Clothing treatment device

Abstract

To provide a clothing treatment device that reduces load of cleaning work on a user while ensuring lint capturing efficiency.SOLUTION: A clothing treatment device comprises: an outer box; a drying chamber that is disposed in the outer box and has an air outlet and can store clothing inside; an air channel that is disposed in the outer box and connected at one end to the air outlet and becomes a passage of exhaust air from the drying chamber; and a filter mechanism that is disposed in the air channel and captures lint included in the exhaust air. The filter mechanism comprises: a storage part that is disposed in the air channel and communicates with the outside of the outer box; an enclosure mounted so as to be inserted to or detached from the storage part; and a filter member that is held so as to be attachable to and detachable from the enclosure and captures lint. The filter member is held in a bent state to form a curved surface in a state of being mounted on the enclosure, and forms a flat surface in a state of being detached from the enclosure so as not to receive external force.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a clothes treatment device. [Background technology]

[0002] In a clothes dryer that supplies warm air to a drying chamber containing clothes to dry them, a filter device is known that traps lint in an air passage to prevent lint from the clothes during the drying operation from dispersing outside the machine or entering a heat exchanger. In this case, the filter device is configured to be removable to prevent the filter device from becoming clogged and reducing the volume of the drying air. A user periodically cleans the filter device with a brush, cloth, or the like to remove accumulated lint.

[0003] To improve the efficiency of lint capture, clothes dryers have been developed that include filters with curved or bent surfaces to increase the area available for lint capture. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-38849 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2019-30506 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, it is not easy for a user to clean a filter that is formed into a curved or bent surface shape.

[0006] Therefore, a clothing processing device is provided that ensures lint capture efficiency while reducing the cleaning burden on the user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The clothing treatment device according to the embodiment includes an outer box, a drying chamber provided in the outer box, having an air outlet, capable of storing clothing therein, an air passage provided in the outer box, one end of which is connected to the air outlet and serves as a passage for exhaust air from the drying chamber, and a filter mechanism disposed in the air passage and collecting lint contained in the exhaust air. The filter mechanism includes a storage section provided in the air passage and communicating with the outside of the outer box, a housing removably attached to the storage section, and a filter member detachably held in the housing and collecting lint. The filter member is held in a bent state that forms a curved surface when attached to the housing, and is in a flat state that forms a flat surface when removed from the housing without receiving external force. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an example in which a laundry treatment device according to a first embodiment is applied to a washing and drying machine; [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an example in which a laundry treatment device according to a first embodiment is applied to a washing and drying machine; [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a right side vertical sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an example of a filter mechanism according to a first embodiment; [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a right side view in vertical section showing a schematic configuration of a storage unit and its surroundings according to a first embodiment with a housing and a filter member removed; [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an example of a housing according to a first embodiment with a filter member attached; [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a right side vertical sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an example of a housing according to a first embodiment with a filter member attached; [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional right side view showing a schematic configuration of an example of a housing according to a first embodiment with a filter member removed; [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a filter member according to a first embodiment in a planar state; [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a filter member according to a first embodiment in a bent state; [Figure 10]FIG. 1 is a right side view in vertical section showing a schematic configuration of a storage section and its periphery according to a first embodiment with a filter member attached; [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a right side view showing a schematic configuration of an example of a housing according to a second embodiment with a filter member attached; [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a view showing a state in which the cover member of the housing shown in FIG. 11 has been rotated. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a right side view showing a schematic configuration of an example of a housing according to a third embodiment with a filter member attached; [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a state in which a cover member of the housing shown in FIG. 13 has been slid. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A washer / dryer as a laundry processing device according to a number of embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments, substantially the same components are designated by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

[0010] (First embodiment) The first embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 10. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the washer-dryer 10 includes an outer box 11, a water tub 12, a spinning tub 13, a spinning tub motor 14, a drainage mechanism 15, and a water supply mechanism 16. The washer-dryer 10 is also a clothes dryer equipped with a heat pump type drying function, and is, for example, a drum type washing machine in which the rotation axis of the spinning tub 13 is horizontal or inclined toward the rear. In Fig. 1, the side of the installation surface of the washer-dryer 10, i.e., the vertically lower side, is defined as the lower side of the washer-dryer 10, and the opposite side of the installation surface, i.e., the vertically upper side, is defined as the upper side of the washer-dryer 10. The left-right direction when the washer-dryer 10 is viewed from the front is defined as the left-right direction of the washer-dryer 10.

