JP7422172B2 - Washing and drying machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a washing dryer.

Drying clothes using a washer/dryer, which can perform continuous operations from washing to drying, uses a blower fan and heat source to create high-temperature air, blows the high-temperature air into the washing tub, increases the temperature of the clothes, and evaporates moisture from the clothes. This is then done by removing moisture from the circulating air in a dehumidifying section. Washing and drying machines speed up the drying of clothes by repeating these steps and exchanging air inside and outside the machine.

An example of a washer/dryer that can perform washing and drying continuously is the washer/dryer described in Patent Document 1, for example. Patent Document 1 discloses a drying system that includes a rotating drum in which clothes are stored, a first motor (main motor) that drives the rotating drum, and a box that supports an outer tank that houses the rotating drum. In the washer/dryer that is operated, an impeller having a plurality of blades, a second motor (air blower motor) that drives the impeller, a fan case and a fan cover that form a scroll flow path, and A fan unit equipped with a heater for heating the discharged air is provided, at least one wind direction plate is provided in the flow path from the scroll flow path outlet to the heater inlet, and the wind direction plate is arranged between the center of the impeller and A washer/dryer is described in which the washing/drying machine is located downstream in the rotational direction from a line connecting the tips of tongues provided at the outlet of the scroll flow path.

Washing and drying machines generally use a highly safe PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) heater as a heat source. In order to mount parts inside the washer/dryer with high density, the PTC heater is generally constructed in a rectangular shape, that is, a rectangular parallelepiped shape that extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of air flow. It is. In addition, by configuring the distance from the scroll flow path outlet to the heater inlet (distance of the expanded flow path) to be short, the fan unit is made more compact. It is known that because the change in the cross-sectional area of the flow path increases, the wind speed distribution at the heater inlet tends to become non-uniform.

Therefore, in the conventional technology described in Patent Document 1, by providing a wind direction plate in the expanded flow path from the scroll flow path outlet to the heater inlet, the uneven flow in the short distance of the expanded flow path is made uniform to some extent, and heat generation is achieved. The amount is increasing.

JP2014-64726A

However, in the conventional technology described in Patent Document 1, when the wind direction plate is tilted by about 10 degrees or more with respect to the mainstream, the air flow separates from the wind direction plate and the scroll channel, so the wind speed distribution by the wind direction plate is uniform. There was a limit to the increase in heat generation and the associated increase in heat generation.

Additionally, if the number of elements in the PTC heater is increased in order to increase the amount of heat generated, the PTC heater will become even more elongated and rectangular, resulting in an extremely poor wind speed distribution. There were limits to the increase. Therefore, it is desired to enhance the effect of shortening the drying operation time by increasing the number of PTC elements and improving the uniformity of the wind velocity distribution flowing into the heater.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and increases the amount of heater heating by improving the uniformity of the wind velocity distribution flowing into the heater, and shortens the drying operation time by increasing the amount of heater heating. The main purpose is to provide a washer/dryer that makes it possible.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a washer/dryer comprising: a box; an outer tank accommodated in the box and capable of storing water; an inner tank included in the outer tank and rotatable; The fan unit includes a fan unit that supplies wind into the outer tank, and an air blower provided in the fan unit, an air intake port is formed on one surface of the fan unit, and an air intake port is formed on the other surface of the fan unit. A blower motor that drives the blower is disposed, a spiral scroll flow path is provided around the blower, a heater and an exhaust port are provided downstream of the scroll flow path, and an outlet of the scroll flow path is provided. A substantially linear enlarged passage is provided between the enlarged passage and the heater, and the enlarged length of the enlarged passage in the motor direction is A, the enlarged length in the intake port direction is B, and the enlarged length in the outer circumferential direction is C, and when the enlarged length in the inner circumferential direction is D, the structure is such that the relationship "A>(C+D)/2>B" is satisfied.
Other means will be described later.

According to the present invention, it is possible to increase the amount of heater heating by improving the uniformity of the wind velocity distribution flowing into the heater, and to shorten the drying operation time by increasing the amount of heater heating.

1 is a side sectional view of a washer/dryer according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the fan unit of the washer/dryer according to Embodiment 1 on the intake port side. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the fan unit of the washer/dryer according to Embodiment 1 on the side of the blower motor. FIG. 2 is an internal configuration diagram of a fan unit of the washer/dryer according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view of the PTC heater of the washer/dryer according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between an enlarged channel inlet cross section and an enlarged channel outlet cross section of the washer/dryer according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between an enlarged channel inlet cross section and an enlarged channel outlet cross section of the washer/dryer according to Embodiment 2;

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as "this embodiment") will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that each figure is merely shown schematically to the extent that the present invention can be fully understood. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated example. Further, in each figure, common or similar components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanation thereof will be omitted.

In order to both improve the uniformity of the wind velocity distribution flowing into the heater and increase the amount of heating by the heater, it is better to approximate the shape of the inlet and outlet of the enlarged channel to a square, as described later. This embodiment provides a washer/dryer in which the shape of the inlet and outlet of the enlarged channel is approximated to a square. Approximation to a square can be achieved, for example, by configuring a washer/dryer as follows.

