Combined washer / dryer washing machine with dehumidifying function and dehumidifying method

Abstract

This application discloses a combined washer-dryer washing machine with a dehumidifying function and a dehumidifying method. The combined washer-dryer washing machine includes a washing drum (1) with an openable drum door at one end, a dehumidifying device (2) including a dehumidifying passage (21) and a dehumidifying assembly (22), the dehumidifying passage (21) having a first vent (211) and a second vent (212), the first vent (211) communicating with the washing drum (1), the dehumidifying assembly (22) at least partially located within the dehumidifying passage (21) for adsorbing moisture within the dehumidifying passage (21), a circulation fan (23) provided within the dehumidifying passage (21) for driving gas flow within the dehumidifying passage (21), and a passage switching device (3) for switching the second vent (212) between communicating with the washing drum (1) and with the external environment. When the drum door is closed and the second vent is connected to the washing drum, the dehumidifier can complete the dehumidification of the laundry, and when the drum door is open and the second vent is connected to the external environment, the dehumidifier can complete the dehumidification of the external environment. This combination washer-dryer washing machine has the advantages of being comprehensive in function and occupying a small space.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] (Related Applications) This application claims priority from a Chinese patent application filed with the China Patent Office on August 31, 2022, with application number CN202222307078.0 and title "Integrated washing machine with dehumidifying function," the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] (Technical field) The present application relates to the field of household electrical appliances, and in particular to a combined washer-dryer washing machine with a dehumidifying function and a dehumidifying method. [Background technology]

[0003] As people's living standards improve and lifestyles change, basic consumer goods are no longer enough. In the washer-dryer industry, washer-dryer machines with dehumidifying functions are gaining increasing popularity among consumers because they can dehumidify laundry after washing.

[0004] The inventors have realized that existing combined washer-dryer washing machines with dehumidifying functions usually only dehumidify laundry, and are not a substitute for a dehumidifier that dehumidifies the external environment of the combined washer-dryer washing machine. Therefore, there is a need for a combined washer-dryer washing machine that has both laundry dehumidifying and external environment dehumidifying functions, thereby achieving high integration, saving living space, and reducing resource waste. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] (1) Purpose of this application SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a combination washer / dryer washing machine with a dehumidifying function to solve the problem of low integration of existing combination washer / dryer washing machines. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] (2) Technical solutions In order to solve the above problems, a first aspect of the present application provides a washing and drying combination washing machine having a dehumidifying function, a washing drum having an openable and closable drum door at one end; a dehumidifying device including a dehumidifying passageway and a dehumidifying assembly, the dehumidifying passageway having a first vent and a second ventway, the first ventway communicating with the laundry drum, the dehumidifying assembly being at least partially disposed within the dehumidifying passageway, and the dehumidifying passageway being provided with a circulation fan for driving gas flow within the dehumidifying passageway; and a passage switching device that switches between connecting the second vent port to the washing drum and connecting the second vent port to the external environment.

[0007] In some embodiments, the second vent has a first opening communicating with the washing drum and a second opening communicating with an external environment; The passage switching device is provided with a baffle plate that is rotatably connected to the second vent port and is used to block the first opening or the second opening.

[0008] In some embodiments, the plane in which the first opening is located forms a predetermined included angle with the plane in which the second opening is located, the predetermined included angle being between 30° and 90°.

[0009] In some embodiments, the passageway switching device further includes a baffle plate motor, an output shaft of the baffle plate motor connected to the baffle plate to drive rotation of the baffle plate.

[0010] In some embodiments, the dehumidifying assembly includes a dehumidifying turntable and a turntable housing; the dehumidifying turntable is rotatably mounted within the turntable housing; The internal cavity of the turntable housing includes a dehumidifying internal cavity and a dehumidifying internal cavity, the dehumidifying internal cavity forms part of the dehumidifying passage, the part of the dehumidifying turntable that rotates into the dehumidifying internal cavity is used to adsorb moisture in the dehumidifying passage, and the part of the dehumidifying turntable that rotates into the dehumidifying internal cavity is used to discharge moisture.

[0011] In some embodiments, the regeneration path may further include a regenerator and / or a condenser and / or a regeneration fan. the dehumidifying internal cavity constitutes a part of the regeneration passage; the regenerator is disposed within the dehumidifying inner cavity and is used to desorb moisture from the dehumidifying turntable; the regeneration fan is used to drive gas flow within the regeneration passage; The condenser is used to liquefy the water vapor in the regeneration passage and discharge it from the drain port.

[0012] In some embodiments, the regenerator is a heating assembly; The heating assembly is connected to a turntable housing, and the heating assembly is spaced parallel to the dehumidifying turntable.

[0013] In some embodiments, a third temperature sensor is provided near the second vent, and the third temperature sensor obtains the third temperature of the airflow near the second vent to control operation of the heating assembly based on the third temperature.

[0014] In some embodiments, a second temperature sensor is provided in the conduit between the heating assembly and the condenser, and the second temperature sensor is used to obtain the second temperature of the air flow in the conduit between the heating assembly and the condenser to determine whether or not the condenser has failed based on the second temperature.