[0011] The outer box 11 is made of, for example, steel or resin material and has an overall rectangular box shape, forming the outer shell of the washer / dryer 10. In this embodiment, the top surface 111 of the outer box 11 is formed as a flat surface. The water tub 12 is disposed inside the outer box 11 and is elastically supported by a suspension (not shown). The spin tub 13 is disposed rotatably inside the water tub 12. The water tub 12 and the spin tub 13 function as a washing tub or a drying chamber for accommodating laundry. The spin tub motor 14 is provided outside the water tub 12. The spin tub motor 14 is connected to the spin tub 13 and drives it to rotate.

[0012] Drain mechanism 15, shown by a dashed line in Fig. 1, has a function of discharging water stored in water tub 12 to the outside of washer-dryer 10. Drain mechanism 15 has drain path 151 and drain valve 152. Drain path 151 is, for example, configured as a flexible drain hose, one end of which is connected to drain valve 152 and the other end of which is drawn out to the outside of washer-dryer 10. Drain valve 152 is, for example, configured as an on-off valve for liquid that can be electromagnetically opened and closed. Drain valve 152 is provided between drain outlet 121 provided at the bottom of water tub 12 and drain path 151, and opens and closes drain path 151.

[0013] 1, the water supply mechanism 16 is provided above the water tank 12 in the outer box 11, for example. The water supply mechanism 16 receives water from an external water source, such as a water tap, and supplies the water to the water tank 12. Although not shown in detail, the water supply mechanism 16 has a connection port connected to the external water source, a water supply path connecting the connection port to the water tank 12, and a water supply valve for opening and closing the water supply path. The water supply valve is an on-off valve for liquid that can be electromagnetically opened and closed.

[0014] As shown in Fig. 2, water tub 12 has air outlet 17 and air inlet 18. Air outlet 17 is provided, for example, in the upper front portion of the peripheral wall constituting the cylindrical portion of water tub 12. Air inlet 18 is provided in a water tub end plate provided on the opposite side of the front opening of water tub 12, and is provided in a portion above the center of the water tub end plate. Air outlet 17 and air inlet 18 communicate between the inside and outside of water tub 12, and form an inlet and outlet for air to enter and exit the drying chamber formed by water tub 12 and rotating tub 13.

[0015] 2, the washer / dryer 10 includes a circulation air duct 20. The circulation air duct 20 is provided outside the water tub 12, and connects the air outlet 17 and the air inlet 18. The circulation air duct 20 includes an exhaust duct 21, a connection duct 22, a heat exchanger 23, and an air supply duct 24.

[0016] Exhaust duct 21 is connected to air outlet 17 of water tank 12 and extends upward, and then bends backward. Connection duct 22 is provided downstream of exhaust duct 21 and upstream of heat exchanger 23. Connection duct 22 extends backward from a side portion in the left-right direction of the upper inside portion of outer box 11 (in this case, the right side portion), then bends downward and extends downward along the back portion inside outer box 11.

[0017] The heat exchanger 23 is located in the lower part of the outer box 11, below the water tank 12 and the rotating tank 13. The heat exchanger 23 is provided with an evaporator 25 and a condenser 26 which, together with a compressor and a pressure reducing device (not shown in detail), constitute a part of a heat pump unit. The heat pump unit has a function of generating dry warm air by dehumidifying and heating the air passing through the inside of the heat exchanger 23 in the circulating air passage 20. The air passing through the heat exchanger 23 is cooled by the evaporator 25, and is thereby dehumidified. The air dehumidified by the evaporator 25 is then heated by the condenser 26 to become warm air.

[0018] The downstream side of heat exchanger 23 is connected to air inlet 18 of water tub 12 via air supply duct 24. A blower 27 is provided at the connection between heat exchanger 23 and air supply duct 24. Blower 27 draws in air inside heat exchanger 23 and discharges it to air supply duct 24. This generates an air flow that circulates between the drying chamber including water tub 12 and rotating tub 13 and circulating air duct 20. In this case, with regard to the air flow inside circulating air duct 20, air outlet 17 is the upstream end and air inlet 18 is the downstream end.

[0019] The washer / dryer 10 includes a filter mechanism 30. The filter mechanism 30 is provided in the circulation air duct 20 and removes foreign matter such as lint contained in the air exhausted from the air outlet 17. In this embodiment, the filter mechanism 30 is disposed between the exhaust duct 21 and the connection duct 22.

