Clothing processing equipment

Abstract

The goal is to provide washing machines that can improve convenience. [Solution] The garment processing apparatus of the embodiment comprises a water tank, a rotating tub, a drive device for driving the rotating tub, a blower capable of blowing air into the water tank, a heating device capable of heating the air blown by the blower, a weight detection unit for detecting the weight of the garment, and a control unit capable of performing a series of controls for washing, rinsing, dewatering, and drying. The weight detection unit detects the weight of the garment before and after heated dewatering, in which dewatering is performed while driving the blower and the heating device during the dewatering process.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a clothing treatment apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] In a clothing treatment apparatus, different treatments may be performed depending on the type of clothing. For example, depending on the type of clothing, the details of the washing process or the drying process may differ. Examples of clothing treatment apparatuses include washing machines, washer-dryers, dryers, and the like.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a clothing treatment apparatus that can improve convenience.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The clothing treatment apparatus according to the embodiment includes a water tank, a rotary drum, a drive device for driving the rotary drum, a blower device capable of blowing air into the water tank, a heating device capable of heating the air blown by the blower device, a weight detection unit for detecting the weight of clothing, and a control unit capable of executing a series of controls for washing, rinsing, dehydration, and drying. The weight detection unit detects the weight of the clothing before and after heat dehydration in which dehydration is performed while driving the blower device and the heating device in the dehydration process.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006] [Figure 1] Cross-sectional view showing a part of the inside of the washing machine 1 according to the embodiment in cross-section. [Figure 2]A cross-sectional view of the washing machine shown in Figure 1, along the F2-F2 line. [Figure 3] A block diagram showing the functional parts related to the control device of the embodiment. [Figure 4] A diagram showing an example of the processing flow of the washing machine according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] A diagram showing an example of the processing flow of a washing machine in a first modified embodiment. [Figure 6] A diagram showing a first example of processing in the drying process performed by the control unit of the first modified embodiment. [Figure 7] A diagram showing a second example of processing in the drying process performed by the control unit of the first modified embodiment. [Figure 8] A diagram showing when the weight detection unit of the first modified embodiment detects the weight of the laundry. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007] The garment processing apparatus of the embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, a washing machine will be used as a specific example of the garment processing apparatus. In the following description, components having the same or similar functions will be denoted by the same reference numerals. Duplication of these components may be omitted. In this application, "based on XX" means "based on at least XX," and may also include cases where XX is based on another element in addition to XX. Furthermore, "based on XX" is not limited to cases where XX is used directly, but may also include cases where XX has been processed or modified. In this application, "XX or YY" is not limited to cases where either XX or YY is used, but may also include cases where both XX and YY are used. This is also true when there are three or more optional elements. XX and YY are arbitrary elements (e.g., arbitrary information).

[0008] In this application, "to acquire" is not limited to actively acquiring information by sending a transmission request, but may also include acquiring information by passively receiving information transmitted from another device. Furthermore, "to acquire" is not limited to directly acquiring the target information (information to be acquired) from an external source, but may also include acquiring the target information by generating it through calculations or processing of information obtained from an external source. In this application, "parallel" may also include "approximately parallel".

[0009] <Embodiment> First, the washing machine 1 of this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the example of a top-loading washing machine 1 will be used for the description. In this application, a "top-loading washing machine" is a washing machine in which the rotation axis of the rotating drum is arranged parallel to the vertical direction. However, the washing machine 1 may also be a drum-type washing machine in which the rotation axis of the rotating drum is arranged diagonally with respect to the vertical direction, or a two-tub washing machine in which the washing tub and the spin-drying tub are separated. Furthermore, in this application, a "washing machine" may also be a washer-dryer with a drying function.

[0010] (Overall configuration of the washing machine) Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the interior of the washing machine 1 of the embodiment. The washing machine 1 comprises, for example, an outer casing 11, a water tank 12, a rotating drum 13, a drive unit 14, and a support structure 15.

[0011] (Outer box) The outer casing 11 is a housing that forms the outer shell of the washing machine 1. The outer casing 11 is, for example, rectangular in shape. The outer casing 11 houses the water tank 12, the rotating drum 13, the drive unit 14, and the support structure 15.

[0012] (Aquarium) The water tank 12 is a tank capable of storing water during the washing or rinsing process. The water tank 12 is a bottomed cylindrical shape aligned vertically. The central axis CL1 of the water tank 12 is arranged parallel to the vertical direction. The water tank 12 has, for example, a bottom portion 21 and a peripheral wall portion 22 that extends cylindrically upward from the peripheral end of the bottom portion 21. A drain portion 21a is provided in the bottom portion 21. Water supplied into the water tank 12 is discharged to the outside of the washing machine 1 via the drain portion 21a.

[0013] A tank cover 23 is attached to the upper end of the tank 12. The tank cover 23 has an inner lid 23a, a water inlet 23b (see Figure 2), and an air outlet 23c (see Figures 1 and 2). The inner lid 23a closes the upper end of the tank 12 so that it can be opened and closed. The water inlet 23b is an opening through which water supplied from a water supply unit (not shown) into the tank 12 (inside the rotating tank 13) passes. The blower 43 blows air into the tank 12 from the air outlet 23c via a heating unit 44 and a blower duct 45. The air blown from the blower 43 into the tank 12 (inside the rotating tank 13) is heated by the heating unit 44. The air outlet 23c is an opening through which warm air supplied from the blower 43 into the tank 12 (inside the rotating tank 13) passes.

[0014] (rotating tank) The rotating tub 13 is a tub placed inside the water tank 12 and containing clothes. Hereinafter, the clothes contained in the rotating tub 13 may be referred to as "laundry." The rotational axis CL2 of the rotating tub 13 is positioned parallel to the vertical direction. The rotating tub 13 is a bottomed cylindrical shape aligned with the vertical direction. The rotating tub 13 has, for example, a bottom portion 31, a peripheral wall portion 32, and a rotating balancer 33.

[0015] The bottom 31 is bowl-shaped and made of, for example, synthetic resin. The peripheral wall portion 32 extends upward in a cylindrical shape from the peripheral end portion of the bottom 31. The peripheral wall portion 32 is formed of, for example, a stainless steel plate. The peripheral wall portion 32 has a plurality of holes 32a penetrating the peripheral wall portion 32 in the radial direction of the rotary tub 13. In FIG. 1, only a part of the plurality of holes 32a is shown. When dehydrating the laundry, the water separated from the laundry is discharged to the outside of the rotary tub 13 through the plurality of holes 32a. Also, when drying the laundry, the warm air supplied into the rotary tub 13 is discharged to the outside of the rotary tub 13 through the plurality of holes 32a. The rotary balancer 33 is attached to the upper end portion of the peripheral wall portion 32.

[0016] (Drive unit) The drive unit 14 is a device that drives the rotary tub 13. The drive unit 14 includes, for example, a motor 41 provided below the water tub 12 and a stirring member (pulsator) 42 provided at the bottom 31 of the rotary tub 13. The drive unit 14 can switch the connection state of the motor 41 to the rotary tub 13 and can also switch the connection state of the motor 41 to the stirring member 42. In the washing process and the rinsing process, the drive unit 14 rotates the stirring member 42 forward and backward alternately by the motor 41 while stopping the rotation of the rotary tub 13. On the other hand, in the dehydration process, the drive unit 14 rotates the rotary tub 13 and the stirring member 42 integrally in one direction.

[0017] (Support structure part) The support structure portion 15 is a structure portion that supports the water tank 12 inside the outer box 11. The support structure portion 15 includes, for example, a lid-side support portion 51 (see FIG. 2), a suspension rod 52, a bottom-side support portion 53, and an elastic member 54. The lid-side support portion 51 is disposed at each corner of the rectangular parallelepiped-shaped outer box 11 and supports the water tank 12 via the water tank cover 23. The suspension rod 52 extends downward from the lid-side support portion 51. The bottom-side support portion 53 is disposed at each corner of the rectangular parallelepiped-shaped outer box 11 and is connected to the bottom portion 21 of the water tank 12. One end portion of the elastic member 54 is connected to the lower end of the suspension rod 52. The other end portion of the elastic member 54 is connected to the bottom-side support portion 53 and supports the bottom portion 21 of the water tank 12 via the bottom-side support portion 53. The elastic member 54 is a coil spring or the like and is elastically deformable. According to the configuration of the support structure portion 15 described above, the water tank 12 is elastically supported with respect to the outer box 11 in a state of being suspended by the support structure portion 15 from the outer box 11. Note that the above-described structure is an example of the support structure portion 15. The support structure portion 15 may have a structure that supports the water tank 12 from below instead of the above example.

[0018] (Acceleration sensor) Next, the acceleration sensor 60 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the washing machine 1 has an acceleration sensor 60. The acceleration sensor 60 is provided in relation to the water tank 12 and detects acceleration. In the present application, "provided in relation to the water tank" means that it is provided so as to be able to directly or indirectly detect the acceleration acting on the water tank 12. In the present application, "provided in relation to the water tank" is not limited to the case where it is directly attached to the water tank 12, and may include the case where it is attached to the support structure portion 15 or the case where it is attached to the water tank 12 via another separate member.

[0019] In the present embodiment, the acceleration sensor 60 is attached to the outer surface of the water tank 12. The acceleration sensor 60 is attached to, for example, the upper end portion of the water tank 12. For example, the acceleration sensor 60 is provided at the rear end portion of the water tank 12. The acceleration sensor 60 can detect the acceleration acting in the axial direction D1 of the water tank 12. The axial direction D1 of the water tank 12 is a direction parallel to the central axis CL1 of the water tank 12 and is a direction parallel to the vertical direction.

[0020] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the washing machine 1 shown in Figure 1 along the line F2-F2. In this embodiment, the acceleration sensor 60 can detect acceleration acting in the radial direction D2 of the water tank 12. In addition to / in addition to the acceleration acting in the radial direction D2 of the water tank 12, the acceleration sensor 60 may also be able to detect acceleration acting in the circumferential direction D3 of the water tank 12. In this application, "circumferential direction" is not strictly limited to the direction along the outer surface of the water tank 12, but is used in a broad sense that may also include the tangential direction to the outer surface of the water tank 12.

[0021] In this embodiment, the acceleration sensor 60 is an analog acceleration sensor. However, the acceleration sensor 60 may also be a digital acceleration sensor. The detection result of the acceleration sensor 60 is transmitted to the control device 100.

[0022] (Temperature sensor) Next, the temperature sensor 70 will be described. As shown in Figure 2, the washing machine 1 has a temperature sensor 70. The temperature sensor 70 is installed, for example, on the outer casing 11 and is capable of detecting the ambient temperature outside the washing machine 1 (for example, the room temperature of the room in which the washing machine 1 is placed). The detection result of the temperature sensor 70 is transmitted to the control device 100.

[0023] (Control device) Next, the control device 100 will be described. The washing machine 1 has a control device 100 (see Figure 1). The control device 100 is mainly composed of a computer consisting of, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), and EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM).

[0024] (Control device) Next, the functional components related to the control device 100 will be described. Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the functional components related to the control device 100 of an embodiment. The control device 100 includes, for example, a weight detection unit 110, a fabric type detection unit 120, a rotation speed detection unit 130, a control unit 140, a dewatering operation determination unit 150, and a storage unit 190. All or part of the weight detection unit 110, fabric type detection unit 120, rotation speed detection unit 130, control unit 140, and dewatering operation determination unit 150 are realized by a hardware processor such as a CPU executing a program (software). However, all or part of these functional components may be realized by hardware (including circuitry) such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), PLD (Programmable Logic Device), FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), discrete circuits, or by the cooperation of software and hardware. The storage unit 190 is realized by, for example, one or more combinations of RAM, ROM, and EEPROM.

[0025] (Weight detection unit) The weight detection unit 110 detects the weight of the laundry contained in the rotating tub 13. Here, the load on the motor 41 that drives the agitator 42 changes according to the weight of the laundry contained in the rotating tub 13. For example, the heavier the weight of the laundry contained in the rotating tub 13, the greater the load on the motor 41 that drives the agitator 42. The weight detection unit 110 acquires load value information indicating the load acting on the motor 41 when the agitator 42 is rotated in the forward and reverse directions with the laundry contained in the rotating tub 13, for example, before water is poured into the water tank 12. The load value information is, for example, the current value supplied to the motor 41 or the voltage value applied to the motor 41. The weight detection unit 110 then detects the weight of the laundry contained in the rotating tub 13 based on the acquired load value information and the weight detection threshold included in the threshold information 191. Alternatively, for example, instead of threshold information 191, there may be a conversion table for converting load values ​​into laundry weight, and the weight detection unit 110 may detect the weight of the laundry contained in the rotating tub 13 based on the acquired load value information and the conversion table.

[0026] (Fabric type detection unit) The fabric type detection unit 120 detects the fabric type of the laundry contained in the rotating tub 13. "Detecting the fabric type" means, for example, determining whether the laundry is mainly cotton or mainly synthetic fiber. Here, the load on the motor 41 that rotates the rotating tub 13 changes depending on the difference in water absorption due to the fabric type of the laundry. For example, the fabric type detection unit 120 obtains the weight difference between the weight of the laundry detected by the weight detection unit 110 based on the load on the motor 41, which is the weight of the laundry after the rinsing process is completed and before the heat dehydration process is performed, and the weight of the laundry detected before the heat dehydration process is completed and before the drying process is performed. Then, the fabric type detection unit 120 detects the fabric type of the laundry contained in the rotating tub 13 based on the relationship between the obtained weight difference and a threshold. In the same environment, laundry containing a large amount of synthetic fibers dries more easily than laundry containing a large amount of cotton, etc. In other words, the weight difference identified by the weight detection unit 110 for laundry containing a large amount of synthetic fibers (hereinafter referred to as "easy-to-dry laundry") is greater than the weight difference identified by the weight detection unit 110 for laundry containing a large amount of cotton, etc. (hereinafter referred to as "difficult-to-dry laundry"). Therefore, the fabric type detection unit 120 can determine that the laundry is easy to dry if the weight difference is greater than the threshold. The fabric type detection unit 120 can determine that the laundry is difficult to dry if the weight difference is below the threshold.

[0027] (Rotation speed detection unit) The rotational speed detection unit 130 detects the rotational speed of the motor 41 (for example, the number of rotations per unit time). The rotational speed detection unit 130 acquires rotational speed information from the motor 41 that indicates the rotational speed of the motor 41. The rotational speed information is, for example, information acquired by a rotational speed sensor such as a rotary encoder provided on the motor 41. Based on the acquired rotational speed information, the rotational speed detection unit 130 detects the rotational speed of the motor 41. Note that the rotational speed information may also be the current value supplied to the motor 41 or the voltage value applied to the motor 41, instead of the above examples. In the following explanation, "rotational speed" means the number of rotations per unit time [rpm].

[0028] (Control Unit) The control unit 140 comprehensively controls the entire washing machine 1. For example, the control unit 140 controls the drive unit 14 (for example, the motor 41) to perform a washing operation including a washing, rinsing, and spinning cycle, followed by a drying operation (drying cycle). In this embodiment, the control unit 140 determines the contents of the washing and drying operations (such as the amount of water used and the operating time) based on the weight of the laundry detected by the weight detection unit 110 and the fabric type of the laundry detected by the fabric type detection unit 120.

[0029] In this embodiment, the control unit 140 stops the rotating tub 13 if the dewatering operation determination unit 150 determines that an inappropriate condition has occurred in the rotation of the rotating tub 13. In this case, the control unit 140 performs a repeat of the dewatering process. "Repeating the dewatering process" means, for example, performing the dewatering process again after rotating the rotating tub 13 to loosen the laundry by not filling the water tank 12, or performing the dewatering process again after filling the water tank 12 to remove laundry that has stuck to the inner surface of the rotating tub 13.

[0030] (Dehydration operation determination section) The dewatering operation determination unit 150 determines whether or not an inappropriate condition has occurred in the rotation of the rotating tub 13. An "inappropriate condition for rotation" refers to, for example, an unbalance in the rotating tub 13 that exceeds a predetermined standard, or abnormal vibration occurring in the rotating tub 13. "Unbalance" refers to an uneven load state due to the uneven distribution of laundry within the rotating tub 13.

[0031] The processes performed by the washing machine 1 in each embodiment of this disclosure are not limited to those described above. For example, the washing machine 1 may perform the processes described below.

[0032] (Processes performed by the washing machine) Next, we will describe the processes performed by the washing machine 1. Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of the processing flow of the washing machine 1 in this embodiment.

[0033] The user initiates a series of operations on the washing machine 1, including washing, rinsing, spinning, and drying. The control unit 140 controls the washing machine 1 to perform the washing cycle in response to the user's operation (step S1). Next, the control unit 140 controls the washing machine 1 to perform the rinsing cycle (step S2). Once the rinsing cycle is complete, the control unit 140 controls the washing machine 1 to perform the spinning cycle (non-heated) (step S3). In the non-heated spinning cycle, before the heated spinning described later takes place, the weight detection unit 110 detects the weight of the laundry (step S4).

[0034] Next, the control unit 140 controls the washing machine 1 to perform a spin-drying process. During the spin-drying process, the control unit 140 controls the washing machine 1 to perform spin-drying while driving the blower 43 and the heating device 44 (step S5). Spin-drying performed in this manner while driving the blower 43 and the heating device 44 is called heated spin-drying. Once heated spin-drying is complete, the weight detection unit 110 detects the weight of the laundry before the drying process is performed (step S6).

[0035] The weight detection unit 110 compares the weight of the laundry detected after the rinsing process is completed and before the heat dehydration process is performed in the spin-drying process (an example of the first garment weight) with the weight of the laundry detected after the heat dehydration process is completed and before the drying process is performed (an example of the second garment weight) (step S7). The weight detection unit 110 then identifies the weight difference between the weight of the laundry detected after the rinsing process is completed and before the heat dehydration process is performed in the spin-drying process, and the weight of the laundry detected after the heat dehydration process is completed and before the drying process is performed (step S8).

[0036] The control unit 140 controls the washing machine 1 so that the drying process corresponds to the weight difference identified by the weight detection unit 110. For example, the control unit 140 determines whether the weight difference identified by the weight detection unit 110 is greater than a threshold (step S9). If the control unit 140 determines that the weight difference identified by the weight detection unit 110 is greater than a threshold (YES in step S9), it controls the washing machine 1 so that the drying process corresponds to laundry that dries easily (step S10). Also, if the control unit 140 determines that the weight difference identified by the weight detection unit 110 is less than or equal to a threshold (step S11), it controls the washing machine 1 so that the drying process corresponds to laundry that dries difficult (step S12). As will be shown in the figure later, the operating time for the drying process corresponding to laundry that dries easily is shorter than the operating time for the drying process corresponding to laundry that dries difficult.

[0037] (advantage) The washing machine 1 of the embodiment has been described above. The washing machine 1 (an example of a clothing processing device) comprises a water tank 12, a rotating tub 13, a motor 41 (an example of a drive device) for driving the rotating tub 13, a blower 43 capable of blowing air into the water tank 12, a heating device 44 capable of heating the air blown by the blower 43, and a weight detection unit 110 for detecting the weight of clothing. The weight detection unit 110 includes a control unit 140 capable of performing a series of controls for washing, rinsing, dehydration, and drying, and detects the weight of clothing before and after heated dehydration, in which dehydration is performed while driving the blower 43 and the heating device 44 during the dehydration process.

[0038] This washing machine 1 detects the weight of the clothes before and after heated spin-drying. When the laundry is easy to dry, the change in weight before and after heated spin-drying is greater than when the laundry is difficult to dry. This change is greater when heated than when the laundry is wet, such as during washing and rinsing. This is based on the idea that the rate of water evaporation in clothing differs depending on the fabric, and that heating makes the differences in evaporation rates between fabrics more pronounced. As a result, this washing machine 1 can more easily distinguish between laundry that dries easily and laundry that dries difficult, and can more accurately identify the main type of laundry. In other words, washing machine 1 can improve convenience compared to conventional washing machines.

[0039] <First modified example of the embodiment> A first modified example of the embodiment, a washing machine 1, will now be described. In the above-described embodiment, the washing machine 1 was described as detecting the weight of the clothes before and after heating and dehydrating when the user initiated a series of operations for the washing machine 1. In the first modified example of the embodiment, the washing machine 1 was described as detecting the weight of the clothes in addition to before and after heating and dehydrating when the user initiated a series of operations for the washing machine 1.

[0040] (Washing machine configuration) The configuration of the washing machine 1 in the first modified embodiment is the same as that of the washing machine 1 in the embodiment. However, the washing machine 1 may further perform the processing described below.

[0041] (Processes performed by the washing machine) Next, we will describe the processes performed by the washing machine 1. Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of the processing flow of the washing machine 1 in the first modified embodiment.

[0042] The user initiates a series of operations on the washing machine 1, including washing, rinsing, spinning, and drying. The control unit 140 controls the washing machine 1 to perform the washing cycle in response to the user's operation (step S1).

[0043] The weight detection unit 110 detects the weight of the laundry immediately after the start of the washing cycle, when the laundry is not yet wet (step S21). The weight detection unit 110 determines whether the detected weight of the laundry is within a predetermined threshold range (step S22).

[0044] If the weight detection unit 110 determines that the weight of the laundry is outside a predetermined threshold range (NO in step S22), the control unit 140 controls the washing machine 1 to perform the washing, rinsing, spinning, and drying processes for a large amount of laundry (step S23).

[0045] Furthermore, if the weight detection unit 110 determines that the weight of the laundry is within a predetermined threshold range (YES in step S22), the control unit 140 controls the washing machine 1 to proceed with the washing process for a small amount of laundry (step S24).

[0046] Furthermore, after the processing in step S22 is completed, water supply (water supply process) is performed as part of the washing process (step S25). Then, the weight detection unit 110 detects the weight of the laundry while it is wet during the washing process (step S26). The weight detection unit 110 determines whether the detected weight of the laundry is within a predetermined threshold range (step S27).

[0047] If the weight detection unit 110 determines that the weight of the laundry is outside a predetermined threshold range (NO in step S27), the control unit 140 controls the washing machine 1 to perform washing, rinsing, spinning, and drying processes appropriate for laundry that is difficult to dry (step S28).

[0048] Furthermore, if the weight detection unit 110 determines that the weight of the laundry is within a predetermined threshold range (YES in step S27), the control unit 140 controls the washing machine 1 to proceed with a washing, rinsing, and spin-drying (non-heating) process appropriate for laundry that dries easily (step S29).

[0049] When the dehydration process (non-heating) is completed, the weight detection unit 110 detects the weight of the laundry before heated dehydration is performed (step S4). The weight detection unit 110 determines whether the detected weight of the laundry is within a predetermined threshold range (step S30).

[0050] If the weight detection unit 110 determines that the weight of the laundry is outside a predetermined threshold range (NO in step S30), the control unit 140 then controls the washing machine 1 to perform a dewatering process and a drying process appropriate for laundry that is difficult to dry (step S31).

[0051] Furthermore, if the weight detection unit 110 determines that the weight of the laundry is within a predetermined threshold range (YES in step S30), the control unit 140 controls the washing machine 1 to proceed with a dewatering process appropriate for laundry that dries easily (step S32).

[0052] The control unit 140 controls the washing machine 1 to perform dewatering while driving the blower 43 and the heating device 44 during the dewatering process (step S5). Once the heating dewatering is complete, the weight detection unit 110 detects the weight of the laundry before the drying process is performed (step S6).

[0053] The weight detection unit 110 compares the weight of the laundry detected after the rinsing process is completed and before the heat dehydration process is performed in the spin-drying process (an example of the first garment weight) with the weight of the laundry detected after the heat dehydration process is completed and before the drying process is performed (an example of the second garment weight) (step S7). The weight detection unit 110 then identifies the weight difference between the weight of the laundry detected after the rinsing process is completed and before the heat dehydration process is performed in the spin-drying process, and the weight of the laundry detected after the heat dehydration process is completed and before the drying process is performed (step S8).

[0054] The control unit 140 controls the washing machine 1 so that the drying process corresponds to the weight difference identified by the weight detection unit 110. For example, the control unit 140 determines whether the weight difference identified by the weight detection unit 110 is greater than a threshold (step S9). If the control unit 140 determines that the weight difference identified by the weight detection unit 110 is greater than a threshold (YES in step S9), it controls the washing machine 1 so that the drying process corresponds to laundry that dries easily (step S10). Also, if the control unit 140 determines that the weight difference identified by the weight detection unit 110 is less than or equal to a threshold (NO in step S9), it controls the washing machine 1 so that the drying process corresponds to laundry that dries difficult (step S11). The threshold here may be determined according to the room temperature in which the washing machine 1 is placed. The threshold here may also be determined according to the detection result of the weight of the clothes before water supply (i.e., in the process of step S21). The threshold here may also be determined according to the rotation speed of the rotating tub 13 in the dewatering process.

[0055] Figure 6 shows a first example of the drying process performed by the control unit 140 in the first modified embodiment. Figure 7 shows a second example of the drying process performed by the control unit 140 in the first modified embodiment. The first example of the drying process performed by the control unit 140 is the drying process performed by the control unit 140 for laundry that is difficult to dry. The second example of the drying process performed by the control unit 140 is the drying process performed by the control unit 140 for laundry that dries easily. In Figures 6 and 7, line A indicates the inlet temperature of the rotating tub 13. Line B indicates the rotation speed of the rotating tub 13. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the operating time of the drying process for laundry that dries easily is shorter than the operating time of the drying process for laundry that dries difficult.

[0056] Figure 8 shows the timing at which the weight detection unit 110 of the first modified embodiment detects the weight of the laundry. The weight detection unit 110 of the first modified embodiment detects the weight of the laundry at the timings shown in Figure 8 (i.e., four times) throughout the entire process.

[0057] (advantage) The washing machine 1 of the first modified embodiment has been described above. As described above, in the processes of steps S22, S27, and S30, the washing machine 1 compares the weight of the clothes with a threshold to determine whether the laundry is easy to dry or difficult to dry, and then, similar to the washing machine 1 of the embodiment, it identifies the change in the weight of the clothes before and after heating and dewatering. As a result, the washing machine 1 of the first modified embodiment can determine the main type of laundry more accurately than the washing machine 1 of the embodiment. In other words, the washing machine 1 of the first modified embodiment can improve convenience compared to conventional washing machines and the washing machine 1 of the embodiment.

[0058] <Second Modification of Embodiment> A second modified example of the embodiment, the washing machine 1, will now be described. In the first modified example of the embodiment described above, if the weight detection unit 110 determines in steps S22, S27, and S30 that the weight of the laundry is outside a predetermined threshold range, the control unit 140 proceeds with the remaining steps as if the laundry were difficult to dry. However, in the second modified example of the embodiment, the weight detection unit 110 may detect the weight of the clothes before and after heating and dewatering, and the control unit 140 may perform a drying process according to the change in the weight of the clothes.

[0059] (advantage) The washing machine 1 of the second modified embodiment has been described above. The washing machine 1 of the second modified embodiment can correct the washing machine 1 of the first modified embodiment if it mistakenly determines that the laundry is difficult to dry, and can perform an appropriate drying process. In other words, the washing machine 1 of the second modified embodiment can improve convenience compared to the washing machine 1 of the embodiment.

[0060] <Third Modification of the Embodiment> A third modified example of the embodiment, the washing machine 1, will now be described. In the third modified example of the embodiment, the processes in steps S27 to S29 in the above-described embodiment (including the modified example) may be replaced with the processes shown below. That is, the weight detection unit 110 compares the weight of the laundry detected in step S21 with the weight of the laundry detected in step S26 and determines whether the difference in the weight of the laundry is within a predetermined threshold range (step S27). If the weight detection unit 110 determines that the difference in the weight of the laundry is within a predetermined threshold range (YES in step S27), the control unit 140 controls the washing machine 1 to perform washing, rinsing, spinning, and drying processes according to the laundry that is difficult to dry (step S28). If the weight detection unit 110 determines that the difference in the weight of the laundry is outside the predetermined threshold range (NO in step S27), the control unit 140 controls the washing machine 1 to proceed with washing, rinsing, and spinning (non-heating) processes according to the laundry that dries easily (step S29). A washing machine 1 that performs such processing may also be used.

[0061] <Fourth Modification of the Embodiment> A washing machine 1 of a fourth modification of the embodiment will now be described. In the washing machine 1 of the fourth modification of the embodiment, the processes of steps S30 to S32 in the above-described embodiment (including the modifications) may be replaced with the processes shown below. That is, the weight detection unit 110 compares the weight of the laundry detected in step S26 with the weight of the laundry detected in step S4 and determines whether the difference in the weight of the laundry is within a predetermined threshold range (step S30). If the weight detection unit 110 determines that the difference in the weight of the laundry is within a predetermined threshold range (YES in step S30), the control unit 140 controls the washing machine 1 thereafter to perform a dewatering process and a drying process according to the laundry that is difficult to dry (step S31). Also, if the weight detection unit 110 determines that the difference in the weight of the laundry is outside the predetermined threshold range (NO in step S30), the control unit 140 controls the washing machine 1 to proceed with a dewatering process according to the laundry that dries easily (step S32). A washing machine 1 that performs such processing may also be used.

[0062] Several embodiments have been described above. However, the embodiments are not limited to the examples described above. Furthermore, some of the embodiments described above can be combined to realize the desired outcome.

[0063] According to at least one embodiment described above, the garment processing apparatus of the embodiment comprises a water tank, a rotating tub, a drive device for driving the rotating tub, a blower capable of blowing air into the water tank, a heating device capable of heating the air blown by the blower, a weight detection unit for detecting the weight of the garments, and a control unit capable of performing a series of controls for washing, rinsing, dewatering, and drying. The weight detection unit detects the weight of the garments before and after heated dewatering, in which dewatering is performed while driving the blower and the heating device during the dewatering process. Such a configuration can improve convenience.

[0064] While several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be carried out in a variety of 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 and their equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0065] 1...Washing machine, 11...Outer casing, 12...Water tank, 13...Rotating drum, 14...Drive unit, 15...Support structure, 41...Motor, 42...Agitation member, 43...Blower, 44...Heating device, 45...Blower duct, 60...Accelerometer (acceleration detection unit), 100...Control device, 110...Weight detection unit, 120...Fabric type detection unit, 130...Rotation speed detection unit, 140...Control unit.

Claims

1. A fish tank and Rotating tank and A drive device for driving the aforementioned rotating tank, A blower capable of blowing air into the water tank, A heating device capable of heating the air blown by the aforementioned blower, A weight detection unit that detects the weight of clothing, A control unit capable of performing a series of controls including washing, rinsing, dewatering, and drying, Equipped with, The weight detection unit is In the dewatering process, the weight of the clothing is detected before and after the heated dewatering process, in which the blower and the heating device are driven while dewatering is performed. Garment processing device.

2. The control unit, The first garment weight, which is the weight of the garment before heating and dehydration, is compared with the second garment weight, which is the weight of the garment after heating and dehydration. If the weight difference between the first garment weight and the second garment weight is greater than or equal to a threshold, a first drying process is performed; if the weight difference is less than the threshold, a second drying process is performed. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The weight detection unit is During the washing process, the weight of the clothes is detected before and after water supply. The third garment weight, which is the weight of the garment before water supply, and the fourth garment weight, which is the weight of the garment after water supply, are compared, and the weight difference between the third garment weight and the fourth garment weight is identified. If the weight difference between the third garment weight and the fourth garment weight is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold, the garment weight is detected before and after the heat dehydration process. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 1.

4. The weight detection unit is The third garment weight is compared with the first garment weight, which is the garment weight before heating and dehydration. If the weight difference between the third garment weight and the first garment weight is less than a threshold, the garment weight is detected after the heat dehydration process. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 3.

5. The threshold is determined according to the room temperature. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 3.

6. The threshold is determined according to the detection of the weight of the clothing before water supply. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 3.

7. The threshold is determined according to the rotational speed of the rotating tank during the dewatering process. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 3.

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