Clothes treatment apparatus

Abstract

To provide a clothing treatment apparatus capable of performing highly accurate drying detection.SOLUTION: A clothes processing apparatus includes a storage tub having an air inlet and an air outlet, a circulation air path directed to an outside of the storage tub, a heating device configured to heat air flowing through the circulation air path, a blowing device configured to blow the air heated by the heating device into the storage tub, a temperature detection unit configured to detect a temperature of the air in the storage tub, a humidity detection unit configured to detect a humidity of the air in the storage tub, and a control unit configured to execute a drying process of drying clothes in the storage tub by controlling operations of the heating device and the blowing device. When the humidity detected by the humidity detector is within a predetermined range, the controller executes a first drying control for suppressing the operation of the heating device based on at least the detection result of the humidity detector in the drying step, and when the humidity detected by the humidity detector exceeds the predetermined range or may exceed the predetermined range, the controller executes a second drying control for suppressing the operation of the heating device based on the detection result of the temperature detector in the drying step.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention relates to a clothing treatment device. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses that an electrical appliance that is a washer-dryer comprises a control unit for controlling the electrical appliance, a tub for storing items to be dried, a hot air supply unit for heating and drying gas and blowing the heated and dried gas into the tub through an air inlet, a humidity detection unit for detecting the humidity of the gas discharged from the tub through an air outlet, and a temperature detection unit for detecting the temperature of the gas discharged from the tub through the air outlet, and that after the hot air supply unit starts heating and drying the gas, the control unit controls the hot air supply unit to stop heating and drying when the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit is a predetermined humidity and the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit is a predetermined temperature. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-018256 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] During the drying operation, when the drying operation starts and the clothes are heated, the moisture contained in the clothes begins to evaporate, but as the drying operation progresses, the amount of moisture contained in the clothes decreases. Also, the humidity of the gas discharged from the tub through the air outlet is high when the moisture from the clothes begins to evaporate, but is low when the drying is complete. Therefore, it is possible to use this humidity to detect the dryness of the clothes.

[0005] However, in the conventional method of detecting dryness by reaching a target humidity, it can be difficult to perform dryness detection with high accuracy due to factors such as contamination of the humidity sensor by outside air or condensation on the humidity sensor, etc. Therefore, there is room for improvement in the accuracy of dryness detection.

[0006] Therefore, a clothing processing device with improved accuracy in detecting dryness is provided. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A clothing processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a storage tub including a water tub having an air inlet and an air outlet and a rotatable tub rotatably mounted within the water tub, a circulation air duct facing the outside of the storage tub and connecting the air inlet and the air outlet, a heating device for heating air flowing through the circulation air duct, a blower for blowing the air heated by the heating device into the storage tub through the air inlet, a temperature detector for directly or indirectly detecting the temperature of the air within the storage tub, a humidity detector for directly or indirectly detecting the humidity of the air within the storage tub, and a control unit for controlling the operation of the heating device and the blower to perform a drying process to dry the clothing within the storage tub. The control unit executes a first drying control during the drying process that inhibits operation of the heating device based on at least the detection result of the humidity detector when the humidity detected by the humidity detector is within a predetermined range, and executes a second drying control during the drying process that inhibits operation of the heating device based on the detection result of the temperature detector when the humidity detected by the humidity detector exceeds or is likely to exceed the predetermined range. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a configuration of an example of a washing / drying machine according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an example of a washing / drying machine according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a washer / dryer according to a first embodiment; [Figure 4]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of control of the compressor drive frequency and the blower drive rotation speed, and changes in air temperature and humidity over time, during a washing and drying operation in the washer / dryer according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a change in humidity detected by a humidity detection unit when humidity is normal in the washer-dryer according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram (part 1) illustrating an example of a change in humidity detected by a humidity detection unit when humidity abnormality occurs in the washer-dryer according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a change in humidity detected by the humidity detector when humidity is abnormal in the washer-dryer according to the first embodiment (part 2); [Figure 8] 1 is a flowchart illustrating processing performed by a control device in a drying process in a washer / dryer according to a first embodiment. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process performed by a control device in a temperature increasing step in a washer / dryer according to a first embodiment. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart illustrating processing performed by a control device in a dehumidifying process in a washer / dryer according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] 10 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a washer / dryer according to a second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a change in humidity detected by a humidity detector when hot water is used in a washing process in a washer / dryer according to a second embodiment. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart illustrating processing performed by a control device in a dehumidifying process in a washer / dryer according to a second embodiment. [Figure 14] 10 is a flowchart illustrating another example of processing performed by the control device in the dehumidifying process of the washer / dryer according to the second embodiment. [Figure 15] 10 is a flowchart illustrating processing performed by a control device in a dehumidifying process in a washer / dryer according to a third embodiment. [Figure 16] 13 is a flowchart illustrating another example of processing performed by the control device in the dehumidifying process of the washer / dryer according to the third embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a change in the detected humidity of the humidity detection unit when an abnormal humidity occurs in the washer-dryer according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 18] 10 is a flowchart illustrating processing steps in a drying process of a washer / dryer according to a fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] A washer / dryer as an example of a laundry processing device according to a plurality of embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that substantially the same elements in the respective embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

[0010] (First embodiment) First, a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10. The washer-dryer 10 shown in FIG. 1 is a drum-type washer-dryer, either a horizontal-axis type in which the rotation axis of the rotary tub 14 is horizontal, or an inclined-axis type in which the rotation axis is tilted downward toward the rear. The washer-dryer 10 has, for example, a washing function and a drying function, and is capable of performing a washing and drying operation including each of the steps of washing, rinsing, spin-drying, and drying. The washer-dryer is not limited to a drum-type washer-dryer, but may also be a vertical-axis type washer-dryer in which the rotation axis of the rotary tub is vertical. The clothing treatment device of this embodiment can also be applied to a configuration without a washing function, such as a clothes dryer.

[0011] The washer-dryer 10 includes an outer case 11, a door 12, a water tub 13, a rotating tub 14, a motor 15, a drainage mechanism 16, a water supply mechanism 17, a drying mechanism 30, and an exhaust mechanism 40. In Fig. 1, the side of the installation surface of the washer-dryer 10, i.e., the vertically lower side, is referred to as the lower side of the washer-dryer 10, and the opposite side to the installation surface, i.e., the vertically upper side, is referred to as the upper side of the washer-dryer 10. The side of the washer-dryer 10 seen from the user, i.e., the left side of the paper in Fig. 1, is referred to as the front side of the washer-dryer 10, and the opposite side from the user, i.e., the right side of the paper in Fig. 1, is referred to as the rear side of the washer-dryer 10.

[0012] Outer box 11 is formed into a rectangular hollow box shape as a whole by combining metals such as stainless steel plates and resin materials, for example. Outer box 11 constitutes the outer shell of washer-dryer 10. Outer box 11 has a front opening 111 on the front side that connects the inside and outside of outer box 11. Door 12 is provided on the front side of outer box 11 and opens and closes front opening 111. With door 12 open, a user can put clothes in or take them out of rotatable tub 14 through front opening 111. Water tub 13 and rotatable tub 14 are both formed into a so-called bottomed cylindrical shape that is open on one axial side, i.e., the front side, and has a bottom on the other axial side, i.e., the rear side.

[0013] The water tub 13 is capable of storing water therein. The water tub 13 is provided within the outer casing 11 and is elastically supported by a suspension (not shown). As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the water tub 13 has an air outlet 131 and an air inlet 132. The air outlet 131 and the air inlet 132 connect the inside and outside of the water tub 13. The air outlet 131 is for discharging air from the water tub 13. The air outlet 131 is provided, for example, in a portion toward the front of the upper part of the water tub 13, away to the right of the center in the left-right direction of the water tub 13. The air inlet 132 is for supplying air into the water tub 13. The air inlet 132 is provided, for example, in the bottom of the water tub 13, slightly above the center in the up-down direction of the bottom.

[0014] Rotary tub 14 is rotatably disposed within water tub 13 and can accommodate clothes therein. Together with water tub 13, rotary tub 14 constitutes a storage tub that accommodates and processes clothes during the washing or drying operation. Rotary tub 14 is driven to rotate by motor 15. Rotary tub 14 has a plurality of holes 141. The plurality of holes 141 are formed over almost the entire circumferential surface of rotary tub 14 and function, for example, as water passages through which water flows in and out during the spin cycle and as ventilation holes through which air flows in and out during the drying cycle. Rotary tub 14 also has a plurality of baffles (not shown). The baffles function to agitate and stir up the clothes accommodated in rotary tub 14.

