Washer / dryer

Abstract

To provide a washing and drying machine capable of effectively cleaning an air channel filter on which lint is attached.SOLUTION: A washing and drying machine 1 of the present invention comprises an outer tank 3, a rotatable inner tank 2, a blower part 5a that supplies air into the outer tank 3 and the inner tank 2, air channels 5d and 5e that connect the outer tank 3 with the blower part 5a, disposed on the rear side of outer tank 3, a first collection part 6a or 20 that collects foreign materials, disposed on the rear of the outer tank 3, and a second collection part 6b or 21 disposed more downstream of the air channels 5d and 5e than the first collection part 6a or 20. The second collection part 6b or 21 has a smaller area than the first collection part 6a or 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a washing and drying machine. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art A conventional washing / drying machine is known that uses a water flow to remove foreign matter adhering to an air duct filter located upstream of a blower.

[0003] For example, claim 1 of Patent Document 1 describes a washing and drying machine comprising: a water tub, a rotating drum rotatably disposed within the water tub, a dehumidifying section for dehumidifying air introduced from within the rotating drum, a heating section for heating the air dehumidified by the dehumidifying section, a blowing section for introducing air from within the rotating drum to the dehumidifying section and blowing the air heated by the heating section into the rotating drum, and a filter means disposed between the rotating drum and the blowing section on a path on the suction port side that is upstream of the airflow generated by the blowing section during a drying process and disposed so as to be immersed in wash water supplied into the water tub during a washing process or a rinsing process; and further comprising: cleaning means for generating a water flow in the wash water based on the rotational drive of the rotating drum to remove foreign matter adhering to the filter means, and rotating drum rotation control means for changing the rotation speed of the rotating drum during the washing process or the rinsing process.

[0004] Also, in Patent Document 1, as shown in FIG. 5 thereof, a filter is placed at the bottom of the rear surface of the water tub that is immersed in the wash water during the washing and rinsing steps, thereby capturing foreign matter (hereinafter referred to as "lint") such as cotton dust and lint that is larger than the mesh size of the filter (paragraph 0060 of the same document states 1 mm to 3 mm) that is contained in the circulating air during the drying step, and preventing the foreign matter from entering the blower or heater downstream of the filter.

[0005] In this way, in the washer-dryer of Patent Document 1, lint that adheres to the front side of the filter during the drying process is removed from the front side of the filter by the water flow caused by the rotation of the rotating drum during the subsequent washing and rinsing processes, and is then discharged from the drain opening at the bottom of the tub, thereby eliminating clogging of the front side of the filter and suppressing a decrease in the volume of circulating air during the drying process. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 3863167 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, in the filter arrangement shown in the washer-dryer of Patent Document 1, the filter When the filter is exposed to washing water, foreign matter such as mud can accumulate on the lint on the filter and become stuck to the filter. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a washing / drying machine capable of effectively cleaning an air duct filter to which lint adheres. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, the washing and drying machine of the present invention includes an outer tub, a rotatable inner tub, an air blowing section that supplies air to the outer tub and the inner tub, an air passage that connects the outer tub and the air blowing section and draws air from an air intake provided in the outer tub, and a cover that covers the air intake. In the outer tank The air intake system includes a first collection section that collects foreign matter and a second collection section that is provided downstream of the air passage from the first collection section, and the area of ​​the air intake is larger than the area of ​​the second collection section, and the second collection section has an area smaller than that of the first collection section. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, there is provided a washing / drying machine capable of satisfactorily cleaning an air duct filter to which lint adheres. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional side view of a washing / drying machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is a front schematic view of an outer tub and an air duct filter of the washer / dryer of the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 3A] FIG. 13 is a front view showing the state of the outer tub and the air duct filter therein during the washing process in the first operation of the comparative example (conventional). [Figure 3B] FIG. 13 is a front schematic diagram of the state of the outer tub and the air duct filter therein during the rinsing process in the first operation of the comparative example (conventional). [Figure 3C] FIG. 13 is a front view showing the state of the outer tub and the air duct filter therein during the spin-drying process in the first operation of the comparative example (conventional). [Figure 3D] FIG. 13 is a front schematic view of the state of the outer tub and the air duct filter therein during the drying process in the first operation of the comparative example (conventional). [Figure 4A] FIG. 13 is a front view of the outer tub and the state of the air passage therein during the second washing cycle of the comparative example (conventional). [Figure 4B] FIG. 13 is a front schematic diagram of the state of the outer tub and the air duct filter therein during the rinsing process in the second operation of the comparative example (conventional). [Figure 4C] FIG. 11 is a front view showing the state of the outer tank and the air duct filter therein during the filter cleaning process in the second operation of the comparative example (conventional). [Figure 4D] FIG. 11 is a front view showing the state of the outer tub and the air duct filter therein during the spin-drying process in the second run of the comparative example (conventional). [Figure 4E] FIG. 13 is a front schematic view of the state of the outer tub and the air duct filter therein during the drying process in the second run of the comparative example (conventional). [Figure 5A] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a washing process of a washer / dryer. [Figure 5B] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another example of the washing process of the washer / dryer. [Figure 5C] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing another example of the washing process of a washer / dryer. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a washing / drying machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7A] Cross-sectional view II of Figure 6. [Figure 7B] Cross-sectional view of Figure 6 taken along the line II-II [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the outer tub and the first air duct filter in the outer tub as viewed from the front. [Figure 9] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the configuration of a heat pump device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 10] Enlarged view of part III in FIG. 7A. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a comparative example (conventional example) corresponding to a cross section taken along line IV-IV in FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 9 of Example 1 of the second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 9 of Example 2 of the second embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional side view of a washing / drying machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a graph showing an analysis result of flow velocity distribution of dry air in a second air passage of the duct of the washer-dryer of the third embodiment when the thickness of the duct is 17 mm. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a washer / dryer of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that, although a drum-type washer / dryer in which the rotation axis of the inner tub is substantially horizontal is exemplified as a specific configuration of the washer / dryer, the same effect can be obtained even if the present invention is applied to a vertical washer / dryer in which the rotation axis of the inner tub is substantially vertical.

