Drum-type washer-dryer

Abstract

To provide a drum type washing and drying machine which can enlarge a heat exchanger while suppressing an increase in size of a housing.SOLUTION: In a drum type washing and drying machine 1, a first heat exchanger 130 and a second heat exchanger 140 are stored in a second duct 113, and are arranged in a space S1 which is surrounded by a top surface part 10a and a right side surface part 10b of a housing 10 and a peripheral surface wall 201 of an outer tub 20 and in which the vertical size expands toward the right side surface part 10b side from an apex part 201a side of the peripheral surface wall 201. Refrigerant pipes 131a, 141a of the first heat exchanger 130 and the second heat exchanger 140 meander in the in-plane direction in parallel with the radial direction of the outer tub 20, in such a manner that the vertical size of these heat exchangers 130, 140 increases toward the right side surface part 10b side from the apex part 201a side of the peripheral surface wall 201.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a drum type washer-dryer. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 below describes a drum-type washer-dryer that includes an outer tub housed in a housing, an air circulation path having an outlet and a return port connected to the outer tub, an air blower that circulates the air in the outer tub by taking it from the outlet into the air circulation path and returning it to the outer tub from the return port, and a heat exchanger that is provided in the air circulation path and exchanges heat between a refrigerant and the air in the air circulation path.

[0003] In this drum type washer-dryer, the air circulation passage includes a middle section extending in the front-to-rear direction at a position higher than the outer tub. The heat exchanger further includes a first heat exchanger disposed in the middle section downstream of the rotary blades of the blower section, and a second heat exchanger disposed downstream of the first heat exchanger. The first and second heat exchangers are aligned in the front-to-rear direction.

[0004] The housing is rectangular box-shaped, while the outer tub is cylindrical with both ends facing forward and backward. Therefore, a large space is formed between the upper side of the outer tub's peripheral wall and the top surface of the housing, closer to both sides of the housing than to the center when viewed from the front. In the washer-dryer, a heat exchanger housed midway through the space is placed in this space. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-23720 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In drum-type washer-dryers, the heat exchanger placed in the air circulation path typically has a rectangular parallelepiped overall shape. Therefore, when a rectangular parallelepiped heat exchanger is placed in the space, dead space tends to form below the heat exchanger on the side of the space. Therefore, if the heat exchanger is enlarged to improve heat exchange performance, the housing tends to become larger, leaving this dead space.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide a drum type washer-dryer that can enlarge the heat exchanger while suppressing an increase in the size of the housing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A drum-type washing machine according to a main aspect of the present invention comprises a rectangular box-shaped housing, an outer tub with a cylindrical peripheral wall disposed within the housing, a drum disposed within the outer tub for accommodating laundry, and a drying device for drying the laundry within the drum. The drying device comprises a circulation path connected to the outer tub for circulating air between the outer tub and the outer tub, a flat refrigerant pipe with multiple flow paths formed therein through which a refrigerant flows, and a heat exchanger including heat transfer fins connected to the refrigerant pipe, and exchanging heat between the air flowing within the circulation path and the refrigerant. The heat exchanger is configured to exchange heat between the air flowing within the circulation path and the refrigerant. Ducts that make up The refrigerant pipe is housed within the outer tank and is disposed in a space surrounded by the top and side surfaces of the housing and the peripheral wall, the space having a vertical size that increases from the top of the peripheral wall toward the side surfaces. The refrigerant pipe meanders in an in-plane direction parallel to the radial direction of the outer tank so that the vertical size of the heat exchanger increases from the top of the peripheral wall toward the side surfaces. The heat exchanger includes a first heat exchanger in which a low-temperature refrigerant flows through the refrigerant pipe to cool and dehumidify the air flowing through the circulation path, and a second heat exchanger in which a high-temperature refrigerant flows through the refrigerant pipe to heat the air flowing through the circulation path. The bottom wall of the duct has a stepped inclined portion in an area where the second heat exchanger is disposed, the stepped inclined portion decreasing from the top of the peripheral wall toward the side. The bottom surfaces of the refrigerant pipes of the second heat exchanger have stepped inclined portions that decrease from the top of the peripheral wall toward the side, and the stepped inclined portions rest on the stepped inclined portions of the bottom wall.

[0009] According to the above configuration, the heat exchanger can be formed in a shape that corresponds to the shape of the space in which it is placed, which reduces the amount of dead space below the heat exchanger on the side of the space, thereby allowing the heat exchanger to be enlarged while minimizing the increase in the size of the housing.

[0010] In the drum type washer-dryer according to this aspect, The first heat exchanger The refrigerant pipe may be configured to meander in the vertical direction, with the amplitude of the meandering increasing from the top side of the peripheral wall toward the side surface side.

[0011] According to the above configuration, No. 1 The heat exchanger can be formed so that its vertical size increases from the top side of the peripheral wall toward the side wall.

[0013] According to the above configuration, since the refrigerant pipes meander in the vertical direction, water that condenses on the refrigerant pipes and heat transfer fins when dehumidifying the air tends to move downward and flow to the bottom surface of the circulation path.

[0014] In the case of the above configuration, the No. 1 The heat exchanger may be configured to include two head portions connected to both ends of a refrigerant pipe, in which one of the two head portions is provided with a refrigerant inlet and the other is provided with a refrigerant outlet; the first heat exchanger The refrigerant pipe may be configured to extend in a predetermined direction from one end of the refrigerant pipe while meandering vertically, and then turn back to extend in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction, with the other end of the refrigerant pipe being located near the one end.

[0015] According to the above configuration, the head portion having the refrigerant inlet and the head portion having the refrigerant outlet can be disposed close to each other, No. 1 Pipes that send refrigerant to the heat exchanger and No. 1 This facilitates the work of connecting the pipes through which the refrigerant returns from the heat exchanger to the inlet and outlet, respectively.

