Clothes treatment equipment

Abstract

To provide a clothing treatment device which has enhanced sterilization and deodorization effect.SOLUTION: A clothing treatment device includes: a water tub 12; a rotary tub 13 rotatably supported in the water tub 12, and for constituting a drying chamber for storing clothing inside together with the water tub 12; a hot air supply unit 30 for supplying hot air into the drying chamber; a duct for forming part of an air passage for connecting the hot air supply unit 30 and the drying chamber; and an irradiation device 40 for irradiating at least the inside of the duct with ultraviolet rays.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention relates to a clothing treatment device. [Background technology]

[0002] A known example of a clothing processing device is a washer-dryer equipped with both a washing function and a drying function. In this washer-dryer, a circulation air duct is provided outside a water tub that functions as a drying chamber, and a heating device, a dehumidifying device, and a blower are provided in the circulation air duct. During the drying operation, the air in the drying chamber is heated by the heating device in the circulation air duct and circulated within the drying chamber by the blowing action of the blower. This process heats the clothes in the drying chamber and simultaneously dehumidifies the moisture contained in the air with the dehumidifying device, thereby drying the clothes. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-207449 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The high temperature and humidity created by the washing and drying operations can lead to the growth of bacteria and mold inside the washer / dryer, and the sebum and dirt on the clothes can also cause odors and bacteria to grow on the clothes.

[0005] Therefore, we provide a clothing treatment device with enhanced sterilizing and deodorizing effects. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The clothing processing device of this embodiment comprises a water tub, a rotating tub that is rotatably supported inside the water tub and that, together with the water tub, forms a drying chamber inside which clothing is stored, a warm air supply unit that supplies warm air to the drying chamber, a duct that forms part of an air path connecting the warm air supply unit and the drying chamber, and an irradiation device that irradiates ultraviolet rays at least into the duct. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a washing / drying machine according to a first embodiment, with a cover member in an open state; [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a washing / drying machine according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a plan view schematically illustrating an example of a washing / drying machine according to a first embodiment with a top cover and a back cover removed; [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the periphery of a hot air supply unit in an example of a washer-dryer according to a first embodiment; [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a washing / drying machine according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating the periphery of a hot air supply unit in an example of a washer-dryer according to a second embodiment; [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a washing / drying machine according to a third embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the periphery of a hot air supply unit in an example of a washer-dryer according to a third embodiment; [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a washing / drying machine according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the periphery of a hot air supply unit in an example of a washer-dryer according to a fourth embodiment; [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a washing / drying machine according to a fifth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Washer-dryers according to a number of embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that substantially the same components in the respective embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0009] (First embodiment) First, a washer-dryer according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. A washer-dryer 10 serving as a laundry processing device includes an outer case 11, a water tub 12, a rotating tub 13, a motor 14, a drainage device 15, a top cover 16, a back cover 17, a water tub cover 18, a water injection device 19, an air duct 20, and a hot air supply unit 30. The left side of FIG. 1 is the front side of the washer-dryer 10, and the right side of FIG. 1 is the rear side of the washer-dryer 10. In this case, it is assumed that a user normally stands in front of the washer-dryer 10. The side of the installation surface of the washer-dryer 10, i.e., the vertically lower side, is the lower side of the washer-dryer 10, and the opposite side of the installation surface, i.e., the vertically upper side, is the upper side of the washer-dryer 10. The direction perpendicular to the front-to-rear and up-to-down directions of the washer-dryer 10 is the width direction, i.e., the left-to-right direction, of the washer-dryer 10.

[0010] The washer-dryer 10 of this embodiment is a so-called vertical-axis washing machine in which the rotation axis of the rotatable tub 13 is oriented vertically. An outer casing 11 forms the outer shell of the washer-dryer 10. The outer casing 11 is formed, for example, from a steel plate or the like into a substantially rectangular box shape, and is open at the top. The water tub 12 is housed inside the outer casing 11. The rotatable tub 13 is rotatably supported and housed inside the water tub 12. The water tub 12 and the rotatable tub 13 are formed into a cylindrical shape with a bottom and an open top. The water tub 12 and the rotatable tub 13 house clothes inside and function as a washing chamber during the washing operation and as a drying chamber during the drying operation.

[0011] Water tub 12 has drain outlet 121 and exhaust outlet 122. Drain outlet 121 is an opening formed in the bottom of water tub 12, connecting the inside and outside of water tub 12. Exhaust outlet 122 is an opening formed in the lower part of the side of water tub 12, connecting the inside and outside of water tub 12. A number of holes (not shown) are formed in the bottom and side of spin tub 13. The holes function as water vents during the washing operation and as air vents during the drying operation. Washer / dryer 10 is capable of performing a washing operation including at least one of a washing process, a spin-drying process, and a rinsing process, a drying operation including a drying process, and a washing / drying operation including both the washing operation and the drying operation.

[0012] Motor 14 is provided on the outside of the bottom of water tub 12 and is connected to rotatable tub 13 through a rotary shaft 141 that passes through water tub 12 and is installed at the center of rotatable tub 13. Motor 14 is, for example, an outer rotor type DC brushless motor. Motor 14 rotates rotatable tub 13 independently from water tub 12. Baffle 131 is provided at the bottom of rotatable tub 13, and as rotatable tub 13 rotates, baffle 131 agitates the clothes stored inside.

