Washing and drying integrated machine

Abstract

A washer-dryer (1) includes a cabinet (2), a washing tub (3), an air circulation path (20), a blower (21) that circulates air in the washing tub (3) by drawing the air into the air circulation path (20) and returning the air to the washing tub (3), a heat pump (25), a filter (F2) disposed in the air circulation path (20) and detachable to the outside of the cabinet (2), a refrigerant temperature measuring unit (35) that measures a temperature of refrigerant compressed by a compressor (26) of the heat pump (25), and a control unit (30) that controls the blower (21) and the heat pump (25) to perform a drying operation. When a temperature measured by the refrigerant temperature measuring unit (35) or a degree of increase in the temperature is less than a predetermined threshold value after a predetermined time elapses from the start of the drying operation, the control unit (30) determines that the filter (F2) is not present in the air circulation path (20).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a washer-dryer combo machine. Background Technology

[0002] The washer-dryer described in Patent Document 1 includes: an outer casing, a water tank disposed inside the outer casing, a rotating drum housed inside the water tank, and a drying air duct and air supply unit for supplying drying air to the interior of the rotating drum. The drying air duct includes an outlet pipe and an inlet pipe integrally formed with the water tank. The air supply unit includes: a connecting pipe connected to the outlet pipe, a blower fan connected to the connecting pipe, a heater connecting the blower fan and the inlet pipe, and a drying filter mounted on a filter assembly provided in the connecting pipe. During the drying operation of the washer-dryer, air inside the water tank flows through the outlet pipe and the connecting pipe driven by the blower fan, is heated by the heater into drying air, and flows into the water tank through the inlet pipe to dry the laundry inside the rotating drum. The drying filter captures dust contained in the air flowing through the connecting pipe.

[0003] The drying filter can be removed from the opening on the upper surface of the filter mounting section. A sound collector is located near the filter mounting section to capture the sound signal of the drying air flowing through the connecting duct. During drying operation with the drying filter installed in the filter mounting section, the drying airflow is closed and the fan noise is relatively quiet; therefore, the noise level of the drying air flowing through the connecting duct is low. On the other hand, during drying operation without the drying filter installed in the filter mounting section, the airflow resistance in the connecting duct is lower, while the airflow volume is higher; therefore, the noise level of the drying air flowing through the connecting duct is higher. In the washer-dryer combo, the difference in the intensity of the sound signal captured by the sound collector—that is, the difference in noise level—is used to determine whether a drying filter is installed in the filter mounting section.

[0004] In the washer-dryer described in Patent Document 1, the sound collection unit used to determine whether a drying filter is installed is expensive, so increased costs are inevitable.

[0005] Existing technical documents

[0006] Patent documents

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-42741 Summary of the Invention

[0008] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0009] The present invention was made in this context, and its purpose is to provide a washer-dryer combo machine that can determine at low cost whether a filter for drying operation is installed.

[0010] Solution for solving the problem

[0011] This invention relates to a washer-dryer combo, comprising: a housing; a washing drum disposed within the housing for containing laundry; an air circulation path disposed within the housing, including an outlet and a return outlet connected to the washing drum; an air supply unit for drawing air from the washing drum through the outlet into the air circulation path and returning it through the return outlet into the washing drum, thereby circulating the air; a heat pump comprising: a compressor for compressing refrigerant; a heat exchanger disposed within the air circulation path for exchanging heat between the refrigerant and the air within the air circulation path; and a refrigerant circulation path for circulating the refrigerant between the compressor and the heat exchanger; and a filter disposed within the air circulation path for capturing [refrigerant] from the air within the air circulation path. Foreign objects; a refrigerant temperature measuring unit that measures the temperature of the refrigerant compressed by the compressor; a control unit that controls the air supply unit and the heat pump to perform a drying operation to dry the laundry in the washing drum; a first door that opens and closes a first disassembly port provided in the air circulation path; and a second door that opens and closes a second disassembly port provided in the housing, wherein the filter can be disassembled from the air circulation path to the outside of the housing through the first disassembly port and the second disassembly port, and if the temperature measured by the refrigerant temperature measuring unit or the degree of temperature rise is less than a predetermined threshold after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the drying operation, the control unit determines that there is no filter in the air circulation path.

[0012] Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that the heat exchanger comprises: a first heat exchanger heated by refrigerant compressed by the compressor; and a second heat exchanger cooled by refrigerant passing through the first heat exchanger, the refrigerant circulation path comprising: a discharge path leading the refrigerant compressed by the compressor to the first heat exchanger; and a return path leading the refrigerant from the second heat exchanger to the compressor, wherein the temperature measured by the refrigerant temperature measuring unit is the temperature of the refrigerant flow path in the first heat exchanger or the temperature of the discharge path.

[0013] Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that the washer-dryer also includes an air temperature measuring unit for measuring the air temperature inside the washing drum. If the temperature measured by the air temperature measuring unit or the degree of temperature rise is less than a predetermined threshold after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the drying operation, the control unit also determines that there is no filter in the air circulation path.

[0014] Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that the washer-dryer combo machine further includes: a notification unit, which, when the control unit determines that there is no filter in the air circulation path, informs the user that there is no filter in the air circulation path.

[0015] Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that the control unit extends the drying operation when it determines that there is no filter in the air circulation path.

[0016] Invention Effects

[0017] According to the present invention, during the drying operation of the washer-dryer, the air inside the washing drum is circulated by the operation of the air supply unit, in a manner that it is drawn from the outlet into the air circulation path and returned to the washing drum from the return outlet. The circulated air is heated into hot air through heat exchange with the heat exchanger of the heat pump in the drying circulation path, thereby drying the laundry inside the washing drum. A filter disposed in the air circulation path captures foreign objects from the air in the air circulation path.

[0018] Users can open the first and second doors to open the first and second access ports of the air circulation circuit and the second access port of the housing, allowing them to remove the filter from the air circulation circuit through the first and second access ports to the outside of the housing for maintenance. When the user returns the filter to the air circulation circuit through the first and second access ports and closes the first and second doors, the connection of the filter to the air circulation circuit is complete.

[0019] In washer-dryer combos using heat pumps, if drying operation begins with a filter installed in the air circulation path, the temperature of the refrigerant compressed by the compressor in the heat pump will continuously rise. Therefore, after a predetermined time from the start of drying operation, the refrigerant temperature, or the degree of temperature rise, will reach or exceed a predetermined threshold. Thus, in the washer-dryer combo, if the refrigerant temperature measured by the refrigerant temperature measuring unit after a predetermined time from the start of drying operation is less than the predetermined threshold, the control unit determines that there is no filter in the air circulation path. By focusing on the refrigerant temperature of the heat pump in this way, even without using an expensive structure for detecting the presence or absence of a filter, it is possible to determine at a low cost whether a filter for drying operation is installed. It should be noted that the refrigerant temperature measured by the refrigerant temperature measuring unit can be either the temperature of the refrigerant itself or the temperature of the flow path through which the refrigerant flows.