[0016] In the drum type washer-dryer according to this aspect, The second heat exchanger The refrigerant pipe may be configured to meander in a horizontal direction, with the amplitude of the meandering increasing from the peripheral wall surface side toward the top surface side.

[0017] According to the above configuration, No. 2The heat exchanger can be formed so that its vertical size increases from the top side of the peripheral wall toward the side wall.

[0018] In the drum type washer-dryer according to this embodiment, ,before The first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger may have a configuration in which heat exchange units, each consisting of the refrigerant pipe and the heat transfer fin, are arranged in the axial direction of the outer tank. Furthermore, the number of the heat exchange units in the second heat exchanger may be greater than the number of the heat exchange units in the first heat exchanger.

[0019] According to the above configuration, the second heat exchanger has higher heat exchange performance than the first heat exchanger, so that the air cooled by the first heat exchanger for dehumidification can be sufficiently heated by the second heat exchanger. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a drum type washer-dryer that can enlarge the heat exchanger while suppressing an increase in the size of the housing.

[0021] The effects and significance of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of the embodiments, however, the following embodiment is merely an example of how the present invention can be implemented, and the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of a drum type washer-dryer according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Fig. 2(a) is a perspective view of the outer tub equipped with a drying device, as seen from above and rear, according to an embodiment, and Fig. 2(b) is a perspective view of the main part of the outer tub, showing the periphery of the exhaust port, according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the second duct in which the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger are arranged with the upper case removed, according to the embodiment. [Figure 4]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the second duct in which the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger are arranged, taken along the front-rear direction at the position of the drain recess, according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] 5(a), (b), and (c) are a perspective view, a plan view, and a bottom view, respectively, of the first heat exchanger according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] 6(a), (b), and (c) are a perspective view, a plan view, and a bottom view, respectively, of the second heat exchanger according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a lower case according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] 8(a) and 8(b) are cross-sectional front views of the upper right side of a drum type washer-dryer taken at the position of a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger, respectively, according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a drum type washer-dryer of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0024] Fig. 1 is a side cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of a drum type washer-dryer 1. Fig. 2(a) is a perspective view of an outer tub 20 equipped with a drying device 100, seen from above and rearward. Fig. 2(b) is a perspective view of a main part of the outer tub 20, showing the periphery of an exhaust port 203.

[0025] The drum type washer-dryer 1 includes a rectangular box-shaped housing 10. A circular loading opening 11 through which laundry is loaded is formed on the front of the housing 10. The loading opening 11 is covered by a door 12 that can be opened and closed.

[0026] An outer tub 20 is disposed within the housing 10. The outer tub 20 is elastically supported by a plurality of dampers 21 and springs 22. The outer tub 20 has a cylindrical peripheral wall 201 and a disk-shaped rear wall 202. A drum 23 is rotatably disposed within the outer tub 20. The drum 23 rotates around a horizontal axis L. The drum 23 has a circular opening 23a on its front surface. The outer tub 20 has another circular opening 20a, forward of the opening 23a of the drum 23, which is connected to the feed port 11 via a packing (not shown). Note that the drum 23 may rotate around an inclined axis as long as it is a horizontal-axis type.

[0027] A large number of dewatering holes 23b are formed in the peripheral wall of drum 23. In addition, inside drum 23, a baffle 24 for lifting up laundry is provided on the peripheral wall.

[0028] A drive motor 30 is disposed behind the outer tub 20 to generate torque for rotating the drum 23. The drive motor 30 is, for example, an outer rotor DC brushless motor. During the washing and rinsing cycles, the drive motor 30 rotates the drum 23 at a rotation speed at which the centrifugal force acting on the laundry inside the drum 23 is smaller than the gravity, causing the laundry to tumble. On the other hand, during the spin-drying cycle, the drive motor 30 rotates the drum 23 at a rotation speed at which the centrifugal force acting on the laundry inside the drum 23 is much larger than the gravity, causing the laundry to stick to the peripheral wall of the drum 23.

[0029] A drain outlet 20b is formed at the bottom of the outer tub 20. A drain channel 40 consisting of a drain hose or the like is connected to the drain outlet 20b. A drain valve 41 and a drain filter 42 are provided in the drain channel 40. The drain valve 41 includes, for example, a valve and a torque motor that opens and closes the valve. When the drain valve 41 is opened, water stored in the outer tub 20 is discharged outside the machine through the drain channel 40. The drain filter 42 captures foreign matter such as lint contained in the wastewater.

[0030] A water supply unit 50 is disposed at the top of the housing 10. The water supply unit 50 includes a water supply valve 51 and a water supply hose 52. One end of the water supply hose 52 is connected to the water supply valve 51, and the other end is connected to a water inlet 20c provided on the rear wall 202 of the outer tub 20. When the water supply valve 51 is opened, tap water from a water faucet flows through the water supply hose 52 and is supplied into the outer tub 20 from the water inlet 20c.

[0031] A drying device 100 is disposed in the upper portion of housing 10 to dry laundry in drum 23 with heated air. Drying device 100 includes a circulation path 110, a blower 120, a first heat exchanger 130, and a second heat exchanger 140.

[0032] The circulation path 110 is an air path through which air flows, and is connected to the outer tub 20. The circulation path 110 includes a first duct 111, a fan casing 112, a second duct 113, and an introduction pipe 114.

[0033] As shown in Figure 2(b), an exhaust port 203 is provided in the rear part of the peripheral wall 201 of the outer tub 20, above the center of the outer tub 20. The exhaust port 203 has a rectangular shape with rounded corners that is long in the front-to-rear direction, i.e., the axial direction of the outer tub 20. In addition, a large number of reinforcing ribs are provided in a lattice pattern on the outer surfaces of the peripheral wall 201 and the rear wall 202.

