Drum-type laundry treatment device

Abstract

The present application provides a drum-type laundry treating apparatus, comprising: an outer drum supported in a housing; an inner tub rotatably mounted in the outer tub and receiving clothes; the drying device uses heated air to dry clothes in the inner barrel, the drying device comprises an air path shell with an air inlet and an air outlet, and an evaporator used for dehumidifying the air, a condenser used for heating the air passing through the evaporator and a fan used for enabling the air to flow are arranged in the air path shell; the drum-type clothes processing device is provided with an external air leading-in port, the external air leading-in port is communicated to the position, between the evaporator and the condenser, in the air path shell through an external air leading-in pipeline, external air led in from the external air leading-in port and air flowing through the evaporator are combined and then flow towards the condenser, an air leading-out port is formed in the outer drum, and the air leading-out port is communicated with the air leading-out port. The air outlet is communicated with the external space of the drum-type clothes processing device and is used for discharging air in the outer drum to the external space.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to a drum-type laundry treating apparatus. Background Art

[0002] Currently, the demand for drum-type laundry treating apparatuses with a drying function is increasing. Such drum-type laundry treating apparatuses include an all-in-one washer-dryer having both a washing function and a drying function, a dryer having only a drying function, etc. Among them, an embedded drum-type laundry treating apparatus that can be installed on a balcony or the like is highly favored.

[0003] In an embedded drum-type laundry treating apparatus, as a method for realizing the drying function, a heat pump system is being increasingly adopted due to advantages such as energy saving and gentleness to clothes. However, when drying clothes, as time passes, the temperature of the compressor of the heat pump system becomes too high, resulting in too rapid a speed reduction of the compressor and a lower heat exchange efficiency of the heat pump system, and further resulting in a decrease in the drying efficiency. For an embedded drum-type laundry treating apparatus, since the external space outside the heat pump system is narrow, it is not conducive to the heat dissipation of the heat pump system. Therefore, it is particularly desirable to avoid the adverse condition of a decrease in the drying efficiency caused by too high a temperature of the heat pump system.

[0004] In the laundry treating apparatus disclosed in CN117026600A (Patent Document 1), by allowing external air at a lower temperature to enter the circulation air duct of the heat pump unit, the temperature of the heat pump unit is reduced, and damage to the heat pump unit caused by high temperature is avoided. However, in Patent Document 1, when the external air enters the circulation air duct of the apparatus, the air pressure inside the apparatus increases, and there are potential safety and stability hazards during the operation of the apparatus. Summary of the Utility Model

[0005] Problems to be Solved by the Utility Model

[0006] The present application is completed in view of the above situation, and its purpose is to provide a drum-type laundry treating apparatus that can improve the drying efficiency and ensure the safety and stability during the operation of the apparatus.

[0007] Solutions for Solving the Problems

[0008] To achieve the above object, the present application provides a drum-type laundry treatment apparatus, comprising: a housing; an outer tub supported within the housing; an inner tub rotatably installed within the outer tub for receiving laundry; and a drying device located above the outer tub for drying the laundry within the inner tub using heated air. The drying device includes an air passage housing having an air inlet and an air outlet, and an evaporator for dehumidifying air, a condenser for heating the air passing through the evaporator, and a blower for causing air flow are provided within the air passage housing. The drum-type laundry treatment apparatus has an outside air inlet, and the outside air inlet is communicated via an outside air inlet pipe to a position between the evaporator and the condenser within the air passage housing. The outside air introduced from the outside air inlet merges with the air flowing through the evaporator and then flows towards the condenser. An air outlet is provided on the outer tub, and the air outlet is communicated with the external space of the drum-type laundry treatment apparatus for discharging the air within the outer tub to the external space.

[0009] According to this structure, the outside air introduced from the outside air inlet merges with the air flowing through the evaporator and then flows towards the condenser. Thus, it is possible to use the cooler outside air that has not been heated to cool the condenser whose temperature has become higher due to continuous drying, thereby reducing the temperature within the drying device, and it is possible to avoid the situation where the compressor of the drying device decelerates too quickly due to excessive temperature and thus the heat exchange efficiency decreases. Thus, the drying efficiency can be improved. In addition, during the drying process, the temperature of the external gas is lower than the surface temperature of the evaporator, and the surface temperature of the evaporator is lower than the surface temperature of the condenser. Therefore, by introducing the external gas into the condenser without passing through the evaporator, it is more conducive to reducing the temperature within the drying air passage. In addition, since an air outlet for discharging the air within the outer tub to the external space is provided on the outer tub, when the air pressure within the device, especially within the outer tub, increases, the air can be discharged in a timely manner to restore a stable air pressure, so the safety and stability during the operation of the device can be ensured.

