Washing and drying machine

Abstract

To provide a washing and drying machine which can be suppressed in deterioration in heat pump performance and furthermore can perform drainage of dew condensation water.SOLUTION: A washing and drying machine comprises: a heat pump unit 610 in which a compressor 611, a condenser 612, a decompression device 613 and an evaporator 614 are stored in a casing 618; and a dew condensation water storage portion 620 storing dew condensation water of the evaporator 614. The casing 618 comprises: an air passage chamber 664 in which the evaporator 614 and the condenser 612 are arranged; machine chambers 617a, 617b in which the compressor 611, the decompression device 613 and the dew condensation water storage portion 620 are arranged; and a partition wall 617e between the air passage chamber 664 and the machine chamber 617b. The partition wall 617e comprises water guide ports 621a, 621b guiding the dew condensation water generated in the evaporator 614 to the dew condensation water storage portion 620. The minimum water level of the storage water in the dew condensation water storage portion 620 is set to be a water level higher than that of the water guide ports 621a, 621b.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 14

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a washing / drying machine that performs washing and drying. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent document 1 describes an air conditioning unit in which an evaporator where condensation water occurs forms a heat exchange section together with a condenser, a condensation water storage section is provided in an area corresponding to the dehumidification area at the bottom of the unit case, a drainage pipeline with a drainage pump is connected, and the right amount of drainage is performed based on water level detection by a water level sensor (see paragraph 0027). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2010-64020 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Patent Document 1 does not mention a configuration for preventing the heat exchange unit from communicating with outside air via the storage unit and the drain pump. If the heat exchange unit communicates with outside air, the performance of the heat pump will decrease, the drying process time of the washer / dryer will increase, and power consumption will increase.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a washing / drying machine that can drain condensation water while suppressing a decrease in heat pump performance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, a washing and drying machine of the present invention comprises: An inner tank, An outer tank containing the inner tank; A heat pump unit in which a compressor, a condenser, a pressure reducing device, and an evaporator are connected in a ring shape by refrigerant piping and housed in a casing; a circulation air duct in which the condenser and the evaporator are configured as a heat exchanger for drying air; A condensation water storage section that stores condensation water generated in the evaporator; A drainage pump that drains the condensation water stored in the condensation water storage section; Equipped with the casing includes an air passage chamber in which the evaporator and the condenser are disposed, a machine chamber in which the compressor, the pressure reducing device and the condensation water storage unit are disposed, and a partition wall that separates the air passage chamber from the machine chamber; The partition wall has a water guide port at a lower portion thereof for guiding condensation water generated in the evaporator to the condensation water storage section, The minimum water level of the stored water in the condensation water storage section is set to a water level higher than that of the water introduction port. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a washer / dryer that can drain condensation water while suppressing deterioration in heat pump performance. Problems, configurations and effects other than those described above will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a washing / drying machine 100. [Diagram 2] 2 is a central cross-sectional view of the washing / drying machine 100 shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a drainage path 5. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the washing / drying machine 100. [Diagram 5] 2 is a perspective view of the upper portion of the washing / drying machine 100 as viewed obliquely from the rear. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the inside of the washing / drying machine 100 with the housing 1 removed. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a water supply unit (water supply section) 20. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the board unit 17. [Figure 9]FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a drying device 600. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the heat pump unit 10. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the heat pump unit 10 with an upper casing 10A1 removed. [Figure 12] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a heat pump unit 610 including a cross section. [Figure 13] 13 is a perspective view of a heat pump unit 610 including a cross section different from that in FIG. 12. [Figure 14] 14 is a plan view of the cross-sectional portion of FIG. 13 as seen from the front. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a washing / drying machine according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. A housing 1 of a washer / dryer 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the exterior of the washer / dryer 100.

[0010] The washer / dryer 100 is a drum-type washer / dryer, and the frame is formed by combining side panels 1b, made mainly of steel plates and resin molded parts, and reinforcing materials (not shown) on the top of the base (frame) 1a, and the front cover 1c and top cover 1d are further attached on top of that to form the housing 1. The front cover 1c is provided with a door 1e for loading and unloading laundry. The top cover 1d is provided at the front upper part with a power switch, buttons for selecting operation programs, and a display 1f. The top cover 1d is also provided with a cover 1g for a storage section for a detergent box and a fabric softener box.

[0011] The washer / dryer 100 according to the present invention is not limited to a drum-type washer / dryer, but may be a washer / dryer equipped with a heat pump unit or a vertical washer / dryer.

[0012] The configuration of the outer tub 2 and the inner tub 3 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a central cross-sectional view of the washer-dryer 100 shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 2 shows the washer-dryer 100 as viewed from the left side.