[0034] 2(a), the first duct 111 is disposed on the peripheral wall 201 at the rear of the outer tub 20, connected to the exhaust port 203, and extends from the exhaust port 203 along the peripheral wall 201 to the top side of the peripheral wall 201. The fan casing 112 is disposed above the peripheral wall 201 at the rear of the outer tub 20, above the first duct 111 on the right side of the top of the peripheral wall 201.

[0035] The fan casing 112 is formed in a flat, hollow cylindrical shape and has an intake port on its lower surface and an exhaust port on its circumferential surface. The first duct 111 is connected to the intake port of the fan casing 112 via a flexible connection hose 115.

[0036] The second duct 113 has a box shape that is long in the front-to-rear direction and is disposed above the peripheral wall 201 and in front of the fan casing 112 to the right of the top of the peripheral wall 201. The rear end of the second duct 113 is connected to the outlet of the fan casing 112. The inlet pipe 114 extends from the front end of the second duct 113 and is connected to an intake port 204 formed in the upper front part of the outer tub 20. The inlet pipe 114 is composed of a first pipe 114a formed integrally with the second duct 113 and a second pipe 114b made of rubber and connecting the first pipe 114a and the intake port 204. A drain hose 116 is connected to the bottom of the second duct 113, through which water condensed from air by the first heat exchanger 130 is discharged. The drain hose 116 is connected to the outer tub 20 via a connecting hose (not shown).

[0037] The blower 120 is, for example, a centrifugal fan, and includes a fan 121 housed in a fan casing 112 and a fan motor 122 for driving the fan 121 to rotate. The blower 120 circulates air between the outer tub 20 and the circulation path 110. Air discharged from the outer tub 20 through the exhaust port 203 flows through the circulation path 110, in this order: the first duct 111, the fan casing 112, the second duct 113, and the introduction pipe 114, and returns to the outer tub 20 through the intake port 204. The blower 120 and the fan casing 112 constitute a blowing unit.

[0038] The first heat exchanger 130 and the second heat exchanger 140 are respectively disposed on the upstream and downstream sides of the second duct 113, which is their casing. The first heat exchanger 130 and the second heat exchanger 140 are each included in a heat pump device. The heat pump device includes a compressor, an expansion valve, etc., which together with the first heat exchanger 130 and the second heat exchanger 140 form a refrigeration circuit.

[0039] A low-temperature refrigerant flows inside the first heat exchanger 130. The first heat exchanger 130 cools the air flowing in the second duct 113, i.e., the circulation path 110, by exchanging heat with the low-temperature refrigerant, thereby dehumidifying the air. That is, the first heat exchanger 130 functions as a cooler.

[0040] A high-temperature refrigerant flows inside the second heat exchanger 140. The second heat exchanger 140 heats the dehumidified air flowing in the second duct 113, i.e., the circulation path 110, by heat exchange with the high-temperature refrigerant. That is, the second heat exchanger 140 functions as a heater.

[0041] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the second duct 113 in which the first heat exchanger 130 and the second heat exchanger 140 are disposed, with the upper case 302 removed. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the second duct 113 in which the first heat exchanger 130 and the second heat exchanger 140 are disposed, cut in the front-to-rear direction at the position of the drainage recess 313. FIGS. 5(a), 5(b), and 5(c) are a perspective view, a plan view, and a bottom view, respectively, of the first heat exchanger 130. FIGS. 6(a), 6(b), and 6(c) are a perspective view, a plan view, and a bottom view, respectively, of the second heat exchanger 140. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the lower case 301.

[0042] The configurations of the second duct 113, the first heat exchanger 130, and the second heat exchanger 140 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[0043] The second duct 113 is formed by joining a lower case 301 having an open top surface and an upper case 302 having an open bottom surface. The second duct 113 is formed of a resin material and includes a bottom wall 303, a top wall 304, a front side wall 305, a rear side wall 306, a right side wall 307, and a left side wall 308.

[0044] The right end of the bottom wall 303 is nearly horizontal, and the portion to the left of the right end slopes upward toward the left end. A rectangular inlet 309 that is long in the left-right direction is formed in the rear side wall 306. An outlet port of the fan casing 112 is connected to the inlet 309. A narrow outlet 310 that is long in the left-right direction is formed in the front side wall 305. A first pipe 114a of the introduction pipe 114 that is integrally formed with the second duct 113 is connected to the outlet 310. The air sent out from the fan casing 112 flows from rear to front within the second duct 113.

[0045] Inside the second duct 113, the first heat exchanger 130 is arranged in the upstream rear arrangement area 320, and the second heat exchanger 140 is arranged in the downstream front arrangement area 330. The first heat exchanger 130 and the second heat exchanger 140 are arranged close to each other in a straight line in the front-to-rear direction.

[0046] 5(a) to 5(c), the first heat exchanger 130 includes three heat exchange units 131 arranged in the front-to-rear direction, i.e., the axial direction of the outer tank 20, and two head portions 132 for connecting these heat exchange units 131. The first heat exchanger 130 is a so-called microchannel heat exchanger.

[0047] Each heat exchange unit 131 includes a refrigerant pipe 131a and a plurality of heat transfer fins 131b. The refrigerant pipe 131a and the heat transfer fins 131b are made of a material with excellent thermal conductivity, such as aluminum.

