JP4415486B2

JP4415486B2 - Washing and drying machine

Info

Publication number: JP4415486B2
Application number: JP2000357277A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 彰荘司; 一夫西田; 健太郎鑓; 寛砂金
Original assignee: Panasonic Corp; Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd
Current assignee: Panasonic Corp; Panasonic Holdings Corp
Priority date: 2000-11-24
Filing date: 2000-11-24
Publication date: 2010-02-17
Anticipated expiration: 2020-11-24
Also published as: JP2002159783A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、洗濯、すすぎ、脱水、乾燥の一連の行程を逐次制御する洗濯乾燥機に関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来、この種の洗濯乾燥機は図１０に示すような構成が提案されている。以下、その構成について説明する。
【０００３】
図１０に示すように、筐体１は、内部に複数のサスペンション２によって弾性的に吊り下げた外槽３を設け、脱水時の振動をサスペンション２によって吸収する構成としている。外槽３の内部には、洗濯物および乾燥対象物を収容する内槽４を中空で２重構造とした洗濯／脱水軸５を中心に回転可能に配設し、内槽４の内底部に衣類（洗濯物や乾燥対象物）を撹拌する回転翼６を回転自在に配設している。
【０００４】
また、内槽４の内部周壁には小孔（図示せず）を多数設けるとともに、上方には流体バランサ７を設けている。回転翼６は外周部に傾斜面８を有する略皿状の基盤の上面に撹拌用突出部９を形成することにより、乾燥行程においては、乾燥対象物を回転翼６の回転による遠心力で傾斜面８に沿って上方へと舞い上がりやすくしている。
【０００５】
モータ１０は、外槽３の底部に取り付け、洗濯または脱水時に回転力の伝達を洗濯／脱水軸５に切り換えるクラッチ１１と洗濯／脱水軸５を介して、内槽４または回転翼６に連結している。
【０００６】
熱交換器１２は、循環する湿った温風を除湿するもので、一端を伸縮自在の下部蛇腹状ホース１３を介して外槽３の下部に接続し、他端を乾燥用送風機１４の一端に接続している。乾燥用送風機１４の他端は、加熱手段であるヒータ１５を有する温風供給路１６に接続し、上部蛇腹状ホース１７を通って内槽４へ繋がり、循環する温風循環経路１８を構成している。
【０００７】
外槽３には、外槽３の上面を気密的に覆う外槽カバー１９を設けており、この外槽カバー１９に伸縮自在の上部蛇腹状ホース１７からの温風噴出孔２０を開口している。また、この外槽カバー１９に中蓋２１を開閉自在に設け、衣類を出し入れするようにしている。
【０００８】
筐体カバー２２は筐体１の上部を覆うもので、開閉蓋２３を開閉自在に有し、操作表示手段２４を設けるとともに、内槽４に給水する給水弁２５を設けている。また、外槽３の底部に外槽３内に水を排水する排水弁２６を設けている。冷却用送風機２７は、筐体１の側面に取り付け、筐体１の内部の外槽３、熱交換器１２などを冷却するように送風できるよう構成している。
【０００９】
制御装置２８は、マイクロコンピュータを具備し、モータ１０、クラッチ１１、乾燥用送風機１４、ヒータ１５、給水弁２５、排水弁２６、冷却用送風機２７などの動作を制御し、洗い、すすぎ、脱水、乾燥の一連の行程を逐次制御するように構成している。
【００１０】
サーミスタ２９は熱交換器１２の入口の循環風温度を検知するもので、サーミスタ３０は熱交換器１２の出口の循環風温度を検知するものである。制御装置２８は、これらサーミスタ２９、３０による検知出力を入力し、乾燥終了を判定するよう構成している。
【００１１】
上記構成において動作を説明する。洗い行程では、開閉蓋２３と中蓋２１を開けて、内槽４に衣類（洗濯物）を投入し運転を開始すると、給水弁２５を開いて所定の水位まで給水した後、モータ１０を駆動する。このとき、伝達機構部のクラッチ１１によりモータ１０の動力を洗濯軸を介して回転翼６に伝達し、回転翼６が回転することで、回転翼６の撹拌用突出部９により衣類を撹拌し、洗濯物同士、または内槽４の内壁や回転翼６との接触により作用する機械力と、水流力により行われる。
【００１２】
脱水行程では、洗濯終了後、排水弁３６を開いて内槽４内の水を排水した後、伝達機構部のクラッチ１１を脱水側に切り換えて、モータ１０の動力を脱水軸を介し内槽４に伝達して回転させ、衣類に遠心力を与えることにより、水分を衣類から分離することで行う。脱水行程が終了すると引き続いて乾燥行程に入る。
【００１３】
乾燥行程に入ると、クラッチ１１を洗濯側に切り換えてモータ１０を駆動して回転翼６に伝達し、回転翼６を急速に正転、反転することで、脱水後に内槽４の内壁に張り付いた衣類を引き剥がす。つぎに、排水弁２６を閉じて回転翼６を正転、反転させて撹拌用突出部９で衣類を引っかけて撹拌しながら、乾燥用送風機１４とヒータ１５とで温風を温風噴出孔２０に送る。温風噴出口２０より内槽４に吹き込まれた温風は、衣類から水分を蒸発させた後、内槽４から外槽３の内側へ出た後、下部蛇腹状ホース１３を通過して、熱交換器１２へ至る。
【００１４】
衣類の水分を奪って湿気を含んだ温風が、外槽３の内壁や熱交換器１２内を通過しているとき、筐体１の側面に設置した冷却送風機２７による外部空気の流入で、外槽３や熱交換器１２の外壁は冷却されることになり、その内部では、水分の結露が起こり、湿った温風は除湿されて乾燥用送風機１４に戻る。この温風循環経路１８で温風を循環させることにより、内槽４内の衣類を乾燥させることができる。
【００１５】
乾燥行程での循環風の温度は、乾燥を開始すると、温風にさらされた衣類は温度が上昇し、やがてヒータ１５の加熱入力と衣類に含まれる水分の蒸発潜熱の熱量の授受が平衡を保った乾燥状態になる。この期間Ｔ１は恒率乾燥期間と呼ばれる。
【００１６】
さらに乾燥が進行し衣類の表面部に含まれた水分が蒸発し終わると、繊維の内部に含まれた水分の蒸発が進行し始める。この期間Ｔ２は減率乾燥期間と呼ばれ、ヒータ１５の加熱入力に対し蒸発水分量が少ないため、余剰加熱入力が顕熱分として衣類および循環風の温度を上昇させる。この温度の上昇開始ポイントを変曲点と呼んでいる。
【００１７】
このときの衣類の乾燥率は約９０〜９５％程度であり、制御装置２８は、図１１に示すように、この変曲点をサーミスタ２９による検知温度ＴＨ１とサーミスタ３０による検知温度ＴＨ２の差温の変化率から判定し、所定の遅延時間を設け、十分に乾燥させてから乾燥行程を終了する。
【００１８】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
このような従来の構成では、脱水行程での外槽３の振れ廻りなどを考慮した筐体１内の限られたスペースで、温風循環経路１８を構成しなければならず、充分な断面積を持つ通路を構成できなかった。このため、乾燥に必要な所定の風量を確保するためには風速を上げることが必要となり、そのときの強い風圧で熱交換器１２内の除湿水が機外に排出されにくく、減率乾燥期間に再蒸発して温風循環経路１８内の相対湿度を上げ、所定の乾燥率（１０１〜１０３％）になっても、サーミスタ２９による検知温度ＴＨ１とサーミスタ３０による検知温度ＴＨ２の差温ＴＨ１−ＴＨ２の変化量が小さい。このため、衣類は乾燥しているにも関わらず、差温ＴＨ１−ＴＨ２は徐々にしか上昇せず、乾燥終了検知ができなかったり、過乾燥で乾燥終了検知するという不都合があった。
【００１９】
また、送風行程では、回転翼８の左右回転（０．４秒オン−２．５秒オフ）のみにより衣類の位置を変えながら送風していた。このとき、温風噴出孔２０からでる温風は、内槽４内の上方の衣類にしか当たらないため、温風が当たる表面積が小さく、衣類の位置を変えているものの乾燥した衣類は殆ど位置を変えないため、衣類全体の温度が下がりにくいという不都合があった。
【００２０】
また、回転翼８の上方には常に衣類が乗っているため、回転翼８の下方では温風が流れず、乾燥中に衣類から出たリント（糸くずなど）が溜まるという不都合があった。
【００２１】
本発明は上記従来の課題を解決するもので、乾燥検知精度が高く、未乾燥や過乾燥が起こらないようにして信頼性が高い乾燥検知性能を実現することを第１の目的としている。
【００２２】
また、送風行程で、衣類の温度を均一に下げて送風時間を短くするとともに、回転翼の下方に衣類から出たリントが溜まらないようにし、衣類に再付着するのを防止することを第２の目的としている。
【００２３】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明は上記第１の目的を達成するために、筐体内に弾性的に吊支した外槽内に、回転中心軸を鉛直方向に有する内槽を回転自在に支持し、内槽の内底部に回転翼を回転自在に設け、内槽または回転翼を駆動手段により駆動し、冷却手段により冷却される熱交換器を有する温風循環経路内に、加熱手段により加熱し送風手段により内槽内に送風する温風を循環させ、制御手段により駆動手段、送風手段、加熱手段、冷却手段などの動作を制御し、洗い、すすぎ、脱水、乾燥などの行程を制御するよう構成し、制御手段は、乾燥行程に入ってから所定時間後に温風循環経路に外気を導入する外気導入手段を動作させ、温風循環経路の循環風温度と熱交換器の外壁温度の差温の最小値から所定温度上昇したとき乾燥終了するよう構成したものである。
【００２４】
これにより、乾燥検知精度を高くすることができ、未乾燥や過乾燥が起こらないようにできて、信頼性が高い乾燥検知性能を実現することができる。
【００２５】