[0015] Motor 15 is provided on the outside of the bottom of water tub 13. Although not shown in detail, motor 15 is configured, for example, as a brushless direct drive motor with an adjustable rotation speed. Motor 15 is connected to rotatable tub 14 and functions to rotate rotatable tub 14 relative to water tub 13. Motor shaft 151 of motor 15, the central axis of water tub 13, and the rotation axis of rotatable tub 14 all overlap with each other.

[0016] Drain mechanism 16 has a function of draining water stored in water tub 13 to the outside of washer-dryer 10. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, drain mechanism 16 has drain valve 161 and drain hose 162. Drain valve 161 is configured to be electromagnetically openable and closable. One end of drain hose 162 is connected to drain valve 161, and the other end is drawn out to the outside of washer-dryer 10. When drain valve 161 is opened, water stored in water tub 13 is drained to the outside of washer-dryer 10 through drain hose 162. Drain valve 161 opens and closes a drain path for draining water stored in water tub 13 to the outside.

[0017] The water supply mechanism 17 has the function of supplying water supplied from an external water source, such as a water main, into the water tub 13. As shown in FIG. 2 , the water supply mechanism 17 has a water supply valve 171 and a water injection case 172. The water supply valve 171 is configured to be electromagnetically openable and closable. The water supply valve 171 has the function of opening and closing a water supply path leading from the external water source to the water tub 13 via the water supply mechanism 17. The water injection case 172 is provided downstream of the water supply valve 171. The water injection case 172 has a treatment agent case (not shown). The treatment agent case is configured to be able to store, for example, the laundry treatment agent required for one wash cycle. In other words, the water injection case 172 is configured to be able to store the laundry treatment agent therein. When the laundry treatment agent is stored in the treatment agent case, the water supplied from the external water source that flows into the water injection case 172 and the laundry treatment agent are mixed in the water injection case 172 and then supplied into the water tub 13 and the spin tub 14. The washer / dryer 10 may be provided with an automatic dispenser that automatically dispenses a predetermined amount of laundry treatment agent into the water tub 13.

[0018] Drying mechanism 30 has the function of supplying warm air into water tub 13. Drying mechanism 30 has a circulation air duct 50 and a heating device 60. Circulation air duct 50 is located outside water tub 13, with one end connected to air outlet 131 and the other end connected to air inlet 132. Circulation air duct 50 connects air outlet 131 and air inlet 132. Circulation air duct 50 is used to circulate and supply air into water tub 13. Circulation air duct 50 takes in air from water tub 13 through air outlet 131, generates warm air via heating device 60, and then supplies the warm air into water tub 13 through air inlet 132. In this case, with respect to the air flowing through circulation air duct 50, air outlet 131 is on the upstream side and air inlet 132 is on the downstream side.

[0019] The circulating air passage 50 can be configured to include, for example, an exhaust duct 51, a filter device 52, a connection duct 53, a heat exchanger 54, and an air supply duct 55. The exhaust duct 51 is configured, for example, by a flexible bellows-shaped hose. One end of the exhaust duct 51 is connected to the air outlet 131, and the other end is connected to the filter device 52. The exhaust duct 51 is a part that exhausts air from, for example, the aquarium 13.

[0020] The filter device 52 is provided downstream of the air outlet 131, in this case on the circulation air duct 50, and captures foreign matter such as lint and dust contained in the air that flows out of the air outlet 131 and through the circulation air duct 50. The filter device 52 can be configured to include a filter device main body 521 and a filter 522. The filter device main body 521 can be made of, for example, resin and configured as a container-like member with an open top. The opening provided on the top surface of the filter device main body 521 is opened and closed by a lid (not shown). The filter 522 is detachably provided inside the filter device main body 521. The filter 522 captures foreign matter contained in the air that flows through the circulation air duct 50.

[0021] Connection duct 53 is a duct that connects filter device 52 and heat exchanger 54. Heat exchanger 54 is disposed, for example, on the rear side of washer-dryer 10, near the bottom inside outer casing 11. Heat exchanger 54 is provided midway along circulating air duct 50. Air that is taken into circulating air duct 50 from water tub 13 and flows through connection duct 53 is dehumidified and heated as it passes through heat exchanger 54, becoming dry, warm air. Air supply duct 55 is a duct that connects heat exchanger 54 and air inlet 132 of water tub 13. Air supply duct 55 is a part that supplies air into water tub 13, for example.

[0022] The heating device 60 constitutes, for example, a heat pump mechanism, i.e., a refrigeration cycle. The heating device 60 is provided midway through the circulation air duct 50. The heating device 60 heats the air flowing through the circulation air duct 50 to generate warm air for drying the clothes in the rotating tub 14. The temperature of the warm air can be set to, for example, approximately 60°C to approximately 70°C. As shown in FIG. 2 , the heating device 60 includes an evaporator 61, a condenser 62, a compressor 63, and a throttle valve 64. The evaporator 61 and the condenser 62 are provided within the heat exchanger 54. The evaporator 61 cools and dehumidifies the air circulating through the circulation air duct 50. The condenser 62 heats the air flowing through the circulation air duct 50 to generate warm air. The compressor 63 is provided outside the heat exchanger 54. The throttle valve 64 reduces the pressure of the high-pressure liquid refrigerant to facilitate evaporation. The heating device 60 may be configured as a well-known heater instead of the heat pump mechanism.

[0023] The drying mechanism 30 also has a blower 65. The blower 65 is formed of, for example, a sirocco fan. The blower 65 is provided midway along the circulating air passage 50 and has the function of supplying air that has been dehumidified and heated by the heating device 60 into the water tub 13 from the air inlet 132. The blower 65 is provided, for example, between the heat exchanger 54 and the air intake duct 55.

[0024] The exhaust mechanism 40 has an opening 41 and an exhaust damper 42. The opening 41 is provided midway through the circulation air passage 50 and connects the inside and outside of the circulation air passage 50. The opening 41 exhausts a portion of the air in the circulation air passage 50 to the outside. The exhaust damper 42 has an actuator, such as a motor or a solenoid, and is configured to open and close the opening 41 based on a control signal. When the exhaust damper 42 is open, the opening 41 is open, and when the exhaust damper 42 is closed, the opening 41 is closed. In other words, the exhaust damper 42 has the function of switching between an open state in which the opening 41 is open and a portion of the air in the circulation air passage 50 is exhausted through the opening 41, and a closed state in which the opening 41 is closed and a portion of the air in the circulation air passage 50 is not exhausted through the opening 41.

[0025] 1, outer casing 11 is provided with communication opening 112. Communication opening 112 is located in a portion of outer casing 11 corresponding to opening 41, and connects the inside and outside of outer casing 11. Air discharged from opening 41 to the outside of circulating air passage 50 is discharged from communication opening 112 to the outside of washer-dryer 10, as indicated by the black arrow in FIG.

[0026] The washer-dryer 10 has a temperature detection unit that directly or indirectly detects the temperature of the air in the storage tubs 13, 14, and a humidity detection unit that directly or indirectly detects the humidity of the air in the storage tubs 13, 14. In this embodiment, the washer-dryer 10 has an outlet temperature detection unit 71, an inlet temperature detection unit 72, and a humidity detection unit 73.

[0027] The outlet temperature detection unit 71 and the inlet temperature detection unit 72 function to indirectly detect the temperature of the air in the storage tubs 13, 14. Specifically, the outlet temperature detection unit 71 detects the temperature of the air discharged from the air outlet 131. The outlet temperature detection unit 71 detects the temperature of the air in the circulation air duct 50 before it is affected by the heat of the evaporator 61 and the condenser 62. In this case, the outlet temperature detection unit 71 is located downstream of the filter device 52 and upstream of the evaporator 61 in the circulation air duct 50. The inlet temperature detection unit 72 detects the temperature of the air supplied to the water tub 13 from the air inlet 132. In this embodiment, the inlet temperature detection unit 72 detects the temperature of the air in the circulation air duct 50 that has been heated by the condenser 62. In this case, the inlet temperature detection unit 72 is located downstream of the blower 65 and upstream of the air inlet 132 in the circulation air duct 50.