[0020] When the heat pump unit and blower 27 are driven during drying operation, air in water tub 12 is sucked into circulating air duct 20 from air outlet 17, as shown by the arrow in Figure 2. The sucked air passes through exhaust duct 21 and connecting duct 22, which includes filter mechanism 30, and flows into heat exchange section 23. In heat exchange section 23, the air is dehumidified and heated, passes through supply duct 24, and is supplied again to water tub 12 from air inlet 18. At this time, foreign matter such as lint contained in the air is captured as the air passes through filter mechanism 30.

[0021] The filter mechanism 30 and its surrounding structure will be described with reference to Figs. 3 to 10. The filter mechanism 30 includes a storage section 31, a housing 40, and a plurality of filter members 50 (two in this case). The storage section 31 is a space formed in the outer box 11 for storing the housing 40 and the filter members 50. The housing 40 is configured to be detachable from the storage section 31, and functions as a holder for holding at least one filter member 50. The filter member 50 has a function of capturing foreign matter such as lint. At least one of the plurality of filter members 50 is held by the housing 40, and at least one is directly held by the storage section 31.

[0022] 3 and 4, the storage unit 31 is formed in a container shape and is provided inside the outer box 11 so as to be accessible from the outside of the outer box 11. In this embodiment, the storage unit 31 is provided on a side portion in the left-right direction, in this case the right side portion, in the upper part of the outer box 11. The storage unit 31 is located on the downstream side of the exhaust duct 21 and upstream side of the connection duct 22 in the circulation air passage 20.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the storage section 31 has an upstream opening 311, a downstream opening 312, and an upper opening 313. The upstream opening 311 is an opening provided on the upstream surface of the storage section 31 with respect to the air flow in the circulation air passage 20. The upstream opening 311 communicates the inside of the storage section 31 with the exhaust duct 21, which is upstream of the circulation air passage 20 with respect to the storage section 31. In this embodiment, the upstream opening 311 is provided on the front surface of the storage section 31. The downstream opening 312 is an opening provided on the downstream surface of the storage section 31 with respect to the air flow in the circulation air passage 20. In this embodiment, the downstream opening 312 constitutes the rear surface of the storage section 31. The downstream opening 312 communicates the inside of the storage section 31 with the connection duct 22, which is downstream of the circulation air passage 20 with respect to the storage section 31. The upper opening 313 opens the storage section 31 toward the outside of the machine, in other words, toward the upper side. The upper opening 313 communicates between the inside of the storage unit 31 and the outside of the machine. The housing 40 and the filter member 50 are attached to and detached from the storage unit 31 through the upper opening 313.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 5 to FIG. 7, the housing 40 has a lid portion 41 and a window portion 42. The lid portion 41 forms the upper surface of the housing 40. When the housing 40 is housed in the housing portion 31, the lid portion 41 closes the upper opening 313. A handle portion 411 is provided in the center of the lid portion 41. The window portion 42 is provided on the lower surface of the lid portion 41, protruding downward on the upstream side, i.e., the front side. When the housing 40 is housed in the housing portion 31, the window portion 42 faces the upstream opening 311 of the housing portion 31. The window portion 42 is formed in a rectangular frame shape and surrounds an opening formed in the center. The window portion 42 is configured to include an upper frame portion 421 and a lower frame portion 422 extending in the horizontal direction, and a left frame portion 423 and a right frame portion 424 extending in the vertical direction. A packing 60 similarly formed in a frame shape is provided on the upstream side, i.e., the front side, of the window portion 42.

[0025] The lid portion 41 and the window portion 42 may be integrally molded or may be independently configured as separate members. In this embodiment, the lid portion 41 and the window portion 42 are integrally molded, for example, from a resin member.

[0026] 3, when filter member 50 is attached to housing 40 and housed in storage section 31, filter member 50 divides storage section 31 into a space including upstream opening 311 and a space including downstream opening 312. Air that has traveled into storage section 31 from upstream opening 311 passes through filter member 50 and then exits storage section 31 from downstream opening 312.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 8, the filter member 50 is formed in a rectangular plate shape. The filter member 50 has a filter portion 51 and a frame portion 52. The filter portion 51 is formed in a lattice shape made of, for example, a resin member, and includes a plurality of openings that communicate with the upstream space and the downstream space of the storage portion 31. The frame portion 52 is formed in a rectangular frame shape and surrounds the periphery of the filter portion 51. The frame portion 52 is configured to include an upper frame portion 521 and a lower frame portion 522 that extend in the horizontal direction, and a left frame portion 523 and a right frame portion 524 that extend in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the upper frame portion 521 and the lower frame portion 522 form the short side of the filter member 50, and the left and right frame portions 523 and 524 form the long side of the filter member 50.

