JP7392937B2 - Washing and drying machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a washer/dryer.

The washer/dryer described in Patent Document 1 below has an outer tank in which water is stored, a drum disposed in the outer tank to accommodate laundry, and an air suction port and an air discharge port connected to the outer tank. It includes a circulation air path and a blower unit having a blower and a heater. When the blower operates, air in the outer tank is sucked into the circulation air passage through the air suction port and circulated so as to flow into the outer tank through the air discharge port. The circulating air is heated by a heater within the circulating air path. The heated air dries the laundry inside the drum. A drying filter is arranged in the blower unit to capture foreign matter such as lint contained in the circulating air. The dry filter can be removed from the blower unit for cleaning.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2011-244984

In the washer/dryer described in Patent Document 1, the user needs to regularly remove and clean the drying filter, which takes time and effort to maintain the drying filter. Furthermore, since it is not possible to determine how dirty the dry filter is before removing it, that is, the amount of foreign matter adhering to the dry filter, the user may clean the dry filter without noticing that it is not dirty enough to require maintenance. If you remove it just for the sake of it, your work will be wasted.

The present invention was made against this background, and an object of the present invention is to provide a washer/dryer that can improve the maintainability of the drying filter.

The present invention provides an outer tank in which water is stored, a washing tank accommodated in the outer tank and containing laundry, a circulation path connected to the outer tank and having an outlet and a return port, and the circulation path. an electric fan installed inside the outer tank, which circulates the air by taking out the air in the outer tank from the intake port into the circulation path and returning it into the outer tank from the return port; a heating section that heats the air in the circulation path, and a heating section that is arranged closer to the outlet than the fan and the heating section in the circulation path, and that is arranged in the circulation path from the outlet to the return port. a dry filter that captures foreign matter from the air flowing toward the dry filter, a water supply unit that supplies water to the dry filter, an adhesion amount detection means that detects the amount of foreign matter adhering to the dry filter, the fan, the heating unit, and the water supply unit. a control unit that performs a drying process of operating the fan and the heating unit to dry the laundry in the washing tub, and the control unit executes a drying process of operating the fan and the heating unit to dry the laundry in the washing tub, and In the washer/dryer, when the amount of adhesion exceeds a predetermined amount, the control section executes a cleaning process in which the water supply section supplies water to the dry filter in order to remove foreign matter from the dry filter.
Further, in the present invention, the adhesion amount detection means includes a detection section that detects a current value of the fan, and when the current value of the fan detected by the detection section falls below a predetermined value, the control section It is characterized in that it is determined that the amount of adhesion exceeds a predetermined amount, and the cleaning step is executed.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the control unit executes a water removal step of operating the fan to remove water from the dry filter after the cleaning step.

Further, in the present invention, the heating section is arranged closer to the return port than the fan in the circulation path, and the rotation speed of the fan in the water removal step is the rotation speed of the fan in the drying step. It is characterized by being lower than

According to the present invention, in the drying process of the washer/dryer, air in the outer tank is circulated by the operating electric fan so that it is taken out from the outlet into the circulation path and returned to the outer tank from the return port. . The circulating air is heated by the heating section within the circulation path, thereby turning into hot air, which dries the laundry in the washing tub. A dry filter disposed closer to the outlet than the fan and the heating section in the circulation path captures foreign matter contained in the air flowing from the outlet to the return port in the circulation path for circulation. Therefore, it is possible to suppress foreign matter in the air from adhering to the heating section.
In the washer/dryer, the amount of captured foreign matter adhering to the dry filter is detected, and when the amount of foreign matter exceeds a predetermined amount, a cleaning process of the dry filter is performed. For example, as the amount of foreign matter increases, the area through which air can pass through the dry filter decreases, reducing the air permeability of the dry filter. It becomes difficult to flow. Then, the air resistance against the rotation of the fan decreases, and the current value of the fan decreases accordingly. In other words, the fan current value is an example of an index indicating the amount of foreign matter adhering to the dry filter. When the amount of foreign matter adhering to the dry filter exceeds a predetermined amount, the current value of the fan falls below the predetermined value, so in this case, a cleaning process is performed and water is supplied to the dry filter by the water supply section. As a result, foreign matter adhering to the dry filter is peeled off from the dry filter by the water flowing down the dry filter. For example, this foreign matter falls within the circulation path, reaches the inside of the outer tank from the outlet, and is removed from the outer tank when the outer tank is drained.
In this way, the washer/dryer has an automatic maintenance function for the drying filter, and the drying filter is automatically maintained at an appropriate timing when it becomes dirty to some extent. Therefore, the user does not have to remove the dry filter for maintenance. Therefore, it is possible to improve the maintainability of the dry filter.

Further, according to the present invention, although the dry filter gets wet during the cleaning process, water is removed from the dry filter by the air flowing in the circulation path by operating the fan in the water removal process after the cleaning process. This eliminates clogging of the drying filter caused by water film and restores the air permeability of the drying filter.In the subsequent drying process, the air can pass through the drying filter smoothly, allowing air to flow between the circulation path and the outer tank. It can circulate smoothly. Therefore, the laundry in the washing tub can be effectively dried. Since the user does not have to remove and dry the dry filter that has become wet during the cleaning process, the maintainability of the dry filter can be further improved.

Further, according to the present invention, the rotation speed of the fan in the water removal step is lower than the rotation speed of the fan in the drying step, so that the momentum of the air flowing in the circulation path can be suppressed during the water removal step. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the water removed from the dry filter from riding on the air flowing in the circulation path and reaching the heating section on the downstream side and wetting the heating section. This makes it possible to prevent failure of the heating section, thereby improving maintainability.

FIG. 1 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional left side view of a washer/dryer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an outer tub and a drying unit arranged in the washer/dryer, viewed from the rear side. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the outer tank and drying unit. FIG. 4 is a rear view of the filter unit that constitutes the drying unit. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the filter unit. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the filter unit. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the filter unit. FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 4. FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the drying unit including a longitudinal section. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of main parts of the outer tank and drying unit including a longitudinal section. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the duct and filter unit that constitute the drying unit. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the drying process, cleaning process, and water removal process performed in the washer/dryer. FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the duct and filter unit.

Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional left side view of a washer/dryer 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in FIG. 1 is referred to as the left-right direction X of the washer-dryer 1, the left-right direction in FIG. It's called Z. In the left-right direction X, the back side in the paper of FIG. 1 is referred to as the right side X1, and the front side in the paper of FIG. 1 is referred to as the left side X2. In the longitudinal direction Y, the left side in FIG. 1 is referred to as the front side Y1, and the right side in FIG. 1 is referred to as the rear side Y2. In the vertical direction Z, the upper side is referred to as upper side Z1, and the lower side is referred to as lower side Z2. The washer/dryer 1 is a so-called drum type washer/dryer. The washer/dryer 1 has a housing 2, an outer tank 3 disposed inside the housing 2, a water supply channel 4 and a drainage channel 5 connected to the outer tank 3, and water from the outer tank 3 through the drainage channel 5. A drainage filter 6 that captures foreign matter from discharged water, a washing tub 7 housed in the outer tub 3, a motor 8 that rotates the washing tub 7, and a drying unit that dries the laundry L in the washing tub 7. 9.

The housing 2 is formed into a box shape. The front surface 2A of the housing 2 is, for example, a vertical surface. An opening 2B that communicates between the inside and outside of the housing 2 is formed in the front surface 2A. A door 10 for opening and closing the opening 2B is provided on the front surface 2A.

