Washer-dryer

Abstract

To provide a washing and drying machine capable of efficiently performing automatic washing of a drying filter and automatic washing of a dehumidifier.SOLUTION: A washing and drying machine includes: a water supply part; an outer tub 2 capable of storing a liquid inside; an inner tub 3 which is rotatably supported in the outer tub, and in which washing is stored; a drying device for delivering dry air to the inner tub; a return air passage where the air returning to the drying device from the outer tub 2 passes; a delivery air passage where the air delivered to the inner tub 3 from the drying device passes; and a filter 27 which is provided in the outer tub, and where the air returning to the drying device from the outer tub 2 passes as part of the return air passage. The drying device includes a refrigeration cycle including a dehumidifier, a heater, a decompression mechanism and a compressor, and a blower. The water supply part includes a plurality of solenoid valves, and is capable of supplying water at least to the outer tub 2, the filter 27 and the dehumidifier using different solenoid valves. The water supply amount to the filter 27 is larger than the water supply amount to the dehumidifier.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a washing and drying machine. [Background technology]

[0002] The abstract of Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration for automatically cleaning a drying filter.The abstract of Patent Document 2 discloses a configuration for automatically cleaning a first heat exchanger that dehumidifies air. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-78464 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-163555 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration for automatically cleaning a drying filter, but does not consider a configuration for automatically cleaning a first heat exchanger (dehumidifier) ​​that dehumidifies air. Patent Document 2 discloses a configuration for automatically cleaning a dehumidifier, but does not consider a configuration for automatically cleaning a drying filter.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a washing / drying machine that can efficiently perform automatic cleaning of a drying filter and a dehumidifier. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the washing and drying machine of the present invention comprises: The washing machine comprises a water supply unit, an outer tub capable of storing liquid therein, an inner tub rotatably supported in the outer tub and accommodating laundry, a drying device that sends dry air to the inner tub, a return air duct through which air returns from the outer tub to the drying device, a supply air duct through which air sent from the drying device to the inner tub passes, and a filter that is provided in the outer tub and serves as a part of the return air duct through which air returns from the outer tub to the drying device passes, the drying device has a dehumidifier, a heater, a pressure reducing mechanism, a refrigeration cycle including a compressor, and a blower; The water supply unit includes a plurality of electromagnetic valves, and can supply water to at least the outer tub, the filter, and the dehumidifier using different electromagnetic valves; The amount of water supplied to the filter is greater than the amount of water supplied to the dehumidifier. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a washer / dryer that can efficiently perform automatic cleaning of the drying filter and the dehumidifier. Problems, configurations, and effects other than those described above will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a washing / drying machine 100. [Figure 2] 2 is a central cross-sectional view of the washer / dryer 100 shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a drainage path 5. [Figure 4] 2 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the rotating drum 3 and the outer tub 2 with the tub cover 2a removed from the outer tub 2. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the outer tub 2 with the rotating drum 3, primary filter 27A, and secondary filter 27B removed. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the heat pump unit 10. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a top view of the heat pump unit 10. [Figure 8]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the heat pump unit 10 with the upper casing 10A1 removed. [Figure 9] FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the washer-dryer 100. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of the upper part of FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a washing / drying machine 100. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the tank cover 2a. [Figure 14] 10 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of a third discharge air passage 61c in the tank cover 2a. FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the tank cover 2a. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the water supply unit 20. [Figure 17] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the substrate unit 17. [Figure 18] 1 is a rear view of the board unit 17 (without the board case lid). [Figure 19] 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control device 90 of a washer / dryer 100 according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 20] FIG. 2 is a process diagram illustrating the operation process of the washing and drying operation (from washing to drying) in the washer / dryer 100 according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] <Overall composition> [Case] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the exterior of a washer-dryer 100. The washer-dryer 100 is a drum-type washer-dryer, and has a frame formed by combining side panels 1b, made mainly of steel plates and resin molded parts, and reinforcing materials (not shown) on top of a base 1a, with a front cover 1c and a top cover 1d attached to the frame to form a housing 1. The front cover 1c is provided with a door 1e for loading and unloading laundry. A power switch, buttons for selecting operation programs, and a display 1f are provided at the front upper part of the top cover 1d. The top cover 1d also has lids 1g for storage compartments for the detergent box and fabric softener box.

[0010] [Outer tank / inner tank] FIG. 2 is a central cross-sectional view of the washer-dryer 100 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 shows the washer-dryer 100 as seen from the left side. An outer tub 2 is provided inside the housing 1. The outer tub 2 is supported by multiple suspensions (not shown), and its upper portion is suspended by springs (not shown). Laundry WA is placed into the rotating drum (inner tub) 3 inside the outer tub 2 by opening the door 1e. A fluid balancer 3a is provided on the outer periphery of the opening of the rotating drum 3 to reduce vibration caused by imbalance of the laundry WA during spin-drying. A plurality of lifters 3b are provided inside the rotating drum 3 to lift up the laundry WA. The rotating drum 3 is directly connected to a drum-driving motor (drive unit) 4 via a main shaft 3d connected to a metal flange 3c for the rotating drum.

[0011] A tub cover 2a is provided in front of the outer tub 2, and an elastic rubber bellows 2b is attached to the opening of the tub cover 2a. The bellows 2b maintains a watertight seal between the interior of the outer tub 2 and the door 1e, thereby preventing water leakage during washing, rinsing, and spin-drying. The rotating drum 3 has many small holes (not shown) on its side and back for centrifugal spin-drying and ventilation. A water receiving section 2c is provided at the bottom of the outer tub 2. A drainage path 5 is also provided below the outer tub 2.

