Laundry treating apparatus

Abstract

A laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure includes: a cabinet; a receiving tank provided in the cabinet and receiving laundry; a path through which air flowing into the accommodating groove passes; and a heating member that is connected to the path and heats the air passing through the path. The heating member includes: a heating wire that generates heat upon energization; and an outer case formed of a flame-retardant member and covering the periphery of the heating wire. The outer case is open in a substantially horizontal direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a clothes treating apparatus including a heating member for heating air. Background Art

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a clothes drying device having a heating unit for heating drying air. The clothes drying device comprises: a main body; a rotating drum rotatably provided in the main body; an air inlet for sucking air outside the main body as drying air; an air inlet path for supplying drying air from the air inlet to the rotating drum; and a heating unit for heating drying air.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-051313 Summary of the invention

[0006] The present disclosure provides a clothes treating apparatus which suppresses the spread of fire to parts around a heating part.

[0007] The laundry processing device disclosed in the present invention comprises: a housing; a storage tank, which is provided in the housing and stores laundry; a path, through which air flowing into the storage tank passes; and a heating component, which is connected to the path and heats the air passing through the path. The heating component comprises: a heating wire, which generates heat when electricity is supplied; and an outer shell, which is formed of a flame retardant member and covers the periphery of the heating wire, and the outer shell is opened in a substantially horizontal direction.

[0008] The washing machine of the present disclosure can suppress the spread of fire to the surrounding parts of the heating member. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 It is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of the clothes processing apparatus in Embodiment 1.

[0010] Figure 2 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of the air intake path of the clothes treating apparatus in the first embodiment, and its vicinity.

[0011] Figure 3 It is a front view of the heating member of the clothes processing apparatus in Embodiment 1.

[0012] Figure 4 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a heating member of the clothes processing apparatus in the first embodiment.

[0013] Figure 5 It is a top view of the second substrate of the clothes processing apparatus in Embodiment 1.

[0014] Figure 6 It is a bottom view of the second substrate of the clothes processing apparatus in Embodiment 1.

[0015] Figure 7 This is a side view of the thermostat in the state where the first contact and the second contact of the clothes processing apparatus in the first embodiment are in contact with each other.

[0016] Figure 8 It is a side view of the thermostat in the state where the first contact and the second contact of the clothes processing apparatus in Embodiment 1 are separated from each other. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, there are cases where unnecessary detailed descriptions are omitted. For example, there are cases where detailed descriptions of already well-known matters or repeated descriptions of substantially the same structures are omitted. This is to avoid the following description from becoming unnecessarily lengthy and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0018] In addition, the drawings and the following description are provided for those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0019] (Implementation Method 1)

[0020] Below, use Figure 1 to Figure 7 Implementation 1 is described. In addition, the following Figure 1 In the embodiment 1 shown, the vertical direction of the clothes processing apparatus 100 in the installed state is described as the up-down direction. In addition, there is a case where the side where the cover 104 is located in the installed state of the clothes processing apparatus 100 is described as the front side and the opposite side is described as the rear side.

[0021] [1-1. Structure]

[0022] [1-1-1. Structure of Clothes Processing Device]

[0023] (Clothes processing device 100)

[0024] Figure 1 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a schematic structure of the laundry processing apparatus 100. Figure 1As shown, the clothing processing device 100 includes a housing 101, a water tank 102 and a rotating drum 103. The water tank 102 is formed in the housing 101 in a bottomed cylindrical shape and is configured to store water. The rotating drum 103 is rotatably disposed in the water tank 102, and the back side is axially supported by a rotating shaft 103a. The rotating drum 103 stores laundry. In addition, the laundry is not limited to clothing, and may also be other cloth products or leather products such as bedding, curtains, bedding, shoes, etc. that can be washed and dried. The rotating shaft 103a is connected to the motor 110, and the rotating drum 103 is rotated by the rotation of the motor 110. A plurality of water holes 103b are provided on the peripheral wall of the rotating drum 103, which can pass water through the water tank 102 and the rotating drum 103. In addition, the rotating drum 103 is equivalent to an example of the storage tank disclosed in the present invention.

[0025] The housing 101 has a housing opening 101a and a housing side vent 101b on its front surface. The housing opening 101a is an opening that allows the outside to communicate with the inside of the water tank 102. The housing side vent 101b is a vent that allows the inside and outside of the housing 101 to communicate with each other.

[0026] A cover 104 is provided on the front surface of the housing 101. The cover 104 is provided to be rotatable relative to the housing 101, and covers the housing opening 101a and the housing side vent 101b in a manner that the housing opening 101a and the housing side vent 101b can be opened and closed. A cover side vent 104a is provided on the upper portion of the cover 104 to communicate the outside with the inside of the cover 104. The inside and outside of the laundry processing device 100 are communicated by the housing side vent 101b and the cover side vent 104a.

[0027] A water supply valve (not shown) and a water supply path (not shown) are provided at the inner upper part of the housing 101. The water supply valve is an electromagnetic valve that can be opened and closed, and when the water supply valve is opened, water is introduced from the outside into the housing 101. The water supply path is a path provided between the water supply valve and the water tank 102, and a detergent box (not shown) is provided in the middle of the water supply path.

