Clothes treatment apparatus

Abstract

To provide a clothes processor capable of detecting water supply abnormality in a washing and drying machine provided with a wrinkle removing function.SOLUTION: The laundry treating apparatus includes an outer box, a storage tub provided in the outer box and having an air inlet and an air outlet, a duct provided in the outer box and connecting the air inlet and the air outlet, a humidification promoting member disposed in the duct, a water supply path for supplying water from a water supply source outside the outer box to the humidification promoting member, a water supply valve for opening and closing the water supply path, a humidity detector for detecting humidity in the duct, and a control device for executing a humidifying step of giving moisture into the storage tub. The control device performs a water supply operation of opening the water supply valve in the humidifying process, and the control device detects a water supply abnormality that water is not supplied from the water supply path or a water supply amount is smaller than a predetermined amount based on at least the detected humidity of the humidity detection part after the water supply operation in the humidifying process.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Washing and drying machines that have both washing and drying functions are known. Among these washing and drying machines, some have also been developed with the function of smoothing out wrinkles in clothes.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a washer-dryer that has a heating section (heater) between the bottom of the drum (inner tub) and the outer tub, and a water receiving section for temporarily storing water around the heating section.With clothes placed in the drum, steam is generated in the heating section to moisten the clothes, and then a blower fan is used to send air into the drum to dry the clothes, thereby removing wrinkles from the clothes. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-069529 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The water used for the wrinkle removal function must be drawn from an external water supply source. However, for example, the user may not be aware that water is used for the wrinkle removal operation and may not open the water faucet before starting the operation, or may forget to open the faucet. Furthermore, water may not be supplied from the external water supply source due to some kind of malfunction or abnormality in the water supply, the faucet, or the hose connecting the faucet to the washer-dryer. In this case, even if the wrinkle removal operation is performed, steam is not generated, so the wrinkles in the clothes are not removed and the operation time and power are wasted. Therefore, there is room for consideration of how to detect water supply abnormalities in washer-dryers with wrinkle removal functions.

[0006] Therefore, this embodiment of the present invention provides a clothing treatment device that can detect a water supply abnormality in a washer / dryer with a wrinkle removing function. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In one embodiment, the laundry treatment device includes an outer box, a storage tub provided within the outer box and having an air inlet and an air outlet, a duct provided within the outer box and connecting the air inlet and the air outlet, a humidification promotion member disposed within the duct, a water supply path that supplies water from a water source external to the outer box to the humidification promotion member, a water supply valve that opens and closes the water supply path, a humidity detection unit that detects humidity within the duct, and a control device that executes a humidification process that adds humidity to the storage tub. During the humidification process, the control device performs a water supply operation that opens the water supply valve, and during the humidification process, the control device detects a water supply abnormality, such as no water being supplied from the water supply path or an amount of water supplied that is less than a predetermined amount, based on at least the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit after the water supply operation. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [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 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 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an air passage and a drying unit in an example in which the laundry treatment device according to the first embodiment is applied to a washer / dryer; [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a heat exchanger serving as a humidification promoting member and its surroundings in an example in which the clothing treatment device according to the first embodiment is applied to a washing / drying machine; [Figure 5] 5 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a heat exchanger serving as a humidification promoting member and its surroundings in an example in which the laundry treatment device according to the first embodiment is applied to a washer / dryer, viewed from the direction of arrow V in FIG. [Figure 6]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of an example in which a laundry treatment device according to a first embodiment is applied to a washer / dryer; [Figure 7] 1 is a timing chart showing the operation of each component in the wrinkle removal operation of the first embodiment; [Figure 8] 1 is a chart showing an example of the open / close control of the water supply valve and the detected humidity during an initial period of the humidification process according to the first embodiment; [Figure 9] 1 is a flowchart showing an example of a humidification process performed by the clothing treatment device of the first embodiment; [Figure 10] 10 is a chart showing an example of the open / close control of the water supply valve and the detected humidity during an initial period of the humidification process according to the second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a clothing processing system including a clothing processing device according to a third embodiment; [Figure 12] A block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a clothing processing system including a clothing processing device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 13] An example of a notification screen displayed on an external terminal of a clothing processing system including a clothing processing device according to a third embodiment [Figure 14] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a humidification process performed by a clothing treatment device according to a third embodiment (part 1); [Figure 15] Flowchart (part 2) showing an example of a humidification process performed by the clothing treatment device of the third embodiment [Figure 16] 14 is a flowchart showing an example of a humidification process performed by a laundry treatment device according to a fourth embodiment; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, several embodiments in which a laundry treatment device is applied to a washer / dryer will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that substantially the same elements in several embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0010] (First embodiment) A first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 9. A washer-dryer 10 shown in Figures 1 and 2 is a horizontal-axis or oblique-axis drum-type washer-dryer equipped with a drying function.

[0011] 1 and 2, the washer-dryer 10 includes an outer case 11, a door 12, an outer tub 13, a bellows 14, a rotating tub 15, a rotating tub motor 16, a water supply mechanism 17, a drainage mechanism 18, and a display unit 19. In this embodiment, the door 11 side of the outer case 11, i.e., the left side of the paper in FIG. 1, is the front side of the washer-dryer 10. The outer case 11 is formed into a rectangular hollow box shape using, for example, a stainless steel plate, and forms the outer shell of the washer-dryer 10. The outer case 11 has a clothes opening / closing port 111 at the front portion, which connects the inside and outside of the outer case 11.

[0012] The door 12 is provided at the front of the outer box 11 and is configured to be able to open and close the clothing entrance 111. With the door 12 open, the user can put clothes into or take clothes out of the rotating tub 15 through the clothing entrance 111.

[0013] The outer tub 13 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom and an opening 131 on the front side. In this embodiment, the outer tub 13 can store water inside and functions as an outer tub in this case. The outer tub 13 has an air outlet 132 and an air inlet 133. The air outlet 132 is located, for example, in the upper front part of the peripheral wall that constitutes the cylindrical part of the outer tub 13, and is provided at a position spaced apart in the left-right direction from the center of the outer tub 13, i.e., the top of the cylindrical outer surface of the outer tub 13. The air inlet 133 is located, for example, in the bottom of the outer tub 13, slightly above the center in the up-down direction of the bottom. The air outlet 132 and air inlet 133 communicate between the inside and outside of the outer tub 13.