[0015] In some embodiments, the housing further comprises: The washing drum is located within the housing, and the drum door is provided on a side wall of the housing. The dehumidifying passage is located between the housing and the washing drum, and a second opening is provided in the wall of the housing.

[0016] (3) Beneficial Effects This application provides a combined washer-dryer washing machine with a dehumidifying function, in which when the drum door is closed and the second vent port is connected to the washing drum by the path switching device, the humid air inside the washing drum flows into the dehumidifying passage by the driving of the circulation fan, moisture is removed by the dehumidifying assembly, and the dehumidified air flows into the washing drum by the driving of the circulation fan, repeatedly reducing the moisture inside the washing drum and achieving the purpose of dehumidifying the laundry inside the washing drum. When the drum door is opened and the path switching device is connected to the external environment by the path switching device, the humid air from the external environment flows into the dehumidifying passage by the driving of the circulation fan, moisture is removed by the dehumidifying assembly, and the dehumidified air flows into the external environment by the driving of the circulation fan, repeatedly reducing the moisture in the external environment of the combined washer-dryer washing machine and achieving the purpose of dehumidifying the external environment, which is particularly suitable for areas with frequent humid weather. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a washing and drying combination washing machine with a dehumidifying function provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 2] 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a path switching device provided by an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 3] 1 is a top view of a combined washing and drying washing machine with a dehumidifying function provided according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 4] 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a washing and drying combination washing machine with a dehumidifying function provided in another embodiment of the present application; [Figure 5] 2 is a flow chart of a dehumidifying method for a washing and drying combination washing machine having a dehumidifying function according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 6]3 is a flowchart illustrating a dehumidifying method for a combined washer / dryer washing machine having a dehumidifying function according to another embodiment of the present application; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] In the following description, many specific details are provided to provide a deeper understanding of the present application. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present application can be practiced without one or more of these details. In other examples, some technical features well known in the art are not described to avoid confusion with the present application.

[0019] It should be noted that the terminology used herein is used only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and is not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments of the present application. As used herein, the singular form "a," "an," or "an" is intended to include the plural form unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In addition, it should be understood that the use of the terms "comprises" and / or "comprises" herein indicates the presence of features, wholes, steps, operations, devices, and / or assemblies, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more features, wholes, steps, operations, devices, and / or assemblies.

[0020] Next, exemplary embodiments of the present application will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, these exemplary embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. It should be understood that these embodiments are used so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concept of these exemplary embodiments to those skilled in the art.

[0021] 1 shows a combined washer-dryer washing machine with a dehumidifying function provided according to one embodiment of the present application, and includes a washing drum 1, a dehumidifier 2, and a passage switching device 3. An openable drum door 11 is provided at one end of the washing drum 1, the dehumidifier 2 includes a dehumidifying passage 21 and a dehumidifying assembly 22, the dehumidifying passage 21 includes a first vent 211 and a second vent 212, the first vent 211 is in communication with the washing drum 1, the dehumidifying assembly 22 is at least partially disposed within the dehumidifying passage 21, the dehumidifying assembly 22 is used to remove moisture within the dehumidifying passage 21, a circulation fan 23 is provided within the dehumidifying passage 21 to drive gas flow within the dehumidifying passage 21, and the passage switching device 3 is used to switch between connecting the second vent 212 to the washing drum 1 or to the external environment.

[0022] The combined washer-dryer washing machine with dehumidifying function provided in this embodiment has two operating modes: laundry dehumidification and external environment dehumidification. When the combined washer-dryer washing machine with dehumidifying function is in the laundry dehumidifying operating mode, drum door 11 is closed and passage switching device 3 connects second vent port 212 to washing drum 1, and moist air in washing drum 1 is forced into dehumidifying passage 21 by driving circulation fan 23, where moisture is removed by dehumidifying assembly 22. The dehumidified air is then forced into washing drum 1 by driving circulation fan 23, repeatedly reducing the moisture in washing drum 1 and achieving the purpose of drying laundry in washing drum 1. When the combined washer-dryer with dehumidifying function is in an external environment dehumidifying operating state, drum door 11 is opened and passage switching device 3 connects second vent port 212 to the external environment, causing humid air from the external environment to flow into washing drum 1 through opened drum door 11 by driving circulation fan 23, then into dehumidifying passage 21 where moisture is removed by dehumidifying assembly 22, and the dried air from the moisture-removed environment is then driven by circulation fan 23 to flow into the external environment, repeatedly reducing moisture in the external environment of the combined washer-dryer and achieving the purpose of dehumidifying the external environment. In the related art, when the washing machine is not in a washing state, air does not circulate within the washing drum, which makes it easy for bacteria to grow. Therefore, the combined washer-dryer with dehumidifying function provided in the embodiment of the present application integrates the combined washer-dryer with an external environment dehumidifier, utilizing the idle time of the combined washer-dryer to ensure air circulation within the washing drum and prevent bacterial growth. It has the advantages of high integration, complete functionality, and small space, and is particularly suitable for areas with frequent humid weather.