[0028] The humidity detection unit 73 indirectly detects the humidity of the air in the storage tubs 13 and 14. Specifically, the humidity detection unit 73 detects the humidity of the air discharged from the air outlet 131. In this embodiment, the humidity detection unit 73 detects the humidity of the air in the circulating air duct 50 before it is affected by the heat of the evaporator 61 and the condenser 62. Unless otherwise specified, humidity in this specification refers to relative humidity (%RH), which is the ratio of the amount of water vapor in the air at a given temperature to the amount of saturated water vapor at that temperature. The humidity detection unit 73 is located downstream of the filter device 52 and upstream of the evaporator 61 in the circulating air duct 50. Positioning the humidity detection unit 73 downstream of the filter device 52 prevents foreign matter from accumulating on the humidity detection unit 73. In this embodiment, the humidity detection unit 73 is located near the outlet temperature detection unit 71. The outlet temperature detection unit 71 and the humidity detection unit 73 may be integrated into one unit.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 3 , the washer-dryer 10 also includes a control unit 80 and a memory unit 81. The motor 15, the drain valve 161, the water supply valve 171, the compressor 63, the blower 65, the exhaust damper 42, and the memory unit 81 are electrically connected to the control unit 80 and operate under the control of the control unit 80. The outlet temperature detection unit 71, the inlet temperature detection unit 72, and the humidity detection unit 73 are electrically connected to the control unit 80 and transmit their respective detection results to the control unit 80. The control unit 80 is mainly composed of a microcomputer having a CPU and memory areas such as ROM, RAM, and rewritable flash memory. The control unit 80 controls the overall operation of the washer-dryer 10. The memory area of ​​the control unit 80 stores a control program for controlling the washer-dryer 10 to perform operations such as a washing operation, a drying operation, and a washing-and-drying operation. Each process of the control unit 80 is realized by the CPU executing the control program.

[0030] The control unit 80 receives detection signals from the various detection units 71, 72, and 73, and controls the operation of the motor 15, drain valve 161, water supply valve 171, compressor 63, blower 65, and exhaust damper 42 based on a control program to perform operation. The memory unit 81 is composed of well-known storage media such as a ROM, HDD, semiconductor memory, and magnetic disk, and stores various types of information. The memory unit 81 can be composed of a predetermined area set in the memory area of ​​the control unit 80, for example.

[0031] The control unit 80 can selectively execute, for example, a washing operation, a drying operation, and a washing and drying operation. An operation means that one or more different processes are executed in sequence. A washing operation is an operation whose main purpose is to wash clothes. The washing operation includes, for example, a washing process. A drying operation is an operation whose main purpose is to dry clothes. The drying operation includes, for example, a drying process. A washing and drying operation is an operation whose main purpose is to wash and dry clothes. The washing and drying operation includes, for example, a washing process and a drying process.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 4, the washing process can further include a washing process, a rinsing process, and a spin-drying process. The washing process is a process in which water is poured into water tub 13 to wash the clothes contained in spin tub 14. The rinsing process is a process in which water is poured into water tub 13 to rinse the clothes contained in spin tub 14. The spin-drying process is a process in which spin tub 14 is rotated at high speed to centrifugally spin-dry the clothes contained in spin tub 14. Note that the rinsing process and the spin-drying process may each be performed multiple times during one washing process.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 4 , the drying process further includes a heating process, a dehumidifying process, and an air-blowing process, in this order. The heating process is a process of heating the storage tubs, i.e., the water tub 13 and the rotatable tub 14, and thereby warming the clothes in the storage tubs 13 and 14. The control unit 80 operates the compressor 63 and the air-blowing device 65 during the heating process. The dehumidifying process is a process of dehumidifying the storage tubs using high-temperature air. That is, the dehumidifying process is a process of essentially drying the clothes by evaporating moisture from the clothes that were heated during the heating process. The control unit 80 operates the compressor 63 and the air-blowing device 65 during the dehumidifying process. The air-blowing process is a process of cooling the water tub 13 and the rotatable tub 14, and thereby cooling the clothes stored in the rotatable tub 14. In the air-blowing process, the control unit 80 operates the air-blowing device 65 while stopping the compressor 63 to cool the clothes stored in the rotatable tub 14.

[0034] The graph indicated by the symbol V1 in Figure 4 shows the change over time in the drive frequency of the compressor 63. In the temperature-raising process, the control unit 80 gradually increases the drive frequency of the compressor 63 to the target frequency. When the temperature of the storage tank reaches a certain level and the process transitions to the dehumidifying process, the control unit 80 drives the compressor 63 at a drive frequency lower than the target frequency in the temperature-raising process. When the dehumidifying process ends and the process transitions to the air blowing process, the control unit 80 stops driving the compressor 63.

[0035] The graph indicated by the symbol V2 in FIG. 4 shows the change over time in the drive rotation speed of the blower 65. In the temperature-raising process, the control unit 80 gradually increases the drive rotation speed of the blower 65 up to a target rotation speed. When the temperature of the storage tank reaches a certain level and the process transitions to the dehumidification process, the control unit 80 drives the blower 65 at a rotation speed approximately equal to the target rotation speed in the temperature-raising process. When the dehumidification process ends and the process transitions to the blowing process, the control unit 80 drives the blower 65 at a rotation speed approximately equal to the target rotation speed in the dehumidification process. When the blowing process ends, the control unit 80 stops driving the blower 65.

[0036] Although not shown, during the drying process, the control unit 80 controls the rotation of the motor 15 under predetermined conditions to rotate the rotating tub 14. This agitates the clothes in the storage tubs 13 and 14, promoting overall drying rather than localized drying.

[0037] At least during the drying process, the control unit 80 causes the outlet temperature detection unit 71 and / or the inlet temperature detection unit 72 to detect the temperature at predetermined intervals. The control unit 80 may cause the outlet temperature detection unit 71 and / or the inlet temperature detection unit 72 to detect the temperature at predetermined intervals throughout the entire operation, i.e., in the case of a washing and drying operation, even during the washing process. For example, the predetermined interval is one minute. The control unit 80 acquires the temperatures detected by the outlet temperature detection unit 71 and / or the inlet temperature detection unit 72 and stores them in the memory unit 81. Furthermore, the control unit 80 calculates the temperature difference ΔT(t) between the temperature detected by the inlet temperature detection unit 72 and the temperature detected by the outlet temperature detection unit 71 and stores them in the memory unit 81.

[0038] Furthermore, in the drying process, the control unit 80 causes the humidity detection unit 73 to detect the humidity H(t) at predetermined intervals. The control unit 80 may cause the humidity detection unit 73 to detect the humidity at predetermined intervals throughout the entire operation, that is, in the case of a washing and drying operation, even during the washing process. For example, the predetermined interval is one minute. The control unit 80 acquires the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit 73 and stores it in the memory unit 81.

[0039] Graph H(t) in FIG. 4 shows a typical change over time in the humidity H(t) detected by humidity detection unit 73. When the washing cycle begins, the rotation of rotatable tub 14 creates an air flow, and air containing water droplets and steam from water tub 13 may reach circulating air duct 50. In this case, humidity H(t) detected by humidity detection unit 73 increases, becoming higher than before the start of operation. The detected humidity H(t) is maintained during the rinsing and spin cycles. When the drying cycle and heating cycle begin, moisture contained in the clothes evaporates, causing the humidity of the air in water tub 13 to increase, and the detected humidity H(t) detected by humidity detection unit 73 also increases. Thereafter, as the temperatures of water tub 13 and rotatable tub 14 increase, the clothes dries, and the detected humidity H(t) decreases. That is, the detected humidity H(t) reaches a maximum humidity Hmax during the heating cycle. The control unit 80 acquires the maximum humidity Hmax detected by the humidity detection unit 73 during the temperature raising process and stores it in the storage unit 81.

[0040] The graph ΔT(t) in FIG. 4 shows the typical change over time in the temperature difference ΔT(t) between the temperature detected by inlet temperature detector 72 and the temperature detected by outlet temperature detector 71. During the heating process, which warms storage tubs 13 and 14, the supply air temperature to storage tubs 13 and 14 rises due to the operation of the heat pump. However, the exhaust air temperature does not rise immediately because the wet clothes in the storage tubs lose their heat of vaporization. Therefore, the temperature difference ΔT(t) increases during the heating process. During the heating process, the temperature difference ΔT(t) reaches a maximum temperature difference ΔTmax. During the dehumidification process, the temperature of the storage tub remains constant and the clothes gradually dry, so the exhaust air temperature approaches the supply air temperature, and the temperature difference ΔT(t) decreases.

[0041] In an operation including a drying step, the control unit 80 executes a determination process. The determination process is a process for determining whether the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit 73 is abnormal or is likely to be abnormal. If the result of the determination process indicates that the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit 73 is normal, the control unit 80 detects a dry state based at least on the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit 73. Control for detecting a dry state based at least on the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit 73 is referred to as first drying control. If the result of the determination process indicates that the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit 73 is abnormal or is likely to be abnormal, the control unit 80 detects a dry state based on the temperature detected by the temperature detection units 71 and 72. Control for detecting a dry state based on the temperature detected by the temperature detection units 71 and 72 is referred to as second drying control. In other words, if the result of the determination process indicates that the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit 73 is abnormal or is likely to be abnormal, the control unit 80 switches from control based on the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit 73 to control based on the humidity detected by the temperature detection units 71 and 72. This prevents the drying process from ending with the clothes still damp, or conversely, prevents the clothes from becoming over-dried.