[0012] <<First embodiment>> <Washer / dryer 1> FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional side view of a washer / dryer 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The washing / drying machine 1 of the first embodiment has an outer shell formed by a housing 2. A door 2a that can be freely opened and closed is attached to a front opening of the housing 2 of the washer / dryer 1 and is used for loading and unloading laundry.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the outer tub 3 and the first and second air duct filters 6a and 6b of the washer / dryer 1 of the first embodiment. The washer / dryer 1 includes an outer tub 3, an inner tub 4, an air blower 5, a first air path filter 6a, a second air path filter 6b, a drainage channel 7, a circulation pump 8, and a circulation water channel (not shown). The outer tank 3 is a water tank that stores water therein. The inner tub 4 is disposed inside the outer tub 3 and is rotatable about a rotation axis 4a. The inner tub 4 has a generally cylindrical shape with a bottom and has many small holes on its peripheral wall. With laundry such as clothes placed inside, the inner tub 4 rotates at a low or high speed about the rotation axis 4a during each process of washing, rinsing, spin-drying, and drying.

[0014] During the drying process, the air blower 5 generates circulating air as indicated by the dashed arrows in FIG. 1 to dry the laundry. The drainage channel 7 is a path for draining water from the outer tub 3.

[0015] <Blower device 5> The blower device 5 has a blower 5a, a heater 5b, an outlet 5c, a circulation air duct 5d, and an air duct hose 5e. The blower 5a is the source of air during the drying process. The heater 5b heats the dry air containing moisture from the laundry to remove the moisture. The outlet 5c blows the high-temperature dry air that has passed through the heater 5b onto the laundry in the inner tub 4.

[0016] As indicated by the dashed arrow in FIG. 1, the air blown out from the blower 5a is heated by a heater 5b downstream, and then supplied to the inner tub 4 through the air outlet 5c. The air supplied to the inner tub 4 heats the damp laundry contained in the inner tub 4 to remove moisture, and then flows out through small holes in the inner tub 4 into the space between the inner tub 4 and the outer tub 3, and then passes through the first air duct filter 6a, which is a mesh filter, to reach the circulation air duct 5d. The air that flows into the circulation air passage 5d becomes humid by removing moisture from the laundry in the inner tub 4. In order to remove moisture from the air, cooling water is supplied from the upper part of the circulation air passage 5d as shown by the solid arrow in FIG.

