Laundry Treatment Device

Abstract

To provide a laundry treating device with excellent quietness while suitably preventing pulley belts from falling out of belt grooves.SOLUTION: In a dryer of a laundry treating device of the present invention, a driven pulley 13 has a belt groove 70. The belt groove 70 has: a bottom surface 70A abutting on a second pulley belt 15B; a first surface 70B formed continuously with the bottom surface 70A on the rear side and extending so as to be separated from a first rotational axis O1; a second surface 70C formed continuously with the bottom surface 70A on the front side, extending so as to be separated from the first rotational axis O1 and accommodating the second pulley belt 15B together with the bottom surface 70A and the first surface 70B; a first intermediate surface 70D; and a third surface 70E. The first intermediate surface 70D is connected to the first surface 70B and extends both in the fore-and-aft direction and around the first rotational axis O1. The third surface 70E is continuous with respect to the first intermediate surface 70D on the opposite side to the bottom surface 70A, and extends so as to be separated from the first rotational axis O1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a laundry treatment device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a drum-type washing machine as a conventional laundry processing device. This drum-type washing machine includes an electric motor, a drum, a drive pulley, a driven pulley, a pulley belt, and a housing. The drum is rotatable while storing laundry inside. The drive pulley is driven to rotate by the electric motor. The driven pulley is connected to the drum and is rotatable together with the drum. The pulley belt is wound around the drive pulley and the driven pulley and transmits power from the drive pulley to the driven pulley. The housing accommodates the electric motor, drum, drive pulley, driven pulley, and pulley belt.

[0003] Generally, a specific pulley, which is at least one of a drive pulley and a driven pulley, has a belt groove formed around its axis. Generally, the belt groove has a bottom surface, a first surface, and a second surface. The bottom surface abuts against the pulley belt. The first surface is formed contiguous with the bottom surface on one side in the width direction parallel to the axis and extends away from the axis. The second surface is formed contiguous with the bottom surface on the other side in the width direction and extends away from the axis, accommodating the pulley belt together with the bottom surface and the first surface. At this time, the pulley belt is accommodated in the belt groove under a constant tension.

[0004] In this drum-type washing machine, an electric motor rotates a drive pulley, which in turn rotates a driven pulley and the drum, thereby washing laundry contained in the drum. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-134262 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, in the conventional drum-type washing machine described above, the pulley belt inevitably becomes bent. When the pulley belt rotates in a bent state due to a decrease in tension, it may exceed the first or second surface of the belt groove and fall off the belt groove. This tendency becomes more pronounced when the drum vibrates due to a deviation in the amount or position of laundry. In this case, the drum-type washing machine cannot perform its intended function.

[0007] To prevent the pulley belt from coming off, it is conceivable to extend the first and second surfaces so that the pulley belt will not extend beyond the first and second surfaces even if it is bent. However, in this case, noise is likely to be generated due to the pulley belt rubbing against the first and second surfaces when the drum-type washing machine is in operation.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned conventional situation, and its problem to be solved is to provide a laundry processing device that is highly quiet while effectively preventing the pulley belt from falling off the belt groove. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The laundry processing device of the present invention comprises: an electric motor; a drum that can rotate while storing laundry therein; a rotatable treating means for treating the laundry; a drive pulley that is rotationally driven by the electric motor; a driven pulley connected to a rotating body that is at least one of the drum and the processing means and rotatable together with the rotating body; a pulley belt wound around the drive pulley and the driven pulley to transmit power from the drive pulley to the driven pulley; a housing that houses the electric motor, the drum, the processing means, the drive pulley, the driven pulley, and the pulley belt; At least one of the drive pulley and the driven pulley is a specific pulley, The specific pulley has a belt groove formed around its axis, the belt groove has a bottom surface that contacts the pulley belt, a first surface that is formed continuously with the bottom surface on one side in a width direction parallel to the axis and extends away from the axis, and a second surface that is formed continuously with the bottom surface on the other side in the width direction and extends away from the axis to accommodate the pulley belt together with the bottom surface and the first surface, the belt groove is formed to be connected to at least one of the first surface and the second surface, and has an intermediate surface extending in the width direction and around the axis so as to be spaced apart from the pulley belt accommodated in the first surface and the second surface; The pulley belt further includes a third surface that is continuous with the intermediate surface on the opposite side to the bottom surface and extends away from the shaft center to prevent the pulley belt from falling off.

[0010] In the laundry processing device of the present invention, even if the pulley belt is bent and passes over the intermediate surface, the third surface prevents the pulley belt from falling off. Specifically, the third surface abuts against the pulley belt that has passed over the intermediate surface, thereby returning the pulley belt to a position between the bottom surface, the first surface, and the second surface, thereby preventing the pulley belt from falling off.

[0011] Furthermore, in this laundry processing device, for example, if the intermediate surface is formed continuously with the first surface, there is no need to form the first surface excessively long and away from the axis to prevent the pulley belt from falling off. As a result, in this laundry processing device, noise caused by friction between the pulley belt and the first and second surfaces during operation is less likely to be generated.

[0012] Therefore, the laundry processing device of the present invention is excellent in quietness while suitably preventing the pulley belt from falling off the belt groove.

[0013] In the laundry processing device of the present invention, assuming a cross-sectional view of the pulley belts housed on the bottom surface, the first surface, and the second surface in a plane including the axis, and defining a center line extending in the width direction including the center point of the pulley belt in the cross-sectional view, an outer periphery line extending in the width direction including the outer periphery point of the pulley belt farthest from the axis in the cross-sectional view, and an intermediate line located between the center line and the outer periphery line and extending in the width direction, it is preferable that the intermediate plane includes the intermediate line.