[0048] The refrigerant pipe 131a is a flat pipe with multiple small refrigerant flow paths lined up in the width direction, through which the refrigerant flows. The refrigerant pipe 131a extends from one end of the refrigerant pipe 131a to the right while meandering vertically, then turns back and extends linearly to the left above the meandering portion. The other end of the refrigerant pipe 131a is located near the top of the one end of the refrigerant pipe 131a. The meandering amplitude of the refrigerant pipe 131a increases from left to right, and the position of its lower end becomes lower.

[0049] The plurality of heat transfer fins 131b have a corrugated plate shape, and are arranged in gaps generated between the meandering refrigerant pipes 131a and connected to the refrigerant pipes 131a.

[0050] The two head portions 132 are connected to both ends of the three refrigerant pipes 131a. Each head portion 132 has a long, thin cylindrical shape, and its interior serves as a refrigerant flow path. Inside the upper head portion 132, wall portions 132a that close the interior are provided at both ends and between the first and second heat exchange units 131 from the front. Furthermore, the upper head portion 132 is provided with a refrigerant inlet 133 on the front side. Inside the lower head portion 132, wall portions 132a that close the interior are provided at both ends and between the first and second heat exchange units 131 from the back. Furthermore, the lower head portion 132 is provided with a refrigerant outlet 134 on the rear side.

[0051] The three heat exchange units 131, i.e., the refrigerant pipes 131a, are connected in series by two head portions 132. Therefore, as shown by the arrows in Figures 5(b) and (c), the refrigerant that flows into the upper head portion 132 from the inlet 133 flows in order from the front refrigerant pipe 131a to the rear refrigerant pipe 131a, and is discharged from the outlet 134 of the lower head portion 132.

[0052] 6(a) to 6(c), the second heat exchanger 140 includes four heat exchange units 141 arranged in the front-rear direction, i.e., the axial direction of the outer tank 20, and two head portions 142 for connecting these heat exchange units 141. The second heat exchanger 140 is a so-called microchannel heat exchanger.

[0053] Each heat exchange unit 141 includes a refrigerant pipe 141a and a plurality of heat transfer fins 141b. The refrigerant pipe 141a and the heat transfer fins 141b are made of a material with excellent thermal conductivity, such as aluminum.

[0054] The refrigerant pipe 141a is a flat pipe that has multiple small refrigerant flow paths lined up in the width direction inside it, through which the refrigerant flows. The refrigerant pipe 141a has a configuration that meanders left and right. As the refrigerant pipe 141a moves from bottom to top, the meandering amplitude increases, and the end position of the refrigerant pipe 141a becomes further to the left.

[0055] The plurality of heat transfer fins 141b have a corrugated plate shape and are arranged in gaps formed between the meandering refrigerant pipes 141a and connected to the refrigerant pipes 141a. A heat transfer plate 145 is connected below the lowest heat transfer fin 141b.

[0056] The two head portions 142 are connected to both ends of the four refrigerant pipes 141a. Each head portion 142 has a long, thin cylindrical shape, and its interior serves as a refrigerant flow path. Inside the upper head portion 142, wall portions 142a that close the interior are provided at both ends, between the first and second heat exchange units 141 from the front, and between the first and second heat exchange units 141 from the back. Furthermore, the upper head portion 142 is provided with a refrigerant inlet 143 on the front side and a refrigerant outlet 144 on the rear side. Inside the lower head portion 142, wall portions 142a that close the interior are provided at both ends and between the second and third heat exchange units 141 from the front.

[0057] The four heat exchange units 141, i.e., the refrigerant pipes 141a, are connected in series by two head portions 142. Therefore, as shown by the arrows in Figures 6(b) and (c), the refrigerant that flows into the upper head portion 132 from the inlet 143 flows in order from the front refrigerant pipe 141a to the rear refrigerant pipe 141a, and is discharged from the outlet 144 of the upper head portion 142.

[0058] The first heat exchanger 130 and the second heat exchanger 140 have a front shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the front of the second duct 113 .

[0059] 3, inside the second duct 113, an accommodation section 312 is provided on the right side of the two arrangement areas 320, 330, separated by a partition wall 311 extending in the front-rear direction. A lower portion of the partition wall 311 is formed in the lower case 301, and an upper portion is formed in the upper case 302.

[0060] A feed pipe 181 and a return pipe 182 extending from the discharge port and the suction port, respectively, of a compressor (not shown) are introduced into the accommodation section 312. The feed pipe 181 is connected to the inlet 143 of the second heat exchanger 140. The return pipe 182 is connected to the outlet 134 of the first heat exchanger 130.

[0061] A connecting pipe 184 having a capillary tube 183 that is an expansion valve is disposed in the accommodation portion 312. The inlet of the connecting pipe 184 is connected to the outlet 144 of the second heat exchanger 140, and the outlet of the connecting pipe 184 is connected to the inlet 133 of the first heat exchanger 130.

[0062] The refrigerant compressed by the compressor and heated to a high temperature is supplied to the second heat exchanger 140 through the feed pipe 181, and flows through the four refrigerant pipes 141a of the second heat exchanger 140. As a result, the second heat exchanger 140 becomes hot. The refrigerant leaving the second heat exchanger 140 is reduced in pressure as it passes through the capillary tube 183 in the connecting pipe 184, and becomes cold. The cold refrigerant is supplied to the first heat exchanger 130, and flows through the three refrigerant pipes 131a of the first heat exchanger 130. As a result, the first heat exchanger 130 becomes cold. The refrigerant leaving the first heat exchanger 130 returns to the compressor through the return pipe 182.

[0063] 7, inside the second duct 113, in the arrangement area 320 for the first heat exchanger 130, a rectangular parallelepiped protruding portion 321 is provided that protrudes from the lower portion of the partition wall 311 so as to be close to the left end of the first heat exchanger 130. In addition, in the arrangement area 320, a drain groove 322 that crosses the arrangement area 320 in the front-to-rear direction is formed in the horizontal portion of the bottom wall 303. The drain groove 322 slopes downward toward the front.

[0064] In the arrangement region 320, the bottom wall 303 is provided with four bottom ribs 323 spaced apart in the front-rear direction, extending in the left-right direction between the protruding portion 321 and the right side wall 307. The right side wall 307 is also provided with four side ribs 324 that extend in the up-down direction and have their lower ends connected to the bottom ribs 323. The protruding portion 321 is further provided with four support ribs 325 that extend from the side surfaces of the protruding portion 321 to the upper surface and have their lower ends connected to the bottom ribs 323.

[0065] The three rear bottom ribs 323 have stepped portions that correspond to the inclined portions of the bottom wall 303. The front and rear bottom ribs 323 are discontinued where the drain grooves 322 are located. The two middle bottom ribs 323 are discontinued over most of the horizontal portion of the bottom wall 303, including the drain grooves 322. The four support ribs 325 have a semi-U-shaped recess on the right side.

[0066] In the placement area 320, between the two front and rear bottom ribs 323, low mounting ribs 326 extending in the left-right direction are formed on the right and left sides of the drain groove 322 in the horizontal part of the bottom wall 303.

[0067] In the first heat exchanger 130, each heat exchange unit 131 is sandwiched between two front and rear bottom ribs 323, a side rib 324, and a support rib 325. This restricts movement of the first heat exchanger 130 in the front-to-rear direction. In addition, in the first heat exchanger 130, each heat exchange unit 131 is placed on a mounting rib 326, and the two head portions 132 are supported by the support ribs 325. This creates a gap between the first heat exchanger 130 and the bottom wall 303.

[0068] A barrier wall portion 340 is provided inside the second duct 113 in front of, i.e., downstream of, the first heat exchanger 130 so as to be close to the first heat exchanger 130. The barrier wall portion 340 extends in the left-right direction along the bottom wall 303 of the second duct 113, i.e., in a direction perpendicular to the air flow inside the second duct 113, and overlaps the gap between the first heat exchanger 130 and the bottom wall 303 from the downstream side of the first heat exchanger 130.

[0069] The barrier portion 340 is composed of the foremost bottom rib 323 and a packing 341 that is placed from above on the bottom rib 323. The packing 341 is made of an elastic material such as rubber and is formed into a shape that corresponds to the bottom rib 323, and has the same length in the left-right direction as the bottom rib 323.

[0070] Inside the second duct 113, a drainage recess 313 is provided in front of the drainage groove 322 by recessing the bottom wall 303. The drainage recess 313 is located downstream of the barrier wall 340 and upstream of the arrangement area 330 of the second heat exchanger 140. The drainage groove 322 is connected to the drainage recess 313. A cylindrical drain outlet 314 is formed in the lower part of the rear wall of the drainage recess 313. The drain outlet 314 is connected to the drain hose 116. Furthermore, a cylindrical inlet 315 is formed in the lower part of the front wall of the drainage recess 313 (see FIG. 4).

[0071] 7, in the arrangement region 330 for the second heat exchanger 140, the inclined portion of the bottom wall 303 has a stepped shape. In the arrangement region 330, five bottom ribs 331 extending in the left-right direction between the partition wall 311 and the right side wall 307 are provided on the bottom wall 303 at intervals in the front-rear direction. In addition, five side ribs 332 extending in the up-down direction and having their lower ends connected to the bottom ribs 331 are provided on the right side wall 307. The portion of each bottom rib 331 corresponding to the inclined portion of the bottom wall 303 has a stepped shape.

[0072] In the second heat exchanger 140, each heat exchange unit 141 is sandwiched between two bottom ribs 331 and two side ribs 332 on the front and rear sides. This restricts movement of the second heat exchanger 140 in the front-to-rear direction. In addition, in the second heat exchanger 140, each heat exchange unit 141 is placed on the bottom wall 303, and the two head portions 142 are supported by the four bottom ribs 331 on the rear side.

[0073] In the placement area 330, a recess 333 of a predetermined shape is formed in the horizontal portion of the bottom wall 303. The three middle bottom ribs 331 are discontinued where the recess 333 is formed. A drainage portion 334 is provided at the front of the recess 333. The drainage portion 334 includes a drainage recess 335 formed by recessing the bottom wall 303, and a cylindrical drainage port 336 formed in the lower part of the rear wall of the drainage recess 335.

[0074] 4, the drain outlet 336 and the inlet 315 are connected by a connecting pipe 350. As a result, the drain outlet 336, i.e., the drain recess 335, is connected to the drain hose 116 via the connecting pipe 350 and the drain recess 313. As a result, the drain section 334 can share the drain hose 116 with the drain recess 313.

[0075] 8(a) is a front cross-sectional view of the upper right part of the drum type washer-dryer 1 cut at the position of the first heat exchanger 130. FIG. 8(b) is a front cross-sectional view of the upper right part of the drum type washer-dryer 1 cut at the position of the second heat exchanger 140.

[0076] The fan casing 112 and the second duct 113 are fixed to the housing 10 via mounting members (not shown). The second duct 113 is inclined so that a portion of the bottom wall 303 is aligned with the peripheral wall 201 of the outer tub 20. A predetermined gap is provided between the bottom wall 303 and the peripheral wall 201, so that when the outer tub 20 vibrates during spin drying, it does not come into contact with the second duct 113. Furthermore, vibrations of the outer tub 20 are absorbed by the connecting hose 115 and the second pipe 114b, and are therefore not easily transmitted to the fan casing 112 or the second duct 113.