[0013] An outer tub 2 is provided inside the housing 1, and the outer tub 2 and the rotating drum (inner tub) 3 are housed in the housing 1. The outer tub 2 is supported by a number of suspensions (not shown), and its upper part is suspended by a spring (not shown). The door 1e is opened and laundry WA is put into the rotating drum 3 housed inside the outer tub 2. A fluid balancer 3a is provided on the outer periphery of the opening of the rotating drum 3 to reduce vibrations caused by imbalance of the laundry WA during spin-drying. A number of lifters 3b are provided inside the rotating drum 3 to lift up the laundry WA. The rotating drum 3 is directly connected to a motor (drive unit) 4 for driving the drum via a main shaft 3d connected to a metal flange 3c for the rotating drum.

[0014] A tub cover 2a is provided in front of the outer tub 2, and a rubber bellows 2b made of an elastic body is attached to the opening of the tub cover 2a. The bellows 2b plays a role in maintaining the watertightness between the inside of the outer tub 2 and the door 1e. This prevents water leakage during washing, rinsing and spin-drying. The rotating drum 3 has many small holes (not shown) on its side and back for centrifugal spin-drying and ventilation. A water receiving section 2c is provided at the bottom of the outer tub 2. A drainage path 5 for draining the wash water from the outer tub 2 is provided at the bottom of the outer tub 2.

[0015] The drainage path 5 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the drainage path 5.

[0016] The drainage path 5 has a drainage channel 5a for draining water accumulated in the outer tub 2, and an overflow drainage channel 5b for draining water accumulated in the outer tub 2 when the water exceeds a predetermined water level. The drainage channel 5a is a channel for draining water accumulated in the outer tub 2, and has an internal drainage channel 5a1, a water channel filter 5a2, a drain valve 5a3, and a drain hose 5a4. The internal drainage channel 5a1 is connected to the bottom of the outer tub 2, and the water channel filter 5a2 collects lint in the wastewater flowing through the internal drainage channel 5a1. The lint collected by the water channel filter 5a2 is cleaned up by the user as appropriate.

[0017] The overflow drainage channel 5b is equipped with a trap 5b1 that can pass and store water in the overflow drainage channel, can block the flow of air by storing water, and replaces the sealing water by supplying water by the rotation of the tank. The overflow drainage channel downstream of the trap 5b1 is connected to a drain hose 5a4.

[0018] A condensation water hose 5d is connected to the downstream side of the drain hose 5a4 for draining the water dehumidified by the heat pump unit 610 using a drain pump (condensation water drain pump) 5c. The condensation water hose 5d is elevated to a position higher in the vertical direction than the overflow drainage channel 5b to prevent backflow from the drain hose 5a4 to the heat pump unit 610.

[0019] Between the water channel filter 5a2 and the outer tub 2, a circulation water channel (circulation flow path) 5e for circulating the water in the outer tub 2, and a circulation pump 5f are provided.

[0020] The configuration of the drying device 600 will be described with reference to Fig. 4 to Fig. 6. Fig. 4 is a rear view of the washer-dryer 100. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the upper part of the washer-dryer 100 as seen obliquely from the rear. Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the inside of the washer-dryer 100 with the housing 1 removed.

[0021] 4, the drying device 600 is made up of a blower 630, a heat pump unit 610 that dehumidifies and then heats circulating air, and a circulation air passage 660 that circulates the circulating air (air for drying) between the heat pump unit 610 and the outer tub 2. The blower 630 and the heat pump unit 610 are integrally configured, and in this embodiment, are disposed in the lower part of the washer / dryer 100, specifically, below the outer tub 2.

[0022] The circulation air passage 660 is formed between the heat pump unit 610 and the outer tub 2 so that drying air for drying laundry circulates between the heat pump unit 610 and the inside of the inner tub 3.

[0023] The drying air circulating between the heat pump unit 610 and the inside of the inner tub 3 includes air sent from the heat pump unit 610 to the inner tub 3 for drying the laundry, and air returned from the inner tub 3 to the heat pump unit 610 after being used to dry the laundry.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 4, a blower 630 is connected to the outlet side of the heat pump unit 610. The washer-dryer 100 is provided with a feed air passage (feed duct) 661 as an air passage for feeding drying air from the blower 630 to the outer tub 2. The feed air passage 661 is an air passage for feeding drying air to be used for drying laundry to the inner tub 3. The feed air passage 661 is provided with a first feed air passage (first feed duct) 661a (see FIGS. 4 and 5), a second feed air passage (second feed duct) 661b (see FIGS. 4 and 5), an exhaust bellows 663c (see FIG. 6), and a third feed air passage (third feed duct) 661c (see FIG. 6) from the upstream side. Here, the third feed air passage 661c is an air passage provided inside the tub cover 2a. An outlet for blowing drying air into the inner tub 3 is provided at the downstream end of the third airflow passage 661c.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 4, a return air passage 662 (see Fig. 4) is configured as an air passage for sending drying air from the outer tub 2 to the heat pump unit 610. The return air passage (return duct) 662 is an air passage through which the drying air that has contributed to drying the laundry in the inner tub 3 returns to the heat pump unit 610. The return air passage 662 is connected to the heat pump unit 610 by a return bellows 663a. The return bellows 663a is made of an expandable and contractible rubber material in a bellows shape so that vibrations of the outer tub 2 do not affect the heat pump unit 610 via the return air passage 662.