(1) The washer/dryer includes a box, an outer tank that is housed in the box and can store water, an inner tank that is enclosed in the outer tank and is rotatable, and a fan that supplies air into the outer tank. and a blower provided in the fan unit, an air intake port is formed on one surface of the fan unit, and a blower motor for driving the blower is arranged on the other surface of the fan unit. A spiral scroll flow path is provided around the blower, a heater and an exhaust port are provided downstream of the scroll flow path, and a substantially straight line is provided between the outlet of the scroll flow path and the heater. An expanded flow path is provided, and the expanded length of the expanded flow path in the motor direction is A, the expanded length in the intake port direction is B, the expanded length in the outer circumferential direction is C, and the expanded length in the inner circumferential direction is When D, it is preferable that the enlarged channel satisfies the relationship "A>(C+D)/2>B".

(2) The washer/dryer also includes a box, an outer tank housed in the box and capable of storing water, an inner tank enclosed in the outer tank and rotatable, and supplying air into the outer tank. a blower that rotates the blower, a blower motor that rotationally drives the blower, a PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) heater that heats the air supplied by the blower, and a circulation air path that connects the outer tank and the blower, It is preferable that the number of heating elements of the PTC heater is nine or more, and the number of stages and the number of rows of heating elements are the same.

(3) The washer/dryer also includes a box, an outer tank housed in the box and capable of storing water, an inner tank enclosed in the outer tank and rotatable, and supplying air into the outer tank. and a blower provided in the fan unit, an air intake port is formed on one surface of the fan unit, and a blower motor for driving the blower is formed on the other surface of the fan unit. A spiral scroll flow path is provided around the blower, a heater and an exhaust port are provided downstream of the scroll flow path, and a space between the outlet of the scroll flow path and the heater is provided. A substantially linear expanded flow path is provided, and the expanded length of the expanded flow path in the motor direction is A, the expanded length in the intake port direction is B, the expanded length in the outer circumferential direction is C, and the expanded length in the inner circumferential direction. When the length is D, it is preferable that the enlarged channel satisfies the relationship "C>(A+B)/2>D".

(4) The washer/dryer preferably includes a box, an outer tank accommodated in the box and capable of storing water, an inner tank contained in the outer tank and rotatable, and a rotatable inner tank contained in the outer tank. The fan unit includes a fan unit that supplies wind and a blower provided in the fan unit, an intake port is formed on one surface of the fan unit, and a blower is driven on the other surface of the fan unit. A blower motor is disposed, a spiral scroll flow path is provided around the blower, a heater and an exhaust port are provided downstream of the scroll flow path, and a connection between the outlet of the scroll flow path and the heater is provided. A substantially linear enlarged flow path is provided in between, and the enlarged length of the enlarged flow path in the motor direction is A, the enlarged length in the intake port direction is B, the enlarged length in the outer circumferential direction is C, and the enlarged length in the inner circumferential direction. It is preferable that A, B, C, and D are substantially the same, where D is the enlarged length of .
These configurations will be explained in the following embodiments.

[Embodiment 1]
<Overall configuration of washer/dryer>
The overall configuration of the washer/dryer 10 according to the first embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a washer/dryer 10 according to the first embodiment. Here, the description will be made assuming that the washer/dryer 10 according to the first embodiment is a drum type washer/dryer. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the fan unit 18 of the washer/dryer 10 from the intake port 36 side. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the fan unit 18 of the washer/dryer 10 from the blower motor 52 side. FIG. 4 is an internal configuration diagram of the fan unit 18 of the washer/dryer 10.

As shown in FIG. 1, the washer/dryer 10 according to the first embodiment includes an inner tank 12, an outer tank 13, a main motor 14, a circulation air passage 16, and a circulation pump 17 inside a box 11. , a fan unit 18 , a hot air duct 19 , a lint filter 24 , and a water inlet 31 .

The inner tank 12 is a cylindrical washing/drying tank (rotating drum) that is enclosed in the outer tank 13 and is rotatable. A plurality of through holes for water and ventilation are formed in the outer peripheral wall and bottom wall of the inner tank 12. A front cover 11F of the box body 11 is provided with a door 15 for putting in and taking out clothes. The inner tank 12 is inclined so that the door 15 side is higher.

The outer tank 13 encloses the inner tank 12. The front surface of the outer tank 13 is open, and a main motor 14 for rotating the inner tank 12 is attached to the back surface of the outer tank 13.

A fan unit 18 is provided at the top of the outer tank 13 to supply air into the outer tank 13. The fan unit 18 has an intake port 36 (see FIG. 2) formed on one side via a scroll casing 55 (see FIG. 4), and a blower motor 52 (see FIG. 3) that drives the blower 51 on the other side. It is located. The fan unit 18 sucks humid air through an intake port 36 (see FIG. 2) and blows out heated and pressurized air from an exhaust port 37 (see FIG. 2). The fan unit 18 includes a first fan case 41 in which a blower motor 52 (see FIG. 3) is mounted, and a second fan case 42 in which an air intake port 36 (see FIG. 2) is provided.

