Clothes dryer

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a clothes dryer that suppresses ignition of a leaked flammable refrigerant when refrigerant leakage is detected.SOLUTION: A clothes dryer according to the present disclosure includes a heat pump including a rotary tub that accommodates clothes and is rotatable, a circulation air passage communicatively connected to the rotary tub, a blower that circulates air in the rotary tub through the circulation air passage, a radiator that heats the air in the circulation air passage, a heat absorber that cools and dehumidifies the air in the circulation air passage, a compressor that compresses a flammable refrigerant and supplies the flammable refrigerant to the radiator, and a decompressor that decompresses the flammable refrigerant that has passed through the radiator; A control means for controlling the operations of the blower and the heat pump, wherein the control means stops the operation of the compressor and continues the operation of the blower when the refrigerant leakage is detected by the refrigerant leakage detection means during the drying operation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to clothes dryers. [Background technology]

[0002] One way to improve the efficiency of clothes dryers is to install a heat pump device. In recent years, in order to prevent global warming, natural refrigerants and hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) refrigerants with low global warming potential are being sought for the refrigerants used in heat pump devices.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a highly safe clothes dryer that prevents static electricity generated during drying from becoming a source of ignition even in the unlikely event of a flammable refrigerant leak, such as a natural refrigerant. This clothes dryer stops operation of the blower and heat pump when the drying rate reaches a first predetermined value greater than 100% if no refrigerant leak is detected, and stops operation of the blower and heat pump when the drying rate reaches a second predetermined value greater than 100% but lower than the first predetermined value if a refrigerant leak is detected. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-226249 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The present disclosure provides a clothes dryer that, when a refrigerant leak is detected during drying operation, can prevent sparks from occurring due to static electricity and prevent ignition of flammable refrigerant even if a statically charged user mistakenly puts their hand into the rotating tub to remove clothes from the rotating tub. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The clothes dryer of the present disclosure comprises a heat pump including a rotatable rotating tub that stores clothes, a circulation air duct connected to the rotational tub, a blower that circulates air into the rotational tub through the circulation air duct, a radiator that heats the air in the circulation air duct, a heat absorber that cools and dehumidifies the air in the circulation air duct, a compressor that compresses a flammable refrigerant and supplies it to the radiator, and a pressure reducing means that reduces the pressure of the flammable refrigerant that has passed through the radiator; a refrigerant leak detection means that detects whether or not there is a refrigerant leak in the heat pump; and a control means that controls the operation of the blower and the heat pump.When the refrigerant leak detection means detects a refrigerant leak during drying operation, the control means stops the operation of the compressor while continuing to operate the blower. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] When a refrigerant leak is detected, the clothes dryer according to the present disclosure stops the compressor but continues to operate the fan, so that the condensation water held in the heat absorber evaporates, and the circulating air, which has become highly humid, returns to the rotating tub. As a result, even if the humidity inside the rotating tub increases and a user who is electrostatically charged places their hand inside the rotating tub, the static electricity discharges to the moisture in the air inside the rotating tub, preventing sparks from occurring inside the rotating tub. This reduces the possibility of ignition even if the leaking refrigerant is in the flammable range. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a drum-type washer-dryer according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] System diagram of a drum type washer-dryer according to the first embodiment [Figure 3] Block diagram of a drum type washer-dryer according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] Flowchart of the drum type washer-dryer according to the first embodiment DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, unnecessary detailed description may be omitted. For example, detailed description of well-known matters or redundant description of substantially the same configuration may be omitted. This is to avoid unnecessary redundancy in the following description and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0010] The accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0011] (Embodiment 1) Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0012] [1-1.Configuration] [1-1-1. Configuration of a drum type washer-dryer] The clothes dryer in this embodiment is configured as a drum type washer-dryer 100.

[0013] 1 and 2, water tub 1 is elastically supported within housing 2 by multiple suspension mechanisms 3. Rotating drum 4 has an opening 4a on the front side for loading and unloading laundry such as clothes I, and is configured as a bottomed cylinder disposed within water tub 1. Rotating drum 4 is rotatable about rotation axis 5 and stores laundry such as clothes I.