[0026] In addition, reference numeral 17 shown in FIG. 5 denotes a board unit including a control device, and reference numeral 20 denotes a water supply unit (water supply section).

[0027] The water supply unit 20 in the washer / dryer 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the water supply unit (water supply section) 20.

[0028] The water supply is connected to a water supply inlet 20a (see FIG. 2), which is connected to a water supply solenoid valve 21 having four solenoid valves. The four solenoid valves can set the flow rate range of water that can be supplied according to the water supply pressure. A water supply box 22 is connected to the water supply solenoid valve 21, and water can be further branched into each flow path to supply water. A detergent / fabric softener tray 23 is provided in front of the water supply box 22. The detergent / fabric softener tray 23 is divided into a detergent tray (detergent dispenser case) 23a and a fabric softener tray (fabric softener dispenser case) 23b.

[0029] A manual detergent and fabric softener insertion port 24 is provided in front of the detergent / fabric softener tray 23. By supplying water to the manual detergent and fabric softener insertion port 24 and then supplying water to the outer tub 2 from the main hose 25a, the detergent and fabric softener can be added during washing.

[0030] An ADS unit 26 is provided below the detergent / fabric softener tray 23. By supplying water to the ADS unit 26, the detergent in the detergent tank or the fabric softener in the fabric softener tank can be automatically dispensed into the outer tub 2 via the main hose 25a.

[0031] Water can also be supplied directly from the water supply box 22 to the outer tub 2 via the main hose 25a. The air duct filter (not shown) can be cleaned by supplying water to a cleaning nozzle (not shown) of the filter (air duct filter) installed in the air duct via the air duct filter cleaning hose 25b. The door 1e and bellows 2f can be cleaned by supplying water to the tub cover 2a via the shower hose 25c. The water supply destination can be switched by multiple solenoid valves installed in the water supply box 22.

[0032] The board unit 17 in the washer / dryer 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the board unit 17.

[0033] The board unit 17 is made up of a board casing 17a, a board case lid 17b, and a board 17c. The board casing 17a is covered with resin inside and aluminum sheet metal outside. The board case lid 17b is made of sheet metal.

[0034] The board unit 17 is provided with electrical devices such as a board 17c inside. The board 17c has a microcomputer and constitutes a control device for the washer / dryer 100. The control device has a microcomputer and acquires various information signals (drain temperature sensor, temperature sensor, temperature sensor, outside air temperature sensor, conductivity sensor, etc.) in response to the operation of an operation switch by a user and in the washing process and drying process. The microcomputer is connected to the motor 4, the water supply solenoid valve 21, the drain valve 5a3, the circulation pump 5f, the blower 630, the compressor 611, the drain pump 5c, etc. via a drive circuit, and controls the opening / closing, rotation, or energization of these devices.

[0035] The substrate 17c includes a motor 4 for driving the washing tub, a fan motor 630 for blowing air, a power element for driving the compressor 611, and a heat dissipation fin for dissipating heat, and is arranged so that the power element and other electronic components are on the lower surface side. Among these, the power element for driving the compressor 611 generates the largest amount of heat.

[0036] A cooling fan (not shown) is provided on the rear side of board casing 17a, and exhaust port 17e is provided on board case lid 17b. By driving the cooling fan, air inside the washing machine housing is taken into board unit 17 and exhausted toward outer tub 2 located below board unit 17. Here, by not providing an exhaust port on the detergent / fabric softener tray side, deterioration of detergent due to a rise in temperature on the detergent / fabric softener tray side caused by cooling air can be suppressed.

[0037] Of the power elements, the power element for driving compressor 611 is disposed immediately behind intake port 17d of the cooling fan, thereby making it possible to suppress a temperature rise caused by improved cooling performance of the power element of compressor 611.

[0038] With reference to FIG. 9, the function of the drying device 600 in the washing / drying machine 100 will be described. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the drying device 600.

[0039] The heat pump unit 610 has a compressor 611, a condenser (heater) 612, an expansion valve 613, and an evaporator (dehumidifier) ​​614 as basic components of a heat pump, and further includes an accumulator 615. The accumulator 615 prevents the liquid refrigerant from returning to the compressor 611. In this embodiment, the blower 630 is integrally configured with the heat pump unit 610, and the blower 630 may be considered as a component of the heat pump unit 610.

