WO2006054431A1

WO2006054431A1 - Drum-type washer-dryer

Info

Publication number: WO2006054431A1
Application number: PCT/JP2005/019699
Authority: WO
Inventors: Shinichiro Kawabata; Hisao Tatsumi; Koji Kashima
Original assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba; Toshiba Consumer Marketing Corporation; Toshiba Ha Products Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2004-11-17
Filing date: 2005-10-26
Publication date: 2006-05-26
Also published as: KR20070072577A; CN101057019B; TWI289621B; JP2006141542A; TW200628658A; JP4713874B2; CN101057019A; KR100928110B1

Abstract

A drum-type washer-dryer comprising a water tank (23) disposed so as to incline upward to the front, a drum (24) disposed in the water tank (23) so as to incline upward to the front, a circulation passage (31) connected at both ends to the water tank (23) and circulating air between itself and the water tank, a compressor (36), a condenser (37, 46, 51) and an evaporator (38, 47, 52) that are disposed in the circulation passage (31), and a heat pump mechanism performing heat exchange with the air circulating between the circulation passage (31) and the water tank (23). The circulation passage (31) is provided with a heat exchange section (34) located below the water tank (23). The evaporator and the condenser are disposed in front of and behind the heat exchange section (34), respectively. The lower surface of that portion of the heat exchange section where the evaporator is located is higher in position than the lower surface of that portion of the heat exchange section (34) where the condenser is located, and is provided with a water discharge opening (40).

Description

Specification

Drum type washer / dryer

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a drum-type washing and drying machine using a heat pump mechanism.

Background art

[0002] In a drum-type washing and drying machine, by controlling the rotation speed of the drum, each process of washing, rinsing, dewatering, and drying is automatically executed sequentially, or the processes are selectively executed. It is structured so that it can be. In such a drum-type washing / drying machine, an electric heater such as a sheathed heater or a two-cam heater is used as a heat source for drying air supplied into the drum during the drying process. However, such an electric heater consumes a large amount of current, which increases the burden on ordinary households. In order to save energy, a drum-type washer / dryer using a heat pump mechanism has been proposed. This type of drum type washing and drying machine is described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2004-135755.

FIG. 5 shows a general conventional configuration of a drum type washing / drying machine using a heat pump mechanism. As shown in FIG. 5, the drum type washing and drying machine has an outer box 1 and a water tank elastically supported in the outer box 1. Inside the water tank 2 is disposed a drum 3 that rotates about a horizontal axis. On the front surface of the outer box 1, an input port la for taking in and out the laundry is formed. The insertion port la communicates with the front opening of the drum 3 and the water tank 2 and is opened and closed by a rotatable door 4!

A motor 5 is attached to the rear surface portion of the water tank 2. The rotating shaft 6 of the motor 5 passes through the water tank 2 and is fixed to the rear surface of the drum 3 so that the rotational power of the motor 5 is directly transmitted to the drum 3. A first drain pipe 7 is connected to the bottom of the water tank 2 via a drain valve 8. The drain pipe 7 is led out of the outer box 1.

[0005] The water tank 2 is connected with a circulation duct 9 as a circulation path. One end of the circulating dust 9 communicates with the front surface of the water tank 2, and the other end communicates with the rear surface of the water tank 2. A part of the heat pump mechanism is arranged in a part of the circulation duct 9 below the tank 2. Constitutes a heat exchange duct 9a. The heat exchange duct 9 a is provided in a substantially parallel state with respect to the bottom surface of the outer box 1 and the drum 3. A blower fan 10 is provided at the rear part (left part in FIG. 5) of the heat exchange duct 9a in the circulation duct 9. Air is circulated in the direction indicated by the arrow A in FIG. 5 inside the circulation duct 9, the water tank 2, and the drum 3 by the blower fan 10.