[0028] The filter member 50 may be configured to include a packing (not shown). The packing can be attached to the frame portion 52 and has the function of sealing the gap between the frame portion 52 and the housing 40 or the storage portion 31. In particular, in the case of a longitudinal side of the filter member 50, the packing is preferably attached to the left and right frame portions 523 and 524. This makes it possible to prevent exhaust gas passing through the storage portion 31 from passing through the gap between the filter member 50 and the housing 40 or the storage portion 31, that is, from bypassing the filter member 50, rather than through the filter member 50.

[0029] 3, in this embodiment, the filter mechanism 30 includes a first filter member 501 held in the housing 40 and a second filter member 502 held in the housing portion 31. The first filter member 501 and the second filter member 502 are designed to have the same dimensions. In other words, the first filter member 501 and the second filter member 502 can be used interchangeably. Hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish between the first filter member 501 and the second filter member 502, they will be collectively referred to as filter members 50.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 9, the filter member 50 is bendable. In this case, the filter member 50 is bent in a direction in which at least the longitudinal side is bent. In this embodiment, the left and right frame portions 523, 524 are bendable. When the filter member 50 is removed from the housing 40 or the storage portion 31, the filter member 50 is maintained in an extended planar state. When the filter member 50 is held in the housing 40 or the storage portion 31, the filter member 50 is maintained in a bent state. This makes it possible to store the filter member 50 inside the storage portion 31 without excessively increasing the volume of the storage portion 31 while maintaining a large surface area of ​​the filter portion 51.

[0031] 3 and other figures, 501 and 502 are bent to form a downwardly convex curved surface that extends upward toward the rear of storage unit 31. In other words, the surface on which lint and other foreign matter has accumulated is in a bowl-like recess, making it difficult for lint to fall into storage unit 31 when removing the storage unit 31 from the housing 40 or storage unit 31.

[0032] The filter mechanism 30 has a mechanism for restricting the relative movement of the filter member 50 inside the housing 40 and the storage section 31 and maintaining the filter member 50 in a bent state. In this case, the filter member 50 can be engaged with the housing 40 by, for example, physical fitting or magnetic force. In this embodiment, the filter member 50 has an engaged portion 53 and a magnetic member 54. The housing 40 has a first engaging portion 43, a first locking portion 44, and a magnetic member 45. The storage section 31 has a second engaging portion 32, a second locking portion 33, a magnetic member 34, and a protrusion portion 35.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 6, and FIG. 10, the engaged portion 53 is configured such that the relative movement is reversibly restricted by the first engaging portion 43 or the second engaging portion 32. The engaged portion 53 protrudes downward from the lower frame portion 522 and is formed to bulge in the thickness direction of the filter member 50. The first engaging portion 43 is a concave shape formed in the lower frame portion 422 of the window portion 42. The first engaging portion 43 is formed by depressing the downstream side surface, i.e., the back surface, of the lower frame portion 422 toward the front. The second engaging portion 32 is a concave shape formed in a step portion 315 formed in the bottom surface 314 of the storage portion 31. The second engaging portion 32 is formed by depressing the downstream side surface, i.e., the back surface, of the step portion 315 toward the front.

[0034] The engaged portion 53 is formed to be detachable from the first engaging portion 43 or the second engaging portion 32. The opening length of the first engaging portion 43 and the second engaging portion 32 near the entrance of each recess is set to be slightly smaller than the thickness of the engaged portion 53, so that the engaged portion 53 fits into the first engaging portion 43 or the second engaging portion 32 when an external force of a certain level or more is applied. Once fitted, the engaged portion 53 does not come off the first engaging portion 43 or the second engaging portion 32 unless an external force of a certain level or more is applied, so that the relative movement of the lower frame portion 522 is restricted. When an external force of a certain level or more is applied, the engaged portion 53 overcomes the narrow entrance of the first engaging portion 43 and the second engaging portion 32 and is released from the restriction.

