JP4026469B2 - Clothes dryer - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a clothes drying apparatus provided in a washing machine with a drying function that performs washing and drying in the same tank or used in a general household, or a clothes dryer that performs only drying.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a clothes dryer using a heat pump device as shown in FIG. 12 has been disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 1). Hereinafter, the configuration will be described.
[0003]
In FIG. 12, reference numeral 1 denotes a clothes dryer main body, and reference numeral 2 denotes a rotating drum used as a drying cabinet provided rotatably in the main body 1, and is driven by a motor 3 via a drum belt 4. Reference numeral 5 denotes a clothing input port provided on the front surface of the main body 1, and reference numeral 6 denotes a passage through which drying air is guided by a circulation duct. 7 is a blower for sending the drying air from the rotary drum 2 to the circulation duct 6, and is driven by the motor 3 through the fan belt 8. Reference numeral 9 denotes a casing of the blower 7, which is provided on the rear surface of the rotary drum 2 and has an air inlet 10 in the center. Reference numeral 11 denotes a shaft that rotatably supports the rotary drum 2 and the blower 7.
[0004]
12 is a heat absorber that evaporates the refrigerant and cools and dehumidifies the drying air, 13 is a radiator that condenses the refrigerant and heats the drying air, 14 is a compressor that compresses the refrigerant, and 15 is a refrigerant that depressurizes the pressure of the refrigerant. In order to maintain the pressure difference, the throttle means such as a capillary tube, 16 is a pipe through which the refrigerant passes, and the heat absorber 12, the radiator 13, the compressor 14, the throttle means 15, and the pipe 16 connecting them to the heat pump device. Is configured.
[0005]
Reference numeral 17 denotes an exhaust port for discharging part of the drying air heated by the radiator 13 to the outside of the main body 1. A drain outlet 18 is provided near the heat absorber 12 in the middle of the circulation duct 6, and discharges condensed water of drying air generated by heat exchange in the heat absorber 12. Reference numeral 19 denotes clothes to be dried.
[0006]
By using the heat pump device, sensible heat and latent heat can be recovered from the drying air after hitting the garment 19 by the heat absorber 12 and used for the amount of heat for heating the drying air again in the radiator 13. A predetermined amount of clothes 19 can be dried with a small amount of input. An arrow A indicates the flow of drying air.
[0007]
Next, the operation will be described. First, the clothes 19 to be dried are placed in the rotating drum 2. Next, when the motor 3 is rotated, the rotating drum 2 and the blower 7 are rotated to generate a flow A of drying air. The drying air takes moisture from the clothes 19 in the rotating drum 2 and becomes humid, and then is carried by the blower 7 through the circulation duct 6 to the heat absorber 12 of the heat pump device.
[0008]
The drying air deprived of heat by the low-temperature refrigerant in the heat absorber 12 is dehumidified and further transported to the radiator 13, and the amount of heat absorbed by the heat absorber 12 is added to the amount of heat from the compressor 14 to increase the temperature. It is heated by the heat released from the refrigerant and is circulated again into the rotating drum 2. By repeating the above, the clothing 19 is dried.
[0009]
Here, considering the refrigerant refrigeration cycle in the heat pump device, the amount of heat released from the radiator 13 to the drying air is almost equal to the amount of heat taken from the drying air by the heat absorber 12 to the power consumed by the compressor 14. Therefore, if the drying air is circulated as it is, the amount of heat of the entire drying air increases, the amount of heat of the refrigerant in the heat pump device increases, and the pressure increases.
[0010]
In order to compress the refrigerant having a higher temperature and pressure, the motor load of the compressor 14 increases, and there is a possibility that the limit will be exceeded. Therefore, an overload prevention device (not shown) is usually activated and the compressor 14 is Stop. Since it takes time for the overload prevention device to recover, the heat pump device does not operate during that time, and drying does not proceed.
[0011]
Therefore, in order to operate the heat pump device safely and stably, drying must be performed while discharging a part of the heat quantity of the drying air to the outside of the main body 1. According to the conventional example, a part of the high-temperature and low-humidity drying air from the radiator 13 is discharged from the exhaust port 17 to the outside of the main body 1 so that heat is released without leaking a minimum amount of moisture to the outside. This realizes safe and stable operation of the heat pump device.
[0012]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-7-178289 [0013]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional configuration, part of the high-temperature and low-humidity drying air heated by the radiator 13 is exhausted to the outside. This will be given to the drying air. It is necessary to increase the capacity of the radiator 13 as much heat is released. Specifically, the size of the radiator 13 is increased so that the heat dissipation area is further increased. Alternatively, from the viewpoint of the amount of heat necessary for drying, such as increasing the refrigerant temperature so as to ensure a temperature difference in order to transfer a large amount of heat to the drying air, the configuration is configured to handle wasteful heat.
[0014]
Also, the drying air that has taken moisture from the garment 19 when it hits the garment sufficiently gives sensible heat to the garment 19 and contains water vapor generated by the drying, so that the relative humidity does not become 100% and the temperature (sensible). The heat is still high. Therefore, in order to collect all the water evaporated from the clothing 19 as the dew condensation water in the heat absorber 12, it is necessary to first remove sensible heat from the drying air and further remove the latent heat of water vapor. In the heat absorber 12, it is necessary to take away the total amount of heat (enthalpy) of sensible heat and latent heat, and the required capacity increases.
[0015]
The amount of heat will be described with a specific example. When the amount of heat necessary for drying a predetermined amount of clothes in a predetermined time is 2200 watts and the amount of heat applied to the refrigerant in the compressor 14 is equivalent to 600 watts, the heat dissipation amount in the radiator 13 is 2800 watts. After a part of the drying air that has passed through the radiator 13 is exhausted to the outside from the exhaust port 17, the amount of heat of the drying air becomes 2200 watts and hits the clothing 19. Although the temperature of the drying air (sensible heat) is reduced to evaporate the moisture in the clothing 19, the air contains water vapor having the same amount of heat (latent heat).
