Washing machine

Abstract

A washing machine, comprising: a drainage channel (40a) extending outward from a tub (20) and connected to a drainage pipe (3) installed at an installation site for allowing water discharged from the tub (20) to flow through; a drain valve (43) arranged in the drainage channel (40a); an insertion port (311) provided in the drainage channel (40a) at a position closer to the tub (20) than the drain valve (43), and connected to the outside of a cabinet (10); and a control unit configured to perform a drainage channel cleaning operation capable of cleaning the drainage channel (40a) and the drainage pipe (3). In the drainage channel cleaning operation, the control unit executes: an injection process in which the drain valve (43) is opened, and a cleaning agent is injected into the drainage channel (40a) through the insertion port (311); and a flushing process in which water is supplied to the drainage channel (40a) by operating a water supply device (50), and water is flushed into the drainage path (40a) and the drainage pipe (3).

Description

Washing machine TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a washing machine. BACKGROUND

[0002] In the past, in a washing machine, a drain path for draining water from a tub to the outside of the machine extends to the outside of a cabinet and is connected to a house drain pipe provided at a setting place such as a waterproof tray. When a drain valve provided in the drain path is opened, the water from the tub flows to the drain pipe through the drain path.

[0003] With the use of the washing machine, dirt contained in the water, fine lint that cannot be caught by a filter, and the like are accumulated in the inside of the drain pipe, the passage of the water is narrowed, and the water can become difficult to flow. In addition, a biofilm generated from detergent residues and dirt is formed in the inside of the drain pipe, and black mold easily proliferates using the biofilm as nutrients. Therefore, it is desirable to clean the drain pipe at regular intervals.

[0004] A cleaning method for cleaning a house drain pipe connected to a drain pipe of a washing machine is described in Patent Document 1 below. In the washing machine, a drain pipe connected to a tub is connected to a dust removal port to which a dust removal filter is detachably provided. The dust removal port is connected to another drain pipe that extends to the drain pipe, and a water stop valve is provided midway in the drain pipe. When cleaning the drain pipe is performed, a spin-drying button provided in the washing machine is pressed, and the closed water stop valve is opened. In this state, the dust removal filter is removed, and the dust removal port is opened. Then, a hose connected to a cleaning nozzle is inserted from the dust removal port, and the cleaning nozzle is brought to the drain pipe.

[0005] In this cleaning method, even when the drain pipe is hidden under the washing machine at the time of installation of the washing machine, the drain pipe can be cleaned without moving the washing machine from the installation position.

[0006] In the cleaning method of the drain pipe of the washing machine of Patent Document 1 described above, a hose having a cleaning nozzle must be prepared, and an operation of connecting the hose to a faucet located in the vicinity of the installation place of the washing machine is required at the time of cleaning. Therefore, it is easy to increase the burden on the user, and it is difficult to easily clean the drain pipe.

[0007] In addition, as with the drain pipe, dirt and the like are also accumulated in the drain path of the washing machine, and therefore it is desirable to clean the drain path as well.

[0008] PRIOR ART DOCUMENT

[0009] PATENT DOCUMENT

[0010] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 4124801 SUMMARY

[0011] Problem to be solved by the Invention

[0012] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine capable of easily washing a house drain connected to a drain path and a supply and drain path using a cleaning agent.

[0013] Solution to solve the problem

[0014] The washing machine according to the present invention includes an outer tub disposed in a cabinet to store water, an inner tub disposed in the outer tub to accommodate laundry, a water supply device to supply water into the outer tub, a drain path extending from the outer tub to the outside of the washing machine to be connected to a drain pipe provided at a setting place to allow water discharged from the outer tub to flow, a drain valve provided in the drain path, an injection port provided at a position in the drain path closer to the outer tub than the drain valve to be connected to the outside of the cabinet, and a control part to perform a drain path washing operation capable of washing the drain path and the drain pipe. The control part performs, in the drain path washing operation, an injection process of opening the drain valve to wait for a cleaning agent to be injected into the drain path through the injection port, and a flushing process of supplying water into the drain path by operating the water supply device to flush water into the drain path and the drain pipe.

[0015] According to the washing machine of the present invention, a user can inject a cleaning agent into the drain path through the injection port to wash the drain path and the drain pipe using the cleaning agent and water supplied from the water supply device. Thus, the user can easily wash the drain path and the drain pipe to remove dirt and the like.

[0016] In the washing machine of the present invention, the control part can be configured to perform, between the injection process and the flushing process, a standing process of allowing the drain path and the drain pipe to stand in a state of being coated with the cleaning agent for a predetermined standing time.

[0017] According to the above structure, dirt and the like stored in the drain path and the drain pipe can be sufficiently dissolved and decomposed by components of the cleaning agent during the standing time, so that the removal effect of the dirt and the like can be improved.

[0018] In the washing machine of the present invention, the control part can be configured to operate the water supply device to store water in the drain path upstream of the drain valve in a state where the drain valve is closed, and then open the drain valve in the flushing process.

[0019] According to the above structure, water stored in the drain path upstream of the drain valve can be discharged into the drain path downstream of the drain valve and the drain pipe at once, so that a strong water flow can be easily generated. Thus, dirt and the like in the drain path and the drain pipe can be easily removed.

[0020] In the case of adopting the above structure, it can be further configured to further have a filter housing portion that constitutes a part of the drain path upstream of the drain valve and has an insertion port as the injection port, and a drain filter housed in the filter housing portion via the insertion port.

[0021] If such a structure is adopted, the drain filter can be cleaned by allowing the detergent contained in the water stored in the filter housing portion to act on the drain filter.

[0022] In the case of adopting the above structure, the control portion can be further configured to, during the flushing process, open the drain valve after the water storage in the drain path upstream of the drain valve is completed and the water supply device is stopped, after a predetermined water storage time elapses.

[0023] If such a structure is adopted, the detergent contained in the water acts on the biofilm and black mold generated in the drain filter during the water storage time, and thus the cleaning effect of the drain filter can be improved.

[0024] In the case of adopting the above structure, the control portion can be further configured to, during the flushing process, stop the water supply device before the water stored in the drain path upstream of the drain valve contacts the inner tub, while the water supply device is operated to store water in the drain path upstream of the drain valve in a state where the drain valve is closed.

