JP7426644B2 - Drum type washer/dryer - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a drum type washer/dryer.

The drum-type washer/dryer described in Patent Document 1 below includes a housing, an outer tank housed in the housing, a drum housed in the outer tank, a heat pump that generates dehumidified air during drying operation, and a heat pump. and a ventilation duct that guides the dehumidified air generated by the drum to the laundry in the drum. A heat pump consists of a compressor installed at the bottom of the housing, a heat exchanger installed in the air duct at the top of the housing, and refrigerant piping that circulates refrigerant between the compressor and the heat exchanger. include.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-202071

When a heat pump in which a compressor and a heat exchanger are arranged vertically and separately as in Patent Document 1 is put to practical use in a drum-type washer/dryer, the configuration of refrigerant piping that connects the compressor and the heat exchanger is Unless proper measures are taken, various problems may occur due to refrigerant piping.

The present invention was made against this background, and an object of the present invention is to provide a drum-type washer/dryer that can prevent problems caused by a refrigerant circulation path that connects a compressor and a heat exchanger that are arranged separately in a heat pump. With the goal.

The present invention includes a casing, an outer tank that is housed in the casing and stores water, and a drum that is housed in the outer tank and is rotatably driven around a rotational axis extending in the front-rear direction and that stores laundry. , an air circulation path having an outlet and a return port connected to the outer tank; and an air circulation path provided in the air circulation path, which takes out air in the outer tank from the outlet into the air circulation path and returns the air to the air circulation path. a blower unit that circulates the refrigerant by returning it from the mouth into the outer tank; a compressor that is disposed at a position lower than the rotational axis and compresses the refrigerant; and a compressor that is installed in the air circulation path at a position higher than the rotational axis. , a heat pump having a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between a refrigerant and the air in the air circulation path, and a refrigerant circulation path that circulates the refrigerant between the compressor and the heat exchanger, and the casing. The drum-type washer/dryer includes a holder fixed to the refrigerant circulation path and holding the refrigerant circulation path.

Further, in the present invention, the drum-type washer/dryer further includes a fixing member that fixes a part of the holder to the casing, and a part of the holder other than the part is fixed to the casing. Characterized by contact.

Further, in the present invention, the drum-type washer/dryer further includes an elastic member that covers the refrigerant circulation path, and the holder has a groove portion into which the refrigerant circulation path is fitted, and a groove portion in which the refrigerant circulation path is inserted into the groove portion. and an engaging portion that engages with the elastic member so as to be able to be displaced.

According to the present invention, during the drying operation of the drum-type washer/dryer, the air in the outer tank is taken out into the air circulation path by the blower and then circulated back into the outer tank. The air in the air circulation path becomes hot air through heat exchange with the refrigerant flowing through the heat exchanger of the heat pump, and flows out from the air circulation path into the outer tub to dry the laundry in the drum. In a heat pump, a compressor that compresses refrigerant and a heat exchanger are vertically arranged separately and connected by a refrigerant circulation path. The refrigerant circulation path is fixed to the casing by being held by a holder on the casing side that accommodates the outer tank. Therefore, compared to a case where the refrigerant circulation path is fixed to the outer tank, the vibration of the outer tank is less likely to be transmitted to the refrigerant circulation path, so it is possible to prevent damage to the refrigerant circulation path due to the vibration of the outer tank.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, only a portion of the holder that holds the refrigerant circulation path is fixed to the housing, so even if the vibrations of the compressor are transmitted to the holder via the refrigerant circulation path, the vibrations will be transmitted from the holder to the holder. It is difficult to transmit to the casing. Therefore, the problem of vibration of the casing caused by the refrigerant circulation path can be prevented.

Further, according to the present invention, the refrigerant circulation path is fitted into the groove of the holder in a state covered by the elastic member, and the engaging portion of the holder is engaged with the elastic member so that the refrigerant circulation path can be displaced within the groove. match. That is, since the refrigerant circulation path is loosely held by the holder while being covered with the elastic member, even if vibrations of the compressor are transmitted to the refrigerant circulation path, the vibrations are unlikely to be transmitted to the holder or the housing. Therefore, the problem of vibration of the casing caused by the refrigerant circulation path can be prevented.