[0016]
Dry air having an amount of heat (enthalpy) equal to 2200 watts before hitting clothing is sent to the heat absorber 12. In order to cool the drying air and recover the water evaporated from the clothing 19 as condensed water, the heat absorber 12 needs to absorb 2200 watts of heat. The heat absorber 12 needs to absorb and dissipate heat of 2200 watts and the radiator 13 needs 2800 watts.
[0017]
The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, realizes sufficient dehumidification, releases heat to the outside while suppressing the release of moisture, and realizes a safe and stable operation of the heat pump device, and also dissipates heat. The purpose is to reduce the amount of heat handled by the heat sink and heat sink.
[0018]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is directed to a heat pump device and a wind for exhausting drying air introduced from an air intake opening opened to the outside from an exhaust opening through a drying cabinet containing clothing from the radiator. And a cooling unit for supplying cooling water for cooling the drying air to the cooling duct using a cooling channel as an air path provided at the outlet of the drying chamber. The heat absorber has a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the refrigerant of the heat pump device and the cooling water, and the cooling means is a cooling water pump that supplies cooling water into the cooling duct; It has a drainage means for discharging the condensed water generated by cooling the drying air to the outside, and the cooling water pump returns the cooling water supplied into the cooling duct to the heat absorber through a circulating cooling water pipe. Is.
[0019]
As a result, the amount of heat of the drying air, in particular, sensible heat, is released to the outside beforehand by the cooling means, so that the heat absorber can remove the latent heat with a smaller amount of heat absorption and perform sufficient dehumidification. Even if it is discharged to the outside, moisture is not released. In addition, since a radiator corresponding to a condenser does not discharge part of the drying air to the outside, it does not dissipate more heat than necessary for drying.
[0020]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the compressor, the radiator that dissipates the heat of the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant after compression, and the throttle means for reducing the pressure of the high-pressure refrigerant are decompressed to a low pressure. A heat pump device that is connected by a pipe line so that the refrigerant circulates through a heat absorber from which the refrigerant takes heat from the surroundings, and a drying cabinet in which clothing for drying air introduced from an air intake opening opened to the outside The air passage that exhausts to the outside through the exhaust port, the blower that sucks and exhausts the drying air into the air passage, and the air passage that is provided at the outlet of the drying cabinet is used as a cooling duct to cool the drying air in the cooling duct Cooling means for supplying cooling water, and the heat absorber has a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the refrigerant of the heat pump device and the cooling water, and the cooling means is provided in the cooling duct. a cooling water pump for supplying cooling water, drying air Has drainage means for discharging cooled and generated dew condensation water to the outside, by the cooling water pump, which has then returned to the heat sink cooling water supplied into said cooling duct through circulating cooling water pipe, The heat of the drying air after passing through the clothing in front of the heat absorber can be released to the outside in advance, and can be further cooled and dehumidified by the heat absorber. By releasing the amount of heat of drying air after passing through clothing, especially sensible heat, the heat absorber can achieve sufficient dehumidification just by removing the necessary amount of heat from the drying air. The release of moisture accompanying the release of is reduced.
[0021]
Further, heat is not actively released from the radiator to the clothes, and the drying air hits the clothes with almost all the amount of heat given from the radiator. Therefore, it is possible to realize a safe and stable operation of the heat pump device, and to reduce the amount of heat handled by the radiator and the heat absorber, and to reduce the size of the radiator and the heat absorber.
[0022]
Further, a part of the heat quantity of the drying air that has become humid after being subjected to clothes drying is released to the outside by the cooling blower, and the drying air is cooled and dehumidified with cooling water. On the other hand, the cooling water deprived of heat is sent to the heat absorber through the circulating cooling water pipe, and the heat is recovered by the heat absorber. Cooling with external air is used in combination, and the cooling water is circulated and used, so that it does not drain and a water-saving cooling means can be realized. Moreover, since cooling water is heat-recovered and cooled with a heat absorber, it can be made lower temperature than normal water, so that the cooling and dehumidifying performance to drying air is improved.
[0023]
The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the cooling means has a cooling fan for blowing and cooling air by using a cooling duct as a heat exchanger, and cooling by external air. In combination, it is possible to realize a cooling means that uses a small amount of cooling water, reduces the release of moisture from the drying air to the outside, and actively releases heat from the radiator to the clothing. In addition, it is possible to realize a safe and stable operation of the heat pump device and to reduce the amount of heat handled by the radiator and the heat absorber, and to reduce the size of the radiator and the heat absorber.
[0024]
The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein a water supply means for supplying cooling water is provided in the cooling duct, and the drying becomes humid after being subjected to clothes drying. The amount of heat that the working air has is given to the cooling water, a part of which is discharged to the outside by the drainage of the cooling water, and the rest is recovered by the heat absorber via the cooling water returning through the circulating cooling water pipe. A part of the cooling water is discharged to the outside for heat dissipation, but the rest is circulated and used, so that a water-saving cooling means can be realized.
[0025]
Moreover, since cooling water is heat-recovered and cooled with a heat absorber, it can be made lower temperature than normal water, so that the cooling and dehumidifying performance to drying air is improved. Therefore, the amount of moisture released from the drying air is reduced to the outside, heat is not actively released from the radiator to the clothing, and a safe and stable operation of the heat pump device can be realized. It is possible to reduce the amount of heat handled by the radiator and the heat absorber, and the size of the radiator and the heat absorber can be reduced.
[0026]
Invention of Claim 4 has a heat generating body as a heating means in addition to a radiator in the invention of Claim 1 above, for a predetermined time after the start of drying, or until dry air reaches a predetermined temperature The heating element is actuated and does not always compensate for the shortage of heat dissipation in the heat pump device radiator until the end of drying, the input at the start-up of the compressor is small, The total amount of heat used is reduced by operating the heating element only in the initial stage of drying when the endothermic quantity in the heat absorber is insufficient, and stopping in the latter half.