[0042] An abnormality in the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit 73 includes, for example, a case where the detected humidity at the beginning of the drying process is outside the predetermined range. A normal humidity detected by the humidity detection unit 73 includes, for example, a case where the detected humidity at the beginning of the drying process is within the predetermined range. As shown in FIG. 5, the predetermined range is a range below the first threshold H1 and above the second threshold H2. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the detected humidity H(t) by the humidity detection unit 73 fluctuates within the range below the first threshold H1 and above the second threshold H2 at the beginning of the drying process, which is normal. The beginning of the drying process refers to the period from the start of the drying process until a predetermined period has elapsed. For example, the predetermined period can be set to approximately 15 minutes, approximately 20 minutes, or approximately 25 minutes. Alternatively, the beginning of the drying process can be approximately one-quarter, one-third, or one-half of the execution period of the drying process from the start of the drying process. Alternatively, the predetermined period can be the period from the start of the drying process to the end of the heating process.

[0043] For example, the first threshold H1 can be set to 90% RH or more, 95% RH or more, or 97.5% or more. In this embodiment, the first threshold H1 is set to 95% RH. The second threshold H2 is set to 55% RH or less, 50% RH or less, or 45% RH or less. In this embodiment, the second threshold H2 is set to 50% RH.

[0044] The determination process includes a process of determining whether or not the humidity H(t) detected by the humidity detection unit 73 is equal to or less than the first threshold value H1 and equal to or greater than the second threshold value H2 during a predetermined period from the start of the drying process. The control unit 80 determines that the detected humidity H(t) of the humidity detection unit 73 is normal if the detected humidity H(t) is equal to or less than a predetermined first threshold H1 and equal to or greater than a second threshold H2. The control unit 80 determines that the detected humidity H(t) of the humidity detection unit 73 is abnormal if the detected humidity H(t) is greater than the first threshold H1 or less than the second threshold H2.

[0045] 6, the maximum humidity Hmax is higher than the first threshold value H1. That is, the humidity H(t) detected by the humidity detection unit 73 is higher than the first threshold value H1 for at least a period at the beginning of the drying process. In this case, the detected humidity may be higher than the actual humidity due to, for example, foreign matter or water droplets adhering to the surface of the humidity detection unit 73. Therefore, if the progress of drying is determined based on the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit 73, there is a risk that the clothes may be over-dried, or that the detected humidity may never decrease as a result of water droplets continuing to adhere to the surface of the humidity detection unit 73, preventing the drying process from being completed.

[0046] 7, the maximum humidity Hmax is lower than the second threshold value H2. That is, the humidity H(t) detected by humidity detection unit 73 is higher than the first threshold value H1 at the beginning of the drying process. In this case, the humidity detection unit 73 may detect a lower humidity than the actual humidity due to, for example, foreign matter adhering to the surface of humidity detection unit 73. Therefore, if the progress of drying is determined based on the humidity detected by humidity detection unit 73, there is a risk that the clothes will not be dry enough, or conversely, the humidity difference ΔH will never reach or exceed the predetermined threshold value ΔH0, resulting in the drying process not being able to be completed.

[0047] (First drying control) The first drying control will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. In this case, the control unit 80 controls the drying process based on the temperatures detected by the temperature detection units 71 and 72 and the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit 73. The control unit 80 acquires the maximum humidity Hmax during the heating process and stores it in the memory unit 81. For example, when the control unit 80 observes that the humidity H(t) detected by the humidity detection unit 73 has decreased continuously for a predetermined period, the control unit 80 acquires the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit 73 before the decrease as the maximum humidity Hmax. Specifically, when the detected humidity has decreased continuously for two minutes, i.e., when the detected humidity has decreased twice consecutively compared to the previous humidity, the control unit 80 may set the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit 73 two minutes prior as the maximum humidity Hmax. Furthermore, when the detected humidity H(t) changes with multiple peaks during the heating process and the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit 73 has decreased twice or more consecutively for a predetermined period, the control unit 80 may set the maximum humidity Hmax to the highest humidity among the humidity values ​​detected before the multiple decreases.

[0048] When the storage tanks 13, 14 are heated to a predetermined temperature, the control unit 80 ends the temperature-raising process and starts the dehumidification process. Whether the storage tanks 13, 14 have been heated to a predetermined temperature can be determined by various methods. For example, the control unit 80 can end the temperature-raising process based on the temperature detected by the inlet temperature detection unit 72 and / or the temperature detected by the outlet temperature detection unit 71.

[0049] In this embodiment, the control unit 80 calculates the temperature difference ΔT(t) between the temperatures detected by the inlet temperature detection unit 72 and the outlet temperature detection unit 71, and when the temperature difference ΔT(t) reaches a maximum temperature difference ΔTmax, determines that the storage vessels 13, 14 have been heated to a predetermined level and terminates the heating process. For example, if the temperature difference ΔT(t) continuously decreases for a predetermined period of time, it may be determined that the temperature difference ΔT(t) has reached the maximum temperature difference ΔTmax. The predetermined period is, for example, two minutes.

[0050] As drying progresses in the dehumidifying process, the control unit 80 executes a heating suppression process. The heating suppression process is a process for ending the dehumidifying process or a process for suppressing heating of the clothes stored in the rotatable tub 14. The process for suppressing heating of the clothes stored in the rotatable tub 14 is, for example, a process for suppressing the operation of the compressor 63 as a heating device. Suppressing the operation of the compressor 63 includes both reducing the drive frequency of the compressor 63 and stopping the operation of the compressor 63. The control unit 80 can execute a heating suppression process during the dehumidifying process based on the temperature detected by the temperature detection units 71 and 72 and / or the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit 73.

[0051] In the first drying control, the control unit 80 executes the heating suppression process based on the maximum humidity Hmax detected by the humidity detection unit 73 during the heating process and the current humidity H(t) detected during the dehumidification process. Specifically, the control unit 80 executes the heating suppression process based on the amount or rate of decrease from the maximum humidity Hmax to the current humidity H(t) detected by the humidity detection unit 73. That is, the control unit 80 determines that the drying of the clothes stored in the rotatable tub 14 is progressing when the humidity of the exhaust air from the storage tubs 13 and 14 has decreased to a predetermined level or more. In this embodiment, the control unit 80 acquires the humidity difference ΔH(t) between the maximum humidity Hmax and the current humidity H(t) detected by the humidity detection unit 73 during the dehumidification process, and executes the heating suppression process when the humidity difference ΔH(t) is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold ΔH0, i.e., (Hmax - H(t) ≧ ΔH0).

[0052] The heating suppression process does not have to be executed immediately when the humidity difference ΔH(t) becomes equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold value ΔH0, but may be executed when some other condition is met. For example, the heating suppression process may be executed when a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the humidity difference ΔH(t) became equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold value ΔH0, or when the humidity difference ΔH(t) becomes equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold value ΔH0 and a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the start of the dehumidification process.

[0053] (Second drying control) The second drying control will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. If the control unit 80 determines that the humidity H(t) detected by the humidity detection unit 73 is abnormal as a result of the determination process, the control unit 80 performs the second drying control based on the temperatures detected by the temperature detection units 71 and 72. In this case, the control unit 80 determines that the drying of the clothes has progressed because the temperature difference ΔT(t) between the inlet temperature detection unit 72 and the outlet temperature detection unit 71 has decreased to a predetermined level, and executes the heating suppression process. Specifically, the control unit 80 executes the heating suppression process when the temperature difference ΔT(t) between the inlet temperature detection unit 72 and the outlet temperature detection unit 71 during the dehumidifying process has decreased by a predetermined difference D0 or more from the maximum temperature difference ΔTmax observed during the heating process, i.e., (ΔTmax-ΔT(t)≧D0). In other words, the control unit 80 executes the heating suppression process when the difference D(t) between the maximum temperature difference ΔTmax and the temperature difference ΔT(t) becomes equal to or less than D0.

[0054] The heating inhibition process does not have to be executed immediately when the difference D(t) becomes equal to or less than the difference D0, but may be executed when some other condition is met. For example, the heating inhibition process may be executed when a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the difference D(t) became equal to or less than the difference D0, or when the difference D(t) becomes equal to or less than the difference D0 and a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the start of the dehumidification process.

