WO2004104288A1

WO2004104288A1 - Washing machine with clothes-drying function

Info

Publication number: WO2004104288A1
Application number: PCT/JP2004/007233
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tamotsu Kawamura; Kiyokazu Fujikawa; Yoichi Kitamura; Shuichi Higuchi
Original assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2003-05-21
Filing date: 2004-05-20
Publication date: 2004-12-02
Also published as: CN1572956A; CN1308525C; KR20040100894A

Abstract

Warm air sent from a dryer (3) is fed into a drum (10) through an air hole (821) from the central portion on the right end face wall (10R) side of the drum (10). Water holes (10D) are provided in a peripheral inner wall (10C) of the drum (10). Air holes (101) are arranged in the central portion on a left end face wall (10L) of the drum (10). Air in an outer tub (7) is taken into the dryer (3) from an air discharge opening (71) formed in a rear lower portion of a peripheral surface wall (7C) of the outer tub (7). When the amount of laundry is small, laundry near the inner peripheral surface of the drum (10) can be excellently dried by warm air flowing from inside the drum (10), through the air holes (101) and to the air discharge opening (71). When the amount of laundry is large, laundry in the central portion of the drum (10) can be excellently dried by warm air flowing from inside the drum (10), through the air holes (101) and to the air discharge opening (71).

Description

Specification

Washing machine with clothes drying function

The present invention relates to a washing machine having a clothes drying function. Background art

2. Description of the Related Art A drum-type washing and drying machine that stores laundry in a substantially cylindrical drum rotatable around an axis extending in a substantially horizontal direction and performs washing is known. For example, the drum-type washing and drying machine has an outer tub that surrounds the outside of the drum. By rotating the drum with a certain amount of water stored in the outer tub, the laundry in the drum is washed. Washing can be performed repeatedly by repeatedly lifting (battering) from the height of the dram to the water surface by a baffle protruding from the inner surface of the drum and dropping naturally. At the end of washing, the drum is rotated at a high speed, and the water contained in the laundry is squeezed out by centrifugal force, whereby the laundry is dehydrated.

The drum-type washing and drying machine has, for example, a drying device for supplying warm air into the drum, and rotates the drum while supplying warm air from the drying device into the drum to wash the inside of the drum. Laundry can be dried by allowing items to fall naturally from a certain height.

Patent No. 3 3 4 6 9 4 1 discloses that in order to improve the drying efficiency, hot air is supplied from the drying device into the drum during dehydration, and the inside of the drum (in the outer tank) is started by the start of the drying process. ) Has been proposed in which the temperature is raised in advance. Thus, it is desired to further improve the drying efficiency.

Further, Japanese Patent No. 3346941 discloses a configuration in which warm air is supplied from one end surface side of a drum. However, the warm air supplied into the drum is subject to water flow holes (dewatering holes) formed in the peripheral surface of the drum and the gap between the opening formed in the other end surface of the drum and the door (dry air outlet). ), Etc., and flows out of the drum, so that the laundry in the center of the drum may not be dried well, especially when the amount of laundry is large. In addition, an exhaust port (dry (Dry air outlet) is located opposite the other end of the drum, so that the warm air flowing out of the drum through the water holes cannot be guided to the exhaust port properly. Therefore, the laundry could not be dried uniformly.

Further, in the configuration disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 33466941, since the drying device is driven during a period in which the current for driving the drum is large, the amount of current used exceeds the specified value. May be lost. In this case, the life of each of the components constituting the drum-type washing and drying; may be shortened.

Japanese Patent No. 3111653 and Japanese Patent No. 2888083 disclose a configuration capable of reducing wrinkles generated in laundry during drying. Japanese Patent No. 33116563 discloses a configuration in which when the amount of laundry (load amount) is large, the drum is rotated at a high speed (high-speed dehydration rotation) to perform drying. However, in such a configuration, when the amount of laundry is large, wrinkles cannot be reduced satisfactorily. In addition, Japanese Patent No. 2888038 discloses a configuration in which the rotation speed of a drum that rotates in one direction during drying is gradually reduced. It cannot be applied to the case where the drying process is performed by rotating (forward and reverse) the ram repeatedly by switching it in one direction and the other. Therefore, a configuration that can better reduce wrinkles generated in laundry (clothing) has been desired. Disclosure of the invention

The present invention has been made under such a background, and a first object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine having a clothes drying ability capable of satisfactorily drying clothes.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine having a clothes drying function with improved drying efficiency.

A third object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine having a clothes drying function capable of drying clothes evenly.

A fourth object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine having clothes drying ability without shortening the life of each component. A fifth object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine having a clothes drying function that does not easily cause wrinkles on clothes after drying.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a drum (10) rotatable around a rotation axis (11L, 11R) set within a predetermined angle range with respect to the horizontal direction, An outer tub (7) surrounding the drum, and drying the clothes by supplying warm air into the drum from one end face (10R) of the drum while the clothes are stored in the drum. A washing machine (1) capable of drying clothes, which is formed on the peripheral surface (10C) of the drum and rotates the drum to apply a centrifugal force to the clothes in the drum. When dewatering is performed, a water passage hole (10D) through which water from the clothes can pass and the other end surface (10L) of the drum are formed and sent from one end surface of the drum. The air vent (10 1) through which the warm air can pass, and faces the drum peripheral surface of the outer tank And an exhaust port (71) for discharging warm air from inside the drum through the water holes and the air holes to the outside of the outer tank.

Note that the alphanumeric characters in parentheses indicate corresponding components in the embodiments described later. The same applies hereinafter in this section.

According to this configuration, since the exhaust port is disposed so as to face the peripheral surface of the drum, the warm air supplied into the drum can be satisfactorily guided to the exhaust port through the water passage hole. Hot air can also be passed through the ventilation holes formed on the other end surface of the drum. In other words, when the amount of clothes is small, the warm air flowing from the inside of the drum to the exhaust port through the water hole can dry the clothes near the inner peripheral surface of the drum satisfactorily. On the other hand, when the amount of clothes is large, the warm air flowing from the inside of the drum to the exhaust port through the vent hole can dry the clothes in the center of the drum satisfactorily. Therefore, the clothes can be dried evenly and satisfactorily.

The rotating shaft (11 L) is attached to the center of the other end surface (10 L) of the drum, and the ventilation hole is formed near the rotating shaft on the other end surface of the drum. You may. In this case, since the ventilation hole is provided near the rotating shaft on the other end surface of the drum, the warm air supplied into the drum can be guided from one end surface side to the other end surface along the axis of the drum. . Therefore, even if the amount of clothing is large, the center of the drum Since the warm air can be supplied to the clothes in the garment, the clothes can be dried more evenly and satisfactorily.

A boss (81) is provided at the center of the other end surface (10 L) of the drum (10) for mounting the rotation shaft (11 L), and is provided on the boss for mounting the rotation shaft. And a plurality of ribs (813) extending radially around the rotation axis, wherein the air hole (101) is formed in a region defined between the plurality of ribs with respect to the other end surface of the drum ( It may be formed at a portion corresponding to a circular region passing through the tip portions of the plurality of ribs. As described above, by forming the ventilation hole in the region where the strength is relatively high due to the attachment of the rotating shaft attachment boss, it is possible to prevent the strength of the drum from being reduced.

The area formed between the plurality of ribs (813) is preferably arranged in a circular area extending from the center of the other end face (10L) of the drum (10) to about half the radius.

