JP5826143B2 - Drum type washer / dryer - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a drum type washing and drying machine capable of washing and drying clothes, and more particularly to a drum type washing and drying machine provided with a heating means for heating air to a blower fan unit.

  Drying clothes with a washing and drying machine that can be performed continuously from washing to drying creates high-temperature and low-humidity air with a blower fan and a heat source, and blows it into the washing tub to raise the temperature of the clothes and remove moisture from the clothes. It is performed by evaporating and discharging the evaporated water out of the machine. There are two methods for removing the evaporated water: an exhaust system that discharges it to the outside of the washing and drying machine (always supplying new air) and a dehumidification system that cools the evaporated water to condense and removes the water (circulates the same air). However, a dehumidification method is rarely used in homes, where moisture does not come out into the room where the washing and drying machine is installed.

  In the washing / drying machine used for this dehumidification system, a blower fan unit for circulating dry air is used. The blower fan unit includes a blower fan and heating means using, for example, a positive temperature coefficient thermistor element (ceramic element), and various technical proposals have been made to efficiently heat the air.

  For example, as a blower fan unit of a washing and drying machine that can perform continuously from washing to drying, there is a washing and drying machine described in JP 2011-45512 A (Patent Document 1). According to this, there is provided a blower fan unit that blows heated air in the rotary drum during the drying operation, and an inner part that forms a part of the outlet of the scroll passage that houses the impeller of the blower fan in order to increase the heating efficiency. The flow path on the downstream side of the circumferential tongue is divided into a plurality of parts.

  In other words, by dividing the entire flow path downstream of the inner circumferential tongue of the scroll flow path for storing the impeller into a plurality of parts toward the heating means, the flow velocity distribution of the wind passing through the heating means is made uniform and heated. It stabilizes the calorific value of the means. By stabilizing the amount of heat generated in this way, the temperature of the air applied to the clothing after passing through the heating means can also be stabilized, and the variation in the amount of power consumed by the clothing drying operation time and the heating means can be reduced. Thus, the amount of wasted power can be reduced, leading to power saving.

JP 2011-45512 A

  By the way, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, the heating means installed in the blower fan unit is a direction substantially orthogonal to the flow of air flowing out from the outlet of the blower fan due to the design restrictions of the washing and drying machine body. In close proximity. In order to apply wind to the entire heating means arranged in this way, in Patent Document 1, the flow path cross-sectional area is enlarged from the outer peripheral side upstream from the inner peripheral tongue where the scroll flow path ends. .

  That is, the flow passage cross-sectional area is enlarged by expanding the outer peripheral side before the end of the scroll flow passage. For this reason, since the increase rate of the cross-sectional area in the scroll channel exceeds the predetermined range at an early stage from the outer peripheral side upstream from the inner peripheral tongue, the air flow on the outer peripheral side is disturbed. There was found. Therefore, first, it is important to reduce the disturbance of the air on the outer peripheral side.

  In Patent Document 1, the entire flow path downstream of the inner circumferential tongue of the scroll flow path is divided by a plurality of partition plates toward the heating means so that the wind passing through the heating means is made uniform. ing. However, since this partition plate is divided entirely from the inner periphery side to the outer periphery side of the flow channel located on the downstream side from the upstream side of the inner peripheral side tongue portion of the scroll flow channel, the partition plate necessary for the division It has been found that the passage resistance in the scroll flow path decreases and the flow path resistance increases as the number increases. Therefore, secondly, it is important to reduce this flow path resistance.

An object of the present invention is to suppress as much as possible the turbulence of the air flowing through the enlarged flow path from the outlet of the scroll flow path to the heating means, and to reduce the flow resistance to make the air flow velocity distribution in the heating means more uniform. An object of the present invention is to provide a drum type washing and drying machine provided with a blower fan unit that can increase the heating efficiency.

A feature of the present invention is that an enlarged flow path portion connects between the vicinity of the end of the scroll flow path where the cross-sectional area continuously increases and a heating means for heating the drying air, and the scroll flow path The width between the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side of the scroll flow path is substantially parallel from the vicinity of the end of the scroll flow path to the upstream side from the vicinity of the end portion of the scroll flow path so that the disturbance is less disturbed. And a substantially parallel flow path region extending in a straight line having a predetermined length, and continuously increasing the cross-sectional area of the enlarged flow path portion at an increase rate larger than the increase rate of the cross-sectional area of the scroll flow path. The air flow guide part for guiding the air flowing to the heating means is formed in the enlarged flow path part, and the air flow guide function part comprises a first air flow guide function part and a second air flow guide function part, The air flow guide function unit 1 is more scrollable than the second air flow guide function unit. The first air flow guide function unit is provided at a position close to the outlet of the scroll flow path, and the second air flow guide function unit is located with respect to the first air flow guide function unit. And provided at a position away from the outlet of the scroll channel .

According to the feature of the present invention, it is possible to smoothly distribute the less disturbed air discharged from the outlet of the scroll passage by the air flow guide function section to the enlarged passage connected to the scroll passage, and the heating means The air velocity can be made closer to a more uniform flow velocity distribution in the vicinity of the inlet surface. Further, since the air guide portion is provided in the enlarged flow path, the flow resistance is not so much, and a smooth air flow can be maintained. Thereby, the generated noise can be reduced.

It is an external view which shows the external appearance of the ventilation fan unit with which this invention is applied. It is a block diagram of the fan cover which showed the inside of the fan cover which comprises the ventilation fan unit which becomes one Example of this invention. It is a block diagram of the fan case which showed the inside of the fan case which comprises the ventilation fan unit which becomes one Example of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the partial cross section of a ventilation fan unit. It is explanatory drawing which shows the flow direction of the air in a ventilation fan unit. It is explanatory drawing which analyzes and demonstrates the flow of the air in a ventilation fan unit. It is sectional drawing which shows the cross section of the heater provided in a ventilation fan unit. It is a block diagram of the fan cover which showed the inside of the fan cover of the ventilation fan unit which becomes another Example of this invention. It is the block diagram which partially represented the fan case of the ventilation fan unit which becomes the other Example of this invention. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of the present invention, and is a cross-sectional view of a section corresponding to FIG. 9. It is an external view which shows the drum type washing-drying machine to which this invention is applied. It is a perspective view which cut | disconnects a part of housing | casing of the drum type washing-drying machine of FIG. 12, and shows an internal structure. It is a rear view which removes the back cover of the drum type washing-drying machine of FIG. 12, and shows an internal structure. It is a side view which shows the internal structure of the drum type washing-drying machine of FIG. It is a top view which cut | disconnects the upper part of the housing | casing of the drum type washing-drying machine of FIG. 12, and shows an internal structure.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and various modifications and application examples are included in the technical concept of the present invention. Is also included in the range.