The outer tank 3 is elastically supported by the housing 2 via a hanging rod (not shown). The outer tank 3 includes a cylindrical circumferential wall 3A centered on an axis J extending in the front-rear direction Y along the horizontal direction H, and a disk-shaped back wall 3B that closes the hollow portion of the circumferential wall 3A from the rear side Y2. , and a ring-shaped front wall 3C connected to the front edge of the circumferential wall 3A. The back wall 3B is arranged vertically and has an outer circumferential portion 3D and a central portion 3E that protrudes further toward the rear side Y2 than the outer circumferential portion 3D. A through hole 3F is formed at the center of the central portion 3E, passing through the central portion 3E in the front-rear direction Y along the axis J. The front wall 3C includes an annular first portion 3G that protrudes from the front edge of the circumferential wall 3A toward the axis J side, a cylindrical second portion 3H that protrudes from the inner circumferential edge of the first portion 3G toward the front side Y1, and It has an annular third part 3I that projects from the front edge of the second part 3H toward the axis J side. On the inside of the third portion 3I, an entrance/exit 3J is formed which communicates with the hollow portion of the circumferential wall 3A from the front side Y1. The entrance/exit 3J faces and communicates with the opening 2B of the housing 2 from the rear side Y2.

The water supply channel 4 has one end (not shown) connected to a faucet (not shown) and the other end 4A connected to, for example, a central portion 3E of the back wall 3B of the outer tank 3. At the time of water supply, water from the faucet is supplied into the outer tank 3 from the water supply channel 4. Water such as tap water or detergent water containing detergent dissolved in tap water is stored in the outer tank 3. A water supply valve 11 is provided in the middle of the water supply channel 4, which is opened and closed to start and stop water supply.

The drainage channel 5 is connected to the lower end of the outer tank 3, for example, to the lower end of the first portion 3G of the front wall 3C. The water in the outer tank 3 is discharged to the outside of the machine through a drainage channel 5. A drain valve 12 is provided in the middle of the drain channel 5, which is opened and closed to start and stop draining.

The drain filter 6 is provided at an upstream portion of the drain channel 5 closer to the outer tank 3 than the drain valve 12 is. Since the front end of the drainage filter 6 is exposed on the front surface 2A of the housing 2, the user can attach or remove the drainage filter 6 from the housing 2 by grasping the front end of the drainage filter 6. As the structure of the drainage filter 6, a known structure can be used.

The washing tub 7 is one size smaller than the outer tub 3. The washing tub 7 includes a cylindrical circumferential wall 7A disposed coaxially with the circumferential wall 3A of the outer tub 3, a disc-shaped back wall 7B that closes the hollow part of the circumferential wall 7A from the rear side Y2, and a circumferential wall 7A. It has an annular annular wall 7C extending from the front end edge of 7A toward the axis J side. A plurality of through holes 7D are formed in at least the circumferential wall 7A of the washing tub 7, and water in the outer tub 3 flows back and forth between the outer tub 3 and the washing tub 7 via the through holes 7D. Therefore, the water level in the outer tub 3 and the water level in the washing tub 7 match. At the center of the back wall 7B of the washing tub 7, a support shaft 13 is provided that extends along the axis J toward the rear side Y2. The rear end portion of the support shaft 13 passes through the through hole 3F of the rear wall 3B of the outer tank 3 and is disposed on the rear side Y2 of the rear wall 3B.

An entrance/exit 7E is formed inside the annular wall 7C and communicates with the hollow portion of the circumferential wall 7A from the front side Y1. The entrance/exit 7E faces and communicates with the entrance/exit 3J of the outer tank 3 and the opening 2B of the housing 2 from the rear side Y2. The entrance/exit 3J and the entrance/exit 7E are opened and closed together by the door 10 along with the opening 2B. A user of the washer/dryer 1 takes laundry L into and out of the washing tub 7 through the opened opening 2B, entrance/exit 3J, and entrance/exit 7E.

The motor 8 is disposed within the housing 2 on the rear side Y2 of the rear wall 3B of the outer tank 3. The motor 8 is connected to a support shaft 13 provided in the washing tub 7 . The driving force generated by the motor 8 is transmitted to the support shaft 13, and the washing tub 7 rotates around the axis J together with the support shaft 13. Note that a clutch mechanism (not shown) may be provided between the motor 8 and the support shaft 13 to transmit or interrupt the driving force of the motor 8 to the support shaft 13.

Drying unit 9 includes a circulation path 20, a fan 21, and a heating section 22. The circulation path 20 is a flow path arranged in the housing 2 above the outer tank 3 Z1. The circulation path 20 has an intermediate portion 20A extending in the front-rear direction Y, a rear portion 20B extending from the rear end of the intermediate portion 20A toward the lower side Z2, and a front portion 20C extending from the front end of the intermediate portion 20A toward the lower side Z2. An outlet 20D is formed at the front end of the lower end of the rear portion 20B. The outlet 20D is connected to a portion of the outer peripheral portion 3D of the back wall 3B of the outer tank 3 that is higher than the upper limit water level, and communicates with the inside of the outer tank 3 from the rear side Y2. A return port 20E is formed at the lower end of the front portion 20C. The return port 20E is connected to the upper end of the second portion 3H of the front wall 3C of the outer tank 3, and communicates with the inside of the outer tank 3 from the upper side Z1.

The fan 21 includes a rotary blade 21A disposed in an upstream region near the outlet 20D in the circulation path 20, and an electric motor 21B that rotates the rotary blade 21A. The respective rotational speeds of the rotary blade 21A and the motor 21B are the same in this embodiment, and this rotational speed is referred to as the rotational speed of the fan 21. When the rotary blade 21A rotates, the air in the outer tub 3, that is, the air in the outer tub 3 and the washing tub 7, is taken out into the circulation path 20 from the outlet 20D as shown by the thick broken line arrow. It is returned into the outer tank 3 through the return port 20E. Thereby, the air in the outer tank 3 is circulated so as to flow through the outer tank 3 and the circulation path 20 in this order. The washer/dryer 1 includes a current sensor 23A as an example of a detection unit that detects the current value in the motor 21B of the fan 21, and a rotation speed sensor 23B that detects the rotation speed of the fan 21. Known sensors can be used as the current sensor 23A and the rotation speed sensor 23B.

The heating unit 22 is a heat exchanger in a heat pump, a general heater, or the like, and the heating unit 22 in this embodiment is a compressor that constitutes the heat exchanger of the heat pump. At least a portion of the heating section 22 is provided within the circulation path 20. A portion of the heating section 22 that is provided within the circulation path 20 is located on the return port 20E side, that is, on the downstream side, of the rotating blade 21A of the fan 21 in the circulation path 20. A portion of the heating section 22 provided within the circulation path 20 has a plurality of fin-shaped heat radiating sections 22A. The washer/dryer 1 includes, in addition to the heating section 22, piping 22B that circulates the refrigerant via the heating section 22 as a component of the heat pump. When the heating section 22 operates, the refrigerant flowing through the heating section 22 is compressed and becomes high temperature, and the heat radiating section 22A becomes high temperature as the heat of this refrigerant is transferred. Thereby, the air flowing in the circulation path 20 is heated and becomes hot air when it passes around the heat radiation part 22A.

The washer/dryer 1 includes a control section 24 configured as a microcomputer. Electrical components such as the motor 8, the water supply valve 11, the drain valve 12, the fan 21, the heating section 22, the current sensor 23A, and the rotation speed sensor 23B are electrically connected to the control section 24. The current value of the fan 21 detected by the current sensor 23A and the rotation speed of the fan 21 detected by the rotation speed sensor 23B are input to the control unit 24 in real time. The control unit 24 executes the washing and drying operation by controlling the operations of the motor 8, the water supply valve 11, the drain valve 12, the fan 21, and the heating unit 22. The washing and drying operation includes a washing process, a rinsing process, a dehydration process, and a drying process.

Prior to the start of the washing process, detergent is poured into the washing tub 7. In the washing process, the control unit 24 supplies water to the outer tub 3 and the washing tub 7 by opening the water supply valve 11 for a predetermined time while keeping the drain valve 12 closed, and then rotates the washing tub 7 with the motor 8. As a result, the laundry L in the washing tub 7 is washed by beating. In tumble washing, the laundry L is repeatedly lifted to a certain extent and then naturally falls to the water surface, tumbling. Dirt is removed from the laundry L by the impact caused by tumbling and the detergent components contained in the detergent water collected in the washing tub 7. After a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the start of tumbling, the controller 24 opens the drain valve 12 to drain water, and the washing process ends.

