JP4331193B2 - Drum type washer / dryer - Google Patents

Description

The present invention is laundered in the horizontal direction or in a rotary drum rotatably supported in a direction inclined from the horizontal in the water tank, rinsing, dehydration, it relates to a drum type washing and drying machine which performs the steps of drying.

  Such a drum type washing and drying machine will be described with reference to the drum type washing and drying machine 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. The rotating drum 2 is provided in the water tank 3 and generally performs washing, rinsing and dewatering processes by controlling the water supply, drainage and rotation of the rotating drum 2 in the water tank 3, and is a blowing means. The drying process of the laundry is carried out by circulating the air in the water tank 3 through the circulation fan 5 provided with an evaporator and a condenser by the blower fan 15 (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Here, the evaporator and the condenser are, for example, an air conditioner connected by a compressor and a refrigerant circuit, for example, a heat pump mechanism capable of reversibly operating the evaporator and the condenser as described in Patent Document 1, By introducing the air in the aquarium into the circulation ventilation path by means and passing through the evaporator and the condenser in order, it becomes the dry high temperature air heated after dehumidification, and this is blown into the aquarium to blow into the laundry in the rotating drum Exposure is repeated and dried efficiently. Further, as seen in Patent Document 1, the heat exchange duct that accommodates the evaporator and the condenser and exchanges heat with the circulating air, particularly the evaporator accommodating portion, is the lowest portion of the circulating air passage. As a result, while the condensed water that is condensed by the evaporator and separated from the air is drained by the drainage pump while being stored in a limited range of storage, the stored water does not flow to others. Can be. Moreover, such drainage is performed without excess or deficiency according to the water level detected by the water level sensor, for example. Furthermore, it is possible to control to stop the drying process for an abnormal water level exceeding the upper limit water level.
JP 2006-187449 A

  However, even if the dehydration water exceeds the upper limit water level in the storage section due to some drainage abnormality in the storage section, steam is generated around the condenser that still maintains high temperature even if the drying process is stopped, etc. There are things to do. In addition, if water in the water tank overflows into the circulating air flow path connected to the water tank due to some abnormality in water supply or drainage in the washing process, it will affect the rotating shaft part of the air blowing means, etc. It can be considered that it has an effect other than condensed water. In particular, it tends to be a problem when it is desired to install the blower at a low level, for example, by disposing it at the same level as the dehumidifier.

  The present inventor has succeeded in developing a drum-type washing and drying machine that can easily cope with such an unexpected situation.

The object of the present invention is to provide a drum-type washing and drying machine that can prevent the overflow water around the dehumidifying means, which is the lowest part of the circulation ventilation path, from affecting other parts based on such new development. It is to provide.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a rotating drum in which a large number of through-holes are formed and which is rotated and accommodates laundry, water supply and drainage in the water tank, and rotation of the rotating drum The washing, rinsing, and dehydration steps are performed under the control of the air flow, and the air in the water tank is circulated through the circulation air flow path including the heat exchange unit that houses the dehumidification means and the heating means by the air blowing means. in the drum type washing and drying machine for carrying out the drying step, the heat exchanging portion is located in the lowest portion of the circulating air passage, and has a negative pressure region which can be by the flow of the air in the vessel body, the negative pressure region discharging a predetermined or more overflow water peripheral wall of the vessel body facing the drainage hole is provided, a check valve closed by suction from said negative pressure region provided in this drainage hole, the negative pressure region, a discharge Of the holding end plates for holding both ends of the dehumidifying means and the heating means arranged in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the mouth, the holding end plate on the exhaust port side and the end wall having the exhaust port of the vessel A gap region between which the dehumidifying means and the heating means are sequentially passed in the direction of arrangement between the exhaust port and the portion outside the exhaust port so as to be sucked by the flow of air reaching the exhaust port. .