[0014] As a result, the pulley belt will not pass over the intermediate surface until it is bent by more than its own radius in the radial direction, and therefore, it is possible to preferably prevent the pulley belt from falling off. Furthermore, while preferably preventing the pulley belt from falling off in this way, if the intermediate surface is formed continuously with the first surface, for example, the length by which the first surface extends away from the axis can be made as short as possible, making it more difficult for the pulley belt to rub against the first surface during operation. This also makes it possible to further suppress the generation of noise during operation.

[0015] The intermediate surface is preferably inclined so that the bottom surface side approaches the axis. In this case, when the bent pulley belt comes into contact with the intermediate surface, the intermediate surface also allows the pulley belt to return to the position between the bottom surface and the first and second surfaces. This more effectively prevents the pulley belt from falling off.

[0016] The width of the intermediate surface is preferably shorter than half the maximum width of the pulley belt, which prevents the bent pulley belt from becoming stable at the intermediate surface, thereby preventing the pulley belt from becoming stuck between the bottom surface and the first and second surfaces.

[0017] The laundry processing device of the present invention may further include a memory unit that stores a plurality of operation modes for performing different processes on laundry and set rotation speeds of the electric motor corresponding to each operation mode, and a control unit that controls the operation of the electric motor and executes one operation mode selected from all operation modes as a specific operation mode. Preferably, the control unit starts the electric motor at a rotation speed lower than the set rotation speed in the specific operation mode, and then gradually increases the rotation speed up to the set rotation speed.

[0018] When the drive pulley is suddenly rotated by the electric motor, the power transmitted from the drive pulley to the driven pulley changes suddenly, making the pulley belt more likely to sag. In this regard, in this laundry processing device, when executing the specific operation mode, the control unit starts the electric motor at a rotation speed lower than the set rotation speed, and then gradually increases the rotation speed up to the set rotation speed, thereby effectively preventing the pulley belt from sagging. As a result, this laundry processing device can more effectively prevent the pulley belt from coming off. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] The laundry processing device of the present invention is excellent in quietness while suitably preventing the pulley belt from falling off the belt groove. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a laundry treating apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of a specific pulley and a cross-sectional view of a pulley belt in the laundry processing apparatus of the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of a specific pulley and a pulley belt in the laundry processing apparatus of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of the specific pulley and the pulley belt in the laundry processing apparatus of the first embodiment, showing a state in which the third surface prevents the pulley belt from coming off. [Figure 5]FIG. 5 is a flow chart of the operation control of the electric motor in the laundry processing apparatus of the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flow chart of the operation control of the electric motor in the laundry processing apparatus of the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of a laundry processing apparatus according to a second embodiment, similar to FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of the laundry processing apparatus according to the second embodiment, similar to FIG. 4, illustrating a state in which the third and fourth surfaces prevent the pulley belt from coming off. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] Hereinafter, first and second embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0022] Example 1 As shown in Fig. 1, the dryer of Example 1 includes a housing 3, a drum 5, an electric motor 7, a fan 9, a drive pulley 11, a driven pulley 13, a first pulley belt 15A, a second pulley belt 15B, a memory unit 17, and a control unit 19. The dryer is an example of the "laundry processing device" of the present invention. The fan 9 is an example of the "processing means" of the present invention.

[0023] In this embodiment, the up-down direction and the front-rear direction of the dryer are defined by the arrows shown in Fig. 1. In Fig. 2 and subsequent figures, the up-down direction and the front-rear direction of the dryer are defined in accordance with Fig. 1. The front-rear direction corresponds to the "width direction" in the present invention. More specifically, the rear corresponds to "one side in the width direction," and the front corresponds to "the other side in the width direction."

[0024] The housing 3 is shaped like a substantially rectangular box and has a front wall 3A, a rear wall 3B, an upper wall 3C, a lower wall 3D, and a pair of side walls (not shown). The front wall 3A, the rear wall 3B, the upper wall 3C, the lower wall 3D, and both side walls form an internal space 10 inside the housing 3. The internal space 10 accommodates the drum 5, the electric motor 7, the fan 9, the drive pulley 11, the driven pulley 13, the first pulley belt 15A, the second pulley belt 15B, the memory unit 17, and the control unit 19, as well as an air intake duct 25, an exhaust duct 27, and a heat source 29.

[0025] A communication port 31 communicating with the internal space 10 is provided in approximately the center of the front wall 3A, and an opening / closing door 33 that can open and close the communication port 31 is also provided. An operation unit 35 and a display 37 are provided on the front wall 3A below the opening / closing door 33. The operation unit 35 is composed of a plurality of switches and the like, and is operated by a user of the dryer (not shown) to instruct the dryer to start operation and select an operation mode. The display 37 displays the operation time and error messages, etc. The operation modes will be described later.

[0026] A drum support shaft 5A is fixed to the rear wall 3B and is centered on a first rotation axis O1 that extends horizontally in the front-rear direction. An exhaust port 21 is formed in the upper wall 3C. A plurality of air intake ports 23 are formed in the lower wall 3D.

[0027] Drum 5 is formed in a cylindrical shape centered on first rotation axis O1, and defines drying chamber 50 therein. Drying chamber 50 is capable of containing laundry C1 that a user places through communication opening 31. Examples of laundry C1 include clothing, blankets, carpets, etc. Furthermore, a ventilation section 52 is provided at the rear end of drum 5.

[0028] The electric motor 7 is disposed below the drum 5 in the internal space 10. The electric motor 7 is provided with a drive shaft 7A whose center is the second rotational axis O2. The drive shaft 7A penetrates the electric motor 7 in the front-rear direction. Here, the second rotational axis O2 is parallel to the first rotational axis O1. In other words, the drive shaft 7A extends in the front-rear direction parallel to the drum support shaft 5A.