[0020] Furthermore, according to the present invention, the heat exchanger includes: a first heat exchanger heated by refrigerant compressed by a compressor; and a second heat exchanger cooled by refrigerant passing through the first heat exchanger. The refrigerant circulation path includes: a discharge path leading the refrigerant compressed by the compressor to the first heat exchanger; and a return path leading the refrigerant from the second heat exchanger to the compressor. If drying operation begins with a filter installed in the air circulation path, the temperature of the refrigerant flow path and the temperature of the discharge path in the first heat exchanger tend to rise significantly and continuously. Therefore, it is possible to accurately determine whether a filter is installed by observing these temperatures.

[0021] Furthermore, according to the present invention, in a washer-dryer combo, if drying operation begins with a filter installed in the air circulation path, the air temperature inside the washing drum will continuously rise. Therefore, after a predetermined time from the start of drying operation, the air temperature or the degree of temperature rise will reach or exceed a predetermined threshold. Thus, in the washer-dryer combo, if the air temperature measured by the air temperature measuring unit after a predetermined time from the start of drying operation is less than the predetermined threshold, the control unit also determines that there is no filter in the air circulation path. This allows for cost-effective determination of whether a filter is installed by considering not only the temperature of the heat pump refrigerant but also the air temperature inside the washing drum.

[0022] Furthermore, according to the present invention, in a washer-dryer combo, if the control unit determines that there is no filter in the air circulation path, the notification unit will inform the user of the situation, thus prompting the user to install a filter in the air circulation path.

[0023] Furthermore, according to the present invention, the control unit extends the drying operation when it determines that there is no filter in the air circulation path, so that even if the laundry in the washing drum is difficult to dry due to the lack of a filter in the air circulation path, the laundry can be completely dried. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic longitudinal sectional right view of a washer-dryer combo according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 2 This is a block diagram showing the electrical structure of a washer-dryer combo.

[0026] Figure 3 This is a time-series diagram showing the temperature changes over time at various measurement locations during the drying operation of a washer-dryer combo with a filter installed.

[0027] Figure 4 This is a time series diagram showing the temperature changes over time at various measurement locations during drying operation without a filter installed.

[0028] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating the filter detection process in the first embodiment of the drying operation.

[0029] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating the filter detection process of the second embodiment.

[0030] Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating the filter detection process of the third embodiment.

[0031] Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating the drying process.

[0032] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0033] 1: Washer-dryer combo; 2: Cabinet; 2E: Second disassembly / assembly port; 3: Washing drum; 20: Air circulation path; 20D: Outlet; 20E: Return port; 20G: First disassembly / assembly port; 21: Air supply unit; 25: Heat pump; 26: Compressor; 27: Heat exchanger; 27A: First heat exchanger; 27B: Second heat exchanger; 27F: Flow path; 28: Refrigerant circulation path; 28A: Discharge path; 28B: Return path; 30: Control unit; 31: First door; 32: Second door; 35: Refrigerant temperature measuring unit; 36: Air temperature measuring unit; 38: Notification unit; F2: Filter; L: Laundry items. Detailed Implementation

[0034] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 This is a schematic longitudinal sectional right view of a washer-dryer combo 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 The direction perpendicular to the paper surface is called the left-right direction X of the washer-dryer combo 1. Figure 1 The left-right direction in the middle is called the front-back direction Y of the washer-dryer combo 1. Figure 1 The vertical direction is referred to as the vertical direction Z of the washer-dryer combo 1. The horizontal direction X is... Figure 1 The inside of the paper is called the left side X1. Figure 1 The surface of the paper is called the right side X2. In the forward / backward direction Y, [the following is unclear and likely incomplete: "will"] Figure 1 The left side of the middle is called the anterior Y1, which will Figure 1 The right side is called the rear side Y2. In the vertical direction Z, the upper side is called the upper side Z1, and the lower side is called the lower side Z2.

[0035] The washer-dryer combo 1 includes: a housing 2, a washing drum 3 disposed within the housing 2, a water supply line 4 and a drain line 5 connected to the washing drum 3, and a drain filter 6 for capturing foreign matter in the water discharged from the washing drum 3 via the drain line 5. The washing drum 3 includes an outer drum 7 and a drum 8 housed within the outer drum 7. Therefore, the washer-dryer combo 1 is a so-called drum-type washer-dryer combo. The washer-dryer combo 1 includes a motor 9 for rotating the drum 8 and a drying unit 10 for drying the laundry L housed within the drum 8.

[0036] The box body 2 is box-shaped. The box body 2 has a vertically extending front wall 2A, a top wall 2B extending horizontally from the upper end of the front wall 2A to the rear side Y2, and a bottom wall 2C extending horizontally from the lower end of the front wall 2A to the rear side Y2. An opening 2D is formed in the front wall 2A to connect the inside and outside of the box body 2. A door 11 is provided in the front wall 2A for opening and closing the opening 2D.

[0037] The outer tub 7 is connected to the upper end of a shock absorber 12 extending upward from the bottom wall 2C of the housing 2 to the upper side Z1. Thus, the entire washing tub 3, including the outer tub 7 and the drum 8, is elastically supported by the bottom wall 2C via the shock absorber 12. The outer tub 7 has a cylindrical circumferential wall 7A centered on an axis J extending from the horizontal direction H to the rearward direction Y, a disc-shaped back wall 7B that blocks the hollow portion of the circumferential wall 7A from the rear side Y2, and an annular front wall 7C connected to the front edge of the circumferential wall 7A.

[0038] The back wall 7B is vertically arranged and has an annular outer periphery 7D and a cylindrical central portion 7E that protrudes rearward Y2 beyond the outer periphery 7D. A through hole 7F is formed at the center of the central portion 7E, extending through the central portion 7E along the axis J in the front-rear direction Y. The front wall 7C has: an annular first portion 7G protruding from the front edge of the circumferential wall 7A towards the axis J; a cylindrical second portion 7H protruding from the inner periphery of the first portion 7G towards the front Y1; and an annular third portion 7I protruding from the front edge of the second portion 7H towards the axis J. An entrance 7J is formed on the inner side of the third portion 7I, communicating with the hollow portion of the circumferential wall 7A from the front Y1. The entrance 7J is opposite to and communicates with the opening 2D of the housing 2 from the rear Y2.

