Washing and drying machine

Abstract

To provide a washing and drying machine which prevents breakdowns without impairment of performance of a blower.SOLUTION: A washing and drying machine includes an outer tank 2, a rotary tub 3 disposed in the outer tank 2 to accommodate laundry, a drive motor 10 for driving the rotary tub 3, an outer frame 1 for supporting the outer tank 2, an air blowing channel for circulation of drying air in the rotary tub 3, an electric heater 24 disposed at the middle of the air blowing channel for heating air, and a blower 22 disposed at the middle of the air blowing channel for sending air. In the air blowing channel located downstream the blower 22 includes a first inclined part 61a inclined downward from the blower 22 to the downstream. The first inclined part 61a is located below the suction part of the blower 22.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a washing and drying machine, and particularly to the structures of a blower for supplying drying air and a heating unit.

Background Art

[0002] For drying clothes using a washing and drying machine that can continuously perform washing and drying, high-temperature drying air is generated by a blower and a heat source, and this is blown into the washing tub to raise the temperature of the clothes and evaporate the moisture from the clothes.

[0003] The moisture evaporated from the clothes is dehumidified when passing through the dehumidification mechanism and then flows back into the blower again. There are various methods of dehumidification in the dehumidification mechanism, but a common problem is water scattering.

[0004] In water-cooled dehumidification where cooling water is flowed in a duct through which high-temperature and high-humidity drying air passes and dehumidification is performed by heat exchange with this cooling water, depending on the drying operation conditions, the cooling water is lifted up by the drying air and flows into the blower. Since the flowed-in cooling water accumulates in the blower or the drying air passage, there is a possibility that it may flow around electrical components such as the motor and heater of the blower.

[0005] On the other hand, when dehumidification is performed using a heat exchanger, the moisture condensed on the surface of the heat exchanger scatters and accumulates in the drying air passage. The water accumulated in the drying air passage may flow around electrical components such as the motor of the blower. Therefore, it is necessary to appropriately remove and discharge the water accumulated in the drying air passage including inside the blower.

[0006] As a method for dealing with the water accumulated in the drying air passage of the washing and drying machine, for example, the techniques described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 have been proposed.

[0007] In the invention described in Patent Document 1, a technique has been proposed in which a flow path for drainage is provided at the connection part between the blower and the heater so that water does not accumulate in the heater.

[0008] In addition, in the invention described in Patent Document 2, in a clothes dryer using a heat pump device, a technique has been proposed in which the heat pump device is installed at the lower part of the main body to prevent condensed water from reaching the blower.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0009]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0010] However, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, although consideration is given to the water accumulating in the heater, no consideration is given to the water accumulating around the motor of the blower. For this reason, there has been a problem that the reliability of the drying system is poor.

[0011] In addition, the invention described in Patent Document 2 is effective only in those employing a heat pump type as a dehumidifying mechanism, and cannot be employed in a washing and drying machine equipped with other dehumidifying mechanisms (for example, water-cooled dehumidification).

[0012] An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems, suppress the inflow of dehumidifying cooling water and condensed water flowing into the drying air passage into electrical components such as a blower, and provide a washing and drying machine with improved product reliability.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0013] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a washing and drying machine comprising an outer tub, a washing and dewatering tub disposed within the outer tub for accommodating laundry, driving means for driving the washing and dewatering tub, a housing for supporting the outer tub, a ventilation passage through which drying air flows in the washing and dewatering tub, air heating means provided in the middle of the ventilation passage for heating the air, and blowing means provided in the middle of the ventilation passage for blowing the air. In the ventilation passage located on the downstream side of the blowing means, there is provided a first inclined portion inclined downward from the blowing means toward the downstream side, and the first inclined portion is positioned below the suction portion of the blowing means. , the air heating means is located on the downstream side of the air blowing means, and in the air blowing passage located on the upstream side of the air heating means, there is a second inclined portion that is inclined so as to descend from the air heating means side toward the upstream side and is connected to the first inclined portion It is characterized by this.

Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a washing and drying machine that suppresses the inflow of dehumidified cooling water and condensed water flowing into the drying air passage into electrical components such as a blower, and improves the reliability of the product.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals are given to the same components, and the same description will not be repeated.

[0017] The various components of the present invention do not necessarily have to exist independently of each other. It is acceptable that one component is composed of a plurality of members, that a plurality of components are composed of one member, that a certain component is a part of another component, or that a part of a certain component overlaps with a part of another component, and so on.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the internal structure of a washing and drying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of a washing and drying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the following embodiments, a drum-type washing and drying machine in which a laundry loading / unloading port is formed on the front side and the rotation axis of the washing tub is provided horizontally will be taken as an example for explanation.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, the drum-type washing and drying machine S includes an outer frame 1 that is a housing, an outer tub 2 that stores washing water, a rotating tub 3 into which clothes are loaded, a drive motor 10 (driving means) that rotationally drives the rotating tub 3, a blower 22, and the like. The outer tub 2 is built in the outer frame 1 and is vibration-proof supported by the outer frame 1. The rotating tub 3 is a washing and dewatering tub that accommodates laundry such as clothes to be washed and dried, and is provided inside the outer tub 2. Further, the rotating tub 3 is rotatably supported inside the outer tub 2.

[0020] A metal flange 4 is provided on the right side surface of the rotating tub 3 in the figure. A rotating shaft equipped with a pulley is attached to the metal flange 4. The driving force of the drive motor 10 is transmitted to the pulley via a belt, and the rotating tub 3 rotates by the driving force of the drive motor 10.

[0021] Also, a water supply unit 7 is provided in the upper part inside the outer frame 1. This water supply unit 7 has a plurality of water channels inside and supplies tap water or bath water sucked from the bathtub to the outer tub 2. Further, a detergent and a finishing agent input device (not shown) are provided inside the water supply unit 7. The detergent and the finishing agent are poured between the outer tub 2 and the rotating tub 3.

[0022] Further, the drum - type washing and drying machine S is provided with a drying mechanism. This drying mechanism circulates and blows drying air for drying the laundry in the rotary tub 3 and performs dehumidification. Also, the drying mechanism includes a drying unit 9 disposed at the upper part within the outer frame 1 and a vertical dehumidifying passage 21 having one end connected to the drying unit 9. The vertical dehumidifying passage 21 is arranged to extend in the vertical direction within the outer frame 1, and the other end is connected to the bottom of the outer tub 2 and communicates with the outer tub 2. In the vertical dehumidifying passage 21, cooling water flows from the upper direction to the lower direction. The air containing moisture discharged from the outer tub 2 is cooled by the cooling water and dehumidified when passing through the vertical dehumidifying passage 21.

[0023] The drying unit 9 includes a blower 22 (blowing means), an electric heater 24 (air - heating means), and a heater casing 400. The suction side of the blower 22 is connected to the upper side of the vertical dehumidifying passage 21. The discharge side of the blower 22 is connected to the heater casing 400 and then connected so as to communicate with a return - connection circulation path 25. Also, the return - connection circulation path 25 is connected so as to communicate with the upper part of the outer tub 2. Then, a drying - air circulation path (blowing passage) through which drying air flows is formed by the vertical dehumidifying passage 21, the drying unit 9, and the return - connection circulation path 25. The blower 22 and the electric heater 24 are arranged in the middle of the drying - air circulation path (blowing passage). Details of the heater casing 400 that houses the blower 22 and the electric heater 24 will be described later.

[0024] The lower bellows hose 26 is connected to the bottom - drop part 31 of the outer tub 2. This bottom - drop part 31 communicates with a drainage path (not shown) for washing water. When draining the washing water, the washing water and rinsing water accumulated in the outer tub 2 are discharged to the outside (outside the machine) of the drum - type washing and drying machine S through the foreign - matter removal trap 32.