[0025] If such a structure is adopted, although the water stored in the drain path upstream of the drain valve contains the detergent, such detergent-containing water does not contact the inner tub, and thus even if laundry is present in the inner tub, the detergent can be prevented from adhering to the laundry.

[0026] In the washing machine of the present embodiment, it can be configured to further have a closing member that plugs the injection port in an openable and closable manner.

[0027] According to the above structure, the water supplied to the drain path can be prevented from leaking from the injection port.

[0028] In the case of adopting the above structure, it can be configured to further have a detection portion that detects that the injection port is plugged by the closing member. In this case, the control portion can be configured to, in the case where the injection port is not plugged by the closing member, not proceed to a subsequent process of the injection process.

[0029] If such a structure is adopted, the drain path cleaning operation is not performed in a state where the injection port is not plugged by the closing member, and thus water can be prevented from being supplied to the open drain path and leaking from the drain path.

[0030] In the laundry machine of the present scheme, the water supply device can be configured to include a first water supply portion that supplies water to the outer tub via the inner tub, and a second water supply portion that supplies water to the outer tub without passing through the inner tub. In this case, the control portion can be configured to supply water to the drain path by supplying water to the outer tub from the second water supply portion during the rinsing process.

[0031] According to the above structure, even if the laundry is left in the inner tub, the laundry is not easily wetted by water.

[0032] In the laundry machine of the present scheme, the water supply device can be configured to include a detergent box into which detergent is externally supplied, a first water supply path that supplies water to the outer tub via the detergent box, and a second water supply path that supplies water to the outer tub without passing through the detergent box. In this case, the control portion can supply water to the drain path by supplying water to the outer tub from the second water supply path during the rinsing process.

[0033] According to the above structure, even if the laundry is left in the inner tub, the laundry is not easily wetted by water.

[0034] Effects of the Invention

[0035] According to the present invention, a laundry machine that can easily clean a house drain connected to a drain path and a water supply and drain path using a cleaning agent can be provided.

[0036] The effects and the significance of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of the embodiments. However, the following embodiments are merely examples for implementing the present invention, and the present invention is not limited by the contents described in the following embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0037] FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing the structure of a drum-type washing and drying machine according to an embodiment.

[0038] FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing the upper portion of a drum-type washing and drying machine according to an embodiment.

[0039] In FIG. 3, (a) is a perspective view of a filter unit and a connecting pipe according to an embodiment, and (b) is a side sectional view of the filter unit and the connecting pipe according to an embodiment.

[0040] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a drain filter according to an embodiment.

[0041] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the structure of a drum-type washing and drying machine according to an embodiment.

[0042] Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing a drain passage cleaning operation performed by the control section according to the embodiment.

[0043] Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing a drain passage cleaning operation performed by the control section according to the modification 1.

[0044] Fig. 8 is a side sectional view showing the structure of a drum-type washer-dryer according to another modification.

[0045] Explanation of Reference Numerals 1: drum-type washer-dryer; 10: cabinet; 20: outer tub; 23: drum (inner tub); 40a: drain passage; 43: drain valve; 50: water supply device; 201: control section; 300: filter unit; 310: filter housing; 311: insertion port (inlet port); 320: drain filter; 330: filter detection sensor (detection section); 342: cover section (closure member); 350: cap (closure member); WS1: first water supply section; WS2: second water supply section. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] Hereinafter, a drum-type washer-dryer as one embodiment of a laundry machine according to the present application will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0047] Fig. 1 is a side sectional view showing the structure of a drum-type washer-dryer 1. Fig. 2 is a side sectional view showing the upper portion of the drum-type washer-dryer 1 of the drying device 60.

[0048] The drum-type washer-dryer 1 is provided with a square cabinet 10. A circular insertion port 11 for inserting a laundry is formed in the front surface of the cabinet 10. The insertion port 11 is covered by a door 12 which is openable and closable.

[0049] An outer tub 20 having a substantially cylindrical shape is disposed in the cabinet 10. The outer tub 20 is elastically supported by a plurality of dampers 21 and springs 22. A drum 23 of a horizontal shaft type as an inner tub is rotatably disposed in the outer tub 20. The drum 23 rotates around a horizontal shaft. The drum 23 has a circular opening portion 23a in the front surface thereof. The drum 23 can also rotate around an inclined shaft inclined with respect to the horizontal direction.

[0050] The outer tub 20 has a circular opening portion 20a in front of the opening portion 23a of the drum 23. The outer tub 20 includes a ring-shaped seal member 24 provided to the peripheral portion of the opening portion 20a and composed of an elastic material. The seal member 24 is connected to the peripheral portion of the insertion port 11. The peripheral surface of the closed door 12 is in contact with the seal member 24, thereby sealing water between the insertion port 11 and the door 12.

[0051] A plurality of dewatering holes 23b are formed in the inner peripheral surface of the drum 23. Further, three lifting ribs 25 having a substantially triangular prism shape are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction on the inner peripheral surface of the drum 23.

[0052] A drive motor 30 that generates torque for rotating the drum 23 is disposed at the rear of the outer tub 20. The drive motor 30 is, for example, a DC (direct current) brushless motor of the outer rotor type. The drive motor 30 rotates the drum 23 at a rotational speed at which the centrifugal force applied to the laundry in the drum 23 is smaller than the gravitational force and the laundry will tumble during the washing process and the rinsing process. On the other hand, the drive motor 30 rotates the drum 23 at a rotational speed at which the centrifugal force applied to the laundry in the drum 23 is much greater than the gravitational force and the laundry will adhere to the inner circumferential surface of the drum 23 during the spin-drying process.

[0053] A heater 26 is disposed at the bottom of the outer tub 20, and a tub temperature sensor 27 is disposed in the vicinity of the heater 26. The heater 26 heats the water accumulated in the outer tub 20. The tub temperature sensor 27, which is, for example, a thermistor, detects the temperature of the water accumulated in the outer tub 20.

[0054] A tubular drain port portion 20b is formed at the bottom of the outer tub 20. A drain portion 40 that drains water from the outer tub 20 is connected to the drain port portion 20b. The drain portion 40 includes a drain pipe 41, a filter unit 300, a connection pipe 42, a drain valve 43, and a drain hose 44.