[0014] The bellows 14 is provided around the clothes inlet / outlet 111 of the outer box 11 and the opening 131 of the outer tub 13. The bellows 14 is formed, for example, in the shape of a cylindrical accordion, and elastically connects the outer box 11 and the outer tub 13 while communicating the clothes inlet / outlet 111 and the opening 131.

[0015] The rotatable tub 15 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom capable of storing clothes, and is rotatably housed inside the outer tub 13. The rotation axis of the rotatable tub 15 overlaps the central axis of the outer tub 13. The rotatable tub 15 has multiple communication ports 151. The communication ports 151 connect the inside and outside of the rotatable tub 15. The communication ports 151 are formed throughout the peripheral wall constituting the cylindrical portion of the rotatable tub 15 and the bottom of the rotatable tub 15. The communication ports 151 function mainly as water passages through which water flows in and out during the washing and spin-drying operations, and as ventilation ports through which air flows in and out during the drying operation. The outer tub 13 and the rotatable tub 15 function as a clothing storage tub that stores clothes inside when the washer-dryer is operating.

[0016] 1 and 3, a plurality of baffles 152 are provided inside the cylindrical portion of rotatable tub 15. Baffles 152 agitate the clothes stored inside rotatable tub 15 as rotatable tub 15 rotates.

[0017] The rotatable tub motor 16 is provided, for example, on the outside of the bottom of the outer tub 13. The tip of the shaft 161 of the rotatable tub motor 16 protrudes into the interior of the outer tub 13 and is connected to the rotatable tub 15. The rotatable tub motor 16 may be, for example, an outer rotor DC brushless motor. The shaft 161 of the rotatable tub motor 16 penetrates the bottom of the outer tub 13, protrudes into the interior of the outer tub 13, and is fixed to the bottom of the rotatable tub 15. The rotatable tub motor 16 rotates the rotatable tub 15 relative to the outer tub 13. In this case, the shaft 161 of the rotatable tub motor 16, the central axis of the outer tub 13, and the rotation axis of the rotatable tub 15 are all aligned.

[0018] The water supply mechanism 17 is a device for injecting water supplied from an external water source, such as a tap, into the outer tub 13. The water supply mechanism 17 is provided, for example, inside the outer box 11, above the outer tub 13, near either the left or right side. The water supply mechanism 17 includes a first water supply valve 171 for the outer tub, a first water supply path 172 for the outer tub, and a water injection case 173.

[0019] The first water supply valve 171 is an electromagnetically driven on-off valve for liquid, and is connected to an external water source such as a water line (not shown). The first water supply valve 171 opens and closes a first water supply path 172. The first water supply path 172 connects a water supply case 173 to the inside of the outer tub 13. The first water supply path 172 is a path that runs from the external water source to the inside of the outer tub 13. The water supply case 173 is provided on the first water supply path 172 downstream of the first water supply valve 171. The water supply case 173 is configured to be able to store laundry treatment agents such as detergent and finishing agent inside.

[0020] When the first water supply valve 171 is opened, water from an external water source is poured into the outer tub 13 via the water supply case 173. If a laundry treatment agent is stored in the water supply case 173, the laundry treatment agent in the water supply case 173 is carried by the water flowing through the first water supply path 172 and flows down into the outer tub 13. Note that the washer-dryer 10 does not necessarily have to include the water supply case 173. That is, the washer-dryer 10 may be configured so that the user directly pours the laundry treatment agent into the outer tub 13.

[0021] Drain mechanism 18 has a function of discharging water stored inside outer tub 13 to the outside of washer-dryer 10. Drain mechanism 18 is configured to include a drain valve 181 and a drain path 182. Drain valve 181 is an electromagnetically driven on-off valve for liquid. Drain valve 181 opens and closes drain path 182. Drain path 182 is a path that leads from inside outer tub 13 to the outside of the machine.

[0022] The display unit 19 is configured with, for example, a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) touch panel display. A user can perform touch operations on the display unit 19. The touch panel of the display unit 19 is, for example, of a capacitance type. The touch panel is not limited to the capacitance type, and other types such as a resistive film type may also be used. The display unit 19 can be configured with a sound generation unit (not shown). The sound generation unit can be, for example, a speaker capable of reproducing sound. The display unit 19 functions as a notification unit for notifying the user of various types of information.

[0023] The washer-dryer 10 also has a drying function. The washer-dryer 10 includes an air passage 20 and a drying unit 30. The air passage 20 includes a duct connected to the air outlet 132 and / or the air inlet 133. In this embodiment, the air passage 20 connects the air outlet 132 and the air inlet 133 outside the outer tub 13. That is, the air passage 20, the outer tub 13, and the rotatable tub 15 form a circulating air passage. The drying unit 30 takes in air from the outer tub 13 through the air outlet 132 into the air passage 20, turns it into hot air, and then supplies the generated hot air from the air inlet 133 into the outer tub 13 and the rotatable tub 15.

[0024] Air passage 20 can be configured to include, for example, exhaust duct 21, filter device 22, connecting duct 23, heat exchanger 24, and intake duct 25. Exhaust duct 21, filter device 22, connecting duct 23, heat exchanger 24, and intake duct 25 are arranged in this order along the flow of air through air passage 20. Exhaust duct 21, connecting duct 23, heat exchanger 24, and intake duct 25 function as ducts that form an air passage by passing air therethrough. Air flows through air passage 20 in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 3 .

[0025] The exhaust duct 21 is a duct that connects the air outlet 132 of the outer tub 13 to the filter device 22. The filter device 22 has a filter (not shown) installed inside it, which captures lint and foreign matter contained in the air flowing through the air passage 20. The connection duct 23 is a duct that connects the filter device 22 to the heat exchanger 24. The heat exchanger 24 is installed on the lower inside of the outer casing 11, below the outer tub 13 and the rotating tub 15. The air taken into the air passage 20 from the outer tub 13 is dehumidified and heated as it passes through the heat exchanger 24, becoming dry, warm air. The supply air duct 25 is a duct that connects the heat exchanger 24 to the air inlet 133 of the outer tub 13.

[0026] The air passage 20 is provided with an exhaust port 26 and an opening / closing device 27. The exhaust port 26 connects the inside of the air passage 20 with the outside of the machine, and discharges the exhaust air from the outer tub 13 to the outside of the machine. The opening / closing device 27 opens and closes the exhaust port 26.