[0027]
The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to claim 2, wherein the cooling means does not operate the cooling blower for a predetermined time after the start of drying or until the dry air reaches a predetermined temperature. The input at the start-up of the compressor is small, the amount of heat dissipated by the radiator and the amount of heat absorbed by the heat absorber are insufficient, especially during the initial drying stage, the cooling fan is not activated and the release of heat to the outside is suppressed. The amount of heat recovered by the heat absorber at the initial stage of drying is increased.
[0028]
The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the refrigerant uses a refrigerant that operates in a supercritical state, and the temperature of the refrigerant in the radiator can be set high. Therefore, the drying air passing through the radiator can be heated to a high temperature. Since the amount of air can be reduced by increasing the temperature in order to obtain air with a predetermined drying capacity, the pressure loss of the member through which the air for drying passes and the air path is reduced.
[0029]
Especially, it is possible to reduce the increase in pressure loss newly generated for cooling in the cooling means, such as lengthening the air path to release the heat of drying air to the outside upstream of the heat absorber. A configuration including a cooling means can be realized more easily, for example, it is possible to use less capacity or a small size blower for blowing the working air.
[0030]
【Example】
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, the thing of the same structure as a prior art example attaches | subjects the same code | symbol, and abbreviate | omits detailed description.
[0031]
Example 1
FIG. 1 is a system diagram showing a clothing drying apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 20 is a compressor, 21 is a radiator that dissipates the heat of the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant after compression, 22 is an expansion valve for reducing the pressure of the high-pressure refrigerant, or a throttling means comprising a capillary tube, Reference numeral 23 denotes a heat absorber in which the reduced pressure and low pressure refrigerant draws heat from the surroundings, and the compressor 20, the radiator 21, the throttle means 22, and the heat absorber 23 are connected in order and the refrigerant circulates to the compressor 20 again. Thus, a heat pump device connected by a pipe line 24 is provided.
[0032]
Reference numeral 28 denotes an air passage through which drying air flows, and is configured to connect a radiator 21 that heats the drying air, a drying chamber 26 that contains clothing, and a heat absorber 23 that absorbs heat from the drying air. . 29 is a blower that blows air to the air passage 28, 30 is a cooling means provided in the air passage between the drying chamber 26 and the heat absorber 23, and a water supply pipe 25 that is in close contact with the outer wall of the air passage 28 and is in thermal contact therewith. A water supply valve 27 for passing cooling water is provided to discharge heat of the drying air to the outside. Denoted at 31 is a drain outlet as a means for draining the condensed water and cooling water generated by cooling the drying air. Note that arrow B indicates the flow of drying air.
[0033]
About the clothing drying apparatus comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below. First, when drying is started, the blower 29 and the compressor 20 are operated. Drying air sucks external air from the air inlet 32 by the blower 29. The drying air is heated by heat radiation from the radiator 21 and is sent to the drying cabinet 26 as warm air. The drying air that has come into contact with the clothing 19 in the drying chamber 26 takes moisture from the clothing 19 and dries the clothing 19.
[0034]
Since the drying air gives sensible heat as the amount of heat for evaporation, the temperature is lowered, but it becomes high-humidity air containing water vapor having substantially the same latent heat released from the clothes. The enthalpy of the drying air before and after contacting the garment 19 is substantially constant. The drying air having become highly humid is cooled by releasing heat while passing through the cooling means 30 provided in the air passage 28.
[0035]
The drying air that has been cooled by mainly releasing sensible heat in the cooling means 30 is further cooled in the heat absorber 23 and condensed to dehumidify. The drying air that has been dehumidified and has a reduced absolute humidity is discharged to the outside through the exhaust port 33.
[0036]
On the other hand, in the heat pump device, the heat of the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant compressed by the compressor 20 is radiated by the radiator 21. Further, the high-pressure refrigerant is decompressed by the throttle means 22 to become a low-pressure and low-temperature, and the heat absorber 23 takes heat from the drying air and returns to the compressor 20 again.
[0037]
A specific example is shown about the temperature / humidity of the drying air of the clothing drying apparatus of this invention, and the calorie | heat amount of heat absorption / radiation in a heat pump apparatus, and the effect | action and effect are demonstrated.
[0038]
Assuming that the amount of heat required for drying clothes is 2200 watts and the safe and stable heat dissipation amount in the heat pump device is also 2200 watts, when the amount of heat applied to the refrigerant in the compressor 20 is equivalent to 600 watts, the heat dissipation amount is equivalent to 2200 watts. In order to suppress this, the heat absorption amount in the heat absorber 23 needs to be 1600 watts.
[0039]
On the other hand, in the drying air, for example, when the temperature and humidity of the circulating drying air is 100% (relative humidity) at 20 ° C., when the radiator 21 is heated at 2200 watts, the drying air has an air volume of In the case of 2 cubic meters per minute, it is about 74 ° C. and 6%. When this drying air is applied to the garment 19 and 212 grams of water is taken away from the garment 19 in 10 minutes, the drying air becomes approximately 52 ° C. and 28%.
[0040]
If the cooling means 30 deprives the heat equivalent to 600 watts in advance, the drying air becomes about 37 ° C. and 59% after passing through the cooling means 30, and if this heat absorption is performed by the heat absorber 23, the drying air Is about 20 ° C. and 100%, and the cooling dehumidification amount is 212 grams. This corresponds to 100% of the water taken from the garment 19.
[0041]
As described above, the heat quantity of the drying air, in particular, the sensible heat, is released to the outside beforehand by the cooling means 30, and the heat absorber 23 realizes sufficient dehumidification only by taking the necessary heat quantity of 1600 watts from the drying air. it can.
[0042]
Further, heat is not actively released from the radiator 21 to the clothing 19, and the drying air having almost all the heat amount 2200 watts given from the radiator 21 hits the clothing. Therefore, a safe and stable operation of the heat pump device can be realized, and the amount of heat handled by the radiator 21 and the heat absorber 23 can be reduced.
[0043]
In addition, although the heat radiator 21 and the heat absorber 23 shown in a present Example have illustrated the fin tube type heat exchanger, the heat exchanger of the shape which connected the tube tubes continuously is the same, and heat The shape of the exchanger is not limited.