[0006] The heat pump mechanism circulates the refrigerant in the order of the condenser 11, the capillary tube (not shown), the evaporator 12, the condenser 11, the capillary tube (not shown), and the evaporator 12. And a compressor 17 to be inserted. A condenser 11 and an evaporator 12 are disposed in the heat exchange duct 9a.

[0007] The drum 3 is supplied with air (dry air) heated by heat exchange in the condenser 11 to dry the laundry. The air containing moisture after contributing to drying in the drum 3 is cooled and dehumidified by the evaporator 12. On the other hand, in the heat pump mechanism, the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant supplied from the compressor 17 to the condenser 11 decreases in temperature by exchanging heat with the air in the heat exchange duct 9a, and then evaporates through a capillary tube. Flows into vessel 12. The low-temperature refrigerant flowing into the evaporator 12 rises in temperature by exchanging heat with the air in the heat exchange duct 9a, returns to the compressor 17, and is reused for heat exchange in the condenser 11. For this reason, the configuration using the heat pump mechanism can save energy.

[0008] Note that a recess 13 having a drain port 14 is formed in the lower part of the evaporator 12 in the heat exchange duct 9a. A second drain line 16 is connected to the drain port 14 via an on-off valve 15. The downstream end of the drain pipe 16 is connected to the drain pipe 7. The dehumidified water generated in the evaporator 12 flows into the drain line 16 from the drain port 14 and is then discharged together with the water flowing in the drain line 7.

Disclosure of the invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

[0009] Incidentally, in the above-described conventional configuration, the condenser 11 and the evaporator 12 of the heat pump mechanism are arranged in the heat exchange duct 9a that is horizontally arranged in the space below the water tank 2 in the outer box 1. . That is, the condenser 11 and the evaporator 12 are arranged in parallel with the water tank 2 and the drum 3. On the other hand, in order to improve the natural drainage of dehumidified water from the second drain line 16, The height difference H between the lowest part in the outer box 1 of the first drain pipe 7 after joining the drain pipe 16 and the lower face of the evaporator 12 or the lower face of the heat exchange duct 9a is preferably larger. ,. Therefore, if the space below the aquarium 2 in the outer box 1 is narrow, a sufficient height difference H cannot be secured and the drainage performance will deteriorate, so the overall height of the outer box 1 must be increased. There is.

[0010] In recent years, there has been provided a drum-type washing machine configured such that the drum and the water tank are inclined forward and the insertion port on the front surface of the outer box is slightly upward. With this configuration, the user can easily put in and out the laundry with respect to the drum.

However, if the drum or water tank is tilted forward, the space in the lower part of the rear half of the water tank becomes narrow, and a sufficient height difference cannot be secured when the heat pump mechanism is horizontally arranged! /, There was a problem.

[0011] An object of the present invention is a drum-type washing and drying machine capable of efficiently discharging a dehumidified water by efficiently arranging a heat pump mechanism in a lower part of the water tank even when the water tank and the drum are inclined. Is to provide.

Means for solving the problem

[0012] The present invention relates to a water tank that is inclined forward and upward, a drum that is inclined forward and upward in the water tank, and a circulation in which both ends are connected to the water tank and air circulates between the water tank. A drum type having a path, a compressor, and a condenser and an evaporator disposed in the circulation path, and having a drying means for exchanging heat with air circulating between the circulation path and the water tank In the washing and drying machine, the circulation path is located at a lower part of the water tank, and includes a heat exchange part in which the condenser and the evaporator are accommodated, and at the front part and the rear part of the heat exchange part. The evaporator and the condenser are respectively arranged. The lower surface of the heat exchanging part where the evaporator is located is configured to be higher than the lower face of the heat exchanging part where the condenser is located, and has a drain outlet. It is characterized by that.

The invention's effect

[0013] The drum-type washing and drying machine of the present invention can arrange the heat exchanging portion and effectively provide the drainage port at a high position by effectively using the space below the water tank inclined upward. Discharge the dehumidified water generated by exchanging heat between the evaporator and circulating air well. Can do.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional side view showing an overall configuration of a drum-type washing / drying machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1, showing a second embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing a condenser.

