Clothes treatment apparatus

Abstract

To provide a technique for improving wrinkles of clothes and improving reliability while considering energy saving.SOLUTION: The laundry treatment apparatus includes an outer box, a treatment tank having an air supply port and provided inside the outer box, an air duct connected to the air supply port, a blower that blows air in the air duct into the treatment tank, a humidification promoting portion disposed in the air duct, a water supply path that supplies water from an external water source to the humidification promoting portion, a water supply valve that opens and closes the water supply path, and a control device that controls operations of the blower and the water supply valve. The control device executes a water supply operation of opening the water supply valve in a humidification process of giving moisture to the treatment tank, and a minimum number of times and a maximum number of times of the water supply operation executed in the humidification process are set.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a washer-dryer equipped with a heater, which is located between the bottom of the drum and the water tub, and a water receiving section for temporarily storing water around the heater. In this washer-dryer, the heater generates steam to moisten the clothes placed in the drum, and then a fan blows air into the drum to dry the clothes, thereby removing wrinkles from the clothes. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-069529 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in conventional configurations, a considerable amount of power may be required to generate a sufficient amount of steam using a heater to remove wrinkles. Also, a certain amount of water must be stored around the heating element. Therefore, in conventional configurations, there is room for improvement in terms of energy conservation when it comes to reducing wrinkles on clothes. Furthermore, to ensure the reliability of a washer-dryer, it is necessary to consider the durability of the parts used to remove wrinkles on clothes.

[0005] Therefore, an embodiment of the present invention provides a technology for improving wrinkle prevention and reliability of clothes while taking energy saving into consideration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The clothing treatment device of the embodiment comprises an outer box, a treatment tank having an air intake and arranged inside the outer box, an air duct connected to the air intake, an air blower that blows air in the air duct into the treatment tank, a humidification promotion unit arranged in the air duct, a water supply path that supplies water from an external water source to the humidification promotion unit, a water supply valve that opens and closes the water supply path, and a control device that controls the operation of the air blower and the water supply valve, wherein the control device performs a water supply operation that opens the water supply valve during the humidification process that adds moisture to the treatment tank, and a minimum and maximum number of times the water supply operation is performed during the humidification process are set. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional side view showing a schematic configuration of an example in which a laundry treatment device according to a first embodiment is applied to a washer / dryer; [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional rear view schematically illustrating an example of the configuration of a washer / dryer according to a first embodiment; [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a configuration example of a water supply unit and its surroundings in a washer / dryer according to a first embodiment; [Figure 4] 1 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a washer / dryer according to a first embodiment; [Figure 5] 1 is a timing chart showing how the control device controls the operation of each component in a wrinkle removal operation in the washer / dryer according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the area indicated by the arrow X6 in FIG. 5 in the washer / dryer according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a plurality of examples of water supply periods and non-water supply periods in a humidification process in the washer / dryer according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the minimum and maximum numbers of times the water supply operation is performed in the washer / dryer according to the first embodiment in combinations of the weight of clothes and the fabric type of the clothes corresponding to the environmental temperature category. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a plurality of examples of water supply operations immediately before the minimum number of water supply operations and at the minimum number of water supply operations in the washer / dryer according to the first embodiment; [Figure 10]10 is a flowchart showing an example of control executed by a control device in a humidifying process in a washer / dryer according to a second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a change in the amount of water supplied in an additional water supply operation performed in the washer / dryer according to the second embodiment. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of control executed by a control device in a humidifying process in a washer / dryer according to a third embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional side view schematically showing a configuration example of a washing / drying machine including a bellows water supply passage according to a fourth embodiment; [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a rear view schematically illustrating an example of the configuration of a bellows water supply path in a washer / dryer according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 15] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of control executed by a control device in a humidifying process in a washer / dryer according to a fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, a clothing processing device according to a number of embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that substantially the same elements in each embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

[0009] (First embodiment) First, the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The washer-dryer 10 shown in FIG. 1, which is an example of a clothing processing device, can wash, rinse, spin-dry, and dry clothing. The washer-dryer 10 is, for example, a drum-type washer-dryer, with the rotation axis of the rotating tub 15 facing horizontally or an inclined axis type that is tilted downward toward the rear. The washer-dryer 10 may also be a so-called fully automatic washer-dryer, which is a vertical-axis type washer-dryer. The clothes dryer can also be configured without a washing function.

[0010] The washer-dryer 10 includes an outer case 11, a door 12, a water tub 13, a bellows 14, a rotating tub 15, a motor 16, a drainage mechanism 17, a water supply mechanism 20, and a drying mechanism 30. 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 in front of the washer-dryer 10 as viewed from a 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.

[0011] The outer case 11 is formed into a hollow box shape using a combination of metals, such as stainless steel plates, and resin materials. The outer case 11 forms the outer shell of the washer-dryer 10. The outer case 11 has a front opening 111 on the front side that connects the interior and exterior of the outer case 11. The door 12 is provided on the front side of the outer case 11 and opens and closes the front opening 111. With the door 12 open, a user can load and unload clothes from the rotatable tub 15 through the front opening 111. The front opening 111 functions as an entrance and exit for receiving clothes into the rotatable tub 15. The water tub 13, which serves as a treatment tub, is formed into a cylindrical shape with an opening on one axial side, i.e., the front side, and a bottom on the other axial side, i.e., the rear side. The water tub 13 has a water tub cover 18. The water tub cover 18 is formed into a substantially circular shape and is located in front of the water tub 13. A substantially circular opening 181 is provided in the center of the water tub cover 18.

