Clothes dryer

Abstract

To provide a clothes dryer that has a cleaning function for the drying filter and circulation path. [Solution] The clothes dryer 1 comprises a housing 2, an outer tub 3, an inner tub 7, a circulation path 20 connected to the outer tub 3 having an outlet 20D and a return port 20E, an air blower 21 that circulates air from the outer tub 3 by taking it out into the circulation path 20 from the outlet 20D and returning it to the outer tub 3 from the return port 20E, a heating unit 22 that heats the air in the circulation path 20, a drying filter 42 located in the circulation path 20 on the outlet 20D side of the heating unit 22 and having a vertical surface portion 42A that captures foreign matter from the air moving from the outlet 20D to the return port 20E in the circulation path 20, and a water supply unit 50 provided above the drying filter 42 in the circulation path 20. The water supply unit 50 has a first water inlet 41G that supplies water from above to the vertical surface portion 42A of the drying filter 42, and a second water inlet 43G that supplies water to the inner wall surface of the circulation path 20.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a clothes dryer.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a washing and drying machine having a washing function in addition to a drying function. This washing and drying machine includes a housing, an outer tub supported by the housing, a washing tub (inner tub) housed in the outer tub, a circulation path having an outlet and a return port connected to the outer tub, a blower unit that circulates the air in the outer tub by taking it out from the outlet into the circulation path and returning it from the return port into the outer tub, and a heating unit that heats the air in the circulation path. In this washing and drying machine, during the drying operation, the air in the outer tub is circulated through the circulation path by the blower unit and heated by the heating unit. Thereby, the drying function is realized.

[0003] Moreover, this washing and drying machine includes a drying filter having a vertical surface portion that captures foreign substances from the air flowing from the outlet to the return port in the circulation path. Thereby, foreign substances such as lint contained in the air circulating through the circulation path are captured.

[0004] Furthermore, this washing and drying machine includes a water supply unit that supplies water from above to the vertical surface portion, a wiper that is movable along the vertical surface portion, and an actuator that moves the wiper (filter cleaning mechanism). The wiper has a brush on the side in contact with the vertical surface portion of the drying filter and is driven to rotate. Thereby, an automatic cleaning function of the drying filter with water and an automatic cleaning function of the drying filter by the wiper mechanism are realized.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] According to the inventors of this invention, foreign matter such as lint contained in the air circulating in the circulation path adheres to the inner wall surface of the circulation path on the outlet side (upstream side) of the drying filter in the circulation path.

[0007] This disclosure aims to provide a clothes dryer having a cleaning function for the drying filter and circulation path. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] (1) The clothes dryer according to the present disclosure comprises a housing, an outer tub supported by the housing, an inner tub rotatably housed in the outer tub and containing clothes, a circulation path connected to the outer tub and having an outlet and a return port, an air blower that circulates air in the outer tub by taking it out into the circulation path from the outlet and returning it to the outer tub from the return port, a heating unit provided in the circulation path and heating the air in the circulation path, a drying filter located in the circulation path on the outlet side of the heating unit and having a vertical surface for capturing foreign matter from the air moving from the outlet to the return port in the circulation path, and a water supply unit provided above the drying filter in the circulation path. The water supply unit has a plurality of first water inlets that supply water from above to the vertical surface of the drying filter, and a plurality of second water inlets that supply water to the inner wall surface of the circulation path.

[0009] According to the clothes dryer disclosed herein, the water supply unit is equipped with a plurality of first water inlets that supply water from above to the vertical surface of the drying filter. This enables an automatic cleaning function of the drying filter with water. The water supply unit is also equipped with a plurality of second water inlets that supply water to the inner wall surface of the circulation path. This enables an automatic cleaning function of the inner wall surface of the circulation path with water, more specifically, the inner wall surface of the circulation path around the vertical surface of the drying filter.

[0010] (2) In the clothes dryer described in (1), the total flow rate of the plurality of second water inlets may be 1 / 3 or more and 1 / 2 or less of the total flow rate of the plurality of first water inlets and the plurality of second water inlets.

[0011] Here, the first water inlet can be placed in close proximity to the drying filter to be supplied with water, whereas the second water inlet needs to be placed at a distance from the inner wall surface of the circulation path to be supplied with water. Therefore, the flow rate of the second water inlet needs to be set so that the water is sprayed out forcefully.

[0012] With this configuration, the flow rate of the second water inlet can be set so that water is forcefully ejected from the second water inlet, thereby achieving both the automatic cleaning function of the drying filter and the automatic cleaning function of the inner wall surface of the circulation path.

[0013] (3) In the clothes dryer described in (1) or (2), the drying filter has two left and right ends separated by a vertically extending frame and a central part sandwiched between the two left and right ends, and the first water inlet does not have to be located above the frame in the water supply section.

[0014] This configuration allows for a reduction in the number of first water inlets. This increases the flow rate at the second water inlet, ensuring that water is supplied to the dry filter portion other than the frame, even if the flow rate at the first water inlet is reduced. This improves the performance of the automatic cleaning function of the inner wall surface of the circulation path while suppressing a decline in the performance of the automatic cleaning function of the dry filter.

[0015] (4) In the clothes dryer described in (3), the number of first water inlets above the central part of the drying filter among the plurality of first water inlets may be less than the number of first water inlets above each of the two left and right ends of the drying filter.

[0016] (5) In the clothes dryer described in (3), the spacing between the first water inlets above the central part of the drying filter may be wider than the spacing between the first water inlets above each of the two left and right ends of the drying filter.

[0017] As described below, when the drying filter has an automatic cleaning function by a wiper mechanism, the central portion of the drying filter has a higher performance of the automatic cleaning function of the drying filter by the wiper mechanism than the two left and right end portions of the drying filter.

[0018] According to these configurations, even if the flow rate of the second water supply port is increased and the flow rate of the first water supply port is decreased, specifically, even if the number of the first water supply ports above the central portion of the drying filter is decreased, while improving the performance of the automatic cleaning function of the inner wall surface of the circulation path, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the performance of the automatic cleaning function of the drying filter.

[0019] (6) In the clothes dryer according to (1) or (2), each of the plurality of first water supply ports may be square, and each of the plurality of second water supply ports may be round.

[0020] According to the findings of the inventors of the present application, when the first water supply port is square, water can be supplied linearly in the vertical direction from above along the vertical surface portion of the drying filter, and the performance of the automatic cleaning function of the drying filter can be improved.

[0021] On the other hand, according to the findings of the inventors of the present application, when the second water supply port is round, water can be supplied linearly in the horizontal direction with respect to the inner wall surface of the circulation path, and the performance of the automatic cleaning function of the circulation path can be improved.

[0022] (7) In the clothes dryer according to (1) or (2), the water supply portion may extend along the upper side of the drying filter, and may include a water supply flow path connected to the plurality of first water supply ports and the plurality of second water supply ports, and a space partition wall provided in the water supply flow path for partitioning the space around the plurality of first water supply ports and the plurality of second water supply ports to adjust the capacity of the space.

[0023] According to this configuration, the capacity of the space around the first water supply port and the second water supply port can be adjusted, and the total flow rate of the first water supply port and the total flow rate of the second water supply port can be adjusted.

[0024] (8) In the clothes dryer according to (1) or (2), the inner wall surface of the circulation path has a stepped portion that connects wall portions having different horizontal positions, and the upper surface of the stepped portion may not be horizontal and may be inclined with respect to the horizontal plane.

[0025] According to this configuration, the stepped portion of the inner wall surface of the circulation path is inclined and does not have a horizontal plane, so that it is possible to suppress the water supplied from the second water supply port and the lint washed away by this water from accumulating on the horizontal plane.

[0026] (9) The clothes dryer according to (1) or (2) may further include a wiper movable along the vertical surface portion of the drying filter and an actuator for moving the wiper.

[0027] According to this configuration, the automatic cleaning function of the drying filter by the wiper mechanism is realized.

Effect of the Invention

[0028] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a clothes dryer having a cleaning function for a drying filter and a circulation path.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0029] [Figure 1] It is a schematic longitudinal sectional left side view of a washing and drying machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] It is a perspective view of an outer tub and a drying unit arranged in a washing and drying machine as viewed from the rear side. [Figure 3] It is an exploded perspective view of an outer tub and a drying unit. [Figure 4] It is a perspective view of a duct and a filter member constituting a drying unit. [Figure 5] It is a perspective view of a duct, a filter member, and a wiper mechanism. [Figure 6] It is a rear view of a duct, a filter member, and a wiper mechanism. [Figure 7] It is a perspective view showing a wiper from the front and front sides. [Figure 8] This is a perspective view showing the wiper from the surface and the front. [Figure 9] This is a perspective view showing the wiper arm from the front and surface. [Figure 10] This is a perspective view showing the wiper blade from the back and front. [Figure 11] This is a perspective view of the filter component from the rear. [Figure 12] This is a cross-sectional perspective view of the filter component and cover, seen from the right side. [Figure 13] This is a perspective view showing the flow path inside the water supply cover of the filter component. [Figure 14] This is a perspective view of the inner wall surface of the duct cover, seen from the front. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0030] An example of an embodiment of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding parts will be denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0031] Furthermore, while the following examples illustrate embodiments of this disclosure with a washer-dryer equipped with both washing and drying functions, this disclosure is not limited thereto and is also applicable to clothes dryers that do not have a washing function but only a drying function.

