JP7403113B2 - Washing and drying machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a washer/dryer.

The washer/dryer described in Patent Document 1 below includes an outer tank in which water is stored, a drum disposed in the outer tank to accommodate laundry, and a circulation air path. The circulation air path includes an air inlet and an air outlet connected to the outer tank, and a blower unit having a blower and a heater. In the drying operation, when the blower operates, the 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 disposed in the blower unit, and the drying filter captures foreign matter such as lint and dust contained in the circulating air using a mesh-like filter element. The dry filter can be removed from the blower unit for cleaning the filter element.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2011-244984

In the washer/dryer described in Patent Document 1, performance deterioration such as lengthening of time during drying operation and increase in power consumption is expected due to clogging of the filter element. Therefore, in order to prevent such performance deterioration, it is necessary for the user to frequently remove and clean the dry filter, which requires time and effort to maintain the dry filter.

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

The present invention provides an aquarium in which water is stored, a washing tub that is housed in the aquarium and rotates while accommodating laundry, a drainage channel that discharges water from the aquarium, and an outlet connected to the aquarium. and a circulation path having a return port; an air blowing unit that circulates the air in the water tank by taking out the air from the intake port into the circulation path and returning it into the water tank from the return port; a heating part that heats the air in the circulation path; and a container configured to store water and forming an upstream part of the circulation path on the side of the extraction port from the heating part; a water filter that traps foreign matter from the air by passing air from the outlet toward the return port through the water in the container; and a water conduit connected to the container and guiding the water in the container to the drainage channel. Including washer and dryer.

Further, in the present invention, the washer/dryer further includes a drainage filter that captures foreign matter from water flowing through the drainage channel, and the water conduit is arranged in a portion of the drainage channel closer to the water tank than the drainage filter, or It is characterized by being connected to a drainage filter.

Further, in the present invention, the washer/dryer further includes a casing that accommodates the water tank, and a support member that connects the casing and the water tank to elastically support the water tank, and wherein at least one of the water channels is connected to the water tank. The portion is characterized by being elastically deformable.

Further, in the present invention, in the water conduit, a first portion on the water filter side and a second portion on the drainage filter side are elastically deformable, and a gap between the first portion and the second portion is elastically deformable. A third part is fixed to the water tank.

Further, in the present invention, an overflow port is formed in the container for causing water of a predetermined water level or higher in the container to overflow to the outside of the container, and the washer/dryer is connected to the overflow port and the water conduit. It is characterized in that it further includes an overflow channel that is connected to the overflow port and guides water overflowing from the overflow port to the water conduit.

According to the present invention, during drying operation of the washer/dryer, air in the water tank is taken out from the outlet into the circulation path and circulated back into the water 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 water filter having a container that constitutes an upstream portion of the circulation path on the side of the take-out port from the heating section passes air flowing from the take-out port to the return port in the circulation path through water stored in the container for circulation. This traps foreign objects from the air. This can prevent foreign matter from reaching the heating section and degrading the performance of the heating section.
Foreign matter captured by the water filter collects in the container along with the water. Since the water conduit connected to the container guides the water in the container to the drainage channel, foreign matter accumulated in the container is discharged to the drainage channel together with the water. Therefore, the user does not have to access the water filter and perform maintenance to remove foreign objects within the container. Therefore, it is possible to improve the usability regarding the drying operation.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, the water conduit is connected to a part of the drainage channel closer to the aquarium than the drainage filter or to the drainage filter, so that foreign matter accumulated in the container is discharged together with water into the drainage channel and then drained. captured by the filter. If the user removes the foreign matter accumulated in the drain filter, the user has also removed the foreign matter inside the container, so there is no need for maintenance to access the water filter and remove foreign matter from the container. Therefore, it is possible to improve the usability regarding the drying operation.

Further, according to the present invention, the water tank elastically supported by the support member within the housing may vibrate. Since at least a portion of the water conduit is elastically deformable, it is possible to prevent vibrations of the water tank from being transmitted from the water conduit to the water filter container, drainage channel, and drain filter.

Further, according to the present invention, in the water conduit, the first part on the water filter side and the second part on the drainage filter side are elastically deformable, and the third part between the first part and the second part is elastically deformable. fixed in the aquarium. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the vibration of the water tank from being transmitted from the third portion of the water conduit to the water filter container, the drain channel, and the drain filter.

Further, according to the present invention, when the water level in the container rises to a predetermined water level, water above the predetermined water level overflows from the overflow port into the overflow channel and is discharged from the headrace channel into the drainage channel. Therefore, water overflowing from the container can be prevented from spilling inside the washer/dryer and wetting electrical parts and the like.

FIG. 1 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional right side view of a washer/dryer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a left side view of the water filter placed in the washer/dryer. FIG. 3 is a front view of the water filter. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the water filter. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 6 is a perspective view including a cross section taken along the line AA in FIG. 2. FIG. FIG. 7 is a stepwise cross-sectional view of the water filter taken along line BB in FIG. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the water filter and its surrounding parts. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the washer/dryer. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the processing performed in the washer/dryer. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the drying operation performed in the washer/dryer. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing adjustment processing performed during drying operation. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing adjustment processing according to the first modification. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing adjustment processing according to the second modification. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing adjustment processing according to the third modification. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing adjustment processing according to the fourth modification. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the cooling process performed during drying operation. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a cleaning process for cleaning the water filter. FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing cleaning processing according to the first modification. FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing cleaning processing according to the second modification. FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing cleaning processing according to the third modification. FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a process for detecting and eliminating clogging of foreign matter in the water filter. FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a clearing process for clearing the blockage of foreign matter in the water filter. FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the resolution process according to the first modification. FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing the resolution process according to the second modification. FIG. 26 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional right side view of a washer/dryer according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional right 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 called the left side X1, and the near side in the paper of FIG. 1 is called the right 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, and performs a washing operation, a rinsing operation, a dehydration operation, and a drying operation. The washer/dryer 1 includes a housing 2, a water tank 3 disposed in the housing 2, a water supply channel 4 and a drainage channel 5 connected to the water tank 3, and a drainage system that captures foreign matter from water flowing through the drainage channel 5. It includes a filter 6, a washing tub 7 housed in the water tub 3, a motor 8 for rotating the washing tub 7, and a drying unit 9 for drying the laundry L in the washing tub 7.

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. The front surface 2A is provided with a door 10 for opening and closing the opening 2B, and a display operation section 11 comprised of switches, a liquid crystal panel, and the like. The user can freely select the operating conditions of the washer/dryer 1 or instruct the washer/dryer 1 to start or stop operation by operating the switches on the display/operation unit 11. Can be done. Since the display/operation unit 11 functions as an example of a notification unit, information regarding the operation of the washer/dryer 1 is visually displayed on the liquid crystal panel or the like of the display/operation unit 11.

The water tank 3 is connected to the housing 2 via a support member 15 such as a shock absorber or a hanging rod, and is elastically supported by the support member 15. The water 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 disc-shaped circumferential wall 3A that is vertically arranged and closes the hollow part of the circumferential wall 3A from the rear side Y2. It has a back wall 3B and a ring-shaped front wall 3C connected to the front edge of the circumferential wall 3A. A through hole 3D is formed in the center of the back wall 3B, passing through the back wall 3B in the front-rear direction Y along the axis J. The front wall 3C includes an annular first front section 3E that projects from the front edge of the circumferential wall 3A toward the axis J side, and a cylindrical second front section 3F that projects from the inner peripheral edge of the first front section 3E toward the front side Y1. and an annular third front part 3G extending from the front edge of the second front part 3F toward the axis J side. On the inside of the third front section 3G, an entrance/exit 3H is formed in a hollow portion of the circumferential wall 3A, communicating from the front side Y1. The entrance/exit 3H faces the opening 2B of the housing 2 from the rear side Y2 and is in communication with the opening 2B.