[0013] Drainage device 15 includes drainage valve 151 and drainage path 152. Drainage valve 151 is an electromagnetically actuable on-off valve for liquid, and is controlled by a control device (not shown). Drainage valve 151 opens and closes drainage path 152. The input side of drainage valve 151 is connected to drain outlet 121 of water tub 12 via drainage path 152, and the output side of drainage valve 151 is connected to the outside of washer-dryer 10 via drainage path 152. Drainage path 152 is a path through which water stored in water tub 12 is drained to the outside of washer-dryer 10. When drainage valve 151 is closed, water tub 12 is able to store water. When drainage valve 151 is opened, water stored in water tub 12 can be drained to the outside of the washer-dryer.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1 , top cover 16 has a top cover opening 161 and is configured in a rectangular ring shape. Top cover 16 is provided on the top of outer casing 11. Lid member 162 is rotatably supported on top cover 16 and opens and closes top cover opening 161. Back cover 17 is configured in a rectangular shape that is long in the left-right direction of washer-dryer 10. Back cover 17 is provided at the rear end of the upper part of top cover 16. Water tub cover 18 is attached to the top of water tub 12. Water tub cover 18 is attached to the top of water tub 12.

[0015] Water tub cover 18 is formed in a generally circular shape, with a generally semicircular water tub cover opening 181 formed near the front. Water tub cover opening 181 is opened and closed by a water tub cover lid (details not shown). When the water tub cover lid is closed, water tub cover 18 closes opening 124 at the top of water tub 12 and opening 132 at the top of rotatable tub 13. When the water tub cover lid and lid member 162 are open, water tub cover opening 181 and top cover opening 161 connect the interiors of water tub 12 and rotatable tub 13 to the outside of washer-dryer 10.

[0016] As shown in Figure 3, water tub cover 18 further has water inlet 182, air inlet 183, and air inlet 184. Water inlet 182, air inlet 183, and air inlet 184 are located at the rear of water tub cover 18, in this case below back cover 17, and are openings formed by vertically penetrating water tub cover 18. Water inlet 182 serves as an inlet for water supplied by water injection device 19 to water tub 12. Air inlet 183 serves as an inlet for air entering water tub 12 from air duct 20. Air inlet 184 serves as an inlet for air exhausted from air outlet 122 of water tub 12 to hot air supply unit 30. Air inlet 183 and air inlet 184 form part of air duct 20.

[0017] The water injection device 19 is provided behind the top cover 16 and inside the back cover 17. As shown in Fig. 2, the water injection device 19 has a connection port 191, a water supply valve 192, a water supply duct 193, and a water injection case 194. The water injection device 19 is connected to an external water source such as a water faucet (not shown) via, for example, a water supply hose (not shown) connected to the connection port 191.

[0018] Water supply valve 192 is an electromagnetically actuable on-off valve for liquid, and is passively controlled by a control device (not shown). The input side of water supply valve 192 is connected to an external water source such as a water line via connection port 191, and the output side of water supply valve 192 is connected to water supply port 182 via water supply duct 193. Water supply valve 192 is, for example, a three-way valve, and opens and closes a water supply path that supplies water from an external water source such as a water line to water tank 12 via water supply case 194.

[0019] Water injection case 194 is made of, for example, resin and is formed in a box shape. Although not shown in detail, a treatment agent case into which treatment agents to be used in the wash run are poured is housed inside water injection case 194. The treatment agents, such as detergent or fabric softener, poured into the treatment agent case are flushed down into water tub 12 together with the water poured into water tub 12 via water supply duct 193 and water supply port 182.

[0020] Air passage 20 includes exhaust duct 123, intermediate duct 21, air intake duct 22, filter device 23, and warm air supply unit 30. Air passage 20 connects exhaust port 122 provided in water tub 12 with air intake port 183 provided in water tub cover 18, forming an air circulation path together with water tub 12. As indicated by the black arrows in FIGS. 2 and 3 , air circulates through air passage 20 and the interior of water tub 12 and rotating tub 13. Exhaust duct 123 is located downstream of water tub 12 and upstream of intermediate duct 21 with respect to the air flow. In this embodiment, exhaust duct 123 is formed integrally with water tub 12 on the outer periphery. The input side of exhaust duct 123 is connected to exhaust port 122 of water tub 12, and the output side faces intake port 184 of water tub cover 18.

[0021] Although not shown in detail, water is supplied to exhaust duct 123 from above, and exhaust duct 123 functions as a water-cooled heat exchanger that cools and dehumidifies the moist air discharged from water tub 12. The cooling water that falls inside exhaust duct 123 enters water tub 12 from exhaust port 122 and is discharged outside the apparatus via drain port 121 and drain path 152.

[0022] An outside air intake port 171 is formed in the back cover 17. A damper (not shown) formed in the air passage 20 may be opened and closed to allow outside air to be taken into the air passage 20 through the outside air intake port 171 and the damper. Furthermore, a part or all of the air dehumidified through the exhaust duct 123 may be discharged to the outside of the washer-dryer 10 from an exhaust port (not shown).

