Clothing processing apparatus

Abstract

To provide a clothing treatment device capable of accurately detecting a water level in a tub.SOLUTION: A clothing treatment device includes: a tub provided so as to store washing water; a storage tub included in the tub and for storing an object to be treated; a water supply part for supplying water to the tub; an air blowing part for supplying air to the tub; a pressure detection part for detecting a pressure in the tub; and a control part for controlling the water supply part and the air blowing part. The control part executes an air blowing step of driving the air blowing part in a state where water is in the tub, and in the case where the pressure detected by the pressure detection part decreases by a predetermined value or larger value in the air blowing step, the control part stops the air blowing part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a clothing treatment apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a washing machine capable of detecting water leakage.

[0003] The washing machine in Patent Document 1 includes a water receiving tank elastically supported by a washing machine body, a water supply means for supplying tap water into the water receiving tank, a water level detection means for detecting the water level in the water receiving tank, a drainage means for draining the washing water in the water receiving tank, and a control means for controlling the washing operation.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The present disclosure provides a clothing treatment apparatus capable of more accurately detecting the water level in the tub.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The clothing treatment apparatus of the present disclosure includes a tub provided to be able to store washing water, a storage tank enclosed in the tub for accommodating an object to be treated, a water supply unit for supplying water to the tub, a blowing unit for supplying air to the tub, a pressure detection unit for detecting the pressure in the tub, and a control unit for controlling the water supply unit and the blowing unit. The control unit executes a blowing process of driving the blowing unit in a state where water is in the tub, and when the pressure detected by the pressure detection unit in the blowing process drops below a predetermined value, the blowing unit is stopped.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] The clothing treatment apparatus of the present disclosure can more accurately detect the water level in the tub.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, a more detailed description may be omitted as necessary. For example, a detailed description of well-known matters or a redundant description of substantially the same configuration may be omitted. This is to avoid making the following description overly redundant and to facilitate the understanding of those skilled in the art.

[0010] Note that the accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0011] [1. Embodiment 1] Hereinafter, Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6.

[0012] [1-1. Configuration] [1-1-1. Overall Configuration of the Washing and Drying Machine] (Washing and Drying Machine 100) As shown in FIG. 1, the washing and drying machine 100 includes a housing 110, a tub unit 200, a water supply unit 300 (shown in FIG. 2), a drainage unit 400, and a drying unit 500.

[0013] (Housing 110) The housing 110 includes a front housing wall 111, a rear housing wall 112, left and right housing side walls 113 (shown in FIG. 2), a top housing wall 114, and a bottom housing wall 115.

[0014] The front housing wall 111 is provided on the front side of the housing 110. The rear housing wall 112 is provided on the rear side of the housing 110. The left and right housing side walls 113 (FIG. 2) are provided on the left and right portions of the housing 110 so as to connect the front housing wall 111 and the rear housing wall 112. The top housing wall 114 is provided at the upper part of the housing 110 and extends in a substantially horizontal direction so as to connect the front housing wall 111, the rear housing wall 112, and the left and right housing side walls 113. The bottom housing wall 115 is provided at the bottom of the housing 110 and extends in a substantially horizontal direction so as to connect the front housing wall 111, the rear housing wall 112, and the left and right housing side walls 113.

[0015] The front housing wall 111 is provided with an inlet 119 for loading an object to be processed into a drum 220 (described later) of the tub unit 200, and a door body 120 that covers the inlet 119 in an openable and closable manner. The door body 120 rotates between a closed position that closes the inlet 119 and an open position that opens the inlet 119.

[0016] An operation display unit 130 is provided at the upper part of the front housing wall 111. The user inputs information such as an operation course for operating the washing and drying machine 100 through the operation display unit 130.

[0017] (Tub Unit 200) As shown in FIG. 1, the tub unit 200 is provided inside the housing 110. The tub unit 200 includes a water storage tub 210, a drum 220 that can accommodate an object to be processed, a rotation drive unit 230, and a water level detection unit 250.

[0018] The tab 210 and the drum 220 are formed in a substantially bottomed cylindrical shape centered on the central axis X (FIG. 1). The central axis X is provided to incline downward from the front side to the back side of the washing and drying machine 100. Note that the central axis X may be provided to extend in the horizontal direction.

[0019] The tab 210 is provided to be elastically supported within the housing 110. The tab 210 includes a steam generation unit 215 that heats washing water to generate steam. The steam generation unit 215 is provided at the lower portion of the tab 210 and includes a water storage unit 216 and a hot water heater 217. The water storage unit 216 is formed to be one step lower in the tab 210 and is provided to be able to store water. The hot water heater 217 generates heat by being energized and heats the water stored in the water storage unit 216.

[0020] The steam generation unit 215 is preferably provided at a position lower than the lower end of the drum 220. Thereby, while suppressing the immersion of the object to be processed in the drum 220 by the water in the water storage unit 216, an upward airflow is generated by the steam generated by the steam generation unit 215, so that the steam can be efficiently supplied into the drum 220.

[0021] A water temperature sensor 218 for detecting the temperature of the water stored in the water storage unit 216 is provided in the steam generation unit 215. In the present embodiment, the water temperature sensor 218 is provided near the base of the hot water heater 217.