[0077] The first heat exchanger 130 and the second heat exchanger 140 are housed in the second duct 113 and disposed in a space S1 surrounded by the top surface 10a and right side surface 10b of the housing 10 and the peripheral wall 201. The space S1 has a shape close to a triangle when viewed from the front, and its vertical size increases from the top portion 201a of the peripheral wall 201 toward the right side surface 10b.

[0078] 8(a), the first heat exchanger 130 has a refrigerant pipe 131a that meanders up and down in a plane parallel to the radial direction of the outer tank 20 so that the vertical size of the first heat exchanger 130 increases from the top 201a of the peripheral wall 201 toward the right side surface 10b. Specifically, the refrigerant pipe 131a is configured such that the meandering amplitude increases from the top 201a of the peripheral wall 201 toward the right side surface 10b, and the position of its lower end is located further downward. As a result, the first heat exchanger 130 has a nearly triangular shape in a front view, similar to the shape of the space S1 in which the first heat exchanger 130 is disposed. Therefore, unlike when the first heat exchanger 130 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape as shown by the dotted line in Figure 8(a), dead space is less likely to occur below the first heat exchanger 130 in the part on the right side surface portion 10b of the space S1, and as a result, the first heat exchanger 130 can be made larger without making the housing 10 larger.

[0079] 8(b), the second heat exchanger 140 has a refrigerant pipe 141a that meanders in a left-right direction, i.e., horizontally, which is an in-plane direction parallel to the radial direction of the outer tank 20, so that the vertical size of the second heat exchanger 140 increases from the top portion 201a of the peripheral wall 201 toward the right side surface 10b. Specifically, the refrigerant pipe 141a is configured so that the meandering amplitude increases from the peripheral wall 201 toward the top surface 10a, and the left end is positioned further to the left. As a result, the second heat exchanger 140 has a nearly triangular shape in a front view, similar to the shape of the space S1 in which the second heat exchanger 140 is disposed. Therefore, unlike when the second heat exchanger 140 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape as shown by the dotted line in Figure 8(b), dead space is less likely to occur below the second heat exchanger 140 in the part on the right side surface portion 10b of the space S1, and as a result, the second heat exchanger 140 can be made larger without making the housing 10 larger.

[0080] The drum type washer-dryer 1 performs a washing and drying operation, a washing operation, or a drying operation of various operation courses. In the washing and drying operation, the washing process, the intermediate spin-drying process, the rinsing process, the final spin-drying process, and the drying process are performed in this order. In the washing operation, the washing process through the final spin-drying process are performed, but the drying process is not performed. In the drying operation, only the drying process is performed. Depending on the operation course, the rinsing process and the intermediate spin-drying process may be performed two or more times.

[0081] In the washing process, water containing detergent is filled in the outer tub 20 up to a predetermined water level corresponding to the load of laundry contained in the drum 23, and the laundry immersed in the water is tumbled by repeatedly rotating the drum 23 forward and backward. The detergent-containing water penetrates into the laundry, and dirt adhering to the surface and interior of the laundry is removed by the power of the detergent and the mechanical force of the tumbling.

[0082] In the rinsing process, the drum 23 rotates forward and backward with water filled to a predetermined level in the outer tub 20, tumbling the laundry. This causes the detergent contained in the laundry to be discharged together with the water, rinsing the laundry.

[0083] In the intermediate spin-drying step and the final spin-drying step, drive motor 30 rotates in one direction at high speed, causing drum 23 to rotate in one direction at a rotation speed at which the centrifugal force acting on the laundry inside drum 23 is much greater than gravity. The centrifugal force presses the laundry against the peripheral wall surface of drum 23, causing it to be dewatered. In the final spin-drying step, drum 23 rotates at a rotation speed higher than that in the intermediate spin-drying step.

[0084] In the drying process, air is circulated between the outer tub 20 and the circulation path 110 by the operation of the blower 120, and the air introduced into the outer tub 20 is heated by the operation of the second heat exchanger 140 to become hot air. Furthermore, the drum 23 rotates forward and backward, tumbling the laundry.

[0085] The hot air introduced into the outer tub 20 from the air intake 204 hits the tumbling laundry, drying the laundry. After removing moisture from the laundry, the hot air returns to the circulation path 110 from the air outlet 203.

[0086] In the circulation path 110, the hot air passes through the first heat exchanger 130 before being heated in the second heat exchanger 140 and is dehumidified by the first heat exchanger 130. At this time, water condenses from the air and forms on the refrigerant pipes 131a and heat transfer fins 131b of the first heat exchanger 130. The condensed water moves downward along the heat transfer fins 131b and falls onto the bottom wall 303 below the first heat exchanger 130. The water that falls onto the bottom wall 303 flows through the gap between the first heat exchanger 130 and the bottom wall 303 into the drain groove 322, and then flows through the drain groove 322 into the drain recess 313. The water that flows into the drain recess 313 is discharged from the drain outlet 314 and then through the drain hose 116 into the outer tub 20.

[0087] In the first heat exchanger 130, the refrigerant pipes 131a meander in the vertical direction, so that water condensed on the refrigerant pipes 131a and the heat transfer fins 131b tends to move downward.

[0088] Within the circulation path 110, the first heat exchanger 130 and the second heat exchanger 140 are arranged in this order downstream of the blower 120. This allows the hot air, which is the air blown out from the blower 120 with high velocity, to easily pass through the first heat exchanger 130. The hot air not only passes between the heat transfer fins 131b, but also between the first heat exchanger 130 and the bottom wall 303. Because the airflow resistance between the first heat exchanger 130 and the bottom wall 303 is smaller than that between the heat transfer fins 131b, the momentum of the passing hot air is less likely to decrease. This means that water that falls from the first heat exchanger 130 and resides on the bottom wall 303 is easily blown downstream by the hot air flowing between the first heat exchanger 130 and the bottom wall 303.