  First, the overall structure of a drum type washing / drying machine to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 12 is an external view of a drum-type washing and drying machine, FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a part of the casing 1 in order to show the internal structure, and FIG. 14 is a rear view showing the internal structure. FIG. 15 is a rear view with the cover 1d removed, FIG. 15 is a side view showing the internal structure, and FIG. 16 is a top view showing the upper part of the housing 1 in order to show the internal structure.

  The drum-type washing / drying machine includes a washing / dehydrating tub 3 for storing clothes, a drive motor 4 for rotating the washing / dehydrating tub 3, and a housing 1 for supporting the washing / dehydrating tub 3. Here, the housing | casing 1 which comprises an outline is attached on the base 1h. It consists of a left side plate 1a, a right side plate 1b, a front cover 1c, a back cover 1d, a top cover 1e, and a lower front cover 1f. The left side plate 1a and the right side plate 1b are joined by a U-shaped upper reinforcing material (not shown), a front reinforcing material (not shown), and a rear reinforcing material (not shown), and include a base 1h. The box-shaped housing 1 is formed and has sufficient strength.

  Further, a door 9 that closes the insertion port for putting in and out the clothing is provided at the approximate center of the front cover 1c, and is supported by a hinge provided on the front reinforcing member so as to be opened and closed. When the door opening button 9d is pressed, the lock mechanism (not shown) is released to open the door, and when the door is pressed against the front cover 1c, the door is locked and closed. The front reinforcing member has a circular opening for putting clothes in and out concentrically with an opening of the outer tub described later.

  Further, an operation panel 6 is provided in the upper center of the housing 1 and includes a power switch 39, a start switch 12, an operation button switch 13, and a display 14. The operation panel 6 is electrically connected to a control device 38 provided at the lower part of the housing 1.

  The washing and dewatering tub 3 is composed of a cylindrical rotating drum that is rotatably supported. The washing / dehydrating tub 3 has a large number of through holes for water flow and ventilation on the inner peripheral surface thereof, and is used for putting clothes in and out of the front end surface. The opening 3a is provided. A fluid balancer 3c integrated with the washing and dewatering tub 3 is provided outside the opening 3a. A plurality of lifters 3b extending in the axial direction are provided inside the outer peripheral wall. When the washing and dewatering tub 3 is rotated during washing and drying, the clothes are lifted along the outer peripheral wall by the lifter 3b and centrifugal force, and dropped by gravity. Repeat the movement. In addition, the rotating shaft of the washing and dewatering tub 3 is inclined so that the horizontal or opening 3a side becomes higher.

  In addition, a cylindrical outer tub 2 for storing washing water is supported by the housing 1, includes a washing / dehydrating tub 3 coaxially, the front surface is open, and a drive motor 4 is provided at the outer center of the rear end surface. Install. The rotating shaft of the drive motor 4 passes through the outer tub 2 and is coupled to the center of the bottom surface of the washing and dewatering tub 3. An outer tub cover 2 d is provided at the opening on the front surface, and water can be stored in the outer tub 2. In the center of the front side of the outer tub cover 2d, there is an opening 2c for taking in and out clothing. The opening provided in the main opening 2c and the front reinforcing member is connected by a rubber bellows 10, and the outer tub 2 is sealed with water by closing the door 9.

  And the drain port 2b is provided in the bottom face bottom part of the outer tank 2 like FIG. 15, and the drain hose 26 is connected. A drain valve (not shown) is provided in the middle of the drain hose 26. Water is stored in the outer tank 2 by closing the drain valve and supplying water, and the drain valve is opened to drain the water in the outer tank 2 outside the machine. To discharge.

  The outer tub 2 is supported in a vibration-proof manner by a suspension 5 (consisting of a coil spring and a damper) whose lower side is fixed to the base 1h. Moreover, the upper side of the outer tank 2 is supported by an auxiliary spring (not shown) attached to the upper reinforcing member to prevent the outer tank 2 from falling in the front-rear direction.

  A detergent charging chamber / finishing agent charging chamber 19 is provided on the upper left side in the housing 1, and a pull-out tray 7 is mounted from the front opening. When putting in detergents, the tray 7 is pulled out as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. The detergent charging chamber / finishing agent charging chamber 19 is fixed to the upper reinforcing material of the housing 1.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 16, components related to water supply such as a water supply electromagnetic valve 16, a bath water pump 17, and a water level sensor (not shown) are provided on the rear side of the detergent charging chamber / finishing agent charging chamber 19. . Further, the upper surface cover 1e shown in FIG. 14 is provided with a water supply hose connection port 16a from the water tap and a water absorption hose connection port 17a for remaining hot water in the bath. The detergent charging chamber / finishing agent charging chamber 19 is connected to the outer tub 2 and supplies washing water to the outer tub 2 by opening the water supply electromagnetic valve 16 or operating the bath water pump 17.

  As described above, the water supply mechanism is installed above the outer tub 2, and the tray 7 constituting the detergent charging chamber / finishing agent charging chamber 19 is provided on the front end side (drum opening side). . And this water supply mechanism has each water supply path | route mainly formed with a hose, and the water supply electromagnetic valve 16, and the water supplied to each part of a washing-drying machine from a water tap or the bath water pump 17 is this water supply electromagnetic valve. 16 is controlled.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 14, the water supply electromagnetic valve 16 includes a detergent water supply valve 16b, a finishing agent water supply valve 16c, a cooling water supply valve 16d, and a spray water supply valve 16e.