In the rinsing step, the control unit 24 supplies water to the outer tub 3 and the washing tub 7 by opening the water supply valve 11 for a predetermined time while keeping the drain valve 12 closed, and then rotates the washing tub 7 with the motor 8. Then, since the above-described tumbling is repeated, the laundry L is rinsed with tap water in the washing tub 7. When the control unit 24 drains the water after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of tumbling, the rinsing process ends. The rinsing step may be repeated multiple times. In the dewatering process, the control unit 24 rotates the washing tub 7 for dehydration while keeping the drain valve 12 open. The laundry L in the washing tub 7 is dehydrated by the centrifugal force generated by the spin-drying rotation of the washing tub 7. Water seeped out of the laundry L due to dehydration is discharged from the drain channel 5 to the outside of the machine. The dehydration step may be performed not only after the rinsing step but also after the washing step.

In the drying process, the control unit 24 operates the fan 21 and the heating unit 22 to generate hot air, circulate it between the washing tub 7 and the circulation path 20, and supply it to the laundry L in the washing tub 7. . Thereby, the laundry L is dried. Foreign matter such as lint is generated during the washing operation, and this foreign matter is carried away by hot air during the drying process. If foreign matter adheres to and accumulates on the heat dissipation section 22A of the heating section 22, there is a risk of a decrease in heating efficiency in the heating section 22 and a decrease in performance due to deterioration of air flow in the circulation path 20. There is a need to. Therefore, the drying unit 9 further includes a filter unit 25, a branch path 26, and a water injection valve 27. Below, the fan 21 and the circulation path 20 will be described in detail, and then the filter unit 25, the branch path 26, and the water injection valve 27 will be described.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the outer tank 3 and the drying unit 9 viewed from the rear side Y2. Fan 21 includes a hollow disc-shaped casing 29 that accommodates rotating blades 21A. The casing 29 is part of the circulation path 20 and is fixed to the housing 2. The internal space of the casing 29 constitutes a connecting portion between the intermediate portion 20A and the rear portion 20B in the circulation path 20.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the outer tank 3 and the drying unit 9. The circulation path 20 includes a duct 30 that occupies most of the rear portion 20B, and a connection hose 31 that connects the casing 29 and the duct 30. The duct 30 includes a main body 32 and a cover 33 (see FIG. 2).

The main body 32 includes a curved wall 32A that curves downward to the lower left side along the upper left portion of the circumferential wall 3A of the outer tank 3, and a substantially semicircular plate shape that bulges toward the front side Y1. It has a ceiling wall 32B extending from the right end to the left side X2. A downstream space 32C that becomes narrower in the vertical direction Z toward the right side X1 is defined between the curved wall 32A and the ceiling wall 32B. The ceiling wall 32B extends obliquely with respect to the horizontal direction H so as to descend toward the left side X2. The top wall 32B is provided with a cylindrical upper connecting portion 32D that protrudes toward the upper side Z1. The internal space of the upper connecting portion 32D is in communication with the downstream space 32C from the upper side Z1. The downstream space 32C and the internal space of the upper connecting portion 32D constitute a part of the internal space of the rear portion 20B of the circulation path 20. The main body 32 has a side wall 32E constructed between the edges of the curved wall 32A and the top wall 32B so as to close the downstream space 32C from the front side Y1 and the left side X2.

The main body 32 includes a first vertical wall 32F extending from the rear end of the curved wall 32A to the lower side Z2, and a horizontal wall 32G protruding from the lower end of the first vertical wall 32F toward the rear side Y2. The upper end of the first vertical wall 32F is curved in an arc shape along the curved wall 32A, and the lower end of the first vertical wall 32F is linear while being inclined with respect to the horizontal direction H so as to descend toward the left side X2. Extends to. The horizontal wall 32G is strip-shaped and extends along the lower end of the first vertical wall 32F while being inclined with respect to the horizontal direction H. The rear end portion of the side wall 32E is arranged on the rear side Y2 of the downstream space 32C. A lower portion of the rear end of the side wall 32E is connected to the left end of each of the first vertical wall 32F and the horizontal wall 32G.

The main body 32 has a second vertical wall 32H that is L-shaped in rear view and frames the rear end of the side wall 32E and the horizontal wall 32G. At the lower end of the second vertical wall 32H, one or more of the above-described outlet ports 20D are formed. In this embodiment, one elongated hole-shaped outlet 20D that is long in the vertical direction Z is formed and penetrates the second vertical wall 32H in the front-rear direction Y. The second vertical wall 32H is provided with a cylindrical lower connecting portion 32I that borders the outlet 20D and protrudes toward the front side Y1. A through hole 3K having the same shape as the outlet 20D is formed in the back wall 3B of the outer tank 3. The lower connecting portion 32I is inserted into the through hole 3K from the rear side Y2. Thereby, the outlet 20D is connected to the back wall 3B and communicates with the inside of the outer tank 3.

The main body 32 has an outer wall 32J that protrudes toward the rear side Y2 while continuously edging the right edge of the first vertical wall 32F and the left edge, lower edge, and right edge of the second vertical wall 32H. The outer wall 32J is formed into a substantially U-shape when viewed from the rear, and the two upper ends of the outer wall 32J are connected to the left end and right end of the rear end of the ceiling wall 32B, respectively. A notch 32JA recessed toward the front side Y1 is formed at the upper end of the outer wall 32J connected to the right end of the ceiling wall 32B. A plurality of first locking portions 32JB protruding from the outer circumferential surface are provided in a front region of the outer circumferential surface of the outer wall 32J. Bolts B1 (see FIG. 2) are inserted into insertion holes formed in each first locking portion 32JB, and assembled into screw holes 3L provided at corresponding positions in the back wall 3B of the outer tank 3. Thereby, the entire duct 30 including the main body 32 is fixed to the outer tank 3. An intermediate space 32K is formed in the main body 32, which is defined by the rear end of the side wall 32E, the horizontal wall 32G, the top wall 32B, and the right portion of the outer wall 32J. The intermediate space 32K has a substantially rectangular shape in rear view, is a thin space in the front-rear direction Y, adjoins the first vertical wall 32F from the rear side Y2, and communicates with the downstream space 32C from the rear side Y2.

The main body 32 has a vertical partition plate 32L and a horizontal partition plate 32M that protrude from the second vertical wall 32H toward the rear side Y2. The vertical partition plate 32L is arranged adjacent to the left side X2 in the middle space 32K, extends from the rear end of the ceiling wall 32B to the lower side Z2, and is connected to the edge of the upper side Z1 at the outlet 20D. A through hole 32N having a rectangular shape elongated in the vertical direction Z is formed in the middle of the vertical partition plate 32L. The horizontal partition plate 32M is arranged at a lower side Z2 than the intermediate space 32K and an upper side Z1 than the outlet 20D, and is installed between the intermediate part of the vertical partition plate 32L and the right part of the outer wall 32J. The horizontal partition plate 32M extends substantially parallel to the top wall 32B and the horizontal wall 32G while being inclined with respect to the horizontal direction H so as to descend toward the left side X2. The left end of the upper surface of the horizontal partition plate 32M is connected to the lower end of the through hole 32N of the vertical partition plate 32L. A slit 32P that divides the horizontal partition plate 32M into two in the left-right direction X is formed in the middle of the horizontal partition plate 32M. A screw hole 32Q is formed in the rear surface of the second vertical wall 32H within the slit 32P.

The main body 32 has an arrangement space 32R defined by a vertical partition plate 32L, a horizontal partition plate 32M, a top wall 32B, and a right portion of an outer wall 32J. The arrangement space 32R has a substantially rectangular shape in rear view, is a thin space in the front-rear direction Y, and communicates with the intermediate space 32K from the rear side Y2. In the arrangement space 32R, a portion Z1 above the horizontal wall 32G overlaps the entire area of the intermediate space 32K when viewed from the rear. The filter unit 25 is arranged in the arrangement space 32R. The main body 32 is formed with an upstream space 32S defined by a portion Z2 below the through hole 32N in the vertical partition plate 32L, the horizontal partition plate 32M, and the right and lower portions of the outer wall 32J. The upstream space 32S is a substantially semicircular space that bulges out toward the lower side Z2 when viewed from the rear, and is located on the lower side Z2 of the arrangement space 32R with the horizontal partition plate 32M in between, and is located at the rear side of the outlet 20D. Connect from Y2.