[0029] The air supply duct 25 is located below the drum 5 in the internal space 10 and is connected to the drum 5. The exhaust duct 27 is provided between the drum 5 and the rear wall 3B and is connected to the exhaust port 21.

[0030] Heat source 29 has a gas burner 29A, a gas supply valve device 29B, and a gas injection nozzle 29C. Gas burner 29A is disposed below air intake duct 25. Gas supply valve device 29B supplies fuel gas from a gas supply source (not shown) to gas injection nozzle 29C. Gas injection nozzle 29C injects the fuel gas toward gas burner 29A. As a result, the fuel gas is burned by gas burner 29A together with the air surrounding gas burner 29A. As a result, the air taken into internal space 10 from each air intake port 23 is heated by the fuel exhaust gas generated by gas burner 29A.

[0031] The fan 9 is disposed in the exhaust duct 27 and is fixed to a driven pulley 13 through which the drum support shaft 5A is inserted. This allows the fan 9 to rotate about a first rotation axis O1 within the exhaust duct 27. By rotating about the first rotation axis O1, the fan 9 supplies air heated by the heat source 29 into the drying chamber 50 to dry the laundry C1. This drying of the laundry C1 is an example of the "processing" in the present invention. The driven pulley 13 will be described later.

[0032] The drive pulley 11 consists of a first drive pulley 11A and a second drive pulley 11B. The first drive pulley 11A is fixed to the front part of the drive shaft 7A. The second drive pulley 11B is fixed to the rear part of the drive shaft 7A.

[0033] The first drive pulley 11A is rotatable about the second rotation axis O2 as the drive shaft 7A rotates. The first drive pulley 11A has a belt groove 110 formed about the second rotation axis O2.

[0034] The second drive pulley 11B is rotatable about the second rotation axis O2 as the drive shaft 7A rotates. That is, the second drive pulley 11B rotates coaxially with and simultaneously with the first drive pulley 11A. The second drive pulley 11B has a belt groove 113 formed about the second rotation axis O2.

[0035] The first pulley belt 15A is made of an elastic material such as synthetic rubber and has a rectangular plate-like cross section in the width direction, i.e., the front-to-rear direction. The first pulley belt 15A is housed in the belt groove 110 of the first drive pulley 11A and is wound around the belt groove 110 and the drum 5. The cross section of the first pulley belt 15A in the front-to-rear direction is not limited to a rectangular plate-like shape and may have other shapes.

[0036] The drum support shaft 5A is inserted through the driven pulley 13. This allows the driven pulley 13 to rotate around the first rotation axis O1. In this embodiment, the driven pulley 13 is defined as the "specific pulley" in the present invention.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 2, the driven pulley 13 comprises a pulley body 13A and a connecting portion 13B. The pulley body 13A is formed in a disk shape. The drum support shaft 5A is inserted into the pulley body 13A, and the pulley body 13A has its own axis aligned with the first rotational axis O1. The pulley body 13A is formed with a constant thickness in the width direction parallel to the first rotational axis O1, i.e., in the front-to-rear direction. The pulley body 13A has a belt groove 70, a rear end surface 72, a first outer peripheral surface 73, a front end surface 74, and a second outer peripheral surface 75.

[0038] The belt groove 70 extends around the first rotational axis O1. A second pulley belt 15B is wound between the belt groove 70 and the belt groove 113 of the second drive pulley 11B shown in FIG.

[0039] 2 and 3, the second pulley belt 15B is made of an elastic material such as synthetic rubber and has a circular cross section in the front-rear direction. The diameter of the second pulley belt 15B is defined as a first length L1. The first length L1 is the maximum length of the second pulley belt 15B in the width direction. The cross section of the second pulley belt 15B in the front-rear direction is not limited to a circular shape and may have other shapes.

[0040] The belt groove 70 includes a bottom surface 70A, a first surface 70B, a second surface 70C, a first intermediate surface 70D, and a third surface 70E. The first intermediate surface 70D is an example of the "intermediate surface" in the present invention. The bottom surface 70A is curved in an arc shape to correspond to the shape of the second pulley belt 15B.

[0041] The first surface 70B is located on one side in the width direction of the pulley body 13A, i.e., on the rear side, relative to the bottom surface 70A, and is continuous with the bottom surface 70A. The first surface 70B extends in the radial direction of the pulley body 13A so as to be spaced away from the first rotational axis O1.

[0042] The second surface 70C is located on the other widthwise side of the pulley body 13A, i.e., on the front side, relative to the bottom surface 70A, and is continuous with the bottom surface 70A. The second surface 70C faces the first surface 70B in the front-rear direction and extends in the radial direction of the pulley body 13A so as to be spaced apart from the first rotational axis O1.

[0043] The first intermediate surface 70D is continuous with the first surface 70B on the radially opposite side of the pulley body 13A from the bottom surface 70A. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, in a cross-sectional view of the second pulley belt 15B housed between the bottom surface 70A, the first surface 70B, and the second surface 70C along a plane (not shown) including the first rotational axis O1, a center point X1, a center line X2, an outer periphery point X3, an outer periphery line X4, and a middle line X5 are defined. The center point X1 is the center of the second pulley belt 15B in FIG. 3. The center line X2 is a line that includes the center point X1 and extends linearly in the front-to-rear direction. The outer periphery point X3 is a point on the second pulley belt 15B that is defined at a position farthest from the first rotational axis O1. The outer periphery line X4 is a line that includes the outer periphery point X3 and extends linearly in the front-to-rear direction. The intermediate line X5 is a line that extends linearly in the front-rear direction of the pulley body 13A, located between the center line X2 and the outer peripheral line X4 in the radial direction of the pulley body 13A. The first intermediate surface 70D includes the intermediate line X5. That is, the first intermediate surface 70D is continuous with the first surface 70B at a position between the center line X2 and the outer peripheral line X4.