  The detergent water supply valve 16b supplies the tap water flowing from the water supply hose connection port 16a to the detergent charging chamber. In addition to the water from the water tap, water from the bath water pump can be supplied to the detergent charging chamber, and the water flowing out of the detergent charging chamber together with the detergent is discharged into the outer tub 2.

  The finishing agent water supply valve 16c supplies tap water flowing from the water supply hose connection port 16a to the finishing agent charging chamber. In addition to water from the water tap, water from the bath water pump 17 can be supplied to the finishing agent charging chamber, and water that flows out of the finishing agent charging chamber together with the finishing agent is discharged into the outer tub 2. .

  The cooling water supply valve 16d supplies the tap water flowing from the water supply hose connection port 16a to the water cooling and dehumidifying mechanism during the drying operation. In this water-cooled dehumidifying mechanism, the drying air comes into contact with the supplied water, and moisture in the drying air is removed.

  Also, a drying duct 29 is installed vertically inside the back surface of the housing 1, and a lower portion of the duct is connected to an intake port 2 a provided below the back surface of the outer tub 2 by a rubber bellows tube 29 a. . A water-cooled dehumidifying mechanism (not shown) is built in the drying duct 29, and cooling water is supplied from the water supply electromagnetic valve 16 to the water-cooled dehumidifying mechanism. The cooling water flows down along the wall surface of the drying duct 29, enters the outer tub 2 through the intake port 2a, and is discharged from the drain port 2b.

  The upper part of the drying duct 29 is connected to a filter duct 27 installed in the front-rear direction on the upper right side in the housing 1. The filter duct 27 has an opening on the front surface, and a drawer-type drying filter 8 is inserted into the opening.

  The air that has entered the filter duct 27 from the drying duct 29 flows into the mesh filter 8a of the drying filter 8, and lint is removed. Cleaning of the dry filter 8 is performed by pulling out the dry filter 8 and taking out the mesh filter 8a. Further, an opening is provided on the lower surface of the insertion portion of the dry filter 8 of the filter duct 27, and this opening is connected to the intake duct 33, and the other end of the intake duct 33 is connected to the intake port of the blower unit 28. doing.

  The flow of drying air flows as shown by the thick arrow 41 to the thick arrow 42, the thick arrow 43 and the thick arrow 44, and after removing moisture with dry hot air from the clothes in the washing and dehydrating tub 3, The moisture is condensed in the drying duct 29 to dehumidify and dry the air, and is heated again by the blower fan unit 28 and circulated so as to flow into the washing and dewatering tub 3.

  The blower fan unit 28 includes a blower fan as main components, a fan drive motor 28a for driving the blower fan, and a fan case 28b. The fan case has a built-in heater that heats the air sent from the blower fan. The fan case 28b is provided with an air inlet for taking air into the blower unit 28 on the side opposite to the fan drive motor 28a. The discharge port of the blower unit 28 is connected to the hot air duct 30. The hot air duct 30 is connected to a hot air outlet 32 provided in the outer tank cover 2d through a rubber bellows tube 30a and a bellows tube joint 30b.

  In the drum type washer / dryer as described above, the blower fan unit 28 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

  The entire shape of the blower fan unit 28 mounted on the drum type washing and drying machine is formed as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the blower fan unit 28 includes an impeller 102, a drive motor 103 for driving the impeller 102, a fan cover 104 and a fan case 107 for forming a scroll passage, It is comprised by. As will be described in detail later, the fan case 107 is provided with a heater as a heating means, and has a function of heating the air sent from the impeller 102 through the suction port 105 having a bell mouth shape. doing.

  The heated air discharged from the discharge port 106 of the blower fan unit 28 is sent into the washing and dewatering tub 3 to dry the clothes, and then sent to the drying duct 29 to be dehumidified and dried, and then returned to the blower fan unit 28 again. It is like that.

  The blower fan unit 28 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. The blower fan unit 28 includes an impeller 102, a drive motor 103 that drives the impeller 102, a fan cover 104 that includes the impeller 101, and a fan case. 107. The fan cover 104 and the fan case 107 are made of synthetic resin, and the fan cover 104 and the fan case 107 are provided with a fan storage portion 108 and a heater storage portion 109 as shown in FIG.

  The combination connecting portions of the fan cover 104 and the fan case 107 have substantially the same shape, and a fan storage portion 108 is formed in a space formed by combining the fan cover 104 and the fan case 107 to form a blade. A vehicle 102 and the like are accommodated, and a heater accommodating portion 109 is formed to accommodate the heater 201 and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the fan housing portion 108 of the fan cover 104 has a circular opening, and the cross section is formed by a shape portion having a curvature with a diameter decreasing toward the inside and a circular opening portion connected thereto. A bell mouth-shaped suction port 105 is provided. An annular clearance wall 211 is provided around the suction port 105, and a spiral scroll channel 204 having a semicircular cross section and a cross-sectional area continuously increasing outward is formed outside the annular clearance wall 211. .

  Further, an inner peripheral tongue portion 205 is formed on the inner peripheral side upstream of the end portion 601 of the scroll flow path 204, and an outer peripheral end portion 206 is formed on the outer peripheral side. In the present embodiment, the end portion 601 may be defined as the outlet of the scroll flow path 204, or the downstream thereof may be defined as the outlet. That is, the end portion 601 itself may be an exit, or the exit may be shifted from the end portion 601 directly downstream. In the following description, the explanation is advanced with the end portion 601 as the outlet 601.

  A linear, substantially parallel flow channel region in which the passage width between the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side of the scroll flow channel 204 hardly changes over a predetermined length from the end portion 601 of the scroll flow channel 204 to the upstream side. 204A is formed. The substantially parallel flow path region 204 </ b> A extends linearly so as to form a substantially tangent line with the arc portion of the scroll flow path 204. That is, the arcs on the outer peripheral side of the annular gap wall 211 and the straight wall on the inner peripheral side of the substantially parallel flow channel region 204A are connected in a tangent line. The substantially parallel flow path region includes a state in which the passage width between the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side of the scroll flow path 204 is constant to one having a certain degree of inclination or enlargement.

  Therefore, the width between the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side of the scroll flow channel 204 connected to the substantially parallel flow channel region 204A and the width between the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side of the substantially parallel flow channel region 204A are the same at the inlet. As you go downstream, it increases slightly.