[0028] A drain valve (not shown) and a drain path (not shown) are provided at the inner lower portion of the housing 101. When the drain valve is opened, water in the water tank 102 is discharged to the outside of the housing 101.

[0029] (Intake Path 200)

[0030] In addition, the clothing processing device 100 includes an air intake path 200 and a heating component 300. The air intake path 200 is provided inside the casing 101, and the air flowing into the rotating drum 103 passes through the air intake path 200. The air intake path 200 is a path connecting an air intake path inlet 201 opened inside the casing 101 and an air intake path outlet 202 provided on the peripheral wall of the front part of the water tank 102. In addition, the air intake path 200 is equivalent to an example of the path disclosed in the present invention. A heating component 300 for heating the air passing through the air intake path 200 is provided upstream of the air intake path inlet 201 in a manner that allows loading and unloading. The heating component 300 is provided to be isolated from the casing 101 and the casing side vent 101b. In addition, the heating component 300 will be described in detail later.

[0031] Figure 2 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the structure of the air intake path 200 and the vicinity of the air intake path inlet 201 of the laundry processing apparatus 100. Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, an intake valve 210 is provided in the intake path 200. The intake valve 210 is in an open state when air flows from the intake path inlet 201 toward the intake path outlet 202, and is in a closed state when there is no wind or when air flows from the intake path outlet 202 toward the intake path inlet 201. In other words, the intake valve 210 restricts the flow direction of air in the intake path 200 to the direction from the intake path inlet 201 toward the intake path outlet 202.

[0032] like Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 2 , an air intake path groove 220, a screw hole 221, and an air intake path support 222 are provided at the air intake path inlet 201 and the upstream side of the air intake path inlet 201. The air intake path groove 220 is provided at the side and lower part of the inner side of the air intake path inlet 201 and is provided for the flange 312 ( Figure 3 , Figure 4 ) is inserted into a groove. In addition, the air intake path groove portion 220 is equivalent to an example of a groove portion of the present disclosure. The screw hole 221 is a hole for screw fixing provided above the air intake path inlet 201 of the air intake path 200. The air intake path support portion 222 is inclined upward by 3 degrees relative to the horizontal, and extends from the lower part of the air intake path inlet 201 toward the upstream. If the heating component 300 is installed on the air intake path 200, the air intake path support portion 222 supports the lower part of the heating component 300.

[0033] (Exhaust Path 400)

[0034] like Figure 1As shown, an exhaust path 400 is provided inside the housing 101 . The exhaust path 400 is a path between an exhaust path inlet 401 provided on the peripheral wall of the rear portion of the water tank 102 and an exhaust path outlet 402 provided on the outer surface of the housing 101 .

[0035] In the exhaust path 400, an exhaust valve 410 is provided between the exhaust path inlet 401 and the exhaust path outlet 402. The exhaust valve 410 is provided to open and close the exhaust path 400. When the exhaust valve 410 is opened, the air in the water tank 102 can be exhausted to the outside of the housing 101 through the exhaust path 400.

[0036] (Control device)

[0037] A control device (not shown) is provided inside the housing 101. The control device controls the motor 110, the exhaust valve 410, the water supply valve, and the drain valve. In addition, the control device controls the heating wire 390 ( Figure 3 to Figure 6 ) is turned on / off to control the on / off of the heating wire 390. In addition, the control device can also be a dedicated hardware circuit designed to implement the above control, or a device that implements the above control by executing a program stored in a memory through a processor.

[0038] [1-1-2. Heating components]

[0039] (Heating element 300)

[0040] Figure 3 is a front view showing the structure of the heating component 300, Figure 4 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the structure of the heating component 300. Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the heating component 300 includes a housing 310 , a heating component substrate 305 and a heating wire 390 .

[0041] (Housing 310)

[0042] The shell 310 is formed into a roughly box shape with both ends open. When the heating component 300 is installed in the air intake path 200, the shell 310 is open in a roughly horizontal direction along the front and rear. In the present embodiment, the opening on the rear side of the shell 310 in the state where the heating component 300 is installed in the air intake path 200 is defined as a heating component inlet 301, and the opening on the front side of the shell 310 in the above state is defined as a heating component outlet 302. In addition, in the present embodiment, the flow of air from the heating component inlet 301 toward the heating component outlet 302 is defined as air flow Y. In the present embodiment, the heating component 300 is arranged to be inclined 3 degrees relative to the horizontal, and the heating component inlet 301 is located at a higher position than the heating component outlet 302.

[0043] The housing 310 includes an outer housing 311 forming the outer shell of the heating element 300 and an inner housing 315 provided inside the outer housing 311. The outer housing 311 is formed of a flame retardant member such as a metal plate, and the inner housing 315 is formed of an insulating member such as a mica board.

[0044] The heating member inlet 301 and the heating member outlet 302 of the heating member 300 are opened approximately horizontally, and the outer shell 311 formed of a metal plate surrounds the heating wire 390. Therefore, even if foreign matter such as dust adheres to the heating wire 390 due to the air flowing in from the heating member inlet 301 and the foreign matter burns, it will not spread upward from the heating member 300, but will burn out inside the heating member 300.