[0014] The peripheral side wall of the rotating drum 4 is provided with a large number of holes 4b around the entire circumference, and baffles 6 are provided at multiple locations on the inside of the peripheral side wall of the rotating drum 4 to lift the laundry in the direction of rotation of the rotating drum 4. The water tub 1, rotating drum 4, and rotating shaft 5 are tilted upward at an angle θ (for example, 10 to 20°) with respect to the horizontal.

[0015] A motor 7 that drives the rotating drum 4 is provided on the exterior of the rear side of the water tank 1, and rotates the rotating drum 4 forward and reverse. The motor 7 is composed of a brushless DC motor or the like, and its rotation speed can be freely changed by inverter control.

[0016] A lid 8 that opens and closes the feed opening 4a is provided on the front of the housing 2. The front opening 1a of the water tub 1, which faces the feed opening 4a of the rotating drum 4, is sealed and connected to the housing 2 by a stretchable and flexible packing 9. The lid 8 has a transparent window that allows the inside of the rotating drum 4 to be seen from the outside.

[0017] When the lid 8 is closed, a gasket 9 provided at the front opening 1a of the water tub 1 comes into contact with the inner surface of the lid 8, making the inside of the water tub 1 a watertight and airtight space, preventing water and air from leaking out when performing the washing, rinsing, spin-drying, and drying processes.

[0018] A water supply valve 11 that controls the supply of tap water into the water tub 1 is provided inside the housing 2. A water supply path (not shown) that communicates with the water tub 1 via a detergent case (not shown) is connected to the water supply valve 11. The water supply path is connected to a water pipe, and the supply of tap water into the water tub 1 can be started and stopped by opening and closing the water supply valve 11.

[0019] A drain valve 12 for draining the washing water from the water tub 1 is provided at the rear lower part of the water tub 1. By opening and closing drain valve 12, the washing water in water tub 1 can be drained or stopped through drain path 13.

[0020] A wash water heater 10 for heating the wash water is provided at the rear of the bottom of the water tub 1. The wash water heater 10 is formed by bending a sheathed heater into a roughly U-shape, and is attached so that it follows the bottom surface of the water tub 1 in the direction in which its rotation axis extends.

[0021] A space is provided between wash water heater 10 and the bottom of water tub 1, and when wash water is stored in water tub 1, heater 10 is positioned below the water surface and immersed in the wash water to heat it. The temperature of the wash water heated by heater 10 is detected by water temperature detection means 15, which is composed of a thermistor or the like attached to the bottom of water tub 1.

[0022] The amount of wash water stored in water tub 1 is detected by water level detection means 16. Water level detection means 16 is composed of a pressure sensor or the like that has a diaphragm inside and detects pressure from the amount of deformation of the diaphragm that deforms when pressure is applied, and detects the water level of the wash water supplied to water tub 1.

[0023] A circulating air outlet 17 is provided on the peripheral side wall at the upper front of the aquarium 1, and a circulating air inlet 18 is provided at the rear of the aquarium 1. The circulating air outlet 17 and the circulating air inlet 18 are connected in communication by an air passage 19 that extends from the front side to the rear side at the upper exterior of the aquarium 1.

[0024] [1-1-2. Configuration of heat pump device] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the heat absorber 22 and the heat radiator 23 are connected to a compressor 25 by a pipe 24 through which a refrigerant flows.

[0025] The heat pump device 41 uses a flammable refrigerant (e.g., R600a or R290) or a slightly flammable refrigerant (e.g., R1234yf) as the refrigerant, and comprises a compressor 25 that compresses the refrigerant, a radiator 23 that radiates the heat of the compressed high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant, a pressure reduction means 42 consisting of a capillary tube or an expansion valve or the like for reducing the pressure of the high-pressure refrigerant, and a heat absorber 22 where the reduced-pressure, low-pressure refrigerant absorbs heat from the surroundings, all of which are connected by a pipe 24 so that the refrigerant circulates.