[0023] In some embodiments, the combined washer-dryer dehumidifying washing machine further comprises a housing 5, a water inlet pipe, a drain pipe, a drive unit, and a controller. The shape of the housing 5 can be tailored to suit the actual situation. The housing 5 may be rectangular, the drive unit may be electric or pneumatic, or may be a motor. The shape of the washing drum 1 can be tailored to suit the actual situation. The washing drum 1 may be cylindrical, with a laundry storage space within it. The washing drum 1 is rotatably mounted within the housing 5 and rotates under the drive unit to wash the clothes. One end of the water inlet pipe communicates with the washing drum 1 and the other end extends outside the housing 5 and is connected to, for example, a tap water pipe to inject water into the washing drum 1. One end of the drain pipe communicates with the washing drum 1 and the other end extends outside the housing 5 to drain water from the washing drum 1. Of course, the water inlet pipe may also include a detergent dispenser, etc., for injecting water to flush detergent, fabric softener, etc. into the washing drum 1. In another embodiment, a detergent drop port communicating with the washing drum 1 may be provided in the housing 5 for adding detergent to the washing drum 1. A drum door 11 is provided at one end of the washing drum 1, and the drum door 11 is provided on a side wall of the housing 5 and is connected to the housing 5 by a hinge. The opening and closing of the drum door 11 may be operated manually by a user or with the aid of an electronic control. The drum door 11 is used to drop laundry into the washing drum 1.Spatially, the dehumidifying passage 21 is located between the housing 5 and the washing drum 1, and the dehumidifying passage 21 is fixedly connected to the housing 5, or fixedly connected to the washing drum 1, or partial assemblies of the dehumidifying passage 21 (e.g., the circulation fan 23, the duct between the first vent 211 and the dehumidifier 2, the duct between the second vent 212 and the dehumidifier 2, or one or more of the dehumidifier 2) are fixedly connected to the housing 5, and some other assemblies of the dehumidifying passage 21 (e.g., the circulating fan 23, the duct between the first vent 211 and the dehumidifier 2, the duct between the second vent 212 and the dehumidifier 2, or one or more of the dehumidifier 2) are fixedly connected to the washing drum 1, or the above partial assemblies are fixedly connected to the housing 5 at the same time, and other partial assemblies are individually connected to the housing 5 or the washing drum 1.

[0024] A washing drum air inlet communicating with first vent port 211 is provided at one end of washing drum 1, and a washing drum air outlet communicating with second vent port 212 is provided at the other end. First vent port 211 is provided at the end of washing drum 1 away from drum door 11. Of course, first vent port 211 and second vent port 212 may be provided at the same end of washing drum 1. Pathway switching device 3 may be fixed to the side wall of housing 5 or may be independently provided in the duct between the washing drum air inlet and dehumidifier 2. A display screen may be provided on the top or side of housing 5, and is used to display the operating status of the combined washer-dryer washing machine. An input module may be provided on the top or side of housing 5, and is used to input control commands for the combined washer-dryer washing machine. In actual use, a user can input one or more control commands according to actual needs. The control commands may include a wash command, a spin-dry command, a laundry dehumidification command / drying command, and an external environment dehumidification command / dehumidification command. The input module may include a key. The key may be a mechanical button or a touchpad. A controller is provided between the housing 5 and the washing drum 1, and is electrically connected to the input module, the drive device, the water inlet pipe, the outlet pipe, the circulation fan 23, and the path switching device 3. The controller receives control commands via the input module and controls the operation of the drive device, the water inlet pipe, the outlet pipe, the circulation fan 23, and / or the path switching device 3 according to the control commands. Here, the controller may be implemented by various application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), microcontrollers, microprocessors, or other electronic devices.

[0025] When washing laundry, the user first places the laundry into washing drum 1 through drum door 11, closes drum door 11, and uses the keys to input a wash command, spin-dry command, and / or laundry dehumidification command. The controller first controls the motor to inject water into washing drum 1 through the water inlet pipe in accordance with the wash command, controls the motor to rotate washing drum 1 around its axis to wash the laundry, and after washing is complete, controls the motor to drain the water from washing drum 1 through the drain pipe. The controller controls the motor to continue rotating washing drum 1 in accordance with the spin-dry command, and centrifugal force shakes out most of the water remaining in the laundry, which is then discharged through the drain pipe. Finally, the controller controls the passage switching device 3 in accordance with the laundry dehumidification command to connect the second air vent 212 to the washing drum 1, and operates the circulation fan 23. The moist air in the washing drum 1 is caused to flow from the second air vent 212 into the dehumidification passage 21 by driving the circulation fan 23, whereupon the dehumidifying assembly 22 absorbs and removes moisture. The dehumidified air is then caused to flow from the first air vent 211 into the washing drum 1 by driving the circulation fan 23, and this process is repeated until the moisture in the washing drum 1 is reduced and the dehumidification of the laundry is completed.