[0012] The water tub 13 can store water therein. The water tub 13 is provided within the outer casing 11 and elastically supported by a suspension (not shown). As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the water tub 13 has an exhaust port 131, an air inlet 132, and a water inlet 133. The exhaust port 131, the air inlet 132, and the water inlet 133 connect the inside and outside of the water tub 13. The exhaust port 131 is for discharging air from the water tub 13. The exhaust port 131 is located, for example, near the front of the upper part of the water tub 13, located to the right of the center of the water tub 13 in the horizontal direction. The air inlet 132 is for supplying air into the water tub 13. The air inlet 132 is located, for example, at the bottom of the water tub 13, slightly above the center of the bottom in the vertical direction. The water inlet 133 is for supplying water from an external water source, such as a tap, into the water tub 13. The water inlet 133 is provided, for example, in a portion of the upper rear of the water tub 13, at a position spaced to the left of the center of the water tub 13 in the left-right direction.

[0013] Bellows 14 is provided around front opening 111 of outer box 11 and opening 181 of water tub 13. Bellows 14 connects front opening 111 and opening 181 in a water-tight manner while communicating them. Bellows 14 is formed, for example, in the shape of a cylindrical bellows. Rotating tub 15 is capable of storing clothes therein and is rotatably disposed within water tub 13. Rotating tub 15, together with water tub 13, constitutes a clothing storage section capable of storing clothes. Rotating tub 15 is driven to rotate by motor 16. Motor 16 is provided on the outside bottom of water tub 13. Motor 16 is formed, for example, by a brushless direct-drive motor whose rotation speed is adjustable. Motor shaft 161 of motor 16, the central axis of water tub 13, and the rotation axis of rotating tub 15 are all overlapping, i.e., concentric.

[0014] Drain mechanism 17 has a function of draining water stored in water tub 13 to the outside of washer-dryer 10. As shown in FIG. 1 , drain mechanism 17 has drain valve 171 and drain hose 172. Drain valve 171 is configured to be electromagnetically openable and closable. One end of drain hose 172 is connected to drain valve 171, and the other end is drawn out to the outside of washer-dryer 10. When drain valve 171 is opened, water stored in water tub 13 is drained to the outside of washer-dryer 10 through drain hose 172. Drain valve 171 opens and closes a drain path for draining water stored in water tub 13 to the outside.

[0015] The water supply mechanism 20 has the function of supplying water supplied from an external water source into the water tub 13. The water supply mechanism 20 has a tub water supply valve 21 and a water injection case 22. The tub water supply valve 21 is configured to be electromagnetically openable and closable. The tub water supply valve 21 has the function of opening and closing a tub water supply path 23 that runs from the external water source through the water supply mechanism 20 into the water tub 13. The tub water supply path 23 is used to directly supply water from the external water source into the water tub 13. The water injection port 133 functions as an outlet for the tub water supply path 23. The water injection case 22 is provided on the tub water supply path 23 downstream of the tub water supply valve 21. The water injection case 22 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. When a laundry treatment agent is contained in the treatment agent case, the water supplied from an external water source that flows into the water supply case 22 is mixed with the laundry treatment agent in the water supply case 22, and then supplied into the water tub 13 and the rotary tub 15.

[0016] Drying mechanism 30 has the function of supplying warm air into water tub 13. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , drying mechanism 30 has an air passage 40 and a heating device 50. Air passage 40 is located outside water tub 13, with one end connected to exhaust port 131 and the other end connected to air intake port 132. Air passage 40 connects exhaust port 131 and air intake port 132. Air passage 40 is used to circulate air into water tub 13. In other words, air passage 40 circulates air within water tub 13 and rotating tub 15. Air passage 40, water tub 13, and rotating tub 15 form a circulating air passage. Air passage 40 takes in air from water tub 13 through exhaust port 131, generates warm air via heating device 50, and then supplies the warm air into water tub 13 through air intake port 132. In this case, when looking at the air flowing through air passage 40, exhaust port 131 is on the upstream side and intake port 132 is on the downstream side.

[0017] Air passage 40 can be configured to include, for example, an exhaust duct 41, a filter device 42, a connection duct 43, a heat exchanger 44, and an intake duct 45. Exhaust duct 41 is configured, for example, by a flexible bellows-shaped hose. One end of exhaust duct 41 is connected to exhaust port 131, and the other end is connected to filter device 42. Exhaust duct 41 is a part that discharges air from, for example, water tank 13. Filter device 42 is located downstream of exhaust port 131. Filter device 42 has a filter (not shown) installed therein, which captures foreign matter such as lint and dust contained in the air that flows out from exhaust port 131 and through air passage 40.

[0018] Connection duct 43 is a duct that connects filter device 42 and heat exchanger 44. Heat exchanger 44 is disposed, for example, on the rear side of washer-dryer 10, near the bottom inside outer casing 11. Heat exchanger 44 is provided midway along air passage 40. Air taken into air passage 40 from water tub 13 and flowing through connection duct 43 is dehumidified and heated as it passes through heat exchanger 44, becoming dry, warm air. Air intake duct 45 is a duct that connects heat exchanger 44 and air intake port 132 of water tub 13. Air intake duct 45 is a part that supplies air into water tub 13, for example.