また、上記第２の目的を達成するために、筐体内に弾性的に吊支した外槽内に、回転中心軸を鉛直方向に有する内槽を回転自在に支持し、内槽の内底部に回転翼を回転自在に設け、内槽または回転翼を駆動手段により駆動し、冷却手段により冷却される熱交換器を有する温風循環経路内に、加熱手段により加熱し送風手段により内槽内に送風する温風を循環させ、制御手段により駆動手段、送風手段、加熱手段、冷却手段などの動作を制御し、洗い、すすぎ、脱水、乾燥などの行程を制御するよう構成し、制御手段は、送風手段により内槽内に送風しながら、内槽と回転翼の回転を交互に繰り返して送風行程を行うよう構成したものである。
【００２６】
これにより、送風行程で、衣類の温度を均一に下げて送風時間を短くできるとともに、回転翼の下方に衣類から出たリントが溜まらないようにでき、衣類に再付着するのを防止することができる。
【００２７】
【発明の実態の形態】
本発明の請求項１に記載の発明は、筐体内に弾性的に吊支した外槽と、回転中心軸を鉛直方向に有し前記外槽内に回転自在に支持した内槽と、前記内槽の内底部に回転自在に設けた回転翼と、前記内槽または回転翼を駆動する駆動手段と、前記内槽内に送風する送風手段と、前記送風手段により送風される空気を加熱する加熱手段と、熱交換器を有し前記送風手段による温風を循環させる温風循環経路と、前記温風循環経路に外気を導入する外気導入手段と、前記熱交換器を冷却する冷却手段と、前記駆動手段、送風手段、加熱手段、冷却手段などの動作を制御し洗い、すすぎ、脱水、乾燥などの行程を制御する制御手段とを備え、前記制御手段は、乾燥行程に入ってから所定時間後に前記外気導入手段を動作させ、前記温風循環経路の循環風温度と熱交換器の外壁温度の差温の最小値から所定温度上昇したとき乾燥終了するよう構成したものであり、温風循環経路の循環風温度と熱交換器の外壁温度の差温の最小値を求め、この最小値から所定温度上昇したとき乾燥終了とするので、差温の変化量が小さくても乾燥終了を必ず検知することができ、また、衣類が生乾きの状態や化繊が多めの衣類や衣類の量が少ない場合などで乾燥の進行度合いが速く差温が急に変化する場合や、綿が多い衣類や衣類の量が多い場合や脱水時の脱水率が悪い場合などで差温の変化が小さく徐々に差温が上昇する場合でも、乾燥検知精度を高くすることができ、未乾燥や過乾燥が起こらないようにできて、信頼性が高い乾燥検知性能を実現することができ、最適な乾燥状態で乾燥を終了することができる。
【００２８】
請求項２に記載の発明は、上記請求項１に記載の発明において、衣類の量を検知する布量検知手段を備え、制御手段は、衣類の量によって、乾燥終了するときの差温の最小値から上昇する所定温度を可変するよう構成したものであり、衣類の量が少ない場合は乾燥が進行して乾燥率が１００％以上に達したとき差温は急激に上昇し、逆に、衣類の量が多い場合は差温は徐々に上昇するため、衣類の量によって、乾燥検知するための温風循環経路の循環風温度と熱交換器の外壁温度の差温の最小値から上昇する所定温度を変えることにより、きめ細かく最適の乾燥時間で乾燥を終了させることができる。たとえば、衣類の量が少ないときは、差温が急激に上昇するが、衣類は全体が均一に乾いている状態ではなく、一部乾燥むらがあるため、差温の最小値から上昇する所定温度を大きくして、乾燥むらや未乾燥なく乾燥を終了させ、衣類の量が多いときは、差温は徐々にしか上昇しないが、衣類はほぼ均一な乾燥状態で乾燥しているため、差温の最小値から上昇する所定温度を小さくして早めに乾燥終了させても、乾燥むらなく最適な乾燥状態で乾燥を終了させることができる。
【００２９】
請求項３に記載の発明は、上記請求項１に記載の発明において、室温を検知する温度検知手段を備え、制御手段は、室温によって、乾燥終了するときの差温の最小値から上昇する所定温度を可変するよう構成したものであり、衣類の量が同じであっても室温（雰囲気温度）により、乾燥が進行して乾燥率が１００％以上になるときの差温の変化が異なる。室温が高い（３５℃）ときは差温は短時間で急激に上昇し、室温が低い（５℃）ときは差温は変化量が小さく、差温の絶対値が徐々に上昇する。よって、衣類の量が同じであっても室温が高いときは、差温の最小値から上昇する所定温度を大きくし、室温が低いときは、差温の最小値から上昇する所定温度を小さくすることで、室温による影響がなく、未乾燥や過乾燥がない乾燥状態で乾燥を終了することができる。
【００３０】
請求項４に記載の発明は、上記請求項１〜３のいずれかに記載の発明において、乾燥終了後に、制御手段は、前記送風手段により内槽内に送風しながら、前記内槽と前記回転翼の回転を交互に繰り返して送風行程を行うよう構成したものであり、回転翼の左右回転と内槽の回転（１８０回転）とを交互にすることで、衣類は内槽の内壁に沿ってドーナツ状になるため、内槽内に送風された風はドーナツ状の衣類の中心を通るようになり、風が衣類に接触する面積が増えるとともに、回転翼の左右回転だけでは位置が変えられなかった内槽の下方の衣類にも風が当たり、均一に衣類の温度が下がり、送風時間を短縮することができる。また、ドーナツ状の衣類の中央を通った風は、回転翼に設けた多数の穴を通るようになり、回転翼の下方に堆積したリントを風によって巻き上げ、リント回収フィルタで回収することができる。よって、乾燥行程の後に、再び洗濯をしても回転翼の下方や内槽の内底部にはリントがなく、衣類に再付着することがない。
【００３１】
請求項５に記載の発明は、上記請求項４に記載の発明において、制御手段は、温風循環経路を循環する循環風の温度が所定温度になった後、室温により所定時間送風運転を行うよう構成したものであり、温風循環経路を循環する循環風の温度が所定の温度になったとき、衣類の温度は室温により所望の温度まで下がっていない。たとえば、室温５℃では、循環風に温度は外気を導入するため急激に下がるが、衣類の温度は熱容量が大きいため循環風の温度より高くなる。逆に、室温３５℃では、外気を導入しても衣類の温度はなかなか下がらないが、衣類の温度と循環風の温度はほぼ等しくなる。よって、循環風の温度が所定の温度になった後、室温により所定時間送風運転を行うことにより、衣類の温度を室温に関係なく所望の温度以下にすることができる。
【００３２】
【実施例】
以下、本発明の実施例について、図面を参照しながら説明する。なお、従来例と同じ構成のものは同一符号を付して説明を省略する。
【００３３】
（実施例１）
図１および図２に示すように、第１のサーミスタ３１は熱交換器１２の出口に取り付け、温風循環経路１８の循環風温度を検知し、第２のサーミスタ３２は熱交換器１２の外壁表面に取り付け、熱交換器１２の外壁温度を検知し、第３のサーミスタ３３は温風供給路１６に取り付け、温風噴出孔２０の循環風温度を検知するよう構成している。
【００３４】
吸気弁（外気導入手段）３４は、温風循環経路１８に外気を導入するもので、乾燥行程にて、排水弁２６を開いて温風循環経路１８内を循環する温風を排出するとき、同時に吸気弁３４を開いて温風循環経路１８に外気を導入する。
【００３５】
布量検知手段３５は、内槽４内の衣類の量を検知するもので、モータ１０により回転翼８を駆動し、モータ１０が所定回転数になるように、モータ１０に電力を供給するスイッチング素子（図示せず）をスイッチング制御し、そのスイッチング制御量と、スイッチング素子の入力電流値と、その後モータ１０を休止し、休止後のモータ１０の惰性回転によりモータ１０が１回転する間に発生するパルス信号から衣類の量を検知するようにしている。
【００３６】
制御手段３６は、マイクロコンピュータを具備し、モータ（駆動手段）１０、クラッチ１１、乾燥用送風機（送風手段）１４、ヒータ（加熱手段）１５、給水弁２５、排水弁２６、冷却用送風機（冷却手段）２７、などの動作を制御し、洗い、すすぎ、脱水、乾燥の各行程を制御する。
【００３７】
また、制御手段３６は、乾燥行程に入ってから所定時間後に排水弁２６と吸気弁３４を動作させ、第１のサーミスタ３１と第２のサーミスタ３２の検知温度に基づいて、温風循環経路１８の循環風温度と、熱交換器１２の外壁温度の差温の最小値から所定温度△Ｔ（たとえば、６Ｋ）上昇したとき乾燥終了するように構成している。
【００３８】
図３は乾燥行程における第１のサーミスタ３１による検知温度ＴＨ１と、第２のサーミスタ３２による検知温度ＴＨ２を示し、図４は第１のサーミスタ３１による検知温度ＴＨ１と第２のサーミスタ３２による検知温度ＴＨ２の差温△ＴＨ（ＴＨ１−ＴＨ２）を示している。この図をもとに乾燥行程の進行に伴う、温風循環経路１８の状態の変化を図５を参照しながら説明する。
【００３９】
図５のステップ４０にて乾燥行程が始まると、ステップ４１にて乾燥用送風機１４をオンし、ステップ４２にてヒータ１５を構成する第１のヒータ１５ａと第２のヒータ１５ｂをオンし、乾燥循環経路１８に温風を循環し、ステップ４３にて第１のサーミスタ３１と第２のサーミスタ３２より温度データを入力する。
【００４０】
温風噴出孔２０から内槽４へ吹き出された温風は、ステップ４４にて内槽４の回転と回転翼６の回転を繰り返すことにより撹拌される湿った衣類に吹き付けられて、効率的な乾燥を行う。衣類から水分を奪って多湿になった温風は、熱交換器１２を通過するとき、ステップ４５にてオンした冷却用送風機２７によって送られる送風によって、熱交換器１２の壁面を介して熱交換する。
【００４１】
このとき、冷やされて結露点に達した温風は、熱交換器１２の内壁面に除湿水（結露水）を形成する。この除湿水は排水弁２６の近傍に溜まるため、ステップ４６にて排水弁２６を１４分ごとに１分間オンすることにより、除湿水を排水する。
【００４２】
ステップ４７にて、乾燥開始から所定時間経過した時刻ｔ１にて、吸気弁３４をオンするとともに排水弁２６を連続オンし、温風循環経路１８内を循環する温風を排出するとともに、温風循環経路１８に外気を導入する。このことにより、図３に示すように、第１のサーミスタ３１による検知温度ＴＨ１と、第２のサーミスタ３２による検知温度ＴＨ２は低下し、図４に示すように、差温△ＴＨも低下する。
【００４３】
ここで、乾燥開始から吸気弁３４をオンするとともに排水弁２６をオンするまでの所定時間は、洗濯から乾燥までを行うときには、洗濯開始時または乾燥開始時に、また、乾燥のみ行うときには乾燥開始時に、布量検知手段３５により検知した衣類の量に基づいて（表１）のように設定する。
【００４４】
【表１】