[0044]
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a principal part showing a configuration in which the clothes drying apparatus of the first embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a tumbler type clothes dryer similar to the conventional example. In addition, the thing of the same structure as a prior art example attaches | subjects the same code | symbol, and abbreviate | omits detailed description.
[0045]
In FIG. 2, the drying air sucked from the outside through the air inlet 32 is heated by the radiator 21 and sent into the rotary drum 26 serving as a drying cabinet, and after moisture is removed from the clothing 19, The air blower 29 passes through the air passage 28. While passing through the cooling means 30 provided in the air passage 28, heat is released to the surrounding air to cool it. The drying air that has been cooled by mainly releasing sensible heat in the cooling means 30 is further cooled in the heat absorber 23 and condensed to dehumidify. The drying air that has been dehumidified and has reduced absolute humidity is exhausted from the exhaust port 33. Condensed water and cooling water are drained from the exhaust port 31.
[0046]
As described above, the amount of heat of the drying air, in particular, sensible heat, is released to the outside beforehand by the cooling means 30, so that the heat absorber 23 takes away the necessary amount of heat from the drying air and realizes sufficient dehumidification. Therefore, there is almost no moisture release amount, and heat can be released to the outside.
[0047]
Further, the heat from the radiator 21 to the garment 19 is not actively released to the outside, and the drying air hits the garment without throwing away almost all the amount of heat given from the radiator 21. Therefore, a safe and stable operation of the heat pump device can be realized, and the amount of heat handled by the radiator 21 and the heat absorber 23 can be reduced.
[0048]
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an essential part showing a configuration in which the clothes drying apparatus of the first embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a washing / drying machine.
[0049]
The washer / dryer is provided with an outer tub 34 that is elastically suspended by a plurality of suspensions 35 so that vibrations during dehydration are absorbed by the suspensions 35. Inside the outer tub 34, an inner tub 39 corresponding to a drying cabinet for storing laundry and clothes 19 to be dried is disposed so as to be rotatable around a washing / dehydrating shaft 36. A rotating blade 37 for agitating the clothing 19 is rotatably disposed. A large number of small holes 38 are provided in the peripheral wall of the inner tank 39.
[0050]
The motor (driving means) 40 is attached to the bottom of the outer tub 34, and the rotational force is transmitted to the washing / dehydrating shaft 36 by switching the clutch 41. The washing shaft 36 a is connected to the rotary blade 37, and the dewatering shaft 36 b is connected to the inner tub 39. The rotary blade 37 has a substantially pan-shaped shape that rises in the outer peripheral direction on the outer peripheral portion, and has protruding ribs for clothes stirring. In the drying process, the clothing 19 is lifted upward by the centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the rotary blade 37 and the stirring force of the protruding rib.
[0051]
The blower 29 blows the drying air heated by the radiator 21 from the discharge port 43 into the inner tank 39 through the elastic upper bellows hose 42. The drying air passes through the inner tank 39 and the outer tank 34, passes through the lower bellows-like hose 45 connected to the discharge port 44 at the lower part of the outer tank 34, and passes through the cooling means 30. A drain valve 46 is located at the bottom of the outer tub 34. Drainage from the outer tub 34 and dew condensation water from the lower bellows-like hose 45 are guided to the drain valve 46 through the drain pipe 47 and drained from the drain port 31 to the outside of the machine.
[0052]
The outer tub cover 48 covers the upper surface of the outer tub 34 in a substantially airtight manner, and an inner lid 49 is provided on the outer tub cover 48 so that it can be opened and closed. The cooling means 30 has a water supply pipe 25 that is in close contact with and in thermal contact with the outer wall of the air passage 28 upstream of the heat absorber 23, and a water supply valve 27 that allows cooling water to pass therethrough. Release heat to the outside.
[0053]
The operation in the above configuration will be described. In the drying process, the garment 19 is agitated so as to splash the garment 19 outward by driving the motor 40 to rotate the rotary blade 37 and applying a centrifugal force to the garment 19. While repeating this stirring, the blower 29 and the compressor 20 operate. The blower 29 blows the drying air, turns it into warm air by the heat radiation of the radiator 21, and sends it through the upper bellows-like hose 42 into the inner tank 39 serving as a drying warehouse.
[0054]
This drying air deprives the clothing 19 of moisture, exits from the inner tank 39 to the inner side of the outer tank 34, passes through the lower bellows-like hose 45 and the air passage 28, and reaches the cooling means 30. The drying air is cooled and dehumidified by the cooling means 30 and the heat absorber 23 and sent to the radiator 21 again. Condensed water is drained from the drain 31 through the lower bellows hose 45, drain pipe 47 and drain valve 46 when the drain valve 46 that has been closed is opened for a predetermined time. Cooling water is also drained from the drain port 31.
[0055]
As described above, the amount of heat of the drying air, in particular, sensible heat, is released to the outside beforehand by the cooling means 30, so that the heat absorber 23 takes away the necessary amount of heat from the drying air and realizes sufficient dehumidification. Accordingly, heat can be released to the outside while suppressing the release of moisture.
[0056]
Further, the drying air does not actively release heat from the radiator 21 to the clothing 19, and hits the clothing without throwing away almost all the amount of heat given from the radiator 21. Therefore, a safe and stable operation of the heat pump device can be realized, and the amount of heat handled by the radiator 21 and the heat absorber 23 can be reduced.
[0057]
Moreover, since the clothes drying apparatus is provided in the washing / drying machine, it is easy to supply cooling water, and it can be executed continuously from washing to drying. Furthermore, the inner tub 39 which is a drying warehouse is opened in the upper part, so that the clothes 19 can be easily taken out.
[0058]
In each of the embodiments of the present invention, as an apparatus equipped with a clothes drying apparatus, a so-called vertical laundry dryer having an inlet to the tank facing upward and a rotation axis substantially vertical has been described as an example. The same applies to the case of a so-called drum-type washing and drying machine in which the charging port is directed horizontally and the rotation axis is substantially horizontal.