[0017] The high humidity air is cooled to a low temperature, and the water vapor is condensed to dehumidify the high humidity air. The dry air after dehumidification passes through the air path hose 5e and returns to the blower 5a. Through the above process, the air blower 5 drives the air blower 5a to supply high-temperature dry air to the wet laundry in the inner tub 4, accelerating the drying of the laundry.

[0018] <First air duct filter 6a, second air duct filter 6b> 1 and 2, the first air path filter 6a is disposed on the rear surface of the outer tub 3. The first air path filter 6a collects lint r1 generated from the laundry during drying. The second air duct filter 6b has a finer filter mesh and a smaller area than the first air duct filter 6a. The second air duct filter 6b is provided downstream of the air flow of the first air duct filter 6a. The second air duct filter 6b is disposed downstream of the air duct hose 5e of the circulation air duct 5d. The second air duct filter 6b captures finer lint r1 that could not be captured by the first air duct filter 6a. Since the second air duct filter 6b has a smaller area than the first air duct filter 6a, the finer lint r1 can be captured more densely and effectively.

[0019] <Drainage channel 7> The drainage channel 7 shown in FIG. 1 is a path for draining water accumulated in the outer tub 3. The drainage channel 7 includes an internal drainage channel 7a, a water channel filter 7b, a drainage valve 7c, and a drainage hose 7d. The internal drainage channel 7a communicates with a bottom opening 3a of the outer tub 3. The water channel filter 7b collects lint r1 (lint) in the wastewater flowing through the internal drainage channel 7a. The lint r1 collected by the water channel filter 7b is cleaned off by the user as appropriate.

[0020] The drain valve 7c is closed mainly during the washing and rinsing steps, and is opened during other steps. Drain hose 7d allows drainage to pass through when drain valve 7c is open. The circulation pump 8 is provided downstream of the water channel filter 7b. The circulation pump 8 circulates the wastewater to the outer tub 3 via a circulation water channel (not shown) during the washing process and the rinsing process.

[0021] In the washer / dryer 1 shown in FIG. For this reason, the circulating air passage 5d extending from the outer tub 3 to the blower 5a is disposed below the blower 5a and behind the outer tub 3 so as to connect the two in the shortest distance. In addition, in the washer / dryer 1, in order to reduce the ventilation resistance from the outer tub 3 to the blower 5a and increase the volume of circulating air, a large vertically long air intake 3a is provided on the rear surface of the outer tub 3. The air intake 3a is covered with a first air duct filter 6a having a large area.

[0022] The first air duct filter 6a is disposed above the water line k1. The water line k1 refers to the highest water level during the washing process and the rinsing process. In other words, it refers to the highest water level in the outer tub 3 (the water line is the highest water level among the water levels during the washing operation, the rinsing operation, and the filter cleaning). The reason for determining the position of first air-path filter 6a will be described below using a comparative example.

[0023] <Comparative Example (Conventional)> 3A to 3D are schematic front views showing the state of outer tub 103 and air duct filter 106a therein during the washing process (FIG. 3A), rinsing process (FIG. 3B), spin-drying process (FIG. 3C), and drying process (FIG. 3D) in the first operation of a comparative example (conventional).

[0024] As shown in FIG. 3A, an air duct filter 106a of the comparative example (conventional example) is disposed at the rear surface of the outer tub 103 and submerged below the water line k101. In each step of the washing (FIG. 3A), rinsing (FIG. 3B), and spin-drying (FIG. 3C), almost no lint r1 adheres to air path filter 106a.

[0025] In the drying step shown in FIG. 3D, the laundry is loosened while being exposed to drying air, so that lint r1 adheres to air path filter 106a. 4A to 4E are schematic front views showing the state of outer tub 103 and air duct filter 106a therein during the washing process (FIG. 4A), rinsing process (FIG. 4B), filter cleaning (FIG. 4C), spin-drying process (FIG. 4D), and drying process (FIG. 4E) in the second run of a comparative example (conventional) washing machine. In the second operation, the washing process and the rinsing process shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B are performed in a state where lint r1 is attached to air path filter 106a.

[0026] In the washing process (FIG. 4A), the rotation speed of the inner tub 4 is low, so water does not splash on the air duct filter 106a. However, since the air duct filter 106a, which is located below the water line k101, is submerged in water, the mechanical force is weak, and the lint r1 attached to the air duct filter 106a does not fall off. In the rinsing process (FIG. 4A), since the rotation speed of the inner tub 4 is low, the lower air duct filter portion 106a1, which is located below the waterline k101 where water does not splash on the air duct filter 106a, is submerged in water, and the mechanical force is weak, so that the lint r1 adhering to the lower air duct filter portion 106a1 does not fall off.

[0027] After the rinsing step (FIG. 4B), a filter cleaning step is performed, as shown in FIG. 4C. During the filter cleaning process (Figure 4C), the inner tank rotates and increases its rotational speed to spray water and clean the filters. However, since the lower airflow duct filter portion 106a1 located below the water line k101 is submerged in water, the mechanical force is weak and the lint r1 adhering to the lower airflow duct filter portion 106a1 is difficult to remove.

[0028] Thereafter, in the spin-drying step (FIG. 4D), the upper air duct filter portion 106a2 above the water line k101 is thoroughly cleaned, but a small amount of lint r1 remains in the lower air duct filter portion 106a1 located below the water line k101 and having no lower air duct. In the drying step (FIG. 4E), the lower-air-passage filter portion 106a1 located below the water line k101 is submerged in water, so that the lint r1 adhering to the lower-air-passage filter portion 106a1 accumulates.

[0029] As described above, in the comparative example (conventional), although the upper air duct filter portion 106a2 above the water line k101 was cleaned, the lower air duct filter portion 106a1 located below the water line k101 was not cleaned well. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the first air-path filter 6a and the second air-path filter 6b of the washer-dryer 1 of the first embodiment are configured not to be submerged in water.

[0030] <Cleaning of the first air duct filter 6a> FIG. 5A shows an example of the washing process of the washer / dryer 1. The washer / dryer 1 performs a washing course in the order of washing, rinsing, cleaning of the first air duct filter 6a, spin-drying, and drying. During the washing and rinsing operations, the laundry such as clothes is soaked in water and then lifted to the top of the inner tub 4 and then dropped back down at a rotation speed that allows the laundry to be beaten and washed.

[0031] 5A, in the step of cleaning the first air duct filter 6a in S13, the water used in rinsing is drained, new water is supplied, and the water stored in the outer tub 3 is scooped up by rotating the inner tub 4 and poured onto the first air duct filter 6a to clean it. Note that the rinsing water may be used as the cleaning water in the cleaning step. The cleaning process of the first air duct filter 6a in S13 is performed by rotating the inner tub 4 at a rotation speed that scoops up water. The speed is increased to, for example, 350 rpm, and the rotation of the inner tub 4 scoops up the water in the outer tub 3 and splashes it onto the first air duct filter 6a to clean it.

[0032] FIG. 5B shows another example 1 of the washing process of the washer / dryer 1. In another example 1 of the washing process of the washer-dryer 1, the washing is performed in the following order: first cleaning of the first air duct filter 6a (S21 in FIG. 5B), washing, rinsing, second cleaning of the first air duct filter 6a (S24 in FIG. 5B), spin-drying, and drying.

[0033] 5B, in the first cleaning step of first air duct filter 6a in S21, new water is supplied, inner tub 4 is rotated, and water stored in outer tub 3 is scooped up and poured onto first air duct filter 6a for cleaning. This allows lint r1 that has adhered to first air duct filter 6a at the start of washing to be removed with clean water. During the washing and rinsing operations, the rotation speed is set so that the laundry such as clothes can be soaked in water and can be lifted to the top of the inner tub 4 and then dropped to be beaten for washing.

[0034] 5B, in the second cleaning step of the first air duct filter 6a, the water used in rinsing is drained, new water is supplied, the inner tub 4 is rotated, and the water stored in the outer tub 3 is scooped up and poured onto the first air duct filter 6a to perform cleaning. Note that the rinsing water may be used as the cleaning water. In the second modification, the cleaning step of the first air-path filter 6a is performed twice, so that the lint r1 adhering to the first air-path filter 6a can be removed more effectively.

[0035] FIG. 5C shows another example 2 of the washing process of the washer / dryer 1. In another example 2 of the washing process of the washer / dryer 1, the washing process is performed in the order of cleaning of the first air duct filter 6a (S31 in FIG. 5C), washing, rinsing, spin-drying, and drying.