【００４５】
（表１）に示すように、衣類の量が多いときにはより長い時間、少ないときにはより短い時間経過後に、吸気弁３４をオンするとともに排水弁２６をオンすることにより、外槽３内に満ちている湿気を含んだ温風は、温風循環経路１８でなく、排水弁２６を通って多くが外部へと排出される。これにより、それ以降の除湿する量を減らすことができ、除湿に費やされる時間が節約され、乾燥時間を短縮することができる。
【００４６】
つぎに、ステップ４８にて、衣類の量に応じて、乾燥開始から所定時間経過した時刻ｔ２にて、第２のヒータ１５ｂをオフする。このことにより、図３に示すように、第１のサーミスタ３１による検知温度ＴＨ１と、第２のサーミスタ３２による検知温度ＴＨ２はさらに低下し、図４に示すように、差温△ＴＨもさらに低下する。
【００４７】
ついで、ステップ４９にて、差温△ＴＨを求め、差温の最小値と仮定して記憶し、ステップ５０にて、２分ごとに差温△ＴＨを求め、ステップ５１にて差温△ＴＨの傾きが負であるかどうかを判定し、負であればステップ５２へ進み、現在の差温値を差温の最小値として記憶する。図４のＥ０、Ｅ１、Ｅ２のように、ステップ５０からステップ５２を繰り返すことにより、差温の最小値Ｅｍｉｎを求めることができる。
【００４８】
差温の最小値を求めた後、ステップ５１にて差温△ＴＨの傾きが負でなくなるとステップ５３へ進み、現在の差温値が差温の最小値＋６Ｋ以上かを判定し、＋６Ｋ以上でなければステップ５０へ戻り、ステップ５０、５１、５３を繰り返す。差温の最小値から上昇値が所定温度△Ｔ（６Ｋ）以上になる（図４の時刻ｔ３）とステップ５４へ進み、乾燥検知を終了し、ステップ５５にて第１のヒータ１５ａをオフし、ステップ５６にて送風行程へ進み、図４の時刻ｔ４で運転を終了する。
【００４９】
このように本実施例によれば、乾燥行程に入ってから所定時間後に吸気弁３４と排水弁２６を動作させ、温風循環経路１８の循環風温度と熱交換器１２の外壁温度の差温の最小値から所定温度上昇したとき乾燥終了するよう構成しているので、差温の変化量が小さくても乾燥終了を必ず検知することができ、未乾燥や過乾燥が起こらないようにできて、信頼性が高い乾燥検知性能を実現することができ、最適な乾燥状態で乾燥を終了することができる。
【００５０】
（実施例２）
図１および図２に示す制御手段３６は、布量検知手段３５により検知した衣類の量によって、乾燥終了するときの差温の最小値から上昇する所定温度△Ｔを、（表２）に示すように、可変するよう構成している。他の構成は上記実施例１と同じである。
【００５１】
【表２】

【００５２】
上記構成において図６を参照しながら動作を説明すると、衣類の量が少ない場合は、乾燥が進行して乾燥率が１００％以上に達したとき、図６の曲線ａで示すように、差温は急激に上昇する。衣類の量が多くなるに伴い、曲線ｂ（衣類の量：中）、曲線ｃ（衣類の量：多い）で示すように、差温は徐々に上昇する。
【００５３】
このため、衣類の量によって、乾燥検知するための温風循環経路１８の循環風温度と熱交換器１２の外壁温度の差温の最小値から上昇する所定温度△Ｔを変えることにより、それぞれ時刻ｔ３ａ、ｔ３ｂ、ｔ３ｃで乾燥検知を終了し、きめ細かく最適の乾燥時間で乾燥を終了させることができる。
【００５４】
たとえば、衣類の量が少ないときは、差温が急激に上昇するが、衣類は全体が均一に乾いている状態ではなく、一部乾燥むらがあるため、差温の最小値から上昇する所定温度を大きくして、乾燥むらや未乾燥なく乾燥を終了させ、衣類の量が多いときは、差温は徐々にしか上昇しないが、衣類はほぼ均一な乾燥状態で乾燥しているため、差温の最小値から上昇する所定温度を小さくして早めに乾燥終了させても、乾燥むらなく最適な乾燥状態で乾燥を終了させることができる。
【００５５】
（実施例３）
図１および図２に示す制御手段３６は、室温（雰囲気温度）によって、乾燥終了するときの差温の最小値から上昇する所定温度△Ｔを、（表３）に示すように、可変するよう構成している。ここで、室温は、ほぼ室温に近い洗濯開始時または乾燥開始時の第２のサーミスタ３２により検知した温度とする。他の構成は上記実施例１と同じである。
【００５６】
【表３】