[0035] The engaged portion 53 may be formed over the entire width direction, i.e., left-right direction, of the lower frame portion 522, or may be formed partially. In this embodiment, the engaged portion 53 is formed over the entire width direction, i.e., left-right direction, of the lower frame portion 522. Similarly, the first engaging portion 43 and the second engaging portion 32 may be formed over the entire width direction, i.e., left-right direction, of the window portion 42 or the bottom surface 314 of the storage portion 31, or may be formed partially. In this embodiment, the first engaging portion 43 is formed over the entire width direction, i.e., left-right direction, of the window portion 42. The second engaging portion 32 is formed over almost the entire left-right direction of the bottom surface 314.

[0036] 8 and 9, the magnetic member 54 is disposed on the outer surface or inside of the upper frame portion 521. In this embodiment, the magnetic member 54 is insert-molded inside the upper frame portion 521. This prevents unnecessary irregularities from being formed on the surface of the upper frame portion 521, thereby preventing lint and the like from becoming entangled in the irregularities.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 6, the first locking portion 44 is formed at the rear of the cover portion 41 so as to protrude downward from the lower surface. The first locking portion 44 also functions as a guide for positioning the upper frame portion 521 when the first filter member 501 is attached to the housing 40. The magnetic member 45 is disposed on the outer surface or inside of the first locking portion 44. In this embodiment, the magnetic member 45 is insert molded inside the first locking portion 44. The magnetic force of the magnetic member 54 disposed in the upper frame portion 521 and the magnetic member 45 disposed in the first locking portion 44 reversibly restricts the relative movement of the upper frame portion 521 with respect to the first locking portion 44.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. 10, the second locking portion 33 forms an upper edge portion of the downstream opening 312 of the storage portion 31. The second locking portion 33 also functions as a guide for positioning the upper frame portion 521 when the second filter member 502 is attached to the storage portion 31. The magnetic member 34 is disposed on the outer surface or inside of the second locking portion 33. In this embodiment, the magnetic member 34 is insert molded inside the second locking portion 33. Due to the magnetic force of the magnetic member 54 disposed in the upper frame portion 521 and the magnetic member 34 disposed in the second locking portion 33, the relative movement of the upper frame portion 521 with respect to the second locking portion 33 is reversibly restricted.

[0039] When the distance becomes less than a certain level, upper frame portion 521 is subjected to a magnetic force and is coupled to first locking portion 44 or second locking portion 33. Once coupled, upper frame portion 521 will not come off first locking portion 44 or second locking portion 33 unless it is subjected to an external force of a certain level or more, and the relative movement of upper frame portion 521 is restricted. When it is subjected to an external force greater than the magnetic force, upper frame portion 521 moves away from first locking portion 44 or second locking portion 33 and is released from that restriction.

[0040] When the first filter member 501 or the second filter member 502 is attached to the housing 40 or the storage unit 31, the upper frame portion 521 and the first locking portion 44 or the second locking portion 33 form a surface facing the air flow in the storage unit 31. The surface facing the air flow means that, when the normal line of the outer surface is divided into a horizontal component in the air flow direction and a vertical component in the air flow direction, the vertical component in the air flow direction is larger than the horizontal component in the air flow direction. In this case, the upper frame portion 521 and the first locking portion 44 or the second locking portion 33 form a surface extending in a direction generally perpendicular to the front-rear direction. That is, the upper frame portion 521 and the first locking portion 44 or the second locking portion 33 are connected in a surface generally perpendicular to the air flow direction in the storage unit 31 (in this case, the front-rear direction). This prevents the upper frame portion 521 from shifting from the first locking portion 44 or the second locking portion 33 due to the air flow inside the storage portion 31. Moreover, since the upper frame portion 521 is located upstream of the first locking portion 44 or the second locking portion 33, the upper frame portion 521 is positioned such that the air flow inside the storage portion 31 presses the upper frame portion 521 further against the first locking portion 44 or the second locking portion 33.

[0041] The magnetic member 54 may be disposed over the entire width direction, i.e., the left-right direction, of the upper frame portion 521, or may be disposed partially. In this embodiment, the magnetic member 54 is disposed at the center of the width direction, i.e., the left-right direction, of the upper frame portion 521. Similarly, the magnetic members 45, 34 may be disposed over the entire width direction, i.e., the left-right direction, of the first locking portion 44 or the second locking portion 33, or may be disposed partially. In this embodiment, the magnetic member 45 is disposed at the center of the first locking portion 44 in the left-right direction. The magnetic member 34 is disposed at the center of the second locking portion 33 in the left-right direction.