[0045] The heating element 300 is isolated from the housing 101, and the heating element inlet 301 and the housing side vent 101b are not connected by a path, but are isolated. In addition, the inner housing 315 of the heating element 300 is made of an insulating member, so the heating wire 390 is isolated from the housing 101.

[0046] The outer shell 311 is provided with a flange 312 and a tongue 313 at the end portion of the heating element outlet 302. The flange 312 protrudes outward from the lower portion and the side portion of the outer shell 311. The flange 312 can be directed toward the intake path groove 220 ( Figure 2 ) is inserted. The tongue 313 is provided at the upper portion of the outer shell 311 and is provided with a tongue hole 313a for inserting a screw (not shown). By using a screw (not shown) to tighten the screw hole 221 ( Figure 2 ) and the tongue 313 are fixed, thereby fixing the heating member 300 to the intake path 200. When the heating member 300 is fixed to the intake path 200, the heating member outlet 302 and the intake path inlet 201 are connected ( Figure 1 ).

[0047] (Heating member substrate 305, first substrate 320, second substrate 330, heating wire 390)

[0048] like Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, the heating component substrate 305 includes a first substrate 320 and a second substrate 330. The first substrate 320 is configured to extend in the vertical direction in the housing 310, and the second substrate 330 is configured to be approximately orthogonal to the first substrate 320. In addition, approximately orthogonal refers to a situation where it is inclined at about 0 to 5 degrees relative to the orthogonal. As an example, in this embodiment, the second substrate 330 is configured to be inclined at 3 degrees relative to the horizontal so that the heating component inlet 301 side becomes higher than the heating component outlet 302 side. In addition, the second substrate 330 is equivalent to an example of a substrate disclosed in the present invention.

[0049] Figure 5 is a top view showing the structure of the second substrate 330, Figure 6 3 is a bottom view showing the structure of the second substrate 330. Figure 3 to Figure 6 As shown in the figure, the heating wire 390 is wound around the first substrate 320 and the second substrate 330. Although not shown in the figure, the heating wire 390 is a spiral coil wire formed by a nickel-chromium heat-resistant alloy wire. In addition, the heating wire 390 can be any heating element that generates heat based on power supply, and the raw material is not limited to nickel-chromium alloy, and can also be iron-chromium alloy that can be manufactured inexpensively.

[0050] like Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1 , a plurality of first grooves 321 for winding the heating wire 390 are formed on the upper and lower parts of the first substrate 320. The length between an imaginary line connecting the first grooves 321 provided at the upper part of the first substrate 320 and an imaginary line connecting the first grooves 321 provided at the lower part of the first substrate 320 is defined as a length h1. The length h1 is set to increase as it goes from the upstream side to the downstream side of the air flow Y. In other words, the length h1 is set to increase as it goes from the heating component inlet 301 side to the heating component outlet 302 side.

[0051] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown in FIG. 1 , a plurality of second grooves 331 for winding the heating wire 390 are formed on the left and right sides of the second substrate 330. The length between an imaginary line connecting the second grooves 331 provided at the upper portion of the second substrate 330 and an imaginary line connecting the second grooves 331 provided at the lower portion of the second substrate 330 is defined as a length h2. The length h2 is set to become wider as it goes from the upstream side to the downstream side of the air flow Y. In other words, the length h2 is set to become longer as it goes from the heating component inlet 301 side to the heating component outlet 302 side.

[0052] To summarize the above, the heating wire 390 is spirally wound around the first substrate 320 in such a manner that the length h1 increases as it goes from the upstream side to the downstream side of the air flow Y, and is spirally wound around the second substrate 330 in such a manner that the length h2 increases as it goes from the upstream side to the downstream side of the air flow Y. In other words, the heating wire 390 is spirally wound around the second substrate 330 in such a manner that the cross-sectional area S ( Figure 3 ) is wound around the first substrate 320 and the second substrate 330 in a manner that becomes larger. In addition, the cross-sectional area S refers to the cross-sectional area in a direction perpendicular to the air flow Y, and refers to the cross-sectional area in a direction parallel to the heating component inlet 301 and the heating component outlet 302.

[0053] (Second substrate 330)

[0054] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, in the second substrate 330, the portion where the heating wire 390 is wound around the second groove 331 is defined as a winding portion 332. The winding portions 332 are defined as a first winding portion 332a, a second winding portion 332b, a third winding portion 332c, and a fourth winding portion 332d in order from the winding portion provided at the most downstream side of the air flow Y. In addition, the second winding portion 332b, the third winding portion 332c, and the fourth winding portion 332d are winding portions 332 provided on the same side as the side provided with the first winding portion 332a in the second substrate 330 (in this embodiment, the right side of the product when viewed from the front).

[0055] The length between the first winding portion 332a and the second winding portion 332b is set to length h3, and the length between the second winding portion 332b and the third winding portion 332c is set to length h4. In this embodiment, the length between the third winding portion 332c and the fourth winding portion 332d is also equal to the length between the second winding portion 332b and the third winding portion 332c, which is length h4. In this case, the length h3 is set to be longer than the length h4.

