US20180291544A1 - Washing and drying machine - Google Patents

Washing and drying machine Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20180291544A1
US20180291544A1 US15/767,101 US201615767101A US2018291544A1 US 20180291544 A1 US20180291544 A1 US 20180291544A1 US 201615767101 A US201615767101 A US 201615767101A US 2018291544 A1 US2018291544 A1 US 2018291544A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
washing
outer tub
hot air
air
accommodating chamber
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US15/767,101
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Takahiro Tsuji
Ryuji KANEDA
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Qingdao Haier Washing Machine Co Ltd
Aqua Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Qingdao Haier Washing Machine Co Ltd
Aqua Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Qingdao Haier Washing Machine Co Ltd, Aqua Co Ltd filed Critical Qingdao Haier Washing Machine Co Ltd
Assigned to QINGDAO HAIER WASHING MACHINE CO., LTD., AQUA CO., LTD reassignment QINGDAO HAIER WASHING MACHINE CO., LTD. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: KANEDA, Ryuji, TSUJI, TAKAHIRO
Publication of US20180291544A1 publication Critical patent/US20180291544A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F25/00—Washing machines with receptacles, e.g. perforated, having a rotary movement, e.g. oscillatory movement, the receptacle serving both for washing and for centrifugally separating water from the laundry and having further drying means, e.g. using hot air 
    • D06F33/02—
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F39/00—Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00 
    • D06F39/04—Heating arrangements
    • D06F58/28—
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F58/00—Domestic laundry dryers
    • D06F58/30—Drying processes 
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F58/00—Domestic laundry dryers
    • D06F58/32—Control of operations performed in domestic laundry dryers 
    • D06F58/34—Control of operations performed in domestic laundry dryers  characterised by the purpose or target of the control
    • D06F58/36—Control of operational steps, e.g. for optimisation or improvement of operational steps depending on the condition of the laundry
    • D06F58/38—Control of operational steps, e.g. for optimisation or improvement of operational steps depending on the condition of the laundry of drying, e.g. to achieve the target humidity
    • D06F2058/2864—
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F2103/00—Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2103/28—Air properties
    • D06F2103/36—Flow or velocity
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F2105/00—Systems or parameters controlled or affected by the control systems of washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2105/16—Air properties
    • D06F2105/24—Flow or velocity
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F2105/00—Systems or parameters controlled or affected by the control systems of washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2105/28—Electric heating
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F2105/00—Systems or parameters controlled or affected by the control systems of washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2105/30—Blowers
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F33/00—Control of operations performed in washing machines or washer-dryers 
    • D06F33/50—Control of washer-dryers characterised by the purpose or target of the control
    • D06F33/72—Control of the energy or water consumption
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F37/00—Details specific to washing machines covered by groups D06F21/00 - D06F25/00
    • D06F37/26—Casings; Tubs
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F58/00—Domestic laundry dryers
    • D06F58/20—General details of domestic laundry dryers 