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 circumferential wall 3A in the water tank 3. Since the other end portion 4A is provided with an elastic deformation portion 4B formed of, for example, a bellows hose, vibrations of the water tank 3 are suppressed from being transmitted to the entire water supply channel 4. At the time of water supply, water from the faucet is supplied into the water 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 water tank 3. A main water supply valve 12 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 water tank 3, for example, to the lower end of the first front section 3E of the front wall 3C. The water in the water tank 3 is discharged to the outside of the machine through a drainage channel 5. An elastically deformable portion 5A formed of, for example, a bellows hose is provided at the end of the drainage channel 5 connected to the water tank 3, so that vibrations of the water tank 3 are suppressed from being transmitted to the entire drainage channel 5. A main drain valve 13 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 water tank 3 than the main drain valve 13 . 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 slightly smaller than the water tub 3, and can accommodate laundry L therein. The washing tub 7 includes a cylindrical circumferential wall 7A disposed coaxially with the circumferential wall 3A of the water tank 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 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 water tank 3 flows back and forth between the water tub 3 and the washing tub 7 via the through holes 7D. Therefore, the water level in the water tank 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 14 is provided that extends toward the rear side Y2 along the axis J. The rear end portion of the support shaft 14 passes through the through hole 3D of the rear wall 3B of the aquarium 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 the entrance/exit 3H of the aquarium 3 and the opening 2B of the housing 2 from the rear side Y2, and is in communication with them. The entrances and exits 3H and 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, entrances and exits 3H and 7E.

The motor 8 is disposed within the housing 2 on the rear side Y2 of the rear wall 3B of the aquarium 3. The motor 8 is connected to a support shaft 14 provided in the washing tub 7 . The driving force generated by the motor 8 is transmitted to the support shaft 14, and the washing tub 7 rotates around the axis J together with the support shaft 14. Note that a clutch mechanism (not shown) may be provided between the motor 8 and the support shaft 14 to transmit or interrupt the driving force of the motor 8 to the support shaft 14.

The drying unit 9 includes a circulation path 20 connected to the water tank 3, a blower section 21 that generates a flow of air within the circulation path 20, and a heating section 22 that heats the air within the circulation path 20. The circulation path 20 is a flow path arranged in the housing 2 above the water tank 3 Z1. The circulation path 20 includes 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. , is fixed to the housing 2. An outlet 20D is formed at the lower end of the rear portion 20B. The outlet 20D is connected to, for example, the rear wall 3B of the aquarium 3, and communicates with the interior of the aquarium 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, for example, the upper end of the second front section 3F of the front wall 3C in the water tank 3, and communicates with the inside of the water tank 3 from the upper side Z1. At both ends of the circulation path 20 connected to the water tank 3, elastic deformation portions 20F formed of, for example, a bellows hose are provided, so that vibrations of the water tank 3 are suppressed from being transmitted to the entire circulation path 20.

The blower unit 21 is a so-called blower, and includes a rotary blade 23 arranged in a region close to the outlet 20D inside the circulation path 20, and a motor (not shown) that rotates the rotary blade 23. In the drying operation, as the rotary blade 23 rotates, the air in the water tank 3 and the washing tub 7 is taken out from the outlet 20D into the circulation path 20 as shown by the thick broken line arrow, and then transferred to the return port 20E. The water is then returned to the tank 3. Thereby, the air in the water tank 3 is circulated so as to flow through the water tank 3 and the circulation path 20 in order.

The heating unit 22 is a heat exchanger in a heat pump, a general heater, or the like, and at least a portion thereof is provided within 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. In the drying operation, the heat radiation part 22A becomes high in temperature due to the operation of the heating part 22, so that the air flowing in the circulation path 20 is heated and becomes hot air as it passes around the heat radiation part 22A. During drying operation, foreign matter such as lint and dust is generated, and this foreign matter is carried away by the hot air. 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.

The drying unit 9 includes a water filter 30 that uses water to capture foreign substances contained in the air flowing in the circulation path 20, an injection channel 31 that supplies water to the water filter 30, and a water supply valve 32 that opens and closes the injection channel 31. include. The drying unit 9 includes a conduit 33 that guides the water in the water filter 30 to the drain channel 5, a drain valve 34 that opens and closes the conduit 33, and an overflow channel 35 that causes the water in the water filter 30 to overflow into the conduit 33. further including. Below, after explaining in detail the circulation path 20 which constitutes the drying unit 9, the water filter 30, the water injection channel 31, the water supply valve 32, the water supply channel 33, the drain valve 34, and the overflow channel 35 are explained.

In the circulation path 20, a portion of the heating section 22 closer to the outlet 20D than the heat radiation section 22A is referred to as an upstream section 20G. The upstream portion 20G is configured by a part of the middle portion 20A and the entire rear portion 20B. In addition, when the rotating blade 23 of the air blower 21 is arranged closer to the outlet 20D than the heat radiating part 22A, the part of the circulation path 20 closer to the outlet 20D than the rotating blade 23 can be considered as the upstream part 20G. good. The rear portion 20B includes a first portion 20BA extending from the outlet 20D in the horizontal direction H and bent toward the lower side Z2, and a second portion 20BB extending from the rear end of the intermediate portion 20A toward the lower side Z2. An elastic deformation portion 20F is provided in the first portion 20BA.

The vertical posture of the water filter 30 in the washer/dryer 1 is constant, but the horizontal and frontal postures of the water filter 30 can be changed arbitrarily depending on the space in which the water filter 30 is arranged in the washer/dryer 1. Can be changed. Below, for convenience, FIG. 2 is regarded as a left side view of the water filter 30, and the water filter 30 is specified using the left-right direction X, the front-back direction Y, and the up-down direction Z. Therefore, the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 2 is the left-right direction X of the water filter 30, the left-right direction in FIG. 2 is the front-back direction Y of the water filter 30, and the up-down direction in FIG. It is. Moreover, according to FIG. 2, FIG. 3 is a front view of the water filter 30, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the water filter 30 seen from the right side X2.

The water filter 30 includes a box-shaped container 40 made of resin, for example. The container 40 includes an elliptical plate-shaped bottom wall 41 that is long in the left-right direction X, an elliptic cylindrical lower wall 42 that is long in the left-right direction It has a horizontal wall 43 that has a rectangular outline long in the direction X and extends from the outer edge of the upper end of the lower wall 42 when viewed from the bottom. The container 40 has a rectangular cylindrical upper wall 44 that is long in the left-right direction X and rises toward the upper side Z1 while edging the outer edge of the horizontal wall 43, and a ceiling wall 45 that extends in the horizontal direction H and is connected to the upper end of the upper wall 44. It also has. The horizontal wall 43 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction H, and accordingly, the upper end of the lower wall 42 and the lower end of the upper wall 44 are also inclined with respect to the horizontal direction H. The lower wall 42 , the lateral wall 43 and the upper wall 44 constitute the entire side wall 46 of the container 40 . The side wall 46 has a cylindrical overall shape and surrounds the internal space 40A of the container 40 from the side, that is, from the front, back, left and right.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. The bottom wall 41 is formed in a plate shape that descends toward the left side X1, and closes the internal space 40A of the container 40 from the lower side Z2. A drain port 41A is formed at the left end of the bottom wall 41, extending toward the lower side Z2 and vertically penetrating the bottom wall 41. The entire area of the upper surface portion 41B of the bottom wall 41 slopes downward toward the drain port 41A (see also FIG. 7, which is a cross-sectional view of the stairs taken along line BB in FIG. 3). The drain port 41A is located at the lower end of the internal space 40A. The bottom wall 41 is provided with a cylindrical connecting portion 41C that borders the drain port 41A and protrudes toward the lower side Z2. The bottom wall 41 is integrally provided with a vertically long box-shaped overflow portion 41D extending from the left end of the bottom wall 41 toward the upper side Z1. Two pipe portions 41E protruding toward the left side X1 are provided side by side in the vertical direction Z on the left wall of the overflowing portion 41D. The internal space of the pipe portion 41E on the lower side Z2 is an overflow port 41F that communicates with the internal space of the overflow portion 41D.