[0027] The drying unit 30 functions as a hot air supplying device that generates hot air for drying the clothes in the rotating tub 15 and supplies the hot air from the air inlet 133 into the outer tub 13. The drying unit 30 can be configured to include, for example, a heat pump type or a heater type heating device. In this embodiment, the drying unit 30 is configured to include a heat pump type heating device, and as shown in FIG. 3 , has an evaporator 31, a condenser 32, a compressor 33, a throttling device 34, a refrigerant flow path 35, and a blower 36.

[0028] The evaporator 31 and the condenser 32 are provided within the heat exchange unit 24. The evaporator 31 is provided upstream of the condenser 32 with respect to the air flow within the heat exchange unit 24 during drying operation. The evaporator 31 and the condenser 32, together with a compressor 33 provided outside the heat exchange unit 24, a throttling device 34, and a refrigerant flow path 35 connecting these components in order, form a heat pump mechanism, i.e., a refrigeration cycle. The refrigerant flows in the direction indicated by arrow B in FIG. 3. Air passing through the heat exchange unit 24 is cooled by the evaporator 31 and thereby dehumidified. The air dehumidified by the evaporator 31 is then heated by the condenser 32 to become warm air.

[0029] The downstream side of the heat exchanger 24 is connected to the air inlet 133 of the outer tub 13 by an air intake duct 25. The drying unit 30 also includes a blower 36. The blower 36 is provided, for example, at the connection between the heat exchanger 24 and the air intake duct 25, and can be configured, for example, with a sirocco fan or a propeller fan. The blower 36 draws air into the heat exchanger 24 and discharges it toward the air intake duct 25. As a result, the warm air dehumidified and heated in the heat exchanger 24 is supplied from the air inlet 133 to the outer tub 13 and further into the rotating tub 15 by the blowing action of the blower 36.

[0030] The washer / dryer 10 includes a humidifying mechanism 40. The humidifying mechanism 40 generates air containing moisture to be supplied to the clothes storage tub, i.e., the inside of the outer tub 13 and the rotatable tub 15, and ultimately to the clothes stored in the clothes storage tub. The humidifying mechanism 40 includes a humidification promotion member 41, a second water supply valve 42 for humidification, a second water supply path 43 for humidification, and a water supply unit 44.

[0031] The humidification promotion member 41 has the function of receiving water, wetting its surface, and evaporating the moisture from the surface, thereby adding moisture to the air. The humidification promotion member 41 is disposed in the air passage 20. The humidification promotion member 41 preferably has a structure or shape that gives it a larger surface area than an object having the same volume as the humidification promotion member 41. For example, the humidification promotion member 41 may be made of a porous material, or may be a structure having a large number of fins or pins.

[0032] For example, a heat exchanger including an evaporator 31 and a condenser 32 can be used as the humidification promotion member 41. The evaporator 31 and the condenser 32 have a large number of fins to improve heat exchange efficiency, and are therefore designed to have a larger surface area than an object of the same volume. In this embodiment, the humidification promotion member 41 is a heat exchanger including the evaporator 31 and the condenser 32.

[0033] The second water supply valve 42 is, for example, an electromagnetically driven on-off valve for liquid, and is connected to an external water source such as a water line (not shown). The second water supply valve 42 opens and closes a second water supply path 43. The second water supply path 43 is a path that connects the external water source to the water supply unit 44. The water supply unit 44 has a function of supplying water toward the humidification promotion member 41. The water supply unit 44 has one or more water supply ports 45 on a surface facing the humidification promotion member 41. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the water supply unit 44 is provided above the evaporator 31. The multiple water supply ports 45 are formed on the lower surface of the water supply unit 44, i.e., on the surface facing the upper surface of the evaporator 31.

[0034] When the second water supply valve 42 is opened, water from an external water source is supplied to the water supply unit 44 via the second water supply path 43. The water that reaches the water supply unit 44 is supplied from the water supply port 45 to the evaporator 31 serving as the humidification promotion member 41.

[0035] When second water supply valve 42 is opened and air blower 36 is driven while the surface of humidification promotion member 41 is wet, moisture evaporates from the surface of humidification promotion member 41, generating steam and increasing the humidity in air passage 20. The generated steam is then carried to the clothing storage tub by the action of air blower 36.

[0036] Furthermore, multiple humidification promotion members 41 can be arranged in a row along the direction of air flow in air passage 20. In this case, some of the water supplied to humidification promotion member 41 on the windward side is blown downwind by the wind without being vaporized, thereby wetting the surface of humidification promotion member 41 on the downwind side. Water adhering to the surface of humidification promotion member 41 on the downwind side is vaporized by the action of air blower 36 and is also carried to clothing storage tubs 13, 15.

[0037] In this embodiment, the evaporator 31 and condenser 32 serving as the humidification promotion member 41 are arranged side by side along the direction of air flow within the heat exchanger 24. As a result, some of the water supplied to the evaporator 31 is blown downwind by the wind without being vaporized, thereby wetting the surface of the condenser 32. The water adhering to the surface of the condenser 32 is vaporized by the action of the air blower 36 and carried to the clothing storage tubs 13, 15.

[0038] In this embodiment, the water supply unit 44 is disposed above the evaporator 31, but the water supply unit 44 may be disposed above the condenser 32 in addition to the evaporator 31, or the water supply unit 44 may be disposed above the condenser 32 instead of the evaporator 31. The condenser 32 may be heated by the high-temperature refrigerant pressurized and compressed by the compressor 33, so when the humidification mechanism 40 operates after the compressor 33 operates, evaporation may be promoted by the high-temperature condenser 32.

[0039] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the water inlet 45 is provided at a position facing the upper surface of the humidification promotion member 41, but the water inlet 45 does not have to be provided at a position facing the upper surface of the humidification promotion member 41, and may be provided at a position facing the upwind area of ​​the humidification promotion member 41. In this case, if water is supplied from the water inlet 45 while the air blower 36 is operating, the water will be carried to the humidification promotion member 41 by the air flow, and will be able to wet the humidification promotion member 41.

[0040] The washer-dryer 10 also includes a control device 50, as shown in Fig. 6. The control device 50 is mainly composed of a microcomputer having a CPU 501 and a storage area 502 such as a ROM, a RAM, and a non-volatile memory. The control device 50 has a function of managing the operation of the washer-dryer 10 as a whole. The rotary tub motor 16, the first water supply valve 171, the drain valve 181, the display unit 19, the opening / closing device 27, the compressor 33, the blower 36, and the second water supply valve 42 are electrically connected to the control device 50 and operate under the control of the control device 50.