【００５７】
上記構成において動作を説明すると、衣類の量が同じであっても室温（雰囲気温度）により、乾燥が進行して乾燥率が１００％以上になるときの差温の変化が異なる。室温が高い（３５℃）ときは差温は短時間で急激に上昇し、室温が低い（５℃）ときは差温は変化量が小さく、差温の絶対値が徐々に上昇する。
【００５８】
よって、衣類の量が同じであっても室温が高いときは、差温の最小値から上昇する所定温度△Ｔを大きくし、室温が低いときは、差温の最小値から上昇する所定温度△Ｔを小さくすることで、室温による影響がなく、未乾燥や過乾燥がない乾燥状態で乾燥を終了することができる。
【００５９】
（実施例４）
図１および図２に示す制御手段３６は、温風により衣類を乾燥させた後、ヒータ１５をオフし、乾燥用送風機１４により内槽４内に送風しながら、内槽４と回転翼６の回転を交互に繰り返して送風行程を行うよう構成している。他の構成は上記実施例１と同じである。
【００６０】
上記構成において動作を説明すると、内槽４の回転（１８０回転）と回転翼６の左右回転とを交互にすることで、内槽４内の衣類は、図７に示すように、内槽４の内壁に沿ってドーナツ状になるため、乾燥用送風機１４により内槽４内に送風された風はドーナツ状の衣類の中心を通るようになり、風が衣類に接触する面積が増えるとともに、回転翼６の左右回転だけでは位置が変えられなかった内槽４の下方の衣類にも風が当たり、均一に衣類の温度が下がり、送風時間を短縮することができる。
【００６１】
また、ドーナツ状の衣類の中央を通った風は、回転翼６に設けた多数の穴を通るようになり、回転翼６の下方に堆積したリントを風によって巻き上げ、リント回収フィルタ（図示せず）で回収することができる。よって、乾燥行程の後に、再び洗濯をしても回転翼６の下方や内槽４の内底部にはリントがなく、衣類に再付着することがない。
【００６２】
（実施例５）
図１および図２に示す制御手段３６は、温風により衣類を乾燥させた後、ヒータ１５をオフし、乾燥用送風機１４により内槽４内に送風する送風行程で、温風噴出孔２０の循環風温度を検知する第３のサーミスタ３３により検知した循環風の温度が所定温度（たとえば、４７℃）になった後、室温により、（表４）に示す所定時間送風運転を行うよう構成している。ここで、室温は、ほぼ室温に近い洗濯開始時または乾燥開始時の第２のサーミスタ３２により検知した温度とする。他の構成は上記実施例１と同じである。
【００６３】
【表４】

【００６４】
上記構成において図８および図９を参照しながら動作を説明する。図８のステップ６０にて送風行程を開始すると、ステップ６１にて乾燥用送風機１４をオンし、ステップ６２にて第３のサーミスタ３３より温度データを入力し、ステップ６３にて、内槽４の回転（１８０回転）と回転翼６の左右回転とを交互に繰り返す。
【００６５】
乾燥用送風機１４により送風することで、図９に示すように、第３のサーミスタ３３により検知した温風噴出孔２０の循環風温度は低下し、ステップ６４にて、循環風の温度が所定温度（４７℃）以下になったかを判定し、所定温度以下でなければステップ６２へ戻り、ステップ６２からステップ６４の動作を繰り返す。
【００６６】
ステップ６４にて、循環風の温度が所定温度（４７℃）以下になるとステップ６５へ進み、室温により、（表４）に示す所定時間だけ送風運転を行い、ステップ６６にて内槽４と回転翼６の回転を停止し、ステップ６７にて乾燥用送風機１４をオフし、ステップ６８にて運転を終了する。
【００６７】
送風行程においても、送風時間を短縮するため外気を導入している。このとき、循環風の温度が所定温度（４７℃）以下になり送風を停止すると、衣類の温度は所望の温度（４７℃）まで下がっていない。たとえば、室温５℃では、循環風に温度は外気を導入するため急激に下がるが、衣類の温度は熱容量が大きいため循環風の温度より高くなる。逆に、室温３５℃では、外気を導入しても衣類の温度はなかなか下がらないが、衣類の温度と循環風の温度はほぼ等しくなる。
【００６８】
よって、循環風の温度が所定温度になった後、（表４）に示すように、室温により所定時間送風運転を行うことにより、衣類の温度を室温に関係なく所望の温度以下にすることができる。
【００６９】
室温が４０℃では、第３のサーミスタ３３により検知した循環風の温度と衣類の温度はほぼ等しいので、図９の曲線ｆで示すように、循環風の温度が所定温度になった時刻ｔ４ｆ後の所定時間送風運転は行わない。室温が２０℃では、図９の曲線ｅで示すように、第３のサーミスタ３３により検知した循環風の温度が所定温度になった時刻ｔ４ｅから送風を１５分間継続することにより、時刻ｔ５ｅで衣類の温度を所望の温度（４７℃）にすることができる。
【００７０】
また、室温が５℃では、導入する外気が低いため衣類の温度が下がるのも速いため、第３のサーミスタ３３により検知した循環風の温度が所定温度になった時刻ｔ４ｄから送風を５分間継続することにより、時刻ｔ５ｄで衣類の温度を所望の温度（４７℃）にすることができる。
【００７１】
このことにより、衣類の温度を所望の温度以下にすることができる。ここで、所望の温度（４７℃）は、衣類の自然発火の試験より、可燃性の溶液が衣類に付着していた場合でも、衣類の温度を約５０℃以下にすることで、自然発火に至らないという結果より設定したものである。
【００７２】
【発明の効果】
以上のように本発明の請求項１に記載の発明によれば、筐体内に弾性的に吊支した外槽と、回転中心軸を鉛直方向に有し前記外槽内に回転自在に支持した内槽と、前記内槽の内底部に回転自在に設けた回転翼と、前記内槽または回転翼を駆動する駆動手段と、前記内槽内に送風する送風手段と、前記送風手段により送風される空気を加熱する加熱手段と、熱交換器を有し前記送風手段による温風を循環させる温風循環経路と、前記温風循環経路に外気を導入する外気導入手段と、前記熱交換器を冷却する冷却手段と、前記駆動手段、送風手段、加熱手段、冷却手段などの動作を制御し洗い、すすぎ、脱水、乾燥などの行程を制御する制御手段とを備え、前記制御手段は、乾燥行程に入ってから所定時間後に前記外気導入手段を動作させ、前記温風循環経路の循環風温度と熱交換器の外壁温度の差温の最小値から所定温度上昇したとき乾燥終了するよう構成したから、差温の変化量が小さくても乾燥終了を必ず検知することができ、乾燥検知精度を高くすることができ、未乾燥や過乾燥が起こらないようにできて、信頼性が高い乾燥検知性能を実現することができ、最適な乾燥状態で乾燥を終了することができる。
【００７３】
また、請求項２に記載の発明によれば、衣類の量を検知する布量検知手段を備え、制御手段は、衣類の量によって、乾燥終了するときの差温の最小値から上昇する所定温度を可変するよう構成したから、衣類の量によって、きめ細かく最適の乾燥時間で乾燥を終了させることができ、乾燥むらなく最適な乾燥状態で乾燥を終了させることができる。
【００７４】
また、請求項３に記載の発明によれば、室温を検知する温度検知手段を備え、制御手段は、室温によって、乾燥終了するときの差温の最小値から上昇する所定温度を可変するよう構成したから、室温による影響がなく、未乾燥や過乾燥がない乾燥状態で乾燥を終了することができる。
【００７５】
また、請求項４に記載の発明によれば、乾燥終了後に、制御手段は、前記送風手段により内槽内に送風しながら、前記内槽と前記回転翼の回転を交互に繰り返して送風行程を行うよう構成したから、回転翼の左右回転と内槽の回転とを交互にすることで、衣類は内槽の内壁に沿ってドーナツ状になるため、風が衣類に接触する面積が増えるとともに、内槽の下方の衣類にも風が当たり、均一に衣類の温度が下がり、送風時間を短縮することができる。また、回転翼の下方に堆積したリントを風によって巻き上げ、リント回収フィルタで回収することができ、乾燥行程の後に、再び洗濯をしても回転翼の下方や内槽の内底部にはリントがなく、衣類に再付着することがない。
【００７６】
また、請求項５に記載の発明によれば、制御手段は、温風循環経路を循環する循環風の温度が所定温度になった後、室温により所定時間送風運転を行うよう構成したから、衣類の温度を室温に関係なく所望の温度以下にすることができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の第１の実施例の洗濯乾燥機の縦断面図
【図２】同洗濯乾燥機のブロック回路図
【図３】同洗濯乾燥機の循環風温度と熱交換器の外壁温度の変化を示すタイムチャート
【図４】同洗濯乾燥機の循環風温度と熱交換器の外壁温度の差温の変化を示すタイムチャート
【図５】同洗濯乾燥機の乾燥行程でのフローチャート
【図６】本発明の第２の実施例の洗濯乾燥機の循環風温度と熱交換器の外壁温度の差温の変化を示すタイムチャート
【図７】本発明の第４の実施例の洗濯乾燥機の運転状態の縦断面図
【図８】本発明の第５の実施例の洗濯乾燥機の送風行程でのフローチャート
【図９】同洗濯乾燥機の循環風温度の変化を示すタイムチャート
【図１０】従来の洗濯乾燥機の縦断面図
【図１１】同洗濯乾燥機の乾燥行程での動作タイムチャート
【符号の説明】
１筐体
３外槽
４内槽
６回転翼
１０モータ（駆動手段）
１２熱交換器
１４乾燥用送風機（送風手段）
１５ヒータ（加熱手段）
１８温風循環経路
２７冷却用送風機（冷却手段）
３４吸気弁（外気導入手段）
３６制御手段[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a washing and drying machine that sequentially controls a series of steps of washing, rinsing, dewatering, and drying.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a structure as shown in FIG. 10 has been proposed for this type of washing and drying machine. Hereinafter, the configuration will be described.
[0003]
As shown in FIG. 10, the housing 1 is provided with an outer tub 3 that is elastically suspended by a plurality of suspensions 2 inside, and the suspension 2 absorbs vibration during dehydration. Inside the outer tub 3, the inner tub 4 for storing the laundry and the object to be dried is disposed so as to be rotatable around a washing / dehydrating shaft 5 having a hollow and double structure. A rotary blade 6 for agitating clothes (laundry and dry objects) is rotatably arranged.
[0004]
A large number of small holes (not shown) are provided in the inner peripheral wall of the inner tank 4, and a fluid balancer 7 is provided above. In the drying process, the rotor blade 6 is inclined by the centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the rotor blade 6 by forming the agitation protrusion 9 on the upper surface of the substantially dish-shaped base having the inclined surface 8 on the outer periphery. It is easy to rise upward along the surface 8.
[0005]
The motor 10 is attached to the bottom of the outer tub 3 and is connected to the inner tub 4 or the rotor blade 6 via the clutch 11 for switching the transmission of rotational force to the washing / dehydrating shaft 5 and the washing / dehydrating shaft 5 during washing or dehydrating. ing.
[0006]
The heat exchanger 12 dehumidifies the circulating hot air, and one end is connected to the lower part of the outer tub 3 via a retractable lower bellows-like hose 13 and the other end is connected to one end of the drying fan 14. Connected. The other end of the drying fan 14 is connected to a hot air supply path 16 having a heater 15 as a heating means, and is connected to the inner tank 4 through an upper bellows-like hose 17 to constitute a circulating hot air circulation path 18. ing.
[0007]
The outer tub 3 is provided with an outer tub cover 19 that hermetically covers the upper surface of the outer tub 3, and the outer tub cover 19 is provided with a hot air blowing hole 20 from the upper bellows-like hose 17 that can be expanded and contracted. Yes. Further, an inner lid 21 is provided on the outer tub cover 19 so as to be freely opened and closed so that clothes can be taken in and out.
[0008]
The case cover 22 covers the upper part of the case 1, has an open / close lid 23 that can be opened and closed, is provided with an operation display means 24, and is provided with a water supply valve 25 for supplying water to the inner tank 4. Further, a drain valve 26 for draining water into the outer tub 3 is provided at the bottom of the outer tub 3. The cooling blower 27 is attached to the side surface of the housing 1 and is configured to blow air so as to cool the outer tub 3 inside the housing 1, the heat exchanger 12, and the like.
[0009]
The control device 28 includes a microcomputer, and controls the operation of the motor 10, the clutch 11, the drying fan 14, the heater 15, the water supply valve 25, the drain valve 26, the cooling fan 27, and the like to wash, rinse, dewater, A series of drying steps are sequentially controlled.
[0010]
The thermistor 29 detects the circulating air temperature at the inlet of the heat exchanger 12, and the thermistor 30 detects the circulating air temperature at the outlet of the heat exchanger 12. The control device 28 is configured to input detection outputs from the