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to a washing and drying machine.
  • washing and drying machine implemented by adding a drying function to a so-called swirl type washing machine (fully automatic washing machine), in which clothes are washed by a water flow generated in a washing/dewatering tub through a pulsator disposed at the bottom of the washing/dewatering tub, is known.
  • An example of such a washing and drying machine is disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example.
  • a hot air supplying unit for supplying high-temperature air into the washing/dewatering tub is disposed on a top plate having a loading port for washings.
  • An opening of the upper surface of an outer tub equipped with the washing/dewatering tub is covered by an outer tub cover having an inner lid.
  • the hot air generated by the hot air supplying unit is blown into the washing/dewatering tub from the above of the outer tub through a hot air duct connected to the outer tub cover.
  • the inner lid is formed with an exhaust hole through which the hot air supplied to the washing tub flows to the outside of the outer tub and is discharged to the outside of the machine through a vent hole or the like on the back of an outer box.
  • Patent Literature 1 Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2007-44228
  • the present disclosure is made in view of the above problem, and aims to provide a washing and drying machine capable of improving the drying efficiency.
  • a washing and drying machine includes an outer tub elastically supported in a housing; a washing/dewatering tub rotatably arranged in the outer tub; a hot air supplying portion including a heater and a fan, where air heated by the heater is supplied into the washing/dewatering tub by the fan from an upper part of the outer tub; and a discharging port arranged at a lower part of the outer tub and configured to discharge the air which has been in contact with washings in the washing/dewatering tub.
  • the discharging port for the air inside the outer tub is formed at the lower part of the outer tub, the hot air fed into the outer tub from the above easily spreads to the lower part of the washing/dewatering tub. As a result, the hot air easily permeates the washings in the washing/dewatering tub, so that an improvement in drying efficiency can be expected.
  • the washing and drying machine further includes an exhaust portion through which no water stored in the outer tub leaks during a washing process, and the air flowing from the discharging port is discharged during a drying process.
  • the exhaust portion may include an exhaust duct connected to the discharging port and extending upward.
  • an exhaust port is formed in the exhaust duct at a position higher than a water overflowing level at which the water overflows from the outer tub.
  • the housing includes a top plate having a loading port for washings.
  • the hot air supplying portion is disposed in an accommodating chamber provided on the top plate.
  • An air inlet of the hot air supplying portion is arranged to be opposed to and separated from an inner wall surface of the accommodating chamber. The air flowing in the accommodating chamber is taken into the air inlet by the fan.
  • the air heated by the heat generated from the hot air supplying portion can be heated by the heater, it is possible to suppress the heating amount of the heater and suppress the power consumption of the washing and drying machine during the drying process.
  • the accommodating chamber further includes an opening communicating with a space between the housing and the outer tub, and the air in the space is taken into the accommodating chamber by the fan and flows in the accommodating chamber.
  • the housing may include a top plate having a loading port for washings.
  • the hot air supplying portion may be disposed in an accommodating chamber provided on the top plate.
  • the accommodating chamber has an opening communicating with a space between the housing and the outer tub.
  • the air inlet of the hot air supplying portion is arranged to be opposed to the opening, and the air in the space is taken into the air intake port by the fan.
  • the air heated by the heat generated from the outer tub can be taken into the hot air supplying portion, the power consumption of the washing and drying machine during the drying step can be suppressed.
  • the washing and drying machine further includes a controller configured to carry out a first drying operation and a second drying operation.
  • the first drying operation the heater and the fan are operated to supply the air heated by the heater into the outer tub from the hot air supplying portion.
  • the second drying operation follows the first drying operation. In the second drying operation, the heater is stopped and the fan is operated, so that the air being not heated by the heater is supplied into the outer tub from the hot air supplying portion.
  • the washings can be dried by using the residual heat of the hot air supplying portion and the outer tub, so that it is possible to suppress the power consumption of the washing and drying machine in the drying process.
  • FIG. 1 is a side sectional view illustrating a fully automatic washing and drying machine according to an embodiment.
  • FIG. 2 is a top view illustrating a fully automatic washing and drying machine with a rear cover being removed and an upper cover being opened according to an embodiment.
  • FIG. 3 is a top view illustrating a fully automatic washing and drying machine shown in FIG. 2 with a hot air supplying unit, a water supply unit and a water level sensor being further removed according to an embodiment.
  • FIG. 4 is a view illustrating an outer tub to which an exhaust duct is attached, as viewed from the rear, according to an embodiment.
  • FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating essential parts of the embodiment in which the outer tub and the exhaust duct are cut at the central portion in the left-right direction of the exhaust duct.
  • FIG. 6( a ) is a sectional view of the exhaust duct taken along line A-A′ in FIG. 5 according to the embodiment
  • FIG. 6( b ) is a sectional view of the exhaust duct taken along line B-B′ in FIG. 5 according to the embodiment.
  • FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a fully automatic washing and drying machine according to an embodiment.
  • FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating operation control actions in a drying process according to an embodiment.
  • FIG. 9 is a sectional view illustrating main parts in a configuration of a fully automatic washing and drying machine according to modification I.
  • FIG. 10 is a sectional view illustrating main parts in a configuration of a fully automatic washing and drying machine according to modification II.
  • FIG. 11 is a side sectional view of a fully automatic washing and drying machine according to modification III.