In addition, the present invention provides a boss (82) for mounting the rotating shaft (82) for mounting the rotating shaft (11R), which is disposed on one end surface of the drum, and is provided on the boss for mounting the rotating shaft. The supply port (821) for supplying hot air and the above-mentioned supply port are partitioned, and on the surface on the upstream side (right side) in the flow direction of hot air,? And (4) a supply port constituent member (829) having an inclined surface (829A) inclined with respect to a direction orthogonal to the flow direction of the wind. According to this configuration, the warm air supplied into the drum goes to the supply port along the inclined surface, so that the warm air can be more smoothly supplied into the drum. Therefore, the clothes stored in the drum can be dried better.

The supply port constituent member (829) has a substantially triangular overhang having an apex on the upstream side in the flow direction of the warm air, and the surface of the overhang on the upstream side in the flow direction is as described above. An inclined surface (829A) may be formed.

Further, the present invention includes a drum (10) rotatable around a rotation axis (11 L, 11 R) set within a predetermined angle range with respect to the horizontal direction, and stores clothes in the drum. A washing machine (1) capable of drying clothes by supplying warm air into the drum in a dry state (1), and a drying device (3) for supplying warm air into the drum The hot air is supplied into the drum by this drying device. And a drying step executing means capable of executing a drying step for drying the clothes.

(40, T19 to T26) Before the start of the drying process, dehydration is performed by rotating the drum and applying centrifugal force to the clothes in the drum while supplying hot air into the drum by the drying device. Means for performing a heating and dewatering process (40, Τ3 to Τ18), and during the heating and dewatering process, a period during which the current for driving the drum is large (Τ8 to Τ10, Τ13 to Τ16) is a washing machine in which the driving mode of the drying device is switched so that the current consumption of the drying device is reduced. According to this configuration, while the current for driving the drum is large, the current consumption of the drying device is suppressed, so that the amount of current used can be prevented from exceeding the specified value. Therefore, the life of each component constituting the washing machine can be extended.

During the period (# 8 to # 10, # 13 to # 16), the heaters (341, 342) provided in the drying device (3) may be switched to the weak state.

Further, the present invention relates to a washing machine (1) capable of drying clothes by supplying warm air into a storage room (10) in which clothes are stored, wherein the washing machine (1) has a warmth in the storage room. A drying device (3) for supplying air and cooling water (dehumidifying water) for cooling the hot air supplied to the accommodation room by this drying device and removing moisture contained in the hot air A possible cooling water supply means (14, 311), and a method for drying clothes by supplying cooling water by the cooling water supply means and supplying warm air into the accommodation room by the drying device. Means for performing a drying process (40, # 19 to # 26) capable of executing the drying process of the present invention, and centrifugal force on the clothes in the containing room while supplying warm air into the containing room by the drying device before the drying process. Heat dehydration process that can perform the dehydration process by applying dehydration And means (40, Τ3~Τ18), the cooling water supply means, during heating dehydration step, a washing machine, characterized in that to stop the supply of cooling water.

During the heating and dewatering process, the temperature in the storage room is low, and if cooling water is supplied by the cooling water supply means, the temperature in the storage room will not be increased. According to the configuration of the present invention, the supply of the cooling water is stopped during the heating and dewatering process. The room temperature can be increased satisfactorily. Therefore, the temperature in the accommodation room can be satisfactorily increased by the start of the subsequent drying process, so that the drying efficiency is improved and the clothes can be dried more satisfactorily.

Further, the present invention includes a drum (10) rotatable around a rotation axis (11L, 11R) set within a predetermined angle range with respect to the horizontal direction, and clothes are placed in the drum. Rotate the drum repeatedly while switching it in one direction and the other in the housed state

(1) A washing machine having a clothes drying function capable of performing a drying step of drying clothes by supplying warm air into the drum while rotating the cloth forwardly and reversely, and for a predetermined period before the end of the drying step. Medium (T24-T25) A washing machine characterized in that the driving mode of the drum is switched so that the force acting on the clothes in the drum is reduced by switching the rotation direction of the drum.

According to this configuration, during a predetermined period before the end of the drying process, the switching of the rotating direction of the drum reduces the force acting on the clothes in the drum, so that the twisting of the clothes can be suppressed. Thereby, the wrinkles generated in the clothes can be reduced more favorably, so that the clothes can be dried more favorably.

During the predetermined period (所定 24 to Τ25), the rotation speed of at least one side of the drum (10) may be switched to a low speed, or the rotation speed of at least one side of the drum may be changed. The rotation time may be switched to a longer time (frequency of rotation is reduced).

The predetermined period (Τ24 to Τ25) may be determined based on the amount of clothing (load). In this case, when the load amount is equal to or more than the predetermined value, the driving mode of the drum is switched during the predetermined period. However, when the load amount is less than the predetermined value, the driving mode of the drum is switched during the predetermined period. It may not be. Further, the present invention includes a drum (10) rotatable around a rotation axis (11L, 11R) set within a predetermined angle range with respect to the horizontal direction, and a garment in the drum. A washing machine (1) capable of drying clothes by supplying warm air into the drum in a state in which the warm air is supplied to the inside of the drum. Device (3) and a drying step executing means capable of executing a drying step for drying clothes by supplying warm air into the drum by the drying apparatus. (40, T19 ~ T26), and after the drying process, the drum is repeatedly switched in one direction and the other direction and rotated (forward and reverse) with the supply of warm air from the drying device stopped. Means for executing a cool-down process (40, 衣類 26 to Τ28) capable of executing a cool-down process for cooling the clothing, wherein at least a portion of the drum during a predetermined period (Τ27 to Τ28) before the end of the cool-down process. A washing machine characterized in that the rotation time to one side can be switched in a short time.

According to this configuration, it is possible to remove the entanglement of the clothes in the drum and satisfactorily loosen the clothes. Therefore, the wrinkles generated in the clothes can be reduced more favorably, so that the clothes can be dried better.

Further, the present invention relates to a washing machine (1) having a clothes drying function capable of supplying warm air to a storage room (10) in which clothes are stored and drying the clothes, and Drying device (3) for supplying air and cooling water (dehumidified water) for removing the moisture contained in the hot air by cooling the hot air supplied to the accommodation room by this drying device Cooling water supply means (14, 311), while supplying cooling water by the cooling water supply means, and supplying warm air into the accommodation room by the drying device to dry clothes. Drying process execution means (40, Τ19-Τ26) capable of executing the drying process of the above, and before the supply of warm air into the storage room (10) by the drying device (3) (Τ1 ~ Τ2) Or within a predetermined period from the start of hot air supply (T19), the cooling water supplied by the cooling water supply means (14, 311). Cooling water temperature detecting means (S2, 40) for detecting the temperature of the cooling water, wherein the drying step executing means performs drying at a timing based on the temperature of the cooling water detected by the cooling water temperature detecting means. End the process characterized by? It is a first rinsing machine.

According to this configuration, the temperature of the cooling water is detected before the supply of the hot air into the accommodation room by the drying device or within a predetermined period from the start of the supply of the hot air. The temperature of the cooling water can be detected before the water is heated. Therefore, the timing for ending the drying process can be determined at a more appropriate timing, so that the clothes can be more appropriately dried.