FIG. 1 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional left side view of a drum-type washer-dryer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the internal structure housed in the housing of the drum washer/dryer, viewed from the rear side. FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional front view of the housing and the main parts of the heat pump. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the casing and heat pump of the drum type washer/dryer seen from the front side. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the holder that holds the refrigerant circulation path of the heat pump, viewed from the rear side. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the holder viewed from the front. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the main parts of the drum-type washer/dryer, including a partially planar cross section. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the main parts of the drum-type washer/dryer, including a partially planar cross section.

Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional left side view of a drum-type washer-dryer 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 1 is referred to as the left-right direction X of the drum-type washer-dryer 1, the left-right direction in FIG. 1 is referred to as the front-rear direction Y of the drum-type washer-dryer 1, and the up-down direction in FIG. This is referred to as the vertical direction Z of the dryer 1. In the left-right direction X, the back side in the paper of FIG. 1 is referred to as the right side X1, and the front side in the paper of FIG. 1 is referred to as the left side X2. In the longitudinal direction Y, the left side in FIG. 1 is referred to as the front side Y1, and the right side in FIG. 1 is referred to as the rear side Y2. In the vertical direction Z, the upper side is referred to as upper side Z1, and the lower side is referred to as lower side Z2. For convenience of explanation, the right side X1 and the left side X2 are defined with reference to the drum type washer/dryer 1 viewed from the rear side Y2.

The drum-type washer/dryer 1 includes a housing 2, an outer tank 3 housed in the housing 2, a water supply channel 4 and a drainage channel 5 connected to the outer tank 3, and the outer tank through the drainage channel 5. and a drainage filter 6 for capturing foreign matter from the water discharged from the water. The drum-type washer/dryer 1 also includes a drum 7 housed in an outer tub 3, a motor 8 that rotates the drum 7, and a drying unit 9 that dries the laundry L in the drum 7.

The housing 2 is formed into a box shape. Therefore, the housing 2 has a front wall 2A, a rear wall 2B, a left wall 2C, and a right wall 2D that extend vertically, and a top wall 2E and a bottom wall 2F that extend horizontally. An opening 2G that communicates the inside and outside of the housing 2 is formed in the front wall 2A. The front wall 2A is provided with a door 10 that opens and closes the opening 2G. A vertically long opening 2I covered by a cover 2H is formed in the center of the rear wall 2B (see also FIG. 4, which will be described later). The bottom wall 2F is separated into a right bottom wall 2J extending from the lower end of the right wall 2D to the left side X2, and a left bottom wall 2K extending from the lower end of the left wall 2C to the right side X1 (see FIG. 2 described later). The lower ends of two shock absorbers 11 extending toward the upper side Z1 are connected to each of the right bottom wall 2J and the left bottom wall 2K in a state of being lined up in the front-rear direction (see also FIG. 2).

The outer tank 3 is connected to the upper end of each shock absorber 11. Thereby, the outer tank 3 is elastically supported by the bottom wall 2F of the housing 2 via each shock absorber 11. The outer tank 3 includes a cylindrical circumferential wall 3A centered on an axis J extending in the front-rear direction Y along the horizontal direction H, and a disk-shaped back wall 3B that closes the hollow portion of the circumferential wall 3A from the rear side Y2. , and a ring-shaped front wall 3C connected to the front edge of the circumferential wall 3A. The back wall 3B is arranged vertically and has an annular outer peripheral part 3D and a cylindrical central part 3E that protrudes one step further to the rear side Y2 than the outer peripheral part 3D. A through hole 3F is formed at the center of the central portion 3E, passing through the central portion 3E in the front-rear direction Y along the axis J. The front wall 3C includes an annular first portion 3G that protrudes from the front edge of the circumferential wall 3A toward the axis J side, a cylindrical second portion 3H that protrudes from the inner circumferential edge of the first portion 3G toward the front side Y1, and It has an annular third part 3I that projects from the front edge of the second part 3H toward the axis J side. Inside the third portion 3I, an entrance/exit 3J is formed that communicates with the hollow portion of the circumferential wall 3A from the front side Y1. The entrance/exit 3J faces and communicates with the opening 2G of the housing 2 from the rear side Y2.

The water supply channel 4 has one end (not shown) connected to a faucet (not shown) and the other end 4A connected to, for example, a central portion 3E of the back wall 3B of the outer tank 3. At the time of water supply, water from the faucet is supplied into the outer tank 3 from the water supply channel 4. Water such as tap water or detergent water containing detergent dissolved in tap water is stored in the outer tank 3. A water supply valve 12 that is opened and closed to start and stop water supply is provided in the middle of the water supply channel 4.