  • 1 Fully automatic washing and drying machine (washing and drying machine); 10 : Housing; 12 : Top plate; 14 : Loading port; 20 : Outer tub; 20 c : Discharging port; 24 , Washing/dewatering tub; 50 : Hot air supplying unit (hot air supplying portion); 50 A: Hot air supplying unit (hot air supplying portion); 51 a : Air inlet; 52 : Fan; 53 : Heater; 80 : Exhaust duct (exhaust portion); 83 : Exhaust port; 100 : Accommodating chamber; 106 : First opening (opening); 107 : Second opening (opening); 108 : Third opening (opening); 109 : Fourth opening (opening); 110 : Opening/closing valve (exhaust portion); 130 : Air intake (opening); 201 : Controller
  • FIGS. 1 to 3 are views illustrating a configuration of a fully automatic washing and drying machine 1 .
  • FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of the fully automatic washing and drying machine 1
  • FIG. 2 is a top view of the fully automatic washing and drying machine 1 with a rear cover 102 being removed and an upper cover 15 being opened.
  • FIG. 3 is a top view of the fully automatic washing and drying machine 1 shown in FIG. 2 with a hot air supplying unit 50 , a water supply unit 60 and a water level sensor 70 being further removed.
  • the fully automatic washing and drying machine 1 includes a housing 10 constituting an external appearance.
  • the housing 10 includes a body portion 11 in a rectangular barrel shape with upper and lower surfaces open, a top plate 12 for covering the upper surface of the body portion 11 , and a base 13 for supporting the body portion 11 .
  • a loading port 14 is formed in the top plate 12 .
  • the loading port 14 is covered with an openable and closable top cover 15 .
  • An outer tub 20 is elastically suspended and supported in the housing 10 by four hanging bars 21 having a vibration isolating device.
  • the upper surface of the outer tub 20 is covered with an outer tub cover 22 .
  • An opening 22 a having substantially the same size as the loading port 14 is formed in the outer tub cover 22 at a position opposite to the loading port 14 .
  • the opening 22 a is covered with an inner cover 23 so that the opening 22 a is opened or closed.
  • a washing/dewatering tub 24 is disposed in the outer tub 20 .
  • the washing/dewatering tub 24 rotates around a rotation axis extending in the vertical direction.
  • a plurality of dewatering holes 24 a are formed on the entire inner peripheral surface of the washing/dewatering tub 24 .
  • a balance ring 25 is provided on the upper portion of the washing/dewatering tub 24 .
  • a pulsator 26 is disposed at the bottom of the washing/dewatering tub 24 .
  • a plurality of blades 26 a are radially provided on the surface of the pulsator 26 .
  • a driving unit 30 configured to generate torques for driving the washing/dewatering tub 24 and the pulsator 26 is disposed at the outer bottom of the outer tub 20 .
  • the driving unit 30 includes a driving motor 31 and a transmission mechanism 32 .
  • the transmission mechanism 32 includes a clutch mechanism 32 a .
  • a drain outlet 20 a is formed at the outer bottom of the outer tub 20 .
  • the drain outlet 20 a is provided with a drain valve 40 which is connected to a drain hose 41 .
  • the drain valve 40 When the drain valve 40 is opened, water stored in the washing/dewatering tub 24 and the outer tub 20 is discharged to the outside of the machine through the drain hose 41 .
  • An operation portion 16 is provided on the front portion of the top plate 12 .
  • Various operation buttons such as a power button 16 a , a start button 16 b , a mode selection button 16 c , etc. are arranged in the operation portion 16 .
  • the power button 16 a is a button for turning on and turning off the power of the fully automatic washing and drying machine 1 .
  • the start button 16 b is a button for starting operations.
  • the mode selection button 16 c is a button for selecting an arbitrary operation mode from a plurality of operation modes related to a washing operation, a washing and drying operation and a drying operation.
  • An accommodating chamber 100 is provided at the rear portion of the top plate 12 , and is closed from the outside.
  • the accommodating chamber 100 is composed of an accommodating recess 101 and a rear cover 102 .
  • the accommodating recess 101 has a bottom surface 101 a , a front side surface 101 b , a rear side surface 101 c , a left side surface 101 d and a right side surface 101 e .
  • the top surface of the accommodating recess 101 is open and covered with the rear cover 102 .
  • a hot air supplying unit 50 , a water supply unit 60 , a water level sensor 70 and the like are arranged in the accommodating chamber 100 .
  • the hot air supplying unit 50 is disposed on the left side of the center in the accommodating chamber 100 .
  • the hot air supplying unit 50 includes a casing 51 , a fan 52 , a heater 53 and a hot air duct 54 .
  • the hot air supplying unit 50 is a hot air supplying portion of the present disclosure.
  • the casing 51 is in a substantially L-shaped rectangular shape which extends rightward and then bends forward.
  • an air inlet 51 a is formed on the rear surface on the left end side and an air outlet 51 b is formed on the bottom surface on the right end side.
  • the air inlet 51 a and the rear side face 101 c of the accommodating recess 101 are opposed and separated from each other, and no opening communicated with the outside (such as an air intake) is formed in a region opposed to the air inlet 51 a .
  • a plurality of first attachment portions 51 c used for fixing the hot air supplying unit 50 are provided at appropriate positions of the casing 51 .
  • the fan 52 is a centrifugal fan, and includes a blower 52 a and a motor 52 b for rotating the blower 52 a .
  • the blower 52 a is arranged in the casing 51 so as to face the air inlet 51 a .
  • the heater 53 is disposed downstream of the blower 52 a in the casing 51 .
  • the heater 53 is a self-temperature controllable PCT heater (a semiconductor heater) for which the lower the temperature of the air to be heated is, the larger the amount of heat generated will be. It is noted that a fan other than the centrifugal fan and a heater other than the PCT heater may be used for the hot air supplying unit 50 .
  • the hot air duct 54 is formed of an elastic member or the like to have flexibility, and has an end connected to the exhaust port 51 b of the casing 51 and the other end connected to the air outlet 20 b formed in the outer tub cover 22 .
  • the air outlet 20 b faces the interior of the washing/dewatering tub 24 .
  • the water supply unit 60 is disposed on the right side of the center in the accommodating chamber 100 .
  • the water supply unit 60 includes a water injection portion 61 , a water supply valve 62 , a bath water pump 63 and a water supply duct 64 .
  • the water injection portion 61 is in a rectangular shape which is long in the front-to-rear direction.