[0040] The outer tub 2 is disposed so as to enclose the inner tub 3 that contains the clothes, and has a return port 2d for drying air on its rear side. The return port 2d and the inlet 610a of the heat pump unit 610 are connected to a return air passage 662 (see FIG. 4).

[0041] A blower 630 is connected to the outlet of the heat pump unit 610, and a supply air passage 661 is connected to an exhaust port 630a of the blower 630. A downstream end of the supply air passage 661 is connected to a third supply air passage 661c (see FIG. 6) formed in the tub cover 2a via an exhaust bellows 663c (see FIG. 6). An air outlet 661d is formed at the downstream end of the third supply air passage 661c. The air outlet 661d blows drying air onto the clothes from the front of the inner tub 3.

[0042] When the blower 630 is operated, the dry air pressurized by the blower 630 is sent to the outer tub 2 through the delivery air duct 661 and is blown out from the air outlet 661d in front of the inner tub 3 toward the clothes in the inner tub 3. The dry air that has removed moisture from the clothes and their surroundings passes through the return air duct 662 from the return port 2d and enters the heat pump unit 610 from the inlet 610a of the heat pump unit 610.

[0043] In the heat pump unit 610, the drying air is dehumidified when passing through the evaporator 614, and heated when passing through the condenser 612. The evaporator 614 and the condenser 612 form a heat exchange section that exchanges heat with the drying air. The drying air, which has become hot after passing through the heat exchange sections 614 and 612, repeats the circulation back to the blower 630. Repeating the circulation of the drying air, which dehumidifies and heats it, promotes the drying of clothes.

[0044] Next, we will explain the flow of refrigerant in heat pump unit 610. When compressor 611 of heat pump unit 610, which contains a predetermined amount of refrigerant, is operated, the refrigerant enters condenser 612 in a high-temperature, high-pressure gas state.

[0045] In the condenser 612, the refrigerant that has been brought to a medium temperature through heat exchange with the drying air flowing between the fins is in a gas-liquid two-phase region. As the heat exchange with the drying air continues, the refrigerant becomes liquefied. The refrigerant that has become liquid at the outlet of the condenser 612 passes through the expansion valve 613 and becomes a low-temperature, low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant.

[0046] The refrigerant that has flowed into the evaporator 614 flows while gradually increasing the amount of gas (while increasing the dryness) through heat exchange with the drying air, and then flows back into the compressor 611. The accumulator 615 provided upstream of the compressor 611 separates the liquid refrigerant by gravity difference so that the compressor 611 does not lose reliability by compressing the liquid refrigerant, and allows only the gas refrigerant to enter the compressor 611.

[0047] The compressor 611 and the accumulator 615 are disposed in a compressor chamber 617a, and a refrigerant pipe 616a connecting the compressor 611 and the condenser 612, and a refrigerant pipe 616d connecting the evaporator 614 and the compressor 611 via the accumulator 615 are disposed across the compressor chamber 617a and the piping chamber 617b. The refrigerant pipe 616a connecting the condenser 612 and the expansion valve 613 and the refrigerant pipe 616b connecting the expansion valve 613 and the evaporator 614 are disposed in the piping chamber 617b, and the expansion valve 613 provided between the refrigerant pipe 616a and the refrigerant pipe 616b is also disposed in the piping chamber 617b.

[0048] The structure of the heat pump unit 610 will be described with reference to Figures 10 and 11. Figure 10 is a perspective view of the heat pump unit 10. Figure 11 is a perspective view of the heat pump unit 10 with an upper casing 10A1 removed.

[0049] 10, the heat pump unit 610 includes a resin casing 618, and includes a compressor 611, a condenser (heater) 612, an expansion valve (pressure reducing device) 613, an evaporator (dehumidifier) ​​614, and an accumulator 615 inside the casing 618. The casing 618 can be separated into a lower casing 618a and an upper casing 618b, which are fixed together with resin nails and screws.

[0050] 11, the heat exchangers (heat exchange sections) 614, 612 are provided with end plates 619a, 619b to obstruct air flowing laterally, and are sandwiched between an upper casing 618b and a lower casing 618a, and are disposed in a drying air circulation path 664. The circulation path 664 is a circulation path within the heat pump unit, and is divided into an upstream heat pump unit circulation path 664a on the upstream side with respect to the heat exchangers 614, 612, and a downstream heat pump unit circulation path 664b on the downstream side with respect to the heat exchangers 614, 612.