[0010] In at least one embodiment, in the flow direction of the air within the air passage housing, the blower is located on the downstream side of the evaporator and the condenser.

[0011] According to this structure, the negative pressure generated when the blower operates can be used to cause the outside air to flow from the outside air inlet into the space between the evaporator and the condenser and then flow towards the condenser. Thus, there is no need to additionally provide a driving unit for causing the outside air to flow in from the outside air inlet, and the drying efficiency can be improved with a simple structure.

[0012] In at least one embodiment, the ratio of the opening area of the outside air inlet to the opening area of the air inlet is 3% to 30%.

[0013] According to this structure, it is possible to take into account both the amount of humid air flowing in from the air inlet and the amount of outside air flowing in from the outside air inlet, so that the air used for drying and the outside air used to prevent the compressor temperature from rising excessively can be made appropriate amounts, and the drying efficiency can be further improved.

[0014] In at least one embodiment, the outside air inlet is provided at the front part of the drum-type laundry treating apparatus, and the air outlet is communicated to the outside space at the rear of the drum-type laundry treating apparatus via an air outlet pipe.

[0015] For an embedded drum-type laundry treating apparatus, during the operation of the apparatus, the air temperature in the space in front of the apparatus, that is, on the side where the user is located, is usually lower than the air temperature in other directions. Therefore, by providing the outside air inlet at the front part of the apparatus, it is possible to introduce the outside air with a lower temperature into the apparatus, and the drying efficiency can be further improved. In addition, since the rear space of the embedded drum-type laundry treating apparatus is not easily noticed by the user, by communicating the air outlet to the outside space at the rear of the apparatus, even if a small amount of condensed water is discharged along with the air, it will not be noticed by the user, which is beneficial to improving the user experience.

[0016] In at least one embodiment, the outside air inlet is provided at a side part of the drum-type laundry treating apparatus in a crossing direction that crosses the rotation axis of the inner drum, and the air outlet is communicated to the outside space on the other side in the crossing direction of the drum-type laundry treating apparatus via an air outlet pipe.

[0017] For an embedded drum-type laundry treating apparatus, neither the side part nor the other side part in the crossing direction that crosses the rotation axis of the inner drum of the apparatus is easily noticed by the user. Therefore, according to this structure, neither the outside air inlet nor the condensed water discharged along with the air is easily noticed by the user, which is beneficial to improving the user experience.

[0018] In at least one embodiment, a cavity is provided in the air outlet pipe, and the cavity is used to condense at least part of the water vapor contained in the air flowing in the air outlet pipe into condensed water.

[0019] According to this structure, it is possible to use the cavity to condense at least part of the water vapor in the air into condensed water and temporarily store the condensed water, thereby reducing the amount of condensed water discharged along with the air, which is beneficial to further improving the user experience. In addition, it can also reduce the damage caused by the condensed water to furniture and the like around the embedded drum-type laundry treating apparatus. Moreover, even if the foam generated during the washing process enters the air outlet pipe, the cavity can be used to temporarily store the foam, avoiding the occurrence of the adverse situation where the foam is discharged along with the air.

[0020] In at least one embodiment, an opening and closing valve for opening and closing the air outlet pipeline is provided at a position of the air outlet pipeline between the air outlet and the cavity.

[0021] According to this structure, the air outlet pipeline can be opened and closed by the opening and closing valve at an appropriate time. For example, when the drying device starts to work, closing the air outlet pipeline can prevent the drying air in the outer cylinder from leaking to the outside through the air outlet pipeline, thereby avoiding the reduction of drying efficiency. In addition, by closing the opening and closing valve during the washing process, it is possible to more reliably prevent the foam during the washing process from being discharged through the air outlet pipeline.