  • a first influx port 61 a and a second influx port 61 b for taking in tap water and a third influx port 61 c for taking in the bath water are formed on the upper surface of the water injection portion 61 , and a water injection port 61 d is formed at the bottom of the water injection portion 61 .
  • a softener box (not shown) into which the softener is charged is accommodated in the water injection portion 61 so that the softener box can be pulled out from the front.
  • a plurality of second attachment portions 61 e used for fixing the water supply unit 60 are provided at appropriate positions in the water injection portion 61 .
  • the water supply valve 62 is a dual valve having a first outflux port 62 a connected to the first influx port 61 a and a second outflux 62 b connected to the second influx port 61 b .
  • a first connection port 62 c is formed on the upper surface of the water supply valve 62 .
  • the first connection port 62 c faces outside while the accommodating recess 101 is covered with the rear cover 102 , and a water supply hose (not shown) extending from a faucet is connected to the first connection port 62 c.
  • a bath water supply hose 63 a of the bath water pump 63 is connected to the third influx port 61 c .
  • a second connection port 63 b is formed on the upper surface of the bath water pump 63 .
  • the second connection port 63 b faces outside while the accommodating recess 101 is covered with the rear cover 102 , and the bath water hose (not shown) is connected to the second connection port 63 b .
  • a water inlet at the top end of the bath water hose is immersed in the bathtub.
  • the water supply duct 64 is formed of an elastic member or the like to have flexibility. An end of the water supply duct 64 is connected to the water injection port 61 d , and the other end of the water supply duct 64 is connected to a water supply port (not shown) formed in the outer tub cover 22 .
  • the tap water is taken into the water injection portion 61 through the first influx port 61 a .
  • the taken-in tap water is discharged from the water injection port 61 d without passing through the softener box.
  • the bath water taken into the water injection portion 61 through the third influx port 61 c by the bath water pump 63 is also discharged from the water injection port 61 d without passing through the softener box.
  • the tap water is taken into the water injection portion 61 through the second influx port 61 b .
  • the taken-in tap water passes through the softener box, and is discharged from the water injection port 61 d while being mixed with the softener.
  • the tap water and the bath water discharged from the water injection port 61 d are supplied into the outer tub 20 via the water supply duct 64 .
  • the water level sensor 70 is disposed on the right side of the water supply valve 62 in the accommodating chamber 100 .
  • An air trap (not shown) is formed at the bottom of the outer tub 20 , and the water level sensor 70 and the air trap are connected through an air hose 71 .
  • the water level sensor 70 is configured to detect the water level in the washing/dewatering tub 24 (the outer tub 20 ).
  • a plurality of first attachment projections 103 corresponding to the first attachment portions 51 c are formed at a position where the hot air supplying unit 50 is disposed, and a plurality of second attachment projections 104 corresponding to the second attachment portions 61 e are formed at a position where the water supply unit 60 is disposed.
  • a sensor mounting portion 105 is formed at a position where the water level sensor 70 is disposed.
  • the following openings are formed on the bottom surface 101 a : a first opening 106 through which the hot air duct 54 and the water supply duct 64 are passed; a second opening 107 through which electric wires from the hot air supplying unit 50 are passed; a third opening 108 through which electric wires from the water supply unit 60 and the water level sensor 70 are passed and a fourth opening 109 through which the air hose 71 extending from the water level sensor 70 is passed.
  • the first opening 106 , the second opening 107 , the third opening 108 , and the fourth opening 109 correspond to the opening of the present disclosure.
  • the first attachment portion 51 c is fixed to the first attachment projection 103 by a screw.
  • the hot air supplying unit 50 is fixed in the accommodating chamber 100 without contacting the bottom surface 101 a of the accommodation recess 101 .
  • the second attachment portion 61 e of the water supply unit 60 is fixed to the second attachment projection 104 by a screw or the like, so that the water supply unit 60 is fixed in the accommodating chamber 100 without contacting the bottom surface 101 a of the accommodating recess 101 .
  • the water level sensor 70 is fixed to the sensor attachment portion 105 without contacting the bottom surface 101 a of the accommodating recess 101 .
  • no intake port for taking air into the accommodating chamber 100 is actively formed on any of the front, rear, right and left, and up and down wall surfaces.
  • the first opening 106 , the second opening 107 , the third opening 108 , and the fourth opening 109 formed in the bottom face 101 a of the accommodating recess 101 gaps are generated between these openings 106 ⁇ 109 and the hot air duct 54 , the water supply duct 64 , various electrical wires, the air hose 71 and the like passing through these openings 106 ⁇ 109 . Therefore, in the drying process, these openings 106 ⁇ 109 are served as air intake for taking air into the accommodating chamber 100 .
  • a discharging port 20 c is formed at a lower portion.
  • the discharging port 20 c is connected to an exhaust duct 80 .
  • the exhaust duct 80 extends upward, and an exhaust port 83 is formed near the upper end thereof.
  • the exhaust duct 80 is the exhaust portion of the present disclosure.
  • an external exhaust port 11 a constituted by a plurality of holes are formed.
  • the vertical position of the outer tub 20 changes depending on the weight of the washings thrown into the washing/dewatering tub 24 while the vertical position of the exhaust port 11 a of the exhaust duct 80 is varied accordingly, at least a part of the exhaust port 83 does not deviate from the external exhaust port 11 a , and preferably, the whole exhaust port 83 does not deviate from the external exhaust port 11 a.
  • FIG. 4 is a view illustrating the outer tub 20 to which the exhaust duct 80 is attached as viewed from the rear.
  • FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of essential parts of the outer tub 20 and the exhaust duct 80 cut at the central portion in the left-right direction of the exhaust duct 80 .
  • FIG. 6( a ) is a sectional view of the exhaust duct 80 taken along line A-A′ in FIG. 5
  • FIG. 6( b ) is a sectional view of the exhaust duct 80 taken along line B-B′ in FIG. 5 .
  • the exhaust port 83 is drawn with a dot dash line in FIG. 6( a ) for convenience.