[0044] The first intermediate surface 70D extends rearward from the first surface 70B and extends around the first rotational axis O1. As shown in FIG. 4, the first intermediate surface 70D is composed of a first curved portion 701, a first flat portion 702, and a second curved portion 703. The first curved portion 701 curves toward the first surface 70B and approaches the first rotational axis O1, and is continuous with the first surface 70B. The first flat portion 702 extends flat and is continuous with the first curved portion 701 at its front end. The second curved portion 703 is continuous with the rear end of the first flat portion 702 and is curved in the radial direction of the pulley body 13A so as to move away from the first rotational axis O1.

[0045] The third surface 70E is located rearward of the first intermediate surface 70D. The third surface 70E is continuous with the second curved portion 703. That is, the third surface 70E is continuous with the first intermediate surface 70D on the opposite side from the bottom surface 70A and the first surface 70B. As a result, the third surface 70E is located rearward of the first surface 70B. The third surface 70E extends in the radial direction of the pulley body 13A so as to be spaced apart from the first rotational axis O1.

[0046] In this manner, in the belt groove 70, the first surface 70B is continuous with the first intermediate surface 70D. As shown in FIG. 3, the first surface 70B extends a second length L2 in the radial direction of the pulley body 13A. In contrast, the second surface 70C extends a third length L3 in the radial direction of the pulley body 13A, which is longer than the second length L2. The first intermediate surface 70D extends a fourth length L4 in the front-rear direction. This fourth length L4 is set to be shorter than half the first length L1, which is the diameter of the second pulley belt 15B. The third surface 70E extends a fifth length L5 in the radial direction of the pulley body 13A. This fifth length L5 is set to be longer than the second length L2 and shorter than the third length L3. The fifth length L5 can be designed as appropriate.

[0047] 2, the rear end surface 72 is located at the rear end of the pulley body 13A and extends in the radial direction of the pulley body 13A. The first outer peripheral surface 73 is located between the third surface 70E and the rear end surface 72 and extends in the front-to-rear direction around the first rotational axis O1. The first outer peripheral surface 73 is continuous with the third surface 70E at its front end and with the rear end surface 72 at its rear end. In this case, the first outer peripheral surface 73 is curved and continuous with both the third surface 70E and the rear end surface 72.

[0048] The front end surface 74 is located at the front end of the pulley body 13A and extends in the radial direction of the pulley body 13A. The second outer peripheral surface 75 is located between the front end surface 74 and the second surface 70C and extends in the front-rear direction around the first rotational axis O1. The second outer peripheral surface 75 is continuous with the front end surface 74 at its front end and with the second surface 70C at its rear end. The second outer peripheral surface 75 is also curved and continuous with the front end surface 74 and the second surface 70C, respectively. The second outer peripheral surface 75 is formed to be longer in the front-rear direction than the first outer peripheral surface 73. Thus, the belt groove 70 is located between the first outer peripheral surface 73 and the second outer peripheral surface 75 in the front-rear direction of the pulley body 13A. The front-rear lengths of the first outer peripheral surface 73 and the second outer peripheral surface 75 can be designed as appropriate.

[0049] Furthermore, the radial length of the pulley body 13A from the bottom surface 70A of the belt groove 70 to the first outer peripheral surface 73 and the radial length of the pulley body 13A from the bottom surface 70A to the second outer peripheral surface 75 are both set to a sixth length L6. Note that the radial length of the pulley body 13A from the bottom surface 70A to the first outer peripheral surface 73 and the radial length of the pulley body 13A from the bottom surface 70A to the second outer peripheral surface 75 may be different.

[0050] The second pulley belt 15B wound in the belt groove 70 is accommodated by the bottom surface 70A, the first surface 70B, and the second surface 70C. At this time, the second pulley belt 15B is wound in the belt groove 70 with tension in the radial direction of the pulley body 13A toward the bottom surface 70A. Therefore, although not shown, the second pulley belt 15B is slightly pressed against the bottom surface 70A by the tension in the radial direction and is elastically deformed. The second pulley belt 15B is also wound in the belt groove 70 with tension toward the rear side. In other words, in this dryer, the positions of the second drive pulley 11B and the driven pulley 13 in the front-to-rear direction are set so that the second pulley belt 15B is wound in the belt groove 70 with tension toward the rear side. The second pulley belt 15B may be wound around the belt groove 70 so that it does not have tension toward the rear or front side.

[0051] The connecting portion 13B is formed integrally with the pulley body 13A and extends cylindrically forward from the front end surface 74. As shown in FIG. 1, the connecting portion 13B is inserted into the fan 9 and fixed to the fan 9. In this way, the driven pulley 13 is connected to the fan 9 and can rotate integrally with the fan 9 around the first rotation axis O1. Furthermore, the fan 9, being connected to the driven pulley 13, corresponds to the "rotating body" in the present invention.

[0052] The memory unit 17 stores various control programs for operating the dryer. The memory unit 17 also stores first to fourth operation modes as shown in Table 1 below. In the first to fourth operation modes, the set rotation speeds R1 to R4 of the electric motor 7 and the set times T1 to T4 for operating the electric motor 7 are respectively set according to the type and amount of laundry C1. As a result, the first to fourth operation modes differ from one another in the air volume and supply time when air is supplied to the drying chamber 50 by the fan 9 according to the type and amount of laundry C1. In addition, the temperature of the air heated by the heat source 29 is also set respectively in the first to fourth operation modes.