[0026] The washing drum 1 according to the present disclosure illustratively comprises an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder, the inner cylinder wall of which is provided with water and air permeable holes and regular or irregular ribs, and the outer cylinder is a relatively closed drum body for enclosing the contents. The inner and outer cylinders share the same rotation axis. During actual use, the wash water inlet communicates with the water inlet on the outer cylinder, and water entering the outer cylinder enters the inner cylinder through the water and air permeable holes in the inner cylinder. The ribs are used to beat the laundry in the inner cylinder as the washing drum rotates, improving the washing effect, and also to throw the laundry up as the washing drum rotates, increasing the contact area with the wash water or air.

[0027] In another embodiment, when dehumidifying the external environment, the user first opens the drum door 11 and inputs a dehumidification command using a key. The controller then controls the passage switching device 3 according to the dehumidification command, connects the second vent 212 to the external environment, and activates the circulation fan 23. The humid air from the external environment is drawn into the washing drum 1 by the circulation fan 23 and flows into the dehumidification passage 21, where it is dehumidified by the dehumidifying assembly 22. The dehumidified dry air is then driven by the circulation fan 23 and flows into the external environment, thereby repeatedly reducing the moisture in the external environment and completing the dehumidification of the external environment. Generally, for example, when the laundry is dehumidifying, if the drum door 11 is not closed or is incompletely closed, the appliance will prompt the user that it cannot operate normally. When the external environment is dehumidifying, the drum door 11 needs to be opened. The controller then closes the function of reminding or prompting the user to open the drum door 11 according to the state selected by the user.

[0028] 2 is a structural schematic diagram of a passage switching device 3 provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 2, the passage switching device 3 includes a baffle plate rotating shaft 31, a baffle plate 32, and a baffle plate 32 motor.

[0029] The second vent has a first opening communicating with the washing drum and a second opening communicating with the external environment, and the passage switching device is provided with a baffle plate rotatably connected to the second vent, which is used to block the first opening 2121 or the second opening 2122.

[0030] Baffle plate rotation axis 31 is connected to the inner wall of second vent hole 212, and first opening 2121 and second opening 2122 are located on either side of baffle plate rotation axis 31. First opening 2121 and second opening 2122 may have the same shape or may be rectangular or circular. The plane on which first opening 2121 is located forms a predetermined angle with the plane on which second opening 2122 is located, the predetermined angle being between 30° and 90°, and may be 45°. First opening 2121 communicates with washing drum 1, and second opening 2122 communicates with the outside environment. The baffle plate 32 is fixedly connected to the baffle plate rotation shaft 31, and the output shaft of the baffle plate 32 motor is connected to the baffle plate rotation shaft 31 to rotate the baffle plate rotation shaft 31, which rotates to drive the baffle plate 32 to block the first opening 2121 or the second opening 2122. The switching device 3 provided in this embodiment occupies a small space, which contributes to reducing the overall volume of the combined washer-dryer washing machine.

[0031] In some embodiments, an airtight seal can be achieved when the baffle plate 32 blocks the first opening 2121 or the second opening 2122. This can be achieved by providing the baffle plate 32 with a sealing strip, such as sealing foam, sealing soft rubber, etc.

[0032] In some other embodiments, the section of the dehumidifying passage between the dehumidifier 2 and the air inlet of the washing drum 1 may be switched to other communication states according to user needs. For example, a pipe A is provided before the air inlet of the washing drum 1, and a pipe B is provided in communication with the external environment. The pipes A and B are simultaneously connected to the dehumidifying passage. The pipes A and B are provided with valves A and B, respectively, which can be controlled to open and close. When the user selects laundry dehumidification, valve A is opened and valve B is closed. When the user selects external environment dehumidification, valve A is closed and valve B is opened.

[0033] Of course, the above embodiment is not intended to limit the specific form, but is merely an illustrative description, and its purpose is to allow the dehumidifying passage to be switched between the washing drum 1 and the external environment when the user selects different operation modes.

[0034] In some embodiments, the circulation fan 23 is provided at one end of the dehumidifying passage 21 near the first vent 211, and the dehumidifying assembly 22 is provided at one end of the dehumidifying passage 21 near the second vent 212. The dehumidifying assembly 22 includes a dehumidifying turntable, a heating assembly 223, a turntable motor 222, and a turntable housing 221. The turntable housing 221 may have a circular cross section, and the internal cavity of the turntable housing 221 includes a dehumidifying internal cavity and a dehumidifying internal cavity, which are fan-shaped internal cavities provided along the circumferential direction of the turntable housing 221. The volume of the dehumidifying internal cavity is larger than that of the dehumidifying internal cavity, and the volume of the dehumidifying internal cavity may be three to six times the volume of the dehumidifying internal cavity, or may be five times the volume of the dehumidifying internal cavity. The dehumidifying internal cavity forms part of the dehumidifying passage 21, and the turntable housing 221 is an external framework that houses the dehumidifying turntable.

