Washing machine

Abstract

To provide a washing machine capable of achieving shortened the drying time while alleviating deterioration in comfort of a residential environment by performing outside exhaustion.SOLUTION: A washing machine X includes: a water tub 11 disposed in a housing; a rotary tub provided rotatably in the water tub 11; a circulation air passage 21 for communicating an exhaust port 121 for exhausting the air from the rotary tub and a blowout port 122 for blowing the air into the rotary tub, on the outside of the rotary tub; blower means 22 for blowing air so that the air in the rotary tub flows in the circulation air passage 21; a heat pump unit 23 provided in the circulation air passage 21, and having a compressor, an evaporator, and a condenser; an exhaust air passage 24 having an opening 241 for exhaust for exhausting the air in the circulation air passage 21 to the outside; a damper 25 for exhaust for opening / closing the exhaust air passage 24; a sensor part 26 for measuring a relative humidity of the outside of the housing; and a control part for controlling the operation of the damper 25 for exhaust. In the case where an output value of the sensor part 26 is equal to or less than a first threshold value in a drying operation, the control part controls the damper 25 for exhaust into an open state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a washing machine equipped with a heat pump unit. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in a washing machine that uses a heat pump unit equipped with a compressor, an evaporator, etc. to warm circulating air and supplies the warm air through a circulation duct to dry laundry in a rotating tub, a technology has been known that has an exhaust port that exhausts part of the circulating air and an intake port that takes in air from the outside into the circulation duct (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-92329 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the washing machine described above, if the circulating air is continuously discharged to the outside through the exhaust port, the comfort of the living space decreases. The present invention provides a washing machine that can reduce the drying time while reducing the deterioration in the comfort of the living environment caused by exhausting air to the outside. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The washing machine of the present invention includes a water tub arranged in a housing, a rotating tub rotatably installed within the water tub, a circulation air duct that connects an exhaust port for discharging air from the rotating tub and an outlet port for blowing air into the rotating tub outside the rotating tub, a blower that blows air from inside the rotating tub through the circulation air duct, a heat pump unit installed in the circulation air duct and having a compressor, an evaporator, and a condenser, an exhaust air duct having an exhaust opening for discharging air from the circulation air duct to the outside, an exhaust damper for opening and closing the exhaust air duct, a sensor unit that measures the relative humidity outside the housing, and a control unit that controls the operation of the exhaust damper, and the control unit controls the exhaust damper to an open state when the output value of the sensor unit is equal to or less than a first threshold during drying operation. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the above configuration, it is possible to reduce the drying time while mitigating the decrease in comfort of the living environment caused by exhausting air to the outside. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic perspective view of a washing machine according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a functional configuration diagram of the washing machine according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a functional configuration diagram of the heat pump unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] 10 shows a flowchart of the control unit during a drying operation. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a curve of equation (1).

[0008] <Summary> A first washing machine according to the present invention includes a water tub arranged in a housing, a rotating tub rotatably mounted within the water tub, a circulation air duct connecting an exhaust port for discharging air from the rotating tub and an outlet port for blowing air into the rotating tub outside the rotating tub, a blower for blowing air from inside the rotating tub through the circulation air duct, a heat pump unit provided in the circulation air duct and having a compressor, an evaporator, and a condenser, an exhaust air duct having an exhaust opening for discharging air from the circulation air duct to the outside, an exhaust damper for opening and closing the exhaust air duct, a sensor unit for measuring the relative humidity outside the housing, and a control unit for controlling the operation of the exhaust damper, wherein the control unit controls the exhaust damper to an open state when an output value of the sensor unit is equal to or less than a first threshold value during drying operation. This suppresses condensation caused by external exhaust, making it possible to reduce the drying time while mitigating the decrease in comfort of the living environment.

[0009] A second washing machine according to the present invention is the first washing machine, wherein the control unit controls the exhaust damper, which is in an open state, to a closed state when the output value of the sensor unit exceeds the first threshold value during the drying operation. This prevents moisture-rich air from being discharged to the outside by closing the exhaust air passage, which can reduce the comfort of the living environment.

[0010] A third washing machine according to the present invention is the first or second washing machine, wherein when the drying operation ends, the control unit controls the exhaust damper to a closed state if the exhaust damper is in an open state. This makes it possible to suppress a drop in temperature inside the rotating drum, and the material to be dried can be dried further.