[0056] The second substrate 330 is provided with a substrate hole 333, a first substrate terminal 336, a second substrate terminal 337, a third substrate terminal 338, a thermostat 340, and a temperature fuse 350. The thermostat 340 and the temperature fuse 350 are elements for cutting off the power supply to the heating wire 390 when the temperature in the heating member 300 becomes extremely high. The first substrate terminal 336 is equivalent to an example of the first terminal of the present disclosure, and the third substrate terminal 338 is equivalent to an example of the second terminal of the present disclosure. The substrate hole 333 is equivalent to an example of the hole of the present disclosure.

[0057] The first lead 361 and the second lead 362 extending from the control device are electrically connected to the second substrate 330. In the second substrate 330, the components are connected in such a manner that electricity flows in the order of the first lead 361, the temperature fuse 350, the first substrate terminal 336, the thermostat 340, the second substrate terminal 337, the heating wire 390, the third substrate terminal 338, and the second lead 362. In addition, the order in which electricity flows may be the reverse order of the above order.

[0058] The substrate hole 333 is a hole that penetrates from the surface to the back of the second substrate 330 and is provided between the first substrate terminal 336 and the third substrate terminal 338. The substrate hole 333 prevents the first substrate terminal 336 and the third substrate terminal 338 from being short-circuited by a water film due to surface tension of the condensed water when condensed water is generated on the second substrate 330. In addition, the substrate hole 333 only needs to be provided between the terminals electrically connected to both ends of the heating wire 390, and therefore, may also be provided between the second substrate terminal 337 and the third substrate terminal 338.

[0059] In the present embodiment, the portion of the heating wire 390 between the first winding portion 332a and the third substrate terminal 338 is disposed close to the first substrate terminal 336. In the second substrate 330, a substrate hole 333 is disposed between the first substrate terminal 336 and the third substrate terminal 338, and the portion between the first winding portion 332a and the third substrate terminal 338 and the first substrate terminal 336 are disposed on the lower surface of the second substrate 330. Thus, even if condensation water is generated on the upper surface of the heating member 300, it is possible to prevent the condensation water from causing a short circuit between the portion between the first winding portion 332a and the third substrate terminal 338 and the first substrate terminal 336.

[0060] (Thermostat 340)

[0061] Figure 7 3 is a side view of the thermostat 340 showing a state where the first contact 345 and the second contact 346 are in contact with each other. Figure 8 3 is a side view of the thermostat 340 showing a state where the first contact 345 and the second contact 346 are separated from each other. Figure 7 and Figure 8As shown, the thermostat 340 is arranged on the lower surface of the second substrate 330. The thermostat 340 includes: a thermostat substrate 341; an operating portion 342; a bimetal 343 formed by bonding two metals having different thermal expansion coefficients; a first contact 345 provided on the thermostat substrate 341; and a second contact 346 provided on the operating portion 342. The thermostat substrate 341 is fixed to the second substrate 330, and the first contact 345 is provided on the downstream side of the air flow Y in the thermostat substrate 341. The operating portion 342 is connected to the thermostat substrate 341 on the upstream side of the air flow Y (set as a connecting portion 342a), and the second contact 346 is provided on the downstream side of the air flow Y in the operating portion 342. The bimetal 343 is connected to the operating portion 342.

[0062] When the temperature in the heating element 300 is within a normal range, such as Figure 7 As shown in FIG. 1 , the first contact 345 and the second contact 346 are in contact, and the second substrate terminal 337 and the third substrate terminal 338 are electrically connected. On the other hand, if the temperature inside the heating member 300 becomes high, as shown in FIG. Figure 8 As shown in FIG. 1 , the bimetal 343 is deformed, and the operating portion 342 isolates the first contact 345 from the second contact 346. As a result, the electrical connection between the second substrate terminal 337 and the third substrate terminal 338 is released, and the power supply to the heating wire 390 is cut off, so that the temperature inside the heating component 300 can be cooled. In addition, if the temperature inside the heating component 300 decreases and the bimetal 343 returns to its original state ( Figure 7 ), the first contact 345 and the second contact 346 are in contact, and the second substrate terminal 337 and the third substrate terminal 338 are electrically connected.

[0063] [1-2. Action]

[0064] The operation and effect of the clothes treating apparatus 100 configured as above will be described below.

[0065] [1-2-1. Attachment and removal of heating components]

[0066] If the top plate, which is the upper surface of the housing 101 , is removed from the housing 101 , the outer contour of the air intake path 200 and the heating member 300 are exposed.

[0067] When removing the heating member 300 from the air intake path 200, the screws fixing the screw holes 221 and the tongues 313 are removed, and the heating member 300 is lifted upward to remove the flange 312 inserted into the air intake path groove 220. In this way, the heating member 300 can be removed.

[0068] On the contrary, when the heating member 300 is mounted on the air intake path 200, it is inserted from the upper side along the flange 312 into the air intake path groove 220 provided on the side of the air intake path 200, and the lower surface of the heating member 300 is brought into contact with the air intake path support portion 222. Thereafter, the tongue portion 313 and the screw hole 221 are fixed by screws, thereby mounting the heating member 300 on the air intake path 200.