Before the drying process, a heating and dewatering process can be performed in which dehydration is performed by applying centrifugal force to clothing in the storage room while supplying warm air into the storage room using the drying device described above. The cooling water temperature detecting means (S2, 40) detects the temperature of the cooling water before the start of the heating and dewatering process (Τ1 to Τ2). You may know.

Further, when the operation is started from the drying step, the cooling water temperature detecting means (S2, 40) may detect the temperature of the cooling water within a certain period of time at the start of the drying step (T19). BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a drum-type washing machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the outer tub, showing a cross-sectional view taken from the front side when cut along a vertical plane along the left-right direction.

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the outer tank, showing a cross-section viewed from the right side when cut along a vertical plane along the front-rear direction.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the right boss.

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view along the line BB in FIG. 4 (a).

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional shape of a connecting portion according to a modification.

Figure 7 is a left ftlj view of the drum.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an electric configuration of the drum type washing and drying machine. FIG. 9 is a timing chart for explaining the details of the operation during the final dehydration step.

FIG. 10 is a timing chart for explaining the contents of the driving operation during the drying process.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a correspondence relationship between the dehumidifying water temperature and the room temperature and the high limiter temperature. Embodiment of the Invention

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a drum-type washing / drying machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a cross-section when a position on the right side of the washing / drying machine 1 is cut in a vertical plane along the front-rear direction. Is shown from the right side.

With reference to FIG. 1, the drum-type washing / drying machine 1 is, for example, partitioned by a casing 2 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer shape. On the front side of the upper surface 2 A of the housing 2, for example, an inclined surface 2 B that is inclined so as to become lower toward the front side is formed, and extends from the upper surface 2 A of the housing 2 to the inclined surface 2 B. An opening 4 that can be opened and closed by an outer lid (not shown) is formed.

Inside the housing 2, for example, a substantially cylindrical outer tank 7 whose both end faces are closed by end walls (left end wall 7 L and right end wall 7 R) is arranged so that its axis extends substantially horizontally to the left and right. (In Fig. 1, only the right end wall 7R is visible.) The outer tank 7 has, for example, a lower portion of a peripheral wall 7C supported by a plurality of dampers (not shown).

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the outer tub 7, showing a cross-sectional view taken from the front side when cut along a vertical plane along the left-right direction. FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the outer tub 7, showing a cross-sectional view taken from the right side when cut along a vertical plane along the front-rear direction.

Referring to Figs. 1-3, inside the outer tank 7,? A drum 10 for accommodating the pre-rinse is disposed therein (in FIG. 3, the drum 10 is omitted). The drum 10 has, for example, a substantially cylindrical shape in which both end faces are closed by end face walls (a left end face wall 10L and a right end face wall 10R), and its axis is substantially parallel to the left and right. It is arranged to extend horizontally. In this embodiment, the diameter of the drum 10 is, for example, about 52 O mm.

Rotation shafts 11 L and 11 R extending along the axis of the drum 10 are attached to left and right end face walls 10 L and 10 R of the drum 10, respectively. The rotating shafts 11 L and 11 R are rotatably attached to left and right end walls 7 L and 7 R of the outer tub 7. A drum drive motor 12 is connected to the left rotating shaft 11 L by, for example, a DD (direct drive) method, and the drum drive motor 12 is driven to rotate. As a result, the drum 10 connected to the rotation shaft 11 L rotates at the same rotation speed around the axis.

An opening 22 for taking in and out of laundry is formed in the peripheral wall 1 OC of the drum 10. An opening 23 is formed in a peripheral wall 7C of the outer tub 7 at a position facing the opening 4 of the housing 2. The opening 22 of the drum 10 can be opened and closed by, for example, a drum lid 25 that can be turned outward, while the opening 23 of the outer tub 7 is, for example, a medium that can be turned outward. Can be opened and closed by a lid (not shown). By opening the outer lid, the inner lid, and the drum lid 25 all, laundry can be taken in and out of the drum 10.

The housing 2 is provided with, for example, a water supply port (not shown). Through this water supply port, tap water (hereinafter simply referred to as “water J”) is supplied from an external water supply facility (such as a tap) to the inside of the machine. It is possible to introduce a water supply valve to the water supply port.

(See Fig. 8). Tap water is introduced into the machine via the water supply port by opening this water supply valve 13. Tap water introduced into the machine is supplied into the outer tub 7 via a water supply pipe 17 connected to the rear end of the peripheral wall 7C of the outer tub 7.

For example, a drain port 19 is formed on the lower right side of the peripheral wall 7C of the outer tank 7, and water is supplied with the drain valve 18 (see FIG. 8) connected to the drain port 19 closed. By performing the above, water can be stored in the outer tank 7. Further, the water collected in the outer tank 7 is discharged out of the machine through the drain port 19 by opening the drain valve 18.

A large number of water passage holes 1 OD are formed in the peripheral wall 10 C of the drum 10, and the water supplied into the outer tub 7 passes through the water passage holes 10 D into the drum 10. It is coming in. Also, a baffle 1 力 B force for lifting the laundry in the drum 10 when the drum 10 rotates is protruded from the inner surface of the peripheral wall 10 C of the drum 10 so as to extend in the left-right direction. I have. At the time of washing, the laundry in the drum 10 is lifted by the baffle 10B with the rotation of the drum 10 and the operation (tamping) is repeated when the laundry naturally falls from a certain height. Is hit against the surface of the water stored in the outer tub 7, so that a so-called tap wash is achieved. During dehydration, the water contained in the laundry in the drum 10 is squeezed out by the centrifugal force by rotating the drum 10 at a high speed (for example, 300 to 100 rpm). Then, the water discharged from the laundry is scattered to the outer tub 7 through the water passage hole 1 OD, and is discharged out of the machine from the drain port 19.

The drum-type washing / drying machine 1 also has a function of drying laundry after dehydration.A drying unit 3 for a drying function is attached to the right end wall 7R of the outer tub 7 from the outside. ing. The drying tub 3 is disposed at an upper end of the air passage 31 for guiding the air in the outer tub 7 sucked from the suction port 30 communicating with the inside of the outer tub 7 upward. The fan 3 2 for sending air from the air duct 3 1 into the outer tank 7, and the air from the fan 32 to guide the air from the center of the right end wall 7 R of the outer tank 7 into the outer tank 7. The drying hood 3 3 and the first and second drying heaters 3 4 1, 3 4 2 (see FIG. 1) arranged side by side in the drying hood 3 3 to warm the air sent into the outer tub 7 Shows only one of the drying heaters.) The fan 32 is rotated, for example, by driving a blower motor 35 (see FIG. 8).

An exhaust port 71 is formed in a lower portion on the rear side of the outer peripheral wall 7C of the outer tank 7, for example, at a substantially central portion in the left-right direction. The air port 71 and the suction port 30 are connected, for example, by an inlet pipe 72 extending in the left-right direction, and the air in the outer tank 7 is supplied from the outlet port 71 to the drying unit 3 via the inlet pipe 72. It is taken into the inside (in the airway 31). An exhaust temperature sensor S1 composed of a thermistor projecting into the introduction pipe 72 is disposed on the end face of the introduction pipe 72 on the side of the exhaust port 71 (see FIG. 3). The temperature of the air (exhaust temperature) in the outer tank 7 discharged from the exhaust port 71 can be detected by the exhaust temperature sensor S1. In this embodiment, since the exhaust port 71 is formed in the lower rear part of the peripheral wall 7C of the outer tank 7, the drum 10 is rotated counterclockwise in right side view (reversed) during drying. When the drum 10 is rotated, the air in the outer tub 7 flowing with the rotation of the drum 10 is more likely to enter the exhaust port 71 than when the drum 10 is rotated in the reverse direction (forward rotation).