[0011] A fourth washing machine according to the present invention is any of the first to third washing machines, wherein air in the rotating tub circulates through the exhaust port, the heat pump unit, the blower, and the air outlet in this order. This can prevent moisture-rich air from flowing toward the blower means.

[0012] A fifth washing machine according to the present invention is any of the first to fourth washing machines, wherein the exhaust opening is provided at the rear side of the housing in the front-to-rear direction, and the sensor unit is provided at the front side of the housing in the front-to-rear direction. This makes it possible to make the sensor section less susceptible to the effects of external exhaust gases.

[0013] A sixth washing machine according to the present invention is any of the first to fifth washing machines, further comprising an air intake opening that communicates with the heat pump unit and allows outside air to flow into the circulating air passage. This allows low humidity air from the outside to be supplied to the rotating tub, thereby improving drying efficiency.

[0014] A seventh washing machine according to the present invention is any of the first to sixth washing machines, further comprising an intake air duct communicating with the heat pump unit and having the intake opening, and an intake damper for opening and closing the intake air duct, and the control unit controls the exhaust damper to open and the intake damper to open. This allows high humidity air to be discharged to the outside and low humidity air from the outside to be supplied to the rotating tub, thereby improving drying efficiency.

[0015] An eighth washing machine according to the present invention is any of the first to seventh washing machines, wherein the first threshold value is calculated by the following formula: Y=-0.0206X 2 +1.5651X+72.372 where X is the temperature and Y is the first threshold value. This can prevent condensation from occurring around the exhaust opening.

[0016] <Embodiment> 1. Overview The schematic structure of the washing machine X according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Washing machine X includes water tub 11 arranged in housing 10, rotating tub 12 rotatably mounted within water tub 11, door 14 that opens and closes to cover the opening of water tub 11, a motor that rotates rotating tub 12, water supply unit 15 for supplying water to water tub 11, operation unit 16 for operating washing and drying operations, etc., a control unit that controls washing operations, etc., a drainage unit for draining water from water tub 11, etc., and treatment agent dispensing units 17A, 17B that dispense laundry treatment agents into rotating tub 12. The washing machine X is a so-called drum type (horizontal type) in which the central axis (rotation axis) of the rotating tub 12 is arranged horizontally (including the case where the central axis is inclined so that the rear side is lower than the front side relative to the horizontal direction). Here, the direction in which the central axis of the rotating tub 12 extends is the front-to-rear direction, the side where the door 14 for loading and unloading laundry is located is the front side, and the direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and the front-to-rear direction is the left-to-right direction.

[0017] Washing machine X has a drying function in addition to a washing function. Here, a heat pump type is used. That is, washing machine X with a drying function includes, as shown in FIG. 2, circulation air duct 21 for circulating circulating air in rotatable tub 12, air blowing means 22 for blowing air from rotatable tub 12 so that the air flows through circulation air duct 21, heat pump unit 23 provided in circulation air duct 21, exhaust air duct 24 having exhaust opening 241 for discharging air from circulation air duct 21 to the outside, and exhaust damper 25 for opening and closing exhaust air duct 24. In addition to the washing operation, the control unit controls the drying operation and the opening and closing of the exhaust damper 25. Specifically, the control unit controls the opening and closing of the exhaust damper 25 based on the output from the sensor unit 26 that measures the relative humidity outside the housing 10. Washing machine X also includes intake air duct 27 that communicates with heat pump unit 23 and has intake opening 271 for letting in outside air. Washing machine X here includes intake damper 28 for opening and closing intake air duct 27. The opening and closing of intake damper 28 is controlled by a control unit, but intake damper 28 is not an essential component, and a configuration that does not include intake damper 28 is referred to as embodiment 1, and a configuration that includes intake damper 28 is referred to as embodiment 2.