As shown in FIG. 4, inside the fan unit 18, a blower 51, a tongue portion 54, a scroll casing 55, an enlarged flow path 57, a PTC heater 58, and a heater cover 59 are provided.

The blower 51 rotates a hollow disc body around a motor shaft 53 connected to a blower motor 52 (see FIG. 3), and an air intake port is provided to communicate with the center of the disc body. 36 (see FIG. 2), and sends the humid air to a scroll casing 55 provided on the outer periphery of the disk body. The scroll casing 55 is a spiral space provided around the disc body of the blower 51, and functions as a flow path (scroll flow path) through which air (humid air) passes.

A PTC heater 58 that heats the air (humid air) and an exhaust port 37 that discharges the air (humid air) to the hot air duct 19 (see FIG. 1) are provided downstream of the scroll casing 55 (scroll flow path). It is being Further, a substantially linear enlarged flow path 57 is provided between the outlet of the scroll casing 55 (scroll flow path) and the PTC heater 58. The enlarged flow path 57 is separated from the inner peripheral portion of the scroll casing 55 (scroll flow path) by the tongue portion 54. The tongue portion 54 is a protrusion provided at the outlet of the scroll casing 55. The PTC heater 58 is arranged so as to close the downstream end of the enlarged channel 57 and is supported by a heater cover 59. The expanded flow path 57 has an expanded flow path outlet cross section 62 that is larger than the expanded flow path inlet cross section 61 .

Inside the fan unit 18, a scroll casing 55 (scroll passage) and an enlarged passage 57 are provided as a blow passage through which air (humid air) passes. The air (humid air) sucked into the inside of the fan unit 18 from the intake port 36 (see FIG. 2) by the blower 51 is pressurized by the blower 51 and sent to the scroll casing 55 (scroll flow path) as a wind of humid air. The liquid then passes through the scroll casing 55 and the enlarged flow path 57 and reaches the PTC heater 58 . Then, the humid air is heated by passing through the PTC heater 58 (see FIG. 4), becomes warm air, and is discharged from the exhaust port 37 (see FIG. 2) to the hot air duct 19. The air is sent from the outlet 38 to the inner tank 12 .

Inner tank 12 accommodates damp clothing. The damp clothing is heated by warm air (blown air) sent from the outlet 38 to the inner tank 12. At this time, the moisture contained in the clothes evaporates and is collected as steam in the air inside the outer tank 13. As a result, moist air is generated within the outer tank 13.

A circulation air passage 16 for circulating humid air and a circulation pump 17 for pressurizing the humid air are provided around the outer tank 13. A lint filter 24 for collecting lint is provided at the connection between the outer tank 13 and the circulation air passage 16. When the humid air passes through the lint filter 24, the humid air is separated into air and lint generated from clothing. The lint is collected by the lint filter 24, and the moist air that has passed through the lint filter 24 reaches the circulation air path 16. The circulation air path 16 is a flow path that dehumidifies humid air containing moisture collected from clothing and sends it to the blower 51. A water inlet 31 is provided at the upper end of the circulation air passage 16. The washer/dryer 10 cools the wall surface of the circulation air passage 16 by flowing cooling water poured from the water inlet 31 into the circulation air passage 16, thereby dehumidifying humid air.

The washer/dryer 10 also includes an internal drain hose 21, an external drain hose 22, a lint filter 23, and a drain valve 32 inside the box 11.

The internal drain hose 21 is housed inside the outer tank 13 and allows washing water used for washing clothes to flow toward the external drain hose 22. The external drain hose 22 discharges the wash water that has passed through the internal drain hose 21 to the outside. The lint filter 23 collects lint in the cleaning liquid. The drain valve 32 selectively opens and closes a flow path through which wash water flows to the external drain hose 22.

<Drying operation control>
Hereinafter, the drying operation of the washer/dryer 10 will be described mainly with reference to FIG. 1.
The air is pressurized and heated by the blower 51, and further heated by the PTC heater 58 (see FIG. 4). The heated air is blown out from the outlet 38 of the hot air duct 19 toward the moisture-containing clothing stored inside the inner tank 12. This increases the temperature of the clothing. At this time, the moisture in the clothing evaporates using the absolute humidity difference with the air as a driving force. The air containing evaporated water (humid air) is cooled using the temperature difference with the inner wall of the outer tank 13 as a driving force. At this time, the moisture contained in the air (humid air) condenses. Thereafter, the humid air passes through the lint filter 24 and reaches the circulating air passage 16, where it is further cooled and condensed by the cooling water flowing inside the circulating air passage 16. Thereafter, the cooled and condensed air passes through a lint filter (not shown) and is returned to the blower 51. The washer/dryer 10 repeats this cycle of heating, evaporating, and condensing the air to collect the moisture in the clothes into the inner wall of the outer tub 13 and the cooling water inside the circulation air passage 16, and then dry the clothes. promotes drying.

