Clothes dryer

Abstract

Accurately detects filter clogging. [Solution] The clothes dryer of the embodiment includes a storage tank capable of accommodating clothes, a hot air supply device that circulates and supplies hot air to the storage tank through a circulating air passage, a filter provided in the circulating air passage for capturing lint, an opening that connects the circulating air passage to the outside of the circulating air passage, an exhaust damper that opens and closes the opening, a wind speed sensor positioned downstream of the exhaust damper in the airflow and for detecting wind speed, and a control device capable of performing an operation that includes a drying process for drying the clothes. The control device includes a determination unit that determines whether the filter is clogged based on a wind speed detection value which is the value detected by the wind speed sensor when the exhaust damper is opened, and a notification unit that notifies the user of clogging information which is information corresponding to the result of the determination by the determination unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a clothes dryer.

Background Art

[0002] For example, in a clothes dryer that can execute an operation including a drying process for drying clothes, such as a washing and drying machine, a filter is provided in the circulation air path of the warm air for drying in order to remove foreign substances such as lint generated from the clothes by drying. When the filter becomes clogged, problems such as a decrease in drying performance occur. Therefore, various techniques for determining clogging of the filter have been considered, for example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, but these conventional techniques have not been able to achieve sufficiently high determination accuracy.

[0003] Under such circumstances, in a conventional washing and drying machine, regardless of whether actual clogging has occurred, after each operation is executed, after a predetermined number of operations are executed, etc., notification operations such as lighting of an LED and sounding of a buzzer are performed to prompt the user to perform maintenance such as cleaning the filter. However, depending on the amount of clothes and the quality of dirt, etc., the timing when the filter actually becomes clogged varies. Therefore, in the conventional method, there is a risk that the notification operation is executed even though the filter is not clogged, or conversely, the notification operation is not executed even though the filter is clogged.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Therefore, a clothes dryer that can accurately determine clogging of the filter is provided. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The clothes dryer of the embodiment includes a storage tank capable of accommodating clothes, a blower capable of performing a blowing operation to blow air toward the storage tank, a heating device capable of performing a heating operation to heat the air blown by the blower to produce warm air, a warm air supply device that circulates and supplies warm air to the storage tank through a circulating air passage, a filter provided in the circulating air passage for capturing lint, an opening that connects the circulating air passage to the outside of the circulating air passage, an exhaust damper that opens and closes the opening, a wind speed sensor positioned downstream of the airflow relative to the exhaust damper for detecting wind speed, and a control device capable of performing an operation that includes a drying process for drying the clothes. The control device includes a determination unit that determines whether the filter is clogged based on a wind speed detection value which is the value detected by the wind speed sensor when the exhaust damper is opened, and a notification unit that notifies the user of clogging information which is information corresponding to the result of the determination by the determination unit. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] A schematic cross-sectional side view showing the configuration of a washing machine and dryer according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] A schematic rear view showing the configuration of the washing machine and dryer according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] Perspective view of the area near the exhaust port, showing a portion of the top plate in the first embodiment with a section broken. [Figure 4] A schematic diagram showing the arrangement of the filter, filter duct, exhaust damper, and wind speed sensor according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] A diagram showing part of the electrical configuration of a washing machine and dryer according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] Flowcharts showing the first and second specific examples of the clogging detection process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] A flowchart showing a third specific example of the clogging detection process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8]A flowchart showing a fourth specific example of the clogging detection process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] Perspective view of the area near the exhaust port, showing a portion of the top plate in a broken state according to the second embodiment. [Figure 10] A diagram showing part of the electrical configuration of a washing machine and dryer according to the second embodiment. [Figure 11] This diagram schematically shows the arrangement of the filter, filter duct, exhaust damper, and wind speed sensor according to a modified example of the second embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] Several embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each embodiment, substantially identical components are denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted. (First Embodiment) The first embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 8.

[0009] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the washer-dryer 1 of this embodiment is a so-called drum-type washer-dryer equipped with both a washing function and a drying function for clothes. The washer-dryer 1 is capable of performing a washing operation and a washer-drying operation as operations that include a washing process for washing clothes, and is capable of performing a drying operation and a washer-drying operation as operations that include a drying process for drying clothes.

[0010] In the washer-dryer cycle, the washing and drying processes are performed automatically. The washing process includes a washing cycle, a rinsing cycle, and a spin-drying cycle. The outer casing 2 of the washer-dryer 1 is rectangular in shape. The front part 2a of the outer casing 2 is provided with a door 3 for opening and closing a laundry entrance (not shown). In this case, the front part 2a is formed in a slightly downward sloping shape.

[0011] Inside the outer casing 2, a water tank 7 is arranged, elastically supported by a suspension (not shown). The water tank 7 is cylindrical, and its rear surface is closed by a water tank end plate. The water tank 7 is positioned horizontally with its central axis facing the front-to-back direction, and is slightly tilted upwards at the front, with its front opening connected to the laundry entrance / exit via a bellows 8. The washing machine / dryer 1 is provided with a water supply mechanism (not shown) for supplying water into the water tank 7. The water supply mechanism is connected to a water tap via a water supply hose (not shown).

[0012] A drain port 11 is provided at the bottom of the rear of the water tank 7, and a drain pipe 13 is connected to the drain port 11 via a drain valve 12. When water is supplied to the water tank 7 from the water supply mechanism while the drain valve 12 is closed, the water is stored in the water tank 7. When the drain valve 12 is opened, the water stored in the water tank 7 is discharged outside the machine through the drain pipe 13.

[0013] A rotating tub 14 is rotatably disposed inside the tank 7. Like the tank 7, the rotating tub 14 is cylindrical with its rear end closed by a rotating tub end plate, and is positioned horizontally with its central axis facing the front-to-back direction and slightly tilted upwards at the front. The front opening of the rotating tub 14 communicates with the front opening of the tank 7 and the laundry entrance / exit. By opening the door 3, clothes can be loaded into and unloaded from the rotating tub 14 through the laundry entrance / exit, the front opening of the tank 7, and the front opening of the rotating tub 14.

[0014] Therefore, clothes to be washed and dried can be put in and taken out of the rotary tub 14. Thus, the water tub 7 and the rotary tub 14 are configured to be able to accommodate laundry, which is clothes, in and out, and function as storage tubs capable of storing clothes. Since the laundry is mainly clothes, in this specification, the laundry may be referred to as clothes. A plurality of holes 15 are provided in the peripheral wall portion and the rear end plate of the rotary tub 14. The holes 15 function as water passing holes during washing when the washing process is executed, function as dehydration holes during dehydration when the dehydration process is executed, and function as ventilation holes during drying when the drying process is executed.

[0015] A motor 16 is provided on the back surface of the water tub 7. In this case, the motor 16 is composed of an outer rotor type DC brushless motor, and its rotating shaft penetrates the end plate of the water tub and is connected to the end plate of the rotary tub 14. The rotary tub 14 is directly rotationally driven by the motor 16. Inside the outer case 2, a circulation air duct 18 is provided outside the water tub 7. The water tub 7 is provided with an inlet 19 and an outlet 20 for connecting to the circulation air duct 18. As shown in FIG. 2, the inlet 19 is provided at a position above the motor 16 on the end plate of the water tub that forms the back surface of the water tub 7, and as shown in FIG. 1, the outlet 20 is provided at the upper right front part of the peripheral wall portion of the water tub 7.

[0016] In this case, the circulation air duct 18 includes an exhaust duct 21, a filter duct 22, an intermediate duct 23, a heat exchanger duct 24, and an air supply duct 25. One end of the exhaust duct 21 that constitutes one end of the circulation air duct 18 is connected to the outlet 20 of the water tub 7. The rear end of the exhaust duct 21 is connected to the filter duct 22 from the front. A drying filter device 27 is provided at the front of the filter duct 22.

[0017] The filter device 27 includes filters 40 and 41. The filters 40 and 41 capture lint, i.e., thread scraps and the like, that come out of the clothing during drying, and are for preventing the lint and the like from flowing downstream, and have a double structure. The mesh of the filter 41 is finer than that of the filter 40, so that the lint that has passed through the filter 40 can also be captured by the filter 41. Thus, the filters 40 and 41 are provided in the circulation air passage 18 and function as filters for capturing lint.

[0018] The filters 40 and 41 are detachably attached to the filter housing portion 42 of the filter duct 22. The filter duct 22 slopes downward toward the rear, and the rear lower end portion is connected to the upper end portion of the intermediate duct 23. As shown in FIG. 2, the intermediate duct 23 extends downward, and its lower end portion is connected to one end portion of a heat exchanger duct 24 disposed in the lower part of the outer box 2.

[0019] The heat exchanger duct 24 extends in the left - right direction in the lower part of the outer box 2, and the other end portion is connected to the intake port 29a in the fan casing 29 of the blower 28. The blower 28 includes a fan casing 29, a fan 30 disposed in the fan casing 29, and a fan motor 31 for rotationally driving the fan 30. The discharge port 29b of the fan casing 29 is directed upward and is connected to the lower end portion of the air supply duct 25. The air supply duct 25 extends in the vertical direction, and its upper end portion is connected to the inlet 19 at the back surface of the water tank 7.

[0020] As shown in Figure 2, a condenser 33 and an evaporator 34 of a heat pump 32 are arranged inside the heat exchanger duct 24. As is well known, the heat pump 32 is composed of a compressor 35 that compresses and discharges a refrigerant, a condenser 33 that dissipates heat from the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor 35 to condense and liquefy it, a throttle device 36 that adjusts the flow rate of the refrigerant liquefied in the condenser 33, and an evaporator 34 that evaporates the refrigerant that has passed through the throttle device 36, all connected in a refrigerant flow path 37 to form a refrigeration cycle. The condenser 33 heats the air flowing inside the heat exchanger duct 24 to produce warm air. The evaporator 34 cools and dehumidifies the air flowing inside the heat exchanger duct 24. In the heat exchanger duct 24, the evaporator 34 is positioned closer to the connection point with the intermediate duct 23, and the condenser 33 is positioned closer to the blower 28.

[0021] When the fan motor 31 of the blower 28 is driven, the air blown by the fan 30 is discharged from the outlet 29b of the fan casing 29, as shown by the arrows in Figures 1 and 2, through the supply air duct 25 and supplied from the inlet 19 into the water tank 7 and, consequently, into the rotating tank 14. The air in the rotating tank 14 and, consequently, the water tank 7, is then drawn in from the outlet 20 through the exhaust duct 21, filter duct 22, intermediate duct 23, and heat exchanger duct 24 in that order, and into the fan casing 29 through the intake port 29a of the fan casing 29. In this way, the air in the water tank 7 is circulated through the circulation air passage 18.

[0022] In this case, the blower 28 functions as a blower capable of blowing air toward the storage tank, and the heat pump 32 functions as a heating device capable of heating the air blown by the blower to produce warm air. In this case, the blower 28 and the heat pump 32 constitute a warm air supply device 17 that circulates and supplies warm air to the storage tank through the circulating air passage 18. Note that the heating method of the heating device is not limited to the method using the heat pump 32; a method using a heater can also be adopted.

[0023] As shown in Figure 3, a filter cover 43 is provided on the top plate portion 2b of the outer casing 2, in the area corresponding to the filter device 27. The filter cover 43 is rotatable vertically around a shaft at its rear end. The filter cover 43 is also provided with a handle opening 44, and a handle cover 45 for opening and closing this handle opening 44. The handle cover 45 is rotatable vertically around a shaft at its rear end and is biased in the closing direction by a biasing means such as a spring.

[0024] In this case, the user can open the filter cover 43 by pushing the front of the closed handle cover 45 from top to bottom with their fingers, which rotates the handle cover 45 downwards, allowing them to insert their fingers into the handle opening 44, and then pulling up the filter cover 43 by placing their fingers on the front edge of the handle opening 44. Opening the filter cover 43 makes it possible to remove the filters 40 and 41 from the filter housing 42 for cleaning.

[0025] In the filter duct 22, the rear side of the filter housing 42 slopes downward toward the rear as described above, and a nearly horizontal section 47 is provided at the upper part of this slope. The horizontal section 47 is provided with an exhaust port 48 that discharges the circulating air flowing through the circulating air passage 18 to the outside of the circulating air passage 18.

[0026] As shown in Figure 3, the exhaust port 48 is formed by multiple slits. The exhaust port 48 connects the inside of the filter duct 22 and, consequently, the inside of the circulating air passage 18 to the outside of the circulating air passage 18. In other words, the exhaust port 48 functions as an opening that connects the circulating air passage 18 to the outside of the circulating air passage 18. An exhaust damper 49 that opens and closes the exhaust port 48 is provided on the upper side of the horizontal section 47. As shown in Figure 4, the exhaust damper 49 is rotatable around a shaft 49a at one end and is rotated by a motor (not shown).

[0027] The top plate portion 2b of the outer box 2 is provided with an inclined portion 50 that slopes downward toward the rear, located near the top of the horizontal portion 47, and an external exhaust port 51 is provided in the inclined portion 50. The external exhaust port 51, like the exhaust port 48, is formed by multiple slits, connecting the inside of the outer box 2 to the outside of the outer box 2. In this case, the opening area of ​​the external exhaust port 51 is set to be larger than the opening area of ​​the exhaust port 48. As shown in Figure 3, the outer box 2 is provided with a reinforcing member 52 located on the underside of the top plate portion 2b.

[0028] Here, when the blower 28 is in operation, the exhaust damper 49 opens and the exhaust port 48 is opened, and a portion of the air flowing through the circulating air passage 18 is discharged from the exhaust port 48 through the outer exhaust port 51 to the outside of the outer casing 2, as shown by arrow A1 in Figure 1.

[0029] As shown in Figure 2, an air intake port 53 is provided at the top of the heat exchanger duct 24 in the circulating air passage 18, positioned between the evaporator 34 and the condenser 33. The air intake port 53 connects the inside of the circulating air passage 18 with the outside of the circulating air passage 18. The air intake port 53 is always open, and when the blower 28 is in operation, the exhaust damper 49 opens the exhaust port 48, and a portion of the circulating air is exhausted, causing air from outside the circulating air passage 18, that is, air from inside the outer casing 2, to be drawn into the circulating air passage 18.

[0030] As shown in Figure 2, the supply air duct 25 in the circulating air passage 18 is equipped with a first temperature sensor 55 that detects the temperature of the circulating air flowing through the circulating air passage 18. The first temperature sensor 55 is located in the circulating air passage 18, between the condenser 33 and the inlet 19, and is positioned near the inlet 19. The first temperature sensor 55 detects the temperature of the circulating air flowing through the circulating air passage 18 that is heated in the condenser 33 and supplied to the water tank 7.

[0031] As shown in Figure 1, a second temperature sensor 56 is provided on the outlet 20 side of the circulating air passage 18, in this case the filter duct 22, positioned downstream of the exhaust port 48. The second temperature sensor 56 detects the temperature of the circulating air flowing through the circulating air passage 18 on the outlet 20 side. As shown in Figures 1, 3, and 4, a wind speed sensor 4 for detecting wind speed is provided on the upper surface of the horizontal section 47, adjacent to the exhaust port 48 and on the opposite side of the exhaust damper 49 across the exhaust port 48.

[0032] In other words, in this case, the wind speed sensor 4 is positioned outside the circulating air passage 18, downstream of the airflow relative to the exhaust damper 49, specifically downstream of the exhaust flow of the circulating air. The wind speed sensor 4 has a directional configuration that allows it to detect the direction of the wind. In this case, the wind speed sensor 4 is installed so as to be able to detect the wind speed in the exhaust direction of the circulating air, that is, in the direction indicated by arrow B1 in Figure 4. Arrow B1 also represents the directionality of the wind speed sensor 4. In Figure 4, the fully open position of the exhaust damper 49 is shown by a solid line, and the fully closed position is shown by a dotted line. In this case, the wind speed sensor 4 is installed near the exhaust port 48 and the exhaust damper 49 so as to be able to detect the wind speed in the above direction even before the exhaust damper 49 is fully open.

[0033] As shown in Figure 2, the heat pump 32 is equipped with multiple refrigerant temperature sensors that detect the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant passage 37. Specifically, it is equipped with a first refrigerant temperature sensor 57 that detects the temperature near the discharge port 35a of the compressor 35, a second refrigerant temperature sensor 58 that detects the temperature of the condenser 33, a third refrigerant temperature sensor 59 that detects the temperature on the inlet side of the evaporator 34, and a fourth refrigerant temperature sensor 60 that detects the temperature near the suction port 35b of the compressor 35.

[0034] As shown in Figure 1, a control device 70 is provided in the front lower part of the outer casing 2. As shown in Figure 5, the control device 70 is electrically connected to a motor 16, a drain valve 12, a heater 38, a water supply valve 39 included in the water supply mechanism, an operation panel 5, an exhaust damper 49, a hot air supply device 17, an audio device 9, a communication device 10, and various sensors including a wind speed sensor 4. Although not shown in Figure 1, the heater 38 is located at the bottom of the water tank 7. The heater 38 has the function of heating the water supplied to the water tank 7 to make it hot water. As a result, the washing machine 1 is configured to be able to use hot water, which is heated water, during the washing process, specifically the washing or rinsing process.

[0035] Although not shown in Figure 1, the control panel 5 is located at the front of the top panel 2b of the outer casing 2 and includes a rectangular display unit, for example, a liquid crystal display. The display unit shows various screens containing various information related to the operation of the washing machine 1. In other words, the control panel 5 functions as a display device that shows various information. The display surface of the display unit also functions as a touch panel that can be operated by the user. The display unit shows various screens containing operation keys for receiving various operations related to the operation of the washing machine 1. The user can perform various operations related to the operation of the washing machine 1 by touching the operation keys.

[0036] The audio device 9 is, for example, a speaker or buzzer, and generates sounds related to various operations, sounds related to various errors, etc. The communication device 10 communicates with external devices, such as a smartphone owned by the user. The control device 70 can exchange various types of data with external devices, such as a smartphone, through communication via the communication device 10.

[0037] The control device 70 is mainly composed of a microcomputer having a CPU (not shown), ROM, RAM, and rewritable flash memory, and controls the overall operation of the washing machine 1. In this case, the control device 70 controls the display on the display unit of the operation panel 5 by executing a program for display control. The control device 70 also performs various controls in response to operations on the operation keys displayed on the display unit, such as selecting the type of operation, selecting a course, setting the contents of the course, and executing various operations.

[0038] The control device 70 includes functional blocks such as an operation control unit 71, a determination unit 72, and a notification unit 73. These functional blocks are implemented by the CPU of the control device 70 executing computer programs stored in ROM or the like to perform processing corresponding to those computer programs; in other words, they are implemented by software. However, at least a portion of each functional block may be implemented by hardware such as integrated circuits.

[0039] The control device 70 includes a storage unit 74 for storing various settings and information. The storage unit 74 may be composed of a storage area such as flash memory provided by the microcomputer constituting the control device 70, or it may be composed of various non-volatile memories provided outside the microcomputer. The operation control unit 71 can perform a washing operation to wash the clothes contained in the water tank 7 and the rotating tub 14, a drying operation to dry the clothes, and a wash-dry operation to wash and dry the clothes. In this case, each operation is provided with multiple courses.

[0040] In the above configuration, when filters 40 and 41 are clogged, the exhaust damper 49 opens, causing the air velocity of the air exhausted from the circulating air passage 18 through the exhaust port 48 to the outside of the circulating air passage 18. This exhaust velocity is lower than that of the normal state when filters 40 and 41 are not clogged. Therefore, in this embodiment, the clogging of filters 40 and 41 is determined based on this difference in air velocity.

[0041] In other words, the determination unit 72 determines whether the filters 40 and 41 are clogged based on the wind speed detection value, which is the value detected by the wind speed sensor 4 when the exhaust damper 49 is open. In the following explanation, "when the exhaust damper 49 is open" may be referred to as "when the exhaust damper is open." As described above, when the filters are clogged, the exhaust wind speed will be lower than the normal value. Therefore, the determination unit 72 can determine that the filters 40 and 41 are clogged if the wind speed detection value when the exhaust damper is open falls to a certain extent below the value expected under normal conditions.

[0042] For example, the determination unit 72 can determine that the filters 40 and 41 are clogged if the detected wind speed when the exhaust damper is open falls below a predetermined threshold. A specific method for making such a determination can be, for example, the following method. That is, the detected wind speed when the filters 40 and 41 are not clogged is used as a reference value, and this reference value is stored in the storage unit 74.

[0043] There are various conditions under which filters 40 and 41 are not clogged, such as during the manufacturing stage of the washing machine 1, when the washing machine 1 is first operated, and after cleaning filters 40 and 41. In this embodiment, among these conditions, the manufacturing stage of the washing machine 1, where the condition of filters 40 and 41 is considered to be the best, is adopted as the condition under which filters 40 and 41 are not clogged. Therefore, in this case, a reference value is stored in the memory unit 74 during the manufacturing stage.

[0044] The determination unit 72 determines whether filters 40 and 41 are clogged based on the wind speed detection value when the exhaust damper is open and a reference value stored in the storage unit 74. For example, the determination unit 72 can determine whether filters 40 and 41 are clogged by calculating the difference between the wind speed detection value when the exhaust damper is open and the reference value stored in the storage unit 74. In this case, the determination unit 72 can determine that filters 40 and 41 are clogged if the difference is greater than or equal to a preset determination threshold.

[0045] Furthermore, the determination unit 72 can also determine the degree of clogging based on the above difference. The degree of clogging can be expressed as follows: for example, 0% represents a state in which there is no clogging at all in filters 40 and 41, and 100% represents a state in which filters 40 and 41 are completely clogged. In this case, the determination unit 72 can determine that there is no clogging in filters 40 and 41 when the degree of clogging is less than 50%, and that there is clogging in filters 40 and 41 when the degree of clogging is 50% or more.

[0046] The notification unit 73 notifies the user of clogging information, which is information corresponding to the result of the determination by the determination unit 72. Examples of clogging information include information prompting the user to clean the filter, information indicating whether or not clogging has occurred, and information indicating the degree of clogging. The notification unit 73 can notify the user by displaying the clogging information on the display unit of the operation panel 5, which functions as a display device. The notification unit 73 can notify the user by generating an audio sound corresponding to the clogging information using the audio device 9. The notification unit 73 can notify the user by transmitting the clogging information to an external device via the communication device 10.

[0047] The following describes specific examples of processes related to clogging detection, which is the determination of clogging of filters 40 and 41 performed by the control device 70, with reference to the flowcharts in Figures 6 to 8. [1] First example In the first specific example, the determination unit 72 is configured to determine whether the filters 40 and 41 are clogged at a predetermined timing during the drying process, which is when the drying process is being executed. Therefore, in the first specific example, the control device 70 starts executing a series of processes as shown in Figure 6 after the operation including the drying process has started and at a predetermined timing during the drying process.

[0048] First, in step S101, the operation of the blower 28 is started, and the exhaust damper 49 is opened, i.e., the exhaust damper opening operation is performed. After step S101 is completed, the process proceeds to step S102, where the wind speed is detected by the wind speed sensor 4. At this time, the control device 70 acquires the wind speed detected value from the wind speed sensor 4. After step S102 is completed, the process proceeds to step S103, where the difference between the wind speed detected value acquired in step S102 and the reference value stored in the storage unit 74 is calculated, and based on this difference, it is determined whether or not the filters 40 and 41 are clogged.

[0049] If it is determined that filters 40 and 41 are clogged, the result in step S103 is "YES", and the process proceeds to step S104. In step S104, the result of the determination that filters 40 and 41 are clogged, i.e., the determination result that there is clog, is stored. On the other hand, if it is determined that filters 40 and 41 are not clogged, the result in step S103 is "NO", and the process proceeds to step S105. In step S105, the result of the determination that filters 40 and 41 are not clogged, i.e., the determination result that there is no clog, is stored.

[0050] After step S104 or S105 is completed, the process proceeds to step S106. In step S106, the operation of the blower 28 is stopped, and the exhaust damper 49 is closed, i.e., the exhaust damper closing operation is performed. After step S106 is completed, the process proceeds to step S107, where it is determined whether the operation including the drying process has been completed. If the operation including the drying process has not been completed, the result in step S107 is "NO", and step S107 is executed again.

[0051] On the other hand, if the operation including the drying process is completed, the result in step S107 is "YES", and the process proceeds to step S108. In step S108, it is determined whether or not the result indicating clogging is stored. If the result indicating no clogging is stored, the result in step S108 is "NO", and this series of processes ends without step S109 being executed. On the other hand, if the result indicating clogging is stored, the result in step S108 is "YES", and the process proceeds to step S109.

[0052] In step S109, the user is notified of clogging information, specifically information prompting them to clean the filters. After step S109 is executed, this series of processes is completed. Thus, in this first specific example, clogging of filters 40 and 41 is detected during drying, and the user is notified of the clogging information after the operation, including the drying process, has been completed.

[0053] [2] Second specific example In the second specific example, the determination unit 72 determines whether the filters 40 and 41 are clogged at a predetermined timing before the drying process is executed. Therefore, in the second specific example, the control device 70 starts executing a series of processes as shown in Figure 6 at a predetermined timing after the operation including the drying process has started but before the drying process is executed. In this way, in the second specific example, clogging of the filters 40 and 41 is determined before the drying process is executed, and the clogging information is notified to the user after the operation including the drying process has finished. [3] Third example

[0054] In the third specific example, similar to the second example, the determination unit 72 determines whether the filters 40 and 41 are clogged at a predetermined timing before the drying process is executed. However, in the third example, the operation of the user notification by the notification unit 73 is modified compared to the second example. Therefore, in the third example, the control device 70 starts executing a series of processes as shown in Figure 7 at a predetermined timing after the operation including the drying process has started but before the drying process is executed.

[0055] The sequence of processes in the third specific example shown in Figure 7 is modified from the sequence of processes in the first and second specific examples shown in Figure 6 by changing the execution order of steps S107, S108, and S109. In this case, after the execution of step S106, the process proceeds to step S108. If the result of the judgment that there is no clogging is stored here, the result in step S108 is "NO", and the process proceeds to step S107 without executing step S109.

[0056] On the other hand, if a clogging detection result is stored, the result in step S108 is "YES," and the process proceeds to step S109. In step S109, the clogging information is notified to the user. In other words, in the third specific example, it is possible to determine whether filters 40 and 41 are clogged and to notify the user of the clogging information before executing the drying process. After executing step S109, the process proceeds to step S107. In step S107, it is determined whether the operation including the drying process has been completed.

[0057] If the operation including the drying process has not yet finished, step S107 will be "NO", and step S107 will be executed again. On the other hand, if the operation including the drying process has finished, step S107 will be "YES", and this series of processes will end. Thus, in this third specific example, clogging of filters 40 and 41 is determined before the drying process is executed, and the clogging information is notified to the user before the drying process is executed.

[0058] [4] Fourth specific example In the fourth specific example, similar to the first example, the determination unit 72 determines whether the filters 40 and 41 are clogged at a predetermined timing during drying. However, in the fourth example, a change has been made to the operation of the notification unit 73 for user notification compared to the first example. Specifically, if the determination unit 72 determines that the filters 40 and 41 are clogged to a certain degree or more during drying, the notification unit 73 notifies the user of the clogging information without waiting for the drying process to finish.

[0059] Therefore, in the fourth specific example, the control device 70 starts executing a series of processes as shown in Figure 8 after the operation including the drying process has started and at a predetermined timing during drying. The series of processes in the fourth specific example shown in Figure 8 differs from the series of processes in the first specific example shown in Figure 6 in that step S201 is provided instead of step S104, and steps S202 and S203 are added. In step S201, in addition to the determination result of whether clogging is present, the degree of clogging is stored.

[0060] In this case, after step S106 is executed, the process proceeds to step S202. In step S202, it is determined whether a certain degree of clogging, such as 90%, or higher, is stored in the system. If a degree of clogging of 90% or higher is not stored, the result in step S202 is "NO", and the process proceeds to step S107. On the other hand, if a degree of clogging of 90% or higher is stored, the result in step S202 is "YES", and the process proceeds to step S203.

[0061] In step S203, similar to step S109, information about clogging, specifically information prompting filter maintenance, is communicated to the user. After step S203 is executed, the process proceeds to step S107, where it is determined whether the operation including the drying process has finished. In other words, in the fourth specific example, although information prompting maintenance is communicated to the user during drying, the operation itself continues to run. Thus, in the fourth specific example, clogging of filters 40 and 41 is determined during drying, and then the user is informed of the clogging information either during the operation including the drying process or after the operation including the drying process has finished. Note that in the fourth specific example, the determination unit 72 can also be modified to determine clogging of filters 40 and 41 at a predetermined timing before the drying process is executed.

[0062] According to the embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained. In the configuration of the washing machine 1 of this embodiment, when clogging occurs, the exhaust damper 49, which opens and closes the exhaust port 48 that connects the circulating air passage 18 to the outside of the circulating air passage 18, opens, causing the air velocity of the air exhausted from the circulating air passage 18 through the exhaust port 48, that is, the exhaust air velocity, to be lower than under normal conditions.

[0063] Therefore, in this embodiment, a wind speed sensor 4 is provided, which is positioned downstream of the exhaust damper 49 in the airflow and detects the wind speed at that position. The control device 70 includes a determination unit 72 that determines whether the filters 40 and 41 are clogged based on the wind speed detected by the wind speed sensor 4 when the exhaust damper is open, and a notification unit 73 that notifies the user of the clogged information, which is information corresponding to the determination result by the determination unit 72.

[0064] With this configuration, clogging of filters 40 and 41 can be accurately determined based on wind speed detection values, which change depending on whether the filters are clogged or functioning normally. Furthermore, this configuration makes it possible to notify the user of clogging information based on the results of the highly accurate clogging detection, thereby prompting the user to clean filters 40 and 41 at the appropriate time.

[0065] If the wind speed sensor 4 is installed inside the circulating air passage 18, lint may adhere to the wind speed sensor 4, which could reduce the accuracy of wind speed detection by the wind speed sensor 4. Therefore, in this embodiment, the wind speed sensor 4 is installed downstream of the exhaust damper 49, that is, outside the circulating air passage 18. With this configuration, lint will not adhere to the wind speed sensor 4, and the accuracy of wind speed detection, and consequently the accuracy of detecting clogging of filters 40 and 41, can be improved.

[0066] In this embodiment, the wind speed sensor 4 has a directional configuration that can detect the direction of the wind, and is provided to detect the wind speed of the air being exhausted from the circulating air passage 18 to the outside of the circulating air passage 18 via the exhaust port 48. With this configuration, the wind speed sensor 4 only detects the wind speed of the air whose value changes between when the filter is clogged and when it is normal, and as a result, the accuracy of wind speed detection and, consequently, the accuracy of determining whether the filters 40 and 41 are clogged can be improved.

[0067] In this embodiment, the wind speed detection value when filters 40 and 41 are not clogged is used as a reference value, and this reference value is stored in the storage unit 74. The determination unit 72 can determine whether filters 40 and 41 are clogged based on the wind speed detection value when the exhaust damper is open and the reference value stored in the storage unit 74. Specifically, the determination unit 72 calculates the difference between the wind speed detection value when the exhaust damper is open and the reference value stored in the storage unit 74, and can determine whether filters 40 and 41 are clogged based on this difference. In this way, it is possible to accurately determine the difference in wind speed detection values ​​between clogged and normal states, and as a result, the accuracy of determining whether filters 40 and 41 are clogged can be improved.

[0068] The notification unit 73 can notify the user by displaying clogging information on the display unit of the operation panel 5, which functions as a display device. In this way, the user can easily check clogging information, such as information prompting them to clean the filter, information indicating whether or not clogging has occurred, and information indicating the degree of clogging, by looking at the operation panel 5 of the washing machine dryer 1.

[0069] The notification unit 73 can notify the user by transmitting clogging information to an external device, such as a smartphone owned by the user, via the communication device 10. In this way, the user can check the clogging information not only on the washing machine 1 itself but also on their own smartphone, making it easier for them to notice when maintenance is needed and thus increasing its convenience.

[0070] If the notification unit 73 determines that the filters 40 and 41 are clogged to a certain extent or more during the drying process, it can notify the user of the clogging information without waiting for the drying process to finish. In this way, if the filters 40 and 41 are severely clogged, the user can be notified of the need for cleaning during the drying process, and the user can be asked to clean the filters 40 and 41. When notifying the user of the clogging information, the drying operation is not stopped but continues. This prevents the drying time from being prolonged due to the notification of clogging information to the user.

[0071] The determination unit 72 can determine whether the filters 40 and 41 are clogged at a predetermined timing before the drying process is executed. This makes it possible to check whether the drying process will be executed with clogged filters 40 and 41. Furthermore, by detecting clogged filters 40 and 41 before the drying operation is performed, the user can clean the filters 40 and 41 at an appropriate time. Specifically, for example, it becomes possible to detect clogged filters 40 and 41 before the user presses the start key, which is the operation key to start the operation. If clogged filters are detected, the user can immediately clean the filters 40 and 41. This prevents the drying time from being prolonged or the filters from being insufficiently dried due to clogged filters 40 and 41.

[0072] (Second Embodiment) The second embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 9 to 11. As shown in Figure 9, the washing machine 101 of this embodiment differs from the washing machine 1 of the first embodiment in that a wind speed sensor 104 is added. The wind speed sensor 104 has the same configuration as the wind speed sensor 4, and is located on the upper surface of the horizontal section 47, adjacent to the exhaust port 48, and on the opposite side of the exhaust damper 49 across the exhaust port 48.

[0073] In other words, in this case, the wind speed sensor 104 is located outside the circulating air passage 18, downstream of the airflow relative to the exhaust damper 49, specifically downstream of the exhaust flow of the circulating air. The wind speed sensor 104 has a directional configuration that allows it to detect the direction of the wind. In the washing machine dryer 101, when the filters 40 and 41 become completely clogged, the direction of the air flowing through the exhaust port 48 reverses to the intake direction, that is, the direction shown by arrow B2 in Figure 4.

[0074] In this case, the wind speed sensor 104 is positioned to detect the wind speed in the intake direction of the circulating air, that is, in the direction indicated by arrow B2 in Figure 4. In this case, the direction indicated by arrow B2 coincides with the directivity of the wind speed sensor 104. Furthermore, in this case, the wind speed sensor 104 is positioned near the exhaust port 48 and the exhaust damper 49 so that it can detect the wind speed in the above-mentioned direction even before the exhaust damper 49 is fully open. Thus, the washing machine / dryer 101 of this embodiment is equipped with multiple wind speed sensors 4 and 104.

[0075] As shown in Figure 10, the control device 170 of this embodiment differs from the control device 70 of the first embodiment in that it is equipped with a determination unit 172 instead of a determination unit 72. The determination unit 172 can distinguish between exhaust and intake air at the exhaust port 48 based on the wind speed detection values ​​of the multiple wind speed sensors 4 and 104, and can use the result of this distinction to determine whether the filters 40 and 41 are clogged.

[0076] As previously described, in the above configuration, if filters 40 and 41 become completely clogged, the direction of air flowing through the exhaust port 48 reverses from the exhaust direction to the intake direction. Therefore, the determination unit 172 can determine that if the wind speed detected by the wind speed sensor 4, which detects the wind speed in the exhaust direction, is zero or a predetermined value close to zero, and the wind speed detected by the wind speed sensor 104, which detects the wind speed in the intake direction, is greater than a predetermined value greater than zero, then the filters 40 and 41 are clogged and the degree of clogging is very high, in other words, the filters 40 and 41 are completely clogged.

[0077] According to the embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained. The washing machine 101 of this embodiment is equipped with multiple wind speed sensors 4 and 104. The determination unit 172 of this embodiment can distinguish between exhaust and intake air at the exhaust port 48 based on the wind speed detection values ​​of each of the multiple wind speed sensors 4 and 104, and uses the result of this distinction to determine whether the filters 40 and 41 are clogged. With this configuration, it is possible to determine whether the filters 40 and 41 are clogged based only on rough changes that allow for the distinction between exhaust and intake air, rather than on subtle changes in the wind speed detection values ​​of each of the wind speed sensors 4 and 104, thereby improving the accuracy of the determination.

[0078] <Variations regarding the placement of wind speed sensors> The wind speed sensors 4 and 104 are not limited to being arranged side by side in the left-right direction as shown in Figure 9; for example, they can also be arranged side by side vertically, as shown in the modified example in Figure 11. In this case, arrows B1 and B2 also represent the directivity of the wind speed sensors 4 and 104, respectively.

[0079] Even with this modified configuration, it is possible to distinguish between intake and exhaust air at the exhaust port 48 based on the wind speed detection values ​​of the wind speed sensors 4 and 104, similar to the embodiment described above. Furthermore, with this modified configuration, even if there is insufficient space to place multiple wind speed sensors on the upper surface of the horizontal section 47, multiple wind speed sensors can still be provided.

[0080] (Other embodiments) It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and shown in the drawings, and can be arbitrarily modified, combined, or expanded without departing from its essence. The numerical values ​​and other figures shown in each of the above embodiments are illustrative examples and are not limiting.

[0081] The present invention is not limited to washing and drying machines 1 and 101, which are drum-type washing and drying machines equipped with washing and drying functions, but can be applied to all types of clothes dryers that can perform an operation including a drying process for drying clothes, such as vertical-axis washing and drying machines equipped with washing and drying functions, or clothes dryers that do not have a washing function but only a drying function. As an anemometer, not only directional anemometers 4 and 104, but any sensor capable of detecting wind speed can be used.

[0082] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented 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 variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims of the invention and its equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0083] In the drawing, 1 and 101 represent the washing machine / dryer, 4 and 104 represent the wind speed sensors, 5 represents the control panel, 7 represents the water tank, 10 represents the communication device, 14 represents the rotating drum, 17 represents the hot air supply device, 18 represents the circulating air passage, 28 represents the blower, 32 represents the heat pump, 40 and 41 represent the filters, 48 ​​represents the exhaust port, 49 represents the exhaust damper, 70 and 170 represent the control devices, 72 and 172 represent the determination units, 73 represents the notification units, and 74 represents the memory units.

Claims

1. A storage tank capable of holding clothing, A hot air supply device comprising a blower capable of blowing air toward the storage tank, and a heating device capable of heating the air blown by the blower to produce hot air, wherein the hot air supply device circulates and supplies hot air to the storage tank through a circulating air passage, A filter for capturing lint is provided in the aforementioned circulating air passage, An opening that connects the circulating air passage to the outside of the circulating air passage, An exhaust damper that opens and closes the aforementioned opening, An air velocity sensor is positioned downstream of the exhaust damper to detect wind speed, A control device capable of performing an operation that includes a drying process for drying the aforementioned clothing, Equipped with, The control device is A determination unit that determines whether the filter is clogged based on the wind speed detection value, which is the wind speed sensor's detection value when the exhaust damper is opened, A notification unit that notifies the user of clogging information, which is information corresponding to the result of the determination by the aforementioned determination unit, A clothes dryer equipped with [a specific feature].

2. The clothes dryer according to claim 1, wherein the wind speed sensor has a directional configuration capable of detecting the direction of the wind.

3. The system is equipped with multiple wind speed sensors, The clothes dryer according to claim 2, wherein the determination unit can distinguish between exhaust and intake air at the opening based on the wind speed detection values ​​of each of the plurality of wind speed sensors, and uses the result of this distinction to determine whether the filter is clogged.

4. Furthermore, it includes a storage unit that stores the wind speed detection value as a reference value when the filter is not clogged. The clothes dryer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the determination unit determines whether the filter is clogged based on the wind speed detection value when the exhaust damper is opened and the reference value stored in the storage unit.

5. The clothes dryer according to claim 4, wherein the determination unit determines the difference between the wind speed detection value when the exhaust damper is opened and the reference value stored in the storage unit, and determines whether the filter is clogged based on that difference.

6. Furthermore, it is equipped with a display device that shows various types of information. The clothes dryer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the notification unit notifies the user by displaying the clogging information on the display device.

7. Furthermore, it is equipped with a communication device that communicates with external devices, The clothes dryer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the notification unit notifies the user by transmitting the clogging information to the external device via the communication device.

8. The clothes dryer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the notification unit, when the determination unit determines that the filter is clogged to a certain extent or more during the drying process, does not wait for the drying process to finish before notifying the user of the clogging information.

9. The clothes dryer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the determination unit determines whether the filter is clogged at a predetermined timing before the drying process is performed.

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