[0059]
(Example 2)
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a principal part showing a configuration in which the clothes drying apparatus of the second embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a washing / drying machine. Components having the same configurations as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.
[0060]
As shown in FIG. 4, the cooling means 30 of the clothes drying device provided in the washing / drying machine includes a cooling duct 50 of the air passage 28 provided in the lee of the inner tub 39 containing the clothes, and in the cooling duct 50. A water supply pipe 51 and a water supply valve 52 are provided as water supply means for dropping cooling water to directly cool the drying air. The water supply pipe 51 is connected to the water supply. Moreover, the cooling water and the dew condensation water after cooling the drying air are drained to the outside from the drain port 31.
[0061]
The drying process of the washing and drying machine configured as described above will be described focusing on the operation and action of the cooling means 30 of the clothes drying apparatus.
[0062]
In the drying process, the blower 29 and the compressor 20 operate. The blower 29 draws in the drying air from the outside through the air inlet 32, turns it into warm air by the heat radiation of the radiator 21, and sends it through the upper bellows-like hose 42 into the inner tank 39 serving as a drying warehouse. This drying air deprives the clothing 19 of moisture, exits from the inner tank 39 to the inner side of the outer tank 34, passes through the lower bellows-like hose 45 and the air passage 28, and reaches the cooling means 30. The water supply valve 52 is activated, and cooling water flows from the water supply through the water supply pipe 51 into the cooling duct 50, and the drying air flowing therethrough is cooled.
[0063]
The drying air is cooled and dehumidified by the cooling means 30 and the heat absorber 23 and discharged from the exhaust port 33 to the outside. Condensed water and cooling water are drained from the drain 31 through the lower bellows hose 45, drain pipe 47 and drain valve 46 when the drain valve 46 closed is opened for a predetermined time.
[0064]
As described above, the amount of heat of the drying air, in particular, sensible heat, is released to the outside beforehand by the cooling means 30, so that the heat absorber 23 takes away the necessary amount of heat from the drying air and realizes sufficient dehumidification. Therefore, heat can be released to the outside with almost no moisture release.
[0065]
Further, the drying air does not actively release heat to the outside from the radiator 21 to the clothing 19, and hits the clothing with almost all the amount of heat given from the radiator 21. Therefore, a safe and stable operation of the heat pump device can be realized, and the amount of heat handled by the radiator 21 and the heat absorber 23 can be reduced.
[0066]
Also, in the embodiment of the present invention, the cooling air that cools the drying air and drains a part of the heat is drained to the outside, and there is little influence on the ambient temperature because it does not forcibly radiate heat to the external air. .
[0067]
(Example 3)
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a principal part showing a configuration in which the clothes drying apparatus of the third embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a washing / drying machine. Components having the same configurations as those of the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.
[0068]
As shown in FIG. 5, the cooling means 30 of the clothes drying apparatus provided in the washing / drying machine is provided with a cooling duct 50 through the air passage 28 provided at the outlet of the inner tub 39 serving as a drying warehouse and upstream of the heat absorber 23. As a cooling water supply means for dropping cooling water into the cooling duct 50 in order to directly cool the drying air in the cooling duct 50, and cooling fan 53 for sending external air to the cooling fan A water supply pipe 51 and a water supply valve 52 are provided. The water supply pipe 51 is connected to the water supply. Moreover, the cooling water and the dew condensation water after cooling the drying air are drained to the outside from the drain port 31. An arrow C indicates the flow of cooling external air.
[0069]
The drying process of the washing and drying machine configured as described above will be described focusing on the operation and action of the cooling means 30 of the clothes drying apparatus.
[0070]
During the drying process, the cooling blower 53, which is one of the cooling means 30, operates, and the external air cools the outer wall of the cooling duct 50, and the drying air flowing therethrough is cooled. On the other hand, the cooling water as another cooling means 30 flows from the water supply into the cooling duct 50 through the water supply pipe 51 by the operation of the water supply valve 52, and the drying air flowing therethrough is cooled. Further, the air is cooled in the heat absorber 23, and the drying air becomes lower than the outdoor temperature, dew is generated and dehumidified. The dehumidified drying air is discharged outside through Hioki Port 33. The condensed water and the cooling water are discharged from the drain port 31 to the outside.
[0071]
In the embodiment of the present invention, there are a cooling blower 53, a water supply pipe 51 and a water supply valve 52 as the cooling means 30, and the drying air after passing through the clothing is cooled to take part of the heat amount. External air and cooling water are discharged to the outside. In this embodiment, since the cooling is performed not only by the cooling water but also by the external air, the amount of water used is small.
[0072]
In the clothes drying apparatus configured as described above, a part of the heat quantity of the drying air that has become humid after being subjected to clothes drying is released to the outside, and the heat absorber 23 cools the drying air. Thus, the remaining amount of heat can be recovered, and the cycle of the heat pump device can be stabilized. Further, the drying air does not actively release heat to the outside from the radiator 21 to the clothing 19, and hits the clothing with almost all the amount of heat given from the radiator 21. Therefore, the amount of heat handled by the radiator 21 and the heat absorber 23 can be reduced.
[0073]
(Example 4)
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a principal part showing a configuration in which the drying apparatus of the fourth embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a washing dryer. Components having the same configurations as those of the first to third embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.
[0074]
As shown in FIG. 6, in the clothes drying apparatus provided in the washing and drying machine, the heat absorber 54 exchanges heat between the conduit 24 through which the refrigerant of the heat pump apparatus flows and the cooling water tank 54a filled with cooling water. It consists of a heat exchanger. The cooling means 30 includes a cooling fan 53 for cooling by sending external air using the cooling duct 50 of the air passage 28 provided at the outlet of the inner tank 39 as a heat exchanger as a heat exchanger, and further in the cooling duct 50. In order to directly cool the drying air, a cooling water pump 55 for dropping the cooling water into the cooling duct 50 is provided, and a circulating cooling water pipe 56 for returning the cooling water to the heat absorber 54 by the cooling water pump 55. Have There is a drain port 31 as a drainage means for discharging condensed water generated by cooling the drying air to the outside.