[0023] Intermediate duct 21 is located downstream of exhaust duct 123 and upstream of supply air duct 22 in terms of air flow. The input side of intermediate duct 21 is connected to suction port 184, and the output side is connected to filter device 23. Supply air duct 22 is located downstream of hot air supply unit 30 and upstream of water tub 12 in terms of air flow. The input side of supply air duct 22 is connected to hot air supply unit 30, and the output side is connected to air supply port 183 of water tub cover 18.

[0024] Water supply duct 193, intermediate duct 21, and air supply duct 22 connect water tub 12 and rotatable tub 13, which serve as drying chambers, to hot air supply unit 30. Water supply duct 193, intermediate duct 21, and air supply duct 22 have a bellows structure, as shown in Figure 2. This prevents water supply duct 193, intermediate duct 21, and air supply duct 22 from coming off water tub cover 18 even if vibrations occur as rotatable tub 13 rotates.

[0025] The filter device 23 is located downstream of the exhaust duct 123 and upstream of the hot air supply unit 30 in terms of the air flow. The input side of the filter device 23 is connected to the intermediate duct 21, and the output side is connected to the hot air supply unit 30. The filter device 23 includes a case and a filter, the details of which are not shown, and captures foreign matter such as lint contained in the air passing through.

[0026] The hot air supply unit 30 is configured to include a case 31, an air blower 32, and a heater 33. The hot air supply unit 30 has a function of heating the air passing through the air passage 20 to produce hot air, which is then sent into the water tub 12. The case 31 is formed in a container shape and forms the outer shell of the hot air supply unit 30, and includes the air blower 32 and the heater 33 inside.

[0027] Case 31 constitutes a portion of air passage 20. Filter device 23 is attached to the input side of case 31. Air supply duct 22 is connected to the output side of case 31. In other embodiments, filter device 23 may also be housed inside case 31. Air blower 32 has the function of drawing air from exhaust duct 123 or from outside air passage 20, and blowing the air heated by heater 33 into aquarium 12. Air blower 32 includes a fan 321 and a fan motor 322. Fan motor 322 is electrically connected to a control device (not shown) and is driven under the control of the control device.

[0028] The heater 33 has a function of heating the air supplied by the blower 32 to produce warm air. The heater 33 is electrically connected to a control device (not shown) and is driven under the control of the control device. Note that in other embodiments, a heat exchanger may be used as a means for heating the air instead of the heater 33. A heat exchanger may also be used as a dehumidifying means.

[0029] When the drying operation starts, the control device drives motor 14 to rotate rotatable tub 13, thereby agitating the clothes stored inside rotatable tub 13. The control device also drives fan motor 322 and heater 33. As a result, air is drawn into case 31 and heated by heater 33 to generate warm air. The generated warm air is supplied to water tub 12 and rotatable tub 13 by the action of blower 32. In this way, warm air circulates through air passage 20 and the inside of the drying chamber, facilitating the drying of the clothes.

[0030] The washer / dryer 10 further includes an irradiation device 40. The irradiation device 40 has the function of sterilizing and deodorizing an object by irradiating it with ultraviolet light. The irradiation device 40 includes an irradiation device main body 41, a light-emitting unit 42, and a cover 43. The irradiation device main body 41 forms the outer shell of the irradiation device 40 and holds the light-emitting unit 42. The light-emitting unit 42 irradiates ultraviolet light. The cover 43 covers the light-emitting unit 42. In this embodiment, the light-emitting unit 42 is a light-emitting diode (UV-LED) that irradiates ultraviolet light. The cover 43 is made of a heat-resistant material that is transparent to ultraviolet light, such as quartz glass.

[0031] Irradiation device 40 sterilizes and deodorizes the inside of air duct 20 by irradiating the inside of air duct 20, which includes water tub 12 and rotating tub 13, with ultraviolet rays. In particular, irradiation device 40 irradiates ultraviolet rays toward at least the inside of exhaust duct 123, intermediate duct 21, or air intake duct 22. In this embodiment, irradiation device 40c irradiates ultraviolet rays toward a portion of air duct 20 downstream of hot air supply unit 30 with respect to the air flow. Specifically, irradiation device 40 irradiates ultraviolet rays toward at least the inside of air intake duct 22. Irradiation device main body 41 is attached to case 31, and light-emitting unit 42 faces the inside of air intake duct 22.

[0032] Furthermore, the ultraviolet light emitted from irradiation device 40 reaches the inside of rotating tub 13 through air intake duct 22 and air intake port 183. This allows irradiation device 40 to sterilize and deodorize the inner surface of rotating tub 13 and / or the clothes stored inside rotating tub 13.

[0033] Here, the optical axis L of the light-emitting unit 42 extends toward a position offset from the rotation axis 141 located at the center of the rotatable tub 13. In other words, the irradiation device 40 irradiates a position offset from the center within the rotatable tub 13. When the motor 14 is driven while the irradiation device 40 is in the operating state, ultraviolet light is irradiated toward at least the range of the rotatable tub 13 that rotates. In this embodiment, ultraviolet light is irradiated toward the range of the bottom of the rotatable tub 13 that rotates. This makes it possible to irradiate ultraviolet light onto a wider range of the rotatable tub 13 and / or more clothes as the rotatable tub 13 rotates.

[0034] For example, when the drying step of the drying operation is completed, the control device drives the irradiation device 40 to execute a sterilization step of irradiating the inside of the air intake duct 22 and the clothes stored in the rotatable tub 13 with ultraviolet light. This promotes sterilization and deodorization of the inside of the air duct 20 and the clothes. Note that the configuration may also be such that the sterilization step of irradiating the clothes stored in the rotatable tub 13 with ultraviolet light is executed before the washing step of the washing operation or before the drying step of the drying operation. Furthermore, the configuration may also be such that the irradiation device 40 is driven to irradiate the inside of the air intake duct 22 and the rotatable tub 13 with ultraviolet light during the tub cleaning operation to sterilize and deodorize the inside of the air intake duct 22 and the rotatable tub 13.

[0035] The washer-dryer 10 further includes a cooling device 50. The cooling device 50 has a function of cooling the irradiation device 40, particularly the light-emitting unit 42. The cooling device 50 is, for example, a water-cooled cooling device and includes a cooling unit 51 and a cooling water supply pipe 52. The cooling unit 51 is provided on the outside of the case 31 at a position corresponding to the light-emitting unit 42 and includes a cylindrical cooling pipe 511 therein. The water injection device 19 further includes a cooling water supply valve 195. The input side of the cooling water supply valve 195 is connected to the connection port 191 and the output side is connected to the cooling water supply pipe 52. The cooling water supply valve 195 is electrically connected to the control device and opens and closes under the control of the control device. When the cooling water supply valve 195 opens, cooling water is supplied to the cooling unit 51 through the cooling water supply pipe 52. The light-emitting unit 42 is cooled by water passing through the cylindrical cooling pipe 511 provided inside the cooling unit 51.

[0036] When the irradiation device 40 is driven, the light-emitting unit 42 may generate heat, especially if the light-emitting unit 42 is a high-power UV-LED that consumes a lot of power. Furthermore, UV-LEDs are generally susceptible to high temperatures, and prolonged exposure to high-temperature environments is undesirable. In other words, the inside of the case 31 becomes hot when the hot air supply unit 30 is driven, which is undesirable for the light-emitting unit 42. Therefore, the control device may drive the cooling device 50 when driving the irradiation device 40 to cool and eliminate the overheating caused by the light-emitting unit 42. Furthermore, the overheating of the light-emitting unit 42 caused by the heat generated by the heater 33 may be eliminated by driving the cooling device 50 in conjunction with driving the hot air supply unit 30.

[0037] Here, the inside of air duct 20 often experiences high temperature and humidity conditions during washing and drying operations. As mentioned above, the duct is often bellows-shaped to accommodate vibrations caused by the rotation of rotating tub 13. Because bellows-shaped ducts have many uneven parts, they are particularly prone to trapping moisture and foreign matter. Therefore, the inside of the duct may become a breeding ground for mold, bacteria, and the like.

[0038] In contrast, according to the present embodiment described above, the washer-dryer 10 as a clothing processing device includes the water tub 12, the rotatable tub 13, the hot air supply unit 30, the exhaust duct 123, the air intake duct 22, the intermediate duct 21, and the irradiation device 40. The rotatable tub 13 is rotatably supported within the water tub 12 and together with the water tub 12 constitutes a drying chamber that accommodates clothes. The hot air supply unit 30 supplies hot air to the drying chamber. The exhaust duct 123, the air intake duct 22, and the intermediate duct 21 connect the hot air supply unit 30 and the drying chamber. The irradiation device 40 irradiates ultraviolet light onto the interior of at least one of the exhaust duct 123, the air intake duct 22, and the intermediate duct 21.

[0039] This allows the inside of the exhaust duct 123, the intake duct 22, and the intermediate duct 21 to be disinfected by ultraviolet light, thereby keeping the inside of the ducts 123, 21, and 22, where mold and bacteria are likely to grow, clean. This provides a clothing treatment device with enhanced disinfecting and deodorizing effects.

[0040] Air passage 20 is configured to include exhaust duct 123 and intermediate duct 21 located downstream of water tub 12 and upstream of hot air supply unit 30 in terms of the air flow direction, and air supply duct 22 located downstream of hot air supply unit 30 and upstream of water tub 12. Irradiation device 40 irradiates ultraviolet rays at least into air supply duct 22.

[0041] This sterilizes and deodorizes the inside of the air supply duct 22, through which the warm air supplied to the water tub 12 passes immediately before. This prevents mold and bacteria from growing inside the water tub 12, providing a clean clothing processing device.

[0042] The ultraviolet light irradiated from the irradiation device 40 can reach the inside or outer peripheral surface of the rotating tub 13. In this embodiment, the ultraviolet light irradiated from the irradiation device 40 can reach the inside of the rotating tub 13 by passing through the air supply duct 22.

