JP4706572B2 - Washing and drying machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a washing / drying machine that performs washing / dehydration and drying in the same rotating tank.

  This type of conventional washing and drying machine will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, during the drying operation, the high-temperature and high-humidity air discharged from the rotating drum 41 exits from the exhaust port 44 of the tank 43 by the air blowing means 42 and is guided to the dehumidifying means 45. The air dehumidified by the dehumidifying means 45 is heated by the heating means 46 and supplied again into the rotating drum 41 from the air inlet 47 of the tank 43. The lint generated at this time is captured by a lint filter 49 provided in the air passage 48 on the near side of the dehumidifying means 45.

In addition, the dehumidifying means 45 in the conventional washing and drying machine includes a method of directly cooling with cooling water, a method of cooling with air using a heat exchanger, a heat exchange using a condenser of a heat pump device, and a dehumidifying method using a moisture absorbent. . Moreover, as a heating means, there are methods such as direct heating by a heater and heat exchange in an evaporator of a heat pump device. In particular, when using a hygroscopic material or a heat exchanger, dry air passes through fine gaps, so clogging of lint and other debris must be avoided. Therefore, the lint is captured by the lint filter so that the lint does not circulate through the dry air path. In addition, since the lint filter itself is clogged when the lint is captured by the lint filter, the lint filter is detachable so that it can be cleaned. In addition, there is a configuration in which the lint filter can be automatically cleaned and the lint filter is not required to be cleaned (for example, see Patent Document 1).
JP 2006-102346 A

  However, since the lint filter unit is configured in the air passage of the drying air, the lint filter unit greatly affects the air volume of the drying air, and depending on this configuration, it greatly affects the drying performance. As in the configuration described in Patent Document 1, the lint captured by the lint filter is cleaned by the discharging means, the air volume drop due to clogging in the lint capture is reduced, and the lint is recovered and temporarily retained It has become. However, the lint to be retained is flocculent, and it is necessary to discharge the retained lint to the outside relatively frequently unless the retained volume is increased. In addition, it is conceivable that the lint touches the hand when it is taken out from the holding unit and is scattered outside. Furthermore, when the lending of the holding part is full, the filter part may be linted, that is, a large resistance may occur.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and aims to increase the collection amount of lint captured by a lint filter and reduce the discharge frequency.

In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, a washing and drying machine according to the present invention includes a filter unit that captures lint, a lint collection unit that collects lint captured by the filter unit, and lint captured by the filter unit. And a discharge means for discharging the air to the lint collecting part, and a part of the air circulating through the air path flows through the lint collecting part to the air path on the downstream side of the filter part. It has a substantially semi-cylindrical filter substantially orthogonal to the air blowing direction circulating through the air passage, and the discharge means is composed of a helical wire rotating inscribed in the lint capture surface of the substantially semi-cylindrical filter . Is.

As a result, part of the drying air flows through the lint collection unit, and the lint collected in the lint collection unit can be compressed to reduce the mass, so the amount of lint stored in the lint collection unit increases and the lint is discarded. Can be reduced.

  The washing / drying machine of the present invention can reduce the volume of the captured lint to increase the storage amount, and can reduce the discharge frequency of lint.

A first aspect of the present invention is a rotary drum that is rotatably provided in a tank, an air passage that circulates air for drying clothes stored in the rotary drum, and an air blowing means that blows air to the air passage. A heating means for heating the drying air or a dehumidifying means for dehumidifying, a filter section for capturing lint generated from clothing, a lint collection section for collecting lint captured by the filter section, and a filter section Discharging means for discharging the lint to the lint collection part, and a part of the air circulating through the air path flows through the lint collection part to the air path on the downstream side of the filter part , and the filter part Has a substantially semi-cylindrical filter substantially perpendicular to the air blowing direction of the air circulating in the air passage, and the discharge means rotates in a spiral line inscribed in the lint capturing surface of the substantially semi-cylindrical filter. In by constructing, through the lint collection portion to bypass a portion of the drying air flowing through the air passage flows substantially to the downstream side of the semi-cylindrical filter unit. This flow of air compresses the lint collected in the lint collection unit and reduces the amount of waste, so the amount of lint stored in the lint collection unit increases, and the number of times that lint is discarded can be greatly reduced. Because lint accumulates in a compressed form, there is no need to worry about splashing when it is discarded and soiling the floor. Further, the air flow passing through the filter can be in the same direction before and after passing through the filter, so that pressure loss at the filter portion can be reduced and the lint capture area can be made larger than that of the planar filter. . Further , by rotating the spiral wire rod, the lint captured on the filter surface can be pushed out to the lint collection section and removed, and the discharge means can be installed in the air passage without causing air resistance flowing through the air passage. Can be configured.

In the second invention, in particular, the lint recovery part of the first invention is provided with a check valve for preventing the back flow of lint to the filter part side, so that the lint stored in the lint recovery part by the discharging means is reduced. It is possible to prevent backflow to the filter unit.