[0018] 2. Drying function The configuration related to the drying function will be described below with reference to FIG. (1)Circulation air duct The circulation air passage 21 is an air passage that connects an exhaust port 121 for exhausting air from the rotating tub 12 and an air outlet 122 for blowing air into the rotating tub 12 on the outside of the rotating tub 12 . The circulation air passage 21 includes an exhaust side circulation air passage 211 between the exhaust port 121 and the heat pump unit 23, an exhaust side circulation air passage 212 between the heat pump unit 23 and the outlet 122, and a pump side circulation air passage 213 between the exhaust side circulation air passage 211 and the exhaust side circulation air passage 212. In other words, it comprises a pump side circulation air duct 213 in which the heat pump unit 23 is installed, an exhaust side circulation air duct 211 connecting the pump side circulation air duct 213 to the exhaust port 121, and an exhaust side circulation air duct 212 connecting the pump side circulation air duct 213 to the outlet 122. The air circulation path 21 is a flow path through which air flows, and is made up of air circulation path forming members such as resin molded parts, pipes, and tubes. Note that exhaust port 121 and blow-out port 122 may be through-holes in rotating tub 12 or may be through-holes in water tub 11. The circulating air path forming body is connected to the rear and lower side of water tub 11 on the exhaust port 121 side, and is connected to the front and upper side of water tub 11 on the blow-out port 122 side.

[0019] (2) Air blowing means The blower means 22 is provided in the circulation air duct 21. Here, it is provided in the outlet-side circulation air duct 212. That is, it is provided between the outlet 122 and the heat pump unit 23. As a result, the air inside the rotating tub 12 circulates through the outlet 121, the heat pump unit 23, the blower means 22, and the outlet 122 in this order. Therefore, dry air passes through the blower means 22, and deterioration of the blower means 22 (particularly the rotating shaft) due to moisture can be suppressed more effectively than if the blower means 22 were provided between the outlet 121 and the heat pump unit 23.

[0020] (3) Heat pump unit The heat pump unit 23 utilizes a refrigeration cycle that circulates a refrigerant, and as shown in FIG. 3, includes at least a compressor 231 that compresses the refrigerant, a condenser 232 that condenses the compressed high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant by dissipating heat, an expansion valve 233 that decompresses the high-pressure refrigerant that has dissipated heat, and an evaporator 234 that absorbs heat from the decompressed refrigerant to evaporate it. Condenser 232 and evaporator 234 are provided in pump-side circulation air passage 213 of circulation air passage 21, and arrows in FIG. 3 indicate the flow of the refrigerant. As a result, the moist air that has passed from rotating tub 12 through discharge-side circulation air duct 211 and entered pump-side circulation air duct 213 is cooled by the refrigerant in evaporator 234, and the moisture in the air condenses into water, which is then discharged outside housing 10. The dehumidified air is heated by the high-temperature refrigerant in condenser 232 and sent to rotating tub 12 through blow-out-side circulation air duct 212. In rotating tub 12, the heated air absorbs moisture, and the laundry (items to be dried) is dried. Heat pump unit 23 is disposed above water tub 11 on one side in the left-right direction (for example, on the opposite side from treatment agent supply units 17A and 17B). This makes it possible to prevent washing machine X from becoming too tall.

[0021] (4) Exhaust air duct As shown in Fig. 2, exhaust air duct 24 is connected to exhaust-side circulation air duct 211. Exhaust-side circulation air duct 211 is disposed on the rear side of water tank 11 in the front-to-rear direction, and exhaust air duct 24 is provided on the rear side of housing 10. Exhaust air duct (exhaust air duct formation body) 24 may extend in the left-right direction from exhaust-side circulation air duct (exhaust-side circulation air duct formation body) 211, or may extend upward. In this example, the rear of heat pump unit 23 extends upward. This allows the space behind heat pump unit 23 to be used effectively. The exhaust opening 241 of the exhaust air duct 24 is sufficient as long as it can exhaust the air in the exhaust side circulation air duct 211 to the outside of the aquarium 11, and here the downstream end of the exhaust air duct 24 is connected to the upper wall 101 of the housing 10, and the exhaust opening 241 is formed in the upper wall 101.

[0022] (5) Exhaust damper The exhaust damper 25 may be any damper that allows selection of whether or not air flows through the exhaust airflow path 24. In other words, it allows selection of whether or not air is discharged from the exhaust opening 241 of the exhaust airflow path 24. For this reason, exhaust damper 25 is provided at the connection between exhaust-side circulation air passage 211 and exhaust air passage 24, inside exhaust air passage 24, and at exhaust opening 241 of exhaust air passage 24. In this example, exhaust damper 25 is provided at the connection between exhaust-side circulation air passage 211 and exhaust air passage 24. This makes it possible to prevent air from flowing from the exhaust-side circulation air passage 211 side to the exhaust air passage 24 side when exhaust damper 25 is in the closed state. The exhaust damper 25 may be, for example, an on-off valve that rotates around a rotation axis by a motor or the like, or a sliding on-off valve, etc. The motor or the like is controlled by a control unit.