[0051] Further, a compressor chamber 617a and a piping chamber 617b are provided in the casing 618. The compressor chamber 617a and the piping chamber 617b are collectively referred to as machine chambers 617a and 617b. The casing 618 is divided into the machine chambers 617a and 617b and an air passage portion 664.

[0052] The compressor chamber 617a and the piping chamber 617b are partitioned by a partition wall 617c. The compressor chamber 617a is located to the side of the circulation air passage 664b in the downstream heat pump unit, and the compressor chamber 617a and the circulation air passage 664b in the downstream heat pump unit are partitioned by a partition wall 617d. The piping chamber 617b is located to the side of the heat exchangers 614, 612 and the circulation air passage 664a in the upstream heat pump unit, and the piping chamber 617b and the heat exchangers 614, 612 are partitioned by an end plate 619a, and the piping chamber 617b and the circulation air passage 664a in the upstream heat pump unit are partitioned by partition walls 617d and 617e.

[0053] The circulation air passage 664 in the heat pump unit is airtightly separated from the compressor chamber 617a and the piping chamber 617b, and the drying air flows through the circulation air passage 664 in the heat pump unit from the circulation air passage 664a in the upstream heat pump unit to the circulation air passage 664b in the downstream heat pump unit as shown by the white arrow in Fig. 11. The drying air in the circulation air passage 664b in the downstream heat pump unit is sucked into the blower 630 and discharged from the discharge port 630a of the blower 630.

[0054] The condenser (heater) 612 and the evaporator (dehumidifier) ​​614 exchange heat with the drying air, and therefore use a cross-fin tube type heat exchanger in which a circular heat transfer tube is inserted through aluminum fins stacked at a specified pitch and attached by expanding the tube.

[0055] Compressor 611 is installed in lower casing 618a via vibration-proof rubber, etc. Compressor 611 may be, for example, a piston type, rotary type, scroll type, or other compressor, and the rotation speed can be varied from low to high speed by inverter control.

[0056] Compressor 611, condenser (heater) 612, expansion valve 613, evaporator (dehumidifier) ​​614, and accumulator 615 are connected by refrigerant piping 616 (see FIG. 9). To prevent refrigerant piping 616 from breaking due to the propagation of rotational vibration of compressor 611, the refrigerant piping 616 connects each device in a serpentine manner.

[0057] A storage section 623 is provided below the evaporator 614 to receive and store the condensation water that falls from the evaporator 614, and the condensation water is drained outside the washer-dryer 100 by periodically operating a drainage pump (condensation water drainage pump) 5c (see FIG. 3) or by operating the drainage pump 5c upon water level detection.

[0058] Hereinafter, a condensation water drainage section that drains condensation water generated in the evaporator 614 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0059] Water receiving portions 623a and 623b disposed below heat exchange portions 614 and 612 will be described with reference to Fig. 12. Fig. 12 is a perspective view of heat pump unit 610 including a cross section. Fig. 12 shows a cross section taken on the heat pump unit internal circulation air passage 664 (see Fig. 11) side with respect to partition wall 617b.

[0060] Since condensation water occurs in the evaporator 614, a first water receiving portion 623a is disposed below the evaporator 614. The first water receiving portion 623a is disposed below the evaporator 614 and is a water receiving portion that receives the condensation water dropping from the evaporator 614.

[0061] In the heat pump unit circulation air passage 664 (see FIG. 11), the condenser 612 side has a lower pressure than the evaporator 614 side, so some of the condensed water generated in the evaporator 614 splashes onto the condenser 612 side and adheres to the condenser 612, dropping from the condenser 612. For this reason, a second water receiving portion 623b is disposed below the condenser 612. The second water receiving portion 623b is disposed below the condenser 612, and is a water receiving portion that receives the water dropping from the condenser 612.

[0062] The first water receiving portion 623a is disposed on the drainage pump 5c side relative to the second water receiving portion 623b.

[0063] Condensed water storage section 620 will be described with reference to Fig. 13. Fig. 13 is a perspective view of heat pump unit 610 including a cross section different from that in Fig. 12. Fig. 13 shows a cross section taken on the machine chambers 617a, 617b (see Fig. 11) side with respect to partition wall 617b.

[0064] A condensation water reservoir 620 is provided on the opposite side of the partition wall 617b from the first water receiving portion 623a and the second water receiving portion 623b. The condensation water reservoir 620 is disposed on the machine room 617a, 617b side.

[0065] The condensation water storage section 620 has a first bottom surface 620a and a second bottom surface 620b. A step surface 620c in the vertical direction is provided between the first bottom surface 620a and the second bottom surface 620b, and the first bottom surface 620a is located below the second bottom surface 620b. The first bottom surface 620a is inclined downward from the second bottom surface 620b side toward the suction port 5c1 side of the drainage pump 5c.

