Washing and drying machine

Abstract

To provide a washing and drying machine in which the detergency of a filter is higher.SOLUTION: A washing and drying machine comprises: an outer tub 20 capable of storing a liquid inside; a rotary drum which is rotatably supported in the outer tub 20, and in which laundry is housed; a drying device feeding dry air to the laundry in the rotary drum; a return duct returning the air from the outer tub to the drying device; a feed duct feeding the air from the drying device to the rotary drum; a secondary filter provided in the return duct, and capturing foreign objects generated from the laundry; and a washing unit 60 having a plurality of washing nozzles 62a-62c washing the secondary filter. The plurality of washing nozzles 62a-62c jets water to each of an upper end part of the secondary filter, and a region other than the upper end part whose position differs in the height direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 15

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] The air circulating inside a washer-dryer contains foreign matter such as lint, and a filter is installed in the circulation air duct to capture this foreign matter. The trapped foreign matter accumulates with repeated washing and drying cycles, and if the machine continues to be used in this state, the filter becomes clogged, creating resistance and resulting in poor drying. To prevent filter clogging, users have traditionally removed the filter from the circulation air duct and cleaned it. However, cleaning the filter is a cumbersome process, and various methods have been proposed for automatically cleaning the filter without removing it from the circulation air duct.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a washer / dryer in which a water supply unit that supplies wash water to a filter is provided above the filter, and wash water is supplied to the filter from multiple wash nozzles provided in the water supply unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-78464 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a washer / dryer having a filter with higher cleaning power. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention comprises an outer tub capable of storing liquid therein, an inner tub rotatably supported within the outer tub and containing laundry, a drying device that sends dry air to the laundry in the inner tub, a return air duct that returns air from the outer tub to the drying device, a supply air duct that sends air from the drying device into the inner tub, a filter provided within the return air duct that captures foreign matter generated from the laundry, and a cleaning unit having multiple cleaning nozzles that clean the filter, wherein the multiple cleaning nozzles spray water at different heights in the height direction of the filter. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, a washer / dryer having a filter with higher cleaning power can be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is an external perspective view showing a washing / drying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the right side showing the internal structure of the washer-dryer according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the rotating drum and the outer tub with the tub cover removed from the outer tub and a portion cut away. [Figure 4] This is an oblique view of the outer tank with the rotating drum, primary filter, and secondary filter removed. [Figure 5] 2 is a perspective view of the inside of the washer / dryer according to the embodiment, seen from the rear. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a top view showing the heat pump unit. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the inside of the heat pump unit. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cleaning unit as seen from the rear. [Figure 9] FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the cleaning unit. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 12]FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of part A in FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a nozzle opening. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of part B in FIG. [Figure 15] 10 is a streamline diagram of the washing water as seen from the rear side of the washing unit. [Figure 16] 11 is a flow diagram of washing water from a washing nozzle 62c in a cross section taken along line BB in FIG. 10. [Figure 17] 11 is a flow diagram of washing water from washing nozzle 62c and washing nozzle 62b in the cross section along line BB in FIG. 10. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A washing / drying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a washer / dryer according to this embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the right side showing the internal structure of the washer / dryer according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the washer-dryer 100 is a drum-type washer-dryer, and has a frame formed by combining side panels 1a, made mainly of steel plates and resin molded parts, and reinforcing materials (not shown) on top of a base 1h, and a front cover 1c and a top cover 1e attached to the frame to form a housing 1. The front cover 1c is provided with a door 9 for loading and unloading laundry 30 (see Fig. 2).

[0010] As shown in FIG. 2, an outer tub 20 is provided inside the housing 1. The outer tub 20 is capable of storing wash water (liquid) therein, and its lower portion is supported by a plurality of suspensions (not shown) and its upper portion is suspended by springs (not shown), so that the outer tub 20 is elastically supported within the housing 1. A door 9 is opened and laundry 30 is placed into a rotating drum 29 (inner tub) located inside the outer tub 20. A fluid balancer 31 is provided on the outer periphery of the opening of the rotating drum 29 to reduce vibrations caused by imbalance of the laundry 30 during spin-drying. A plurality of lifters 33 are provided inside the rotating drum 29 to lift up the laundry 30. The rotating drum 29 is directly connected to a drum-driving motor 28 (drive unit) via a main shaft 35 connected to a metal flange 34 for the rotating drum.