<Lint collection control by washing>
Due to the drying operation, lint generated from clothing is attached to the lint filter 24. The lint is washed in the next washing process. In the washing process, when cleaning water accumulates inside the outer tub 13, by rotating the inner tub 12, the lint filter 24 can be washed with water flow. Thereafter, by driving the circulation pump 17, the cleaning liquid inside the outer tank 13 passes through the lint filter 23. At this time, the lint filter 23 collects the lint in the cleaning liquid. Furthermore, when the drain valve 32 is opened, the cleaning water is drained out of the machine.

<Configuration of PTC heater>
The washer/dryer 10 uses a PTC heater 58 (see FIG. 4) as a means for heating humid air. The PTC heater 58 has a characteristic that the resistance of the heating element changes as the heating temperature rises. Since such a PTC heater 58 has an upper limit on its heat generation temperature, it is highly safe and suitable as a heating means for a washer/dryer.

As shown in FIG. 5, the PTC heater 58 includes a plurality of heating elements 71 and a plurality of fins 72 provided above and below each heating element 71. Each heating element 71 has a substantially square shape when viewed from the front. The number of stages and the number of rows of the heating elements 71 of the PTC heater 58 are three stages and three rows. Therefore, in this embodiment, the PTC heater 58 has a substantially square shape when viewed from the front, and the width W and the height T have approximate values.

The PTC heater 58 generates heat by energizing the heating element 71, and efficiently exchanges heat with the air using the fins 72. The PTC heater 58 can increase the amount of heat exchange (the amount of air heating) by increasing the amount of air passing through the heating element 71 and the fins 72. However, when the PTC heater 58 reaches a certain flow rate, the amount of heat exchange becomes saturated, and the amount of heat generated by the heater becomes constant. In such a PTC heater 58, when the wind speed distribution in front of the heater becomes uneven, the heating element 71 exposed to locally high-speed hot air flow reaches the upper limit of heat generation, while the locally low-speed flow of hot air reaches the upper limit. The heating element 71 exposed to the wind flow cannot generate sufficient heat, and the amount of heat generated by the PTC heater 58 as a whole decreases. When the amount of heat generated by the PTC heater 58 decreases, the average temperature of the hot air after passing through the PTC heater 58 decreases. When the hot air temperature decreases, the rate of evaporation of moisture in clothing slows down, resulting in longer drying time. Therefore, in order to shorten the drying time, it is desirable to provide a plurality of heating elements 71 and to equalize the wind speed distribution in front of the PTC heater 58.

<Fan unit configuration>
As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the fan unit 18 includes a blower 51 (see FIG. 4), a blower motor 52 (see FIG. 3) that drives the blower 51, a first fan case 41, and a second fan case. 42. The second fan case 42 is provided with a bell mouth 36a (see FIG. 2) that opens outward in a circular manner at the entrance of the intake port 36 (see FIG. 2). The first fan case 41 can be attached with a blower motor 52 (see FIG. 3), and includes a motor shaft 53 (see FIG. 4) of the blower motor 52 (see FIG. 3), a blower 51 (see FIG. 4), and a bell. A mouse 36a (see FIG. 2) is assembled coaxially.

As shown in FIG. 4, a spiral scroll casing 55 functioning as a scroll flow path is formed in the internal space formed by the first fan case 41 and the second fan case 42 on the outer periphery of the blower 51. There is. The scroll casing 55 functions to reduce the flow of air discharged from the blower 51 and convert it into static pressure. A tongue portion 54 is provided at the outlet of the scroll casing 55, and a PTC heater 58 is further provided downstream of the scroll casing 55. Further, a substantially linear enlarged flow path 57 is provided between the outlet of the scroll casing 55 and the PTC heater 58. At the exit of the scroll casing 55, the wind speed on the outer peripheral side tends to increase due to the swirling component of the blower 51. The enlarged channel 57 is provided at the end of the spiral portion of the scroll casing 55, and is configured such that the width of the channel increases monotonically (linearly) as it goes downstream.

<Configuration of expanded flow path and heater>
In order to mount the fan units 18 in the washer/dryer 10 as densely as possible, the distance of the enlarged channel 57 from the outlet of the scroll casing 55 (scroll channel) to the front surface of the PTC heater 58 is configured to be as short as possible. It would be good if it were done. Further, the PTC heater 58 includes a plurality of heating elements 71 (see FIG. 5) in order to increase the amount of heat generated. In the fan unit 18, if the number of heat generating elements 71 (see FIG. 5) of the PTC heater 58 is increased, depending on the shape of the expanded flow path 57 and the PTC heater 58, the cross-sectional area of the flow path must be rapidly expanded. easy. Then, the rapid increase in the cross section of the flow path tends to cause separation of the air flow on the wall surface of the enlarged flow path 57. When air flow separation occurs, the air flow does not expand along the enlarged flow path 57, and therefore the wind velocity distribution in front of the PTC heater 58 tends to become non-uniform. Therefore, in this case, heat exchange performance is likely to deteriorate.