[0039] The water supply line 4 has one end (not shown) connected to a faucet (not shown) and another end 4A connected to, for example, the central portion 7E of the back wall 7B of the outer cylinder 7. During water supply, water from the faucet is supplied from the water supply line 4 into the outer cylinder 7. The outer cylinder 7 stores tap water, detergent water containing dissolved detergent, and other similar water. A water supply valve 13 is installed midway through the water supply line 4 to be opened or closed to start or stop the water supply.

[0040] The drainage passage 5 is connected to the lower end of the outer cylinder 7, for example, the lower end of the first part 7G of the front wall 7C. Water inside the outer cylinder 7 is discharged outside the machine through the drainage passage 5. A drain valve 14 is provided in the middle of the drainage passage 5 to be opened or closed for starting or stopping drainage.

[0041] The drain filter 6 is located in the drain passage 5, upstream of the outer cylinder 7, closer to the drain valve 14. Since the front end of the drain filter 6 protrudes forward from the front wall 2A of the housing 2 towards the front Y1, the user can grasp the front end of the drain filter 6 to install or remove it from the housing 2. The structure of the drain filter 6 can use a known design.

[0042] The roller 8 is smaller than the outer cylinder 7. The roller 8 has: a cylindrical circumferential wall 8A coaxially arranged with the circumferential wall 7A of the outer cylinder 7; a disc-shaped back wall 8B blocking the hollow portion of the circumferential wall 8A from the rear side Y2; and an annular wall 8C protruding from the front edge of the circumferential wall 8A toward the axis J. Multiple through holes 8D are formed in the roller 8 at least in the circumferential wall 8A, through which water in the outer cylinder 7 flows between the outer cylinder 7 and the roller 8. Thus, the water level in the outer cylinder 7 is the same as the water level in the roller 8. A support shaft 15 extending rearward along the axis J to the rear side Y2 is provided at the center of the back wall 8B of the roller 8. The rear end of the support shaft 15 passes through the through hole 7F of the back wall 7B of the outer cylinder 7 and is positioned at the rear side Y2 of the back wall 7B.

[0043] An inlet / outlet 8E is formed on the inner side of the annular wall 8C, communicating with the hollow portion of the circumferential wall 8A from the front side Y1. The inlet / outlet 8E is opposite to and communicates with the inlet / outlet 7J of the outer drum 7 and the opening 2D of the housing 2 from the rear side Y2. The inlet / outlet 7J and the inlet / outlet 8E, together with the opening 2D, are opened and closed together through the door 11. The user of the washer-dryer 1 puts laundry L into the drum 8 through the open opening 2D, the inlet / outlet 7J, and the inlet / outlet 8E.

[0044] The motor 9 is a disc-shaped component with an outer diameter approximately the same as the central portion 7E of the back wall 7B of the outer cylinder 7. It is disposed within the housing 2 on the rear side Y2 of the central portion 7E and fixed to the central portion 7E. The motor 9 is connected to the support shaft 15 provided on the roller 8. The driving force generated by the motor 9 is transmitted to the support shaft 15, and the roller 8 is driven to rotate around the axis J along with the support shaft 15. It should be noted that a clutch mechanism (not shown) can be provided between the motor 9 and the support shaft 15 to transmit or cut off the driving force of the motor 9 to the support shaft 15.

[0045] The drying unit 10 includes an air circulation path 20 and an air supply section 21 for circulating air within the washing drum 3, a filter unit 22 for capturing foreign objects from the circulating air, a branch path 23 for maintaining the filter unit 22, a water injection valve 24, and a heat pump 25 for heating or dehumidifying the circulating air.

[0046] The air circulation path 20 is a flow path disposed around the outer cylinder 7 within the housing 2. The air circulation path 20 includes: a mid-section 20A extending in the front-rear direction Y at a position higher than the outer cylinder 7; a rear section 20B extending downward Z2 from the rear end of the mid-section 20A; and a front section 20C extending downward Z2 from the front end of the mid-section 20A. An outlet 20D is formed at the front end of the lower end of the rear section 20B. The outlet 20D is connected to a portion of the outer periphery 7D of the back wall 7B of the outer cylinder 7 that is higher than the upper limit water level, and communicates with the interior of the outer cylinder 7 from the rear Y2. A return port 20E is formed at the lower end of the front section 20C. The return port 20E is connected to the upper end of the second part 7H of the front wall 7C of the outer cylinder 7, and communicates with the interior of the outer cylinder 7 from the upper Z1. The opening in the outer periphery 7D connected to the outlet 20D is called the outlet 7K, and the opening in the front wall 7C connected to the return port 20E is called the inlet 7L.

[0047] The air supply unit 21 is a blower fan, including rotating blades 21A located in the middle section 20A of the air circulation path 20, in a region near the upstream side of the outlet 20D, and an electric motor 21B that rotates the rotating blades 21A. When the rotating blades 21A rotate, the air inside the washing drum 3, that is, the air inside the outer drum 7 and the drum 8, as shown by the thick dashed arrow, is taken out from the outlet 20D, that is, the outlet 7K, into the air circulation path 20 and then returned to the washing drum 3 from the return port 20E, that is, the inlet 7L. Thus, the air inside the washing drum 3 circulates sequentially through the washing drum 3 and the air circulation path 20.

[0048] The filter unit 22 is disposed within the air circulation path 20 in a region upstream of the outlet 20D, closer to the rotating blades 21A, specifically within the rear portion 20B. The filter unit 22 includes one or more filters F1. Each filter F1 is a drying filter consisting of a mesh sheet and a frame supporting the mesh sheet. The filters F1 are disposed in a longitudinally extending position along the path of air flowing through the air circulation path 20. When multiple filters F1 are provided, they are arranged to overlap with the flow direction of the air in the air circulation path 20. When air drawn from the outlet 20D for circulation and flowing within the air circulation path 20 passes through the filters F1, foreign matter such as lint contained in the air is captured by the filters F1.

[0049] Branch line 23 branches off from the water supply line 4 upstream of the water supply valve 13, closer to the faucet, and connects to the filter unit 22. A water inlet valve 24 is located on branch line 23 and is opened and closed to start or stop water supply to filter F1 in filter unit 22. When water inlet valve 24 is open, water from water supply line 4 is supplied to filter unit 22 via branch line 23 and injected into filter F1 from the upper Z1 side. As a result, foreign matter captured by filter F1 is detached from filter F1 and falls from the outlet 20D of air circulation line 20 into the outer cylinder 7, where it is captured by drain filter 6. The foreign matter captured by drain filter 6 is removed by the user when drain filter 6 is removed for maintenance at an appropriate time.