[0053] [Table 1]

[0054] In this embodiment, the set rotation speeds R1 to R4 and set times T1 to T4 of the electric motor 7 are different in the first to fourth operation modes, but for example, the set rotation speed R1 may be used for both the first and third operation modes. Furthermore, the set rotation speed may be the same in all of the first to fourth operation modes as long as the set times T1 to T4 are different. The same applies to the set times T1 to T4. Furthermore, the storage unit 17 may store operation modes other than the first to fourth operation modes.

[0055] The control unit 19 is connected to the electric motor 7, the gas burner 29A, and the memory unit 17. The control unit 19 controls the electric motor 7 and the gas burner 29A based on a control program. The control unit 19 also executes one of the first to fourth operation modes selected by the user as a specific operation mode. Furthermore, the control unit 19 detects the rotation of the drum 5 and the fan 9 when the specific operation mode is executed.

[0056] The control unit 19 is also provided with a power supply fuse 191 that protects the control unit from overcurrent, and a leakage safety device 192 that stops the power supply to the electric motor 7 in the event of a current leak.

[0057] In this dryer, the control unit 19 controls the operation of the electric motor 7 and the gas burner 29A while executing a specific operation mode, thereby drying the laundry C1 in the drying chamber 50. When drying the laundry C1, the control unit 19 controls the operation of the electric motor 7 in accordance with the flow charts shown in Figs.

[0058] 5, the control unit 19 first determines whether the power supply fuse 191 and the earth leakage safety device 192 are normal (step S101). If the power supply fuse 191 and the earth leakage safety device 192 are normal (step S101: YES), the control unit 19 starts supplying power to the electric motor 7 (step S102). On the other hand, if there is an abnormality in the power supply fuse 191 or the earth leakage safety device 192 (step S101: NO), the control unit 19 does not start supplying power to the electric motor 7 until the cause of the abnormality is eliminated, such as by replacing the power supply fuse 191 (step S201).

[0059] The user also places laundry C1 to be dried in the dryer into drying chamber 50 of drum 5. The user also operates operation unit 35 to select one of first to fourth operation modes to be executed depending on the type and amount of laundry C1 (step S103). Thereafter, the user operates operation unit 35 to issue an operation start command (step S104).

[0060] Here, the control unit 19 keeps the electric motor 7 on standby until the user selects one of the first to fourth operation modes (step S103: NO). Furthermore, even after the user selects one of the first to fourth operation modes, the control unit 19 continues to keep the electric motor 7 on standby until the user issues an instruction to start operation (step S104: NO).

[0061] For example, if the first operation mode is selected in step S103 and an operation start instruction is issued in step S104 (step S103: YES, step S104: YES), the control unit 19 executes the first operation mode as the specific operation mode (step S105). As a result, the control unit 19 starts controlling the operation of the electric motor 7 based on the set rotation speed R1 and set time T1 set for the electric motor 7 in the first operation mode.

[0062] Specifically, the control unit 19 starts the electric motor 7 at a rotation speed that is 50% of the set rotation speed R1 (step S106). As a result, the first drive pulley 11A and the second drive pulley 11B are each driven to rotate about the second rotation axis O2. Therefore, the power of the first drive pulley 11A is transmitted to the drum 5 by the first pulley belt 15A, and the power of the second drive pulley 11B is transmitted to the driven pulley 13 by the second pulley belt 15B. The control unit 19 also activates the gas burner 29A. Note that the rotation speed at the start of the electric motor 7 can be set appropriately as long as it is lower than the set rotation speed R1. The same applies when the second to fourth operating modes are set as specific operating modes.

[0063] The drum 5 rotates around the first rotation axis O1 by transmitting the power of the first drive pulley 11A, so that the laundry C1 stored in the drying chamber 50 does not stay in a fixed position but is constantly moving.

[0064] On the other hand, the driven pulley 13 rotates around the first rotation axis O1 together with the fan 9 by transmitting power from the second drive pulley 11B. As a result, the fan 9 supplies air heated by the gas burner 29A into the drying chamber 50 via the air intake duct 25, as shown by the white arrow in Fig. 1, thereby drying the laundry C1. The fan 9 also exhausts the air supplied into the drying chamber 50 to the outside of the housing 3 through the ventilation section 52, the exhaust duct 27, and the exhaust port 21.

[0065] However, because the control unit 19 starts the electric motor 7 at 50% of the set rotation speed R1, the power transmitted to the drum 5 and the driven pulley 13 is smaller than when the electric motor 7 is rotating at the set rotation speed R1. This may result in the drum 5 and the fan 9 not rotating around the first rotation axis O1. This is particularly likely to occur with the drum 5 because the weight of the laundry C1 varies depending on the type and amount of laundry C1 stored in the drying chamber 50. Therefore, the control unit 19 determines whether both the drum 5 and the fan 9 are rotating even when the rotation speed of the electric motor 7 is 50% of the set rotation speed R1 (step S107 in FIG. 6).

[0066] If both the drum 5 and the fan 9 are rotating (step S107: YES), the control unit 19 increases the rotation speed of the electric motor 7 stepwise by 10% of the set rotation speed every three seconds (step S108). This increase in the rotation speed of the electric motor 7 continues until it reaches the set rotation speed R1 (step S109: NO). The amount of increase in the rotation speed can be set appropriately.