[0035] The dehumidifying turntable is rotatably mounted within the turntable housing 221. The portion of the dehumidifying turntable that rotates in the dehumidifying internal cavity is used to adsorb moisture passing through the dehumidifying turntable in the dehumidifying passage 21, and the portion of the dehumidifying turntable that rotates in the dehumidifying internal cavity is used to expel moisture. The heating assembly 223 is fixedly connected to another part of the turntable housing 221. The heating assembly 223 is disposed substantially parallel to and spaced apart from the dehumidifying turntable 221. The dehumidifying turntable is a disc-shaped member, and the heating assembly 223 is a regular or irregular sector-shaped member. The area of ​​the dehumidifying turntable covered by the heating assembly 223 is located in the dehumidifying internal cavity. The dehumidifying turntable has a porous structure covered with a dehumidifying material, which may be a material with good dehumidifying and desorption properties, such as cotton cloth, fiber, lithium chloride, silica gel, modified silica gel, or molecular sieve. When a humid gas flow passes through the dehumidifying turntable, moisture is adsorbed, reducing the humidity of the gas. The heating assembly 223 may be a device with a heating function, such as an electric heating wire or a PTC heater. Here, the PTC heater is composed of a ceramic heating device and an aluminum tube. The PTC heater has the advantages of low thermal resistance and high heat exchange efficiency, making it an automatically constant temperature, energy-saving electric heater. The output shaft of the turntable motor 222 is electrically connected to the dehumidifying turntable rotation shaft, or is electrically connected to the periphery of the dehumidifying turntable via a rack and pinion or belt, thereby driving the dehumidifying rotation shaft to rotate. In some embodiments, a controller is electrically connected to the turntable motor 222 and the heating assembly 223.

[0036] The combined washer-dryer washing machine with dehumidifying function provided in this embodiment dehydrates the dehumidifying turntable 221 using the heating assembly 223, while the residual heat on the turntable is transferred into the washing drum 1, raising the temperature of the air inside the washing drum 1, accelerating the evaporation of water from the laundry, and improving the efficiency of drying the laundry.

[0037] In use, the controller controls the heating of the heating assembly 223 in accordance with a laundry dehumidification command or an external environment dehumidification command, and controls the turntable motor 222 to drive the dehumidifying turntable to rotate. The part of the dehumidifying turntable that rotates in the dehumidifying internal cavity adsorbs moisture, and the part of the dehumidifying turntable 221 that rotates in the dehumidifying internal cavity desorbs the adsorbed moisture under the action of the heating assembly 223, thereby completing the laundry dehumidification or the external environment dehumidification.

[0038] In some embodiments, the combined washer-dryer washing machine with dehumidifying function further includes a regeneration passage. The regeneration passage is used to discharge moisture absorbed by the dehumidifying assembly. The regeneration passage includes a condenser 42, a regeneration fan 43, a heating assembly 223, etc. The regeneration passage may be a closed-loop or non-closed-loop. In the closed-loop case, the heating assembly 223 heats and dehydrates the rotating roller portion with a high moisture content in the regeneration area to form water vapor. The water vapor enters the condenser 42 by driving the regeneration fan 43, condenses into liquid water, and is discharged from the condenser through a drain port at the bottom of the condenser. The condensed, relatively dry air is then blown onto the heating assembly 223 by driving the regeneration fan 43, and this process is repeated. In the non-closed-loop case, the regeneration fan 43 draws in air from the external environment and blows it onto the heating assembly 223. After passing through the regeneration area, the wet air flows directly into the external environment, or the relatively dry air flows after condensation and liquefaction by the condenser directly into the external environment. The drain ports above are connected to the drain pipe of the washing drum 1. In some embodiments, the controller is electrically connected to the regenerative fan 43 and the condenser 42 .

[0039] In some embodiments, the dehumidifying passage includes a first pipe line, a second pipe line, and a third pipe line connected in series, with a first vent 211 provided in the first pipe line, a second vent 212 provided in the third pipe line, a dehumidifying assembly 22 provided in the second pipe line, and a circulation fan 23 provided in the first pipe line. The radial cross-sectional area of ​​the first pipe line is a first predetermined value, the radial cross-sectional area of ​​the second pipe line is a second predetermined value, and the radial cross-sectional area of ​​the third pipe line is a third predetermined value. The first predetermined value may be equal to the third predetermined value, or the first and third predetermined values ​​may all be smaller than the second predetermined value. In the dehumidifying passage provided by this embodiment, the radial cross-sectional area of ​​the second pipe line for accommodating the dehumidifying assembly 22 is larger than the radial cross-sectional areas of the first pipe line and the third pipe line, ensuring that the dehumidifying assembly can sufficiently absorb moisture flowing through the dehumidifying passage airflow. Of course, in order to achieve a smooth air flow path, it should be understood that the area of ​​each of the above-mentioned communicating pipes is not constant, and for example, the area of ​​each cross section on the first pipe may be variable, and similarly, the areas of the second and third pipes may also be changed sequentially.

[0040] The dehumidifying internal cavity, the regeneration fan, and the condenser are sequentially connected to form a regeneration passage. In this embodiment, the air outlet of the regeneration fan is connected to the dehumidifying internal cavity via the fourth pipe, the air inlet of the regeneration fan is connected to the air outlet of the condenser via the fifth pipe, and the air inlet of the condenser is connected to the dehumidifying internal cavity via the sixth pipe.