In the third invention, in particular, the lint collection part of the first or second invention is provided in a lint collection box detachably provided outside the machine, so that the lint is not touched when the lint is discarded. The lint collection box can be removed outside the main body and directly discarded into a trash can, and lint can be discarded without soiling the hands and floor.

In the fourth aspect of the invention, in particular, the lint collection box of the third aspect of the present invention is a state in which lint is accumulated from the outside by providing part of the lint collection box so that the lint collection part can be seen through. Can be confirmed, and a decrease in the air volume of the dry air due to excessive lint accumulation can be prevented in advance.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, in particular, the lint collecting part of any one of the first to fourth aspects is provided with a normally closed mounting part that can be opened and closed on the outer surface of the washing and drying machine, and the mounting part has a hose for a vacuum cleaner. By being provided so that the lint can be inserted, the lint accumulated in the lint collection part can be easily and cleanly collected using the suction force of the vacuum cleaner.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a washing / drying machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a rotary drum 3 for storing clothes 2 is provided inside a tub 1 of a washing and drying machine, and is rotated by a drive motor 4 fixed to the tub 1. The tank 1 is supported by a bottom damper 6 on the main body 5 of the washing and drying machine. The clothes 2 accommodated in the rotating drum 3 can be taken in and out by opening the door 7. An opening 8 is provided above the tank 1, and an air passage 9 for drying air communicating with the opening 8 is connected to the rear opening 10 of the tank 1. Further, in the middle of the air passage 9, a filter unit 11 that captures lint generated from the clothes 2 during drying, a dehumidifying unit 12 for drying air, a blowing unit 13 for circulating the drying air, and heating for heating the drying air A device 14 is configured. Moreover, an opening 15 is provided on the drive motor 4 side of the rotary drum 3, and a circulation path of dry air into the rotary drum 3 is configured.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the filter unit 11 taken along the line AA. In FIG. 2, a substantially semi-cylindrical filter 16 is formed in the air passage 9 substantially perpendicular to the air blowing direction, and is movable along the upstream side of the substantially semi-cylindrical filter 16, that is, along the inner surface of the lint capturing surface. Means 17 are provided, and the discharge means 17 is configured such that the helical wire 19 rotates along the inner surface of the substantially semi-cylindrical filter 16 by the driving device 18. In addition, a lint collecting portion 20 that stores the discharged lint is formed at the tip of the helical wire 19 of the discharging means 17 adjacent to the substantially semi-cylindrical filter 16.

  The lint collection unit 20 includes a lint collection box 21 that stores lint, and a frame body 22 that houses the lint collection box 21 and is connected to the discharge unit 17. A part of the frame body 22 faces the outer surface of the main body 5. The lint collection box 21 can be attached and detached. The lint collection box 21 is provided with an opening 21a. When the lint collection box 21 is taken out, the lint accumulated in the lint collection unit 20 can be discarded from the opening 21a and is always closed.

  Further, an opening 21b provided with a filter 21c is provided at the bottom of the lint collection box 21. When the lint collection box 21 is attached to the main body 5, the opening 21b is opposed to the opening 21b provided in the lint collection box 21. A portion 22a is provided. The opening 22 a communicates with the air passage 9 on the downstream side of the filter unit 11 through the communication path 24.

  The operation and action of the above configuration will be described. At the time of drying of the washing and drying machine of the present invention, when drying is started, the rotary drum 3 is rotated by the drive motor 4 and the clothes 2 are agitated. At the same time, the blowing means 13 for circulating the dry air is operated, and the heating device 14 is energized. The dry air removes moisture from the clothes 2 in the rotating drum 3, gets wet, exits from the opening 8 of the tank 1, passes through the filter unit 11, and captures lint and the like mixed in the air. Further, the moisture in the dry air is removed by the dehumidifying means 12, and the dry air heated by the heating device 14 and having a reduced relative humidity passes through the opening 15 of the rotating drum 3 from the rear opening 10 provided at the rear of the tank 1. Then, it circulates in the rotating drum 3.

  The dehumidifying means 12 has a configuration in which a heat exchanger is provided by water cooling or air cooling to dehumidify, a configuration in which moisture is dehumidified by the latent heat of vaporization of the refrigerant by a heat pump method, a configuration in which dehumidification is performed directly using a hygroscopic material, and the like. The heating device 14 has a configuration using direct heating by a heater or heat pump type refrigerant condensation heat.

  Further, the air blowing means 13 and the filter unit 11 may be located at any position in the air passage 9 through which the drying air circulates. In this way, while drying air is circulated and the clothes 2 in the rotating drum 3 are stirred, moisture is taken away from the clothes 2 and the clothes 2 are dried.

At this time, in the filter unit 11, lint such as lint generated by the progress of the clothing 2 is captured by the substantially semi- cylindrical filter 16, and the heat exchanger or the heating device 14 of the dehumidifying means 12 configured on the downstream side. The lint adheres to the surface, causing clogging, reducing the air volume, and preventing adhesion to the heating surface.