[0067] Then, when the rotation speed of the electric motor 7 reaches the set rotation speed R1 (step S109: YES), the control unit 19 continues to operate the electric motor 7 at the set rotation speed R1 and continues the first operating mode until the set time T1 is reached (step S110: NO).

[0068] Then, when the set time T1 is reached (step S110: YES), the control unit 19 stops the supply of power to the electric motor 7 to stop the electric motor 7 (step S111). The control unit 19 also stops the gas burner 29A. In this way, the first operation mode as the specific operation mode ends.

[0069] On the other hand, if the drum 5 and fan 9 are not rotating when the rotation speed of the electric motor 7 is 50% of the set rotation speed R1 (step S107: NO), the control unit 19 increases the rotation speed of the electric motor 7 by 10% of the set rotation speed (step S301). Then, in this state, the control unit 19 determines whether both the drum 5 and the fan 9 are rotating (step S302).

[0070] Here, if both the drum 5 and the fan 9 are rotating (step S302: YES), the control unit 19 subsequently performs the processes of steps S108 to S111.

[0071] On the other hand, if neither the drum 5 nor the fan 9 is rotating in step S302 (step S302: NO), the control unit 19 further increases the rotation speed of the electric motor 7 by 10% of the set rotation speed R1 until it reaches the set rotation speed R1 (step S303: NO).In this state, the control unit 19 continues to determine whether both the drum 5 and the fan 9 are rotating (step S302).

[0072] If the rotation speed of electric motor 7 reaches set rotation speed R1 but both drum 5 and fan 9 are not rotating (step S302: NO, step S303: YES), control unit 19 displays an error message on display 37 to notify the user of an abnormality (step S304). Then, control unit 19 stops the supply of power to electric motor 7 to stop electric motor 7 (step S305). Control unit 19 also stops gas burner 29A. In this way, control unit 19 stops the first operating mode, and therefore the operation of the dryer, and returns to the processing of step S101.

[0073] In this way, in this dryer, the second drive pulley 11B is driven to rotate by the electric motor 7, and the second pulley belt 15B transmits the power of the second drive pulley 11B to the driven pulley 13, causing the driven pulley 13 to rotate and the fan 9 to rotate.

[0074] Here, if the second pulley belt 15B is bent in the radial direction, the tension in the radial direction of the second pulley belt 15B decreases accordingly. Also, the second pulley belt 15B has tension directed rearward.

[0075] In this regard, in this dryer, as shown by the imaginary line in Fig. 4, even if the bent second pulley belt 15B passes over the first intermediate surface 70D, the third surface 70E abuts against the second pulley belt 15B. Thus, in this dryer, the third surface 70E can return the second pulley belt 15B to between the bottom surface 70A, the first surface 70B, and the second surface 70C, so that even if the bent second pulley belt 15B passes over the first intermediate surface 70D, it is difficult for the second pulley belt 15B to pass over the first outer peripheral surface 73. As a result, in this dryer, the second pulley belt 15B is prevented from falling off from the belt groove 70.

[0076] Furthermore, in this dryer, because the first intermediate surface 70D is formed contiguous with the first surface 70B, it is not necessary to form the first surface 70B excessively long in the radial direction of the pulley body 13A to prevent the second pulley belt 15B from falling off. Specifically, the radial length of the pulley body 13A at the first surface 70B is set to a second length L2 that is shorter than the third length L3 at the second surface 70C. As a result, in this dryer, noise caused by friction between the second pulley belt 15B and the first surface 70B during operation is less likely to be generated compared to when the radial length of the pulley body 13A at the first surface 70B is equal to or longer than the second surface 70C. Furthermore, since the radial length of the pulley body 13A on the second surface 70C is longer than the second length L2, the bent second pulley belt 15B can be prevented from falling off from the second surface 70C side, and ultimately from the second outer peripheral surface 75 side.

[0077] Therefore, the dryer of Example 1 is excellent in quietness while suitably preventing the second pulley belt 15B from falling off from the belt groove 70.

[0078] In particular, the first intermediate surface 70D includes the midpoint line X5 and is continuous with the first surface 70B at a position between the center line X2 and the outer circumferential line X4. This prevents the second pulley belt 15B from exceeding the first intermediate surface 70D only when it is deflected by an amount equal to or greater than its own radius in the radial direction. This prevents the second pulley belt 15B from immediately exceeding the first intermediate surface 70D due to deflection. Furthermore, since the first intermediate surface 70D includes the midpoint line X5, the second length L2 of the first surface 70B can be made sufficiently short. Because the second pulley belt 15B has tension directed rearward, the second pulley belt 15B is prone to rubbing against the first surface 70B during operation. However, this dryer effectively prevents rubbing between the second pulley belt 15B and the first surface 70B during operation.

[0079] Furthermore, first intermediate surface 70D has a first curved portion 701 and is continuous with first surface 70B through first curved portion 701. First curved portion 701 is curved so as to approach first rotation axis O1 as it approaches first surface 70B. That is, a portion of first intermediate surface 70D closer to bottom surface 70A is inclined toward first rotation axis O1. Therefore, in this dryer, when first intermediate surface 70D and second pulley belt 15B come into contact with each other, first intermediate surface 70D, more specifically, first curved portion 701, can also return second pulley belt 15B to between bottom surface 70A, first surface 70B, and second surface 70C.

[0080] Furthermore, the length of first intermediate surface 70D in the front-to-rear direction is set to fourth length L4, which is shorter than half of first length L1, which is the diameter of second pulley belt 15B. Thus, in this dryer, by shortening the length in the front-to-rear direction, bent second pulley belt 15B is prevented from becoming stable at first intermediate surface 70D. Thus, in this dryer, second pulley belt 15B is prevented from becoming unable to return to the position between bottom surface 70A, first surface 70B, and second surface 70C.

