Washing dryer

Abstract

To provide a washing dryer comprising a filter and enabling more accurate detection of filter clogging.SOLUTION: A washing dryer includes: an outer tub provided in a water storable manner; an inner tub provided in the outer tub, and storing laundry; pressure detection means detecting pressure in the outer tub; an airflow path connected to the outer tub; air blowing means provided in the airflow path and forcibly feeding air; a filter provided in the airflow path, and collecting lint; a detection portion detecting an input with respect to the air blowing means or an output by the air blowing means; notification means performing notification; and a control portion performing drying operation, and controlling the operation of the air blowing means and the notification means. The control portion detects clogging of the filter based on the input or output detected by the detection portion and the pressure detected by the pressure detection means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a washer / dryer. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a washer-dryer that includes a warm air blowing means for supplying air into the outer tub and the inner tub, a filter for collecting lint and the like generated from clothes, an air blowing drive means for driving the warm air blowing means, and a control means for controlling the operation of the air blowing drive means, and that determines that the filter has become clogged when the input current to the air blowing drive means falls below a predetermined level during drying operation, and notifies the user of the filter being clogged after operation has ended. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-022225 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present disclosure provides a washer / dryer that can more accurately detect clogging of a filter. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The washer-dryer of the present disclosure comprises an outer tub configured to store water, an inner tub configured within the outer tub for storing laundry, a pressure detection means for detecting the pressure within the outer tub, an air blowing path connected to the outer tub, an air blowing means configured in the air blowing path for pressurizing and blowing air, a filter configured in the air blowing path for collecting lint, a detection unit for detecting input to the air blowing means or output by the air blowing means, an alarm means for issuing an alarm, and a control unit that performs a drying operation and controls the operation of the air blowing means and the alarm means, and the control unit detects clogging of the filter based on the input or output detected by the detection unit and the pressure detected by the pressure detection means. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] The washer-dryer according to the present disclosure can detect clogging of the filter more accurately. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] Schematic cross-sectional view of a washer / dryer according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] Block diagram of a washer / dryer according to a first embodiment [Figure 3] Flowchart for detecting clogging of a drying filter in a washer / dryer according to the first embodiment DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] (Embodiment 1) [1-1.Configuration] [1-1-1. Washing machine configuration] 1, washer / dryer 100 includes housing 101, water tub 102 provided in housing 101 so as to be able to store water, and washing tub 103 provided rotatably in water tub 102. A peripheral wall of washing tub 103 is provided with a number of holes 103a that connect the inside and outside of washing tub 103.

[0009] A water supply valve (not shown) is provided at the top of the housing 101. When the water supply valve is opened, , water flows into the water tank 102. A water level sensor 104 that detects the water level inside the water tank 102 is provided outside the water tank 102. The water level sensor 104 detects the water level inside the water tank 102 by detecting a change in pressure inside the water tank 102 that corresponds to the water pressure inside the water tank 102.

[0010] Motor 105 is provided at the bottom inside housing 101. Motor 105 is connected to washing tub 103 via belt 106 and pulley 107. When motor 105 is driven to rotate, washing tub 103 rotates.

[0011] A clothes insertion opening 101a, which is an opening for inserting clothes into the washing tub 103, is provided on the front surface of the housing 101. A door 108 for opening and closing the clothes insertion opening 101a is provided on the front part of the housing 101.

[0012] An operation display unit 109 is provided on the upper front part of the housing 101. The operation display unit 109 includes input means and display means, and receives driving instructions from the user and displays information related to driving.

[0013] A drying mechanism 110, an inlet path 111, and an outlet path 112 are provided in the upper part of the housing 101. The inlet path 111 connects the upper part of the water tub 102 to the drying mechanism 110, and passes through the air that flows from the water tub 102 into the drying mechanism 110. The inlet path 111 is provided with a drying filter 113 that collects lint passing through with the air, thereby preventing lint from entering the drying mechanism 110 from the inlet path 111.