6 is a perspective view including a cross section taken along the line AA in FIG. 2. FIG. The lower wall 42 is integrated with the bottom wall 41 and surrounds the lower region of the interior space 40A of the container 40. A connecting portion 42A connected to the bottom wall 41 in the lower wall 42 is curved in an arc shape (see also FIG. 7). A communication port 42B is formed at the lower end of the left wall of the lower wall 42 and communicates with the internal space of the overflowing portion 41D. The lower wall 42 includes a connecting portion between the left wall and the rear wall, a connecting portion between the rear wall and the right wall, a connecting portion between the right wall and the front wall (not shown), and a connecting portion between the front wall and the left wall. are each curved into an arc. Therefore, in the inner surface portion 42C of the lower wall 42, a curved portion 42D curved in an arc shape in a plan view is provided in a portion corresponding to these connecting portions. A circular water supply port 42E penetrating the lower wall 42 is provided at a curved portion 42D at the connecting portion between the rear wall and the right wall of the lower wall 42. The water supply port 42E opens sideways along the curve of the curved portion 42D, specifically, opens substantially horizontally toward the front side Y1. The lower wall 42 is provided with a tubular connecting portion 42F (see FIG. 4) that protrudes from the water supply port 42E to the outside of the lower wall 42. The connecting portion 42F extends substantially horizontally along a tangential direction to the outer circumferential surface of the curved connecting portion 42A on the lower wall 42.

The horizontal wall 43 is formed in a ring shape that frames the upper end of the lower wall 42 and is integrated with the lower wall 42 . The upper wall 44 surrounds the upper region of the interior space 40A of the container 40. The upper wall 44 is provided with a ring-shaped guide portion 44A that borders its lower end. The guide portion 44A projects further into the internal space 40A of the container 40 than the inner edge of the horizontal wall 43. The guide portion 44A is provided at a higher position than the water supply port 42E. The left wall of the upper wall 44 is connected to the overflow part 41D of the bottom wall 41 together with the left wall of the lower wall 42, and closes the internal space of the overflow part 41D from the right side X2. The ceiling wall 45 closes off the internal space 40A of the container 40 from the upper side Z1. An insertion hole 45A that penetrates the ceiling wall 45 in the vertical direction Z is formed at the right end of the ceiling wall 45, and an outlet 45B that penetrates the ceiling wall 45 in the vertical direction Z is formed at the left end of the ceiling wall 45. Ru. The ceiling wall 45 is provided with a cylindrical connecting portion 45C that borders the insertion hole 45A and protrudes toward the upper side Z1, and a cylindrical connecting portion 45D that borders the outlet 45B and projects toward the upper side Z1. The container 40 of the water filter 30 is constructed by combining a bottom wall 41, an overflow portion 41D, a lower wall 42, a side wall 43, an upper wall 44, and a ceiling wall 45.

The container 40 further includes a lower baffle plate 47 and an upper baffle plate 48 arranged in the upper region of the internal space 40A of the container 40, and a vertical pipe 49 provided across the upper region and the lower region of the internal space 40A. The lower baffle plate 47 is formed in a rectangular shape that extends from the lower end of the right wall of the upper wall 44 in parallel with the horizontal wall 43 toward the lower left side. A lower surface portion of the lower baffle plate 47 is provided with one or more ribs 47A that protrude toward the lower side Z2 and extend in the front-rear direction Y. The upper baffle plate 48 is formed in a rectangular shape that extends from the upper end of the left wall of the upper wall 44 toward the lower right side. The right end portion of the upper baffle plate 48 is arranged above the left end portion of the lower baffle plate 47 Z1. A lower surface portion of the upper baffle plate 48 is provided with one or more ribs 48A that protrude toward the lower side Z2 and extend in the front-rear direction Y. The vertical pipe 49 is inserted through the connecting portion 45C and the insertion hole 45A of the top wall 45, passes through the right side X2 of the upper baffle plate 48, and penetrates the right portion of the lower baffle plate 47 in the vertical direction Z. The lower end of the vertical pipe 49 is disposed slightly away from the right portion of the upper surface portion 41B of the bottom wall 41 toward the upper side Z1. An inlet 49A is formed in the vertical pipe 49 by cutting its lower end into an inverted L shape when viewed from the front. The lower baffle plate 47 and the vertical pipe 49 are integrated. The water supply port 42E formed in the lower wall 42 is arranged on the right side X2 of the vertical pipe 49 and is adjacent to the inlet 49A. The water supply port 42E is located closer to the inlet 49A than the outlet 45B of the ceiling wall 45.

Referring to FIG. 1, the water filter 30 is disposed in the housing 2 at the lower part of the rear area 2C around the rear wall 3B of the water tank 3, and is fixed to the housing 2. In the rear portion 20B constituting the upstream portion 20G in the circulation path 20, the lower end portion of the first portion 20BA is connected from the upper side Z1 to the connecting portion 45C of the top wall 45 of the container 40 of the water filter 30. The interior space communicates with the interior space of the vertical pipe 49 of the container 40 and the inlet 49A. In the rear portion 20B, the lower end of the second portion 20BB is connected to the connecting portion 45D of the top wall 45 of the container 40 from the upper side Z1, and the internal space of the second portion 20BB communicates with the outlet 45B of the container 40. Thereby, the internal space 40A of the container 40 is located between the internal space of the first part 20BA and the internal space of the second part 20BB, and communicates with these internal spaces, and the container 40 is connected to the internal space of the circulation path 20. It constitutes a part of the upstream portion 20G. The container 40 is arranged at a position closer to the outlet 20D of the circulation path 20 than the heating section 22 in the upstream portion 20G.

The injection channel 31 branches from a portion of the water supply channel 4 closer to the faucet than the main water supply valve 12, and is connected to a connecting portion 42F (see FIG. 4) of the lower wall 42 of the container 40. The internal space of the water injection channel 31 communicates with the water supply port 42E of the lower wall 42. The water supply valve 32 is provided in the middle of the water injection channel 31 and opens and closes the water injection channel 31.