[0075]
The above circulating cooling water pipe 56 has been described as an example in which the refrigerant conduit 24 passes, but the outer wall of the circulating cooling water pipe 56 and the outer wall of the refrigerant conduit 24 are in thermal contact with each other. The same applies to the configuration in which heat exchange between the water flowing inside each other and the refrigerant is performed.
[0076]
The drying process of the washing and drying machine configured as described above will be described focusing on the operation and action of the cooling means 30 and the heat absorber 54 of the clothes drying apparatus.
[0077]
During the drying process, the cooling blower 53, which is one of the cooling means 30, operates, and the external air cools the outer wall of the cooling duct 50, and the drying air flowing therethrough is cooled. On the other hand, the cooling water pump 55 of the heat absorber 54 is operated, and the cooling water cooled by the heat absorber 54 flows into the cooling duct 50, and the drying air flowing therethrough is cooled and condensed to dehumidify.
[0078]
Although the temperature of the cooling water that has taken heat from the drying air rises, it is cooled again by the heat absorber 54, and the heat absorber 54 recovers heat from the cooling water. The condensed water is discharged to the outside from a drain port 31 which is a draining means.
[0079]
In the embodiment of the present invention, there is cooling water from the cooling fan 53 and the heat absorber 54 as the cooling means 30, cooling the drying air after passing through the clothing, taking away the amount of heat, partly external Although it is released to the outside by air, almost all of the remaining heat is recovered by the heat absorber 54 through the cooling water. Cooling water circulates and does not drain outside, saving water. Further, since there is no heat exchanger for the heat absorber in the air passage 28 through which the drying air flows, the pressure loss with respect to the drying air at this portion can be reduced.
[0080]
In the clothes drying apparatus configured as described above, a part of the heat quantity of the drying air that has become humid after being subjected to clothes drying is released to the outside to stabilize the cycle of the heat pump apparatus. Thus, almost all of the remaining heat is recovered in the heat absorber 54 by cooling the cooling water.
[0081]
Further, the drying air does not actively release heat from the radiator 21 to the clothing 19, and hits the clothing without throwing away almost all the amount of heat given from the radiator 21. Therefore, the amount of heat handled by the radiator 21 and the heat absorber 23 can be reduced.
[0082]
(Example 5)
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a principal part showing a configuration in which the drying apparatus of the fifth embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a washing dryer. Components having the same configurations as those of the first to fourth embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof is omitted.
[0083]
As shown in FIG. 7, the heat absorber 54 includes a heat exchanger that exchanges heat when the cooling water circulated by the cooling water pump 55 contacts the pipe line 24 through which the refrigerant passes. 56 is a circulating cooling water pipe through which cooling water flows. The cooling means 30 includes a cooling water pump 55 for dripping cooling water in order to directly cool the drying air in a cooling duct 50 that is an air passage 28 provided in the lee of the inner tank 39 as a drying warehouse, A drain port 31 as a drainage means for discharging a part of the condensed water and cooling water generated by cooling the air to the outside, and circulation cooling for returning the remaining cooling water to the heat absorber 54 by the cooling water pump 55 It has the water pipe 56, the water supply pipe 51 connected to the water supply as a water supply means which supplies new water in order to supplement the discharged | emitted cooling water, and the water supply valve 52. FIG.
[0084]
The drying process of the washing and drying machine configured as described above will be described focusing on the operation and action of the cooling means 30 and the heat absorber 54 of the clothes drying apparatus.
[0085]
During the drying process, the cooling water pump 55 which is the cooling means 30 operates, the cooling water cooled by the heat absorber 54 flows into the cooling duct 50, and the drying air flowing therethrough is cooled. Although the temperature of the cooling water that has taken heat from the drying air rises, it is cooled again by the heat absorber 54. The heat absorber 54 recovers heat from the cooling water.
[0086]
On the other hand, the drying air is cooled down to an outdoor temperature or lower, and condensation is generated to dehumidify. The dehumidified drying air is exhausted to the outside through the exhaust port 33. Part of the condensed water and the cooling water is discharged to the outside from the drain port 31. In order to make up for the coolant that has flowed out, the water supply valve 52 is opened as water supply means, and the tap water is supplied as cooling water through the water supply pipe 51.
[0087]
The cooling water immediately after coming out of the heat absorber 54 is cooled by the heat absorber 54 and has a low temperature, which is optimal for cooling the drying air. Since the water replenished from the water supply is hotter than this, the place to be replenished should be after the cooling water and the air for drying are sufficiently in contact with each other and the heat exchange is completed. In this embodiment, the lower part of the cooling duct 50, that is, Upwind is good. The replenished water and the remaining cooling water are sucked up together by the cooling water pump 55 and supplied to the heat absorber 54.
[0088]
In the embodiment of the present invention, there is cooling water from the heat absorber 54 as the cooling means 30, cooling the drying air after passing through the clothing and taking away the amount of heat, and part of it is released to the outside as waste water. However, almost all the remaining heat is recovered by the heat absorber 54 through the cooling water. Therefore, a cooling fan is unnecessary and heat is not released to the surroundings. Further, since there is no heat exchanger for the radiator in the air passage 28 through which the drying air flows, the pressure loss with respect to the drying air in this portion can be reduced.
[0089]
In the clothes drying apparatus configured as described above, a part of the heat quantity of the drying air that has become humid after being subjected to clothes drying is released to the outside to stabilize the cycle of the heat pump apparatus. Thus, almost all of the remaining heat is recovered in the heat absorber 54 by cooling the cooling water.
[0090]
Further, the drying air does not actively release heat from the radiator 21 to the clothing 19, and hits the clothing without throwing away almost all the amount of heat given from the radiator 21. Therefore, the amount of heat handled by the radiator 21 and the heat absorber 23 can be reduced.
[0091]
(Example 6)
FIG. 8 is a flowchart in the case of controlling the clothes drying apparatus according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention mounted on a washing dryer. Components having the same configurations as those in the first to fifth embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.