According to such a configuration, the dehumidifying means forms a heat exchange part with the circulating air together with the heating means and is positioned at the lowest part of the circulating air blowing path, and after dehumidifying the circulating air introduced from the rotating drum and the water tank Heated and dried high-temperature air is repeatedly blown into the water tub and rotating drum, and the laundry drying process is carried out. At this time, the negative pressure generated in the negative pressure region of the heat exchange section is caused by the air flow. Closes the check valve of the drain hole facing it to prevent the outside air from being sucked. On the other hand, if there is an abnormal drainage of condensed water for some reason in the drying process and the upper limit water level is exceeded, the control is such that the drying process is stopped, and at least the negative pressure region of the heat exchange part on condition that the blowing means is stopped Therefore, the check valve is released from the closing force, and the overflow water exceeding a predetermined amount can be immediately discharged from the drain hole. In the washing and rinsing processes, the check valve does not have a closing force, so for some reason there is an abnormality in water supply or drainage, so that it overflows into the circulating air flow path and the water level in the heat exchange section is at the upper limit water level. If it exceeds the limit, overflow water over a predetermined amount is immediately discharged from the drain hole , and the dehumidifying means and heating means arranged in this way become parts that can be handled as a unit by holding their both ends with holding end plates. In addition, the flow of strong circulating air from the heating means toward the exhaust port as described above can be achieved by using one holding end plate facing the end wall of the vessel with the exhaust port and separating them slightly. A space with a depth that is out of the range is obtained, and a negative pressure region with a high negative pressure degree of the heat exchange section can be obtained .

According to a further configuration, the overflow level to the drain hole is below the rotational axis of the blower means,
It is possible to avoid flooding of the rotating shaft of the blowing means with overflow water.

Drain hole is formed facing the lower auxiliary recess than the overflow level of the bottom of the vessel body, weir portion for setting the overflow level to the auxiliary recess in the overflow path from the bottom of the device body to the auxiliary recess According to a further configuration,
Both the auxiliary recess and the dam are obtained by the shape of the bottom of the vessel, and overflow water flows into the auxiliary recess only after exceeding the dam and is discharged from the drainage hole. When the water level is raised in a short period of time, for example, it is possible to avoid the water level from rising above a predetermined overflow level in the circulation air passage having the heat exchange part by flowing it into the auxiliary recess at a stroke to the full capacity. It is done.

Heat exchanger includes a condenser as a dehumidifying means, and an evaporator as a heating unit, a compressor connected by them and the refrigerant pipe are accommodated air conditioner and air conditioning and which is directly connected to the blowing means None the blower unit, check valve, a portion periphery There are applied to the outer surface of the drainage holes made of a plate member having elasticity and fixed to the device body of the air conditioner, according to a further arrangement,
The heat exchanger can be handled as a single air conditioner containing a condenser, an evaporator, and a compressor. The compressor is a sealed type that is positioned without being affected by overflow water, and installed by its weight. It is stable and suitable for the construction of the negative pressure region by the holding end plate holding the condenser and the evaporator and the end wall having the exhaust port of the body. as a compact configuration for direct connection at the inlet side it can be made without influence of the rotating shaft by the over over flow water.

Under the dehumidifying means of the heat exchange unit arranged in connection with the reservoir for storing the condensed water drainage means, so as to stop the current operation mode at a predetermined or higher water level in the heat exchanger, According to a further configuration,
It can cope with the abnormal water level of the heat exchange part in the washing, rinsing process and drying process.

  According to the present invention, the check valve of the drain hole is closed by the negative pressure generated in the negative pressure region of the heat exchange section due to the air flow during the drying process, so that the outside air is not sucked. There is no hindrance to the drying process, such as cooling of the high-temperature air, and the abnormal water level in the drying process is subject to at least stop control of the blowing means, and the abnormal water level in the washing and rinsing process remains as it is, and the overflow water exceeds a predetermined level. It is discharged from the drain hole.

  Here, the stop of the current operation at the time of abnormal water level can prevent continuous use without eliminating the cause of the water level abnormality, and can notify the user of the abnormality.