A vertical space 32T is formed in the main body 32, which is sandwiched from both sides in the left-right direction X by the left portion of the outer wall 32J and the vertical partition plate 32L, and extends long and narrow in the vertical direction Z. The vertical space 32T is closed from the front side Y1 by the left end of the second vertical wall 32H, and is closed from the upper side Z1 by the left end of the ceiling wall 32B. The lower end of the vertical space 32T communicates with the upstream space 32S from the left side X2. The main body 32 includes a blocking plate 32U installed between a portion Z1 above the through hole 32N in the vertical partition plate 32L and a left portion of the outer wall 32J. The vertical space 32T is divided into two by a blocking plate 32U located in the middle thereof, into a lower area Z2 below the blocking plate 32U and an upper area Z1 above the blocking plate 32U. The through hole 32N communicates with the lower region of the blocking plate 32U from the right side X1.

The cover 33 (see FIG. 2) has a contour that substantially matches the outer wall 32J and top wall 32B of the main body 32 when viewed from the rear, and is formed into a plate shape that becomes narrower toward the lower side Z2. The cover 33 is provided with a plurality of locking portions 33A (see FIG. 2) protruding from its outer edge. In correspondence with the locking portions 33A, a plurality of second locking portions 32JC protruding from the outer circumferential surface of the main body 32 are provided in a rearward region of the outer circumferential surface of the outer wall 32J of the main body 32. A bolt (not shown) is inserted into an insertion hole formed in each locking portion 33A, and assembled into a screw hole 32JD provided in the rear end surface of the corresponding second locking portion 32JC. Thereby, the cover 33 is fixed to the main body 32 from the rear side Y2, and the duct 30 is completed (see FIG. 2).

In the completed duct 30, the arrangement space 32R, upstream space 32S, and vertical space 32T provided on the rear side of the main body 32 are closed off by the cover 33 from the rear side Y2. The rear ends of each of the vertical partition plate 32L and the blocking plate 32U contact the front surface of the cover 33. Therefore, the arrangement space 32R, which is arranged with the vertical partition plate 32L in between, and the lower region of the vertical space 32T do not communicate with each other except through the through hole 32N of the vertical partition plate 32L. Further, a lower region and an upper region disposed across the blocking plate 32U in the vertical space 32T are blocked. Since there is a gap Q (see FIG. 12) between the rear end of the horizontal partition plate 32M and the front side of the cover 33, the arrangement space 32R and the upstream space 32S communicate with each other via this gap Q.

The connection hose 31 is, for example, a rubber cylinder, and its internal space is open to the upper side Z1 and the lower side Z2. A bellows portion 31A is provided between the upper end and the lower end of the connection hose 31. A lower end portion of the connection hose 31 is fitted onto the upper connecting portion 32D of the duct 30. The upper end of the connection hose 31 is connected to the casing 29 of the fan 21 . The internal space of the connection hose 31 constitutes a part of the internal space of the rear portion 20B of the circulation path 20. Transmission of the vibrations of the outer tub 3 to the fan 21 during the washing and drying operation is suppressed by the elastic deformation of the bellows portion 31A.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the filter unit 25. The overall shape of the filter unit 25 in rear view is a rectangle having two sides that are inclined with respect to the horizontal direction H so as to descend toward the left side X2, and another two sides that extend substantially vertically along the up-down direction Z. It is formed into a shape, specifically a parallelogram shape. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the filter unit 25. The filter unit 25 is formed into a thin box shape in the front-rear direction Y.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the filter unit 25. The filter unit 25 includes a first filter member 41, a second filter member 42, and a water supply cover 43.

The first filter member 41 includes a frame portion 41A having a substantially rectangular outline in rear view, a pair of left and right vertical walls 41B protruding from the frame portion 41A toward the front side Y1, and a frame portion 41A protruding from the lower end of the frame portion 41A toward the front side Y1. It has a bottom wall 41C. The upper edge and lower edge of the frame portion 41A are inclined with respect to the horizontal direction H so as to descend toward the left side X2. The right edge and left edge of the frame portion 41A extend substantially vertically along the up-down direction Z. The lower end of the right edge of the frame portion 41A is curved so as to shift to the left side X2 as it goes toward the lower side Z2. The upper edge of the frame portion 41A is provided with a rib-shaped upper insertion portion 41D that protrudes toward the upper side Z1 and extends in the left-right direction X along the upper edge.

An opening 41E passing through the frame 41A in the front-rear direction Y is provided in almost the entire area of the frame 41A when viewed from the rear. The frame portion 41A has one or more vertical ribs 41F that vertically traverse the opening 41E. In this embodiment, two vertical ribs 41F are provided side by side in the left-right direction X, and the opening 41E is equally divided into three small openings 41EA lined up in the left-right direction X by these vertical ribs 41F. Each small opening 41EA is formed in a vertically long rectangular shape, more precisely, in a parallelogram shape having two sides parallel to the upper and lower edges of the frame portion 41A.

The first filter member 41 is provided with a dry filter F1 that covers the entire area of each small opening 41EA. The dry filter F1 in this embodiment is a mesh sheet attached to the frame 41A, but may also be a lattice integrally formed with the frame 41A. A rear surface portion of the dry filter F1 extending along the vertical and horizontal directions is referred to as a vertical surface portion F1A. A horizontal rib 41G is provided below the opening 41E on the rear surface Z2 of the frame portion 41A and extends in the left-right direction X along the lower end of the opening 41E while protruding toward the rear side Y2.

The pair of vertical walls 41B includes a right vertical wall 41BA that protrudes from the right edge of the frame portion 41A toward the front side Y1 and extends in the vertical direction Z, and a left vertical wall that protrudes from the left edge of the frame portion 41A toward the front side Y1 and extends in the vertical direction Z. 41BB. The lower end of the right vertical wall 41BA is curved along the lower end of the right edge of the frame 41A. The front end portion of the right vertical wall 41BA constitutes a rib-shaped right insertion portion 41BC that becomes narrower in the left-right direction X and extends in the up-down direction Z. An escape hole 41BD passing through the left vertical wall 41BB in the left-right direction X is formed at the lower end of the left vertical wall 41BB, which is one of the pair of vertical walls 41B. The front end of a portion Z1 above the escape hole 41BD in the left vertical wall 41BB forms a rib-shaped left insertion portion 41BE that becomes narrower in the left-right direction X and extends in the up-down direction Z.

The bottom wall 41C is constructed between the lower ends of the right vertical wall 41BA and the left vertical wall 41BB. The upper surface portion 41CA of the bottom wall 41C is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction H so as to descend toward the relief hole 41BD on the left side X2, and is connected to the relief hole 41BD. A locking portion 41CB protruding from the bottom wall 41C toward the lower side Z2 is provided at the center of the bottom wall 41C in the left-right direction X. An insertion hole 41CC that penetrates the locking portion 41CB in the front-rear direction Y is formed in the locking portion 41CB.

The second filter member 42 has a frame portion 42A having a substantially rectangular outline in rear view, and a top wall 42B protruding from the upper edge of the frame portion 42A toward the rear side Y2. The upper edge and lower edge of the frame portion 42A are inclined with respect to the horizontal direction H so as to descend toward the left side X2. The right edge and left edge of the frame portion 42A extend substantially vertically along the up-down direction Z. The lower end of the right edge of the frame portion 42A is curved so as to be shifted to the left side X2 as it goes toward the lower side Z2.

An opening 42C that penetrates the frame 42A in the front-rear direction Y is provided in almost the entire area of the frame 42A when viewed from the rear. The frame portion 42A has one or more vertical ribs 42D that traverse the opening 42C. In this embodiment, two vertical ribs 42D are provided side by side in the left-right direction X, and the opening 42C is equally divided into three small openings 42CA lined up in the left-right direction X by these vertical ribs 42D. Each of the small openings 42CA is formed in a rectangular shape having the same size as each of the small openings 41EA of the first filter member 41, more precisely in a parallelogram shape.