As shown in FIG. 2, it does not matter at any time before drying, during drying, or after completion of drying, but by appropriately operating the driving device 18 and operating the discharging means 17 composed of the helical wire 19 or the like. The lint adhering to the inner surface of the substantially semi- cylindrical filter 16 is pushed out to the lint collection unit 20 side and stored in the lint collection box 21.

As described above, since the air volume of the dry air greatly affects the drying performance of the garment 2, it is desirable to reduce the pressure loss in the air passage 9 as much as possible. Filter unit 11 according to the present invention, which constitutes a substantially semi-cylindrical filter 16 substantially perpendicular to the wind flow air passage 9, there is no pressure loss due to bending or the like of the air passage 9. Further, since the lint is discharged from the filter surface by the operation of the discharge means 17 and the pressure loss of the filter unit 11 can be prevented from being lowered, the initial drying performance can be stably maintained.

  Further, a part of the dry air passes through the lint collection box 21, the filter 21 c, the opening 22 a of the frame body 22, and the communication path 24, and flows into the air path 9 on the downstream side of the filter unit 11. By this flow of drying air, the lint stored in the lint collection box 21 is compressed and the volume can be reduced. As a result, the amount of lint stored can be greatly increased, and the number of times of disposal can be reduced as much as possible.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the filter portion in the second embodiment. In FIG. 3, a spiral wire rod 19 that rotates in contact with the inner surface of the substantially semi-cylindrical filter 16 is provided, and a check valve 25 is provided at a connecting portion between the discharge means 17 and the lint collection portion 20. As a result, the discharge means 17 once fills up the lint stored in the lint collection box 21 so that it does not overflow and flow backward.

(Embodiment 3)
As shown in FIG. 2, the lint collection unit 20 includes a frame 22 communicating with the discharging means 17 and a lint collection box 21 that is detachable from the outside of the washing and drying machine. When the lint is discarded, the lint is not touched. The collection box 21 can be removed from the main body 5 and directly discarded into a trash box or the like, and it is possible to prevent the hands from getting dirty or the floor from getting dirty.

(Embodiment 4)
As shown in FIG. 2, a part of the lint collection box 21 is located on the outer surface of the washing / drying machine and is made of a transparent material so that the state where lint is accumulated can be confirmed from the outside. For this reason, lint accumulates too much, the lint cleaned from the filter part 11 cannot be discharged | emitted, and it can prevent that the air volume of dry air falls and drying performance falls.

(Embodiment 5)
FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the lint collection unit according to the fifth embodiment. In FIG. 4, the lint collection unit 20 is provided with a mounting unit 26 that can be fitted with a hose of a vacuum cleaner from the outside of the washing / drying machine and can be opened and closed by the mounting, and the lint collected in the lint collection unit 20 is stored in the vacuum cleaner. Since it can be easily collected by using the suction force, it can prevent hands and floors from getting dirty and lint scattering.

As described above, the washing / drying machine according to the present invention can reduce the volume of the captured lint and increase the storage amount, and can reduce the discharge frequency of the lint. It can also be applied to uses such as cleaners and vacuum cleaners.

Sectional drawing of the principal part of the washing-drying machine in Embodiment 1 of this invention AA sectional view of the washing and drying machine in FIG. Sectional drawing of the filter part of the washing-drying machine in Embodiment 2 of this invention Sectional drawing of the lint collection | recovery part of the washing-drying machine in Embodiment 5 of this invention Cross-sectional view of a conventional washing and drying machine

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Tank 3 Rotating drum 4 Drive motor 5 Main body 9 Air path 11 Filter part 12 Dehumidification means 13 Blower means 14 Heating device 16 Substantially semi-cylindrical filter 17 Discharge means 19 Spiral wire 20 Lint collection part 21 Lint collection box

Claims (5)

A rotating drum provided rotatably in the tank, an air passage for circulating air for drying clothes stored in the rotating drum, an air blowing means for blowing air to the air passage, and heating the drying air Heating means for dehumidifying or dehumidifying means for dehumidifying, a filter part for capturing lint generated from clothing, a lint collecting part for collecting lint captured by the filter part, and lint collecting the lint captured by the filter part A discharge means for discharging to the section, and a part of the air circulating through the wind path flows through the lint collection section to the wind path on the downstream side of the filter section , and the filter section has a substantially semi-cylindrical filter which is substantially perpendicular to the blowing direction of the circulating air, said exhaust means is constituted by spiral wires rotates inscribed in lint capture surface of the substantially semi-cylindrical filter washing Dryer. Lint collecting unit, washing and drying machine of claim 1, wherein provided a check valve to prevent backflow of lint on the filter side. The washing / drying machine according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the lint collection unit is provided in a lint collection box that is detachably provided outside the machine. 4. The washing / drying machine according to claim 3 , wherein the lint collection box is partly positioned on the outer surface of the washing / drying machine so that the lint collection unit can be seen through. The washing according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the lint collection part is provided with a normally closed mounting part that can be opened and closed on an outer surface of the washing / drying machine, and a hose of a vacuum cleaner can be inserted into the mounting part. Dryer.