Boss 8 1, 8 2 for fixing the left and right rotating shafts 11 L, 11 R are attached to the center of the right and left end walls 10 L, 10 R of the drum 10 from the outside. You. The right boss 82 constitutes the central portion of the right end wall 10 R of the drum 10, A plurality of ventilation holes 8 21 (see FIG. 4) are formed to allow the air sent from the drying hood 33 of the drying unit 3 to pass through the inside of the drum 10. A plurality of ventilation holes 101 (see FIG. 7) are formed in the center of the left end wall 10 L of the drum 10. The ventilation hood 33 of the drying unit 3 extends from the drying hood 33 into the drum 10. As shown by an arrow in FIG. 2, the supplied air enters the drum 10 through the ventilation hole 8 2 1 of the right boss 8 2, and flows into the ventilation hole 1 formed in the left end wall 10 L of the drum 10. The fluid flows out of the drum 10 through the water passage hole 10D formed in the outer wall 10 and the peripheral wall 10C. Then, the air that has flowed out of the drum 10 is taken into the drying unit 3 again from the exhaust port 71 of the outer tank 7 via the introduction pipe 72. The vent hole 101 is formed, for example, in substantially the same shape (size) as the water hole 10D.

In this embodiment, since the exhaust port 71 is disposed so as to face the peripheral wall 10 C of the drum 10, the air sent into the drum 10 from the drying unit 3 is supplied to the water passage 10. The air can be favorably guided to the exhaust port 71 through D, and the hot air can also flow through the ventilation hole 101 formed in the left end wall 1OL of the drum 10. In other words, when the amount of laundry is small, the warm air flowing from the inside of the drum 10 through the water hole 1 OD to the air vent 71 allows the laundry near the inner peripheral surface of the drum 10 to be cleaned. When the amount of laundry is large, the warm air flowing from the inside of the drum 10 to the exhaust port 71 through the vent hole 101 causes the air to be dried at the center of the drum 10. The laundry can be dried well. Therefore, the clothes can be dried more evenly and satisfactorily.

In particular, since the ventilation hole 101 is provided at the center of the left end wall 10 L of the drum 10, the air sent into the drum 10 from the drying unit 3 is transferred to the shaft of the drum 10. It can be guided along the line from the right end wall 1 OR side to the left end wall 10 L side. Therefore, even when the amount of the laundry is large, the warm air can be supplied to the laundry in the center of the drum 10, so that the laundry can be dried more evenly.

A cover 83 is attached to the right boss 82 from inside the drum 10. The cover 83 has, for example, a plurality of through holes 831, and air from the drying unit 3 is guided into the drum 10 through these through holes 831. The cover 83 prevents the laundry in the drum 10 from jumping out of the drum 10 from the ventilation hole 82 1.

At the time of drying, the laundry in drum 10 is lifted by baffle 1 OB by rotating drum 10 while sending warm air from drying unit 3 into drum 10 and naturally falling from a certain height. Is repeated. Thereby, the warm air can be evenly blown to the laundry, so that the laundry can be dried well.

In this embodiment, dehumidifying water (cooling water) can be introduced into the drying unit 3 in order to improve the drying efficiency during drying. More specifically, a part of the water introduced into the machine can be supplied from the dehumidified water supply port 311 formed in the upper part of the air passage 31 into the air passage 31. Then, the dehumidified water supplied into the air passage 31 falls (flows down) in the air passage 31 (see FIG. 1). Dehumidified water is supplied from the dehumidified water supply port 311 by, for example, opening the dehumidified water valve 14 (see FIG. 8).

The warm air taken into the drying unit 3 by removing moisture from the laundry in the drum 10 is cooled by the dehumidifying water in the process of being sent upward in the air passage 31 and the moisture is removed.

(Moisture) is condensed and changes from hot air with high humidity to hot air with low humidity, and is sent again from the drying hood 33 into the drum 10. In this way, by removing moisture from the hot air circulating in the machine, it is possible to send dry hot air into the drum 10, thereby improving the drying efficiency.

The dehumidified water that has fallen in the air passage 31 flows into the inlet pipe 72 through the suction port 30. The inlet pipe 72 has a shape in which the right end is widened, so that a lower part of the right end of the inlet pipe 72 is a water reservoir for storing the dehumidified water flowing into the inlet pipe 72 from the air duct 31. A part 73 is formed (see FIG. 2). A dehumidified water temperature sensor S2 facing the water storage portion 73 is disposed below the right end wall 7R of the outer tank 7, and the dehumidified water temperature sensor S2 stores the dehumidified water temperature sensor S2 in the water storage portion 73. The temperature of the dehumidifying water can be detected. The dehumidified water temperature sensor S2 is formed of, for example, a thermistor made of SUS (stainless steel). FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the right boss 82. Fig. 4 (a) shows a view of the boss 82 viewed from the left side (drum 10 side). Fig. 4 (b) shows a cross section taken along the line A-A in Fig. 4 (a). FIG.

Referring to FIG. 4, this boss 82 has, for example, a fitting recess 82 2 A that is disposed at the center of the right end wall 1 OR of the drum 10 and that fits the rotating shaft 11 R. A substantially circular shaft fixing portion 8 22 formed and an annular member arranged at a fixed distance from an outer peripheral edge of the shaft fixing portion 8 22, and a right end wall 10 0 of the drum 10. The drum fixing portion 8 23 fixed to the R and the radially extending center of the rotating shaft 11 R, and the outer peripheral edge of the shaft fixing portion 8 22 and the inner peripheral edge of the drum fixing portion 8 23 There are provided six connecting portions 824 for connecting at predetermined equal angles (for example, at every 60 °). The six spaces defined by the shaft fixing part 8 2 2, the drum fixing part 8 2 3, and the six connecting parts 8 24 respectively allow the air sent from the drying unit 3 to enter the drum 10. It has ventilation holes 8 2 1 for passage.

On the inner peripheral edge of the drum fixing portion 8 23, there are six drum fixing screw holes 8 25 for screwing screws when fixing the drum fixing portion 8 23 to the right end wall 1 OR of the drum 10. However, three cover mounting screw holes 826 for screwing screws when the cover 83 is mounted on the drum fixing portion 823 are formed. The six screw holes 825 for fixing the drum are arranged on the extension of the six connecting portions 824, respectively.

On the outer peripheral edge of the right side of the drum fixing part 8 23 (the surface on the side of the outer tub 7), for example, three annular labyrinth ribs with different diameters are formed concentrically along the circumference. Have been. When the drum 10 to which the boss 82 is fixed is mounted in the outer tub 7, the diameter protruding from the inner surface of the right end wall 7 R of the outer tub 7 in the space between the labyrinth ribs 8 27. Two different labyrinth ribs 828 are inserted into each other (see Fig. 2). The labyrinth ribs 827, 828 arranged alternately in this way allow the air sent from the drying unit 3 into the outer tub 7 to flow into the inner surface of the right end wall 7R of the outer tub 7. It is possible to prevent the drum 10 from escaping through the gap with the outer surface of the right end wall 1 OR of the drum 10. FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view along the B_Bf spring in FIG. 4 (a), and shows the cross-sectional shape of the connecting portion 824.

