Washing machine

Abstract

To provide a washing machine allowing the inside of a filter storage part to be cleanly maintained.SOLUTION: A washing machine comprises: a housing; a water tub; a rotary tub; a hot air supplying portion supplying hot air to a washing tub air suction portion disposed in the water tub; an air blowing path from a washing tub air exhaust portion disposed in the water tub to the washing tub air suction portion; and a filter device 100 disposed at an intermediate portion of the air blowing path. The filter device 100 has an upstream side filter member 160 and a downstream side filter member 180, and a filter storage portion 110. An outside air introduction portion 140 and an inside air exhaust portion 130 are disposed in the filter device 100 so as to be communicated with the filter storage portion 110. The filter storage portion 110 has an upstream side opening 112 and a downstream side opening 114, and has a drain port 120 on a bottom portion 110e so as to be capable of draining moisture, and an inclined portion 122 that is downward slope toward the drain port 120.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a washing machine.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, for example, there has been provided a washing and drying machine disclosed in Patent Document 1 below. The washing and drying machine of Patent Document 1 includes a rotary drum rotatably provided in a washing machine housing, an intake port for taking in outside air as drying air, an intake path for feeding the drying air from the intake port to the rotary drum, a heater for heating the drying air, a blower fan for blowing the drying air into the rotary drum, an exhaust port opening to the outside of the washing machine housing, an exhaust path for feeding the drying air that has exchanged heat with the clothes in the rotary drum to the exhaust port, and a control unit for controlling the heater, the blower fan, and the like. Further, this washing and drying machine has a lint filter device detachably provided with respect to a filter housing chamber, and is configured to be able to collect foreign substances contained in the air flowing through the circulation air path.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the washing and drying machine of Patent Document 1, the intake port for introducing outside air and the exhaust port for discharging inside air are provided apart from each other in the circulation air path. Therefore, when configured as disclosed in Patent Document 1, the lint filter device has to be, for example, a wide (horizontally long) shape corresponding to the arrangement of the intake port and the exhaust port, which may pose a problem in effectively using the limited space inside the housing forming the washing machine.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine that optimizes the arrangement of an outside air introduction part for introducing outside air, an inside air discharge part for discharging inside air, and a filter device, and can effectively utilize the limited space inside the housing.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The washing machine of the present invention provided to solve the above-described problems includes a housing, a water tank provided inside the housing, and a washing tub including a rotatable tub provided inside the water tank, a hot air supply unit that supplies hot air to a washing tub intake part provided in the washing tub, a blower path formed so as to lead from a washing tub exhaust part provided in the washing tub to the washing tub intake part, through which air can pass with the washing tub exhaust part on the upstream side and the washing tub intake part on the downstream side, and a filter device provided in the middle of the blower path. The filter device has a filter member that collects foreign substances contained in the air, a filter housing part through which the air flowing through the blower path can pass and that forms a space capable of accommodating the filter member, an outside air introduction part that communicates with the filter housing part and is open to the outside so as to be able to introduce outside air into the blower path from the outside, and an inside air discharge part that communicates with the filter housing part and is open to the outside so as to be able to discharge inside air from the blower path to the outside. The filter housing part has an upstream inner peripheral surface, a downstream inner peripheral surface facing the upstream inner peripheral surface, and a bottom part. The upstream inner peripheral surface has an upstream opening that opens on the upstream side of the air flow flowing through the blower path, and the downstream inner peripheral surface has a downstream opening that opens on the downstream side of the air flow flowing through the blower path. The bottom part has a drain port through which condensed water adhering to the filter member can be discharged to the outside of the filter housing part, and an inclined part having a downward gradient toward the drain port. The moisture that has fallen to the bottom part of the filter housing part is guided toward the drain port by the inclined part.

[0007] In the washing machine of the present invention, a configuration is provided such that an outside air introduction part and an inside air discharge part communicate with a filter housing part for housing a filter. Thus, the washing machine of the present invention has a configuration in which the outside air introduction part and the inside air discharge part are integrated with respect to the filter housing part. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a washing machine that optimizes the arrangement of the outside air introduction part for introducing outside air, the inside air discharge part for discharging inside air, and the filter device, and effectively utilizes the limited space inside the housing.

Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a washing machine that optimizes the arrangement of the outside air introduction part for introducing outside air, the inside air discharge part for discharging inside air, and the filter device, and effectively utilizes the limited space inside the housing.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, the washing machine 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, first, the basic configuration of the washing machine 10 will be described. For parts that require detailed explanation, first, a schematic configuration will be described, and for parts that require further explanation, a detailed description will be given after the schematic explanation. In the following description, the description of the positional relationship such as up, down, left, and right is based on the state where the washing machine 10 is normally installed unless otherwise specified.

[0011] <<Overview of the Washing Machine 10>> As shown in FIG. 1, the washing machine 10 is a so-called drum-type washing machine. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the washing machine 10 includes a housing 20, a water tank 30, a washing tub 35 including a rotary tub 40, a ventilation path 50, a warm air supply unit 70, a water supply / drainage unit 80, a filter device 100, and the like. The washing machine 10 can perform an operation (washing operation) of supplying water into the water tank 30 and the rotary tub 40 by the water supply / drainage unit 80 and rotating the rotary tub 40 to wash and rinse the laundry put into the rotary tub 40. Also, an operation (dehydration operation) of dehydrating the laundry can be performed by rotating the rotary tub 40 inside the water tank 30 with the water drained from the water tank 30 and the rotary tub 40. Further, the washing machine 10 can perform an operation (drying operation) of circulating warm air through the ventilation path 50 connected to the water tank 30 by operating the warm air supply unit 70 to dry the laundry in the rotary tub 40. Hereinafter, the basic configuration of the washing machine 10 will be specifically described.

[0012] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the housing 20 houses the water tank 30, the rotary tub 40, the ventilation path 50, the warm air supply unit 70, the water supply / drainage unit 80, the filter device 100, etc. that constitute the washing machine 10. The housing 20 has a front surface 20a, a rear surface 20b, a left side surface 20c, a right side surface 20d, a top surface 20e, and a bottom surface 20f, and has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long in the vertical direction.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the housing 20 has a door 22 on the front surface 20a. The door 22 can be, for example, substantially circular in a front view as in the illustrated example. Also, the door 22 is supported so as to be openable and closable by hinges provided at the side (left side in the illustrated example) end when viewed from the front surface 20a. Further, the door 22 is provided with a locking mechanism on the side opposite to the hinges. Also, the housing 20 has an operation panel unit 24 at a position on the front surface 20a side and on the top surface 20e side. The operation panel unit 24 is located above the door 22. The operation panel unit 24 is provided with a power switch, switches for selecting a washing mode, etc., a display unit, and the like.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the washing tub 35 has a water tub 30 and a rotating tub 40 accommodated therein, and the rotating tub 40 is accommodated inside the water tub 30. The water tub 30 is cylindrical and has a bottom, and is accommodated and supported in the housing 20 by a suspension structure such as a damper. The water tub 30 is arranged to open at a position corresponding to the door 22 provided on the front 20a of the housing 20. The water tub 30 is connected by piping to a water supply / drainage unit 80, which will be described in detail later. Thus, the water tub 30 can store the water supplied from the outside inside, or discharge the water inside to the outside. Further, the water tub 30 has a washing tub intake 32 and a washing tub exhaust 34.

[0015] The washing tub intake 32 is provided at a position on the front 20a side in the water tub 30. In the present embodiment, the water tub 30 is assumed to have a gasket 36 on the front 20a side, and the washing tub intake 32 is provided on this gasket 36. Further, the washing tub exhaust 34 is provided at a position on the rear 20b side in the water tub 30. The water tub 30 is also connected to a blowing path 50, which will be described in detail later, via the washing tub intake 32 and the washing tub exhaust 34. Thus, the water tub 30 can introduce the air flowing through the blowing path 50 from the washing tub intake 32 on the front 20a side and discharge it from the washing tub exhaust 34 on the rear 20b side. Although the washing tub intake 32 is described as an example of a configuration that intakes air into the rotating tub 40 by being provided on the gasket 36, a configuration that blows air into the rotating tub 40 via the washing tub intake 32 may also be used.

[0016] The rotary tub 40 is a tub that is accommodated inside the water tub 30 so as to be rotatable. The rotary tub 40 has a cylindrical shape with a bottom. The rotary tub 40 is arranged to open at a position corresponding to the door 22 provided on the front face 20a of the housing 20, similar to the water tub 30. Therefore, the washing machine 10 can take in and out laundry with respect to the rotary tub 40 by opening the door 22. The rotary tub 40 can be rotationally driven by a drive machine (not shown), such as a motor, disposed at the rear of the water tub 30. The rotary tub 40 is provided with a plurality of openings communicating the inside and outside on its circumferential portion. Therefore, the washing machine 10 can introduce water into the inside of the rotary tub 40 by storing water in the water tub 30. Further, the washing machine 10 can drain water from the rotary tub 40 by draining water from the water tub 30.

[0017] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the air supply path 50 forms an air supply path from the washing tub exhaust portion 34 to the washing tub intake portion 32 of the water tub 30 outside the water tub 30. That is, as indicated by the dashed arrows in FIGS. 3, 5, and 6, the air supply path 50 has the washing tub exhaust portion 34 of the water tub 30 as the upstream side, and is a path for allowing the air flow to reach the washing tub intake portion 32 of the water tub 30, which is on the downstream side in the air flow direction from this. By blowing air through the air supply path 50, an air flow can be generated inside the water tub 30 from the front side toward the rear side. The air supply path 50 can be roughly classified into three parts: an exhaust side communication portion 52 (communication portion), an intermediate portion 54, and an intake side communication portion 56, from the upstream side (washing tub exhaust portion 34 side) to the downstream side (washing tub intake portion 32 side) in the air flow direction outside the water tub 30.

[0018] The exhaust-side communication part 52 is a part that communicates with the washing tub exhaust part 34 of the water tank 30. The exhaust-side communication part 52 has a communication part 58 and a water receiving part 60. The communication part 58 is a passage formed so as to rise on the back surface 20b side with respect to the water tank 30. One end side (lower end side) of the communication part 58 is connected to the washing tub exhaust part 34. Thereby, the communication part 58 can flow the air discharged from the washing tub exhaust part 34 in a direction from below to above. The other end side of the communication part 58 is connected to the water receiving part 60. The water receiving part 60 receives the water supplied by the water supply part 82 described in detail later, and drops the received water into the communication part 58 to clean the inner peripheral surface of the communication part 58.

[0019] The intermediate part 54 is located in the middle of the flow direction of the airflow that flows from the washing tub exhaust part 34 of the water tank 30 as the upstream side to the washing tub intake part 32 of the water tank 30 in the air supply path 50. That is, the intermediate part 54 is a part located on the downstream side in the flow direction of the airflow in the air supply path 50 with respect to the exhaust-side communication part 52 connected to the washing tub exhaust part 34 of the water tank 30 in the air supply path 50. The intermediate part 54 exists on the top surface 20e side with respect to the water tank 30. The intermediate part 54 is arranged so as to extend from the back surface 20b side to the front surface 20a side of the housing 20. A filter device 100 described in detail later is arranged in the intermediate part 54. Thereby, foreign matters such as lint contained in the air passing through the air supply path 50 can be removed. Further, the intermediate part 54 can introduce outside air into the air supply path 50 or discharge the air flowing through the air supply path 50 through the outside air introduction part 140 and the inside air discharge part 130 provided in the filter device 100.