[0011] A rubber bellows 10 made of an elastic material is attached to the opening of the outer tub 20. This bellows 10 serves to maintain the watertightness between the inside of the outer tub 20 and the door 3, thereby preventing water leakage during washing, rinsing, and spin-drying. The rotating drum 29 has many small holes 29a (see Figure 3) on its side wall for centrifugal spin-drying and ventilation. A water receiving section 54 is provided at the bottom of the outer tub 20. A drainage path 55 is provided at the bottom of this water receiving section 54 to drain washing water and the like accumulated in the outer tub 20.

[0012] A heat pump unit 70 and a blower fan 2 (see FIG. 6) are provided below outer tub 20. The drying process uses a warm air drying method in which air is circulated between rotating drum 29 and heat pump unit 70 by blower fan 2 (see FIG. 6) to dry the clothes. In this embodiment, the drying device is made up of blower fan 2 and heat pump unit 70, which dehumidifies and then heats the circulated air. Washer / dryer 100 also includes a feed duct 25 (feed air passage) that guides warm air to outlet nozzle 24 (see FIG. 3) of outer tub 20 to blow it into rotating drum 29, and a return duct 26 (return air passage) that returns moist air from rotating drum 29 to heat pump unit 70. Return duct 26 and heat pump unit 70 are connected by return bellows 327b.

[0013] The washer-dryer 100 also includes a water supply unit 16 that supplies water to the outer tub 20. Water is supplied to the water supply unit 16 from a water supply port 17 provided on the top surface of the washer-dryer 100. The water supply unit 16 is also configured with multiple solenoid valves, including a water supply solenoid valve. That is, when a first solenoid valve is opened, water is supplied to a powder detergent dispenser chamber (not shown) and a liquid detergent dispenser chamber (not shown) of the detergent case via a water supply pipe, and when a second solenoid valve is opened, water is supplied to a fabric softener dispenser chamber (not shown) via a water supply pipe. When a third solenoid valve is opened, water is supplied directly to a water supply port (not shown) of the outer tub 20 via a water supply pipe, and when a fourth solenoid valve is opened, water is supplied to a washing unit 60 (described later) via a water supply pipe.

[0014] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the rotating drum and outer tub with the tub cover removed and a portion cut away. Note that in Figure 3, portions of the side and bottom of the rotating drum 29 are cut away to reveal the members on the rear side of the inside of the outer tub 20. As shown in Fig. 3, the outer tub 20 is composed of a cylindrical outer tub body 20a with a bottom and a tub cover 20b attached to a front opening 20a1 of the outer tub body 20a. The tub cover 20b is provided with a flow path 20b1 through which wash water pumped up by a circulation pump (not shown) passes. A sprinkler nozzle 23 is formed at the end of this flow path 20b1, and is configured to discharge the pumped wash water into the rotating drum 29. The tub cover 20b is also formed with an outlet nozzle 24 that blows out dry air. The outlet nozzle 24 is also formed with an outlet duct 24a. The outlet duct 24a is connected to a heat pump unit 70, which will be described later.

[0015] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the outer tub with the rotating drum, primary filter, and secondary filter removed. Note that Figure 4 shows a cutaway view of part of the side of the outer tub 20 and half of the right side of the rotating drum 29. Figure 4 also omits the illustration of the tub cover 20b. As shown in Fig. 4, an in-tank duct 21 is provided on the rear surface (bottom surface) inside the outer tub 20. One end of this in-tank duct 21 is located at the top of the outer tub 20, and the other end is located below half the height of the rear surface of the outer tub 20. The in-tank duct 21 is curved (generally arc-shaped) from the top to the bottom of the outer tub 20 in a manner that avoids the motor 28 (see Fig. 2) that drives the rotating drum 29.

[0016] A primary filter 40 is attached to the in-tank duct 21. The primary filter 40 is formed by insert molding a mesh member 40b (only a part of which is shown in FIG. 4) made of metal or the like into a frame portion 40a made of synthetic resin.