[0055] The drain pipe 41 is connected to the lower end portion of the drain port portion 20b. The filter unit 300 includes a filter housing portion 310 and a drain filter 320 housed in the filter housing portion 310. The filter housing portion 310 is slightly inclined in a manner that the front side is higher.

[0056] The drain pipe 41 is connected to the inflow port of the filter housing portion 310. The drain valve 43, which is disposed downstream of the filter unit 300, includes, for example, a valve body and a torque motor that opens and closes the valve body. The outflow port of the filter housing portion 310 and the drain valve 43 are connected by the connection pipe 42.

[0057] The drain hose 44 is connected to the drain valve 43. The drain hose 44 includes an inner hose 44a disposed inside the cabinet 10 and an outer hose 44b disposed outside the cabinet 10. The outer hose 44b of the drain hose 44 is connected to a drain trap 2 provided at the installation site of the drum-type washer-dryer 1 (e.g., a waterproof pan). The drain pipe 3 that extends downward to the floor of a house is connected to the drain trap 2. The inner hose 44a of the drain hose 44 is slightly inclined in a manner that the downstream side is lower.

[0058] A drain path 40a that extends outside the machine and through which water flows is formed by the drain pipe 41, the filter housing portion 310, the connection pipe 42, and the drain hose 44. The filter housing portion 310 forms a part of the drain path 40a.

[0059] When the drain valve 43 is opened, the water stored in the outer tub 20 is discharged to the drain pipe 3 via the drain port portion 20b, the drain passage 40a, and the drain trap 2. Foreign matter such as lint contained in the drain is captured by the drain filter 320.

[0060] An opening portion 14 is provided in the lower portion of the front surface of the cabinet 10, and a insertion port 311 provided in the front surface of the filter housing portion 310 is connected to the opening portion 14. The opening portion 14 is covered by a door 15 that can be opened and closed. The user can take out the drain filter 320 from the filter housing portion 310 to the outside of the cabinet 10 via the insertion port 311 and the opening portion 14 by opening the door 15, and in addition, can house the drain filter 320 in the filter housing portion 310 from the outside of the cabinet 10 via the opening portion 14 and the insertion port 311.

[0061] Note that the positions of the drain trap 2 and the drain pipe 3 are sometimes located directly below the drum-type washer-dryer 1 provided. In this case, the drum-type washer-dryer 1 is placed on a raised platform to be separated from the installation surface. The drain hose 44 is connected to the drain trap 2 via the lower portion of the drum-type washer-dryer 1.

[0062] In the upper portion of the cabinet 10, a water supply device 50 is arranged on the left side, and a drying device 60 is arranged on the right side. The water supply device 50 performs water supply to the outer tub 20. In addition, the water supply device 50 has a function as an automatic detergent feeding device, and automatically feeds liquid detergent and liquid softener to the outer tub 20. The drying device 60 performs drying of the laundry in the drum 23.

[0063] The water supply device 50 is provided with a water supply valve unit 51, a water injection unit 52, and a nozzle unit 53.

[0064] The water supply valve unit 51 includes a water supply valve 110, a first water supply hose 120, a second water supply hose 130, and a third water supply hose 140. The water supply valve 110 has a first valve 111, a second valve 112, and a third valve 113. A water supply port 114 of the water supply valve 110 is connected to a water faucet via a connection hose not shown.

[0065] An inlet of the first water supply hose 120 is connected to the first valve 111, and an inlet of the second water supply hose 130 is connected to the second valve 112. When the first valve 111 is opened, water flows to the first water supply hose 120, and when the second valve 112 is opened, water flows to the second water supply hose 130.

[0066] The water injection unit 52 includes a water injection port member 150 that is open in the front surface, a liquid agent case 160 housed in the water injection port member 150 in a drawable manner, and a water passage forming member 170 arranged on the upper surface of the water injection port member 150.

[0067] A water inlet 151 is formed at the bottom of the water inlet member 150. A water inlet pipe 54 extending from the water inlet 151 is connected to the outer tub 20.

[0068] The liquid cartridge 160 has a detergent chamber storing liquid detergent and a softener chamber storing liquid softener. The liquid cartridge 160 is accommodated in the water inlet member 150 through the accommodation port 13 provided at the front surface of the cabinet 10. A cover 161 blocking the accommodation port 13 is provided at the front surface of the liquid cartridge 160.

[0069] A first water path for connection of the outlet of the first water supply hose 120 and a second water path for connection of the outlet of the second water supply hose 130 are formed inside the water path forming member 170.

[0070] Water supplied from the first water supply hose 120 to the water path forming member 170 flows through the first water path and is discharged to the bottom of the water inlet member 150, and is supplied into the outer tub 20 through the water inlet 151 and the water inlet pipe 54. When the liquid detergent or the liquid softener is automatically introduced into the outer tub 20, the liquid detergent or the liquid softener is introduced into the first water path from the liquid cartridge 160 by a detergent pump or a softener pump, not shown, before the first valve 111 is opened. The liquid detergent or the liquid softener is supplied into the outer tub 20 after being mixed with water flowing through the first water path.

[0071] Water supplied from the second water supply hose 130 to the water path forming member 170 flows through the second water path and is supplied to the nozzle unit 53.

[0072] The nozzle unit 53 includes a shower nozzle 180 disposed at the inner side of the upper portion of the seal 24 and a water supply hose 181 extending from the second water path of the water path forming member 170 and connected to the shower nozzle 180.

[0073] The water outlet of the shower nozzle 180 is directed toward the rear lower direction, i.e., the direction of the bottom of the drum 23. Water flowing from the second water path reaches the shower nozzle 180 through the water supply hose 181 and is discharged from the water outlet of the shower nozzle 180 in a showering manner toward the inside of the drum 23. Thus, the water is sprinkled onto the laundry in the drum 23, and the water easily penetrates into the inside of the laundry.

[0074] The water supply path from the second valve 112 of the water supply valve 110 and the second water supply hose 130 to the shower nozzle 180 is the first water supply portion WS1 for supplying water into the outer tub 20 through the inside of the drum 23.