[0032] Figure 1 is a schematic left-side cross-sectional view of a washing machine 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The direction perpendicular to the plane of Figure 1 is referred to as the left-right direction X of the washing machine 1, the left-right direction in Figure 1 is referred to as the front-back direction Y of the washing machine 1, and the up-down direction in Figure 1 is referred to as the up-down direction Z of the washing machine 1. Of the left-right direction X, the far side in the plane of Figure 1 is referred to as the right side X1, and the near side in the plane of Figure 1 is referred to as the left side X2. Of the front-back direction Y, the left side in Figure 1 is referred to as the front side Y1, and the right side in Figure 1 is referred to as the rear side Y2. Of the up-down direction Z, the upper side is referred to as the upper side Z1, and the lower side is referred to as the lower side Z2.

[0033] The washer-dryer 1 is a so-called drum-type washer-dryer. The washer-dryer 1 includes a housing 2, an outer tub 3 located inside the housing 2, a water supply channel 4 and a drain channel 5 connected to the outer tub 3, and a drain filter 6 that captures foreign matter from the water discharged from the outer tub 3 through the drain channel 5. The washer-dryer 1 further includes a washing tub (inner tub) 7 housed inside the outer tub 3 to hold laundry (clothes) L, a motor 8 that rotates the washing tub 7, and a drying unit 9 that dries the laundry L inside the washing tub 7.

[0034] The enclosure 2 is formed in a box shape. The front surface 2A of the enclosure 2 is, for example, a vertical surface. An opening 2B is formed in the front surface 2A, which connects the inside and outside of the enclosure 2. A door 10 is provided on the front surface 2A to open and close the opening 2B.

[0035] The outer tank 3 is elastically supported by the housing 2 via suspension rods (not shown). The outer tank 3 has a cylindrical circumferential wall 3A centered on an axis J extending in the front-rear direction Y along the horizontal direction H, a disc-shaped rear wall 3B that closes the hollow portion of the circumferential wall 3A from the rear side Y2, and a ring-shaped front wall 3C connected to the front end edge of the circumferential wall 3A. The rear wall 3B is vertically positioned and has an outer periphery 3D and a central part 3E that protrudes one step further rearward Y2 than the outer periphery 3D. A through hole 3F is formed at the center of the central part 3E, penetrating the central part 3E in the front-rear direction Y along the axis J. The front wall 3C has an annular first part 3G that protrudes toward the axis J from the front end edge of the circumferential wall 3A, a cylindrical second part 3H that protrudes toward the front side Y1 from the inner periphery edge of the first part 3G, and an annular third part 3I that protrudes toward the axis J from the front end edge of the second part 3H. Inside the third section 3I, an entrance / exit 3J is formed in the hollow portion of the circumferential wall 3A, communicating from the front side Y1. The entrance / exit 3J communicates with the opening 2B of the housing 2 from the rear side Y2.

[0036] The water supply channel 4 has one end (not shown) connected to a faucet (not shown) and the other end 4A connected to, for example, the central part 3E of the back wall 3B of the outer tank 3. When water is supplied, water from the faucet is supplied to the outer tank 3 from the water supply channel 4. The outer tank 3 stores water such as tap water or water with detergent dissolved in it. A water supply valve 11 is provided in the middle of the water supply channel 4, which is opened and closed to start and stop the water supply.

[0037] The drainage channel 5 is connected to the lower end of the outer tank 3, for example, to the lower end of the first part 3G of the front wall 3C. The water in the outer tank 3 is discharged outside the machine through the drainage channel 5. A drain valve 12 is provided in the middle of the drainage channel 5, which is opened and closed to start and stop the drainage.

[0038] The drain filter 6 is installed upstream of the drain channel 5, closer to the outer tank 3 than the drain valve 12. The front end of the drain filter 6 is exposed to the front surface 2A of the housing 2, so the user can grasp the front end of the drain filter 6 and attach or detach it from the housing 2. Known configurations can be used for the drain filter 6.

[0039] The washing tub (inner tub) 7 is slightly smaller than the outer tub 3. The washing tub 7 has a cylindrical circumferential wall 7A arranged coaxially with the circumferential wall 3A of the outer tub 3, a disc-shaped back wall 7B that closes the hollow portion of the circumferential wall 7A from the rear side Y2, and an annular wall 7C that protrudes from the front edge of the circumferential wall 7A toward the axis J. Multiple through holes 7D are formed in at least the circumferential wall 7A of the washing tub 7, and water in the outer tub 3 moves back and forth between the outer tub 3 and the washing tub 7 through the through holes 7D. Therefore, the water level in the outer tub 3 and the water level in the washing tub 7 are the same. A support shaft 13 is provided at the center of the back wall 7B of the washing tub 7, extending toward the rear side Y2 along the axis J. The rear end of the support shaft 13 is positioned behind the back wall 3B Y2, passing through a through hole 3F in the back wall 3B of the outer tub 3.

[0040] An inlet / outlet 7E is formed inside the annular wall 7C, communicating with the hollow portion of the circumferential wall 7A from the front Y1. The inlet / outlet 7E communicates with the inlet / outlet 3J of the outer tub 3 and the opening 2B of the housing 2 from the rear Y2. The inlet / outlet 3J and the inlet / outlet 7E, along with the opening 2B, are opened and closed together by the door 10. The user of the washing machine 1 puts laundry L into and out of the washing tub 7 through the open opening 2B, inlet / outlet 3J, and inlet / outlet 7E.

[0041] The motor 8 is positioned within the housing 2 at the rear Y2 of the back wall 3B of the outer tub 3. The motor 8 is connected to a support shaft 13 provided on the washing tub 7. The driving force generated by the motor 8 is transmitted to the support shaft 13, causing the washing tub 7 to rotate around axis J together with the support shaft 13. A clutch mechanism (not shown) may be provided between the motor 8 and the support shaft 13 to transmit or disconnect the driving force of the motor 8 to the support shaft 13.

[0042] The drying unit 9 includes a circulation path 20, an air blowing section 21, and a heating section 22. The circulation path 20 is a flow path located on the upper side Z1 of the outer tank 3 within the housing 2. The circulation path 20 has an intermediate section 20A extending in the front-rear direction Y, a rear section 20B extending downward Z2 from the rear end of the intermediate section 20A, and a front section 20C extending downward Z2 from the front end of the intermediate section 20A. An outlet 20D is formed at the front end of the lower end of the rear section 20B. The outlet 20D is connected to a portion of the outer periphery 3D of the rear wall 3B of the outer tank 3 that is higher than the upper limit water level, and communicates with the inside of the outer tank 3 from the rear side Y2. A return port 20E is formed at the lower end of the front section 20C. The return port 20E is connected to the upper end of the second section 3H of the front wall 3C of the outer tank 3, and communicates with the inside of the outer tank 3 from the upper side Z1.

[0043] The air blower unit 21 is a so-called blower and includes a rotating blade 23 positioned in the upstream region near the outlet 20D within the circulation path 20, and a motor (not shown) that rotates the rotating blade 23. When the rotating blade 23 rotates, the air in the outer tub 3, that is, the air in the outer tub 3 and the washing tub 7, is taken out into the circulation path 20 from the outlet 20D, as shown by the thick dashed arrow, and then returned to the outer tub 3 from the return port 20E. As a result, the air in the outer tub 3 circulates so that it flows sequentially between the outer tub 3 and the circulation path 20.

[0044] The heating unit 22 is a heat exchanger in a heat pump or a general heater, and at least a portion of it is located within the circulation path 20. The portion of the heating unit 22 located within the circulation path 20 has multiple fin-shaped heat dissipation sections 22A. When the heating unit 22 is operating, the heat dissipation sections 22A become hot, so the air flowing through the circulation path 20 is heated as it passes around the heat dissipation sections 22A, becoming hot air.

[0045] The washing and drying machine 1 further includes a control unit 24 configured as a microcomputer. The control unit 24 performs the washing and drying operation by controlling the operation of the motor 8, water supply valve 11, drain valve 12, air blower 21, and heating unit 22. The washing and drying operation includes a washing step, a rinsing step, a spin-drying step, and a drying step.

[0046] Prior to the start of the washing process, detergent is added to the washing tub 7. During the washing process, the control unit 24 closes the drain valve 12, opens the water supply valve 11 for a predetermined time to supply water to the outer tub 3 and the washing tub 7, and then rotates the washing tub 7 with the motor 8. This causes the laundry L inside the washing tub 7 to be tumbled. In the tumble washing, the laundry L is lifted to a certain extent and then falls naturally back into the water, a process called tumbling that is repeated. Dirt is removed from the laundry L by the impact of tumbling and the detergent components contained in the detergent water accumulated in the washing tub 7. After a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of tumbling, the control unit 24 opens the drain valve 12 to drain the water, and the washing process ends.