[0023] (6) Sensor section For example, a temperature / humidity sensor can be used as the sensor unit 26. The sensor unit 26 measures the outside temperature and calculates the relative humidity based on the temperature. Here, the sensor unit 26 is provided on the front side in the front-to-rear direction of the housing 10. In particular, when the exhaust opening 241 is arranged on the rear side in the front-to-rear direction, by arranging the sensor unit 26 on the front side in the front-to-rear direction, the distance from the exhaust opening 241 increases, and the sensor unit 26 can be less susceptible to the influence of the air exhausted from the exhaust opening 241. In this way, in terms of its relationship with the exhaust opening 241, it is preferable to provide the sensor unit 26 at a position spaced apart from the exhaust opening 241. In particular, when the housing 10 is viewed from above, it is preferable that the positions of the sensor unit 26 and the exhaust opening 241 be in a point-symmetric relationship (opposing each other) with respect to the center of the housing 10, or in a line-symmetric relationship (opposing each other) with respect to an imaginary line passing through the center of the housing 10. The measurement results obtained by the sensor section 26 are output to the control unit. As shown in FIG. 2, a temperature sensor 29 is provided in discharge-side circulation air duct 211 to detect the temperature in the air duct and detects an excessive temperature rise.

[0024] (7) Intake air duct As shown in Fig. 3, intake airflow duct 27 is provided so as to communicate with heat pump unit 23. Specifically, it is provided so that outside air can be drawn between evaporator 234 and condenser 232 of pump-side circulation airflow duct 213 (the intake airflow duct formation body is connected to the pump-side circulation airflow duct formation body). This allows outside air to be drawn in without passing through evaporator 234, and the drawn-in air is mixed with air that has been dehumidified through evaporator 234 to produce low-humidity air, thereby improving drying efficiency. Here, the downstream end of the intake air duct 27 is connected to the pump side circulation air duct 213 in the case 235 of the heat pump unit 23, and the upstream end of the intake air duct 27 is connected to the upper wall 101 of the housing 10, and an intake opening 271 is formed in the upper wall 101. In this case, the intake opening 271 is provided at a position further forward than the exhaust opening 241. This makes it possible to prevent the highly humid air discharged from the exhaust opening 241 from being sucked in.

[0025] (8) Intake damper The intake damper 28 may be any damper that allows or prevents air from flowing through the intake airflow path 27. In other words, it allows or prevents air from being sucked in through the intake opening 271 of the intake airflow path 27. For this reason, intake damper 28 is provided at the connection between intake airflow path 27 and circulation airflow path 21, or inside intake airflow path 27. In this example, intake damper 28 is provided at the connection between the airflow path connecting the evaporator and condenser and intake airflow path 27. This makes it possible to prevent air from flowing into intake airflow path 27 when intake damper 28 is closed. The intake damper 28 may be, for example, an on-off valve that rotates around a rotation axis by a motor or the like, or an on-off valve that slides by a motor or the like. The motor or the like is controlled by a control unit.