[0075] The drying apparatus 60 has a circulation path 61, a blow fan 62, a cooler 63, a heater 64, a drying filter 65, a water supply member 66, and a wiper 67.

[0076] The circulation path 61 is an air flow path for circulating air, and is connected to the outer tub 20. One end of the circulation path 61 is connected to an air outlet 20c provided on the back surface of the outer tub 20, and the other end is connected to an air inlet 20d provided on the seal 24 of the outer tub 20.

[0077] The air supply fan 62 is, for example, a centrifugal fan, and is disposed in the circulation path 61 to circulate air between the outer tub 20 and the circulation path 61. Air discharged from the outer tub 20 through the air outlet 20c flows through the circulation path 61, and is returned to the outer tub 20 through the air inlet 20d.

[0078] The cooler 63 and the heater 64 are disposed in the circulation path 61 on the downstream side of the air supply fan 62. The cooler 63 and the heater 64 are each constituted by an evaporator and a condenser included in a heat pump device. The heat pump device includes a compressor, an expansion valve, and the like, which constitute a refrigeration circuit together with the evaporator and the condenser.

[0079] Low-temperature refrigerant flows through the inside of the cooler 63. The cooler 63 cools air flowing through the circulation path 61 by heat exchange with the low-temperature refrigerant, and performs dehumidification of the air.

[0080] High-temperature refrigerant flows through the inside of the heater 64. The heater 64 heats air dehumidified by the cooler 63, which flows through the circulation path 61, by heat exchange with the high-temperature refrigerant.

[0081] Note that the cooler 63 can be a water-cooled heat exchanger or the like, and the heater 64 can be a semiconductor heater or the like.

[0082] The drying filter 65, the water supply member 66, and the wiper 67 are disposed in the circulation path 61 on the upstream side of the air supply fan 62. The drying filter 65 is disposed in the circulation path 61 in a manner to block the flow path of air, and captures foreign matter such as lint and dust contained in air discharged from the outer tub 20.

[0083] The water supply member 66 and the wiper 67 are used to clean the drying filter 65. The water supply member 66 is disposed in the upper portion of the drying filter 65, and is connected to the third valve 113 of the water supply valve 110 via the third water supply hose 140. The water supply member 66 causes water supplied from the third valve 113 to flow toward the drying filter 65, and washes away foreign matter adhering to the drying filter 65. The wiper 67 is driven by a driving mechanism including a driving source, and scrapes off foreign matter adhering to the drying filter 65.

[0084] When the drying filter 65 is cleaned, the drain valve 43 is opened. Water from the water supply member 66 flows through the circulation path 61 upstream of the drying filter 65, and is discharged to the outer tub 20 from the air outlet 20c. The water discharged to the outer tub 20 is discharged to the outside of the machine via the drain path 40a. Foreign matter contained in the water is captured by the drain filter 320.

[0085] The third valve 113 and the third water supply hose 140 of the water supply valve 110 are a second water supply part WS2 that does not supply water into the tub 20 via the inside of the drum 23.

[0086] In FIG. 3, (a) is a perspective view of the filter unit 300 and the connection pipe 42, and (b) is a side sectional view of the filter unit 300 and the connection pipe 42. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the drain filter 320.

[0087] The filter unit 300 includes, in addition to the filter housing 310 and the drain filter 320, a filter detection sensor 330.

[0088] The filter housing 310 is formed of a resin material. The filter housing 310 has a substantially cylindrical shape that is long in the front-rear direction, with a front end face opened as an insertion port 311 and a rear end face opened as a flow port 312. In the front end portion of the filter housing 310, a pair of engagement ribs 313 extending in the circumferential direction is formed in the inner wall face. Further, in the front portion of the left side face of the filter housing 310, a cylindrical flow inlet port 314 protruding in the left direction is provided. Furthermore, in the front portion of the right side face of the filter housing 310, a fitting portion 315 is provided. The filter detection sensor 330 is fitted to the fitting portion 315. The filter detection sensor 330 detects that the drain filter 320 has been housed in the filter housing 310. In the present embodiment, the filter detection sensor 330 includes a reed switch.

[0089] The connection pipe 42 is connected to the flow port 312 of the filter housing 310 from the rear. The connection pipe 42 is formed of a rubber material and has a substantially cylindrical shape that is reduced in diameter as it tends toward the rear.

[0090] The drain filter 320 includes a filter main body 340 and a cap 350. The filter main body 340 has a structure in which a square box-shaped collection portion 341, whose upper face and front face are opened and is long in the front-rear direction, and a disc-shaped cover portion 342 that plugs the front face of the collection portion 341 are integrally formed of a resin material. In the collection portion 341, a square flow inlet port 343 is formed in the left side face. Further, in the front side of the left side face of the collection portion 341, the front side of the right side face, and the rear side face of the collection portion 341, a comb-shaped portion 344 in which a plurality of rod bodies 344a are arranged with gaps having a slit shape is formed. In the outer peripheral wall face of the cover portion 342, a ring-shaped seal 345 made of a rubber material is provided.

[0091] The cap 350 is rotatably fitted to the front side of the cover portion 342, that is, the filter main body 340. The cap 350 has a structure in which a flat bottomed cylindrical main body portion 351 and a square-shaped knob portion 352 protruding forward from the main body portion 351 are integrally formed of a resin material. A pair of engagement groove portions 353 corresponding to the pair of engagement rib portions 313 of the filter housing portion 310 are formed in the outer peripheral wall surface of the main body portion 351. Inside the cap 350, a magnet 354 is embedded in the right side.

[0092] The drain filter 320 is housed in the filter housing portion 310 via the insertion port 311. The flow inlet port 343 of the capturing portion 341 is aligned with the flow inlet port 314 of the filter housing portion 310. The insertion port 311 is blocked by the cap 350 and the cover portion 342. By rotating the cap 350, the engagement groove portions 353 are engaged with the engagement rib portions 313, and the drain filter 320 does not fall out of the filter housing portion 310. The seal member 345 of the cover portion 342 is in close contact with the inner wall surface of the filter housing portion 310, and a water seal between the drain filter 320 and the filter housing portion 310 is achieved. By bringing the magnet 354 of the cap 350 close to the reed switch of the filter detection sensor 330, the reed switch is turned on. Thus, it is detected by the filter detection sensor 330 that the drain filter 320 has been housed in the filter housing portion 310.