[0069] Thus, when the heating member 300 needs to be replaced due to a failure or the like, the heating member 300 can be easily attached to and detached from the intake path 200 , so that the heating member 300 can be replaced.

[0070] [1-2-2. Air flow in drying process]

[0071] When the drying process starts, the rotary drum 103 rotates. As a result, the air outside the housing 101 flows into the housing 101 through the cover side vent 104a and the housing side vent 101b in sequence. The air flowing into the housing 101 flows through the heating component inlet 301, the heating component outlet 302, the air intake path inlet 201, and the air intake path outlet 202 in sequence. In addition, the air intake valve 210 is opened due to the above-mentioned flow of air. The air passing through the air intake path 200 flows into the rotary drum 103 from the air intake path outlet 202.

[0072] In rotary drum 103, air containing moisture from laundry such as clothes flows out of water tank 102 through water holes 103b, and is discharged from exhaust path inlet 401 through exhaust path 400 to the outside of casing 101 from exhaust path outlet 402. At this time, exhaust valve 410 is open.

[0073] [1-2-3. Movement of the heating wire in the heating element]

[0074] When the heating wire 390 in the heating component 300 is heated by power, the heating wire 390 is elongated due to thermal expansion. If the user uses the clothes processing device 100 for a long time, the heating wire 390 is elongated and relaxed due to thermal expansion over the years. In the drying process, air flows in the heating component 300 in the direction indicated by the air flow Y.

[0075] At this time, in the heating member 300, suppose that the cross-sectional area S of the heating wire 390 is set to decrease as it goes from the upstream side to the downstream side of the air flow Y. In this case, there is a concern that the portion of the heating wire 390 with greater slack on the upstream side is pushed by the air in the direction of the air flow Y and contacts the portion with less slack on the downstream side. If the heating wires 390 contact each other, the resistance value in the heating wire 390 decreases, the magnitude of the current flowing through the heating wire 390 increases, and the heat generated by the heating wire 390 increases. As a result, the temperature in the heating member 300 becomes very high, and there is a concern that the thermostat 340 and the temperature fuse 350 are activated.

[0076] Therefore, in this embodiment, if Figures 4 to 6 As shown, the heating wire 390 is set to have a cross-sectional area S ( Figure 3 Thus, even when the heating wire 390 is stretched and relaxed over time, it is possible to prevent the heating wire 390 on the upstream side from contacting the heating wire 390 on the downstream side.

[0077] Furthermore, the length (length h3) between the first winding portion 332a and the second winding portion 332b is set longer than the length (length h4) between the second winding portion 332b and the third winding portion 332c. This can prevent the heating wire 390 on the upstream side from contacting the heating wire 390 on the downstream side at the most downstream portion of the air flow Y of the heating member 300.

[0078] like Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown in FIG. 1 , in the thermostat 340, the first contact 345 and the second contact 346 are provided at a position downstream of the air flow Y relative to the connection portion 342a connecting the thermostat substrate 341 and the operating portion 342. As a result, the temperature in the heating member 300 is high. Figure 8 When the first contact 345 and the second contact 346 of the thermostat 340 are separated, even when air containing foreign matter such as dust flows in from the heating element inlet 301, the thermostat substrate 341 and the operating portion 342 shield the space between the first contact 345 and the second contact 346. Therefore, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from accumulating between the first contact 345 and the second contact 346 and causing the thermostat 340 to fail to operate normally.

[0079] [1-3. Effects, etc.]

[0080] As described above, in the present embodiment, the laundry processing device 100 includes: a housing 101; and a rotary drum 103, which is provided in the housing 101 and stores laundry. In addition, the laundry processing device 100 includes: an air intake path 200, through which the air flowing into the rotary drum 103 passes; and a heating member 300, which is connected to the air intake path 200 and heats the air passing through the air intake path 200. The heating member 300 includes: a heating wire 390, which generates heat when electricity is supplied; and an outer housing 311, which is formed of a metal plate as a flame retardant member and covers the periphery of the heating wire 390. The outer housing 311 is opened in a substantially horizontal direction.

[0081] Thus, the laundry processing apparatus 100 can suppress the inflow of foreign matter into the heating component 300, and even if the foreign matter contacts the heating wire 390 and burns, it can suppress the ignition of fire from the heating component 300 to the outside. Therefore, the laundry processing apparatus 100 can suppress the spread of fire to the peripheral components of the heating component 300, thereby improving reliability.

[0082] As in the present embodiment, the heating wire 390 may be spirally wound in the heating member 300 such that the cross-sectional area S surrounded by the heating wire 390 increases from the upstream side to the downstream side of the air flow Y in the heating member 300 .

[0083] Thus, even when the heating wire 390 is thermally expanded and stretched, the heating wire 390 on the upstream side can be prevented from contacting the heating wire 390 on the downstream side in the laundry processing device 100. Therefore, the heating wires 390 can be prevented from contacting each other and the temperature in the heating member 300 from rising extremely.