The second filter member 42 is provided with a dry filter F2 that covers the entire area of each small opening 42CA. The dry filter F2 in this embodiment is a mesh sheet attached to the frame 42A along the top, bottom, right and left, but may also be a lattice integrally formed on the frame 42A. A rear surface portion of the dry filter F2 extending along the vertical and horizontal directions is referred to as a vertical surface portion F2A.

Below, the dry filter F1 of the first filter member 41 and the dry filter F2 of the second filter member 42 may be collectively referred to as "dry filter F." The vertical surface portion F1A of the dry filter F1 and the vertical surface portion F2A of the dry filter F2 may be collectively referred to as "vertical surface portion FA."

A pair of right ribs 42E extending in the vertical direction Z along the right edge of the frame 42A are provided on the right side X1 of the rear surface of the frame 42A with respect to the opening 42C. A right insertion groove 42F extending in the vertical direction Z is formed between these right ribs 42E. A pair of left ribs 42G extending in the vertical direction Z along the left edge of the frame portion 42A are provided on the left side X2 of the opening 42C in the rear surface portion of the frame portion 42A. A left insertion groove 42H extending in the vertical direction Z is formed between these left ribs 42G.

The top wall 42B has a main body part 42BA which is in the shape of a rectangular plate that is elongated in the left-right direction X and is inclined downwardly to the left along the upper edge of the frame part 42A, and a rectangular plate shape that is shorter than the main body part 42BA. It has an extension part 42BB extending from the right end of the main body part 42BA to the right side X1 along the horizontal direction H. The main body part 42BA includes a rectangular plate-shaped lower part 42BC that forms the entire outline of the main body part 42BA in a plan view, and a rectangular plate-shaped lower part 42BC that is provided on the upper surface of the lower part 42BC and arranged inside the outline of the lower part 42BC in a plan view. It has an upper part 42BD. An upper insertion groove 42BE (see FIG. 15 described below) extending in the left-right direction X is formed at the rear end of the lower surface portion of the lower portion 42BC. The extension part 42BB includes a rectangular plate-shaped lower part 42BF that forms the entire outline of the extension part 42BB in a plan view, and a rectangular part provided on the upper surface of the lower part 42BF and arranged inside the outline of the lower part 42BF in a plan view. It has a plate-like upper part 42BG. The left end of the lower part 42BF is connected to the right end of the lower part 42BC of the main body part 42BA, and the left end of the upper part 42BG is connected to the right end of the upper part 42BD of the main body part 42BA. A frame-shaped outer edge portion 42K is formed on the upper surface of the ceiling wall 42B as a part of the upper surface of the lower portion 42BC and the lower portion 42BF, and surrounds the upper portion 42BD and the upper portion 42BG in plan view.

A plurality of water supply ports 42J having the same shape and size are formed in the main body portion 42BA. Each water supply port 42J extends vertically, that is, linearly in the vertical direction Z, and penetrates both the lower part 42BC and the upper part 42BD (see FIGS. 9 and 10 described later). Each water supply port 42J has a substantially rectangular planar cross section, and this planar section is the same at any position of the water supply port 42J in the vertical direction Z. The planar cross section of the water supply port 42J is the flow path area of the water supply port 42J. These water supply ports 42J are distributed over the entire area of the rear end of the upper part 42BD and are arranged in a row at equal intervals along the left-right direction X, and are distributed over the entire area of the front end of the upper part 42BD. and a plurality of second water supply ports 42JB arranged in a row at equal intervals along the left-right direction X. In this embodiment, twelve first water supply ports 42JA and twelve second water supply ports 42JB are provided. The above-mentioned upper insertion groove 42BE is arranged between the row of first water supply ports 42JA and the row of second water supply ports 42JB (see FIG. 15).

The water supply cover 43 includes a hollow body portion 43A that is elongated in the left-right direction X, and a hollow connecting portion 43B that is connected to the body portion 43A from the right side X1. The lower surface portion 43AA of the main body portion 43A is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction H so as to descend toward the left side X2. The internal space 43AB of the main body portion 43A is opened to the lower side Z2 from an opening 43AC (see FIG. 8) formed over almost the entire area of the lower surface portion 43AA. The lower surface portion 43BA of the connecting portion 43B extends along the horizontal direction H. The internal space 43BB of the connecting portion 43B is opened to the lower side Z2 from an opening 43BC (see FIG. 8) formed over almost the entire area of the lower surface portion 43BA. The opening 43BC of the connecting portion 43B communicates with the opening 43AC of the main body portion 43A from the right side X1, and the internal space 43BB of the connecting portion 43B communicates with the internal space 43AB of the main body portion 43A from the right side X1. A pipe-shaped tube portion 43BD extending toward the rear side Y2, for example, is provided on the rear surface of the connecting portion 43B. The internal space 43BE of the pipe portion 43BD communicates with the internal space 43BB of the connecting portion 43B from the rear side Y2. The internal space 43AB of the main body portion 43A, the internal space 43BB of the connecting portion 43B, and the internal space 43BE of the pipe portion 43BD together constitute a flow path 43C within the water supply cover 43. A circular opening formed on the rear end surface of the tube portion 43BD and opening the internal space 43BE to the rear side Y2 constitutes the inlet 43CA of the flow path 43C. The opening area of the inlet 43CA is the flow path area of the inlet 43CA.