[0026] At least the heat absorber 22 and the heat radiator 23 are housed in a heat pump case 43, and are incorporated in an air passage 19 so that dry air passes through the heat absorber 22 and the heat radiator 23.

[0027] The heat absorber 22 and the heat radiator 23 are configured as finned tube heat exchangers. The ends of the heat absorber 22 and the heat radiator 23 are connected by end plates, and a space 27 is provided between the heat absorber 22 and the heat radiator 23.

[0028] The refrigerant flows through a conduit 24, which is made of, for example, a copper pipe, and is configured by passing through a plurality of fins arranged in parallel at predetermined intervals to form a flow path for the dry air. The fins are made of, for example, punched aluminum plates with a thickness of 0.08 to 0.2 mm, and the fin pitch is, for example, about 1.2 mm.

[0029] Compressor 25 is driven by a compressor motor (not shown), and the refrigerant is pressurized by the compression mechanism to become a high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant.

[0030] In the radiator 23, the refrigerant is cooled and condensed by the drying air blown into the air passage 19 by the blower 21, and becomes a low-temperature, high-pressure liquid refrigerant. This liquid refrigerant is decompressed by the decompression means 42 and sent to the heat absorber 22. In the heat absorber 22, the refrigerant comes into contact with laundry such as clothes in the rotating drum 4, and the wet, high-pressure refrigerant is condensed. The refrigerant is heated by the warm air and evaporates, becoming a low-temperature, low-pressure gas refrigerant, which is then sucked back into the compressor 25 through the suction port 24b of the pipe 24 and pressurized.

[0031] A crankcase heater (not shown) that heats the compressor 25 is provided below the compressor 25. The crankcase heater is attached so as to surround the compressor 25. Note that the crankcase heater may be attached so as to heat the compressor 25 from top to bottom in order to quickly increase the temperature of the compressor 25.

[0032] Arrow A indicates the flow direction of drying air flowing through air passage 19, and arrow B indicates the flow direction of refrigerant flowing through pipe 24.

[0033] A first refrigerant temperature detection means (refrigerant temperature detection means) 32a is provided in the pipe 24 between the compressor 25 and the radiator 23. The first refrigerant temperature detection means 32a is configured with a thermistor or the like, and detects the temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 25.

[0034] A second refrigerant temperature detection means (refrigerant temperature detection means) 32b is provided in a refrigerant condensation section between the refrigerant inlet and outlet of the radiator 23. The second refrigerant temperature detection means 32b is configured with a thermistor or the like, and detects the temperature of the refrigerant from the inlet where the refrigerant flows into the radiator 23 to the outlet where the refrigerant flows out from the radiator 23.

[0035] There are provided first temperature detection means 33 and second temperature detection means 34 for detecting the temperature of the drying air flowing through air passage 19. First temperature detection means 33 is composed of a thermistor or the like, and detects the temperature of the drying air flowing into rotating drum 4 from circulation air inlet 18. Second temperature detection means 34 is composed of a thermistor or the like, and detects the temperature of the drying air flowing out of rotating drum 4 from circulation air outlet 17. The drying state of laundry such as clothes in rotating drum 4 is detected from the outputs of first temperature detection means 33 and second temperature detection means 34.

[0036] The refrigerant leak detector 31 is installed in the air passage 19 downstream of the blower 21, and detects refrigerant leaks.

[0037] Humidity detection means 38 is installed at circulating air outlet 17 and detects the humidity of the air flowing in from rotating drum 4. Humidity detection means 38 may be a capacitance humidity sensor or an electrical resistance humidity sensor, but a capacitance humidity sensor is more accurate and therefore more preferable. Furthermore, detecting the dryness state of laundry such as clothes in rotating drum 4 from the outputs of first temperature detection means 33 and second temperature detection means 34 and the output of humidity detection means 38 allows for more accurate detection.