[0081] Furthermore, when executing a specific operation mode selected from the first to fourth operation modes, control unit 19 starts electric motor 7 at a rotation speed that is 50% of the set rotation speeds R1 to R4 set in the first to fourth operation modes. Then, control unit 19 gradually increases the rotation speed of electric motor 7 until it reaches the set rotation speeds R1 to R4. This prevents a large amount of power from being suddenly transmitted from second drive pulley 11B to driven pulley 13, thereby effectively preventing second pulley belt 15B from bending. In this respect, too, this dryer effectively prevents second pulley belt 15B from falling off.

[0082] Here, if the drum 5 and the fan 9 do not rotate even when the electric motor 7 is started at a rotation speed that is 50% of the set rotation speeds R1 to R4, the electric motor 7 will eventually be started at the set rotation speeds R1 to R4. In this case, although the second pulley belt 15B is likely to bend, in this dryer, even if the second pulley belt 15B is bent, as described above, the bent second pulley belt 15B can be suitably prevented from falling off the belt groove 70.

[0083] Example 2 The dryer of Example 2 includes a driven pulley 14 shown in FIG. 7 instead of the driven pulley 13. The driven pulley 14 also corresponds to the "specific pulley" of the present invention. The driven pulley 14 is composed of a pulley body 14A and a connecting portion 14B. Like the pulley body 13A, the pulley body 14A is formed in a disk shape with the first rotation axis O1 as its axis and has a constant thickness in the front-to-rear direction. The pulley body 14A has a belt groove 76 and a second outer peripheral surface 77, and like the pulley body 13A, has a rear end surface 72, a first outer peripheral surface 73, and a front end surface 74.

[0084] The belt groove 76 is made up of a bottom surface 70A, a first surface 70B, a second surface 70F, a first intermediate surface 70D, a third surface 70E, a second intermediate surface 70G, and a fourth surface 70H. The second intermediate surface 70G is also an example of the "intermediate surface" in the present invention.

[0085] The second surface 70F is located on the front side of the pulley body 14A with respect to the bottom surface 70A and is continuous with the bottom surface 70A. The second surface 70F faces the first surface 70B in the front-rear direction and extends in the radial direction of the pulley body 14A so as to be spaced apart from the first rotational axis O1.

[0086] The second intermediate surface 70G is continuous with the second surface 70F on the radially opposite side of the pulley body 14A from the bottom surface 70A. Like the first intermediate surface 70D, the second intermediate surface 70G includes the midpoint X5. That is, the second intermediate surface 70G is continuous with the second surface 70F at a position in the radial direction of the pulley body 14A that is equal to the position of the first intermediate surface 70D. As a result, the second surface 70F extends a second length L2 in the radial direction of the pulley body 14A, similar to the first surface 70B.

[0087] The second intermediate surface 70G is continuous with the second surface 70F and is located forward of the first intermediate surface 70D across the bottom surface 70A. The second intermediate surface 70G is symmetrical to the first intermediate surface 70D in the front-to-rear direction, and extends forward from the second surface 70F and around the first rotation axis O1. As a result, the second intermediate surface 70G also extends a fourth length L4 in the front-to-rear direction, similar to the first intermediate surface 70D.

[0088] As shown in Fig. 8, the second intermediate surface 70G is made up of a third curved portion 704, a second flat portion 705, and a fourth curved portion 706. The third curved portion 704 has a shape symmetrical to the first curved portion 701 in the front-rear direction and is continuous with the second surface 70F. The second flat portion 705 extends flat in the front-rear direction and is continuous with the third curved portion 704 at its rear end. The fourth curved portion 706 has a shape symmetrical to the second curved portion 703 in the front-rear direction and is continuous with the front end of the second flat portion 705.

[0089] The fourth surface 70H is located forward of the second intermediate surface 70G. The fourth surface 70H is continuous with the fourth curved portion 706. That is, the fourth surface 70H is continuous with the second intermediate surface 70G on the opposite side from the bottom surface 70A and the second surface 70F. As a result, the fourth surface 70H is located forward of the second surface 70F. The fourth surface 70H faces the third surface 70E and extends a fifth length L5 in the radial direction of the pulley body 14A so as to be spaced apart from the first rotation axis O1. Note that the fourth surface 70H may extend a different length in the radial direction of the pulley body 14A from the third surface 70E.

[0090] The second outer peripheral surface 77 is located between the front end surface 74 and the fourth surface 70H and extends in the front-rear direction around the first rotation axis O1. The second outer peripheral surface 77 is continuous with the front end surface 74 at its front end and with the fourth surface 70H at its rear end. The second outer peripheral surface 77 is also curved and continuous with both the front end surface 74 and the fourth surface 70H. The second outer peripheral surface 77 is longer in the front-rear direction than the first outer peripheral surface 73, but shorter in the front-rear direction than the second outer peripheral surface 75 of the pulley body 13A. Thus, the belt groove 76 is located between the first outer peripheral surface 73 and the second outer peripheral surface 75 in the front-rear direction of the pulley body 14A. The length of the second outer peripheral surface 77 in the front-rear direction can also be designed as appropriate.

[0091] Connection portion 14B is formed integrally with pulley body 14A. Connection portion 14B has the same configuration as connection portion 13B, and is fixed to fan 9 in the same manner as connection portion 13B. Other configurations of this dryer are the same as those of the dryer of Example 1, and the same components are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description of the configurations will be omitted.