[0047] In the rinsing process, the control unit 24 closes the drain valve 12, opens the water supply valve 11 for a predetermined time to supply water to the outer tub 3 and the washing tub 7, and then rotates the washing tub 7 with the motor 8. As a result, the tumbling described above is repeated, and the laundry L is rinsed by the tap water in the washing tub 7. After a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of tumbling, the control unit 24 drains the water, and the rinsing process ends. The rinsing process may be repeated multiple times. In the dewatering process, the control unit 24 opens the drain valve 12 and rotates the washing tub 7 for dewatering. The centrifugal force generated by the dewatering rotation of the washing tub 7 dewaters the laundry L inside the washing tub 7. The water that seeps out of the laundry L due to dewatering is discharged outside the machine through the drain channel 5. The dewatering process may be performed not only after the rinsing process but also after the washing process.

[0048] In the drying process, the control unit 24 generates hot air using the air blower 21 and heating unit 22, circulates it between the washing tub 7 and the circulation path 20, and supplies it to the laundry L in the washing tub 7. This dries the laundry L. During the washing operation, foreign matter such as lint is generated, and this foreign matter is carried away by the hot air during the drying process. If this foreign matter adheres to and accumulates on the heat dissipation section 22A of the heating unit 22, it may lead to a decrease in the heating efficiency of the heating unit 22 and a deterioration in performance due to worsening of the airflow in the circulation path 20, so it is necessary to capture this foreign matter. Therefore, the drying unit 9 further includes a filter member 25, a branch path 26, and a water inlet valve 27.

[0049] The following sections will describe the air blower 21 and the circulation path 20 in detail, followed by a description of the filter member 25, the branch path 26, and the water inlet valve 27. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the outer tank 3 and the drying unit 9 from the rear Y2. The air blower 21 includes a hollow disc-shaped casing 29 that houses the rotating blades 23. The casing 29 is part of the circulation path 20 and is fixed to the housing 2. The internal space of the casing 29 constitutes the connection between the intermediate section 20A and the rear section 20B within the circulation path 20.

[0050] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the outer tank 3 and the drying unit 9. The circulation path 20 includes a duct 30 that occupies most of the rear portion 20B and a connecting hose 31 that connects the casing 29 and the duct 30. The duct 30 includes a main body 32 and a cover 33 (see Figure 2).

[0051] The main body 32 has a curved wall 32A that curves downward to the left along the upper left portion of the circumferential wall 3A of the outer tank 3, and a top wall 32B that is a roughly semicircular plate shape that bulges forward Y1 and extends from the right end of the curved wall 32A to the left X2. Between the curved wall 32A and the top wall 32B, a downstream space 32C is partitioned, which narrows in the vertical direction Z as it moves toward the right X1. The top wall 32B extends inclined with respect to the horizontal direction H as it moves downward toward the left X2. The top wall 32B is provided with a cylindrical upper connecting portion 32D that protrudes upward Z1. The internal space of the upper connecting portion 32D is in communication with the downstream space 32C from the upper Z1. The internal spaces of the downstream space 32C and the upper connecting portion 32D constitute a part of the internal space of the rear portion 20B of the circulation path 20. The main body 32 has a side wall 32E installed between the edges of the curved wall 32A and the top wall 32B so as to close off the downstream space 32C from the front side Y1 and the left side X2.

[0052] The main body 32 has a first vertical wall 32F extending downward Z2 from the rear end of the curved wall 32A, and a horizontal wall 32G projecting rearward Y2 from the lower end of the first vertical wall 32F. The upper end of the first vertical wall 32F is curved in an arc along the curved wall 32A, and the lower end of the first vertical wall 32F extends linearly, inclined with respect to the horizontal direction H so as to descend towards the left side X2. The horizontal wall 32G is strip-shaped and extends along the lower end of the first vertical wall 32F, inclined with respect to the horizontal direction H. The rear end of the side wall 32E is located rearward Y2 beyond the downstream space 32C, and the lower portion of the rear end of the side wall 32E is connected to the left ends of the first vertical wall 32F and the horizontal wall 32G, respectively.

[0053] The main body 32 has a second vertical wall 32H that is L-shaped when viewed from the rear, bordering the rear end of the side wall 32E and the lateral wall 32G. One or more of the aforementioned outlets 20D are formed at the lower end of the second vertical wall 32H. In this embodiment, one elongated outlet 20D, which is long in the vertical direction Z, is formed and penetrates the second vertical wall 32H in the front-rear direction Y. The second vertical wall 32H is provided with a cylindrical lower connecting portion 32I that borders the outlet 20D and protrudes to the front side Y1. A through hole 3K, which is the same shape as the outlet 20D, is formed in the outer circumference 3D of the rear wall 3B of the outer tank 3. The lower connecting portion 32I is inserted into the through hole 3K from the rear side Y2. As a result, the outlet 20D is connected to the rear wall 3B and communicates with the inside of the outer tank 3.

[0054] The main body 32 has an outer wall 32J that projects toward the rear Y2, continuously fringing the right edge of the first vertical wall 32F and the left, lower, and right edges of the second vertical wall 32H. The outer wall 32J is formed in a roughly U-shape when viewed from the rear, and the two upper ends of the outer wall 32J are connected to the left and right ends of the rear end of the top wall 32B, respectively. At the upper end of the outer wall 32J that is connected to the right end of the top wall 32B, a notch 32JA is formed that is recessed toward the front Y1. Multiple first locking portions 32JB are provided in the front region of the outer circumferential surface of the outer wall 32J, protruding from the outer circumferential surface. Bolts B1 (see Figure 2) are inserted through holes formed in each first locking portion 32JB and assembled into screw holes 3L provided at corresponding positions on the rear wall 3B of the outer tank 3. In this way, the entire duct 30, including the main body 32, is fixed to the outer tank 3. An intermediate space 32K is formed in the main body 32, partitioned by the rear end of the side wall 32E, the lateral wall 32G, the top wall 32B, and the right portion of the outer wall 32J. The intermediate space 32K is roughly rectangular in rear view, is a thin space in the front-to-back direction Y, is adjacent to the first vertical wall 32F from the rear Y2, and communicates with the downstream space 32C from the rear Y2.

[0055] The main body 32 has a vertical partition plate 32L and a horizontal partition plate 32M that project from the second vertical wall 32H toward the rear Y2. The vertical partition plate 32L is positioned adjacent to the intermediate space 32K from the left side X2, extends downward Z2 from the rear end of the top wall 32B, and connects to the upper edge Z1 of the outlet 20D. The horizontal partition plate 32M is positioned below the intermediate space 32K Z2 and above the outlet 20D Z1, and is installed between the middle part of the vertical partition plate 32L and the right part of the outer wall 32J. The horizontal partition plate 32M extends approximately parallel to the top wall 32B and the horizontal wall 32G, inclining with respect to the horizontal direction H so as to descend toward the left side X2. A slit 32P is formed in the middle part of the horizontal partition plate 32M, dividing the horizontal partition plate 32M in the left-right direction X. A screw hole 32Q is formed on the rear surface of the second vertical wall 32H within the slit 32P.

[0056] The main body 32 has an arrangement space 32R that is partitioned by a vertical partition plate 32L, a horizontal partition plate 32M, a top wall 32B, and the right portion of the outer wall 32J. The arrangement space 32R is roughly rectangular in rear view, is a thin space in the front-to-back direction Y, and communicates with the intermediate space 32K from the rear side Y2. In the arrangement space 32R, the portion Z1 above the horizontal wall 32G overlaps with the entire area of ​​the intermediate space 32K in rear view. The filter member 25 is arranged in the arrangement space 32R. The main body 32 has an upstream space 32S that is partitioned by the portion Z2 below the horizontal partition plate 32M in the vertical partition plate 32L, the horizontal partition plate 32M, and the right and lower portions of the outer wall 32J. The upstream space 32S is a space that has a roughly semicircular shape and bulges downward Z2 when viewed from the rear, is located on the lower Z2 side of the arrangement space 32R, with the horizontal partition plate 32M in between, and communicates with the outlet 20D from the rear Y2.

[0057] In the main body 32, a long, narrow vertical space 32T is formed, sandwiched from both sides in the left-right direction X by the left portion of the outer wall 32J and the vertical partition plate 32L, extending in the vertical direction Z. The vertical space 32T is closed from the front side Y1 by the left end of the second vertical wall 32H and closed from the top side Z1 by the left end of the top wall 32B. The lower end of the vertical space 32T communicates with the upstream space 32S from the left side X2.