[0036] In the step of cleaning the first air duct filter 6a in S31 of Fig. 5C, new water is supplied, the inner tub 4 is rotated, and the water stored in the outer tub 3 is scooped up and poured onto the first air duct filter 6a for cleaning. This makes it possible to remove the lint r1 that has adhered to the first air duct filter 6a at the start of washing. The steps following the washing step can be performed with cleaner water. The above-mentioned cleaning process of the first air duct filter 6a is performed at a rotation speed of the inner tub 4 that scatters water. The rotation speed is increased to, for example, 350 rpm, and the first air duct filter 6a is cleaned by scatter- ing water. do.

[0037] According to the first embodiment, the first air path filter 6a and the second air path filter 6b are disposed above the water line k1 and are therefore not submerged in water. This makes it possible to suppress adhesion of lint r1 to the first air path filter 6a and the second air path filter 6b, which occurs when the first air path filter 6a and the second air path filter 6b are exposed to wash water. As a result, the first air-path filter 6a and the second air-path filter 6b are cleaned well, and the adhering lint r1 can be suitably removed.

[0038] From the above, clogging of the first air duct filter 6a and the second air duct filter 6b for collecting lint with lint r1 can be suppressed, durability can be improved, and a decrease in drying performance can be suppressed. In addition, by providing the first air duct filter 6a and the second air duct filter 6b as in this embodiment, it is possible to eliminate the drying filter that was located at the top of a conventional washer-dryer. By providing a washer-dryer without a drying filter, that is, a drying filter-less washer-dryer, the effort of maintenance is reduced and the user can easily perform maintenance.

[0039] <<Second embodiment>> FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of a washing / drying machine 1A according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The washer / dryer 1A of the second embodiment has a different configuration from the washer / dryer 1 of the first embodiment in terms of the blower device 5 and the second air duct filter 6b. Since the other configurations of the second embodiment are similar to those of the first embodiment, similar elements are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0040] <First air duct filter 20 and second air duct filter 21> FIG. 7A shows a cross-sectional view taken along line II in FIG. A first air duct filter 20 having a large area is provided at the upper right rear of a back panel 3h of the outer tub 3 of the washer / dryer 1A. The first air duct filter 20 collects lint r1 (lint) generated from the laundry during the drying process.

[0041] FIG. 7B shows a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. A second air-path filter 21 is provided at an inlet hole 22a of intake air path 22 behind first air-path filter 20.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 7A, second air-path filter 21 is provided above and behind first air-path filter 20. The second air-path filter 21 collects finer lint r1 that was not collected by the first air-path filter 20. The second air passage filter 21 has an area smaller than that of the first air passage filter 20. This allows finer lint r1 that could not be captured by the first air passage filter 20 to be densely packed in a small area and effectively captured.

[0043] A lint drainage path 29e is provided in a bottom plate 25d1 of a duct 25d provided between the first air path filter 20 and the second air path filter 21 in a shape that connects to the outer tub 3. The washing water used to wash the second air path filter 21 and the lint r1 removed from the second air path filter 21 flow through the lint drainage path 29e. The first air duct filter 20 and the second air duct filter 21 are provided above a water line k2. The water line k2 refers to the water level of the water stored in the outer tub 3 when performing a cleaning operation of the first air duct filter 20 of the first collection section. This water level may be different from the water level during the washing operation.

[0044] In any case of the washing operation, the rinsing operation, and the filter cleaning, it is preferable that the first air passage filter 20 of the first collection section is not submerged in water. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the outer tub 3 and the first air duct filter 20 in the outer tub 3 as viewed from the front. First air duct filter 20 will not be cleaned unless it is hit by water. However, as shown in Figures 3A to 3D and 4A to 4D of the comparative example, if it is below the waterline k2 and submerged in water, it will not be cleaned.

[0045] The first air duct filter 20 is washed with the water in the outer tub 3, and lint r1 adhering to the first air duct filter 20 is removed. The first air duct filter 20 is washed by rotating the inner tub 4 (see FIG. 6) to cause the water stored in the outer tub 3 to be stirred up and sprayed onto the first air duct filter 20. As shown in the comparative example, the air duct filter is difficult to clean when it is below the water surface. Also, the air duct filter cannot be cleaned unless it is exposed to water.

[0046] The second air passage filter 21 is washed by supplying water from above to remove lint r1. Incidentally, the washer / dryer 1A of the second embodiment employs a heat pump unit 1H (see FIG. 6) as a drying mechanism in the blower unit 5. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a heat pump unit 1H according to the second embodiment.

[0047] <Heat pump unit 1H> The configuration and operation of the heat pump device 1H will be described.

[0048] The heat pump device 1H shown in FIG. 9 includes a compressor 12, a heat exchanger for dissipating heat to air (condenser 13), a pressure reducing device 14 (expansion valve or the like), and a heat exchanger for dehumidifying air (evaporator 15). The heat pump device 1H is configured such that the above-mentioned devices (12, 13, 14, 15) are connected in sequence by refrigerant piping 16k and housed in a resin casing 18. 14, 15) connected in series by a refrigerant pipe 16k is called a refrigerant circuit 16.

[0049] A refrigerant is sealed inside the refrigerant circuit 16, and as the refrigerant, for example, a single HFC refrigerant, an HFC mixed refrigerant, HFO-1234yf, HFO-1234ze, a natural refrigerant (for example, CO2 refrigerant), or the like is used. The refrigerant flows in the direction indicated by an arrow α1 in FIG. 7 through the compressor 12, the condenser 13, the pressure reducing device 14, and the evaporator 15 in that order, and then returns to the compressor 12 again.

[0050] The evaporator 15 and condenser 13 that make up the heat pump device 1H exchange heat with the air, so a cross-fin tube type heat exchanger in which a heat transfer tube is attached to laminated aluminum fins so that it penetrates the heat transfer tube is often used. Hereinafter, the condenser 13 and evaporator 15 are collectively referred to as the heat exchanger.

[0051] The casing 18 of the heat pump device 1H shown in Fig. 6 can be separated into a lower casing 18a and an upper casing 18b. The heat exchanger (evaporator 15, condenser 13) is sandwiched between the upper casing 18b and the lower casing 18a so as to prevent the air from flowing laterally, forming an air circulation path.

[0052] The compressor 12 is installed in the lower casing 18a via vibration isolating rubber etc. The compressor 12 is not shown in FIG. In order to prevent the refrigerant pipe 16k from breaking due to the propagation of the rotational vibration of the compressor 12, the refrigerant pipe 16k is connected to the heat dissipating condenser 13 and the dehumidifying evaporator 15 in a serpentine state.

[0053] The compressor 12 may be, for example, a piston type, a rotary type, a scroll type, etc. The rotation speed of the compressor 12 can be varied from low speed to high speed by inverter control.

[0054] Furthermore, if the refrigerant returns to the compressor 12 in a liquid phase, this may result in poor lubrication of the sliding surfaces of the compressor 12, reducing reliability. To prevent this, it is advisable to provide an accumulator (not shown) on the suction side of the compressor 12 for the refrigerant.

[0055] The high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 12 flows into the condenser 13, where it condenses and liquefies by releasing heat to the circulating air, becoming a low-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant. The liquefied refrigerant is depressurized by an expansion valve (pressure reducing device 14) adjusted to a predetermined opening, becomes a low-temperature, low-pressure two-phase gas-liquid state, and flows into the evaporator 15. It then evaporates by absorbing heat from the circulating air. The vaporized refrigerant becomes a medium-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant, and is drawn into the compressor 12. The medium-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant is compressed again by the compressor 12 to become a high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant. In this manner, the heat pump device 1H is formed.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 6, the heat pump device 1H is installed on the base 5b at the rear of the housing 2 below the outer tub 3. Circulating air passes through the first air duct filter 20 from the inner tub 4 and is discharged through the air intake 22a. The discharged air flows into the heat pump device 1H from the top to the bottom of the outer tub 3 via the air intake duct 22. In the heat pump device 1H, the circulating air is dehumidified by the evaporator 15 and heated by the condenser 13. The air is blown out by the blower 23, passes through the discharge air duct 24 and duct 24a from the bottom to the top of the outer tub 3, and is blown into the inner tub 4 through the air outlet 5c provided at the top of the front of the outer tub 3.

[0057] The evaporator 15 constituting the heat pump device 1H dehumidifies the humid air containing moisture evaporated from the laundry in the inner tub 4. In the condenser 13, the heat absorbed by the evaporator 15 and the heat of the compressor 12 are released to the circulating air. Here are some important points to keep in mind when drying your laundry: - Blows high-speed air onto laundry. (Blower 23) Dry air is blown onto the laundry. (Dehumidification by evaporator 15) Increase the temperature of the water in the laundry (heating by the condenser 13 and compressor 12). Since the heat source of the heat pump device 1H is air, heating the air is important.