[0017] A communication port 22 is formed in the upper rear portion of the outer tub 20, communicating with the outside of the outer tub 20. A return duct 26 (see FIG. 2) is connected from the communication port 22 to the heat pump unit 70 (see FIG. 2) on the outside of the rear portion of the outer tub 20. A secondary filter 50 is also provided in the communication port 22. In FIG. 4, the primary filter 40 is located on the front side in the front-to-rear direction, and the secondary filter 50 is located on the rear side (deep side). That is, the primary filter 40 and the secondary filter 50 are arranged so that their ventilation directions overlap, sandwiching the communication port 22. The primary filter 40 and the secondary filter 50 are configured to face each other, and circulating air that has passed through the primary filter 40 passes through the secondary filter 50 without disrupting the flow, thereby reducing ventilation resistance. Furthermore, by configuring two filters in the flow direction, the meshes can be overlapped in a planar manner, allowing each mesh (mesh size) to be coarser than in a single-filter configuration. This allows lint to be collected across two sheets, preventing the lint from becoming densely packed and maintaining stable air circulation.

[0018] The secondary filter 50, like the primary filter 40, has a synthetic resin frame 50a and a mesh member 50b (only part of which is shown in FIG. 4 ) made of metal or the like, which are integrally formed by insert molding. The secondary filter 50 has finer mesh than the primary filter 40.

[0019] The outer tub 20 is also provided with a cleaning unit 60 for cleaning the secondary filter 50. Cleaning water is sprayed from this cleaning unit 60 toward the secondary filter 50, thereby washing away lint (foreign matter) captured by the mesh member 50b of the secondary filter 50. The cleaning water that has cleaned the secondary filter 50 passes through the in-tub duct 21 together with the lint and is discharged from an outlet formed at the bottom of the rear surface of the outer tub 20. The cleaning water then flows into the water receiving portion 54 of the outer tub 20 and is discharged to the outside from a drain outlet (not shown) formed in the water receiving portion 54.

[0020] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the inside of the washer / dryer according to this embodiment, seen from the rear. 5, the return duct 26 is provided on the back surface of the outer tub 20 and has a duct section 26a extending laterally from the center on the back surface of the outer tub 20, and a duct section 26b extending from the top to the bottom of the heat pump unit 70 at the right end of the duct section 26a. The duct section 26b and the heat pump unit 70 are connected by a bellows tube 27a. In this way, the return duct 26 is configured to avoid the motor 28.

[0021] The supply duct 25 has a duct portion 25a extending upward from the blower fan 2 arranged next to the heat pump unit 70, and a duct portion 25b extending forward from the rear side at the top of the outer tub 20. The front end of the duct portion 25b is connected to the discharge duct 24a via a bellows tube 27c.

[0022] Fig. 6 is a top view showing the heat pump unit, and Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the inside of the heat pump unit. Figs. 6 and 7 show a state in which a blower fan 2 is attached to the heat pump unit 70. As shown in FIG. 6, during drying operation, heat pump unit 70 dehumidifies and heats high-temperature, high-humidity air that has passed through laundry in rotary drum 29 and been discharged from outer tub 20 (see FIG. 5) to reduce the temperature and humidity. The dehumidified and heated warm air (dry air) is passed by blower fan 2 through supply duct 25 (see FIG. 5) and discharge duct 24a (see FIG. 5) and is blown onto the laundry in rotary drum 29 from outlet nozzle 24 (see FIG. 3) provided at the top of outer tub 20. The warm air blown onto the laundry becomes high-temperature, high-humidity air, passes through primary filter 40 and secondary filter 50, and returns to heat pump unit 70 through return duct 26. Note that while heat pump unit 70 has been used as an example of a drying device in the above description, a water-cooled dehumidification mechanism may be used instead of heat pump unit 70 to cool and dehumidify the high-temperature, high-humidity air.

[0023] The heat pump unit 70 has a box-shaped case 70a, and on the top surface of the case 70a, a connection port 70b to which the return duct 26 is connected and an air intake port 70c for taking air into the case 70a are formed.

[0024] The blower fan 2 includes a fan casing 2a with a centrifugal impeller (not shown) inside, and a motor 2b that drives the centrifugal impeller to rotate. An air inlet formed in the fan casing 2a is configured to communicate with the inside of the case 70a.

[0025] 7, a heat pump unit 70 includes a compressor 71, a condenser 72, a pressure reducing device 73, and an evaporator 74, and these devices are connected in sequence by refrigerant piping 75 to form a refrigerant circuit. The refrigerant flows through the compressor 71, condenser 72, pressure reducing device 73, and evaporator 74 in this order, and then returns to the compressor 71.

[0026] An air passage 70d is formed inside the case 70a, which causes high-temperature, high-humidity air drawn in from the connection port 70b (see FIG. 6) to pass through the evaporator 74 and the condenser 72 and be drawn into the blower fan 2. Note that FIG. 7 shows the case 70a with the top cover removed.