[0022] In at least one embodiment, the air outlet is connected to a drain pipe for discharging the washing water in the outer cylinder through the air outlet pipeline.

[0023] According to this structure, even if there is condensed water discharged with the air, the condensed water will enter the drain pipe of the washing water and be discharged. Therefore, it is possible to reliably avoid the bad experience caused by the user noticing the condensed water discharged with the air.

[0024] In at least one embodiment, an opening and closing valve for opening and closing the air outlet pipeline is provided in the air outlet pipeline.

[0025] According to this structure, the air outlet pipeline can be opened and closed by the opening and closing valve at an appropriate time. For example, when the drying device starts to work, closing the air outlet pipeline can prevent the drying air in the outer cylinder from leaking to the outside through the air outlet pipeline, thereby avoiding the reduction of drying efficiency. When the air outlet pipeline is connected to the drain pipe, closing the air outlet pipeline by the opening and closing valve when the air pressure in the outer cylinder does not rise can prevent the malodorous air in the drain pipe from entering the outer cylinder.

[0026] In at least one embodiment, a check member for preventing the washing water from flowing back toward the air outlet is provided in the air outlet pipeline.

[0027] According to this structure, when the air outlet pipeline is connected to the drain pipe, it is possible to reliably prevent the washing water in the drain pipe from flowing back toward the air outlet, thereby avoiding the washing water with foreign matters such as lint in the drain pipe from flowing back into the outer cylinder through the air outlet.

[0028] Effects of the utility model

[0029] According to the present application, it is possible to provide a drum-type laundry treatment device that can improve the drying efficiency and ensure the safety and stability during the operation of the device. Description of the drawings

[0030] Figure 1 is a perspective view obtained by observing the structure of the drum - type laundry treating apparatus of the present application after removing the top wall plate from the side - front direction.

[0031] Figure 2 is a perspective view obtained by observing the structure of the drum - type laundry treating apparatus of the present application after removing the top wall plate and the front wall plate from the side - front direction.

[0032] Figure 3 is a top view of the drum - type laundry treating apparatus of the present application after removing the top wall plate and the upper housing of the air duct housing of the drying device.

[0033] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the lower housing of the air duct housing provided in the drying device of the drum - type laundry treating apparatus of the present application.

[0034] Figure 5 is a front view of a part of the filter device provided with an outside - air inlet and connected to an outside - air introduction pipe.

[0035] Figure 6 is a front view of a part of the filter device provided with an outside - air inlet and not connected to an outside - air introduction pipe.

[0036] Figure 7 is Figure 6 a partial A - A cross - sectional view of the filter device of

[0037] Figure 8 is a partial perspective view obtained by observing the upper structure of the drum - type laundry treating apparatus of the present application after removing the upper housing of the air duct housing of the drying device from the obliquely - upper direction.

[0038] Figure 9 is a partial perspective view obtained by observing the upper structure of the drum - type laundry treating apparatus of the present application after removing the drying device from the obliquely - upper direction.

[0039] Figure 10 is a rear view of the drum - type laundry treating apparatus of the present application.

[0040] Explanation of reference numerals

[0041] 1: Drum-type laundry treatment device; 2: Housing; 21: Left wall panel; 22: Right wall panel; 23: Front wall panel; 24: Rear wall panel; 25: Front panel assembly; 28: Upper space part; 250: Annular surface; 3: Outer cylinder; 31: Laundry inlet; 32: Shock absorber; 4: Inner cylinder; 5: Drying device; 50: Air duct housing; 501: Upper housing; 502: Lower housing; 503: Bottom wall part; 504: Peripheral wall part; 51: Air inlet component; 511: Air inlet; 52: Air outlet component; 521: Air outlet; 53: Evaporator; 54: Condenser; 55: Fan; 56: Compressor; 560: Compressor housing part; 6: Outdoor air inlet; 61: Outdoor air inlet pipe; 7: Air outlet; 71: Air outlet pipe; 72: Cavity; 8: Drain pipe; 9: Filter device; 91: Loading and unloading part; 92: Filter part; 93: Opening; 94: Mounting part; H: Filter device pull-out port; X: Rotation axis; N: Vent nozzle. Detailed implementation manners

[0042] Next, the detailed implementation manners of the present application will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0043] As the drum-type laundry treatment device of the present application, a washing and drying integrated machine with both washing and drying functions will be taken as an example for description below. Those skilled in the art can understand that the drum-type laundry treatment device of the present application can also be a dryer with only drying function.