[0092]
As shown in FIG. 7, the clothes drying apparatus of the present embodiment has a heating element 57 on the lee of the radiator 21. The heating element 57 includes heating means such as an electric heater. Further, it has a control means (not shown), and the heating element 57 is operated for a predetermined time after the start of drying or until the dry air reaches a predetermined temperature. Whether or not the drying air has reached a predetermined temperature is determined by temperature detection means (not shown) such as a thermistor.
[0093]
The temperature detection means is disposed in the air passage 28 through which the drying air flows, and detects the temperature after passing through the heat dissipation means 21. However, the temperature of the drying air in the air passage 28 is correlated with each other at each location, such as after passing through the blower 29 for the drying fan, passing through the heating element 57, and passing through the outlet of the inner tank 39 of the drying cabinet. The detection position is not limited to immediately after the radiator 21.
[0094]
The operation of the control means will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. However, the description is only a part related to the clothes drying apparatus and does not include a part related to washing.
[0095]
When the drying process is started, time measurement is started in order to measure the elapsed time in step S1, and temperature data is measured in step S2. In steps S3 and S4, the blower 29 for drying is operated to flow air, and the compressor 20 is also operated to start drying. In step S5, the cooling means 30 is operated. The operation of the cooling means 30 means the operation of the cooling blower 53, the water supply valves 27 and 52, the cooling water pump 55, and the like.
[0096]
In step S6, it is determined whether a predetermined time has elapsed or whether the drying air has reached a predetermined temperature. Immediately after the start of the drying process, since the heat radiation of the radiator 21 is small and the heating is not sufficient, the drying air does not reach the predetermined temperature. In step S7, the heating element 57 is actuated to compensate for the heating amount, and in step S8, other normal control is performed. When the determination in step S6 is repeated and the predetermined temperature or predetermined time is reached, the process proceeds to step S9. In step S9, the heating element 57 is stopped, and thereafter, normal control is performed and drying is continued.
[0097]
The shortage of heat generated by the heat radiator 21 of the heat pump device is not always compensated until the end of drying. In particular, the heat generating element 57 is operated only in the initial stage of drying that requires heat, and the latter half is stopped, so that the total amount of heat used. Is reduced.
[0098]
(Example 7)
FIG. 9 is a flowchart in the case where the clothes drying apparatus of the seventh and eighth embodiments of the present invention is mounted on a washing dryer and controlled. Components having the same configurations as those of the first to sixth embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.
[0099]
In the cooling means 30, the cooling blower 53 has a control means for controlling not to operate until a predetermined time after the start of drying or until the drying air reaches a predetermined temperature.
[0100]
The operation of the control means will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. However, the description is only a part related to the clothes drying apparatus and does not include a part related to washing.
[0101]
When the drying process is started, time measurement is started in order to measure the elapsed time in step S1, and temperature data is measured in step S2. In steps S3 and S4, the blower 29 for drying is operated to flow air, and the compressor 20 is also operated to start drying. In step S5, it is determined whether a predetermined time has elapsed or whether the drying air has reached a predetermined temperature. Immediately after the start of the drying process, since the heat radiation of the radiator 21 is small and the heating is not sufficient, the drying air does not reach the predetermined temperature.
[0102]
In Steps S6, S7, and S8, the heating element 57 is operated to supplement the heating amount, and other normal control is performed. The cooling means 32 is the cooling fan 53. When the determination in step S6 is repeated and the predetermined temperature or predetermined time is reached, the process proceeds to step S9. In step S9, the cooling means 30 is operated, and in step S10, the heating element 57 is stopped. Thereafter, normal control is performed and drying is continued.
[0103]
In the initial stage of drying when the heat generation amount of the radiator 21 of the heat pump device is insufficient, the cooling fan 53 is not operated, the release of heat to the outside is suppressed, and the recovered heat quantity in the initial stage of drying is increased.
[0104]
In addition, when there is no heat generating body 57, or when the heat generating body 57 is not stopped in the middle of drying, step S6 and S10 shall not be performed.
[0105]
(Example 8)
In the cooling means 30, the water supply valves 27 and 52, which are water supply means, and the drainage means are arranged so as not to supply and drain the cooling water for a predetermined time after the start of drying or until the dry air reaches a predetermined temperature. It has a control means for controlling the drain valve 46, and at the initial stage of drying when the amount of heat generated by the radiator 21 of the heat pump device is insufficient, the release of heat to the outside by the cooling water is suppressed, and the recovered heat quantity at the initial stage of drying. Is to increase. In the flowchart of FIG. 8, the cooling means 30 means the water supply valves 27 and 52 and the drain valve 46.
[0106]
Example 9
In Embodiment 9 of the present invention, a refrigerant that works in a supercritical state, such as carbon dioxide, is used. Conventionally, in a heat pump device that uses high-pressure conditions in a cycle below the critical pressure, such as fluorocarbons such as R22 and R134a, the refrigerant condenses, so the temperature of the refrigerant in the region where heat exchange with air is performed There are many portions where the condensation temperature is constant, and even in the heat exchange with air, the vicinity of the condensation temperature is the upper limit temperature, and it is usually designed at a temperature 20-30 ° C. lower than the critical temperature. The conventional refrigerants listed above are usually used at 60 to 65 ° C. or lower. Therefore, the upper limit of the temperature after passing through the radiator 21 for drying air that exchanges heat with the refrigerant is about 60 to 65 ° C.
[0107]
FIG. 10 shows changes in the refrigerant temperature 60 and the air temperature 61 when the heat exchanger 21 is used below the critical temperature in the heat exchanger. Arrows indicate the direction of refrigerant and air flow. For example, in the refrigerant of R134a, the high pressure side is about 1.68 MPa and the condensation temperature is 60 ° C. The refrigerant temperature just before entering the radiator 21 is usually higher than this, but in the radiator 21, the heat is radiated to the air side, the temperature is lowered, and the state of the refrigerant changes to a two-phase region where the state changes from gas to liquid. It becomes constant at the condensation temperature of 60 ° C.