[0093] The insertion port 311 of the filter housing portion 310 becomes a detergent injection port in the drain passage washing operation described later. Also, the cap 350 and the cover portion 342 of the drain filter 320 become a blocking member that blocks the injection port. Also, by housing the drain filter 320 in the filter housing portion 310, the cap 350 and the cover portion 342 that are blocking members block the insertion port that is the injection port, and thus the filter detection sensor 330 can be said to be a detection portion that detects that the injection port is blocked by the blocking member.

[0094] Note that the filter detection sensor 330 can also not be a structure using a reed switch. For example, the filter detection sensor 330 can also be a structure using a photoelectric sensor. In this case, for example, a light shielding plate is provided in the drain filter 320, and when the drain filter 320 is housed in the filter housing portion 310, the light shielding plate performs light shielding of the photoelectric sensor.

[0095] Drain water flowing into the filter housing portion 310 from the flow inlet port 314 flows into the capturing portion 341 of the drain filter 320 from the flow inlet port 343. Then, the drain water flows out of the capturing portion 341 via the comb-tooth-shaped portion 344 of the left side surface, the right side surface, and the rear side surface of the capturing portion 341, and flows toward the connection pipe 42 via the flow outlet port 312. At this time, foreign matter such as lint contained in the drain water cannot pass through the comb-tooth-shaped portion 344 and remains in the capturing portion 341. In this way, foreign matter contained in the drain water is captured by the capturing portion 341, that is, the drain filter 320.

[0096] Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing the structure of the drum-type washing and drying integrated machine 1.

[0097] The drum-type washing and drying integrated machine 1 has, in addition to the above-described structure, a control section 201, a storage section 202, an operation section 203, a display section 204, a sound output section 205, a water level sensor 206, a motor drive section 207, a water supply drive section 208, a drain drive section 209, a fan drive section 210, and a compressor drive section 211.

[0098] The operation section 203 includes a power button that performs the on and off of the power supply, a mode selection button for selecting an arbitrary operation mode from among a plurality of operation modes involved in the washing operation, the washing and drying operation, the drain and washing operation, and the like, and a start button for starting and pausing the operation. The operation section 203 outputs an input signal corresponding to the button operated by the user to the control section 201.

[0099] The display section 204 includes a light emitting element such as an LED, a display such as a liquid crystal panel, and the like, and performs the display of the selected operation mode, the display of the progress of the washing operation, the notification of an abnormality, and the like in accordance with a control signal from the control section 201.

[0100] Note that the operation section 203 and the display section 204 can also be constituted by an operation and display section such as a touch panel.

[0101] The sound output section 205 includes a speaker from which a voice, an alarm sound, and the like are output.

[0102] The water level sensor 206 detects the water level in the outer tub 20. The water level sensor 206 is connected to an air trap provided at the bottom of the outer tub 20, the drain pipe 41, for example, via a hose, and detects the air pressure in the air trap that changes in accordance with the water level in the outer tub 20. A frequency signal is output from the water level sensor 206 to the control section 201 as a water level signal corresponding to the detected water level.

[0103] The filter detection sensor 330 outputs a detection signal to the control section 201 when it detects that the drain filter 320 has been accommodated in the filter accommodation section 310.

[0104] The motor drive section 207 drives the drive motor 30 in accordance with a control signal from the control section 201. The motor drive section 207 includes a rotation sensor that detects the rotation speed of the drive motor 30, an inverter circuit, and the like, and adjusts the drive power so that the drive motor 30 rotates at the rotation speed set by the control section 201. Furthermore, the motor drive section 207 includes a current sensor that detects the current flowing through the drive motor 30.

[0105] The water supply drive section 208 drives the first valve 111, the second valve 112, and the third valve 113 of the water supply valve 110 in accordance with a control signal from the control section 201. The drain drive section 209 drives the drain valve 43 in accordance with a control signal from the control section 201.

[0106] The fan drive section 210 drives the air supply fan 62 in accordance with a control signal from the control section 201. The compressor drive section 211 drives the compressor 68 in accordance with a control signal from the control section 201 to operate the cooler 63 and the heater 64.

[0107] The storage section 202 includes an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), or the like. The storage section 202 stores programs for performing various operation modes such as washing operation. Further, the storage section 202 stores various parameters, various control flags for execution of these programs.

[0108] The control section 201 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or the like, and controls the display section 204, the sound output section 205, the motor drive section 207, the water supply drive section 208, the drain drive section 209, the fan drive section 210, the compressor drive section 211, or the like in accordance with the programs stored in the storage section 202, based on various signals from the operation section 203, the water level sensor 206, the filter detection sensor 330, or the like.

[0109] Further, in the drum-type washer / dryer 1, various modes of operation are performed under the control of the control section 201 based on the operation of the user on the operation section 203. The operation of the drum-type washer / dryer 1 includes a washing and drying operation in which a washing process, an intermediate spin-drying process, a rinsing process, a final spin-drying process, and a drying process are sequentially performed, and a washing operation in which the washing process is performed from the washing process to the final spin-drying process without performing the drying process.

[0110] In the washing process, the detergent-containing water is accumulated in the outer tub 20 to a washing water level set in accordance with the load amount of the laundry in the drum 23. Then, the forward rotation and the reverse rotation of the drum 23 are repeatedly performed, whereby the laundry immersed in the detergent-containing water is tumbled. The detergent-containing water penetrates into the inside of the laundry, and the dirt adhering to the surface and the inside of the laundry is peeled off by the effect of the detergent and the mechanical force generated by the tumbling.

[0111] In the rinsing process, the drum 23 is repeatedly rotated forward and reversed in a state where the outer tub 20 is filled with water to a rinsing water level set in accordance with the load amount. The laundry is tumbled thereby. As a result, the detergent contained in the laundry is discharged together with the water, and the laundry is rinsed. Note that, in the rinsing process, in addition to the above-described water-filling rinsing, water supply by the water supply device 50 can be performed while the drain valve 43 is intermittently opened to perform water discharge, and water-filling rinsing can be performed while the water in the outer tub 20 is replaced.

