Clothes Processing Equipment

Abstract

To provide a clothing treatment apparatus which improves efficiency of clothing treatment by steam.SOLUTION: A clothing treatment apparatus comprises a water tank which has an air outlet and an air inlet and which houses clothing inside, a circulation air passage which is installed outside the water tank and which connects the air outlet to the air inlet, a blower which is installed in the circulation air passage and which sends air to the water tank, an exhaust port which is installed in the circulation air passage and which discharges air to the outside of the circulation air passage, an opening / closing device for opening and closing the exhaust port, a steam generator for generating steam supplied to the water tank, and a control device for controlling opening / closing of the opening / closing device and drive of the blower and the steam generator. The control device performs steam treatment operation of performing a first step in which steam is generated by the steam generator and the blower is driven with the opening / closing device in a closed state and a second step in which the blower is driven with the opening / closing device in an open state, alternately in a predetermined repetition number.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, there are washing machines that have a function of treating clothes by applying steam to the clothes to warm them, for example, to remove odors from the clothes. In such washing machines, it is known that an exhaust port is provided to discharge air that has come into contact with the clothes and contains odor components to the outside of the machine, and an intake port is provided to take in fresh outside air into the tub. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2004-167131 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when the exhaust vent is open, the air inside the machine is exchanged, making it difficult for the temperature inside the tub to rise, and therefore the temperature of the clothes, so it takes a long time to heat up to the temperature required for processing the clothes, which may reduce the efficiency of processing the clothes.

[0005] Therefore, a clothing treatment device is provided that improves the efficiency of clothing treatment using steam. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A clothing treatment device according to an embodiment includes a water tub having an air outlet and an air inlet and containing clothing therein, a circulation duct provided outside the water tub and connecting the air outlet and the air inlet, a blower provided in the circulation duct for blowing air into the water tub, an exhaust port provided in the circulation duct for discharging air to the outside of the circulation duct, an opening / closing device for opening / closing the exhaust port, a steam generator for generating steam to be supplied to the water tub, and a control device for controlling the opening / closing device and the driving of the blower and the steam generator. The control device executes a steam treatment operation in which a first step of generating steam with the steam generator and driving the blower in a closed state with the opening / closing device closed, and a second step of driving the blower in an open state with the opening / closing device open are alternately repeated a predetermined number of times. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of an example of a washing and drying machine according to a first embodiment; [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a rear view showing a schematic configuration of an example of a washing and drying machine according to a first embodiment; [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a refrigeration cycle of an example of a washer / dryer according to a first embodiment; [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of an electrical configuration of a washing / drying machine according to a first embodiment; [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing an example of a washer / dryer according to a first embodiment, the vicinity of an upper portion of the washer / dryer including a steam generating device and a water supply mechanism; [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a steam generating device of a washing / drying machine according to a first embodiment; [Figure 7] 1 is a timing chart showing each process in a steam treatment operation of an example of a washer / dryer according to a first embodiment; [Figure 8] A chart showing an example of the maximum number of repetitions according to the weight of clothes in the washer / dryer according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] 1 is a chart showing an example of a period of a first process according to a count indicating the number of times the washer / dryer is repeatedly executed according to the first embodiment; [Figure 10]1 is a chart showing an example of a period of a second process according to a count indicating the number of times the washer / dryer is repeatedly executed according to the first embodiment; [Figure 11] 1 is a flowchart showing an example of the contents of control by a control device in a steam processing operation of an example of a washer / dryer according to a first embodiment. [Figure 12] 11 is a chart showing an example of a period of a first process according to a count indicating the number of times the washer / dryer is repeatedly executed according to a second embodiment; [Figure 13] 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the contents of control by a control device in a steam treatment operation of an example of a washer-dryer according to a second embodiment (part 1). [Figure 14] 11 is a flowchart (part 2) showing an example of the contents of control by the control device in the steam treatment operation of an example of a washer / dryer according to a second embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of an electrical configuration of a washing / drying machine according to a third embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a refrigeration cycle of an example of a washer / dryer according to a third embodiment. [Figure 17] 11 is a chart showing an example of the maximum number of repetitions according to the weight of clothes and the amount of odor detected by the washer / dryer according to the third embodiment. [Figure 18] 13 is a chart showing an example of correction of the maximum number of repetitions according to the amount of change in odor of a washer / dryer according to the third embodiment. [Figure 19] A flowchart showing an example of the contents of control by a control device in a steam processing operation of an example of a washer / dryer according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, a clothing processing device according to a number of embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In each embodiment, substantially the same components are given the same reference numerals and the description will be omitted. Each embodiment can be applied to both a horizontal-axis or diagonal-axis drum washing machine shown in FIG. 1 and a vertical-axis washing machine not shown.

[0009] (First embodiment) First, a first embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 11. As shown in Figs. 1 to 4, a washer-dryer 10 as a clothes processing device includes a housing 11, a water tub 12, a rotating tub 13, a rotating tub motor 14, a door 15, bellows 16, a water supply mechanism 17, a drainage section 18, an operation panel 19, and a control device 20. The washer-dryer 10 is also a clothes dryer equipped with a heat pump type drying function, and is a so-called drum type washer-dryer. In this embodiment, the door 15 side of the housing 11 is the front side of the washer-dryer 10, that is, the user side. The direction of gravity, that is, the vertical direction, is the up-down direction of the washer-dryer 10, and the horizontal direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction and the up-down direction is the left-right direction.

[0010] Housing 11 constitutes the outer shell of washer / dryer 10, and is formed into a substantially rectangular box shape from, for example, a steel plate etc. Housing 11 has an opening 111 provided approximately in the center of the front surface which is opened and closed by a door 15, as shown in FIG.

[0011] Water tub 12 is housed inside housing 11. Rotating tub 13 is housed inside water tub 12. Water tub 12 and rotating tub 13 are both formed in 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 tilted water tub 12.

[0012] Similarly, spin tub 13 has an opening 131 formed at one end of its cylindrical shape, and a spin tub end plate 132 is provided at the other end. Opening 131 is located above spin tub end plate 132 on the inclined spin tub 13. Opening 131 of spin tub 13 is surrounded by opening 121 of water tub 12. Water tub 12 and spin tub 13 function as a washing chamber and a drying chamber for storing laundry.

[0013] 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 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. Rotary tub motor 14 is electrically connected to control device 20, and is driven under the control of control device 20.

[0014] Door 15 is provided on the outer surface side of housing 11 via a hinge (not shown). Door 15 rotates about the hinge as a fulcrum to open and close opening 111 formed in the front surface of housing 11. Bellows 16 connects opening 111 to opening 121 of water tub 12. Laundry such as clothes is put in and taken out of spin tub 13 through openings 121, 131 with door 15 open.

[0015] 5, the water supply mechanism 17 is provided, for example, at the upper left rear part of the water tub 12 inside the housing 11. The water supply mechanism 17 receives water from a water supply source such as a tap and supplies the water to the water tub 12.

[0016] The drain unit 18 is provided on the rear end side of the bottom located on the lower side in the gravity direction of the water tank 12. The drain unit 18 is configured to include a drain port 123, a drain valve 181, and a drain hose 182. The drain port 123 is provided at the rear end, which is the bottommost part of the water tank 12, and communicates the inside and outside of the water tank 12. The drain valve 181 is, for example, an electromagnetic liquid opening and closing valve, and is provided between the drain port 123 and the drain hose 182. The drain valve 181 is electrically connected to the control device 20 and opens and closes under the control of the control device 20. The drain hose 182 connects the drain port 123 to the outside of the machine, that is, the outside of the housing 11, and functions as a drain path for draining water in the water tank 12 to the outside. In this case, the drain valve 181 opens and closes between the drain port 123 and the drain hose 182, that is, the drain 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] 1, the operation panel 19 is provided at the front of the top surface of the housing 11, and is electrically connected to the control device 20. Various operation keys and the like are provided. Operation panel 19 includes, for example, a touch panel type liquid crystal panel, and can display various information related to washer / dryer 10. Note that operation panel 19 is not limited to a liquid crystal panel, and in other embodiments, may include, for example, an organic EL panel.