[0042] In addition, the magnetic member 54, and the magnetic member 45 and the magnetic member 34 may all be permanent magnets, or the magnetic member 54 may be a permanent magnet and the magnetic member 45 and the magnetic member 34 may be metal members or resin members containing metal, or the magnetic member 54 may be a metal member or a resin member containing metal and the magnetic member 45 and the magnetic member 34 may be permanent magnets.

[0043] The protrusions 35 protrude from the left and right side surfaces of the accommodating portion 31 toward the inside of the accommodating portion 31. When the second filter member 502 is placed in the accommodating portion 31, the protrusions 35 face downstream surfaces of the left and right frame portions 523, 524. The protrusions 35 support the second filter member 502, and also function as a positioning guide when the second filter member 502 is attached to the accommodating portion 31.

[0044] As shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the filter member 50 has one or more handles 55. In this embodiment, the filter member 50 has one handle 55. The handle 55 is a portion on which a user places his or her finger when removing the filter member 50 from the housing 40 or the storage unit 31. The handle 55 can be formed by protruding or cutting out a portion of the frame unit 52. In this embodiment, the handle 55 is formed by cutting out a portion of the left frame unit 523. The handle 55 is disposed away from the engaged portion 53. Therefore, when removing the filter member 50 from the housing 40 or the storage unit 31, the user can remove the engaged portion 53 from the first engaging portion 43 or the second engaging portion 32 with a small force due to the principle of leverage.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 6, when attaching the first filter member 501 to the housing 40, the user first fits the engaged portion 53 into the first engaging portion 43. This restricts the relative movement of the lower frame portion 522 with respect to the first engaging portion 43. Next, the user aligns the upper frame portion 521 with the first locking portion 44 while bending the first filter member 501 downwardly convexly. When the upper frame portion 521 approaches the first locking portion 44 to within a predetermined distance, the upper frame portion 521 is attracted to the first locking portion 44 by the magnetic force, so that the relative movement of the upper frame portion 521 with respect to the first locking portion 44 is restricted. In this way, the first filter member 501 is held by the housing 40 in a bent state.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 3, when the housing 40 is inserted into the accommodation portion 31 with the first filter member 501 attached to the housing 40, the first filter member 501 is accommodated in the accommodation portion 31.

[0047] When removing the first filter member 501 from the storage section 31 and the housing 40, the user removes the housing 40 from the storage section 31. When removing the first filter member 501 from the housing 40, the user hooks his / her fingers on the handle section 55 and pulls the engaged section 53 out of the first engaging section 43. Furthermore, the user supports the lower part of the first filter member 501 with his / her hand and keeps the first filter member 501 bent to form a downwardly convex curved surface, and pulls the upper frame section 521 in a direction away from the locking section 44, thereby removing the first filter member 501 from the housing 40. The removed first filter member 501 is in a flat state when no external force is applied, so that the user can easily clean it.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 10, when attaching the second filter member 502 to the storage section 31, the user first fits the engaged portion 53 into the second engaging portion 32. This restricts the relative movement of the lower frame portion 522 with respect to the second engaging portion 32. Next, the user aligns the upper frame portion 521 with the second locking portion 33 while bending the second filter member 502 downwardly convexly. When the upper frame portion 521 approaches the second locking portion 33 to within a predetermined distance, the upper frame portion 521 is attracted to the second locking portion 33 by a magnetic force, so that the relative movement of the upper frame portion 521 with respect to the second locking portion 33 is restricted. In this way, the second filter member 502 is held by the storage section 31 in a bent state.

[0049] When removing the second filter member 502 from the storage section 31, the user hooks his / her fingers on the handle portion 55 and pulls the engaged portion 53 out of the second engaging portion 32. Furthermore, the user supports the lower portion of the second filter member 502 with his / her hand and, while maintaining the second filter member 502 bent so as to form a downwardly convex curved surface, pulls the upper frame portion 521 in a direction away from the locking portion 33, thereby removing the second filter member 502 from the storage section 31. The removed second filter member 502 is in a flat state when no external force is applied, allowing the user to easily clean it.