[0027] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the cleaning unit as seen from the rear side. As shown in FIG. 8, the cleaning unit 60 is attached to the top of the secondary filter 50 to wash away lint trapped by the secondary filter 50. The cleaning unit 60 has a water inlet 61 formed on its top surface for supplying cleaning water. This water inlet 61 is connected to a fourth solenoid valve of the water supply unit 16 (see FIG. 2) via a water supply pipe (not shown). The cleaning unit 60 is also provided with an air deflector 51. The air deflector 51 increases the airflow resistance on the left side of the secondary filter 50, so that the area 85 where lint (such as lint) most likely adheres during the drying operation (the area where the rate of lint adhesion generated by the drying operation is high) is located away from the air deflector 51 and close to the downstream airflow path.

[0028] Fig. 9 is a rear view of the cleaning unit, Fig. 10 is a bottom view of the cleaning unit, Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 10, and Fig. 12 is an enlarged view of part A in Fig. 11. Note that, although Fig. 11 uses cleaning nozzle 62a as an example for explanation, the other cleaning nozzles 62b and 62c have a similar configuration, so the basic structure and effects will be explained using cleaning nozzle 62a as a representative example.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 9, the cleaning unit 60 has cleaning nozzles 62a, 62b, and 62c formed below a water supply port 61. Cleaning nozzle 62a is formed at the highest position of the three, cleaning nozzle 62c is formed at the lowest position of the three, and cleaning nozzle 62b is formed at a height intermediate between cleaning nozzles 62a and 62c. Furthermore, the cleaning unit 60 has a flow path 63 formed between the water supply port 61 and the cleaning nozzles 62a to 62c, through which cleaning water supplied from the water supply port 61 flows. Each of the cleaning nozzles 62a to 62c is positioned vertically above the secondary filter 50 and forward of the airflow direction plate 51 (toward the back of the drawing). This allows cleaning water to be sprayed onto the mesh member 50b of the secondary filter 50.

[0030] As shown in Figure 10, the cleaning nozzles 62a to 62c are formed to protrude downward from the lower surface 63a that forms the flow path 63 (see Figure 9). The cleaning nozzles 62a to 62c are formed at intervals in the approximately left-right direction. The intervals between adjacent cleaning nozzles 62a to 62c can be changed as appropriate depending on the area to which cleaning water is sprayed.

[0031] In this embodiment, an example has been described in which three cleaning nozzles 62a to 62c are provided, but the cleaning nozzles may be configured with two or four or more.

[0032] 11, the secondary filter 50 is disposed with the surface of the mesh member 50b inclined relative to the up-down direction (vertical direction). The upper surface of the mesh member 50b of the secondary filter 50 is located on the front side, and the lower surface of the mesh member 50b is located on the rear side.

[0033] A cleaning nozzle 62a is located above the upper edge of the mesh member 50b of the secondary filter 50. A slit-shaped nozzle opening 62s is formed at the lower end (tip) of the cleaning nozzle 62a. The nozzle opening 62s is formed to open vertically downward. Cleaning water is sprayed downward from this nozzle opening 62s and discharged onto the upper part of the mesh member 50b of the secondary filter 50.

[0034] As shown in Figure 12, the cleaning nozzle 62a is configured so that the installation angle θ1 of the mesh member 50b of the secondary filter 50 with respect to the opening direction S of the nozzle opening 62s. The installation angle θ1 is set to be equal to or greater than 5 degrees and less than 45 degrees. If the installation angle θ1 is less than 5 degrees, the cleaning water will flow over the surface opposite the foreign matter capture surface 50b2 that captures lint 80, making it impossible to clean the secondary filter 50. If the installation angle θ1 is 45 degrees or greater, all of the cleaning water will penetrate the mesh member 50b of the secondary filter 50, making it impossible to clean the entire surface of the mesh member 50b of the secondary filter 50.

[0035] In the drying process, air that has passed through the clothes (laundry) passes through the primary filter 40 and then the secondary filter 50, as shown by the white arrows in Figure 11. At this time, lint 80 is captured on the front surface of the secondary filter 50 (the surface facing the primary filter 40). The foreign matter capture surface 50b2 of the secondary filter 50 that captures the lint (foreign matter) 80 is set to the lower surface side (front surface side). Furthermore, cleaning water is sprayed downward from the opposite side (rear surface side) of the foreign matter capture surface 50b2.