[0012] [Drainage route] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the drainage path 5. In this embodiment, the device includes a drainage path 5a, which is a path for draining water accumulated in the outer tub 2, and an overflow path 5b, which is a path for overflow drainage when the water accumulated in the outer tub 2 exceeds a predetermined water level. The drainage path 5a is a path for draining water accumulated in the outer tub 2, and is composed of an internal drainage path 5a1, a water path filter 5a2, a drain valve 5a3, and a drain hose 5a4. The internal drainage path 5a1 is connected to the bottom surface of the outer tub 2, and the water path filter 5a2 collects lint in the wastewater flowing through the internal drainage path 5a1. The lint collected by the water path filter 5a2 is cleaned off by the user as needed.

[0013] The overflow path 5b is equipped with a trap 5b1 that allows water to pass through and store therein, prevents airflow by storing water, and replaces the seal water when the tank is rotated. The overflow path downstream of the trap 5b1 is connected to a drain hose 5a4.

[0014] A condensation water hose 5d is connected to the downstream side of the drain hose 5a4 to drain the water dehumidified by the heat pump unit 10 using the condensation water pump 5c. The condensation water hose 5d is elevated to a position higher in the vertical direction than the overflow path 5b to prevent backflow from the drain hose 5a4 to the heat pump unit 10.

[0015] Between the water channel filter 5a2 and the outer tub 2, a circulation water channel (circulation flow path) 5e for circulating the water in the outer tub 2, and a circulation pump 5f are provided.

[0016] [In-tank flow path / filter] Fig. 4 is a perspective view with the tank cover 2a removed from the outer tub 2, and the rotating drum 3 and outer tub 2 partially cut away. Fig. 5 is a perspective view with the rotating drum 3, primary filter (first filter) 7A, and secondary filter (second filter) 7B removed from the outer tub 2. Fig. 4 shows the state in which half of the right side surface of the outer tub 2 and half of the right side surface of the rotating drum 3 are cut away.

[0017] The primary filter 27A and the secondary filter 27B are filters provided in the air passages, and may be called the primary air passage filter 27A and the secondary air passage filter 27B to distinguish them from the water passage filter.

[0018] As shown in Figure 4, the outer tub 2 is composed of a cylindrical outer tub body with a bottom and a tub cover 2a attached to the front opening of the outer tub body. A circulation flow path 5e is formed in the tub cover 2a, through which wash water pumped up by a circulation pump 5f (see Figure 3) passes. A sprinkler nozzle 5e1 is formed at the end of this flow path 5e. The tub cover 2a also has a third discharge air passage 61c through which drying air flows and a discharge port 61c1 through which the drying air is blown out.

[0019] An in-tub duct 2d (see FIG. 2) is provided on the back surface of the outer tub 2. During the washing and rinsing cycles, this in-tub duct 2d is positioned higher than the wash water level or the rinse water level when the rotating drum 3 is stationary. In addition, the in-tub duct 2d is curved (generally arc-shaped) from the top to the bottom of the outer tub 2 in a manner that avoids the motor 4 (see FIG. 2) that drives the rotating drum 3.

[0020] An opening 2d1 without a filter portion (mesh-shaped) is formed at the bottom of the in-tank duct 2d, allowing the water flowing into the in-tank duct 2d and lint, dust, etc. adhering to the secondary filter 27B (described later) to be discharged. Also, by providing the opening 2d1 in the in-tank duct 2d, even in the unlikely event that the primary filter 27A (described later) becomes clogged, circulating air can flow through the opening, allowing the drying operation to continue.

[0021] As shown in Fig. 5, a primary filter 27A is attached to the in-tub duct 2d. The primary filter 27A is formed of a substantially rectangular resin frame divided into multiple sections and a mesh-shaped collection section. The primary filter 27A can be cleaned by driving the rotating drum 3 while water is stored in the outer tub 2, thereby lifting the stored water up to the primary filter 27A.

[0022] A communication port (outlet) 2e that communicates with the outside of the outer tub 2 is formed at the upper rear surface of the outer tub 2. A return air duct 62 (see FIG. 2) is connected to the communication port 2e on the outside of the rear surface of the outer tub 2. A secondary filter 27B is attached to the communication port 2e (the connection between the return duct and the outer tub). The secondary filter 27B is formed of a substantially rectangular resin frame divided into multiple sections and a mesh-shaped collection section. A filter case 71 having a cleaning nozzle is provided above the secondary filter 27B. The cleaning nozzle 71 not only flushes cleaning water through the secondary filter 27B to clean it, but also presses down on the secondary filter frame from above to seal it airtight.

[0023] In this embodiment, primary filter 27A is located on the front side in the front-to-rear direction, and secondary filter 27B is located on the rear side (deep side, back side). That is, primary filter 27A and secondary filter 27B are arranged so that their ventilation directions overlap, sandwiching communication opening 2e. Furthermore, primary filter 27A and secondary filter 27B are configured to face each other, and circulating air that has passed through primary filter 27A passes through secondary filter 27B without disrupting the flow, thereby reducing ventilation resistance.