[0019] The heating device 50 is configured, for example, by a heat pump mechanism, i.e., a refrigeration cycle. The heating device 50 is provided midway through the air passage 40. The heating device 50 heats the air flowing through the air passage 40 to generate hot air for drying the clothes in the rotating tub 15. The hot air is set to a temperature of, for example, approximately 60°C to 70°C. As shown in FIG. 2 , the heating device 50 includes an evaporator 51, a condenser 52, a compressor 53, a throttle valve 54, and a blower 55. With the compressor 53 as the reference, the heating device 50 is connected in a circular arrangement with the condenser 52, the throttle valve 54, and the evaporator 51 in this order in the direction of refrigerant flow. In other words, the heating device 50 circulates the refrigerant through the compressor 53, the condenser 52, and the evaporator 51.

[0020] The evaporator 51 and the condenser 52 are provided within the heat exchange unit 44. The evaporator 51 cools and dehumidifies the air circulating through the air passage 40. The evaporator 51 is located upstream of the condenser 52 with respect to the air flow within the heat exchange unit 44. The condenser 52 heats the air flowing through the air passage 40 to turn it into warm air. The compressor 53 is provided outside the heat exchange unit 44. The compressor 53 supplies refrigerant to the condenser 52 by pressure transfer. The throttle valve 54 is used to reduce the pressure of the high-pressure liquid refrigerant so that it can evaporate more easily.

[0021] Blower 55 is, for example, a sirocco fan, and is located midway along air passage 40. Blower 55 is provided, for example, between heat exchanger 44 and air intake duct 45. Blower 55 has the function of supplying air that has been dehumidified and heated by heat exchanger 44 into aquarium 13 through air intake duct 45. In other words, blower 55 sends air from air passage 40 into aquarium 13.

[0022] The washer-dryer 10 includes a humidification mechanism 60. The humidification mechanism 60 generates moist air to be applied to the interior of the water tub 13 and the rotatable tub 15 and to the clothes therein. The humidification mechanism 60 includes a humidification promotion unit 61, a humidification water supply valve 62, and a water supply unit 63. The humidification promotion unit 61 humidifies the air by evaporating moisture adhering to its surface. The humidification promotion unit 61 preferably has a structure or shape that provides a larger surface area than an object having the same volume as the humidification promotion unit 61. For example, the humidification promotion unit 61 may be formed of a porous material or may have a structure having multiple fins or pins. The humidification promotion unit 61 is disposed within the air passage 40. In this embodiment, the humidification promotion unit 61 includes an evaporator 51 and a condenser 52. The evaporator 51 and the condenser 52 have multiple fins to improve heat exchange efficiency, and are therefore designed to have a larger surface area than an object having the same volume.

[0023] The humidification water supply valve 62 is configured to be electromagnetically openable and closable. The humidification water supply valve 62 has the function of opening and closing a humidification water supply path 64 that connects an external water source and the water supply unit 63. The humidification water supply path 64 is for supplying water from the external water source to the humidification promotion unit 61. The humidification water supply valve 62 functions as a water supply valve. The humidification water supply path 64 also functions as a water supply path. The water supply unit 63 has the function of supplying water that has flowed through the humidification water supply path 64 from the external water source to the humidification promotion unit 61. The water supply unit 63 has a substantially rectangular outer shell that is long in a direction perpendicular to the air flow within the heat exchange unit 44. The water supply unit 63 is located, for example, above the evaporator 51.

[0024] As shown in Fig. 3, water supply unit 63 has water supply ports 631. Water supply ports 631 are formed to penetrate the bottom surface of water supply unit 63 in the thickness direction, and a plurality of water supply ports 631 are provided at intervals along the longitudinal direction of water supply unit 63. That is, the plurality of water supply ports 631 are provided at positions facing the top surface of evaporator 51. When humidification water supply valve 62 is opened, water from an external water source is supplied to water supply unit 63 via humidification water supply path 64. Then, the water supplied to water supply unit 63 flows from the plurality of water supply ports 631 to evaporator 51, which constitutes part of humidification promotion unit 61.

[0025] When the air blower 55 is driven while the surface of the evaporator 51 is wet with water flowing from the water supply port 631, the moisture adhering to the surface of the evaporator 51 evaporates, generating steam, thereby increasing the humidity in the air passage 40. The steam generated in the air passage 40 is then supplied by the air blower 55 into the water tub 13 and the rotating tub 15. In this embodiment, the evaporator 51 and the condenser 52 serving as the humidification promotion unit 61 are arranged side by side along the direction of air flow in the heat exchange unit 44. Therefore, some of the water supplied to the evaporator 51 can wet the surface of the condenser 52 when it flows downstream of the evaporator 51. The water adhering to the surface of the condenser 52 is evaporated by the action of the air blower 55 and supplied into the water tub 13 and the rotating tub 15.

[0026] The water supply unit 63 is not limited to being located above the evaporator 51, and may be located above the condenser 52. The surface of the condenser 52 may be heated by the refrigerant that has been heated to a high temperature and pressure by the compressor 53, and when the humidification mechanism 60 operates after the compressor 53 operates, evaporation may be promoted by the condenser 52 that is at a high temperature.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 4, the washer-dryer 10 is equipped with a temperature detection unit 71, a humidity detection unit 72, a weight detection unit 73, a fabric quality detection unit 74, and a control device 80. The temperature detection unit 71 and the humidity detection unit 72 are disposed, for example, downstream of the exhaust duct 41 and the filter device 42 in the air passage 40. The temperature detection unit 71 detects the ambient temperature where the washer-dryer 10 is installed. The ambient temperature means the temperature of the atmosphere around where the washer-dryer 10 is installed, and corresponds to room temperature. The humidity detection unit 72 detects the humidity in the air passage 40. In this case, the humidity detection unit 72 detects the humidity of the air discharged from the exhaust port 131.