[0036] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a nozzle opening. 13, the cleaning nozzle 62a has a spherical tip. The spherical tip means that the inner wall surface 62s2 of the tip is formed as a spherical surface. As long as the inner wall surface 62s2 of the tip is spherical, the outer wall surface 62s1 of the tip may have another shape, such as a square.

[0037] The opening angle θ2 of the nozzle opening 62s is set to 130 degrees or more. That is, the nozzle opening 62s is formed so that the length of the curved surface of the outer wall surface 62s1 is longer than the length of the curved surface of the inner wall surface 62s2. The nozzle opening 62s has two longitudinal ends each with a surface that slopes outward with respect to the axial direction of the cleaning nozzle 62a. The angle formed between the surface at one end and the surface at the other end is set to 130 degrees or more. The upper limit of the opening angle θ2 is preferably set to less than 180 degrees.

[0038] Incidentally, the amount of water sprayed from the washing nozzles 62a-62c depends on the water supply pressure, so depending on the installation environment (tap water pressure in each household), there is a possibility that the washing area will be narrowed due to insufficient water volume. In this way, when the amount of washing water is small, it can only be sprayed at an angle smaller than the set opening angle. In order to stably spray washing water over a wide range of 90 degrees or more even when the amount of water is small, the opening angle θ2 must be set to a larger angle of 130 degrees or more, otherwise washing water will not be able to be sprayed over a wide range. For this reason, in order to stably spray washing water over a wide range such as 90 degrees or more, it is preferable to set the opening angle θ2 to 130 degrees or more.

[0039] Figure 14 is an enlarged view of part B in Figure 10. The direction perpendicular to the left-right direction (the up-down direction on the paper) is the front-rear direction. Note that the following description will be given taking cleaning nozzle 62c as an example, but the other cleaning nozzles 62a and 62b have the same configuration, so cleaning nozzle 62c will be used as a representative example for the description. 14, the nozzle opening 62s of the cleaning nozzle 62c is formed as a slit that is long in the left-right direction. When viewed from the front (axial direction) of the nozzle opening 62s (when the nozzle opening is viewed from the front), the nozzle opening 62s is formed so that the width W2 in the front-to-back direction on both left and right sides is narrower than the width W1 in the front-to-back direction at the center in the longitudinal direction (left-to-right direction). In other words, the nozzle opening 62s is formed in an almond shape when viewed from the front.

[0040] Incidentally, if all the nozzle openings 62s are formed with the same width, the water will be stronger on the left and right sides. This is because the main flow is formed along the left and right walls, and tends to be weaker in the center. Therefore, in order to spray water evenly, the water volume can be increased by making the center wider and the water volume can be reduced by making the left and right sides narrower, which will allow the water to be sprayed evenly.

[0041] Therefore, by configuring the cleaning nozzle 62c as shown in FIG. 14, it becomes possible to spray cleaning water 90 in a fan-like manner from each of the cleaning nozzles 62a to 62c toward the secondary filter 50, as shown in FIG. 9. In this embodiment, cleaning water 90 can be sprayed in a fan-like manner from each of the cleaning nozzles 62a to 62c toward the secondary filter 50 at an angle of 90 degrees or more. Furthermore, by spraying cleaning water 90 in a fan-like manner, cleaning water 90 can also be sprayed between the cleaning nozzle 62a and the cleaning nozzle 62b, and between the cleaning nozzle 62b and the cleaning nozzle 62c, thereby preventing clogging of the secondary filter 50. Furthermore, since there is no need to excessively increase the number of cleaning nozzles 62a to 62c, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the amount of water from each cleaning nozzle and a resulting deterioration in cleaning performance. Furthermore, by spraying the cleaning water 90 in a fan shape, even if the cleaning nozzles 62a to 62c are arranged close to the upper end 50b1 (see FIG. 11) of the secondary filter 50, the cleaning water 90 can be sprayed onto almost the entire secondary filter 50, including the upper part of the secondary filter 50. As a result, the height dimension of the cleaning unit 60 can be reduced, and the washer-dryer 100 can be configured compactly.