  The drum-type washing / drying machine 1 shown in FIG. 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention has a water tank 3 suspended in a suspension structure (not shown) in a washing / drying machine main body 44 and has a bottomed cylindrical shape in the water tank 3. The rotating drum 2 formed in the above is disposed with its axial direction inclined downward from the front side to the back side. A clothing doorway 11 leading to the opening end of the rotary drum 2 is formed on the front side of the water tank 3, and a door 9 that closes the opening provided on the upward inclined surface formed on the front side of the washing and drying machine main body 44 so as to be openable and closable. The laundry can be taken in and out of the rotary drum 2 through the clothing entrance 11. Since the door 9 is provided on the upward inclined surface, the work for putting in and out the laundry can be carried out without bending the waist, and generally the workability of the drum type washing machine for taking in and out the laundry from the sideways opening is provided. The evil has been improved.

  The rotating drum 2 is formed with a large number of through holes 8 communicating with the water tank 3 on its peripheral surface, and provided with stirring protrusions (not shown) at a plurality of positions on the inner peripheral surface. The rotating drum 2 is rotationally driven in the forward and reverse directions by a motor 7 attached to the back side of the water tank 3. Further, a water injection pipe 12 and a drain pipe 13 are connected to the water tank 3, and water is poured into and drained into the water tank 3 by control of a water injection valve and a drain valve (not shown).

The door 9 is opened, laundry and detergent are put into the rotary drum 2, and the operation on the operation panel 66 shown in FIG. When the operation is started through the control by the control board 67 or the like, the water injection pipe 1
A predetermined amount of water is poured from 2 and the rotary drum 2 is driven to rotate by the motor 7 to start the washing process. By the rotation of the rotating drum 2, the laundry accommodated in the rotating drum 2 is lifted in the rotating direction by the stirring protrusion provided on the inner peripheral wall of the rotating drum 2, and the stirring operation of dropping from the lifted appropriate height position Is repeated, so that the laundry has the effect of tapping and washing. After the required washing time, the dirty washing liquid is discharged from the drain pipe 13, and the washing liquid contained in the laundry is dehydrated by a dehydrating operation that rotates the rotating drum 2 at a high speed. Rinsing is performed by pouring water from the passage 12. Also in this rinsing step, the laundry stored in the rotary drum 2 is rinsed by repeating the stirring operation in which the laundry is lifted by the stirring protrusion by the rotation of the rotary drum 2 and dropped.

  The drum-type washing / drying machine 1 has a function of drying laundry stored in the rotary drum 2. The air in the water tank 3 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is exhausted to dehumidify and heat. The circulation air flow path 5 described above for blowing the dried air into the water tank 3 again is formed. In general, as described above, a dehumidifying means such as an evaporator 31, a heating means such as a condenser 32, and a blower fan 15 as a blowing means are provided in the middle of the circulating air flow path 5. By rotating and driving the blower fan 15, air in the circulation blower path 5 is generated and the air in the rotary drum 2 containing the laundry flows from the water tank 3 to the blower fan 15 through the through holes 8. The air is exhausted to the circulating air introduction pipe 16 and dehumidified by dehydrating the evaporator 31 located upstream of the blower fan 15 and heated by heat exchange with the condenser 32, and is always dry. Of air. This dried high-temperature air is sent from the blower fan 15 to the blower duct 33 to the water tank 3 and blown into the water tank 3. The high-temperature dry air blown into the water tank 3 enters the rotary drum 2 through the through holes 8 and escapes to the water tank 3 while being exposed to laundry such as clothes, and is again introduced into the circulating air introduction pipe line 16. The drying process is carried out by repeating the circulation of the air in the circulating air flow path 5 described above.