[0028] The weight detection unit 73 detects the weight of the clothes contained in the water tub 13 and the rotatable tub 15. For example, the weight detection unit 73 detects the load acting on the motor 16 by measuring the q-axis current in the vector control of the motor 16, and can measure the weight of the clothes in the rotatable tub 15 based on the load. The fabric quality detection unit 74 detects the fabric quality of the clothes contained in the water tub 13 and the rotatable tub 15. For example, the fabric quality detection unit 74 detects the fabric quality of the clothes based on the amount of moisture absorbed by the clothes. The fabric quality detection unit 74 classifies the fabric quality of the clothes into multiple categories. For example, the fabric quality detection unit 74 classifies the clothes into two categories: "cotton-based," which mainly consists of cotton-based clothes that absorb moisture easily and wrinkle easily, and "synthetic-based," which mainly consists of synthetic-based clothes that absorb moisture less easily than cotton-based clothes and wrinkle less easily.

[0029] The motor 16, the drain valve 171, the tub water supply valve 21, the compressor 53, the blower 55, and the humidification water supply valve 62 are electrically connected to the control device 80 and operate under the control of the control device 80. The temperature detection unit 71, the humidity detection unit 72, the weight detection unit 73, and the fabric type detection unit 74 are also electrically connected to the control device 80 and transmit their respective detection results to the control device 80. The control device 80 is mainly composed of a microcomputer having a memory area such as a CPU, ROM, RAM, and rewritable flash memory. The control device 80 controls the overall operation of the washer-dryer 10. The memory area of ​​the control device 80 stores a control program for controlling the washer-dryer 10 to perform its operation. Each process of the control device 80 is realized by the CPU executing the control program. The control device 80 receives detection signals from the various detection units 71 to 74 and, based on a control program, controls the operation of the motor 16, drain valve 171, tank water supply valve 21, compressor 53, blower 55, and humidification water supply valve 62 to perform operation. Operation refers to the sequential execution of multiple different processes.

[0030] The types of operations that can be performed by the control device 80 include a washing operation, a drying operation, a washing and drying operation, and a wrinkle removal operation. As shown in FIG. 5 , the wrinkle removal operation sequentially includes a humidification process and a drying process. The humidification process is a process of supplying moist air to the water tub 13 to provide appropriate moisture to the clothes, stretch the clothes' fibers, and remove wrinkles from the clothes. In other words, the humidification process is a process of adding moisture to the water tub 13. During the humidification process, the control device 80 controls the operation of the humidification water supply valve 62, the air blower 55, the motor 16, and the like to remove wrinkles from the clothes. During the humidification process, the motor 16 is driven to agitate the entire clothes, making it easier for the moist air to hit the entire clothes. Furthermore, during the humidification process, the control device 80 does not drive the compressor 53. In other words, the water supply operation is performed without driving the compressor 53. This prevents the air humidified by the evaporator 51, which has reached a low temperature, from being prematurely dehumidified. The duration Tm of the humidification process can be configured to end when a predetermined time has elapsed since the process began.

[0031] The drying process is a process for drying the clothes that have become damp due to the humidifying process. In the drying process, the control device 80 controls the operation of the compressor 53, the blower 55, the motor 16, etc. to dry the clothes. In this embodiment, the period Td of the drying process is set shorter than the period Tm of the humidifying process. For example, the period Td can be set within a range of 1 / 3 to 2 / 3 times the period Tm.

[0032] Furthermore, the airflow rate of the air blower 55 during the humidifying process is set to be smaller than the airflow rate of the air blower 55 during the drying process. This prevents the evaporation of moisture from the clothes from being promoted rather than the penetration of moisture into the clothes during the humidifying process. For example, the control device 80 sets the rotation speed Ns1 of the air blower 55 during the humidifying process to be smaller than the rotation speed Ns2 of the air blower 55 during the drying process. In this embodiment, the rotation speed Ns1 of the air blower 55 during the humidifying process is set to 2000 rpm. The rotation speed Ns2 of the air blower 55 during the drying process is set to 3500 rpm. Note that the wrinkle removal operation may be configured not to execute the drying process.

[0033] In the humidification process, the control device 80 performs a water supply operation in which the humidification water supply valve 62 is opened to supply water from the water supply unit 63 to the humidification promotion unit 61. In the humidification process, the control device 80 performs the water supply operation discontinuously multiple times. In the water supply operation, as shown in FIG. 6, the control device 80 performs one cycle of opening the humidification water supply valve 62 for a predetermined water supply period T1 and closing the humidification water supply valve 62 for a non-water supply period T2. For example, by increasing the frequency of the water supply operation, the amount of humidification of the clothes can be increased.

[0034] The amount of water supplied per water supply operation is set within a range of, for example, several tens to several hundreds of mL. The amount of water supplied per water supply operation can be increased or decreased by adjusting the water supply period T1. The predetermined water supply period T1 can be set within a range of, for example, 0.5 to 3 seconds. The predetermined no-water-supply period T2 can be set within a range of, for example, 30 to 200 seconds. In this embodiment, as shown in Example 1 of FIG. 7, the water supply period T1 is set to 2 seconds, and the no-water-supply period T2 is set to 30 seconds. However, as shown in Example 2 or Example 3 of FIG. 7, the water supply period T1 may be set to 0.5 seconds or 1 second. The no-water-supply period T2 may be set to 60 seconds or 120 seconds. Water supply information relating to the water supply period T1 and the no-water-supply period T2 is stored in a memory area of ​​the control device 80. The control device 80 executes the water supply operation in the humidification process based on the water supply information. The amount of water supplied per water supply operation is not limited to adjustment of the water supply period T1, and may be increased or decreased by adjusting the flow rate.