Therefore, in this embodiment, by configuring the enlarged flow path 57 and the PTC heater 58 as shown in FIG. 6, even when the number of heating elements 71 (see FIG. 5) of the PTC heater 58 is increased, This reduces the occurrence of air flow separation on the wall surface of the enlarged flow path 57, making it easier to equalize the air velocity distribution in front of the PTC heater 58.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the enlarged channel inlet cross section 61 and the enlarged channel outlet cross section 62 of the washer/dryer 10. The arrangement relationship between the enlarged flow channel inlet cross section 61 and the enlarged flow channel outlet cross section 62 is as shown in FIG. Based on the expanded flow path outlet cross section 62, the expanded length of the expanded flow path 57 in the motor direction is A, the expanded length in the intake port direction is B, the expanded length in the outer circumferential direction is C, and the expanded length in the inner circumferential direction. When is defined as D, the enlarged channel 57 is preferably configured to satisfy the relationship "A>(C+D)/2>B".

Further, the enlarged channel 57 is preferably configured to satisfy the relationship “C>(A+B)/2>D”.

Furthermore, the enlarged channel 57 is preferably configured to satisfy the relationship "(A+B)>(C+D)".

In the example shown in FIG. 6, the number of heating elements is nine, and the washing/drying machine 10 increases the amount of heat generated by the PTC heater 58 by providing a plurality of heating elements 71. Further, in the example shown in FIG. 6, the number of stages and the number of rows of the heating elements 71 of the PTC heater 58 are three stages and three rows, and the number of stages and the number of rows of the heating elements 71 of the PTC heater 58 are the same.

Note that the aspect ratio of the outer shape of the PTC heater 58 is preferably configured to fall within a range of 0.8 to 1.2. The aspect ratio is the ratio of height to width when height [mm], width [mm], and depth [mm] are defined.

In the example shown in FIG. 6, the number of stages and the number of rows of the heating elements 71 of the PTC heater 58 are three stages and three rows. Therefore, the aspect ratio of the outer shape of the PTC heater 58 is approximately square, which is close to 1. Thereby, the washer/dryer 10 can easily equalize the wind speed distribution in front of the heater, and can increase the heating amount of the heater. In addition to this, the washer/dryer 10 can be operated in a weak (3 elements), medium (6 elements), or strong (9 elements) mode. Therefore, the washer/dryer 10 can appropriately switch the temperature depending on the progress of drying, and can accelerate the drying of the clothes while preventing an excessive rise in the temperature of the clothes. Thereby, the washer/dryer 10 not only suppresses fabric damage to clothing, but also eliminates the need for cooling operation when the temperature rises excessively, thereby realizing time reduction and energy saving.

In this embodiment, the washer/dryer 10 includes a lint filter 24 (drying filter) between the outer tub 13 and the circulation air path 16. In such a washer/dryer 10, the lint filter 24 does not need to be installed near the blower 51, so the fan unit 18 can be increased in size. Moreover, since the washer/dryer 10 can ease the restrictions on the installation of the PTC heater 58 and the enlarged flow path 57, it is possible to make it easier to equalize the wind speed distribution in front of the heater.

<Main features of washer/dryer>
The washer/dryer 10 according to this embodiment has the following features.
(1) The washer/dryer 10 according to the present embodiment includes a box body 11, an outer tank 13 housed in the box body 11 and capable of storing water, an inner tank 12 contained in the outer tank 13 and rotatable, and an outer tank 11. It includes a fan unit 18 that supplies wind into the tank 13 and a blower 51 provided in the fan unit 18. An intake port 36 is formed on one side of the fan unit 18, a blower motor 52 for driving a blower 51 is arranged on the other side of the fan unit 18, and a spiral scroll flow path ( A scroll casing 55) is provided, a heater (PTC heater 58) and an exhaust port 37 are provided downstream of the scroll flow path (scroll casing 55), and a space between the exit of the scroll flow path (scroll casing 55) and the heater is provided. A substantially linear enlarged flow path 57 is provided in the. As shown in FIG. 6, the expanded length of the expanded flow path 57 in the motor direction is A, the expanded length in the intake port direction is B, the expanded length in the outer circumferential direction is C, and the expanded length in the inner circumferential direction is D. In this case, it is preferable that the enlarged channel 57 has a configuration that satisfies the relationship "A>(C+D)/2>B".

Since the washer/dryer 10 according to the present embodiment is configured such that the enlarged flow path 57 has a relationship of "A>B", in the fan axial direction of the enlarged flow path 57, the air blower It is enlarged to the motor 52 side. Therefore, the height of the fan unit 18 can be suppressed and the fan unit 18 can be mounted more compactly than when the enlarged flow path 57 is enlarged toward the intake port 36 side. In other words, even if the number of heating elements of the heater is increased in order to increase the amount of heat generated by the heater, the mounting performance is unlikely to deteriorate. Furthermore, the washer/dryer 10 according to the present embodiment has the enlarged flow path 57 configured to satisfy the relationship “A>(C+D)/2>B”, so that the expanded flow path 57 can be Since the flow path is appropriately expanded, separation on the air path wall surface is less likely to occur, the air velocity distribution in front of the heater is made uniform, and the amount of heat generated per number of heating elements in the heater is increased, reducing the drying time of clothes. can be shortened.