[0055] (Flowchart of drying control) Next, the details of the processing by the control unit 80 in the drying operation or the drying step of the washing and drying operation will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in Figs. 8 to 10. At the start point in Fig. 8, it is assumed that the washer-dryer 10 is powered on and the washing operation or the washing and drying operation has been started by a user operation or the like. When the drying step is started (start), in step S101, the control unit 80 executes the temperature increase step, the details of which are shown in Fig. 9. In step S102, the control unit 80 executes the dehumidification step, the details of which are shown in Fig. 10. In step S103, the control unit 80 executes the air blowing step.

[0056] 9 is started, in step S111, control unit 80 starts detecting the exhaust temperature from the storage tank and the supply temperature to the storage tank using temperature detection units 71 and 72. In this case, starting temperature detection includes starting temperature detection that had been stopped and continuing temperature detection that had already been started. In addition, control unit 80 calculates the temperature difference ΔT(t) between the temperature detected by inlet temperature detection unit 72 and the temperature detected by outlet temperature detection unit 71, and stores the calculated temperature difference in memory unit 81.

[0057] In step S112, the control unit 80 starts detecting the exhaust humidity from the storage tanks 13, 14 using the humidity detection unit 73. In this case, starting humidity detection includes starting humidity detection that has been stopped and continuing humidity detection that has already been started. In addition, the control unit 80 stores the acquired detected humidity H(t) in the memory unit 81.

[0058] In step S113, the control unit 80 drives the air blower 65 and controls the drive rotation speed of the air blower 65 to be the target rotation speed. In this case, driving the air blower 65 includes driving the air blower 65 that was stopped and driving the air blower 65 that was being driven at a higher rotation speed. For example, in the case of the drying operation, in step S113 the control unit 80 drives the air blower 65 that was stopped and increases the drive rotation speed to the target rotation speed. For example, in the case of the washing and drying operation, in step S113 the control unit 80 continues to drive the air blower 65 that was being driven and increases the drive rotation speed to a target rotation speed that is higher than the current speed.

[0059] In step S114, the control unit 80 drives the compressor 63 and controls the drive frequency of the compressor 63 to be the target frequency. In this case, driving the compressor 63 includes driving the compressor 63 that was stopped and driving the compressor 63 that was being driven at a higher frequency. For example, in the case of the drying operation, in step S114 the control unit 80 drives the compressor 63 that was stopped and increases the drive frequency to the target frequency. For example, in the case of the washing and drying operation, in step S114 the control unit 80 continues to drive the compressor 63 that was being driven and increases the drive frequency to a target frequency that is higher than the current frequency.

[0060] In step S115, the control unit 80 determines whether the humidity detection unit 73 has observed the maximum humidity Hmax. Specifically, the control unit 80 determines whether the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit 73 has decreased for two consecutive minutes. If the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit 73 has not decreased for two consecutive minutes (No in step S115), the control unit 80 repeats the process of step S115. If the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit 73 has decreased for two consecutive minutes (Yes in step S115), the control unit 80 proceeds to step S116.

[0061] In step S116, the control unit 80 sets the maximum humidity Hmax and stores it in the memory unit 81. Specifically, the control unit 80 sets the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit 73 two minutes ago as the maximum humidity Hmax and stores it in the memory unit 81.

[0062] In step S117, control unit 80 determines whether water tub 13 and rotating tub 14 have warmed up to a predetermined temperature. Specifically, control unit 80 determines whether the temperature difference ΔT(t) between the temperature detected by inlet temperature detection unit 72 and the temperature detected by outlet temperature detection unit 71 has decreased for two consecutive minutes. If the temperature difference ΔT(t) has not decreased for two consecutive minutes (No in step S117), control unit 80 repeats the process of step S117. If the temperature difference ΔT(t) has decreased for two consecutive minutes (Yes in step S117), control unit 80 proceeds to step S118.

[0063] In step S118, the control unit 80 sets the maximum temperature difference ΔTmax and stores it in the memory unit 81. Specifically, the control unit 80 sets the temperature difference ΔT(t) between the temperature detected by the inlet temperature detection unit 72 and the temperature detected by the outlet temperature detection unit 71 two minutes ago as the maximum temperature difference ΔTmax and stores it in the memory unit 81.

[0064] Thereafter, the control unit 80 ends the temperature increasing process and returns the flow to FIG. 8 (return).

[0065] When the dehumidifying process is executed in step S102 of Fig. 8, the control unit 80 starts the process shown in Fig. 10. When the dehumidifying process starts, the control unit 80 reduces the drive rotation speed of the compressor 63 in step S201.

[0066] In step S202, the control unit 80 executes a determination process. In this case, the control unit 80 determines whether the detected humidity H(t) during a predetermined period from the start of the drying process is equal to or greater than the second threshold value H2 and equal to or less than the first threshold value H1. If the detected humidity H(t) is equal to or greater than the second threshold value H2 and equal to or less than the first threshold value H1 (Yes in step S202), the control unit 80 proceeds to step S203. In this case, the control unit 80 executes a heating suppression process based on the detected humidity H(t) of the humidity detection unit 73.

[0067] In step S203, the control unit 80 determines whether the humidity difference ΔH(t) between the maximum humidity Hmax and the current humidity H(t) detected by the humidity detection unit 73 is equal to or greater than ΔH0. If the humidity difference ΔH(t) is less than the predetermined threshold ΔH0 (No in step S203), the control unit 80 repeats the process of step S203. If the humidity difference ΔH(t) is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold ΔH0 (Yes in step S203), the control unit 80 proceeds to step S205.

[0068] If the detected humidity H(t) during the predetermined period from the start of the drying process is less than the second threshold value H2 or greater than the first threshold value H1 (No in step S202), the control unit 80 proceeds to step S204. In this case, the control unit 80 executes the heating suppression process based on the temperatures detected by the temperature detection units 71 and 72.

[0069] In step S204, the control unit 80 determines whether the difference D(t) from the maximum temperature difference ΔTmax of the temperature difference ΔT(t) between the temperature detected by the inlet temperature detection unit 72 and the temperature detected by the outlet temperature detection unit 72 is equal to or greater than the difference D0. If the difference D(t) is smaller than the difference D0 (No in step S204), the control unit 80 repeats the process of step S204. If the difference D(t) is equal to or greater than the difference D0 (Yes in step S204), the control unit 80 proceeds to step S205.

[0070] In steps S205 and S206, the control unit 80 executes a heating suppression process. In step S205, the control unit 80 determines whether a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the humidity difference ΔH(t) became equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold ΔH0, or since the difference D(t) became equal to or greater than a predetermined difference D0. If the predetermined period of time has not elapsed (No in step S205), the control unit 80 repeats the process of step S205. If the predetermined period of time has elapsed (Yes in step S205), the control unit 80 proceeds to step S206. In step S206, the control unit 80 suppresses heating of the storage tub by the heating device. Specifically, the control unit 80 stops driving the compressor 63. This stops the heating operation on the clothes.

[0071] In this way, the control unit 80 executes the dehumidification process, and then the control unit 80 returns the process to the flowchart of FIG.

[0072] The air blowing process in step S103 can be performed by any known process. Although not shown in detail, the air blowing process ends after a predetermined period of time has elapsed.

[0073] In this manner, the control unit 80 executes the drying process (end). Note that the control unit 80 may execute a wrinkle removal process, a sterilization process, etc. following the air blowing process.

[0074] As described above, in an operation including the drying step, the control unit 80 performs a determination process to determine whether the humidity H(t) detected by the humidity detection unit 73 is abnormal or is likely to be abnormal. If the control unit 80 determines as a result of the determination process that the detected humidity H(t) is abnormal or is likely to be abnormal, it performs a heat suppression process to suppress the operation of the heating device 60 in the drying step based on the detection results of the temperature detection units 71 and 72. If the control unit 80 determines as a result of the determination process that the detected humidity H(t) is normal, it performs a heat suppression process in the drying step based on at least the detection result of the humidity detection unit 73.

[0075] The judgment process includes judging that the detected humidity H(t) of the humidity detection unit 73 at the beginning of the drying process is normal if it is less than a predetermined first threshold H1 and greater than a second threshold H2, and judging that the detected humidity is abnormal if it is greater than the first threshold H1 or less than the second threshold H2.

[0076] The drying process includes a temperature increasing process in which the heating device 60 is driven to increase the temperature of the storage tubs 13, 14. The determination process includes a process in which the detected humidity H(t) detected by the humidity detection unit 73 during the temperature increasing process is determined to be normal if the detected humidity H(t) is equal to or less than a predetermined first threshold H1 and equal to or greater than a predetermined second threshold H2, and is determined to be abnormal if the detected humidity H(t) is greater than the first threshold H1 or less than the second threshold H2.