[0050] The heat pump 25 includes: a compressor 26 that compresses refrigerant, a heat exchanger 27 that exchanges heat between the refrigerant and the air in the air circulation path 20, and a refrigerant circulation path 28 that circulates the refrigerant between the compressor 26 and the heat exchanger 27.

[0051] A known electric compressor can be used as compressor 26. Compressor 26 is, for example, positioned lower than the axis of rotation of drum 8, i.e., axis J, and fixed to the bottom wall 2C of housing 2.

[0052] The heat exchanger 27 is disposed in the middle section 20A of the air circulation path 20, downstream of the rotating blades 21A of the air supply section 21 near the return port 20E, specifically in the region of the front Y1. The heat exchanger 27 includes: a first heat exchanger 27A on the heating side serving as a condenser, a second heat exchanger 27B on the cooling side serving as an evaporator, and a capillary tube 27C connecting the first heat exchanger 27A and the second heat exchanger 27B.

[0053] In this embodiment, the first heat exchanger 27A is located within the intermediate section 20A, downstream of the second heat exchanger 27B, specifically at the front Y1 position. The first heat exchanger 27A has multiple heat dissipation fins 27D, and the second heat exchanger 27B has multiple cooling fins 27E. A refrigerant flow path 27F is located inside the first heat exchanger 27A, and a refrigerant flow path 27G is located inside the second heat exchanger 27B. Flow paths 27F and 27G are tubes made of metal such as aluminum. Multiple heat dissipation fins 27D are arranged around the flow path 27F. Multiple cooling fins 27E are arranged around the flow path 27G. A capillary tube 27C connects the flow paths 27F and 27G.

[0054] The refrigerant circulation path 28 is constructed of tubing made of metal such as aluminum and connects the compressor 26 and the heat exchanger 27. The refrigerant circulation path 28 is a circulation path from the compressor 26, through the heat exchanger 27, back to the compressor 26. The refrigerant circulation path 28 includes a discharge path 28A that guides the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 26 into the first heat exchanger 27A via a flow path 27F. The refrigerant circulation path 28 also includes a return path 28B that guides refrigerant from the first heat exchanger 27A through the capillary tube 27C into the second heat exchanger 27B via a flow path 27G. Flow path 27F can be considered part of the discharge path 28A, and flow path 27G can be considered part of the return path 28B.

[0055] The washer-dryer combo 1 also includes a control unit 30, which is composed of a board containing a microcomputer with a built-in timer. Electrical components such as a motor 9, a drying unit 10, a water supply valve 13, a drain valve 14, and a water inlet valve 24 are electrically connected to the control unit 30 (see also...). Figure 2 The control unit 30 performs the washing and drying operation by controlling the operation of these electrical components. The washing and drying operation includes the washing process, rinsing process, dehydration process, and drying process. The drying process can also be performed separately from the washing and drying operation as a separate drying operation. In the following description, the drying process and the drying operation are the same.

[0056] Before the washing process begins, detergent is added to the drum 8. During the washing process, with the drain valve 14 closed, the control unit 30 opens the water supply valve 13 for a predetermined time to supply water to the outer drum 7 and the drum 8, and then rotates the drum 8 via the motor 9. This causes the laundry L inside the drum 8 to be tumbled. During tumbling, the laundry L is repeatedly lifted to a certain degree and then naturally falls to the water surface. The impact generated by the tumbling and the detergent components contained in the detergent water stored in the drum 8 remove dirt from the laundry L. The washing process ends when the control unit 30 opens the drain valve 14 to drain the water after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the tumbling.

[0057] During the rinsing process, with the drain valve 14 closed, the control unit 30 opens the water supply valve 13 for a predetermined time to supply water to the outer drum 7 and the drum 8, and then rotates the drum 8 via the motor 9. Thus, due to the repeated tumbling, the laundry L is rinsed by the tap water inside the drum 8. The rinsing process ends when the control unit 30 drains the water after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of tumbling. The rinsing process can be repeated multiple times. During the spin-drying process, the control unit 30 rotates the drum 8 while the drain valve 14 is open. The laundry L inside the drum 8 is dehydrated by the centrifugal force generated by the spin-drying rotation of the drum 8. Water seeping from the laundry L during spin-drying is discharged from the machine through the drain passage 5. The spin-drying process can be performed not only after the rinsing process but also after the washing process.

[0058] During the drying process, the control unit 30 generates hot air by operating the air supply unit 21 and the compressor 26 of the heat pump 25, and supplies the hot air to the laundry L inside the drum 8 by circulating it between the drum 8 and the air circulation path 20. Specifically, in the heat pump 25, the refrigerant is compressed by the compressor 26 to become high temperature and high pressure, and then dissipates heat as it passes through the flow path 27F in the first heat exchanger 27A via the discharge path 28A. In the first heat exchanger 27A, the heat dissipation fins 27D are heated to a high temperature due to the heat dissipation of the refrigerant passing through the flow path 27F. The refrigerant that has passed through the first heat exchanger 27A is depressurized to a low temperature when passing through the capillary tube 27C, and then cools the cooling fins 27E as it passes through the flow path 27G in the second heat exchanger 27B.

[0059] During the drying process, the air in the air circulation path 20 is dehumidified as it passes around the cooling fins 27E of the second heat exchanger 27B. The dehumidified air is then heated and becomes hot air as it passes around the heat dissipation fins 27D of the first heat exchanger 27A. In other words, the air in the air circulation path 20 becomes hot air through heat exchange with the refrigerant flowing through the first heat exchanger 27A. This hot air flows into the outer drum 7 from the inlet 7L and is supplied to the laundry L inside the drum 8, thereby drying the laundry L. At this time, the control unit 30 can also operate the motor 9 to rotate the drum 8. As a result, hot air can be blown onto the laundry L without any blind spots.

[0060] Foreign objects such as loose threads are carried by the hot air during the drying process and are captured by the filter F1 of the filter unit 22 as described above. At an appropriate time during or after the drying process, as a maintenance procedure, the control unit 30 opens the water injection valve 24 to inject water into the filter F1 to remove foreign objects from the filter F1.