Referring to FIG. 5, connecting portion 8 24 includes main plate portion 8 24 A extending parallel to right end wall 10 R of drum 10 in the mounted state, and both side edges of main plate portion 8 24 A. And a protruding piece 824B protruding leftward (inside of the drum 10) from the front. In such a configuration, the air sent from the drying unit 3 into the outer tub 7 is substantially orthogonal to the main plate portion 8 24 A of the connecting portion 8 24 as shown by a thick arrow in FIG. Along the direction to the drum 10 side, collides with the right surface of the main plate 8 24 A, and the course is changed to a direction that is substantially orthogonal, and then passes through the vent 8 21 into the drum 10. Flows.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional shape of a connecting portion 829 according to a modification.

The connecting portion 829 according to this modification includes two inclined portions 829A extending in a direction inclined with respect to the right end wall 10R of the drum 10 in the mounted state. The opposite side edges of the inclined portion 829A are connected to form a projecting portion having a vertex on the right side (outside of the drum 10) and having a substantially triangular cross section. On the other side edge of each inclined portion 829A, a protruding piece portion 8229B protruding to the left side (the inner side of the drum 10) is formed.

According to such a configuration, the warm air sent into the outer tub 7 from the drying tub 3 flows through the ventilation holes 8 29 B along the respective inclined portions 8 29 B as shown by the thick arrows in FIG. 2 As it goes to the 1 side, the hot air sent from the drying unit 3 can be more smoothly fed into the drum 10 as compared with the connecting portion 8 2 4 having the shape described in FIG. Can be done. Therefore, the laundry stored in the drum 10 can be dried more favorably.

The right side surface of the inclined portion 8229B of the connecting portion 8229 according to this modification is a flat surface, but is not limited thereto. For example, the right side surface of the inclined portion 8229B may be used. May have a curved surface.

FIG. 7 is a left side view of the drum 10.

Referring to FIG. 7, the boss 81 attached to the center of the left end wall 10 L of the drum 10 has, for example, a fitting recess 8 12 A for fitting the rotating shaft 11 L. A substantially circular shaft fixing portion 8 1 2 formed and a portion in the circumferential direction with respect to the outer peripheral edge of the shaft fixing portion 8 1 2 Six drum fixing portions 813 are provided at regular angle intervals (for example, every 60 °) and extend radially around the rotation axis 11L. Each drum fixing portion 8 13 extends, for example, to about half the radius of the left end face wall 10L. Also, at the tip of each drum fixing portion 8 13, a drum fixing screw hole 8 for screwing a screw when fixing the drum fixing portion 8 13 to the left end wall 10 L of the drum 10. 15 are formed.

The plurality of ventilation holes 101 through which the air sent from the drying tub 3 into the drum 10 are formed are formed by the six drum fixing portions 8 13 of the left end wall 10 L of the drum 10. It is formed in a circular area passing through the tip. That is, the plurality of ventilation holes 101 are formed in the region between the drum fixing portions 813 in the left end wall 10L of the drum 1◦. As described above, by forming the air holes 101 in a region where the strength is relatively high due to the attachment of the boss 81, it is possible to prevent the strength of the drum 10 from decreasing.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an electric configuration of the drum type washing machine. The operation of the drum type washing and drying machine 1 is controlled by, for example, a control unit 40 including a microcomputer. The control unit 40 includes, for example, a CPU, a RAM, and a ROM.

For example, signals from a water level sensor S3, a room temperature sensor S4, and the like, as well as the exhaust temperature sensor S1 and the dehumidified water temperature sensor S2 described above, are input to the control unit 40. The water level sensor S 3 outputs a signal when water is stored in the outer tank 7 to a predetermined water level. The room temperature sensor S 4 is, for example, a thermistor attached to a control board constituting the control unit 40, and detects a temperature (room temperature) outside the outer tub 7 and outputs a signal based on the detection result. Is what you do.

Further, the control unit 40 includes, for example, a water supply valve 13, a drain valve 18, a dehumidifying water control 14, a drum driving motor 12, a blower motor 35, a first drying heater 34 1, and a 2 Drying heaters 3 4 2 etc. are connected as control targets. The control section 40 can open and close the water supply valve 13 and the drainage valve 18 based on the signal from the seventh position sensor S3, so that the water in the outer tank 7 can be set to a desired water level. Further, the control unit 40 controls either one of the first and second drying heaters 341, 3442. By energizing, the temperature of the air sent into the drum 10 can be made relatively low (weak state), and both the first and second drying heaters 34 1 and 34 2 are energized. By doing so, the temperature of the air sent into the drum 10 can be made relatively high (strong state).

FIG. 9 is a timing chart for explaining the details of the operation during the final dehydration step.

In this embodiment, dehydration (heating dehydration) can be performed while hot air is fed from the drying unit 3 into the drum 10 during the final dehydration step as the final stage of the dehydration step. . In the final dehydration step, first, the dehumidification water valve 14 is opened for a predetermined time (for example, 60 seconds), and the dehumidification water is stored in the water storage part 73 (Tl to Τ2). During this time, the first drying heater 3 41, the second drying heater 3 42, and the promoter 35 are turned off, the water supply tap 13 is closed, and the drum drive motor 1 is turned off. When the drum 2 (drum 10) is inverted at a low speed for a predetermined period of time, the laundry in the drum 10 lifted by the knife 10 drops naturally from a certain height (slap dehydration). The temperature of the dehumidified water stored in the water storage unit 73 is detected by the dehumidified water temperature sensor S2, and the detection result (data of the dehumidified water temperature) is stored in the control unit 40.

When the dehumidification water valve 14 is closed (Τ2), the blower motor 35 starts to drive, and the rotation speed of the promoter motor 35 reaches about 450 rpm in about 5 seconds (T3). At this time, when the first drying heater 341 is turned on, the driving of the drying unit 3 is weakened, and the heating and dehydration is started.

During heating and dehydration, the temperature inside the drum 10 (in the outer tub 7) is low, so supplying dehumidifying water into the drying unit 3 will hinder the temperature inside the drum 10 from rising. In this embodiment, the dehumidification water valve 14 is maintained in the closed state during the heating and dehydration, so that the temperature in the drum 10 can be increased satisfactorily. Therefore, the temperature in the drum 10 can be satisfactorily increased by the start of the subsequent drying process, so that the drying efficiency is improved and the time required for the drying process can be reduced. In addition, since the dehydration is performed while supplying hot air into the drum 10 during the heat dehydration, the dehydration efficiency is also improved. When the heating and dewatering is started (T3), for example, after the drum drive motor 12 is reversed for a predetermined short time, the laundry in the drum 10 is loosened (floating dewatering). The drum drive motor 12 is rotated forward and maintained at about 150 rpm (first dehydration start). After a lapse of a predetermined time (T4), the rotation speed of the drum drive motor 12 in the normal rotation direction is further increased. When the rotation speed reaches approximately 400 rpm (T5), the rotation speed of the drum drive motor 12 gradually increases. And is stopped (first high-speed dehydration). When the rotation speed of the drum drive motor 12 is started to decrease (T5), the first and second drying heaters 341 and 342 are turned on by turning on the second drying heater 342, and the drying unit is turned on. Drive 3 becomes strong.