[0084] As in the present embodiment, the heating member 300 may include a second substrate 330 for winding the heating wire 390. Alternatively, in the heating member 300, a plurality of winding portions 332 may be formed on the second substrate 330, and the heating wire 390 may be wound around the plurality of winding portions 332. Alternatively, the plurality of winding portions 332 may include a first winding portion 332a, a second winding portion 332b, and a third winding portion 332c. The first winding portion 332a is located closest to the downstream side of the heating member 300. The second winding portion 332b is adjacent to the first winding portion 332a on the upstream side of the first winding portion 332a. The third winding portion 332c is adjacent to the second winding portion 332b on the upstream side of the second winding portion 332b. The length h3 which is the length between the first winding portion 332a and the second winding portion 332b may be longer than the length h4 which is the length between the second winding portion 332b and the third winding portion 332c.

[0085] Thus, the laundry processing apparatus 100 can suppress the heating wire 390 from coming into contact with an adjacent heating wire 390 at the most downstream side of the heating member 300 where the heating wire 390 is most likely to extend due to thermal expansion.

[0086] As in the present embodiment, the heating member 300 may include a second substrate 330 for winding the heating wire 390. The second substrate 330 may be provided with a first substrate terminal 336, a third substrate terminal 338, and a substrate hole 333. The first substrate terminal 336 is electrically connected to one end of the heating wire 390. The third substrate terminal 338 is electrically connected to the other end of the heating wire 390. The substrate hole 333 passes through from the surface of the substrate to the back surface of the substrate between the first substrate terminal 336 and the third substrate terminal 338.

[0087] Thus, the clothes treating apparatus 100 can prevent the first substrate terminal 336 and the third substrate terminal 338 from being short-circuited by a water film generated by surface tension of the condensed water remaining on the second substrate 330 when condensed water is generated in the heating member 300. Therefore, the clothes treating apparatus 100 can prevent ignition caused by leakage.

[0088] As in the present embodiment, the lower surface of the second substrate 330 may be provided to be inclined with respect to the horizontal.

[0089] Thus, the clothes treating apparatus 100 can move the condensed water adhering to the lower surface of the second substrate 330 due to the surface tension from the second substrate 330 .

[0090] As in the present embodiment, the heating member 300 may include: a second substrate 330 extending in a substantially horizontal direction; and a restoring type thermostat 340 disposed on the second substrate 330. The thermostat 340 may include a thermostat substrate 341, an operating portion 342, a bimetal 343, a first contact 345, and a second contact 346. The thermostat substrate 341 is fixed to the second substrate 330. The operating portion 342 is connected to the thermostat substrate 341. The bimetal 343 is connected to the operating portion 342 and is formed by bonding two metals having different thermal expansion coefficients. The first contact 345 is disposed on the thermostat substrate 341. The second contact 346 is disposed on the operating portion 342. The first contact 345 and the second contact 346 may be disposed on the lower surface side of the second substrate 330.

[0091] Thus, the clothes treating apparatus 100 can suppress the accumulation of foreign matter such as dust on the first contact 345 and the second contact 346 of the thermostat 340. Therefore, the clothes treating apparatus 100 can suppress the occurrence of a malfunction of the thermostat 340.

[0092] As in this embodiment, the operating unit 342 may be connected to the thermostat substrate 341 on the upstream side of the air flow Y in the heating member 300 in the thermostat substrate 341. The second contact 346 may be provided on the downstream side of the air flow Y in the heating member 300 in the operating unit 342.

[0093] Thus, when the first contact 345 and the second contact 346 are separated from each other, even if foreign matter such as dust is carried by the air flowing through the heating member 300, the operating portion 342 shields the first contact 345 and the second contact 346. Therefore, the clothes processing apparatus 100 can prevent foreign matter from being attached between the first contact 345 and the second contact 346.

[0094] As in the present embodiment, a flange 312 and a tongue 313 that protrude from the outer housing 311 toward the outer side of the heating member outlet 302 may be provided at the end of the outer housing 311 on the heating member outlet 302 side. In addition, the air intake path 200 may be provided with an air intake path groove 220 into which the flange 312 is inserted and a screw hole 221 that is fixed to the tongue 313 by a screw.

[0095] Thus, the heating member 300 can be easily attached to and detached from the intake passage 200. Therefore, when a failure occurs in the heating member 300, the heating member 300 can be easily replaced.

[0096] (Other embodiments)

[0097] As described above, the first embodiment is described as an example of the technology in the present disclosure. However, the technology in the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and can also be applied to the embodiments in which changes, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. are made.

[0098] Therefore, other embodiments are exemplified below.

[0099] In Embodiment 1, as an example of the heating component of the present disclosure, the heating component 300 which is arranged at an inclination of 3 degrees relative to the horizontal direction is described. The heating component of the present disclosure can be arranged in a manner that the outer shell of the present disclosure opens in a substantially horizontal direction, and is therefore not limited to the heating component 300. The substantially horizontal direction refers to any direction which is inclined at about 0 to 5 degrees relative to the horizontal.

[0100] In Embodiment 1, as an example of the substrate of the present disclosure, the second substrate 330 is described as being arranged at an angle of 3 degrees relative to the horizontal direction. The substrate of the present disclosure can be arranged so as to extend in a substantially horizontal direction, and is therefore not limited to the second substrate 330. The substantially horizontal direction refers to any direction that is inclined at about 0 to 5 degrees relative to the horizontal direction.