[0020] The intake-side communication part 56 is located on the downstream side in the flow direction of the air current flowing from the washing tub exhaust part 34 of the water tank 30 to the washing tub intake part 32 of the water tank 30 in the air supply path 50. That is, the intake-side communication part 56 is a part that is continuous on the downstream side with respect to the intermediate part 54 and is connected to the washing tub intake part 32 of the water tank 30 in the air supply path 50. The intake-side communication part 56 is present on the top surface 20e side with respect to the water tank 30, similarly to the intermediate part 54. A warm air supply part 70, which will be described in detail later, is arranged in the intake-side communication part 56. Thereby, the air from which foreign matters have been removed by the filter device 100 in the intermediate part 54 can be heated by the warm air supply part 70. The intake-side communication part 56 is connected to the washing tub intake part 32 at the terminal end.

[0021] The warm air supply part 70 is for supplying warm air to the washing tub intake part 32 provided in the water tank 30. As shown in FIG. 7, the warm air supply part 70 includes a blower device 72 and a heating device 74. The blower device 72 is for forming an air current in the air supply path and can be configured by, for example, a conventionally well-known blower fan or the like. Further, the heating device 74 is for heating the air flowing through the air supply path 50 by the operation of the blower device 72. The heating device 74 can be configured by a conventionally well-known electric heater or the like.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the water supply and drainage part 80 includes a water supply part 82 and a drainage part 84. The water supply part 82 has a water supply path connected to an external water supply source and is capable of supplying water to the water tank 30. The water supply part 82 can be, for example, one that can supply the water supplied from the water supply source directly to the water tank 30, or one that can supply the water tank 30 with the mixed water in which detergents, softeners, etc. introduced in a separately provided input part are mixed with water in the middle of the water supply path leading to the water tank 30. The drainage part 84 has a drainage path connected to the water tank 30 separately from the water supply part 82. The drainage part 84 is capable of discharging the water in the water tank 30 through the above-described drainage path.

[0023] The filter device 100 is arranged at the intermediate part 54 in the middle of the above-described air supply path 50. The filter device 100 is for collecting foreign matters such as lint contained in the air.

[0024] The washing machine 10 generally has the configuration as described above. Hereinafter, among the configurations of each part described above, the parts that require further detailed explanation will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

[0025] ≪Regarding the filter device 100≫ Hereinafter, the filter device 100 will be described in more detail and specifically. The filter device 100 is provided in the middle of the air supply path 50 as described above. As shown in FIGS. 2, 5, 6, etc., in this embodiment, the filter device 100 is provided in the intermediate part 54 of the air supply path 50. As shown in FIG. 8, the filter device 100 includes a filter housing part 110, an internal air discharge part 130, an external air introduction part 140, and a filter member 150. The filter device 100 integrates the filter housing part 110, the internal air discharge part 130, and the external air introduction part 140 into a unit, and makes the filter member 150 detachable from this unit.

[0026] The filter housing part 110 forms a space through which the air flowing in the air supply path 50 can pass and in which the filter member 150 can be accommodated. As shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the filter housing part 110 opens toward the top surface 20e of the housing 20, and the filter member 150 is detachable through this opening. The filter housing part 110 opens so as to be substantially rectangular in plan view, and has an upstream opening 112, a downstream opening 114, an internal air discharge part communication port 116, and an external air introduction part communication port 118 on its inner peripheral part.

[0027] The upstream opening 112 is formed in the upstream inner peripheral surface 110a of the inner peripheral surface of the filter housing portion 110, which forms the upstream side of the air flow flowing through the air supply path 50. The downstream opening 114 is formed in the downstream inner peripheral surface 110b of the inner peripheral surface of the filter housing portion 110, which forms the downstream side of the air flow flowing through the air supply path 50. The downstream opening 114 is formed in a region of the downstream inner peripheral surface 110b on the side where the outside air introduction portion communication port 118 is provided. The downstream inner peripheral surface 110b is a surface facing the upstream inner peripheral surface 110a. The internal air discharge portion communication port 116 is formed in the first side inner peripheral surface 110c that is erected so as to intersect (substantially orthogonal in this embodiment) with respect to the upstream inner peripheral surface 110a and the downstream inner peripheral surface 110b among the inner peripheral surfaces of the filter housing portion 110. The internal air discharge portion communication port 116 is an opening that communicates the filter housing portion 110 and the internal air discharge portion 130. The internal air discharge portion communication port 116 is also a part that constitutes the internal air discharge portion 130 described later. Further, the outside air introduction portion communication port 118 is formed in the second side inner peripheral surface 110d that is erected so as to face the first side inner peripheral surface 110c among the inner peripheral surfaces of the filter housing portion 110. The outside air introduction portion communication port 118 is an opening that communicates the filter housing portion 110 and the outside air introduction portion 140. The outside air introduction portion communication port 118 is also a part that constitutes the outside air introduction portion 140 described later.

[0028] The filter housing portion 110 has a drain port 120, an inclined portion 122, a guide groove 124, and an engaged portion 126 at the bottom 110e. The drain port 120 is an opening for discharging moisture such as condensed water from the filter housing portion 110. The drain port 120 is provided at the bottom 110e at a position adjacent to the downstream inner peripheral surface 110b and the second side inner peripheral surface 110d. The drain port 120 is connected to a communication portion 58 which is upstream in the air flow direction with respect to the filter device 100 via a drain pipe 120a outside the filter housing portion 110 so as to be able to drain. The inclined portion 122 is a portion where the bottom 110e is inclined so as to have a downward slope toward the drain port 120. Thereby, the filter housing portion 110 is configured to be able to guide the moisture that has fallen onto the bottom 110e in the filter housing portion 110 toward the drain port 120. Further, the guide groove 124 is a groove for making it easy to surely attach and detach the downstream filter member 180 that forms the filter member 150, which will be described in detail later. The guide groove 124 is formed in a concave shape according to the shape of the lower end portion of the downstream filter member 180. The engaged portion 126 is a portion that engages with an engaging portion 190 provided at the upper end portion of the downstream filter member 180.

[0029] Further, a part or all of the inner peripheral surface of the filter housing portion 110 is formed in a corrugated shape with irregularities. In the present embodiment, the upstream inner peripheral surface 110a, the first side inner peripheral surface 110c, and the second side inner peripheral surface 110d are formed in a corrugated shape with irregularities. Thereby, in the filter housing portion 110, moisture such as condensed water is gradually made to fall toward the bottom 110e and the drain port 120. By doing so, it becomes possible to evaporate as little condensed water as possible due to the influence of the air flow passing through the filter housing portion 110, and the amount of moisture circulated from the drain port 120 to the communication portion 58 can be reduced.

[0030] The indoor air discharge part 130 is a part that communicates with the filter housing part 110 and is open to the outside so as to be able to discharge air from the air supply path 50 to the outside. The indoor air discharge part 130 has the indoor air discharge part communication port 116, the indoor air discharge path 132, and the indoor air discharge port 134 described above. The indoor air discharge path 132 communicates with the filter housing part 110 through the indoor air discharge part communication port 116. The indoor air discharge path 132 is a passage connecting the indoor air discharge part communication port 116 and the indoor air discharge port 134. The indoor air discharge port 134 is an opening provided at the end of the indoor air discharge path 132 on the side opposite to the indoor air discharge part communication port 116.

[0031] Here, while the indoor air discharge part communication port 116 is an opening formed in the first lateral inner peripheral surface 110c erected in the filter housing part 110, the indoor air discharge port 134 opens toward the top surface 20e side. Therefore, the indoor air discharge path 132 connecting the two openings is bent approximately 90 degrees in the middle. The indoor air discharge path 132 is formed such that the bent part provided in the middle has a curved surface (R shape) in order to minimize the pressure loss of the airflow passing through the inside. Further, the indoor air discharge part 130 is formed such that the opening area of the indoor air discharge port 134 is larger than the opening area of the indoor air discharge part communication port 116 in order to suppress the discharge speed of the airflow (exhaust air) coming out from the indoor air discharge port 134. According to such a configuration, the exhaust speed at the indoor air discharge port 134 can be reduced. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the exhaust air from being vigorously discharged to the periphery of the washing machine 10. For example, even if the washing machine is installed in a place where a wall is close to the periphery, such as a washing machine installation space in a narrow apartment, it is possible to suppress the exhaust air containing moisture from hitting the wallpaper. As a result, it is possible to suppress the adhesion of condensed water to the surface of the wallpaper or the generation of microorganisms such as mold due to the contact of the exhaust air from the washing machine 10.

[0032] The outside air introduction part 140 communicates with the filter housing part 110 and is open to the outside so as to be able to introduce outside air (outside air) from the outside into the air supply path 50. The outside air introduction part 140 is located on the side opposite to the indoor air discharge part 130 via the filter housing part 110. Further, the outside air introduction part 140 has the same configuration as the indoor air discharge part 130 described above.

[0033] Specifically, the outside air introduction part 140 has the above-described outside air introduction part communication port 118, an outside air introduction passage 142, and an outside air introduction port 144. The outside air introduction passage 142 communicates with the filter housing part 110 through the outside air introduction part communication port 118. The outside air introduction passage 142 is a passage connecting the outside air introduction part communication port 118 and the outside air introduction port 144. The outside air introduction port 144 is an opening provided at an end of the outside air introduction passage 142 on the side opposite to the outside air introduction part communication port 118.

[0034] Also, similar to the inside air discharge passage 132, the outside air introduction passage 142 is bent approximately 90 degrees in the middle. Specifically, while the outside air introduction part communication port 118 is an opening formed in the second side peripheral surface 110d in the filter housing part 110, the outside air introduction port 144 opens toward the top surface 20e side. Therefore, the outside air introduction passage 142 is bent approximately 90 degrees in the middle. The outside air introduction passage 142 is formed such that a bent part provided in the middle has a curved surface (R shape) in order to minimize the pressure loss of the air flow taken in from the outside. Further, the outside air introduction part 140 is formed such that the opening area of the outside air introduction port 144 is larger than the opening area of the outside air introduction part communication port 118. Thereby, outside air can be taken in efficiently.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 8, the filter member 150 collects foreign matter contained in the air flowing through the air supply passage 50. The washing machine 10 of the present embodiment is configured such that an upstream filter member 160 and a downstream filter member 180 are arranged in the air flow direction in the air supply passage 50 as the filter member 150.

[0036] As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the upstream filter member 160 is configured by attaching an upstream filter 164 to an upstream filter main body 162. The upstream filter member 160 is configured to be insertable and removable from above with respect to the filter housing part 110 that opens toward the top surface 20e side. The upstream filter main body 162 has a closing part 166, an upstream standing part 168, a first side standing part 170, a second side standing part 172, and a partition wall 174.

[0037] The blocking part 166 closes the opening of the filter housing part 110 provided on the top surface 20e side when the upstream filter member 160 is inserted into the filter housing part 110. The blocking part 166 has a recess 166a on the surface exposed on the top surface 20e side. The recess 166a is for facilitating the gripping of the upstream filter member 160 when the user inserts and removes the upstream filter member 160 into and from the filter housing part 110, and is configured to allow multiple fingers to be inserted.