(2) The heater of the washer/dryer 10 according to this embodiment is preferably a PTC heater 58.

In the washer/dryer 10 according to the present embodiment, by using the PTC heater 58 as the heater, it is possible to suppress the temperature rise around the heater section due to an increase in the amount of heater heating, thereby improving the safety of the drying operation. and shorten the drying operation time.

(3) The heater of the washer/dryer 10 according to the present embodiment has a plurality of heat generating elements 71, and it is preferable that the number of rows and the number of stages of the heat generating elements 71 are approximately the same.
The washer/dryer 10 according to the present embodiment also includes a box body 11, an outer tank 13 housed in the box body 11 and capable of storing water, an inner tank 12 contained in the outer tank 13 and rotatable, and an outer tank. A blower 51 that supplies air into the air blower 13 , a blower motor 52 that rotationally drives the air blower 51 , a PTC heater that heats the air supplied by the air blower 51 , a circulation air path that connects the outer tank 13 and the air blower 51 , It is equipped with The number of heating elements of the PTC heater is preferably nine or more, and the number of stages and the number of rows of heating elements 71 are preferably the same.

Generally, a PTC heater has a configuration in which a plurality of heating elements 71 are combined, and the relationship between the height and width of the heating elements 71 is approximately square. Therefore, in the washer/dryer 10 according to the present embodiment, by making the number of stages and the number of rows of heaters the same, the aspect ratio (ratio of height to width) of the entire heater can be brought close to 1, so that the enlarged flow path can be made close to 1. 57 in one direction can be suppressed, and even when the number of heating elements of the heater is increased, it becomes easier to make the wind speed distribution uniform, and the amount of heating by the heater can be increased.

(4) In the washer/dryer 10 according to the present embodiment, the enlarged channel 57 preferably satisfies the relationship “C>(A+B)/2>D”.
The washer/dryer 10 according to the present embodiment also includes a box body 11, an outer tank 13 housed in the box body 11 and capable of storing water, an inner tank 12 contained in the outer tank 13 and rotatable, and an outer tank. The fan unit 18 includes a fan unit 18 that supplies wind into the fan unit 13, and a blower 51 provided in the fan unit 18. An intake port 36 is formed on one side of the fan unit 18, a blower motor 52 for driving a blower 51 is arranged on the other side of the fan unit 18, and a spiral scroll flow path ( A scroll casing 55) is provided, a heater and an exhaust port 37 are provided downstream of the scroll flow path (scroll casing 55), and a substantially straight line is provided between the outlet of the scroll flow path (scroll casing 55) and the heater. An enlarged flow path 57 is provided. As shown in FIG. 6, the expanded length of the expanded flow path 57 in the motor direction is A, the expanded length in the intake port direction is B, the expanded length in the outer circumferential direction is C, and the expanded length in the inner circumferential direction is D. In this case, it is preferable that the enlarged flow path 57 has a configuration that satisfies the relationship "C>(A+B)/2>D".

Generally, it is known that at the casing outlet, that is, the inlet of the enlarged flow path 57, the wind speed in the outer circumferential direction of the casing tends to increase due to the swirling component of the fan. Therefore, since the wind speed on the outer circumferential side of the enlarged channel entrance is faster than on the inner circumferential side, the washer/dryer 10 according to the present embodiment is configured such that the enlarged channel 57 has a relationship of "C>D". This makes it difficult for peeling to occur on the air channel wall surface, making it possible to make the air velocity distribution uniform in front of the heater. Furthermore, the washer/dryer 10 according to the present embodiment has the enlarged flow path 57 configured to satisfy the relationship “C>(A+B)/2>D”, so that the expanded flow path 57 can be Since the flow path is appropriately expanded, separation on the air path wall surface is less likely to occur, the wind speed distribution in front of the heater is made uniform, and the amount of heat generated per heater element is increased, reducing the time it takes to dry clothes. Can be shortened.

(5) The washer/dryer 10 according to the present embodiment preferably has a configuration in which the enlarged channel 57 satisfies the relationship “(A+B)>(C+D)”.

Generally, it is known that at the casing outlet, that is, at the inlet of the enlarged flow path 57, the wind speed in the outer circumferential direction of the casing is high due to the influence of the swirling component of the fan, and the wind tends to be uneven. Therefore, in the washer/dryer 10 according to the present embodiment, the fan axial expanded length (A+B) is expanded in the fan radial direction so that the expanded flow path 57 satisfies the relationship "(A+B)>(C+D)". By configuring the length to be larger than the length (C+D) and increasing the air passage expansion rate in the direction where the wind speed is less biased, the wind speed distribution is made uniform and the amount of heat generated per number of heat generating elements of the heater is increased. This can shorten the drying time of clothes.

(6) In the washer/dryer 10 according to the present embodiment, the aspect ratio of the external shape of the PTC heater is preferably in the range of 0.8 to 1.2.