The drainage channel 5 is connected to the lower end of the outer tank 3, for example, to the lower end of the first portion 3G of the front wall 3C. The water in the outer tank 3 is discharged to the outside of the machine through a drainage channel 5. A drain valve 13 is provided in the middle of the drain channel 5, which is opened and closed to start and stop draining.

The drainage filter 6 is provided at an upstream portion of the drainage channel 5 closer to the outer tank 3 than the drainage valve 13. Since the front end of the drain filter 6 is exposed from the front wall 2A of the housing 2 to the front side Y1, the user can attach and detach the drain filter 6 to and from the housing 2 by grasping the front end of the drain filter 6. . As the structure of the drainage filter 6, a known structure can be used.

The drum 7 is one size smaller than the outer tank 3. The drum 7 includes a cylindrical circumferential wall 7A disposed coaxially with the circumferential wall 3A of the outer 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 drum 7, and water in the outer tank 3 flows back and forth between the outer tank 3 and the drum 7 via the through holes 7D. Therefore, the water level in the outer tank 3 and the water level in the drum 7 match. At the center of the back wall 7B of the drum 7, a support shaft 14 is provided that extends along the axis J toward the rear side Y2. The rear end portion of the support shaft 14 passes through the through hole 3F of the rear wall 3B of the outer tank 3 and is disposed on the rear side Y2 of the rear wall 3B.

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

The motor 8 is disk-shaped and has approximately the same outer diameter as the center part 3E of the back wall 3B of the outer tank 3, and is arranged in the housing 2 on the rear side Y2 of the center part 3E and fixed to the center part 3E. Ru. The motor 8 is connected to a support shaft 14 provided on the drum 7. The driving force generated by the motor 8 is transmitted to the support shaft 14, and the drum 7 is driven to rotate 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 an air circulation path 20 and a blower section 21 for circulating the air in the outer tank 3, a filter unit 22 for capturing foreign matter from the circulating air, and a branch for maintaining the filter unit 22. It includes a passage 23 and a water injection valve 24 . The drying unit 9 further includes a heat pump 25 as a heating section that heats the circulating air.

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

The blowing unit 21 is a fan that includes a rotating blade 21A disposed in an upstream region near the outlet 20D in the middle portion 20A of the air circulation path 20, and an electric motor 21B that rotates the rotating blade 21A. When the rotating blade 21A rotates, the air in the outer tank 3, that is, the air in the outer tank 3 and the drum 7, is taken out from the outlet 20D into the air circulation path 20 as shown by the thick broken line arrow. It is returned into the outer tank 3 through the return port 20E. Thereby, the air in the outer tank 3 is circulated so as to flow through the outer tank 3 and the air circulation path 20 in order.

The filter unit 22 is arranged in a region closer to the outlet 20D than the rotating blade 21A in the air circulation path 20, specifically in the rear portion 20B. The filter unit 22 includes one or more filters F made of, for example, a mesh sheet. The filter F is disposed in a vertically extending position at a position through which the air flowing through the air circulation path 20 passes. When a plurality of filters F are provided, these filters F are arranged to overlap in the air flow direction in the air circulation path 20. When the air taken out from the outlet 20D and flowing through the air circulation path 20 for circulation passes through the filter F, foreign matter such as lint contained in this air is captured by the filter F.

The branch path 23 branches from an upstream portion of the water supply channel 4 closer to the faucet than the water supply valve 12 and is connected to the filter unit 22 . The water injection valve 24 is provided in the branch path 23 and is opened and closed to start and stop water injection into the filter F of the filter unit 22. When the water injection valve 24 opens, water from the water supply channel 4 is supplied to the filter unit 22 through the branch channel 23, and is poured into the filter F from the upper side Z1. As a result, the foreign matter captured by the filter F peels off from the filter F, falls into the outer tank 3 from the outlet 20D of the air circulation path 20, and is captured by the drainage filter 6. The foreign matter captured by the drain filter 6 is removed when the user removes the drain filter 6 at an appropriate time for maintenance. Note that the filter unit 22 may include an electric wiper (not shown) that rotates to remove foreign matter from the filter F.

The heat pump 25 includes a compressor 26 that compresses the refrigerant, a heat exchanger 27 that exchanges heat between the refrigerant and the air in the air circulation path 20, and circulates the refrigerant between the compressor 26 and the heat exchanger 27. It has a refrigerant circulation path 28.