[0050] The washer / dryer 10 as the clothing processing device of the present embodiment described above includes an outer box 11, a water tub 12 and a rotating tub 13 as a drying chamber, a circulation air duct 20 as an air duct, and a filter mechanism 30. The drying chamber is provided in the outer box 11, has an air outlet 17, and is configured to be able to accommodate clothes therein. The circulation air duct 20 is provided in the outer box 11, has one end connected to the air outlet 17, and serves as a passage for exhaust air from the drying chamber. The filter mechanism 30 is disposed in the circulation air duct 20 and collects lint contained in the exhaust air. The filter mechanism 30 includes a storage section 31 provided in the circulation air duct 20 and communicating with the outside of the outer box 11, a housing 40 removably attached to the storage section 31, and a filter member 50 detachably held in the housing 40 and for collecting lint. The filter member 50 is held in a bent state forming a curved surface when attached to the housing 40, and is in a flat state forming a flat surface when removed from the housing 40 without receiving external force.

[0051] According to this, since the filter member 50 forms a curved surface when attached to the housing 40, a larger lint collection area can be ensured compared to a flat filter member even when housed in the housing 31 of the same volume, and since the filter member 50 becomes flat when removed from the housing 40 for cleaning, the user's workability during cleaning is improved. Thus, a clothing processing device is provided that reduces the burden of cleaning work on the user while ensuring the efficiency of lint capture.

[0052] The filter mechanism 30 includes a plurality of filter members 501 and 502 formed in the same shape.

[0053] This allows the use of the same parts as the multiple filter members 501, 502, thereby reducing the manufacturing costs and the labor required for managing the parts of the filter members 501, 502. This in turn allows the manufacturing costs of the entire clothing processing device to be reduced.

[0054] At least one of the multiple filter members 501, 502 is held in the housing 40. At least one of the multiple filter members 501, 502 is held directly in the storage unit 31. The first filter member 501 held in the housing 40 is located upstream of the second filter member 502 held directly in the storage unit 31 in terms of the air flow inside the storage unit 31.

[0055] According to this, the first filter member 501 held in the housing 40 is disposed upstream of the second filter member 502 held in the storage section 31, and thus captures more lint. Therefore, the first filter member 501 on which a lot of lint has accumulated can be removed from the storage section 31 together with the housing 40, and therefore it is possible to suppress annoyances such as lint being scattered inside the storage section 31 as a result of a lot of lint sticking to the user's hands when removing the first filter member 501 from the storage section 31.

[0056] The filter members 50, 501 and the housing 40 respectively have magnetic members 54, 45. The filter member 50 is detachably fixed to the housing 40 by a magnetic force acting between the magnetic members 54, 45.

[0057] This makes it possible to fix the filter members 50, 501 to the housing 40 without forming unnecessary uneven shapes on the filter member 50. This prevents lint from accumulating on the uneven shapes of the filter members 50, 501, making it easier to clean the filter members 50, 501.

[0058] The joining surface between the filter members 50, 501 and the housing 40 due to magnetic force forms a surface that faces the air flow inside the storage unit 31. At the joining surface, the filter members 50, 501 are located upstream of the housing 40 in the direction of air flow inside the storage unit 31.

[0059] This makes it more difficult for the upper frame 521 to shift vertically compared to when the air flow in the accommodation unit 31 hits the joining surface from an oblique or parallel direction. Furthermore, the filter members 50, 501 are pressed against the housing 40 by the air flow direction in the accommodation unit 31, making it even more difficult for the filter member 50 and the housing 40 to come off.

[0060] The filter member 50 has a handle portion 55 on which a user places his or her fingers.

[0061] This allows the user to easily attach and detach the filter member 50 to and from the housing 40 or the housing portion 31.

[0062] Second embodiment The second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 11 and 12. In this embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the lid portion 41 and the window portion 42 of the housing 40 are not integrally molded, and the lid portion 41 is configured to be rotatable with respect to the window portion 42.

[0063] In this case, the cover 41 can rotate in the direction shown by the arrow in Fig. 11 around the shaft 46 that is located above the window 42 and extends in the left-right direction. When the cover 41 is rotated in the direction shown by the arrow in Fig. 11, the fixation between the upper frame 521 and the first locking portion 44 by magnetic force is released. When the fixation between the upper frame 521 and the first locking portion 44 is released, the first filter member 501 extends from the bent state to a flat state as shown in Fig. 12. The user can clean the first filter member 501 that is now in the flat state.

[0064] This embodiment also provides the same effects as the above embodiment.