[0018] The various operation keys receive various operations by the user related to the operation of the washer-dryer 10. The operation keys are composed of touch keys included in a screen displayed on the operation panel 19. The user can perform various input operations related to the operation of the washer-dryer 10 by touching the operation keys displayed on the operation panel 19 with his / her fingers or the like.

[0019] The touch panel constituting the operation panel 19 may be, for example, a capacitive touch panel that detects a change in capacitance that occurs when touched by a user's finger. Note that the touch panel constituting the operation panel 19 is not limited to a capacitive touch panel, and in other embodiments, various types of touch panels, such as a resistive film touch panel, may be used. Also, the various operation keys are not limited to electrostatic touch type, and in other embodiments, they may be button type.

[0020] 4, the control device 20 is mainly configured with a microcomputer having, for example, a CPU 201 and a storage area 202 such as a ROM, a RAM, and a rewritable flash memory, and controls the entire washer / dryer 10. In the present embodiment, the control device 20 controls the driving of the rotation tub motor 14, the drain valve 181, the operation panel 19, and a fan motor 391 of the blower 39, which will be described later, and the compressor 43.

[0021] The washer-dryer 10 may be configured to be connectable to an electric communication line such as the Internet or a mobile phone network via an external router (not shown). In this case, the communication unit (not shown) is communicatively connected to an external device such as an external information terminal such as a smartphone, tablet, or personal computer, or a server installed in a company, etc., via the router and the electric communication line. In this case, the communication unit may be directly connected to the information terminal, etc., by wire or wirelessly. The control device 20 can transmit various information such as the operating status of the washer-dryer 10 to the external device such as an information terminal or a server. The communication unit can receive various instructions from the information terminal, the server, etc.

[0022] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, water tub 12 has air outlet 21 and air inlet 22. Air outlet 21 is provided, for example, in the upper front portion of the peripheral wall constituting the cylindrical portion of water tub 12. Air inlet 22 is provided in water tub end plate 122, at a portion slightly above the center of water tub end plate 122. Air outlet 21 and air inlet 22 communicate between the inside and outside of water tub 12. Air outlet 21 is an outlet for air from water tub 12 and rotating tub 13, which are drying chambers. Air inlet 22 is an inlet for air to water tub 12 and rotating tub 13, which are drying chambers. Both air outlet 21 and air inlet 22 are located above drainage port 123.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, the spin tub 13 has a plurality of holes 23 and a plurality of communication openings 24. The holes 23 and the communication openings 24 communicate the inside and outside of the spin tub 13. The holes 23 are formed in the entire peripheral wall constituting the cylindrical portion of the spin tub 13. The communication openings 24 are formed in the entire area of ​​the spin tub end plate 132. The holes 23 and the communication openings 24 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 function as ventilation holes through which air flows in and out during the drying operation. For simplicity, only a portion of the plurality of holes 23 and the communication openings 24 are shown in FIG. 1.

[0024] 1 to 3, the washer / dryer 10 includes a circulation air duct 30 and a heat pump unit 40. The circulation air duct 30 is provided outside the water tub 12, and connects the air outlet 21 and the air inlet 22. Specifically, the circulation air duct 30 includes an exhaust duct 31, a filter device 32, a connection duct 33, a heat exchanger 34, and an air supply duct 35.

[0025] As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the exhaust duct 31 connects the air outlet 21 of the water tank 12 to the filter device 32. The exhaust duct 31 is formed of, for example, a bellows-shaped hose. The filter device 32 is provided in the upper part of the inside of the housing 11, above the water tank 12 and the rotating tank 13. A filter 321 is provided in the filter device 32. The filter device 32 removes foreign matter such as lint contained in the air exhausted from the air outlet 21 by passing the air exhausted from the air outlet 21 through the filter 321. The filter device 32 is connected to the upstream side of the heat exchanger 34 via a connection duct 33. The heat exchanger 34 is provided in the lower part of the inside of the housing 11, below the water tank 12 and the rotating tank 13.

[0026] Further, the circulation air passage 30 has an exhaust port 36, an opening / closing device 37, and an intake port 38, as shown in Figs. 1 to 3. The exhaust port 36 is provided on the filter device 32 side in the connection duct 33. The exhaust port 36 is formed by opening an upper part of a part 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 opening / closing device 37 is provided on the outside side of the exhaust port 36. The opening / closing device 37 is a so-called damper, and can open and close the exhaust port 36 by rotating one end of the opening / closing device 37 as a fulcrum by a motor (not shown). The opening / closing device 37 is connected to the control device 20, and is driven to open and close under the control of the control device 20.

[0027] The intake port 38 is provided on the upper part of the heat exchanger 34. The intake port 38 is formed by opening a part of the heat exchanger 34, and connects the inside and outside of the heat exchanger 34 and the circulation air passage 30. When the opening / closing device 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 A1 in FIG. 1. Then, the pressure in the circulation air passage 30 is reduced, and the air outside the circulation air passage 30 is sucked into the circulation air passage 30 through the intake port 38. In this case, the negative pressure generated in the circulation air passage 30 increases the air volume in the circulation air passage 30 according to Bernoulli's theorem. That is, the air volume of the dry air supplied to the water tank 12 and the rotating tank 13 increases. In addition, when a part of the warmed air is discharged from the exhaust port 36 and air outside the circulation air passage 30 is taken in from the intake port 38, the temperature of the air in the circulation air passage 30 is likely to decrease.

[0028] The heat pump unit 40 has a function of generating dry warm air by dehumidifying and heating the air passing through the inside of the heat exchange section 34 of the circulation air passage 30. An evaporator 41 and a condenser 42 that constitute part of the heat pump unit 40 are provided inside the heat exchange section 34. The evaporator 41 is provided upstream of the condenser 42 with respect to the air flow inside the heat exchange section 34 during drying operation. The air passing through the heat exchange section 34 is cooled by the evaporator 41 and thereby dehumidified. The air dehumidified by the evaporator 41 is then heated by the condenser 42 to become warm air.

[0029] The downstream side of the heat exchange section 34 in the circulating air passage 30 is connected to the air inlet 22 of the water tank 12 via an air supply duct 35. A blower 39 is provided at the connection between the heat exchange section 34 and the air supply duct 35. As shown in FIG. 2, the blower 39 is configured to include a fan motor 391 and a fan 392.

[0030] The blower 39 draws in air in the heat exchange section 34 and discharges it to the air supply duct 35. This creates a flow of air circulating through the water tub 12 and the air circulation duct 30, as shown by arrow A in Figures 1, 2, and 3. In this case, looking at the air flow in the air circulation duct 30, the air outlet 21 is located at the most upstream side, and the air inlet 22 is located at the most downstream side.

[0031] 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 22 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 24, 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 23. The humid air is then sucked into the circulating air duct 30 from the air outlet 21. 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.

[0032] Next, a description will be given of the heat pump unit 40. The heat pump unit 40 functions as a hot air supply device that dehumidifies and heats the air that has flowed into the circulating air passage 30 from the water tub 12 to turn it into dry hot air and supplies it back into the water tub 12.