[0058] From the above, the role of the refrigeration cycle constituting the heat pump device 1H is to dehumidify and heat the circulating air. Lint r1 generated from laundry during washing and drying is collected by the mesh of the first air-path filter 20. However, it is difficult for the first air-path filter 20 to remove all of the lint r1. Fine lint r1 that passes through the first air-path filter 20 is collected by the second air-path filter 21 at the rear.

[0059] <First air duct filter 20, second air duct filter 21> The first air-path filter 20 and the second air-path filter 21 are configured by sewing a plurality of resin threads (thin resin wires) or iron threads (thin iron wires) into a mesh pattern to create ventilation sections. The intersections of the resin threads (thin resin wires) or iron threads (thin iron wires) of first air-road filter 20 and second air-road filter 21 are processed so that no gaps are generated or the gaps are made small.

[0060] FIG. 10 shows an enlarged view of part III in FIG. 7A. FIG. 11 shows an enlarged view of a comparative example (conventional example) taken along line IV-IV of FIG. Conventional air passage filter 120 has thin wires 120a and 120b made of metal or resin formed in a lattice pattern. Therefore, a groove (gap) 120m is formed at an intersection 120c between the thin wire 120a and the thin wire 120b.

[0061] When cleaning air duct filter 120, the inner tub is rotated to scoop up the water in the outer tub and to spray the water onto air duct filter 120. This may cause an event in which lint r1 adhering to air duct filter 120 gets caught in groove portion (gap) 120m of intersection portion 120c, making it impossible to remove lint r1 from air duct filter 120. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the configuration shown in the following Figs. 12 and 13 is adopted.

[0062] FIG. 12 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of Example 1 of the second embodiment taken along line IV-IV in FIG. In the first air-path filter 20 of Example 1, the mesh filter of the first air-path filter 20 is crushed (calendared) (white arrow F in FIG. 11) to reduce unevenness at the intersection 20c. In this way, the groove (gap) 20m at the intersection 20c is made small and obtuse-angled. This prevents the lint r1 from getting caught in the groove (gap) 20m of the first air-path filter 20.

[0063] FIG. 13 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of Example 2 of the second embodiment taken along line IV-IV in FIG. In the first air-path filter 20A of Example 2, the thin wires (threads) 20e, 20f have a fusion layer 20u on one or both sides thereof, and are fused by annealing or the like. In this way, the grooves (gaps) 20m1 at the intersections 20g are made small. This prevents the lint r1 from getting caught in the grooves (gaps) 20m1 of the first air-path filter 20A. As a method of Example 3, the first air passage filter 20 is subjected to fluorine treatment, silicone treatment, and SUS sputtering surface treatment to make it difficult for lint r1 to adhere thereto.

[0064] The methods of Examples 1 to 3 may be applied to the second air-path filter 21. According to the second embodiment, it is possible to suppress adhesion of lint r1 to the first air duct filter 20 and the second air duct filter 21, which occurs when the first air duct filter 20 and the second air duct filter 21 are exposed to washing water. It is possible to suppress clogging of the first air duct filter 20 and the second air duct filter 21 for lint collection, improve durability, and suppress deterioration of drying performance. In addition, by providing the first air duct filter 6a and the second air duct filter 6b as in this embodiment, it is possible to eliminate the drying filter that was located at the top of the conventional washer-dryer. By providing a washing machine without a drying filter, that is, a drying filter-less washing machine, the effort of maintenance is reduced and the user can easily perform maintenance.

[0065] <<Third embodiment>> FIG. 14 shows a cross-sectional side view of a washer / dryer 1B according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The washer / dryer 1B of the third embodiment has a configuration in which the lint drainage path 29e of the washer / dryer 1A of the second embodiment is eliminated. Since the other configuration of the third embodiment is similar to that of the second embodiment, similar components are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted. In the washer / dryer 1B of the third embodiment, the thickness t of the duct 25d provided on the rear side of the outer tub 3 is reduced to increase the pressure loss of the airflow, thereby eliminating the lint drainage path 29e of the second embodiment.

[0066] The first air passage filter 20A has an opening at its lower portion, which is a through-hole 20a1. This allows the lint r1 removed from the second air passage filter 21 to flow through the through-hole 20a1 together with the cleaning water and into the outer tub 3. In the drying process of the washer / dryer 1B of the third embodiment, the air passages behind the outer tub 3 include a first air passage f1 and a second air passage f2, which will be described below. The first air passage f1 is an air passage that passes from the first air passage filter 20A to the second air passage filter .