[0024] In addition, by configuring the filter in two sheets in the direction of flow, the mesh can be overlapped in a flat pattern, and each mesh (opening) can be made coarser than in a single-sheet configuration. This allows lint to be collected across two sheets, preventing the lint from becoming densely packed and maintaining stable air circulation. Furthermore, in the unlikely event that secondary filter 27B becomes clogged following primary filter 27A and cleaning does not improve the situation, the secondary filter 27B is configured to be removable so that it can be cleaned from the outside.

[0025] [Drying method] Drying is performed using a warm air drying method in which air is circulated between the rotating drum 3 and the heat pump unit 10 by a blower 7. In this embodiment, the drying device is made up of the blower 7 and the heat pump unit 10, which dehumidifies the circulating air and then heats it.

[0026] [Heat pump unit] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the heat pump unit 10. Fig. 7 is a top view of the heat pump unit 10. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the heat pump unit 10 with the upper casing 10A1 removed.

[0027] Heat pump unit 10 includes a resin case (casing) 10A containing a compressor 12, a heater 13, a pressure reducing mechanism 14, a dehumidifier 11, and a gas-liquid separator 15. Casing 10A of heat pump unit 10 can be separated into a lower casing 10A2 and an upper casing 10A1. Upper casing 10A1 is also provided with air intake 10a and a dehumidifier cleaning unit 16 that flows cleaning water onto the front (upstream) surface of dehumidifier 11.

[0028] Heat exchangers 11 and 13 are placed between upper casing 10A1 and lower casing 10B1 so as to prevent air from flowing laterally, thereby forming an air circulation path.

[0029] The dehumidifier 11 and the heater 13 use a cross fin tube type heat exchanger in which a heat transfer tube is attached to pass through stacked aluminum fins in order to exchange heat with the air.

[0030] The compressor 12 is installed in the lower casing 10A2 via vibration-isolating rubber, etc. The compressor 12 may be, for example, a piston type, a rotary type, a scroll type, etc., and the rotation speed of the compressor 12 can be varied from low to high speeds by inverter control.

[0031] Compressor 12, heater 13, pressure reducing mechanism 14, and dehumidifier 11 are connected by refrigerant piping 18. To prevent refrigerant piping 18 from breaking due to the propagation of rotational vibrations of compressor 12, refrigerant piping 18 is connected to dehumidifier 11 and heater 13 in a serpentine manner.

[0032] The refrigerant flows as follows. The high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 12 flows into the heater 13, where it condenses and liquefies by releasing heat to the circulating air. The liquefied refrigerant is depressurized by an expansion valve (pressure reducing device) 14, which is adjusted to a predetermined opening, and enters a low-temperature, low-pressure, gas-liquid two-phase state before flowing into the dehumidifier 11. The refrigerant then absorbs heat from the circulating air (drying air) and evaporates. The vaporized refrigerant becomes a medium-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant and is drawn into the compressor 12. The medium-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant is compressed again by the compressor 12 and becomes a high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant. The gas-liquid separator 15 is provided midway through the refrigerant piping 18 that connects the dehumidifier 11 and the compressor 12.

[0033] In this way, a refrigerant cycle is formed, and the circulating air is dehumidified and heated, accelerating the drying of clothes.

[0034] [Blower] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the blower 7. The blower 7 has a motor 7b, a fan casing 7c, and an impeller (impeller wheel) 7d. The blower 7 is connected to the downstream side of the heat pump unit 10 (see FIG. 8). The circulating air (drying air) that has undergone heat exchange in the heat pump unit 10 is discharged from an outlet 7a provided in the fan casing 7c. The heat pump unit 10 and the blower 7 are provided below the outer tub 2 (see FIG. 2).

[0035] [Air duct configuration] An air circulation duct 6 is formed between the heat pump unit 10 and the outer tub 2 so that air for drying laundry can circulate between the heat pump unit 10 and the inner tub 3 .

[0036] [Return air duct] FIG. 10 is a rear view of the washer-dryer 100. FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of the upper part of FIG. 10. A return air duct is configured as an air duct that sends air from the outer tub 2 to the heat pump unit 10. The return air duct is an air duct through which drying air that has contributed to drying laundry in the inner tub 3 returns to the heat pump unit 10. The return air duct is composed of, from the upstream side of the air, the primary filter 27A, the in-tub duct 2d, the secondary filter 27B, the return duct 62, and the return bellows 63a. A cleaning nozzle (filter cleaning nozzle) 71 is provided above the secondary filter, and serves two functions: to seal the return duct 62 and to clean the secondary filter 27B. The return duct 62 is a component made of two resin plates fixed by vibration welding, and is fixed to the outer tub 2 with screws. The return bellows 63a is made of an expandable and contractible bellows-shaped rubber material so that vibrations of the outer tub 2 and the return duct 62 do not affect the heat pump unit 10.

[0037] [Intake and Exhaust] An exhaust bellows 63b is connected to the top of the return air duct cover, and an exhaust case 621 is connected downstream of the exhaust bellows 63b, with an exhaust port connected to the outside of the machine downstream of the exhaust case 621. Outside air is taken in through the intake port 10a of the heat pump unit 10, and humid air that has passed through clothes is exhausted from the exhaust port, improving dehumidification performance. In addition, the exhaust case 621 is equipped with a flap (not shown) that can be opened and closed by a stepping motor, and the opening and closing timing is adjusted according to the conditions inside the tub and the outside air conditions to achieve a balance between heating and dehumidification.