[0044] (1. Overall)

[0045] As shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the drum-type laundry treatment device 1 includes: a housing 2; an outer cylinder 3, which is supported inside the housing 2; an inner cylinder 4, which is rotatably installed inside the outer cylinder 3 for storing laundry; and a drying device 5, which is located above the outer cylinder 3 and uses heated air to dry the laundry inside the drum-type laundry treatment device 1 (i.e., inside the inner cylinder 4). In addition, for the convenience of description, the front-back direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction are defined as shown in Figure 1 , and these directions will be followed in the subsequent drawings. It can be understood that these directions are not used to limit the actual configuration form of the drum-type laundry treatment device 1.

[0046] (2. Housing)

[0047] As shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the housing 2 constitutes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped-shaped outline of the drum-type laundry treatment device 1, including a left wall panel 21, a right wall panel 22, a front wall panel 23, and a rear wall panel 24 formed by plates such as metal plates and resin plates (refer to Figure 10) and a top wall plate (not shown). To facilitate the observation of the structure inside the outer casing 2, some or all of the wall plates constituting the outer casing 2 are appropriately omitted in the respective drawings. The front wall plate 23 and other panel members located on the front surface side of the drum-type laundry treating apparatus 1 together constitute the front panel assembly 25. In other words, the outer casing 2 includes the front panel assembly 25 located on the front surface side of the drum-type laundry treating apparatus 1, and the front panel of the drum-type laundry treating apparatus 1 is constituted by the front panel assembly 25.

[0048] (3. Outer cylinder and inner cylinder)

[0049] As Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, the outer cylinder 3 has a bottomed cylindrical shape with a laundry inlet 31 at one end. The outer cylinder 3 is installed inside the outer casing 2 with the laundry inlet 31 facing forward, and is elastically supported by the lower shock absorbers 32 and the upper suspension springs (not shown) on the outer casing 2, thereby preventing the vibration of the outer cylinder 3 from being transmitted to the outer casing 2.

[0050] As Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, the inner cylinder 4 has a bottomed cylindrical shape with one end open and is used for storing laundry. The inner cylinder 4 is installed inside the outer cylinder 3 with the opening facing the laundry inlet 31 of the outer cylinder 3. A plurality of fine holes can be formed in the wall portion on the outer peripheral side and the bottom side wall portion of the inner cylinder 4, whereby washing water and heated air generated by the drying device 5 can flow between the outer cylinder 3 and the inner cylinder 4. In addition, the inner cylinder 4 is driven by a motor (not shown) and can rotate about a rotation axis X extending in the horizontal direction. Among them, the rotation direction of the inner cylinder 4 can be either the clockwise direction when viewed from the front in Figure 1 or the counterclockwise direction, or it can be continuously switched between the clockwise direction and the counterclockwise direction. In addition, the rotation axis X of the inner cylinder 4 can also be inclined upward toward the laundry inlet 31.

[0051] (4. Drying device)

[0052] As Figure 2 shown, an integrally structured drying device 5 is disposed in the upper space portion 28 above the outer cylinder 3 inside the outer casing 2, and the drying device 5 dries the laundry in the inner cylinder 4 by using heated air. The upper space portion 28 refers to the space sandwiched by the top wall plate and the upper arc-shaped outer peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 3 in the vertical direction, and includes not only the space above the highest part of the outer cylinder 3 but also the left and right sides of the highest part and the space slightly below the highest part.