By setting the aspect ratio of the heater to 0.8 to 1.2, the washer/dryer 10 according to the present embodiment has a scroll passage (scroll casing 55) not only in the width direction of the heater but also in the height direction. Since it can be expanded, the air flow becomes difficult to separate from the scroll flow path (scroll casing 55), the wind speed distribution becomes uniform, and the amount of heat generated by the heater increases. As a result, the washer/dryer 10 according to the present embodiment can dry clothes more efficiently than the conventional technique described in Patent Document 1 mentioned above, so that the operating time can be reduced compared to the conventional technique. .

(7) It is preferable that the heater input be switchable in at least three stages.

As shown in FIG. 5, by configuring the PTC heater in three stages and three rows, for example, the aspect ratio becomes a substantially square shape close to 1, so the washer/dryer 10 according to the present embodiment has a structure in which the front side of the heater is The wind speed distribution can be easily made uniform, and the amount of heating can be increased. In addition to this, you can now choose the driving mode from weak (3 elements), medium (6 elements), and strong (9 elements). Therefore, it is possible to appropriately switch the temperature depending on the progress of drying, and it is possible to proceed with drying the clothes while preventing an excessive rise in temperature of the clothes. This not only prevents fabric damage to clothing, but also eliminates the need for cooling when the temperature rises excessively, resulting in time and energy savings.

(8) In the washer/dryer 10 according to the present embodiment, a lint filter (not shown) for capturing lint may be disposed in the outer tub 13.

Generally, the lint filter is often placed near the blower 51, but in the washer/dryer 10 according to this embodiment, the lint filter (not shown) is placed inside the outer tank 13. Restrictions on the installation of the fan unit 18 can be relaxed. In other words, in the washer/dryer 10 according to the present embodiment, by providing a lint filter (not shown) in the outer tank 13, the installation space for the heater and the fan can be expanded. It becomes easier to ensure a long enlarged flow path 57, and the amount of heat generated by the heater can be increased to shorten the drying time of clothes.

In addition, in the drying operation, the washer/dryer 10 increases the amount of heating of the PTC heater 58 (see FIG. 4) (strengthens the heating capacity), thereby providing a driving force for condensing moisture contained in the air (humid air). The absolute humidity difference between the air (humid air) and the inner wall of the outer tank 13 is increased, and the absolute humidity difference between the moisture in the clothes and the air blown by the outlet 38 is also increased. That is, the washer/dryer 10 can improve the performance of evaporating moisture from clothing and the performance of condensing moisture from humid air by increasing the heating amount of the PTC heater 58 (see FIG. 4). Therefore, increasing the heating amount (strengthening the heating capacity) of the PTC heater 58 (see FIG. 4) is very effective in shortening the drying time. However, increasing the heating amount of the PTC heater 58 (see FIG. 4) (strengthening the heating capacity) increases the temperature of the warm air (blown air) sent from the outlet 38 to the inner tank 12, so that clothes can High temperatures may increase and damage clothing. Furthermore, structural components such as the outlet 38 of the hot air duct 19 may become hot. Therefore, in the latter half of the drying operation, the washer/dryer 10 reduces the heating capacity of the PTC heater 58 (see FIG. 4) or stops the PTC heater 58 (see FIG. 4), and performs a cooling operation using the blower 51. It's good to do that. Thereby, the washer/dryer 10 can suppress excessive heating of clothing and structural parts.

As described above, according to the washer/dryer 10 according to the first embodiment, the amount of heater heating is increased by improving the uniformity of the wind speed distribution flowing into the heater, and the drying operation time is shortened by increasing the amount of heater heating. and can be made possible.

[Embodiment 2]
Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 7, the configuration of the washer/dryer 10A according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of a washer/dryer 10A according to the second embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 7, the washer/dryer 10A according to the second embodiment has a fan unit 18A instead of the fan unit 18, as compared with the washer/dryer 10 according to the first embodiment (see FIG. 6). There is a difference. In the fan unit 18A, the expanded length of the expanded flow path 57 in the motor direction is A, the expanded length in the intake port direction is B, the expanded length in the outer circumferential direction is C, and the expanded length in the inner circumferential direction is D. , A, B, C, and D have substantially the same configuration (approximately ±5 [mm]).

When the wind speed distribution at the casing outlet (that is, the inlet of the expanded flow path 57) is uniform, uniformly expanding the wind path in four directions facilitates making the wind speed distribution uniform in front of the heater. Therefore, in the washer/dryer 10A according to the second embodiment, by making A, B, C, and D substantially the same, the flow path is appropriately expanded in both the fan axial direction and the fan radial direction. Peeling on the road wall surface is less likely to occur, the wind velocity distribution in front of the heater is made more uniform, and the amount of heat generated per number of heating elements in the heater is increased, making it possible to shorten the drying time of clothes.

To supplement this configuration, in the washer/dryer 10 (see FIG. 6) according to the first embodiment described above, A, B, C, and D are not the same. On the other hand, in the washer/dryer 10A according to the second embodiment, A, B, C, and D are substantially the same. In the washer/dryer 10A according to the second embodiment, when the wind velocity distribution at the casing outlet (that is, the inlet of the enlarged channel 57) is uniform, the inlet of the heater is expanded uniformly in all four directions. (that is, the outlet of the expanded flow path 57) can be easily made uniform. Therefore, in the washer/dryer 10A according to the second embodiment, the wind speed distribution in front of the heater is made uniform, and the amount of heat generated per number of heat generating elements of the heater is increased, so that the clothes drying time can be shortened.