[0026] (9) Control unit (control section) (9-1) Embodiment 1 The first embodiment is a configuration in which the intake damper 28 is not provided. The control unit of the first embodiment is configured to control the operation of the exhaust damper 25. In the operation of the exhaust damper 25, when the output value (relative humidity) of the sensor unit 26 is equal to or less than (or less than) a first threshold value, the control unit controls the exhaust damper 25 to an open state, and when the output value exceeds (or exceeds) the first threshold value, the control unit controls the exhaust damper 25 to a closed state. Here, the first threshold value is a value calculated by the following formula (1), and the curve of formula (1) is shown in FIG. Y=-0.0206×X 2 +1.5651X+72.372 (1) Y is the first threshold value, and X is the ambient temperature (°C) of washing machine X, which is measured by sensor unit 26. That is, Y (first threshold value) is calculated from the temperature (X) output from sensor unit 26 using equation (1), and the control unit compares the calculated first threshold value with the relative humidity output from sensor unit 26. In formula (1), the first threshold value is the humidity at which there is a margin of 10 g of moisture before condensation occurs around the exhaust opening 241 when the temperature is X. In other words, the first threshold value is the humidity at which condensation occurs when there is an increase of 10 g of moisture in the air. Note that formula (1) is used when the height is 2.3 m and the base area is 3.306 m. 2 The volume of a room (2 tatami mats) is 7.6038m 3 Based on test results in space. Therefore, when the relative humidity is below the first threshold, the exhaust damper 25 is opened and the air is exhausted, making it difficult for condensation to occur, or even if condensation does occur, the amount of condensation can be reduced, preventing a decrease in the comfort of the living space. In other words, the first threshold value is the value of relative humidity when no condensation occurs even when air is discharged, or when condensation occurs, the amount of condensation is small. The control unit includes a microcomputer, memory, and timer, and when the selected operation is started by the user operating the operation unit 16, the microcomputer executes the corresponding program. The program and various data are stored in the memory. The control unit opens exhaust damper 25 when the relative humidity is equal to or lower than the first threshold, and closes exhaust damper 25 when the relative humidity is higher than the first threshold. This reduces the occurrence of condensation in the living space and reduces the decrease in comfort of the living space. When the drying operation is completed, the control unit closes exhaust damper 25 if it is open. This prevents the temperature in rotating tub 12 from dropping and allows the residual heat to promote the drying of the laundry. The end of the drying operation means the stopping of the heat pump unit 23, and after the operation of the heat pump unit 23 is stopped, the air blowing means 22 may be driven or may be stopped.

[0027] The process of the control unit when the drying operation starts will be described below with reference to FIG. When the drying operation program starts, the control unit turns on the timer and turns on the drive of the heat pump unit 23 and the blower means 22 (S1, S2). The control unit causes sensor unit 26 to detect the indoor temperature and humidity (S3), and determines whether the humidity output by sensor unit 26 is equal to or less than a first threshold value in response to the temperature detected by sensor unit 26 (S4). That is, the control unit determines whether the relative humidity output by sensor unit 26 is equal to or less than the first threshold value. In step S4, if the relative humidity is equal to or lower than the first threshold value ("Yes") and the exhaust damper 25 is closed ("Yes" in step S5), the exhaust damper 25 is opened (S6), and the process proceeds to step S7. Note that in step S5, if the exhaust damper 25 is open ("No"), the process proceeds to step S7. If the relative humidity is higher than the first threshold value in step S4 ("No"), it is determined whether the exhaust damper 25 is in the open state (S8), and if it is in the open state ("Yes"), the exhaust damper 25 is closed (S9) and the process proceeds to step S7, and if it is in the closed state ("No"), the process proceeds to step S7.

[0028] In step S7, it is determined whether the time measured by the timer has exceeded the operating time of the drying operation. If it has not ("No"), the process returns to step S3; if it has ("Yes"), the process turns off the operation of the heat pump unit 23 and closes the exhaust damper 25 (regardless of whether it is open or closed) (S11), and proceeds to step S12. In step S12, when a predetermined time has elapsed since the heat pump unit 23 was turned off ("Yes"), the air blowing means 22 is turned off (S13), and the program is terminated.

[0029] The control unit opens exhaust damper 25 when the humidity (relative humidity) relative to the temperature detected by sensor unit 26 is equal to or lower than a first threshold, and closes exhaust damper 25 when the relative humidity is higher than the first threshold. This reduces the occurrence of condensation in the living space and reduces the decrease in comfort of the living space. When the drying operation is completed, the control unit closes exhaust damper 25 if it is open. This prevents the temperature in rotating tub 12 from dropping and allows the residual heat to promote the drying of the laundry. The end of the drying operation means the stopping of the heat pump unit 23, and the air blowing means 22 may be driven or stopped after the operation of the heat pump unit 23 is stopped. When the air blowing means is driven, the material to be dried can be dried even more.

[0030] (9-2) Second embodiment The second embodiment is a form in which an intake damper 28 is provided. The control unit of the second embodiment is configured to control the operations of the exhaust damper 25 and the intake damper 28. Specifically, during the drying operation, the operations of both dampers 25, 28 are controlled in association with each other. When the output value (relative humidity) of the sensor unit 26 is below (or less than) a first threshold value, the control unit controls the exhaust damper 25 and the intake damper 28 to an open state, and when the output value exceeds (or exceeds) the first threshold value, the control unit controls the exhaust damper 25 and the intake damper 28 to a closed state. The first threshold value is a value calculated by the above formula (1), as in the first embodiment. As a result, even if the exhaust damper 25 is opened to exhaust air, the occurrence of condensation in the living space can be reduced, and the comfort of the living space can be prevented from decreasing. When the control unit determines to open the exhaust damper 25, it controls the intake damper 28 and the exhaust damper 25 to open substantially simultaneously, or to open the intake damper 28 later than the exhaust damper 25. This allows outside air to be drawn in smoothly through the intake opening 271.