[0053] As Figures 1 to 4As shown in the figure, the drying device 5 includes: an air duct housing 50, which has an air inlet 511 and an air outlet 521. The air inlet 511 is located on the front side or the upper side of the outer cylinder 3, and the air outlet 521 is located on the rear side of the outer cylinder 3 or the upper side behind the air inlet 511. The air inlet 511 and the air outlet 521 are respectively communicated with the inner cavity of the drum-type laundry treating device 1 (i.e., the inner cavity of the inner cylinder 4); an evaporator 53, which is arranged in the air duct housing 50 and dehumidifies the air flowing in the air duct housing 50 and led out from the inner cylinder 4; a condenser 54, which is arranged in the air duct housing 50 at a position downstream of the evaporator 53 in the air flow direction and heats the air passing through the evaporator 53; and a blower 55, which is arranged in the air duct housing 50 at a position downstream of the condenser 54 in the air flow direction and is used to make the air flow, so as to introduce the air in the inner cylinder 4 into the air duct housing 50 through the air inlet 511, and introduce the air passing through the evaporator 53 and the condenser 54 into the inner cylinder 4 through the air outlet 521. In addition, the drying device 5 further includes a compressor 56, and the compressor 56 is used to compress the refrigerant flowing in the evaporator 53 and the condenser 54.

[0054] It should be noted that the evaporator 53 only needs to be able to dehumidify the air, and it can be a microchannel structure or a copper tube fin structure. The condenser 54 only needs to be able to heat the air, and it can be a microchannel structure, but is not limited to the microchannel structure, and it can also be a copper tube fin structure. Since compared with the traditional heat exchanger, under the same heat exchange energy efficiency, the microchannel evaporator and the microchannel condenser have a smaller volume, which is beneficial to the miniaturization of the drum-type laundry treating device. Therefore, considering both higher heat exchange energy efficiency and device miniaturization, preferably, at least one of the evaporator 53 and the condenser 54 is a microchannel structure, and in particular, the condenser 54 for heating the air is preferably a microchannel structure. In the present embodiment, the case where both the evaporator 53 and the condenser 54 are microchannel structures is shown.

[0055] By operating the compressor 56, the low-temperature and low-pressure gaseous refrigerant is compressed to become a high-temperature and high-pressure liquid refrigerant; then, the refrigerant is sent into the interior of the condenser 54 and becomes a low-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant by releasing heat inside the condenser 54; then, the refrigerant passes through a throttling device and becomes a low-temperature and low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant; then, the refrigerant enters the evaporator 53 and becomes a low-temperature and low-pressure gaseous refrigerant by absorbing heat; then, the refrigerant returns to the compressor 56 and is compressed again.

[0056] (4-1. Air duct housing)

[0057] As Figures 1 to 2 、 Figure 4As shown, the air duct housing 50 includes: an intake member 51 that extends substantially in the vertical direction and has an intake port 511 at its lower end. As Figure 2 shown, the lower end of the intake member 51 is connected to the outer cylinder 3 and communicates with the inner cavity of the inner cylinder 4 through fine holes in the wall of the inner cylinder 4; an outlet member 52 that has an outlet port 521 at its lower end. The lower end of the outlet member 52 is connected to the outer cylinder 3 on the rear side wall (i.e., the bottom wall) of the outer cylinder 3 and communicates with the inner cavity of the inner cylinder 4 through an air supply port (not shown) provided on the bottom wall of the outer cylinder 3. The air flowing out from the outlet port 521 flows into the outer cylinder 3 through this air supply port; and a housing main body that is connected between the intake member 51 and the outlet member 52.

[0058] As Figures 1 to 4 shown, the housing main body of the air duct housing 50 has an upper housing 501 and a lower housing 502. The lower housing 502 is substantially cup-shaped with an upward opening and has a bottom wall portion 503 and a peripheral wall portion 504. The intake member 51 is connected near the front end of the bottom wall portion 503, and the outlet member 52 is connected to the peripheral wall portion 504 at the rear side. The upper housing 501 is substantially plate-shaped and is fixed to the upper end of the peripheral wall portion 504 of the lower housing 502 using screws or the like. Inside the internal space of the air duct housing 50 surrounded by the upper housing 501 and the lower housing 502, an evaporator 53, a condenser 54, and a blower 55 are arranged. As Figure 3 shown, the blower 55 is arranged behind the condenser 54 inside the housing main body of the air duct housing 50. In other words, in the air flow direction inside the air duct housing 50, the blower 55 is located on the downstream side of the evaporator 53 and the condenser 54.

[0059] In addition, a compressor accommodation portion 560 is continuously provided forward on the peripheral wall portion 504 at the front side. The compressor accommodation portion 560 is substantially cylindrical with an upward opening and a bottom. The compressor 56 is arranged inside the compressor accommodation portion 560 and is thus disposed outside the internal space of the housing main body of the air duct housing 50. Thus, the evaporator 53, the condenser 54, the blower 55, and the compressor 56 are arranged in the upper space portion 28 in an integrated structure using the housing main body of the air duct housing 50.