[0112] In the intermediate dehydration process and the final dehydration process, the drive motor 30 is rotated at high speed in one direction, and the drum 23 is rotated in one direction at a rotational speed at which the centrifugal force acting on the laundry in the drum 23 is much greater than the gravity. The laundry is pressed against the inner circumferential surface of the drum 23 by the centrifugal force and is dehydrated thereby. In the final dehydration process, the drum 23 is rotated at a higher rotational speed than in the intermediate dehydration process.

[0113] In the drying process, air is circulated between the outer tub 20 and the circulation path 61 by the operation of the air supply fan 62, and the air introduced into the outer tub 20 is heated to become hot air by the operation of the heater 64. Also, the drum 23 is rotated forward and reversed, and the laundry is tumbled. The hot air introduced into the outer tub 20 from the air suction port 20d is blown onto the tumbled laundry, and the laundry is dried. The hot air from which moisture is taken from the laundry returns to the circulation path 61 from the air exhaust port 20c. In the circulation path 61, the hot air is cooled by the cooler 63 before being heated by the heater 64, and is dehumidified by the cooler 63. Foreign matter such as lint washed out from the laundry is sucked into the circulation path 61 together with the hot air. The foreign matter is captured by the capturing surface of the drying filter 65 when the hot air passes through the drying filter 65.

[0114] Before the cleaning process, a load amount detection process of detecting the load amount of the laundry is performed. The drum 23 is rotated at a rotational speed at which the laundry in the drum 23 will tumble, and the load applied to the drum 23 when rotated is detected from the current value flowing through the drive motor 30. The more the load amount of the laundry, the greater the load applied to the drum 23, and the greater the current value flowing through the drive motor 30. The load amount is determined based on the magnitude of the current value, and the amount of detergent to be put in the cleaning process and the amount of softener to be put in the rinsing process are determined based on the load amount. The more the load amount, the greater the amount.

[0115] In the prescribed operation mode, the temperature of the water accumulated in the outer tub 20 during the cleaning can be set by performing a prescribed operation. For example, the set temperature can be selected from among 20°C, 30°C, 40°C, and 50°C. In the case where the water temperature is set, when the water supplied is lower than the set temperature, the heater 26 is operated to heat the water in the outer tub 20 to the set temperature. The temperature of the water in the outer tub 20 is detected by the tub temperature sensor 27. After the water temperature reaches the set temperature, the heater 26 is controlled to be turned on / off based on the detected temperature of the tub temperature sensor 27 to maintain the water temperature around the set temperature.

[0116] In addition, as the drum-type washer-dryer 1 is used, dirt contained in the drain, detergent residues, fine lint that cannot be captured by the filter, and the like are accumulated in the inside of the drain path 40a, the drain trap 2, and the drain piping 3 (hereinafter, sometimes referred to simply as "the drain path 40a and the like"), the passage of the drain becomes narrow, and the drain can become difficult to flow. Furthermore, a biofilm generated from the detergent residues and the dirt is formed in the inside of the drain path 40a and the like, and black mold is likely to proliferate using the biofilm as nutrients. Therefore, it is desirable to clean the drain path 40a and the like periodically.

[0117] Therefore, in the drum-type washer-dryer 1 of the present embodiment, an operation mode of a drain path cleaning operation for cleaning / sterilizing the drain path 40a and the like using a cleaning agent for pipe cleaning is provided. Hereinafter, the drain path cleaning operation is described in detail.

[0118] Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the drain path cleaning operation performed by the control section 201.

[0119] The user selects the operation mode of the drain path cleaning operation by the mode selection button in the operation section 203 and presses the start button. Thereby, the drain path cleaning operation is started.

[0120] Referring to Fig. 6, the control section 201 first performs the injection process of S101 to S104. That is, the control section 201 waits for a restart operation by the start button in the operation section 203 after opening the drain valve 43 (S101).

[0121] The user takes out the drain filter 320 from the filter housing section 310, and injects the liquid cleaning agent into the filter housing section 310 through the insertion port 311. The cleaning agent flows through the drain path 40a (the filter housing section 310, the connection pipe 42, the drain hose 44) down the filter housing section 310 to reach the drain trap 2, and flows toward the drain piping 3. Thereby, the inner wall surfaces of the drain path 40a, the drain trap 2, and the drain piping 3 are coated with the cleaning agent. After that, the user houses the drain filter 320 in the filter housing section 310, and performs the restart operation.

[0122] Note that, generally, the control section 201 performs error display by the display section 204 in the case where the filter detection sensor 330 detects that the drain filter 320 has been removed from the filter housing section 310 in the washing operation, whereas no error display is performed even if the drain filter 320 is removed from the filter housing section 310 in the injection process.

[0123] When the restart operation is performed (S102: YES), the control section 201 determines whether the drain filter 320 has been housed in the filter housing section 310, i.e., whether the insertion port 311 is blocked by the cap 350 and the cover section 342, based on the detection result of the filter detection sensor 330 (S103). If the drain filter 320 has been housed in the filter housing section 310 (S103: YES), the control section 201 ends the injection process.

[0124] It can happen that the user performs the restart operation forgetting to attach the drain filter 320. In this case, the control section 201 determines that the drain filter 320 has not been housed in the filter housing section 310 (S103: NO), and performs notification corresponding to this determination by error code display in the display section 204, voice output from the sound output section 205, or the like (S104).

[0125] Thus, in the injection process, the control section 201 waits for the detergent to be injected into the drain passage 40a by monitoring the restart operation as a trigger for restart. Also, the control section 201 waits for the drain filter 320 to be housed in the filter housing section 310, i.e., for the insertion port 311 to be blocked by the cap 350 and the cover section 342.

[0126] Note that, the control section 201 can also end the injection process with the passage of a prescribed standby time from the start of the operation or the opening of the drain valve 43, the filter detection sensor 330 detecting that the drain filter 320 is housed in the filter housing section 310 as the trigger for restart.