The first portion 33A, which forms the end of the water filter 30 side of the water conduit 33, is connected to the connecting portion 41C of the bottom wall 41 of the container 40 from the lower side Z2, and the internal space of the water conduit 33 is connected to the bottom wall 41 for drainage. It communicates with the port 41A. The drain port 41A extends to the lower side Z2 and is connected to the upper end of the first portion 33A. The second portion 33B, which forms the opposite end of the water conduit 33 to the first portion 33A, is connected to the upstream portion of the drainage channel 5 on the water tank 3 side with respect to the drainage filter 6. The second portion 33B may be directly connected to the drain filter 6. Each of the first portion 33A and the second portion 33B is provided with an elastic deformation portion 33C formed of, for example, a bellows hose, so the first portion 33A and the second portion 33B are elastically deformable. A third portion 33D between the first portion 33A and the second portion 33B of the water conduit 33 is fixed to the water tank 3 via a bracket 50, for example. The third portion 33D may be directly fixed to the aquarium 3. In the water conduit 33, the first part 33A and the second part 33B, which are part of the water conduit 33, can be elastically deformed, so that the vibration of the water tank 3 is transmitted from the third part 33D to the container 40 of the water filter 30, the drain channel 5, and the drain filter 6. You can prevent it from being transmitted. The third portion 33D does not need to be fixed to the aquarium 3.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the water filter 30 and its surrounding parts. The drain valve 34 is provided in the first portion 33A of the water conduit 33 and opens and closes the water conduit 33. The drain valve 34 includes a valve body (not shown) that is disposed within the first portion 33A and moves to open and close the water conduit 33, and an electric actuator 34A such as a torque motor that moves the valve body. Note that the main water supply valve 12, the main drain valve 13, and the water supply valve 32 may also be configured in the same manner as the drain valve 34, or may be configured by known valves such as electromagnetic valves. The overflow channel 35 is connected to the overflow port 41F of the pipe section 41E on the lower side Z2 in the overflow section 41D of the bottom wall 41 and the first portion 33A.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the washer/dryer 1. As shown in FIG. The washer/dryer 1 further includes a control section 60 and a water level sensor 61. The control unit 60 is configured as a microcomputer including, for example, a CPU 62, a memory 63 such as a ROM or RAM that stores various count values and threshold values described later, and a timer 64 for measuring time, and is built in the housing 2. (See also Figure 1). Each of the motor 8 , display operation section 11 , main water supply valve 12 , main drain valve 13 , ventilation section 21 , heating section 22 , water supply valve 32 , and drain valve 34 is electrically connected to the control section 60 .

The control unit 60 controls the rotation of the motor 8 to cause the motor 8 to generate a driving force, or to stop the rotation of the motor 8. When the user operates the display operation section 11 to select the operating conditions for the laundry Q, the control section 60 accepts the selection. The control unit 60 controls the display of the display operation unit 11. The control unit 60 controls opening and closing of the main water supply valve 12 and the main drain valve 13. When the control unit 60 opens the main water supply valve 12 with the main drain valve 13 closed, water is supplied to the water tank 3 and water accumulates therein. When the control unit 60 opens the main drain valve 13, the water tank 3 is drained. The control unit 60 operates the blower unit 21 to generate wind and circulate it between the washing tub 7 and the circulation path 20 . The control unit 60 operates the heating unit 22 to turn the air circulating between the washing tub 7 and the circulation path 20 into hot air. The control unit 60 controls opening and closing of the water supply valve 32 and the drain valve 34 related to the water filter 30. The water level sensor 61 is a known sensor that detects the water level in the container 40 of the water filter 30, and is attached to the upper pipe part 41E (see FIG. 8) of the two pipe parts 41E of the overflow part 41D of the container 40. It will be done. The detection results of the water level sensor 61 are input to the control unit 60 in real time.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the processing performed in the washer/dryer 1. The control unit 60 operates the motor 8 to open and close the main water supply valve 12 and the main drain valve 13, respectively, to perform the washing operation (step S1), the rinsing operation (step S2), and the dewatering operation (step S3). Execute in order. The rinsing operation may be performed multiple times, and the dewatering operation may be performed between a washing operation and a rinsing operation, or between a rinsing operation and the next rinsing operation. After the dehydration operation, the control unit 60 operates the blower unit 21 and the heating unit 22 to open and close the main water supply valve 12, the main drain valve 13, the water supply valve 32, and the drain valve 34, respectively, thereby executing the drying operation. (Step S4). In the washer/dryer 1, only the drying operation may be performed without performing the washing operation, the rinsing operation, and the dehydration operation.

Prior to the start of the washing operation, detergent is poured into the washing tub 7. In the washing operation, the control unit 60 closes the main drain valve 13 and opens the main water supply valve 12 for a predetermined time to supply water to the water tank 3 and the washing tub 7, 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 from the start of tumbling, the controller 60 opens the main drain valve 13 to drain water, and the washing operation ends.

In the rinsing operation, the control unit 60 opens the main water supply valve 12 for a predetermined time to supply water to the water tank 3 and the washing tub 7, and then causes the motor 8 to rotate the washing tub 7. 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 60 drains water after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of tumbling, the rinsing operation ends. In the spin-drying operation, the control unit 60 rotates the washing tub 7 for spin-drying with the main drain valve 13 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.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the drying operation. When starting the drying operation, the control section 60 operates the heating section 22 to preheat the heat radiation section 22A of the heating section 22 (step S11), and opens the water supply valve 32 with the drain valve 34 closed (step S12). ). As a result, water from the faucet is supplied into the container 40 from the water supply port 42E of the container 40 of the water filter 30 through the water supply channel 4 and the injection channel 31, and is accumulated therein. At this time, the control section 60 stops the blower section 21 so that the water in the container 40 does not scatter. That is, the control unit 60 opens the water supply valve 32 to store water in the container 40 before the blower unit 21 operates to start the drying operation. Moreover, even if the water supplied into the container 40 from the water supply port 42E splashes toward the upper side Z1, the guide portion 44A (see FIG. 6) inside the container 40 guides this water toward the lower side Z2. When the water level in the container 40 detected by the water level sensor 61 rises to the reference water level W (see FIG. 5) that partially blocks the inlet 49A at the lower end of the vertical pipe 49, the function of the water filter 30 becomes effective, so the control The unit 60 closes the water supply valve 32 and ends the water supply to the water filter 30. The control unit 60 may determine whether the water level in the container 40 has risen to the reference water level W based on the detection result of the water level sensor 61, or may determine based on the elapse of the required time without using the water level sensor 61. You can. This required time is the time required for the water level in the container 40 to rise from the empty state to the reference water level W, and is determined in advance through experiments or the like and is stored in the memory 63. Note that the water supply to the water filter 30 may be performed before the washing operation. However, if there is a risk that the water in the water filter 30 may overflow due to vibrations caused by the dehydration operation, it is preferable that water be supplied to the water filter 30 after the dehydration operation.

The reference water level W is set at a position lower than the overflow port 41F (see FIG. 5). The reference water level W may be provided with a lower limit and an upper limit, and a water level that changes between these lower and upper limits may be regarded as the reference water level W. When the water level in the container 40 rises to a predetermined water level that corresponds to the overflow port 41F, the water in the container 40 that is higher than the predetermined water level passes through the overflow port 41F and overflows into the overflow channel 35 outside the container 40. The water is guided to the water conduit 33 and discharged outside the machine through the water conduit 33 and the drainage channel 5 (see FIG. 1). Therefore, water overflowing from the container 40 can be prevented from spilling inside the washer/dryer 1 and wetting electrical components such as the control section 60. The water level in the container 40 is set to a maximum water level that is lower than the predetermined water level and higher than the reference water level W. The maximum water level is set slightly below the lower end of the overflow port 41F Z2.

After water is supplied to the water filter 30, the control unit 60 executes the main drying process by operating the air blowing unit 21 while continuing to operate the heating unit 22 (step S13). As a result, heated air is generated as described above and circulates through the water tank 3 and the circulation path 20 in order. This air is thrown onto the laundry L in the washing tub 7 and absorbs moisture from the laundry L. From this, the laundry L is dried. The air that has absorbed the moisture from the laundry L becomes humid air, which is taken out from the outlet 20D into the circulation path 20 and flows toward the return port 20E, as shown by the thick broken line arrow in FIG.