[0014] Drying mechanism 110 has heat pump device 114 that dehumidifies and heats air, and blower fan 115 that pressurizes and delivers air. Heat pump device 114 is provided upstream and includes dehumidifying section 114a that dehumidifies air, and heating section 114b that heats air. Air that flows into drying mechanism 110 is dehumidified and its humidity decreases as it passes through dehumidifying section 114a, and then its temperature increases as it passes through heating section 114b. This allows heat exchange with the low-temperature, high-humidity air that flows in from water tub 102, thereby generating high-temperature, low-humidity drying air for drying the clothes in washing tub 103. Blower fan 115 is provided downstream of heat pump device 114. Blower fan 115 pressurizes and delivers air from inlet path 111 toward outlet path 112 as fan motor 115a is driven to rotate. This allows An air flow is generated in the order of the water tank 102, the inlet side path 111, the drying mechanism 110, the outlet side path 112, and the water tank 102.

[0015] An inlet temperature sensor 111a is provided in the inlet path 111 to detect the temperature of the air passing through the inlet path 111, and an outlet temperature sensor 112a is provided in the outlet path 112 to detect the temperature of the air passing through the outlet path 112.

[0016] In the present embodiment, the path from the water tank 102 to the water tank 102, including the inlet path 111, the drying mechanism 110, and the outlet path 112, will be referred to as the air blowing path.

[0017] [1-1-2. Configuration of control means] The configuration of the control means 120 will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0018] Control means 120 is provided at the bottom inside housing 101. Control means 120 sequentially controls a series of operational steps including washing, rinsing, spin-drying, and drying. Control means 120 includes a control unit 121 and a detection unit 122.

[0019] The detection unit 122 detects a value that changes depending on the output of the blower fan 115. The detection unit 122 is provided with a current detection means. The current detection means includes a shunt resistor (not shown) connected to one input terminal of the inverter of the fan motor 115a and a current detection circuit (not shown) connected to the shunt resistor. The current detection means detects the input current of the inverter, i.e., the motor current of the fan motor 115a, converts it into a voltage signal, and inputs the voltage signal to the control unit 121. The control unit 121 also A / D converts the input voltage signal, which is continuously changing analog data, and processes it as digital data to control the fan motor 115a. Note that if the fan motor 115a is a DC brushless motor, the torque of the fan motor 115a is approximately proportional to the motor current. Therefore, the torque of the fan motor 115a can be detected by detecting the motor current value of the fan motor 115a using a current detection circuit connected to the shunt resistor.

[0020] The control unit 121 is electrically connected to the water level sensor 104, the inflow temperature sensor 111a, the outflow temperature sensor 112a, the detection unit 122, etc. by a connection harness (not shown). As a result, data detected by the water level sensor 104, the inflow temperature sensor 111a, the outflow temperature sensor 112a, the detection unit 122, etc. is input to the control unit 121.

[0021] When the power is turned on by the input means and power is supplied from a power supply unit (not shown), control unit 121 performs operation by controlling the operation of motor 105, heat pump device 114, fan motor 115a, water supply valve, etc., via load drive means composed of inverter control elements, relays, etc., based on the input data. Furthermore, control unit 121 calculates the expected remaining time until the end of the drying operation based on the air temperature difference detected by inflow side temperature sensor 111a and outflow side temperature sensor 112a, and displays the calculated time on operation display unit 109.

[0022] [1-2. Control] [1-2-1. Control during drying operation] During the drying operation, control unit 121 controls motor 105 and heat pump device 114, and also drives blower fan 115 via fan motor 115a. Blower fan 115 causes air in water tub 102 to flow into drying mechanism 110 via inlet path 111. The air that has flowed into drying mechanism 110 is dehumidified and heated by heat pump device 114 and returns to water tub 102 via outlet path 112.

[0023] During the drying operation, the rotation of motor 105 rotates washing tub 103, and the clothes contained in washing tub 103 are lifted in the direction of rotation and then dropped, repeating this agitation action. As a result, the high-temperature, low-humidity drying air that flows into washing tub 103 collides effectively with the clothes, allowing the clothes to be properly dried.

[0024] The control unit 121 ends the drying operation when the difference between the air temperatures detected by the inflow-side temperature sensor 111a and the outflow-side temperature sensor 112a becomes small.