As the compressor 26, a known electric compressor can be employed. The compressor 26 is arranged at a position lower than the axis J, which is the axis of rotation of the drum 7. Specifically, with reference to FIG. 2, the compressor 26 is arranged between the front and rear shock absorbers 11 in the lower region P between the bottom wall 2F of the housing 2 and the circumferential wall 3A of the outer tank 3, It is fixed to the right bottom wall 2J. The lower region P is a substantially triangular prism-shaped space extending in the front-rear direction Y and partitioned by the lower right outer circumferential surface of the circumferential wall 3A, the right wall 2D, and the right bottom wall 2J.

The compressor 26 includes a cylindrical casing 30 extending in the vertical direction Z and a plate-shaped bracket 31 provided at the lower end of the casing 30. The bracket 31 has a plurality of protrusions 31A protruding from the lower end of the casing 30. In this state, the bracket 31 has three protrusions 31A: a protrusion 31A protruding to the front side Y1, a protrusion 31A protruding to the rear side Y2, and a protrusion 31A protruding to either the right side X1 or the left side X2. has.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional front view of the right bottom wall 2J of the housing 2 and the bracket 31 when cut at a position passing through the protruding portion 31A of the bracket 31 that protrudes from the casing 30 toward the front side Y1. A through hole 31B that penetrates the protrusion 31A in the vertical direction Z is formed in each protrusion 31A, and a through hole 31B that penetrates the right bottom wall 2J in the vertical direction Z is formed in the right bottom wall 2J at a position directly below the through hole 31B. A through hole 2L is formed.

A vibration isolation member 32 is arranged between each protrusion 31A and the right bottom wall 2J. The vibration isolating member 32 is a cylindrical grommet having a through hole 32A extending in the vertical direction Z, and is made of an elastic material such as rubber. A groove 32B extending along the circumferential direction is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the upper end of the vibration isolating member 32. The upper end of the vibration isolating member 32 is inserted into the through hole 31B of the protrusion 31A from the lower side Z2, and the peripheral edge of the through hole 31B in the protrusion 31A is fitted into the groove 32B of the vibration isolating member 32. The threaded portion 33A of the bolt 33 is inserted into the through hole 2L of the right bottom wall 2J and the through hole 32A of the vibration isolating member 32 from the lower side Z2, and is arranged so as to protrude from the through hole 32A to the upper side Z1. A nut 34 is attached to the threaded portion 33A, and the vibration isolating member 32 is sandwiched between the head 33B located at the lower end of the bolt 33 and the nut 34. Thereby, each protrusion 31A of the bracket 31 is fixed to the right bottom wall 2J via the vibration isolating member 32, so the entire compressor 26 including the bracket 31 is fixed to the right bottom wall 2J.

Referring to FIG. 4, the heat exchanger 27 is arranged in the intermediate portion 20A of the air circulation path 20 on the downstream side closer to the return port 20E than the rotary blade 21A of the blowing section 21, specifically in the front side Y1 region. (See also Figure 1). Since the middle portion 20A is arranged at a higher position than the outer tank 3 as described above, the heat exchanger 27 in the middle part 20A is arranged at a higher position than the axis J of the outer tank 3. In addition, in FIG. 4, a part of illustration of 20 A of intermediate parts is abbreviate|omitted so that the heat exchanger 27 can be seen. The heat exchanger 27 includes a first heat exchanger 27A on the heating side, a second heat exchanger 27B on the cooling side, and a capillary tube 27C connecting the first heat exchanger 27A and the second heat exchanger 27B. .

In the intermediate portion 20A, in this embodiment, the first heat exchanger 27A is disposed on the downstream side of the rotary blade 21A, that is, on the front side Y1, and the second heat exchanger 27B is disposed on the downstream side of the first heat exchanger 27A. placed on the side. The layout of the first heat exchanger 27A and the second heat exchanger 27B within the intermediate portion 20A can be changed arbitrarily. The first heat exchanger 27A is provided with a plurality of radiation fins 27D, and the second heat exchanger 27B is provided with a plurality of cooling fins 27E. A refrigerant flow path (not shown) is provided inside each of the first heat exchanger 27A and the second heat exchanger 27B. The capillary tube 27C connects the flow path in the first heat exchanger 27A and the flow path in the second heat exchanger 27B.