The air that has just flown into the circulation path 20 from the outlet 20D during the main drying process passes through the first part 20BA of the rear part 20B and descends in the vertical pipe 49 of the water filter 30. The air that has descended inside the vertical pipe 49 flows into the container 40 of the water filter 30 from the inlet 49A at the lower end of the vertical pipe 49, as shown by the thick broken line arrow in FIG. As described above, since the inlet 49A is formed in an inverted L shape, the air flowing into the container 40 from the inlet 49A descends through the water accumulated in the container 40 and reaches the bottom wall 41 of the container 40. In front of it, it turns to the right side X2 and rises in the water. At this time, this air is dehumidified by exchanging heat with the water in the container 40. Further, foreign matter contained in the air (see foreign matter V in FIG. 5) is captured by the water in the container 40 and accumulates in the container 40 together with the water. This can prevent foreign matter from reaching the heating section 22 and degrading the performance of the heating section 22. In other words, the water in the water filter 30 can not only capture foreign substances generated during drying operation, but also dehumidify humid air. This makes it possible to reduce the number of parts and save water. Moreover, since the container 40 is arranged in the upstream portion 20G of the circulation path 20 at a position closer to the outlet 20D than the heating section 22, the water filter 30 can remove the air immediately after being taken out from the outlet 20D into the circulation path 20. Foreign objects can be captured quickly (see Figure 1). This makes it possible to reduce the area in which air containing foreign matter spreads in the circulation path 20, thereby preventing foreign matter from adhering to most of the circulation path 20. Furthermore, since the container 40 is placed apart from the heating section 22, even if steam is generated in the container 40 as water temperature rises due to heat exchange between air and water, this steam will not reach the heating section 22. Hateful.

The air from which moisture and foreign matter have been removed in this manner further rises above the water surface in the container 40 and flows toward the left side X1 along the lower baffle plate 47 in the lower region of the internal space 40A of the container 40. When the foreign matter remaining in the air passes through the rib 47A on the lower surface of the lower baffle plate 47, it is separated from the air and falls into the water in the container 40. The air that has passed the left end of the lower baffle plate 47 rises and flows to the right side X2 along the upper baffle plate 48 in the upper region of the internal space 40A. When the foreign matter remaining in the air passes through the rib 48A on the lower surface of the upper baffle plate 48, it is separated from the air and falls into the water in the container 40. The air that has passed the right end of the upper baffle plate 48 rises while changing its direction to the left side X1, reaches the outlet 45B of the top wall 45, and passes through the outlet 45B from inside the container 40 to the second part 20BB of the rear part 20B. and rises inside the second part 20BB toward the return port 20E.

The air that has risen inside the second section 20BB passes through the rotary blades 23 of the blowing section 21 and flows into the middle section 20A of the circulation path 20 toward the front side Y1, as shown by the thick broken line arrow in FIG. It is reheated by passing through the heat radiation section 22A of the heating section 22. The reheated air descends inside the front portion 20C of the circulation path 20 and heads toward the return port 20E, and is supplied from the return port 20E into the water tank 3 and the washing tub 7 to wash the laundry L in the washing tub 7. Reused for drying.

Referring to FIG. 11, after the main drying process in step S13 is continued for a predetermined period of time, for example, about 2 to 3 hours, the control unit 60 stops the heating unit 22 (step S14). In this state, the air blower 21 continues to operate, so the cold air is circulated and sprayed onto the laundry L in the washing tub 7, thereby cooling down the laundry L. After the control unit 60 continues circulating the cold air for a predetermined period of about several tens of minutes, the control unit 60 drains the water from the water filter 30 by opening the drain valve 34 as a process at the end of the drying operation (step S15). As a result, water and foreign matter in the container 40 of the water filter 30 are discharged into the water conduit 33 through the drain port 41A of the bottom wall 41 of the container 40, and are guided from the water conduit 33 to the drainage channel 5. In particular, the drain port 41A extends from the top surface 41B of the bottom wall 41 of the container 40 to the lower side Z2 and is connected to the water conduit 33, and the top surface 41B of the bottom wall 41 slopes downward toward the drain port 41A. Therefore, the foreign matter in the container 40 does not remain on the bottom wall 41 and smoothly reaches the drain port 41A, falls down, and heads toward the water conduit 33 and the drain channel 5 (see FIG. 5). Further, since R chamfers 65 (see FIG. 5) are provided at the corners inside the container 40, at the connecting portions between the side wall 46 and the lower baffle plate 47, and at the connecting portions between the side wall 46 and the upper baffle plate 48, It is possible to prevent foreign matter from remaining in these corner portions and connection portions. The control unit 60 may stop the air blower 21 while water is being drained from the water filter 30, but may operate the air blower 21 if the water drainage is promoted.

Foreign matter guided into the drainage channel 5 is captured by a drainage filter 6 (see FIG. 1). If the user removes the foreign matter accumulated in the drain filter 6, the user has also removed the foreign matter inside the container 40, so there is no need for the user to access the water filter 30 and perform maintenance to remove foreign matter from the container 40. . Therefore, it is possible to improve the usability regarding the drying operation. Note that the drain filter 6 may be omitted, and in that case, the foreign matter guided to the drain channel 5 passes through the drain channel 5 and is directly discharged to the outside of the machine.

When the water in the container 40 runs out, the drying operation ends. The control unit 60 may determine whether or not the water in the container 40 has run out based on the detection result of the water level sensor 61 or based on the elapse of the required time. This required time is longer than the time required for the water level in the container 40 to fall from the reference water level W to the bottom wall 41, and is determined in advance through experiments or the like and is stored in the memory 63. The control unit 60 keeps the drain valve 34 open from the end of the drying operation until the water supply valve 32 is opened in step S12 of the next drying operation and water is supplied from the water supply port 42E into the container 40. By doing so, the inside of the container 40 is emptied. This can prevent mold and germs from propagating in the container 40 due to water remaining in the container 40 between the end of the drying operation and the start of the next drying operation.

Referring to FIG. 6, at the start of the next drying operation (step S12), water is supplied to the container 40 from the water supply port 42E of the inner surface 42C of the side wall 46 in order to enable the function of the water filter 30. be done. The water supply port 42E is provided in a curved portion 42D curved in an arc shape in the inner surface portion 42C, and opens laterally along the curve of the curved portion 42D. Therefore, the water supplied into the container 40 from the water supply port 42E swirls around the vertical axis (not shown) within the container 40 and spirals along the inner surface 42C, as shown by the thick broken line in FIG. While drawing, it flows down toward the drain 41A. The water swirling in this manner can remove foreign matter adhering to the inner surface 42C of the side wall 46, and can discharge this foreign matter from the drain port 41A of the bottom wall 41 into the conduit 33. That is, by cleaning the entire area of the inner surface 42C every time water is supplied, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from sticking to the inner surface 42C.

Moreover, the water supply port 42E is arranged at a position closer to the inlet 49A than the outlet 45B. Therefore, since the air flowing into the container 40 from the inlet 49A can be quickly passed through the water from the water supply port 42E, foreign substances can be quickly removed from the air. In addition, water from the water supply port 42E can be focused on a portion of the inner surface 42C of the container 40 on the side of the inlet 49A where foreign matter tends to adhere, thereby removing foreign matter from this portion. Furthermore, water supplied into the container 40 from the water supply port 42E is guided to the lower side Z2 by a guide portion 44A provided all around the inner surface 42C of the side wall 46 of the container 40 at a position higher than the water supply port 42E. Therefore, this water can be quickly stored in the container 40 without splashing to the upper side Z1. Further, since water can flow spirally along the inner surface portion 42C, foreign matter in the container 40 can be collected by the water and guided to the water conduit 33 reliably.