[0061] The washer-dryer combo 1 also includes a filter F2 for capturing foreign matter that the filter F1 failed to capture within the air circulation path 20. There may be one or more filters F2. The filter F2, like the filter F1, is a drying filter consisting of a mesh sheet and a frame supporting the mesh sheet. The filter F2 is disposed, for example, in the middle section 20A of the air circulation path 20 between the rotating blades 21A of the air supply section 21 and the heat exchanger 27. The filter F2 is arranged in a manner that cuts across the air flowing through the air circulation path 20, for example, extending longitudinally. When multiple filters F2 are provided, these filters F2 are arranged in a manner that overlaps with the flow direction of the air in the air circulation path 20.

[0062] As described above, filter F1 can be automatically maintained without removal, but filter F2 requires regular maintenance. Therefore, a first access port 20G is provided on the top wall 20F of the middle section 20A of the air circulation path 20, facing the filter F2 from the top Z1. A second access port 2E is provided directly above the first access port 20G in the top wall 2B of the housing 2. The first access port 20G and the second access port 2E are each an opening of a size that allows the filter F2 to pass through.

[0063] The washer-dryer combo 1 also includes a first door 31 for opening and closing the first access port 20G and a second door 32 for opening and closing the second access port 2E. The first door 31 is connected to the top wall 20F of the air circulation path 20 via a hinge 33, thereby allowing it to rotate about the hinge 33. The second door 32 is also connected to the top wall 2B of the housing 2 via a hinge 34, thereby allowing it to rotate about the hinge 34.

[0064] The user can open the first disassembly port 20G and the second disassembly port 2E by rotating the first door 31 and the second door 32 upwards Z1, allowing the filter F2 inside the air circulation path 20 to be removed from the air circulation path 20 through the first disassembly port 20G and the second disassembly port 2E to be taken out of the housing 2 for cleaning and maintenance. The user then returns the removed filter F2 back into the air circulation path 20 by rotating the first door 31 and the second door 32 downwards Z2 to close the first disassembly port 20G and the second disassembly port 2E. This completes the installation of the filter F2 into the air circulation path 20. A positioning part (not shown) is provided inside the air circulation path 20 to position the filter F2. Furthermore, the first door 31 and the second door 32 can also be integrated into a single door that opens and closes both the first disassembly port 20G and the second disassembly port 2E simultaneously. In other words, one of the first door 31 and the second door 32 can also function as the other.

[0065] Hereinafter, with the first disassembly port 20G and the second disassembly port 2E closed, the filter F2 positioned in a predetermined mounting position within the air circulation path 20 in a manner that cuts across the air flowing through the air circulation path 20 is referred to as the filter F2 in the air circulation path 20 mounted state. On the other hand, the filter F2 located outside the air circulation path 20 is referred to as the filter F2 not within the air circulation path 20, that is, the filter F2 in the non-mounted state. When there is no filter F2 within the air circulation path 20, the first disassembly port 20G and the second disassembly port 2E can be either closed or open.

[0066] In the case of a filter F2 that can be removed from the air circulation path 20 to the outside of the housing 2, it is conceivable that the user might forget to return the removed filter F2 to the air circulation path 20. When the drying operation is performed without the filter F2 in the air circulation path 20, the heat exchange between the heat exchanger 27 and the air in the air circulation path 20 may slow down due to foreign objects adhering to the heat exchanger 27, thus potentially reducing the drying efficiency of the laundry L. Furthermore, if the first disassembly port 20G and the second disassembly port 2E remain open, air in the air circulation path 20 will leak from these disassembly ports, thereby reducing the amount of hot air supplied to the laundry L from the air circulation path 20, which may further reduce the drying efficiency of the laundry L. If the drying efficiency of the laundry L decreases, it will take longer for the laundry L to be dried, which may result in increased power consumption and more frequent drying operations.

[0067] Thus, filter F2 needs to be connected to air circulation path 20 during drying operation. However, with the first door 31 and the second door 32 closed, the user cannot visually confirm the presence of filter F2 in air circulation path 20 from outside the washer-dryer 1. Therefore, the control unit 30 performs a filter detection process during the drying process to check whether filter F2 is present in air circulation path 20. Related to the filter detection process, the washer-dryer 1 also includes: a refrigerant temperature measuring unit 35 for measuring the temperature of the refrigerant compressed by compressor 26 in heat pump 25, an air temperature measuring unit 36 ​​for measuring the air temperature inside washing drum 3, an ammeter 37 for measuring the current value of motor 21B flowing through air supply unit 21, and a notification unit 38 (see also...). Figure 2 ).

[0068] The refrigerant temperature measuring unit 35 includes a first thermometer 41, a second thermometer 42, and a third thermometer 43, all of which are thermistors. The first thermometer 41 is mounted on the discharge path 28A of the heat pump 25 and measures the surface temperature of the discharge path 28A. The surface temperature of the discharge path 28A is almost the same as the temperature of the refrigerant flowing in the discharge path 28A, and is therefore regarded as the temperature of the refrigerant. The first thermometer 41 can also be exposed inside the discharge path 28A to measure the temperature of the refrigerant itself inside the discharge path 28A.

[0069] The second thermometer 42 is mounted in the middle section of the flow path 27F of the first heat exchanger 27A of the heat pump 25, which is also the condenser, to measure the surface temperature of this middle section. The surface temperature of the flow path 27F is almost the same as the temperature of the refrigerant flowing within the flow path 27F, and is therefore regarded as the temperature of the refrigerant. The second thermometer 42 can also be exposed inside the flow path 27F to measure the temperature of the refrigerant itself within the flow path 27F.

[0070] The third thermometer 43 is installed in the inlet portion of the flow path 27G of the second heat exchanger 27B of the heat pump 25, which is connected to the capillary tube 27C, to measure the surface temperature of this inlet portion. The surface temperature of the flow path 27G is almost the same as the temperature of the refrigerant flowing within it, and is therefore considered to be the temperature of the refrigerant. The third thermometer 43 can also be exposed inside the flow path 27G to measure the temperature of the refrigerant itself within the inlet portion of the flow path 27G.

[0071] Hereinafter, the temperature measured by the first thermometer 41 is referred to as the "temperature of discharge path 28A", the temperature measured by the second thermometer 42 is referred to as the "intermediate temperature of the first heat exchanger 27A", and the temperature measured by the third thermometer 43 is referred to as the "inlet temperature of the second heat exchanger 27B". The measurement results of the first thermometer 41, the second thermometer 42, and the third thermometer 43, namely the "temperature of discharge path 28A", the "intermediate temperature of the first heat exchanger 27A", and the "inlet temperature of the second heat exchanger 27B", are respectively input to the control unit 30 in real time.