[0025] [1-2-2. Detecting filter clogging during drying operation] When the washer / dryer 100 performs a drying operation, lint generated from the clothes stored in the washing tub 103 is collected in the drying filter 113. If the drying operation is performed repeatedly, the lint accumulates in the drying filter 113, which may reduce the amount of air that can pass through the drying filter 113 and cause a deterioration in drying performance. Therefore, the user needs to remove the drying filter 113 from the housing 101 and clean the drying filter 113 to remove the lint adhering to the drying filter 113.

[0026] When clogging occurs in the drying filter 113, the water tank 102 and the drying mechanism 110 The amount of air in the circulating air path decreases, and the torque of fan motor 115a decreases. If fan motor 115a is a DC brushless motor, as described above, the torque of fan motor 115a is approximately proportional to the motor current value of fan motor 115a, and therefore, when the torque of fan motor 115a decreases, the current value detected by the current detection means of detection unit 122 also decreases. From the above, when the current value detected by the current detection means of detection unit 122 decreases below a predetermined current value, control unit 121 determines that there is a possibility that the drying filter 113 is clogged with lint.

[0027] Furthermore, if drying filter 113 becomes clogged, the pressure inside water tank 102 increases. Water level sensor 104 detects the pressure inside water tank 102 even when there is no water in water tank 102, and can detect an increase in pressure inside water tank 102 during drying operation.

[0028] Hereinafter, the operation of detecting clogging of the drying filter 113 during the drying operation will be described with reference to FIG.

[0029] When the drying operation starts (step S01), washing tub 103 is rotated and blower fan 115 is driven (step S02). When blower fan 115 is driven, control unit 121 acquires the motor current value of fan motor 115a detected by the current detection means of detection unit 122 and data on the pressure inside water tub 102 detected by water level sensor 104 (step S03). Note that control unit 121 acquires, as a signal, a voltage value obtained by converting the magnitude of the pressure detected by water level sensor 104. Note that the signal acquired by control unit 121 may be a pressure value converted into a frequency value, or may be data on the value of the detected pressure.

[0030] The control unit 121 determines whether the acquired motor current value of the fan motor 115a is smaller than a predetermined current value (step S04). If the motor current value of the fan motor 115a is smaller than the predetermined current value, there is a possibility that clogging has occurred in the drying filter 113, and therefore the process proceeds to the next step. Note that if the input current value of the motor current value of the fan motor 115a is equal to or greater than the predetermined current value, there is a low possibility that clogging has occurred in the drying filter 113, and therefore the control unit 121 returns to step S03 and continues the drying operation.

[0031] Control unit 121 determines whether the acquired pressure in water tub 102 is greater than the first predetermined pressure (step S05). If the pressure in water tub 102 is greater than the first predetermined pressure (YES in step S05), lint may have accumulated in drying filter 113, causing clogging and making it difficult for air to pass through drying filter 113, which may be causing an increase in pressure in water tub 102. Therefore, control unit 121 notifies the user via operation and display unit 109 that clogging has occurred in drying filter 113 (step S06). This can prompt the user to clean drying filter 113.

[0032] Note that when the pressure in water tank 102 is greater than the first predetermined pressure (YES in step S05), it is highly likely that drying filter 113 is clogged, and therefore control unit 121 may display on operation display unit 109 a longer estimated remaining time until the end of the drying operation than in normal cases (when the motor current value of fan motor 115a is equal to or greater than a predetermined current value). This allows for a more accurate estimated remaining time to be displayed, taking into account clogging in drying filter 113.

[0033] On the other hand, if the pressure inside water tub 102 is equal to or lower than the first predetermined pressure (NO in step S05), the pressure inside water tub 102 is not increasing due to clogging of drying filter 113, and there is a possibility that a malfunction has occurred due to deterioration of blower fan 115. Therefore, the motor current value of fan motor 115a is smaller than the predetermined current value, and water tub 102 If the internal pressure is equal to or lower than the first predetermined pressure, control unit 121 notifies operation display unit 109 that there is an abnormality in blower fan 115 (step S07). This notifies the user of the malfunction caused by the breakdown of blower fan 115, and can prompt the user to take action such as repair or replacement.

[0034] Finally, when the difference between the air temperatures detected by the inflow-side temperature sensor 111a and the outflow-side temperature sensor 112a becomes small, the control unit 121 ends the drying operation (step S08).