thermistors

29 and 30 and determine the end of drying.
[0011]
The operation in the above configuration will be described. In the washing process, when the opening / closing lid 23 and the inner lid 21 are opened, clothes (laundry) are put into the inner tub 4 and the operation is started, the water supply valve 25 is opened to supply water to a predetermined water level, and then the motor 10 is driven. To do. At this time, the power of the motor 10 is transmitted to the rotary blade 6 through the washing shaft by the clutch 11 of the transmission mechanism, and the rotary blade 6 rotates, so that the clothes are stirred by the stirring protrusion 9 of the rotary blade 6. It is performed by the mechanical force acting by the contact between the laundry or the inner wall of the inner tub 4 or the rotary blade 6 and the hydrodynamic force.
[0012]
In the dehydration process, after washing is completed, the drain valve 36 is opened to drain the water in the inner tub 4, and then the clutch 11 of the transmission mechanism is switched to the dehydration side, and the power of the motor 10 is supplied to the inner tub 4 via the dehydration shaft. This is done by separating the moisture from the garment by rotating it and rotating it and applying centrifugal force to the garment. When the dehydration process is completed, the process proceeds to the drying process.
[0013]
When the drying process is started, the clutch 11 is switched to the washing side, the motor 10 is driven and transmitted to the rotor blades 6, and the rotor blades 6 are rapidly rotated forward and reverse so that the inner wall of the inner tub 4 is stretched after dehydration. Remove the attached clothing. Next, the drainage valve 26 is closed, the rotary blade 6 is rotated forward and reverse, and the clothes are caught and stirred by the stirring protrusion 9, and the warm air is blown by the drying fan 14 and the heater 15. Send to. The warm air blown into the inner tub 4 from the warm air outlet 20 evaporates moisture from the clothing, then exits from the inner tub 4 to the inner side of the outer tub 3, passes through the lower bellows-like hose 13, It reaches the heat exchanger 12.
[0014]
When hot air containing moisture from the clothing deprived of moisture passes through the inner wall of the outer tub 3 or the heat exchanger 12, the inflow of external air by the cooling blower 27 installed on the side surface of the housing 1, The outer walls of the outer tub 3 and the heat exchanger 12 are cooled, moisture condensation occurs therein, and the moist hot air is dehumidified and returned to the drying fan 14. By circulating the warm air through the warm air circulation path 18, the clothes in the inner tub 4 can be dried.
[0015]
When drying starts, the temperature of the circulating air in the drying process rises in the temperature of the clothing exposed to the warm air. Eventually, the heating input of the heater 15 and the transfer of the amount of latent heat of evaporation of moisture contained in the clothing are balanced. It will be kept dry. This period T1 is called a constant rate drying period.
[0016]
When the drying further progresses and the moisture contained in the surface portion of the clothing is completely evaporated, the evaporation of moisture contained in the fiber begins to progress. This period T2 is called a decreasing rate drying period, and since the amount of evaporated water is smaller than the heating input of the heater 15, the excess heating input raises the temperature of the clothes and the circulating air as sensible heat. This temperature rise start point is called an inflection point.
[0017]
At this time, the drying rate of the clothes is about 90 to 95%. As shown in FIG. 11, the control device 28 determines the inflection point as a difference temperature between the detection temperature TH1 detected by the thermistor 29 and the detection temperature TH2 detected by the thermistor 30. A predetermined delay time is provided and the drying process is terminated after sufficient drying.
[0018]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In such a conventional configuration, the hot air circulation path 18 must be formed in a limited space in the housing 1 in consideration of the swaying of the outer tub 3 during the dehydration process, and a sufficient cross-sectional area is obtained. Could not construct a passage with For this reason, it is necessary to increase the wind speed in order to secure a predetermined air volume necessary for drying, and it is difficult for the dehumidified water in the heat exchanger 12 to be discharged outside the machine with a strong wind pressure at that time, and the rate of drying period Even when the relative humidity in the warm air circulation path 18 is increased to a predetermined drying rate (101 to 103%), the difference temperature TH1 between the temperature TH1 detected by the thermistor 29 and the temperature TH2 detected by the thermistor 30 is reached. The amount of change in TH2 is small. For this reason, even though the clothes are dry, the temperature difference TH1-TH2 only rises gradually, and there is a problem that the drying end cannot be detected or the drying end is detected due to overdrying.
[0019]
Further, in the air blowing process, the air was blown while changing the position of the clothes only by rotating the rotor blade 8 left and right (0.4 sec on-2.5 sec off). At this time, since the warm air coming out of the warm air ejection hole 20 hits only the upper clothing in the inner tub 4, the surface area to which the hot air hits is small, and the position of the clothing is changed, but the dried clothing is almost located. The temperature of the entire garment is unlikely to be lowered.
[0020]
Further, since clothing is always on the upper side of the rotary blade 8, there is a problem that warm air does not flow below the rotary blade 8, and lint (lint etc.) that comes out of the clothing during drying is accumulated.
[0021]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and has as its first object to realize a dry detection performance with high dryness detection accuracy and high reliability without causing undried or excessive drying.
[0022]
Further, in the blowing process, the temperature of the clothes is uniformly lowered to shorten the blowing time, and the lint coming out of the clothes is prevented from accumulating below the rotor blades to prevent reattachment to the clothes. The purpose is.
[0023]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the first object, the present invention rotatably supports an inner tank having a rotation center axis in a vertical direction in an outer tank elastically suspended in a casing, and an inner bottom portion of the inner tank. A rotating blade is rotatably provided in the inner tank or the rotating blade is driven by a driving means, and is heated by a heating means in a hot air circulation path having a heat exchanger cooled by a cooling means. The control means is configured to control the operation of the driving means, the air blowing means, the heating means, the cooling means, etc., and to control the processes such as washing, rinsing, dehydration, and drying. Activating outside air introduction means for introducing outside air into the hot air circulation path after a predetermined time from the start of the drying process, and starting from the minimum value of the difference between the circulating air temperature of the hot air circulation path and the outer wall temperature of the heat exchanger It is configured to finish drying when it rises. .
[0024]
As a result, it is possible to increase the dryness detection accuracy, prevent undrying or overdrying, and achieve highly reliable dryness detection performance.
[0025]
In order to achieve the second object, an inner tank having a rotation center axis in a vertical direction is rotatably supported in an outer tank that is elastically suspended in the housing, and is supported on the inner bottom of the inner tank. A rotary blade is rotatably provided, the inner tub or the rotary wing is driven by a driving means, and is heated by a heating means in a hot air circulation path having a heat exchanger cooled by a cooling means, and is blown into the inner tank by a blowing means. Circulating the warm air to be blown, and controlling the operation of the driving means, the blowing means, the heating means, the cooling means, etc. by the control means, and configured to control the steps of washing, rinsing, dehydration, drying, etc. While the air is blown into the inner tank by the blowing means, the inner tank and the rotating blades are alternately rotated to perform the blowing process.
[0026]
As a result, the temperature of the clothes can be lowered uniformly during the air blowing process to shorten the air blowing time, and lint from the clothes can be prevented from accumulating below the rotor blades, thereby preventing reattachment to the clothes. it can.
[0027]
[Form of the present invention]
The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention includes an outer tub elastically suspended in a casing, an inner tub having a rotation center axis in a vertical direction and rotatably supported in the outer tub, Rotating blades rotatably provided on the inner bottom of the tank, driving means for driving the inner tank or the rotating blades, blowing means for blowing air into the inner tank, and heating for heating air blown by the blowing means Means, a hot air circulation path that circulates the warm air by the air blowing means and has a heat exchanger, an outside air introduction means that introduces outside air into the warm air circulation path, and a cooling means that cools the heat exchanger; Control means for controlling the operation of the driving means, the air blowing means, the heating means, the cooling means, etc., and controlling the processes such as rinsing, dehydration, and drying, and the control means is provided for a predetermined time after entering the drying process. Later, the outside air introduction means is operated to circulate the hot air circulation path. It is configured to finish drying when the temperature rises from the minimum value of the difference between the temperature and the outer wall temperature of the heat exchanger to a predetermined temperature, and the minimum difference in temperature between the circulating air temperature of the hot air circulation path and the outer wall temperature of the heat exchanger When the temperature rises from this minimum value to a predetermined temperature, the end of drying is detected, so that the end of drying can always be detected even if the amount of change in differential temperature is small. If the amount of clothing or the amount of clothing is low, the drying temperature is fast and the temperature difference changes abruptly, or if the amount of clothing or clothing with a lot of cotton is large or the dehydration rate during dehydration is poor, etc. Even if the change in temperature is small and the temperature difference gradually increases, the dryness detection accuracy can be increased, and no dryness or overdrying can occur, and highly reliable dryness detection performance can be achieved. It can finish drying in the optimal drying condition That.