[0025] In the drum - type washing and drying machine S, when the centrifugal fan 300 (see FIG. 4) provided in the blower 22 rotates, the drying air circulates in the rotary tub 3 to dry the laundry in the rotary tub 3. Further, the drying air in which moisture is condensed in the dehumidification area is reheated by the electric heater 24 (see FIG. 4) and flows through the rotary tub 3, so that the moisture of the laundry further evaporates. By repeating this moisture removal by the circulation of the drying air, the laundry is dried.

[0026] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the drying unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the drying unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the blower 22 includes a centrifugal fan 300, a fan motor 100 that rotationally drives the centrifugal fan 300, a fan casing 52 in which the centrifugal fan 300 is disposed at the open portion, and a fan cover 51 that covers the periphery of the centrifugal fan 300. In this embodiment, the fan casing 52 and the fan cover 51 constitute a fan housing that houses the centrifugal fan 300. Further, a heater casing 400 is connected to the blower 22, and an electric heater 24 is disposed inside the heater casing 400.

[0027] When the drying unit 9 is mounted on the drum - type washing and drying machine S (see FIG. 1), for example, it is installed in the outer frame 1 (see FIG. 1) such that the fan cover 51 of the blower 22 faces substantially downward.

[0028] The fan cover 51 is formed with a suction portion 57 and a discharge portion 58. The suction portion 57 is connected to the dehumidifying vertical passage 21 (see FIG. 1). The discharge portion 58 is connected to the return connection circulation passage 25 (see FIG. 1) of the drying - air circulation path.

[0029] The blower 22 of this embodiment is installed substantially horizontally on the upper part of the drum - type washing and drying machine S. By installing it horizontally, the volume of the installation area inside the outer frame 1 of the blower 22 becomes the smallest, so that the outer frame 1 of the drum - type washing and drying machine S can be made smaller. Also, when necessary, the blower 22 has its suction part 57 facing downward and is connected to the vertical dehumidifying passage 21. That is, the blower 22 is installed such that the fan cover 51 side faces downward.

[0030] The scroll passage 53 of the blower formed by the fan cover 51 and the fan casing 52 forms a part of the air - blowing passage, and the cross - sectional area of the passage changes in the rotation direction of the centrifugal fan 300. The scroll passage 53 has the narrowest cross - sectional area at the start part 500 of the passage winding, and the cross - sectional area becomes larger in the rotation direction of the centrifugal fan 300. In other words, the cross - sectional area of the fan housing (fan cover 51 and fan casing 52) becomes larger as it goes downstream. In this embodiment, the upwind side of the air flowing through the air - blowing passage is defined as the upstream, and the downwind side is defined as the downstream.

[0031] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the internal structure of the blower according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the blower according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] The blower 22 of this embodiment is formed with a scroll passage 53 formed by the fan cover 51 and the fan casing 52, and this scroll passage 53 is connected to the heater casing 400.

[0033] The scroll passage 53 located on the downstream side of the centrifugal fan 300 is provided with a first inclined part 61a inclined downward from the centrifugal fan 300 toward the downstream side. The first inclined part 61a is arranged to be located below the suction part 57 of the centrifugal fan 300.

[0034] The electric heater 24 is located downstream of the blower 22. The scroll flow path 53 located upstream of the electric heater 24 is provided with a second inclined portion 61b that is inclined downward from the side of the electric heater 24 toward the upstream side and is connected to the first inclined portion 61a. And a recessed portion 60 is provided at the connection portion between the first inclined portion 61a and the second inclined portion 61b.

[0035] In addition, on the side of the second inclined portion 61b, a drain passage 62 is provided at a position lower than the position of the second inclined portion 61b. The drain passage 62 is provided so as to lead from the heater casing 400 toward the recessed portion 60 and is located at substantially the same height as the position directly below the blower 22.

[0036] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described. During the drying operation of the drum-type washing and drying machine S in which the blower 22 mainly operates, the drying air used for drying is driven by the blower 22. The drying air basically circulates inside the drum-type washing and drying machine S. The drying air circulating inside the drum-type washing and drying machine S picks up the cooling water used for dehumidification when passing through the dehumidification vertical passage 21. This picking up of the cooling water tends to occur mainly when the wind speed of the drying air passing through the dehumidification vertical passage 21 is high. The picked-up cooling water flows into the blower 22, but the inflowed cooling water basically accumulates at the bottom of the blower by gravity.

[0037] In this embodiment, a first inclined portion 61a that is inclined downward from the centrifugal fan 300 toward the downstream side is provided. Further, in this embodiment, a second inclined portion 61b that is inclined downward from the side of the electric heater 24 toward the upstream side and is connected to the first inclined portion 61a is provided. And a recessed portion 60 is provided as the lowermost portion at the connection portion between the first inclined portion 61a and the second inclined portion 61b. When water flows into the blower 22, the water is made to accumulate in the recessed portion 60 along the first inclined portion 61a. Thereby, it is possible to suppress water from accumulating in the electrical components etc. of the blower 22, and it is possible to suppress failures of the blower 22 and ensure reliability.

[0038] Also, when water flows into the electric heater 24 side, the water flows along the drain channel 62 and accumulates in the recessed portion 60. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the failure of the electric heater 24 and ensure the reliability.

[0039] The structure of this embodiment is effective particularly in the case of a washing and drying machine in which the blower is installed horizontally.

[0040] The water accumulated in the recessed portion 60 dries by being exposed to the high-temperature drying air during the drying operation. Alternatively, the water accumulated in the recessed portion 60 naturally evaporates and dries after the washing and drying machine stops. Since the drying air surely flows through the recessed portion 60, it does not continue to accumulate inside the product.

[0041] In this embodiment, the recessed portion 60 is provided at the connection portion between the first inclined portion 61a and the second inclined portion 61b. The scroll flow path 53 located below the centrifugal fan 300 has a U-shaped shape until it connects to the heater casing 400. As a result, the length of the scroll flow path 53 until it connects to the heater casing 400 becomes longer compared to the case of connecting linearly.

[0042] The cross-sectional area of the scroll flow path 53 located below the centrifugal fan 300 changes until it connects to the heater casing 400. That is, the cross-sectional area of the fan housing (the fan casing 52 and the fan cover 51) becomes larger as it goes downstream.

[0043] In the process of increasing the cross-sectional area of the flow path, if the length of the scroll flow path 53 is short, the change rate of the cross-sectional area of the flow path becomes large, so that the drying air passing through the scroll flow path 53 is likely to peel off from the flow path wall.

[0044] In this embodiment, the scroll flow path 53 located below the centrifugal fan 300 is U-shaped, and the flow path length of the scroll flow path 53 is increased, so that the separation of the flow can be suppressed and the efficiency of the blower 22 can be improved. Further, since the flow velocity distribution of the drying air flowing into the heater casing 400 becomes uniform, the temperature rise efficiency of the electric heater 24 is improved, and dryer air at a higher temperature can be obtained at the outlet of the heater casing 400.

[0045] When the structure of the above-described embodiment is applied, the water that has flowed into the blower 22 accumulates in the depression 60, which is the lowest position. Although the cooling water for the dehumidification mechanism is mainly assumed to accumulate in the blower 22, dew condensation that occurs during the drying operation occurs not only in the blower 22 but also in the heater casing 400, so water may also accumulate in the heater casing 400.

[0046] At this time, depending on the change in the cross-sectional area of the scroll flow path 53 before connecting to the heater casing 400, a step may be formed at the connection portion between the scroll flow path 53 and the heater casing 400, and water may accumulate at the step portion. If water accumulates in the heater casing 400, for example, a short circuit or the like may occur on the surface of the electric heater 24, leading to a failure of the washing and drying machine.

[0047] Therefore, in this embodiment, a drain flow path 62 that connects the heater casing 400 to the depression 60 is provided. Due to this drain flow path 62, the water that has accumulated in the heater casing 400 is also discharged to the depression 60 provided at the lowermost part. Thereby, the water in the heater casing 400 can be removed, various failure factors caused by the accumulation of water can be eliminated, and the product reliability can be improved.