[0058] The cover 33 (see Figure 2) has a contour that substantially coincides with the outer wall 32J and top wall 32B of the main body 32 when viewed from the rear, and is formed in a plate shape that narrows towards the lower side Z2. The cover 33 is provided with a plurality of locking portions 33A (see Figure 2) that protrude from its outer edge. Corresponding to the locking portions 33A, a plurality of second locking portions 32JC are provided in the rearward region of the outer circumferential surface of the outer wall 32J of the main body 32, protruding from the said outer circumferential surface. Bolts (not shown) are inserted through holes formed in each locking portion 33A and assembled into screw holes 32JD provided on the rear end surface of the corresponding second locking portion 32JC. In this way, the cover 33 is fixed to the main body 32 from the rear side Y2, and the duct 30 is completed (see Figure 2).

[0059] In the completed duct 30, the arrangement space 32R, upstream space 32S, and vertical space 32T, located on the rear side of the main body 32, are closed off from the rear side Y2 by the cover 33. The rear end of the vertical partition plate 32L contacts the front part of the cover 33. Therefore, the arrangement space 32R and the vertical space 32T, which are located on either side of the vertical partition plate 32L, are separated. There is a gap Q (see Figure 4) between the rear end of the horizontal partition plate 32M and the front part of the cover 33, so the arrangement space 32R and the upstream space 32S are in communication through this gap Q.

[0060] The connecting hose 31 is, for example, a rubber cylinder, and its internal space is open to the upper side Z1 and the lower side Z2. A bellows section 31A is provided between the upper and lower ends of the connecting hose 31. The lower end of the connecting hose 31 is fitted onto the upper connecting portion 32D of the duct 30. The upper end of the connecting hose 31 is connected to the casing 29 of the air blower 21. The internal space of the connecting hose 31 constitutes part of the internal space of the rear portion 20B of the circulation path 20. During the washing and drying operation, vibrations of the outer tub 3 are suppressed from being transmitted to the air blower 21 by the elastic deformation of the bellows section 31A.

[0061] The filter member 25 is formed in a thin plate shape in the front-to-back direction Y. The overall shape of the filter member 25 in a rear view is rectangular, more specifically a parallelogram, with two sides that are inclined with respect to the horizontal direction H so as to descend towards the left side X2, and two other sides that extend substantially vertically along the vertical direction Z.

[0062] The filter member 25 includes a frame 41, a drying filter 42, and a water supply cover 43. The frame 41 has a main body 41A with a substantially rectangular contour when viewed from the rear, a pair of left and right vertical walls 41B projecting forward Y1 from the main body 41A, and a bottom wall 41C projecting forward Y1 from the lower end of the main body 41A, and is made of, for example, resin. The upper and lower edges of the main body 41A are inclined with respect to the horizontal direction H so as to descend towards the left side X2. The right and left edges of the main body 41A extend substantially vertically along the vertical direction Z. An opening 41D is provided in almost the entire area of ​​the main body 41A when viewed from the rear, penetrating the main body 41A in the front-to-back direction Y. The main body 41A has one or more vertical ribs 41E that traverse the opening 41D. In this embodiment, two vertical ribs 41E are provided side by side in the left-right direction X, and the opening 41D is evenly divided by these vertical ribs 41E into three small openings 41DA arranged side by side in the left-right direction X. Each small opening 41DA is formed in the shape of a vertically elongated rectangle, or more precisely, a parallelogram shape having two sides parallel to the upper and lower edges of the main body portion 41A.

[0063] The bottom wall 41C of the main body 41A is installed between the lower ends of the left and right vertical walls 41B and is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction H so as it descends along the lower edge of the main body 41A toward the left X2. A locking portion 41CA is provided in the center of the bottom wall 41C in the left-right direction X, protruding downward Z2 from the bottom wall 41C. An insertion hole 41CB is formed in the locking portion 41CA, which penetrates the locking portion 41CA in the front-rear direction Y.

[0064] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the duct 30 and filter member 25 as seen from the rear Y2. In Figure 4, the cover 33 of the duct 30 is not shown (the same applies to Figures 5 and 6, which will be described later). The frame 41 further has a top wall 41F that protrudes at least to the rear Y2 from the upper edge of the main body 41A. The top wall 41F has a rectangular plate shape that is elongated in the left-right direction X and is arranged inclined downward to the left along the upper edge of the main body 41A, and an extension 41FB that is a rectangular plate shape shorter than the main body 41FA and extends to the right X1 along the horizontal direction H from the right end of the main body 41BA.

[0065] The drying filter 42 covers the entire area of ​​each small opening 41DA of the main body 41A. The drying filter 42 is provided in three separate parts corresponding to each small opening 41DA, but in this embodiment, the three separate drying filters 42 are considered as a single drying filter 42. In this embodiment, the drying filter 42 is a mesh sheet attached to the main body 41A, but it may also be a grid integrally formed with the main body 41A. In this embodiment, the drying filter 42 is made of metal, but it may also be made of the same resin as the main body 41A. The rear surface portion of the drying filter 42 that extends along the top, bottom, left, and right sides is called the vertical surface portion 42A. The vertical surface portion 42A of the drying filter 42 is arranged flush with the rear surface 41AB of the main body 41A.

[0066] The water supply cover 43 has a hollow main body 43A that is longitudinal in the left-right direction X, and a hollow connecting part 43B that is connected to the main body 43A from the right side X1. The internal space 43AA of the main body 43A and the internal space 43BA of the connecting part 43B are in communication. The connecting part 43B is provided with a pipe-shaped tube section 43C that protrudes from the connecting part 43B. In Figure 4, the tube section 43C is shown protruding to the rear side Y2, but the tube section 43C may also protrude to the right side X1 (see Figure 5). The internal space 43CA of the tube section 43C is in communication with the internal space 43BA of the connecting part 43B. The internal space 43AA of the main body 43A, the internal space 43BA of the connecting part 43B, and the internal space 43CA of the tube section 43C together constitute a flow path 43D within the water supply cover 43. Note that the pipe section 43C may be provided not at the connection section 43B of the water supply cover 43, but, for example, at the extension section 41FB of the top wall 41F of the frame 41 (see Figure 5).

[0067] The water supply cover 43 covers the top wall 41F of the frame 41 from above Z1 and is assembled to the frame 41. In the completed filter member 25 in this way, the internal space 43AA of the main body 43A of the water supply cover 43 is blocked from below Z2 by the main body 41FA of the top wall 41F, and the internal space 43BA of the connection part 43B of the water supply cover 43 is blocked from below Z2 by the extension part 41FB of the top wall 41F.

[0068] Figure 11 is a perspective view of the filter member 25 (frame 41, drying filter 42, water supply cover 43) as seen from the rear side Y2. In Figure 11, multiple first water inlets 41G of the same shape and dimensions are formed on the top wall 41F of the frame 41. Each first water inlet 41G extends linearly vertically, i.e., in the up-down direction Z, and penetrates the top plate 41F. These first water inlets 41G are arranged in a line in the left-right direction X along the upper edge of the rear surface of the frame 41. The multiple water inlets 41G provided on the top wall 41F of the frame 41 are arranged horizontally, i.e., in the left-right direction X along the vertical surface portion 42A of the drying filter 42, and are viewed from above Z1 on the vertical surface portion 42A.

[0069] Furthermore, multiple second water inlets 43G of the same shape and dimensions are formed on the rear wall Y2 of the main body 43A of the water supply cover 43. These second water inlets 43G are arranged in a line at equal intervals along the main body 43A in the left-right direction X.

[0070] The flow path 43D within the water supply cover 43 is connected to the first water inlet 41G and the second water inlet 43G. The water supply cover 43 and the top wall 41F constitute the water supply section 50. The first water inlet 41G supplies water to the vertical surface 42A of the drying filter 42 from above. The second water inlet 43G supplies water to the inner wall surface of the cover 33 of the duct 30 of the circulation path 20, specifically the inner wall surface of the cover 33 of the duct 30 around the vertical surface 42A of the drying filter 42.

[0071] As shown in Figure 4, the filter member 25 is housed inside the duct 30 by being fitted into the duct 30's placement space 32R from the rear Y2. The filter member 25 is positioned within the placement space 32R by the bottom wall 41C of the frame 41 of the filter member 25 resting on the lateral partition plate 32M of the duct 30. The locking portion 41CA of the bottom wall 41C fits into the slit 32P of the lateral partition plate 32M, and the bolt B2 is attached to the screw hole 32Q of the slit 32P by passing through the insertion hole 41CB of the locking portion 41CA (see also Figure 3). In this way, the filter member 25 within the placement space 32R is fixed to the duct 30. Note that the locking portion 41CA may be provided at a position other than the bottom wall 41C on the frame 41.

[0072] In the frame 41 of the filter member 25 fixed to the duct 30, the bottom wall 41C, the right vertical wall 41B, and the left vertical wall 41B are in contact with the horizontal partition plate 32M, the outer wall 32J, and the vertical partition plate 32L of the duct 30, respectively. In addition, the main body 43A of the water supply cover 43 of the filter member 25 is in contact with the top wall 32B of the duct 30. As a result, the filter member 25 occupies almost the entire space 32R of the duct 30 and is located between the downstream space 32C and intermediate space 32K and the upstream space 32S within the duct 30. Looking at the circulation path 20 as a whole, the drying filter 42 of the filter member 25 is positioned on the outlet 20D side of the heating section 22 within the circulation path 20 (see Figure 1). The extension portion 41FB of the top wall 41F of the frame 41 and the connection portion 43B of the water supply cover 43 are positioned to the right of the arrangement space 32R, X1, through the notch 32JA (see Figure 3) of the outer wall 32J.

[0073] The branch channel 26 branches off from the upstream section of the water supply channel 4, closer to the faucet than the water supply valve 11, and connects to the pipe section 43C of the water supply cover 43. The water inlet valve 27 is provided in the branch channel 26 (see Figure 1). The water inlet valve 27 is opened and closed to supply water flowing from the water supply channel 4 to the pipe section 43C, or to stop the supply. The opening and closing of the water inlet valve 27 is controlled by the control unit 24 (see Figure 1). The water inlet valve 27 is included in the aforementioned water supply section 50.

[0074] In the drying process, as described above, hot air is generated and circulated by the blower unit 21 and the heating unit 22. This hot air flows from the outlet 20D to the return port 20E within the circulation path 20, and in the rear section 20B along the way, it rises towards the blower unit 21 (see the thick dashed arrow in Figure 1). Within the duct 30 that constitutes the rear section 20B, the hot air rises from the outlet 20D through the upstream space 32S and passes through the drying filter 42 of the filter member 25 to the front Y1. Then, this hot air reaches the downstream space 32C via the intermediate space 32K, rises inside the connecting hose 31 and flows into the casing 29 of the blower unit 21 (see also Figure 2).

[0075] The vertical surface 42A of the drying filter 42 is positioned to face the upstream side of the circulation path 20, capturing foreign matter T such as lint from the hot air in the circulation path 20. As the drying process progresses, a large amount of foreign matter T is captured and accumulates on the vertical surface 42A. This prevents foreign matter T from adhering to the heating section 22, which is located further downstream from the outlet 20D than the drying filter 42 within the circulation path 20.

[0076] The control unit 24 opens the water inlet valve 27 after the drying process, that is, after the washing and drying operation is completed. The water supply valve 11 may be located upstream of the branching point of the branching passage 26 in the water supply channel 4, closer to the faucet. In that case, the control unit 24 opens both the water supply valve 11 and the water inlet valve 27. Water from the faucet flows into the flow path 43D from the pipe section 43C of the water supply cover 43 via the water supply channel 4 and the branching passage 26.

[0077] Water flowing into the flow path 43D flows out from the flow path 43D to each first water inlet 41G and is sprayed downward from each first water inlet 41G. The water sprayed from each first water inlet 41G is sprayed from above Z1 onto the upper end of the vertical surface 42A of the drying filter 42, as shown by the thick dashed arrow (Figure 4), and flows down the vertical surface 42A. Foreign matter T adhering to the vertical surface 42A is peeled off the vertical surface 42A by the water flowing down the vertical surface 42A and falls into the upstream space 32S of the duct 30, reaching the outlet 20D. Vertical ribs 41E are provided around the drying filter 42 that extend in the direction in which water and foreign matter T fall, so that foreign matter T falls smoothly without getting caught on the vertical ribs 41E. In the duct 30, guide sections 30A are provided on the outer wall 32J that partitions the upstream space 32S, and are inclined toward the outlet 20D. In the duct 30, the guide sections 30A and the lower end of the vertical partition plate 32L of the main body 32 guide foreign matter T and water toward the outlet 20D. Foreign matter T that reaches the outlet 20D falls from the outlet 20D into the outer tank 3 and accumulates in the outer tank 3. Water that is sprayed onto the vertical surface section 42A from each first water inlet 41G also falls from the duct 30 into the outer tank 3 and accumulates in the outer tank 3, similar to foreign matter T.

[0078] The vertical surface portion 42A of the drying filter 42 is directly exposed to the upstream space 32S that constitutes the circulation path 20. Therefore, when water is supplied to the vertical surface portion 42A from the first water inlet 41G, any foreign matter T adhering to the vertical surface portion 42A is quickly detached from the vertical surface portion 42A and falls rapidly through the circulation path 20 to reach the outer tank 3 from the outlet 20D.

[0079] Furthermore, the water that flows into the flow path 43D flows out from the flow path 43D to each second water inlet 43G and is sprayed from each second water inlet 43G toward the inner wall surface of the cover 33 of the duct 30 of the circulation path 20, specifically toward the inner wall surface of the cover 33 of the duct 30 around the vertical surface portion 42A of the drying filter 42 (dashed arrow in Figure 12). As a result, foreign matter attached to the inner wall surface of the cover 33 of the duct 30 of the circulation path 20, specifically toward the inner wall surface of the cover 33 of the duct 30 around the vertical surface portion 42A of the drying filter 42, is dislodged by the water and reaches the outlet 20D. Similarly, the foreign matter that reaches the outlet 20D falls from the outlet 20D into the outer tank 3 and accumulates in the outer tank 3. Water that is sprayed onto the inner wall surface of the cover 33 from each second water inlet 43G also falls into the outer tank 3 from the duct 30, just like foreign matter, and accumulates in the outer tank 3.

[0080] After a predetermined time has elapsed since the water inlet valve 27 opened, the control unit 24 stops the water supply to the water supply unit 50 by closing the water inlet valve 27 and opens the drain valve 12. Note that the drain valve 12 may also be kept open while the water inlet valve 27 is open. When the drain valve 12 opens, the water accumulated in the outer tank 3 flows into the drain channel 5, carrying the foreign matter T. In other words, the foreign matter T is removed from the outer tank 3 when the outer tank 3 is drained. The foreign matter T that flows into the drain channel 5 is captured by the drain filter 6 (see Figure 1). The foreign matter T captured by the drain filter 6 is removed when the user removes the drain filter 6 for maintenance at an appropriate time.

[0081] As described above, in the washer-dryer 1, at a predetermined timing, the first water inlet 41G of the water supply unit 50 supplies water to the vertical surface 42A of the drying filter 42 from above Z1. In other words, the washer-dryer 1 has an automatic water cleaning function for the drying filter 42. In addition, in the washer-dryer 1, at a predetermined timing, the second water inlet 43G of the water supply unit 50 supplies water to the inner wall surface of the cover 33 of the duct 30 of the circulation path 20, more specifically, to the inner wall surface of the cover 33 of the duct 30 around the vertical surface 42A of the drying filter 42. In other words, the washer-dryer 1 has an automatic water cleaning function for the inner wall surface of the circulation path 20.

[0082] Figure 11 is a perspective view of the filter member 25 (frame 41, drying filter 42, water supply cover 43) as seen from the rear Y2, and Figure 12 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the filter member 25 and cover 33 as seen from the right X1, and Figure 13 is a perspective view showing the flow path 43D inside the water supply cover 43 of the filter member 25, and Figure 14 is a perspective view of the inner wall surface of the cover 33 of the duct 30 as seen from the front Y1.

[0083] The total flow rate of the second water inlet 43G is between 1 / 3 and 1 / 2 of the total flow rate of the first water inlet 41G and the second water inlet 43G. For example, the total flow rate of the first water inlet 41G and the total flow rate of the second water inlet 43G are set as follows. Total flow rate between the first water inlet 41G and the second water inlet 43G: 10.9 L / min. Total flow rate of the first water inlet (41G): 6.6 L / min. Total flow rate of the second water inlet 43G: 4.3 L / min.

[0084] Furthermore, for example, the parameters of the first water inlet 41G are set as follows. Dimensions of each part of the first water inlet 41G: 2.0 mm 2 Number of 41G water inlets (first water supply): 14 Center spacing of the first water inlet 41G: 4.4 mm Total opening area of ​​the first water inlet 41G: 28.1 mm² 2

[0085] Furthermore, for example, the parameters of the second water inlet 43G are set as follows. Dimensions of each part of the second water inlet 43G: Diameter 1.2 mm Number of 43G second water inlets: 9 Center spacing of the second water inlet 43G: 11.8mm Total opening area of ​​the second water inlet 43G: 10.2 mm² 2

[0086] Here, the first water inlet 41G can be positioned in close proximity to the drying filter 42 to be supplied with water, whereas the second water inlet 43G needs to be positioned at a distance from the inner wall surface of the cover 33 of the duct 30 of the circulation path 20 to be supplied with water. Therefore, the flow rate of the second water inlet 43G, or each parameter (size, number, center distance, opening area, flow velocity) needs to be set so that water is ejected forcefully from the second water inlet 43G.

[0087] According to this embodiment, the flow rate of the second water inlet 43G, or each parameter (size, number, center distance, opening area, flow velocity) can be set so that water is forcefully ejected from the second water inlet 43G, thereby achieving both the automatic cleaning function of the drying filter 42 and the automatic cleaning function of the inner wall surface of the circulation path 20.

[0088] As shown in Figure 11, it is preferable that the first water inlet 41G is not located above the vertical rib 41E that divides the opening 41D of the frame 41 of the drying filter 42 into a small opening 41DA in the water supply section 50.

[0089] This configuration allows for a reduction in the number of first water inlets 41G. This makes it possible to increase the flow rate of the second water inlet 43G and decrease the flow rate of the first water inlet 41G, while still ensuring that water is supplied to the small openings 41DA (opening 41D) of the drying filter 42, excluding the vertical ribs 41E of the frame 41. This improves the performance of the automatic cleaning function of the inner wall surface of the circulation path 20 while suppressing a decrease in the performance of the automatic cleaning function of the drying filter 42.

[0090] It is preferable that the number of first water inlets 41G located above the central part of the small opening 41DA separated by the vertical ribs 41E of the drying filter 42, which is sandwiched between the two left and right ends, is less than the number of first water inlets 41G located above each of the two left and right ends of the small opening 41DA of the drying filter 42. For example, if the number of first water inlets 41G located above each of the two left and right ends of the small opening 41DA of the drying filter 42 is 5, then the number of first water inlets 41G located above the central part of the small opening 41DA of the drying filter 42 is 4.

[0091] Furthermore, it is preferable that the distance between the centers of the first water inlets 41G located above the central part of the small opening 41DA of the drying filter 42 is wider than the distance between the centers of the first water inlets 41G located above each of the two left and right ends of the small opening 41DA of the drying filter 42. For example, the distance between the centers of the first water inlets 41G located above each of the two left and right ends of the small opening 41DA of the drying filter 42 is 4.4 mm, while the distance between the centers of the first water inlets 41G located above the central part of the small opening 41DA of the drying filter 42 is 8.9 mm.

[0092] As will be described later, when an automatic cleaning function for the drying filter 42 is provided by a wiper mechanism, the performance of the automatic cleaning function for the drying filter 42 by the wiper mechanism is higher in the central part of the drying filter 42 compared to the two left and right ends of the drying filter 42.

[0093] According to this embodiment, even if the flow rate of the second water inlet 43G is increased and the flow rate of the first water inlet 41G is decreased, specifically by reducing the number of first water inlets 41G located above the central part of the drying filter 42, it is possible to improve the performance of the automatic cleaning function of the inner wall surface of the circulation path 20 while suppressing a decrease in the performance of the automatic cleaning function of the drying filter 42.

[0094] Each of the first water inlets 41G is preferably square in shape. On the other hand, each of the second water inlets 43G is preferably round in shape.

[0095] According to the inventors'(et al.) findings, if the first water inlet 41G is square in shape, water can be supplied linearly in a vertical direction from above along the vertical surface portion 42A of the drying filter 42, thereby improving the performance of the automatic cleaning function of the drying filter 42.

[0096] On the other hand, according to the inventors of the present invention, if the second water inlet 43G is round in shape, water can be supplied linearly in the horizontal direction to the inner wall surface of the cover 33 of the duct 30 of the circulation path 20, thereby improving the performance of the automatic cleaning function of the inner wall surface of the circulation path 20.

[0097] As shown in Figure 13, the water supply section 50 is preferably provided within the water supply channel 43D and has a plurality of space partition walls 43H that partition the space 43I around the first water inlet 41G and the second water inlet 43G, thereby adjusting the volume of the space 43I. The plurality of space partition walls 43H are arranged in a line from upstream to downstream of the water supply channel 43D. The central space partition wall 43H of the plurality of space partition walls 43H has an L-shape, with a wall 43L extending from its upstream end to the side opposite to the space 43I.

[0098] As shown by the dashed arrow in Figure 13, the water supplied from pipe section 43C passes through the space opposite to space 43I relative to the upstream space partition wall 43H, is blocked by wall 43L of the central space partition wall 43H, and is supplied to space 43I from between the upstream space partition wall 43H and the central space partition wall 43H. In this way, by supplying water to space 43I from near the center of the water supply channel 43D, water can be supplied evenly from the center to the left and right ends of the water supply channel 43D. The water supplied to space 43I is discharged from the first water inlet 41G and the second water inlet 43G.

[0099] Furthermore, this configuration allows for the adjustment of the volume of the space 43I surrounding the first water inlet 41G and the second water inlet 43G, thereby adjusting the total flow rate of the first water inlet 41G and the second water inlet 43G. For example, by narrowing the space 43I, the water pressure within the space 43I increases, which strengthens the force of the water from the first water inlet 41G and the second water inlet 43G, thereby increasing the total flow rate of the first water inlet 41G and the second water inlet 43G.

[0100] Furthermore, the space 43J opposite to space 43I relative to the space partition wall 43H can be used as a water supply channel to the water inlet 43K that supplies water to the vertical space 32T (Figures 4-6) of the main body 32 of the duct 30. A portion of the water in space 43I flows from the space partition wall 43H and the space partition wall 43H to space 43J and is supplied to the water inlet 43K. The water supplied from the water inlet 43K to the vertical space 32T helps to flush away foreign objects falling through the duct 30.

[0101] The water supply unit 50 may also have a switching mechanism (not shown) that can switch between supplying water to the first water inlet 41G or to the second water inlet 43G within the water supply channel 43D.

[0102] As shown in Figure 14, the inner wall surface of the cover 33 of the duct 30 of the circulation path 20 has stepped portions 33B that connect wall surface portions that are at different horizontal positions. Preferably, the upper surface of these stepped portions 33B is not horizontal but inclined with respect to the horizontal plane.

[0103] With this configuration, the stepped portion 33B on the inner wall surface of the cover 33 of the duct 30 of the circulation path 20 is inclined and does not have a horizontal surface, so that the water supplied from the second water inlet 43G and the lint carried away by this water can be prevented from accumulating on the horizontal surface.

[0104] Furthermore, the washing machine 1 also has an automatic cleaning function for the drying filter 42 using a wiper mechanism 60, which will be described below. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the duct 30, filter member 25, and wiper mechanism 60 from the right rear side. The wiper mechanism 60 includes a stay 61 fixed to the duct 30, and a wiper 70 and actuator 63 attached to the stay 61.

[0105] The stay 61 is plate-shaped and is fixed to the main body 32 of the duct 30, for example, to the right portion of the outer wall 32J, and is positioned to protrude from the main body 32 to the right X1. The left end of the stay 61 is positioned opposite the lower end of the right end of the vertical surface portion 42A of the drying filter 42 from the rear Y2.

[0106] The wiper 70 is elongated and positioned between the vertical surface 42A of the drying filter 42 and the left end of the stay 61 in the front-rear direction Y. An elastic blade 74 is provided on the front of the wiper 70, extending over almost its entire length. Instead of the blade 74, the wiper 70 may be provided with a brush composed of numerous bristles embedded in it. The wiper 70 shown in Figure 5 is in a vertically elongated standby position. In a rear view, the wiper 70 in the standby position is aligned with the right end of the vertical surface 42A of the drying filter 42, and the blade 74 is in contact with the right end of the vertical surface 42A from the rear side Y2. At this time, the vertical dimension Z of the blade 74 is slightly smaller than the vertical dimension Z of the vertical surface 42A. In a rear view, the wiper 70 in the standby position may be positioned to the right X1 of the right end of the vertical surface 42A so as not to overlap with the vertical surface 42A. In any case, the wiper 70 in the standby position is positioned so as not to obstruct the capture of foreign objects T on the vertical surface portion 42A. The base portion that forms the lower end of the wiper 70 in the standby position is connected to the stay 61 via a pivot shaft 65 that extends in the front-rear direction Y and passes through the left end of the stay 61. The wiper 70 is rotatable around the pivot shaft 65, along with the pivot shaft 65.

[0107] An example of the actuator 63 is an electric motor. The operation of the actuator 63 is controlled by the control unit 24 (see Figure 1). The actuator 63 is located to the right of the main body 32 of the duct 30, X1, i.e., outside the duct 30, and is fixed to the right end of the stay 61 from the front Y1. The actuator 63 has an output shaft 66 that passes through the right end of the stay 61. The wiper mechanism 60 includes an input gear 67 fixed to the rear end of the pivot shaft 65 of the wiper 70 and an output gear 68 fixed to the rear end of the output shaft 66. The input gear 67 and the output gear 68 are spur gears and may mesh directly with each other or be connected via one or more intermediate gears 69 as shown in Figure 5. When the actuator 63 is actuated, the output shaft 66 rotates with the output gear 68, and this rotation is transmitted to the input gear 67 via the intermediate gears 69, causing the input gear 67 to rotate around the pivot shaft 65 with the wiper 70 and the pivot shaft 65.

[0108] Figure 6 is a rear view of the main body 32 of the duct 30, the filter member 25, and the wiper mechanism 60. The wiper 70 is rotatable between a standby position shown by a solid line and a wiping position shown by a dashed line. The wiping position may be the position when the wiper 62 has rotated counterclockwise from the standby position by more than 90 degrees but less than 135 degrees, for example 120 degrees, when viewed from the rear. When the wiper 70 is in the wiping position, it overlaps with the lower part of the vertical surface portion 42A of the drying filter 42 when viewed from the rear. The wiper 70 in the wiping position may be positioned below Z2 below the vertical surface portion 42A of the drying filter 42. When the wiper 70 rotates between the standby position and the wiping position by receiving the driving force of the actuator 63, it moves along the vertical surface portion 42A of the drying filter 42 so as to wipe almost the entire area of ​​the vertical surface portion 42A with the blade 74. When the duct 30 is completed by combining the main body 32 and the cover 33, at least the wiper 70 of the wiper mechanism 60 is positioned in the arrangement space 32R within the duct 30.