[0035] During the humidification process, the humidification water supply valve 62 is frequently opened and closed to supply small amounts of water from the water supply unit 63 to the humidification promotion unit 61. When performing the humidification process, it is desirable to ensure humidification performance to reduce wrinkles in clothes while also considering reliability, such as the durability of the humidification water supply valve 62 and preventing the operation time from becoming too long. Therefore, in this embodiment, a minimum and maximum number of water supply operations to be performed during the humidification process are set. By setting the minimum and maximum number of water supply operations, it is possible to achieve both improved performance in reducing wrinkles in clothes and improved reliability.

[0036] When setting the minimum and maximum numbers of water supply operations, it is necessary to take into consideration various conditions related to humidification, such as the ambient temperature around the washer-dryer 10 and the state of the clothes in the rotatable tub 15, for example, the weight or fabric quality of the clothes. Therefore, the control device 80 sets the minimum and maximum numbers of water supply operations based on the ambient temperature te detected by the temperature detection unit 71. The control device 80 also sets the minimum and maximum numbers of water supply operations based on the weight W detected by the weight detection unit 73. Furthermore, the control device 80 sets the minimum and maximum numbers of water supply operations based on the fabric quality detected by the fabric quality detection unit 74. In this case, as shown in the example of FIG. 8 , the memory area of ​​the control device 80 stores number information related to the minimum and maximum numbers of water supply operations according to combinations of the weight W of the clothes and the fabric quality of the clothes for each of multiple ranges of the ambient temperature te.

[0037] For example, the environmental temperature te is divided into three categories: an environmental temperature te of 15°C or more but less than 25°C, an environmental temperature te of 25°C or more, and an environmental temperature te of less than 15°C. The control device 80 sets the minimum and maximum numbers of times the water supply operation will be performed in the humidifying process based on the number of times information and the detection results of the temperature detection unit 71, the weight detection unit 73, and the fabric type detection unit 74. For example, if the environmental temperature te detected by the temperature detection unit 71 is 17°C, the weight W of the clothes detected by the weight detection unit 73 is 1.2 kg, and the fabric type of the clothes detected by the fabric type detection unit 74 is "synthetic fiber," the control device 80 sets the minimum number of times the water supply operation will be performed to 12 and the maximum number of times to 17 based on the number of times information shown in the upper part of FIG. 8. In this case, the control device 80 performs the water supply operation in the humidifying process until the predetermined number of times, which is between 12 and 17, is reached.

[0038] Furthermore, the control device 80 can set the amount of water supplied in the water supply operation performed at the minimum number of times to be greater than the amount of water supplied in the water supply operation immediately before the minimum number of times. In this case, the control device 80, for example, sets the water supply period T1 in the water supply operation performed at the minimum number of times to be longer than the water supply period T1 in the water supply operation immediately before the minimum number of times. FIG. 9 shows several examples of the water supply period T1 and the no-water-supply period T2 in the water supply operation performed at the minimum number of times and the operation immediately before the minimum number of times. Information regarding the water supply period T1 and the no-water-supply period T2 in the water supply operation performed at the minimum number of times and the operation immediately before the minimum number of times is stored in a memory area of ​​the control device 80. The control device 80 performs the water supply operation in the humidification process based on this information.

[0039] According to the embodiment described above, the washer-dryer 10 as a clothing processing device includes the outer casing 11, the water tub 13, the air passage 40, the blower 55, the humidification promotion unit 61, the humidification water supply passage 64, the humidification water supply valve 62, and the control device 80. The water tub 13 has an air inlet 132 and is provided inside the outer casing 11. The air passage 40 is connected to the air inlet 132. The blower 55 blows air from the air passage 40 to the water tub 13. The humidification promotion unit 61 is disposed inside the air passage 40. The humidification water supply passage 64 supplies water from an external water source to the humidification promotion unit 61. The humidification water supply valve 62 opens and closes the humidification water supply passage 64. The control device 80 controls the operation of the blower 55 and the humidification water supply valve 62. The control device 80 executes a water supply operation to open the humidification water supply valve 62 in the humidification process to add moisture to the water tub 13. The minimum and maximum numbers of times the water supply operation is executed in the humidification process are set.

[0040] According to this, water supplied to humidification promotion section 61 is vaporized by air blower 55 and further supplied as water vapor into water tub 13, thereby increasing the humidity in water tub 13. Furthermore, humidification can be achieved without using a heater, thereby saving power. Furthermore, by performing the water supply operation the minimum number of times, wrinkles in clothes can be alleviated, and by limiting the number of operations of humidification water supply valve 62 associated with the water supply operation and taking durability of humidification water supply valve 62 into consideration, the reliability of washer-dryer 10 can be improved.

[0041] The washer-dryer 10 further includes a temperature detection unit 71. The temperature detection unit 71 detects the ambient temperature of the washer-dryer 10. The control device 80 sets the minimum and maximum number of times the water supply operation will be performed based on the ambient temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 71. This allows the optimal number of times the water supply operation will be performed in accordance with the ambient temperature, thereby achieving both wrinkle reduction in clothes and improved reliability.