[0038] In addition, control means 35 (see FIG. 3) for controlling the washing and drying operations is provided at the upper front portion inside the housing 2, and an operation display unit is attached to the front of the housing 2. The operation display unit 36 ​​is provided with an operation unit (not shown) for manually operating the operation, and a display unit (not shown) for displaying the setting contents, operation status, etc.

[0039] [1-2. Operation] The operation and function of the washer / dryer configured as above will be described below. The washing operation is performed in the order of a washing cycle, an intermediate spin-drying cycle, a rinsing cycle, and a spin-drying cycle, and a drying operation can be performed after the spin-drying cycle.

[0040] When washing, the user opens the lid 8, places laundry such as clothes in the rotary drum 4, turns on the power switch on the operation display unit 36 ​​provided at the top front of the housing 2, selects an operation course using the various setting buttons, and inputs the time for each process as necessary, and then starts the operation. Based on the settings, the control means 35 can execute a series of operations from washing to drying.

[0041] First, in the washing process, the amount of laundry, such as clothes, placed in the rotating drum 4 is detected by the laundry amount detection means 37 (see FIG. 3). The laundry amount detection means 37 can detect the amount of laundry from the current value of the motor 7 when the rotating drum 4 is rotated. The water supply valve 11 is opened, and a preset amount of water is supplied according to the amount of laundry detected by the laundry amount detection means 37. The amount of water in the water tub 1 is detected by the water level detection means 16, and when the preset amount of water has been supplied, the water supply valve 11 is closed.

[0042] When water and detergent are supplied into the water tub 1 through the water supply path, the motor 7 drives the rotating drum 4 to rotate, and washing begins with an agitation action. When the rotating drum 4 is rotated at a predetermined speed (for example, 50 r / min), laundry such as clothes is lifted in the direction of rotation of the rotating drum 4 by the baffles 6 provided on the inner surface of the rotating drum 4, and is dropped from above inside the rotating drum 4, where it is beaten and washed for a predetermined time.

[0043] After the agitation step, drain valve 12 is opened to drain the wash water from water tub 1, and rotating drum 4 is rotated at high speed (e.g., 900 r / min) to perform an intermediate spin-drying step in which dirt and detergent contained in laundry such as clothes are removed along with the water. Next, water supply valve 12 is opened to supply a set amount of new water into water tub 1, and rotating drum 4 is rotated at a predetermined speed (e.g., 50 r / min) to perform a rinsing step for a predetermined time.

[0044] After performing the rinsing process for a predetermined time a predetermined number of times, the wash water in the water tub 1 is drained, and the rotating drum 4 is rotated at high speed (for example, 1500 r / min) to perform a final dehydration process to remove moisture and residual detergent from the laundry, thereby completing the wash.

[0045] When a drying operation is performed following a washing operation, the drying operation begins after the spin-drying operation. In the drying operation, the rotating drum 4 is rotated at a predetermined speed (for example, 50 r / min) to agitate the laundry inside the rotating drum 4, and the blower 21 and the heat pump device 41 are operated to start circulating drying air into the rotating drum 4 and compressing the refrigerant by the compressor 25.

[0046] In heat pump device 41, a compressor motor (not shown) of compressor 25 is driven, and the refrigerant is compressed by compressor 25, and the refrigerant is discharged from compressor 25 due to this pressure. The refrigerant discharged from compressor 25 flows through pipe 24 and circulates through radiator 23, pressure reducing means 42, heat absorber 22, and compressor 25. The heat of the compressed refrigerant flows into radiator 23, and is dissipated to air in contact with fins provided in pipe 24 arranged in radiator 23, so that the drying air flowing through air path 19 is heated.

[0047] The heated drying air is supplied into the rotary drum 4 through the circulation air inlet 18, where it removes moisture from the laundry, becoming moist air, and is then discharged through the circulation air outlet 17 into the air duct 19. As the laundry is dried, lint such as thread scraps is generated from the laundry. The drying air discharged from the circulation air outlet 17 passes through a filter 20, which captures the lint contained in the air.