[0060] (5. Filter device)

[0061] As Figures 2 to 3 、 Figure 5As shown, the drum - type laundry treating apparatus 1 further includes a filtering device 9 for filtering foreign matters such as lint in the air flowing in the air passage of the drying device 5. The filtering device 9 is located upstream of the evaporator 53, the condenser 54, and the blower 55 in the air flow direction. More specifically, the filtering device 9 is located between the air inlet 511 and the evaporator 53 in the air flow direction. Thus, the air is filtered by the filtering device 9 before passing through the evaporator 53, the condenser 54, and the blower 55, which can avoid the situation that foreign matters such as lint contained in the air adhere to the evaporator 53, the condenser 54, and the blower 55, resulting in a reduction in drying efficiency. Therefore, it can contribute to improving the drying efficiency of the drum - type laundry treating apparatus 1.

[0062] As Figure 3 and Figure 5 shown, the filtering device 9 includes a loading and unloading part 91 and a filtering part 92. The loading and unloading part 91 is a part for the user to operate when loading and unloading the filtering device 9 with respect to the later - described filtering device draw - out port H, and the filtering part 92 is a part for filtering foreign matters such as lint.

[0063] (6. Filtering device draw - out port)

[0064] In Figures 1 to 2 the structure shown, the front - panel assembly 25 has an annular surface 250 drawn deep from the front surface rearward at the laundry inlet 31. A filtering device draw - out port H is provided on the annular surface 250, and the filtering device 9 can be loaded and unloaded with respect to the filtering device draw - out port H. Preferably, as Figure 1 shown, the filtering device draw - out port H is located directly above the rotation axis X of the inner drum 4. At this time, the air inlet 511 is offset to one side in the left - right direction with respect to the rotation axis X of the inner drum 4 (the case of offset to the right is shown in Figure 2 ), and the filtering device 9 is located between the air inlet 511 and the evaporator 53 in the air flow direction. Preferably, when the evaporator 53 is located directly above the rotation axis X of the inner drum 4, the filtering device 9 is located directly in front of the evaporator 53. Thus, the filtering device 9 can be provided at a height position convenient for the user to perform the loading and unloading operation, which is beneficial for the loading and unloading operation of the filtering device 9.

[0065] It should be noted that the filtering device draw - out port H is not limited to being provided on the annular surface 250. As long as the filtering device 9 installed at the filtering device draw - out port H is located between the air inlet 511 and the evaporator 53 in the air flow direction, the filtering device draw - out port H can be provided at any position on the front - panel assembly 25. It can also be that the filtering device 9 is loaded and unloaded with respect to the filtering device draw - out port H in an inclined manner with the front end approaching the rotation axis X of the inner drum 4 and the rear end away from the rotation axis X of the inner drum 4.

[0066] In addition, the drum - type laundry treating apparatus 1 further includes a door assembly (not shown) mounted on the front - panel assembly 25. The door assembly is used to open and close the laundry inlet 31 of the outer cylinder 3. When the door assembly is closed, the annular surface 250 is covered by the door assembly. That is, the filter device drawer - opening H is provided at a position on the front - panel assembly 25 that is covered by the door assembly when the door assembly is closed.

[0067] (7. Outer - air inlet)

[0068] As Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, the drum - type laundry treating apparatus 1 has an outer - air inlet 6. As Figure 3 and Figure 5 shown, the outer - air inlet 6 is connected via an outer - air inlet pipe 61 to a position between the evaporator 53 and the condenser 54 in the air - duct housing 50, so that the outer air introduced from the outer - air inlet 6 flows into the air - duct in the drying device 5. That is, the outer air introduced from the outer - air inlet 6 merges with the air flowing through the evaporator 53 and then flows towards the condenser 54.