  • the exhaust duct 80 is formed by overlapping a first casing 81 facing the housing 10 and a second casing 82 facing the outer tub 20 in the front and rear direction, and bonding a flange portion 81 a of the first casing 81 to a flange portion 82 a of the second casing 82 through a bonding method such as vibration welding to seal water.
  • the exhaust duct 80 has a substantially cuboid shape that is long in the vertical direction and flat in the front-rear direction.
  • a substantially rectangular exhaust port 83 is formed at the upper end of the exhaust duct 80 .
  • an intake port 84 is formed at the lower end of the exhaust duct 80 .
  • the intake port 84 has a cylindrical shape and protrudes into the exhaust duct 80 .
  • the width of the lower end of the exhaust duct 80 in the left-right direction gradually decreases toward the intake port 84 .
  • the discharging port 20 c formed at the lower portion of the side surface of the outer tub 20 has a cylindrical shape and protrudes outward.
  • the outer diameter of the discharging port 20 c is equal to the inner diameter of the intake port 84 of the exhaust duct 80 .
  • the exhaust duct 80 is fixed to the outer tub 20 in such a manner that the intake port 84 is fitted into the discharging port 20 c of the outer tub 20 and the surface facing the outer tub 20 is brought into close contact with the outer tub 20 .
  • the discharging port 20 c and the intake port 84 are connected in a water-sealed state by using a sealing element or the like.
  • An overflow chamber 90 is formed at the upper part of the outer tub 20 .
  • the upper side of a front wall 91 is opened toward the outer tub 20 .
  • An overflow opening 92 is formed at the bottom of the overflow chamber 90 .
  • a tip end 93 a of an overflow pipe 93 extending from the overflow opening 92 is connected to an overflow hose (not shown) extending to the drain hose 41 .
  • the water overflowing the overflow chamber 90 is discharged from the overflow opening 92 , and is guided to the drain hose 41 through the overflow pipe 93 and the overflow hose.
  • the exhaust port 83 of the exhaust duct 80 is formed at a position the height of which is higher than that of the front wall 91 , i.e. overflow water level Lofw. Since the overflow level Lofw is higher than the highest water level Lmax among the water levels determined according to the amount of the washings, the position of the exhaust port 83 is higher than the maximum water level Lmax.
  • the water accumulated in the exhaust duct 80 has the same level as the level of the water stored in the outer tub 20 during the washing process.
  • the exhaust port 83 of the exhaust duct 80 is formed at a position higher than the overflow level Lofw, it is possible to prevent the water from leaking from the exhaust port 83 during the washing process.
  • first barriers 85 and two second barriers 86 are arranged inside the exhaust duct 80 .
  • the first barriers 85 protrude from the left or right inner wall surface at the upper side of the exhaust duct 80
  • the second barriers 86 protrude from the left or right inner wall surface at the lower side of the exhaust duct 80 .
  • the protrusion length of the first barriers 85 is smaller than the protrusion length of the second barriers 86 .
  • the first barrier 85 , the second barrier 86 on the right side and the first barrier 85 , the second barrier 86 on the left side are formed at different height positions of the exhaust duct 80 .
  • the pulsator 26 rotates during the washing process, since the surface of the water fluctuates in the outer tub 20 and the exhaust duct 80 , the water may rise to a higher position in the exhaust duct 80 .
  • the first barriers 85 and the second barriers 86 can suppress the rise of water due to the fluctuation, the water is more difficult to leak from the exhaust port 83 during the washing.
  • the first barriers 85 located at the highest position in the exhaust duct 80 is arranged at a position higher than the overflow water level Lofw.
  • the protrusion length of the first barriers 85 and the protrusion length of the second barriers 86 may be the same.
  • the first barrier 85 , the second barrier 86 on the right side and the first barrier 85 , the second barrier 86 on the left side may be formed at the same height position of the exhaust duct 80 .
  • FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the fully automatic washing and drying machine 1 .
  • the fully automatic washing and drying machine 1 further includes a controlling unit 200 in addition to the components described above.
  • the controlling unit 200 includes a controller 201 , a memory 202 , a motor driver 203 , a clutch driver 204 , a water supply driver 205 , a pump driver 206 , a drain driver 207 , a fan driver 208 , and a heater driver 209 .
  • the operation portion 16 outputs, to the controller 201 , a signal input from a button operated by the user among various buttons such as the power button 16 a , the start button 16 b , the mode selection button 16 c and the like.
  • the water level sensor 70 is configured to detect the water level in the outer tub 20 and output a water level detection signal corresponding to the detected water level to the controller 201 .
  • the motor driver 203 is configured to drive a driving motor 31 according to a control signal from the controller 201 .
  • the clutch driver 204 is configured to drive a clutch mechanism 32 a according to the control signal output from the controller 201 .
  • the water supply driver 205 is configured to drive the water supply valve 62 according to a control signal from the controller 201 .
  • the pump driver 206 is configured to drive the bath water pump 63 according to a control signal from the controller 201 .
  • the drain driver 207 is configured to drive the drain valve 40 according to a control signal from the controller 201 .
  • the fan driver 208 is configured to drive the fan 52 according to a control signal output from the controller 201 .
  • the heater driver 209 is configured to drive the heater 53 according to a control signal output from the controller 201 .
  • the memory 202 includes an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a random access memory (RAM) and the like.
  • EEPROM electrically erasable programmable read-only memory
  • RAM random access memory
  • a program for executing a washing operation, a washing-drying operation, and a drying operation of various operation modes is stored in the memory 202 .
  • various parameters and various control flags used for executing these programs are stored in the memory 202 .
  • the controller 201 controls the motor driver 203 , the clutch driver 204 , the water supply driver 205 , the pump driver 206 , the drain driver 207 , the fan driver 208 , the heater driver 209 , and the like according to the program stored in the memory 202 .
  • the washing operation is an operation in which only the washing is performed, and a washing process, an intermediate dewatering process, a rinsing process and a final dewatering process are sequentially executed.