Further, as described above, since the substantially parallel flow path region 204A is formed from the outlet 601 of the scroll flow path 204 toward the upstream side, it extends beyond the inner peripheral tongue portion 205 to the outlet 601 of the scroll flow path 204. Therefore, the scroll flow path 204 is terminated by the predetermined portion connecting the predetermined position on the downstream side of the inner peripheral tongue portion 205 and the outer peripheral end portion 206, and the outlet 601 is formed. Since the scroll flow path 204 is formed in a flow path cross-sectional area having a predetermined increase rate that does not disturb the flow of air flowing through the inside, the air flow is less disturbed and the substantially parallel flow path area 204A is formed from the middle. It keeps flowing in that state. For this reason, the air flows out to the vicinity of the outlet 601 of the scroll flow path 204 while maintaining as little disturbance as possible.

  In this embodiment, the substantially parallel flow channel region 204A is formed with its inner surface inclined so as to gradually expand the flow channel area toward the back side in the drawing. That is, the channel area is gradually enlarged in the direction orthogonal to the plane formed by the inner and outer peripheral sides of the substantially parallel channel region 204A.

  A heater 201 serving as a heating unit is located at a predetermined distance from the outlet 601 of the scroll flow path 204 of the fan cover 104. The heater 201 has a shape elongated in the horizontal direction and is fixed to the fan case 107 as will be described later. The heater 201 is arranged so as to be substantially orthogonal to the central axis of the outlet 601 of the scroll flow path 204 in the length direction. The reason for making them orthogonal is to allow air that has exited from the outlet 601 of the scroll flow path 204 to efficiently enter the gap between the heat dissipating fins of the heater 201 that is the heating means. Since the heat dissipating fins of the heater 201 are installed substantially parallel to the central axis of the outlet 601 of the scroll flow path 204, the heat exchange efficiency can be improved by flowing air along this direction as much as possible.

  In addition, the flow path between the outlet 601 of the scroll flow path 204 and the heater 201 is formed with an enlarged flow path portion 207 in which the flow path cross-sectional area increases continuously. The increase rate of the cross-sectional area of the enlarged flow channel portion 207 is set to be considerably larger than the increase rate of the cross-sectional area of the scroll flow channel 204, which is substantially in the lateral direction of the outlet 601 of the scroll flow channel 204 and the heater 201. It is decided according to the length. That is, the enlarged flow path portion 207 is formed to approximate a straight line connecting the outlet 601 of the scroll flow path 204 and the heater 201. Here, the substantial lateral length corresponds to the length of the heat generating portion of the heater 201, but the length may be slightly increased or decreased.

  As described above, the enlarged flow path portion 207 is formed to approximate a straight line connecting the outlet 601 of the scroll flow path 204 and the heater 201. Therefore, the enlarged flow path portion 207 takes various shapes depending on the installation location of the heater 201. It is desirable to have a shape that enlarges the flow path substantially symmetrically with respect to the central axis of the outlet 601 of the flow path 204. This is because if the flow path is enlarged symmetrically in this way, the deviation of the flow with respect to the heater 201 is further reduced.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, the impeller 102 is accommodated in the fan accommodating portion 108 of the fan case 107, and the impeller ring portion 203 and a shaft hole through which the drive motor shaft is inserted are shown in the drawing. ing. Around the impeller 102, a spiral scroll passage 204 having a semicircular cross section and a cross-sectional area continuously increasing outward is formed.

  Further, an inner peripheral tongue portion 205 is formed on the inner peripheral side upstream of the end portion 601 of the scroll flow path 204, and an outer peripheral end portion 206 is formed on the outer peripheral side. As described above, in the present embodiment, the end portion 601 may be defined as the outlet of the scroll flow path 204, or may be defined as the outlet immediately downstream thereof. In the following description, the explanation is advanced with the end portion 601 as the outlet 601.

  A linear, substantially parallel flow channel region in which the passage width between the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side of the scroll flow channel 204 hardly changes over a predetermined length from the end portion 601 of the scroll flow channel 204 to the upstream side. 204A is formed. The substantially parallel flow path region 204 </ b> A extends linearly so as to form a substantially tangent line with the arc portion of the scroll flow path 204. That is, the arcs on the outer peripheral side of the annular gap wall 211 and the straight wall on the inner peripheral side of the substantially parallel flow channel region 204A are connected in a tangent line. The substantially parallel flow channel region includes a region in which the passage width between the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side of the scroll flow channel 204 has a certain degree of inclination or enlargement.

  Therefore, the width between the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side of the scroll flow channel 204 connected to the substantially parallel flow channel region 204A and the width between the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side of the substantially parallel flow channel region 204A are the same at the inlet. As you go downstream, it increases slightly. These are the same shapes as those described for the fan cover 104.

  Further, as described above, since the substantially parallel flow path region 204A is formed from the outlet 601 of the scroll flow path 204 toward the upstream side, it extends beyond the inner peripheral tongue portion 205 to the outlet 601 of the scroll flow path 204. Will be.

  Therefore, the scroll flow path 204 is terminated by the predetermined portion connecting the predetermined position on the downstream side of the inner peripheral tongue portion 205 and the outer peripheral end portion 206, and the outlet 601 is formed. Since the scroll flow path 204 is formed in a flow path cross-sectional area having a predetermined increase rate that does not disturb the flow of air flowing through the inside, the air flow is less disturbed and the substantially parallel flow path area 204A is formed from the middle. It keeps flowing in that state. For this reason, the air flows out to the vicinity of the outlet 601 of the scroll flow path 204 while maintaining as little disturbance as possible.

  In the substantially parallel flow path region 204A of the fan case 106, the flow path area is gradually increased in a direction orthogonal to the surface formed by the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side of the substantially parallel flow path region 204A. I have to. The fan case 106 may also be configured to gradually increase the flow path area in a direction orthogonal to the plane formed by the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side of the substantially parallel flow path region 204A. If the flow passage area is gradually enlarged symmetrically to the fan case 106 and the fan cover 104, the effect of reducing the disturbance of the air flow can be expected.