[0042] A flow diagram of the washing water as viewed from the rear side of the washing unit is shown in Figure 15. The effect of improving the washing performance by arranging the multiple washing nozzles 62a to 62c will now be described. As shown in Figure 15, cleaning water 90 sprayed in the fan shape shown in Figure 9 collides with secondary filter 50, so the flow of cleaning water sprayed from cleaning nozzles 62a to 62c until it collides with secondary filter 50 becomes a triangular flow as shown at 90a to 90c. Cleaning water sprayed from cleaning nozzles 62a and 62c flows toward the upper end of secondary filter 50, while cleaning water sprayed from cleaning nozzle 62b flows toward an area other than the upper end, which is at a different position in the height direction.

[0043] Figure 16 shows a flow diagram of cleaning water from cleaning nozzle 62c at the cross section taken along line BB in Figure 10. As shown in Figure 16, at the upper end 50b1 of the secondary filter 50, the flow sprayed from cleaning nozzle 62c has just come into contact with the secondary filter 50 and has a high flow rate, resulting in high cleaning power for removing foreign matter such as lint adhering to the secondary filter 50. At the upper end 50b1 of the secondary filter, a flow (arrow 62c1) that penetrates the secondary filter 50 and a flow (arrow 62c2) that follows along the secondary filter 50 are formed, and as the cleaning water passes through the secondary filter 50, it is able to peel off foreign matter such as lint from the secondary filter 50.

[0044] The flow that penetrates the secondary filter 50 (arrow 62c1) then merges with the flow that flows mostly along the secondary filter 50 (arrow 62c2). The combined flow flows along the secondary filter 50, thereby removing lint that has adhered to the secondary filter 50. Near the lower end of the secondary filter 50, the flow that penetrates the secondary filter 50 (arrow 62c1) merges with the flow that flows along the secondary filter 50 (arrow 62c2), and a water flow that penetrates the secondary filter 50 (arrow 62c3) is then generated. This makes it possible to remove lint that has adhered to the secondary filter 50.

[0045] Figure 17 shows a flow diagram of the cleaning water from cleaning nozzle 62c and cleaning nozzle 62b at the cross section along line BB in Figure 10. As mentioned above, the secondary filter can be effectively cleaned by directing cleaning water from cleaning nozzle 62c toward the upper end 50b1 of the secondary filter 50. However, by directing cleaning water from cleaning nozzle 62b toward a region other than the upper end of the secondary filter 50 (downstream of the upper end 50b1 of the secondary filter 50), the cleaning water passes through the secondary filter 50 even in regions other than the upper end 50b1 of the secondary filter 50, creating a high-speed flow, improving cleaning power. Therefore, providing cleaning nozzle 62b in addition to cleaning nozzle 62c can further improve filter cleaning power.

[0046] Furthermore, in this embodiment, cleaning water is directed from the cleaning nozzle 62b toward approximately the center of the secondary filter 50. As a result, the nozzle narrows the flow at the upper end and approximately the center of the secondary filter 50, resulting in a high flow rate and a flow that penetrates the secondary filter 50, resulting in high cleaning power. Further downstream, the flows from the two nozzles merge, resulting in a high flow rate and improved cleaning performance. This further improves cleaning performance not only at the upper end of the secondary filter 50 but throughout the entire area. Here, the approximately center portion refers to a portion below the cleaning water sprayed onto the upper end of the secondary filter 50 and within the top two regions when the secondary filter 50 is vertically divided into three, thereby enabling the full benefits of this embodiment to be achieved.

[0047] Furthermore, when cleaning water is sprayed toward the upper end 50b1 of the secondary filter 50, the entire area of ​​the secondary filter 50 in the vertical direction can be cleaned, whereas a nozzle that sprays water toward the approximate center 50b3 of the secondary filter 50 cannot clean the upper part of the secondary filter 50. Therefore, if too much cleaning water is flowed toward the approximate center 50b3 of the secondary filter 50, the cleanability of the upper end 50b1 of the secondary filter 50 deteriorates.

[0048] Therefore, the number of nozzles that spray cleaning water toward the upper end 50b1 of the secondary filter 50 is configured to be greater than the number of nozzles that spray water toward the approximate center 50b3 of the secondary filter 50.In this way, when cleaning water is sprayed from the cleaning nozzles at different height positions on the secondary filter 50, the cleaning power at the approximate center 50b3 of the secondary filter 50 and downstream thereof is improved without impairing the cleaning power at the upper end 50b1 of the secondary filter 50 as much as possible.