[0035] Note that control unit 121 may store the fact that the motor current value of fan motor 115a during the drying operation is smaller than a predetermined current value and that the pressure inside water tub 102 is larger than a first predetermined pressure, and may notify the user via operation display unit 109 before the next operation that the drying filter 113 is clogged. This urges the user to clean drying filter 113 before the next operation, and prevents the drying operation from being performed with the drying filter 113 clogged during the next operation.

[0036] Furthermore, if the motor current value of the fan motor 115a is equal to or greater than a predetermined current value at the next operation, the control unit 121 may cancel the notification on the operation display unit 109, since it is possible that the drying filter 113 has been cleaned by the user and that clogging in the drying filter 113 has been eliminated.

[0037] [1-3.Effects] As described above, in this embodiment, washer-dryer 100 includes water tub 102 (outer tub) that is provided so as to be able to store water, washing tub 103 (inner tub) that is provided in water tub 102 and that stores laundry, water level sensor 104 (pressure detection means) that detects the pressure inside water tub 102, an air blowing path connected to water tub 102, air blowing fan 115 (air blowing means) that is provided in the air blowing path and blows air under pressure, and drying filter 113 (filter) that is provided in the air blowing path and collects lint. The drying filter 113 is provided with a detection unit 122 that detects the motor current value (input to the blowing means) of the fan motor 115a, an operation display unit 109 (notification means) that issues an alarm, and a control unit 121 that executes operation and controls the operation of the blower fan 115 and the operation display unit 109, and the control unit 121 detects clogging of the drying filter 113 based on the motor current value of the fan motor 115a detected by the detection unit 122 and the pressure detected by the water level sensor 104.

[0038] This makes it possible to detect clogging of the drying filter 113 based on the magnitude of the motor current value of the fan motor 115a as well as the magnitude of the pressure inside the water tank 102. Therefore, clogging of the drying filter 113 can be detected more accurately.

[0039] In the washer-dryer 100 of this embodiment, the control unit 121 may notify the operation display unit 109 that the drying filter 113 is clogged when the motor current value of the fan motor 115a detected by the detection unit 122 is smaller than a predetermined current value and the pressure detected by the water level sensor 104 is larger than a first predetermined pressure.

[0040] This makes it possible to prompt the user to perform maintenance on the drying filter 113 at a more accurate time.

[0041] In washer-dryer 100 of this embodiment, inlet path 111 and outlet path 112 (air blowing path) are provided with inlet temperature sensor 111a (first temperature detection means) that detects the temperature of air flowing into inlet path 111 from water tub 102, and outlet temperature sensor 112a (second temperature detection means) that detects the temperature of air flowing out from outlet path 112 to water tub 102. Control unit 121 calculates an expected remaining time of the drying operation based on the air temperatures detected by inlet temperature sensor 111a and outlet temperature sensor 112a, and displays the expected remaining time on operation display unit 121. 109, and the control unit 121 may display a longer estimated remaining time when the motor current value detected by the detection unit 122 is smaller than a predetermined current value and the pressure detected by the water level sensor 104 is greater than a first predetermined pressure than when the motor current value detected by the detection unit 122 is equal to or greater than the predetermined current value.

[0042] This allows the operation display unit 109 to display the estimated remaining time taking into consideration clogging of the drying filter 113, thereby providing the user with a more accurate estimated remaining time.

[0043] In the washer-dryer 100 of this embodiment, if the motor current value of the fan motor 115a detected by the detection unit 122 is smaller than a first predetermined value and the pressure detected by the water level sensor 104 is equal to or lower than the first predetermined pressure, the operation display unit 109 may notify an abnormality in the blower fan 115.

[0044] This makes it possible to prompt the user to repair or replace the blower fan 115 when the low motor current value is due to deterioration of the blower fan 115.

[0045] As in the present embodiment, the washer / dryer 100 includes, as the detector 122, a current detector that detects the current input to the blower fan 115.

[0046] As a result, when the torque of the blower fan 115 is approximately proportional to the motor current input to the blower fan 115, clogging of the drying filter 113 can be detected by detecting the motor current.

[0047] (Other Examples) As described above, the first embodiment has been described as an example of the technology disclosed in the present application. However, the technology in the present disclosure is not limited to this, and can also be applied to embodiments in which modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. are made.