[0028]
The invention described in claim 2 is the invention described in claim 1, further comprising a cloth amount detecting means for detecting the amount of clothing, and the control means is configured to minimize the difference in temperature when drying is finished depending on the amount of clothing. It is configured to vary the predetermined temperature that rises from the value, and when the amount of clothing is small, when the drying progresses and the drying rate reaches 100% or more, the differential temperature rises sharply. Since the temperature difference gradually increases when the amount of air is large, the temperature rises from the minimum value of the temperature difference between the circulating air temperature of the hot air circulation path for detecting dryness and the outer wall temperature of the heat exchanger depending on the amount of clothing. By changing the temperature, the drying can be completed with a fine and optimal drying time. For example, when the amount of clothing is small, the temperature difference rises sharply, but the clothing is not completely dry, but partly has uneven drying. If the amount of clothing is large and the amount of clothing is large, the temperature difference will only increase gradually, but since the clothing is dried in a nearly uniform dry condition, Even if the predetermined temperature rising from the minimum value is reduced and drying is completed early, drying can be completed in an optimal drying state without unevenness in drying.
[0029]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the temperature detecting means for detecting the room temperature is provided, and the control means is a predetermined value that rises from the minimum value of the differential temperature at the end of drying depending on the room temperature. The temperature is variable, and even if the amount of clothing is the same, the change in temperature difference when the drying rate becomes 100% or more varies depending on the room temperature (atmosphere temperature). When the room temperature is high (35 ° C.), the temperature difference rises rapidly in a short time, and when the room temperature is low (5 ° C.), the temperature difference is small and the absolute value of the temperature difference gradually increases. Therefore, even if the amount of clothes is the same, when the room temperature is high, the predetermined temperature rising from the minimum value of the differential temperature is increased, and when the room temperature is low, the predetermined temperature increasing from the minimum value of the differential temperature is decreased. Thus, the drying can be completed in a dry state without being affected by room temperature and without being dried or overdried.
[0030]
The invention according to claim 4 In the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3, after completion of drying, The control means is configured to perform a blowing process by alternately rotating the inner tub and the rotating blades while blowing air into the inner tub by the blowing means. By alternating rotation (180 rotations), the garment becomes donut-shaped along the inner wall of the inner tub, so the wind blown into the inner tub passes through the center of the donut-shaped garment, As the area that comes into contact with clothing increases, wind also hits the clothing below the inner tub where the position could not be changed only by rotating the rotor blades to the left and right, reducing the temperature of the clothing uniformly and shortening the blowing time. it can. In addition, the wind passing through the center of the donut-shaped garment passes through many holes provided in the rotor blades, and the lint accumulated below the rotor blades can be rolled up by the wind and recovered by the lint recovery filter. . Therefore, even if washing is performed again after the drying process, there is no lint below the rotor blades or on the inner bottom of the inner tub, and it does not reattach to clothing.
[0031]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the fourth aspect, the control means performs the air blowing operation for a predetermined time at room temperature after the temperature of the circulating air circulating in the hot air circulation path reaches the predetermined temperature. When the temperature of the circulating air circulating through the hot air circulation path reaches a predetermined temperature, the temperature of the clothes is not lowered to a desired temperature due to room temperature. For example, at a room temperature of 5 ° C., the temperature rapidly decreases because the outside air is introduced into the circulating wind, but the temperature of the clothing is higher than the temperature of the circulating wind because of the large heat capacity. Conversely, at a room temperature of 35 ° C., the temperature of the garment does not drop easily even when outside air is introduced, but the temperature of the garment and the temperature of the circulating air are almost equal. Therefore, after the temperature of the circulating wind reaches a predetermined temperature, the temperature of the clothes can be made to be equal to or lower than the desired temperature regardless of the room temperature by performing the air blowing operation for a predetermined time at the room temperature.
[0032]
【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 description.
[0033]
Example 1
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first thermistor 31 is attached to the outlet of the heat exchanger 12 to detect the circulating air temperature in the hot air circulation path 18, and the second thermistor 32 is the outer wall of the heat exchanger 12. The third thermistor 33 is attached to the hot air supply path 16 and is configured to detect the circulating air temperature of the hot air ejection hole 20 by being attached to the surface and detecting the outer wall temperature of the heat exchanger 12.
[0034]
The intake valve (outside air introduction means) 34 introduces outside air into the warm air circulation path 18 and opens the drain valve 26 and discharges warm air circulating in the warm air circulation path 18 during the drying process. At the same time, the intake valve 34 is opened to introduce outside air into the hot air circulation path 18.
[0035]
The cloth amount detecting means 35 detects the amount of clothing in the inner tub 4 and is a switching device that drives the rotating blades 8 by the motor 10 and supplies electric power to the motor 10 so that the motor 10 has a predetermined rotational speed. Generated while the motor 10 is rotated once due to inertial rotation of the motor 10 after the switching of the element (not shown), the switching control amount, the input current value of the switching element, and then the motor 10 is stopped. The amount of clothing is detected from the pulse signal.
[0036]
The control means 36 includes a microcomputer, and includes a motor (driving means) 10, a clutch 11, a drying blower (blowing means) 14, a heater (heating means) 15, a water supply valve 25, a drain valve 26, a cooling blower (cooling). Means) 27, etc. are controlled, and the steps of washing, rinsing, dewatering and drying are controlled.
[0037]
Further, the control means 36 operates the drain valve 26 and the intake valve 34 after a predetermined time from the start of the drying process, and based on the detected temperatures of the first thermistor 31 and the second thermistor 32, the hot air circulation path 18. When the temperature rises by a predetermined temperature ΔT (for example, 6K) from the minimum value of the difference between the circulating air temperature and the outer wall temperature of the heat exchanger 12, the drying is finished.
[0038]
FIG. 3 shows the detected temperature TH1 by the first thermistor 31 and the detected temperature TH2 by the second thermistor 32 in the drying process, and FIG. 4 shows the detected temperature TH1 by the first thermistor 31 and the detected temperature by the second thermistor 32. The temperature difference ΔTH (TH1-TH2) of TH2 is shown. A change in the state of the hot air circulation path 18 accompanying the progress of the drying process will be described with reference to FIG.
[0039]
When the drying process starts in Step 40 of FIG. 5, the drying fan 14 is turned on in Step 41, the first heater 15a and the second heater 15b constituting the heater 15 are turned on in Step 42, and drying is performed. Hot air is circulated through the circulation path 18, and temperature data is input from the first thermistor 31 and the second thermistor 32 in step 43.
[0040]
The hot air blown out from the hot air blowing hole 20 to the inner tub 4 is blown onto the wet clothes which are stirred by repeating the rotation of the inner tub 4 and the rotation of the rotary blades 6 in step 44, which is efficient. Dry. The hot air that has become moist after removing moisture from the clothes exchanges heat through the wall surface of the heat exchanger 12 by the air sent by the cooling blower 27 turned on in step 45 when passing through the heat exchanger 12. To do.
[0041]
At this time, the warm air that has been cooled and reaches the dew condensation point forms dehumidified water (condensation water) on the inner wall surface of the heat exchanger 12. Since this dehumidified water accumulates in the vicinity of the drain valve 26, the dehumidified water is drained by turning on the drain valve 26 every 14 minutes in step 46 for one minute.
[0042]
In step 47, at a time t1 when a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of drying, the intake valve 34 is turned on, the drain valve 26 is continuously turned on, hot air circulating in the hot air circulation path 18 is discharged, Outside air is introduced into the circulation path 18. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3, the detected temperature TH1 by the first thermistor 31 and the detected temperature TH2 by the second thermistor 32 are lowered, and as shown in FIG. 4, the differential temperature ΔTH is also lowered.
[0043]
Here, the predetermined time from the start of drying to the time when the intake valve 34 is turned on and the drain valve 26 is turned on is the time from the start of washing to the drying, at the start of washing or at the start of drying, and when only drying is performed. Based on the amount of clothing detected by the cloth amount detecting means 35, the setting is made as shown in (Table 1).
[0044]
[Table 1]