  • the washing-drying operation is an operation in which the washing process and the drying process are performed continuously, that is, the drying process is performed immediately after the final dewatering process.
  • the drying operation is an operation in which only the drying process is performed.
  • the pulsator 26 rotates in the right direction and the left direction while the water is stored in the washing/dewatering tub 24 .
  • a water flow is generated in the washing/dewatering tub 24 by the rotation of the pulsator 26 .
  • the washings are washed by the water flow generated and the detergent contained in the water.
  • the washings are rinsed by the water flow generated.
  • the washing/dewatering tub 24 and the pulsator 26 integrally rotate at a high speed.
  • the washings are dewatered by the action of the centrifugal force generated in the washing/dewatering tub 24 .
  • the hot air is supplied from the hot air supplying unit 50 into the outer tub 20 by operating the fan 52 and the heater 53 .
  • the pulsator 26 In the washing/dewatering tub 24 , the pulsator 26 repeatedly rotates clockwise and counterclockwise. The washings in the washing/dewatering tub 24 contact the hot air guided into the washing/dewatering tub 24 while being stirred by the pulsator 26 , and thus are dried.
  • FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating operation control actions in the drying process.
  • a heating-drying operation and a residual heat drying operation following the heating-drying operation are performed during the drying process.
  • the drying process will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 8 .
  • the controller 201 When the drying process is started, the controller 201 first executes the heating-drying operation. That is, the controller 201 controls the fan driver 208 to operate the fan 52 at a first rotation speed (S 1 ), and controls the heater driver 209 to operate the heater 53 (S 2 ).
  • the first rotation speed is, for example, 3500 rpm.
  • the controller 201 controls the motor driver 203 to operate the driving motor 31 , so as to drive the pulsator 26 to perform an inverse operation in left-right direction (S 3 ).
  • the ON/OFF time of the inversion operation is set as follows: ON for 3 seconds, and OFF for 1.5 seconds.
  • the ON time in the drying process is longer than the ON time of the usual washing process or the rinsing process, and the washings are actively moved in the washing/dewatering tub 24 by the inversion operation of the pulsator 26 having such long ON time.
  • the air is taken into the accommodating chamber 100 from the space between the housing 10 and the outer tub 20 through the first opening 106 , the second opening 107 , the third opening 108 , and the fourth opening 109 on the bottom surface 101 a of the accommodating chamber 100 .
  • the taken-in air flows in the accommodating chamber 100 , and flows toward the air inlet 51 a provided in the casing 51 of the hot air supplying unit 50 , and is sucked into the casing 51 from the air inlet 51 a .
  • the sucked air is heated by the heater 53 to become hot air, and is blown into the outer tub 20 from the above through the hot air duct 54 .
  • the washings in the washing/dewatering tub 24 are stirred by repeating the right-left inversion operation of the pulsator 26 .
  • the hot air blown into the outer tub 20 is blown into the washing/dewatering tub 24 from the above, and comes in contact with the washings stirred in the washing/dewatering tub 24 to take away moisture from the washings.
  • the washings are dried.
  • the air that has taken away moisture from the washings passes through the dewatering holes 24 a and the like of the washing/dewatering tub 24 , flows between the washing/dewatering tub 24 and the outer tub 20 , and is discharged from the discharging port 20 c provided at the lower portion of the side surface of the outer tub 20 .
  • the discharged air flows in the exhaust duct 80 , and is discharged out of the machine through the exhaust port 83 of the exhaust duct 80 and the external exhaust port 11 a of the housing 10 . It is noted that a flow of air in the heating-drying operation is indicated by arrows in FIG. 1 .
  • the casing 51 of the hot air supplying unit 50 and the outer tub 20 are heated by the heat of the hot air.
  • the air heated by the heat emitted from the outer tub 20 is taken into the accommodating chamber 100 , and the air flowing in the accommodating chamber 100 is further heated by the heat emitted from the casing 51 .
  • the air having a higher temperature than the air outside the fully automatic washing and drying machine 1 is taken into the air inlet 51 a of the hot air supplying unit 50 .
  • the amount of heating of the heater 53 is suppressed and the power consumption is suppressed.
  • the controller 201 determines whether a preset heating-drying time has elapsed (S 4 ). When the preset heating-drying time has elapsed (S 4 : YES), the controller 201 stops the heater 53 (S 5 ). At this time, the heating-drying operation is completed.
  • the controller 201 executes the residual heat drying operation.
  • the controller 201 controls the rotation speed of the fan 52 to increase, so as to cause the fan 52 to operate at a second rotation speed higher than the first rotation speed (S 6 ).
  • the second rotation speed is, for example, 5000 rpm.
  • the air heated by the residual heat of the outer tub 20 and the casing 51 is taken into the air inlet M a of the hot air supplying unit 50 , and the air is supplied to the outer tub 20 as air having residual heat without being heated by the heater 53 .
  • the washings in the washing/dewatering tub 24 come into contact with the air having residual heat, and are dried.
  • the rotation speed of the fan 52 is increased, the volume of the air having residual heat is larger than the volume of the hot air during the heating-drying operation. Therefore, it is possible to compensate for the decrease in drying efficiency due to a decrease in the temperature of the air contacting the washings by increasing the volume of the air.
  • the controller 201 determines whether a preset residual heat drying time has elapsed (S 7 ). When the residual heat drying time has elapsed (S 7 : YES), the controller 201 stops the fan 52 (S 8 ), and stops the driving motor 31 to stop the pulsator 26 (S 9 ). At this time, the residual heat drying operation is completed, and the drying process is completed.
  • the discharging port of the air from the outer tub 20 is formed at the lower part of the outer tub 20 , the hot air fed into the outer tub 20 from the above easily travels to the lower part of the water tub 24 . As a result, the hot air easily permeates the washings in the washing/dewatering tub 24 so that the improvement in drying efficiency can be expected.