[0038] The upstream standing part 168 is a part that stands along the upstream inner peripheral surface 110a when the upstream filter member 160 is fitted into the above-described filter housing part 110. The upstream standing part 168 stands substantially orthogonally to the blocking part 166 on the back surface side (bottom side) of the blocking part 166. The upstream standing part 168 is formed in a lattice shape at least in the part corresponding to the upstream opening 112 in order to minimize the resistance to the airflow flowing into the filter housing part 110 from the upstream opening 112 provided on the upstream inner peripheral surface 110a. A net-like upstream filter 164 is attached to the entire area of the part formed in a lattice shape of the upstream standing part 168. Further, an upstream seal part 168a for maintaining airtightness and watertightness is attached around the part to which the upstream filter 164 is attached. The upstream seal part 168a can be made of various materials, but in this embodiment, it is made of EPDM rubber.

[0039] The first side standing portion 170 is a portion that stands along the first side inner peripheral surface 110c in a state where the upstream filter member 160 is fitted into the filter housing portion 110 described above. Similar to the upstream standing portion 168, the first side standing portion 170 stands substantially orthogonally to the closing portion 166 on the back side (bottom side) of the closing portion 166. Also, the first side standing portion 170 is formed to intersect (substantially orthogonally in this embodiment) the upstream standing portion 168 at one end side in the width direction of the upstream standing portion 168. Similar to the upstream standing portion 168, the first side standing portion 170 is formed in a lattice shape at least at a portion corresponding to the internal air discharge portion communication port 116 in order to minimize the resistance to the air flow discharged from the filter housing portion 110 through the internal air discharge portion communication port 116.

[0040] The second side standing portion 172 is a portion that stands along the second side inner peripheral surface 110d in a state where the upstream filter member 160 is fitted into the filter housing portion 110 described above. Similar to the upstream standing portion 168 and the first side standing portion 170, the second side standing portion 172 stands substantially orthogonally to the closing portion 166 on the back side (bottom side) of the closing portion 166. Also, the second side standing portion 172 is formed to intersect (substantially orthogonally in this embodiment) the upstream standing portion 168 at the other end side in the width direction of the upstream standing portion 168 (the side opposite to the first side standing portion 170). The second side standing portion 172 is substantially parallel to the first side standing portion 170. Similar to the upstream standing portion 168 and the first side standing portion 170, the second side standing portion 172 is formed in a lattice shape at least at a portion corresponding to the outside air introduction portion communication port 118 in order to minimize the resistance to the air flow introduced into the filter housing portion 110 through the outside air introduction portion communication port 118.

[0041] The partition wall 174 divides the internal space of the filter housing portion 110 into a first space 176 and a second space 178. Specifically, the partition wall 174 is erected on the back side (bottom side) of the closing portion 166 so as to be substantially orthogonal to the closing portion 166, similar to the upstream side standing portion 168 and the like. Further, the partition wall 174 is formed so as to intersect (substantially orthogonal in this embodiment) the upstream side standing portion 168 in the middle portion in the width direction of the upstream side standing portion 168 (between the first side standing portion 170 and the second side standing portion 172). The partition wall 174 is substantially parallel to the first side standing portion 170 and the second side standing portion 172. Thereby, the partition wall 174 can divide the opening region formed in the upstream side standing portion 168 into a region on the side where the outside air introduction portion communication port 118 is present and a region on the side where the internal air discharge portion communication port 116 is present. Further, the partition wall 174 is formed so as to reach the downstream side inner peripheral surface 110b in a state where the upstream side filter member 160 is fitted into the filter housing portion 110. Therefore, the partition wall 174 can divide the internal space of the filter housing portion 110 into a first space 176 communicating with the downstream side opening 114 and the outside air introduction portion communication port 118 and a second space 178 communicating with the internal air discharge portion communication port 116.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 13, the downstream side filter member 180 is a filter attached across the opening region of the downstream side opening 114. The downstream side filter member 180 is configured by attaching a downstream side filter 184 to a downstream side filter frame 182. The downstream side filter member 180 is insertable and removable from above with respect to the filter housing portion 110 that opens toward the top surface 20e side, similar to the upstream side filter member 160.

[0043] Specifically, the downstream side filter frame 182 is a member for attaching the downstream side filter 184. The downstream side filter frame 182 has a filter attachment portion 186, a gripping portion 188, an engaging portion 190, and a downstream side seal portion 192.

[0044] The filter mounting portion 186 is a portion where the downstream filter 184 is mounted. The filter mounting portion 186 has a flat and lattice-like shape. A net-like downstream filter 184 is mounted on the filter mounting portion 186. Further, the lower end side of the downstream filter frame 182 is shaped so as to be insertable into a guide groove 124 provided in the bottom 110e of the above-described filter housing portion 110.

[0045] The gripping portion 188 is provided at a portion that becomes the upper end portion in the mounted state of the downstream filter member 180. The gripping portion 188 is curved so as to curl from the upper end portion of the filter mounting portion 186 formed in a planar shape. The gripping portion 188 is curved in a direction away from the downstream inner peripheral surface 110b so as not to prevent the filter mounting portion 186 and the downstream inner peripheral surface 110b from being in close contact with each other in the mounted state of the downstream filter member 180.

[0046] The engaging portion 190 is for fixing the downstream filter member 180 to the downstream inner peripheral surface 110b of the filter housing portion 110. The engaging portion 190 is configured to engage with an engaged portion 126 provided on the downstream inner peripheral surface 110b. In the present embodiment, the engaging portion 190 is claw-shaped, and the engaged portion 126 is a recess into which the engaging portion 190 can be inserted and engaged.

[0047] The downstream seal portion 192 is attached so as to surround the portion where the downstream filter 184 is attached so that it can be interposed between the filter attachment portion 186 and the downstream inner peripheral surface 110b in the attached state of the downstream filter member 180. Therefore, when the downstream filter member 180 is attached, airtightness and watertightness are maintained between the filter attachment portion 186 and the downstream inner peripheral surface 110b. The downstream seal portion 192 can be made of various materials, but in this embodiment, it is made of EPDM rubber. In this way, by providing the downstream filter member 180, for example, even when the upstream filter member 160 is forgotten to be installed, lint can be captured by the downstream filter member 180. Also, by taking in outside air from the outside air introduction portion 140, the humid circulating air flow sent from the washing tub 35 to the intermediate portion 54 is cooled in the filter housing portion 110 (the amount of saturated water vapor is reduced), and condensed water can also be generated on the downstream filter member 180. By generating condensed water in this way, it is possible to make it difficult for lint to adhere to the downstream filter member 180 or to cause the lint to flow down from the downstream filter member 180.

[0048] ≪Regarding the water receiving portion 60≫ Next, the water receiving portion 60 will be described specifically and in detail with reference to the drawings. As described above, the water receiving portion 60 is provided upstream of the filter device 100 in the flow direction of the air flow in the air flow path 50. The water receiving portion 60 is connected to the end of the communication portion 58 that forms the exhaust side communication portion 52 of the air flow path 50.

[0049] As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the water receiving portion 60 has a bottom surface 60a and an outer edge portion 60b erected so as to form the outer edge of the bottom surface 60a. Thereby, water can be introduced into the region surrounded by the outer edge portion 60b in the water receiving portion 60. Further, a connection portion 60c that is pipe-connected to the water supply / drainage portion 80 is provided on the outer edge portion 60b. The connection portion 60c is formed so as to protrude outward from the outer edge portion 60b. Thereby, water is introduced into the water receiving portion 60 in a direction intersecting the outer edge portion 60b (the direction along the bottom surface 60a) via the connection portion 60c, so that water can be sent to a position away from the connection portion 60c. Note that the connection portion 60c is not limited to a configuration provided in a direction intersecting the opening direction of the opening 62, and it is sufficient that the arrival position (landing position) of the supplied water is the water receiving portion 60, and the connection portion 60c may be provided along the opening direction.

[0050] In addition, an opening 62, a standing portion 64, and a groove portion 66 are provided in the water receiving portion 60. The opening 62 is an opening formed in the bottom surface 60a of the water receiving portion 60 so as to communicate with the communication portion 58. The opening shape of the opening 62 is formed in accordance with the opening shape and size at the end of the communication portion 58. The standing portion 64 is a portion erected so as to surround the opening 62. In the present embodiment, the standing portion 64 is erected along the opening edge of the opening 62, but it may be erected so as to surround the opening 62 outside the opening 62. According to such a configuration, a part of the water introduced from the connection portion 60c is blocked by the standing portion 64 and stored along the outer edge portion 60b of the water receiving portion 60, and the other water gets over the standing portion 64 or is dropped into the opening 62 from the groove portion 66. The groove portion 66 is a groove provided in the standing portion 64. The groove portion 66 is provided at one or more locations in the standing portion 64. In addition, in the present embodiment, a configuration having both the standing portion 64 and the groove portion 66 has been described as an example. However, a configuration that does not have both the standing portion 64 and the groove portion 66 may also be used, or a configuration in which one of the standing portion 64 and the groove portion 66 is provided (in the case of a configuration in which only the groove portion 66 is provided, the groove portion 66 is provided around the opening portion 62) may also be used. Further, the number of arrangements, size, etc. of the groove portion 66 can be set as appropriate. For example, a large number of groove portions 66 can be arranged in a portion where lint is likely to adhere in the communication portion 58, or the arrangement density of the groove portion 66 can be varied according to the distance from the connection portion 60c serving as the water inlet. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, a large number of groove portions 66 are provided on the side where lint is likely to adhere, and the connection portion 60c is arranged. Therefore, by introducing water into the water receiving portion 60, water is preferentially flowed to the side where lint is likely to adhere in the communication portion 58, and the communication portion 58 can be washed evenly.

[0051] The water receiving portion 60 has the configuration as described above, and can drop the water supplied from the water supply and drainage portion 80 in a direction intersecting the opening direction of the opening portion 62 (substantially horizontal direction in the present embodiment) into the communication portion 58 for washing (lint running water washing). The lint running water washing can be performed at an appropriate timing. For example, it can be performed at the timing of supplying water to the water tank 30 for easy washing during the washing operation, or at the timing within a predetermined time after the drying operation while the valve for drainage is kept open.

[0052] <<Regarding the warm air supply unit 70>> Subsequently, the characteristic portions of the warm air supply unit 70 will be described specifically and in detail with reference to the drawings. As described above, the warm air supply unit 70 supplies warm air to the washing tub intake portion 32 provided in the water tank 30. As shown in FIG. 7, the warm air supply unit 70 includes a blower device 72 for forming an air flow in the air supply path 50, and a heating device 74 for heating the air flowing through the air supply path 50.

[0053] Here, the heating device 74 is disposed at a constricted portion 52a where the passage cross-sectional area is narrower than the upstream side in the exhaust-side communication portion 52 in the middle of the air supply path 50. Therefore, the warm air supply unit 70 can efficiently exchange heat with the air flowing through the air supply path 50 in the heating device 74 and can smoothly heat the air. Further, the heating device 74 is disposed further downstream than the air blower 72 and can heat the air immediately before entering the water tank 30. Therefore, it is possible to minimize heat dissipation and temperature drop or moisture absorption while the heated air flows through the air supply path 50. As a result, it becomes possible to introduce air that is as hot and as low in humidity as possible into the water tank 30, and the drying efficiency of the laundry in the water tank 30 can be improved.

[0054] <<Regarding the housing 20>> Subsequently, the characteristic portions of the housing 20 will be described specifically and in detail with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the housing 20 has a main body portion 26a and a pedestal portion 26b. Further, as shown in FIG. 16, the housing 20 has a connection portion 26c.