[0041] The control device 50 can selectively perform a washing operation, a drying operation, a washing and drying operation, and a wrinkle removing operation by operating the rotating tub motor 16, the first water supply valve 171, the drain valve 181, the opening / closing device 27, the compressor 33, the air blower 36, and the second water supply valve 42 as needed. In this embodiment, the "operation" in the washing operation, drying operation, washing and drying operation, or wrinkle removing operation is a concept that includes one or more processes, and is a unit that can be selected by the user.

[0042] The wrinkle removal operation includes a humidification process. The humidification process is a process in which moist air is supplied to the laundry treatment tub to provide the laundry with an appropriate amount of moisture, stretch the fibers of the clothes, and remove wrinkles from the clothes. The humidification process may be performed as part of an operation other than the wrinkle removal operation, such as a washing operation, a drying operation, or a washing and drying operation.

[0043] The washer-dryer 10 includes a humidity detection unit 51 and an abnormality detection processing unit 52. The humidity detection unit 51 detects the humidity of the air in the air passage 20. In this embodiment, the humidity detection unit 51 is disposed in the connection duct 23, i.e., downstream of the exhaust duct 21 and the filter device 22 and upstream of the heat exchange unit 24. The humidity detection unit 51 detects the humidity of the exhaust air discharged from the air outlet 132.

[0044] The abnormality detection processing unit 52 has a function of detecting an abnormality in the water supply during the wrinkle removal operation. The abnormality detection processing unit 52 is virtually realized by software when the CPU 501 executes a computer program stored in the storage area 502 of the control device 50. The abnormality detection processing unit 52 may be configured by hardware, or may be configured by a combination of software and hardware.

[0045] 7, the control device 50 performs the humidification process by operating the second water supply valve 42, the air blower 36, and the rotary tub motor 16. In the humidification process, the control device 50 opens the second water supply valve 42 to perform a water supply operation of supplying water to the humidification promotion member 41 from the water supply port 45.

[0046] The control device 50 executes the water supply operation intermittently, i.e., discontinuously, multiple times during the humidification process. In other words, once the surface of the humidification promotion member 41 is wetted by the water supply operation, there is no need to continue supplying water while the moisture is evaporating from the humidification promotion member 41, thereby reducing the consumption of water resources. The control device 50 can repeat a cycle of opening the second water supply valve 42 for a predetermined water supply period Tw and closing the second water supply valve 42 for a non-water supply period Tn.

[0047] Figure 8 shows a timing chart of the opening and closing control of the second water supply valve 42 during the initial period of the humidification process, which is the period after the start of the humidification process. The control device 50 starts the humidification process at time t0 and opens the second water supply valve 42 from time t2 to t3 and from time t5 to t6. The control device 50 closes the second water supply valve 42 from time t0 to t2, from time t3 to t5, and from time t6 to t8. The periods from time t2 to t3 and from time t5 to t6 are respectively water supply periods Tw. The periods from time t0 to t2, from time t3 to t5, and from time t6 to t8 are respectively no-water supply periods Tn.

[0048] The predetermined water supply period Tw can be set, for example, within a range from 0.5 seconds to 3 seconds. The predetermined no-water supply period Tn can be set, for example, within a range from 30 seconds to 120 seconds. In this embodiment, the water supply period Tw is set to 2 seconds. Also, in this embodiment, the no-water supply period Tn is set to 30 seconds. In other embodiments, the water supply period Tw may be set to 0.5 seconds or 1 second. Also, the no-water supply period Tn may be set to 60 seconds or 120 seconds. The total sum of the water supply periods Tw in the humidifying process is set shorter than the total sum of the no-water supply periods Tn. Therefore, laundry can be efficiently moistened with a small amount of water supply, and the amount of water used in the humidifying process can be reduced.

[0049] As shown in Fig. 7, in the humidification process, the control device 50 drives the air blower 36 at least after the water supply operation. The air blowing function of the air blower 36 blows air onto the humidification promotion member 41, the surface of which has been wetted by the water supply operation, causing moisture to evaporate from the surface. The evaporated moisture passes through the heat exchanger 24 and the air supply duct 25 and is carried into the outer tub 13 and the rotating tub 15. The control device 50 may also drive the air blower 36 before and during the water supply operation. In this embodiment, the control device 50 drives the air blower 36 before, during, and after the water supply operation.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 7, during the humidifying process, the control device 50 also drives the rotatable tub motor 16. As the rotatable tub 15 rotates, the clothes contained within the rotatable tub 15 also rotate. The rotation speed of the rotatable tub motor 16 during the humidifying process is set to a predetermined speed at which the clothes rise to the top of the rotatable tub together with the rotatable tub 15 and then fall off. Relative movement between the clothes occurs, so the clothes are agitated, making it easier for moist air to hit the entire clothes. This makes it easier to remove wrinkles from the entire clothes. For example, the rotation speed of the rotatable tub motor 16 can be set within a range of approximately 40 rpm to approximately 50 rpm. The control device 50 may rotate the rotatable tub motor 16 forward and backward.

[0051] Although not shown, the control device 50 controls the opening and closing device 27 during the humidification process to close the exhaust port 26. Therefore, the moisture evaporated from the surface of the humidification promotion member 41 circulates within the air passage 20.

[0052] 7, the control device 50 does not drive the compressor 33 during the humidification process. That is, the water supply operation is performed without driving the compressor 33. This prevents the air humidified by the evaporator 31, which has reached a low temperature, from being instantly dehumidified.

[0053] As shown in Figure 7, the control device 50 may execute a drying process following the humidifying process during the wrinkle removal operation. This is to dry the clothes that have become damp due to the humidifying process. In the drying process, the control device 50 drives the compressor 33, the air blower 36, and the rotary tub motor 16.

[0054] In the drying step after the humidifying step, the control device 50 does not need to drive the compressor 33. That is, in the drying step, the control device 50 may dry the clothes by supplying air that is not heated by the drying unit 30 to the rotating tub 15 using the air blower 36.