[0048] The drying air, from which lint has been removed by filter 20, loses sensible heat and latent heat as it passes through heat absorber 22, through which a low-pressure refrigerant reduced in pressure by pressure reducing means 42 flows, and is dehumidified. Condensed water produced by the dehumidification drips into water reservoir 28, and the dehumidified, dry drying air is heated as it passes through radiator 23. The dehumidified condensed water flows down from water reservoir 28 along the inside of the back surface of water tub 1 and is drained outside the machine through drain valve 12.

[0049] In the drying process, the first temperature detection means 33 and the second temperature detection means 34 detect the temperature of the drying air flowing through the air passage 19. The first temperature detection means 33 detects the temperature of the drying air flowing into the rotating drum 4, and the second temperature detection means 34 detects the temperature of the drying air flowing out from the rotating drum 4. From these outputs, the dryness of the laundry in the rotating drum 4 is detected, and when a predetermined dryness is detected, the drying process is terminated.

[0050] On the other hand, in the heat pump device 41, the heat of the high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant compressed and vaporized by the compressor 25 is absorbed by the drying air passing through the radiator 23, causing it to condense, and the refrigerant is reduced in pressure by the pressure reducing means 42 to become a low-temperature, low-pressure liquid refrigerant.The refrigerant then absorbs heat from the drying air in the heat absorber 22, vaporizes, and becomes a low-temperature, low-pressure gas refrigerant, which returns to the compressor 25 again.

[0051] The drive of the compressor motor is controlled so that the refrigerant temperature (refrigerant condensation temperature) detected by the second refrigerant temperature detection means 32b is maintained within a predetermined temperature range (e.g., 60°C to 70°C), thereby stabilizing the operation of the compressor 25 and realizing a safe and stable heat pump cycle.

[0052] In addition, to ensure insulation of the compressor motor, the drive of the compressor motor is controlled so that the temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 25 detected by the first refrigerant temperature detection means 32a is below a predetermined temperature (for example, 100°C).

[0053] Using the flowchart of the drying operation in FIG. 4, we will explain how to respond when a refrigerant leak occurs.

[0054] If refrigerant leaks during the drying operation (step S001) and refrigerant leak detector 31 detects the leak (Yes in step S002), compressor 25 is stopped (step S003), while rotation of rotating drum 4 and operation of blower 21 continue. If the humidity detected by humidity detection means 38 reaches a predetermined humidity RH or higher, for example, 55 to 80% or higher (Yes in step S004), rotation of rotating drum 4 is stopped (step S005), and blower 21 is stopped (step S006). Thereafter, notification means 39 (see FIG. 3) issues an abnormality notification (step S007).

[0055] [1-3. Effects, etc.] As described above, in this embodiment, drum type washer-dryer 100 includes: rotary drum 4 that can accommodate clothes and is rotatable; air duct 19 connected to rotary drum 4; blower 21 that circulates air through air duct 19 into rotary drum 4; radiator 23 that heats the air in air duct 19; heat absorber 22 that cools and dehumidifies the air in air duct 19; heat pump unit 41 that includes compressor 25 that compresses a flammable refrigerant and supplies it to radiator 23; and pressure reducing means 42 that reduces the pressure of the flammable refrigerant that has passed through radiator 23. Refrigerant leak detector 31 detects whether or not there is a refrigerant leak in heat pump unit 41. Control means 35 controls operation of blower 21 and heat pump unit 41. When refrigerant leak detector 31 detects a refrigerant leak during drying operation, control means 35 stops operation of compressor 25 and continues operation of blower 21.

[0056] As a result, condensation water that has formed during the drying operation and is retained in heat absorber 22, and moisture from laundry such as still-wet clothes (I), evaporates when air is blown in, humidifying rotating drum 4 and air duct 19. Therefore, even if static electricity is generated by rubbing laundry such as clothes (I) against each other, or if a statically charged user accidentally places their hand inside rotating drum 4, the static electricity is discharged to the moisture in the air, thereby suppressing sparks that could cause ignition of leaked refrigerant, and thus preventing ignition of the leaked refrigerant.