[0055] The main body portion 26a is a portion that houses the water tank 30, the rotating tank 40, the air supply path 50, the water receiving portion 60, the warm air supply unit 70, the water supply / drainage unit 80, the filter device 100, etc. inside. The main body portion 26a has a front beam 28a disposed on the front surface 20a side on the top surface 20e side, a rear beam 28b disposed on the rear surface 20b side, and a pair of side beams 28c and 28d disposed on the left side surface 20c and the right side surface 20d sides. The front beam 28a is a beam that extends horizontally on the front surface 20a side. The front beam 28a is disposed below the substrate on the back side of the operation panel portion 24. Further, the rear beam 28b is a beam that extends horizontally on the rear surface 20b side. The side beams 28c and 28d are beams that extend in the front-rear direction on the left side and the right side, and are connected to the front beam 28a and the rear beam 28b.

[0056] In the main body portion 26a, the members forming the air supply path 50 are suspended from each beam. Specifically, the air supply path 50 includes a base structure 50a forming the lower half of the air supply path 50, a filter housing portion structure 50b forming the peripheral portion around the filter housing portion 110, and a warm air supply portion structure 50c forming the peripheral portion around the warm air supply portion 70. The air supply path 50 is configured by assembling the filter housing portion structure 50b and the warm air supply portion structure 50c on the base structure 50a. When suspending the air supply path 50 from each beam, first, the base structure 50a is suspended from the front beam 28a, the rear beam 28b, and the side beams 28c. Then, the filter housing portion structure 50b and the warm air supply portion structure 50c are assembled on the base structure 50a. Thus, the washing machine 10 can assemble the air supply path 50 by a simple procedure using each beam forming the main body portion 26a. Further, the main body portion 26a is configured to have a high-rigidity structure with the front beam 28a, the rear beam 28b, and the side beams 28c, 28d having high strength arranged on the upper side. In view of the characteristics of such a main body portion 26a, in the washing machine 10, the air supply path 50, which is heavier than other members and for which there is concern about vibration generation due to air supply, is suspended and assembled on each of the beams 28a to 28d. Therefore, in the washing machine 10, the air supply path 50 can be stably held.

[0057] The pedestal portion 26b is arranged below the main body portion 26a as a pedestal for the main body portion 26a. The pedestal portion 26b has substantially the same size and shape as the main body portion 26a in plan view. The pedestal portion 26b is provided with a cavity penetrating vertically in the central portion in plan view. Further, the pedestal portion 26b has a honeycomb-like shape with a large number of through holes penetrating vertically also in the portion forming the peripheral portion surrounding the cavity. Thereby, weight reduction is achieved without impairing the strength of the pedestal portion 26b.

[0058] Further, the peripheral portion of the pedestal portion 26b is shaped such that it is cut out from the top surface 20e side toward the bottom surface 20f side on the front 20a side. Therefore, when the main body portion 26a is disposed on the pedestal portion 26b, an opening 26d that is open outward in the circumferential direction is formed between the two. The opening 26d can be utilized for various purposes such as inserting a hand or a tool into the inside of the housing 20 for work on the lower side of the housing 20, routing drainage pipes, updating a printed circuit board, and maintenance.

[0059] The connecting portion 26c connects the main body portion 26a and the pedestal portion 26b while improving vibration resistance and rigidity. The connecting portion 26c has a main body side fixing portion 26e and a pedestal side fixing portion 26f. The main body side fixing portion 26e is attached over substantially the entire width direction at a position on the front 20a side at the bottom of the main body portion 26a. Further, the pedestal side fixing portion 26f is attached over substantially the entire width direction at a position on the front 20a side at the top of the pedestal portion 26b.

[0060] Specifically, the main body side fixing portion 26e has a main body side front plate 26g that extends in the left - right direction at the lower front portion of the main body portion 26a. The pedestal side fixing portion 26f has pedestal side side beams 26h, 26i that are fastened to the left and right upper surfaces of the pedestal portion 26b, and a pedestal side front plate 26j that extends in the left - right direction on the front upper surface of the pedestal portion 26b. Further, connection portions 26k to which a suspension structure (not shown) such as a damper for supporting the water tank 30 is connected are provided on the pedestal side side beams 26h, 26i. The connecting portion 26c is fixed by fastening the upper surface of the pedestal side front plate 26j and the lower surfaces of the pedestal side side beams 26h, 26i with a fastener such as a screw, and fastening the lower surface of the main body side front plate 26g and the upper surfaces of the pedestal side side beams 26h, 26i with a fastener such as a screw. In this way, the connecting portion 26c connects and fixes the main body side fixing portion 26e and the pedestal side fixing portion 26f with a fixture, thereby integrating the main body portion 26a and the pedestal portion 26b and improving vibration resistance and rigidity.

[0061] The washing machine 10 described above exhibits effects with the following configuration as a means for solving various problems in the prior art.

[0062] (1-1) The washing machine 10 of the present embodiment includes a housing 20, a water tank 30 provided in the housing 20, and a washing tub 35 including a rotary tub 40 rotatably provided in the water tank 30, a hot air supply unit 70 that supplies hot air to a washing tub intake portion 32 provided in the washing tub 35, a blower path 50 that extends from a washing tub exhaust portion 34 provided in the water tank 30 to the washing tub intake portion 32, and a filter device 100 provided in the middle of the blower path 50. The filter device 100 includes an upstream filter member 160 and a downstream filter member 180 that collect foreign substances contained in the air, a filter housing portion 110 that forms a space through which the air flowing through the blower path 50 can pass and that can accommodate the upstream filter member 160 and the downstream filter member 180, an outside air introduction portion 140 that communicates with the filter housing portion 110 and is open to the outside so as to be able to introduce outside air into the blower path 50, and an inside air discharge portion 130 that communicates with the filter housing portion 110 and is open to the outside so as to be able to discharge air from the blower path 50 to the outside.

[0063] In the washing machine 10 described above, the outside air introduction portion 140 and the inside air discharge portion 130 are provided so as to communicate with a filter housing portion 110 for housing the filter (upstream filter member 160 and downstream filter member 180). Thus, the washing machine 10 has a configuration in which the outside air introduction portion 140 and the inside air discharge portion 130 are aggregated with respect to the filter housing portion 110. Therefore, according to the above-described configuration, it is possible to provide a washing machine 10 that optimizes the arrangement of the outside air introduction portion 140 for introducing outside air, the inside air discharge portion 130 for discharging inside air, and the filter device 100 and that can effectively utilize the limited space inside the housing 20.

[0064] In addition, in this embodiment, an example in which two filter members, i.e., an upstream filter member 160 and a downstream filter member 180, are provided as filters has been shown. However, when adopting the configuration of (1-1) above, for example, only one of them may be used by omitting the downstream filter member 180 or the like.

[0065] (1-2) The washing machine 10 of this embodiment is characterized in that the filter device 100 integrates a filter housing portion 110, an outside air introduction portion 140, and an inside air discharge portion 130.

[0066] According to such a configuration, it becomes possible to integrally assemble the inside air discharge portion 130 and the outside air introduction portion 140 with the filter housing portion 110, which can contribute to reducing the number of parts and simplifying the device configuration.

[0067] (1-3) The washing machine 10 of this embodiment has an inside air discharge portion communication port 116 in which the inside air discharge portion 130 communicates with the filter housing portion 110, and an inside air discharge port 134 that opens to the outside, and is capable of discharging the air that has entered the inside air discharge portion communication port 116 from the filter housing portion 110 from the inside air discharge port 134. The opening area of the inside air discharge port 134 is larger than the opening area of the inside air discharge portion communication port 116.

[0068] According to such a configuration, the exhaust speed at the inside air discharge port 134 can be reduced. As a result, it is possible to suppress the exhaust from being vigorously discharged to the periphery of the washing machine 10. Thus, for example, even if the washing machine is installed in a place where a wall is close by, such as a washing machine installation space in a narrow apartment, it is possible to suppress the exhaust containing moisture from hitting the wallpaper. As a result, it is possible to suppress the adhesion of condensed water to the surface of the wallpaper or the generation of microorganisms such as mold due to the contact of the exhaust from the washing machine 10.

[0069] (1-4) In the washing machine 10 of this embodiment, the filter housing portion 110 has an upstream opening 112 that opens on the upstream side of the air flow flowing through the air supply path 50, a downstream opening 114 that opens on the downstream side of the air flow flowing through the air supply path 50, an inner air discharge portion communication port 116 that communicates with the inner air discharge portion 130, and an outside air introduction portion communication port 118 that communicates with the outside air introduction portion 140. The filter device 100 has a partition wall 174 that partitions the internal space of the filter housing portion 110 into a first space 176 that communicates with the downstream opening 114 and the outside air introduction portion communication port 118, and a second space 178 that communicates with the inner air discharge portion communication port 116. This is the gist of the present invention.

[0070] According to such a configuration, the air flow circulated inside the washing machine 10 and the air flow discharged to the outside as exhaust can be easily separated.

[0071] In this embodiment, an example in which the partition wall 174 is fixed is illustrated. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the partition wall 174 can be a movable type that is movable in the width direction of the upstream opening 112. According to such a configuration, the ratio between the air flow circulated inside the washing machine 10 and the air flow discharged to the outside as exhaust can be easily changed. Further, in this embodiment, an example in which the partition wall 174 is a component of the upstream filter member 160 is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it may be a component of the filter housing portion 110.

[0072] (1-5) The washing machine 10 of this embodiment has a filter housing portion 110 having an upstream opening 112 that opens on the upstream side of the air flow flowing through the air supply path 50 and a downstream opening 114 that opens on the downstream side of the air flow flowing through the air supply path 50. The filter member has an upstream filter member 160 attached across the opening region of the upstream opening 112 and a downstream filter member 180 attached across the opening region of the downstream opening 114. This is the gist of the present invention.

[0073] According to such a configuration, foreign matters contained in the air flow circulating through the air supply path 50 can be removed in two stages. Therefore, according to the above-described configuration, it is possible to circulate an air flow with a high degree of cleanliness. Further, as described above, if the upstream filter member 160 and the downstream filter member 180 are provided, for example, even if one of these filter members is forgotten to be installed, lint in the air can be captured by the other filter member. Furthermore, by providing two filters including the upstream filter member 160 and the downstream filter member 180, compared with the case of providing a single filter, the wet air flowing through the air supply path 50 and the outside air taken in from the outside air introduction portion 140 are mixed in the filter housing portion 110, thereby lowering the temperature of the wet air flowing through the air supply path 50 (reducing the amount of saturated water vapor) and efficiently separating and removing the contained moisture as condensed water. Furthermore, lint contained in the air passing through the filter housing portion 110 can be made difficult to adhere by the condensed water generated in the upstream filter member 160 and the downstream filter member 180, or even if lint adheres, it can be caused to flow down by the condensed water.

[0074] Here, as described above, when a configuration is adopted in which the upstream filter member 160 and the downstream filter member 180 are provided in the filter housing portion 110 so that moisture contained in the wet air flowing through the air supply path 50 can be efficiently separated and removed as condensed water, it is desirable to adopt a configuration capable of suppressing the accumulation of condensed water in the filter housing portion 110. Based on such findings, for example, it is desirable to adopt the following configurations (1-6).

[0075] (1-6) The washing machine 10 of the present embodiment is characterized in that the filter housing portion 110 has a drain port 120 capable of discharging moisture and an inclined portion 122 having a downward gradient toward the drain port 120 at the bottom 110e.

[0076] According to such a configuration, moisture such as condensed water recovered in the filter housing portion 110 can be smoothly collected at the drain port 120 and discharged. Thereby, it is possible to keep the inside of the filter housing portion 110 clean.

[0077] (1-7) The washing machine 10 of this embodiment is characterized by having a drain pipe 120a that connects from the drain port 120 to the air supply path 50 on the upstream side with respect to the filter device 100.

[0078] According to such a configuration, moisture such as condensed water recovered in the filter device 100 can be smoothly circulated to the upstream side of the air supply path 50.

[0079] (1-8) The washing machine 10 of this embodiment is characterized in that part or all of the inner peripheral surface of the filter housing portion 110 has an uneven shape.

[0080] According to such a configuration, moisture such as condensed water can be slowly made to flow down in the filter housing portion 110. Thereby, the moisture is evaporated by the airflow passing through the filter housing portion 110, and the amount of moisture discharged from the filter housing portion 110 to the outside can be minimized.

[0081] (2-1) The washing machine 10 of this embodiment includes a housing 20, a water tank 30 provided in the housing 20, and a washing tub 35 including a rotatable rotary tub 40 provided in the water tank 30, a warm air supply unit 70 that supplies warm air to the washing tub intake portion 32 of the washing tub 35, an air supply path 50 that leads from the washing tub exhaust portion 34 provided in the washing tub 35 to the washing tub intake portion 32, a filter device 100 that collects foreign matter contained in the air flowing through the air supply path 50, and a water supply unit 82 that can supply water. The air supply path 50 has a communication portion 58 that communicates the washing tub exhaust portion 34 and the filter device 100. The communication portion 58 has a water receiving portion 60 that receives water supplied by the water supply unit 82, and a communication portion 58 that communicates with the water receiving portion 60. The water receiving portion 60 and the communication portion 58 communicate with each other through an opening 62 provided in the water receiving portion 60.

[0082] According to such a configuration, water can be dropped from the water receiving portion 60 into the communication portion 58 through the opening 62 to clean the communication portion 58. Therefore, according to the above-described configuration, a washing machine 10 capable of maintaining the communication portion 58 clean can be provided.

[0083] (2-2) The washing machine 10 of the present embodiment is characterized in that the water receiving portion 60 has a standing portion 64 erected so as to surround the opening 62.

[0084] According to such a configuration, the water accumulated on the outer peripheral side of the standing portion 64 can be dropped toward the communication portion 58 from substantially the entire circumferential direction of the opening 62. Therefore, according to the above-described configuration, the communication portion 58 can be washed over substantially the entire circumferential direction.

[0085] (2-3) The washing machine 10 of the present embodiment is characterized in that the water receiving portion 60 has a groove portion 66 provided at one or more locations around the opening 62.

[0086] According to such a configuration, it becomes possible to drop water toward the opening 62 at the position where the groove portion 66 is provided. As a result, it is possible to drop water at a desired position and wash the communication portion 58 without leaving it to chance.

[0087] (2-4) The washing machine 10 of the present embodiment is characterized in that the water supply portion 82 supplies water from a direction intersecting the direction in which the opening 62 opens.

[0088] According to such a configuration, water can be evenly distributed to each part of the water receiving portion 60. As a result, it is possible to drop water substantially evenly from each part of the opening 62 toward the communication portion 58 and wash it.

[0089] (3-1) The washing machine 10 of this embodiment includes a housing 20, a water tank 30 provided in the housing 20, and a washing tub 35 including a rotary tub 40 rotatably provided in the water tank 30. It also includes a warm air supply unit 70 that supplies warm air to the washing tub intake portion 32 of the washing tub 35, and a blower path 50 that leads from the washing tub exhaust portion 34 provided in the washing tub 35 to the washing tub intake portion 32. The warm air supply unit 70 has a blower device 72 that forms an air current in the blower path 50 and a heating device 74 that heats the air flowing through the blower path 50. The heating device 74 is arranged at an intermediate position in the blower path 50, at a narrowed portion 52a where the cross-sectional area of the space forming the blower path 50 is narrower than the upstream side. This is the characteristic feature.

[0090] In the washing machine 10 of this embodiment, since the heating device 74 is provided at the narrowed portion 52a where the cross-sectional area of the space in the blower path 50 is narrowed, the air flowing through the blower path 50 can be heated smoothly and efficiently.

[0091] (3-2) The washing machine 10 of this embodiment includes a filter device 100 that collects foreign matter contained in the air flowing through the blower path 50, and the warm air supply unit 70 is arranged on the downstream side in the flow direction of the air current in the blower path 50 with respect to the filter device 100. This is the characteristic feature.

[0092] According to such a configuration, the air current can be heated after the foreign matter has been removed by the filter device 100. Therefore, according to the above-described configuration, compared with the case of heating the air current before the foreign matter is removed, the air current can be heated efficiently with less thermal energy by the amount corresponding to the absence of foreign matter.

[0093] (3-3) The washing machine 10 of this embodiment includes a housing 20, a water tub 30 provided in the housing 20, and a washing tub 35 including a rotating tub 40 rotatably provided in the water tub 30, a hot air supply unit 70 that supplies hot air to a washing tub intake portion 32 of the washing tub 35, and a blowing path 50 that extends from a washing tub exhaust portion 34 provided in the washing tub 35 to the washing tub intake portion 32. The housing 20 has a front beam 28a extending left and right on the front side, a rear beam 28b extending left and right on the rear side, and a pair of side beams 28c, 28d extending in the front-rear direction on the left side and the right side and connected to the front beam 28a and the rear beam 28b. The constituent members forming the blowing path 50 are suspended from one or a plurality of beams selected from the front beam 28a, the rear beam 28b, and the side beams 28c, 28d.

[0094] According to such a configuration, the constituent members forming the blowing path 50 can be suspended from the high-strength front beam 28a, rear beam 28b, and side beams 28c, 28d, and the rigidity against vibration can be improved. Specifically, for example, when the hot air supply unit 70 or the like is assembled to the blowing path 50 as described above, the blowing path 50 is heavier than other members, and there are concerns about the generation of vibration associated with blowing and the influence of vibration associated with the rotation of the washing tub 35. However, if each member forming the blowing path 50 is suspended and assembled to the highly rigid housing 20 constituted by each high-strength beam, the blowing path 50 can be stably held.

[0095] (3-4) The washing machine 10 of this embodiment is characterized in that a constituent member forming the hot air supply unit 70 is assembled to a constituent member forming the blowing path 50.

[0096] According to such a configuration, it becomes possible to receive the vibration associated with the operation of the hot air supply unit 70 by each beam, and it becomes possible to further improve the rigidity against vibration.

[0097] (4-1) The washing machine 10 of this embodiment includes a housing 20, a water tank 30 provided in the housing 20, and a washing tub 35 including a rotary tub 40 rotatably provided in the water tank 30. The housing 20 has a main body portion 26a that houses the washing tub 35 therein, a pedestal portion 26b disposed below the main body portion 26a, and a connecting portion 26c that connects the main body portion 26a and the pedestal portion 26b. The connecting portion 26c has a main body side fixing portion 26e fixed to the bottom of the main body portion 26a and a pedestal side fixing portion 26f fixed to the top of the pedestal portion 26b. The pedestal side fixing portion has a pedestal side side beam fastened to the left and right upper surfaces of the pedestal portion and a pedestal side front plate extending in the left-right direction on the front upper surface of the pedestal portion. The main body side fixing portion has a main body side front plate extending in the left-right direction at the lower front of the main body portion. The pedestal side front plate and the main body side plate are fastened to the pedestal side side beam.

[0098] According to such a configuration, it is possible to improve the anti-vibration property and rigidity.

[0099] (4-2) The washing machine 10 of this embodiment is characterized in that there is an opening 26d between the main body portion 26a and the pedestal portion 26b that can be opened outward in the circumferential direction.

[0100] According to such a configuration, for example, at the lower side of the housing 20, it is possible to utilize the opening 26d for various purposes such as inserting a hand or a tool inside the housing 20 for work, routing a drainage pipe, updating a printed circuit board, and maintenance.

[0101] The washing machine of the present invention is not limited to the washing machine 10 illustrated in the above embodiment. For example, it is also possible to adopt the configurations described as modification examples below. Hereinafter, it will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same components as those described in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0102] ≪First Modification Example≫ Here, for example, as disclosed in JP-A-2012-075818, a washing and drying machine that can be washed using warm water is provided. In such a washing and drying machine, when washing with warm water, water vapor generated in the water tank may also enter the circulation air duct. When water vapor enters the circulation air duct, there is a problem that the humidity in the circulation air duct increases and condensation is likely to occur in the circulation air duct. In particular, if the phenomenon of condensation on electrical components such as the dryer heater provided inside the circulation air duct is repeated over a long period, there is a concern that it may lead to malfunctions of the electrical components. In order to solve such problems, in the prior art according to JP-A-2012-075818, when washing using warm water, the dryer heater is energized to generate heat to suppress the occurrence of condensation in the circulation air duct.

[0103] However, in the washing and drying machine described in the above-mentioned patent document, since the dryer heater is energized to generate heat when using warm water, there is a concern about an increase in power consumption due to the simultaneous use of the warm water heater and the dryer heater. In addition, by using the dryer heater when generating warm water, there is a problem that the heater may be energized in a state of being exposed to condensed water, which may cause a malfunction or the like. Also, if it is left with condensation, there is a problem that it may induce the generation of microorganisms such as mold.

[0104] Therefore, in the first modification example, even when washing using warm water, it is aimed at suppressing the occurrence of condensation inside the washing machine.

[0105] [Configuration and effects of the first modification example] The configuration and effects of the washing machine of this modification example provided to solve the above-mentioned problems are as follows.

[0106] (5-1) The washing machine of this modification example includes a housing, a water tank provided in the housing, and a washing tub rotatably provided in the water tank. A ventilation path that connects a washing tub intake part and a washing tub exhaust part provided in the washing tub to be able to blow air outside the washing tub, a ventilation device that generates an air current in the ventilation path, and a hot water forming part that supplies hot water to the washing tub. It can perform an operation according to an operation mode consisting of one or more steps selected from a plurality of steps including a washing step of washing the laundry put into the washing tub, a rinsing step of rinsing the laundry put into the washing tub, and a dehydration step of dehydrating the laundry put into the washing tub. The operation mode includes either or both of the washing step and the rinsing step and the dehydration step. When performing an operation according to an operation mode in which either or both of washing and rinsing are performed using the hot water supplied by the hot water forming part and the dehydration step is performed at least once, during at least any one of the one or more dehydration steps included in the operation according to the operation mode, a dehydration-time ventilation operation of generating an air current in the ventilation path by the ventilation device can be performed.

[0107] According to such a configuration, when performing an operation in an operation mode in which either or both of washing and rinsing are performed using hot water, by performing a dehydration-time ventilation operation in the dehydration step, the humidity can be reduced by the air current flowing through the ventilation path, and condensation can be suppressed.

[0108] (5-2) The washing machine described above is preferably the one according to claim 1, characterized in that the dehydration-time ventilation operation is performed in the dehydration step that is performed at least immediately after performing washing or rinsing using hot water among the plurality of dehydration steps included in the operation mode.

[0109] According to such a configuration, in the dehydration step that is performed immediately after the humidity has increased due to washing or rinsing using hot water, an air current can be made to flow through the ventilation path to reduce the humidity. Thereby, the occurrence of condensation in the ventilation path can be further suppressed.

[0110] (5-3) The washing machine described above is characterized in that, in some of the dehydration steps included in the operation mode, the rotary tub is rotated at the maximum rotation speed, as described in claim 1 or 2.

[0111] According to such a configuration, it is possible to blow off the moisture remaining or adhering to the rotary tub and promote the drying of the rotary tub. Further, the moisture blown off from the rotary tub can be dried by performing the air blowing operation during dehydration. Therefore, according to the above-described configuration, the occurrence of condensation can be more reliably suppressed.

[0112] (5-4) The washing machine described above is characterized in that, in the dehydration step performed at least at the end among the plurality of dehydration steps included in the operation mode, the rotary tub is rotated at the maximum rotation speed, as described in claim 1 or 2.

[0113] According to such a configuration, it is possible to more reliably blow off the moisture remaining or adhering to the rotary tub and promote the drying of the rotary tub.

[0114] (5-5) The washing machine described above has a heating device for heating the air passing through the air blowing path, and when performing the air blowing operation during dehydration in the dehydration step performed immediately after performing at least washing or rinsing using warm water, the heating of the air by the heating device is stopped, as described in any one of claims 1 to 3.

[0115] According to such a configuration, it is possible to suppress the power consumption due to the operation of the heating device.

[0116] (5-5) The washing machine described above has a room temperature detection device for detecting the room temperature, and the air blowing capacity by the air blowing device in the air blowing operation during dehydration is adjusted according to the room temperature detected by the room temperature detection device, as described in any one of claims 1 to 4.

[0117] According to such a configuration, it is possible to perform air blowing with an optimal air blowing capacity according to the high or low room temperature. Thereby, it is possible to perform air blowing with an optimal air blowing volume in order to suppress the occurrence of condensation, and condensation can be efficiently suppressed.

[0118] (5-6) The washing machine described above has a room temperature detection device for detecting the room temperature, and the air blowing time by the air blowing device in the air blowing operation during dehydration is adjusted according to the room temperature detected by the room temperature detection device. It is preferably the one described in any one of claims 1 to 4.

[0119] According to such a configuration, it is possible to optimize the air blowing time according to the high or low room temperature. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the air blowing from being performed for an excessively long time in order to suppress the occurrence of condensation, and it is possible to shorten the operation time and suppress the power consumption. In addition, it is possible to secure a sufficient air blowing time in consideration of the high or low room temperature, and the occurrence of condensation can be efficiently suppressed.

[0120] (5-7) The washing machine described above is preferably the one described in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the air blowing operation during dehydration is started with a delay from the start timing of the dehydration step.

[0121] According to such a configuration, it is possible to suppress the air containing a large amount of moisture immediately after the start of the dehydration step from flowing through the air blowing path.

[0122] (5-8) The washing machine described above is preferably the one described in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the start of the air blowing operation during dehydration is delayed from the start of rotation of the rotary tub until the rotational speed of the rotary tub reaches a predetermined rotational speed in the dehydration step.

[0123] According to such a configuration, in the initial stage of the dehydration step from the start of rotation of the rotary tub until the rotational speed of the rotary tub reaches a predetermined rotational speed in the dehydration step, the moisture contained in the clothing is dehydrated and drained to a certain extent, and the air containing a large amount of moisture present in the washing tub can be suppressed from flowing through the air blowing path.

[0124] (5-9) The washing machine described above is characterized in that the air blowing operation during dehydration is performed on the condition that the temperature of the warm water supplied by the warm water forming unit is equal to or higher than a predetermined reference temperature, and is preferably the one described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

[0125] According to such a configuration, when warm water at a temperature at which condensation is likely to occur is used for washing or rinsing, the air blowing operation during dehydration can be appropriately performed.

[0126] [Regarding the specific example of the first modification] Hereinafter, the washing machine 10 according to the first modification will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that since the washing machine 10 according to this modification has substantially the same configuration as that according to the above embodiment, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0127] The washing machine 10 includes a housing 20, a washing tub 35, an air blowing path 50, an air blowing device 72, and a heating device 74, similar to those exemplified in the above embodiment. As shown in FIG. 17, the washing machine 10 according to this modification further includes a warm water forming unit 200, a room temperature detection device 210, and a control unit 220 in addition to these components.

[0128] The warm water forming unit 200 is for heating the water used for washing or rinsing to warm water. The warm water forming unit 200 is constituted by a heater that generates heat when energized. The warm water forming unit 200 can heat the low-temperature water supplied from the outside to warm water. The warm water forming unit 200 can be provided at an appropriate location, such as in the washing tub 35 or the like. The warm water forming unit 200 is operable under the control of the control unit 220.

[0129] The room temperature detection device 210 includes a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the room in which the washing machine 10 is installed. The room temperature detection device 210 is capable of outputting data related to the detected room temperature to the control unit 220.

[0130] The control unit 220 controls the overall operation of the washing machine 10. The control unit 220 is connected to the hot water forming unit 200 and the room temperature detection device 210. Further, the control unit 220 is connected to a motor for driving the rotary tub 40 in the washing tub 35, a blower device 72, and a heating device 74. Thereby, the control unit 220 can control the rotation of the rotary tub 40, the blowing by the blower device 72, the heating by the heating device 74, etc.

[0131] The control unit 220 performs the operation control of the washing machine 10 so as to perform an operation consisting of only one process selected from a plurality of processes including a washing process for washing the laundry put into the washing tub 35, a rinsing process for rinsing the laundry put into the washing tub 35, and a dehydration process for dehydrating the laundry put into the washing tub 35, or an operation according to an operation mode combining a plurality of processes selected from these processes. The washing machine 10 of this modification example is a case where it operates in an operation mode including either or both of the washing process and the rinsing process and the dehydration process, and when performing either or both of washing and rinsing using the hot water supplied by the hot water supply unit, it is configured to be able to perform a blowing operation during dehydration under the control of the control unit 220. Hereinafter, the blowing operation during dehydration will be described in detail with reference to the timing chart shown in FIG. 18.

[0132] In the example shown in the timing chart of FIG. 18, the washing machine 10 operates in an operation mode in which each process is performed in the order of a washing process, a first dehydration process, a rinsing process, a second dehydration process, a third dehydration process, and a drying process. Here, the washing process is a process of washing the laundry put into the washing tub 35. In the operation mode illustrated in the timing chart of FIG. 18, washing is performed using the water heated to warm water by the warm water forming unit 200 in the washing process. The first dehydration process is a dehydration process performed after the washing process and before moving to the rinsing process. The rinsing process is a process of adding water again to the washing tub 35 after the first dehydration process to rinse the laundry. The second dehydration process is a preliminary dehydration process performed after the rinsing process and before the third dehydration process. The third dehydration process is a dehydration process for further dehydrating the laundry after the second dehydration process. The drying process is a process of drying the laundry sufficiently dehydrated in the third dehydration process with the warm air supplied to the washing tub 35.

[0133] When washing is performed using warm water in the washing process according to the above-described operation mode, the control unit 220 operates the blower device 72 so that an air flow is generated in the air flow path 50 in at least any one of the first dehydration process, the second dehydration process, and the third dehydration process included in the operation mode (air blowing operation during dehydration). The air blowing operation during dehydration is performed in the dehydration process performed immediately after at least washing or rinsing using warm water. In the example of FIG. 18, warm water is used in the washing process. Therefore, the control unit 220 performs the air blowing operation during dehydration at least in the first dehydration process performed after the washing process. In the example of FIG. 18, in addition to the first dehydration process, the control unit 220 controls the operation of the blower device 72 so that the air blowing operation during dehydration is also performed in the second dehydration process and the third dehydration process.

[0134] Among the plurality of dehydration steps included in the operation mode, the control unit 220 rotates the rotary tub 40 at the maximum rotational speed in some of the dehydration steps. Also, the control unit 220 rotates the rotary tub 40 at the maximum rotational speed in at least the last dehydration step among the plurality of dehydration steps included in the operation mode. In the example shown in the timing chart of FIG. 18, in the third dehydration step which is the last among the first dehydration step, the second dehydration step, and the third dehydration step, control is performed to rotate the rotary tub 40 at the maximum rotational speed.

[0135] Also, when the control unit 220 performs a control to stop heating of the air by the heating device 74 when performing a dehydration-time blowing operation in a dehydration step performed immediately after washing or rinsing using warm water. In the example of FIG. 18, since washing is performed using warm water in the washing step, the control unit 220 stops heating of the air by the heating device 74 when performing a dehydration-time blowing operation in the first dehydration step performed immediately after the washing step.

[0136] When performing a dehydration-time blowing operation, the control unit 220 performs control to continuously or stepwise adjust the blowing ability of the blowing device 72 according to the room temperature detected by the room temperature detection device 210. In this modification example, the temperature range is defined so that the room temperature can be grasped in three stages: when the room temperature is low like in winter, when the room temperature is medium like in spring or autumn, and when the room temperature is high like in summer. Also, the blowing ability of the blowing device 72 is defined in three stages according to the rotational speed of the fan provided in the blowing device 72. Further, the relationship between the room temperature and the blowing ability of the blowing device 72 is defined in advance. For example, when the room temperature is high, since the possibility of dew condensation is low, the blowing ability of the blowing device 72 is defined to be the lowest. On the other hand, when the room temperature is low, since the possibility of dew condensation is high, the blowing ability of the blowing device 72 is defined to be high. Also, when the room temperature is medium, the blowing ability of the blowing device 72 is defined to be medium. The control unit 220 controls the blowing ability of the blowing device 72 according to the relationship between the room temperature and the blowing ability defined in this way and the room temperature detected by the room temperature detection device 210, in accordance with a predetermined rule.

[0137] The control unit 220 performs control to continuously or stepwise adjust the blowing time by the blower 72 in the blowing operation during dehydration according to the room temperature detected by the room temperature detection device. For example, as described above, the control unit 220 grasps the room temperature by dividing the room temperature into three levels: high temperature, low temperature, and medium temperature. When the room temperature is moderate, the control unit 220 sets the blowing time of the blower 72 to a standard time. When the room temperature is high, since the possibility of condensation occurring is low, the control unit 220 performs control to make the blowing time by the blower 72 shorter than the standard time. Also, when the room temperature is low, since the possibility of condensation occurring is high, the control unit 220 performs control to make the blowing time by the blower 72 longer than the standard time. In this way, the control unit 220 performs control to adjust the blowing time by the blower 72 according to the room temperature detected by the room temperature detection device 210.

[0138] The control unit 220 performs control to start the blowing operation during dehydration with a delay from the start timing of the dehydration process. Specifically, the control unit 220 delays the start of the blowing operation during dehydration from when the rotary tub 40 starts rotating in the dehydration process until the rotational speed of the rotary tub 40 reaches a predetermined rotational speed. Specifically, the start of the blowing operation during dehydration is delayed until the rotational speed of the rotary tub 40 reaches a predetermined rotational speed defined in the range of 30 to 60% of the maximum rotational speed (in the example shown in FIG. 18, the rotational speed is about 40% of the maximum rotational speed). Also, after the rotational speed of the rotary tub 40 reaches the predetermined rotational speed, it is controlled to start the blowing operation during dehydration.