[0038] [Discharge air path] Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the washer / dryer 100. Fig. 13 is a rear view of the tub cover 2a. Fig. 14 is an enlarged view of the tub cover 2a near the third discharge airflow path 61c. Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the tub cover 2a.

[0039] The supply air passage is configured as an air passage for sending air from the blower to the outer tub. The supply air passage is an air passage for sending drying air to the inner tub 3, which will contribute to drying the laundry. The supply air passage is configured, from the upstream side of the air, as follows: first discharge air passage 61a, second discharge air passage 61b, discharge bellows 63c, third discharge air passage 61c (air passage configured inside the tub cover 2), and discharge port 61c1. The first discharge air passage 61a is a blow-molded resin part, and is connected to the blower 7 and second discharge air passage 61b by fitting them vertically. The second discharge air passage 61b is a resin part formed by fixing two upper and lower U-shaped resin plates with screws. The discharge bellows 63c is connected to the downstream side of the second discharge air passage 61b, and the third discharge air passage 61c is connected to the downstream side of the discharge bellows 63c. The discharge bellows 63c is made of an expandable and contractible bellows-shaped rubber material so that vibrations of the third discharge air passage 61c do not affect the second discharge air passage 61b. The first discharge air passage 61a and the second discharge air passage 61b are arranged to avoid contact when the outer tub 2 vibrates by maintaining a constant distance from the outer tub 2.

[0040] The third discharge air passage 61c is located in front of the tub cover 2a and is a flow path inside the tub cover 2a. An outlet 61c1 is formed at the exit of the third discharge air passage 61c. The outlet 61c1 is designed to open toward the interior of the rotating drum 3. This allows the warm air emitted from the outlet 61c1 to directly hit the clothes inside the rotating drum 3. Here, if the protrusion amount A1 of the outlet 61c1 is too large, it may hinder the movement of the clothes during washing and drying or get in the way when putting in or taking out the clothes. Therefore, the outlet 61c1 is shaped like a flat slit to reduce the protrusion amount A1. Furthermore, by forming the outer periphery of the outlet 61c1 as an arc that is approximately concentric with the rotating drum 3, the clothing insertion opening is unlikely to become narrow even if the opening area of ​​the outlet 61c1 is enlarged.

[0041] [Water supply unit] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the water supply unit (water supply section) 20. The water mains is connected to a water supply inlet 20a, which is connected to a water supply solenoid valve 21 having four solenoid valves. The four valves can set the range of water flow rate that can be supplied according to the water supply pressure. A water supply box 22 is connected to the water supply solenoid valve 21, and water can be further branched into each flow path to supply water. A detergent / fabric softener tray 23 is provided in front of the water supply box 22. The detergent / fabric softener tray 23 is divided into a detergent tray (detergent dispenser) 23a and a fabric softener tray (fabric softener dispenser) 23b.

[0042] A manual detergent and fabric softener dispenser port 24 is provided in front of the detergent / fabric softener tray 23. By supplying water to the manual detergent and fabric softener dispenser port 24 and then supplying water to the outer tub 2 through the main hose 25a, the detergent and fabric softener can be dispensed during washing.

[0043] Detergent and fabric softener tanks are provided behind the detergent / fabric softener tray 23. In this embodiment, a detergent tank and a fabric softener tank are combined, but the fabric softener tank may also be a bleach tank or a detergent tank for delicates, or two or more tanks may be provided.

[0044] An ADS unit 26 is provided below the detergent / fabric softener tray 23. By supplying water to the ADS unit 26, the detergent in the detergent tank or the fabric softener in the fabric softener tank can be automatically dispensed into the outer tub 2 via the main hose 25a.

[0045] In addition, water can be supplied directly from the water supply box 22 to the outer tub 2 via the main hose 25a. The secondary filter 27B can be cleaned by supplying water to the cleaning nozzle 71 via the secondary filter cleaning hose 25b. The door 1e and bellows 2f can be cleaned by supplying water to the tub cover 2 via the shower hose 25c. Furthermore, the dehumidifier 11 can be cleaned by supplying water to the dehumidifier cleaning unit 16 via the dehumidifier cleaning hose 25d. The water supply box 22 is provided with multiple solenoid valves to switch the water supply.

[0046] The above-mentioned water supply unit 20 is configured such that a hose (waterway) branches off from the water supply unit 20 so that a portion of the water supplied to the dehumidifier 11 can also be supplied to the fabric softener dispenser case 23b, and the dehumidifier 11 can be cleaned at the same time as water is supplied to the fabric softener dispenser case 23b.

[0047] [substrate] Figure 17 is an oblique exploded view of board unit 17. Figure 18 is a rear view of board unit 17 (without board case lid). Board unit 17 is made up of board casing 17a and board case lid 17b. The inside of board casing 17a is covered with resin and the outside with aluminum sheet metal. Furthermore, board case lid 17b is made up of sheet metal.

[0048] A board 17c is provided inside board unit 17. Board 17c includes motor 4 for driving the washing tub, fan motor 7a for blowing air, power elements for driving compressor 12, and heat dissipation fins for heat dissipation, and is arranged so that the power elements and other electronic components are on the lower side. Among these, the power element for driving compressor 12 generates the largest amount of heat.

[0049] A cooling fan 17d is provided on the back side of the board casing 17a, and an exhaust port 17e is provided in the board case lid 17b. By driving the cooling fan 17d, air inside the washing machine housing is drawn into the board unit 17 and exhausted toward the outer tub 2 located below the board unit 17.