  Further, in the drying process using the circulating air flow path 5, foreign matter such as lint generated from laundry such as clothes is circulated in the air circulated through the circulating air flow path 5, and the evaporator 31 and the condensation are circulated. It is difficult to carry out a drying process such as clogging of the vessel 32, biting into the rotating part of the blower fan 15, and accumulation on the inner surface of the blower fan 15, and frequent troublesome maintenance is required. From the middle of the circulating air flow path 5, specifically, the upstream side of the evaporator 31, the condenser 32, and the blower fan 15, and accordingly, in the middle of the circulating air introduction pipe line 16 as shown in FIGS. It is common to provide a filter chamber 36 that houses a filter 35 that removes foreign substances in the circulating air. Thus, even if foreign matter is mixed into the air after the laundry is dried and introduced into the circulating air introduction pipe 16 side on the evaporator 31 side, it is collected by the filter 35 when passing through the filter chamber 36. , It will not be mixed into the circulating air downstream. Therefore, the functions of the evaporator 31, the condenser 32, and the blower fan 15 are maintained for a long time. However, on the other hand, the collected foreign matter accumulates on the filter 35 in the filter chamber 36, and there is a problem that the passage resistance of the circulating air gradually increases and the drying function is deteriorated. It is provided so as to be detachable as in the case of.

  Here, the evaporator 31 in which condensed water is generated forms a heat exchanging portion 39 together with the condenser 32, and a condensate water storage portion 63 covered with a filter 62 is provided in a range corresponding to the evaporator 31 at the bottom portion 38a of the vessel body 38. A drainage pipe 65 having a drainage pump 64 is connected and drainage that is not excessive or insufficient is performed based on detection of a water level by a water level sensor (not shown). However, if the water level rises abnormally due to some drainage abnormality, the stored dew condensation water may reach the other part of the circulation air flow path 5. For these reasons, the evaporator 31 is provided so as to be positioned at the lowest position of the circulation air flow path 5 as known in Patent Document 1.

However, as described above, in the storage unit 63, if an abnormal water level is generated due to an abnormal drainage of the stored water in the drying process for some reason or an inflow of overflow water from the water tank in the washing or rinsing process. It becomes a problem.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, in particular, the heat exchanging portion 39 has a negative pressure region 71 formed by the flow of circulating air in the vessel body 38, and in the unlikely event of a peripheral wall of the vessel body facing this negative pressure region. In this case, a drain hole 72 for discharging a predetermined amount or more of overflow water is provided, and a check valve 73 that is closed by suction from the negative pressure region 71 is provided in the drain hole 72. In this way, the evaporator 31 forms a heat exchanging part 39 with the circulating air together with the condenser 32 and is located at the lowest position of the circulating air flow path 5. The circulating air introduced through the circulating air introduction pipe line 16 shown in FIG. 1 is dehumidified and then heated to dry high-temperature air and blown into the water tank 3 and the rotating drum 2 through the blower pipe line 33 shown in FIG. The laundry drying process is repeated, and the negative pressure generated in the negative pressure region 71 of the heat exchanging portion 39 by the air flow at this time closes the check valve 73 of the drainage hole 72 facing there, and sucks outside air. To prevent it. Therefore, there is no problem in the drying process, such as the cooling of the high-temperature air due to the suction of the outside air through the drain hole 72 during the drying process, and the entry of foreign matter such as dust and dust from the outside.

  On the other hand, if there is an abnormality in the drainage of condensed water for some reason in the drying process and the upper limit water level is exceeded, control that stops the current drying process by control from the control board 67, at least the blower fan 15 Since the negative pressure generated in the negative pressure region 71 of the heat exchanging part 39 is eliminated and the check valve 73 is released from the closing force, the overflow water exceeding a predetermined amount is immediately discharged from the drain hole 72. Be made.

  Further, since the closing force does not act on the check valve 73 in the washing and rinsing process, there is a water supply abnormality or a drainage abnormality for some reason, so that it overflows into the circulation air flow path 5 and the heat exchanging part 39 is at the upper limit. When the water level is exceeded, the overflow water above a predetermined level is immediately discharged from the drain hole 72. In this case as well, it is preferable to stop the washing and rinsing processes, which are the current processes, by control from the control board 67.

  Here, the stop of the current operation at the abnormal water level can prevent the continuous use without causing the cause of the abnormal water level, and can notify the user of the abnormality.