When the first high-speed dehydration is completed, the drum drive motor 12 repeats normal rotation and reversal at a predetermined rotation speed, thereby removing the laundry stuck on the inner surface of the drum 10 during the first high-speed dehydration ( First clothing stripping) is performed (T6-T7). After that, the drum driving motor 12 is reversed again for a predetermined short time to perform loosening dehydration, and then the drum driving motor 12 is rotated forward and maintained at about 150 rpm (second dehydration start).

After a lapse of a predetermined time (T8), the rotation speed of the drum drive motor 12 in the forward rotation direction is further increased. When the rotation speed reaches about 700 rpm (T9), the drum drive motor 12 is driven at the rotation speed. After being maintained for a predetermined time (T10), the rotation speed of the drum driving motor 12 is gradually reduced and stopped (second high-speed dehydration). At the start of the second high-speed dehydration (T8), the rotation speed of the drum drive motor 12 begins to decrease.

Until (T10), the first drying heater 341 is in the off state. That is, during this period (T8 to T10), only the second drying heater 342 is in the ON state, so that the driving of the drying unit 3 is in a weak state. After the period, the first drying heater 3 is again turned on. The 341 is turned on, and the driving of the drying cut 3 becomes a strong state.

When the second high-speed dehydration is completed, the drum drive motor 12 repeats normal rotation and reversal at a predetermined rotation speed, thereby removing the laundry stuck to the inner surface of the drum 10 during the second high-speed dehydration ( The second clothing stripping is performed (Τ11 to Τ12). After that, the drum driving motor 12 is turned over again for a predetermined short time and loosened. After the dehydration is performed, the drum drive motor 12 is rotated forward and maintained at about 150 rpm (third dehydration start).

Then, after a lapse of a predetermined time (T13), the rotation speed of the drum driving motor 12 in the forward rotation direction is further increased. When the rotation speed of the drum drive motor 12 reaches about 1100 rpm (T14), the drum drive motor 12 is maintained at the rotation speed for a predetermined time (T15), and then the drum drive motor 12 After the rotation speed is increased and rotated at a speed of approximately 1200 rpm for a predetermined time (T16), the rotation speed of the drum driving motor 12 is gradually reduced and stopped (third high-speed dehydration). During the period from the start of the third high-speed dehydration (T13) to the start of lowering the rotation speed of the drum driving motor 12 (T16), the first drying heater 341 is turned off. That is, during this period (T13 to T16), only the second drying heater 342 is in the ON state, so that the driving of the drying unit 3 is in a weak state. After this period, the first drying heater 341 is turned on again. In this state, the driving of the drying unit 3 is in a strong state. In this embodiment, during the third high-speed dehydration, in particular, during the period when the drum drive motor 12 is rotating forward at about 110 Orpxn (T14 to T15), the water supply valve 13 is turned on for a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds). According to this configuration, the water supplied into the outer tub 7 hits the peripheral surface of the drum 10 rotating at high speed and scatters throughout the outer tub 7, and the scattered water adheres to the outer tub 7 and the drum 10. Detergent components (foam) are removed.

When the third high-speed spin-drying is completed, the drum drive motor 12 repeats normal rotation and reversal at a predetermined rotational speed, thereby removing the laundry stuck on the inner surface of the drum 10 during the third high-speed spinning ( After the third clothing stripping is performed (# 17 to # 18), the second drying heater 342 is turned off, and the final dehydration step (dehydration step) ends. In this embodiment, during a period in which the drive current of the drum drive motor 12 is large, such as at the start of high-speed dehydration or when the rotation speed of the drum 10 is maintained at a high speed (Τ8 to T10, Τ13 to Τ16 ), The driving of the drying unit 3 is in a weak state, so that the current consumption in the drying unit 3 (first and second drying heaters 341 and 342) is suppressed. As a result, the current used during operation of the drum-type Since the amount can be prevented from exceeding the specified value, the life of each component constituting the drum-type washing dry f 1 can be further extended.

In this embodiment, the drive of the drying unit 3 can be weakened by turning on one of the first and second drying heaters 341 and 342, while the first and second drying heaters 341 and 342 are turned off. By turning on both 342, the driving of the drying unit 3 can be in a strong state. Therefore, the first and second drying heaters 341 and 342 are turned on / off such that the time for turning on the first drying heater 341 and the time for turning on the second drying heater 342 are substantially the same. In combination, the life of each of the drying heaters 341 and 342 can be equalized. Therefore, the life of the drying unit 3 can be prolonged.

The period during which the driving of the drying unit 3 is in a strong state (T5 to T8, Τ10 to Τ13) is preferably about 200 seconds or more. During this period, while the rotation speed of the drum and the drive motor 12 is maintained at about 150 rpm, a process for suppressing the eccentric load caused by the unevenness of the laundry in the drum 10 is performed. When the eccentric load becomes equal to or less than the predetermined value by this processing (T8, T13), the process may shift to the high-speed dehydration. In this case, even if the eccentric load becomes equal to or less than the predetermined value, if the predetermined time (for example, about 200 seconds) has not elapsed since the driving of the drying unit 3 is in the strong state, the operation shifts to high-speed dehydration. Instead, a configuration may be adopted in which the system shifts to high-speed dehydration when the predetermined time has elapsed.

When the dehydration step (final dehydration step) is completed, a drying step is performed. During the drying process, a preliminary drying period in which the exhaust temperature and dehumidifying water temperature gradually increase from the start of the drying process

(T19 to T23), the constant drying period (Τ23 to Τ25), in which the exhaust temperature and the dehumidifying water temperature become almost constant, respectively, and the exhaust temperature gradually increases, and the dehumidifying water temperature gradually decreases. Rate drying period ($ 25 to $ 26).

When the drying process (preliminary drying period) starts (T19), the first drying heater 341 that was in the ON state at the end of the final dehydrating process is maintained in the ON state, and the drain valve 18, which was in the open state, is opened. And the dehumidification water valve 14 is opened and dried. Dehumidified water is supplied into the unit 3. At this time, the rotation speed of the promotor 35, which was about 450 rpm, can be reduced to a predetermined rotation speed. Further, at the start of the predrying process, the drum driving motor 12 is normally rotated at a predetermined rotation speed for a fixed time (Tl9 to T20). By measuring the moment of inertia of the drum 10 during this period, the amount of laundry (load) can be detected. After that, the drum drive motor 12 rotates forward at about 50 rpm for 60 seconds, then stops for 3 seconds, reverses at about 50 rpm for 60 seconds, and stops again for 3 seconds. repeat.

When a predetermined time elapses after the drum driving motor 12 starts the above-described repetitive operation of the normal rotation Z reversal (T 20), the second drying heater 342 is turned on, and the first drying heater 342 is turned on. And the second drying heaters 341, 3442 are both turned on, whereby the driving of the drying unit 3 is switched from a weak state to a strong state. Thereafter, the rotation speed of the promoter 35 is gradually increased (T22), and is again maintained at about 450 ° r.

During the pre-drying period, the exhaust gas temperature and the dehumidifying water temperature gradually increase at almost the same ratio. After a certain period of time, the temperature of the exhaust gas and the temperature of the dehumidifying water become substantially constant, and the period shifts to the constant rate drying period (T23). During the constant-rate drying period, the rotation speed of the blower motor 35 is approximately 4 with the first and second drying heaters 34 1 and 34 2 turned on (the driving of the drying unit 3 is strong). While maintaining the speed at 500 rpm, the dehumidification water valve 14 is opened and the dehumidification water is supplied into the drying unit 3, whereby the laundry is efficiently dried. During the drying process, the room temperature detected by the room temperature sensor S4 gradually increases at a constant low ratio (a ratio lower than the exhaust gas temperature and the dehumidifying water temperature during the preliminary drying period).