[0022] The drum 220 is enclosed by the tab 210 and is provided to be rotatable about the central axis X. A drum opening 221 communicating with the loading port 119 is provided at the front portion of the drum 220, and the user loads the object to be processed into the drum 220 through the loading port 119 and the drum opening 221. Here, the object to be processed is, for example, clothing, a hat, shoes, a toy, etc.

[0023] The drum 220 includes a drum bottom wall 222 facing the drum opening 221 and a drum circumferential wall 223 constituting the circumferential surface of the drum 220. The drum bottom wall 222 is provided with a rotating shaft 224 connected to a pulley 232 described later. The rotating shaft 224 extends along the central axis X from the drum bottom wall 222 toward the housing rear wall 112. The rotating shaft 224 penetrates the bottom wall of the tab 210 and appears between the tab 210 and the housing rear wall 112. A plurality of water passing holes 225 are formed in the drum circumferential wall 223 to allow water to pass between the tab 210 and the drum 220. An inner wall of the drum circumferential wall 223 is provided with a baffle 226 that lifts and drops the object to be processed in the drum 220 when the drum 220 rotates.

[0024] The rotation driving unit 230 includes a motor 231 (FIG. 2) provided below the tab 210, a pulley 232, and a belt 233. The pulley 232 is connected to the rotating shaft 224. The belt 233 transmits the power of the motor 231 to the pulley 232. The motor 231 rotates the drum 220 through the belt 233, the pulley 232, and the rotating shaft 224.

[0025] The water level detection unit 250 is provided outside the tab 210. The water level detection unit 250 includes an air trap 251, an air pipe 252, and a water level sensor 253. The air trap 251 communicates with the inside of the tab 210 and is provided branching from the vicinity of the connection portion of the drainage path 410 with the tab 210 described later. The air trap 251 may be provided on the side wall behind the bottom of the tab 210. One end of the air pipe 252 is connected to the air trap 251, and the other end is connected to the water level sensor 253.

[0026] The water level sensor 253 is constituted by a MEMS pressure sensor and detects the water level in the tab 210 by detecting the pressure in the air trap 251.

[0027] (Water supply unit 300) As shown in FIG. 2, the water supply unit 300 includes a water inlet 301, a water supply pipe 302, a water supply valve 303, and a detergent storage unit 310. The water inlet 301 introduces water into the housing 110 from the outside through a water supply hose (not shown). The water supply pipe 302 connects the water inlet 301 and the tank unit 200. In the present embodiment, the water supply pipe 302 is connected to the side portion of the tab 210. The water supply valve 303 is provided to open and close the water supply pipe 302. When the water supply valve 303 is opened, the water flowing into the housing 110 from the water inlet 301 flows through the water supply pipe 302 and into the tab 210. The detergent storage unit 310 is provided in the middle of the water supply pipe 302 and stores detergent.

[0028] (Drainage unit 400) As shown in FIG. 1, the drainage unit 400 includes a drainage path 410 and a circulation path 420.

[0029] The drainage path 410 is a path through which the water discharged from the tab 210 passes. A drainage hose (not shown) provided outside the housing 110 is connected to the downstream end of the drainage path 410.

[0030] In the drainage path 410, a drainage filter 415 and a drainage valve 416 are provided from the upstream side. The drainage filter 415 is provided in the middle of the drainage path 410 and captures foreign matters such as thread scraps contained in the water flowing through the drainage path 410.

[0031] The drainage filter 415 is provided so as to be detachable from the drainage path 410 through the front wall 111 of the housing. The user can remove the drainage filter 415 from the drainage path 410 by rotating the drainage filter 415 by a first angle A1 (for example, 240 degrees) from the state in which the drainage filter 415 is attached. Note that a drainage filter attachment / detachment sensor 415a for detecting the attachment / detachment of the drainage filter 415 is provided in the housing 110. The drainage filter attachment / detachment sensor 415a detects that the user is trying to remove the drainage filter 415 when the drainage filter is rotated by a second angle A2 (for example, 25 degrees) smaller than the first angle A1 from the attached state.

[0032] The drain valve 416 is provided to open and close the drain path 410. When the drain valve 416 is in the open state, the water in the tub 210 is discharged to the outside of the housing 110 through the drain path 410.

[0033] Also, the drainage unit 400 has an overflow pipe 417. The overflow pipe 417 is provided as a countermeasure against overflow in the tub 210. The upstream end is connected to the tub 210 (not shown), and the downstream end is connected to a position downstream of the drain valve 416 in the drain path 410.

[0034] A trap 418 sealed with water is provided downstream of the connection part of the drain path 410 with the overflow pipe 417 to prevent backflow of strange odors or the like from outside the housing 110.

[0035] The circulation path 420 branches from between the drain filter 415 and the drain valve 416 of the drain path 410 and is a path for returning water into the tub 210. The circulation path 420 is provided with a circulation pump 425. When the circulation pump 425 is driven, the water in the tub 210 passes through the drain path 410 and the circulation path 420 and returns into the tub 210. Note that the downstream end of the circulation path 420 may be connected to the upper part of the tub 210.

[0036] (Drying unit 500) The drying unit 500 is provided in the upper inner part of the housing 110. The drying unit 500 includes a drying duct 510, an intake pipe 520, and an air supply pipe 530. The intake pipe 520 is connected to the tub 210 at the intake port 521 and is a path through which the air flowing from the tub 210 into the drying duct 510 passes. The air supply pipe 530 is connected to the tub 210 at the air supply port 531 and is a path through which the air flowing out from the drying duct 510 into the tub 210 passes.

[0037] The drying duct 510 is provided with a drying filter 511, a heat exchange section 512, and a blower fan 513. The drying filter 511 removes foreign matters such as thread scraps and lint contained in the air flowing into the drying duct 510. The heat exchange section 512 is constituted by a heat pump and exchanges heat with the air that has passed through the drying filter 511. The blower fan 513 is provided in the drying duct 510 as a blowing means. When the blower fan 513 rotates, a negative pressure environment is generated in the intake pipe 520, and a positive pressure environment is generated in the air supply pipe 530. Thereby, a circulating air path is formed in which air flows through the tab 210, the intake pipe 520, the drying duct 510, the air supply pipe 530, and the tab 210 in this order. Note that the air intake port 521 is preferably provided above the tab 210 where the steam generated by the steam generation section 215 tends to accumulate. Also, the air supply port 531 is preferably provided behind the drum bottom wall 222 in order to efficiently apply the steam to the object to be processed. It is desirable that the steam generated at the steam generation section 215 accumulates easily. Further, the air supply port 531 is preferably provided behind the drum bottom wall 222 in order to efficiently apply the steam to the object to be processed.

[0038] The drying unit 500 is provided with a first drying temperature sensor 541 that detects the temperature of the air flowing in from the air intake port 521, and a second drying temperature sensor 542 that detects the temperature of the air heated by the heat exchange section 512.

[0039] (Control unit) A control unit (not shown) is provided inside the housing 110. The control unit controls the hot water heater 217, the motor 231, the water supply valve 303, the drain valve 416, the heat exchange section 512, the blower fan 513, etc., and executes the operation course instructed by the user through the operation display section 130. Further, during the execution of the above-described operation course, the control unit acquires the temperature of the water in the tab 210 detected by the water temperature sensor 218, the pressure in the tab 210 detected by the water level sensor 253, the temperature in the drying unit 500 detected by the first drying temperature sensor 541 and the second drying temperature sensor 542, and information regarding the attachment / detachment of the drain filter detected by the drain filter attachment / detachment sensor 415a. Furthermore, the control unit can execute cloth quantity sensing for detecting the weight of the object to be processed accommodated in the drum 220 from the current value flowing through the motor 231 when the drum 220 is rotated.

[0040] In this embodiment, the courses that the washing and drying machine 100 can execute include a washing course, a drying course, a washing and drying course that is continuously executed from washing to drying, a refresh course for treating the object to be processed with steam, a tab washing course for executing the cleaning of the tab 210 without putting the object to be processed into the drum 220, and the like. The control unit executes a steam supply operation for generating steam in the steam generation unit 215 in a part of the above-described courses. In the steam supply operation, by applying steam to the object to be processed, wrinkles are removed from the clothing, sterilization, deodorization, and removal or inactivation of allergens are performed.

[0041] [1-2. Operation] Regarding the washing and drying machine 100 configured as described above, its operation and effects will be described below.

[0042] [1-2-1. Steam Supply Operation] Using FIG. 3, the operation of the steam supply operation of the washing and drying machine 100 will be described. The steam supply operation sequentially executes a water supply step of supplying water to the tab 210, a steam step of generating steam in the steam generation unit 215 and applying the steam to the object to be processed, and a drying step of controlling the drying unit 500 to dry the inside of the tab 210 and the object to be processed. The time in each step of the steam supply operation may be determined based on the amount of the object to be processed in the drum 220, the water temperature in the tab 210, and the like.

[0043] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2 below, the water level corresponding to the lower end of the drum 220 is defined as the first water level W1, the water level lower than the lower end of the drum 220 and at which water is stored in the water storage unit 216 is defined as the second water level W2, and the water level at which there is a risk of the hot water heater 217 being exposed is defined as the third water level W3 for explanation. The second water level W2 is set, for example, at a water level approximately 1 cm below the first water level W1 corresponding to the lower end of the drum 220. The third water level W3 is set, for example, at a water level approximately 1 cm above the top surface of the hot water heater 217.

[0044] When the steam supply operation starts, the water supply process starts. In the water supply process, the control unit first performs initial drainage (S101). In the initial drainage of S101, if there is water in the tub 210, the control unit opens the drain valve 416 to drain the water in the tub 210. Drainage When it is completed, the control unit closes the drain valve 416 and then opens the water supply valve 303 to perform a water supply operation of supplying water from the outside into the tub 210 (S103). In the water supply process of the steam supply operation, so as not to directly wet the object to be processed in the drum 220, the maximum water level of the water supplied into the tub 210 is set to a second water level W2 lower than the bottom surface of the drum 220. When the water level W in the tub 210 reaches the second water level W2 (when YES in S105), the control unit closes the water supply valve 303 and ends the water supply process. In the present embodiment, when the water level W in the tub 210 reaches the second water level W2 means that the pressure p in the tub 210 detected by the water level sensor 253 becomes equal to or higher than the water pressure pw2 in the tub 210 corresponding to the second water level W2.

[0045] When the water supply process ends, the steam process starts. When the steam process starts, the control unit energizes and drives the hot water heater 217 (S107) to heat the water in the water storage unit 216 to generate hot water. By driving the hot water heater 217 after the water supply process, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a dry burning state in which the hot water heater 217 is driven in a state of being exposed from the water. Although not shown in the figure, in the steam process, the control unit controls the driving and stopping of the hot water heater 217 so that the water temperature T in the tub 210 detected by the water temperature sensor 218 exists between the upper limit temperature control temperature Tmax (for example, 80 ° C) and the lower limit temperature control temperature Tmin (for example, 60 ° C). When the water temperature T in the tub 210 reaches the upper limit temperature control temperature Tmax, the control unit stops the hot water heater 217, and then when the water temperature T in the tub 210 reaches the lower limit temperature control temperature Tmin, the control unit drives the hot water heater 217. The hot water stored in the water storage unit 216 undergoes subcooled boiling near the hot water heater 217 to generate steam. Note that the hot water in the water storage unit 216 may generate steam by normal boiling.

[0046] When a certain period of time (e.g., 2 minutes) has elapsed after driving the hot water heater 217 in S107, the control unit drives the blower fan 513 (S109). By driving the blower fan 513 in the steam process, the steam generated in the steam generation unit 215 is filled into the tub 210 by the upward airflow, and in addition, it is blown by the blower fan 513 from the rear of the drum 220 via the inside of the drying unit 500. Thereby, the steam generated in the steam generation unit 215 can be efficiently applied to the object to be processed.

[0047] In the present embodiment, the control unit constantly drives the blower fan 513 in the steam process, but it may be controlled to be driven intermittently. Also, in the present embodiment, the control unit drives the blower fan 513 after a certain period of time has elapsed since driving the hot water heater, but the hot water heater 217 and the blower fan 513 may be driven simultaneously.

[0048] Although not shown in the figure, in the steam process, the control unit operates the motor 231 continuously or intermittently to rotate the drum 220. The rotation speed of the drum 220 is set to about 50 to 60 r / min at which the object to be processed accommodated in the drum 220 tumbles. When the drum 220 is rotating at about 50 to 60 r / min, the object to be processed in the drum 220 is lifted upward in the drum 220 by the baffle 226 and dropped from above. In the present embodiment, since the air supply port 531 is provided behind the bottom wall 222 of the drum, when the object to be processed in the drum 220 drops from above, it passes in front of the air supply port 531 and is blown with steam. Thereby, the object to be processed can efficiently obtain the effect of the steam. Also, when the object to be processed is clothing, the clothing spreads due to the wind blown when dropping from above, so the wrinkles of the clothing can be efficiently stretched.

[0049] When the process time ts since the start of the steam process becomes equal to or longer than the steam process setting time ts1 (for example, 20 minutes) (YES in S111), the control unit stops driving the hot water heater 217 and the blower fan 513 (S113), and the steam process ends.

[0050] When the steam process ends, the drying process starts. In the drying process, the control unit drives the heat exchanger 512 and the blower fan 513 (S115) to dry the object to be processed in the drum 220 and the inner wall surface of the tub 210. For example, 10 minutes is set as the process time of the drying process.

[0051] When it reaches the final stage of the drying process, the control unit opens the drain valve 416 and executes a draining operation (S117). By executing the draining operation at the final stage of the drying process, the water in the tub 210 whose water temperature T has risen to about 80°C in the steam process can be cooled and then drained, so it is possible to prevent the user from getting burned when touching the drain water.

[0052] When the draining operation of S117 ends, the control unit stops the heat exchanger 512 and the blower fan 513 (S119), and the drying process ends. When the drying process ends, the steam supply operation ends.

[0053] In this embodiment, the driving of the blower fan 513 is stopped at the end of the steam process in S113, and the blower fan 513 is driven at the start of the drying process in S115. However, the control unit may control to keep driving the blower fan 513 without stopping it until shifting from the steam process to the drying process.

[0054] [1-2-2. Leakage Detection] (Problems in Leakage Detection) In the steam supply operation, if water in the tub 210 leaks due to deterioration of the drainage path 410 or an abnormality of the drain valve 416, etc., and the water level W in the tub 210 drops, the hot water heater 217 in the tub 210 is exposed from the water. When the hot water heater 217 is driven in a state where it is exposed from the water, dry firing may occur in the steam generation unit 215 and there is a risk of ignition. Therefore, in the steam supply operation, it is necessary to drive the hot water heater 217 in a state where it is immersed in water.

[0055] The water level sensor 253 detects the pressure in the air trap 251. The pressure in the air trap 251 can be paraphrased as the pressure p in the tub 210. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the pressure p in the tub 210 is the integrated value of the water pressure pw of the water stored in the tub 210 (corresponding to the water level W in the tub 210) and the wind pressure pa applied to the water surface by the wind supplied into the tub by the blower fan 513. Therefore, the water level sensor 253 cannot directly detect the water level W in the tub 210 while the blower fan 513 is driven.

[0056] Therefore, in the washing and drying machine 100 of the present embodiment, leakage detection control for determining the occurrence of water leakage in the tub 210 is performed. The control unit simultaneously executes the first leakage detection control and the second leakage detection control, which will be described later, as the leakage detection control.

[0057] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6, the operation and action of the leakage detection control in the present embodiment will be described.

[0058] (First Leakage Detection Control) In the flowchart of FIG. 4, when the steam supply operation starts, the water supply process of S201 (S101 to S105 in FIG. 3) is executed. When the water supply process of S201 ends, the control unit stores the pressure p in the tub 210 detected by the water level sensor 253 as the first pressure p1 (S203). The first pressure p1 is the pressure p in the tub 210 after the water supply process ends and before the blower fan 513 is driven. Therefore, the first pressure p1 is the water pressure pw in the tub 210 at the end of the water supply process and does not include the wind pressure pa by the blower fan 513.

[0059] The control unit drives the hot water heater 217 in S205 (S107 in FIG. 3) and drives the blower fan 513 in S207 (S109 in FIG. 3). The control unit stores the pressure p detected by the water level sensor 253 when a first predetermined time t1 (for example, 60 seconds) has elapsed after driving the blower fan 513 as the second pressure p2 (S209). The second pressure p2 is the pressure p in the tub 210 when the blower fan 513 is driven. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the second pressure p2 is the integrated value of the water pressure pw and the wind pressure pa by the blower fan 513 in the tub 210 at S209.

[0060] Immediately after the blower fan 513 is driven in S207, a part of the air supplied from the blower fan 513 into the tub 210 flows into the trap 418 of the drainage path 410 from the overflow pipe 417. Due to the breakage of the water seal in the trap 418, a part of the air that has flowed into the trap 418 escapes downstream from the trap 418, so that the air pressure pa acting on the water surface in the tub 210 decreases, and the pressure p in the tub 210 may not be stable. Since the breakage of the water seal in the trap 418 is likely to occur immediately after the blower fan 513 is driven, in the present embodiment, the control unit stores the pressure p in the tub 210 detected by the water level sensor 253 when a first predetermined time t1 (for example, 60 seconds) has elapsed since the blower fan 513 was driven in S207 as the second pressure p2. After the first predetermined time t1 has elapsed since the blower fan 513 was driven, the trap 418 in which the water seal has broken returns to its original state before the water seal is broken and stabilizes. Thereby, since the value of the air pressure pa acting on the water surface after the breakage of the water seal in the trap 418 can be used in a stable state, the stable pressure p can be used as p2.

[0061] In S211, the control unit determines whether or not the pressure p in the tub 210 detected by the water level sensor 253 after S209 is less than the second pressure p2 by a second predetermined value Δp2 or more. When the pressure p is less than the second pressure p2 by the second predetermined value Δp2 or more (YES in S211), the control unit stops driving the hot water heater 217 and the blower fan 513 (S213). The reasons for the decrease in the pressure p in the tub 210 include the possibility that clogging has occurred in the drying filter 511, the drying filter 511 has been removed, or the air pressure pa has decreased due to the breakage of the water seal in the trap. As shown in FIG. 5, there is a possibility that the water pressure pw in the tub 210 has decreased, that is, water has leaked from the tub 210 and the water level W in the tub 210 has decreased. When water leaks from the tub 210 and the water level W in the tub 210 has decreased, the hot water heater 217 may be exposed to the air. Therefore, by the control unit stopping the driving of the hot water heater 217, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a dry burning state in which the hot water heater 217 is driven in a state of being exposed to the air when the water level W in the tub 210 continues to decrease.

[0062] After the control unit stops the blower fan 513 in S213, it acquires the pressure p in the tub 210 detected by the water level sensor 253, and determines whether the pressure p is less than the first pressure p1 by a first predetermined value Δp1 or more (S215). Since the pressure p in the tub 210 detected by the water level sensor 253 in S215 is the pressure after the blower fan 513 stops, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, it is the water pressure pw in the tub 210 and does not include the wind pressure pa by the blower fan 513. Therefore, in S215, the pressure p (first pressure p1) in the tub 210 before driving the blower fan 513, which is not affected by the wind pressure pa of the blower fan 513, is compared with the pressure p in the tub after the blower fan 513 stops. Thereby, the water level W in the tub 210 before driving the blower fan 513 and the water level W in the tub after the blower fan 513 stops can be compared more accurately.

[0063] When the pressure p in the tub 210 is less than the first pressure p1 by a first predetermined value Δp1 or more (when YES in S215), as shown in FIG. 5, since there is a high possibility that the water in the tub 210 is leaking and the water level W is decreasing, the control unit ends the steam process without driving the hot water heater 217 again. Thereby, it is possible to suppress driving the hot water heater 217 in a state where the hot water heater 217 is exposed from the water. It is possible to suppress driving the hot water heater 217.

[0064] In the present embodiment, when YES in S215, the control unit resumes driving the blower fan 513 until the steam process setting time ts1 elapses (S217).

[0065] Note that when YES in S215, the steam process may end after the steam process setting time ts1 elapses, or the steam process may end immediately. Also, the control unit may resume driving the blower fan 513 or may stop it.

[0066] In this embodiment, in S215, the control unit compares the pressure p in the tub 210 detected by the water level sensor 253 when a second predetermined time t2 (for example, 10 seconds) has elapsed after stopping the blower fan 513, with the first pressure p1. As a result, the control unit can acquire the pressure p in the tub 210 detected by the water level sensor 253 in a state where the influence of the wind by the blower fan 513 is more suppressed. Thus, the water pressure pw in the tub 210, that is, the water level W in the tub 210 can be acquired more accurately.

[0067] When the pressure p in the tub 210 is not less than a first predetermined value Δp1 smaller than the first pressure p1 (NO in S215), as shown in FIG. 6, since the water level W in the tub 210 before driving the blower fan 513 and the water level W in the tub after stopping the blower fan 513 have hardly changed, the control unit returns to S205 and drives the hot water heater 217 again. Note that when the water temperature T in the tub 210 at this time has reached or is close to the upper limit temperature control temperature Tmax, instead of immediately driving the hot water heater 217, the hot water heater 217 may be driven after the water temperature T in the tub 210 has fallen below the lower limit temperature control temperature Tmin in the steam process.

[0068] Then, the control unit drives the blower fan 513 (S207) and stores, as a new second pressure p2, the pressure p in the tub 210 detected by the water level sensor 253 when a first predetermined time t1 has elapsed after driving the blower fan 513, as shown in FIG. 6 (S209).

[0069] During the steam process, when the pressure p in the tub detected by the water level sensor 253 does not become less than a second predetermined value Δp2 smaller than the second pressure p2 (NO in S211), when the process time ts since the start of the steam process exceeds the steam process setting time ts1 (for example, 20 minutes) (YES in S111), the control unit stops driving the hot water heater 217 and the blower fan 513 (S113), and the steam process ends (S223).

[0070] Note that although not shown in the drawings, when the user performs a pause operation in the steam process, the control unit executes the determination in S211 based on the value of the second pressure p2 stored before the user pauses. As a result, even when the water level drops due to the generation of steam during the operation of the steam process, the pressure p corresponding to the water level immediately after the water supply process (S201) can be used as the first pressure p1 instead of the water level in a state where the water level has dropped below the water level immediately after the water supply process (S201), so that the change in the pressure p can be detected more accurately.

[0071] (Second Leakage Detection Control) Although not shown in the drawings, in the steam process, when the pressure p in the tub 210 detected by the water level sensor 253 becomes equal to or lower than the value of the water pressure pw3 corresponding to the third water level W3, the control unit stops the hot water heater 217. In this case, since it is highly likely that the water in the tub 210 has leaked and the water level W has dropped, the control unit ends the steam process without driving the hot water heater 217 again. As a result, it is possible to suppress driving the hot water heater 217 in a state where the hot water heater 217 is exposed from the water, and it is possible to suppress dry burning in the steam generation unit 215.

[0072] [1-3. Effects] As described above, in the present embodiment, the washing and drying machine 100 includes a tub 210 provided to be able to store washing water, a drum 220 contained in the tub 210 and accommodating an object to be processed, a water supply valve 303 for supplying water to the tub 210, a blower fan 513 for supplying air to the tub 210, a water level sensor 253 for detecting the pressure p in the tub 210, and a control unit for controlling the water supply valve 303 and the blower fan 513. The control unit executes a steam process of driving the blower fan 513 in a state where water is in the tub 210, and when the pressure p detected by the water level sensor 253 in the steam process drops by a second predetermined value Δp2 or more, the control unit stops the blower fan 513.

[0073] As a result, since the water in the tub 210 may be leaking and the water level W in the tub 210 may be decreasing, by stopping the blower fan 513, the influence of the wind pressure pa by the blower fan 513 can be removed and the pressure p in the tub 210 can be detected. Therefore, the water level W in the tub 210 can be accurately detected.

[0074] As in this embodiment, the water level sensor 253 detects the first pressure p1 before driving the blower fan 513 and the pressure p after stopping the blower fan 513, and the control unit determines that the difference between the pressure p1 before driving the blower fan 513 and the pressure p after stopping the blower fan 513 is less than the first predetermined value Δp1. In this case, the driving of the blower fan 513 may be restarted.

[0075] As a result, when the difference between the water level W before driving the blower fan 513 and the water level W after stopping the blower fan 513 is small, the possibility that the water in the tub 210 is leaking is low. Therefore, the driving of the blower fan 513 can be restarted and the blower fan 513 can be driven for a long time. Therefore, the wind from the blower fan 513 can be applied to the object to be processed for a long time.

[0076] As in this embodiment, a hot water heater 217 for heating the water in the tub 210 is provided, and the control unit drives the hot water heater 217 in the steam process, and when the pressure p detected by the water level sensor 253 drops by the second predetermined value Δp2 or more, the hot water heater 217 may be stopped.

[0077] As a result, since the water in the tub 210 may be leaking and the water level W in the tub 210 may be decreasing, there is a risk that the hot water heater 217 may be exposed from the water, so the hot water heater 217 is stopped. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of dry burning in which the hot water heater 217 is driven in a state of being exposed from the water.

[0078] As in this embodiment, the water level sensor 253 detects the first pressure p1 in the tab 210 before driving the blower fan 513 and the pressure p in the tab 210 after stopping the blower fan 513. When the difference between the first pressure p1 in the tab 210 before driving the blower fan 513 and the pressure p in the tab 210 after stopping the blower fan 513 is less than the first predetermined value Δp1, in the steam process, the driving of the hot water heater 217 may be resumed.

[0079] Accordingly, when the difference between the water level W before driving the blower fan 513 and the water level W after stopping the blower fan 513 is small, the possibility that the water in the tab 210 is leaking is low, so the driving of the hot water heater 217 is resumed. Therefore, the hot water heater 217 can be driven without being exposed from the water.

[0080] As in this embodiment, the water level sensor 253 detects the first pressure p1 in the tab 210 before driving the blower fan 513 and the pressure p in the tab 210 after stopping the blower fan 513. The control unit is the first pressure p1 in the tab 210 before driving the blower fan 513 When the difference between the pressure p in the tab 210 after stopping the blower fan 513 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the hot water heater 217 may be stopped until the steam process ends.

[0081] Accordingly, when the difference between the water level W in the tab 210 before driving the blower fan 513 and the water level W in the tab 210 after stopping the blower fan 513 is large, there is a high possibility that the water in the tab 210 is leaking, and there is a risk that the hot water heater 217 is exposed from the water. Therefore, the driving of the hot water heater 217 is stopped. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of dry burning in which the hot water heater 217 is driven in a state of being exposed from the water.

[0082] [2. Embodiment 2] [2-1. Operation] In Embodiment 2, the washing and drying machine 100 has some control in the water leakage detection operation different from that in Embodiment 1. Since the other configurations and controls are the same, the description thereof is omitted.

[0083] [2-1-1. Notification operation at the time of water leakage detection] In the washing and drying machine 100 according to the present embodiment, in the first water leakage detection control or the second water leakage detection control, when there is a possibility that the water in the tub 210 is leaking, the control unit outputs a signal for causing the notification unit that executes the notification to give a notification. Examples of the notification unit include the operation display unit 130, a buzzer provided on the housing 110, a smartphone connected to the washing and drying machine 100 through the Internet, and the like.

[0084] In S215 (FIG. 4) of the first water leakage detection control, when the pressure p in the tub 210 is smaller than the first pressure p1 by a first predetermined value Δp1 or more (YES in S215), since it is highly likely that the water in the tub 210 is leaking and the water level W is decreasing, the control unit causes the notification unit to execute a notification to inform the user to that effect. The control unit may cause the operation display unit 130 to output a message indicating that there is a risk of water leakage, may sound a buzzer (not shown) provided on the housing 110, or may output a notification to a smartphone or the like connected to the washing and drying machine 100 through the Internet.

[0085] Further, in the second water leakage detection control, when the pressure p in the tub 210 detected by the water level sensor 253 becomes equal to or lower than the water pressure pw3 corresponding to the third water level W3, since it is highly likely that the water in the tub 210 is leaking and the water level W is decreasing, the control unit causes the notification unit to execute a notification to inform the user to that effect.

[0086] [2-2. Effects] As in the present embodiment, when the difference between the first pressure p1, which is the pressure in the tub 210 before driving the blower fan 513, and the pressure p in the tub 210 after stopping the blower fan is equal to or more than the first predetermined value Δp1, the control unit may output a signal to the notification unit that executes the notification.

[0087] Accordingly, since the water in the tub 210 may leak and the water level W in the tub 210 may drop, the user can be notified of the abnormality.

[0088] (Other embodiments) As described above, as examples of the technology disclosed in the present application, Embodiments 1 and 2 have been described. However, the technology in the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and can also be applied to embodiments with changes, replacements, additions, omissions, etc. Also, it is possible to combine the components described in Embodiments 1 and 2 above to form a new embodiment.

[0089] Therefore, other embodiments will be exemplified below.

[0090] In Embodiments 1 and 2, as an example of a clothing treatment apparatus, the washing and drying machine 100 which is a drum type washing and drying machine has been described. The clothing treatment apparatus may be any apparatus that generates warm water in the tub. Therefore, the clothing treatment apparatus is not limited to the washing and drying machine 100 which is a drum type washing and drying machine, and may be a drum type washing machine, a vertical type washing machine, a vertical type washing and drying machine, or a two-tub type washing machine.

[0091] In Embodiments 1 and 2, as an example of a water level detection unit, the water level sensor 253 constituted by a MEMS type pressure sensor has been described. The water level detection unit may be any unit that detects the water level in the tub by detecting pressure.

[0092] In Embodiments 1 and 2, as an example of the water supply unit, a water supply unit 300 including a water supply pipe 302 and a water supply valve 303 was described. The water supply unit is not limited to the water supply unit 300 as long as it is configured to supply water from the water supply valve into the tub. The water supply pipe may be formed along the rear surface of the tub and may be disposed at the upper rear side of the tub. Further, the water supply path may be configured such that the water supplied from the water supply path to the tub does not hit the object to be processed in the drum. Further, the control unit may intermittently open the water supply valve to reduce the amount of water supplied to the tub, and control the supplied washing water to flow down along the inner surface of the tub. Further, the water supply pipe includes a first water supply flow path configured such that the washing water hits the object to be processed accommodated in the drum, and a second water supply path configured such that the washing water does not hit the object to be processed accommodated in the drum, and may be configured to selectively use the first water supply path and the second water supply path according to the purpose.

[0093] In Embodiments 1 and 2, as an example of the temperature detection unit, a water temperature sensor 218 provided near the base of the hot water heater 217 was described. The temperature detection unit is not limited to the water temperature sensor 218 as long as it can detect the water temperature in the tub. The temperature detection unit may be provided on the inner wall surface of the tub or on the outer wall surface of the tub. When a water storage unit for storing water at a water level lower than that of the drum is provided in the tub, the temperature detection unit may be provided on the inner wall surface or the outer wall surface of the water storage unit.

[0094] (Supplementary Note) As a clothing treatment apparatus according to the first aspect, there is provided a tub configured to store washing water, a storage tank enclosed in the tub for accommodating an object to be processed, a water supply unit for supplying water to the tub, a blowing means for supplying air to the tub, a pressure detection means for detecting the pressure in the tub, and a control unit for controlling the water supply unit and the blowing means. The control unit executes a blowing step of driving the blowing means in a state where water is present in the tub, and stops the blowing means when the pressure detected by the pressure detection means in the blowing step drops below a predetermined value.

[0095] As the clothing treatment apparatus in the second aspect, in the clothing treatment apparatus in the first aspect, the pressure detection means detects the pressure before driving the air blowing means and the pressure after stopping the air blowing means, and when the difference between the pressure before driving the air blowing means and the pressure after stopping the air blowing means is less than a predetermined value, the control unit resumes driving the air blowing means.

[0096] As the clothing treatment apparatus in the third aspect, in the clothing treatment apparatus in the first or second aspect, it includes a heating unit for heating the water in the tub, and in the air blowing step, the control unit drives the heating unit and stops the heating unit when the pressure detected by the pressure detection means drops by a predetermined value or more.

[0097] As the clothing treatment apparatus in the fourth aspect, in the clothing treatment apparatus in the third aspect, the pressure detection means detects the pressure in the tub before driving the air blowing means and the pressure in the tub after stopping the air blowing means, and when the difference between the pressure in the tub before driving the air blowing means and the pressure in the tub after stopping the air blowing means is less than a predetermined value, in the air blowing step the control unit resumes driving the heating unit.

[0098] As the clothing treatment apparatus in the fifth aspect, in the clothing treatment apparatus in the third or fourth aspect, when the difference between the pressure in the tub before driving the air blowing means and the pressure in the tub after stopping the air blowing means is a predetermined value or more, the control unit stops the heating unit until the air blowing step ends.

[0099] As the clothing treatment apparatus in the sixth aspect, in the clothing treatment apparatus in any one of the first to fifth aspects, when the difference between the pressure in the tub before driving the air blowing means and the pressure in the tub after stopping the air blowing means is a predetermined value or more, a signal is output to a notification unit that executes notification.

Industrial Applicability

[0100] The present disclosure is applicable to a clothing treatment apparatus. Specifically, it is applicable to a drum - type washing and drying machine, a drum - type washing machine, a vertical - type washing and drying machine, a vertical - type washing machine, and a two - tub type washing machine.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0101] 100 Washing and drying machine (clothing treatment apparatus) 110 Housing 111 Front wall of the housing 112 Rear wall of the housing 113 Left and right side walls of the housing 114 Top wall of the housing 115 Bottom wall of the housing 119 Loading opening 120 Door body 130 Operation display unit 200 Tank unit 210 Tab 215 Steam generation unit 216 Water storage unit 217 Hot water heater (heating unit) 218 Water temperature sensor (temperature detection unit) 220 Drum (accommodation tank) 221 Drum opening 222 Bottom wall of the drum 223 Peripheral wall of the drum 224 Rotating shaft 225 Water - passing hole 226 Baffle 230 Rotation drive unit 231 Motor 232 Pulley 233 Belt 250 Water level detection unit 251 Air trap 252 Air pipe 253 Water level sensor (pressure detection unit) 300 Water supply unit 301 Water inlet 302 Water supply pipe 303 Water supply valve (water supply unit) 310 Detergent storage unit 400 Drainage unit 410 Drainage path 415 Drainage filter 415a Drain filter attachment / detachment sensor 416 Drain valve 417 Overflow pipe 418 Trap 420 Circulation path 425 Circulation pump 500 Drying unit 510 Drying duct 511 Drying filter 512 Heat exchange section 513 Blower fan (blowing section) 520 Intake pipe 521 Intake port 530 Air supply pipe 531 Air supply port 541 First drying temperature sensor 542 Second drying temperature sensor

Claims

1. A tub provided to be able to store washing water, A storage tank enclosed in the tub for accommodating an object to be processed, A water supply unit for supplying water to the tub, A blower unit for supplying air to the tub, A pressure detection unit for detecting the pressure inside the tub, A control unit for controlling the water supply unit and the blower unit, Comprising, The control unit executes a blowing process of driving the blower unit in a state where water is in the tub, and when the pressure detected by the pressure detection unit during the blowing process drops below a predetermined value, stops the blower unit. A clothing treatment device.

2. The pressure detection unit detects the pressure before driving the blower unit and the pressure after stopping the blower unit, When the difference between the pressure before driving the blower unit and the pressure after stopping the blower unit detected by the control unit is less than a predetermined value, the control unit resumes driving the blower unit. The clothing treatment device according to Claim 1.

3. Comprising a heating unit for heating the water inside the tub, In the blowing process, the control unit drives the heating unit and stops the heating unit when the pressure detected by the pressure detection unit drops below a predetermined value. The clothing treatment device according to Claim 1 or 2.

4. The pressure detection unit detects the pressure inside the tub before driving the blower unit and the pressure inside the tub after stopping the blower unit, When the difference between the pressure inside the tub before driving the blower unit and the pressure inside the tub after stopping the blower unit detected by the control unit is less than a predetermined value, the control unit resumes driving the heating unit in the blowing process. The clothing treatment device according to Claim 3.

5. The pressure detection unit detects the pressure inside the tub before driving the blower unit and the pressure inside the tub after stopping the blower unit, When the difference between the pressure inside the tub before driving the blower unit and the pressure inside the tub after stopping the blower unit detected by the control unit is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the control unit stops the heating unit until the blowing process ends. The clothing treatment device according to Claim 3.

6. When the difference between the pressure inside the tub before driving the blower unit and the pressure inside the tub after stopping the blower unit detected by the control unit is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the control unit outputs a signal to a notification unit that executes notification. The clothing treatment device according to Claim 1.

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