FIG. 4 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1, showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1 showing a conventional example.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0015] In order to describe the present invention in more detail, it will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the washing / drying machine according to the present embodiment includes a rectangular box-shaped outer box 21 having a slot 21a for taking in and out laundry, and a door 22 for opening and closing the slot 21a. I have. The insertion port 21a is provided slightly above the front surface of the outer box 21.

[0016] In addition, a cylindrical water tank 23 is disposed inside the outer box 21 via an elastic support device (not shown). This aquarium 23 is arranged in a slightly upwardly inclined state, and has a large opening on the front surface (the right surface in FIG. 1). A cylindrical drum 24 is rotatably disposed in the water tank 23. The drum 24 is disposed in a state of being inclined upward as in the case of the water tank 23. Specifically, the rotation center axis of the drum 24 is inclined upward by “α °” with respect to the horizontal plane. ing.

[0017] The drum 24 has a large opening on the front surface, and a plurality of holes 24a, a plurality of kaffles 24b (only one shown), and the like are formed on the peripheral wall thereof. The drum 24 functions as a washing tank, a dewatering tank, and a drying tank.

Each front opening of the water tank 23 and the drum 24 is opposed to the input port 21a of the outer box 21, and the laundry can be taken in and out of the drum 24 through the opening and the input port 21a. Yes. In accordance with the inclined arrangement of the water tank 23 and the drum 24, the upper half of the front surface of the outer box 21 and the inlet 21a are oriented slightly upward. An inertia bellows 25 is watertightly connected between the inlet 21a of the outer box 21 and the front opening of the water tank 23. The leakage of water into the outer casing 21 is prevented.

A motor 26 is disposed at the center of the rear surface of the water tank 23. The motor 26 is, for example, an outer rotor type DC brushless motor, and a rotating shaft 27 connected to the rotor passes through the water tank 23 and is connected to the center of the rear surface portion of the drum 24. Therefore, when the motor 26 is energized and driven, the drum 24 rotates integrally with the rotor.

In addition, a drain outlet 28 is formed in the rear lower part of the bottom surface of the water tank 23. A first drain line 30 is connected to the drain port 28 via a drain valve 29. The leading end of the drainage pipe 30 is led out to a predetermined drainage place located outside the outer box 21.

On the other hand, a circulation path 31 is connected to the water tank 23. The circulation path 31 includes an air supply duct 32 located on the rear surface of the water tank 31, an exhaust duct 33 located on the front surface of the water tank 31, and a heat exchange duct 34 serving as a heat exchange part located on the lower part of the water tank 31. ing . Both front and rear ends of the heat exchange duct 34 are connected to the lower end of the air supply duct 32 and the lower end of the exhaust duct 33, respectively. The heat exchange duct 34 is fixed to an appropriate stationary part such as the bottom of the outer box 21. On the other hand, the air supply duct 32 and the exhaust duct 33 are fixed to a water tank 23 elastically supported in the outer box 21. Accordingly, the connecting portions 3la and 31b between the heat exchange duct 34, the air supply duct 32, and the exhaust duct 33 are each configured in a bellows shape that can be elastically expanded and contracted.

A blower fan 35 is provided at the rear end portion in the heat exchange duct 34. As a result, the drying air for drying the laundry circulates between the circulation path 31, the water tank 23 and the drum 24 in the direction indicated by the arrow A in FIG.

Further, a condenser 37 and an evaporator 38 are arranged at the rear and front of the heat exchange duct 34. Further, a compressor 36 is arranged at the front lower part in the outer box 21. A heat pump mechanism is constituted by the compressor 36, the condenser 37, the evaporator 38, and a capillary tube (not shown). In the heat pump mechanism, when the compressor 36 is driven, the refrigerant circulates in the order of the compressor 36, the condenser 37, the capillary tube, the evaporator 38, and the compressor 36.