[0048] Also, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the drain passage 62 is provided on the outer peripheral side of the scroll passage 53. The inventors of the present invention have conducted extensive studies on the installation position of the drain passage 62. As a result, it has been found that the method of providing the drain passage 62 on the outer peripheral side of the scroll passage 53 can maintain the highest temperature of the dry air discharged through the heater casing 400 without impairing the efficiency of the blower 22 the most. In the scroll passage 53, due to the effect of centrifugal force, the flow mainly flows along the wall surface on the outer peripheral side. Since the flow is less likely to be separated from the wall surface on the outer peripheral side due to the effect of centrifugal force, it is considered that the flow will not be separated even if the drain passage 62 is provided.

[0049] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a washing and drying machine that suppresses dehumidifying cooling water and condensed water flowing into the dry air passage from flowing into electrical components such as a blower, and improves the reliability of the product.

[0050] In this embodiment, an example applied to a drum-type washing and drying machine has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also applicable to a vertical washing and drying machine.

Explanation of reference numerals

[0051] 1... outer frame, 2... outer tub, 3... rotating tub, 4... metal flange, 7... water supply unit, 9... drying unit, 10... drive motor, 21... vertical passage for dehumidification, 22... blower, 24... electric heater, 25... return connection circulation path, 26... lower bellows hose, 31... bottom drop-in part, 32... foreign matter removal trap, 51... fan cover, 52... fan casing, 53... scroll passage, 57... suction part, 58... discharge part, 60... recessed part, 61a... first inclined part, 61b... second inclined part, 62... drain passage, 100... fan motor, 300... centrifugal fan, 400... heater casing, 500... start part of the passage winding, S... drum-type washing and drying machine

Claims

1. An outer tub, a washing and dehydrating tub disposed in the outer tub for accommodating laundry, driving means for driving the washing and dehydrating tub, a housing for supporting the outer tub, a blower passage through which drying air flows in the washing and dehydrating tub, air heating means provided in the middle of the blower passage for heating air, and blower means provided in the middle of the blower passage for blowing air. In the washing and drying machine, the blower passage located on the downstream side of the blower means is provided with a first inclined portion inclined downward from the blower means toward the downstream side, the first inclined portion is positioned below the suction portion of the blower means, the air heating means is located on the downstream side of the blower means, the blower passage located on the upstream side of the air heating means is provided with a second inclined portion that is inclined downward from the air heating means side toward the upstream side and is connected to the first inclined portion. The washing and drying machine is characterized by this.

2. In the washing and drying machine according to Claim 1, the washing and drying machine is characterized by having a recessed portion at the connection portion between the first inclined portion and the second inclined portion.

3. In the washing and drying machine according to Claim 1 or 2, the blower means includes a centrifugal fan, a fan motor for rotationally driving the centrifugal fan, and a fan housing for accommodating the centrifugal fan and the fan motor, the first inclined portion is formed in the fan housing. The washing and drying machine is characterized by this.

4. In the washing and drying machine according to Claim 1, the washing and drying machine is characterized by forming a drainage channel that is lower than the second inclined portion on the side of the second inclined portion.

5. In the washing and drying machine according to Claim 3, the cross-sectional area of the flow path of the fan housing is increased toward the downstream side. The washing and drying machine is characterized by this.

6. A washing and drying machine comprising an outer tub, a washing and dewatering tub disposed in the outer tub for accommodating laundry, driving means for driving the washing and dewatering tub, a housing for supporting the outer tub, a ventilation passage through which drying air flows in the washing and dewatering tub, air heating means provided in the middle of the ventilation passage for heating air, and blowing means provided in the middle of the ventilation passage for blowing air. The ventilation passage located on the downstream side of the blowing means is provided with a first inclined portion inclined downward from the blowing means toward the downstream side. The first inclined portion is positioned below the suction portion of the blowing means. The blowing means includes a centrifugal fan, a fan motor for rotationally driving the centrifugal fan, and a fan housing for accommodating the centrifugal fan and the fan motor. The washing and drying machine is characterized in that the first inclined portion is formed in the fan housing.

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