[0065] In the washer / dryer 10 as a clothing processing device of this embodiment, the housing 40 has a rotatable lid portion 41. One end of the filter member 501, in this case an upper frame portion 521 which is the upper end, is restricted in its relative movement with respect to the lid portion 41 by a first locking portion 44 provided on the lid portion 41. The other end of the filter member 501, in this case a lower frame portion 522 which is the lower end, is held by a portion of the housing 40 other than the lid portion 41. When the lid portion 41 rotates, the filter member 50 is released from the restriction on its relative movement by the lid portion 41 and becomes flat.

[0066] According to this, the user can clean the first filter member 501 in the planar state without completely removing the first filter member 501 from the housing 40, in this case by releasing only the upper frame portion 521 from the restriction of the lid portion 41 and with the lower frame portion 522 held by the engagement portion 43. Therefore, the user can clean the first filter member 501 with improved convenience.

[0067] Third embodiment Description will be made with reference to Figures 13 and 14. In this embodiment, the lid portion 41 and the window portion of the housing 40 are not integrally molded, and the lid portion 41 is configured to be slidable relative to the window portion .

[0068] In this case, the lid portion 41 can be moved in a direction away from the window portion 42 toward the rear as shown by the arrow in Fig. 13 by a rail member or the like (details not shown). When the lid portion 41 is slid in the direction shown by the arrow in Fig. 13, the fixation by the magnetic force between the upper frame portion 521 and the first locking portion 44 is released. When the fixation between the upper frame portion 521 and the first locking portion 44 is released, the first filter member 501 extends from the bent state to a flat state as shown in Fig. 14. The user can clean the first filter member 501 in the flat state.

[0069] This embodiment also provides the same effects as the above-described embodiments.

[0070] The clothes treatment device of this embodiment is a washer / dryer with a drying function using a heat pump system, but is not limited to this. In other embodiments, for example, a heater may be provided in the middle of the circulating air passage 20 to heat the circulating air. In still another embodiment, the clothes treatment device may be a clothes dryer using a heat pump system or a heater system without a washing function.

[0071] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. This new embodiment can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included in the invention and its equivalents described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 10... washing machine (clothing treatment device), 11... outer box, 12... water tub (drying chamber), 121... air outlet, 13... rotating tub (drying chamber), 20... circulating air duct (air duct), 30... filter mechanism, 31... storage section, 40... housing, 41... lid section, 45... magnetic member, 50... filter member, 501... first filter member (filter member), 502... second filter member (filter member), 54... magnetic member

Claims

1. Outer box and a drying chamber provided in the outer box, having an air outlet and capable of accommodating clothes therein; an air passage provided in the outer box, one end of which is connected to the air outlet, and which serves as a passage for exhaust air from the drying chamber; a filter mechanism disposed in the air passage and configured to collect lint contained in the exhaust air, The filter mechanism includes: A storage section provided in the air passage and communicating with the outside of the outer box; A housing that is removably attached to the housing portion; a filter member that is detachably held in the housing and that collects lint, The filter member is maintained in a bent state in which the filter member forms a curved surface when attached to the housing, and is in a planar state in which the filter member forms a flat surface when removed from the housing and is not subjected to an external force. Clothes treatment device.

2. The filter mechanism includes a plurality of filter members formed in the same shape. The clothing treatment device according to claim 1.

3. At least one of the plurality of filter members is held by the housing, and at least one of the plurality of filter members is directly held by the storage portion, The filter member held in the housing is located upstream of the filter member directly held in the storage portion with respect to the air flow in the storage portion. The clothing treatment device according to claim 2.

4. the filter member and the housing each have a magnetic member, The filter member is detachably fixed to the housing by a magnetic force acting between the magnetic members. The clothing treatment device according to claim 1.

5. a surface of the filter member and the housing that is coupled by magnetic force forms a surface that faces an air flow in the storage portion, The filter member is located on the upstream side of the coupling surface with respect to the direction of air flow in the accommodation portion with respect to the housing. The clothing treatment device according to claim 4.

6. The filter member has a handle portion on which a user places his / her fingers. The clothing treatment device according to claim 1.

7. The housing has a pivotable lid, The one end of the filter member is restricted in its relative movement with respect to the lid portion by the lid portion, the other end of the filter member is held by a portion of the housing other than the lid portion, When the cover portion rotates, the filter member is released from the restriction of relative movement by the cover portion and assumes the planar state. The clothing treatment device according to claim 1.

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