[0092] In this dryer, as shown by the imaginary lines in Fig. 8, even if the bent second pulley belt 15B passes over the first intermediate surface 70D, the third surface 70E abuts against the second pulley belt 15B. On the other hand, even if the bent second pulley belt 15B passes over the second intermediate surface 70G, the fourth surface 70H abuts against the second pulley belt 15B. In this way, in this dryer as well, the second pulley belt 15B is prevented from falling off from the belt groove 76. Furthermore, in this dryer, the second pulley belt 15B can be effectively prevented from falling off regardless of whether the second pulley belt 15B wound around the belt groove 76 has tension in the forward or backward direction.

[0093] Furthermore, in this dryer, the radial length of the pulley body 14A can be set to the second length L2 for both the first surface 70B and the second surface 70F, making it less likely that noise will be generated due to friction between the second pulley belt 15B and the first surface 70B and the second surface 70F during operation. Other functions of this dryer are the same as those of the dryer of Example 1.

[0094] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the examples, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above examples and can be modified and applied as appropriate within the scope of the invention.

[0095] For example, in the dryer of Example 1, the driven pulley 13 is connected to the fan 9, but this is not limiting, and the driven pulley 13 may be connected to the drum 5. Also, the driven pulley 13 may be connected to both the drum 5 and the fan 9. The same applies to the dryer of Example 2.

[0096] In the dryer of Example 1, the driven pulley 13 is defined as the "specific pulley" of the present invention, but this is not limiting, and the second drive pulley 11B may also be defined as the "specific pulley." Also, both the second drive pulley 11B and the driven pulley 13 may be defined as the "specific pulley." Furthermore, the first drive pulley 11A may be defined as the "specific pulley," or all of the first and second drive pulleys 11A and 11B and the driven pulley 13 may be defined as the "specific pulley." The same applies to the dryer of Example 2.

[0097] Furthermore, in the dryer of the first embodiment, the first intermediate surface 70D may be configured to be continuous with the second surface 70C instead of the first surface 70B.

[0098] Furthermore, the first intermediate surface 70D and the second intermediate surface 70G may be inclined so that the entire surface approaches the bottom surface 70A.

[0099] Furthermore, a washing machine that washes laundry C1 may also be the "laundry processing device" of the present invention, and a washer-dryer that washes and dries laundry C1 may also be the "laundry processing device" of the present invention.

[0100] Moreover, instead of the fan 9, a blade member or the like that generates a water current when washing the laundry C1 may be employed as the "processing means" in the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0101] The present invention can be used in washing machines, dryers, and the like that transmit power using pulleys and pulley belts. [Explanation of symbols]

[0102] 3. Housing 5...Drums 7...Electric motor 9... Fan (processing means, rotating body) 11A, 11B...First and second drive pulleys (drive pulleys) 13, 14...Driven pulley (specific pulley) 15B...Second pulley belt (pulley belt) 19...Control unit 70, 76...Belt groove 70A...Bottom 70B…Side 1 70C, 70F…Second side 70D...First intermediate surface (intermediate surface) 70E...Side 3 70G...Second intermediate surface (intermediate surface) C1...Laundry R1~R4...Setting rotation speed X1…center point X2…centerline X3…peripheral point X4…Outer Peripheral Line X5…middle line

Claims

1. An electric motor; a drum that can rotate while storing laundry therein; a rotatable treating means for treating the laundry; a drive pulley that is rotationally driven by the electric motor; a driven pulley connected to a rotating body that is at least one of the drum and the processing means and rotatable together with the rotating body; a pulley belt wound around the drive pulley and the driven pulley to transmit power from the drive pulley to the driven pulley; a housing that houses the electric motor, the drum, the processing means, the drive pulley, the driven pulley, and the pulley belt; At least one of the drive pulley and the driven pulley is a specific pulley, The specific pulley has a belt groove formed around its axis, the belt groove has a bottom surface that contacts the pulley belt, a first surface that is formed continuously with the bottom surface on one side in a width direction parallel to the axis and extends away from the axis, and a second surface that is formed continuously with the bottom surface on the other side in the width direction and extends away from the axis to accommodate the pulley belt together with the bottom surface and the first surface, the belt groove is formed to be connected to at least one of the first surface and the second surface, and has an intermediate surface extending in the width direction and around the axis so as to be spaced apart from the pulley belt accommodated in the first surface and the second surface; a third surface that is continuous with the intermediate surface on the opposite side to the bottom surface and extends away from the shaft center to prevent the pulley belt from falling off, When a cross section of the pulley belt accommodated in the bottom surface, the first surface, and the second surface is assumed on a plane including the axis, and a center line including a center point of the pulley belt in the cross section and extending in the width direction, a peripheral line including a peripheral point of the pulley belt farthest from the axis in the cross section and extending in the width direction, and an intermediate line located between the center line and the peripheral line and extending in the width direction are defined, the intermediate plane includes the intermediate line, a cross section of the pulley belt in the width direction of the belt groove is circular; The laundry processing device is characterized in that the bottom surface is curved in an arc shape corresponding to the shape of the pulley belt.

2. 2. The laundry processing device according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate surface is inclined so that the bottom surface side approaches the axis.

3. 3. The laundry processing device according to claim 1, wherein the length of the intermediate surface in the width direction is shorter than half the maximum length of the pulley belt in the width direction.

4. A plurality of operation modes for performing different processes on the laundry; a storage unit that stores a set rotation speed of the electric motor that is set corresponding to each of the operation modes; a control unit that controls the operation of the electric motor and executes one of the operation modes selected from all of the operation modes as a specific operation mode, 4. The laundry processing device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit starts the electric motor at a rotation speed lower than the set rotation speed in the specific operation mode, and then gradually increases the rotation speed up to the set rotation speed.

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