[0050] Here, by not providing an exhaust vent on the detergent / fabric softener tray side, deterioration of the detergent due to a rise in temperature on the detergent / fabric softener tray side caused by cooling air is suppressed.

[0051] Of the power elements, the power element for driving the compressor 12 is disposed immediately after the intake port 17f of the cooling fan 17d, thereby suppressing a temperature rise due to improved cooling performance of the power element of the compressor.

[0052] [Microcomputer] FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control device 90 of the washer / dryer 100 according to this embodiment.

[0053] The control device 90 includes a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as "microcomputer") 901. The microcomputer 901 receives user operations (operation switch 902) and various information signals (drain temperature sensor T1, temperature sensor T2, temperature sensor T3, outside air temperature sensor T4, and conductivity sensor 904) during the washing and drying processes. The microcomputer 901 is also connected to a motor M10, a water supply solenoid valve 21, a drain valve 5a3, a circulation pump 5f, a blower 7, a compressor 12, a variable expansion valve 14, a drain pump 912, a variable exhaust means 906, and a variable resistor device 956 via drive circuits, and controls the opening / closing, rotation, and energization of these components. The microcomputer 901 also controls a display 1f, a buzzer (not shown), and the like to notify the user of information related to the washer-dryer 100. The microcomputer 901 also includes an operation pattern database 911, a process control unit 912, a rotation speed calculation unit 913, a clothes weight calculation unit 914, an electrical conductivity measurement unit 915, a detergent amount / washing time determination unit 916, a turbidity determination unit 917, and a threshold value storage unit 918. The microcomputer 901 starts up when the power switch (not shown) is pressed to turn on the power, and executes a basic control processing program for washing and drying as shown in FIG.

[0054] [control] FIG. 20 is a process diagram illustrating the operation process of the washing and drying operation (from washing to drying) in the washer / dryer 100 according to this embodiment.

[0055] In step S1, the control device 90 receives an input for selecting an operation course for the washer-dryer 100 (course selection). Here, the user opens the door 1e, puts laundry to be washed into the rotary drum 3, and closes the door 1e. The user then operates the operation switch to select and input an operation course. By operating the operation switch, the selected operation course is input to the control device. The control device 90 reads a corresponding operation pattern from the operation pattern database 911 based on the input operation course, and proceeds to step S2. In the following explanation, it is assumed that the standard wash-dry course (wash-rinse twice-spin-dry) has been selected.

[0056] In step S2, the control device 90 executes a process (cloth amount sensing) to detect the weight (cloth amount) of the laundry placed in the rotating drum 3. Specifically, the process control unit drives the motor 4 to rotate the rotating drum 3, and the clothes weight calculation unit 914 calculates the weight (cloth amount) of the laundry before water is poured.

[0057] In step S3, the control device 90 executes a process of calculating the detergent amount and operation time using the detergent amount / washing time determination unit 916. The conductivity measurement unit 915 detects the conductivity (hardness) of the supplied water. In addition, the temperature of the supplied water is detected by a drain temperature sensor T1 provided at the bottom of the outer tub 2 (for example, at the drain outlet). The detergent amount / washing time determination unit 916 determines the amount of detergent to be dispensed and the operation time by map search based on the detected laundry amount, the water conductivity (hardness) calculated by the conductivity measurement unit 915 using the detection value from the conductivity sensor 4, and the water temperature. The process control unit 912 then displays the determined detergent amount and operation time on the display 914.

[0058] In step S4, the control device 90 waits for a predetermined time (detergent addition waiting step), and then proceeds to step S5. During the waiting time, the user adds detergent to the detergent addition section (not shown) by referring to the amount of detergent displayed on the display 914. If automatic detergent addition is set, the detergent addition operation can be omitted.

[0059] The washing process is roughly divided into a detergent dissolving process (step S5), a pre-washing process (step S6), and a main washing process (step S7). The main washing process is further divided into a first main washing process (main washing 1 process) and a subsequent second main washing process (main washing 2 process), but there is no functional problem even if each process is not clearly distinguished in the operation progress. Furthermore, the function of the washing process as a whole will not change even if some of the operations in the processes described below are omitted.

[0060] In step S5, the control device 90 executes the detergent dissolving process. A predetermined solenoid valve of the water supply solenoid valve 21 is opened, and water is supplied. The water is introduced into the detergent inlet and then into the outer tub 2. The detergent solution introduced into the outer tub 2 passes through a water supply path (not shown) and is supplied to the water receiving section 2c (see FIG. 2) located at the bottom of the rotating drum 3. After the detergent solution is introduced, the circulation pump 5f (see FIG. 3) is driven in the reverse direction to agitate the supplied detergent solution. When driven in the forward direction, water in the water receiving section 2c flows from the drain port through the lint filter and into the suction port (not shown) of the circulation pump 5f. The wash water pressurized by the circulation pump 5f is returned to the water receiving section 2c from a circulation discharge port (not shown) that communicates with the outlet of the circulation pump 5f.

[0061] At this point, the control device 90 detects the conductivity using the conductivity sensor 904 (discrimination means) located in the water receiving section 2c and compares the conductivity database for a high-concentration detergent solution with the conductivity database for a fabric softener solution. By repeating the circulation, a uniform high-concentration detergent solution is produced, dissolving the detergent in a small amount of water. Then, the rotating drum 3 is rotated, and while the laundry is being agitated, the detergent solution pumped up by the circulation pump 5f through the circulation flow path 5e (see FIG. 3) is evenly sprayed from the spray nozzles 5e1.

[0062] In step S6, the control device 90 executes the pre-washing process. In this process, the outer tub 2 typically contains laundry soaked in detergent solution, and a small amount of detergent solution is present in the water receiving section 2c at the bottom of the outer tub 2. By rotating the rotary drum 3, the laundry is lifted to the top of the rotary drum 3 and then falls to the bottom by gravity, performing a beating wash based on a tumbling action. This squeezes out the detergent solution that has soaked into the laundry, and the circulation pump 5f is driven intermittently as needed to spray the detergent solution onto the laundry again.

[0063] A filter cleaning process may be performed at any timing between the pre-washing process and the subsequent main washing process. In this embodiment, during the pre-washing process, water is supplied from the cleaning valve to clean the secondary filter 27B. Water is supplied from the cleaning valve to spray water onto the secondary filter 27B, but the sprayed water can be used as cleaning water for the washing process. Because water can be sprayed without waste, it is preferable to perform the cleaning process including the cleaning of the secondary filter 27B as described above.

[0064] In this case, the cleaning water supplied to the secondary filter (second filter) 7B is stored in the outer tub 2, and cleaning control is performed on the primary filter (first filter) 7A, which uses the stored water to wash clothes.

[0065] In step S7, the control device 90 executes the main wash cycle. In the main wash cycle, additional water is supplied after the pre-wash cycle is completed to increase the amount of water in the water receiving section and raise the water level. This water level is maintained at a level sufficient to pump wash water from the water receiving section 2c using the circulation pump 5f and continuously spray it from the water spray nozzle 5e1 at the top of the outer tub 2. Spraying from the water spray nozzle 5e1 may be continuous or intermittent. Specifically, while a large amount of dirt is still attached to the back of the laundry, continuous spraying promotes agitation of the wash water. This allows the wash water retained by the laundry to be constantly replaced with wash water with a low concentration of dirt. After most of the dirt has been removed, it is more efficient to remove the remaining dirt by mainly using the mechanical force of beating. Therefore, it is preferable to perform intermittent spraying in the latter half of the cycle to avoid interfering with the mechanical force. Furthermore, intermittent driving of the circulation pump 5f reduces power consumption, which is also preferred from an energy-saving perspective.

[0066] The sprinkler nozzle 5e1 is located in the outer tub 2 above the central axis of the rotatable rotating drum 3 when viewed from the front of the washer-dryer 100, and forward when viewed from the side of the washer-dryer. This allows the spray range from the sprinkler nozzle 5e1 to be sprayed at a wide angle relative to the radial direction of the rotating drum 3. In the first main washing step, in addition to spraying over a wide area, the rotation of the rotating drum 3 lifts up laundry accumulated below the rotating drum 3 and drops it from above inside the rotating drum 3, applying mechanical force to the laundry to beat it. The larger the drum diameter, the greater the synergistic effect of spraying over a wide area and beating, shortening the time for the main washing step.

[0067] The control device 90 also executes a second main wash step as necessary. By supplying water at the end of the aforementioned main wash step (first main wash step), the amount of water in the second main wash step is made greater than the amount of water in the first main wash step. The circulation flow rate of the circulation pump 5f in the second main wash step is made greater than the circulation flow rate of the circulation pump 5f in the first main wash step. Furthermore, the rotation speed of the motor 4 of the rotating drum 3 in the second main wash step is made lower than the rotation speed of the motor 4 in the first main wash step. The combination of the first main wash step and the second main wash step is an operating algorithm that suppresses darkening and stiffness of the laundry.

[0068] During part or all of the first main washing step or the second main washing step, the washing operation may be such that the washing water pumped up by the circulation pump 5f is sprayed from the water spray nozzle 5e1 while the rotating drum 3 is rotated with the laundry adhering to the inner wall of the rotating drum 3 without tumbling. This operation pushes out the washing water contained in the laundry by centrifugal force, and the washing water is constantly sprayed onto the laundry by the water spray from the water spray nozzle 5e1. By washing with this type of flow of washing water within the fibers, it is possible to suppress the generation of lint due to friction between laundry items, reduce the amount of lint contained in the circulating air during the drying step, and reduce the load (time, amount of water, etc.) of the cleaning step on the dehumidifier 11.

[0069] In step S8, the control device 90 executes a first rinse step (first rinse step). In this step, the drain valve 5a3 is opened to drain the wash water, and then the rotary drum 3 is rotated and water is supplied by the shower valve, thereby rinsing the laundry and cleaning the bellows 2f and the door 1e.

[0070] In step S9, the control device 90 executes the second rinse process (rinse 2 process). In the second rinse process, as in the first rinse process, drain valve 5a3 is opened to drain the rinse water, and then drain valve 5a3 is closed to supply rinse water to a predetermined water level in outer tub 2. Rotary drum 3 is then rotated to agitate and rinse the laundry and rinse water. In the final rinse process, the softener valve of water supply unit 20 is opened to dispense fabric softener into the laundry while simultaneously cleaning dehumidifier 11. This eliminates the need to set aside time to clean dehumidifier 11 separately, thereby shortening the time required for the washing process.

[0071] During part or all of the first or second rinsing steps, rinsing water pumped up by circulation pump 5f may be sprayed from spray nozzle 5e1 while rotating rotary drum 3 with laundry adhering to the inner wall of rotary drum 3 without tumbling. This operation allows the rinsing water contained in the laundry to be pushed out by centrifugal force, and the rinsing water is constantly sprayed and supplied to the laundry by spraying from spray nozzle 5e1, resulting in a rinsing operation. This can suppress the generation of lint due to laundry rubbing against each other, reduce the amount of lint contained in the circulating air during the drying step, and reduce the load (time, amount of water, etc.) on dehumidifier 11 during the cleaning step.

[0072] In step S10, the control device 90 executes the automatic cleaning process. In this process, the drain valve is closed and water is supplied through the cleaning valve to store water in the tank while the cleaning process of the secondary filter 27B is executed. Then, the water is stirred up by the rotation of the rotary drum 3, disturbing the walls of the tank and making it less likely for dirt to accumulate inside the tank. Furthermore, the primary filter 27A on the wall of the tank is cleaned. After cleaning the surface of the primary filter 27A, most of the water scooped up by the rotation of the rotary drum 3 is drained out of the tank through an overflow path located lower than the primary filter 27A.

[0073] In this case, second filter cleaning control is performed in which the cleaning water supplied to the secondary filter (second filter) 7B is stored in the outer tub 2 and used to clean the primary filter (first filter) 7A by driving the rotating drum (inner tub) 3. The above-mentioned primary filter cleaning control (first filter cleaning control) is performed during the washing operation, and the secondary filter cleaning control (second filter cleaning control) is performed between the rinsing operation and the high-speed spin operation.

[0074] In step S10, the control device 90 executes the spin cycle. In this cycle, the drain valve 5a3 is opened to drain the rinse water from the outer tub 2, and then the rotating drum 2 is rotated to centrifugally spin-dry the laundry. The spin-dry rotation speed is increased to a set rotation speed according to the load, unless there is a malfunction such as the current value of the motor 4 exceeding the upper limit due to an imbalance of the laundry. When the spin-dry rotation speed is increased and the rotating drum 3 rotates at high speed, vibrations are transmitted to the outer tub 2, causing the outer tub 2 itself to vibrate slightly. Furthermore, the vibrations transmitted to the door 1e side due to the high-speed rotation of the rotating drum 3 are absorbed by the bellows 2f.

[0075] In step S11, the control device 90 executes the drying process. In the drying process, the drain valve 5a3 is first closed, and then the blower 7 is driven, followed by the compressor 12 in the heat pump unit 10. The expansion valve 14 is first fully opened to perform an origin adjustment, and then its opening is adjusted so that a thermistor (not shown) installed in the suction pipe of the compressor 12 does not become too low. The rotation speed of the compressor 12 is adjusted so that the difference between the temperature of a thermistor (not shown) installed in the discharge pipe and the temperature of a hot air thermistor installed in the second discharge air passage 61b is equal to or greater than a predetermined temperature. The air heated by the heat pump unit 10 is pressurized by the blower 7 and then blown into the rotating drum 3 to exchange heat with the laundry and evaporate moisture from the laundry. The circulating air containing the moisture evaporated from the laundry is returned from the outer tub 2 to the heat pump unit 10 via the return duct 62. In the heat pump unit 10, the circulating air is cooled to below the dew point temperature by the dehumidifier 12 located on the windward side, and is dehumidified. The air is then heated by the heater 13, and turned into low-humidity warm air.

[0076] In this embodiment, when air flows from the outer tank 2 into the return duct 62, part of the air is exhausted from the exhaust port, and the same amount of air is taken in from the surrounding outside air through the intake port 10a of the heat pump unit 10. As a result, high humidity air is exhausted and lower humidity air is taken in, resulting in an operation with stronger dehumidification.

[0077] If necessary, a cleaning process for secondary filter 27B may be carried out at the end of the drying process. At this time, dried laundry is present in rotary drum 3, so primary filter 27A cannot be cleaned. Instead, water is supplied from the cleaning valve to clean only secondary filter 27B, allowing the filter to be cleaned without wetting the laundry.

[0078] According to this embodiment, the primary and secondary filters are always free from lint clogging before the drying process, and drying can be performed with little airway resistance, allowing drying to be performed within a drying time appropriate to the load, thereby reducing power consumption.

[0079] The above-described washer / dryer 100 according to the present invention has the following features. (1) A washing machine comprising: a water supply unit (20); an outer tub (2) capable of storing liquid therein; an inner tub (3) rotatably supported in the outer tub (2) and accommodating laundry; a drying device (7, 10) for sending dry air to the inner tub (3); a return air duct (7A, 2d, 7B, 62, 63a) through which air returns from the outer tub (2) to the drying device (7, 10); a supply air duct (61a, 61b, 63c, 61c, 61c1) through which air is sent from the drying device (7, 10) to the inner tub (3); and a filter (27) provided in the outer tub (2) and serving as part of the return air duct (7A, 2d, 7B, 62, 63a) through which air returns from the outer tub (2) to the drying device (7, 10); The drying device 7, 10 has a refrigeration cycle including a dehumidifier 11, a heater 13, a pressure reducing mechanism 14, and a compressor 12, and a blower 7. The water supply unit 20 is provided with a plurality of solenoid valves 21, and can supply water to at least the outer tub 2, the filter 27, and the dehumidifier 11 using different solenoid valves. The amount of water supplied to the filter 27 is greater than the amount of water supplied to the dehumidifier 11 . The mesh gaps of the drying filter 27 are narrower than the gaps between the fins of the dehumidifier (cross-fin tube type heat exchanger) 11, and the amount of lint discharged from clothes that adheres to the mesh gaps is large, so by increasing the amount of washing water for the drying filter 27, the cleaning properties of both the drying filter 27 and the dehumidifier 11 can be achieved.