[0069] There is no limitation on the specific setting position of the outer - air inlet 6. For example, the outer - air inlet 6 can be provided at the front part of the drum - type laundry treating apparatus 1, or can be provided at one side part in the intersecting direction (e.g., the left - right direction) of the drum - type laundry treating apparatus 1 with respect to the rotation axis X of the inner cylinder 4. However, preferably, the outer - air inlet 6 is provided at a position on the front - panel assembly 25 that is covered by the door assembly when the door assembly is closed. At this time, a gap is left between the outer - air inlet 6 and the door assembly to ensure that the outer - air inlet 6 is not blocked by the door assembly. For example, in the case where the annular surface 250 is provided, preferably, the outer - air inlet 6 is provided on the annular surface 250.

[0070] In the present embodiment, as Figures 1 to 2 、 Figure 5 shown, more preferably, the outer - air inlet 6 is provided on the exposed surface (i.e., the housing wall surface facing forward) of the filter device 9 (specifically, the loading and unloading part 91) that is exposed from the filter - device drawer - opening H when the filter device 9 is installed in the filter - device drawer - opening H.

[0071] As Figure 5As shown, the outside air inlet 6 is composed of many small holes scattered on the housing wall surface of the loading and unloading part 91 of the filtering device 9. However, the outside air inlet 6 is not limited thereto. For example, the shape, size, quantity, layout, etc. of the small holes can be changed according to the actual situation, and the outside air inlet 6 can also be formed by an opening. Preferably, the ratio of the opening area of the outside air inlet 6 to the opening area of the air inlet 511 is 3% to 30%. In the case where the outside air inlet 6 is composed of many small holes, the opening area of the outside air inlet 6 refers to the sum of the opening areas of all the small holes.

[0072] As Figures 5 to 7 shown, an air vent N communicating with the outside air inlet 6 is installed on the filtering device 9 (specifically, the loading and unloading part 91), and an outside air introduction pipeline 61 for guiding outside air to the space between the evaporator 53 and the condenser 54 is connected to the air vent N. Specifically, an opening 93 communicating with the outside air inlet 6 via the internal space of the loading and unloading part 91 is provided on the filtering device 9 (specifically, the loading and unloading part 91). An installation part 94 for installing the air vent N is formed at the opening 93. When the air vent N is installed on the installation part 94, the air vent N communicates with the outside air inlet 6 via the opening 93. The air vent N may have any structure as long as it can communicate the outside air inlet 6 with the outside air introduction pipeline 61, and there is no particular limitation.

[0073] The structure of the outside air introduction pipeline 61 is not limited as long as it can introduce outside air between the evaporator 53 and the condenser 54. In the present embodiment, as Figures 2 to 4 shown, the outside air introduction pipeline 61 extends along the front side part, left side part, and rear side part of the peripheral wall part 504 of the lower housing 502 in sequence from the air vent N and reaches the position between the evaporator 53 and the condenser 54.

[0074] (8. Air outlet)

[0075] As Figure 9 shown, an air outlet 7 is provided on the outer cylinder 3 (specifically, the upper part at the rear), and the air outlet 7 communicates with the external space of the drum - type laundry treating apparatus 1 for discharging the air in the outer cylinder 3 to the external space. The air outlet 7 communicates with the external space of the drum - type laundry treating apparatus 1 via an air discharge pipeline 71.

[0076] Preferably, when the outside air inlet 6 is provided at the front part of the drum - type laundry treating apparatus 1, the air outlet 7 communicates with the outside space behind the drum - type laundry treating apparatus 1 via the air outlet pipe 71. Additionally, it is also possible that when the outside air inlet 6 is provided at one side part of the drum - type laundry treating apparatus 1 in the crossing direction (for example, the left - right direction) crossing the rotation axis X of the inner cylinder 4, the air outlet 7 communicates with the outside space on the other side of the drum - type laundry treating apparatus 1 in the said crossing direction via the air outlet pipe 71. For example, a wall - plate opening communicating with the outside space is provided on the rear wall - plate, left wall - plate or right wall - plate of the drum - type laundry treating apparatus 1, and the air outlet pipe 71 communicates with this wall - plate opening.

[0077] It can be understood that the specific installation positions of the outside air inlet 6 and the air outlet 7 are not limited to this and can be adjusted according to the actual situation. For example, it is also possible that the outside air inlet 6 is provided at the front part of the drum - type laundry treating apparatus 1, and the air outlet 7 communicates with the outside space on one side of the drum - type laundry treating apparatus 1 in the said crossing direction via the air outlet pipe 71.