[0041] In some embodiments, a first temperature sensor used to detect the air outlet temperature of the washing drum 1 is provided near the first air vent 211, a second temperature sensor used to detect the temperature of the wet airflow before entering the condenser 42 is provided in the communicating pipe between the regeneration zone and the condenser 42, and a third temperature sensor used to detect the temperature of the airflow entering the washing drum 1 or the external environment is provided near the second air vent 212. The first temperature sensor, the second temperature sensor and the third temperature sensor are each electrically connected to the controller.

[0042] To dehumidify laundry, the user inputs a laundry dehumidification command. The controller controls the motor in accordance with the command to rotate washing drum 1 to wash the laundry, then uses centrifugal force to shake off any remaining moisture from the laundry and discharge it through the drain pipe. It also controls path switching device 3 to connect second vent 212 to washing drum 1 and controls circulation fan 23 to rotate at a first rotation speed, which may be, for example, 1,000 to 5,000 turns per second. Moist air in washing drum 1 flows into dehumidification path 21 through second vent 212 as circulation fan 23 is driven. The controller also controls turntable motor 222 to rotate dehumidifying turntable 221. Heating assembly 223 is controlled to operate at a first predetermined power, which may be, for example, 500 to 2,000 W. The part of the dehumidifying turntable 221 that rotates in the dehumidifying internal cavity adsorbs moisture, and the part of the dehumidifying turntable 221 that rotates in the dehumidifying internal cavity desorbs the adsorbed moisture under the action of the heating assembly 223. The controller controls the operation of the regeneration fan 43 and the condenser 42, and the moist air desorbed in the dehumidifying internal cavity of the dehumidifying assembly 22 flows into the condenser 42 by driving the regeneration fan 43, and some of the moisture in the air is condensed into liquid, and the condensed liquid water is discharged from the drain outlet, and the air after moisture removal is heated again by driving the regeneration fan 43. 3 , the air flows in the regeneration passage 41 after moisture removal in the dehumidification passage 21 and flows into the washing drum 1 through the second vent 212 by driving the circulation fan 23. The controller may obtain the temperature of the second vent 212 through a third temperature sensor, and when the temperature of the second vent 212 is equal to or higher than a first predetermined temperature, the controller completes the laundry dehumidification and controls to stop the operation of the motor, the circulation fan 23, the turntable motor 222, the heating assembly 223, the regeneration fan 43, and the condenser 42. The third temperature sensor may perform detection in real time or with a delay. For example, the dehumidification may be determined to be complete when the average of the detected temperature values ​​within a first period is equal to or higher than the first predetermined value. Alternatively, the third temperature sensor may perform detection every second period, and when the average of multiple detected values ​​within the third period is equal to or higher than the first predetermined value, the dehumidification may be determined to be complete.

[0043] During external environment dehumidification, the user inputs an external environment dehumidification command and opens the drum door 11. The controller controls the motor to stop operating in accordance with the external environment dehumidification command, although it can continue to rotate. The controller also controls the passage switching device 3 to connect the second vent 212 to the external environment and controls the circulation fan 23 to rotate at a second rotation speed, which may be, for example, 1,000 to 5,000 turns per second. Moist air from the external environment is driven by the circulation fan 23 to enter the washing drum 1 and flow into the dehumidification passage 21, and the airflow in the dehumidification passage 21 flows in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 4. The controller also controls the turntable motor 222 to rotate the dehumidifying turntable. The portion of the dehumidifying turntable 221 that rotates in the dehumidifying internal cavity adsorbs moisture, and controls the heating assembly 223 to operate at a second predetermined power, which may be, for example, 500 to 2,000 W. The rotating part of the dehumidifying turntable in the dehumidifying internal cavity desorbs the adsorbed moisture under the action of the heating assembly 223. The controller controls the operation of the regeneration fan 43 and the condenser 42. The moisture desorbed in the dehumidifying internal cavity of the dehumidifying assembly 22 and the air enter the condenser 42 by driving the regeneration fan 43. Some of the moisture in the moist air condenses into liquid and the condensed moisture is discharged through the drain port. The air after moisture removal enters the heating assembly again by driving the regeneration fan 43. The airflow in the regeneration passage 41 flows along the arrow in FIG. 3. The air after moisture removal in the dehumidifying passage 21 flows into the external environment by driving the circulation fan 23. The controller obtains the temperature between the heating assembly and the condenser using a second temperature sensor and the temperature of the second air vent 212 using a third temperature sensor. If the temperature of the second air vent 212 is equal to or higher than a second predetermined temperature, external environment dehumidification is completed, and the controller controls the operation of the circulation fan 23, the turntable motor 222, the heating assembly 223, the regeneration fan 43, and the condenser 42 to stop.

[0044] In one embodiment, the first predetermined temperature and the second predetermined temperature may be the same or different. Of course, in the external environment dehumidification state, the user may manually control to end the state.

[0045] Illustratively, the first predetermined rotation speed may be lower than the second predetermined rotation speed, the first predetermined power may be higher than the second predetermined power, and the first predetermined temperature may be lower than the second predetermined temperature.