The refrigerant circulation path 28 is constituted by a pipe made of metal such as copper, and connects the compressor 26 and the heat exchanger 27. The refrigerant circulation path 28 is a circulation flow path that takes out the refrigerant from the compressor 26 and then returns it to the compressor 26 via the heat exchanger 27. The refrigerant circulation path 28 includes a sending flow path 28A that takes out the refrigerant from the compressor 26 and sends it to a flow path in the first heat exchanger 27A, and a second heat exchanger from the first heat exchanger 27A via a capillary tube 27C. It has a return side flow path 28B that returns the refrigerant that has flowed through the flow path in the container 27B to the compressor 26. The flow path in the first heat exchanger 27A may be considered as part of the sending flow path 28A, and the flow path in the second heat exchanger 27B may be considered as part of the return flow path 28B. Most of the outer peripheral surfaces of each of the sending-side flow path 28A and the return-side flow path 28B are covered with an elastic member 29 made of rubber or the like.

The drum-type washer/dryer 1 includes a control section 35 (see FIG. 1) configured by a board on which a microcomputer is mounted. Electrical components such as the motor 8, the water supply valve 12, the drain valve 13, the air blower 21, the water injection valve 24, and the heat pump 25 are electrically connected to the control unit 35. The control unit 35 executes the washing and drying operation by controlling the operations of these electrical components. The washing and drying operation includes a washing process, a rinsing process, a dehydration process, and a drying process. The drying process may be performed as a separate drying operation separately from the washing and drying operation.

Prior to the start of the washing process, detergent is poured into the drum 7. In the washing process, the control unit 35 closes the drain valve 13 and opens the water supply valve 12 for a predetermined period of time to supply water to the outer tank 3 and the drum 7, and then rotates the drum 7 with the motor 8. As a result, the laundry L in the drum 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 drum 7. After a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the start of tumbling, the controller 35 opens the drain valve 13 to drain water, and the washing process ends.

In the rinsing step, the controller 35 closes the drain valve 13 and opens the water supply valve 12 for a predetermined period of time to supply water to the outer tank 3 and the drum 7, and then rotates the drum 7 with the motor 8. Then, since the above-described tumbling is repeated, the laundry L is rinsed with tap water in the drum 7. When the control unit 35 drains the water after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of tumbling, the rinsing process ends. The rinsing step may be repeated multiple times. In the dehydration process, the control unit 35 rotates the drum 7 for dehydration while keeping the drain valve 13 open. The laundry L inside the drum 7 is dehydrated by the centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the drum 7 for dewatering. Water seeped out of the laundry L due to dehydration is discharged from the drain channel 5 to the outside of the machine. The dehydration step may be performed not only after the rinsing step but also after the washing step.

In the drying process, the control unit 35 operates the blower unit 21 and the compressor 26 of the heat pump 25 to generate hot air and circulate it between the drum 7 and the air circulation path 20 to remove the laundry L in the drum 7. supply to. Specifically, in the heat pump 25, the refrigerant becomes high temperature and high pressure by being compressed by the compressor 26, and then radiates heat when passing through the first heat exchanger 27A via the sending channel 28A. In the first heat exchanger 27A, the heat radiation fins 27D become high in temperature due to heat radiation of the refrigerant. The air flowing in the air circulation path 20 is heated and becomes hot air when passing around the radiation fins 27D. That is, the air in the air circulation path 20 becomes hot air through heat exchange with the refrigerant flowing through the first heat exchanger 27A. This hot air flows out into the outer tub 3 and is supplied to the laundry L in the drum 7, thereby drying the laundry L.

On the other hand, the refrigerant that has passed through the first heat exchanger 27A is reduced in pressure when passing through the capillary tube 27C and has a low temperature, and then cools the cooling fins 27E when passing through the second heat exchanger 27B. . Air containing moisture evaporated from the laundry L during drying is dehumidified as it passes around the cooling fins 27E in the air circulation path 20. The dehumidified air is turned into hot air by the first heat exchanger 27A and reused for drying the laundry L.

Foreign matter such as lint flows along with the hot air during the drying process, but is captured by the filter F of the filter unit 22 as described above. At an appropriate timing during or after the drying process, the control unit 35 opens the water injection valve 24 to inject water into the filter F to remove foreign matter from the filter F as a maintenance process.