Next, assembly of the filter unit 25 will be explained. The operator inserts the right insertion part 41BC, left insertion part 41BE and upper insertion part 41D of the first filter member 41 into the right insertion groove 42F, left insertion groove 42H and upper insertion part of the second filter member 42. The first filter member 41 and the second filter member 42 are combined by inserting them into the grooves 42BE (see FIG. 15). Then, the operator combines the water supply cover 43 and the second filter member 42 by placing the water supply cover 43 on the top wall 42B of the second filter member 42 from the upper side Z1. As a result, the filter unit 25 is completed. In addition, after combining the water supply cover 43 and the 2nd filter member 42, you may combine the 1st filter member 41 and the 2nd filter member 42.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the completed filter unit 25. In the completed filter unit 25, the frame portion 41A of the first filter member 41 is arranged on the rear side Y2 of the frame portion 42A of the second filter member 42. Thereby, the dry filter F1 attached to the frame portion 41A is arranged to overlap the dry filter F2 attached to the frame portion 42A from the rear side Y2. In this way, a space S is secured between the adjacent dry filters F1 and F2. The right vertical wall 41BA and the left vertical wall 41BB of the first filter member 41 sandwich the space S from the side, that is, from both sides in the left-right direction X. An escape hole 41BD formed in the left vertical wall 41BB communicates with the space S from the left side X2 and faces the outside of the space S. The bottom wall 41C of the first filter member 41 is connected to the lower end of the frame portion 42A, and closes the space S from the lower side Z2. The main body portion 42BA of the top wall 42B of the second filter member 42 closes off the space S from the upper side Z1. The ceiling wall 42B and the water supply cover 43 that covers the ceiling wall 42B from the upper side Z1 constitute a water supply section 50 that supplies water to the dry filter F.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 4. The outer edge bordering the opening 43AC of the main body part 43A and the opening 43BC of the connecting part 43B on the lower surface of the water supply cover 43 contacts the entire outer edge 42K of the upper surface of the ceiling wall 42B from the upper side Z1 (see also FIG. reference). The upper part 42BD and the upper part 42BG of the ceiling wall 42B fit into the flow path 43C of the water supply cover 43 from the lower side Z2. The flow path 43C in the water supply cover 43 is connected to all the water supply ports 42J formed in the ceiling wall 42B from the upper side Z1.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. In the internal space 43AB of the main body 43A that constitutes a part of the flow path 43C in the water supply cover 43, the width W in the front-rear direction Y is approximately constant (see FIG. 8), but the height D increases as it moves toward the left side X2. becomes smaller. In order to realize such a height dimension D, the thickness of the top wall 43AD of the main body portion 43A in the vertical direction Z is configured to increase toward the left side X2. The first water supply port 42JA on the rear side Y2 of the water supply ports 42J is arranged at the same position in the longitudinal direction Y and the horizontal direction X as the vertical surface portion F1A of the dry filter F1 of the first filter member 41, and is located above the vertical surface portion F1A. It is placed in Z1. Thereby, the plurality of first water supply ports 42JA are lined up horizontally, that is, in the left-right direction X, along the vertical surface portion F1A of the corresponding dry filter F1, and face the vertical surface portion F1A from the upper side Z1.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG. The vertical surface portion F2A of the dry filter F2 of the second filter member 42 faces the space S between the dry filter F1 and the dry filter F2 from the front side Y1. Of the water supply ports 42J, the second water supply port 42JB on the front side Y1 is arranged at the same position as the vertical surface portion F2A of the dry filter F2 in the front-rear direction Y and the left-right direction X, and is located above the vertical surface portion F2A in the upper side Z1. Thereby, the plurality of second water supply ports 42JB are lined up horizontally along the vertical surface portion F2A of the corresponding dry filter F2, and face the vertical surface portion F2A from the upper side Z1. In this way, a plurality of water supply ports 42J are provided according to the plurality of dry filters F, like the first water supply port 42JA and the second water supply port 42JB.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the duct 30 and the filter unit 25 including a longitudinal section. In FIG. 11, illustration of the cover 33 of the duct 30 is omitted. The filter unit 25 is fitted into the arrangement space 32R of the duct 30 (see also FIG. 3) from the rear side Y2. A horizontal rib 42L extending in the left-right direction X is provided on the front surface of the frame portion 42A of the second filter member 42 at a lower side Z2 than the dry filter F2. A horizontal groove 32HA extending in the left-right direction X is provided in a portion of the second vertical wall 32H of the duct 30 that faces the frame portion 42A from the front side Y1. The bottom wall 41C of the first filter member 41 rests on the horizontal partition plate 32M of the duct 30, and the horizontal ribs 42L fit into the horizontal grooves 32HA, whereby the filter unit 25 is positioned within the arrangement space 32R. The locking part 41CB of the bottom wall 41C fits into the slit 32P of the horizontal partition plate 32M, and the bolt B2 passes through the insertion hole 41CC of the locking part 41CB and is attached to the screw hole 32Q of the slit 32P (see also FIGS. 3 and 6). ). Thereby, the filter unit 25 within the arrangement space 32R is fixed to the duct 30.

In the first filter member 41 of the filter unit 25 fixed to the duct 30, the bottom wall 41C, the right vertical wall 41BA, and the left vertical wall 41BB are connected to the horizontal partition plate 32M, the outer wall 32J, and the vertical partition plate 32L (Fig. (see) respectively. Further, the main body portion 43A of the water supply cover 43 of the filter unit 25 comes into contact with the ceiling wall 32B of the duct 30. Thereby, the filter unit 25 occupies almost the entire area of the arrangement space 32R of the duct 30, and is located in the duct 30 between the downstream space 32C and the intermediate space 32K, and the upstream space 32S. When looking at the entire circulation path 20, the plurality of dry filters F in the filter unit 25 are arranged closer to the outlet 20D than the rotary blades 21A of the fan 21 and the heating section 22 in the circulation path 20 (see FIG. 1). Among the plurality of dry filters F, the dry filter F1 is arranged closer to the outlet 20D than the dry filter F2. The connecting portion 43B of the water supply cover 43 is disposed on the right side X1 of the arrangement space 32R through the notch 32JA (see FIG. 3) of the outer wall 32J. The escape hole 41BD (see FIG. 7) formed in the left vertical wall 41BB communicates with the through hole 32N (see FIG. 3) of the vertical partition plate 32L from the right side X1.

The branch path 26 branches from an upstream portion of the water supply channel 4 closer to the faucet than the water supply valve 11, and is connected to the pipe portion 43BD of the connection portion 43B of the water supply cover 43. The water injection valve 27 is provided in the branch path 26 (see FIG. 1). The water injection valve 27 is opened and closed to supply water flowing from the water supply channel 4 to the branch channel 26 to the pipe portion 43BD, and to stop the supply. The opening and closing of the water injection valve 27 is controlled by the control unit 24 (see FIG. 1). The water injection valve 27 constitutes the water supply section 50 described above.

In the drying process, hot air is generated and circulated by the fan 21 and heating unit 22 as described above. This hot air heads from the take-out port 20D to the return port 20E in the circulation path 20, and heads toward the fan 21 while rising at the rear portion 20B on the way (see the thick broken line arrow in FIG. 1). FIG. 12 is a perspective view of main parts of the outer tank 3 and the drying unit 9 including a longitudinal section. Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, in the duct 30 constituting the rear portion 20B, hot air rises from the outlet 20D through the upstream space 32S, as shown by the thick dashed arrow, and dries the filter unit 25. It passes through the filter F1 and the dry filter F2 in this order toward the front side Y1. Then, this hot air reaches the downstream space 32C via the intermediate space 32K, rises inside the connection hose 31, and flows into the casing 29 of the fan 21 (see also FIG. 2). In this way, the dry filter F1 and the dry filter F2 are arranged to overlap in the air flow direction within the circulation path 20 (the direction of the thick broken line arrow in each figure).

The vertical surface portion F1A of the dry filter F1 and the vertical surface portion F2A of the dry filter F2 are arranged to face the upstream side of the circulation path 20, and capture foreign matter T (see FIG. 11) from the hot air in the circulation path 20. As the drying process progresses, many foreign substances T are captured and accumulated on the vertical surface portions F1A and F2A. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the foreign matter T from adhering to the heating section 22 provided in the circulation path 20 further downstream from the outlet 20D than the dry filters F. In particular, since the foreign matter T that cannot be captured by the vertical surface portion F1A is captured by the vertical surface portion F2A, the risk of the foreign matter T flowing out and adhering to the heating section 22 can be reduced. Furthermore, the space S between the dry filter F1 and the dry filter F2 is sandwiched from the side by a pair of vertical walls 41B, is closed from the lower side Z2 by the bottom wall 41C, and is closed from the upper side Z1 by the water supply part 50. . This can prevent the air that has passed through the dry filter F1 and reached the space S from leaking out of the space S without reaching the next dry filter F2. Therefore, the air flowing through the circulation path 20 reliably passes through the plurality of dry filters F in order, so that more foreign matter T can be captured from the air flowing through the circulation path 20 by these dry filters F. can.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the duct 30 and the filter unit 25. In FIG. 13, illustration of the cover 33 of the duct 30 is omitted. A door 51 that opens and closes the through hole 32N of the vertical partition plate 32L is provided in the lower region of the vertical space 32T located at the left end in the duct 30. The door 51 has a rectangular plate shape elongated in the vertical direction Z, is supported by the vertical partition plate 32L via a rotation shaft 52 passing through its upper end, and is rotatable in the left-right direction X around the rotation shaft 52. . The door 51 in FIG. 13 is in a closed position in which the through hole 32N is closed from the left side X2 along the vertical partition plate 32L. Even if the air flowing into the upstream space 32S of the duct 30 from the outlet 20D in the drying process reaches the lower region of the vertical space 32T, the door 51 is urged toward the closed position by this air. Therefore, the air in the upstream space 32S is suppressed from flowing toward the dry filter F2 through the through hole 32N and the escape hole 41BD of the filter unit 25 (see FIG. 7) without passing through the dry filter F1. In other words, the air in the upstream space 32S can be made to flow through the dry filter F1 without fail.

Referring to the flowchart in FIG. 14, in response to the start of the drying process, the control unit 24 operates the fan 21 and the heating unit 22 to generate and circulate hot air to the laundry L in the washing tub 7. supply The circulation of hot air is not stable until a predetermined time of, for example, 20 minutes has elapsed after the start of the drying process. When these 20 minutes have passed (YES in step S1), the control unit 24 checks the current value of the fan 21 detected by the current sensor 23A (step S2).