[0108]
During this time, the heat of condensation is radiated from the refrigerant, and the drying air is warmed. As for the temperature of the drying air, the temperature before the radiator is set to 20 ° C., for example, and the temperature is raised by receiving heat from the refrigerant. Although the temperature of the refrigerant is higher than 60 ° C. in the gas phase, a temperature difference is necessary for the heat transfer, and the temperature rise of the air is about 60 ° C.
[0109]
However, in the case of a cycle heat pump device that uses carbon dioxide or the like as a refrigerant and operates in a supercritical state, heat exchange at a temperature exceeding the limit of the condensation temperature is possible. Therefore, it is possible to design so that the temperature of the drying air after passing through the radiator 21 is 74 ° C. as shown in the first embodiment.
[0110]
FIG. 11 shows changes in the refrigerant temperature 62 and the air temperature 63 when carbon dioxide is used as a refrigerant in a supercritical state. For example, at about 11.5 MPa on the high pressure side, the temperature of the refrigerant changes from about 90 ° C. to 30 ° C. During this time, heat is radiated from the refrigerant to warm the drying air. As for the temperature of the drying air, the temperature before the radiator is set to 20 ° C., for example, and the temperature is raised by receiving heat from the refrigerant. Since the temperature of the refrigerant is as high as 90 ° C., the temperature rise of the air is about 74 ° C.
[0111]
As described above, if the cycle of the heat pump apparatus is designed using the refrigerant that operates in the supercritical state, the temperature of the refrigerant in the radiator 21 can be set high, and thus the drying that passes through the radiator 21 is possible. The working air can also be hot. When the temperature is increased to obtain air having a predetermined drying capacity, the air volume can be reduced. For example, an air volume of 2.7 cubic meters per minute at 60 ° C. is required, but at 74 ° C., an air volume of 2 cubic meters per minute is sufficient.
[0112]
If the air volume can be reduced, the pressure loss of a member such as a heat exchanger through which drying air passes or the air path is reduced. Therefore, an increase in pressure loss due to the cooling means 30 such as a heat exchanger provided for releasing the heat of the drying air to the outside upstream of the heat absorber 23 can be reduced, and the blower blows the drying air. The configuration including the cooling means 30 can be realized more easily, for example, 29 can be used with less capacity and a small blower.
[0113]
Therefore, by releasing the amount of heat of the drying air, in particular, sensible heat, upstream from the heat absorber 21 in advance, the heat absorber 23 can realize sufficient dehumidification only by taking the necessary amount of heat from the drying air. Accordingly, heat can be released to the outside while suppressing the release of moisture.
[0114]
Further, heat is not actively released from the radiator 21 to the clothes, and the drying air hits the clothes with almost all the amount of heat given from the radiator 21. Therefore, a safe and stable operation of the heat pump device can be realized, and the amount of heat handled by the radiator 21 and the heat absorber 23 can be reduced.
[0115]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the amount of heat of drying air, in particular, sensible heat can be released to the outside in advance by the cooling means. Therefore, in the heat absorber, it is possible to realize sufficient dehumidification by depriving latent heat with a predetermined amount of heat absorption, and in the heat radiator, it is not necessary to dissipate more than the amount of heat necessary for drying, and a safe and stable operation of the heat pump device can be realized. In addition, the effect of suppressing the amount of heat handled by the radiator and the heat absorber can be obtained.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a system diagram of a clothes drying apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of a tumbler type clothes dryer equipped with the clothes drying apparatus. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the washer / dryer. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the washer / dryer equipped with the clothes drying apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the washing / drying machine equipped with the drying device. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the washing / drying device equipped with the clothes drying apparatus of the fourth embodiment of the invention. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a washing / drying machine equipped with a clothes drying apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing control of the clothes drying apparatus according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the control of the clothes drying apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing temperature changes of the refrigerant and air in the radiator of the device. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing temperature changes of the refrigerant and air in the radiator of the clothing drying apparatus according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention. Cross section of dryer [Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 Compressor 21 Radiator 22 Throttle means 23, 54 Heat absorber 24 Pipe 25 Water supply pipe 26 Dryer 27 Water supply valve 28 Air path 29 Blower 30 Cooling means 31 Drain port 50 Cooling duct 51 Water supply pipe 52 Water supply valve 53 Cooling fan 54a Cooling water tank 55 Cooling water pump 56 Circulating cooling water pipe 57 Heating element

Claims (6)

A compressor, a radiator that dissipates the heat of the compressed high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant, a throttling means for reducing the pressure of the high-pressure refrigerant, and a heat absorber that takes the heat from the surroundings when the decompressed and low-pressure refrigerant takes the refrigerant. A heat pump device connected by a pipe line so as to circulate, and an air path for exhausting the drying air introduced from the outside air intake port to the outside from the exhaust port through a drying cabinet containing clothing from the radiator A blower for sucking and exhausting drying air into the air passage, and a cooling means for supplying cooling water for cooling the drying air to the cooling duct with the air passage provided at the outlet of the drying chamber as a cooling duct, The heat absorber has a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the refrigerant of the heat pump device and the cooling water, and the cooling means includes a cooling water pump that supplies cooling water into the cooling duct, and a drying unit. dew condensation water generated the air is cooled to the outside Has drainage means for output, it said by the cooling water pump, the clothes drying apparatus that returned to the heat sink cooling water supplied through the circulation cooling water pipe into said cooling duct.   The clothes drying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cooling means has a cooling fan that blows and cools air using a cooling duct as a heat exchanger.   The clothes drying apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a water supply means for supplying cooling water into the cooling duct.   The clothes drying apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a heating element as a heating means other than the radiator, wherein the heating element is operated for a predetermined time after the start of drying or until the dry air reaches a predetermined temperature.   The clothes drying apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the cooling means does not operate the cooling blower for a predetermined time after the start of drying or until the dry air reaches a predetermined temperature.   The clothes drying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the refrigerant is a refrigerant that operates in a supercritical state.

Images