[0057] As in the present embodiment, in the drum type washer-dryer 100, when the control means 35 detects a refrigerant leak using the refrigerant leak detector 31, the control means 35 may stop the operation of the compressor 25, then stop the rotation of the rotating drum 4, and continue to operate the blower 21.

[0058] This reduces the generation of static electricity caused by rubbing against laundry such as clothes, thereby reducing sparks that could cause ignition of leaking refrigerant and preventing ignition of the leaking refrigerant.

[0059] As in this embodiment, drum type washer-dryer 100 includes humidity detection means 38 that detects the humidity in air duct 19 or rotating drum 4, and alarm means 39 that issues an abnormality alert when refrigerant leak detector 31 detects a leak. Control means 35 may be configured to cause refrigerant leak detector 31 to detect a refrigerant leak, stop operation of compressor 25, and stop blower 21 when the humidity detected by humidity detection means 38 becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined humidity, after which alarm means 39 issues an abnormality alert.

[0060] As a result, if a statically charged user hears the warning and tries to remove the clothes in a hurry, sparks can be prevented from occurring even if the user puts their hand inside the rotating drum 4. Therefore, the user can remove the clothes safely.

[0061] (Other embodiments) As described above, the first embodiment has been described as an example of the technology disclosed in the present application. However, the technology in the present disclosure is not limited to this, and can be applied to embodiments in which modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. are made. Furthermore, it is also possible to combine the components described in the first embodiment above to create new embodiments.

[0062] Therefore, other embodiments will be exemplified below.

[0063] In the first embodiment, an example of the installation of the humidity detection means 38 has been described as being installed at the circulating air inlet 18. The humidity detection means 38 only needs to make the humidity inside the rotating drum 4 higher than a predetermined value. Therefore, the humidity detection means 38 is not limited to being installed at the circulating air inlet 18.

[0064] Therefore, if the humidity detection means 38 is installed inside the water tank 1, the rotary drum 4, or the air passage 19, the same effect can be obtained.

[0065] Alternatively, the humidity inside the rotating drum 4 may be kept high. Therefore, if the relationship between the operating time of the blower 21 and the increase in humidity inside the rotating drum 4 is experimentally determined in advance, the same effect can be obtained by operating the blower 21 for a period of time until the humidity reaches a predetermined concentration or higher, and then stopping the blower.

[0066] In the first embodiment, a configuration has been described in which refrigerant leak detector 31 is provided as an example of refrigerant leak detection means to detect leaks by directly reacting to the refrigerant. However, refrigerant leaks can also be detected from the operating state of heat pump device 41. For example, control means 35 may be configured to function as refrigerant leak detection means that detects the occurrence of a refrigerant leak from an abnormal change in the refrigerant temperature, using the refrigerant temperature detected by first refrigerant temperature detection means 32a or second refrigerant temperature detection means 32b provided to control compressor 25, etc.

[0067] In this case, the position of the pipe 24 where the first refrigerant temperature detection means 32a or the second refrigerant temperature detection means 32b is disposed and the refrigerant temperature is detected is on the high-pressure side. When a refrigerant leak occurs and the refrigerant in the heat pump unit 41 decreases, the discharge temperature of the compressor 25 tends to rise. The discharge pressure also tends to decrease, and the condensing temperature of the radiator 23 does not rise to the predetermined temperature. Therefore, by comparing the predetermined refrigerant temperature under normal operating conditions with the refrigerant temperature under operating conditions with a low refrigerant level and understanding the change in temperature, it is possible to detect the occurrence of a refrigerant leak. By using the first refrigerant temperature detection means 32a or the second refrigerant temperature detection means 32b in this way and incorporating the refrigerant leak detector 31 into the control means 35, the refrigerant leak detection means can be configured inexpensively.

[0068] The position of pipe 24 where the refrigerant temperature is detected is not limited to the high-pressure side. It may be on the low-pressure side, for example, before suction port 24b of compressor 25. It may also be at a position where the evaporation temperature of heat absorber 22 can be detected. Even at these positions, the occurrence of a refrigerant leak can be detected by understanding the predetermined refrigerant temperature depending on the operating state and the tendency of change when a refrigerant leak occurs.

[0069] Furthermore, the refrigerant temperature detected by refrigerant temperature detection unit 32 gradually changes in accordance with changes in the drying state of the clothes in rotating tub 4. Therefore, control means 35 can more accurately detect the occurrence of a refrigerant leak by detecting the temperature of the drying air detected by first temperature detection means 33 and second temperature detection means 34 disposed in air duct 19 in addition to the refrigerant temperature detected by refrigerant temperature detection unit 32.

[0070] Furthermore, if the refrigerant leaks only slowly, there is a possibility that the refrigerant temperature will not change significantly in the early stages. In this case, the amount of flammable refrigerant leaking is small, so the possibility of ignition is low. In consideration of such cases, it is more preferable that the refrigerant leak detection means be used in conjunction with the refrigerant leak detector 31 that directly detects the refrigerant, thereby forming a dual refrigerant leak detection means. [Industrial Applicability]

[0071] The present disclosure is applicable to heat pump dryers that use flammable or slightly flammable refrigerants, specifically, vertical washer-dryers, drum-type washer-dryers, bathroom dryers, and the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 1 aquarium 1a Front opening 2. Case 3 Suspension mechanism 4 Rotating drum (rotating tank) 4a Inlet 4b hole 5 Rotation Axis 6 baffles 7 Motor 8 Lid 9. Packing 10 Washing water heater 11 Water supply valve 12 Drain valve 13 Drainage route 15 Water temperature detection means 16 Water level detection means 17 Circulation air outlet 18 Circulating air inlet 19 Air duct (circulation air duct) 20 filters 21 Blower 22 Heat absorber 23 Heat sink 24 Conduit 24a Discharge port 24b Inlet 25 Compressor 27 Space 28 Water storage section 31 Refrigerant leak detector (refrigerant leak detection means) 32a First refrigerant temperature detection means 32b Second refrigerant temperature detection means 33 First temperature detection means 34 Second temperature detection means 35 Control Means 36 Operation display section 37 Cloth amount detection means 38 Humidity detection means 39 Notification means 41 Heat pump equipment 42 Pressure reduction means 43 Heat pump case 100 Drum type washer-dryer

Claims

1. a rotating tub that can accommodate clothes; a circulation air duct connected to the rotating tub; a blower that circulates air through the circulation air passage into the rotating tub; a heat pump including a radiator that heats the air in the circulating air duct, a heat absorber that cools and dehumidifies the air in the circulating air duct, a compressor that compresses a flammable refrigerant and supplies the flammable refrigerant to the radiator, and a pressure reducing means that reduces the pressure of the flammable refrigerant that has passed through the radiator; a refrigerant leakage detection means for detecting whether or not a refrigerant leaks from the heat pump; a control means for controlling the operation of the blower and the heat pump; When the refrigerant leakage detection means detects a refrigerant leakage during the drying operation, the control means stops the operation of the compressor, and The clothes dryer is characterized in that the blower is operated continuously.

2. When the refrigerant leakage detection means detects a refrigerant leakage, the control means Stopping the operation of the compressor, and then stopping the rotation of the rotating tub; 2. The clothes dryer according to claim 1, wherein the blower is operated.

3. a humidity detection means for detecting humidity in the circulating air duct or the rotating tub, and a notification means for notifying an abnormality when the refrigerant leakage detection means detects leakage, 3. The clothes dryer according to claim 1, wherein the control means stops the operation of the compressor when the refrigerant leakage detection means detects a refrigerant leakage, and stops the fan when the humidity detected by the humidity detection means becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined humidity, and then the notification means issues an abnormality notification.

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