  • the exhaust duct 80 connected to the discharging port 20 c and extending upward is provided, and the exhaust port 83 is provided at a position higher than the overflow water level Lofw where water is overflowed from the outer tub 20 .
  • the water accumulated in the outer tub 20 will not leak during the washing process, and the air exhausted from the discharging port 20 c can be discharged during the drying process.
  • the air inlet 51 a of the hot air supplying unit 50 is arranged to be opposed to and separated from the rear side face 101 c of the accommodating chamber 100 , so that the air flowing in the accommodating chamber 100 is taken into the air inlet 51 a by operating the fan 52 .
  • the heater 53 is used to heat the air heated by the heat from the hot air supplying unit 50 , the heating amount of the heater 53 can be suppressed, and the power consumption of the heater 53 , that is, the fully automatic washing and drying machine, can be suppressed.
  • the air heated by the heat from the outer tub is taken into the accumulating chamber 100 from the space between the housing 10 and the outer tub 20 .
  • the further heated air can be taken into the air inlet 51 a of the hot air supplying unit 50 , and the heating amount of the heater 53 can be further suppressed.
  • the residual heat drying operation in which the air heated by the residual heat of the hot air supplying unit 50 and the outer tub 20 is supplied to the outer tub 20 as air having residual heat, is performed immediately after the heating-drying operation, in which the air heated by the heater 53 is supplied to the outer tub 20 as the hot air.
  • the residual heat of the hot air supplying unit 50 and the outer tub 20 can be used to dry the washings. Therefore, the power consumption of the fully automatic washing and drying machine 1 during the drying process can be suppressed.
  • FIG. 9 is a sectional view illustrating main parts of the fully automatic washing and drying machine 1 according to modification I.
  • the exhaust duct 80 is provided on the downstream of the discharging port 20 c of the outer tub 20 .
  • an opening/closing valve 110 for opening and closing the discharging port 20 c is arranged at the discharging port 20 c to replace the exhaust duct 80 , as shown in FIG. 9 .
  • the opening/closing valve 110 is closed in the washing process, the rinsing process, the intermediate dewatering process and the final dewatering process, and is opened in the drying process.
  • the opening/closing valve 110 is the exhaust portion of the present disclosure.
  • the water stored in the outer tub 20 will not leak during the washing process, and the air flowing from the discharging port 20 c can be discharged during the drying process.
  • FIG. 10 is a sectional view illustrating main parts of the fully automatic washing and drying machine 1 according to modification II.
  • the exhaust port 83 is provided with an exhaust fan 120 .
  • an axial flow fan is used as the exhaust fan 120 .
  • the exhaust fan 120 operates under the control of the controller 201 .
  • the air in the outer tub 20 can be drawn strongly into the exhaust duct 80 through the discharging port 20 c , thus the air in the outer tub 20 easily flows to the discharging port 20 c .
  • the heat air fed into the outer tub 20 from the above is more easily distributed to the lower portion of the washing/dewatering tub 24 so that a further improvement in drying efficiency can be expected.
  • FIG. 11 is a side sectional view of the fully automatic washing and drying machine 1 according to modification III.
  • the air is taken into the accommodating chamber 100 from the space between the housing 10 and the outer tub 20 , and the air flowing in the accommodating chamber 100 is taken into the air inlet 51 a of the hot air supplying unit 50 .
  • a hot air supplying unit 50 A having the air inlet 51 a on the lower surface of the casing 51 A is disposed in the accommodating chamber 100 .
  • An air intake 130 connected to the space between the housing 10 and the outer tub 20 is formed on the bottom surface 101 a in the accommodating chamber 100 , so that the air intake 130 and the air inlet 51 a are opposed to each other.
  • the air passes the air intake 130 through the space between the housing 10 and the outer tub 20 , and is directly taken into the air inlet 51 a of the hot air supplying unit 50 A.
  • the air intake 130 is the opening of the present disclosure.
  • the air heated by the heat from the outer tub 20 can also be taken into the hot air supplying unit 50 A. Therefore, similar to the above embodiment, the power consumption of the fully automatic washing and drying machine during the drying process can be suppressed.
  • the air is taken into the accommodating chamber 100 from the space between the housing 10 and the outer tub 20 through the first opening 106 and the like.
  • an intake port for taking in the air outside the fully automatic washing and drying machine 1 may provided at a position distant from the hot air supplying unit 50 , that is, the position in the vicinity of the right side surface 101 e , the rear side surface 101 c of the accommodating chamber 100 .
  • the external air taken into the accommodating chamber 100 through the air inlet is heated by the heat generated by the casing 51 of the hot air supplying unit 50 , and then taken into the air inlet 51 a of the hot air supplying unit 50 . Therefore, even with such a configuration, the power consumption of the fully automatic washing and drying machine 1 during the drying process can be suppressed.
  • the discharging port 20 c and the exhaust duct 80 are provided at the lower portion of the side surface of the outer tub 20 facing the rear surface of the housing 10 .
  • the discharging port 20 c and the exhaust duct 80 may be provided at the lower portion of the side surface of the outer tub 20 facing the right side surface or the left side surface of the housing 10 .
  • the discharging port 20 c may be provided at any position at the lower portion of the outer tub 20 . For example, it may be provided at the bottom face instead of the side face of the outer tub 20 .
  • the fully automatic washing and drying machine 1 with the washing/dewatering tub 24 rotating about the rotation axis extending in the vertical direction has been exemplified.
  • the present disclosure may also be applied to a fully automatic washing and drying machine with a washing/dewatering tub which rotates about a rotation axis inclined with respect to the vertical direction.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Main Body Construction Of Washing Machines And Laundry Dryers (AREA)
  • Detail Structures Of Washing Machines And Dryers (AREA)
  • Control Of Washing Machine And Dryer (AREA)
US15/767,101 2015-10-09 2016-10-09 Washing and drying machine Abandoned US20180291544A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2015-201460 2015-10-09
JP2015201460A JP2017070648A (ja) 2015-10-09 2015-10-09 洗濯乾燥機
PCT/CN2016/101566 WO2017059814A1 (zh) 2015-10-09 2016-10-09 洗衣干衣机