[0033] As shown in Fig. 3, the heat pump unit 40 includes an evaporator 41 and a condenser 42, as well as a compressor 43, a pressure reducing device 44, and an accumulator 45. The compressor 43, the pressure reducing device 44, and the accumulator 45 are provided outside the heat exchange section 34. The refrigerant circulates inside the heat pump unit 40 as indicated by the arrow B in Fig. 3. The heat pump unit 40 is configured by connecting the condenser 42, the pressure reducing device 44, the evaporator 41, and the accumulator 45 in a ring shape in this order in the direction in which the refrigerant flows with the compressor 43 as the reference.

[0034] The evaporator 41 and the condenser 42 are each composed of, for example, a tube having many fins arranged at small intervals, and by passing a refrigerant through the inside of this tube, heat exchange occurs between the refrigerant and the air passing between the fins. The evaporator 41 and the condenser 42 function as a heat exchanger.

[0035] The compressor 43 supplies the refrigerant to the condenser 42 by pressure feeding. The compressor 43 is connected to the control device 20, and is driven and stopped under the control of the control device 20. The pressure reducing device 44 reduces the pressure of the high-pressure liquid refrigerant discharged from the condenser 42 to 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 expansion valve that can be opened and closed under the control of the control device 20.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 4 to Fig. 6, the washer-dryer 10 further includes a steam generator 50. The steam generator 50 has a function of supplying steam to the rotating tub 13. The steam generator 50 is provided inside the housing 11 and outside the water tub 12. In this embodiment, the steam generator 50 is provided above the water tub 12 and at the front end of the upper part of the washer-dryer 10, and blows steam onto the clothes in the rotating tub 13 from the upper front of the water tub 12 and the rotating tub 13 through openings 121 and 131.

[0037] The steam generating device 50 includes a steam generating section 51 and a spraying section 52. The steam generating section 51 heats water supplied from an external water source through the water supply mechanism 17 to generate steam to be supplied to the rotating tub 13. The spraying section 52 atomizes the steam generated by the steam generating section 51 and sprays it into the rotating tub 13. In this embodiment, the spraying section 52 atomizes the steam by, for example, electrostatic spraying. In other embodiments, the spraying section 52 is not limited to the electrostatic spraying method, and may atomize the steam by, for example, ultrasonic waves.

[0038] FIG. 5 shows an upper portion of the washer / dryer 10 where the steam generating device 50 is provided. As shown in FIG. 5, the water supply mechanism 17 has a water supply valve 171 and a water supply path 172. Note that the upstream portion of the water supply path 172 and the water supply valve 171 are omitted in FIG. 1. The water supply valve 171 is connected to the control device 20 and is driven to open and close under the control of the control device 20. The control device 20 drives the water supply valve 171 to open and close, thereby supplying water from an external water source to the steam generating section 51 via the water supply valve 171 and the water supply path 172. Note that the water supply mechanism 17 separately has a water supply path (not shown) that receives water from a water supply source such as a water tap and supplies water to the water tub 12, and a water supply valve (not shown) that opens and closes the water supply path.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 6, the steam generating unit 51 has a tank 511, a heating unit 512, a water inlet 513, and a discharge port 514. The tank 511 is formed in a container shape and stores water supplied through the water supply path 172 therein. The tank 511 is formed of a heat-resistant metal die-cast with high thermal conductivity, for example, aluminum die-cast. The heating unit 512 is provided below the tank 511 and heats the water in the tank 511. In this case, the water inlet 513 is provided on the upper part of the tank 511 and connects the tank 511 to the water supply path 172. The discharge port 514 is provided in the tank 511 and connects the tank 511 to the spray unit 52.

[0040] The spray unit 52 includes a discharge electrode 521. The discharge electrode 521 is provided at a position through which the steam discharged from the discharge port 514 passes. When a high voltage from the high-voltage power supply 53 is applied between the discharge electrodes 521 and the steam discharged from the steam generating unit 51 passes through an electric field generated by the discharge electrode 521, the water particles of the steam are charged and repeatedly split, that is, Rayleigh fission, which increases the surface area and makes the particles finer. As a result, the steam is further finely split into atomized steam, and is discharged into the rotating tank 13 at an increased spray speed.

[0041] 3 to 5, the washer / dryer 10 is equipped with an intake air temperature sensor 61, a water tub temperature sensor 62, a tank temperature sensor 63, and a weight sensor 64. The intake air temperature sensor 61, the water tub temperature sensor 62, the tank temperature sensor 63, and the weight sensor 64 are each electrically connected to the control device 20.

[0042] 3, the supply air temperature sensor 61 is provided in the circulation air duct 30 and detects the temperature of the air in the circulation air duct 30. Specifically, the supply air temperature sensor 61 is provided between the condenser 42 and the air inlet 22 and in the vicinity of the air inlet 22. The supply air temperature sensor 61 detects the temperature of the air supplied through the supply air duct 35 to the water tub 12 and the rotating tub 13 which are the drying chambers, that is, the air heated in the heat exchanger 34 and supplied to the drying chambers.

[0043] In this embodiment, the supply air temperature sensor 61 directly detects the temperature of the air heated by the heat exchanger 34 and supplied to the drying chamber, but this is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the control device 20 may be configured to indirectly detect the temperature of the air supplied to the drying chamber. For example, the control device 20 can indirectly detect the temperature of the air supplied to the drying chamber based on the detection results of an exhaust temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the air exhausted from the water tub 12 and the rotating tub 13, which are the drying chambers, and passing through the exhaust duct 31, a compressor temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 43, i.e., the temperature of the compressor 43, a condenser temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the condenser 42, and the like.

[0044] Water tub temperature sensor 62 is provided at an arbitrary position of water tub 12 as shown in Fig. 3, and detects the temperature of water tub 12. In this case, the temperature of water tub 12 is approximately the same as the temperature of rotatable tub 13 and the temperature of the clothes in rotatable tub 13.

[0045] The tank temperature sensor 63 is provided in the tank 511 as shown in FIG. 6 to detect the temperature of the tank 511. In this embodiment, the tank temperature sensor 63 is provided, for example, on the upper part of the tank 511. The tank temperature sensor 63 may be, for example, a so-called thermistor. The control device 20 judges whether the detected temperature of the tank temperature sensor 63 is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature x0. When the temperature of the tank 511 reaches the predetermined temperature x0, it can be considered that the water in the tank 511 is heated and all becomes steam. The predetermined temperature is set to a temperature higher than 100°C. The predetermined temperature x0 can be set, for example, within a range of 115°C to 125°C. In this embodiment, the predetermined temperature x0 is set to 120°C. For example, when the detected temperature of the tank temperature sensor 63 reaches the predetermined temperature x0, the control device 20 stops the supply of electricity to the heating unit 512.

[0046] The control device 20 executes a control program in the CPU 201 to virtually realize the weight sensor 64 shown in Fig. 4 by software. Note that the control device 20 may realize the weight sensor 64 by hardware such as an integrated circuit, or may realize the weight sensor 64 by a combination of software and hardware.

[0047] The weight sensor 64 is configured to be able to access the memory area 202 of the control device 20. The weight sensor 64 detects the weight of the laundry inside the spin tub 13. The control device 20 stores the detected weight of the laundry in the memory area 202. In this embodiment, the weight sensor 64 can detect the weight of the laundry between the washing step and the draining step. The weight sensor 64 can detect the current load acting on the spin tub motor 14, for example, by measuring the q-axis current in the vector control of the spin tub motor 14, and measure the weight of the laundry inside the spin tub 13 based on the load. The weight sensor 64 may detect the load on the spin tub motor 14 from the difference between the commanded rotation speed and the actual rotation speed.

[0048] The control device 20 can selectively execute a washing operation, a drying operation, and a washing / drying operation by controlling the rotating tub motor 14, the water supply mechanism 17, the drain valve 181, the blower 39, the compressor 43, etc. The washing / drying operation is a mode in which a drying operation is performed successively after the washing operation.

[0049] The washing operation includes at least one of a washing process, a rinsing process, and a spin-drying process. The washing process is a process in which water is supplied to the water tub 12 by the water supply mechanism 17, and the spin-drying tub 13 is rotated by the spin-drying tub motor 14 to wash clothes with detergent and water. The rinsing process is a process in which water is supplied to the water tub 12 by the water supply mechanism 17, and the spin-drying tub 13 is rotated by the spin-drying tub motor 14 to rinse the clothes. The spin-drying process is a process in which the water absorbed by the clothes is removed by driving the spin-drying tub motor 14 to rotate the spin-drying tub 13.

[0050] The drying operation includes a process of drying the clothes. In the drying process, the control device 20 drives the rotary tub motor 14, the blower 39, and the compressor 43. In the drying process, the compressor 43 is driven to heat and dehumidify the air by the evaporator 41 and the condenser 42, the heated dry air is blown into the drying chamber by the blower 39, and the rotary tub motor 14 is driven to rotate and dry the clothes.

[0051] Furthermore, the control device 20 can execute a steam treatment operation after execution of a washing operation, a drying operation, or a washing and drying operation, or alone. The steam treatment operation is an operation in which steam is supplied into the water tub 12 containing the clothes, and the clothes are treated with the steam. For example, when a user wants to remove an odor from the clothes, the user can operate the operation panel 19 to select the steam treatment operation and have the washer-dryer 10 execute it.

[0052] Fig. 7 shows a timing chart of the steam treatment operation. As shown in Fig. 7, the steam treatment operation is performed including a first process and a second process that is performed after the first process. More specifically, the steam treatment operation is performed by repeating one set including the first process and the second process a predetermined maximum number of repetitions Nmax. The maximum number of repetitions Nmax indicates how many sets including the first process and the second process must be repeatedly performed before the steam treatment operation is completed.

[0053] The first step is to generate steam by the steam generator 50 and to feed the generated steam into the water tub 12. As a result, the washer / dryer 10 supplies steam to the clothes stored in the water tub 12 and allows the steam to permeate. The second step is to blow air heated and dried in the heat exchanger 34 into the water tub 12 by the blower 39. As a result, the steam that has permeated the clothes is evaporated, and for example, odor components attached to the clothes can be volatilized and removed from the clothes.

[0054] In the first step, the control device 20 drives the steam generator 50 to generate steam. In this case, specifically, the control device 20 opens the water supply valve 171 to store water from an external water source in the tank 511. The control device 20 also drives the heating unit 512 to heat the water in the tank 511 to generate steam. Furthermore, the control device 20 applies a high voltage from the high-voltage power supply device 53 between the discharge electrodes 521, breaks down the steam into fine particles, and feeds the fine particles into the water tank 12.

[0055] Furthermore, in the first step, the control device 20 drives the blower 39. As a result, the clothes are rolled up and the gap between the clothes is widened, which allows the steam generated by the steam generator 50 to easily penetrate the clothes. Even if the steam generated by the steam generator 50 is collected from the air outlet 21 to the circulation air duct 30 without penetrating the clothes, it circulates through the circulation air duct 30 and is again supplied to the drying chamber from the air inlet 22. In this specification, driving the blower 39 means both driving the blower 39 that has been stopped and continuing to drive the blower 39 that has been driven.

[0056] Furthermore, in the first step, the control device 20 closes the opening / closing device 37 to prevent the air in the circulating air passage 30 from being discharged to the outside of the machine through the exhaust port 36. This makes it possible to prevent the steam generated by the steam generating device 50 from being discharged to the outside of the machine without penetrating into the clothes.

[0057] Furthermore, in the first step, the control device 20 drives the compressor 43 to heat the air in the circulating air passage 30. This allows the heated circulating air to warm the clothes, further promoting the treatment of the clothes with steam. In this case, the control device 20 warms the clothes, making it easier for odorous components attached to the clothes to volatilize, and removing the odorous components from the clothes. In this specification, driving the compressor 43 means both driving the compressor 43 that has been stopped and continuing to drive the compressor 43 that has been driven.

[0058] In the second step, the control device 20 does not drive the steam generating device 50. That is, in the second step, the control device 20 does not newly supply steam to the water tub 12. Also, in the second step, the control device 20 opens the opening / closing device 37. This allows the steam evaporated from the clothes and the air containing the odor components removed from the clothes together with the steam to be exhausted to the outside of the machine through the exhaust port 36.

[0059] In the second step, the control device 20 drives the compressor 43. As a result, the air containing steam returning from the water tub 12 is heated and dried in the heat exchanger 34. In this case, the control device 20 controls the operating frequency of the compressor 43 so that the temperature of the air supplied into the water tub 12 is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature x1. In this case, the temperature x1 is a temperature at which odor components are likely to volatilize from the clothes. The temperature x1 can be set within a range of 38°C to 42°C, for example. In this embodiment, the temperature x1 is set to 40°C. The control device 20 controls the operating frequency of the compressor 43 so that the temperature detected by the supply air temperature sensor 61 is 40°C.

[0060] In the second step, the control device 20 drives the blower 39. As a result, the circulating air heated and dried in the heat exchanger 34 is supplied to the water tub 12, and the clothes are rolled up to increase the spacing between the clothes. As a result, the washer / dryer 10 can promote the evaporation of steam from the clothes and the volatilization of odorous components.

[0061] In the second step, the control device 20 does not need to drive the compressor 43 to heat the air in the circulation air duct 30. On the other hand, when the compressor 43 is started up, more power is consumed than when it is continuously driven. In this embodiment, the compressor 43 is driven not only in the first step but also in the second step, so that the compressor 43 is continuously driven during the steam treatment operation including the first step and the second step. Therefore, in this embodiment, the compressor 43 does not need to be driven and stopped many times, so that the power consumption of the compressor 43 can be suppressed.

[0062] The maximum number of repetitions Nmax for one set including the first and second steps is set, for example, according to the weight of the clothes stored in the water tub 12. In this case, it is assumed that the heavier the clothes are, the larger the volume of the clothes will be, making it more difficult for steam to penetrate and for odorous components to evaporate, and that the total amount of odorous components adhering to the clothes will also be greater. Therefore, the heavier the clothes are, the larger the maximum number of repetitions Nmax is set. Also, the lighter the clothes are, the smaller the maximum number of repetitions Nmax is set.

[0063] Fig. 8 shows an example of the maximum number of repetitions Nmax set according to the weight of the clothes. When the weight of the clothes is 2 kg or less, the maximum number of repetitions Nmax is set to 2 times, when it is 4 kg or less, it is set to 3 times, when it is 7 kg or less, it is set to 4 times, and when it is 12 kg or less, it is set to 5 times.

[0064] Furthermore, the period TfN of the first step in the Nth repeated execution and the period TsN of the second step in the Nth repeated execution are set according to the count N so as to improve the efficiency of the steam treatment operation, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10, for example. The count N indicates the number of times each step has been executed. In other words, the count N indicates the number of times each step has been repeatedly executed. Here, when the first step and the second step are executed for the first time, the count N=1, when the first step and the second step are executed for the second time, and when the maximum number of repetitions Nmax is reached, the count N=Nmax.

[0065] The period TfN of the first step is set to be shorter as the number of times the first step is repeated increases. In this embodiment, the period TfNmax of the first step at least in the final time, i.e., when the count N=Nmax, is set to be shorter than the period Tf1 of the first step in the first time, i.e., when the count N=1. This is because the clothes in the water tub 12 gradually warm up as the first step and the second step are repeatedly performed, and the efficiency of the steam treatment improves and a short period is sufficient. In this embodiment, the period Tf2 to TfNmax of the first step from the second time onwards, i.e., when the count N is ≧2, is set to be shorter than the period Tf1 of the first step in the first time, i.e., when the count N=1. Specifically, Tf1 is set within a range of 15 to 25 minutes, and Tf2 to TfNmax are set within a range of 5 to 15 minutes. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, Tf1 is set to 20 minutes, and Tf2 to TfNmax are set to 10 minutes.

[0066] The second step period TsN is set to be longer as the number of times the second step is repeated increases. In this embodiment, the second step period TsNmax in the final run, i.e., when count N=Nmax, is set to be longer than at least the second step period Tf1 in the first run, i.e., when count N=1. This allows the temperature of the drying chamber and the temperature of the clothes to be sufficiently lowered so that the user can safely open the door 15 and take out the clothes from the drying chamber after the steam treatment operation is completed. In this embodiment, the second step period TsNmax in the final run, i.e., when count N=Nmax, is set to be longer than the second step period Ts1-TsNmax-1 in the run from the first run to the last run, i.e., when count N=1-Nmax-1. Specifically, TsNmax is set within a range of 7-20 minutes, and Ts1-TsNmax-1 are set within a range of 3-7 minutes. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, TsNmax is set to 10 minutes, and Ts1-TsNmax-1 are set to 5 minutes.

[0067] Furthermore, the control device 20 can adjust the period TfN of the first step according to the progress of the steam treatment, for example, the degree to which the clothes have warmed up. In this embodiment, when the temperature detected by the water tank temperature sensor 62 during the first step becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature x2, the control device 20 determines that the clothes have warmed up sufficiently, ends the first step, and shifts the process to the second step. This makes it possible to shorten the operation period of the steam treatment operation. The predetermined temperature x2 can be set within a range of, for example, 43°C to 47°C. In this embodiment, the temperature x2 is set to 45°C.

[0068] Next, the processing of the control device 20 during the steam treatment operation will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in Fig. 11. At the start of Fig. 11, the washer / dryer 10 is turned on, clothes are placed in the water tub 12, and the door 15 is closed. Also, at the start, the count N is set to 0.

[0069] When the steam treatment operation is started (START) by a user operating the operation panel 19, the control device 20 detects the weight of the clothes in the water tub 12 by the weight sensor 64 in step S11. Then, the control device 20 sets a maximum number of repetitions Nmax according to the weight detected by the weight sensor 64 in step S12. The maximum number of repetitions Nmax is set according to the weight detected by the weight sensor 64, for example, as shown in FIG.

[0070] Next, in step S13, the control device 20 increments the count N by 1 to N+1, and stores this new count in the memory area 202. That is, immediately after the start, the count N=0+1, or 1.

[0071] In step S14, the control device 20 controls the opening and closing device 37. closed In this state, the exhaust port 36 is closed, and the steam generated by the steam generating device 50 is prevented from being discharged outside the machine. Furthermore, the control device 20 drives the blower 39 in step S15. As a result, the clothes are rolled up and gaps are formed between the clothes, which makes it easier for the steam to permeate the entire clothes. Furthermore, the control device 20 drives the compressor 43 in step S16. As a result, the heated circulating air warms the clothes, facilitating the treatment of the clothes with steam.

[0072] In step S17, the control device 20 drives the steam generator 50. As a result, steam is supplied to the water tank 12. Driving the steam generator 50 includes a process of opening the water supply valve 171, a process of energizing the heating unit 512, and a process of applying a high voltage from the high-voltage power supply device 53 between the discharge electrodes 521.

[0073] Although not shown in detail in the flowchart, the control device 20 closes the water supply valve 171 when a predetermined amount of water is stored in the tank 511. In this case, the control device 20 may manage the period during which the water supply valve 171 is open, or may provide a water volume sensor in the tank 511 and execute a process to close the water supply valve 171 when the amount of stored water reaches a predetermined amount. Also, although not shown in detail in the flowchart, the control device 20 stops the supply of electricity to the heating unit 512 when the temperature detected by the tank temperature sensor 63 becomes equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature x0.

[0074] In step S18, control device 20 determines whether the temperature detected by water bath temperature sensor 62 is less than temperature x2. If the temperature detected by water bath temperature sensor 62 is equal to or greater than temperature x2 (No in step S18), control device 20 determines that the clothes are sufficiently warmed and proceeds to step S20. If the temperature detected by water bath temperature sensor 62 is less than temperature x2 (Yes in step S18), control device 20 proceeds to step S19.

[0075] In step S19, the control device 20 determines whether or not a period TfN has elapsed since the opening / closing device 37 was closed. The period TfN is an execution period of the first process that is set according to the count N, for example, as shown in FIG. 9. If the period TfN has not elapsed (No in step S19), the control device 20 returns the process to step S18. If the period TfN has elapsed (Yes in step S19), the control device 20 advances the process to step S20.

[0076] In step S20, the control device 20 stops the steam generating device 50. This stops the supply of steam to the water tank 12. Stopping the steam generating device 50 includes a process of closing the water supply valve 171, a process of stopping the supply of electricity to the heating unit 512, and a process of stopping the application of high voltage. In some cases, the water supply valve 171 may already be closed or the supply of electricity to the heating unit 512 may be stopped at the time of step S20. If the water supply valve 171 is already closed, the control device 20 maintains the water supply valve 171 in a closed state. Also, if the supply of electricity to the heating unit 512 has already been stopped, the control device 20 maintains the state in which the electricity is stopped. Steps S14 to S20 are included in the first process.

[0077] In step S21, the control device 20 opens the opening / closing device 37. This opens the exhaust port 36, and steam evaporated from the clothes and odor components volatilized from the clothes are exhausted to the outside of the machine.

[0078] In step S22, the control device 20 determines whether or not a period TsN has elapsed since the opening / closing device 37 was opened. The period TsN is an execution period of the second process that is set according to the count N, for example as shown in FIG. 10. If the period TsN has not elapsed (No in step S22), the control device 20 repeats the processing of step S22. If the period TsN has elapsed (Yes in step S22), the control device 20 advances the processing to step S23. Steps S21 to S22 are included in the second process.

[0079] In step S23, the controller 20 determines whether the count N is equal to the maximum number of repetitions Nmax set in step S12. If the count N is less than the maximum number of repetitions Nmax (No in step S23), the controller 20 advances the process to step S13. If the count N is equal to the maximum number of repetitions Nmax (Yes in step S23), the controller 20 stops all processes and ends the steam processing operation (END).

[0080] According to the embodiment described above, the washer / dryer 10 as a clothes processing device includes the water tub 12, the circulation air duct 30, the blower 39, the exhaust port 36, the opening / closing device 37, the steam generating device 50, and the control device 20. The water tub 12 has an air outlet 21 and an air inlet 22, and clothes are accommodated therein. The circulation air duct 30 is provided outside the water tub 12 and connects the air outlet 21 and the air inlet 22. The blower 39 is provided in the circulation air duct 30 and blows air into the water tub 12. The exhaust port 36 is provided in the circulation air duct 30 and exhausts air to the outside of the circulation air duct 30. The opening / closing device 37 opens and closes the exhaust port 36. The steam generating device 50 generates steam to be supplied to the water tub 12. The control device 20 controls the opening and closing of the opening / closing device 37 and the driving of the blower 39 and the steam generating device 50. The control device 20 executes a steam treatment operation in which a first step of generating steam using the steam generating device 50 and driving the blower 39 with the opening / closing device 37 in a closed state and a second step of driving the blower 39 with the opening / closing device 37 in an open state are alternately repeated a predetermined number of times, in this case a maximum number of times Nmax.