During the circulation of hot air for a long time in the main drying process (step S13), it is assumed that the water level in the container 40 decreases because the water in the container 40 evaporates or splashes due to the hot air. When the water level in the container 40 falls below the reference water level W, the air in the container 40 flows out of the container 40 without passing through the water. Performance decreases. Conversely, when the water level exceeds the reference water level W due to moisture condensed from humid air due to heat exchange within the container 40, the area immersed in water in the container 40 at the inlet 49A increases. Then, the flow velocity at the inlet 49A increases, causing the water in the container 40 to ripple. In this case as well, the performance of the water filter 30 for capturing foreign matter is degraded. Therefore, the control unit 60 executes an adjustment process to adjust the water level that may fluctuate within the container 40 to the optimum reference water level W during the main drying process.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the adjustment process. Each time a predetermined time period elapses (YES in step S21), the control unit 60 temporarily stops the blower unit 21 (step S22), and checks whether the current water level in the container 40 has changed from the reference water level W. It is periodically checked based on the detection result of the water level sensor 61 (step S23). In order to accurately detect the water level in the container 40 while the water level in the container 40 is stable, the blower 21 is stopped in step S22. If the current water level in the container 40 does not differ from the reference water level W (YES in step S23), there is no particular problem, so the control unit 60 operates the blower unit 21 (step S24) and continues the main drying process. do.

When the current water level in the container 40 has changed from the reference water level W (NO in step S23), and when the current water level in the container 40 falls below the reference water level W (YES in step S25), the control unit 60 The process is executed (step S26). As a replenishment process, the control unit 60 replenishes water into the container 40 by opening the water supply valve 32 for a predetermined time period of, for example, 3 seconds. The replenishment process can suppress a drop in the water level in the container 40 and maintain the water level in the container 40 at the reference water level W. Therefore, deterioration in the performance of the water filter 30 can be suppressed. If the current water level in the container 40 exceeds the reference water level W (NO in step S25), the control unit 60 executes drainage treatment (step S27). As a drainage process, the control unit 60 drains the container 40 by opening the drain valve 34 for a predetermined period of time, for example, 3 seconds. Then, the control unit 60 returns to step S23, checks whether the water level in the container 40 after the replenishment process or the drainage process has reached the reference water level W, and repeats the replenishment process or the drain process as necessary.

The washer/dryer 1 does not need to include the water level sensor 61, and the adjustment processing in that case includes first to fourth modifications. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing adjustment processing according to the first modification. Note that in each flowchart to be described from now on, the same step numbers as those already described are given the same step numbers, and detailed explanations thereof will be omitted. In the first modification, the washer/dryer 1 includes an inlet temperature sensor 70 that detects the temperature of the air flowing through the inlet 49A of the container 40 of the water filter 30, and an outlet temperature sensor 70 that detects the temperature of the air that flows through the outlet 45B of the container 40. sensor 71 (see FIG. 9). Known temperature sensors can be used as the inlet temperature sensor 70 and the outlet temperature sensor 71. The detection result of the inlet temperature sensor 70 is referred to as inlet temperature, and the detection result of outlet temperature sensor 71 is referred to as outlet temperature. The inlet temperature does not have to be the temperature at the inlet 49A, but may be the temperature at any region upstream of the water in the container 40 in the direction of air flow within the container 40. The outlet temperature does not have to be the air temperature at the outlet 45B, but may be the air temperature in any area downstream of the water in the container 40 in the direction of air flow in the container 40. The control unit 60 checks the difference between the inlet temperature and the outlet temperature while continuing the main drying process (step S31). When the water level in the container 40 decreases, the temperature of the air flowing into the container 40 from the inlet 49A and flowing out from the outlet 45B becomes difficult to decrease. Therefore, when the water level in the container 40 falls below the reference water level W, the difference between the inlet temperature and the outlet temperature becomes less than a predetermined threshold. In that case (YES in step S31), the control unit 60 executes a replenishment process (step S32). As the replenishment process in step S32, the control unit 60 opens the drain valve 34 for a predetermined water drain time to completely drain the container 40, and then opens the water supply valve 32 for a predetermined water supply time to drain the water in the container 40. Water is supplied to the container 40 until the water level reaches the reference water level W. That is, the control unit 60 replaces the water in the container 40. The drainage time and the water supply time are determined in advance through experiments or the like and stored in the memory 63.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing adjustment processing according to the second modification. In the second modification, the washer/dryer 1 includes a humidity sensor 72 that detects the humidity of the air flowing through the outlet 45B of the container 40 of the water filter 30 as a detected value (see FIG. 9). As the humidity sensor 72, a known one can be used. While continuing the main drying process, the control unit 60 checks the humidity at the outlet 45B, specifically, the absolute humidity, using the humidity sensor 72 (step S33). When the water level in the container 40 decreases, the amount of water in the container 40 decreases, and therefore the humidity of the air flowing out from the outlet 45B after flowing into the container 40 from the inlet 49A also decreases. Therefore, when the water level in the container 40 falls below the reference water level W, the humidity at the outlet 45B becomes less than a predetermined threshold. In that case (YES in step S33), the control unit 60 executes the above-described replenishment process (step S32).

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing adjustment processing according to the third modification. In the third modification, the washer/dryer 1 includes a wind speed sensor 73 that detects the wind speed at the outlet 45B of the container 40 of the water filter 30 as a detection value (see FIG. 9). As the wind speed sensor 73, a known sensor can be used. The control unit 60 checks the wind speed at the outlet 45B while continuing the main drying process (step S34). When the water level in the container 40 decreases, the amount of water that obstructs the flow of air in the container 40 decreases, so the wind speed of the air flowing through the outlet 45B to flow out from the container 40 increases. Therefore, when the water level in the container 40 falls below the reference water level W, the wind speed at the outlet 45B exceeds a predetermined threshold value. In that case (YES in step S34), the control unit 60 executes the above-described replenishment process (step S32).

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing adjustment processing according to the fourth modification. In the fourth modification, the washer/dryer 1 includes an overflow sensor 74 that detects the presence or absence of water at the overflow port 41F, that is, the overflow from the overflow port 41F (see FIG. 9). As the overflow sensor 74, a known bubble detection sensor or the like can be used. The overflow sensor 74 is arranged, for example, around the overflow port 41F. When the water level in the container 40 rises to the overflow port 41F and the water in the container 40 reaches the overflow port 41F, the overflow sensor 74 detects the occurrence of overflow, and the control unit 60 increments ( +1). The number of times overflow occurs is stored in the memory 63 and initialized to zero at the start of drying operation. The control unit 60 checks the number of times overflow occurs while continuing the main drying process (step S35). When the water level in the container 40 is higher than the reference water level W, overflows occur frequently, and the number of times overflows exceed a predetermined threshold. In this case (YES in step S35), the control unit 60 executes the above-described replenishment process (step S32) to lower the water level in the container 40 to the reference water level W.