After a predetermined time (for example, 90 minutes) has elapsed after the start of the drying process (T 19), the drive of the drum drive motor 12 rotates forward at approximately 50 rpm for 60 seconds and then for 3 seconds It only stops, reverses at 180 rpm for 180 seconds, and stops again for 3 seconds to switch to the repetitive action (T24). The driving mode of the drum driving motor 12 is maintained until the drying process is completed (T26). Drum drive motor 1 2 The timing of switching the driving mode is determined based on, for example, the load of the laundry, the room temperature, the dehumidification water temperature, and the like.

As described above, during the predetermined period before the end of the drying process (T24 to T26), the rotation speed of the drum 10 (drum drive motor 12) in the reverse direction is switched to the low speed, and the drum 1 Since the rotation time in the reverse direction of 0 is switched for a long time, the force acting on the laundry in the drum 10 is reduced by switching the rotation direction of the drum 10. Thereby, the twist generated in the laundry can be suppressed, so that the wrinkles generated in the laundry can be reduced more favorably.

If the rotation speed of the drum 10 is too low, the centrifugal force acting on the laundry in the drum 10 will decrease, and particularly when the amount of laundry is large, warm air will flow from the drying unit 3 into the drum 10. The ventilation holes 8 2 1 that enter may be covered with laundry. In this case, the warm air sent from the drying unit 3 may leak from the gap between the labyrinth ribs 827 and 8288, and the laundry may not be dried properly.

Further, as described above, in this embodiment, the air in the outer tank 7 is more likely to enter the exhaust port 71 than in the case where the drum 10 is turned over, and the drum 10 During normal rotation of, the flow of warm air to the exhaust gas temperature sensor S1 becomes poor, and the exhaust gas temperature may become high. In this case, the error in the exhaust gas temperature between the normal rotation and the reverse rotation of the drum 10 increases, and there is a possibility that the laundry cannot be dried well. Therefore, in this embodiment, during the predetermined period before the end of the drying process (Τ24 to Τ26), the drum 10 (only in the direction in which the air in the outer tank 7 easily enters the exhaust port 71 (reversed direction)) The structure is such that the rotation speed of the drum drive motor 12) is reduced and the rotation time is lengthened. Thereby, the laundry can be dried well. 'However, when the load on the laundry is small, wrinkles are less likely to be generated on the laundry. Therefore, when the load is less than a predetermined value, the above control may not be performed.

While the laundry is moist, the amount of heat (heat exchange between the warm air supplied into the drum 10 and the laundry) given to the laundry by the warm air to evaporate moisture from the laundry is increased. Since the temperature is almost constant, the exhaust temperature is almost constant, but when the laundry dries,? From the first rinse Since the amount of heat given to the laundry by the warm air to evaporate the water is reduced, the process shifts to a reduced-rate drying period in which the exhaust gas temperature gradually increases (T25). During the reduced-rate drying period, as described above, the hot air supplied into the drum 10 is While the amount of heat exchange with the pre-rinse is reduced, the dehumidified water continues to be supplied into the drying unit 3 at a constant flow rate, so that the temperature of the dehumidified water gradually decreases.

In this embodiment, the exhaust temperature at the end of the drying process (high limiter temperature) is determined based on the dehumidified water temperature and the room temperature detected at the start of the final dehydration process, and the exhaust temperature reaches the high limiter temperature. At this point (T26), the drying process is finished. In this way, if the drying process is completed based on the high limiter temperature determined in consideration of not only the dehumidifying water temperature but also the room temperature, the laundry can be more appropriately dried. Also, since the temperature of the dehumidifying water is detected during the period when the first and second drying heaters 341, 342 are in the OFF state (T1 to T2), the warm air sent from the drying unit 3 is used. Dehumidification water temperature can be detected before the dehumidification water is warmed. Therefore, a more appropriate high limiter temperature can be determined, and the laundry can be dried even better.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a correspondence relationship between the dehumidifying water temperature and the room temperature and the high limiter temperature.

Referring to Fig. 11, the high limiter temperature is, for example, different from the dehumidified water temperature WT before the drying operation (at the start of the final dehydration process) by 10 ° C (WT <10 and 10 ≤ WT <2). 0, 2 0 ≤ WT <3 0, 3 0 ≤ WT) and the room temperature KT is 1

The values are different for each 0 ° C difference (KT <10, 10 ≤ K T <20, 20 ≤ K T <30, 30 ≤ Τ <40, 40 ≤ ΚΤ). More specifically, the high limiter temperature is set to increase as the dehumidifying water temperature WT increases, and to increase as the room temperature Κ increases.

However, the high limiter temperature is determined not only based on the temperature of the dehumidification water at the start of the final dehydration process, but also at the start of the final dehydration process and at the start of the drying process (for example, 2 minutes). The temperature may be detected, and the high limiter temperature may be determined based on the average value of these dehumidification water temperatures. Referring again to FIG. 10, when the exhaust temperature reaches the high limiter temperature during the drying process (during the reduced-rate drying period) (T 26), the first and second drying heaters 3 4 1 and 3 4 2 It is turned off to complete the drying process, and the process shifts to a cool-down process (T26 to T28) for cooling the laundry.

During the cool-down process, the drum drive motor 1 2 で 1 at about 40 rpm until the exhaust temperature becomes almost the same as the exhaust temperature during the constant-rate drying period (cool-down end detection temperature) (Τ 27). After rotating forward for 80 seconds, it stops for 3 seconds, reverses at 180 rpm for 180 seconds, and stops again for 3 seconds. During the cool down process, the rotation speed of the promoter 35 is further increased so that the laundry can be cooled in a shorter time.

During the cool-down process, the drainage valve 18 is closed for a certain period of time, then opened and re-twisted to separate lint from the laundry and accumulate in the lower portion of the outer tub 7. A process to discharge the waste (a lint discharging process) is performed. In the lint discharging process, the dehumidified water stored in the lower portion of the outer tub 7 can be discharged outside the machine together with the lint by closing the drain valve 18 for a fixed time. When the exhaust temperature falls to the cool-down end detection temperature (T27), for example, the remaining time of the cool-down process is set to 2 minutes, and the drive of the drum drive motor 12 is reduced to about 40 rpm at 3 rpm. After normal rotation for 0 seconds, it stops only for 3 seconds, reverses at about 40 rpm for 30 seconds, and switches back to the operation that stops again for 3 seconds.

As described above, during the cool-down process, the time for the forward and reverse rotations of the drum driving motor 12 (drum 10) is changed from a long state (180 seconds; T26 to T27) to a short state (T26 to T27). 30 seconds; transit to Τ 27 to Τ 28). According to such a configuration, the entanglement of the laundry in the drum 10 can be removed and the laundry can be satisfactorily loosened. Therefore, wrinkles generated in the laundry can be reduced more favorably.

In the above embodiment, the case where the drying step is performed after the crane (dewatering step) is performed has been described. However, the drum-type washing / drying machine 1 can also execute only the drying step. If only the drying process is to be performed, start operation (T 19) The first drying heater 341, the dehumidifying water valve 14 and the drain valve 18 are opened, and the rotation and driving of the professional motor 35 are started.