[0081] According to this, the washer / dryer 10 can effectively treat, for example, deodorize, clothes during steam treatment operation by repeatedly performing a process of heating the clothes with steam and then evaporating the steam to remove odorous components attached to the clothes from the clothes and discharging the air containing the odorous components to the outside of the machine. Thus, a clothes treatment device with improved efficiency of clothes treatment with steam is provided.

[0082] The washer / dryer 10 also includes a heat exchanger 34 that constitutes part of the heat pump unit 40 and is provided in the circulation air duct 30 as a heating device that heats the air. The controller 20 drives a compressor 43 that constitutes part of the heat pump unit 40 at least in the first step, and supplies the air heated by the heat exchanger 34 to the water tub 12.

[0083] In this embodiment, the heat exchanger 34 constituting a part of the heat pump unit 40 is used as the heating device, but in other embodiments, the heating device may be a heater. Also, the control device 20 may drive the compressor 43 not only during the first process but also during the second process to heat the air by the heat exchanger 34.

[0084] Furthermore, the washer / dryer 10 includes a weight sensor 64 as a weight detection unit that detects the weight of the clothes in the water tub 12. The controller 20 increases the predetermined number of repetitions, that is, the maximum number of repetitions Nmax, as the weight detected by the weight sensor 64 becomes heavier.

[0085] Generally, the heavier the weight of the clothes, the larger the volume of the clothes. In this case, it is considered that the larger the volume of the clothes, the more odorous components are present in the water tank. In addition, the larger the volume of the clothes, the more the clothes are piled up, making it difficult to remove the odorous components from the clothes. Therefore, by setting the number of repetitions according to the weight of the clothes, it is possible to more reliably remove the odor even if the weight of the clothes is heavy. Furthermore, when the weight of the clothes is light, by performing each process only the necessary and sufficient number of repetitions, it is possible to suppress unnecessary power consumption and shorten the operating time, thereby improving the convenience for the user.

[0086] Furthermore, the period TfN of the first step is set to a different length depending on the number of times the first step is executed among a predetermined number of repetitions. This allows a necessary and sufficient period of the first step to be set appropriately depending on the stage of the steam treatment operation. This makes it possible to achieve more effective steam treatment, such as deodorization, and optimization of power consumption.

[0087] In this embodiment, the period TfNmax of at least the final first step is set shorter than the period Tf1 of the first step in the initial cycle. When the number of repetitions is large, it is considered that the clothes are warmed to a certain extent by the first steps from the first cycle to the previous cycle. Therefore, by shortening the period in which the clothes are warmed by steam at least in the final cycle, the overall operation time can be shortened. This improves user convenience.

[0088] The washer / dryer 10 includes a water tub temperature sensor 62 as a temperature detection unit that detects the temperature inside the water tub 12. When the temperature detected by the water tub temperature sensor 62 becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature x2 during execution of the first process, the control device 20 ends the first process and executes the second process.

[0089] In the first step, the steam may warm the clothes enough for processing even before the predetermined period TfN has elapsed. In that case, the first step is cut short and the second step is started even if the predetermined period TfN has not been reached, thereby shortening the overall operation time. Therefore, the washer / dryer 10 can reduce power consumption and improve user convenience.

[0090] The period TsNmax of the second step in the final run is set to be at least longer than the period Ts1 of the second step in the first run. By making the period of the second step in the final run, i.e., the run immediately before the end of operation, longer than the previous second steps, the clothes are sufficiently dried and cooled, so that the user can quickly take out the clothes that have been warmed by the steam.

[0091] Second embodiment Next, the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 12 to 14. In this embodiment, the period TfN of the first step is set differently from that of the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the period TfN of the first step is set longer as the number of times the first step is repeatedly executed increases. Specifically, as shown in an example in Fig. 12, the period Tf1 of the first step at least for the first time, i.e., when count N=1, is set shorter than the period TfNmax of the first step for the final time, i.e., when count N=Nmax.

[0092] In the case of the first execution of the first step, water must be supplied to the tank 511 and steam must be generated by the heating unit 512 after the steam processing operation starts and the first step begins. Therefore, in order to rapidly supply steam to the drying chamber, for example, it is conceivable to reduce the amount of water supplied to the tank 511 compared to the second and subsequent times. Furthermore, in the case of the second or subsequent execution of the first step, for example, by supplying water to the tank 511 and heating it by the heating unit 512 during the period of the second step of the previous set, steam can be supplied to the water tank 12 immediately at the start of the second step. Therefore, in this embodiment, even if the amount of steam input in the first step in the second or subsequent times is increased, the operation time of the steam processing operation can be prevented from becoming longer than necessary.

[0093] In this embodiment, the period Tf2 to TfNmax of the first step from the second time onwards, i.e. when count N is 2 or greater, is set longer than the period Tf1 of the first step, i.e. when count N is 1. In this embodiment, Tf1 is set within the range of 3 to 7 minutes, and Tf2 to TfNmax are set within the range of 5 to 15 minutes. Specifically, Tf1 is set to 5 minutes, and Tf2 to TfNmax are set to 10 minutes.

[0094] Next, the processing of the control device 20 in the steam processing operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in Figures 13 and 14. The flowchart of this embodiment includes steps S31 and S32 following step S12 in the flowchart of the first embodiment shown in Figure 11, step S33 following step S16 instead of step S17, and steps S34 to S36 following step S21.

[0095] In step S31, the control device 20 opens the water supply valve 171 to start supplying water to the tank 511. As in the first embodiment, although details are not shown in the flowchart, the control device 20 closes the water supply valve 171 when a predetermined amount of water is stored in the tank 511. In this case, the control device 20 may manage the period during which the water supply valve 171 is open, or may provide a water level sensor in the tank 511 and execute a process of closing the water supply valve 171 when the amount of stored water reaches a predetermined amount.

[0096] In step S32, the control device 20 starts energizing the heating unit 512. This starts the generation of steam. Note that, similarly to the first embodiment, although details are not shown in the flowchart, the control device 20 stops energizing the heating unit 512 when the temperature detected by the tank temperature sensor 63 becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature x0.

[0097] In step S33, the control device 20 applies a high voltage from the high-voltage power supply device 53 between the discharge electrodes 521. As a result, the finely divided steam is supplied to the water tank 12.

[0098] In step S20, the control device 20 stops the steam generating device 50. Stopping the steam generating device 50 includes a process of closing the water supply valve 171, a process of stopping the supply of electricity to the heating unit 512, and a process of stopping the application of high voltage. In some cases, the water supply valve 171 may already be closed or the supply of electricity to the heating unit 512 may be stopped at the time of step S20. If the water supply valve 171 is already closed, the control device 20 maintains the state in which the water supply valve 171 is closed. Furthermore, if the supply of electricity to the heating unit 512 has already been stopped, the control device 20 maintains the state in which the electricity is stopped.

[0099] In step S34, the control device 20 determines whether the current second process is the second process of the final set, in other words, whether the count N is the maximum number of repetitions Nmax. If the count N is the maximum number of repetitions Nmax (Yes in step S34), the control device 20 advances the process to step S22. If the count N is less than the maximum number of repetitions Nmax (No in step S34), the control device 20 advances the process to step S35 shown in FIG.