[0080] (2) A detergent dispenser case 23a and a fabric softener dispenser case 23b are provided. A hose branches from the water supply unit 20 so that a part of the amount of water supplied to the dehumidifier 11 can also be supplied to the softener dispenser case 23b, and the dehumidifier 11 can be washed at the same time as water is supplied to the softener dispenser case 23b. The dehumidifier 11 can be cleaned at the same time as the fabric softener is added, thereby shortening the washing time.

[0081] (3) A filter case 71 is provided at the upper rear surface of the outer tank 2 and communicates with the return air passages 7A, 2d, 7B, 62, 63a; an in-tank duct 2d is provided at the rear surface of the outer tank 2 and communicates with the filter case 71; a first filter 27A is provided as part of the side wall of the in-tank duct 2d; and a second filter 27B is provided in the filter case 71 and has finer mesh than the first filter 27A. The water supply unit 20 can supply water to at least the outer tub 2, the second filter 27B, and the dehumidifier 11 using different solenoid valves 21, and the amount of water supplied to the second filter 27B is greater than the amount of water supplied to the dehumidifier 11.

[0082] (4) First filter cleaning control is performed in which the wash water supplied to the second filter 27B is stored in the outer tub 2 and the stored water is used to wash clothes. This allows for easy cleaning of the drying filter 27 and saves water time.

[0083] (5) Second filter cleaning control is performed in which the cleaning water supplied to the second filter 27B is stored in the outer tub 2 and used to clean the first filter 27A by driving the inner tub 3. This allows for easy cleaning of the drying filter 27 and saves water time.

[0084] (6) The first filter cleaning control is performed during the washing operation, and the second filter cleaning control is performed between the rinsing operation and the high-speed spin-drying operation. Since the second filter 27B, which has the finest mesh, can be washed multiple times without significantly extending the washing time, the filter performance is maintained and it is less likely to deteriorate over time.

[0085] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but includes various modifications. For example, the above-described embodiments have been described in detail to clearly explain the present invention, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to those including all of the configurations. Furthermore, it is possible to add, delete, or replace part of the configuration of an embodiment with other configurations. [Explanation of symbols]

[0086] 2...outer tub, 2d...duct inside tub, 3...inner tub, 7, 10...drying device, 7...blower, 7A, 2d, 7B, 62, 63a...return air duct, 11...dehumidifier, 12...compressor, 13...heater, 14...pressure reduction mechanism, 20...water supply section, 21...solenoid valve, 23a...detergent dispenser case, 23b...fabric softener dispenser case, 27...filter, 27A...first filter, 27B...second filter, 61a, 61b, 63c, 61c, 61c1...supply air duct, 71...filter case.

Claims

1. The washing machine comprises a water supply unit, an outer tub capable of storing liquid therein, an inner tub rotatably supported in the outer tub and accommodating laundry, a drying device that sends dry air to the inner tub, a return air duct through which air returns from the outer tub to the drying device, a supply air duct through which air sent from the drying device to the inner tub passes, and a filter that is provided in the outer tub and serves as a part of the return air duct through which air returns from the outer tub to the drying device passes, the drying device has a dehumidifier, a heater, a pressure reducing mechanism, a refrigeration cycle including a compressor, and a blower; The water supply unit includes a plurality of electromagnetic valves, and can supply water to at least the outer tub, the filter, and the dehumidifier using different electromagnetic valves; The amount of water supplied to the filter is greater than the amount of water supplied to the dehumidifier.

2. The washing and drying machine according to claim 1, The washing machine is provided with a detergent dispenser case and a fabric softener dispenser case, A hose branches from the water supply unit so that a part of the amount of water supplied to the dehumidifier can also be supplied to the softener dispenser case, and the washing / drying machine is configured so that the dehumidifier can be washed at the same time as water is supplied to the softener dispenser case.

3. The washing and drying machine according to claim 2, a filter case provided at an upper part of the rear surface of the outer tank and communicating with the return air duct; an in-tank duct provided at the rear surface of the outer tank and communicating with the filter case; a first filter provided as part of a side wall of the in-tank duct; and a second filter provided in the filter case and having finer mesh than the first filter, The water supply unit can supply water to at least the outer tub, the second filter, and the dehumidifier using different electromagnetic valves, and the amount of water supplied to the second filter is greater than the amount of water supplied to the dehumidifier.

4. The washing and drying machine according to claim 3, The washer-dryer performs first filter cleaning control, in which the wash water supplied to the second filter is stored in the outer tub and the stored water is used to wash clothes.

5. The washing and drying machine according to claim 4, The washer-dryer performs second filter cleaning control, storing the cleaning water supplied to the second filter in the outer tub and using the water to clean the first filter by driving the inner tub.

6. The washing and drying machine according to claim 5, The first filter cleaning control is performed during a washing operation, The second filter cleaning control is performed between a rinsing operation and a high-speed spin-drying operation.

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