[0043] This allows ultraviolet light to be applied to the inside of the rotating tub or the clothes inside the rotating tub, thereby sterilizing the rotating tub that stores the clothes and the clothes themselves stored inside.

[0044] Although irradiation device 40 is capable of irradiating rotatable tub 13 with ultraviolet light, it is difficult to irradiate a wide area at once because the light is irradiated through air intake duct 22, and the area that can be irradiated at one time is limited to a portion of rotatable tub 13. In other words, when ultraviolet light is irradiated toward the center of rotation of rotatable tub 13, i.e., rotation shaft 141, the ultraviolet light is irradiated only onto a certain portion of rotatable tub 13 or the clothes, regardless of whether rotatable tub 13 is rotating or not.

[0045] In contrast, the irradiation direction of the irradiation device 40 is set at a position offset from the rotation axis 141 located at the center of rotation of the rotational tub 13 .

[0046] As a result, when the irradiation device 40 is driven while the rotating tub 13 is rotating, the irradiation position rotates relatively, making it possible to irradiate ultraviolet rays over a wide range of the rotating tub 13. As a result, a wide range of the rotating tub 13 or clothes can be sterilized and deodorized.

[0047] Here, there is a risk that the irradiation device 40 may deteriorate due to its own heat generation or high temperature caused by the hot air supplied by the hot air supply unit 30.

[0048] In contrast, the washer / dryer 10 as a clothing processing device includes a cooling device 50 that cools the irradiation device 40.

[0049] This makes it possible to suppress deterioration of the irradiation device 40 due to high temperatures, and therefore the sterilization and deodorization effects of the irradiation device 40 can be maintained for a long period of time.

[0050] (Second embodiment) Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5 and Fig. 6. In this embodiment, the washer / dryer 10 includes an irradiation device 40a instead of the irradiation device 40. The irradiation device 40a has a light-guiding member 44. In the irradiation device 40a, the irradiation device main body 41 and the light-emitting unit 42 are arranged outside the air passage 20. The light-guiding member 44 has a function of guiding ultraviolet light irradiated from the light-emitting unit 42 into the air passage 20.

[0051] The light-guiding member 44 can guide ultraviolet light to any position and direction away from the light-emitting unit 42 by propagating the ultraviolet light therethrough. The light-guiding member 44 can be made of, for example, an optical fiber or a light-guiding plate. An example of the optical fiber is a quartz glass fiber. An example of the light-guiding plate is a transparent material such as quartz glass, polycarbonate, or acrylic. In this embodiment, the light-guiding member 44 is made of an optical fiber.

[0052] The input side of light-guiding member 44 is connected to light-emitting unit 42, and the output side is inserted into case 31 through through-hole 311 formed in the downstream portion of case 31. Output-side tip 441 of light-guiding member 44 faces the inside of air supply duct 22. When irradiation device 40a is driven, ultraviolet light irradiated from light-emitting unit 42 travels inside light-guiding member 44. The ultraviolet light propagated inside light-guiding unit 44 is irradiated from tip 441 toward air supply duct 22 and the inside of rotating tub 13.

[0053] The optical axis La of the ultraviolet light emitted from the tip 441 extends toward a position offset from the rotation axis 141 located at the center of the rotatable tub 13, similar to the optical axis L of the light-emitting unit 42 in the first embodiment. This allows ultraviolet light to be irradiated onto a wider area and / or more clothes on the rotatable tub 13 as the rotatable tub 13 rotates.

[0054] This embodiment also provides the same effects as the first embodiment.

[0055] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the irradiation device 40 a has a light-emitting section 42 provided outside the air passage 20 and a light-guiding member 44 extending from the light-emitting section 42 into the air passage 20 .

[0056] As a result, by providing the light emitting unit 42 outside the air passage 20, which is in a high-temperature environment, deterioration of the light emitting unit 42 due to high temperatures can be suppressed.

[0057] (Third embodiment) Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 7 and 8. In this embodiment, the washer / dryer 10 includes an irradiation device 40b. The irradiation device 40b has a light guide member 45 instead of the light guide member 44 of the irradiation device 40a of the third embodiment. The light guide member 45 has a plurality of output sides, in this case, branched into two. That is, the light guide member 45 can guide ultraviolet light irradiated from the light-emitting unit 42 toward a plurality of directions and / or positions.

[0058] Light-guiding member 45 has first tip 451 and second tip 452. First tip 451 is inserted into air passage 20 through through-hole 311 of case 31. First tip 451 irradiates ultraviolet light toward air intake duct 22 and the interior of rotatable tub 13. Second tip 452 faces through-hole 185 formed in water-tub cover 18 toward the interior of rotatable tub 13. Second tip 452 irradiates ultraviolet light toward the interior of rotatable tub 13 from a position different from that of first tip 451. This allows for more effective sterilization and deodorization of rotatable tub 13 and / or clothes stored therein.

[0059] At least one of the optical axis Lb1 of the ultraviolet light emitted from the first tip portion 451 and the optical axis Lb2 of the ultraviolet light emitted from the second tip portion 452 extends toward a position offset from the rotation axis 141 located at the center of the rotatable tub 13. In this embodiment, both the optical axis Lb1 of the ultraviolet light emitted from the first tip portion 451 and the optical axis Lb2 of the ultraviolet light emitted from the second tip portion 452 extend toward a position offset from the rotation axis 141 located at the center of the rotatable tub 13. This allows ultraviolet light to be irradiated onto a wider area and / or more clothes on the rotatable tub 13 as the rotatable tub 13 rotates.