[0031] The control unit, like the first embodiment, includes a microcomputer, a memory, and a timer, and when the operation selected by the user through the operation unit 16 is started, the microcomputer executes the corresponding program. The program and various data are stored in the memory.

[0032] The processing of the control unit when the drying operation starts differs from the processing of the first embodiment in the following steps in FIG. In the control unit of embodiment 2, in step S4, if the relative humidity is below the first threshold value ("Yes") and the exhaust damper 25 is closed ("Yes" in step S5), the control unit opens the exhaust damper 25 and the intake damper 28 (S6) and proceeds to step S7, and if the relative humidity is higher than the first threshold value ("No"), the control unit determines whether the exhaust damper 25 is open (S8), and if it is open ("Yes"), closes the exhaust damper 25 and the intake damper 28 (S9) and proceeds to step S7. In step S7, if the time measured by the timer has exceeded the operating time of the drying operation ("Yes"), the heat pump unit 23 is turned off, and the exhaust damper 25 and the intake damper 28 are closed (regardless of whether they are open or closed) (S11), and the process proceeds to step S12.

[0033] The control unit opens exhaust damper 25 and intake damper 28 when the relative humidity is equal to or lower than the first threshold, and closes exhaust damper 25 and intake damper 28 when the relative humidity is higher than the first threshold. This reduces the occurrence of condensation in the living space and reduces the decrease in comfort of the living space. When the drying operation is completed, the control unit closes exhaust damper 25 if it is open. This prevents the temperature in rotating tub 12 from dropping and allows the residual heat to promote the drying of the laundry. The end of the drying operation means the stopping of the heat pump unit 23, and after the operation of the heat pump unit 23 is stopped, the air blowing means 22 may be driven or may be stopped.

[0034] Although the embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and may be modified as follows, for example. Furthermore, the embodiment and the modified examples, or the modified examples may be combined. Furthermore, examples not described in the embodiments and modifications, and design changes within the scope of the present invention are also included in the present invention.

[0035] <Modification> 1. Washing machine In the embodiment, the rotary tub 12 is of a horizontal type in which the rotary shaft extends horizontally, but may be of a vertical type in which the rotary shaft extends vertically. The present invention can be implemented by any device that includes a heat pump unit for drying items to be dried, and can also be implemented by any drying device that does not have a washing function. In this case, the water tank can be used as the outer layer, and the control unit can be equipped with a control unit that controls the drying operation. The drying operation may be a drying step included in the washing operation, or may be an independent drying operation separate from the washing operation (step).

[0036] 2. Drying function (1) The exhaust side circulation air passage 211 may be arranged so that its lateral side extends upward in the left-right direction (in this case, the exhaust opening 241 is formed in the top wall 101 of the housing 10), or so that its lateral side extends laterally (in this case, the exhaust opening 241 is formed in the side wall of the housing 10), or so that its lateral side extends upward (in this case, the exhaust opening 241 is formed in the top wall 101 of the housing 10), or so that its rear side of the housing 10 extends left-right (in this case, the exhaust opening 241 is formed in the side wall of the housing 10).

[0037] (2) The downstream end of exhaust airflow duct 24 may be located inside housing 10. In this case, exhaust opening 241 is located inside housing 10, and air exhausted from exhaust opening 241 is exhausted to the outside of housing 10 through another opening in housing 10 or gaps between members that make up housing 10. There may be one or more exhaust air ducts 24. For example, when multiple exhaust air ducts 24 are provided, the multiple exhaust openings 241 may be spaced apart and provided, for example, on the top surface and side surface, on the top surface and rear surface, on the side surface and rear surface, or on the top surface, side surface and rear surface. Also, multiple exhaust openings 241 may be provided on any one of the top surface, side surface, and rear surface. When multiple exhaust air ducts 24 are provided, they may branch either upstream or downstream of the exhaust dampers 25. When branching upstream, the number of exhaust dampers 25 increases, but the exhaust volume can be adjusted more precisely. When branching downstream, the number of exhaust dampers 25 can be reduced.