When the amount of foreign matter T that is captured and attached to the dry filter F increases, the area in the dry filter F through which air can pass decreases, and the air permeability of the dry filter F decreases. This makes it difficult for air to flow in the region K (see FIG. 1) between the rotating blade 21A of the fan 21 and the drying filter F in the circulation path 20. Then, the air resistance against the rotation of the fan 21 decreases, and the current value of the fan 21 decreases accordingly. The current value of the fan 21 is an index indicating the amount of foreign matter T attached to the dry filter F, that is, the air permeability of the dry filter F. When the amount of foreign matter T attached to the dry filter F exceeds a predetermined amount, the current value of the fan 21 falls below a predetermined value. In this way, the current sensor 23A that detects the current value of the fan 21 constitutes an adhesion amount detection means that detects the amount of foreign matter T adhering to the dry filter F.

If the current value of the fan 21 is equal to or higher than a predetermined value due to the small amount of foreign matter T attached to the drying filter F (NO in step S2), the control unit 24 determines that the termination conditions for terminating the drying process are satisfied. It is confirmed whether or not it has been completed (step S3). An example of the termination condition being satisfied is that a predetermined drying time has elapsed since the start of the drying process, or that the drying rate of the laundry L has reached a predetermined value. When the termination condition is satisfied by drying the laundry L (YES in step S3), the control unit 24 terminates the drying process by stopping the fan 21 and the heating unit 22. If the termination condition is not satisfied (NO in step S3), the control unit 24 continues the drying process (step S4) and repeats the processing from step S2 onwards.

When the amount of foreign matter T attached to the dry filter F is so large that it exceeds the predetermined amount, and the current value of the fan 21 falls below the predetermined value (YES in step S2), the control unit 24 controls the amount of foreign matter T attached to the dry filter F to the predetermined amount. , the drying process is interrupted by stopping the fan 21 and the heating unit 22 (step S5), and the cleaning process is executed (step S6). As the cleaning process, the control unit 24 opens the water injection valve 27 of the water supply unit 50. Note that the water supply valve 11 may be provided on the upstream side of the water supply channel 4 closer to the faucet than the branch position of the branch passage 26, and in that case, the control unit 24 controls the water supply valve 11 and the water injection valve in the cleaning process. Open both 27. Water from the faucet flows into the channel 43C from the inlet 43CA of the pipe portion 43BD of the water supply cover 43 via the water supply channel 4 and the branch channel 26.

The water that has flowed into the flow path 43C flows out from the flow path 43C to each water supply port 42J and is injected from each water supply port 42J. The water injected from the first water supply port 42JA of the water supply ports 42J is poured onto the vertical surface portion F1A of the dry filter F1 from the upper side Z1, as shown by the thick broken line arrow in FIG. run down. The foreign matter T attached to the vertical surface portion F1A is peeled off from the vertical surface portion F1A by the water flowing down the vertical surface portion F1A, falls directly into the upstream space 32S of the duct 30, and reaches the outlet 20D. Since vertical ribs 41F extending in the direction in which water and foreign matter T fall are provided around the dry filter F1, the foreign matter T removed from the dry filter F1 falls smoothly without being caught by the vertical ribs 41F. In the duct 30, an outer wall 32J that partitions the upstream space 32S is provided with a guide portion 30A that is inclined toward the outlet 20D, and the guide portion 30A guides foreign matter T and water to the outlet 20D. The foreign matter T that has reached the outlet 20D falls into the outer tank 3 from the outlet 20D and accumulates in the outer tank 3. The water poured onto the vertical surface portion F1A from each first water supply port 42JA also falls into the outer tank 3 from the duct 30 and accumulates therein, similarly to the foreign matter T.

The vertical surface portion FA1 of the dry filter F1 closest to the outlet 20D is directly exposed in the upstream space 32S that constitutes the circulation path 20. Therefore, when water is supplied to the vertical surface part FA1 from the first water supply port 42JA, the foreign matter T attached to the vertical surface part FA1 is peeled off from the vertical surface part FA1, and then quickly falls inside the circulation path 20 and exits from the outlet 20D to the outer tank. Reach within 3. The lower connecting part 32I that frames the outlet 20D in the duct 30 is inserted into the through hole 3K of the rear wall 3B of the outer tank 3 from the rear side Y2, and the front end of the lower connecting part 32I is connected to the front surface of the rear wall 3B. is exposed into the outer tank 3 (see FIG. 12). That is, since there are no obstacles such as steps between the outlet 20D and the outer tank 3, the foreign matter T can reach the outer tank 3 from the outlet 20D without getting caught on the way.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the duct 30 and the filter unit 25. In FIG. 15, illustration of the cover 33 of the duct 30 and the first filter member 41 is omitted, and the dry filter F2 of the second filter member 42 is shown exposed. Water injected from the second water supply port 42JB of the water supply ports 42J is poured onto the vertical surface portion F2A of the dry filter F2 from the upper side Z1, and flows down along the vertical surface portion F2A, as shown by the thick broken line arrow. The foreign matter T attached to the vertical surface portion F2A is peeled off from the vertical surface portion F2A by the water flowing down the vertical surface portion F2A, falls through the space S between the dry filter F1 and the dry filter F2, and is deposited on the bottom wall of the first filter member 41. It rests on the upper surface part 41CA of 41C. Since a vertical rib 42D extending in the direction in which water and foreign matter T fall is provided around the dry filter F2, the foreign matter T removed from the dry filter F2 falls smoothly without being caught by the vertical rib 42D.

The space S is sandwiched between the dry filter F1 and the dry filter F2 from the front and back direction Y, is sandwiched from the side by the right vertical wall 41BA and the left vertical wall 41BB, and is closed from the lower side Z2 by the bottom wall 41C (see also FIG. 7). ). Therefore, water and foreign matter T on the top surface part 41CA of the bottom wall 41C slide down along the slope of the top surface part 41CA and always head toward the left side X2, passing through the escape hole 41BD of the first filter member 41 and the vertical partition plate 32L. It reaches hole 32N. In other words, the destination of water and foreign matter T on the top surface 41CA of the bottom wall 41C is determined to be the escape hole 41BD. The water and foreign matter T that have reached the through hole 32N push the door 51 from the right side X1. As a result, the door 51 rotates from the previous closed position to the left side X2 and opens the escape hole 41BD and the through hole 32N, as shown in FIG. It exits the space S through the hole 41BD and the through hole 32N, falls below the vertical space 32T of the duct 30, and reaches the outlet 20D. The foreign matter T and water that have reached the outlet 20D fall from the outlet 20D into the outer tank 3 and accumulate there. After the foreign matter T and water pass through the escape hole 41BD and the through hole 32N, the door 51 returns to the closed position (see FIG. 13) due to its own weight or the biasing force of a biasing member (not shown).

When a predetermined time period of, for example, 5 seconds has elapsed since the water injection valve 27 was opened, the control unit 24 closes the water injection valve 27 to stop the water supply to the water supply unit 50 . This completes the cleaning process. Each dry filter F is in a wet state when the cleaning process is finished. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 14, the control unit 24 operates the fan 21 for a predetermined period of, for example, 6 minutes as a water removal process after the cleaning process (step S7). As a result, air circulates between the outer tank 3 and the circulation path 20, so each dry filter F is bombarded with air flowing from the outer tank 3 into the circulation path 20. As a result, water is removed from each dry filter F, thereby drying each dry filter F.

Note that the heating section 22 may also be activated to circulate hot air, thereby promoting the drying of the drying filter F. Since the user does not have to dry the dry filter F in this way, the maintainability of the dry filter F can be further improved. After the water removal process, the control unit 24 executes the processes from step S3 onwards. Therefore, if the termination condition is not satisfied (NO in step S3), the control unit 24 restarts the drying process (step S4), operates both the fan 21 and the heating unit 22, and performs the processing from step S2 onwards. repeat.