[0055] When the drying process is performed after the humidifying process, the control device 50 controls the opening / closing device 27 to open the exhaust port 26 after the humidifying process is completed. In this embodiment, the control device 50 controls the opening / closing device 27 to open the exhaust port 26 at least in the early stage of the drying process after the humidifying process. This allows the highly humid air in the air duct 20 and the laundry treatment tub to be discharged outside the machine, accelerating the drying of the laundry.

[0056] The abnormality detection processor 52 executes an abnormality detection process. The abnormality detection process is a process for detecting an abnormality in the water supply operation during the humidification process. Specifically, the abnormality detection process detects whether water is not being supplied to the humidification promotion member 41 or whether the amount of water supplied to the humidification promotion member 41 is less than a predetermined amount when the water supply operation is executed. If a sufficient amount of water is not supplied to the humidification promotion member even when the wrinkle removal operation is being executed, moist air is not supplied to the clothes, and as a result, wrinkles are not improved. In other words, if there is an abnormality in the water supply operation, there is a risk of power consumption being wasted. Therefore, by detecting an abnormality in the water supply, it is possible to reduce wasteful power consumption and, in some cases, consumption of water resources.

[0057] Causes of abnormal water supply operation include, but are not limited to, for example, the main valve installed in the water supply path from an external water source being closed, a hose that makes up the water supply path being disconnected, frozen water pipes, or a malfunction or abnormality in the second water supply valve 42.

[0058] The abnormality detection processing unit 52 performs the abnormality detection process based on the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit 51. More specifically, the abnormality detection processing unit 52 performs the abnormality detection process based on the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit 51 after the water supply operation. Furthermore, the abnormality detection processing unit 52 may perform the abnormality detection process based on a change over time in the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit 51 during the humidification process.

[0059] Under conditions in which water is normally supplied to humidification promotion member 41 from an external water supply source, the humidity of the circulating air in air passage 20 increases by a certain amount or more after the water supply operation due to evaporation of moisture from humidification promotion member 41. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, consider the case in which the humidity detected by humidity detection unit 51 before the water supply operation is H1. If the humidity before the water supply is equal to or lower than a predetermined humidity, and if the water supply is performed normally, the humidity in air passage 20 after the water supply operation increases approximately linearly as shown in graph (a). In this case, assume that a water supply operation occurs between times t2 and t3. At a time after time t3, i.e., at an arbitrary time t4 after the water supply operation, the humidity detected by humidity detection unit 51 is H2. The humidity H2 after the water supply is higher than the humidity H1 before the water supply.

[0060] On the other hand, if water supply is not performed normally, i.e., if there is a water supply abnormality, the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit 51 at time t4 will either remain at humidity H1 without increasing, as shown in graph (b-1), or will be at humidity H3, which is higher than humidity H1 but lower than humidity H2, as shown in graph (b-2). For example, if water is not being supplied due to a water supply valve malfunction, the humidity may remain at H1, as shown in graph (b-1). Furthermore, if water is being supplied but the water supply valve is open too little and only a small amount of water is being supplied, or if there are too many clothes than desired and the supplied water is not sufficiently humid, the humidity may be higher than humidity H1 but lower than humidity H2, as shown in graph (b-2). As will be described later, the detected humidity may increase even when water is not being supplied due to the supply of a small amount of water caused by the release of residual pressure from the faucet or the influence of moisture remaining in the outer tub or air duct 20.

[0061] In this way, when a water supply abnormality occurs, the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit 51 behaves differently from normal. Therefore, by comparing the humidity after the water supply operation, or its slope, or the amount of change or change in slope from before the water supply operation, with a predetermined threshold, the abnormality detection processing unit 52 can relatively easily detect that there is no increase in humidity, and therefore a water supply abnormality.

[0062] In this embodiment, the abnormality detection processor 52 performs the abnormality detection process based on the humidity detected by the humidity detector 51 before and after the first water supply operation. The abnormality detection processor 52 acquires the humidity detected by the humidity detector 51 before the first water supply operation and the humidity detected by the humidity detector 51 after the first water supply operation. For example, the abnormality detection processor 52 compares the detected humidity H(t1) at an arbitrary time t1 after the start of the humidification process and before the start time t2 of the first water supply operation with the detected humidity H(t4) at an arbitrary time t4 after the end time t3 of the first water supply operation and before the start time t5 of the second water supply operation. The abnormality detection processor 52 determines that there is no water supply abnormality if the difference in the detected humidity ΔH=H(t4)-H(t1) is equal to or greater than a predetermined value X, and determines that there is a water supply abnormality if the difference in the detected humidity ΔH=H(t4)-H(t1) is less than the predetermined value X.

[0063] Time t1 may be any time before the start time t2 of the first water supply operation, but can be set, for example, 5 to 10 seconds before the start time t2 of the first water supply operation. In this embodiment, time t1 is set 10 seconds before the start time t2 of the first water supply operation. Time t4 may be any time after the end time t3 of the first water supply operation and before the start time t5 of the second water supply operation, but can be set, for example, 10 to 20 seconds after the end time t3 of the first water supply operation. In this embodiment, time t4 is set 20 seconds after the end time t3 of the first water supply operation.

[0064] When the abnormality detection processing unit 52 detects a water supply abnormality, the control device 50 stops the humidification process. In this specification, stopping the humidification process includes temporarily suspending the humidification process and ending the humidification process. In this embodiment, the control device 50 ends the humidification process when the abnormality detection processing unit 52 detects a water supply abnormality.

[0065] If water is not being supplied properly, the amount of steam supplied to the clothes will be insufficient even when the wrinkle removal operation is performed, and wrinkles cannot be expected to be reduced. Therefore, by stopping the humidification process, it is possible to reduce unnecessary power consumption. Furthermore, by ending the humidification process, it is possible to eliminate operation time that does not contribute to wrinkle reduction.

[0066] The processing in the humidification step will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in Fig. 9. Note that the description of the driving of the air blower and the rotary tub motor will be omitted. Furthermore, the processing by each component will be described as processing by the control device 50.

[0067] When the humidification process starts (START), in step S11, the control device 50 starts detecting humidity using the humidity detection unit 51. The humidity detection by the humidity detection unit 51 may be configured to detect humidity at a predetermined interval, for example, every 2 seconds or every 5 seconds.

[0068] In step S12, the control device 50 determines whether or not a period T1 has elapsed since the start of the humidification process. The period T1 is a predetermined period from the start of the humidification process to the first water supply operation. If the period T1 has not elapsed, the control device 50 repeats the process of step S12. If the period T1 has elapsed, the control device 50 proceeds to step S13.

[0069] In step S13, the control device 50 executes the water supply operation, thereby keeping the water supply valve open for the water supply period Tw.

[0070] In step S14, the control device 50 executes an abnormality determination process. In this embodiment, the abnormality determination process compares the detected humidity H(t1) before water supply with the detected humidity H(t4) after water supply, and determines whether the difference ΔH = H(t4) - H(t1) is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value X. If the result of the abnormality determination process determines that there is no water supply abnormality (No in step S14), the control device 50 proceeds to step S15.

[0071] In step S15, the control device 50 determines whether the outer tub 13 and, therefore, the clothes are sufficiently humidified. For example, in this embodiment, the control device 50 determines whether the detected humidity H is equal to or greater than the threshold value Hmax. If the detected humidity H is equal to or greater than the threshold value Hmax (Yes in step S15), the control device 50 ends the humidification process. If the detected humidity H is less than the threshold value Hmax (No in step S15), the control device 50 proceeds to step S16. The threshold value Hmax can be set to, for example, 85% RH or greater, 90% RH or greater, or 95% RH or greater. Note that in other embodiments, the control device 50 may determine whether the water supply operation has been performed a predetermined number of times or more as the criterion for determining whether the clothes are sufficiently humidified.

[0072] In step S16, the control device 50 determines whether a predetermined no-water-supply period Tn has elapsed since the end of the previous water supply operation. If the predetermined no-water-supply period Tn has not elapsed (No in step S16), the control device 50 returns the process to step S15. If the predetermined no-water-supply period Tn has elapsed (Yes in step S16), the control device 50 proceeds to step S17.

[0073] In step S17, the control device 50 performs the water supply operation, and then the control device 50 returns the process to step S15.

[0074] If it is determined as a result of the abnormality determination process that there is a water supply abnormality (Yes in step S14), the control device 50 ends the humidification process (END).

[0075] According to the present embodiment described above, the washer-dryer 10 as a clothing processing device includes the outer case 11, the outer tub 13 and the rotatable tub 15 as storage tubs, the air passage 20 as a duct, the heat exchangers 31 and 32 as the humidification promotion member 41, the second water supply path 43 as a water supply path, the second water supply valve 42 as a water supply valve, the humidity detector 51, and the control device 50. The outer tub 13 and the rotatable tub 15 are disposed within the outer case, and the outer tub 13 has an air inlet 133 and an air outlet 132. The air passage 20 is disposed within the outer case 11 and connects the air inlet 133 and the air outlet 132. The humidification promotion members 41, 31, and 32 are disposed within the air passage 20. The second water supply path 43 supplies water from a water source external to the outer case 11 to the humidification promotion members 41, 31, and 32. The second water supply valve 42 opens and closes the second water supply path 43. Humidity detection unit 51 detects the humidity inside air duct 20. Control device 50 executes a humidification process that adds humidity to outer tub 13 and rotating tub 15. During the humidification process, control device 50 performs a water supply operation that opens second water supply valve 42. During the humidification process, control device 50 detects a water supply abnormality, in which water is not being supplied from the water supply path or the amount of water supplied is less than a predetermined amount, based on at least the humidity detected by humidity detection unit 51 after the water supply operation.

[0076] This allows water supply abnormalities to be detected using a relatively simple configuration such as a humidity sensor, etc. Therefore, a clothing processing device that can easily detect water supply abnormalities in a clothing processing device such as a washer-dryer 10 with a wrinkle removal function is provided.

[0077] The control device 50 detects a water supply abnormality based on the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit 51 before and after the water supply operation.

[0078] It has been confirmed that under normal conditions when water is supplied from an external water supply source, the humidity of the circulating air increases by a certain amount after the water supply operation. Therefore, by comparing the amount of humidity change before and after the water supply operation, or the change in the humidity slope per unit time before and after the water supply operation, if no increase in humidity is observed despite the water supply operation being performed, it is relatively easy to detect a water supply abnormality. Furthermore, by determining the abnormality based on the amount of humidity change before and after the water supply operation or the change in the humidity slope, it is possible to detect a water supply abnormality with a certain degree of accuracy or higher, regardless of variations in humidity before the water supply operation.

[0079] The washer / dryer 10 as a clothing processing device includes a blower 36 that sends air in the air passage 20 to the outer tub 13 and the rotatable tub 15. The control device 50 drives the blower 36 at least during the period after the water supply operation.

[0080] In other words, control device 50 executes the water supply operation while blower device 36 is operating or before blower device 36 operates. In this way, after the water supply operation, humid air is forcibly circulated through air passage 20 by the blowing function of blower device 36. Therefore, it is possible to send the moist air to the vicinity of humidity detection unit 51 in a short period of time. Therefore, it is possible to detect an increase in humidity in air passage 20 after the water supply operation in a short period of time.

[0081] If water is not supplied normally, a sufficient amount of steam will not be supplied to the clothes even when the humidifying step is performed, and wrinkles cannot be expected to be improved.

[0082] In response to this, the control device 50 stops the humidification process when it detects a water supply abnormality.

[0083] This can reduce the unnecessary consumption of operating time and power.

[0084] The abnormality detection processing unit 52 of this embodiment detects an abnormality in the water supply when water is supplied to the humidification promotion member 41 to humidify the air circulating in the air passage 20. The humidity detected by the humidity detection unit 51 used in the abnormality detection processing is the humidity of the air circulating in the air passage 20.

[0085] (Second embodiment) A second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 10. In this embodiment, the abnormality detection processing unit 52 executes the abnormality detection process based on the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit 51 after the water supply operation. Furthermore, the abnormality detection processing unit 52 executes the abnormality detection process based on the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit 51 at two or more points in time after the water supply operation.

[0086] For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the abnormality detection processing unit 52 performs the abnormality detection process based on the detected humidity H(t11) at time t11, which is after the end of the first water supply operation at time t3 but before time t4, and the detected humidity H(t4) at time t4. The detected humidity at time t11 when there is no water supply abnormality (graph (a)) is H4, and the detected humidity when there is a water supply abnormality (graph (b)) is H5. The slope C1 of the detected humidity after the water supply operation when there is no water supply abnormality is calculated as C1 = (H2 - H4) / (t4 - t11). The slope C2 of the detected humidity after the water supply operation when there is a water supply abnormality is calculated as C2 = (H3 - H5) / (t4 - t11). In this case, the slope C2 when there is a water supply abnormality is smaller than the slope C1 when there is no water supply abnormality.

[0087] The abnormality detection processing unit 52 calculates the humidity gradient C = (H(t4) - H(t11)) / (t4 - t11) from the period t11 to t4. If the calculated gradient C is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold Y, the abnormality detection processing unit 52 determines that there is no water supply abnormality, and if the calculated gradient C is less than the predetermined threshold Y, it determines that there is a water supply abnormality.

[0088] Time t11 may be any time that is later than time t3 when the first water supply operation ends and earlier than time t4. For example, time t11 may be set 5 to 10 seconds after time t3 when the first water supply operation ends. In this embodiment, time t11 is set 5 seconds after time t3 when the first water supply operation ends.

[0089] In the washer / dryer 10 as a clothing processing device of this embodiment, the control device 50 detects a water supply abnormality based on a plurality of humidities detected by the humidity detection unit 51 after the water supply operation.

[0090] According to this, by determining an abnormality based on humidity detected multiple times after the water supply operation, it is possible to detect a water supply abnormality with a certain level of accuracy or higher, regardless of variations in humidity before the water supply operation.

[0091] (Third embodiment) A third embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 11 to 15. In this embodiment, the washer-dryer 10 includes a notification processor 53. When the abnormality detection processor 52 detects a water supply abnormality, the notification processor 53 executes a notification process for the user. The notification process is a process for outputting a notification to a component responsible for notifying the user. The notification to the user may be executed by the display unit 19 of the washer-dryer 10, or by devices 80 and 90 external to the washer-dryer 10.

[0092] 11, a washer-dryer 10 is communicably connected to one or more external devices 80, 90 to form a clothing processing system 1. The clothing processing system 1 is an example of a clothing processing system. The clothing processing system 1 is configured by connecting the washer-dryer 10 and the external devices 80, 90 to each other so that they can communicate with each other via an access point (not shown) and a telecommunication line such as a network 2.

[0093] As shown in FIG. 12 , the washer-dryer 10 includes a communication unit 54. The communication unit 54 is an interface for communicating with external devices 80 and 90 via the network 2. The external devices 80 and 90 may be configured as an external terminal 80 for a smartphone or a tablet device, and a server 90, respectively. The external terminal 80 is expected to be used by a user of the clothing processing system 1. The server 90 is expected to be operated by a company. The external devices 80 and 90 may be dedicated devices for configuring the clothing processing system 1, or may be general-purpose devices that can be used for purposes other than the clothing processing system 1. In this case, the external terminal 80 may be configured as a wearable device such as a smart watch, a so-called smart speaker, or a voice interaction device installed in a home appliance other than the washer-dryer 10, such as a refrigerator or microwave oven. The clothing processing system 1 may also be configured without the server 90.

[0094] The external terminal 80 has the function of accepting input from the user to the washer-dryer 10 on behalf of the washer-dryer 10 and of performing output from the washer-dryer 10 to the user on behalf of the washer-dryer 10. As shown in FIG. 12 , the external terminal 80 includes a display unit 81, an operation unit 82, a communication unit 83, and a terminal control unit 84. The display unit 81 and the operation unit 82 can be configured, for example, as a touch panel display. The communication unit 83 is an interface for communicating with the washer-dryer 10 and the server 90 via the network 2. The terminal control unit 84 is mainly configured by a microcomputer having storage areas such as a CPU, ROM, RAM, and rewritable flash memory (not shown), and controls the operation of the external terminal 80 and executes various processes. Dedicated application software is installed in the terminal control unit 84 to connect the external terminal 80 to the washer-dryer 10 and the server 90 so that the external terminal 80 can communicate with them and function as a component of the laundry processing system 1.

[0095] The server 90 may be configured as, for example, an external server provided on the Internet, and may be called a database server, a web server, a cloud server, etc. The clothing processing system 1 may be configured so that communication between the washer-dryer 10 and the external terminal 80 is performed directly between them, or may be configured so that communication is performed via the server 90.

[0096] The notification processing unit 53 is virtually realized by software when the CPU 501 executes a computer program stored in the storage area 502 of the control device 50 of the washer-dryer 10. The notification processing unit 53 may be configured by hardware or a combination of software and hardware. The notification processing unit 53 may also be provided in the external terminal 80 or the server 90.

[0097] Notification processing unit 53 is capable of executing notification processing. The notification processing includes processing for notifying the user of predetermined information using display unit 19 of washer-dryer 10 when abnormality detection processing unit 52 detects a water supply abnormality. When notifying the user via display unit 19 of washer-dryer 10, a message may be displayed on display unit 19 informing the user that a water supply abnormality has occurred and urging the user to check the water faucet or hose, and the notification may be made by voice using a sound output unit. Notification processing unit 53 can terminate the notification processing after continuing the notification processing for several seconds to several minutes, for example, or can terminate the notification processing when the user performs a predetermined operation on display unit 19 or the like.

[0098] Furthermore, the notification processing unit 53 can transmit a command to execute a notification process using the external terminal 80 to the external terminal 80 via the communication unit 54. When the external terminal 80 receives a command to execute a notification process from the washer-dryer 10, the external terminal 80 displays predetermined information on, for example, the display unit 81 based on the command. For example, FIG. 13 shows an example of a notification screen 100 displayed on the display unit 81 of the external terminal 80 as a result of the notification process. In the example shown in FIG. 13, a message notifying the user that a water supply abnormality has occurred and urging the user to check the faucet or hose is displayed on the notification screen 100. The notification processing unit 53 can terminate the notification process after continuing the notification process for, for example, several seconds to several minutes, or the notification process can be terminated when the user performs a predetermined operation on the operation unit 82.

[0099] Furthermore, the notification processing unit 53 may notify the user through both the display unit 19 of the washer-dryer 10 and the external terminal 80 as the notification processing.

[0100] The processing in the humidification step of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in Figures 14 and 15. Note that only the differences from the flowchart of the first embodiment shown in Figure 9 will be described.