During the washing operation, especially during the dewatering process, the outer tub 3 and the motor 8 vibrate as the drum 7 rotates. Furthermore, during the drying process, vibrations occur in response to the operation of the compressor 26 of the heat pump 25. In the heat pump 25, the compressor 26 and the heat exchanger 27 are disposed apart in the vertical direction Z and are connected by the refrigerant circulation path 28, so that the refrigerant circulation path 28 is long. In this case, a problem is assumed in which the refrigerant circulation path 28 is subjected to vibrations from the outer tank 3 or the motor 8, or the vibrations of the refrigerant circulation path 28 itself are transmitted to the housing 2. In order to prevent such a problem, the drum-type washer/dryer 1 includes a holder 40 that is fixed to the housing 2 and holds the refrigerant circulation path 28.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of only the holder 40 fixed to the housing 2 taken out and seen from the rear side Y2. The holder 40 is made of resin, for example, and is formed in a curved rail shape. With reference to the state fixed to the housing 2, the holder 40 has a lower end portion 40A extending diagonally to the upper left side, an upper end portion 40B extending toward the upper side Z1, and a curved portion 40C connecting these. The curved portion 40C curves from the lower end portion 40A to the upper side Z1, then extends vertically to the upper side Z1, curves to the left side X2, and then curves to the upper side Z1 to connect to the upper end portion 40B. The direction from the lower end 40A to the upper end 40B or the direction from the upper end 40B to the lower end 40A is the longitudinal direction of the holder 40.

The holder 40 integrally includes a pair of left and right band-shaped side plates 41 that are curved in the same way as the overall shape of the holder 40, and a bottom plate 42 that is installed between these side plates 41 and is curved in the same way as each side plate 41 when viewed from the front. have The holder 40 also integrally has a partition plate 43 arranged between these side plates 41 and protruding from the bottom plate 42 toward the front side Y1 and curved like each side plate 41. A groove 40D is formed in the holder 40, which is sandwiched between the side plates 41 and closed by the bottom plate 42 from the rear side Y2. The groove portion 40D is open toward the front side Y1 over the entire length of the holder 40, and is open toward the lower right side at the lower end portion 40A, and toward the upper side Z1 at the upper end portion 40B. The groove portion 40D is divided by the partition plate 43 into a first groove portion 40E on the left side X2 and a second groove portion 40F on the right side X1. The first groove portion 40E and the second groove portion 40F are curved elongated groove-like spaces similar to the side plates 41 and the partition plate 43, and have approximately the same size (see also FIG. 6, which will be described later).

At the front edge of each side plate 41, one or more U-shaped notches 41A are formed. In each side plate 41, a plurality of reinforcing ribs 41D extending in the front-rear direction Y are provided at positions avoiding the notch 41A on the outer surface 41C opposite to the inner surface 41B facing the groove 40D.

The bottom plate 42 is connected to the center portion of each side plate 41 in the front-rear direction Y. A plurality of reinforcing ribs 42A protruding toward the rear side Y2 are provided on the rear surface of the bottom plate 42. Each rib 42A is constructed between ribs 41D located at the same or substantially the same position in the longitudinal direction of the holder 40 on the pair of side plates 41. Thereby, all the ribs 42A and the pair of side plates 41 are arranged in a ladder shape when viewed from the rear.

A plurality of bosses 42B protruding toward the rear side Y2 are provided on the rear surface of the bottom plate 42. In this embodiment, a total of three bosses 42B are provided, one each in the vicinity of the lower end 40A and the upper end 40B of the holder 40, and the bosses 42B are located halfway between the lower end 40A and the upper end 40B. The holders 40 are arranged in line in the longitudinal direction of the holder 40 so that one is disposed in each of the holders 40 . Each boss 42B may be provided at a position overlapping the rib 42A, or may be provided at a position avoiding the rib 42A. A screw hole 42C extending toward the front side Y1 is formed in the rear end surface of each boss 42B.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of only the holder 40 fixed to the housing 2 taken out and seen from the front side Y1. In the partition plate 43, a pair of cuts 43A passing through the partition plate 43 in the thickness direction are formed at each of a plurality of positions in the longitudinal direction. A portion of the partition plate 43 between the pair of notches 43A constitutes an elastically deformable small piece-shaped engagement portion 43B. A plurality of engaging portions 43B are provided side by side in the longitudinal direction of the partition plate 43. The front end portion forming the tip end portion 43C of each engaging portion 43B has a T-shaped cross section by extending to both the first groove portion 40E and the second groove portion 40F (see also FIG. 8 described later). The rear end portion of each engaging portion 43B constitutes a root portion 43D. A hollow hole 42D penetrating the bottom plate 42 is formed around the root portion 43D of each engaging portion 43B in the bottom plate 42. The lightening hole 42D is provided on both sides of the root portion 43D of each engaging portion 43B at a position avoiding the rib 42A and the boss 42B (see FIG. 5).