[0072] The air temperature measuring unit 36 ​​includes a fourth thermometer 44 and a fifth thermometer 45, both of which are thermistors. The fourth thermometer 44 is mounted near the outlet 7K of the outer cylinder 7 and measures the air temperature at the outlet 7K. The fifth thermometer 45 is mounted near the inlet 7L of the outer cylinder 7 and measures the air temperature at the inlet 7L. Hereinafter, the temperature measured by the fourth thermometer 44 will be referred to as the "outlet temperature of the outer cylinder 7", and the temperature measured by the fifth thermometer 45 will be referred to as the "inlet temperature of the outer cylinder 7". The measurement results of the fourth thermometer 44 and the fifth thermometer 45, namely the "outlet temperature of the outer cylinder 7" and the "inlet temperature of the outer cylinder 7", are respectively input to the control unit 30 in real time.

[0073] A known galvanometer can be used as galvanometer 37. The measurement result of galvanometer 37 is input to control unit 30 in real time. The notification unit 38 can be a display unit of liquid crystal touch panel provided on the front wall 2A of housing 2, or a buzzer built into housing 2.

[0074] Figure 3 This is a time sequence diagram showing the temperature changes over time at various measurement locations during the drying operation with the filter F2 installed inside the air circulation path 20. Figure 4 This is a time-series diagram showing the temperature changes over time at various measurement locations during the drying operation when filter F2 is removed from the air circulation path 20. Figure 3 and Figure 4 In their respective time-series diagrams, the horizontal axis represents elapsed time, and the vertical axes represent the "temperature of discharge path 28A", "intermediate temperature of the first heat exchanger 27A", "inlet temperature of the second heat exchanger 27B", "outlet temperature of the outer cylinder 7", and "inlet temperature of the outer cylinder 7", respectively. The unit of elapsed time is "minutes", and the unit of temperature is "degrees".

[0075] The temperature of the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 26 of the heat pump 25 decreases as it passes through the discharge path 28A, the first heat exchanger 27A, and the second heat exchanger 27B in sequence. Therefore, the temperature of the discharge path 28A is higher than the intermediate temperature of the first heat exchanger 27A, and the intermediate temperature of the first heat exchanger 27A is higher than the inlet temperature of the second heat exchanger 27B. The circulating air flows into the air circulation path 20 from the outlet 7K of the outer cylinder 7, is heated by the first heat exchanger 27A, and then flows into the outer cylinder 7 from the inlet 7L. Therefore, the inlet temperature of the outer cylinder 7 is higher than the outlet temperature of the outer cylinder 7.

[0076] Figure 3 This indicates the measurement results during drying operation starting with filter F2 installed in the air circulation path 20. In this case, although the temperatures of the discharge path 28A, the intermediate temperature of the first heat exchanger 27A, the inlet temperature of the second heat exchanger 27B, the outlet temperature of the outer cylinder 7, and the inlet temperature of the outer cylinder 7 are unstable for 10 minutes after the start of drying operation, they rise steadily after 10 minutes due to the operation of the air supply unit 21 and the heat pump 25. Therefore, these temperatures are indicators of the drying operation status. Furthermore, the intermediate temperature of the first heat exchanger 27A and the temperature of the discharge path 28A are also indicators of the compressor 26 status. Therefore, when these temperatures reach the specified upper limit, the control unit 30 will stop the drying operation to protect the compressor 26.

[0077] Figure 4This represents the measurement results during drying operation when the filter F2 is not present in the air circulation path 20 and both the first disassembly port 20G of the air circulation path 20 and the second disassembly port 2E of the housing 2 are open. If the user forgets to return the filter F2 to the air circulation path 20 and starts the drying operation directly, although the temperature of the discharge path 28A and the intermediate temperature of the first heat exchanger 27A will each rise within 30 minutes of the start of the drying operation, they will saturate and stop rising after 30 minutes. In this case, the temperature of the discharge path 28A will not reach 60 degrees Celsius, and the intermediate temperature of the first heat exchanger 27A will not even reach 45 degrees Celsius. The inlet temperature of the second heat exchanger 27B will hardly rise from the start of the drying operation, not even reaching 20 degrees Celsius.

[0078] Furthermore, although the outlet temperature and inlet temperature of the outer cylinder 7 will rise within 20 minutes of the start of drying operation, due to the entry and exit of external air at the first disassembly port 20G and the second disassembly port 2E, these temperatures will saturate and stop rising after 20 minutes. Under these circumstances, the inlet temperature of the outer cylinder 7 will not reach 55 degrees Celsius, and the outlet temperature of the outer cylinder 7 will not even reach 30 degrees Celsius.

[0079] Thus, the temperature variations of the discharge path 28A, the intermediate temperature of the first heat exchanger 27A, the inlet temperature of the second heat exchanger 27B, the outlet temperature of the outer cylinder 7, and the inlet temperature of the outer cylinder 7 vary depending on whether or not a filter F2 is present in the air circulation path 20. In particular, in the washer-dryer combo 1 using the heat pump 25, if drying operation begins with the filter F2 installed in the circulation path 20, the temperature of the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 26 in the heat pump 25 will continuously rise. Therefore, the temperature of the refrigerant after a predetermined time from the start of drying operation, or the degree of that temperature rise, exceeds a predetermined threshold described later. Therefore, the control unit 30 performs filter detection processing that primarily utilizes such refrigerant variation characteristics.

[0080] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating the filter detection process in the first embodiment of the drying operation. Utilizing the temperature variation characteristics of the intermediate temperature of the first heat exchanger 27A, when the predetermined time of 30 minutes has elapsed since the start of the drying operation (Yes in step S1), the control unit 30 measures the refrigerant temperature of the intermediate temperature of the first heat exchanger 27A (step S2). If the measured value is above, for example, a threshold of 60 degrees Celsius (Yes in step S3), the control unit 30 determines that filter F2 is present in the air circulation path 20 and terminates the filter detection process, continuing the drying operation. This threshold is based on the temperature variation characteristics of the intermediate temperature of the first heat exchanger 27A (see...). Figure 3The thresholds are predetermined and stored in the memory (not shown) of the control unit 30. The same applies to the other thresholds described later.

[0081] On the other hand, if the relevant measured value of the intermediate temperature of the first heat exchanger 27A is less than the threshold ("No" in step S3), the control unit 30 determines that there is no filter F2 in the air circulation path 20, and informs the notification unit 38 that there is no filter F2 in the air circulation path 20 (step S4). Then, the control unit 30 ends the filter detection process and continues the drying operation.