[0049] Similarly, by making the amount of water sprayed toward the upper end 50b1 of the secondary filter 50 (total of cleaning nozzles 62a and 62c) greater than the amount of water sprayed toward approximately the center 50b3 of the height of the secondary filter 50 (cleaning nozzle 62b), when cleaning water is sprayed from the cleaning nozzle at different height positions on the secondary filter 50, it is possible to improve the cleaning power at approximately the center 50b3 of the secondary filter 50 and downstream thereof without minimizing the loss of cleaning power at the upper end 50b1 of the secondary filter 50.

[0050] 15, the present embodiment is configured so that the total width La+Lc of the flow from the cleaning nozzles 62a and 62c until it collides with the secondary filter 50 is greater than the width Lb of the flow from the cleaning nozzle 62b until it collides with the secondary filter 50. This configuration ensures that the entire secondary filter 50 is cleaned evenly, while improving the cleaning power of the approximate center portion 50b3 of the secondary filter 50 and its downstream side.

[0051] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the cleaning water sprayed from cleaning nozzle 62b is directed toward the vicinity of area 85 where lint generated during the drying operation adheres most. This allows the entire secondary filter 50 to be thoroughly cleaned by cleaning nozzles 62a and 62c, while the area where lint adheres most is rinsed away by cleaning nozzle 62b, thereby reducing the number of areas of the secondary filter 50 that are prone to localized clogging.

[0052] In the washer-dryer 100 configured as described above, a cleaning process for the secondary filter 50 is performed, for example, during washing, tub cleaning (between rinsing and spin-drying), and at the end of drying. In this cleaning process, the filter cleaning solenoid valve is opened to supply water to the water inlet 61 of the cleaning unit 60. This causes water to be sprayed in a fan shape from the cleaning nozzles 62a to 62c onto the surface of the secondary filter 50 opposite the foreign matter capture surface 50b2. As the cleaning water flows over the surface opposite the foreign matter capture surface 50b2, the weight of the foreign matter (lint) causes the lint to peel off from the secondary filter 50. The peeled lint flows into the in-tub duct 21 together with the cleaning water, flows from the outlet of the in-tub duct 21 into the water receiver 54, and is then discharged outside the machine through the drain outlet.

[0053] As described above, the washer-dryer 100 of this embodiment includes an outer tub 20 capable of storing wash water (liquid) therein, a rotary drum 29 rotatably supported within the outer tub 20 and housing laundry 30, a drying device (heat pump unit 70 and blower fan 2) that sends dried air to the laundry 30 in the rotary drum 29, a return duct 26 that returns air from the outer tub 20 to the drying device, a feed duct 25 that sends air from the drying device into the rotary drum 29, a secondary filter 50 provided within the return duct 26 that captures foreign matter generated by the laundry 30, and a cleaning unit 60 equipped with cleaning nozzles 62a-62c that clean the secondary filter 50. The cleaning nozzles 62a-62c spray cleaning water 90 in a fan-like pattern onto the secondary filter 50 (see FIG. 9). This allows the secondary filter 50 to be cleaned over a wide area, thereby preventing clogging of the secondary filter 50.

[0054] In this embodiment, the inner wall surfaces at the tips of the cleaning nozzles 62a to 62c are spherical, and the nozzle openings 62s formed at the tips of the cleaning nozzles 62a to 62c are slit-shaped (see FIG. 13). By making the cleaning nozzles 62a to 62c spherical, pressure is applied uniformly inside the cleaning nozzles 62a to 62c. By making the nozzle openings 62 of the cleaning nozzles 62a to 62c horizontally elongated, the cleaning water 90 is sprayed in a fan shape, enabling the secondary filter 50 to be cleaned over a wide area.

[0055] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when viewed from the front, the nozzle opening 62s has a width W2 on both sides that is narrower than a width W1 at the center in the longitudinal direction of the nozzle opening 62s (see FIG. 14). This allows the cleaning water 90 to be sprayed evenly onto the secondary filter 50, making it possible to evenly clean the secondary filter 50.

[0056] In this embodiment, the opening angle θ2 of the nozzle opening 62s is 130 degrees or more (see FIG. 13). This makes it possible to clean a wide area of ​​the secondary filter 50 even when the water supply pressure is low and the amount of water is small.