The holder 40 is arranged between the rear wall 2B of the housing 2 and the rear wall 3B of the outer tank 3, with the first groove 40E and the second groove 40F open toward the front side Y1. The entire holder 40 is arranged on the upper right side of the opening 2I so as to bypass the opening 2I of the rear wall 2B (see FIG. 4). In the holder 40, the curved part 40C between the lower end part 40A and the upper end part 40B is separated from the outer tank 3 and the motor 8 while along the center part 3E of the back wall 3B and the right outer peripheral surface of the motor 8. (See Figure 2).

As shown in FIG. 7, the rear end surface of each boss 42B, which is a part of the holder 40, is arranged in contact with the rear wall 2B from the front side Y1. A through hole 2M that penetrates the rear wall 2B in the front-rear direction Y is formed at a position in the rear wall 2B that overlaps with the screw hole 42C of each boss 42B. A bolt 45, which is an example of a fixing member, is assembled into the screw hole 42C from the rear side Y2 through the through hole 2M. As a result, each boss 42B is fixed to the rear wall 2B, so the entire holder 40 is fixed to the housing 2.

As shown in FIG. 8, which shows a cross section at a position different from that in FIG. It is contactless. Further, in the holder 40, the sending side flow path 28A in the refrigerant circulation path 28 is fitted into the first groove portion 40E in the groove portion 40D from the front side Y1, and the return side flow path 28B in the refrigerant circulation path 28 is fitted into the second groove portion in the groove portion 40D. 40F from the front side Y1. The portions of each of the sending-side flow path 28A and the return-side flow path 28B that are fitted into the groove portion 40D are arranged in a curved manner along the holder 40 (see FIG. 4). The tip end portion 43C of each engaging portion 43B located between the first groove portion 40E and the second groove portion 40F in the holder 40 engages with the elastic member 29 that covers each of the sending side flow path 28A and the return side flow path 28B. match. Since each engaging portion 43B is elastically deformable, it engages with the elastic member 29 so that each of the sending-side flow path 28A and the return-side flow path 28B can be displaced within the groove portion 40D.

Portions of each of the sending-side flow path 28A and the return-side flow path 28B connected to the compressor 26 are bent toward the rear side Y2 so as to approach the holder 40 (see FIG. 2). Portions of each of the sending-side flow path 28A and the return-side flow path 28B that protrude from the holder 40 toward the upper side Z1 are bent toward the front side Y1 so as to approach the heat exchanger 27 (see FIG. 2). By accommodating each of the sending-side flow path 28A and the return-side flow path 28B in the groove 40D of the holder 40 or bending them outside the groove 40D, the refrigerant circulation path 28 can be routed in the shortest distance and connected to the compressor 26. It can be connected to a heat exchanger 27.

As described above, the refrigerant circulation path 28 is fixed to the housing 2 by being held by the holder 40 on the side of the housing 2 that accommodates the outer tank 3. Therefore, compared to the case where the refrigerant circulation path 28 is fixed to the outer tank 3, the refrigerant circulation path 28 is separated from the outer tank 3 and the motor 8, so that the vibrations of the outer tank 3 and the motor 8 are transmitted to the refrigerant circulation path 28. Since it is difficult for the refrigerant to be transmitted, problems such as damage to the refrigerant circulation path 28 caused by vibrations of the outer tank 3 and the motor 8 can be prevented.

Further, in the holder 40, only the boss 42B, which is a part thereof, is fixed to the housing 2, so even if the vibration of the compressor 26 is transmitted to the holder 40 via the refrigerant circulation path 28, this vibration will be transmitted from the holder 40. Difficult to transmit to case 2. Therefore, the problem of vibration of the housing 2 caused by the refrigerant circulation path 28 can be prevented.