The control unit 24 opens the drain valve 12 after or during the drying process. In addition, in the state where the water injection valve 27 is open, the drain valve 12 may also be always opened. When the drain valve 12 is opened, the water accumulated in the outer tank 3 flows into the drain channel 5 carrying the foreign matter T. That is, the foreign matter T is removed from the outer tank 3 when the outer tank 3 is drained. The foreign matter T that has flowed into the drainage channel 5 is captured by the drainage filter 6 (see FIG. 1). The foreign matter T captured by the drain filter 6 is removed when the user removes the drain filter 6 at an appropriate timing for maintenance.

As described above, in the washer/dryer 1, the cleaning process is executed at a predetermined timing during the drying process, and at that time, the water supply section 50 supplies water to the vertical surface parts FA of the plurality of drying filters F from the upper side Z1. That is, since the washer/dryer 1 has an automatic maintenance function for the drying filter F, the drying filter F is automatically maintained at an appropriate timing when it becomes dirty to some extent. Therefore, the user does not need to remove the dry filter F for maintenance. Therefore, the maintainability of the dry filter F can be improved. In particular, in the filter unit 25, foreign matter T is not only captured on the vertical surface portion F1A of the dry filter F1 closest to the outlet 20D, but also foreign matter T is captured on the vertical surface portion F2A of the dry filter F2 that overlaps the dry filter F1 with the space S in between. The foreign matter T is also sent into the outer tank 3 by the water supply by the water supply section 50. Therefore, since the user does not have to remove the dry filter F to remove the foreign matter T from the space S, the maintainability of the dry filter F can be further improved.

Further, the amount of foreign matter T attached to the dry filter F is detected based on the current value of the fan 21, and when the amount of foreign matter T attached exceeds a predetermined amount (YES in step S2), a cleaning process is executed (step S2). S6). If the foreign matter T accumulates on the drying filter F until it becomes a large lump and then peels off from the drying filter F, the lumpy foreign material T may clog some area of the drain channel 5 or cause damage to the outer tub 3 and the washing tub 7. There is a risk that it may get stuck in the gap between the Since the cleaning process is executed at a timing before the foreign matter T increases in size, clogging due to the peeled foreign matter T can be prevented.

In addition, the water removal process in step S7 can eliminate clogging of the dry filter F caused by a water film and restore the air permeability of the dry filter F. Therefore, in the subsequent drying process (step S4), air can be removed from the dry filter F By being able to pass through smoothly, it is possible to circulate smoothly between the circulation path 20 and the outer tank 3. Therefore, the laundry L in the washing tub 7 can be effectively dried. Since the user does not have to remove and dry the dry filter F that has become wet during the cleaning process, the maintainability of the dry filter F can be further improved.

The rotation speed of the fan 21 in the water removal process is lower than the rotation speed of the fan 21 in the drying process, and is set to, for example, about 50% of the rotation speed of the fan 21 in the drying process. Thereby, during the water removal process, the force of air flowing through the circulation path 20 can be suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the water removed from the dry filter F from riding on the air flowing in the circulation path 20 and reaching the heating section 22 on the return port 20E side rather than the fan 21 and wetting the heating section 22. This makes it possible to prevent failure of the heating section 22, thereby improving maintainability.

Furthermore, if the drying filter F becomes clogged with foreign matter T or a water film during the drying process, it becomes difficult for air to flow in the circulation path 20, making it impossible to exchange heat in the heating section 22. When the section 22 continues to operate, the temperature of the refrigerant in the heat pump piping 22B increases, and the pressure of the refrigerant increases rapidly. However, as mentioned above, by performing the cleaning process and the water removal process, the air permeability of the dry filter F is appropriately improved, which prevents a sudden increase in refrigerant pressure and allows the heat pump to operate stably. can.

This invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various changes can be made within the scope of the claims.

For example, in the embodiment described above, the amount of foreign matter T attached to the drying filter F is detected based on the current value of the fan 21 detected by the current sensor 23A. The temperature may be detected by a thermometer (not shown), and the amount of foreign matter T attached may be detected based on the temperature. In this case, the thermometer that detects the temperature of the refrigerant constitutes the above-mentioned adhesion amount detection means, similar to the current sensor 23A. When the amount of foreign matter T attached exceeds a predetermined amount, the control unit 24 executes a cleaning process.

Moreover, in the embodiment described above, there were two dry filters F, the dry filter F1 and the dry filter F2, but three or more dry filters F may be arranged one on top of the other. In that case, the vertical surface portion FA of each dry filter F other than the dry filter F1 closest to the outlet 20D of the duct 30 is sprayed with water from the upper side Z1 in order to remove the foreign matter T, similar to the above-mentioned dry filter F2. It will be done. The plurality of dry filters F are arranged vertically so that the vertical surfaces FA face the outlet 20D side of the circulation path 20, that is, the upstream side, but these vertical surfaces FA may be arranged in parallel, or It does not have to be placed in Further, each vertical surface portion FA may be arranged along the vertical direction, or may be arranged at an angle with respect to the vertical direction.

In the embodiment described above, the foreign matter T removed from the vertical surface part FA of the drying filter F and the water splashed on the vertical surface part FA are transferred from the outlet 20D of the circulation path 20 to the drain channel 5 via the outer tank 3. Head towards. Instead of this, an escape hole (not shown) is provided at the lower end of the outer wall 32J of the main body 32 of the duct 30 at a lower side Z2 than the vertical surface part FA, so that a relief hole (not shown) is provided at the lower end of the outer wall 32J of the main body 32 of the duct 30. The portion and the relief hole may be connected by a channel (not shown). Thereby, the foreign matter T and water in the duct 30 can be allowed to reach the drainage channel 5 from the escape hole and the flow channel without passing through the outer tank 3. Thereby, it is possible to prevent foreign matter T and water from adhering to the laundry L in the washing tub 7.

In the washer/dryer 1, the drainage filter 6 may be omitted. In this case, the foreign matter T captured by each drying filter F and flushed into the outer tank 3 is discharged to the outside of the machine through the drainage channel 5 (see FIG. 1) when the outer tank 3 is drained.

In the drum-type washer/dryer 1 in the embodiment described above, the washing tub 7 may be arranged so that the axis J is inclined in the horizontal direction H. Further, the washer/dryer 1 may be a vertical washer/dryer in which the axis J extends vertically.

1 Washing dryer 3 Outer tub 7 Washing tub 20 Circulation path 20D Outlet 20E Return port 21 Fan 22 Heating section 23A Current sensor 24 Control section 50 Water supply section F Drying filter L Laundry T Foreign matter

Claims (2)

An outer tank where water can be stored,
a washing tub housed in the outer tub and containing laundry;
a circulation path connected to the outer tank and having an outlet and a return outlet;
an electric fan installed in the circulation path, which circulates the air in the outer tank by taking it out into the circulation path from the outlet and returning it into the outer tank from the return port;
a heating section that is provided within the circulation path and heats the air within the circulation path;
a drying filter that is disposed closer to the outlet than the fan and the heating section in the circulation path, and captures foreign matter from the air flowing from the outlet to the return port in the circulation path;
a water supply unit that supplies water to the dry filter;
Adhering amount detection means for detecting the amount of foreign matter adhering to the dry filter;
A control unit that controls the fan, the heating unit, and the water supply unit, and a control unit that executes a drying step of operating the fan and the heating unit to dry the laundry in the washing tub. ,
When the amount of attached foreign matter detected by the attached amount detection means exceeds a predetermined amount, the control section executes a cleaning step of supplying water to the dry filter by the water supply section in order to remove the foreign matter from the dry filter,
The control unit executes a water removal process of operating the fan and the heating unit to remove water from the dry filter after the cleaning process,
In the circulation path, the heating section is arranged closer to the return port than the fan,
The washing/drying machine, wherein the rotation speed of the fan in the water removal step is lower than the rotation speed of the fan in the drying step . The adhesion amount detection means includes a detection unit that detects a current value of the fan,
The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein when the current value of the fan detected by the detection unit falls below a predetermined value, the control unit determines that the amount of foreign matter attached exceeds a predetermined amount, and executes the cleaning process. Dryer.

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