[0101] When a water supply abnormality is detected in the flowchart shown in FIG. 14 (Yes in step S14), the control device 50 proceeds to step S21 in FIG. 15. In step S21, the control device 50 temporarily suspends the humidification process. In this case, even if a no-water-supply period Tn has elapsed during the temporary suspension, the control device 50 does not perform the water supply operation. The control device 50 also stops the air blower 36. In this case, the control device 50 may continue to drive the rotary tub motor 16. This keeps the clothes stacked during the temporary suspension, thereby preventing them from wrinkling.

[0102] In step S22, the control device 50 executes a notification process, which allows the user to recognize that a water supply abnormality has occurred, and may allow the user to correct the water supply abnormality by adjusting the faucet or hose.

[0103] In step S23, the control device 50 determines whether a restart operation has been received from the user. The restart operation can be performed by the user performing a predetermined operation on the operation unit 82 of the external terminal 80 or the display unit 19 of the washer-dryer 10, for example. If a restart operation has been received (Yes in step S23), the control device 50 proceeds to step S24. In step S24, the control device 50 resumes the humidification process. This restarts counting the time for the no-water-supply period Tn, and also resumes driving the air blower 36, which had been stopped. Thereafter, the control device 50 proceeds to step S15 in FIG. 14. If a restart operation has not been received (No in step S23), the control device 50 proceeds to step S25.

[0104] In step S25, the control device 50 determines whether a predetermined period T2 has elapsed since the temporary suspension. The predetermined period T2 can be set, for example, within a range of 3 to 15 minutes. If the predetermined period T2 has not elapsed (No in step S25), the control device 50 returns the process to step S23. If the predetermined period T2 has elapsed (Yes in step S25), the control device 50 ends the humidification process (End in FIG. 14).

[0105] According to the present embodiment described above, when the control device 50 detects a water supply abnormality, it executes a notification process to notify the user of the occurrence of the water supply abnormality.

[0106] When a user receives the notification, they can resolve the water supply abnormality by, for example, opening the faucet if it is closed, or by reattaching the hose if it is disconnected. Furthermore, if the water supply abnormality is due to frozen water pipes or a malfunctioning water supply valve, the user will be able to recognize the abnormality and take action promptly. This improves user convenience.

[0107] (Fourth embodiment) A fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 16. In this embodiment, the abnormality detection processing unit 52 executes the abnormality detection process multiple times in one humidification step, thereby improving the accuracy of detecting water supply abnormalities.

[0108] For example, even if the faucet is closed, the tap water pressure from the previous use may remain as residual pressure in the water supply hose, and this residual pressure may cause water to be supplied to humidification promotion member 41 during the first water supply operation, raising the humidity detected by humidity detection unit 51. Also, when the humidification process is performed after a wash cycle, moisture may remain in outer tub 13, and the remaining moisture may circulate within air duct 20 due to the action of blower device 36, raising the detected humidity. In such cases, there is a risk that a water supply abnormality may not be correctly detected during the abnormality detection process after the first water supply operation.

[0109] The abnormality detection processing unit 52 executes the abnormality detection process after at least the first and second water supply operations. In this embodiment, the abnormality detection processing unit 52 executes the abnormality detection process after each water supply operation. Note that since the residual pressure in the faucet is considered to be generally released with one water supply operation, if no water supply abnormality is detected after the second water supply operation, it is considered that no abnormality has occurred in the faucet or hose. Therefore, for example, after the third or subsequent water supply operations, the abnormality determination process may not be executed. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the abnormality detection process continues during the humidification process, so that a water supply abnormality can be detected even if, for example, a water supply interruption occurs during the process.

[0110] The humidification process according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 16. Note that only differences from the flowchart of the third embodiment shown in Fig. 15 will be described.

[0111] After executing the water supply operation in step S17, the control device 50 returns the process to step S14, whereby the abnormality detection process is executed after each water supply operation.

[0112] According to the present embodiment described above, the control device 50 executes the water supply operation multiple times in one humidification process. The control device 50 detects a water supply abnormality based on the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit 51 after at least the first and second water supply operations.

[0113] This allows changes in humidity to be detected before and after multiple water supply operations, eliminating the influence of residual pressure in the faucet or moisture remaining in the outer tub 13, thereby making it possible to more accurately detect water supply abnormalities.

[0114] The above embodiments can be combined and implemented. For example, in the third or fourth embodiment, the abnormality determination process may be performed based on the humidity detected before and after the water supply operation, as in the first embodiment, or based on multiple humidities detected after the water supply operation, as in the second embodiment.

[0115] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, 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 scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0116] 10... washing machine, 13... outer tub (storage tub), 133... air inlet, 15... rotating tub (storage tub), 20... air duct (duct), 31... evaporator (heat exchanger, humidification promotion member), 32... condenser (heat exchanger, humidification promotion member), 36... blower, 41... humidification promotion member, 42... second water supply valve (water supply valve), 43... second water supply path (water supply path), 50... control device, 51... humidity detection unit

Claims

1. The outer box and a storage tank provided in the outer box and having an air inlet and an air outlet; a duct provided in the outer box and connecting the air inlet and the air outlet; a humidification promotion member disposed within the duct; a water supply path for supplying water from a water supply source outside the outer box to the humidification promotion member; a water supply valve that opens and closes the water supply path; a humidity detection unit that detects humidity inside the duct; a control device that executes a humidification process of adding moisture to the storage tank, the control device performs a water supply operation of opening the water supply valve in the humidifying step, The control device detects a water supply abnormality in which water is not supplied from the water supply path or the amount of water supplied is less than a predetermined amount based on at least the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit after the water supply operation in the humidifying step. Clothes treatment device.

2. The control device detects the water supply abnormality based on the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit before and after the water supply operation. The clothing treatment device according to claim 1 .

3. the control device detects the water supply abnormality based on the multiple detected humidities of the humidity detection unit after the water supply operation. The clothing treatment device according to claim 1 .

4. a blower that sends air in the duct to the storage tank, The control device drives the air blower at least during a period after the water supply operation. The clothing treatment device according to claim 1 .

5. When the control device detects the water supply abnormality, the control device stops the humidification process. The clothing treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. When the control device detects the water supply abnormality, the control device executes a notification process to notify a user of the occurrence of the water supply abnormality. The clothing treatment device according to claim 5.

7. the control device executes the water supply operation a plurality of times in one humidification process, and detects the water supply abnormality based on the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit after at least a first and a second water supply operation. The clothing treatment device according to claim 1 .

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