[0082] In the filter detection process utilizing the temperature variation characteristics of the discharge path 28A, the control unit 30 also executes steps S1 to S4, but the threshold in step S3 is set to a value obtained based on the temperature variation characteristics of the discharge path 28A, for example, 65 degrees. In the filter detection process utilizing the temperature variation characteristics of the inlet temperature of the second heat exchanger 27B, the control unit 30 also executes steps S1 to S4, but the threshold in step S3 is set to a value obtained based on the temperature variation characteristics of the inlet temperature of the second heat exchanger 27B, for example, 25 degrees.

[0083] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating the filter detection process in the second embodiment during drying operation. Utilizing the temperature variation characteristics of the intermediate temperature of the first heat exchanger 27A, when a predetermined time of 30 minutes has elapsed since the start of drying operation (marked as "Yes" in step S11), the control unit 30 measures the intermediate temperature of the first heat exchanger 27A, representing the refrigerant temperature, for a predetermined time (step S12). Then, the control unit 30 calculates Δt, representing the degree of increase in the intermediate temperature of the first heat exchanger 27A within that predetermined time (step S13). Δt corresponds to the slope in the equation reflecting the change in the intermediate temperature of the first heat exchanger 27A.

[0084] If Δt is above, for example, a threshold of 1 degree / minute ("Yes" in step S14), the control unit 30 determines that filter F2 is present in the air circulation path 20 and ends the filter detection process, continuing the drying operation. On the other hand, if the measured value is less than the threshold ("No" in step S14), the control unit 30 determines that filter F2 is not present in the air circulation path 20 and informs the notification unit 38 of this situation (step S15). Then, the control unit 30 ends the filter detection process and continues the drying operation.

[0085] In the filter detection process utilizing the temperature variation characteristics of the discharge path 28A, the control unit 30 also executes steps S11 to S15, but the threshold in step S14 is set to a value obtained based on the temperature variation characteristics of the discharge path 28A. The same applies to the filter detection process utilizing the temperature variation characteristics of the inlet temperature of the second heat exchanger 27B.

[0086] During drying operation, the control unit 30 can either execute only one of the filter detection processes described in the first and second embodiments, or it can execute both filter detection processes in parallel. In short, if the temperature measured by the refrigerant temperature measurement unit 35, or the degree of temperature rise Δt, is less than a predetermined threshold after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of drying operation, the control unit 30 determines that there is no filter F2 in the air circulation path 20 (steps S4 and S15). By focusing on the refrigerant temperature of the heat pump 25, even without using expensive sensors to detect whether filter F2 is installed, it is possible to accurately determine at low cost whether filter F2 is installed for drying operation.

[0087] In particular, if drying operation begins with filter F2 installed in the air circulation path 20, the intermediate temperature of the first heat exchanger 27A, the temperature of the discharge path 28A, and the inlet temperature of the second heat exchanger 27B show a significant and continuous upward trend (see reference). Figure 3 Therefore, it is possible to correctly determine whether filter F2 is installed by focusing on these temperatures.

[0088] Furthermore, if the control unit 30 determines that there is no filter F2 in the air circulation path 20, the notification unit 38 informs the user that there is no filter F2 in the air circulation path 20 (steps S4 and S15). This encourages the user to install the filter F2 in the air circulation path 20.

[0089] As described above, in the washer-dryer combo 1, if the drying operation begins with the filter F2 installed in the air circulation path 20, the circulating air will be repeatedly heated by the heat exchanger 27, thereby causing the air temperature inside the washing drum 3 to continuously rise (see reference). Figure 3 Therefore, the air temperature or the degree of temperature rise after a specified time from the start of the drying operation must be above a specified threshold.

[0090] Therefore, in addition to the filter detection process utilizing the temperature change characteristics of the refrigerant as described above, the control unit 30 can also perform a filter detection process utilizing the air change characteristics within the washing drum 3. As a filter detection process utilizing the air change characteristics within the washing drum 3, the control unit 30 performs steps S1 to S4 or steps S11 to S15, but the predetermined time in steps S1 and S11, or the threshold value in steps S3 and S14, is set to a value obtained based on the temperature change characteristics of the outlet and inlet temperatures of the outer drum 7. For example, the predetermined time is set to 20 minutes. For example, the threshold value in step S14 is set to 1 degree / minute.

[0091] Alternatively, if the temperature measured by the air temperature measuring unit 36, or the degree of temperature rise Δt, is less than a predetermined threshold after a specified time has elapsed since the start of drying operation, the control unit 30 will also determine that there is no filter F2 in the air circulation path 20. By considering not only the temperature of the refrigerant in the heat pump 25 but also the air temperature inside the washing drum 3, it is possible to determine whether or not a filter F2 is installed at a low cost.

[0092] Without filter F2 in the air circulation path 20, the air resistance in the air circulation path 20 will decrease, and therefore, the current value of motor 21B in air supply unit 21 will tend to increase. Therefore, control unit 30 can also perform filter detection processing that utilizes the current characteristics of motor 21B as the filter detection processing of the third embodiment.

[0093] Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating the filter detection process in the third embodiment of the drying operation. When a predetermined time, such as 10 minutes, has elapsed since the start of the drying operation, the speed of motor 21B stabilizes at, for example, 5000 rpm. In this case ("Yes" in step S21), the control unit 30 measures the current value of the continuously operating motor 21B using ammeter 37 (step S22). If the measured value is less than, for example, a threshold of 290 mA ("No" in step S23), the control unit 30 determines that filter F2 is present in the air circulation path 20 and ends the filter detection process, continuing the drying operation. On the other hand, if the measured value is above the threshold ("Yes" in step S23), the control unit 30 determines that filter F2 is not present in the air circulation path 20 and informs the control unit 38 that filter F2 is not present in the air circulation path 20 (step S24). Then, the control unit 30 ends the filter detection process and continues the drying operation.

[0094] Figure 8This is a flowchart illustrating the drying operation. During the drying operation, the control unit 30 executes the filter detection process of at least one of the first and second embodiments described above, but it may also execute the filter detection process of the third embodiment in parallel (step S31). If the control unit 30 determines during the filter detection process that there is no filter F2 in the air circulation path 20 ("Yes" in step S32), it executes an extension process to prolong the drying operation (step S33). As an example of the extension process, the control unit 30 extends the drying operation time itself from the initially set operation time, for example, by 30 minutes. The initial operation time is set according to the amount of laundry L at the start of the washing operation.