[0060] This embodiment also provides the same effects as the first embodiment.

[0061] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, ultraviolet light emitted by one light-emitting element 42 can be irradiated in multiple directions and / or positions by the light-guiding member 45. This makes it possible to more effectively sterilize and deodorize the inside of the clothing treatment device.

[0062] (Fourth embodiment) Next, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 9 and Fig. 10. In this embodiment, the washer / dryer 10 includes an irradiation device 40c. The irradiation device 40c irradiates ultraviolet light toward a portion of the air passage 20 upstream of the warm air supply unit 30 with respect to the air flow. Specifically, the irradiation device 40c irradiates ultraviolet light toward at least the inside of the intermediate duct 21.

[0063] In this embodiment, the filter device 23 is disposed inside the case 31. The irradiation device 40c is disposed in the upstream portion of the case 31 such that the light emitting section 42 faces the interior of the intermediate duct 21.

[0064] This embodiment also provides the same effects as the above-described embodiments.

[0065] Here, the intermediate duct 21 is located upstream of the filter device 23 in terms of the air flow. Therefore, there is a risk that foreign matter such as lint may become stuck in the unevenness of the bellows structure of the intermediate duct 21. Furthermore, the intermediate duct 21 is located upstream of the heater 33 in terms of the air flow. Therefore, the temperature of the air passing through the intermediate duct 21 tends to drop compared to immediately after being heated by the heater 33. Therefore, there is a possibility that bacteria, mold, etc. may grow inside the intermediate duct 21.

[0066] According to the present embodiment, air passage 20 includes intermediate duct 21 located downstream of water tub 12 and upstream of hot air supply unit 30 in the air flow direction. Irradiation device 40c irradiates ultraviolet light toward the inside of intermediate duct 21.

[0067] This allows the inside of the intermediate duct 21 to be sterilized and deodorized, providing a clean clothing treating device.

[0068] The irradiation device 40c may be configured to be able to irradiate the inside of the exhaust duct 123 with ultraviolet light through the intermediate duct 21. In this case, the inside of the exhaust duct 123 can be sterilized and deodorized.

[0069] (Fifth embodiment) Next, a fifth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 11. In this embodiment, a washer-dryer 100 as a clothing treatment device includes an outer case 61, a water tub 62, a rotatable tub 63, a motor 64, a door 65, a drainage device 66, an air passage 70, a hot air supply unit 80, and an irradiation device 40d. The washer-dryer 100 is a drum-type washer-dryer in which the rotation axis of the rotatable tub 63 is horizontal or inclined downward toward the rear.

[0070] Outer case 61 is formed in a box shape and forms the outer shell of washer / dryer 100. Water tub 62 is disposed within outer case 61 and is elastically supported by a suspension (not shown). Rotating tub 63 is disposed rotatably within water tub 62. Water tub 62 and rotating tub 63 are both formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom, and store clothes therein to function as a washing chamber during a washing operation and as a drying chamber during a drying operation.

[0071] Water tub 62 has an opening 621 formed at one end of its cylindrical shape, in this case the end on the door 65 side, and a water tub end plate 622 formed at the other end. Rotating tub 63 has an opening 631 formed at one end of its cylindrical shape, in this case the end on the door 65 side, and a rotating tub end plate 632 formed at the other end.

[0072] Water tub 62 has an exhaust port 623, an air inlet 624, and a drain port 625. Exhaust port 623 is located near opening 621 at the top of the peripheral wall that forms the cylindrical portion of water tub 62. Air inlet 624 is formed in water tub end plate 622. Drain port 625 is formed at the rear of the bottom of water tub 62, that is, near water tub end plate 622. Drain port 625 is an outlet for water from water tub 12. Exhaust port 623, air inlet 624, and drain port 625 connect the inside and outside of water tub 12.

[0073] Drain device 66 includes drain valve 661 and drain path 662. Drain valve 661 is an electromagnetically actuable on-off valve for liquid, and is controlled by a control device (not shown). Drain valve 661 opens and closes drain path 662. The input side of drain valve 661 is connected to drain outlet 625 of water tub 12 via drain path 662, and the output side of drain valve 661 is connected to the outside of washer-dryer 100 via drain path 662. Drain path 662 is a path through which water stored in water tub 62 is drained to the outside of washer-dryer 100. When drain valve 661 is closed, water can be stored in water tub 62. When drain valve 661 is opened, water stored in water tub 62 can be drained to the outside of the washer-dryer 100.

[0074] Rotary tub 63 has a large number of holes 633 and a large number of communication holes 634. Holes 633 and communication holes 634 connect the inside and outside of rotary tub 63. Holes 633 are formed in the peripheral wall that forms the cylindrical shape of rotary tub 63. Communication holes 634 are formed in rotary tub end plate 632. The large number of holes 633 and the large number of communication holes 634 function mainly as water ports through which water flows in and out during the washing operation, and as air ports through which air flows in and out during the drying operation.

[0075] Motor 64 is mounted on water tub end plate 622 outside water tub 62. Motor 64 is, for example, an outer rotor type direct drive motor. Shaft 641 of motor 64 passes through water tub end plate 622 and is fixed to the center of rotatable tub end plate 632. This allows motor 64 to rotate rotatable tub 63 relative to water tub 62.

[0076] Door 65 is provided on the outer surface of outer box 61 via a hinge (not shown). Door 65 rotates around the hinge as a fulcrum to open and close front opening 611 of outer box 61. With door 65 open, clothes are placed into or removed from rotating tub 63 through openings 621 and 631.

[0077] Air passage 70 connects exhaust port 623 and air intake port 624 outside water tub 62. Air passage 70 serves as a path for exhausting air from water tub 12 through exhaust port 623 and supplying warm air into water tub 12 through air intake port 624. Air passage 70 includes warm air supply unit 80, filter device 71, and air intake duct 72, connection duct 73, and exhaust duct 74 that connect these together. Air circulates through air passage 70 and water tub 62 and rotating tub 63, as indicated by the solid arrows in FIG. 11 .

[0078] The hot air supply unit 80 supplies hot air to the drying chamber. The heating method of the hot air supply unit 80 may be a heater type that heats air using a heater, or a heat pump type that dehumidifies and heats air using a heat exchanger. In this embodiment, the heating method of the hot air supply unit 80 is a heat pump type.

[0079] The hot air supply unit 80 is provided below the water tub 62 and the rotating tub 63 at the bottom inside the outer casing 61. The hot air supply unit 80 is configured to include a heat exchanger 81, an evaporator 82, a condenser 83, a compressor 84, and a blower 85. The heat exchanger 81 is formed in a box shape and houses the evaporator 82 and the condenser 83 inside. The evaporator 82 and the condenser 83, together with the compressor 84 arranged outside the heat exchanger 81, constitute a heat pump mechanism, i.e., a refrigeration cycle.

[0080] The evaporator 82 is provided upstream of the condenser 83 with respect to the air flow in the heat exchanger 81 during drying operation. The air passing through the heat exchanger 81 is cooled and dehumidified by the evaporator 82. The air dehumidified by the evaporator 82 is then heated by the condenser 83 to become warm air.

[0081] The blower 85 has the function of drawing air from inside the water tub 62 into the heat exchanger 81 and sending the air that has been dehumidified and heated in the heat exchanger 81 into the water tub 62. The blower 85 is provided downstream of the heat exchanger 81 in terms of the air flow and upstream of the air supply duct 72. The blower 85 includes a fan and a fan motor, the details of which are not shown.

[0082] When the drying operation is started, the control device drives the blower 85 and the compressor 84, and the blower 85 sends air that has been dehumidified and heated by the refrigeration cycle into the water tub 62.

[0083] Air supply duct 72, connection duct 73, exhaust duct 74, and heat exchanger 81 each constitute part of air passage 70 connecting exhaust port 623 and air supply port 624. In this case, with respect to the air flow in air passage 70, exhaust port 623 is on the most upstream side, and air supply port 624 is on the most downstream side.

[0084] The upstream side of the heat exchanger 81 is connected to the filter device 71 via a connecting duct 73. The filter device 71 is provided on the upper inside part of the outer box 61, above the water tank 62 and the rotating tank 63. The filter device has a filter therein that collects foreign matter such as lint.

[0085] The upstream side of the filter device 71 is connected to the exhaust duct 74 via a connecting portion 75. The connecting portion 75 is formed in a cylindrical shape bent into an inverted L-shape and constitutes a part of the air passage 70. The exhaust duct 74 has a bellows structure. The exhaust duct 74 extends in a generally straight line from the exhaust port 623 upward or upward toward the rear. In this embodiment, the exhaust duct 74 is inclined so that it slopes downward toward the front.

[0086] In this embodiment, the irradiation device 40d irradiates ultraviolet light toward at least the inside of the exhaust duct 74. The irradiation device 40d is attached to the outer wall of the connection portion 75 at a position where the light-emitting unit 42 faces the exhaust duct 74. In this case, the irradiation device 40d is attached to the upper wall portion of the connection portion 75. In this embodiment, since the exhaust duct 74 is inclined, the optical axis Ld of the light-emitting unit 42 of the irradiation device 40d is inclined so as to descend toward the front. This allows ultraviolet light to be irradiated over a wide area inside the exhaust duct 74.

[0087] Furthermore, the ultraviolet light emitted from the light-emitting unit 42 may be irradiated onto the outer peripheral surface forming the cylindrical portion of the rotating tub 63 through the exhaust duct 74 and the exhaust port 623. This sterilizes and deodorizes the outer peripheral surface of the rotating tub 63. Note that by driving the irradiation device 40d while the motor 64 is running, the portion of the outer peripheral surface of the rotating tub 63 that is irradiated with ultraviolet light moves relatively. Therefore, sterilization and deodorization can be performed over a wide area of ​​the outer peripheral surface of the rotating tub 63.

[0088] This embodiment also provides the same effects as the above-described embodiments.

[0089] Here, exhaust duct 74 is located upstream of filter device 71 in terms of the air flow. Therefore, there is a risk that lint or other foreign matter may become clogged in the unevenness of the bellows structure of exhaust duct 74. Furthermore, exhaust duct 74 is located upstream of heat exchanger 81 in terms of the air flow. Therefore, the temperature of the air passing through exhaust duct 74 tends to drop compared to immediately after being heated by condenser 83. Therefore, there is a possibility that bacteria, mold, and the like may grow inside exhaust duct 74.

[0090] In this embodiment, air passage 70 includes exhaust duct 74 located downstream of water tub 62 and upstream of hot air supply unit 80 in the air flow direction. Irradiation device 40d irradiates ultraviolet light toward at least the inside of exhaust duct 74.

[0091] This sterilizes and deodorizes the inside of the exhaust duct 74, and prevents the growth of bacteria, mold, etc. inside the exhaust duct 74. This provides a clean clothing treating device.

[0092] Here, the outer circumferential surface of spin tub 63 is not exposed to the outside air because it is surrounded by water tub 62. Therefore, for example, if only the washing operation is performed without the drying operation, the outer circumferential surface of spin tub 63 remains wet, which may cause the growth of mold and bacteria.

[0093] In contrast, according to this embodiment, the ultraviolet light emitted from the irradiation device 40d can reach the inside or outer circumferential surface of the rotating tank 63, in this case the outer circumferential surface.

[0094] This irradiates the outer peripheral surface of the rotating tub 63 with ultraviolet light, thereby preventing the growth of bacteria and mold in the rotating tub 63. Therefore, a clean laundry processing device is provided.

[0095] The washer / dryer 100 may include a cooling device 50 that cools the irradiation device 40d, similar to the above-described embodiments.

[0096] Furthermore, the washer-dryer 100 may be configured to transmit the ultraviolet light irradiated by the light-emitting unit 42 through a light-guiding member and irradiate the ultraviolet light onto one or more of the inside of the air supply duct 72, the inside of the connection duct 73, and the inside of the exhaust duct 74.

[0097] In the above-described embodiments, the cooling device 50 is a water-cooled type, but is not limited thereto. For example, in other embodiments, the cooling device 50 may be an air-cooled type cooling device, or may be, for example, a heat sink having a number of fins that promote heat dissipation. For example, the cooling device 50 may be configured to cool the irradiation device 40 by driving the air blower 32 to send air to the irradiation device 40. In this case, an outside air intake port may be provided in each of the back cover 17 and the air duct 20, and the outside air intake port provided in the air duct 20 may be made openable and closable by a damper, thereby taking in outside air that is lower in temperature than the temperature inside the device when cooling the irradiation device 40, thereby efficiently cooling the irradiation device 40.

[0098] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the inventions and their equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0099] 10, 100... washer-dryer (clothing processing device), 11... outer case, 12... water tub (drying chamber), 123... exhaust duct (duct), 13... rotating tub (drying chamber), 14... motor, 141... rotating shaft, 20... air duct, 21... intermediate duct (duct), 22... air intake duct (duct), 30... hot air supply unit, 40, 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d... irradiation device, 42... light-emitting unit, 44, 45... light-guiding member, 50... cooling device, 61... outer case, 62... water tub, 63... rotating tub, 70... air duct, 72... air intake duct (duct), 73... connecting duct (duct), 74... exhaust duct, 80... hot air supply unit

Claims

1. Aquarium and a rotary tub that is rotatably supported within the water tub and that, together with the water tub, constitutes a drying chamber for accommodating clothes; a hot air supply unit for supplying hot air to the drying chamber; a duct forming a part of an air passage connecting the hot air supply unit and the drying chamber; an irradiation device that irradiates ultraviolet light at least into the duct, The duct has a bellows-shaped portion, The irradiation device irradiates ultraviolet light at least to the bellows-shaped portion. Clothes treatment device.

2. A water tank having an exhaust port; a rotary tub that is rotatably supported within the water tub and that, together with the water tub, constitutes a drying chamber for accommodating clothes; a hot air supply unit for supplying hot air to the drying chamber; an exhaust duct that forms a part of an air passage connecting the hot air supply unit and the exhaust port; and an irradiation device that irradiates ultraviolet light toward the exhaust port at least within the exhaust duct. Clothes treatment device.

3. The duct is configured to include an air supply duct located downstream of the hot air supply unit and upstream of the water tank in terms of the air flow direction, The irradiation device irradiates ultraviolet light at least into the inside of the air supply duct. The clothing treatment device according to claim 1 .

4. The ultraviolet light irradiated from the irradiation device can reach the inside or outer peripheral surface of the rotating tank. The clothing treatment device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The irradiation direction of the irradiation device is set in a direction shifted from the center of rotation of the rotating tank. The clothing treatment device according to claim 3 .

6. The irradiation device is a light emitting unit provided outside the air passage; a light guide member extending from the light emitting portion into the air passage, The clothing treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. a cooling device for cooling the irradiation device; The clothing treatment device according to claim 1 or 2.

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