[0042] The washer-dryer 10 further includes a weight detection unit 73. The weight detection unit 73 detects the weight of the clothes in the water tub 13. The control device 80 sets the minimum and maximum number of times the water supply operation will be performed based on the weight detected by the weight detection unit 73. This allows the water supply operation to be performed the optimal number of times depending on the weight of the clothes, thereby achieving both wrinkle reduction in the clothes and improved reliability.

[0043] The washer-dryer 10 further includes a fabric quality detection unit 74. The fabric quality detection unit 74 detects the fabric quality of the clothes in the water tub 13. The control device 80 sets the minimum and maximum number of times the water supply operation will be performed based on the fabric quality detected by the fabric quality detection unit 74. This allows the optimal number of times the water supply operation will be performed depending on the fabric quality of the clothes, thereby achieving both wrinkle reduction in the clothes and improved reliability.

[0044] Furthermore, the control device 80 sets the amount of water supplied in the minimum number of water supply operations to be greater than the amount of water supplied in the water supply operation immediately before the minimum number of operations. This makes it possible to efficiently achieve the effect of reducing wrinkles in clothes while reducing the number of operations of the humidification water supply valve 62 due to the water supply operation.

[0045] (Second embodiment) Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 10 and 11. Here, the number of times the water supply operation is performed in the humidification process is preferably set taking into consideration the amount of moisture contained in the air in water tub 13. Therefore, in this second embodiment, after performing the water supply operation until the minimum number of times is reached in the humidification process, if humidity H1 detected by humidity detection unit 72 is equal to or lower than threshold value X, control device 80 performs an additional water supply operation.

[0046] An example of the control executed by the control device 80 in the humidification process will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Note that in the example of Fig. 10, only the process related to the control of the humidification water supply valve 62 is described, and the description of the control of the motor 16 and the blower 55 is omitted. When the humidification process is executed (start), the control device 80 opens and closes the humidification water supply valve 62 to execute the water supply operation in step S11. Next, in step S12, the control device 80 determines whether the number of times the water supply operation has been executed has reached the minimum number of times.

[0047] If the number of times the water supply operation has been performed reaches the minimum number of times (YES in step S12), the control device 80 proceeds to step S13 and acquires the humidity H1 detected by the humidity detection unit 72. Next, in step S14, the control device 80 determines whether the humidity H1 detected by the humidity detection unit 72 exceeds the threshold value X. If the humidity H1 exceeds the threshold value X (YES in step S14), the control device 80 ends the humidification process (END).

[0048] On the other hand, if the humidity H1 does not exceed the threshold value X (NO in step S14), the control device 80 proceeds to step S15 and performs an additional water supply operation. Thereafter, in step S16, the control device 80 determines whether the number of times the water supply operation has been performed has reached the maximum number. If the number of times the water supply operation has been performed has reached the maximum number (YES in step S16), the control device 80 ends the humidification process.

[0049] On the other hand, if the number of times the water supply operation has been performed has not reached the maximum number of times (NO in step S16), the control device 80 returns the process to step S13 and proceeds with the subsequent processes.

[0050] According to the second embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be achieved. In addition, the effect of reducing wrinkles in clothes can be efficiently achieved without increasing the number of times that the humidification water supply valve 62 is operated by the water supply operation more than necessary.

[0051] Furthermore, the control device 80 can set the amount of water supplied in an additional water supply operation performed after the minimum number of times has been reached to be greater than the amount of water supplied in the immediately preceding water supply operation. As shown in the example of FIG. 11 , for example, when an additional water supply operation is performed for the second time, the control device 80 sets the amount of water supplied to be greater than the amount of water supplied in the immediately preceding first additional water supply operation. In this case, the control device 80 supplies 0.1 L of water when the additional water supply operation is performed for the second time, and 0.2 L when the additional water supply operation is performed for the second time. The control device 80 is not limited to a configuration in which the amount of water supplied in each additional water supply operation is increased, but may be set to increase the amount of water supplied from the immediately preceding water supply operation for a predetermined number of times. This allows the amount of water supplied to the humidification promotion unit 61 to be increased as the number of times the water supply operation is performed approaches the maximum number. This minimizes the number of times the humidification water supply valve 62 is opened and closed, ensuring reliability and further improving the effectiveness of wrinkle reduction in clothing.

[0052] (Third embodiment) Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 12. In this third embodiment, if humidity H1 detected by humidity detection unit 72 is equal to or lower than threshold X after the water supply operation has been performed a minimum number of times during the humidification process, controller 80 opens tub water supply valve 21 during a period that at least partially overlaps with a period during which motor 16 is driven to rotate rotatable tub 15. That is, if humidity H1 detected by humidity detection unit 72 is equal to or lower than threshold X after the water supply operation has been performed a minimum number of times during the humidification process, controller 80 humidifies the inside of water tub 13 using water supply path 23, which is different from humidification water supply path 64, while rotating rotatable tub 15.

[0053] In this embodiment, during the humidification process, controller 80 executes the control shown in FIG. 12 instead of the control shown in FIG. 10 . The control shown in FIG. 12 includes steps S21 to S25 instead of steps S15 to S16 shown in FIG. 10 . In this case, if humidity H1 detected by humidity detector 72 after the minimum number of water supply operations has been performed does not exceed threshold X (NO in step S14), controller 80 proceeds to step S21 and performs a second water supply operation by opening tub water supply valve 21 while rotating tub 15 is being rotated to supply water to water tub 13. Alternatively, the second water supply operation may involve using a known water discharge device provided above exhaust duct 41 to discharge water into exhaust duct 41 while rotating tub 15 is being rotated, thereby supplying water into water tub 13 from exhaust port 131. In this case, in the second water supply operation, water supply by opening the tank water supply valve 21 and water supply using the water discharge device may be used in combination, and the periods for which both water supplies are performed may be the same or different.