[0127] Next, the control section 201 performs the standing process of S105-S106. That is, the control section 201 waits for a prescribed standing time to elapse (S106) after closing the drain valve 43 (S105). During the standing time, the drain passage 40a or the like is left standing in the state where the detergent is applied. The standing time can be set to a time recommended for the detergent as a time in which components of the detergent sufficiently dissolve and decompose dirt or the like accumulated inside the drain passage 40a or the like, and can be set to, for example, 15-30 minutes or so. At this time, the drain valve 43 is closed, so the detergent applied to the inner wall surface of the filter housing section 310 and the connection pipe 42 does not easily flow downstream of them. The user can also set the standing time by operation in the operation section 203.

[0128] When the elapsed time has passed (S106: YES), the control section 201 ends the placement process.

[0129] Next, the control section 201 executes the flushing process of S107-S111. In the flushing process, the control section 201 supplies water to the drain path 40a by operating the water supply device 50, and flushes water into the drain path 40a, the drain trap 2, and the drain pipeline 3.

[0130] That is, in the flushing process, the control section 201 opens the third valve 113 (S108) after opening the drain valve 43 (S107). Thereby, water discharged from the water supply member 66 is supplied to the outer tub 20 without passing through the inside of the drum 23 via the circulation path 61, and water flowing in the outer tub 20 is supplied to the drain path 40a. The water further flows in the drain trap 2 and the drain pipeline 3 after flowing in the drain path 40a. By the flow of the water, dirt and the like dissolved and decomposed from the washing agent are removed from the inner wall surfaces of the drain path 40a, the drain trap 2, and the drain pipeline 3.

[0131] The control section 201 closes the third valve 113 (S110) when a predetermined drain time (for example, about 1 minute) has passed from the opening of the third valve 113 (S109: YES). Thereby, the supply of water to the drain path 40a is stopped.

[0132] After that, the control section 201 closes the drain valve 43 (S111). Thereby, the flushing process ends, and the drain path washing operation ends.

[0133] <Effects of Embodiments>

[0134] According to the present embodiment, the control section 201 executes, in the drain path washing operation shown in Fig. 6, an injection process of opening the drain valve 43 and waiting for the washing agent to be injected into the drain path 40a via the insertion port 311 as an injection port, and a flushing process of supplying water to the drain path 40a by operating the water supply device 50, and flushing water into the drain path 40a, the drain trap 2, and the drain pipeline 3.

[0135] According to this structure, the user can inject the washing agent into the filter housing portion 310, that is, the drain path 40a, via the insertion port 311, and perform washing of the drain path 40a, the drain trap 2, and the drain pipeline 3 using the washing agent and water supplied from the water supply device 50. Thereby, the user can easily wash and remove dirt and the like from the drain path 40a, the drain trap 2, and the drain pipeline 3.

[0136] Further, according to the present embodiment, the control section 201 performs a standing process of leaving the drain passage 40a, the drain trap 2, and the drain pipe 3 in a state of being coated with the detergent for a prescribed standing time, between the standby process and the flushing process.

[0137] According to this structure, during the standing time, dirt and the like accumulated in the drain passage 40a, the drain trap 2, and the drain pipe 3 can be sufficiently dissolved and decomposed by the components of the detergent, and thus the removal effect of dirt and the like can be improved.

[0138] Further, according to the present embodiment, the cap 350 that closes the insertion port 311 in an openable and closable manner and the lid portion 342 are provided as the closing member.

[0139] According to this structure, water supplied into the drain passage 40a can not leak out from the insertion port 311.

[0140] Further, according to the present embodiment, in a case where the insertion port 311 is not closed by the cap 350 and the lid portion 342, the control section 201 does not proceed to the subsequent process of the injection process.

[0141] According to this structure, the drain passage cleaning operation is not performed in a state where the insertion port 311 is not closed by the cap 350 and the lid portion 342, and thus water supplied into the drain passage 40a that is open can be prevented from leaking out from the drain passage 40a.

[0142] Further, according to the present embodiment, the water supply device 50 includes a first water supply portion WSI that supplies water into the outer tub 20 via the inside of the drum 23 and a second water supply portion WS2 that supplies water into the outer tub 20 without passing through the inside of the drum 23. Also, the control section 201 supplies water into the drain passage 40a by supplying water into the outer tub 20 from the second water supply portion WS2 during the flushing process.

[0143] According to this structure, even if laundry is left in the drum 23, the laundry is less likely to be wetted by water.

[0144] The above describes the embodiments of the present application, but the present application is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the embodiments of the present application can be variously changed from the above-described content.

[0145] <Modification Example 1>

[0146] Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing the drain passage cleaning operation performed by the control section 201 of Modification Example 1.

[0147] In the drain passage cleaning operation of the present modification example, the content of the flushing process is different from that of the drain passage cleaning operation of the above-described embodiment shown in Fig. 6.

[0148] When the flushing process is started, the control unit 201 opens the third valve 113 in the state where the drain valve 43 is closed (S121). By this, water from the third valve 113 is supplied into the drain path 40a and stored in the filter housing portion 310, that is, in the drain path 40a upstream of the drain valve 43. The control unit 201 closes the third valve 113 when the stored water reaches the outer tub 20 and the water level in the outer tub 20 reaches a predetermined water level (S122: YES) (S123). The predetermined water level can be set to, for example, the lower limit water level that can be detected by the water level sensor 206. At this time, the water stored in the outer tub 20 does not come into contact with the drum 23 and does not reach the inside of the drum 23. Therefore, even if the laundry after washing is left in the drum 23, the laundry is not wetted by the water. Also, although the water stored in the drain path 40a upstream of the drain valve 43 contains the detergent, such detergent-containing water does not come into contact with the drum 23, and thus the detergent can be prevented from adhering to the laundry in the drum 23.

[0149] The control unit 201 monitors whether or not a predetermined water storage time has elapsed since the predetermined water level is reached (S124). The water stored in the filter housing portion 310 contains the detergent and functions as a detergent water. Therefore, during the water storage time, the drain filter 320 can be cleaned by the detergent water stored in the filter housing portion 310, and biofilm and black mold can be removed. In addition, the drain pipe 41 is also cleaned by the detergent water. The water storage time is set to a time at which the effect of the detergent water on the drain filter 320 is favorably exerted by, for example, a preliminary experiment. The water storage time is set to, for example, a time of about 20 minutes. The water storage time can be set by the user through an operation in the operation unit 203.