  A heater 201 as a heating unit is located in the heater housing 109 at a predetermined distance from the outlet 601 of the scroll flow path 204 of the fan case 107. The heater 201 has a laterally elongated shape and is fixed to the wall surface of the fan case 107 by a fixing screw. The heater 201 is arranged so as to be substantially orthogonal to the central axis of the outlet 601 of the scroll flow path 204 in the length direction.

  Similar to the fan cover 104, the fan case 107 is formed with an enlarged flow passage portion 207 in which the flow passage area between the outlet 601 of the scroll flow passage 204 and the heater 201 increases continuously. Yes. The increase rate of the cross-sectional area of the enlarged flow channel portion 207 is set to be considerably larger than the increase rate of the cross-sectional area of the scroll flow channel 204, which is substantially in the lateral direction of the outlet 601 of the scroll flow channel 204 and the heater 201. It is decided according to the length.

  That is, the enlarged flow path portion 207 is formed to approximate a straight line connecting the outlet 601 of the scroll flow path 204 and the heater 201. Here, the substantial lateral length corresponds to the length of the heat generating portion of the heater 201, but the length may be slightly increased or decreased.

  As described above, the enlarged flow path portion 207 is formed to approximate a straight line connecting the outlet 601 of the scroll flow path 204 and the heater 201. Therefore, the enlarged flow path portion 207 takes various shapes depending on the installation location of the heater 201. It is desirable to have a shape that enlarges the flow path substantially symmetrically with respect to the central axis of the outlet 601 of the flow path 204. This is because if the flow path is enlarged symmetrically in this way, the deviation of the flow with respect to the heater 201 is further reduced.

  Then, by combining the fan cover 104 and the fan case 107, the semicircular scroll flow path 204 formed by the fan cover 104 and the fan case 107 is formed as a scroll flow path 204 having a circular cross section as a result. Is. An annular gap 212 connected to the blade portion of the impeller 102 is formed on the inner peripheral side of the scroll passage 204, and air is supplied from the impeller 102 to the scroll passage 204 through the annular gap 212. is there.

  The specific shape of the impeller 102 is substantially the same as that described in Patent Document 1. The impeller 102 takes in air from the air intake port formed on the inner peripheral side through the suction port 105, and pushes the air to the scroll flow path 204 by the centrifugal force generated by the impeller, while reducing the air flow. The air blowing action is performed so as to be recovered as pressure.

  In addition, a temperature sensor 202 is provided on the wall surface of the heater housing 109 on the downstream side of the heater 201 of the fan case 107, and the temperature of the air heated by the heater 201 is measured and sent to the washing and dehydrating tub 3 The air temperature is adjusted to be fed back.

  The heater 201 uses a positive temperature coefficient heater (so-called PTC heater) as shown in FIG. This positive temperature coefficient heater has high safety and is used in many dryers and washing dryers. In the positive temperature coefficient heater, when a plurality of thermistor elements 701 are energized, the thermistor elements 701 generate heat, and fins 702 are installed to efficiently dissipate the generated heat. A plurality of thermistor elements 701 are arranged in parallel, and the positive temperature coefficient heater has a self-temperature control function in which the amount of heat generation changes depending on the wind speed passing through the thermistor elements 701 and the fins 702. As described above, it is important that the fins 702 are arranged so that the flow resistance is reduced as much as possible with respect to the air flow so that the air flowing through the enlarged flow path 207 passes well. In this embodiment, the direction of the fin 702 and the axis of the outlet 601 of the scroll flow path 204 are configured to be substantially parallel.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the heater 201 has an elongated shape in the lateral direction, and both ends thereof are fixed and supported by a mounting and fixing portion 201A formed of a material having heat resistance and electrical insulation. It is fixed to the inner wall surface with fixing screws.

  As described above, when the flow velocity distribution of the air passing through the heater 201, that is, the heater inlet flow velocity distribution is nonuniform, the heat generation amount of the ceramic element 701 is also nonuniform. For this reason, it is important to make the flow velocity distribution on the inlet side of the heater 201 uniform.

  Next, the flow of air in the blower fan unit 28 in the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. Now, when the drive motor 103 rotates in the direction of the arrow 501, the impeller 102 rotates in synchronism with this, and air flows from the suction port 105 toward the impeller 102 as indicated by the arrow 401.

  The air taken into the impeller 102 is given a centrifugal force by the impeller blades, and the high-speed air increased thereby flows in the direction indicated by arrows 402 and 403, and enters the scroll flow path 204 from the entire circumference of the impeller. It is transferred to. Then, when air flows into the scroll flow path 204, the air transfer speed is reduced here, and the air passes through the outlet 601 of the scroll flow path 204 as shown by the arrow 502 and reaches the enlarged flow path section 207. After being heated by the heater 201, it is discharged from the discharge port 106 of the blower fan unit 28.

  In the present embodiment, a substantially parallel flow path region 204 </ b> A formed by both the fan cover 104 and the fan case 107 extends linearly so as to form a substantially tangential line with the arc portion of the scroll flow path 204. That is, the arcs on the outer peripheral side of the annular gap wall 211 and the straight wall on the inner peripheral side of the substantially parallel flow channel region 204A are connected in a tangent line. The substantially parallel flow path region 204A includes even a passage width between the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side of the scroll flow path 204 having a certain degree of inclination or enlargement.

  Therefore, the width between the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side of the scroll flow channel 204 connected to the substantially parallel flow channel region 204A and the width between the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side of the substantially parallel flow channel region 204A are the same at the inlet. As you go downstream, it increases slightly. And since the scroll flow path 204 is formed in the cross-sectional area of the flow path having a predetermined increase rate that does not disturb the flow of air flowing inside, there is little disturbance of the flow of air, and a substantially parallel flow path region from the middle. 204A is flowing in that state. For this reason, the air flows out to the vicinity of the outlet 601 of the scroll flow path 204 while maintaining as little disturbance as possible. For this reason, in the vicinity of the outlet 601 of the scroll flow path 204, the air flow is suppressed from being disturbed from the inner peripheral side to the outer peripheral side. Therefore, the phenomenon that the turbulence of the air near the outlet on the outer peripheral side of the scroll flow path is suppressed by widening the outer peripheral side before the end of the scroll flow path and expanding the cross-sectional area as in Patent Document 1. can do.