[0054] The control device 80 may perform the second water supplying operation at a time other than after the number of water supplying operations has reached the minimum number. In this case, the control device 80 may perform the second water supplying operation, for example, after the first water supplying operation or in conjunction with the first water supplying operation, when a predetermined condition is met, such as the ambient temperature te detected by the temperature detection unit 71 being low, for example, below 15°C, or the weight W detected by the weight detection unit 73 being greater than a predetermined value. Furthermore, the control device 80 may perform the second water supplying operation not only after the first water supplying operation, but also after the second or subsequent water supplying operations or in conjunction with a water supplying operation. The control device 80 determines whether the predetermined condition is met, for example, after the humidification process is performed and before performing the first water supplying operation.

[0055] Next, in step S22, the control device 80 acquires the humidity H2 detected by the humidity detection unit 72. Thereafter, in step S23, the control device 80 determines whether the humidity H2 detected by the humidity detection unit 72 exceeds the threshold value X. If the humidity H2 exceeds the threshold value X (YES in step S23), the control device 80 ends the humidification process (END in FIG. 12).

[0056] On the other hand, if the humidity H2 does not exceed the threshold value X (NO in step S23), the control device 80 proceeds to step S24 and controls the humidification water supply valve 62 to perform the water supply operation. Thereafter, in step S25, the control device 80 determines whether the number of times the water supply operation has been performed has reached the maximum number of times. If the number of times the water supply operation has been performed has reached the maximum number of times (YES in step S25), the control device 80 ends the humidification process.

[0057] On the other hand, if the number of times the water supply operation has been performed has not reached the maximum number (NO in step S25), the control device 80 returns the process to step S22 and proceeds with the subsequent processes. Note that the water supply period T1 and no-water-supply period T2 of the second water supply operation may be the same as or different from the water supply period T1 and no-water-supply period T2 of the water supply operation using the humidification water supply valve 62.

[0058] The third embodiment also achieves the same effects as the first embodiment. Furthermore, since the clothes can be humidified using the tub water supply path 23, the number of times the humidification water supply valve 62 operates can be reduced while still ensuring wrinkle reduction. Furthermore, supplying water while rotating the rotating tub 15 promotes humidification, further improving the wrinkle reduction effect.

[0059] (Fourth embodiment) Next, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 13 to 15. This fourth embodiment differs from the above-described embodiments in that the inside of water tub 13 is humidified using a path for cleaning bellows 14. In this fourth embodiment, washer-dryer 10 is provided with cleaning mechanism 90, as shown in Fig. 13. Cleaning mechanism 90 has a function of cleaning the inner circumferential surface of bellows 14, and increases the humidity inside water tub 13 by using the water used to clean the inner circumferential surface of bellows 14.

[0060] The cleaning mechanism 90 has a bellows water supply valve 91 and a bellows water supply path 92. The bellows water supply valve 91 is configured to be electromagnetically openable and closable. The bellows water supply valve 91 has the function of opening and closing the bellows water supply path 92. The bellows water supply valve 91 is electrically connected to and controlled by the control device 80. The bellows water supply path 92 is used to spray water from an external water source toward the inner surface of the bellows 14. The downstream side of the bellows water supply path 92 is located above the opening 181 of the water tank cover 18.

[0061] As shown in Figure 14, bellows water supply path 92 has a water supply hose 921, a water inlet 922, a communicating flow path 923, a path main body 924, and multiple water outlets 925, 926. Water supply hose 921 is composed of a tubular member, and one end is connected to bellows water supply valve 91 and the other end is connected to water inlet 922. Water inlet 922 is located inside water tank cover 18. Water inlet 922 receives water that has passed through water supply hose 921. In other words, when bellows water supply valve 91 is opened, water supplied from an external water source is supplied into water inlet 922 via water supply hose 921.

[0062] The communicating flow path 923 is formed from a thin tubular member and provides communication between the water inlet 922 and the path main body 924. Water supplied to the water inlet 922 flows through the communicating flow path 923 into the path main body 924. The path main body 924 is formed to extend generally in an arc shape above the opening 181. The path main body 924 receives the water that has passed through the communicating flow path 923. Multiple water outlets 925, 926 are provided radially inward within the area of ​​the path main body 924. The water outlets 925, 926 are formed by penetrating the water tub cover 18 along the axial direction of the water tub 13 and are capable of spraying water toward the inner circumferential surface of the bellows 14. The two water outlets 925, 926 are spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction of the water tub 13.

[0063] Water outlets 925, 926 each open outward in the left-right direction. Specifically, water outlet 925 located on the left side of water tub cover 18 opens to the left. Meanwhile, water outlet 926 located on the right side of water tub cover 18 opens to the right. Therefore, water can be sprayed in a dispersed manner onto the left and right inner circumferential surfaces of bellows 14 by the two water outlets 925, 926.