  The negative pressure region 71 in which the drain hole 72 is provided is the highest negative pressure region in the heat exchanging part 39, so that the drain hole 72 is located in the highest negative pressure region in the heat exchanging part 39, The closing force of the check valve 73 due to the negative pressure using the flow of circulating air in the exchange unit 39 can be enhanced most, and the drying process can be more stable. For this purpose, the negative pressure region 71 is preferably a region that receives suction by the flow of air from the condenser 32 to the exhaust port 41 in the heat exchanging unit 39, and is closest to the blower fan 15 of the heat exchanging unit 39. There is an advantage that it is easy to form the negative pressure region 71 having the highest negative pressure degree by utilizing the strongest flow of circulating air acting between the condenser 32 and the exhaust port 41 at the most downstream side.

  Specifically, the negative pressure region 71 is formed of the evaporator 31 and the holding end plate 74 that holds both ends of the condenser 32 arranged in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the exhaust port 41 as shown in FIG. 3 to 5, an evaporator is provided between the holding end plate 74 on the exhaust port 41 side and the portion of the end wall 38 b having the exhaust port 41 of the container body 38 that is out of the exhaust port 41. 31 and a gap region that receives suction by the flow of air as shown by an arrow 75 in FIG. 3 and FIG. The evaporator 31 and the condenser 32 arranged in this way become parts that can be handled as a unit by holding both end portions thereof by holding end plates 74, and one holding end plate 74 has an exhaust port 41. 38, a space with a depth deviating from the strong circulating air flow from the condenser 32 toward the exhaust port 41 as described above can be obtained only by separating the both sides a little by utilizing the facing of the end wall 38b. The negative pressure region 71 having the highest degree of negative pressure in the heat exchange unit 39 can be easily obtained.

  Here, the overflow level to the drain hole 72 is set lower than the rotation shaft 15a of the blower fan 15 shown in FIGS. Thereby, it is possible to prevent overflow water from being flooded around the rotary shaft 15a of the blower fan 15, and to prevent the life of the blower fan 15 around the rotary shaft 15a from being reduced by flooding.

  More specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the drain hole 72 is formed so as to face the auxiliary recess 76 that is lower than the overflow level OFL at the bottom of the container 38, and the bottom 38 a of the container 38 to the auxiliary recess 76. A ridge-shaped dam portion 78 for setting the overflow level OFL to the auxiliary recess 76 is provided in the overflow passage 77 from the side. The auxiliary recess 76, the overflow passage 77, and the dam portion 78 are obtained together with the storage portion 63 due to the shape of the bottom of the vessel body 38, and overflow water flows into the auxiliary recess 76 only after exceeding the dam portion 78 and from the drain hole 72. Although the auxiliary recess 76 is discharged, the heat exchanging portion 39, that is, by flowing the auxiliary recess 76 to its full capacity at once, especially when the water level is raised in a short time because the overflow water is from the water tank. It is possible to prevent the water level from rising above a predetermined overflow level OFL in the circulating air flow path 5 having Therefore, it is easy to avoid the overflow water from temporarily reaching the problematic location.

The heat exchanging unit 39 is an air conditioner in which the evaporator 31 and the condenser 32 and the compressor 37 connected to the evaporator 31 and the condenser 32 by a refrigerant pipe are accommodated in one container 38, and is directly connected to the blower fan 15. The air conditioning / blower unit 81 is formed, the drainage hole 72 is provided in a portion of the body 38 facing the blower fan 15, and the check valve 73 is made of an elastic plate member, specifically a rubber plate. 4 and FIG. 5, which is a part of the outer periphery applied to the outer surface of the drain hole 72, is elastically fitted into the mounting hole 82 of the end wall 38 b of the body 38 and is fastened. ing. Thereby, the heat exchanging part 39 can be handled as one air conditioner containing the evaporator 31, the condenser 32, and the compressor 37, and as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. In stable installation, the compressor 37 is hermetically sealed and positioned without being affected by overflow water, and the installation can be stabilized by its weight, and the holding end plate for holding the evaporator 31 and the condenser 32. 74 and the end wall 38b having the exhaust port 41 of the body 38 are suitable for the construction of the negative pressure region 71, and the blower fan 15 is directly connected to the exhaust port 41 side of the body 38 on the intake port 42 side. as a compact configuration that can be made without influence on the rotation shaft 15a part by overflow over flow water. A plurality of semicircular support pieces 72a for backing up the check valve 73 from the inside are provided at a plurality of locations on the inner periphery of the drain hole 72, so that the check valve 73 can be sucked without reducing the opening area of the drain hole 72. It can be prevented from being drawn into the body 38.