[0066] Partition wall 617b is provided with first water inlet 621a that connects condensation water storage section 620 and first water receiving section 623a, and second water inlet 621b that connects condensation water storage section 620 and second water receiving section 623b. First water inlet 621a and second water inlet 621b are disposed within an area where first bottom surface 620a is disposed. First water inlet 621a is disposed on the side of suction port 622a of drainage pump 622 relative to second water inlet 621b.

[0067] The condensation water storage section 620 is provided with an inlet 5c1 for the drainage pump 5c, and the condensation water stored in the condensation water storage section 620 is drained outside the washer-dryer 100 by operating the drainage pump 5c periodically or by detecting the water level.

[0068] Description will be made with reference to Fig. 14. Fig. 14 is a plan view of the cross-sectional portion of Fig. 13 as seen from the front. First water receiving portion 623a, second water receiving portion 623b, and condensed water storage portion 620 are connected to a drainage path for draining condensed water, and therefore may become a communication path for connecting a heat exchange portion provided in circulation air passage 664 within the heat pump unit with outside air. If the heat exchange portion communicates with outside air, the performance of the heat pump will decrease, the drying process time of washer-dryer 100 will become longer, and power consumption will increase. For this reason, in this embodiment, a water seal portion is provided in condensed water storage portion 620 to isolate the heat exchange portion from outside air.

[0069] The water sealing portion is provided in the first water inlet 621a and the second water inlet 621b. That is, the first water inlet 621a and the second water inlet 621b are disposed at a position lower than the lowest water level of the stored water in the condensation water storage portion 620, thereby forming the water sealing portion.

[0070] The washer / dryer 100 of this embodiment comprises an inner tub 3, an outer tub 2 containing the inner tub 3, a heat pump unit 610 in which a compressor 611, a condenser 612, a pressure reducing device 613, and an evaporator 614 are connected in a ring shape by refrigerant piping 616 and housed in a casing 618, a circulation air duct 660 in which the condenser 612 and the evaporator 614 are configured as heat exchange sections for drying air, a condensation water storage section 620 for storing condensation water generated in the evaporator 614, and a drainage pump 5c for draining the condensation water stored in the condensation water storage section 620.

[0071] The casing 618 includes an air passage chamber 664 in which the evaporator 614 and the condenser 612 are arranged, machine chambers 617a, 617b in which the compressor 611, the pressure reducing device 613 and the condensation water storage section 620 are arranged, and a partition wall 617e that separates the air passage chamber 664 from the machine chambers 617a, 617b.

[0072] Partition wall 617e has water guiding ports 621a and 621b at its lower part for guiding condensed water generated in evaporator 614 to condensed water reservoir 620. The minimum water level of stored water in condensed water reservoir 620 is set to a water level higher than water guiding ports 621a and 621b.

[0073] When the suction port 5c1 of the drainage pump 5c is exposed from the water, air is drawn in, the suction performance is reduced, and the drainage pump 5c is unable to discharge the stored water in the condensation water storage section 620. By arranging the water introduction ports 621a and 621b at a position lower than the highest part 5c2a of the inlet opening 5c2 of the drainage pump 5c, it becomes easier to arrange the water introduction ports 621a and 621b at a position lower than the minimum water level of the stored water in the condensation water storage section 620. In other words, the water introduction ports 621a and 621b are set to a height of L2 or less. Furthermore, by arranging the water introduction ports 621a and 621b at a position lower than the center L1 of the inlet opening 5c2 of the drainage pump 5c, it becomes even easier to arrange the water introduction ports 621a and 621b at a position lower than the minimum water level of the stored water in the condensation water storage section 620.

[0074] A condensation water drainage path 5d is connected downstream of the drainage pump 5c, and the condensation water is drained through the condensation water drainage path (drainage pipe) 5d. When the drainage pump 5c stops, the water that has not been drained at that point and remains in the condensation water drainage path 5d returns to the condensation water storage unit 620 via the drainage pump 5c. By setting the amount of this return water so that the water level in the condensation water storage unit 620 is at a height 5c2a above the highest point of the inlet opening 5c2 of the drainage pump 5c, the suction port 5c1 of the drainage pump 5c is submerged in water, and the drainage can be quickly performed the next time the drainage pump 5c is started.

[0075] The first water inlet 621a and the second water inlet 621b are preferably provided at as low a position as possible to facilitate water sealing with the stored water. For this reason, the first water inlet 621a and the second water inlet 621b are formed so that a part of their opening edge is at the same height as the first bottom surface 620a and their longitudinal direction is in the horizontal direction. In other words, the first water inlet 621a and the second water inlet 621b are formed so that their opening width is larger than their opening height, as shown in FIG.