As described above, according to the washer/dryer 10A according to the second embodiment, similarly to the washer/dryer 10 according to the first embodiment, the amount of heating by the heater is increased by improving the uniformity of the wind velocity distribution flowing into the heater. In addition, it is possible to shorten the drying operation time by increasing the heating amount of the heater.
Moreover, according to the washer/dryer 10A according to the second embodiment, compared to the washer/dryer 10 according to the first embodiment, the wind speed distribution in front of the heater is made more uniform, and the amount of heat generated per number of heating elements of the heater is increased. By increasing the amount, clothes drying time can be shortened.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and includes various modifications. For example, the embodiments described above are described in detail to explain the present invention in an easy-to-understand manner, and are not necessarily limited to those having all the configurations described. Further, it is possible to replace a part of the configuration of the embodiment with other configurations, and it is also possible to add other configurations to the configuration of the embodiment. Furthermore, it is possible to add, delete, or replace a part of each configuration with other configurations.

Further, in the above-described embodiments, a washer/dryer having a selection function was described as an example, but the present invention can also be applied to a dryer without a selection function.

Further, for example, in the above-described embodiment, the explanation was made on the assumption that the heating elements 71 were arranged in four rows and four stages. However, the heating elements 71 may be arranged in four rows and four stages as long as the heating amount (heat amount) of the heating elements 71 does not exceed the wattage of electric power used at home.

10,10A Washing/drying machine 11 Box 11F Front cover 12 Inner tank (rotating drum)
13 Outer tank 14 Main motor 15 Door 16 Circulating air path 17 Circulating pump 18, 18A Fan unit 19 Hot air duct 21 Internal drain hose 22 External drain hose 23 Lint filter 24 Lint filter 31 Water inlet 32 Drain valve 36 Inlet port 36a Bell Mouse 37 Exhaust port 38 Air outlet 41 First fan case 42 Second fan case 51 Air blower 52 Air blower motor 53 Motor shaft 54 Tongue 55 Scroll casing (scroll channel)
57 Expanded channel 58 PTC heater (heater)
59 Heater cover 61, 61a Enlarged channel inlet cross section 62 Enlarged channel outlet cross section 71 Heat generating element 72 Fin

Claims (9)

The box body and
an outer tank that is housed in the box and can store water;
an inner tank that is included in the outer tank and is rotatable;
a fan unit that supplies wind into the outer tank;
A blower provided in the fan unit,
An intake port is formed on one side of the fan unit,
A blower motor that drives the blower is disposed on the other surface of the fan unit,
A spiral scroll flow path is provided around the blower,
A heater and an exhaust port are provided downstream of the scroll flow path,
A substantially linear enlarged flow path is provided between the outlet of the scroll flow path and the heater,
When the expanded length of the expanded flow path in the motor direction is A, the expanded length in the intake port direction is B, the expanded length in the outer circumferential direction is C, and the expanded length in the inner circumferential direction is D, the expanded flow path A washing/drying machine characterized by satisfying the relationship "A>(C+D)/2>B". The washer/dryer according to claim 1,
A washer/dryer characterized in that the heater is a PTC heater. The washer/dryer according to claim 2,
A washer/dryer characterized in that the heater has a plurality of heat generating elements, and the number of rows and the number of stages of the heat generating elements are substantially the same. The washer/dryer according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A washer/dryer characterized in that the enlarged flow path satisfies the relationship "C>(A+B)/2>D". The washer/dryer according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A washer/dryer characterized in that the enlarged flow path satisfies the relationship "(A+B)>(C+D)". The washer/dryer according to claim 2,
A washing/drying machine characterized in that the aspect ratio of the external shape of the PTC heater is in the range of 0.8 to 1.2. The washer/dryer according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
A washer/dryer characterized in that input to the heater can be switched in at least three stages. The washer/dryer according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
A washing/drying machine characterized in that a lint filter for capturing lint is disposed in the outer tank. The box body and
an outer tank that is housed in the box and can store water;
an inner tank that is included in the outer tank and is rotatable;
a fan unit that supplies wind into the outer tank;
A blower provided in the fan unit,
An intake port is formed on one side of the fan unit,
A blower motor that drives the blower is disposed on the other surface of the fan unit,
A spiral scroll flow path is provided around the blower,
A heater and an exhaust port are provided downstream of the scroll flow path,
A substantially linear enlarged flow path is provided between the outlet of the scroll flow path and the heater,
When the expanded length of the expanded flow path in the motor direction is A, the expanded length in the intake port direction is B, the expanded length in the outer circumferential direction is C, and the expanded length in the inner circumferential direction is D, the expanded flow path A washer/dryer characterized in that satisfies the relationship "C>(A+B)/2>D".

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