Further, the refrigerant circulation path 28 is fitted into the groove 40D of the holder 40 while being covered with an elastic member 29, and each engaging portion 43B of the holder 40 has elasticity so that the refrigerant circulation path 28 can be displaced within the groove 40D. engages member 29; That is, the refrigerant circulation path 28 is loosely held by the holder 40 while being covered by the elastic member 29 . Therefore, the refrigerant circulation path 28 is fitted into the groove portion 40D with play depending on the thickness of the elastic member 29 and the amount of elastic deformation of the engaging portion 43B. Therefore, even if the vibration of the compressor 26 is transmitted to the refrigerant circulation path 28, this vibration is absorbed by the displacement of the refrigerant circulation path 28 due to the elastic deformation of the elastic member 29 and the engaging portion 43B. 40 and casing 2. Therefore, the problem of vibration of the housing 2 caused by the refrigerant circulation path 28 can be prevented. In addition, the elastic member 29 has a function as a heat insulating material in addition to the function of preventing vibrations, so that, for example, in the sending side flow path 28A of the refrigerant circulation path 28, the refrigerant that has been compressed by the compressor 26 and becomes high temperature can be delivered to the heat exchanger 27 while maintaining its temperature.

Further, as described above, while the compressor 26 is arranged at a position lower than the axis J, the heat exchanger 27 is arranged at a position higher than the axis J. Therefore, the compressor 26 and the heat exchanger 27 are arranged separately in the vertical direction Z. With this configuration, compared to a conventional configuration in which the compressor 26 and the heat exchanger 27 are integrated, the height of the casing 2 can be suppressed and the volume of the casing 2 can be reduced.

Furthermore, when the compressor 26 and the heat exchanger 27 are arranged separately, the compressor 26 is less affected by the heat of the heat exchanger 27, and unlike the conventional configuration, the compressor 26 and the heat exchanger 27 are arranged separately. Since there is no need to house the compressor 27 in a case, heat is less likely to accumulate around the compressor 26. Therefore, after the operation of the compressor 26 is stopped, natural cooling of the compressor 26 can be easily promoted, so that the cooling performance of the compressor 26 can also be improved. Furthermore, when a case housing the heat exchanger 27 is used, it is not necessary to form a vent in the case for cooling the compressor 26 or to provide an on-off valve to open and close the vent. Therefore, the airtightness in the outer tank 3 and the air circulation path 20 can be improved to prevent moisture from leaking out.

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 drum-type washer/dryer 1, instead of the configuration in which the drum 7 is arranged so that the axis J is along the horizontal direction H, the drum 7 may be arranged so that the axis J is inclined in the horizontal direction H. .

1 Drum type washer/dryer 2 Housing 3 Outer tank 7 Drum 20 Air circulation path 20D Outlet port 20E Return port 21 Air blower 25 Heat pump 26 Compressor 27 Heat exchanger 28 Refrigerant circulation path 29 Elastic member 40 Holder 40D Groove portion 43B Engagement portion 45 bolts L laundry J axis

Claims (3)

A casing and
an outer tank that is housed within the housing and stores water;
a drum housed in the outer tub, driven to rotate about a rotational axis extending in the front-rear direction, and accommodating laundry;
an air circulation path having an outlet and a return port connected to the outer tank;
a blower section that is provided in the air circulation path and circulates the air in the outer tank by taking it out from the outlet into the air circulation path and returning it into the outer tank from the return port;
A compressor that is disposed at a position lower than the rotational axis and compresses the refrigerant, and a compressor that is disposed within the air circulation path at a position higher than the rotational axis and heat exchanges between the refrigerant and the air in the air circulation path. a heat exchanger for carrying out the above-mentioned heat exchanger, a sending-side flow path of a refrigerant circulation path that sends refrigerant from the compressor to the heat exchanger, and a return-side flow path of the refrigerant circulation path that returns refrigerant from the heat exchanger to the compressor. a heat pump having;
A drum-type washer/dryer, comprising: a holder fixed to the casing and holding both the sending-side flow path and the return-side flow path of the refrigerant circulation path outside the air circulation path. The holder includes a first groove portion in which the sending-side flow path is arranged, a second groove portion in which the return-side flow path is arranged, and a space between the first groove portion and the return-side flow path. The drum-type washer/dryer according to claim 1, further comprising a partition plate forming a second groove . The drum - type washer/dryer according to claim 2 , wherein the holder has an engaging portion extending from the partition plate to the first groove side and the second groove side .

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