  In this embodiment, when the width on the upstream side of the substantially parallel flow channel region 204A is 1, the width on the downstream side, which is about 2.3 times longer, is expanded to about 1.2 times. The expansion angle in the width direction is about 4 degrees. For this reason, the expansion tube is set to a value that hardly causes disturbance. Further, assuming that the area on the upstream side of the substantially parallel flow path region 204A is 1, the area on the downstream side is about 1.6 times. This is also equivalent to a circular pipe, and the enlargement angle is about 7 degrees. Even from this viewpoint, the loss as a flow path can be kept low. For this reason, since it passes through the tongue part 205 while the disturbance of the flow is suppressed, the generation of noise is suppressed. Further, since the loss is reduced, a decrease in the pressure increase as the blower fan can be suppressed, so that the motor input at the same air volume can be reduced.

  The downstream side (exit side) of the substantially parallel flow path region 204A may be a substantially circular arc or a rectangle with rounded corners.

  On the other hand, in such a configuration, the disturbance of the air flow up to the vicinity of the outlet 601 of the scroll flow path 204 can be suppressed, but according to the verification by the present inventors, the following phenomenon occurs when viewed as a blower fan unit. Expressed.

  The blower fan unit 28 is used in a drum-type washing / drying machine. However, the installation area tends to be limited depending on the design specifications, and the size (length) of the heater 201 cannot be reduced in order to increase the drying efficiency. It is in. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 6, the flow passage enlargement portion 207 that connects the heater inlet surface 602 from the outlet 601 of the scroll flow passage 204 that connects the downstream side of the inner peripheral tongue portion 205 of the scroll flow passage 204 and the outer peripheral end portion 206. Since the length of the heater 201 must be shortened and the length of the heater 201 cannot be shortened, the enlargement ratio of the flow passage of the flow passage enlargement portion 207 becomes considerably large and the flow passage cross-sectional area increases rapidly. It was.

  In this way, the rapid increase in the cross-sectional area of the flow path requires a rapid deceleration of the flow of air flowing through the enlarged flow path section 207 and causes separation. In particular, such a sudden increase in the cross-sectional area of the flow path results in total separation of the flow, resulting in a large fluid resistance, so that the pressure increasing function as a blower fan is greatly reduced. In addition to this, the following problems were newly found.

  This time, the present inventors performed fluid analysis by numerical calculation regarding the air flow in the shape as shown in FIG. As calculation conditions, the impeller rotational speed was 13500 revolutions / minute, and the flow rate was 1.4 cubic meters / minute. As a result, the air flow inside the scroll flow path 204, particularly the flow from the outlet 601 of the scroll flow path 204 to the inlet surface 602 of the heater 201, is connected to the outer peripheral side of the scroll flow path 204 as shown in FIG. As a result, the flow is largely separated in the inner peripheral side region (peeling region) 604 connected to the inner peripheral side of the scroll flow path 204, with the bias toward the outer peripheral side region (main flow region) 603.

  For this reason, the inner peripheral side region (separation region) 604 results in a reduction in the speed of the air, so that a speed difference occurs between the outer peripheral side region (main flow region) 603 through which the main flow flows and the heater 201 is moved. The flow velocity distribution of the passing air becomes non-uniform. For this reason, for example, if the distance from the outlet 601 of the scroll channel 204 to the inlet surface 602 of the heater 201 can be increased, the non-uniformity of the flow velocity distribution at the inlet surface 602 of the heater 201 can be improved to some extent.

  However, as described above, when the blower fan unit 28 is mounted on a drum type washer / dryer, the installation area tends to be limited depending on the design specifications, so the heater inlet surface 602 is connected from the outlet 601 of the scroll flow path 204. The length of the connecting channel expanding portion 207 must be shortened. For this reason, the increasing rate of the channel cross-sectional area of the enlarged channel part 207 must be increased rapidly, and the flow velocity distribution at the inlet surface 602 of the heater 201 becomes more uneven.

  In the blower fan unit 28 according to the present embodiment, the heater 201 uses a positive temperature coefficient heater as shown in FIG. (The details of the heater 201 are as described above.) By the way, the heater 201 has an elongated shape in the lateral direction as shown in FIG. 3, and the flow velocity distribution of air passing through the heater 201, that is, the heater inlet. If the flow velocity distribution is not uniform, the amount of heat generated by the ceramistor element 701 will also be non-uniform. For this reason, it is important to make the flow velocity distribution on the inlet surface 601 side of the heater 201 uniform.

  That is, since this heater 201 is a positive temperature coefficient type heater, it has a self-temperature control function. For example, the amount of heat given to air differs in a region where the flow velocity is low and a region where the flow velocity is fast, There is a phenomenon in which the amount of heat is small and the air becomes cold. If the temperature of the dry air is low, the moisture evaporation rate of the wet clothing is also slowed, the drying time is extended, and as a result, the time for energizing the heater 201 is extended and the amount of power consumed may increase. For this purpose, it is effective to suppress the separation at the inlet surface 602 of the heater 201 on the inner peripheral side region 604 side of the enlarged flow path portion 207 and improve the air flow velocity distribution.

  An embodiment for solving such a problem in the blower fan unit 28 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10. In order to make the flow velocity distribution on the inlet surface 602 of the heater 201 more uniform, in this embodiment, the flow of air is controlled in the enlarged flow path portion 207 from the outlet 601 of the scroll flow path 204 to the inlet surface 602 of the heater 201. The air flow guide function units 801 and 802 are provided.

  In other words, in the present embodiment, the first flow passage portion 207 extends from the outlet 601 of the scroll passage 204 on the fan cover 104 side to the inlet surface 602 of the heater 201 (the heater 201 is fixed to the fan case 107 side). The air flow guide function unit 801 and the second air flow guide function unit 802 are provided. Reference numeral 804 denotes a tongue extending straight portion extending from the inner peripheral tongue portion 205 formed on the inner peripheral side of the substantially parallel flow channel region 204A of the scroll passage 204 to the substantially parallel flow channel region 204A.