  The present invention is a technique that is practically used in a dehumidifying means arrangement portion of a circulating air blowing system for drying laundry in a drum type washing and drying machine, and copes with an abnormal water level in the event, and the influence of such an abnormal water level Contribute to avoiding.

Sectional drawing which shows the principal part structure of the drum type washing-drying machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The internal rear view of the same drum type washing-drying machine which shows the positional relationship of the circulation ventilation path containing the air conditioning and ventilation unit which the air conditioner and the ventilation fan integrated, and the back part of a water tank. The top view which looked at the air conditioner inside of the air conditioning and ventilation unit of FIG. FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the interior of the air conditioner / blower unit of FIG. 3 as viewed from the exhaust port and the check valve side through the exhaust port. The partial perspective view which shows the inside by the side of the exhaust port of the air conditioner of FIG.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Drum-type washing dryer 2 Rotating drum 3 Water tank 5 Circulation ventilation path 7 Motor 8 Through-hole 1 5 Blower fan (blower means)
31 Evaporator 32 Condenser 33 Air duct 35 Filter 36 Filter chamber 37 Compressor 38 Body 38a Bottom 38b End wall 39 Heat exchange part 41 Exhaust port 42 Inlet port 44 Washer / dryer body 66 Operation panel 67 Control board 71 Negative Pressure area 72 Drain hole 73 Check valve 74 Holding end plate 76 Auxiliary recess 77 Overflow passage 78 Dam part 81 Air conditioning / blower unit

Claims (5)

A rotating drum is formed in the water tub that is formed with a large number of through holes and is rotationally driven to accommodate the laundry. Each process of washing, rinsing, and dewatering is controlled by controlling the water supply, drainage, and rotation of the rotating drum in the water tub. In the drum type laundry dryer which carries out the drying process of the laundry by circulating the air in the water tank by the air blowing means through the circulation air flow path provided with the heat exchange part containing the dehumidifying means and the heating means. ,
The heat exchanging portion is located in the lowest portion of the circulating air passage, and has a negative pressure region which can be by the flow of the air in the vessel body, said vessel body wall to a predetermined or more of facing the negative pressure region the drain hole for discharging the overflow water is provided, a check valve closed by suction from said negative pressure region provided in this drainage hole,
The negative pressure region includes a holding end plate on the exhaust port side among the holding end plates that hold both ends of the dehumidifying means and the heating means arranged in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the exhaust port, and the exhaust of the vessel body A gap region that receives suction by the flow of air that passes through the dehumidifying means and the heating means in order in the arrangement direction between the end wall of the end wall having the mouth and the part that is out of the exhaust port. drum type washing and drying machine, characterized in that it. Overflow level to the drainage hole, the drum type washing and drying machine of claim 1, wherein is below the rotation axis of the blower means. Drain hole is formed facing the lower auxiliary recess than the overflow level of the bottom of the vessel body, weir portion for setting the overflow level to the auxiliary recess in the overflow path from the bottom of the device body to the auxiliary recess The drum-type washing and drying machine according to claim 2 , wherein Heat exchanger includes an evaporator as dehumidifier, a condenser as a heating unit, a compressor connected by them and the refrigerant pipe are accommodated air conditioner and air conditioning and which is directly connected to the blowing means None the blower unit, check valve, a portion periphery There are applied to the outer surface of the drainage holes made of a plate member having elasticity to any one of claims 1 to 3 which is fixed to the device body of the air conditioner The drum-type washing and drying machine as described. Under the dehumidifying means of the heat exchange unit arranged in connection with the reservoir for storing the condensed water drainage means, before
Drum type washing and drying machine according to any one of claims 1-4 that is to stop the current operation mode at a predetermined or higher water level in serial heat exchange unit.

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