[0045]
As shown in (Table 1), when the amount of clothing is large, the outer tank 3 is filled by turning on the intake valve 34 and turning on the drain valve 26 after a longer time and a shorter time when the amount of clothing is shorter. Most of the hot air containing moisture is discharged to the outside through the drain valve 26 instead of the hot air circulation path 18. Thereby, the amount to be dehumidified thereafter can be reduced, the time spent for dehumidification can be saved, and the drying time can be shortened.
[0046]
Next, in step 48, the second heater 15b is turned off at a time t2 when a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of drying according to the amount of clothes. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 3, the detected temperature TH1 by the first thermistor 31 and the detected temperature TH2 by the second thermistor 32 are further lowered, and the differential temperature ΔTH is further lowered as shown in FIG. To do.
[0047]
Next, at step 49, the temperature difference ΔTH is obtained and stored assuming the minimum value of the temperature difference. At step 50, the temperature difference ΔTH is obtained every 2 minutes, and at step 51, the temperature difference ΔTH. If the slope of is negative, the process proceeds to step 52 where the current temperature difference value is stored as the minimum value of the temperature difference. As in E0, E1, and E2 of FIG. 4, the minimum value Emin of the differential temperature can be obtained by repeating Step 50 to Step 52.
[0048]
After obtaining the minimum value of the differential temperature, if the slope of the differential temperature ΔTH is not negative in step 51, the process proceeds to step 53, where it is determined whether the current differential temperature value is the minimum value of the differential temperature + 6K or more, and + 6K or more. Otherwise, return to step 50 and repeat steps 50, 51 and 53. When the increase value from the minimum value of the temperature difference becomes equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature ΔT (6K) (time t3 in FIG. 4), the process proceeds to step 54, the drying detection is terminated, and the first heater 15a is turned off at step 55. In step 56, the process proceeds to the blowing process, and the operation is terminated at time t4 in FIG.
[0049]
As described above, according to this embodiment, the intake valve 34 and the drain valve 26 are operated after a predetermined time from the start of the drying process, and the temperature difference between the circulating air temperature in the hot air circulation path 18 and the outer wall temperature of the heat exchanger 12 is operated. Since the drying is completed when the temperature rises from the minimum value of the temperature, the end of drying can always be detected even if the amount of change in the differential temperature is small, so that no drying or over-drying can occur. Therefore, highly reliable drying detection performance can be realized, and drying can be completed in an optimal drying state.
[0050]
(Example 2)
The control means 36 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 shows a predetermined temperature ΔT that rises from the minimum value of the temperature difference at the end of drying according to the amount of clothing detected by the cloth amount detection means 35 (Table 2). Thus, it is configured to be variable. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.
[0051]
[Table 2]

[0052]
The operation will be described with reference to FIG. 6 in the above configuration. When the amount of clothing is small, when the drying progresses and the drying rate reaches 100% or more, as shown by the curve a in FIG. Rises rapidly. As the amount of clothing increases, the temperature difference gradually increases as shown by the curve b (amount of clothing: medium) and the curve c (amount of clothing: large).
[0053]
For this reason, by changing the predetermined temperature ΔT rising from the minimum value of the difference between the circulating air temperature of the hot air circulation path 18 for detecting dryness and the outer wall temperature of the heat exchanger 12 according to the amount of clothes, Drying detection is finished at t3a, t3b, and t3c, and drying can be finished in a fine and optimal drying time.
[0054]
For example, when the amount of clothing is small, the temperature difference rises sharply, but the clothing is not completely dry, but partly has uneven drying. If the amount of clothing is large and the amount of clothing is large, the temperature difference will only increase gradually, but since the clothing is dried in a nearly uniform dry condition, Even if the predetermined temperature rising from the minimum value is reduced and drying is completed early, drying can be completed in an optimal drying state without unevenness in drying.
[0055]
(Example 3)
The control means 36 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 varies the predetermined temperature ΔT, which rises from the minimum value of the differential temperature at the end of drying, as shown in (Table 3), depending on the room temperature (atmosphere temperature). It is composed. Here, the room temperature is assumed to be a temperature detected by the second thermistor 32 at the start of washing or at the start of drying, which is approximately near room temperature. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.
[0056]
[Table 3]

[0057]
The operation in the above configuration will be described. Even when the amount of clothes is the same, the change in the temperature difference when the drying proceeds and the drying rate becomes 100% or more varies depending on the room temperature (atmosphere temperature). When the room temperature is high (35 ° C.), the temperature difference rises rapidly in a short time, and when the room temperature is low (5 ° C.), the temperature difference is small and the absolute value of the temperature difference gradually increases.
[0058]
Therefore, even if the amount of clothes is the same, when the room temperature is high, the predetermined temperature ΔT rising from the minimum value of the differential temperature is increased, and when the room temperature is low, the predetermined temperature Δ rising from the minimum value of the differential temperature. By reducing T, drying can be completed in a dry state without any influence of room temperature and without being dried or overdried.
[0059]
Example 4
The control means 36 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, after drying the clothes with warm air, turns off the heater 15, and blows air into the inner tank 4 by the drying blower 14, while the inner tank 4 and the rotary blade 6. It is comprised so that rotation may be repeated alternately and a ventilation process may be performed. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.
[0060]
The operation in the above configuration will be described. By alternately rotating the inner tub 4 (180 rotations) and the left and right rotations of the rotor blades 6, the clothing in the inner tub 4 can be used as shown in FIG. Since the air blown into the inner tub 4 by the drying blower 14 passes through the center of the donut-shaped garment, the area where the wind contacts the garment increases and rotates. Wind also hits the clothing below the inner tub 4 whose position could not be changed only by rotating the wings 6 left and right, so that the temperature of the clothing can be lowered uniformly and the blowing time can be shortened.
[0061]
In addition, the wind passing through the center of the donut-shaped garment passes through a number of holes provided in the rotor blades 6, and the lint accumulated below the rotor blades 6 is wound up by the wind, and a lint collection filter (not shown) ) Can be recovered. Therefore, even if washing is performed again after the drying process, there is no lint below the rotor blades 6 and the inner bottom of the inner tub 4 and it does not reattach to clothing.
[0062]
(Example 5)
The control means 36 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, after drying the clothes with hot air, turns off the heater 15 and blows the air into the inner tank 4 by the drying fan 14. After the temperature of the circulating air detected by the third thermistor 33 that detects the circulating air temperature reaches a predetermined temperature (for example, 47 ° C.), the air blowing operation is performed for a predetermined time shown in (Table 4) at room temperature. ing. Here, the room temperature is assumed to be a temperature detected by the second thermistor 32 at the start of washing or at the start of drying, which is approximately near room temperature. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.
[0063]
[Table 4]