During the circulation of hot air in the main drying process, it is assumed that the water temperature in the container 40 increases due to heat exchange with the humid air. When the water temperature in the container 40 increases, the dehumidification performance of the water filter 30 decreases. Therefore, the control unit 60 executes a cooling process to lower the water temperature in the container 40 during the main drying process, that is, while the blowing unit 21 and the heating unit 22 are operating.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the cooling process. As the cooling process, the control unit 60 opens the water supply valve 32 (step S42) and supplies cold water from the faucet into the container 40 at predetermined intervals of, for example, 10 to 20 minutes (YES in step S41). This suppresses an increase in the water temperature in the container 40, so that a decrease in the dehumidification performance of the water filter 30 can be suppressed. In particular, the control unit 60 periodically suppresses the rise in water temperature in the container 40 by opening the water supply valve 32 at predetermined intervals to supply water into the container 40 during the drying operation. dehumidification performance can be continuously suppressed. Then, when a predetermined water supply time has elapsed after the water supply valve 32 was opened (YES in step S43), the control unit 60 closes the water supply valve 32 (step S44). Since the control unit 60 executes the cooling process with the drain valve 34 closed, the drain valve 34 is kept closed even when the water supply valve 32 is opened at predetermined time intervals in step S42. Therefore, excess water in the container 40 is discharged to the outside of the container 40 through the overflow port 41F. Thereby, the control unit 60 opens the water supply valve 32 to supply water into the container 40, and at that time, causes excess water to overflow from the overflow port 41F into the overflow channel 35, thereby suppressing a rise in water temperature within the container 40. The amount of water needed to do this can be provided in the container 40. In this case, the control section 60 does not stop the blower section 21 or open or close the drain valve 34 in order to drain the water in the container 40, so the time can be shortened and the burden on the blower section 21 and the drain valve 34 is reduced. can be reduced. Furthermore, since foreign matter floating on the water surface in the container 40 is discharged relatively frequently by the cooling process, it is possible to prevent a large amount of foreign matter from accumulating in the container 40.

In the drying operation, water and foreign matter are discharged from the container 40 by the waste water treatment in step S15, so there is almost no dirt inside the container 40 after the drying operation. However, when the drying operation is repeated, foreign objects and limescale become stubborn stains that adhere to the inside of the container 40, and water is only supplied at the start of the drying operation (step S12) and water is drained at the end of the drying operation (step S15). There is a possibility that it cannot be completely removed. Therefore, the control section 60 executes the cleaning process inside the container 40 by operating the air blowing section 21 and opening and closing the water supply valve 32 and the drain valve 34, respectively. The timing at which the control unit 60 executes the cleaning process includes the timing after the control unit 60 executes the drying operation a predetermined number of times. Further, the cleaning process may be executed every time after the drying operation. In addition, a known turbidity sensor 75 (see FIG. 9) is provided to detect the turbidity of water in the container 40, and when the turbidity detected by the turbidity sensor 75 is at a level worse than a predetermined level, the control unit 60 may perform the cleaning process during the drying operation. Further, the cleaning process may be executed when a predetermined period of time has passed since the previous cleaning process. Furthermore, the cleaning process may be performed when the laundry L to be dried this time is likely to generate lint, such as a blanket. When executing the cleaning process during the drying operation, the control unit 60 interrupts the drying operation by temporarily stopping the ventilation unit 21 and the heating unit 22 and draining the container 40 before starting the cleaning process. .

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the cleaning process. With the start of the cleaning process, the control unit 60 opens the water supply valve 32 while keeping the drain valve 34 closed (step S50). When the water level in the container 40 reaches a predetermined water level by opening the water supply valve 32 (YES at step S51), the control unit 60 closes the water supply valve 32 (step S52) and opens the drain valve 34 (step S53). ). An example of the predetermined water level here is the maximum water level mentioned above. Then, when a predetermined drainage time has elapsed after the drainage valve 34 was opened (YES in step S54), the control unit 60 closes the drainage valve 34 (step S55). Further, in step S55, the control unit 60 increments (+1) the number of times of water supply, which is zero at the start of the cleaning process. The number of times of water supply is stored in the memory 63. The control unit 60 repeats the processes of steps S50 to S55 until the number of times water is supplied reaches a predetermined number. When the number of times water is supplied reaches a predetermined number (YES in step S56), the control unit 60 ends the cleaning process. In this way, the control unit 60 repeats the process of opening the water supply valve 32 for a predetermined period of time with the drain valve 34 closed, storing water in the container 40, and then opening the drain valve 34 a predetermined number of times. In this case, the foreign matter remaining in the container 40 can be removed by the force of the water that accumulates in the container 40 and is discharged all at once. Note that during the cleaning process, the control section 60 may operate the blower section 21 to generate wind inside the container 40, and use this wind to promote the removal of foreign matter.

In addition to the cleaning process described above, there are first to third modified examples of the cleaning process. FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing cleaning processing according to the first modification. In the first modification, upon the start of the cleaning process, the control unit 60 opens the water supply valve 32 and the drain valve 34 (step S57). Thereby, water supply and drainage of the container 40 are performed at the same time. Then, when a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the water supply valve 32 and the drain valve 34 were opened (YES in step S58), the control unit 60 closes the water supply valve 32 and the drain valve 34 (step S59), thereby ending the cleaning process. do. In this way, the control unit 60 opens the water supply valve 32 for a predetermined period of time with the drain valve 34 open as the cleaning process according to the first modification. In this case, the foreign matter remaining in the container 40 can be removed by the force of the water that is supplied into the container 40 and then quickly discharged.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing cleaning processing according to the second modification. In the second modification, with the start of the cleaning process, the control unit 60 opens the drain valve 34 with the water supply valve 32 closed, and operates the air blower 21 (step S60). Then, when a predetermined period of time has passed since step S60 (YES in step S61), the control section 60 closes the drain valve 34 and stops the blower section 21 (step S62), thereby ending the cleaning process. In this case, the foreign matter remaining inside the container 40 can be removed by the force of the wind generated inside the container 40.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing cleaning processing according to the third modification. The cleaning process according to the third modification corresponds to a combination of the cleaning process according to the first modification and the cleaning process according to the second modification. In the third modification, upon the start of the cleaning process, the control unit 60 simultaneously performs water supply and drainage of the container 40 by opening the water supply valve 32 and the drain valve 34 (step S57). Then, when a predetermined period of time has elapsed (YES in step S58), the control unit 60 closes the water supply valve 32 while keeping the drain valve 34 open, and operates the blower unit 21 (step S63). Then, when a predetermined period of time has passed since step S63 (YES in step S61), the control section 60 closes the drain valve 34 and stops the blower section 21 (step S62), thereby ending the cleaning process. In this way, as the cleaning process according to the third modification, the control unit 60 operates the air blowing unit 21 after opening the water supply valve 32 for a predetermined time with the drain valve 34 open. In this case, the foreign matter remaining in the container 40 can be removed by the force of the water that is quickly discharged after being supplied into the container 40 and the force of the air that flows inside the container 40 as the blower section 21 operates. Can be done.

If a large amount of foreign matter is generated during one drying operation or a large amount of foreign matter adheres to the inside of the container 40 as the drying operation is repeated, there is a risk that the foreign matter will clog the inside of the container 40, especially the drain port 41A. Therefore, the control unit 60 detects clogging of foreign matter in the container 40 and executes a process to eliminate the clogging at a predetermined timing. Examples of this timing include the timing after the control section 60 has performed the drying operation a predetermined number of times, and the timing when the control section 60 opens the drain valve 34 during the drying operation, particularly during the cleaning process described above.

Specifically, with reference to FIG. 22, when the drain valve 34 is opened with water accumulated in the container 40 to the maximum water level (YES in step S71), the control unit 60 controls the water level in the container 40. Clogging with foreign matter is detected by monitoring the rate of decline (step S72). The rate of decrease in the water level is obtained by dividing the difference between the detection values of the water level sensor 61 at the start timing and end timing of the predetermined time period by the predetermined time period. The difference between the detection values of the water level sensor 61 is the amount of decrease in the water level. When the container 40 is clogged with foreign matter, it becomes difficult to drain the container 40, so that the water level decreases below a predetermined threshold. When the rate of decrease in the water level in the container 40 falls below a predetermined threshold (YES in step S72), the control unit 60 determines that there is a foreign object clogging in the container 40 (step S73). Note that the control unit 60 does not directly compare the rate of decrease with the threshold value, but rather compares the amount of decrease in the water level after a predetermined period of time with the threshold value corresponding to the water level to detect clogging of foreign matter in the container 40. It is also possible to determine the presence or absence of In this case, the control unit 60 can determine that there is clogging with foreign matter when the amount of decrease in the water level within a predetermined period of time is less than the threshold value. Further, in step S73, the control unit 60 increments (+1) the number of times the initial value is zero. The number of detections is stored in the memory 63.