[0046] In some embodiments, the washing machine further includes an auxiliary passage switching device, which is used to switch whether the first vent port 211 is connected to the washing drum 1 or to the external environment. The first vent port 211 is provided with a third opening that communicates with the washing drum 1 and a fourth opening that communicates with the external environment. The auxiliary passage switching device includes a baffle plate that is rotatably connected to the first vent port 211 and is used to block the third opening or the fourth opening.

[0047] When dehumidifying the external environment, the user inputs a command to dehumidify the external environment, and the controller controls the auxiliary passage switching device in accordance with the command to connect the first air vent 211 to the external environment and controls the circulation fan 23 to rotate at a first rotation speed, where the rotation direction of the circulation fan 23 may be the same as or opposite to the rotation direction of the drying clothes, so that the air in the external environment flows into the dehumidifying passage 21 from the second air vent 212 or the first air vent 211 by the driving of the circulation fan 23, and the dehumidifying assembly dehumidifies the flowing air under the control of the controller, and the dehumidified air flows into the external environment from the first air vent 211 or the second air vent 212 by the driving of the circulation fan 23.

[0048] 5 is a flowchart of a dehumidifying method for a washing machine with a dryer and washer-dryer combination with a dehumidifying function according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 5, based on the concept of the present application, an embodiment of the present application provides a dehumidifying method for a washing machine with a dryer and washer-dryer combination with a dehumidifying function, which includes the following steps: S101: Control to close the drum door / Close the drum door, S102: Controlling the switching device to communicate the second vent with the washing drum; S103: Controlling the circulation fan to start so as to form a first circulation airflow in the washing drum and the dehumidification passage; S104: Controlling the dehumidifying assembly to absorb moisture from the first circulating airflow.

[0049] 6 is a flowchart of a dehumidifying method for a washing machine with a dryer and washer-dryer combination with a dehumidifying function according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 6, based on the concept of the present application, an embodiment of the present application provides a dehumidifying method for a washing machine with a dryer and washer-dryer combination with a dehumidifying function, which includes the following steps: S201: Control the drum door to open / open the drum door, S202: Controlling the switching device to connect the second vent to the external environment; S203: Controlling the circulation fan to start so as to form a second circulation airflow between the dehumidification passage and the outside environment; S204: Controlling the dehumidifying assembly to absorb moisture from the second circulating airflow.

[0050] In another embodiment, the combined washer-dryer washing machine with dehumidifying function may be a condensation type or heat pump type combined washer-dryer washing machine, in which dry air flows into the duct of the washing drum 1 and a switching device is provided, which can selectively introduce dry air into the washing drum 1 or the external environment according to a user's setting.

[0051] It should be noted that the above-mentioned specific embodiments of the present application are merely illustrative descriptions or interpretations of the principles of the present application, and do not limit the present application. Therefore, any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. obtained without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application are all intended to be included in the scope of protection of the present application. Furthermore, the appended claims of the present application are intended to cover all variations and modifications within the scope and boundaries of the appended claims, or equivalent forms of such scope and boundaries. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 1 washing drum 11 Drum door 2 Dehumidifier 21 Dehumidification passage 211 First Vent 212 Second Vent 2121 First Opening 2122 Second Opening 22 Dehumidification Assembly 221 Dehumidifying Turntable 222 Turntable motor 223 Heating Assembly 23 Circulation fan 3 Passage switching device 31 Baffle plate rotation axis 32 Baffle plate 33 Baffle plate motor 41 Regeneration passage 42 Condenser 421 Drain 422 Condensation Pipe 43 Play Fan 5. Housing

Claims

1. a washing drum having an openable and closable drum door at one end; a dehumidifying device including a dehumidifying passageway and a dehumidifying assembly, the dehumidifying passageway having a first vent and a second ventway, the first ventway communicating with the laundry drum, the dehumidifying assembly being at least partially disposed within the dehumidifying passageway, and a circulation fan being disposed within the dehumidifying passageway to drive gas flow within the dehumidifying passageway; and a passage switching device that switches between connecting the second vent port to the washing drum or to the external environment.

2. the second vent port has a first opening communicating with the washing drum and a second opening communicating with an external environment; 2. The washing machine with a dehumidifying function and a dryer according to claim 1, wherein the passage switching device is provided with a baffle plate rotatably connected to the second vent hole and used to block the first opening or the second opening.

3. 3. The washing machine with a dehumidifying function and a dryer according to claim 2, wherein a plane on which the first opening is located forms a predetermined angle with a plane on which the second opening is located, the predetermined angle being between 30° and 90°.

4. 3. The washing machine with a dehumidifying function and a dryer as claimed in claim 2, wherein the passage switching device further comprises a baffle plate motor, an output shaft of the baffle plate motor being connected to the baffle plate so as to drive the rotation of the baffle plate.