[0139] As described above, when the washing machine 10 of this modification example is operated in an operation mode in which washing and / or rinsing is performed using the warm water supplied by the warm water forming unit 200 and at least one dehydration step is performed, a dehydration-time blowing operation is performed in which an air flow is generated in the air flow path 50 by the blower device 72 in at least any one of one or a plurality of dehydration steps included in the operation in the operation mode. Therefore, when the operation is performed in the operation mode in which washing and / or rinsing is performed using warm water, the humidity can be reduced by the air flow flowing through the air flow path 50 by performing the dehydration-time blowing operation in the dehydration step, and dew condensation can be suppressed.

[0140] Further, in the washing machine 10 of this modification example, the dehydration-time blowing operation is performed in at least the dehydration step that is performed immediately after washing or rinsing using warm water among the plurality of dehydration steps included in the operation mode. Therefore, in the dehydration step that is performed immediately after the humidity has increased due to washing or rinsing using warm water, the air flow can be made to flow through the air flow path 50 to reduce the humidity. Thereby, the occurrence of dew condensation in the air flow path 50 can be further suppressed.

[0141] As described above, in the washing machine 10 of this modification example, among the plurality of dehydration steps included in the operation mode, in some of the dehydration steps, the rotary tub 40 is rotated at the maximum rotation speed. Therefore, the moisture remaining or adhering to the rotary tub 40 can be blown off, and the drying of the rotary tub 40 can be promoted. Further, the moisture blown off from the rotary tub 40 can be dried by performing the dehydration-time blowing operation. Therefore, according to the above-described configuration, the occurrence of dew condensation can be more reliably suppressed.

[0142] Note that, in this modification example, an example is shown in which the rotary tub 40 is rotated at the maximum rotation speed in some of the plurality of dehydration steps included in the operation mode, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the rotary tub 40 may be rotated at the maximum rotation speed in all the dehydration steps, or may be rotated at a rotation speed lower than the maximum rotation speed in all the dehydration steps.

[0143] In the washing machine 10 of this modified example, in at least the last dehydration step among the plurality of dehydration steps included in the operation mode, the rotary tub 40 is rotated at the maximum rotational speed. Therefore, in the washing machine 10, the moisture remaining or adhering to the rotary tub 40 can be more surely removed, and the drying of the rotary tub 40 can be promoted.

[0144] In this modified example, an example is shown in which the rotary tub 40 is rotated at the maximum rotational speed in at least the last dehydration step among the plurality of dehydration steps included in the operation mode. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Specifically, in the last dehydration step, the rotary tub 40 may not be rotated at the maximum rotational speed.

[0145] Further, the washing machine 10 of this modified example has a heating device 74 that heats the air passing through the air supply path 50, and when performing the air supply operation during dehydration in the dehydration step performed immediately after at least washing or rinsing using warm water, the heating of the air by the heating device 74 is stopped. Therefore, according to the washing machine 10 of this modified example, the power consumption due to the operation of the heating device 74 can be suppressed.

[0146] In this modified example, a configuration is exemplified in which the heating of the air by the heating device 74 is stopped when performing the air supply operation during dehydration in the dehydration step performed immediately after washing or rinsing using warm water. However, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the washing machine 10 may perform the heating of the air by the heating device 74 in the dehydration step immediately after washing or rinsing using warm water.

[0147] The washing machine 10 of the present modification example described above has a room temperature detection device 210 for detecting the room temperature, and the blowing capacity by the blowing device 72 in the blowing operation during dehydration is adjusted according to the room temperature detected by the room temperature detection device 210. Therefore, the washing machine 10 of the present modification example can blow air with an optimal blowing capacity according to the high or low room temperature. Thereby, it is possible to blow air with an optimal air volume to suppress the occurrence of condensation, and it is possible to efficiently suppress condensation.

[0148] Note that, although the washing machine 10 of the present modification example is exemplified in which the blowing capacity by the blowing device 72 in the blowing operation during dehydration is adjusted according to the room temperature detected by the room temperature detection device 210, the present invention is not limited thereto. Specifically, the washing machine 10 may have the same blowing capacity by the blowing device 72 in the blowing operation during dehydration regardless of the room temperature, or may be provided with a clock function in the washing machine 10 so as to be able to grasp the season, and the blowing capacity may be changed according to the season.

[0149] The washing machine 10 of the present modification example has a room temperature detection device 210 for detecting the room temperature, and the blowing time by the blowing device 72 in the blowing operation during dehydration is adjusted according to the room temperature detected by the room temperature detection device 210. Therefore, according to the washing machine 10 of the present modification example, it is possible to optimize the blowing time according to the high or low room temperature. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the blowing for an excessively long time to suppress the occurrence of condensation, and it is possible to shorten the operation time and suppress the power consumption. In addition, it is possible to secure a sufficient blowing time in consideration of the high or low room temperature, and it is possible to efficiently suppress the occurrence of condensation.

[0150] Note that, although the washing machine 10 of the present modification example is configured to adjust the blowing time by the blowing device 72 in the blowing operation during dehydration according to the room temperature, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the washing machine 10 may have the same blowing time by the blowing device 72 in the blowing operation during dehydration regardless of the room temperature, or may be provided with a clock function in the washing machine 10 so as to be able to grasp the season, and the blowing time may be changed according to the season.

[0151] In the washing machine 10 of this modified example, the air-blowing operation during dehydration is started with a delay from the start timing of the dehydration process. Therefore, according to the washing machine 10 of this modified example, it is possible to suppress the air containing a large amount of moisture from flowing through the air-blowing path 50 immediately after the start of the dehydration process.

[0152] In this modified example, an example in which the air-blowing operation during dehydration is started with a delay from the start timing of the dehydration process is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the washing machine 10 may be such that the air-blowing operation during dehydration is started at the same timing as the dehydration process.

[0153] In the washing machine 10 of this modified example, after the rotary tub 40 starts rotating in the dehydration process, the start of the air-blowing operation during dehydration is delayed until the rotational speed of the rotary tub 40 reaches a predetermined rotational speed. Therefore, in the washing machine 10 of this modified example, it is possible to suppress the air containing a large amount of moisture present in the initial stage of the dehydration process from flowing through the air-blowing path 50 from when the rotary tub 40 starts rotating in the dehydration process until the rotational speed of the rotary tub 40 reaches a predetermined rotational speed.

[0154] In the washing machine 10 of this modified example, an example in which the start of the air-blowing operation during dehydration is delayed until the rotational speed of the rotary tub 40 reaches a predetermined rotational speed in the dehydration process is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the washing machine 10 may be such that the air-blowing operation during dehydration is started after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start timing of the dehydration process.

[0155] The washing machine 10 of this modification example shows an example in which, regardless of the temperature of the warm water supplied by the warm water forming unit 200 in the washing process, the use of warm water in the washing process is made a condition for performing the air blowing operation during dehydration. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Specifically, the air blowing operation during dehydration may be performed on the condition that the temperature of the warm water supplied by the warm water forming unit 200 is equal to or higher than a predetermined reference temperature. Thereby, when warm water at a temperature at which generation of condensation is a concern is used for washing or rinsing, the air blowing operation during dehydration is appropriately performed, and when warm water at a temperature at which the concern about the generation of condensation is low is used, the air blowing operation during dehydration can be omitted.

[0156] In addition, in this modification example, an example in which the air blowing operation during dehydration is performed according to the temperature of the warm water supplied by the warm water forming unit 200 is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the washing machine 10 may perform the air blowing operation during dehydration regardless of the temperature of the warm water supplied by the warm water forming unit 200.

[0157] ≪Second Modification Example≫ Conventionally, there has been provided something like a washing and drying machine disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-051296. The washing and drying machine of Patent Document 1 includes a rotary drum rotatably provided in a washing machine casing, an intake port for taking in air outside the washing machine casing as drying air, an intake path for feeding the drying air from the intake port to the rotary drum, a heater for heating the drying air, a blower fan for blowing the drying air into the rotary drum, an exhaust port opening outside the washing machine casing, an exhaust path for feeding the drying air that has exchanged heat with the clothing in the rotary drum to the exhaust port, and a control unit for controlling the heater, the blower fan, and the like.

[0158] Here, when an intake port and an exhaust port are provided in the casing of the washing machine as in the washing and drying machine of Patent Document 1 above, there is a concern that the intake port and the exhaust port may be blocked, for example, when an article is placed on them, resulting in a decrease in intake performance and exhaust performance.

[0159] Therefore, in the second modification example, even when an article or the like is placed in a portion where an outside air introduction portion or an inside air discharge portion used for intake or exhaust is provided in the washing machine, the purpose is to ensure a path through which air can flow.

[0160] [Configuration and Effects of the Second Modification Example] The configuration and effects of the washing machine of this modification example provided to solve the above-described problems are as follows.

[0161] (6-1) The washing machine of this modification example includes a housing, a water tank provided in the housing, a washing tub including a rotatable tub provided in the water tank, a blowing path that connects a washing tub intake portion and a washing tub exhaust portion provided in the washing tub to be able to blow air outside the washing tub, an outside air introduction portion that is open to the outside so as to be able to introduce air from the outside into the blowing path, and an inside air discharge portion that is open to the outside so as to be able to discharge air from the blowing path to the outside, and among the outside air introduction portion and the inside air discharge portion, one or both of them have a first communication portion that communicates with the outside such that air flows in a direction intersecting an outer surface of the housing that is exposed to the outside, and a second communication portion that communicates with the outside such that air flows in a direction intersecting the first communication portion.

[0162] The washing machine of this modification example has a first communication portion that communicates with the outside such that air flows in a direction intersecting an outer surface of the housing that is exposed to the outside, and a second communication portion that communicates with the outside such that air flows in a direction intersecting the first communication portion, among the outside air introduction portion and the inside air discharge portion. Therefore, even if an object is placed so as to block the first communication portion, a path through which air can flow can be ensured via the second communication portion.

[0163] In this modified example, the exterior surface where the outside air introduction part and the inside air discharge part are provided can be, for example, the top surface or the side surface of the washing machine. If the outside air introduction part and the inside air discharge part provided on the top surface of the washing machine are provided with the first communication part and the second communication part as described above, although there is a concern that the first communication part may be blocked when an object is placed on the top surface, the air flow by the second communication part can be ensured. Further, when the outside air introduction part and the inside air discharge part are provided on the side surface of the washing machine, if they are arranged in a state where the side surface where they are provided is in contact with the wall surface, etc., there is a concern that the first communication part may be blocked, but the air flow by the second communication part can be ensured.

[0164] (6-2) It is preferable that the above-described washing machine is formed such that one of the first communication part and the second communication part branches off to the other.

[0165] According to such a configuration, since it is not necessary to provide the first communication part and the second communication part as completely different ones, the configuration can be simplified.

[0166] (6-3) It is preferable that the above-described washing machine has either one or both of the outside air introduction part and the inside air discharge part provided in a part of the exterior surface that forms the top surface of the housing.

[0167] According to such a configuration, it is possible to suppress the air flow from being obstructed in the outside air introduction part and the inside air discharge part when an article is placed on the top surface constituting the housing.