[0109] The control unit 24 moves the wiper 70 back and forth several times between the standby position and the wiping position during the drying process. Therefore, foreign matter T that is captured by the drying filter 42 and accumulated on the vertical surface 42A during the drying process is also removed from the vertical surface 42A by being wiped by the wiper 70 moving back and forth along the vertical surface 42A. The foreign matter T removed from the vertical surface 42A falls through the circulation path 20 as described above and reaches the outer tank 3 from the outlet 20D, and is removed from the outer tank 3 when the outer tank 3 is drained.

[0110] Once the drying process is complete, as described above, the control unit 24 supplies water to the vertical surface 42A of the drying filter 42 from above Z1 via the water supply unit 50. This water supply continues for, for example, one minute. Foreign matter T adhering to the vertical surface 42A is removed from the vertical surface 42A by this water supply.

[0111] During the drying process, the wiper 70 moves back and forth to wipe foreign matter T from the vertical surface 42A, which is expected to cause foreign matter T to adhere to the wiper 70, meaning the wiper 70 itself will become dirty. Therefore, as a maintenance procedure for the wiper 70, after the drying process is completed, the control unit 24 continues to supply water to the vertical surface 42A by the water supply unit 50, and moves the wiper 70 to the wiping position using the actuator 63, where it is stopped. The rotation of the wiper 70 at this point wipes away any foreign matter T remaining on the vertical surface 42A. Then, the water supplied by the water supply unit 50 removes the foreign matter T adhering to the wiper 70 by the force of the water flowing down the vertical surface 42A (see the thick dotted arrow in Figure 6). As a result, the user does not need to maintain the wiper 70, as well as the drying filter 42. Thus, maintainability is improved. Once the water supply unit 50 has finished supplying water for one minute, the control unit 24 rotates the wiper 70 back to the standby position. This completes the maintenance process. The time it takes for the wiper 70 to rotate from the standby position to the wiping position and back to the standby position is approximately 6 seconds.

[0112] As described above, the washer-dryer 1 has an automatic cleaning function for the drying filter 42 using water or a wiper 70, so the user does not need to remove the drying filter 42 for maintenance. Therefore, the maintainability of the drying filter 42 can be improved. The drying filter 42 does not need to be removable, so the structure can be simplified and costs reduced compared to a removable drying filter. Also, in the case of a removable drying filter, if the user forgets to perform maintenance, the aforementioned performance degradation may occur, but with the washer-dryer 1 having an automatic cleaning function, performance degradation due to forgetting maintenance can be avoided. In addition, the space required for a removable drying filter can be used for other purposes, so for example, the heating unit 22 or the rotating blades 23 can be enlarged to improve performance.

[0113] In the following, the wiper 70 in the wiper mechanism 60 will be described in detail using Figures 7 to 10. Figures 7 and 8 are perspective views showing the wiper 70 from the front surface FS and the front side F. Figure 9 is a perspective view showing the arm 72 of the wiper 70 from the front surface FS and the front side F, and Figure 10 is a perspective view showing the blade 74 of the wiper 70 from the back surface RS and the front side F. As shown in Figures 7 to 10, the wiper 70 has an arm 72 and a blade 74.

[0114] The arm 72 is positioned on one side (right end) of the drying filter 42 and has an elongated shape extending from the lower side (bottom end) to the upper side (top end) of the drying filter 42, with a pivot shaft 65 at the end on the lower side of the drying filter 42. The arm 72 is driven by an actuator 63 and is rotatable along the vertical surface portion 42A of the drying filter 42 from one side to the bottom.

[0115] The arm 72 has a mating portion 72A that engages with the blade 74. If the surface of the arm 72 facing the drying filter 42 is the front surface FS and the opposite surface is the back surface RS, the mating portion 72A has a recess on the front surface FS of the arm 72 that extends longitudinally to the end opposite the pivot shaft 65. The recess has a trapezoidal shape in a cross-section that intersects the longitudinal direction. Specifically, the inner surface of the mating portion 72A has a tapered shape in which the width of the recess narrows from the back surface RS towards the front surface FS. As a result, the mating portion 72A engages with the blade 74, which is inserted by sliding from the end opposite the pivot shaft 65.

[0116] The arm 72 has a fixing portion 72B for fixing the blade 74. The fixing portion 72B has a hole or recess at the bottom of the rear RS side of the mating portion 72A. As a result, the fixing portion 72B fits with the fixed portion 74D (projection) of the blade 74, which will be described later, to fix the blade 74.

[0117] In arm 72, if we define the other side (left end) of the drying filter 42 as the front F and the opposite side as the rear R, in other words, if we define the direction of rotation in the forward path of the wiper 70 as rotating from one side of the drying filter 42 towards the bottom as the front F and the opposite direction as the rear R, then the front F side of arm 72 is lower than the constricted portion 74B of the blade 74, which will be described later, on the surface FS. On the other hand, the rear R side of arm 72 is higher than the constricted portion 74B of the blade 74 on the surface FS. Specifically, the rear R side of arm 72 has a support wall 72C that extends vertically or nearly vertically to the tip portion 74C of the blade 74 on the surface FS and supports the tip portion 74C of the blade 74.

[0118] The support wall 72C may extend to half the height of the cylindrical shape of the tip portion 74C, which will be described later. Also, the front F side surface of the support wall 72C, the surface 72D that faces the tip portion 74C of the blade 74, may have an arc shape (for example, a quarter-circular arc shape) that follows the cylindrical shape of the tip portion 74C, which will be described later.

[0119] As a result, in the forward stroke when the wiper 70 rotates from one side of the drying filter 42 towards the bottom, the tip 74C of the blade 74, which will be described later, is supported by the support wall 72C at the rear R of the arm 72 and pressed against the vertical surface 42A of the drying filter 42. This improves the cleaning performance of the drying filter. Furthermore, since the surface 72D of the support wall 72C is arc-shaped (for example, a quarter-circle arc), even if the tip 74C of the blade 74 is cylindrical, as will be described later, the tip 74C of the blade 74 is firmly supported by the support wall 72C.

[0120] On the other hand, in the return stroke, when the wiper 70 rotates from the lower edge of the drying filter 42 towards one side, the tip portion 74C of the blade 74 (described later) bends at the constricted portion 74B and is not pressed relatively against the vertical surface portion 42A of the drying filter 42. As a result, in the return stroke, the blade 74 does not remove much of the foreign matter T attached to the vertical surface portion 42A of the drying filter 42. As a result, a structure for collecting the foreign matter T is not required at the end of the return stroke. Also, the foreign matter T does not remain in a waiting state at the initial position, which is the end of the return stroke.

[0121] The blade 74 is made of an elastic material such as soft rubber and is elastic. The blade 74 has an elongated shape that extends along the arm and has a fitting portion 74A, a constricted portion 74B, and a tip portion 74C.

[0122] The mating portion 74A has a trapezoidal shape in a cross-section that intersects the longitudinal direction. Specifically, the mating portion 74A has a tapered shape that narrows in width from the back surface RS to the front surface FS. As a result, the mating portion 74A slides into the mated portion 72A of the arm 72 from the end opposite to the pivot shaft 65 and engages with the mated portion 72A of the arm 72.

[0123] The constricted portion 74B is interposed between the fitting portion 74A and the tip portion 74C, and has a narrower width than the fitting portion 74A and the tip portion 74C. As a result, as described above, in the return stroke when the wiper 70 rotates from the lower edge to one side of the drying filter 42, the tip portion 74C of the blade 74 bends at the constricted portion 74B and is not pressed against the vertical surface portion 42A of the drying filter 42. For example, the length L1 of the constricted portion 74B in the direction from the back surface RS to the front surface FS is more than half of the inner diameters R12, R22 of the cylindrical shape of the tip portion 74C, which will be described later (see, for example, Figures 7 and 8). As a result, the tip portion 74C of the blade 74 bends at the constricted portion 74B with a lighter load, and the pressing force of the tip portion 74C of the blade 74 against the vertical surface portion 42A of the drying filter 42 is reduced. Therefore, the dust removal force by the tip portion 74C of the blade 74 can be suppressed in the return stroke.

[0124] The tip portion 74C has a hollow cylindrical shape that extends in the longitudinal direction. This reduces the likelihood of foreign matter T, such as lint, adhering to the vertical surface portion 42A of the drying filter 42 becoming entangled with the blade 74, compared to a brush. Furthermore, compared to a brush, foreign matter T such as lint that adheres to the blade 74 can be easily washed away with water, and the blade 74 can be dried immediately even if it gets wet. This improves the cleaning performance of the drying filter 42.