[0077] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the control unit 80 performs the determination process based on whether the humidity H(t) detected by the humidity detection unit 73 at the beginning of the drying process is within a predetermined range. However, this is not limiting. For example, the control unit 80 may perform the determination process based on whether the maximum humidity Hmax of the humidity H(t) detected by the humidity detection unit 73 at the beginning of the drying process is within a predetermined range. That is, the determination process may include a process of determining that the humidity H(t) detected by the humidity detection unit 73 is normal if the maximum humidity Hmax detected by the humidity detection unit 73 at the beginning of the drying process is equal to or less than a first threshold value H1 and equal to or greater than a second threshold value H2, and determining that the humidity H(t) detected by the humidity detection unit 73 is abnormal if the detected maximum humidity Hmax is greater than the first threshold value H1 or less than the second threshold value H2.

[0078] The washer / dryer 10 as a clothing processing device of this embodiment described above includes a storage tub, a circulation air duct 50, a heating device 60, a blower 65, temperature detectors 71 and 72, a humidity detector 73, and a controller 80. The storage tub includes a water tub 13 having an air inlet 132 and an air outlet 131, and a rotatable tub 14 rotatably mounted within the water tub 13. The circulation air duct 50 faces the outside of the storage tubs 13 and 14 and connects the air inlet 132 to the air outlet 131. The heating device 60 heats the air flowing through the circulation air duct 50. The blower 65 blows the air heated by the heating device 60 into the storage tubs 13 and 14 through the air inlet 132. The outlet temperature detector 71 and the inlet temperature detector serve as temperature detectors that directly or indirectly detect the temperature of the air in the storage tubs 13 and 14. Humidity detection unit 73 directly or indirectly detects the humidity of the air in storage tubs 13, 14. Control unit 80 controls the operation of heating device 60 and air blower 65 to execute a drying process for drying the clothes in storage tubs 13, 14. When the humidity detected by humidity detection unit 73 is within a predetermined range, control unit 80 executes first drying control in which operation of heating device 60 is suppressed based on at least the detection result of humidity detection unit 73 during the drying process. When the humidity detected by humidity detection unit 73 exceeds the predetermined range or there is a risk that it will exceed the predetermined range, control unit 80 executes second drying control in which operation of heating device 60 is suppressed based on the detection result of temperature detection units 71, 72 during the drying process.

[0079] This feature stops the humidity-based dryness detection when the detected humidity is abnormal due to factors such as contamination or condensation on the surface of the humidity detection unit 73, which may result in an inaccurate detection of dryness. This prevents false detection of dryness. This provides a clothes processing device with improved dryness detection accuracy. This prevents the drying operation from ending when the clothes are still partially dry or the clothes from becoming over-dried, improving user convenience.

[0080] In particular, if the detected humidity is low or excessively high in the early stages of the drying process when the temperature of the storage tubs 13, 14 and therefore the clothes rise and a certain level of humidity should be observed, there is a high probability that an abnormality has occurred in the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit 73. Therefore, in such cases, drying control based on humidity is not performed and drying control based on temperature is performed, thereby providing a clothing processing device with improved accuracy in dryness detection.

[0081] The drying process includes a temperature raising process in which heating device 60 is driven to raise the temperature of storage tubs 13, 14. Controller 80 executes first drying control when the humidity detected by humidity detector 73 at the initial stage of the drying process is equal to or less than a predetermined first threshold value H1 and equal to or greater than a predetermined second threshold value H2, and executes second drying control when the humidity detected by humidity detector 73 at the initial stage of the drying process is higher than first threshold value H1 or lower than second threshold value H2.

[0082] In particular, if the detected humidity is kept low or excessively high at the beginning of the drying process when heating by the heating device 60 starts and the temperature of the clothes rises and a certain level of high humidity should be observed, it is highly likely that an abnormality has occurred in the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit 73. Therefore, in such cases, by not performing drying control based on humidity and instead performing drying control based on temperature, a clothing processing device is provided that improves the accuracy of dryness detection in the drying process.

[0083] The drying process includes a temperature increasing process in which the heating device 60 is driven to increase the temperature of the storage tubs 13, 14. The control unit 80 executes the first drying control when the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit 73 during the temperature increasing process is equal to or less than a predetermined first threshold value H1 and equal to or greater than a predetermined second threshold value H2, and executes the second drying control when the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit 73 during the temperature increasing process is higher than the first threshold value H1 or lower than the second threshold value H2.

[0084] In particular, during the temperature rising process, when the temperature of the storage tubs 13, 14 rises and the temperature of the clothes rises to a certain level of humidity, if the detected humidity is kept low or excessively high, it is highly likely that an abnormality has occurred in the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit 73. Therefore, in such cases, by not performing drying control based on humidity and instead performing drying control based on temperature, a clothing processing device is provided with improved accuracy in detecting dryness during the drying process.

[0085] In this embodiment, in the first drying control, the control unit 80 executes the heating suppression process based on the maximum value Hmax of the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit 73 during the temperature rise process, but this is not limited to this. For example, in other embodiments, the heating suppression process may be executed based on the average humidity of the detected humidity when the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit 73 during the temperature rise period becomes equal to or exceeds a predetermined humidity, or based on the period during which the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit 73 during the temperature rise process becomes equal to or exceeds a predetermined humidity.

[0086] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first drying control executes the heating suppression process based only on the humidity H(t) detected by the humidity detection unit 73, but this is not limiting. For example, in other embodiments, the first drying control may execute the heating suppression process based on both the humidity H(t) detected by the humidity detection unit 73 and the temperature T(t) detected by the temperature detection units 71 and 72. For example, the control unit 80 may execute the heating suppression process when at least one of the following conditions is met: the humidity difference ΔH(t) from the maximum humidity Hmax of the humidity H(t) detected by the humidity detection unit 73 becomes ΔH0 or more; or the difference D(t) from the maximum temperature difference ΔTmax of the temperature difference ΔT(t) between the temperature detected by the inlet temperature detection unit 72 and the temperature detected by the outlet temperature detection unit 71 becomes difference D0 or more. That is, in this case, the control unit 80 can execute the heating suppression process using whichever of the two conditions is met first as a trigger.

[0087] (Second embodiment) A second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 11 to Fig. 14. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 11, the washer-dryer 10 includes a hot water usage detection unit 90. The hot water usage detection unit 90 has a function of detecting the use of hot water in the washing process. As a determination process, when the hot water usage detection unit 90 detects the use of hot water in at least the washing process of the washing process, the control unit 80 determines that there is a risk of an abnormality in the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit 73. That is, when the hot water usage detection unit 90 detects the use of hot water in at least the washing process of the washing process during one washing and drying operation, the control unit 80 switches the drying control in the drying process from the first drying control to the second drying control.

[0088] Specifically, when the use of hot water is detected during the washing process, the control unit 80 does not perform the heating suppression process based on the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit 73, but performs the heating suppression process based on the temperature detected by the temperature detection units 71 and 72.

[0089] That is, the use of hot water in the washing process generates steam, and the steam may reach humidity detection unit 73 through circulation air duct 50 due to the rotation of rotatable tub 14. This may result in condensation on humidity detection unit 73 and its surrounding components. Depending on the environmental humidity and temperature of the location where washer-dryer 10 is installed, the drying process may start even before the condensation on humidity detection unit 73 has disappeared. In this case, humidity detection unit 73 cannot accurately detect humidity, and the accuracy of humidity-based dryness detection may decrease. Therefore, when hot water is used in the washing process, temperature-based dryness control is performed to improve dryness detection control.

[0090] In this specification, hot water can be defined as water at a temperature higher than room temperature. The temperature of the hot water can be set, for example, within a range of 35°C or higher, 40°C or higher, 50°C or higher, or 60°C or higher.

[0091] For example, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11 , washer / dryer 10 includes heater 91. Heater 91 is disposed at the bottom of water tub 13 and has the function of heating water stored in water tub 13. As shown in FIG. 12 , by driving heater 91 (ON) during the washing process, the humidity detected by humidity detection unit 73 may become high. In the example shown in FIG. 12 , the detected humidity is higher than first threshold value H1 throughout the washing process, rinsing process, and spin-drying process. Also, even at the beginning of the drying process, humidity detection unit 73 detects a humidity higher than first threshold value H1. In this case, steam generated during the washing process may reach humidity detection unit 73, causing condensation on or around the humidity detection unit. Also, the condensation may not be eliminated even after the drying process has started.

[0092] The hot water usage detection unit 90 can detect the use of hot water in the washing process by any known method. The hot water usage detection unit 90 detects that hot water has been used when the heater 91 is driven in the washing process. In this case, the hot water usage detection unit 90 is realized in software by the CPU executing a program stored in a memory area.

