the fully closed position, in which case the rotation angle θ is approximately 0°. Note that once the control device 60 rotates the opening/closing member 411 to the fully closed position, it may keep the opening/closing member 411 in the fully closed position while executing the heater control process, or it may rotate the opening/closing member 411 to the fully closed position. Depending on the detected temperature T, the opening/closing member 411 may be opened again.

According to the third embodiment, when the heating device 33 is stopped, the temperature of the air flowing through the circulation air path 20 does not rise. Therefore, by completely closing the outside air introduction air passage 40 so as not to introduce outside air, the temperature drop of the air flowing through the circulation air passage 20 can be slowed down. Thereby, temperature fluctuations in the air flowing through the circulation air path 20 can be made gentler. Therefore, stable temperature control can be achieved.

In addition, in each of the above-described embodiments, the temperature detected by the air passage temperature sensor, the rotation angle of the opening/closing member, etc. have been explained using specific numerical values, but these specific numerical values are merely examples. , it goes without saying that changes can be made as appropriate. Further, the control device may perform control in the drying operation based on the temperature detected by the outer tank temperature sensor. Furthermore, the above embodiments can be combined with each other.
Although multiple embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. This novel embodiment can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. This embodiment and its modifications are included within the scope and gist of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalents.

10...Washing dryer (clothing processing device), 12...Outer tank (accommodating tank), 13...Rotating tank (accommodating tank), 20...Circulating air path, 33...Heating device, 40...Outside air introduction air path, 41...Opening/closing Device, 51... Air path temperature sensor (temperature detection section), 60... Control device

Claims (6)

The main body and
a storage tank provided inside the main body and containing clothing;
a circulation air path that returns at least a portion of the air flowing out of the storage tank to the storage tank;
a heating device that heats the air flowing through the circulation air path to generate warm air;
an outside air introduction air passage that communicates the circulation air passage with the outside of the main body and introduces air outside the main body into the circulation air passage;
an opening/closing device capable of adjusting the opening degree of the outside air introduction air passage;
a temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of air flowing within the main body or through the circulation air path;
a control device capable of controlling the heating device and the opening/closing device to execute a drying operation for drying the clothes in the storage tank;
The control device adjusts the output of the heating device and the opening degree of the opening/closing device during the drying operation based on the detection result of the temperature detection section.
Garment processing equipment. The control device adjusts the opening degree of the switching device based on the detection result of the temperature detection unit, and then adjusts the output of the heating device.
The clothing processing device according to claim 1. The control device adjusts the output of the heating device after a predetermined period of time has elapsed since controlling the opening degree of the opening/closing device to open the outside air introduction air path.
The clothing processing device according to claim 2. The control device reduces the output of the heating device when the opening degree of the opening/closing device is controlled so that the outside air introduction air path is fully opened.
The clothing processing device according to claim 2. When increasing the output of the heating device after decreasing the output of the heating device, the control device controls the opening degree of the opening/closing device so that the outside air introduction air path is fully closed.
A clothing processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The control device controls the opening degree of the opening/closing device so that the outside air introduction air path is fully closed when the heating device is stopped.
A clothing processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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