[0064] In this embodiment, the control device 80 opens the bellows water supply valve 91 if the humidity H1 detected by the humidity detection unit 72 is equal to or less than the threshold value X after the water supply operation has been performed until the minimum number of times in the humidification process. That is, the control device 80 humidifies the inside of the water tub 13 using a water supply path 92 different from the humidification water supply path 64 if the humidity H1 detected by the humidity detection unit 72 is equal to or less than the threshold value X after the water supply operation has been performed until the minimum number of times in the humidification process.

[0065] In this embodiment, the control device 80 executes the control shown in FIG. 15 during the humidification process, instead of the control shown in FIG. 12. The control shown in FIG. 15 includes the additional processing of step S31 instead of step S21 shown in FIG. 12. In this case, if the humidity H1 detected by the humidity detection unit 72 after the number of water supply operations has reached the minimum number does not exceed the threshold X (NO in step S14), the control device 80 proceeds to step S31 and opens the bellows water supply valve 91 as the third water supply operation to clean the bellows 14 and humidify the water tub 13. Thereafter, the control device 80 proceeds with the processing from step S22 onward. Note that the water supply period T1 and no-water supply period T2 of the third water supply operation may be the same as or different from the water supply period T1 and no-water supply period T2 of the water supply operation using the humidification water supply valve 62.

[0066] The control device 80 may perform the third water supplying operation at a time other than after the number of water supplying operations has reached the minimum number. In this case, the control device 80 may perform the third water supplying operation, for example, after the first water supplying operation or in conjunction with the first water supplying operation, when predetermined conditions are met, such as the ambient temperature te detected by the temperature detection unit 71 being low, for example, below 15°C, or the weight W detected by the weight detection unit 73 being greater than a predetermined value. Furthermore, the control device 80 may perform the third water supplying operation not only after the first water supplying operation, but also after the second or subsequent water supplying operations or in conjunction with a water supplying operation. The control device 80 determines whether the predetermined conditions are met, for example, after the humidification process has been performed and before performing the first water supplying operation.

[0067] The fourth embodiment also provides the same effects as the first embodiment. In addition, since the bellows water supply path 92 can be used to humidify the clothes, the number of times the humidification water supply valve 62 operates can be reduced while still ensuring the effect of reducing wrinkles in the clothes.

[0068] 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]

[0069] 10... washer-dryer (clothing treatment device), 11... outer case, 13... water tank (treatment tank), 132... air inlet, 40... air path, 55... air blower, 61... humidification promotion section, 62... humidification water supply valve (water supply valve), 64... humidification water supply path (water supply path), 80... control device

Claims

1. The outer box and a treatment tank having an air inlet and provided inside the outer box; an air passage connected to the air intake port; a blower that blows air in the air passage into the treatment tank; a humidification promotion unit disposed in the air passage; a water supply path for supplying water from an external water source to the humidification promotion unit; a water supply valve that opens and closes the water supply path; a control device that controls the operation of the air blower and the water supply valve, the control device executes a water supply operation of opening the water supply valve in a humidification process of adding moisture to the treatment tank, In the humidification process, a minimum number and a maximum number of times the water supply operation is to be performed are set. Clothes treatment device.

2. The laundry treatment device further includes a temperature detection unit that detects an ambient temperature of the laundry treatment device. The control device sets a minimum number and a maximum number of times the water supply operation is to be performed based on the environmental temperature detected by the temperature detection unit. The clothing treatment device according to claim 1 .

3. The washing machine further includes a weight detection unit that detects the weight of the clothes in the treatment tank, The control device sets a minimum number and a maximum number of times the water supply operation is to be performed based on the weight detected by the weight detection unit. The clothing treatment device according to claim 1 .

4. The washing machine further includes a fabric quality detection unit that detects the fabric quality of the clothes in the treatment tank, the control device sets a minimum number and a maximum number of times the water supplying operation is to be performed based on the fabric quality detected by the fabric quality detection unit. The clothing treatment device according to claim 1 .

5. The control device sets the amount of water supplied in the water supply operation at the minimum number of times to be greater than the amount of water supplied in the water supply operation immediately before the minimum number of times. The clothing treatment device according to claim 1 .

6. Further provided is a humidity detection unit that detects humidity in the air passage, the control device additionally executes the water supply operation when the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit is equal to or lower than a threshold value after the water supply operation has been executed until the minimum number of times has been reached in the humidification process. The clothing treatment device according to claim 1 .

7. the control device sets the amount of water supplied in the water supply operation additionally performed after the minimum number of times has been reached to be greater than the amount of water supplied in the immediately preceding water supply operation. The clothing treatment device according to claim 6.

8. a rotary tank rotatably provided inside the treatment tank; a motor that rotates the rotary tub; a tank water supply path that supplies water from the external water source directly into the treatment tank; a tank water supply valve that opens and closes the tank water supply path; a humidity detection unit that detects humidity in the air passage, When the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit is equal to or lower than a threshold value after the water supply operation is performed a minimum number of times in the humidification process, the control device opens the tub water supply valve during a period that at least partially overlaps with a period during which the motor is driven to rotate the rotating tub. The clothing treatment device according to claim 1 .

9. an entrance / exit for receiving clothes into the treatment tank; a door for opening and closing the entrance; a bellows provided around the entrance and the opening of the treatment tank; a bellows water supply path for supplying water from the external water source to the bellows; a bellows water supply valve that opens and closes the bellows water supply path; a humidity detection unit that detects humidity in the air passage, the control device opens the bellows water supply valve when the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit is equal to or lower than a threshold value after the water supply operation has been performed a minimum number of times in the humidification process. The clothing treatment device according to claim 1 .

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