[0093] In another embodiment, a water temperature detection unit may be provided as the hot water usage detection unit 90 to measure the temperature of the water stored in the water tank 13. In this case, the hot water usage detection unit 90 may determine that hot water has been used when the temperature detected by the water temperature detection unit is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature. The predetermined temperature may be set to, for example, a range of 35°C or higher, a range of 40°C or higher, a range of 50°C or higher, or a range of 60°C or higher.

[0094] The processing of the control unit 80 in the dehumidifying step according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 13. The following will focus on the parts that differ from the flowchart of the dehumidifying step in the first embodiment shown in Fig. 10.

[0095] The control unit 80 executes the determination process of step S210 instead of the determination process of step S202. In this case, the control unit 80 determines whether or not the use of hot water in the washing cycle has been detected by the hot water use detection unit 90. If the use of hot water has not been detected by the hot water use detection unit 90 (No in step S210), the control unit 80 proceeds to the process of step S203. If the use of hot water has been detected by the hot water use detection unit 90 (Yes in step S210), the control unit 80 proceeds to the process of step S204.

[0096] 13, the determination process is limited to determining whether or not the use of hot water in the washing process has been detected by the hot water use detection unit 90. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in another embodiment shown in the flowchart of FIG. 14, the determination process may include determining whether or not the detected humidity H(t) during a predetermined period from the start of the drying process is equal to or greater than the second threshold value H2 and equal to or less than the first threshold value H1, as in the first embodiment.

[0097] In this case, if the detected humidity H(t) is equal to or greater than the second threshold value H2 and equal to or less than the first threshold value H1 in the determination process of step S202, the control unit 80 proceeds to step S211. In step S211, the control unit 80 executes a determination process based on whether the hot water use detection unit 90 has detected the use of hot water in the washing cycle. If the hot water use detection unit 90 has not detected the use of hot water (No in step S211), the control unit 80 proceeds to step S203. If the hot water use detection unit 90 has detected the use of hot water (Yes in step S211), the control unit 80 proceeds to step S204.

[0098] According to the present embodiment described above, the washer-dryer 10 as a clothing treatment device includes a hot water usage detection unit 90 that detects the use of hot water in the washing process in which water is poured into the storage tubs 13 and 14 to wash clothes. In an operation in which the washing process is performed before the drying process, the control unit 80 executes a first drying control if the hot water usage detection unit 90 does not detect the use of hot water in the washing process, and executes a second drying control if the hot water usage detection unit 90 detects the use of hot water in the washing process.

[0099] When warm water is used in the washing process by heating the wash water with the heater 91 or by pouring warm water, the wind generated by the rotation of the rotating tub 14 may carry steam to the humidity detector, which may cause condensation on the humidity detector. In contrast, according to this embodiment, when the use of warm water is detected, dryness detection based on the detected humidity is avoided, thereby preventing false detection of dryness caused by using a humidity detector in an undesirable state, such as a condensed state. Therefore, a clothing processing device with improved accuracy in dryness detection is provided.

[0100] (Third embodiment) A third embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 15 and 16. In this embodiment, control unit 80 performs a determination process based on the humidity detected by humidity detection unit 73 during the washing process. Specifically, control unit 80 performs a determination process based on the humidity detected by humidity detection unit 73 at or after the end of the final spin cycle before the start of the drying cycle in one cycle of the washing and drying operation.

[0101] When centrifugal dewatering is performed on the clothes during the spin cycle, the high-speed rotation of the rotating tub 14 generates wind, which may cause humid air and / or water droplets to reach the humidity detection unit 73 or its surroundings through the circulating air duct 50. In particular, if the outer box 11 shakes significantly due to imbalance of the clothes, the possibility of moisture scattering within the circulating air duct 50 increases. In some cases, water droplets may adhere to the surface of the humidity detection unit 73, or condensation may form on the surface. In this case, depending on the ambient temperature and humidity, as well as the amount of moisture that has reached the surface, the water droplets and condensation on the surface of the humidity detection unit 73 may not disappear even after the process moves to the drying cycle, which may prevent accurate humidity detection.

[0102] If the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit 73 at or after the end of the final spin cycle before the drying cycle is within a predetermined range, the control unit 80 determines that the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit 73 is normal. If the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit 73 at or after the end of the final spin cycle before the drying cycle is outside the predetermined range, the control unit 80 determines that the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit is likely to be abnormal. In this case, the predetermined range is a range equal to or less than the third threshold H3. The third threshold H3 is set higher than the second threshold. Furthermore, the third threshold H3 may be different from or the same as the first threshold H1. In this embodiment, the third threshold H3 is set to the same as the first threshold H1. The third threshold H3 can be set to 90% RH or higher, 95% RH or higher, or 97.5% RH or higher. In this embodiment, the third threshold H3 is set to 95% RH.

[0103] The control unit 80 acquires the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit 73 at or after the end of the final spin-drying cycle before the drying cycle. In this embodiment, the control unit 80 acquires the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit 73 at the time when the motor 15 stops during the final spin-drying cycle of one washing and drying operation, and stores the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit 73 in the memory unit 81. The control unit 80 executes a determination process using the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit 73 at the time when the motor 15 stops, which is stored in the memory unit 81. Note that the control unit 80 may execute the determination process based on the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit 73 at the time when the motor 15 stops, and store the result of the determination process in the memory unit 81.

[0104] The processing of the control unit 80 in the dehumidifying step according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 15. The following will focus on the parts that differ from the flowchart of the dehumidifying step in the first embodiment shown in Fig. 10.

[0105] The control unit 80 executes the determination process of step S220 instead of the determination process of step S202. In this case, the control unit 80 determines whether the humidity H(t1) detected by the humidity detection unit 73 at the end of the final spin cycle was equal to or less than the third threshold value H3. If the detected humidity H(t1) is equal to or less than the third threshold value H3 (Yes in step S220), the control unit 80 proceeds to step S203. If the detected humidity H(t1) is higher than the third threshold value H3 (No in step S220), the control unit 80 proceeds to step S204.

[0106] 15, the determination process is limited to determining whether humidity H(t1) detected by humidity detection unit 73 at the end of the final spin cycle was equal to or less than the third threshold value H3. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in another embodiment shown in the flowchart of FIG. 16, the determination process may include determining whether humidity H(t1) detected by humidity detection unit 73 at the end of the final spin cycle was equal to or less than the third threshold value H3, as in the first embodiment.

[0107] In this case, if the detected humidity H(t) is equal to or greater than the second threshold H2 and equal to or less than the first threshold H1 in the determination process of step S202, the control unit 80 proceeds to step S221. In step S221, the control unit 80 performs a determination process based on whether the detected humidity H(t1) of the humidity detection unit 73 at the end of the final spin cycle was equal to or less than the third threshold H3. If the detected humidity H(t1) is equal to or less than the third threshold H3 (Yes in step S221), the control unit 80 proceeds to step S203. If the detected humidity H(t1) is higher than the third threshold H3 (No in step S221), the control unit 80 proceeds to step S204.

[0108] According to the present embodiment described above, the washer-dryer 10 as a clothing processing device includes the motor 15 that rotates the spin tub 14. The control unit 80 drives the motor 15 to execute a spin-drying process that centrifugally spins the clothes. The determination process includes a process of determining that the detected humidity may be abnormal if the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit 73 at or after the end of the spin-drying process is equal to or greater than a predetermined third threshold value during an operation that executes the spin-drying process before the drying process.

[0109] According to this embodiment, if the humidity detected by the humidity detector 73 is abnormally high at or after the end of the spin cycle, the humidity-based dryness detection is stopped, thereby preventing erroneous detection of a dry state caused by the humidity detector 73, which has difficulty in detecting humidity such as condensation. Therefore, a clothing processing device with improved accuracy in dryness detection is provided.

[0110] (Fourth embodiment) A fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 17 and 18. In this embodiment, control unit 80 performs a determination process based on the detected humidity detected by humidity detection unit 73 at the end of the drying step in the (n-1)th operation or during the period from the end of the drying step until washer-dryer 10 is turned off after the end of the drying step. If the determination process determines that the detected humidity by humidity detection unit 73 is abnormal or is likely to be abnormal, control unit 80 performs second drying control in which heating suppression processing is performed based on the detected humidity by temperature detection units 71 and 72 in the nth (next) operation including the drying step. In other words, if the detected humidity by humidity detection unit 73 was outside the predetermined range at the end of the drying step in the previous operation including the drying step, control unit 80 performs second drying control in the drying step in the current operation including the drying step.