[0067] Second air passage f2 is an air passage that enters from through-hole 20a1 below first air passage filter 20A and travels upward between first air passage filter 20A and rear panel 25d2 of duct 25d. Here, if almost no dry air flows through the second air passage f2, the water used to clean second air passage filter 21 and the lint r1 removed from second air passage filter 21 do not flow upward along second air passage f2. Note that, if the water used to clean second air passage filter 21 and the lint r1 removed from second air passage filter 21 flow upward along second air passage f2, the water used to clean second air passage filter 21 and the lint r1 removed from second air passage filter 21 return to second air passage filter 21.

[0068] Fig. 15 shows the flow velocity distribution of the dry air in duct 25d of the washer / dryer of the third embodiment when the thickness t of duct 25d is 17 mm. In Fig. 15, the flow velocity distribution (m / s) is expressed by shading, ranging from 0.00 (m / s) (white) to 12.0 (m / s) (black).

[0069] From FIG. 15, it was confirmed that in the second air passage f2, the flow velocity of the dry air was low and there was almost no flow. As a result, the water used to wash the second air-path filter 21 and the lint r1 removed from the second air-path filter 21 do not return to the second air-path filter 21. According to the washer / dryer 1B of the third embodiment, the thickness t of the duct 25d provided on the rear side of the outer tub 3 is reduced, thereby increasing the pressure loss of the airflow and eliminating the lint drainage path 29e (see FIG. 6). This simplifies the configuration of the washer / dryer 1B (see FIG. 3), enabling cost reduction.

[0070] <<Other embodiments>> 1. The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and modified configurations, and various modifications and specific forms are possible within the scope of the appended claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 1, 1A, 1B Washer / dryer 2 Inner tank 3 Outer tank 5a Air blower (air blower) 5d Circulating air path (air path) 5e Air duct hose (air duct) 6a, 20 First air passage filter (first collection part, collection part) 6b, 21 Second air passage filter (second collection part, collection part) 20a1 Through hole (water passage hole) 20e, 20f Fine wire (fusible thread) f1 First Wind Channel f2 Second Airway k1 Waterline r1 Lint

Claims

1. The outer tank and A freely rotatable inner tank and A blower unit that supplies air to the outer tub and the inner tub; an air passage that connects the outer tub and the blower and takes in air from an air intake port provided in the outer tub; a first collecting section provided in the outer tub so as to cover the intake port and collect foreign matter; A second collection section is provided downstream of the air passage from the first collection section, The area of ​​the intake port is larger than the area of ​​the second collection section, The second collection section has an area smaller than that of the first collection section. A washer / dryer characterized by the above.

2. The outer tank and A freely rotatable inner tank and A blower unit that supplies air to the outer tub and the inner tub; an air passage that connects the outer tub and the blower and takes in air from an air intake port provided in the outer tub; A first collection section that is provided to cover the intake port and that collects foreign matter; A second collection section is provided downstream of the air passage from the first collection section, The area of ​​the intake port is larger than the area of ​​the second collection section, The second collection section has an area smaller than that of the first collection section, The second collection section is disposed at a position overlapping with the first collection section in a front view.

3. The washing and drying machine according to claim 1, The washing / drying machine according to claim 1, wherein the mesh size of the second collection portion is finer than the mesh size of the first collection portion.

4. The washing and drying machine according to claim 1, The washing / drying machine according to claim 1, wherein the second collection section is disposed above a rotation axis of the inner tub.

5. The washing and drying machine according to claim 1, A second air passage that connects the outer tub and the air blowing unit and sends air into the outer tub; and a discharge port provided at an outlet of the second air passage, The washer / dryer is characterized in that the discharge port is provided at an upper part on a front side of the outer tub.

6. The washing and drying machine according to claim 5, The air is dehumidified by an evaporator that absorbs the surrounding heat with a decompressed refrigerant, the refrigerant is compressed by a compressor, the air is heated by a condenser that dissipates the heat of the compressed refrigerant, and the pressure of the refrigerant is increased by an expansion mechanism. and a heat pump for reducing the pressure of the The heat pump is disposed below the outer tub.

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