[0089] In this embodiment, the water blown downstream by the hot air is stopped by the barrier 340. This prevents the blown water from entering the arrangement area 330 of the second heat exchanger 140 and adhering to the second heat exchanger 140, thereby preventing the heating of the second heat exchanger 140 from being hindered.

[0090] The water stopped by the barrier 340 flows through the drain groove 322 into the drain recess 313 .

[0091] Furthermore, in this embodiment, even if water seeps into the arrangement area 330 and accumulates at the bottom, the accumulated water is drained by the drain section 334. The drained water flows through the connecting pipe 350 and the drain recess 313 to the drain hose 116 and is then discarded outside the machine. This prevents water accumulated in the arrangement area 330 from leaking out of the second duct 113 through the outlet 310, flowing through the introduction pipe 114, and entering the outer tub 20.

[0092] In this embodiment, the number of heat exchange units 141 in the second heat exchanger 140 is greater than the number of heat exchange units 131 in the first heat exchanger 130. Therefore, the second heat exchanger 140 has higher heat exchange performance than the first heat exchanger 130. This allows the air cooled by the first heat exchanger 130 for dehumidification to be sufficiently heated by the second heat exchanger 140.

[0093] <Effects of the embodiment> According to this embodiment, the drum type washer-dryer 1 has the first heat exchanger 130 and the second heat exchanger 140 housed in the second duct 113 of the circulation path 110 and arranged in a space S1 surrounded by the top surface 10a and right side surface 10b of the housing 10 and the peripheral wall 201 of the outer tub 20, the space S1 having a vertical size that increases from the top portion 201a of the peripheral wall 201 toward the right side surface 10b, and the refrigerant pipes 131a, 141a of the first heat exchanger 130 and the second heat exchanger 140 snake in an in-plane direction parallel to the radial direction of the outer tub 20 so that the vertical size of these heat exchangers 130, 140 increases from the top portion 201a of the peripheral wall 201 toward the right side surface 10b.

[0094] According to this configuration, the first heat exchanger 130 and the second heat exchanger 140 can be formed in a shape that corresponds to the shape of the space S1 in which these heat exchangers 130, 140 are arranged, i.e., a shape that is close to a triangle, when viewed from the front of the housing 10.Therefore, dead space is less likely to occur below these heat exchangers 130, 140 in the part of the right side portion 10b of the space S1, and as a result, these heat exchangers 130, 140 can be made larger without making the housing 10 larger.

[0095] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the refrigerant pipe 131a of the first heat exchanger 130 is configured to meander in the vertical direction, with the meandering amplitude increasing from the top portion 201a of the peripheral wall 201 toward the right side surface portion 10b.

[0096] According to this configuration, the first heat exchanger 130 can be formed so that its vertical size increases from the top portion 201a of the peripheral wall 201 toward the right side surface portion 10b.

[0097] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the first heat exchanger 130 functions as a cooler, and a low-temperature refrigerant flows through the refrigerant pipe 131a to cool the air flowing through the circulation path 110 and dehumidify the air.

[0098] According to this configuration, the first heat exchanger 130 has refrigerant pipes 131a that snake vertically, so that water that condenses on the refrigerant pipes 131a and heat transfer fins 131b when dehumidifying the air tends to move downward and flow to the bottom surface of the second duct 113, i.e., the circulation path 110.

[0099] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, first heat exchanger 130 includes two head portions 132 connected to both ends of refrigerant pipe 131a. One of the two head portions 132 is provided with refrigerant inlet 133, and the other is provided with refrigerant outlet 134. Refrigerant pipe 131a extends from one end of refrigerant pipe 131a to the right while meandering vertically, then turns back and extends to the left, with the other end of refrigerant pipe 131a located near the one end.

[0100] With this configuration, the head portion 132 having the refrigerant inlet 133 and the head portion 132 having the refrigerant outlet 134 can be positioned close to each other, making it easier to connect the connecting pipe 184 and the return pipe 182 to the inlet 133 and the outlet 134, respectively.

[0101] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the refrigerant pipes 141a of the second heat exchanger 140 are configured to meander in the horizontal direction, with the meandering amplitude increasing from the circumferential wall 201 side toward the top surface portion 10a side.

[0102] According to this configuration, the second heat exchanger 140 can be formed so that its vertical size increases from the top portion 201a of the peripheral wall 201 toward the right side surface portion 10b.

[0103] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the second heat exchanger 140 functions as a heater, and high-temperature refrigerant flows through the refrigerant pipe 141a to heat the air flowing through the circulation path 110. The number of heat exchange units 141 in the second heat exchanger 140 is greater than the number of heat exchange units 131 in the first heat exchanger 130.

[0104] According to this configuration, the second heat exchanger 140 has higher heat exchange performance than the first heat exchanger 130, so that the air cooled by the first heat exchanger 130 for dehumidification can be sufficiently heated by the second heat exchanger 140.

[0105] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications to the embodiments of the present invention are possible.

[0106] For example, in the above embodiment, the first heat exchanger 130 and the second heat exchanger 140 are arranged in a space S1 that is surrounded by the top surface 10a and right side surface 10b of the housing 10 and the peripheral wall 201 of the outer tank 20, and whose vertical size increases from the top portion 201a of the peripheral wall 201 toward the right side surface 10b. However, the first heat exchanger 130 and the second heat exchanger 140 may also be arranged in a space that is surrounded by the top surface 10a and left side surface of the housing 10 and the peripheral wall 201 of the outer tank 20, and whose vertical size increases from the top portion 201a of the peripheral wall 201 toward the left side surface.

[0107] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the first heat exchanger 130 includes three heat exchange units 131, and the second heat exchanger 140 includes four heat exchange units 141. However, the number of heat exchange units 131, 141 included in these heat exchangers 130, 140 can be changed as appropriate depending on the desired heat exchange performance. Furthermore, the number of heat exchange units 131 in the first heat exchanger 130 and the number of heat exchange units 141 in the second heat exchanger 140 may be the same.

[0108] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the second heat exchanger 140 is configured such that the refrigerant pipes 141a snake horizontally. However, the second heat exchanger 140 may be configured such that the refrigerant pipes 141a snake vertically, similar to the first heat exchanger 130.

[0109] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the first heat exchanger 130 and the second heat exchanger 140 have multiple heat exchange units 131, 141, i.e., refrigerant pipes 131a, 141a, connected in series by two heads 132, 142. However, the first heat exchanger 130 and the second heat exchanger 140 may have multiple refrigerant pipes 131a, 141a connected in parallel by two heads 132, 142. In this case, the refrigerant flows in parallel through the multiple refrigerant pipes 131a, 141a. Furthermore, because the number of refrigerant pipes 141a is an even number, i.e., four, the second heat exchanger 140, which previously had an inlet 143 and an outlet 144 in one head 142, now has a refrigerant inlet 143 in one head 142 and a refrigerant outlet 144 in the other head 142.

[0110] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the first heat exchanger 130 and the second heat exchanger 140 are included in the heat pump device. However, the first heat exchanger 130 may be configured as a water-cooled heat exchanger or the like. In this case, a heater such as a semiconductor heater may be used instead of the second heat exchanger 140.

[0111] Furthermore, the outer shape of the housing 10 does not have to be a perfect rectangular parallelepiped, so long as it is a rectangular box, and for example, some faces may be inclined relative to the horizontal or vertical direction.

[0112] In addition, the embodiments of the present invention can be modified in various ways as appropriate within the scope of the technical ideas set forth in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0113] 10. Cabinet 10a Top section 10b Right side part 20 Outer tank 23 Drums 100 Drying equipment 110 Circulation route 130 1st heat exchanger 131 Heat Exchange Unit 131a Refrigerant pipe 131b Heat transfer fin 132 Head 133 Entrance 134 Exit 140 Second heat exchanger 141 Heat Exchange Unit 141a Refrigerant pipe 141b Heat transfer fin 201 Peripheral wall 201a Top S1 Space

Claims

1. A rectangular box-shaped housing; an outer tank disposed within the housing and having a cylindrical circumferential wall; a drum disposed in the outer tub and configured to accommodate laundry; a drying device for drying the laundry in the drum, The drying device is a circulation path connected to the outer tank and through which air circulates between the outer tank and the circulation path; a heat exchanger including a flat refrigerant pipe having a plurality of flow paths formed therein through which a refrigerant flows, and heat transfer fins connected to the refrigerant pipe, and exchanging heat between the refrigerant and air flowing through the circulation path; the heat exchanger is accommodated in a duct that forms the circulation path, and is disposed in a space that is surrounded by the top and side surfaces of the housing and the peripheral wall, and whose vertical size increases from the top of the peripheral wall toward the side surface, the refrigerant pipe meanders in an in-plane direction parallel to a radial direction of the outer tank so that the size of the heat exchanger in the up-down direction increases from the top side of the peripheral wall toward the side surface portion, The heat exchanger comprises: a first heat exchanger in which a low-temperature refrigerant flows through the refrigerant pipe to cool and dehumidify air flowing through the circulation path; a second heat exchanger in which a high-temperature refrigerant flows through the refrigerant pipe and heats the air flowing through the circulation path; the bottom wall of the duct has a stepped inclined portion in an area where the second heat exchanger is disposed, the stepped inclined portion becoming lower from the top portion side of the peripheral wall toward the side portion side, The bottom surface of the refrigerant pipe of the second heat exchanger has a stepped inclined portion that becomes lower from the top portion side of the peripheral wall toward the side portion side, and the stepped inclined portion is placed on the stepped inclined portion of the bottom wall. A drum type washer-dryer characterized by the above.

2. The drum type washing and drying machine according to claim 1, The refrigerant pipe of the first heat exchanger meanders in the vertical direction, and the meandering amplitude increases from the top side of the peripheral wall toward the side surface side. A drum type washer-dryer characterized by the above.

3. The drum type washing and drying machine according to claim 2, the first heat exchanger includes two head portions connected to both ends of a refrigerant pipe; One of the two head portions is provided with a refrigerant inlet, and the other is provided with a refrigerant outlet, The refrigerant pipe of the first heat exchanger extends in a predetermined direction while meandering vertically from one end of the refrigerant pipe, then turns back and extends in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction, and the other end of the refrigerant pipe is located near the one end. A drum type washer-dryer characterized by the above.

4. The drum type washing and drying machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the second heat exchanger has a configuration in which heat exchange units each including the refrigerant pipe and the heat transfer fin are arranged in the axial direction of the outer tank, A plurality of bottom ribs are provided on the bottom wall of the duct in an area where the second heat exchanger is disposed, the bottom ribs being spaced apart in the axial direction of the outer tank, Each of the heat exchange units is sandwiched between two of the bottom ribs. A drum type washer-dryer characterized by the above.

5. The drum type washing and drying machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The refrigerant pipe of the second heat exchanger meanders in a horizontal direction, and the meandering amplitude increases from the peripheral wall surface side toward the top surface side. A drum type washer-dryer characterized by the above.

6. The drum type washing and drying machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger have a configuration in which heat exchange units each including the refrigerant pipe and the heat transfer fin are arranged in the axial direction of the outer tank, The number of the heat exchange units in the second heat exchanger is greater than the number of the heat exchange units in the first heat exchanger. A drum type washer-dryer characterized by the above.

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