[0168] (6-4) The washing machine described above has a bar-shaped portion provided with a plurality of bars in a chain or lattice shape on the outer surface, and the bar-shaped portion is formed so as to be exposed to the outside and communicate with the side of the outer surface. One or both of the outside air introduction portion and the inside air discharge portion are provided in the bar-shaped portion. The first communication portion is formed by an opening that opens to the outer surface between adjacent bars constituting the bar-shaped portion, and the second communication portion is not open to the outer surface between adjacent bars constituting the bar-shaped portion and is formed by a portion that communicates with the side of the outer surface. This is preferable.

[0169] According to such a configuration, the first communication portion can be formed by the opening formed between the bars, and the second communication portion can be formed in the portion between the bars where no opening is formed.

[0170] [Regarding the specific example of the second modification example] Hereinafter, the washing machine 10 according to the second modification example will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 19 and 20. Since the washing machine 10 according to this modification example mostly has the same configuration as that according to the above embodiment, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0171] The washing machine 10 includes a housing 20, a washing tub 35, and a blowing path 50 having the same configuration as that exemplified in the above embodiment. The washing machine 10 of the second modification example is partially different in configuration from the above-described inside air discharge portion 130 and outside air introduction portion 140. Hereinafter, the configurations of the inside air discharge portion 130 and the outside air introduction portion 140 in the second modification example will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0172] The inside air discharge portion 130 is open to the outside so as to be able to discharge air from the blowing path 50 to the outside. Further, the outside air introduction portion 140 is open to the outside so as to be able to introduce air from the outside into the blowing path 50. The inside air discharge portion 130 and the outside air introduction portion 140 are provided at positions on the top surface 20e of the surfaces forming the outer surface of the housing 20 on the back surface 20b side, respectively.

[0173] The indoor air discharge part 130 and the outdoor air introduction part 140 are each formed by bar-shaped parts 250, 260 in which a plurality of bars 252, 262 are provided in a chain shape or a lattice shape. The bar-shaped parts 250, 260 are exposed to the outside on the top surface 20e and are formed to communicate toward the side of the top surface 20e (the back surface 20b side in this modified example).

[0174] The indoor air discharge part 130 and the outdoor air introduction part 140 each have a first communication part 254, 264 and a second communication part 256, 266 formed by the bar-shaped parts 250, 260.

[0175] The first communication parts 254, 264 communicate to the outside so that air flows in a direction intersecting the top surface 20e (the vertical direction in this modified example). The first communication parts 254, 264 are formed by openings that open to the top surface 20e between adjacent bars 252, 252 or between bars 262, 262 constituting the bar-shaped parts 250, 260.

[0176] The second communication parts 256 and 266 communicate with the outside such that air flows in a direction intersecting the first communication parts 254 and 264. The second communication parts 256 and 266 are formed to branch from the first communication parts 254 and 264. The second communication parts 256 and 266 are non-opening with respect to the top surface 20e and are formed by parts that communicate toward the side of the top surface 20e (the back surface 20b side in this modified example) between adjacent bars 252 and 252 constituting the bar-shaped parts 250 and 260 or between bars 262 and 262. The non-opening parts constituting the second communication parts 256 and 266 are located at positions lower than the upper end parts (open ends) of the bars 252 and 252 or the bars 262 and 262. Therefore, grooves are formed between the bars 252 and 252 and between the bars 262 and 262 along the surface of the top surface 20e (outer decorative surface) through which air flows. Further, as shown in FIG. 20, the bars 252 and 262 have inclined parts 258 and 268 that are inclined from the upper end side toward the lower end side on the terminal side of the second communication parts 256 and 266 (the back surface 20b side in this modified example). Because of such a configuration, even if an article is placed on the bar-shaped parts 250 and 260, a gap is formed between the inclined parts 258 and 268 and the article, and air permeability in the second communication parts 256 and 266 can be ensured.

[0177] As described above, in the washing machine 10 of this modified example, both the internal air discharge part 130 and the external air introduction part 140 have the first communication parts 254 and 264 that communicate with the outside such that air flows in a direction intersecting the top surface 20e of the housing 20 that is exposed to the outside, and the second communication parts 256 and 266 that communicate with the outside such that air flows in a direction intersecting the first communication parts 254 and 264. Therefore, in the washing machine 10 of this modified example, even if an object is placed so as to block the first communication parts 254 and 264, a path through which air flows can be ensured via the second communication parts 256 and 266.

[0178] In addition, in this modification example, an example in which the indoor air discharge part 130 and the outdoor air introduction part 140 are provided on the top surface 20e has been shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the indoor air discharge part 130 and the outdoor air introduction part 140 are provided on the side surface of the housing 20, if the side surface where these are provided has the above-described configuration, even if the first communication parts 254 and 264 are blocked by arranging the side surface in contact with the wall surface or the like, the air flow by the second communication parts 256 and 266 can be ensured.

[0179] In addition, in this modification example, an example in which both the indoor air discharge part 130 and the outdoor air introduction part 140 are configured to include the first communication parts 254 and 264 and the second communication parts 256 and 266 as described above has been shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, either one of the indoor air discharge part 130 and the outdoor air introduction part 140 may have a configuration different from that including the first communication parts 254 and 264 and the second communication parts 256 and 266 as described above.

[0180] The washing machine 10 of the above-described modification example is formed such that one of the first communication parts 254 and 264 branches to the other. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide the first communication parts 254 and 264 and the second communication parts 256 and 266 as completely different ones, and thus the configuration can be simplified.

[0181] In addition, in this modification example, an example in which the second communication parts 256 and 266 branch from the first communication parts 254 and 264 has been shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the indoor air discharge part 130 or the outdoor air introduction part 140 may be such that the first communication parts 254 and 264 branch from the second communication parts 256 and 266, or the first communication parts 254 and 264 and the second communication parts 256 and 266 may be provided by separate routes.

[0182] The above-described washing machine 10 has the indoor air discharge part 130 and the outdoor air introduction part 140 provided in a part forming the top surface 20e of the housing 20. Therefore, the washing machine 10 can suppress the air flow in the indoor air discharge part 130 and the outdoor air introduction part 140 from being obstructed, for example, when an article is placed on the top surface constituting the housing 20.

[0183] In addition, in this modified example, an example in which both the internal air discharge part 130 and the external air introduction part 140 are provided on the top surface 20e has been shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. Specifically, either one or both of the internal air discharge part 130 and the external air introduction part 140 may be provided on an exterior surface other than the top surface 20e, such as a side surface of the housing 20.

[0184] The washing machine 10 described above has bar-shaped parts 250, 260 in which a plurality of bars 252, 262 are provided in a chain shape or a lattice shape on the top surface 20e. The bar-shaped parts 250, 260 are exposed to the outside and are formed so as to communicate with the side of the top surface 20e. Further, both the internal air discharge part 130 and the external air introduction part 140 are provided in the bar-shaped parts 250, 260. First communication parts 254, 264 are formed by openings that are open to the top surface 20e between the bars 252, 262, and second communication parts 256, 266 are formed by parts that are not open between the bars 252, 262. The washing machine 10 of this modified example can provide the first communication parts 254, 264 and the second communication parts 256, 266 with such a simple configuration.

[0185] In addition, in this modified example, an example in which the first communication parts 254, 264 and the second communication parts 256, 266 are provided by utilizing the bar-shaped parts 250, 260 has been shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. The washing machine 10 may be, for example, one in which an opening for the first communication parts 254, 264 and an opening for the second communication parts 256, 266 are provided separately.

[0186] The present invention is not limited to those shown as the above-described embodiments and modified examples, etc. There may be other embodiments within the scope of the teachings and spirit without departing from the scope of the claims. The constituent elements of the above-described embodiments may be arbitrarily selected and combined. Also, any constituent element of the embodiment and any constituent element described in the means for solving the invention or a constituent element embodying any constituent element described in the means for solving the invention may be arbitrarily combined. Regarding these, there is also an intention to obtain rights in the amendment or divisional application of the present application.

Industrial Applicability

[0187] The present invention can be suitably used in washing machines in general.

Explanation of Signs

[0188] 10: Washing machine 20: Housing 26a: Main body part 26b: Pedestal part 26c: Connection part 26d: Opening 26e: Main body side fixing part 26f: Pedestal side fixing part 28a: Front beam 28b: Rear beam 28c: Side beam 28d: Side beam 30: Water tank 32: Washing tub intake part 34: Washing tub exhaust part 35: Washing tub 40: Rotating tub 50: Air supply path 52a: Narrow part 58: Communication part 60: Water receiving part 62: Opening 64: Upright part 66: Groove part 70: Warm air supply part 72: Air blower 74: Heating device 82: Water supply part 100: Filter device 110: Filter housing part 110e: Bottom 112: Upstream opening 114: Downstream opening 116: Inner air discharge part communication port 118: Outer air introduction part communication port 120: Drain port 120a: Drain pipe 122: Inclined part 130: Inner air discharge part 134: Inner air discharge port 140: Outside air introduction part 160: Upstream side filter member 174: Partition wall 176: First space 178: Second space 180: Downstream side filter member 200: Warm water formation part 210: Room temperature detection device 220: Control part 250: Crossbar part 252: Crossbar 254: First communication part 256: Second communication part 258: Inclined part 260: Crossbar part 262: Crossbar 264: First communication part 266: Second communication part 268: Inclined part

Claims

1. A housing, a washing tub including a water tank provided in the housing and a rotating tub rotatably provided in the water tank, a hot air supply unit that supplies hot air to a washing tub intake portion provided in the washing tub, a blowing path formed so as to lead from a washing tub exhaust portion provided in the washing tub to the washing tub intake portion, and through which air can pass with the washing tub exhaust portion on the upstream side and the washing tub intake portion on the downstream side, a filter device provided in the middle of the blowing path, wherein the filter device has a filter member that collects foreign matter contained in the air, a filter housing portion through which the air flowing through the blowing path can pass and that forms a space capable of accommodating the filter member, an outside air introduction portion that communicates with the filter housing portion and is open to the outside so as to be able to introduce outside air into the blowing path, an inside air discharge portion that communicates with the filter housing portion and is open to the outside so as to be able to discharge air from the blowing path to the outside, wherein the filter housing portion has an upstream inner peripheral surface, a downstream inner peripheral surface facing the upstream inner peripheral surface, a first side inner peripheral surface intersecting the upstream inner peripheral surface and the downstream inner peripheral surface, a second side inner peripheral surface facing the first side inner peripheral surface, and a bottom portion, and has an upstream opening that opens on the upstream side of the air flow flowing through the blowing path on the upstream inner peripheral surface, and a downstream opening that opens on the downstream side of the air flow flowing through the blowing path on the downstream inner peripheral surface, a drain port capable of discharging the condensed water adhering to the filter member to the outside of the filter housing portion, and an inclined portion having a downward gradient toward the drain port on the bottom portion, and guides the moisture that has fallen to the bottom portion of the filter housing portion toward the drain port by the inclined portion that descends toward the drain port provided at a position adjacent to the downstream inner peripheral surface and the second side inner peripheral surface, A washing machine, characterized in that the air flow flowing from the upstream opening to the downstream opening and the outside air introduced from the outside air introduction portion are mixed inside the filter housing portion.

2. The washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising a drain pipe connected to the blowing path on the upstream side with respect to the filter device, leading from the drain port.

3. The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that part or all of the inner peripheral surface of the filter housing portion has an uneven shape.

4. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the filter member has an upstream filter member provided across the opening region of the upstream opening and a downstream filter member provided across the opening region of the downstream opening.

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