  The first air flow guide function unit 801 is located on the inner peripheral side of the scroll flow path 204 with respect to the second air flow guide function unit 802, and is connected to the first air flow guide function unit 801 and the second air flow guide function unit 801. The guide function unit 802 is provided on the downstream side in the rotational direction with respect to a line segment 805 that connects the central shaft 803 of the impeller and the arcuate tip portion of the inner peripheral side tongue portion 205 on the most downstream side of the scroll flow path 204. That is, in FIG. 8, the first air flow guide function unit 801 is close to the outlet 601 of the scroll flow path 204, and the second air flow guide function unit 802 has a scroll flow with respect to the first air flow guide function unit 801. It is away from the exit 601 of the road 204.

  And since the 1st airflow guidance function part 801 and the 2nd airflow guidance function part 802 are provided in the expansion flow path part 207, flow path resistance does not increase so much. If the first air flow guide function unit 801 and the second air flow guide function unit 802 are provided in the scroll flow path 204, the flow path resistance in this portion is considerably increased. In this respect, the present embodiment is greatly increased. It is advantageous.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the first air flow guide function part 801 is formed longer than the second air flow guide function part 802, and the inner peripheral side area (peeling area) 604 of the enlarged flow path part 207. The installation position and installation angle are determined. Thus, since the length, installation position, and installation angle of the first air flow guide function unit 801 are determined, the less disturbed flows 806 and 807 flowing out from the outlet 601 of the scroll flow path 204 are maintained in that state. However, it can flow to the vicinity of the entrance surface 602 of the heater 201.

  Further, as described above, the first air flow guide function unit 801 is close to the outlet 601 of the scroll flow path 204, but this is more likely to occur in the inner peripheral side region (peeling region) 604. This is because air with less turbulence is introduced from early on.

  The reason why the first air flow guide function unit 801 is formed long is that if the first air flow guide function unit 801 is formed to end short in the middle, there is a possibility that separation may occur in the wake. Because. For this reason, it is desirable that the first air flow guide function unit 801 extends to the vicinity of the inlet surface 602 of the heater 201.

  Similarly, the second air flow guide function unit 802 is directed toward the outer peripheral side region (main flow region) 603 of the enlarged flow path unit 207 as compared with the first air flow guide function unit 801 so that its installation position and installation angle are It has been decided. The less disturbed flow 808 flowing out from the outlet 601 of the scroll flow path 204 can flow to the vicinity of the inlet surface 602 of the heater 201 while maintaining the state.

  In addition, as described above, the second air flow guide function unit 802 is separated from the outlet 601 of the scroll flow path 204, but since this is the outer peripheral side region (main flow region) 603, there is little separation and disturbance. This is because less air can be introduced easily.

  Note that the second air flow guide function part 802 is formed short because the outer peripheral side region (main flow region) 603 is less peeled and, in some cases, the inlet surface 602 of the heater 201 and the second air flow. This is to increase the space between the guide function unit 802 and improve the air distribution in the outer peripheral region 60 to be more uniform.

  Here, the first air flow guide function unit 801 and the second air flow guide function unit 802 are specifically formed by elongated protrusions along the air flow or along the air flow direction, In this embodiment, the fan cover 104 is integrally formed. The elongated protrusions are linear, but may be angled or curved to control the air flow according to the requirements of the product specifications and the like.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the first air flow guide function unit 801 removes a part of the less disturbed air discharged from the outlet 601 of the scroll flow path 204 as indicated by an arrow 806 from the inner periphery of the scroll flow path 204. It becomes possible to distribute to the inner peripheral side region (peeling region) 604 side of the enlarged flow path 207 connected to the side. Similarly, the flow in the enlarged flow path section 207 is distributed in three directions indicated by arrows 807 and 808 by the first air flow guide function section 801 and the second air flow guide function section 802. Therefore, in the vicinity of the inlet surface 602 of the heater 201, the air velocity can be made closer to a more uniform flow velocity distribution.

  Furthermore, the front edge positions (front sides as viewed from the air flow) of the first air flow guide function unit 801 and the second air flow guide function unit 802 are downstream from the line segment 805 in the rotational direction, that is, the scroll flow. By providing the passage 204 on the downstream side of the position of the outlet 601 downstream of the inner peripheral tongue portion 205, it is difficult to adversely affect the flow on the upstream side in the rotational direction from the inner peripheral tongue portion 205. For this reason, the fan performance can be maintained even if an air flow guide function part that tends to cause flow path resistance is provided. The fan performance calculation result of the current fluid analysis shows that the fan efficiency at the specified point flow rate when the air flow guide function unit according to this embodiment is provided and when the air flow guide function unit is not provided as shown in FIG. Is about 1%. Therefore, this embodiment is advantageous when it is desired to make the flow velocity near the inlet surface 602 of the heater 201 more uniform.

  Incidentally, the fan cover 104 and the fan case 107 constituting the blower fan unit 28 are usually processed by injection molding in many cases. Therefore, the first air flow guide function unit 801 and the second air flow guide function unit 802 that are formed integrally with the fan cover 104 must have a certain draft in the height direction. In the following description, the first air flow guide function unit 801 and the second air flow guide function unit 802 are referred to as a first projection plate 801 and a second projection plate 802.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, the first protrusion plate 801 and the second protrusion plate 802 are arranged on the fan cover 104 side with the base portions 801A and 802A of the first protrusion plate 801 and the second protrusion plate 802. And has a cross-sectional shape having tip portions 801B and 802B that become thinner toward the fan case 107 side. Similarly, the base part of the first protrusion plate 801 and the second protrusion plate 802 may be provided on the fan case 107 side to form a tapered cross-sectional shape.

  However, according to the verification by the present inventors, according to the result of the fluid analysis by the present numerical calculation, the flow at the outlet 601 of the scroll flow path 204 is biased toward the fan case 107 when viewed in the height direction of the flow path. There was a trend. Therefore, if you do not want to have a large flow resistance such as the base of the projection plate near the main flow where there is little turbulence in the air flow, the base of the projection plate can Is preferably provided on the fan cover 104 side, and has a shape that becomes thinner toward the fan case 107 side.