5. the dehumidifying assembly includes a dehumidifying turntable and a turntable housing; the dehumidifying turntable is rotatably mounted within the turntable housing; 2. The combined washer-dryer washing machine with dehumidifying function according to claim 1, wherein the internal cavity of the turntable housing includes a dehumidifying internal cavity and a dehumidifying internal cavity, the dehumidifying internal cavity forms a part of the dehumidifying passage, the part of the dehumidifying turntable that rotates in the dehumidifying internal cavity is used to adsorb moisture in the dehumidifying passage, and the part of the dehumidifying turntable that rotates in the dehumidifying internal cavity is used to discharge moisture.

6. further comprising a regeneration passage including a regenerator and / or a condenser and / or a regeneration fan; the dehumidifying internal cavity constitutes a part of the regeneration passage; the regenerator is disposed within the dehumidifying inner cavity and is used to desorb moisture from the dehumidifying turntable; the regeneration fan is used to drive gas flow within the regeneration passage; 6. The washing machine-drying combination washing machine with a dehumidifying function according to claim 5, wherein the condenser is used to liquefy water vapor in the regeneration passage and to discharge the liquefied water vapor from a drain outlet.

7. the regenerator is a heating assembly; 7. The washing machine with a dehumidifying function and a dryer according to claim 6, wherein the heating assembly is connected to a turntable housing, and the heating assembly is disposed parallel to and spaced apart from the dehumidifying turntable.

8. 8. The combined washer-dryer washing machine with dehumidifying function according to claim 7, wherein a third temperature sensor is provided near the second air vent, and the third temperature sensor is used to obtain a third temperature of the airflow near the second air vent in order to control operation of the heating assembly based on the third temperature.

9. 9. The combined washer-dryer washing machine with dehumidifying function according to claim 8, wherein a second temperature sensor is provided in a pipe between the heating assembly and the condenser, and the second temperature sensor is used to obtain a second temperature of the airflow in the pipe between the heating assembly and the condenser in order to determine whether or not the condenser has failed based on the second temperature.

10. Further comprising a housing; The washing drum is located within the housing, and the drum door is provided on a side wall of the housing.

3. The washing machine with a dehumidifying function and a dryer as claimed in claim 2, wherein the dehumidifying passage is located between the housing and the washing drum, and the second opening is provided in the wall of the housing.

11. 11. The combined washer-dryer washing machine with dehumidifying function according to claim 10, wherein a washing drum air inlet communicating with the first vent is provided at one end of the washing drum, a washing drum air outlet communicating with the second vent is provided at the other end of the washing drum, and the first vent is provided at one end of the washing drum away from the drum door.

12. 6. The washing machine with a dehumidifying function and a dryer according to claim 5, wherein the dehumidifying turntable has a porous structure covered with a dehumidifying material.

13. The washing and drying combination washing machine with dehumidifying function according to claim 12, wherein the dehumidifying material is at least one of cotton cloth, fiber, lithium chloride, silica gel, modified silica gel, and molecular sieve.

14. 8. The washing machine with a dehumidifying function and a dryer as claimed in claim 7, wherein the heating assembly is an electric heating wire or a PTC heater.

15. 8. The washing machine with a combination of a washing machine and a dryer and having a dehumidifying function according to claim 7, wherein when the heating assembly dehydrates the dehumidifying turntable, residual heat on the turntable is transferred into the washing drum, thereby increasing the temperature of the air in the washing drum.

16. 8. The washing machine with a dehumidifying function and an integrated dryer according to claim 7, wherein the regeneration passage is a closed loop, the heating assembly heats and dehydrates a portion of the dehumidifying turntable in the regeneration area to form water vapor, the water vapor enters the condenser by driving the regeneration fan and is condensed into liquid water, the liquid water is discharged from the condenser through a drain outlet provided at the bottom of the condenser, and the condensed dry air is blown onto the heating assembly by driving the regeneration fan.

17. 8. The washing machine with a dehumidifying function and an integrated washing / drying device according to claim 7, wherein the regeneration passage is a non-closed loop, the regeneration fan draws in air from an external environment and blows it onto the heating assembly, and the moist airflow after passing through the regeneration area directly flows into the external environment, or the airflow after being condensed and liquefied by the condenser directly flows into the external environment.

18. 2. The combined washer-dryer washing machine with dehumidifying function of claim 1, further comprising an auxiliary passage switching device, the auxiliary passage switching device being used to switch whether the first vent port is connected to the washing drum or to an external environment, the first vent port having a third opening communicating with the washing drum and a fourth opening communicating with the external environment, and the auxiliary passage switching device being provided with a baffle plate rotatably connected to the first vent port and used to block the third opening or the fourth opening.

19. a step of controlling the drum door to open; controlling the switching device to communicate the second vent with the external environment; controlling the circulation fan to start so as to form a second circulation airflow between the dehumidifying passage and the outside environment; and controlling the dehumidifying assembly to absorb moisture from the second circulating airflow.

20. controlling the drum door to close; controlling a switching device to communicate the second vent with the washing drum; controlling the circulation fan to start so as to form a first circulation airflow within the washing drum and the dehumidification passage; 2. The dehumidifying method for a combined washer-dryer washing machine with dehumidifying function according to claim 1, further comprising the step of: controlling the dehumidifying assembly to absorb moisture from the first circulating airflow.

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