[0057] One method for cleaning the entire surface of the secondary filter 50 is to use a single cleaning nozzle and spray cleaning water from a high position. However, spraying from a high position requires the housing of the washer-dryer 100 to be made larger in accordance with the height of the cleaning nozzle. Also, there is a concern that the cleaning performance may be reduced if the cleaning nozzle and the secondary filter are placed far apart. Therefore, in this embodiment, a configuration is provided with multiple cleaning nozzles 62a to 62c (see FIGS. 9 and 10). This makes it possible to spray cleaning water 90 over a wide area from a position closer to the secondary filter 50 while keeping the housing size of the washer-dryer 100 small.

[0058] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the installation angle θ1 of the secondary filter 50 with respect to the opening direction S of the nozzle opening 62s is 5 degrees or more and less than 45 degrees, the foreign matter capture surface 50b2 of the secondary filter 50 is positioned on the lower side, and cleaning water 90 is sprayed from the opposite side of the foreign matter capture surface 50b2. This enables cleaning by two forces: the force of the cleaning water 90 penetrating the secondary filter 50 due to water pressure, and the water flow of the cleaning water 90 flowing along the surface of the secondary filter 50. Furthermore, by positioning the foreign matter capture surface 50b2 on the lower side, lint (foreign matter) peels off under its own weight, improving cleanability.

[0059] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and applications within the technical concept of the present invention are also included within its scope. In the above-described embodiment, the nozzle openings 62s of the cleaning nozzles 62a to 62c are oriented vertically downward, but the left and right cleaning nozzles 62a and 62c may be oriented outward in the left-right direction, and the central cleaning nozzle 62b may be oriented vertically.

[0060] In the above embodiment, the nozzle openings 62s of the cleaning nozzles 62a to 62c have the same shape, but the length and width of the slit shape may be changed for each of the cleaning nozzles 62a to 62c.

[0061] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the secondary filter 50 is inclined as an example, but the secondary filter 50 may be arranged vertically and cleaning water may be sprayed obliquely onto the surface opposite the foreign matter capture surface. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 2. Blower fan (drying device) 20 Outer tank 25. Air supply duct (air supply duct) 26 Return duct (return air duct) 29 Rotating drum (inner tank) 40 Primary filter 50 Secondary filter (filter) 51 Wind direction board 50b Mesh member 50b2 Foreign object trapping surface 50b3 Approximately central part 60 Cleaning Unit 62a, 62b, 62c cleaning nozzle 62s Nozzle opening 62s2 Inner wall surface 70 Heat pump unit (drying device) 80 Lint (foreign matter) 90 cleaning water S Opening direction

Claims

1. an outer tank capable of storing liquid therein; an inner tub that is rotatably supported within the outer tub and that accommodates laundry; a drying device that sends dry air to the laundry in the inner tub; a return air duct for returning air from the outer tub to the drying device; a supply air duct for supplying air from the drying device into the inner tank; a filter provided in the return air passage for capturing foreign matter generated from the laundry; a cleaning unit having a plurality of cleaning nozzles for cleaning the filter; The plurality of cleaning nozzles include cleaning nozzles that spray water at different heights in a height direction of the filter.

2. The washer / dryer according to claim 1, The plurality of cleaning nozzles include a nozzle that sprays water toward the upper end of the filter and a nozzle that sprays water toward approximately the center of the filter in the height direction.

3. The washer / dryer according to claim 2, The number of nozzles for spraying water toward the upper end of the filter is greater than the number of nozzles for spraying water toward the approximate center of the height of the filter.

4. The washer / dryer according to claim 2, The amount of water sprayed toward the upper end of the filter is greater than the amount of water sprayed toward the approximate center of the height of the filter.

5. The washing / drying machine according to any one of claims 2 to 4, A washer-dryer characterized in that the nozzle that sprays water toward the upper end of the filter is configured to flow water over a wide area in the width direction of the filter, and the nozzle that sprays water toward approximately the center of the height of the filter is configured to flow water over a narrow area in the width direction of the filter.

6. The washing / drying machine according to any one of claims 2 to 4, The washer-dryer is characterized in that the water sprayed toward the approximate center of the height of the filter collides with an area where lint generated during drying operation has a high adhesion rate.

7. The washing / drying machine according to any one of claims 2 to 4, The nozzle for spraying water toward the approximate center of the height of the filter is opened toward an area where lint generated during drying operation has a high adhesion rate.

8. The washing / drying machine according to any one of claims 2 to 4, The nozzle for spraying water toward the upper end of the filter sprays cleaning water in a fan-like manner toward the filter.

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