[0078] As Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown, a cavity 72 is provided in the air outlet pipe 71 (specifically, at an intermediate position of the air outlet pipe 71). The cavity 72 is used to condense at least part of the water vapor contained in the air flowing in the air outlet pipe 71 into condensed water. As long as the cavity 72 is a container capable of condensing at least part of the water vapor into condensed water and temporarily storing the condensed water, its structure is not limited. Additionally, it is also possible that the cavity 72 is detachably connected to the air outlet pipe 71. It is also possible that the cavity 72 is non - detachably connected to the air outlet pipe 71, and the condensed water stored in the cavity 72 is discharged into the outer cylinder 3 via a pipe. Additionally, the detergent box provided in the drum - type laundry treating apparatus 1 can also be used as the cavity 72.

[0079] It is also possible that an opening - closing valve (not shown) for opening and closing the air outlet pipe 71 is provided at a position of the air outlet pipe 71 between the air outlet 7 and the cavity 72. However, the specific installation position of the opening - closing valve can also be adjusted according to actual needs as long as it can open and close the air outlet pipe 71.

[0080] As Figure 10 As shown, the drum - type laundry treating apparatus 1 also has a drain pipe 8 for draining the washing water in the outer cylinder 3. It is also possible that the air outlet 7 is connected to the drain pipe 8 via the air outlet pipe 71, for example, connected to an upper intermediate position of the drain pipe 8. At this time, an opening - closing valve for opening and closing the air outlet pipe 71 can also be provided in the air outlet pipe 71. A check member for preventing the washing water from flowing back towards the air outlet 7 can also be provided in the air outlet pipe 71.

Claims

1. A drum - type laundry treating apparatus, characterized in that, the drum - type laundry treating apparatus includes: a housing; an outer tub, which is supported within the housing; an inner tub, which is rotatably installed within the outer tub for receiving laundry; and a drying device, which is located above the outer tub and uses heated air to dry the laundry within the inner tub, the drying device includes an air passage housing having an air inlet and an air outlet, and an evaporator for dehumidifying air, a condenser for heating the air passing through the evaporator, and a blower for making the air flow are provided within the air passage housing, the drum - type laundry treating apparatus has an outside air inlet, and the outside air inlet is communicated via an outside air inlet pipe to a position between the evaporator and the condenser within the air passage housing. The outside air introduced from the outside air inlet merges with the air flowing through the evaporator and then flows towards the condenser, an air outlet is provided on the outer tub, and the air outlet is communicated with the external space of the drum - type laundry treating apparatus for discharging the air within the outer tub to the external space.

2. The drum - type laundry treating apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, in the air flow direction within the air passage housing, the blower is located on the downstream side of the evaporator and the condenser.

3. The drum - type laundry treating apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, the ratio of the opening area of the outside air inlet to the opening area of the air inlet is 3% - 30%.

4. The drum - type laundry treating apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, the outside air inlet is provided at the front part of the drum - type laundry treating apparatus, the air outlet is communicated via an air outlet pipe to the external space at the rear of the drum - type laundry treating apparatus.

5. The drum - type laundry treating apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, the outside air inlet is provided at one side part of the drum - type laundry treating apparatus in the intersecting direction intersecting with the rotation axis of the inner tub, the air outlet is communicated via an air outlet pipe to the external space on the other side of the drum - type laundry treating apparatus in the intersecting direction.

6. The drum - type laundry treating apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that, a cavity is provided in the air outlet pipe, and the cavity is used for condensing at least part of the water vapor contained in the air flowing in the air outlet pipe into condensed water.

7. The drum - type laundry treating apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that, an opening - closing valve for opening and closing the air outlet pipe is provided at a part of the air outlet pipe located between the air outlet and the cavity.

8. The drum - type laundry treating apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, the air outlet is connected via an air outlet pipe to a drain pipe for discharging the washing water within the outer tub.

9. The drum - type laundry treating apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that, an opening - closing valve for opening and closing the air outlet pipe is provided in the air outlet pipe.

10. The drum-type laundry treating apparatus according to claim 8, wherein a backflow prevention member for preventing the washing water from flowing back toward the air outlet is provided in the air outlet pipe.

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