[0076] It is preferable that the volume of the condensation water storage section 620 is large to prevent overflow. However, if the volume of the condensation water storage section 620 is simply made large, the water level of the stored water in the condensation water storage section 620 will be low when the stored water is small, making it difficult to seal the first water introduction port 621a and the second water introduction port 621b with the stored water.

[0077] Therefore, in this embodiment, a second bottom surface 620b higher than the first bottom surface 620a is provided, making it possible to seal the first water inlet 621a and the second water inlet 621b even with a small amount of stored water. Also, when the amount of stored water is large, the water level of the stored water becomes higher than the second bottom surface 620b, and the water is stored in a large-capacity storage section formed above the second bottom surface 620b, thereby suppressing the rise in the water level.

[0078] The second bottom surface 620b is preferably located higher than the highest portion 5c2a of the inlet opening 5c2 of the drainage pump 5c. In other words, the second bottom surface 620b is set to a height equal to or higher than L2. This allows the suction port 5c1 of the drainage pump 5c to be easily submerged in the small amount of water stored in the first bottom surface 620a.

[0079] As described above, the washer / dryer 100 of this embodiment has the following features. (1) an inner tank 3; An outer tank 2 containing an inner tank 3; A heat pump unit 610 in which a compressor 611, a condenser 612, a pressure reducing device 613, and an evaporator 614 are connected in a ring shape by refrigerant piping 616 and housed in a casing 618; A circulation air duct 660 in which a condenser 612 and an evaporator 614 are configured as heat exchangers for drying air; A condensation water storage section 620 that stores condensation water generated in the evaporator 614; A drainage pump 5c that drains the condensation water stored in the condensation water storage section 620; Equipped with The casing 618 includes an air passage chamber 664 in which the evaporator 614 and the condenser 612 are disposed, machine chambers 617a and 617b in which the compressor 611, the pressure reducing device 613 and the condensation water storage section 620 are disposed, and a partition wall 617e that separates the air passage chamber 664 from the machine chambers 617a and 617b. The partition wall 617e is provided at its lower portion with water guide ports 621a and 621b for guiding condensed water generated in the evaporator 614 to the condensed water storage section 620. The minimum water level of the stored water in the condensation water storage section 620 is set to a water level higher than the water introduction ports 621a and 621b.

[0080] (2) The water introduction ports 621a, 621b are disposed at a position lower than the highest portion 5c2a of the inlet opening 5c2 of the drainage pump 5c.

[0081] (3) A condensation water drainage path 5d is provided, which is connected to the downstream side of the drainage pump 5c. When the drainage pump 5c stops, the water level in the condensation water reservoir 620 becomes equal to or higher than the highest point 5c2a of the inlet opening 5c2 of the drainage pump 5c due to return water returning to the condensation water reservoir 620 from the condensation water drainage path 5d.

[0082] (4) The condensation water storage section 620 has a first bottom surface 620a, the lowest portion of which is located lower than the lowest portion of the inlet opening 5c2 of the drainage pump 5c, and a second bottom surface 620b, the lowest portion of which is located higher than the first bottom surface 620a; The second bottom surface 620b is located higher than the highest portion 5c2a of the inlet opening 5c2 of the drainage pump 5c.

[0083] (5) A first water receiving portion 623a is provided on the opposite side of the condensation water storage portion 520 across the partition walls 617d and 617e. The first water receiving portion 623a is disposed below the evaporator 614 and receives condensed water that falls from the evaporator 614. The water introduction ports 621a, 621b include a first water introduction port 621a that connects the first water receiving portion 623a to the condensed water storage portion 620.

[0084] (6) A second water receiving portion 623b is provided on the opposite side of the condensation water storage portion 620 across the partition walls 617d and 617e. The second water receiving portion 623b is disposed below the condenser 612 and receives water dropping from the condenser 612. The water introduction ports 621a, 621b include a second water introduction port 621b that connects the second water receiving portion 623b to the condensed water storage portion 620.

[0085] (7) The first water inlet 621a and the second water inlet 621b are disposed within the range in which the first bottom surface 620a is provided.

[0086] (8) an inner tank 3; An outer tank 2 containing an inner tank 3; A heat pump unit 610 in which a compressor 611, a condenser 612, a pressure reducing device 613, and an evaporator 614 are connected in a ring shape by refrigerant piping 616 and housed in a casing 618; A circulation air duct 660 in which a condenser 612 and an evaporator 614 are configured as heat exchangers for drying air; A condensation water storage section 620 that stores condensation water generated in the evaporator 614; A drainage pump 5c that drains the condensation water stored in the condensation water storage section 620; Equipped with The casing 618 includes an air passage chamber 664 in which the evaporator 614 and the condenser 612 are disposed, machine chambers 617a and 617b in which the compressor 611, the pressure reducing device 613 and the condensation water storage section 620 are disposed, and partition walls 617d and 617e which separate the air passage chamber 664 from the machine chambers 617a and 617b. The partition walls 617d and 617e are provided at their lower portions with water guide ports 621a and 621b for guiding condensed water generated in the evaporator 614 to the condensed water storage section 620. The water introduction ports 621a and 621b are disposed at a position lower than the center L1 of the inlet opening 5c2 of the drainage pump 5c.