[0038] (3) The blower 22 may be provided in the discharge-side circulation air duct 211. That is, the blower 22 may be provided between the discharge port 121 and the heat pump unit 23. Furthermore, the blower 22 may be provided in the heat pump unit 23, for example, between the condenser 232 and the evaporator 234, on the blow-out-side circulation air duct 212 side of the condenser 232, or on the discharge-side circulation air duct 211 side of the evaporator 234. A plurality of blowing means 22 may be provided.

[0039] (4) Intake air passage 27 is provided to pass through case 235 of heat pump unit 23, but heat pump unit 23 may not have case 235. Intake air passage 27 only needs to have its downstream end connected to the flow path between evaporator 234 and condenser 232, and intake opening 271 at the upstream end of intake air passage 27 may be formed on the outer surface of housing 10 or may be provided inside housing 10. If intake opening 271 is provided inside housing 10, it can suck in air from outside housing 10 through gaps between members that make up housing 10, the bottom of housing 10, etc. There may be one or more intake air passages 27. For example, an intake opening 271 may be provided in the flow path formation body between the evaporator 234 and the condenser 232, and an intake damper 28 that opens and closes the intake opening 271 may be provided in the flow path formation body, thereby eliminating the intake air passage 27.

[0040] (5) Control unit The control unit calculates the first threshold value (Y) from the temperature (X) output from the sensor unit 26. Alternatively, for example, a table correlating temperatures with the first threshold values ​​may be stored in memory, the first threshold value corresponding to the temperature output from the sensor unit 26 may be read from the table, and the read first threshold value may be compared with the relative humidity output from the sensor unit 26. The sensor unit 26 used is one that can detect temperature and relative humidity, but two sensors, a temperature sensor and a relative humidity sensor, may also be provided. The control unit uses the output value from the sensor unit 26 when opening the exhaust damper 25, but may also use, for example, an output value from a temperature sensor 29 that detects the temperature of the exhaust air duct.

[0041] (6) First threshold The first threshold value is the humidity at which there is a margin of 10 g of moisture before condensation occurs around the exhaust opening 241 when the temperature is X, but multiple settings for the margin of moisture before condensation occurs around the exhaust opening 241 may be provided and set by the user, or may be set before shipping to suit the shipping region. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] X washing machine 11 Aquarium 12 Rotating tank 21 Circulating air duct 23 Heat pump unit 24 Exhaust air duct 25 Exhaust damper 26 Sensor section 121 Outlet 122 Air outlet 241 Exhaust opening

Claims

1. a water tank disposed within the housing; a rotating tank rotatably provided within the water tank; a circulation air duct that connects an exhaust port for discharging air from the rotating tub and an air outlet for blowing air into the rotating tub, on the outside of the rotating tub; a blowing means for blowing air so that the air in the rotating tub flows through the circulating air passage; a heat pump unit provided in the circulation air passage and having a compressor, an evaporator, and a condenser; an exhaust air duct having an exhaust opening for discharging air in the circulation air duct to the outside; an exhaust damper for opening and closing the exhaust air passage; a sensor unit that measures the relative humidity outside the housing; a control unit for controlling the operation of the exhaust damper; Equipped with The control unit controls the exhaust damper to an open state when the output value of the sensor unit is equal to or less than a first threshold value during the drying operation. washing machine.

2. The control unit controls the exhaust damper, which is in an open state, to a closed state when the output value of the sensor unit exceeds the first threshold value during the drying operation. The washing machine according to claim 1.

3. When the drying operation is completed, the control unit controls the exhaust damper to a closed state if the exhaust damper is in an open state. The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The air in the rotating tub circulates through the exhaust port, the heat pump unit, the blower, and the air outlet in this order. The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2.

5. the exhaust opening is provided on the rear side of the housing in the front-rear direction, The sensor unit is provided on the front side of the housing in the front-rear direction. The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2.

6. an intake opening communicating with the heat pump unit for allowing outside air to flow into the circulation air passage; The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2.

7. an intake air passage communicating with the heat pump unit and having the intake opening; an intake damper for opening and closing the intake air passage; Equipped with The control unit controls the exhaust damper to open and the intake damper to open. The washing machine according to claim 6.

8. The first threshold value is calculated by the following formula: The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2. Y=-0.0206X ２ +1.5651X+72.372 where X is the temperature and Y is the first threshold value.

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