[0101] In Embodiment 1, as an example of the winding portion of the present disclosure, the winding portion 332 provided on the second substrate 330 is described. The winding portion of the present disclosure is not limited to the winding portion 332 as long as it is a portion where the heating wire of the present disclosure is wound relative to the substrate of the present disclosure. The winding portion of the present disclosure may also be provided on the substrate of the present disclosure (the first substrate 320) provided to extend in a substantially vertical direction. In addition, the winding portion of the present disclosure may also be provided on both the first substrate 320 and the second substrate 330.

[0102] In the first embodiment, the metal plate is described as an example of the flame-retardant member of the present disclosure, but the flame-retardant member of the present disclosure is not limited to the metal plate.

[0103] In Embodiment 1, as an example of the outer shell of the present disclosure, an outer shell 311 formed into a rectangular parallelepiped with both ends open is described. The outer shell of the present disclosure is not particularly limited in shape as long as it is formed by the flame retardant component of the present disclosure and covers the periphery of the heating wire of the present disclosure. The outer shell of the present disclosure may also be formed into a cylindrical shape, for example.

[0104] In Embodiment 1, as an example of the laundry processing device of the present disclosure, a laundry processing device 100 as a drum-type washing and drying machine is described. The laundry processing device of the present disclosure can be any laundry processing device as long as it has the heating component of the present disclosure for heating air. Therefore, the laundry processing device of the present disclosure is not limited to a drum-type washing and drying machine, and may also be a drum-type drying machine, a drum-type washing machine, a vertical washing and drying machine, or a vertical washing machine.

[0105] In the first embodiment, the first groove portion 321 is formed so that the length h1 becomes longer linearly as it goes from the upstream side to the downstream side of the air flow Y, and the second groove portion 331 is formed so that the length h2 becomes longer linearly as it goes from the upstream side to the downstream side of the air flow Y. The first groove portion 321 and the second groove portion 331 only need to be formed so that the heating wire 390 is spirally wound so that the cross-sectional area S surrounded by the heating wire 390 becomes larger, and the length h1 and the length h2 may be formed so as to become longer in a curved line, for example.

[0106] In addition, in Embodiment 1, an example is described in which the first substrate 320 is provided with the first groove portion 321, and the second substrate 330 is provided with the second groove portion 331. For example, the second groove portion 331 may be provided on the second substrate 330 and the first groove portion 321 may not be provided on the first substrate 320, or vice versa. Even in this case, the heating wire 390 is wound in a spiral shape so that the cross-sectional area S surrounded by the heating wire 390 becomes larger. However, in terms of reducing the possibility of contact between the heating wire 390 on the upstream side and the heating wire 390 on the downstream side, it is more preferable to provide the first groove portion 321 on the first substrate 320 and the second groove portion 331 on the second substrate 330.

[0107] (Note)

[0108] Based on the description of the above embodiments, the following technology is disclosed.

[0109] (Technology 1)

[0110] The laundry processing device of the technology 1 comprises: a housing; a storage tank, which is provided in the housing and stores laundry; a path, through which air flowing into the storage tank passes; and a heating component, which is connected to the path and heats the air passing through the path. The heating component has: a heating wire, which generates heat when electricity is supplied; and an outer shell, which is formed of a flame retardant member and covers the periphery of the heating wire, and the outer shell is opened in a substantially horizontal direction.

[0111] (Technique 2)

[0112] In the clothes processing device of technology 2, based on the clothes processing device of technology 1, the heating wire is spirally wound in the heating component in such a way that the cross-sectional area surrounded by the heating wire increases as the air flows from the upstream side to the downstream side in the heating component.

[0113] (Technique 3)

[0114] In the clothing treatment device of technology 3, based on the clothing treatment device of technology 1 or technology 2, the heating component has a substrate for winding the heating wire. In the heating component, a plurality of winding parts are formed on the substrate, and the heating wire is wound on the plurality of winding parts. The plurality of winding parts include: a first winding part, which is located at a position closest to the downstream side of the heating component; a second winding part, which is adjacent to the first winding part on the upstream side of the first winding part; and a third winding part, which is adjacent to the second winding part on the upstream side of the second winding part. The length between the first winding part and the second winding part is longer than the length between the second winding part and the third winding part.

[0115] (Technique 4)

[0116] In the clothes processing device of the fourth technique, based on the clothes processing device of any one of the first to third techniques, the heating component has a substrate for winding the heating wire. The substrate is provided with: a first terminal electrically connected to one end of the heating wire; a second terminal electrically connected to the other end of the heating wire; and a hole portion penetrating from the surface of the substrate to the back side of the substrate between the first terminal and the second terminal.

[0117] (Technique 5)

[0118] The clothes treating apparatus according to the fifth technique is the clothes treating apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth techniques, wherein the base plate is provided to be inclined with respect to the horizontal.

[0119] (Technique 6)

[0120] In the clothing treatment device of technology 6, based on the clothing treatment device of any one of technologies 1 to 5, the heating component has: a substrate, which is arranged to extend in a substantially horizontal direction; and a recovery type thermostat, which is arranged on the substrate. The thermostat has: a thermostat substrate, which is fixed to the substrate; an operating part, which is connected to the thermostat substrate; a bimetallic piece, which is connected to the operating part and is formed by bonding two metals with different thermal expansion coefficients; a first contact, which is arranged on the thermostat substrate; and a second contact, which is arranged on the operating part. The first contact and the second contact are arranged on the lower surface side of the substrate.