[0100] 14, the control device 20 opens the water supply valve 171. In addition, in step S36, the control device 20 starts energizing the heating unit 512. That is, when the first step is executed again following the current second step, steam to be supplied to the water tank 12 in the next first step is generated during the execution of the second step. Thereafter, the control device 20 advances the process to step S22 in FIG.

[0101] As in the above, although details are not shown in the flowchart, the control device 20 closes the water supply valve 171 when a predetermined amount of water is stored in the tank 511. Also, although details are not shown in the flowchart, the control device 20 stops the supply of electricity to the heating unit 512 when the temperature detected by the tank temperature sensor 63 becomes equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature x0.

[0102] The present embodiment described above also provides the same effects as the first embodiment.

[0103] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, at least the period of the final first step, that is, TfNmax, is set to be longer than the period Tf1 of the initial first step. According to this, the initial first step can heat water and generate steam in a short period of time by shortening the water supply period and reducing the amount of water supply. On the other hand, when the second step is executed immediately before the final first step, for example, water supply and heating for the first step can be performed during the execution of the immediately preceding second step. Therefore, even if the amount of water supply is increased, the amount of steam required for steam treatment such as deodorizing clothes can be supplied without excessively lengthening the period of the first step.

[0104] Third embodiment Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 15 to Fig. 19. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 15 and Fig. 16, the washer / dryer 10 further includes an odor sensor 65 as an odor detection unit. The odor sensor 65 is electrically connected to the control device 20.

[0105] The odor sensor 65 detects odor components contained in the air in the water tank 12 and outputs a detection signal. The odor sensor 65 may be provided in the water tank 12 to directly detect the odor of the air in the water tank 12, or may detect the odor contained in the air flowing from the water tank 12 into the circulating air duct 30. In this embodiment, the odor sensor 65 is configured to detect the odor contained in the air flowing from the water tank 12 into the circulating air duct 30, and is provided outside the water tank 12. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 16, the odor sensor 65 is provided downstream of the air outlet 21 in the exhaust duct 31 and upstream of the filter device 32. In other embodiments, the odor sensor 65 may be provided at another location in the circulating air duct 30, for example, between the evaporator 41 and the condenser 42 in the heat exchanger 34.

[0106] The odor sensor 65 is configured to detect the amount of odor components. In this embodiment, the odor sensor 65 is a nanomechanical sensor that has a structure in which a sensitive film that adsorbs odor molecules is applied to the surface of an elastic substrate, and obtains slight mechanical deformations such as expansion and contraction of the sensitive film due to the adsorption of odor molecules as a response signal. An example of such a nanomechanical sensor is a membrane-type surface stress sensor.

[0107] The odor sensor 65 is not limited to the nanomechanical sensor described above, and may be of other types such as a semiconductor type, a quartz crystal oscillator type, or a FET biosensor. A semiconductor type odor sensor utilizes the change in the resistance value of the semiconductor due to the adsorption of odor molecules on the semiconductor surface and the surface reaction. A quartz crystal oscillator type odor sensor has a structure in which an odor-sensing membrane made of a lipid membrane made of natural lipids or synthetic lipids that selectively adsorb molecules is attached to the surface of a quartz crystal oscillator, and detects odors by utilizing the fact that when odor molecules are adsorbed on the sensitive membrane, the mass of the membrane increases and the resonance frequency of the quartz crystal oscillator decreases. A FET biosensor is a biosensor that applies a field effect transistor (FET), and detects odors by converting the charge of the adsorbed odor molecules into an electrical signal based on a specific interaction with a probe molecule fixed on a gate insulating film.

[0108] The control device 20 classifies the amount of odor detected by the odor sensor 65 into multiple categories. For example, the control device 20 classifies the amount of odor into three levels, "light," "normal," and "heavy," in order of increasing odor. In this case, since it is generally assumed that the heavier the weight of the clothes, the greater the amount of odor, the control device 20 classifies the amount of odor based on the weight of the clothes. The control device 20 stores a data set of standard odor amounts for each weight of clothes in the memory area 202. The control device 20 compares the data set of odor amounts detected by the odor sensor 65 with the standard odor amounts for each weight of clothes stored in the memory area 202, and classifies the detected amount of odor into multiple levels.

[0109] Furthermore, at the start of the steam treatment operation, the control device 20 sets the maximum number of repetitions Nmax according to the weight detected by the weight sensor 64 and the amount of odor detected by the odor sensor 65. The maximum number of repetitions Nmax is set to a larger number as the amount of odor detected increases, and to a smaller number as the amount of odor detected decreases. For example, as shown in FIG. 17, the maximum number of repetitions Nmax when the amount of odor detected is "standard" relative to the weight of each garment is set in the same manner as in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 8. The maximum number of repetitions Nmax when the amount of odor detected is "low" relative to the weight of each garment is set to one less than the "standard" case. The maximum number of repetitions Nmax when the amount of odor detected is "high" relative to the weight of each garment is set to one more than the "standard" case.

[0110] Furthermore, the control device 20 has the odor sensor 65 detect an odor in the water tank 12 during the steam treatment operation, and resets the maximum number of repetitions Nmax. In this case, the control device 20 can have the odor sensor 65 detect an odor, for example, at the end of or after the second process is completed. In this embodiment, the control device 20 has the odor sensor 65 detect an odor after the second process is completed and before the first process of the next set is performed, and resets the maximum number of repetitions Nmax.

[0111] The control device 20 resets the maximum number of repetitions Nmax so that it is larger the greater the amount of odor detected during the steam treatment operation, and resets the maximum number of repetitions Nmax so that it is smaller the lesser the amount of odor detected during the steam treatment operation. Specifically, the control device 20 measures the amount of change between the amount of odor detected during the steam treatment operation and the amount of odor detected at the start of operation, and resets the maximum number of repetitions Nmax based on that amount of change.

[0112] Specifically, the control device 20 stores in the memory area 202 a data set of standard odor change amounts according to the weight of each garment after N sets have been performed. The control device 20 then compares the detected odor change amount with the standard change amount stored in the memory area 202, and classifies the odor change amount into multiple stages, in this case, three stages: "small," "standard," and "large." The "small" category suggests that the detected odor change amount is small compared to the standard change amount stored in the memory area 202, and the odor has not been relatively removed. The "standard" category suggests that the detected odor change amount is about the same as the standard change amount stored in the memory area 202, that is, average, and the odor removal state is also average. The "large" category suggests that the detected odor change amount is large compared to the standard change amount stored in the memory area 202, and the odor has been relatively well removed.

[0113] The control device 20 modifies and resets the maximum number of repetitions Nmax according to the classification of the amount of change in odor, as shown in an example in Figure 18. If the classification of the amount of change in odor is "small," the control device 20 increases the maximum number of repetitions Nmax by adding 1. Furthermore, if the classification of the amount of change in odor is "obvious," the control device 20 maintains the maximum number of repetitions Nmax as is. Furthermore, if the classification of the amount of change in odor is "large," the control device 20 decreases the maximum number of repetitions Nmax by subtracting 1.

[0114] In another embodiment, the control device 20 may, for example, if the amount of detected odor is below a predetermined amount, set the maximum number of repetitions Nmax to the current count N, i.e., cancel subsequent sets and end the steam treatment operation.

[0115] Next, the processing of the control device 20 in the steam processing operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in Fig. 19. The flowchart of this embodiment includes step S41 following step S11 of the flowchart of the first embodiment shown in Fig. 11, and step S42 and step S43 following step S22.