[0064]
The operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. When the air blowing process is started in step 60 of FIG. 8, the drying fan 14 is turned on in step 61, and temperature data is input from the third thermistor 33 in step 62. The rotation (180 rotations) and the left and right rotation of the rotary blade 6 are repeated alternately.
[0065]
As shown in FIG. 9, the circulating air temperature of the hot air jet hole 20 detected by the third thermistor 33 is lowered by blowing air from the drying fan 14, and the temperature of the circulating air is a predetermined temperature in step 64. It is determined whether or not the temperature is equal to or lower than (47 ° C.).
[0066]
In step 64, when the temperature of the circulating air becomes equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature (47 ° C.), the process proceeds to step 65. At room temperature, the air blowing operation is performed for a predetermined time shown in (Table 4). The rotation of the blades 6 is stopped, the drying fan 14 is turned off at step 67, and the operation is ended at step 68.
[0067]
Also in the air blowing process, outside air is introduced to shorten the air blowing time. At this time, when the temperature of the circulating air becomes equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature (47 ° C.) and the air blowing is stopped, the temperature of the clothes is not lowered to the desired temperature (47 ° C.). For example, at a room temperature of 5 ° C., the temperature rapidly decreases because the outside air is introduced into the circulating wind, but the temperature of the clothing is higher than the temperature of the circulating wind because of the large heat capacity. Conversely, at a room temperature of 35 ° C., the temperature of the garment does not drop easily even when outside air is introduced, but the temperature of the garment and the temperature of the circulating air are almost equal.
[0068]
Therefore, after the temperature of the circulating air reaches the predetermined temperature, as shown in (Table 4), the temperature of the clothes can be set to a desired temperature or less regardless of the room temperature by performing the air blowing operation for a predetermined time at the room temperature. it can.
[0069]
When the room temperature is 40 ° C., the temperature of the circulatory air detected by the third thermistor 33 and the temperature of the clothing are substantially equal, and as shown by the curve f in FIG. 9, after the time t4f when the temperature of the circulatory air reaches a predetermined temperature. The air blowing operation is not performed for a predetermined time. When the room temperature is 20 ° C., as shown by the curve e in FIG. 9, by continuing the air blowing for 15 minutes from the time t4e when the temperature of the circulating air detected by the third thermistor 33 reaches the predetermined temperature, Can be set to a desired temperature (47 ° C.).
[0070]
In addition, when the room temperature is 5 ° C., since the outside air to be introduced is low, the temperature of the garment is also quickly lowered. Thus, the temperature of the clothes can be set to a desired temperature (47 ° C.) at time t5d.
[0071]
Thereby, the temperature of clothing can be made below into desired temperature. Here, the desired temperature (47 ° C.) is determined from the spontaneous ignition of clothing by setting the temperature of the clothing to about 50 ° C. or less even when a flammable solution adheres to the clothing. It is set based on the result of not reaching.
[0072]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the outer tub elastically suspended in the housing and the rotation center axis in the vertical direction are rotatably supported in the outer tub. The inner tank, a rotating blade provided rotatably on the inner bottom of the inner tank, a driving means for driving the inner tank or the rotating blade, a blowing means for blowing air into the inner tank, and air blown by the blowing means. Heating means for heating the air to be heated, a hot air circulation path that has a heat exchanger and circulates warm air by the blowing means, an outside air introduction means for introducing outside air into the warm air circulation path, and the heat exchanger Cooling means for cooling, and control means for controlling operations such as washing, rinsing, dehydration, and drying by controlling operations of the driving means, blowing means, heating means, cooling means, etc., and the control means comprises a drying process. After a predetermined time after entering, the outside air introduction means is operated, Since drying is completed when the temperature rises from the minimum value of the difference between the circulating air temperature in the air circulation path and the outer wall temperature of the heat exchanger, the end of drying must be detected even if the amount of change in the temperature difference is small. It is possible to improve the dryness detection accuracy, prevent undrying and overdrying, achieve highly reliable dryness detection performance, and finish drying in an optimal dry state. Can do.
[0073]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the cloth amount detecting means for detecting the amount of clothes is provided, and the control means is a predetermined temperature that rises from a minimum value of the differential temperature at the end of drying depending on the amount of clothes. Therefore, the drying can be finished finely in an optimum drying time depending on the amount of clothing, and the drying can be finished in an optimum drying state without uneven drying.
[0074]
According to the invention described in claim 3, the temperature detecting means for detecting the room temperature is provided, and the control means is configured to vary the predetermined temperature that rises from the minimum value of the differential temperature at the end of drying depending on the room temperature. Therefore, the drying can be completed in a dry state without being affected by room temperature and without being dried or overdried.
[0075]
According to the invention as set forth in claim 4, After drying, Since the control means is configured to perform the blowing process by alternately repeating the rotation of the inner tub and the rotary blade while blowing into the inner tub by the blower means, the left and right rotation of the rotary wing and the rotation of the inner tub By alternating the, clothing becomes donut-shaped along the inner wall of the inner tub, so that the area where the wind comes into contact with the garment increases, the wind also hits the clothing under the inner tub, and the temperature of the clothing is evenly distributed. As a result, the air blowing time can be shortened. In addition, lint accumulated under the rotor blades can be wound up by wind and recovered with a lint recovery filter. After the drying process, lint is still present below the rotor blades and on the inner bottom of the inner tub even after washing. And does not reattach to clothing.
[0076]
According to the invention described in claim 5, since the control means is configured to perform the air blowing operation for a predetermined time at room temperature after the temperature of the circulating air circulating through the hot air circulation path reaches the predetermined temperature, The temperature can be set to a desired temperature or less regardless of the room temperature.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a washing / drying machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
[Figure 2] Block circuit diagram of the washer / dryer
FIG. 3 is a time chart showing changes in the circulating air temperature of the washer / dryer and the outer wall temperature of the heat exchanger.
FIG. 4 is a time chart showing a change in temperature difference between the circulating air temperature of the washer / dryer and the outer wall temperature of the heat exchanger.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart in the drying process of the washing and drying machine.
FIG. 6 is a time chart showing a change in temperature difference between the circulating air temperature of the washing / drying machine and the outer wall temperature of the heat exchanger according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of the operation state of the washing / drying machine according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart in the air blowing process of the washing / drying machine according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a time chart showing changes in circulating air temperature of the washer / dryer.
FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of a conventional washer-dryer
FIG. 11 is an operation time chart of the washing dryer in the drying process.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 housing
3 Outer tank
4 Inner tank
6 Rotor blade
10 Motor (drive means)
12 Heat exchanger
14 Blower for drying (Blower unit)
15 Heater (heating means)
18 Hot air circulation route
27 Blower for cooling (cooling means)
34 Intake valve (outside air introduction means)
36 Control means

Claims

An outer tub elastically suspended in the casing, an inner tub having a central axis of rotation in the vertical direction and rotatably supported in the outer tub, and a rotating blade provided rotatably on the inner bottom of the inner tub Drive means for driving the inner tub or rotor blade, air blowing means for blowing air into the inner tank, heating means for heating air blown by the air blowing means, and a heat exchanger, the air blowing means A hot air circulation path for circulating hot air, an outside air introduction means for introducing outside air into the hot air circulation path, a cooling means for cooling the heat exchanger, the driving means, a blowing means, a heating means, and a cooling means. Control means for controlling operations such as washing, rinsing, dehydration, and drying, and the control means operates the outside air introducing means after a predetermined time from the start of the drying process, and The difference between the circulating wind temperature in the circulation path and the outer wall temperature of the heat exchanger Configuration the washing and drying machine to dry terminated when a predetermined temperature increase from the minimum value.

2. The laundry drying according to claim 1, further comprising a cloth amount detecting means for detecting the amount of clothes, wherein the control means is configured to vary a predetermined temperature that rises from a minimum value of the differential temperature at the end of drying depending on the amount of clothes. Machine.

The washing / drying machine according to claim 1, further comprising temperature detecting means for detecting a room temperature, wherein the control means is configured to vary a predetermined temperature that rises from a minimum value of a differential temperature at the end of drying depending on the room temperature.

After completion of drying, the control means, while blowing the inner tank by the blower means, any one of claims 1 to 3 configured to perform the blowing process is repeated alternately rotation of the rotary blade and the inner tub 1 The washer-dryer according to item .

5. The washing and drying machine according to claim 4, wherein the control means is configured to perform a blowing operation for a predetermined time at room temperature after the temperature of the circulating air circulating in the hot air circulation path reaches a predetermined temperature.