[0048] Therefore, other embodiments will be exemplified below.

[0049] In the first embodiment, the motor current value of fan motor 115a has been described as an example of an input to the blower means detected by the detection unit. The input detected by the detection unit is not limited to the motor current value of fan motor 115a as long as it is an input when driving blower fan 115, and may be an input current or input voltage to blower fan 115. The detection unit may also detect the torque of the blower fan as an output from the blower means.

[0050] In the first embodiment, the operation and display unit 109 has been described as an example of the notification unit. The notification unit is not limited to the operation and display unit 109 as long as it notifies the user of information. The notification unit may also be a buzzer.

[0051] In the first embodiment, the washer-dryer 100 is described as an example of a washer-dryer that detects clogging of the drying filter 113 based on the motor current value of the fan motor 115a detected by the detection unit 122 and the pressure detected by the water level sensor 104. The washer-dryer may also detect clogging of the filter based on the pressure detected by the pressure detection means. For example, the washer-dryer may be configured to detect clogging of the filter when the pressure detected by the pressure detection means during the drying operation is equal to or greater than a predetermined pressure. Alternatively, the washer-dryer may be configured to detect clogging of the filter when, for example, the time it takes for the pressure in the outer tub to drop from the pressure at the end of the drying operation to a predetermined pressure (e.g., atmospheric pressure) with the door closed is longer than a predetermined time. This allows the user to be advised to clean the filter if the pressure in the outer tub is high at the end of the drying operation, as this may indicate clogging of the filter. [Industrial Applicability]

[0052] The present disclosure is applicable to washing and drying machines, particularly to drum-type washing and drying machines and vertical washing and drying machines. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 100 Washer / Dryer 101 Case 101a Clothes drop-off 102 Aquarium (outer tank) 103 Washing tub (inner tub) 103a hole 104 Water level sensor (pressure detection means) 105 Motor 106 Belt 107 Pulley 108 Doors 109 Operation display section 110 Drying mechanism (air flow path) 111 Inlet path (air flow path) 111a inlet temperature sensor (first temperature detection means) 112 Outlet path (air flow path) 112a Outlet temperature sensor (second temperature detection means) 113 Drying filter (filter) 114 Heat pump equipment 114a Dehumidification section 114b Heating section 115 Blower fan (blower means) 115a fan motor 120 Control Means 121 Control Unit 122 Detection unit

Claims

1. an outer tank capable of storing water; an inner tub provided in the outer tub for accommodating laundry; a pressure detection means for detecting the pressure inside the outer tank; an air blowing path connected to the outer tank; a blowing means provided in the air blowing path for compressing and blowing air; a filter provided in the air passage for collecting lint; a detection unit that detects an input to the air blowing means or an output by the air blowing means; a notification means for executing a notification; a control unit that executes a drying operation and controls the operation of the air blowing unit and the notification unit; Equipped with The control unit detects clogging of the filter based on the input or the output detected by the detection unit and the pressure detected by the pressure detection means.

2. 2. The washer-dryer according to claim 1, wherein when the input or the output detected by the detection unit is smaller than a first predetermined value and the pressure detected by the pressure detection means is greater than a first predetermined pressure, the control unit notifies the notification means that the filter is clogged.

3. The air flow path is provided with a first temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of air flowing from the outer tub into the air flow path, and a second temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of air flowing from the air flow path to the outer tub, the control unit calculates an estimated remaining time of the drying operation based on the air temperatures detected by the first temperature detection means and the second temperature detection means, and causes the notification means to display the estimated remaining time; 3. The washer-dryer according to claim 2, wherein, when the input or the output detected by the detection unit is smaller than a first predetermined value and the pressure detected by the pressure detection means is greater than the first predetermined pressure, the control unit displays a longer estimated remaining time than when the input or the output detected by the detection unit is equal to or greater than the first predetermined value.

4. 3. The washer-dryer according to claim 2, wherein when the input or the output detected by the detection unit is smaller than a first predetermined value and the pressure detected by the pressure detection unit is equal to or less than a first predetermined pressure, the control unit notifies the notification unit of an abnormality in the air blowing unit.

5. The washing / drying machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising, as the detection unit, a current detection unit that detects a current input to the air blowing unit.

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