When only the drying process is performed, the temperature of the dehumidifying water supplied during a predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes) from the start of the drying process (T19) is detected, and based on the temperature of the dehumidifying water. To determine the high limiter temperature. In this case, a configuration in which the temperature of the dehumidifying water is detected while the second drying heater 3 42 is in the OFF state (T 19 to T 20), that is, when the driving of the drying unit 3 is in the weak state, In this case, the temperature of the dehumidified water can be detected before the dehumidified water is heated by the warm air sent from the drying unit 3. Therefore, a more appropriate high limiter temperature can be determined, and thus the laundry can be dried better.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration is described in which the drying process is terminated when the exhaust temperature reaches the high limiter temperature, and the cool-down process is started. For example, the exhaust temperature reaches the high limiter temperature. After that, the hot air may be fed into the drum 10 while the drum 10 is rotated for a predetermined time (the drying process is extended).

Further, in the above-described embodiment, a configuration in which the drying process is terminated based on the high limiter temperature determined based on the dehumidifying water temperature and the room temperature has been described. For example, the temperature between the exhaust gas temperature and the dehumidifying water temperature The configuration may be such that the drying step is terminated when the difference becomes equal to or more than a predetermined value.

In a conventional drum type washer / dryer, the drying capacity (for example, 4.5 kg) is about 60% or less of the washing capacity (for example, 8 kg), or the drum capacity (for example, 66.6 liters) and the drying capacity. The standard volume ratio (drum capacity Z dry capacity) with the standard (eg, 4.5 kg) was about 14 or more. However, the drum-type laundry dryer having the above-described configuration has the following features. According to this, the dry capacity (for example, 6 kg) to the washing capacity (for example, 8 kg) can be about 7.5%, and the volume ratio can be about 11. That is, more laundry can be efficiently dried.

The present invention is not limited to the contents of the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims. For example, the drum 10 is not limited to a configuration in which its axis extends in the left-right direction, and may have a configuration in which it extends, for example, in the front-rear direction. In this case, the axis of the drum is not limited to the configuration extending substantially in the horizontal direction, and may be inclined within a predetermined angle range (for example, up to about 30 °) with respect to the horizontal direction.

The invention relating to the supply of the dehumidifying water is not limited to the drum type washer / dryer, but can be applied to, for example, a pulsator-type laundry dryer having a clothes drying function;

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the appended claims.

This application claims the priority of the treaty based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-111144032 filed with the Japan Patent Office on May 21, 2003, The entire disclosure of this application shall be incorporated into this application.

Claims

The scope of the claims

1. It has a circumferential surface, one end surface and the other end surface that cover both ends of the circumferential surface, and is rotatable within a predetermined angle range with respect to the horizontal direction around a rotation axis protruding from one end surface and the other end surface. Good drums,

An outer tank surrounding the drum,

A drying device facing one end face of the drum and supplying warm air into the drum from one end face;

A large number of water holes formed on the circumferential surface of the above-mentioned drum to allow water coming out of the clothes to pass when the drum is rotated to apply centrifugal force to the clothes inside the drum to perform dehydration. When,

A large number of ventilation holes formed on the other end surface of the drum and for passing hot air for drying sent from one end surface side of the drum into the drum;

An exhaust port formed at a position of the outer tank facing the circumferential surface of the drum, for exhausting warm air from inside the drum through the water holes and the air holes to the outside of the outer tank;

A washing machine having a clothes drying function, comprising:

2. On one end surface of the drum, a boss for attaching a rotating shaft for attaching a rotating shaft, and a supply port constituting member for partitioning a supply port for passing hot air around the boss for attaching a rotating shaft. Is provided,

2. The washing machine having a clothes drying function according to claim 1, wherein the supply port constituting member has an inclined surface whose outer surface is inclined with respect to a direction orthogonal to a flowing direction of the hot air.

3. The washing machine having a clothes drying function according to claim 1, wherein the exhaust port is formed at a position facing a circumferential surface at the center in the axial direction of the drum.

4. Drying step execution means for performing a drying step for drying clothes by supplying warm air into the drum by the drying device;

Before performing the drying step, a heating and dehydrating step performing means for performing dehydration by rotating the drum and applying centrifugal force to the clothes in the drum while supplying warm air into the drum by the drying device before performing the drying step. When, Means for switching the driving mode of the drying device so that the current consumption of the drying device is reduced during a period in which the current for driving the drum is equal to or more than a predetermined value during the heating and dewatering process;

The washing machine having a clothes drying function according to claim 1, characterized by comprising:

5. The washing machine having a clothes drying function according to claim 4, wherein the means for switching the driving mode switches the driving mode depending on whether a part of the drying device is driven or the whole of the drying device is driven.

6. The washing machine having a clothes drying function according to claim 3, wherein the drying device includes a blowing unit and at least two heating units configured to heat the air sent by the blowing unit.

7. A control unit for performing a heating and dehydrating step of performing dehydration by rotating the drum and applying centrifugal force to the clothes in the drum while supplying warm air into the drum by the drying device,

During the carothermal dehydration process, selectively stop the power supply to any one of the at least two heating means so that the sum of the drive current of the drum and the current consumption of the drying device does not exceed a predetermined value. Means for stopping power supply;

7. The washing machine having a clothes drying function according to claim 6, wherein the washing machine has a function of drying clothes.

8. The washing machine having a clothes drying function according to claim 7, wherein the heating and dehydrating step is performed prior to a drying step.

9. The clothes drying function according to claim 6, further comprising an air passage for guiding air discharged from the outer tub out of the outer tank to the drying device, and circulating hot air for drying. Wash machine.

10. The washing machine having a clothes drying function according to claim 9, further comprising dehumidifying means for removing moisture contained in the circulated warm air.

1 1. The dehumidifying means supplies cooling water to the warm air flowing through the air passage, causes heat exchange between the warm air and the cooling water, and removes moisture contained in the warm air. 10. The washing machine having clothes drying ability according to claim 10, wherein:

1 2. A control means for performing a heating and dewatering step of performing dehydration by rotating the drum and applying centrifugal force to clothing in the drum while supplying warm air into the drum by the drying device. Have

12. The washing machine having a clothes drying function according to claim 11, wherein the dehumidifying means stops the dehumidifying operation during the heating and dehydrating process.

1 3. There is a control means for performing a drying process by rotating the drum while supplying hot air into the drum by the drying device,

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the control means controls a driving mode of the drum so that a force acting on the garment is reduced by switching a rotation direction of the drum during a predetermined period before the end of the drying process. Washing machine with clothes drying function.

14. The control of the rotation mode of the drum by the control means is such that the rotation direction of the drum is switched to one direction and the other direction to reverse the drum, and the rotation speed in one direction is lower than the rotation speed in the other direction. 14. The washing machine having a clothes drying function according to claim 13, wherein the control is performed such that the rotation time in one direction is longer than the rotation time in the other direction.

15. A control means for performing a cool-down step of reversing the drum in a state where the supply of warm air by the drying apparatus is stopped after the drying step,

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the drum is inverted during a predetermined period before the end of the cool-down process, and the rotation of the drum in one direction is controlled to be shorter than the rotation time in the other direction. Washing machine with a function of drying clothes.

16. The system according to claim 11, comprising: means for detecting the temperature of the cooling water supplied by the dehumidifying means; and means for controlling the end of the drying process based on the temperature of the cooling water detected by the detecting means. Clothes dry; »A washing machine with the ability.