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20180291544A1 true US20180291544A1 (en) 2018-10-11

Family

ID=58487362

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US15/767,101 Abandoned US20180291544A1 (en) 2015-10-09 2016-10-09 Washing and drying machine

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US20180291544A1 (de)
EP (1) EP3360997A4 (de)
JP (1) JP2017070648A (de)
KR (1) KR20180067594A (de)
CN (1) CN108138420B (de)
WO (1) WO2017059814A1 (de)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN108252059B (zh) * 2016-12-28 2021-08-31 青岛胶南海尔洗衣机有限公司 一种干衣机排气管组件及干衣机
JP7360899B2 (ja) * 2019-10-30 2023-10-13 東芝ライフスタイル株式会社 ドラム式洗濯機

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2858618A (en) * 1955-03-11 1958-11-04 Lovell Mfg Co Automatic control device for laundry drier
US20120111066A1 (en) * 2009-08-05 2012-05-10 Takahiko Hayashi Washing and drying machine
US20160032512A1 (en) * 2014-07-31 2016-02-04 Lg Electronics Inc. Washing machine

Family Cites Families (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE69922864T2 (de) * 1998-03-12 2005-06-09 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Kadoma Elektrischer Waschtrockner
KR100437790B1 (ko) * 2001-12-05 2004-06-30 엘지전자 주식회사 건조세탁기
JP4020820B2 (ja) * 2003-04-15 2007-12-12 松下電器産業株式会社 洗濯乾燥機
JP2005328947A (ja) * 2004-05-19 2005-12-02 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd 加熱調理器
JP4383960B2 (ja) * 2004-05-19 2009-12-16 株式会社東芝 乾燥機能付き洗濯機
JP4667159B2 (ja) 2005-08-10 2011-04-06 三洋電機株式会社 洗濯乾燥機
CN101158099B (zh) * 2006-10-08 2011-04-27 海尔集团公司 一种采用热泵作为热源的洗衣机干燥机
KR20120088034A (ko) * 2010-10-19 2012-08-08 엘지전자 주식회사 건조겸용 세탁장치 및 건조완료 판단방법
JP6047759B2 (ja) * 2013-06-04 2016-12-21 パナソニックＩｐマネジメント株式会社 洗濯機
JP2015058237A (ja) * 2013-09-20 2015-03-30 日立アプライアンス株式会社 縦型洗濯乾燥機
CN104593991A (zh) * 2013-10-30 2015-05-06 海尔集团公司 一种波轮式热泵洗干一体机
CN104593992A (zh) * 2013-10-30 2015-05-06 海尔集团公司 一种波轮式热泵洗干一体机及烘干方法

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2858618A (en) * 1955-03-11 1958-11-04 Lovell Mfg Co Automatic control device for laundry drier
US20120111066A1 (en) * 2009-08-05 2012-05-10 Takahiko Hayashi Washing and drying machine
US20160032512A1 (en) * 2014-07-31 2016-02-04 Lg Electronics Inc. Washing machine

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP3360997A1 (de) 2018-08-15
JP2017070648A (ja) 2017-04-13
KR20180067594A (ko) 2018-06-20
CN108138420B (zh) 2020-06-02
EP3360997A4 (de) 2019-04-03
WO2017059814A1 (zh) 2017-04-13
CN108138420A (zh) 2018-06-08

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
JP2011072497A (ja) 洗濯乾燥機および乾燥機
US20180291544A1 (en) Washing and drying machine
JP7170596B2 (ja) 洗濯機
KR20180136141A (ko) 벽걸이형 드럼 세탁기
JP4868998B2 (ja) 洗濯機
CN112912555B (zh) 洗衣机
JP6040091B2 (ja) ドラム式洗濯機
EP3613885B1 (de) Verfahren zur steuerung einer wäschebehandlungsvorrichtung
JP5537514B2 (ja) ドラム式洗濯機
JP6037605B2 (ja) ドラム式洗濯乾燥機
JP2019130197A (ja) 洗濯機
CN111373086B (zh) 洗衣干衣机
CN111742094B (zh) 洗衣机和加热水生成装置
JP6347042B2 (ja) ドラム式洗濯機
JP2005058779A (ja) 洗濯機
CN113201897B (zh) 洗衣机
JP2010264103A (ja) 洗濯機
JP2001187296A (ja) 洗濯機
JP5736487B2 (ja) ドラム式洗濯機
JP6415858B2 (ja) 洗濯機
JP6191007B2 (ja) ドラム式洗濯機
JP7106506B2 (ja) 洗濯機
CN109983171B (zh) 洗衣机
JPH11216295A (ja) 洗濯機
JP2022102116A (ja) 洗濯機

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: QINGDAO HAIER WASHING MACHINE CO., LTD., CHINA

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:TSUJI, TAKAHIRO;KANEDA, RYUJI;REEL/FRAME:045483/0976

Effective date: 20180403

Owner name: AQUA CO., LTD, JAPAN

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:TSUJI, TAKAHIRO;KANEDA, RYUJI;REEL/FRAME:045483/0976

Effective date: 20180403

STPP Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general

Free format text: DOCKETED NEW CASE - READY FOR EXAMINATION

STPP Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general

Free format text: NON FINAL ACTION MAILED

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION