Clothes Processing Equipment

Abstract

To provide a clothing treatment device.SOLUTION: A clothing treatment device includes an outer case, a treatment drum that is located inside the outer case and contains clothing items inside of itself, a circulation air passage that is located inside the outer case and formed in a manner in which it includes the treatment drum and through which air is circulated, an air-sending device that is located inside the circulation air passage and sends the circulated air to the treatment drum, a condenser that is located inside the circulation air passage and heats the circulated air, and a generation device that generates a substance having an antiseptic property. In an antiseptic process during which the generation device is driven, the substance generated by the generation device is supplied, in the circulation air passage, to the downstream side of the treatment drum and the upstream side of the condenser with respect to the flow of the circulated air.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a clothes treatment device. [Background technology]

[0002] As a clothing processing device, for example, a washing / drying machine having a clothing washing function and a drying function is known. In this washing / drying machine, a circulation air duct is provided outside a water tub that functions as a drying chamber, and a heating device, a dehumidifying device, and a blower are provided in the circulation air duct. During drying operation, air in the drying chamber is circulated through the circulation air duct by the blowing action of the blower, and at this time, the clothes in the drying chamber are heated by sending the air heated by the heating device into the drying chamber, and the moist air is dehumidified by the dehumidifying device, and the clothes are dried by repeating this process.

[0003] The high temperature and humidity caused by the washing and drying operations may lead to the growth of bacteria and mold. In response to this, a clothes dryer has been proposed that supplies ozone generated by an ozone generator to the drum to wash, deodorize, and disinfect clothes. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2007 / 043326 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Sterilizing substances such as ozone may decompose over time due to heat, humidity, or reactions with clothing or the interior structure of the aircraft, etc. Therefore, for example, if the heating device is installed away from the device that generates the sterilizing substance, there is a risk that the heating device will not sterilize sufficiently.

[0006] To provide a clothes treating device having an improved sterilizing effect on a heating device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The treatment device includes an outer box, a treatment tank provided in the outer box and containing clothes therein, a circulation air duct provided in the outer box and including the treatment tank for circulating air inside, a blower provided in the circulation air duct for blowing the circulating air to the treatment tank, a condenser provided in the circulation air duct for heating the circulating air, and a generator for generating a substance having a sterilizing effect. In a sterilization step of driving the generator, the substance generated by the generator is supplied in the circulation air duct downstream of the treatment tank and upstream of the condenser with respect to the flow of the circulating air. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional side view showing a schematic configuration of a washing / drying machine according to a first embodiment; [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional rear view showing a schematic configuration of a washing / drying machine according to a first embodiment; [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a general configuration of a circulation air duct and a heat pump unit in the washer / dryer according to the first embodiment; [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a washing / drying machine according to a first embodiment; [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an ozone generator and an ozone irradiation device in a washing / drying machine according to a first embodiment. [Figure 6] Graph showing the change in ozone concentration over time upstream and downstream of the ozone generator [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional rear view showing a schematic configuration of a washing / drying machine according to a second embodiment; [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional rear view showing a schematic configuration of a washing / drying machine according to a third embodiment; [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a longitudinal sectional rear view showing a schematic configuration of a washing / drying machine according to a fourth embodiment; [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing the vicinity of a connection between an intake air duct and a circulation air duct of a washer / dryer according to a fourth embodiment; [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing the vicinity of a connection portion between an inlet air duct and a circulation air duct of a washer / dryer according to another embodiment; [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing the vicinity of a connection portion between an inlet air duct and a circulation air duct of a washer / dryer according to another embodiment; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, several embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the same components in each embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. Each embodiment can be applied to both the horizontal axis or oblique horizontal axis drum type washer / dryer shown in FIG. 1 and the vertical axis type washer / dryer not shown.

[0010] (First embodiment) The first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 6. As shown in Fig. 1 to Fig. 3, a washer-dryer 10 as a clothing processing device includes an outer case 11, a water tub 12, a rotating tub 13, and a rotating tub motor 14. The washer-dryer 10 is a so-called drum-type washer-dryer that has a heat pump drying function and in which the rotation axis of the rotating tub 13 is horizontal or inclined relative to the ground.

[0011] Outer box 11 is formed into a substantially rectangular box shape using a steel plate or the like. Water tub 12 is housed inside outer box 11. Rotating tub 13 is housed inside water tub 12. Water tub 12 and rotating tub 13 are both formed into a cylindrical shape. Water tub 12 has an opening 121 formed at one end of the cylinder, and a water tub end plate 122 is provided at the other end. Opening 121 is located above water tub end plate 122 in inclined water tub 12.

[0012] Similarly, rotating tub 13 has an opening 131 formed at one end of the cylindrical shape, and a rotating tub end plate 132 is provided at the other end. Opening 131 is located above rotating tub end plate 132 on the inclined rotating tub 13. Opening 131 of rotating tub 13 is surrounded by opening 121 of water tub 12. Water tub 12 and rotating tub 13 form a treatment tub that functions as a washing chamber for storing clothes and a drying chamber. Water tub 12 is mainly made of synthetic resin, and rotating tub 13 can be made of a metal such as stainless steel.

[0013] The water tub 12 has an air outlet 16 and an air inlet 17. The air outlet 16 is provided, for example, in the upper front portion of the peripheral wall that constitutes the cylindrical portion of the water tub 12. The air inlet 17 is provided in the water tub end plate 122, slightly above the center of the water tub end plate 122. The air outlet 16 and the air inlet 17 communicate between the inside and outside of the water tub 12.

[0014] The spin tub 13 has a plurality of holes 21 and a plurality of communication ports 22. The holes 21 and the communication ports 22 communicate the inside and outside of the spin tub 13. The holes 21 are formed in almost the entire area of ​​the peripheral wall constituting the cylindrical tubular portion of the spin tub 13. The communication ports 22 are formed in almost the entire area of ​​the spin tub end plate 132. The holes 21 and the communication ports 22 function mainly as water holes through which water flows in and out during the washing operation including the washing step, the draining step, the rinsing step, and the spin-drying step, and mainly function as ventilation holes through which air flows in and out during the drying operation. For simplicity, FIG. 1 shows only a part of the plurality of holes 21 and the communication ports 22. Although not shown in detail, the spin tub 13 is provided with a plurality of baffles on the inside of the cylindrical portion. The baffles agitate laundry such as clothes stored inside the spin tub 13.

[0015] Rotary tub motor 14 is provided on water tub end plate 122 outside water tub 12. Rotary tub motor 14 is, for example, an outer rotor type DC brushless motor. A shaft 141 of rotary tub motor 14 passes through water tub end plate 122 and protrudes to the inside of water tub 12, and is fixed to the center of rotary tub end plate 132. Rotary tub motor 14 thus rotates rotary tub 13 relative to water tub 12. In this case, shaft 141, the rotation axis of rotary tub 13, and the central axis of water tub 12 are all aligned.

[0016] The water tank 12 has a drainage section 18 at the rear end side of the bottom located downward in the direction of gravity. The drainage section 18 is located below the air outlet 16 and the air inlet 17. The drainage section 18 is configured with a drainage port 123, a drainage valve 181, and a drainage hose 182. The drainage port 123 is provided at the bottom of the water tank 12 and connects the inside and outside of the water tank 12. The drainage valve 181 is configured, for example, as an electromagnetic liquid opening and closing valve, and is provided between the drainage port 123 and the drainage hose 182. The drainage hose 182 connects the drainage port 123 to the outside of the machine, and functions as a drainage path for draining water in the water tank 12 to the outside. In this case, the drainage valve 181 opens and closes between the drainage port 123 and the drainage hose 182, i.e., the drainage path. That is, when drain valve 181 is opened, the water in water tub 12 is drained from drain outlet 123 through drain valve 181 and drain hose 182 to the outside of washer / dryer 10.

[0017] The washer / dryer 10 includes a control device 23 shown in Fig. 4 and a water supply device 24 shown in Fig. 2. The control device 23 is mainly composed of a microcomputer including, for example, a CPU 231 and a storage area 232 such as a ROM, a RAM, and a rewritable flash memory, and controls the overall operation of the washer / dryer 10.

[0018] 2, the water supply device 24 has a water supply case 241, a water supply valve 242, a water supply hose 243, etc. The water supply valve 242 is connected to the control device 23, and is driven to open and close under the control of the control device 23. One end of the water supply hose 243 is connected to the water supply valve 242, and the other end is connected to an external water source such as a waterworks. The control device 23 drives the water supply valve 242 to open and close, thereby supplying water from the water source through the water supply hose 243, the water supply valve 242, and the water supply case 241 into the water tank 12.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 3, the washer / dryer 10 includes a circulation air duct 30 and a heat pump unit 40. The circulation air duct 30 includes the water tub 12 and the rotating tub 13, i.e., the inside of the treatment tub, and the outside of the treatment tub. Outside the treatment tub, the circulation air duct 30 connects the air outlet 16 and the air inlet 17. More specifically, the circulation air duct 30 includes the water tub 12 and the rotating tub 13, an exhaust duct 31, a filter device 32, a connection duct 33, a heat exchanger 34, and an air supply duct 35. As will be described in detail later, air circulates in the circulation air duct 30 in the direction of the arrow A in FIGS. 1 to 3. The exhaust duct 31, the connection duct 33, and the air supply duct 35 are collectively referred to as ducts 31, 33, and 35.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, the exhaust duct 31 connects the air outlet 16 of the water tank 12 to the filter device 32. The exhaust duct 31 is, for example, a bellows-shaped hose. The filter device 32 is located at the upper inside of the outer box 11 and is provided above the water tank 12 and the rotating tank 13. A filter 321 is provided inside the filter device 32. The filter device 32 removes foreign matter such as lint contained in the air exhausted from the air outlet 16 by passing the air exhausted from the air outlet 16 through the filter 321. The filter device 32 is connected to the upstream side of the heat exchanger 34 via a connecting duct 33. The connecting duct 33 has a first portion 331 that extends substantially horizontally behind the filter device 32, and a second portion 332 that extends downward and connects to the heat exchanger 34. The heat exchanger 34 is provided below the water tank 12 and the rotating tank 13 at the bottom inside of the outer box 11.

[0021] The air supply duct 35 extends generally upward and connects the downstream side of the heat exchange section 34 to the air inlet 17 of the water tank 12. The exhaust duct 31, the connection duct 33, the heat exchange section 34, and the air supply duct 35 may be formed mainly from, for example, synthetic resin.

[0022] 1, the circulation air passage 30 further has an exhaust port 36, a damper 37, an intake port 38, and a blower 39. The exhaust port 36 is provided in the first portion 331 of the connection duct 33. The exhaust port 36 is formed by opening the upper portion of the connection duct 33, for example, in the shape of a plurality of slits, and connects the inside and outside of the connection duct 33 and thus the circulation air passage 30. The damper 37 is provided on the outside side of the exhaust port 36. The damper 37 can be rotated by a motor (not shown) about one end as a fulcrum to open and close the exhaust port 36. The damper 37 is connected to the control device 23, and is driven to open and close under the control of the control device 23.

[0023] The air intake 38 is provided in the heat exchanger 34. The air intake 38 is formed by opening a part of the heat exchanger 34, and connects the inside and outside of the heat exchanger 34 and thus the circulating air passage 30. In this case, the air intake 38 is provided in the upper part of the heat exchanger 34.

[0024] The downstream side of the heat exchanger 34 in the circulating air passage 30 is connected to the air inlet 17 of the water tank 12 via the air supply duct 35. A blower 39 is provided at the connection between the heat exchanger 34 and the air supply duct 35. As shown in FIG. 2, the blower 39 is configured to have a fan motor 391 and a fan 392. The fan motor 391 is electrically connected to the control device 23 and is driven under the control of the control device 23. The blower 39 is configured to be able to change the rotation speed of the fan motor 391, i.e., the rotation speed of the fan 392, under the control of the control device 23. In the following description, driving the fan motor 391 may be expressed as driving the blower 39. The fan 392 is made of synthetic resin or metal, such as aluminum or stainless steel.

[0025] The blower 39 sucks in air in the heat exchanger 34 and discharges it to the air supply duct 35. This generates a flow of air circulating through the air circulation duct 30 as shown by the arrow A in Figures 1, 2, and 3. In this case, looking at the flow of air in the air circulation duct 30 after it leaves the water tank 12, the air outlet 16 is located at the most upstream side, and the air inlet 17 is located at the most downstream side.

[0026] The heat pump unit 40 has a function of generating dry hot air by dehumidifying and heating the air passing through the inside of the heat exchanger 34 in the circulating air passage 30. In other words, the heat pump unit 40 functions as a heating device for dehumidifying and heating the humid air that flows into the circulating air passage 30 from the water tub 12 to generate hot air, and supplying it again to the water tub 12 and the rotating tub 13. An evaporator 41 and a condenser 42 that constitute a part of the heat pump unit 40 are provided in the heat exchanger 34. The evaporator 41 is provided upstream of the condenser 42 with respect to the air flow in the heat exchanger 34 during drying operation. The air passing through the heat exchanger 34 is cooled by the evaporator 41 and dehumidified thereby. The air dehumidified by the evaporator 41 is then heated by the condenser 42 to become hot air.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 3, the heat pump unit 40 includes an evaporator 41 and a condenser 42, as well as a compressor 43 and a pressure reducing device 44. The compressor 43 and the pressure reducing device 44 are provided outside the heat exchanger 34. The heat pump unit 40 is configured by connecting the condenser 42, the pressure reducing device 44, and the evaporator 41 in a ring shape in the direction in which the refrigerant flows with the compressor 43 as the reference. That is, the refrigerant flows in the direction of the arrow B in FIG. 3. The evaporator 41 and the condenser 42 are configured, for example, as tubes having a large number of fins provided at small intervals, and the refrigerant is passed through the inside of the tube to exchange heat between the air passing between the fins and the refrigerant. The evaporator 41 and the condenser 42 function as heat exchangers.

[0028] The compressor 43 supplies the refrigerant to the condenser 42 by pressure feeding. The compressor 43 is connected to the control device 23, and is driven and stopped under the control of the control device 23. An accumulator 45 is provided on the suction side 431 of the compressor 43. The accumulator 45 suppresses pressure fluctuations of the refrigerant flowing into the compressor 43. The pressure reducing device 44 reduces the pressure of the liquid refrigerant discharged from the condenser 42 by the pressure, to create a low-pressure gas-liquid mixed state. In this case, the pressure reducing device 44 is composed of, for example, a capillary tube, but may also be an electromagnetic opening / closing type expansion valve that can be opened and closed under the control of the control device 23.

[0029] In this configuration, when the compressor 43 and the blower 39 are driven, the hot air dehumidified and heated in the heat exchanger 34 is supplied from the air inlet 17 through the air supply duct 35 to the water tub 12 by the blowing action of the blower 39. The hot air then enters the rotating tub 13 mainly through the communication port 22, raises the temperature of the laundry in the rotating tub 13, and removes moisture from the laundry, and then exits the rotating tub 13 mainly through the hole 21. The humid air is then sucked into the circulating air duct 30 through the air outlet 16. The air sucked into the circulating air duct 30 first passes through the exhaust duct 31 and the filter device 32. The air then flows to the heat exchanger 34 through the connection duct 33. In this way, the air that has entered the circulating air duct 30 from the water tub 12 is dehumidified and heated in the circulating air duct 30, and is then supplied again to the water tub 12.

[0030] The washer / dryer 10 further includes an ozone generator 50 and an irradiation device 60 as a sterilizing substance generator. The sterilizing substance generator has a function of generating a substance having at least one of a sterilizing effect, a deodorizing effect, and a bactericidal effect. At least one of the sterilizing effect, the deodorizing effect, and the bactericidal effect is collectively referred to as a sterilizing effect, etc. A substance having a sterilizing effect, etc. is referred to as a sterilizing substance. In this embodiment, the sterilizing substance is, for example, ozone. The ozone generator 50 generates ozone. The irradiation device 60 exerts a sterilizing effect by irradiating ultraviolet light. In addition, the ultraviolet light irradiated from the irradiation device 60 hits the sterilizing substance, thereby activating the sterilizing substance and enhancing the sterilizing effect, etc. In this embodiment, the ultraviolet light irradiated from the irradiation device 60 hits the ozone generated by the ozone generator 50, generating hydroxyl radicals with a higher oxidizing power than ozone.

[0031] The ozone generator 50 can generate ozone by, for example, a discharge method in which a high AC voltage is applied between electrodes to generate ozone in an oxygen-containing gas. Examples of the discharge method include a silent discharge method and a creeping discharge method, and in this embodiment, ozone is generated by silent discharge. The ozone generator 50 is electrically connected to the control device 23 and is driven under the control of the control device 23.

[0032] 5, ozone generator 50 has a housing 51 and a generating unit 52. Housing 51 constitutes the main body of ozone generator 50. Generating unit 52 is a portion where discharge occurs, and ozone is generated in gas present in the space that generating unit 52 faces.

[0033] The ozone generated by the ozone generator 50 is supplied to the circulation air duct 30. The ozone generator 50 may be configured to generate ozone in the circulation air duct 30, or may be configured to generate ozone outside the circulation air duct 30. In this embodiment, the ozone generator 50 is configured to generate ozone in the circulation air duct 30. That is, the ozone generator 50 is provided in the middle of the circulation air duct 30, and the generating unit 52 is exposed so as to face the inside of the circulation air duct 30. Therefore, when the ozone generator 50 is driven, ozone is generated in the air inside the circulation air duct 30.

[0034] The ozone generated by the ozone generator 50 is supplied to the circulation air duct 30 at a position downstream of the air outlet 16 and upstream of the condenser 42 in the air flow direction in the circulation air duct 30. Therefore, the ozone generated by the ozone generator 50 reaches a relatively high concentration in the vicinity of the condenser 42 even in a short period of time after the start of operation. In this embodiment, the ozone generator 50 is provided upstream of the condenser 42 in the air flow direction in the circulation air duct 30, and generates ozone directly in the circulation air duct 30.

[0035] The ozone generator 50 is provided in the heat exchanger 34. In this case, the ozone generator 50 may be provided so that the entire or part of the housing 51 is located inside the heat exchanger 34, and in this embodiment, the housing 51 is provided in contact with the heat exchanger 34, and the generating unit 52 is located so as to face the inside of the heat exchanger 34. Furthermore, the ozone generator 50 is provided so that the generating unit 52 is located downstream of the evaporator 41 and upstream of the condenser 42. In this case, the generating unit 52 faces the inside of the heat exchanger 34 through the intake port 38. As a result, when the ozone generator 50 is driven, ozone is generated in the space between the evaporator 41 and the condenser 42. When the blower 39 is driven, the generated ozone circulates through the circulation air passage 30 together with air. In addition, when the ozone generator 50 is located downstream of the evaporator 41 and upstream of the condenser 42, this does not only mean that the generation unit 52 is located facing only the space between the evaporator 41 and the condenser 42, but also that a part of the generation unit 52 is located facing the space between the evaporator 41 and the condenser 42 and a part of the generation unit 52 is located facing the evaporator 41 and / or the condenser 42.

[0036] The ozone generator 50 may be provided in any position upstream of the condenser 42, not limited to the top of the heat exchanger 34, but is preferably provided on the side or top of the heat exchanger 34 because condensed water generated in the evaporator 41 may accumulate at the bottom. In addition, by utilizing the air intake 38 opened between the evaporator 41 and the condenser 42, it is not necessary to provide an overlapping opening in the heat exchanger 34, so that the decrease in airtightness of the heat exchanger 34 and the decrease in the heat exchange rate are suppressed.

[0037] Examples of the irradiation device 60 include a UV-LED (Ultra Violet Light Emitting Diode) type having an ultraviolet light emitting diode, and a lamp type that irradiates ultraviolet light using a mercury lamp. In this embodiment, the irradiation device 60 is of a UV-LED type. The irradiation device 60 is electrically connected to the control device 23 and irradiates ultraviolet light under the control of the control device 23.

[0038] The irradiation device 60 irradiates the inside of the circulating air duct 30 with ultraviolet rays. The irradiation device 60 may be provided at any position as long as it can irradiate the inside of the circulating air duct 30 with ultraviolet rays, and may be provided near the ozone generator 50 or may be provided away from the ozone generator 50. Furthermore, the irradiation device 60 may be provided at the same position as the ozone generator 50 with respect to the air flow in the circulating air duct 30, based on the air outlet 16, or may be provided upstream of the ozone generator 50, or may be provided downstream of the ozone generator 50.

[0039] In this embodiment, the irradiation device 60 is provided near the downstream side of the ozone generator 50 and at approximately the same position as the ozone generator 50 with respect to the air flow in the circulating air passage 30. Specifically, the irradiation device 60 is provided facing the inside of the heat exchanger 34 from the air intake 38. As a result, the ozone generated by the ozone generator 50 is immediately irradiated with ultraviolet light, generating hydroxyl radicals that have a higher oxidizing power than ozone.

[0040] When the ozone generator 50 and the blower 39 are driven, the ozone generated by the ozone generator 50 circulates in the circulating air duct 30. The ozone reacts with moisture, synthetic resin, metal, clothing, etc. and disappears. Therefore, the generated ozone moves through the circulating air duct 30 and gradually disappears by contacting with steam in the air, the water tank 12, the ducts 31, 33, 35, synthetic resin constituting the heat exchanger 34, etc., metal constituting the rotating tank 13, clothing, etc. For this reason, for a short period of time after the ozone generator 50 is driven, a difference in ozone concentration may occur between the downstream side and the upstream side of the ozone generator 50.

[0041] FIG. 6 is a graph showing the change over time in ozone concentration measured on the upstream and downstream sides of the ozone generator 50 in the circulating air passage 30 when the ozone generator 50 and the blower 39 are driven. The horizontal axis indicates the elapsed time from the start of driving the ozone generator 50, and the vertical axis indicates the ratio of the ozone concentration at each time when the saturated concentration is set to 1. In the period immediately after the start of driving the ozone generator 50, the ozone concentration is higher downstream of the ozone generator 50 than upstream. In the downstream and upstream of the ozone generator 50, the ozone concentration gradually increases, and saturates and becomes almost constant over time. In addition, the ozone concentration becomes constant downstream of the ozone generator 50 before it becomes constant upstream. If the ozone generator 50 and the blower 39 are driven for a predetermined period or more, the ozone concentration becomes almost constant downstream and upstream of the ozone generator 50, that is, at any position in the circulating air passage 30.

[0042] The control device 23 executes, for example, a sterilization process. The sterilization process is a process in which air containing ozone is circulated in the air circulation duct 30. As a result, the structure in the air circulation duct 30 and / or the clothes in the spin tub 13 are sterilized or deodorized.

[0043] In the sterilization step of this embodiment, the control device 23 drives the ozone generator 50 to generate a sterilizing substance without heating by the heat pump unit 40, and circulates the sterilizing substance through the circulation air duct 30. In addition, in the sterilization step, the control device 23 drives the irradiation device 60 to irradiate the ozone with ultraviolet light. For example, when sterilizing clothes, the control device 23 may drive the rotating tub motor 14 to rotate the rotating tub 13 to agitate the clothes. This makes it possible to sterilize and deodorize the entire clothes.

[0044] Furthermore, the control device 23 may drive the heat pump unit 40, i.e., the compressor 43, in the sterilization step to dehumidify and dry the circulating air. That is, the control device 23 may perform sterilization and deodorization using ozone while drying the components in the circulating air duct 30 or the clothes in the rotating tub 13. Furthermore, in the drying step in which the dehumidified and heated air is circulated in the circulating air duct 30, the control device 23 may drive the ozone generator 50 alone, or both the ozone generator 50 and the irradiation device 60, continuously or for a predetermined period of time.

[0045] Here, since steam is generated during the washing and drying processes, there is a risk of mold and bacteria growing inside the outer box 11. In order to apply high-concentration ozone to the clothes, water tub 12, and spin tub 13, the ozone generator 50 may be installed around the periphery of the water tub 12 or immediately upstream of the water tub 12. When the ozone generator 50 is installed near the water tub 12 or immediately upstream of the water tub 12, there is a possibility that a sufficient concentration of ozone will not reach the heat exchanger 34 located downstream of the water tub 12 and away from the water tub 12 during the period immediately after the ozone generator 50 starts to operate. In other words, ozone is highly reactive and reacts with moisture in the circulating air, the water tub 12 and spin tub 13, the fan 392, the clothes, the ducts 31, 33, and 35, and the like, and gradually disappears. When the device for heating the air is a heater, the heater becomes hot, so it is considered that bacteria and mold are unlikely to grow. On the other hand, when dehumidification and heating are performed by a heat pump system, that is, when the dehumidifier is an evaporator and the heating device is a condenser, the condenser does not reach a temperature as high as the heater. Therefore, in the case of a heat pump type washer-dryer, there is a higher possibility that bacteria, mold, etc. will grow in the heating device and dehumidifier compared to a heater type.

[0046] In contrast, according to the present embodiment described above, the washer / dryer 10 as a clothing treatment device includes the outer case 11, the water tub 12 and the rotating tub 13 as treatment tubs, the circulation air duct 30, the blower 39, the condenser 42, and the ozone generator 50 as a generator. The water tub 12 and the rotating tub 13 are provided in the outer case 11 and house clothes therein. The circulation air duct 30 is provided in the outer case 11 and includes the water tub 12 and the rotating tub 13 to circulate air inside. The blower 39 is provided in the circulation air duct 30 and blows circulating air to the water tub 12 and the rotating tub 13. The condenser 42 is provided in the circulation air duct 30 and heats the circulating air. The ozone generator 50 generates a substance having a sterilizing effect, in this case ozone. In the sterilization process in which the ozone generator 50 is driven, the ozone generated by the ozone generator 50 is supplied to a position downstream of the water tank 12 and the rotating tank 13 and upstream of the condenser 42 in the circulating air duct 30 with respect to the flow of circulating air.

[0047] This allows the sterilizing substance, for example ozone, to be supplied to heat exchanger 34 before it reacts with clothes, fan 392, water tub 12, rotating tub 13, etc. and is lost, thereby promoting sterilization of heat exchanger 34. It is therefore possible to provide a clothes processing device with improved sterilization performance inside the device, particularly improved sterilization performance for condenser 42, which is a heating device.

[0048] The washer / dryer 10 further includes an evaporator 41. The evaporator 41 is provided in the circulating air duct downstream of the water tub 12 and the rotating tub 13 and upstream of the condenser 42, and dehumidifies the circulating air. A sterilizing substance such as ozone is introduced in the circulating air duct 30 downstream of the evaporator 41 and upstream of the condenser 42.

[0049] It is known that the sterilizing substance, for example, ozone, disappears quickly under high temperature and high humidity conditions. Therefore, by introducing the sterilizing substance downstream of the evaporator 41 where the temperature and humidity of the circulating air are low, it is possible to prevent the sterilizing substance from disappearing immediately after introduction. Therefore, the sterilizing performance inside the device is efficiently exhibited.

[0050] The ozone generator 50 has a generator 52 that generates ozone. The generator 52 faces the inside of the air circulation duct 30. That is, in this embodiment, the ozone generator 50 generates ozone directly in the air circulation duct 30.

[0051] According to this, the generated ozone is directly supplied to the circulation air duct 30, so that high-concentration ozone can be supplied to the condenser 42. This further improves the sterilization performance in the heat exchanger 34. In addition, there is no need to provide a supply air duct for supplying ozone outside the circulation air duct 30. Therefore, even if the ozone generator 50 is provided, the structure of the washer-dryer 10 can be relatively simplified. This makes it possible to suppress the manufacturing cost of the washer-dryer 10 and reduce the risk of breakdown.

[0052] Furthermore, the washer / dryer 10 includes an irradiation device 60 that irradiates ultraviolet rays toward the inside of the air circulation duct 30. That is, the irradiation device 60 irradiates the ozone in the air circulation duct 30 with ultraviolet rays to generate hydroxyl radicals.

[0053] When ozone is irradiated with ultraviolet light, more active hydroxyl radicals are generated. Therefore, by exposing the ozone generated by the ozone generator 50 to ultraviolet light, the sterilization effect inside the aircraft can be further promoted.

[0054] In this embodiment, the irradiation device 60 is provided adjacent to the downstream side of the ozone generator 50 in the circulating air duct 30, but this is not limited thereto. For example, in another embodiment, the irradiation device 60 may be provided on the outer periphery of the water tank 12 and may be configured to irradiate ultraviolet rays toward the inside of the water tank 12 and / or the rotating tank 13. In this case, the irradiation device 60 may be provided above the opening 121 of the water tank 12, for example.

[0055] Second embodiment A second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. In this embodiment, the ozone generator 50 is provided inside the outer box 11 and outside the circulation air duct 30. The washer / dryer 10 also includes an introduction air duct 70. Ozone generated outside the circulation air duct 30 is introduced into the circulation air duct 30 through the introduction air duct 70.

[0056] The inlet air passage 70 is provided, for example, extending generally in the vertical direction within the outer box 11, and connects the ozone generator 50 and the circulation air passage 30, and has the function of passing the ozone generated by the ozone generator 50 to the circulation air passage 30. The inlet air passage 70 has a junction section 71, a storage section 72, and an air intake 73. The junction section 71 is a portion where the inlet air passage 70 and the circulation air passage 30 join together. The junction section 71 is connected to a portion of the circulation air passage 30 that is downstream of the water tank 12 and upstream of the condenser 42 with respect to the air flow. In this embodiment, the junction section 71 is connected to the heat exchange section 34. More specifically, the junction section 71 joins an opening opened between the evaporator 41 and the condenser 42 of the heat exchange section 34.

[0057] The storage section 72 stores the ozone generator 50 therein. The ozone generator 50 generates ozone from the generation section 52 into the air in the storage section 72. The storage section 72 can be provided in a location that is easily accessible to an operator, for example, on the top, back, or bottom of the outer box 11. In this embodiment, the storage section 72 is provided on the top of the outer box 11, in a position that can be accessed by an operator by opening at least a part of the top surface. This simplifies maintenance and replacement work of the ozone generator 50.

[0058] The air intake port 73 is provided at the end of the introduction air passage 70 opposite to the junction section 71. The air intake port 73 is the most upstream portion of the air flow in the introduction air passage 70. The air intake port 73 is not directly exposed to the outside of the outer box 11, and air flows into the introduction air passage 70 from inside the outer box 11 through the air intake port 73. Note that in this embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the heat exchange section 34 is not provided with the air intake port 38.

[0059] When the damper 37 is opened, a part of the air in the circulation air passage 30 is discharged to the outside of the circulation air passage 30 through the exhaust port 36 as shown by the arrow C in Fig. 7. Then, the inside of the circulation air passage 30 becomes negative pressure, and the inside of the introduction air passage 70 that merges with the circulation air passage 30 also becomes negative pressure. Therefore, the air outside the introduction air passage 70 is drawn into the introduction air passage 70 through the intake port 73 as shown by the arrow D1 in Fig. 7. Then, the drawn-in air flows through the introduction air passage 70 toward the junction 71 as shown by the arrow D, and flows from the junction 71 into the circulation air passage 30. If the ozone generator 50 is driven at this time, the generated ozone is supplied from the introduction air passage 70 to the circulation air passage 30.

[0060] In the sterilization process, the control device 23 drives the ozone generator 50 and the blower 39 and opens the damper 37. As a result, even if a separate blower for blowing air from the inlet air passage 70 to the circulating air passage 30 is not provided, ozone is supplied into the circulating air passage 30 as the air in the circulating air passage 30 is exhausted to the outside of the apparatus from the exhaust port 36 as shown by the arrow C.

[0061] The irradiation device 60 may be provided in the inlet air passage 70 or in the circulation air passage 30. That is, the irradiation device 60 may irradiate ultraviolet rays to ozone in the inlet air passage, or may irradiate ultraviolet rays to ozone in the circulation air passage 30. When provided in the inlet air passage 70, the irradiation device 60 is provided downstream of the ozone generator 50 with respect to the air flow in the inlet air passage 70. In this embodiment, the irradiation device 60 is provided in the inlet air passage 70. Specifically, the irradiation device 60 is provided downstream of the ozone generator 50 in the storage section 72. The control device 23 drives the irradiation device 60 constantly or for a predetermined period in the sterilization process.

[0062] Here, when the ozone generator 50 is provided in the circulating air duct 30, there is a risk that the work will be extensive even when it is desired to maintain or replace only the ozone generator 50. For example, when the ozone generator 50 is provided in the heat exchanger 34, the heat exchanger 34 is often provided below the water tank 12 and at the bottom of the outer box 11, so that the maintenance or replacement work may be difficult.

[0063] In contrast, according to the present embodiment, the ozone generator 50 is provided outside the circulation air duct 30. The washer / dryer 10 includes an introduction air duct 70 extending from the ozone generator 50 to the circulation air duct 30. The ozone generated by the ozone generator 50 is introduced into the circulation air duct 30 through the introduction air duct 70.

[0064] This allows workers to more easily maintain and replace the ozone generator 50. In addition, the ozone generator 50 can be installed away from heat sources such as the heat pump unit 40 and vibration sources such as the compressor 43. This can reduce the risk of the generated ozone being quickly decomposed and of malfunctions or breakdowns in the ozone generator 50 itself.

[0065] The washer / dryer 10 of this embodiment also includes an air intake 73, an exhaust port 36, a damper 37, and a control device 23. The air intake 73 is provided in the inlet air passage 70 and communicates with the outside of the inlet air passage 70. The exhaust port 36 is provided in the circulation air passage 30 and communicates with the outside of the outer box 11. The damper 37 opens and closes the exhaust port 36. The control device 23 controls the driving of the ozone generator 50 and the opening and closing of the damper 37. The control device 23 opens the damper 37 and drives the ozone generator 50 in the sterilization process.

[0066] According to this, by discharging a part of the circulating air with the damper 37 open, negative pressure is created in the circulation air passage 30. Moreover, negative pressure is also created in the introduction air passage 70 connected to the circulation air passage 30, and air is taken in from the intake port 73. This generates an air flow from the introduction air passage 70 to the circulation air passage 30. Therefore, it becomes possible to introduce ozone into the circulation air passage 30 without using a separate power source such as a blower to introduce ozone.

[0067] Incidentally, opening the damper 37 includes not only changing from a closed state to an open state, but also maintaining the open state of the damper 37 that is already in the open state. Furthermore, when the damper 37 is already in the open state, the control device 23 may increase the opening degree of the damper 37 in the sterilization process to increase the amount of exhaust air, thereby making it easier to introduce ozone from the introduction air duct 70.

[0068] Furthermore, the washer / dryer 10 of the present embodiment includes an irradiation device 60 that irradiates ultraviolet rays toward the introduction air passage 70. That is, the irradiation device 60 irradiates the ozone in the introduction air passage 70 with ultraviolet rays to generate hydroxyl radicals.

[0069] This allows the irradiation device 60 to be installed away from heat sources such as the heat pump unit 40 and vibration sources such as the compressor 43. Therefore, the risk of failure or malfunction of the irradiation device 60 can be reduced.

[0070] Third embodiment A third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 8. In this embodiment, an ozone generator 50 is provided outside the circulating air duct 30, similarly to Fig. 2. A washer / dryer 10 includes an inlet air duct 701 instead of the inlet air duct 70 of the second embodiment.

[0071] The introduction air passage 701 extends generally in the vertical direction. The introduction air passage 701 has a junction 711, a housing 72, and an intake port 73. The housing 72 houses the ozone generator 50 and the irradiation device 60. The junction 711 is connected to the pressure reducing section 301 of the circulation air passage 30. The pressure reducing section 301 is a section of the circulation air passage 30 where the air pressure inside becomes lower than the atmospheric pressure when the blower 39 is driven. That is, when the blower 39 is driven, the air upstream of the blower 39 is forcibly blown downstream of the blower 39, so that the air pressure in a predetermined range upstream of the blower 39 becomes lower than the atmospheric pressure. As a result, the air in the introduction air passage 701 is sucked into the circulation air passage 30 via the junction 711.

[0072] In this case, the pressure reduction section 301 is located in the circulating air passage 30, upstream of the blower 39 and downstream of at least the air outlet 16 of the water tank 12. In this embodiment, the pressure reduction section 301 includes the heat exchange section 34 and the downstream portion of the second portion 332 of the connecting duct 33. In this embodiment, the junction section 711 is connected to a position about 1 / 3 of the distance from the downstream of the second portion 332.

[0073] The washer / dryer 10 of the present embodiment includes an air intake 73 provided in the inlet air passage 701 and communicating with the outside of the inlet air passage 701. In the sterilization process, the air pressure in at least the portion of the circulation air passage 30 to which the inlet air passage 701 is connected is lower than the atmospheric pressure.

[0074] According to this, since the introduction air passage 701 is connected to a portion of the circulation air passage 30 where negative pressure is generated, the air in the introduction air passage 701 containing ozone is easily drawn into the circulation air passage 30. Therefore, it becomes possible to introduce ozone into the circulation air passage 30 without using the power of a separate sending device or the like to introduce ozone.

[0075] In this embodiment, the negative pressure generated by the relative positional relationship with the blower 39 in the circulating air passage 30 is utilized, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the flow path of the portion of the circulating air passage 30 where the junction 711 is connected may be narrowed to generate negative pressure by the Venturi effect, and air may be sucked in from the introduction air passage 701.

[0076] (Fourth embodiment) The fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 9 and 10. In this embodiment, the washer / dryer 10 has an inlet air passage 702 instead of the inlet air passage 70 of the second embodiment or the inlet air passage 701 of the third embodiment. An accommodation section 72 is provided on the upstream side of the inlet air passage 702, and the accommodation section 72 accommodates the ozone generator 50 and the irradiation device 60. An air intake port 73 is provided at the most upstream part of the inlet air passage 702. The inlet air passage 702 is connected at an acute angle to the direction in which the air flows in the circulation air passage 30. When the air in the inlet air passage 702 joins the air flowing through the circulation air passage 30 at an acute angle in a state in which the blower 39 is driven, that is, in a state in which air flow is generated in the circulation air passage 30, the air in the inlet air passage 702 is easily sucked into the circulation air passage 30.

[0077] A straight line extending the direction of air flowing near the junction 712 of the introduction airflow passage 702 indicated by the arrow D2 in Figs. 9 and 10 is defined as L1. A straight line extending the direction of air flowing through the connection portion of the circulation airflow passage 30 with the junction 712, that is, the direction indicated by the arrow A1, is defined as L2. The interior angle formed by the straight lines L1 and L2 is defined as θ. In this case, the interior angle θ is set to an acute angle. The interior angle θ can be set within a range of 30° to 45°, for example. If the interior angle θ is too small, the rigidity of the connection portion may decrease. Also, if the interior angle θ is too large, the effect of sucking in air may decrease.

[0078] The junction 712 of the inlet air passage 702 can be provided in the circulation air passage 30 downstream of the water tank 12 and connected to the upstream of the condenser 42. In this embodiment, the junction 712 is connected to the pressure reducing section 301, for example, the lower part of the second part 332 of the connection duct 33 as in the third embodiment, but is not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the junction 712 may be connected downstream of the evaporator 41 and upstream of the condenser 42 as in the second embodiment. Note that the inlet air passage 702 does not need to be formed in a straight line, and may be formed in a shape that forms an acute angle with the air flowing through the circulation air passage 30 at least at a predetermined distance near the junction 712, as shown in FIG. 9.

[0079] According to this embodiment, the interior angle θ between introduction airflow passage 702 and the flow direction of the circulating air that flows through the portion of circulating airflow passage 30 where introduction airflow passage 702 is connected is set to an acute angle.

[0080] This makes it easier for the air in the inlet air passage 702 to be sucked into the circulating air passage 30. Therefore, the ozone generated by the ozone generator 50 is easier to be taken into the circulating air passage 30 from the inlet air passage 702. Therefore, it becomes possible to introduce ozone into the circulating air passage 30 without using a separate power source such as a blower to introduce ozone.

[0081] (Other embodiments) In each of the above embodiments, the irradiation device 60 is disposed near the ozone generator 50, but this is not limiting. In other embodiments, the irradiation device 60 can be provided at a position away from the ozone generator 50. That is, the position where ozone is generated and the position where the ozone is irradiated with ultraviolet light may be physically separated in the same air passage, or may be in different air passages.

[0082] For example, the ozone generator 50 may be arranged in a housing section 72 provided upstream of the inlet air passage 702, and the irradiation device 60 may be provided in the circulating air passage 30 as shown in Fig. 11, so as to irradiate ultraviolet rays toward the inside of the circulating air passage 30. Alternatively, the ozone generator 50 may be arranged in a housing section 72 provided upstream of the inlet air passage 702, and the irradiation device 60 may be provided in the inlet air passage 702 downstream of the housing section 72, for example, in the vicinity of the upstream of the junction 712 as shown in Fig. 12, so as to irradiate ultraviolet rays toward the inside of the inlet air passage 702.

[0083] The above-described embodiments may be combined and practiced. For example, in the first, third, fourth, or other embodiments, the control device 23 may execute control to open the damper 37 in the sterilization process.

[0084] In each of the above embodiments, the irradiation device 60 may be driven all the time while the ozone generator 50 is driven, or may be driven repeatedly or not repeatedly for a predetermined period of time, or may not be driven at all. In other words, in the sterilization process, the irradiation device 60 may be driven as in each of the above embodiments, or may not be driven. In the second embodiment, the introduction air passage 70 may be formed so that the interior angle formed by the introduction air passage 70 and the circulation air passage 30 at the junction 71 and its vicinity is an acute angle.

[0085] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. This novel embodiment can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0086] 10... washer-dryer (clothes dryer), 11... outer box, 12... water tub, 13... rotating tub, 23... control device, 30... circulation air duct, 36... exhaust port, 37... damper, 39... blower, 41... evaporator, 42... condenser, 50... generator (ozone generator), 52... generator, 60... irradiation device, 70, 701, 702... introduction air duct, 71, 711, 712... junction, 73... intake port

Claims

1. Outer box and A treatment tank provided in the outer box for storing clothes therein; a circulation air duct provided in the outer box and configured to include the treatment tank and circulate air therein; a blower provided in the circulating air passage for blowing circulating air into the treatment tank; a condenser provided in the circulating air passage for heating the circulating air; A generator for generating a substance having a sterilizing effect; a filter device provided in the circulating air duct downstream of the treatment tank and upstream of the condenser to remove foreign matter contained in the circulating air, In the sterilization process of driving the generator, the substance generated by the generator is supplied to a location downstream of the filter device and upstream of the condenser with respect to the flow of the circulating air in the circulating air duct. Clothes treatment device.

2. An outer box, A treatment tank provided in the outer box for storing clothes therein; a circulation air duct provided in the outer box and configured to include the treatment tank and circulate air therein; a blower provided in the circulating air passage for blowing circulating air into the treatment tank; a condenser provided in the circulating air passage for heating the circulating air; A generator that is provided outside the circulating air duct and generates a substance having a sterilizing effect; an introduction air passage extending from the generating device to the circulation air passage; an air intake port provided in the introduction air passage and communicating with an outside of the introduction air passage; an exhaust port provided in the circulating air passage and communicating with the outside of the outer box; A damper that opens and closes the exhaust port; A control device that controls the driving of the generating device and the opening and closing of the damper, In the sterilization step of driving the generator, the substance generated by the generator is supplied to a location downstream of the treatment tank and upstream of the condenser with respect to the flow of the circulating air in the circulating air duct, The control device opens the damper and drives the generator in the sterilization process. Clothes treatment device.

3. an evaporator provided in the circulating air duct downstream of the treatment tank and upstream of the condenser for dehumidifying the circulating air; The substance is introduced into the circulation air duct downstream of the evaporator and upstream of the condenser. The clothing treatment device according to claim 1.

4. The generator has a generating unit that generates the substance, The generating section faces the inside of the circulating air duct. The clothing treatment device according to claim 1 or 3.

5. The generating device is provided outside the circulating air duct, An introduction air passage extending from the generating device to the circulating air passage is provided. The clothing treatment device according to claim 1 or 3.

6. an air intake port provided in the introduction air passage and communicating with an outside of the introduction air passage; an exhaust port provided in the circulating air passage and communicating with the outside of the outer box; A damper that opens and closes the exhaust port; A control device is provided that controls the driving of the generating device and the opening and closing of the damper, The control device opens the damper and drives the generator in the sterilization process. The clothing treatment device according to claim 5.

7. an intake port provided in the introduction air passage and communicating with an outside of the introduction air passage; In the sterilization step, the air pressure at at least a portion of the circulation air duct to which the introduction air duct is connected is lower than atmospheric pressure. The clothing treatment device according to claim 5.

8. An interior angle between the introduction air passage and a flow direction of the circulating air flowing through a connection portion of the circulation air passage with the introduction air passage is set to be an acute angle. The clothing treatment device according to claim 5.

9. An irradiation device is provided that irradiates ultraviolet rays into the circulating air duct. A clothing treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. An irradiation device is provided that irradiates ultraviolet rays toward the introduction air duct. A clothing treatment device according to any one of claims 2, 5 to 8.

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