In the present embodiment, the heat exchange duct 34 is also configured to rise forward in accordance with the water tank 23 and the drum 24 that are inclined to rise forward. Specifically, the heat exchanger The tato 34 includes a rear horizontal duct portion 34a, a front horizontal duct portion 34b, and an intermediate duct portion 34c located between the horizontal duct portions 34a and 34b. The horizontal duct portion 34b is located higher than the horizontal duct portion 34a. Therefore, the intermediate duct portion 34c is inclined downward from the front portion toward the rear portion. The evaporator 38 is arranged in the horizontal duct part 34b at the high position, and the condenser 37 is arranged in the horizontal duct part 34a at the low position. That is, a step is provided between the lower surface of the portion where the evaporator 38 is disposed in the heat exchange duct 34 and the lower surface of the portion where the condenser 37 is disposed.

[0022] At the bottom of the horizontal duct portion 34b, a recess 39 having a drain port 40 for collecting and draining dehumidified water in the evaporator 38 is formed. A second drain line 42 is connected to the drain port 40 via an on-off valve 41. The end of the drain pipe 42 is connected to the drain pipe 30. In this case, the horizontal duct portion 34b is at a high position, and is disposed at the lowest portion in the outer casing 21 of the first drainage pipe 30 after joining the second drainage pipe 42 and the horizontal duct 34b. The predetermined height difference H is sufficiently secured between the evaporator 38 and the evaporator 38.

[0023] In addition, a drain port 43 is formed in the bottom surface of the horizontal duct portion 34a and located downstream of the condenser 37, and on the bottom surface of the outer box 21 below the drain port 43. A water pan 4 4 is arranged. It is difficult for air to flow into the horizontal duct 34a through the water drain port 43 as much as possible. It is formed in an opening shape that is provided at the heel position and is difficult to flow in.

Next, the operation of the drum type washing machine having the above-described configuration will be described.

When starting the washing operation, the user first puts the laundry into the drum 24 from the insertion port 21a. In this case, the drum 24 is inclined forward and the input port 21a is configured to be slightly upward according to this, so that the laundry can be input easily.

[0025] Subsequently, when a washing operation, for example, a standard washing operation, is started, the rotation speed of the drum 24 is controlled as is well known, and washing, rinsing, dehydration, and drying processes are automatically executed. It is done. Here, only the drying process related to the gist of the present invention will be described, and the description of the other processes will be omitted. [0026] In the drying process, the blower fan 35 is driven, and as a result, the air in the drum 24 flows into the heat exchange duct 34 through the exhaust duct 33 as shown by an arrow A, After that, it is returned to the drum 24.

On the other hand, when the compressor 36 constituting the heat pump mechanism is driven, the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant flows from the compressor 36 to the condenser 37 and exchanges heat with the air in the heat exchange duct 34. As a result, the refrigerant is liquefied at a reduced temperature, passes through the capillary tube, and then flows into the evaporator 38. The refrigerant that has passed through the capillary tube is depressurized and becomes a low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid mixture.

The air heated by exchanging heat with the condenser 37 passes through the air supply duct 32 as dry air, and is supplied into the drum 24 through the water tank 23. Then, the drying air that deprives the laundry of moisture in the drum 24 and contributes to drying becomes moisture-containing air, and returns to the heat exchange duct 34 through the exhaust duct 33 in the front. The air returned to the heat exchange duct 34 is cooled by exchanging heat with the evaporator 38, and moisture in the air is condensed on the surface of the evaporator 38. The condensed water is dropped and collected in the water collecting recess 39, discharged to the second drainage pipe 42 through the drainage port 40 and the on-off valve 41, and discharged to the outside via the first drainage pipe 30. The The air cooled by exchanging heat with the evaporator 38 reaches the condenser 37 through the duct portion 34c, and after being heat-exchanged as described above, is supplied again to the drum 24 as dry air. In this way, the air in the heat exchange duct 34 and the drum 24 circulates to dry the laundry in the drum 24.