[0095] As an example of extended processing, the control unit 30 changes the drying end judgment reference temperature that determines when the laundry L has finished drying. Examples of drying end judgment reference temperatures include the upper limit temperature of the outer drum 7 outlet temperature and the temperature difference judgment temperature between the outer drum 7 outlet temperature and the outer drum 7 inlet temperature. When the outer drum 7 outlet temperature rises to the upper limit temperature or the temperature difference between the outer drum 7 outlet temperature and the outer drum 7 inlet temperature becomes smaller than the temperature difference judgment temperature, it can be determined that the laundry L has finished drying. As an example of extended processing, the control unit 30 sets the upper limit temperature higher, for example, by 3 degrees, or sets the temperature difference judgment temperature lower, for example, by 3 degrees. The initial temperature difference judgment temperature is set according to the amount of laundry L at the start of the washing cycle. When the drying end judgment reference temperature is changed through extended processing in this way, the drying cycle time is substantially extended.

[0096] Furthermore, regardless of whether there is an extended processing, the control unit 39 will end the drying operation if the operation termination condition is met ("Yes" in step S34). The operation termination condition is met when the operation time has elapsed, the outlet temperature of the outer cylinder 7 rises to the upper limit temperature, or the difference between the outlet temperature and the inlet temperature of the outer cylinder 7 is small enough to meet the temperature difference determination temperature.

[0097] In this way, if the control unit 30 determines that there is no filter F2 in the air circulation path 20 ("Yes" in step S32), it extends the drying operation (step S33). Therefore, even if the laundry L in the washing drum 3 is not easy to dry due to the absence of filter F2 in the air circulation path 20, the laundry L can be completely dried.

[0098] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the technical solution.

[0099] For example, the filter unit 22 with filter F1, the branch line 23 involving the maintenance of filter F1, and the water inlet valve 24 can be omitted (see reference). Figure 1 ).

[0100] In the above embodiment, the presence of filter F2 in the air circulation path 20 is primarily detected based on the refrigerant temperature. Even if filter F2 is present in the air circulation path 20, the temperature change characteristics of the refrigerant will differ significantly depending on whether filter F2 is in the aforementioned installation position. Therefore, the refrigerant temperature can also be used to detect whether filter F2 is in the installation position within the air circulation path 20. This allows determination of whether filter F2 is correctly installed in the air circulation path 20, and, as needed, notification via notification unit 38 can prompt the user to reinstall filter F2.

[0101] In the above embodiment, the filter detection process based on the refrigerant temperature is performed as the main filter detection process. Alternatively, the filter detection process based on the air temperature inside the washing drum 3 and the filter detection process based on the current value of the motor 21B of the air supply unit 21, as described in the third embodiment, can be performed separately as the main filter detection process.

[0102] Furthermore, in the drum washer-dryer 1 described in the above embodiments, the washing drum 3 can also be arranged with its axis J inclined in the horizontal direction H. Alternatively, the washer-dryer 1 can also be a vertical washer-dryer with its axis J extending longitudinally.

Claims

1. A washer-dryer combo machine, characterized in that, include: Box; A washing drum, disposed within the box, holds the laundry; An air circulation path is configured inside the housing, including an outlet and a return outlet connected to the washing drum; The air supply unit draws air from the outlet into the air circulation path and returns it to the washing drum from the return port, thereby circulating the air. A heat pump includes: a compressor for compressing refrigerant; a heat exchanger disposed within the air circulation path for exchanging heat between the refrigerant and air within the air circulation path; and a refrigerant circulation path for circulating the refrigerant between the compressor and the heat exchanger. A filter, configured within the air circulation path, captures foreign objects from the air within the air circulation path; The refrigerant temperature measuring unit measures the temperature of the refrigerant that has been compressed by the compressor. The control unit controls the air supply unit and the heat pump to perform the drying operation of drying the laundry in the washing drum; The first door allows for the opening and closing of the first disassembly / removal port located in the air circulation path; and The second door allows for the opening and closing of the second disassembly port located within the housing. The filter can be removed from the air circulation path and disposed outside the housing through the first and second disassembly ports. If the temperature measured by the refrigerant temperature measuring unit or the degree of temperature rise is less than a predetermined threshold after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the drying operation, the control unit determines that there is no filter in the air circulation path. The washer-dryer combo also includes an air temperature measuring unit to measure the air temperature inside the washing drum. If the temperature measured by the air temperature measuring unit or the degree of temperature rise is less than a predetermined threshold after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the drying operation, the control unit also determines that there is no filter in the air circulation path.

2. The washer-dryer combo machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heat exchanger includes: a first heat exchanger heated by refrigerant compressed by the compressor; and a second heat exchanger cooled by refrigerant that has passed through the first heat exchanger. The refrigerant circulation path includes: a discharge path, which directs the refrigerant compressed by the compressor to the first heat exchanger; and a return path, which directs the refrigerant from the second heat exchanger to the compressor. The temperature measured by the refrigerant temperature measuring unit is the temperature of the refrigerant flow path in the first heat exchanger or the temperature of the discharge path.

3. The washer-dryer combo machine according to claim 2, characterized in that, The refrigerant temperature measuring unit includes a first thermometer, a second thermometer, and a third thermometer, all of which are thermistors. The first thermometer is installed in the discharge path of the heat pump, the second thermometer is installed in the first heat exchanger of the heat pump, and the third thermometer is installed in the second heat exchanger of the heat pump.

4. The washer-dryer combo machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The washing drum includes an outer drum and a roller housed within the outer drum. The outer drum includes an outlet and an inlet. The outlet is connected to the take-out outlet of the air circulation path, and the inlet is connected to the return outlet of the air circulation path.

5. The washer-dryer combo machine according to claim 4, characterized in that, The air temperature measuring unit includes a fourth thermometer and a fifth thermometer, both of which are made of thermistors. The fourth thermometer is mounted near the outlet of the outer cylinder to measure the air temperature at the outlet, and the fifth thermometer is mounted near the inlet of the outer cylinder to measure the air temperature at the inlet.

6. The washer-dryer combo machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air supply unit includes rotating blades disposed in the middle section of the air circulation path near the upstream side of the outlet and an electric motor for rotating the rotating blades. The washer-dryer combo also includes: an ammeter to measure the current value flowing through the motor of the air supply unit. If the current value measured by the ammeter is greater than a specified threshold after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the drying operation, the control unit determines that there is no filter in the air circulation path.

7. The washer-dryer combo according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, It also includes a notification unit that, if the control unit determines that there is no filter in the air circulation path, informs the user that there is no filter in the air circulation path.

8. The washer-dryer combo according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, If the control unit determines that there is no filter in the air circulation path, it extends the drying operation.

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