[0087] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but includes various modifications. For example, the above-described embodiments have been described in detail to clearly explain the present invention, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to those including all of the configurations. In addition, it is possible to add, delete, or replace part of the configuration of the embodiments with other configurations. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] 2...outer tank, 3...inner tank, 5c...drainage pump, 5c2...inlet opening of drainage pump 5c, 5c2a...highest part of inlet opening 5c2 of drainage pump 5c, 5d...condensation water drainage path, 610...heat pump unit, 611...compressor, 612...condenser, 613...pressure reducing device, 614...evaporator, 616...refrigerant piping, 617a, 617b...machine room, 617e ...partition, 618...casing, 620...condensation water storage section, 620a...first bottom surface of condensation water storage section 620, 620b...second bottom surface of condensation water storage section 620, 621a...first water inlet, 621b...second water inlet, 623a...first water receiving section, 623b...second water receiving section, 660...circulation air duct, 664...air duct chamber, L1...center of inlet opening 5c2 of drainage pump 5c.

Claims

1. An inner tank, An outer tank containing the inner tank; A heat pump unit in which a compressor, a condenser, a pressure reducing device, and an evaporator are connected in a ring shape by refrigerant piping and housed in a casing; a circulation air duct in which the condenser and the evaporator are configured as a heat exchanger for drying air; A condensation water storage section that stores condensation water generated in the evaporator; A drainage pump that drains the condensation water stored in the condensation water storage section; Equipped with the casing includes an air passage chamber in which the evaporator and the condenser are disposed, a machine chamber in which the compressor, the pressure reducing device and the condensation water storage unit are disposed, and a partition wall that separates the air passage chamber from the machine chamber; The partition wall has a water guide port at a lower portion thereof for guiding condensation water generated in the evaporator to the condensation water storage section, A minimum water level of the stored water in the condensation water storage section is set to a water level higher than that of the water introduction port.

2. The washing and drying machine according to claim 1, The water inlet is disposed at a position lower than the highest portion of the inlet opening of the drainage pump.

3. The washing and drying machine according to claim 2, A condensation water drainage path is provided that is connected to the downstream side of the drainage pump, In a washing and drying machine, when the drainage pump is stopped, the water level in the condensation water storage section becomes higher than the highest point of the inlet opening of the drainage pump due to return water returning from the condensation water drainage path to the condensation water storage section.

4. The washing and drying machine according to claim 1, The condensation water storage portion has a first bottom surface whose lowest portion is located lower than the lowest portion of the inlet opening of the drainage pump, and a second bottom surface whose lowest portion is located higher than the first bottom surface, The second bottom surface is located at a position higher than the highest part of the inlet opening of the drainage pump.

5. The washing and drying machine according to claim 4, A first water receiving portion is provided on the opposite side of the partition wall from the condensation water storage portion, The first water receiving portion is disposed below the evaporator and receives condensation water dropping from the evaporator. The washer / dryer includes a first water inlet that connects the first water receiving portion to the condensation water storage portion.

6. The washing and drying machine according to claim 5, A second water receiving portion is provided on the opposite side of the partition wall to the condensation water storage portion, The second water receiving portion is disposed below the condenser and receives water dropping from the condenser. The washing / drying machine includes a second water inlet that connects the second water receiving portion to the condensation water storage portion.

7. The washing and drying machine according to claim 6, The first water inlet and the second water inlet are disposed in an area where the first bottom surface is provided.

8. An inner tank, An outer tank containing the inner tank; A heat pump unit in which a compressor, a condenser, a pressure reducing device, and an evaporator are connected in a ring shape by refrigerant piping and housed in a casing; a circulation air duct in which the condenser and the evaporator are configured as a heat exchanger for drying air; A condensation water storage section that stores condensation water generated in the evaporator; A drainage pump that drains the condensation water stored in the condensation water storage section; Equipped with the casing includes an air passage chamber in which the evaporator and the condenser are disposed, a machine chamber in which the compressor, the pressure reducing device and the condensation water storage unit are disposed, and a partition wall that separates the air passage chamber from the machine chamber; The partition wall has a water guide port at a lower portion thereof for guiding condensation water generated in the evaporator to the condensation water storage section, The water inlet is disposed at a position lower than a center of an inlet opening of the drainage pump.

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