[0028] Incidentally, in the heat exchange duct 34, a part of the water condensed in the evaporator 38 is scattered and reaches the vicinity of the condenser 37, or the condensed water generated on the inner wall of the heat exchange duct 34 is circulated by the circulating air. And may reach the vicinity of the condenser 37 along the flow. When the condensed water reaches the vicinity of the condenser 37 in this way, the effect of heating the air by the condenser 37 is hindered.

[0029] However, in this embodiment, since the drainage port 43 is provided on the lower surface of the horizontal duct portion 34a on the downstream side of the condenser 37, the condensed water is not stored in the horizontal duct portion 34a, and the drainage port is provided. It is discharged from 43 to the water tray 44. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the air heating performance from deteriorating due to the condensed water reaching the vicinity of the condenser 37. It should be noted that the water discharged to the water tray 44 evaporates and disappears.

[0030] According to the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. In this embodiment, the water tank 23 and the drum 24 are inclined forward and the heat exchange duct 34 disposed at the lower part of the water tank 23 is replaced with a rear horizontal duct part 34a and a front horizontal duct part 34b, The intermediate duct portion 34c is located between the horizontal duct portions 34a and 34b. The horizontal duct portion 34b is configured to be higher than the horizontal duct portion 34a, and the evaporator 38 is disposed in the horizontal duct portion 34b, and the condenser 37 is disposed in the horizontal duct portion 34a. Therefore, it is possible to secure a height difference H effective for naturally draining the dehumidified water generated in the evaporator 38 from the drain port 40.

[0031] Further, the horizontal duct part 34a constituting the heat exchange duct 34 is set to the high position and the horizontal duct 34b is set to the low position in accordance with the inclination of the water tank 23, and the space between the lower surface of the horizontal duct part 34a and the horizontal duct part 34b is set. Since the step is provided in the space, the space below the water tank 23 can be used effectively.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show a second embodiment of the present invention, and the differences from the first embodiment will be described. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the drum type washing machine according to the present embodiment, a heat exchange duct 45 is disposed below the water tank 23 instead of the heat exchange duct 34. The heat exchange duct 45 is inclined upward so that the upper surface thereof follows the inclination of the water tank 23 and the drum 24, and is disposed close to the water tank 23.

[0033] Further, the upper surfaces 46a and 47a of the condenser 46 and the evaporator 47 are also inclined upward so as to follow the inclination of the water tank 23 and the drum 24. In this embodiment, the inclination angles of the upper surfaces 46a and 47a of the condenser 46 and the evaporator 47 are set to be substantially the same as the inclination angle of the upper surface of the heat exchange duct 45, and the condenser 46 and the evaporator 47 are 46a and 47a are arranged so as to be close to the upper surface of the heat exchange duct 45.

[0034] On the other hand, the lower surfaces of the heat exchange duct 45 where the condenser 46 and the evaporator 47 are arranged are respectively horizontal, and a step is formed between the lower surfaces as in the heat exchange duct 34. Is provided.

With the above configuration, both the condenser 46 and the evaporator 47 have a trapezoidal shape in which the front part is larger than the rear part. Compared to the first embodiment, the space just below the water tank 23 is formed. The volume can be increased as much as possible. In particular, the condenser 46 can have a larger volume than the evaporator 47 that needs to be arranged at a high position. FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the condenser 46 configured as described above. As shown in FIG. 3, the condenser 46 is configured by crossing refrigerant tubes 49 with a large number of fins 48 for heat dissipation. As the upper surface 46a of the condenser 46 is inclined in accordance with the inclination of the water tank 23 and the drum 24, the upper ends of the fins 48 are also inclined upward. Therefore, the area of the fin 48 can be increased and the tube 49 can be added. For this reason, the efficiency of heat exchange with the air passing through the condenser 46, that is, the heating efficiency of the air is improved. Although the degree is smaller than that of the condenser 46, the volume of the evaporator 47 can also be increased. Accordingly, the efficiency of heat exchange with the air passing through the evaporator 47 is also improved, so that the dehumidification efficiency of the air is improved. Therefore, the heat exchange efficiency of the heat pump mechanism as a whole can be dramatically improved, and the laundry drying performance can be improved.

FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment of the present invention, and different points from the first embodiment will be described. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the third embodiment, a heat exchange duct 50 is disposed below the water tank 23 instead of the heat exchange duct 34. The heat exchanging duct 50 is inclined upwardly as a whole along the inclination of the water tank 23 and the drum 24. In the heat exchange duct 50, a condenser 51 and an evaporator 52 are arranged in an inclined state. That is, the upper surfaces 51a and 52a and the lower surfaces 51b and 52b of the condenser 51 and the evaporator 52 are both inclined along the upper and lower surfaces of the heat exchange duct 50.

[0037] It should be noted that although the portion of the lower surface of the heat exchange duct 50 where the condenser 51 and the evaporator 52 are located is in an inclined state, a step is provided between them.

In the above configuration, the condenser 51 and the evaporator 52 are both substantially rectangular boxes, and are similar to the condenser 37 and the evaporator 38 shown in the first embodiment. However, since the heat exchange duct 50 is inclined according to the inclination of the water tank 23 and the drum 24, the space below the water tank 23 can be effectively used to increase the capacity of the heat exchange duct 50. it can. Therefore, the condenser 51 and the evaporator 52 can be made large, and the heat exchange performance can be improved.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and shown in the drawings. For example, the following modifications are possible. The drain port 43 may be provided at an appropriate position according to the position of the blower fan, the structure of the heat exchange duct, etc., as long as it is near the condenser on the lower surface of the heat exchange duct.

The specific configuration of the circulation path, the direction in which the drying air circulates, the arrangement of the components of the heat pump mechanism, and the like can be implemented with various changes without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Industrial applicability

As described above, the present invention can improve the drying performance while suppressing large-sized bottles, and thus is useful for a domestic drum-type laundry dryer having a limited installation space.

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] An aquarium (23) inclined at the front,

A drum (24) disposed in an inclined manner in the water tank (23);

A circulation path (31) in which both ends are connected to the water tank (23) and air is circulated between the water tank and

A compressor (36), a condenser (37, 46, 51) and an evaporator (38, 47, 52) disposed in the circulation path (31), and the circulation path (31) In the drum type washing and drying machine provided with a heat pump mechanism for exchanging heat with air circulating between the water tank (23), the circulation path (31) is a heat exchange located at a lower part of the water tank (23). Section (34), the evaporator (38, 47, 52) and the condenser (37, 46, 51) are respectively arranged at the front and rear in the heat exchange section (34), and the evaporator ( 38, 47, 52) so that the lower surface of the heat exchanging part (34) is higher than the lower surface of the heat exchanging part (34) where the condenser (37, 46, 51) is located. A drum type washing and drying machine comprising a drain outlet (40) as well as a drain.

[2] In the drum type washing and drying machine according to claim 1,

The drum-type washing / drying machine according to claim 1, wherein an upper surface of a portion of the heat exchange unit where the evaporator or the condenser is disposed is inclined in the same direction as the water tank.

[3] In the drum type washing and drying machine according to claim 1,

A drum-type washing / drying system, characterized in that a step is provided between a lower surface of a portion of the heat exchange unit where the evaporator is disposed and a lower surface of a portion of the heat exchanger. Machine.

[4] In the drum type washing machine according to claim 1,

A drum-type washing and drying machine, wherein a water drain port (43) is provided near the lower surface of a portion of the heat exchange portion where the evaporator is disposed.