[0121] (Technique 7)

[0122] The clothes processing device of the seventh aspect is the clothes processing device of the sixth aspect, wherein the operating unit is connected to the thermostat substrate on the upstream side of the flow of air in the heating member in the thermostat substrate. The second contact is provided on the downstream side of the flow of air in the heating member in the operating unit.

[0123] (Technology 8)

[0124] The clothes processing device of technology 8 is based on the clothes processing device of any one of technology 1 to technology 7, and a flange and a tongue portion protruding outward from the outer shell are provided at the end of the outer shell. The path is provided with: a groove portion for inserting the flange; and a screw hole, which is fixed to the tongue portion by a screw.

[0125] Industrial Applicability

[0126] The clothes processing device of the present disclosure can be applied to, for example, a domestic or commercial washing machine. Specifically, for example, the present disclosure can be applied to a vertical washing machine, a vertical washing and drying machine, a drum washing machine, a drum washing and drying machine, and the like.

[0127] Description of Reference Numerals

[0128] 100, clothes processing device; 101, housing; 101a, housing opening; 101b, housing side vent; 102, water tank; 103, rotating drum (storage tank); 103a, rotating shaft; 103b, water hole; 104, cover; 104a, cover side vent; 110, motor; 200, air intake path (path); 201, air intake path inlet; 202, air intake path outlet; 210, air intake valve; 220, air intake path groove (groove); 221, screw hole; 222, air intake path support; 300, heating component; 301, heating component inlet; 302, heating component outlet; 305, heating component substrate; 310, shell; 311, outer shell; 312, flange; 313, tongue; 313a, tongue hole; 315, inner shell; 320, first substrate; 321, first groove; 330, second substrate Plate (substrate); 331, second groove; 332, winding portion; 332a, first winding portion; 332b, second winding portion; 332c, third winding portion; 332d, fourth winding portion; 333, substrate hole portion (hole portion); 336, first substrate terminal (first terminal); 337, second substrate terminal; 338, third substrate terminal (second terminal); 340, thermostat; 341, thermostat substrate; 342, action portion ; 342a, connecting part; 343, bimetallic part; 345, first contact; 346, second contact; 350, temperature fuse; 361, first lead; 362, second lead; 390, heating wire; 400, exhaust path; 401, exhaust path inlet; 402, exhaust path outlet; 410, exhaust valve; h1, length; h2, length; h3, length; h4, length; S, cross-sectional area; Y, air flow.

Claims

1. A clothes processing device, characterized in that: The clothes processing device comprises: chassis; A storage tank is provided in the housing and is used to store laundry; a path through which air flowing into the storage groove passes; and a heating component connected to the path to heat the air passing through the path, The heating component has: A heating wire that generates heat when electricity is applied thereto; and An outer shell, which is formed of a flame retardant member and covers the periphery of the heating wire, The outer housing is opened in a substantially horizontal direction.

2. The clothes treating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heating wire is spirally wound in the heating member so that a cross-sectional area surrounded by the heating wire increases from an upstream side to a downstream side of a flow of air in the heating member.

3. The clothes treating device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The heating component has a substrate for winding the heating wire. In the heating component, a plurality of winding parts are formed on the substrate, and the heating wire is wound around the plurality of winding parts. The plurality of winding portions include: a first winding portion located closest to the downstream side of the heating member; a second winding portion adjacent to the first winding portion on the upstream side of the first winding portion; and a third winding portion adjacent to the second winding portion on the upstream side of the second winding portion, The length between the first winding portion and the second winding portion is longer than the length between the second winding portion and the third winding portion.

4. The clothes treating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heating component has a substrate for winding the heating wire. The substrate is provided with: a first terminal electrically connected to one end of the heating wire; a second terminal electrically connected to the other end of the heating wire; and A hole portion penetrates from the front surface of the substrate to the back surface of the substrate between the first terminal and the second terminal.

5. The clothes treating device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The base plate is arranged inclined relative to the horizontal.

6. The clothes treating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heating component has: a substrate disposed to extend along the substantially horizontal direction; and A recovery type thermostat is provided on the substrate. The thermostat has: a thermostat base plate fixed to the base plate; an action unit connected to the thermostat substrate; A bimetallic piece connected to the actuating portion and formed by bonding two metals having different thermal expansion coefficients; a first contact point disposed on the thermostat substrate; as well as a second contact point disposed at the action portion; The first contact and the second contact are provided on the lower surface side of the substrate.

7. The clothes treating device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The operating unit is connected to the thermostat substrate on an upstream side of the flow of air in the heating member in the thermostat substrate. The second contact is provided on a downstream side of the flow of air in the heating member in the operating portion.

8. The clothes treating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A flange and a tongue portion protruding outward from the outer shell are provided at the end of the outer shell. The path is provided with: a groove portion for inserting the flange; and a screw hole for fixing the tongue portion with a screw.

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