  It is also effective to provide the third projection plate 1101 as a countermeasure when the low pressure side wake of the first projection plate 801 is separated. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, by providing the third projection plate 1101 on the fan case 107 side so as to be positioned between the first projection plate 801 and the second projection plate 802, a further rectifying effect is realized. be able to. Even if this third projection plate 1101 is provided on the fan cover 104 side, the same rectifying effect can be obtained, but the first projection plate 801 and the second projection plate 802 are opposite to avoid an increase in flow path resistance. It is more desirable to provide the third projection plate 1101 on the wall surface of the fan case 107.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the enlarged flow passage portion connects between the vicinity of the end portion of the scroll flow passage where the cross-sectional area continuously increases and the heating means for heating the drying air. An area where the cross-sectional area increases at a predetermined increase rate so that the air flow is less disturbed in the flow path, and between the inner and outer peripheral sides of the scroll flow path from the vicinity of the end of the scroll flow path toward the upstream side And a substantially parallel flow path region extending in a straight line of a predetermined length that is substantially parallel to the width of the enlarged flow path, and the cross-sectional area of the enlarged flow path portion is continuously increased at a rate greater than the increase rate of the cross-sectional area of the scroll flow path. To increase.

  As a result, the scroll flow path is formed so as to have an increase rate of the flow path cross-sectional area so that the flow of air flowing through the interior is not disturbed, and further to the vicinity of the end of the scroll flow path in the substantially parallel flow path region that follows this. Air flows out while maintaining as little disturbance as possible. For this reason, in the vicinity of the exit of the end portion of the scroll flow path, the air flow is suppressed from being disturbed from the inner peripheral side to the outer peripheral side.

  Further, according to the present invention, the enlarged flow path portion connects between the vicinity of the end portion of the scroll flow path whose cross-sectional area continuously increases and the heating means for heating the drying air, and the scroll flow path is The area where the cross-sectional area is increased at a predetermined increase rate so that the flow turbulence is small, and the width between the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side of the scroll channel from the vicinity of the end of the scroll channel toward the upstream side is approximately And a substantially parallel flow path region extending in a straight line having a predetermined length in parallel, and the cross-sectional area of the enlarged flow path portion is continuously increased at an increase rate larger than the increase rate of the cross-sectional area of the scroll flow path. In addition, an air flow guide portion for guiding the air flowing to the heating means was formed in the enlarged flow path portion.

  Thus, in addition to the above-described effects, it is possible to distribute less turbulent air discharged from the outlet of the scroll flow path by the air flow guide function unit to the enlarged flow path connected to the scroll flow path. The air velocity can be made closer to a more uniform flow velocity distribution in the vicinity of the inlet surface. Further, since the air guide portion is provided in the enlarged flow path, the flow resistance is not so much, and a smooth air flow can be maintained.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 28 ... Blower fan unit, 102 ... Impeller, 103 ... Drive motor, 104 ... Fan cover, 105 ... Suction port, 106 ... Discharge port, 107 ... Fan case, 201 ... Heater as heating means, 202 ... Thermometer, 203 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Impeller ring part, 204 ... Scroll flow path, 205 ... Inner peripheral side tongue part, 206 ... Outer peripheral side terminal part, 207 ... Enlarged flow path part, 401, 402, 403 ... Air flow, 501 ... Impeller Rotating direction, 502... Air flow, 601... Scroll channel outlet, 602... Heater inlet surface, 603. Outer peripheral region (mainstream region), 604. Peeling area), 701 ... Ceramistor element, 702 ... Fin, 801, 802 ... Air flow guide function part (projection plate), 803 ... Rotation center axis of impeller, 805 ... Rotation center axis of impeller and tongue on inner peripheral side The Department line segment, 806, 807, 808 ... flow of air.

Claims (5)

A rotary drum for storing clothing, a drum drive motor for driving the rotary drum, a housing for supporting the rotary drum, and an impeller having a plurality of blades for sending dry air into the rotary drum There is a blower fan unit comprising a blower fan, a drive motor for driving the blower fan, a scroll passage disposed on the outer periphery of the blower fan, and a heating means for heating the air discharged from the scroll passage. Drum-type washing and drying machine
An enlarged flow path portion connects between the vicinity of the end of the scroll flow path and the heating means for heating the air, and the cross-sectional area of the scroll flow path is increased at a constant increase rate so that the air flow is less disturbed. A substantially parallel flow path extending in a straight line having a predetermined length in which the width between the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side of the scroll flow path is substantially parallel from the vicinity of the end of the scroll flow path toward the upstream side And an area for continuously increasing the cross-sectional area of the enlarged flow path portion at an increase rate larger than the increase rate of the cross-sectional area of the scroll flow path, and further guiding the air flowing to the heating means While forming the flow guide function part in the enlarged flow path part ,
The air flow guide function unit includes a first air flow guide function unit and a second air flow guide function unit, and the first air flow guide function unit is more scrollable than the second air flow guide function unit. The first air flow guide function part is provided at a position close to the outlet of the scroll flow path, and the second air flow guide function part is located on the inner peripheral side of the flow path. A drum type washing and drying machine, wherein the drum type washing and drying machine is provided at a position away from an outlet of the scroll flow path with respect to the air flow guide function unit . In the drum type washing and drying machine according to claim 1 ,
The first air flow guide function unit and the second air flow guide function unit extend by connecting a central axis of the impeller and a tip arc portion of the inner peripheral side tongue on the most downstream side of the scroll flow path. A drum-type washing / drying machine, wherein the drum-type washing / drying machine is provided on the downstream side in the rotational direction of the line segment . In the drum type washing and drying machine according to claim 1 ,
The drum is characterized in that the heating means is formed in an elongated shape in the length direction, and the heating means is arranged so as to be substantially orthogonal to the central axis of the outlet of the scroll flow path. Washing dryer . In the drum type washing and drying machine according to claim 1 ,
The drum characterized in that the first air flow guide function unit is directed toward at least an inner peripheral side region (peeling region) of the enlarged flow channel connected to an inner peripheral side of the scroll flow channel. Type washing dryer . In the drum type washing and drying machine according to claim 4 ,
The first air flow guide function unit and the second air flow guide function unit are elongated protrusions formed on either a fan cover or a fan case constituting the blower fan unit. Drum type washing and drying machine .

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