[0111] For example, as shown in FIG. 17, if the humidity H(t) detected by the humidity detection unit 73 does not decrease and remains high even in the latter part of the drying process, it is assumed that there is an abnormality in the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit 73. The predetermined range is a range equal to or less than a fourth threshold H4. The fourth threshold H4 is set lower than the first threshold H1 or the third threshold H3. The fourth threshold H4 is also set higher than the second threshold H2. The fourth threshold H4 can be set, for example, to a value equal to or greater than approximately 75%, equal to or greater than approximately 80%, or within a range of approximately 85%. In this embodiment, the fourth threshold H4 is set to 80%.

[0112] In this case, the determination process is a process for determining whether the humidity detected by humidity detection unit 73 at the end of the drying process or during the period from the end of the drying process until the washer-dryer 10 is turned off is within a predetermined range. In this embodiment, control unit 80 obtains the humidity H(t2) detected by humidity detection unit 73 at the end of the drying process t2, i.e., when the operation of air blower 65 is stopped. Control unit 80 stores the obtained detected humidity H(t2) in memory unit 81. When performing the next operation including the drying process, control unit 80 obtains the detected humidity H(t2) at the end of the previous drying process t2 stored in memory unit 81 and determines whether the detected humidity H(t2) is equal to or less than the fourth threshold. Note that in another embodiment, during the period from the end of the drying process of the previous operation including the drying process until the washer-dryer 10 is turned off, control unit 80 may determine whether the detected humidity H(t2) at the end of the drying process t2 is equal to or less than the fourth threshold and store the determination result in memory unit 81.

[0113] The processing of the control unit 80 in the drying step according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 18. Note that the following will focus on the parts that differ from the flowchart of the drying step in the first embodiment shown in Fig. 8.

[0114] When the drying process starts (START), the control unit 80 performs the process of step S301. In step S301, the control unit 80 acquires the humidity H(t20) detected by the humidity detection unit 73 at the end of the previous drying process in the operation including the drying process. In step S302, the control unit 80 executes a determination process. In this case, the control unit 80 determines whether the humidity H(t20) detected by the humidity detection unit 73 at the end of the previous drying process is equal to or less than the fourth threshold value H4.

[0115] If the humidity H(t20) detected by the humidity detection unit at the end of the previous drying process is higher than the fourth threshold H4 (No in step S302), control unit 80 proceeds to step S303. In step S303, control unit 80 sets the second drying control as the drying control. After step S303, control unit 80 proceeds to step S101.

[0116] If the humidity H(t20) detected by the humidity detection unit at the end of the previous drying process is equal to or less than the fourth threshold value H4 (Yes in step S302), the control unit 80 proceeds to step S304. In step S304, the control unit 80 sets the first drying control as the drying control. After step S304, the control unit 80 proceeds to step S101.

[0117] When the air blowing process in step S103 is completed, the control unit 80 proceeds to step S305. In step S305, the control unit 80 acquires the detected humidity H(t21) at the end of this drying process from the humidity detection unit 73 and stores it in the memory unit 81. Thereafter, the control unit 80 ends the drying process (END).

[0118] Note that even if the first drying control is set in step S304, the control unit 80 may further execute a determination process according to each of the above embodiments, and as a result, execute the second drying control. For example, the control unit 80 may execute the second drying control if the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit 73 during the temperature increase process is outside the predetermined range, if the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit 73 at the end of the spin cycle is outside the predetermined range, or if the use of hot water is detected by the hot water use detection unit 90 during the wash cycle.

[0119] Furthermore, even if the control unit 80 sets the drying control for the n-th (current) operation to the second drying control based on the detected humidity at the end of the drying process in the (n-1)th (previous) operation, the control unit 80 may detect humidity using the humidity detection unit 73 during the n-th (current) drying process. In this case, for example, if no abnormality is detected in the detected humidity by the humidity detection unit 73 during the n-th (current) drying process, the control unit 80 may enable the first drying control to be executed again during the (n+1)th (next) operation including the drying process. For example, if the detected humidity H(t) by the humidity detection unit 73 at the beginning of the n-th (current) drying process is equal to or less than the first threshold and equal to or greater than the second threshold, the control unit 80 may execute a determination process again during the (n+1)th (next) operation including the drying process and select the first drying control or the second drying control based on the result of the determination process.

[0120] If the detection result of humidity detection unit 73 is within the normal range during the (n+1)th (next) operation, it can be assumed that condensation or contamination has been eliminated from humidity detection unit 73. Therefore, by again permitting dryness detection based on humidity and increasing the degree of freedom in dryness control, the accuracy of dryness detection can be further improved.

[0121] According to the present embodiment described above, the control unit 80 stores the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit 73 at the end of the drying process in the memory unit 81. During the nth (current) operation including the drying process, the control unit 80 acquires the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit 73 at the end of the drying process of the (n-1)th (previous) operation stored in the memory unit 81. When the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit at the end of the drying process of the (n-1)th operation is higher than a predetermined fourth threshold, the control unit 80 executes the second drying control during the nth operation including the drying process.

[0122] If the humidity detection unit 73 detects high humidity at the end of the drying process when low humidity should normally be detected, it is possible that an abnormality has occurred in the humidity detection unit 73, or that the humidity detection unit 73 is contaminated or has condensation. According to this embodiment, by avoiding dryness detection due to humidity in the drying process in the operation following the operation in which high humidity was observed, it is possible to prevent clothes from being damp or over-dried.

[0123] The above-described embodiments can be combined with each other, and only the characteristic features of two or more embodiments can be extracted and combined.

[0124] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the inventions and their equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0125] 10... washer-dryer (clothing treatment device), 13... water tub (storage tub), 131... air outlet, 132... air inlet, 14... rotating tub (storage tub), 15... motor, 50... circulating air duct, 60... heating device, 65... blower, 71... inlet temperature detection unit, 72... outlet temperature detection unit, 73... humidity detection unit, 80... control unit, 90... hot water usage detection unit

Claims

1. a storage tank including a water tank having an air inlet and an air outlet, and a rotary tank rotatably provided within the water tank; a circulation air passage that faces the outside of the storage tank and connects the air inlet and the air outlet; a heating device that heats the air flowing through the circulating air passage; an air blower that blows the air heated by the heating device into the storage tank through the air inlet; a temperature detection unit that directly or indirectly detects the temperature of the air in the storage tank; a humidity detection unit that directly or indirectly detects the humidity of the air in the storage tank; a control unit that controls the operation of the heating device and the air blowing device to perform a drying process that dries the clothes in the storage tub, When the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit is within a predetermined range, the control unit executes a first drying control in the drying process to suppress operation of the heating device based on at least the detection result of the humidity detection unit, and when the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit exceeds the predetermined range or there is a risk that it will exceed the predetermined range, the control unit executes a second drying control in the drying process to suppress operation of the heating device based on the detection result of the temperature detection unit. Clothes treatment device.

2. the control unit executes the first drying control when the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit at the initial stage of the drying process is equal to or less than a predetermined first threshold value and equal to or greater than a predetermined second threshold value, and executes the second drying control when the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit at the initial stage of the drying process is higher than the first threshold value or lower than the second threshold value. The clothing treatment device according to claim 1 .

3. the drying step includes a temperature increasing step of driving the heating device to increase the temperature of the storage tank, the control unit executes the first drying control when the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit during the temperature raising process is equal to or less than a predetermined first threshold and equal to or greater than a predetermined second threshold, and executes the second drying control when the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit during the temperature raising process is higher than the first threshold or lower than the second threshold. The clothing treatment device according to claim 1 .

4. a hot water usage detection unit that detects that hot water is used in the washing process of pouring water into the storage tub to wash the clothes; The control unit executes the first drying control when the hot water use detection unit does not detect the use of hot water in the washing process in an operation in which the washing process is performed before the drying process, and executes the second drying control when the hot water use detection unit detects the use of hot water in the washing process. The clothing treatment device according to claim 1 .

5. a motor for rotating the rotating tub; The control unit drives the motor to execute a spin-drying process of centrifugally spin-drying the laundry, In an operation in which the dehydration process is performed before the drying process, the control unit executes the first drying control when the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit at or after the end of the dehydration process is equal to or less than a predetermined third threshold, and executes the second drying control when the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit at or after the end of the dehydration process is higher than a predetermined third threshold. The clothing treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The control unit stores the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit at the end of the drying process in a memory unit, and during an n-th operation including the drying process, acquires the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit at the end of the drying process of the (n-1)th operation stored in the memory unit, and performs the second drying control during the n-th operation including the drying process if the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit at the end of the drying process of the (n-1)th operation is higher than a predetermined fourth threshold value. The clothing treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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