[0125] Furthermore, since the tip 74C of the blade 74 is hollow and cylindrical, the tip 74C of the blade 74 flexibly deforms to conform to the uneven surface of the drying filter 42 and makes contact with it. This improves the cleaning performance of the drying filter 42.

[0126] In this case, if the arm 72 is supported by only one end of the pivot shaft 65, the amount of contact between the blade 74 and the drying filter 42 gradually decreases from one end to the other.

[0127] In this regard, the diameter of the cylindrical shape of the tip portion 74C gradually increases from one end on the pivot axis 65 side to the other end (see, for example, Figure 8). For example, the diameter R21 of the cylindrical shape at the other end of the tip portion 74C is larger than the diameter R11 of the cylindrical shape at one end of the tip portion 74C, and the inner diameter R22 of the cylindrical shape at the other end of the tip portion 74C is larger than the inner diameter R12 of the cylindrical shape at one end of the tip portion 74C (see, for example, Figures 7 and 8). This makes the design contact amount of the blade 74 with the drying filter 42 larger at the other end than at the one end, thereby making the actual contact amount of the blade 74 with the drying filter 42 uniform from one end to the other. In addition, the draft angle of the hollow mold when forming the cylindrical shape can be increased.

[0128] Furthermore, the blade 74 has a fixed portion 74D. The fixed portion 74D is a projection located on a part of the rear RS side of the fitting portion 74A. The fixed portion 74D engages with the fixed portion 72B at the bottom of the fitting portion 72A of the arm 72, thereby fixing the blade 74 to the arm 72.

[0129] This invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims.

[0130] For example, the actuator 63 that moves the wiper 70 is not limited to the electric motor described above; a solenoid or the like may also be used. Furthermore, a mechanism other than the gear transmission mechanism using the input gear 67, output gear 68, and intermediate gear 69 described above may be used to transmit the driving force generated by the actuator 63 to the wiper 62. As an example of such a configuration, pulleys are attached to the rotation shaft 65 of the wiper 70 and the output shaft 66 of the actuator 63, and these pulleys are connected by a wire. This wire is wrapped around the pulley of the rotation shaft 65 of the wiper 70, for example, about half a turn, then pulled out and connected to a biasing member such as a spring. The driving force generated by the actuator 63 is transmitted to the wiper 70 via the wire, causing the wiper 70 to rotate from the standby position to the wiping position. At this time, the biasing force of the stretched biasing member trying to contract causes the wiper 70 to rotate from the wiping position to the standby position.

[0131] For example, in the embodiment described above, the wiper 70 is rotatable between a standby position and a wiping position. However, it may also wipe foreign matter T on the vertical surface portion 42A of the drying filter 42 by moving linearly in the vertical direction Z or the left-right direction X while maintaining the same posture. When the wiper 70 moves linearly in the vertical direction Z, the wiper 70 takes a horizontally elongated posture, with the standby position set on the upper end side of the vertical surface portion 42A and the wiping position set on the lower end side of the vertical surface portion 42A. When the wiper 70 moves linearly in the left-right direction X, the wiper 70 takes a vertically elongated posture, with the standby position set on one of the left and right ends of the vertical surface portion 42A and the wiping position set on the other of the left and right ends of the vertical surface portion 42A.

[0132] In the embodiment described above, the vertical surface portion 42A of the drying filter 42 is arranged vertically so that it faces the outlet 20D side of the circulation path 20, i.e., the upstream side. However, the vertical surface portion 42A may be arranged along the vertical direction or inclined with respect to the vertical direction.

[0133] In the embodiment described above, foreign matter T removed from the vertical surface portion 42A of the drying filter 42, and water splashed onto the vertical surface portion 42A, are directed from the outlet 20D of the circulation path 20 through the outer tub 3 to the drainage path 5. Alternatively, a relief hole 32U (see Figure 5) may be provided at the lower end of the outer wall 32J of the main body 32 of the duct 30, below the vertical surface portion 42A Z2, and the relief hole 32U may be connected to the portion of the drainage path 5 upstream of the drain filter 6, for example, by a flow path 100. This allows foreign matter T and water in the duct 30 to reach the drainage path 5 via the relief hole 32U and the flow path 100 without passing through the outer tub 3. This prevents foreign matter T and water from adhering to the laundry L in the washing tub 7.

[0134] In the washer-dryer 1, the drain filter 6 may be omitted. In this case, foreign matter T captured by each drying filter 42 and flowed into the outer tub 3 is discharged outside the machine through the drain channel 5 (see Figure 1) when the outer tub 3 is drained.

[0135] As part of the aforementioned maintenance process, the control unit 24 may, after stopping the water supply from the water supply unit 50 to the drying filter 42, circulate the air in the outer tank 3 using the air blower unit 21. This allows the drying filter 42, which was previously wet with water to remove foreign matter T, to dry as it is exposed to the air flowing from the outer tank 3 into the circulation path 20. The heating unit 22 may also be activated to circulate hot air, which further accelerates the drying of the drying filter 42. In this way, the user does not need to dry the drying filter 42, thus further improving the maintainability of the drying filter 42.

[0136] In the drum-type washer-dryer 1 described above, the washing tub 7 may be arranged so that the axis J is inclined in the horizontal direction H. Alternatively, the washer-dryer 1 may be a vertical washer-dryer in which the axis J extends vertically.

[0137] Furthermore, in the embodiments described above, an example was given in which the diameter of the cylindrical tip portion 74C of the blade 74 of the wiper 70 gradually increases from one end on the pivot axis side to the other end. However, the features of this disclosure are not limited to this, and the diameter of the cylindrical tip portion 74C of the blade 74 may be the same from one end on the pivot axis side to the other end.

[0138] Furthermore, the embodiments described above described a washing machine with a washing function and a drying mechanism. However, the features of this disclosure are not limited to these and can also be applied to clothes dryers with a drying function. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0139] 1. Washer-dryer 2 cabinets 3 Outer tank 5 Drainage channel 7. Washing tub 20 Circulation path 20D outlet 20E Return port 21 Air blower 22 Heating section 24 Control Unit 30 ducts 32U relief hole 42 Drying filter 42A Vertical section 41G 1st water supply port 43G 2nd water supply port 50 Water supply section 63 Actuators 70 wipers 72 Arms 72A Mated part 72B Fixed part 72C Support wall 74 Blades 74A Mating part 74B Waist area 74C Tip 74D Fixed part 100 channels L Laundry T Foreign object Z1 upper side Z2 lower side

Claims

1. The casing and The outer tank is supported by the aforementioned housing, The outer tub is rotatably housed within the inner tub, which contains clothing, A circulation path having an outlet and a return port connected to the outer tank, A blower unit that circulates air from the outer tank by taking it out of the outlet into the circulation path and returning it to the tank through the return port, A heating unit is provided within the circulation path and heats the air within the circulation path, A drying filter positioned in the circulation path on the outlet side of the heating section, the drying filter having a vertical surface portion that captures foreign matter from the air flowing from the outlet to the return port in the circulation path, Within the aforementioned circulation path, a water supply unit is provided above the drying filter, Equipped with, The aforementioned water supply unit is The vertical surface of the drying filter has a plurality of first water inlets for supplying water from above, Multiple second water inlets supply water to the inner wall surface of the aforementioned circulation path, A clothes dryer that has the following features.

2. The clothes dryer according to claim 1, wherein the total flow rate of the plurality of second water inlets is 1 / 3 or more and 1 / 2 or less of the total flow rate of the plurality of first water inlets and the plurality of second water inlets.

3. The drying filter has two left and right ends separated by a vertically extending frame, and a central part sandwiched between the two left and right ends. In the water supply section, the first water inlet is not located above the frame. A clothes dryer according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The clothes dryer according to claim 3, wherein the number of first water inlets above the central part of the drying filter is less than the number of first water inlets above each of the two left and right ends of the drying filter.

5. The clothes dryer according to claim 3, wherein, of the plurality of first water inlets, the spacing between the first water inlets above the central part of the drying filter is wider than the spacing between the first water inlets above each of the two left and right ends of the drying filter.

6. Each of the aforementioned plurality of first water inlets is rectangular in shape. Each of the aforementioned plurality of second water inlets is round in shape. A clothes dryer according to claim 1 or 2.

7. The aforementioned water supply unit is A water supply channel extends along the upper edge of the drying filter and connects to the plurality of first water inlets and the plurality of second water inlets, A space partition wall provided within the water supply channel, which partitions the space around the plurality of first water inlets and the plurality of second water inlets to adjust the volume of the space, A clothes dryer according to claim 1 or 2, having the following features.

8. The inner wall surface of the circulation path has stepped portions that connect wall surface portions that are in different horizontal positions from each other. The upper surface of the stepped portion is not horizontal, but inclined with respect to the horizontal plane. A clothes dryer according to claim 1 or 2.

9. A wiper that is movable along the vertical surface of the drying filter, An actuator for moving the wiper, A clothes dryer according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising the following:

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