[0116] In step S41, the control device 20 causes the odor sensor 65 to detect the odor in the water tank 12. Next, in step S12, the control device 20 sets the maximum number of repetitions Nmax according to the weight detected by the weight sensor 64 in step S11 and the amount of odor detected by the odor sensor 65 in step S41, for example according to the chart shown in FIG.

[0117] Furthermore, in step S42, the control device 20 causes the odor sensor 65 to detect the odor in the water tub 12 and measures the amount of change in the odor since the start of operation. Next, in step S43, the control device 20 modifies and resets the maximum number of repetitions Nmax according to the weight detected by the weight sensor 64 in step S11 and the amount of change in the odor in step S42, for example according to the chart shown in Fig. 18. This allows the optimal number of repetitions to be set according to the progress of the steam treatment operation, allowing clothes to be treated effectively and power consumption to be optimized.

[0118] The present embodiment described above also provides the same effects as the above-described embodiments.

[0119] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the washer / dryer 10 includes an odor sensor 65 as an odor detection unit that detects the amount of odor in the circulating air. The control device 20 causes the odor sensor 65 to detect the amount of odor at the start of operation, and increases the predetermined number of repetitions, i.e., the maximum number of repetitions Nmax, as the amount of odor detected increases.

[0120] According to this, the stronger the odor of the clothes and the greater the need for steam treatment, the more repeatedly the clothes are subjected to steam treatment, so that the clothes can be effectively treated and power consumption can be optimized.

[0121] Furthermore, the control device 20 causes the odor sensor 65 to detect the amount of odor after the second step is executed. The control device 20 also modifies the predetermined number of repetitions, that is, the maximum number of repetitions Nmax, based on the amount of odor detected by the odor sensor 65.

[0122] According to this, if the odor has been sufficiently removed, the control device 20 can end the operation even if the maximum number of repetitions Nmax set at the start of the operation has not been completed. Also, if the odor has not been removed as much as expected, the control device 20 can continue the operation even if the maximum number of repetitions Nmax set at the start of the operation has been completed. Therefore, the washer / dryer 10 can shorten the operation time of the steam treatment operation and reduce power consumption if the efficiency of the steam treatment is good, and can sufficiently treat the clothes by repeating the steam treatment if the efficiency of the steam treatment is not satisfactory. Therefore, the washer / dryer 10 can improve the convenience for the user.

[0123] Furthermore, the control device 20 causes the odor sensor 65 to detect the amount of odor after the second step is performed. The control device 20 modifies the predetermined number of repetitions, i.e., the maximum number of repetitions Nmax, based on the amount of change between the amount of odor detected at the start of operation and the amount of odor detected after the second step is performed.

[0124] This allows the optimal number of repetitions to be set depending on the progress of the steam treatment operation, making it possible to effectively treat laundry while optimizing power consumption.

[0125] (Other embodiments) In the above embodiment, the steam generator 50 is provided at the front end of the upper part of the washer / dryer 10 above the water tub 12, and configured to blow steam onto the clothes in the rotating tub 13 from the upper front through the openings 121 and 131, but this is not limited thereto. For example, in another embodiment, the steam generator 50 may be disposed behind the rotating tub end plate 132 and the water tub end plate 122, and configured to blow steam into the circulating air passage 30, in this case the air intake duct 35. In this case, the blowing direction of the steam coincides with the blowing direction of the air blower 39, so that the steam can easily penetrate into the clothes in the rotating tub 13.

[0126] Furthermore, the control device 20 may drive the rotating tub motor 14 to agitate the clothes in the first and second steps of the steam treatment operation in each of the above embodiments. Agitating the clothes allows the steam to penetrate the entire clothes more easily. Also, since the circulating air is more likely to hit the entire clothes, even if there is a large amount of clothes, the steam is more likely to evaporate from the clothes, and the odor components are more likely to volatilize.

[0127] 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. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0128] 10... washer-dryer (clothing treatment device), 12... water tub, 14... rotating tub motor (drive unit), 20... control device, 30... circulation air duct, 36... exhaust port, 37... opening / closing device, 39... blower, 40... heat pump unit, 43... heat exchange unit (heating device), 50... steam generator, 61... supply air temperature sensor, 62... water tub temperature sensor (temperature detection unit), 64... weight sensor (weight detection unit), 65... odor sensor (odor detection unit)

Claims

1. a water tub having an air outlet and an air inlet and in which clothing is accommodated; a circulation air duct provided outside the water tank and connecting the air outlet and the air inlet; A blower provided in the air circulation passage for blowing air into the water tank; an exhaust port provided in the air circulation path and configured to exhaust air to the outside of the air circulation path; An opening / closing device that opens and closes the exhaust port; a steam generator for generating steam to be supplied to the water tank; A control device that controls opening and closing of the opening and closing device and driving of the blower and the steam generating device; A temperature detection unit that detects the temperature inside the water tank, The control device includes: a first step of generating steam by the steam generating device in a closed state in which the opening and closing device is closed and driving the fan, and a second step of driving the fan in an open state in which the opening and closing device is open are alternately repeated a predetermined number of times to perform a steam treatment operation, and when a temperature detected by the temperature detection unit becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature during the execution of the first step, the first step is terminated and the second step is executed. Clothes treatment device.

2. A water tank having an air outlet and an air inlet and in which clothes are accommodated; a circulation air duct provided outside the water tank and connecting the air outlet and the air inlet; A blower provided in the air circulation passage for blowing air into the water tank; an exhaust port provided in the air circulation path and configured to exhaust air to the outside of the air circulation path; An opening / closing device that opens and closes the exhaust port; a steam generator for generating steam to be supplied to the water tank; A control device that controls opening and closing of the opening and closing device and driving of the blower and the steam generating device, The control device includes: A steam processing operation is performed by alternately repeating a first process of generating steam by the steam generating device and driving the blower in a closed state in which the opening and closing device is closed and a second process of driving the blower in an open state in which the opening and closing device is open a predetermined number of times, and a process for preparing for steam generation in the next first process is performed during the execution of the second process. Clothes treatment device.

3. A heating device is provided in the circulating air duct to heat air, The control device supplies air heated by the heating device to the water tank at least in the first step. The clothing treatment device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A weight detection unit is provided to detect the weight of the clothes in the water tub, The control device increases the predetermined number of repetitions as the detected weight of the weight detection unit increases. A clothing treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The period of the first step is set to a different length depending on the number of times the first step is performed during one steam treatment operation. A clothing treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. At least the period of the last first step is set shorter than the period of the first step. A clothing treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. At least the period of the last first step is set to be longer than the period of the first first step. A clothing treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

8. A temperature detection unit is provided to detect the temperature inside the water tank, The control device terminates the first process and executes the second process when the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature during the execution of the first process. The clothing treatment device according to claim 2.

9. The duration of the final second step is set to be at least longer than the duration of the first second step. A clothing treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. An odor detection unit that detects the amount of odor in the water tank, The control device causes the odor detection unit to detect the amount of odor at the start of operation, and increases the predetermined number of repetitions as the amount of odor detected increases. A clothing treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The control device causes the odor detection unit to detect an amount of odor after the second step is performed, and corrects the predetermined number of repetitions based on the amount of odor detected by the odor detection unit. A clothing treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. The control device causes the odor detection unit to detect an amount of odor after the second process is performed, and corrects the predetermined number of repetitions based on an amount of change between the amount of odor detected at the start of operation and the amount of odor detected after the second process is performed. A clothing treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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