If the number of detections is less than the predetermined number (NO in step S74), the control unit 60 operates the air blower 21 and opens and closes each of the water supply valve 32 and the drain valve 34 to eliminate the foreign object clogging. A resolution process is executed (step S75). Therefore, even if the container 40 is clogged with foreign matter, the user does not have to perform maintenance to access the water filter 30 and unclog the foreign matter in the container 40, thereby improving the usability of the drying operation. . Details of the resolution process will be explained later. After the resolution process, the control unit 60 closes the drain valve 34 and opens the water supply valve 32 to supply water into the container 40 (step S76). When the water level in the container 40 rises to a predetermined water level (YES in step S77), the control unit 60 drains the container 40 by closing the water supply valve 32 and opening the drain valve 34 (step S78). An example of the predetermined water level here is the maximum water level mentioned above. The control unit 60 re-detects clogging with foreign matter by monitoring the rate of decrease in the water level in the container 40 during this drainage (step S79). When the rate of decrease in the water level falls below a predetermined threshold (YES in step S79), the control unit 60 determines that the clogging of foreign matter continues to exist in the container 40, and increments the number of detections (step S73). Note that the threshold value in step S79 and the threshold value in step S72 may be the same or different.

Until the number of detections reaches a predetermined number, the control unit 60 repeats the clearing process (step S75) and the re-detection of foreign object clogging (steps S76 to S79). The number of detections is the number of times the control unit 60 has determined that there is a clogging of foreign matter in the container 40. When the number of detections reaches a predetermined number, that is, when the clogging of the foreign object in the container 40 is so severe that it is difficult to automatically clear it in the washer/dryer 1 (YES in step S74), The control unit 60 notifies the user of the presence of an abnormality in the water filter 30, such as severe clogging of foreign matter in the container 40, by means of a display on the display operation unit 11 or an alarm using a buzzer (not shown) (step S80). ). In other words, clogging with foreign matter that is not severe is automatically cleared within the washer/dryer 1 without the user having to access the water filter 30 for maintenance, thereby improving usability. The control unit 60 may stop or interrupt the drying operation in step S80.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the cancellation process in step S75. With the start of the resolution process, the control unit 60 opens the water supply valve 32 and the drain valve 34 (step S81). Thereby, water supply and drainage of the container 40 are performed at the same time. Then, when a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the water supply valve 32 and the drain valve 34 were opened (YES in step S82), the control unit 60 closes the water supply valve 32 and the drain valve 34 (step S83), thereby ending the resolution process. do. In this manner, the control unit 60 opens the water supply valve 32 for a predetermined period of time while keeping the drain valve 34 open as a resolution process. In this case, the foreign matter clogged in the container 40 can be removed and forcibly discharged into the conduit 33 by the force of a large amount of water that is quickly discharged after being supplied into the container 40 .

The resolution process includes first and second modified examples in addition to those described above. FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the resolution process according to the first modification. In the first modification, upon the start of the elimination process, the control unit 60 supplies water into the container 40 by closing the drain valve 34 and opening the water supply valve 32 (step S84). From this, when the water level in the container 40 rises to a predetermined water level (YES in step S85), the control unit 60 drains the container 40 by closing the water supply valve 32 and opening the drain valve 34 (step S86). An example of the predetermined water level here is the maximum water level mentioned above. In this way, as the resolution process according to the first modification, the control unit 60 opens the water supply valve 32 for a predetermined period of time with the drain valve 34 closed, stores water in the container 40, and then opens the drain valve 34. In this case, the foreign matter clogged in the container 40 can be removed and forcibly discharged into the conduit 33 by the force of a large amount of water that accumulates in the container 40 and is discharged all at once.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing the resolution process according to the second modification. In the second modification, upon the start of the elimination process, the control unit 60 opens the drain valve 34 while keeping the water supply valve 32 closed (step S87). When the water level in the container 40 drops to a predetermined water level by opening the drain valve 34 (YES in step S88), the control unit 60 operates the blower unit 21 with the drain valve 34 open (step S89). The predetermined water level may be such that the water in the container 40 does not splash even if the air blower 21 operates, and the container 40 at this time does not need to be empty. When the water level in the container 40 has fallen to a predetermined water level, the control unit 60 rotates the rotary blades 23 of the blower unit 21 at high speed so that the air flows through the circulation path 20 with a stronger force than in the drying operation. . Therefore, the foreign matter clogged in the container 40 can be removed and forcibly discharged into the water conduit 33 by a large amount of air force. Then, when a predetermined period of time has elapsed since step S89 (YES in step S90), the control unit 60 stops the blower unit 21 (step S91), thereby ending the cancellation process.

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 water filter 30 is arranged at the lower part of the rear region 2C of the housing 2. As long as the water and steam in the container 40 do not reach the blowing section 21 or the heating section 22, the water filter 30 may be disposed above the rear region 2C as in a modification shown in FIG. 26. Note that in FIG. 26, the same reference numerals are given to members that are functionally the same as those described above.

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.

The various processes in the embodiments described above may be executed in appropriate combinations.

1 Washing/drying machine 2 Housing 3 Water tank 5 Drainage channel 6 Drainage filter 7 Washing tub 15 Support member 20 Circulation path 20D Output port 20E Return port 20G Upstream section 21 Ventilation section 22 Heating section 30 Water filter 33 Water conduit 33A First section 33B 2nd part 33D 3rd part 35 Overflow channel 40 Container 40F Overflow channel L Laundry

Claims (5)

An aquarium that holds water,
a washing tub that is housed in the water tub and rotates while accommodating laundry;
a drainage channel for discharging water from the water tank;
a circulation path connected to the water tank and having an outlet and a return outlet;
an air blower that circulates the air in the water tank by taking out the air from the intake port into the circulation path and returning it to the water tank from the return port;
a heating section that is provided within the circulation path and heats the air within the circulation path;
In the circulation path, a container is provided which constitutes an upstream portion of the heating section on the side of the takeout port and stores water; a water filter that captures foreign matter from the air by passing it through;
a conduit connected to the container and guiding water in the container to the drainage channel,
The washing/drying machine , wherein the container is formed with a water supply port that supplies water into the container while forming a water flow inside the container that spirals down along the inner surface of the container. further comprising a drainage filter that captures foreign matter from the water flowing through the drainage channel,
The water conduit is connected to a portion of the drainage channel closer to the aquarium than the drainage filter or to the drainage filter ,
The water filter further includes a plurality of baffles that partition an internal space of the container above the water in the container,
The washer/dryer according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of baffle plates are vertically separated from each other while overlapping in plan view . a casing that houses the water tank;
further comprising a support member that connects the housing and the water tank and elastically supports the water tank,
The washer/dryer according to claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the water conduit is elastically deformable. In the water conduit, a first portion on the water filter side and a second portion on the drainage filter side are elastically deformable, and a third portion between the first portion and the second portion is elastically deformable. The washer/dryer according to claim 3, wherein the washer/dryer is fixed to. The container is formed with an overflow port for causing water above a predetermined water level in the container to overflow to the outside of the container,
The washer/dryer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising an overflow channel that is connected to the overflow port and the water conduit and guides water overflowing from the overflow port to the water conduit.

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