[0150] When the water storage time has elapsed (S124: YES), the control unit 201 opens the drain valve 43 (S125). By this, the water stored in the drain path 40a upstream of the drain valve 43 and in the outer tub 20 flows to the drain path 40a (drain hose 44), the drain trap 2, and the drain pipeline 3 downstream of the drain valve 43 at once. By this, a strong water flow is generated in the drain path 40a, the drain trap 2, and the drain pipeline 3, and thus dirt and the like in the inside of them is easily removed.

[0151] After that, the control unit 201 opens the third valve 113 again (S126). By this, water is supplied into the drain path 40a. By this, water is supplied into the drain path 40a, and flows through the drain path 40a, the drain trap 2, and the drain pipeline 3. By this, dirt and the like in the drain path 40a, the drain trap 2, and the drain pipeline 3 is further removed.

[0152] When a predetermined drain time (for example, about 30 seconds) elapses after the third valve 113 is opened (S127: YES), the control section 201 closes the third valve 113 (S128). Thus, the water supply to the drain passage 40a is stopped.

[0153] After that, the control section 201 closes the drain valve 43 (S129). Thus, the flushing process ends, and the drain passage cleaning operation ends.

[0154] Note that in the present modification, the user can also execute the drain passage cleaning operation of Fig. 7 using a cleaning agent having a mold removing effect such as a chlorine-based detergent instead of the cleaning agent for pipe cleaning, thereby performing cleaning mainly of the filter unit 300 (removal of biofilm and mold). In this case, the drain passage cleaning operation is changed to a filter cleaning operation.

[0155] According to the present modification, the control section 201 operates the water supply device 50 to accumulate water in the drain passage 40a upstream of the drain valve 43 in the state where the drain valve 43 is closed during the flushing process, and then opens the drain valve 43.

[0156] According to this structure, the water accumulated in the drain passage 40a upstream of the drain valve 43 flows to the drain passage 40a downstream of the drain valve 43, the drain trap 2, and the drain pipe 3 at once, thereby easily generating a strong water flow. Thus, dirt in the drain passage 40a, the drain trap 2, and the drain pipe 3 is easily removed. Moreover, the drain filter 320 can be cleaned by allowing the cleaning agent contained in the water accumulated in the filter housing portion 310 to act on the drain filter 320.

[0157] Moreover, according to the present modification, the control section 201 opens the drain valve 43 after waiting for a predetermined water storage time to elapse after stopping the water supply device 50 with water accumulated in the drain passage 40a upstream of the drain valve 43 during the flushing process.

[0158] According to this structure, the cleaning agent contained in the water acts on the biofilm and black mold generated in the drain filter 320 sufficiently during the water storage time, so that the cleaning effect of the drain filter 320 is improved.

[0159] Moreover, according to the present modification, the control section 201 stops the water supply device 50 before water is accumulated in the outer tub 20 to a level where the water contacts the drum 23 when the water supply device 50 is operated to accumulate water in the drain passage 40a upstream of the drain valve 43 in the state where the drain valve 43 is closed during the flushing process.

[0160] According to this structure, although the water stored in the drain passage 40a upstream of the drain valve 43 contains the detergent, such detergent-containing water does not come into contact with the drum 23, and thus even if laundry is present in the drum 23, the detergent can be prevented from adhering to the laundry.

[0161] Further, according to this modification, the control section 201 causes the water supply device 50 to operate to supply water into the drain passage 40a in a state where the drain valve 43 is open after the storage time elapses during the flushing process.

[0162] According to this structure, dirt and the like in the drain passage 40a, the drain trap 2, and the drain piping 3 are more easily removed.

[0163] <Other Modification>

[0164] In the above embodiment, the filter unit 300 is provided at the drain section 40, and a portion of the drain passage 40a is constituted by the filter housing section 310. However, as shown in Fig. 8, instead of the filter housing section 310, an injection piping 70 having an injection port 71 can be provided between the drain piping 41 and the connection piping 42. The injection port 71 is formed in a cylindrical shape and extends upward from the upper portion of the front end of the injection piping 70. Further, the injection piping 70 is provided with a closure member 72 that closes the injection port 71. Further, a detection section (not shown) that detects that the injection port 71 is blocked by the closure member 72 is provided.

[0165] An opening 16 is provided at a position corresponding to the injection port 71 at the lower portion of the front surface of the cabinet 10. The opening 16 is covered by a door 17 that can be opened and closed. During the drain passage cleaning operation, the user can open the door 17 and the closure member 72 to inject the detergent into the injection piping 70, i.e., the drain passage 40a, from the injection port 71.

[0166] Further, in the above embodiment, the control section 201 closes the drain valve 43 during the standby process of the drain passage cleaning operation of Fig. 6 (S105). However, the control section 201 can keep the drain valve 43 open during the standby process. In this case, the process of opening the drain valve 43 of S107 is not performed at the beginning of the flushing process.

[0167] Further, in the above embodiment, the control section 201 opens the third valve 113 to supply water into the drain passage 40a during the flushing process of the drain passage cleaning operation of Fig. 6. However, the control section 201 can open the first valve 111. In this case, the water supply path from the first valve 111 and the first water supply hose 120 to the injection piping 54 becomes the second water supply section that supplies water into the outer tub 20 without passing through the inside of the drum 23.

[0168] Further, since the case where the washed laundry remains in the drum 23 at the time of the drain passage cleaning operation is rare, it is also possible that, in the water flushing process of the drain passage cleaning operation of Fig. 6, the control section 201 opens the second valve 112 to supply water to the drain passage 40a by the first water supply section WS1 that supplies water from inside the drum 23 to inside the tub 20.

[0169] Further, in the above embodiment, water is supplied until the water level in the tub 20 reaches the predetermined water level in the water flushing process of the drain passage cleaning operation of Fig. 6 to store water in the drain passage 40a upstream of the drain valve 43. However, the water supply time for storing water in the entire drain passage 40a upstream of the drain valve 43 can be determined in advance, and water can be supplied for the water supply time.

[0170] Further, in the above embodiment, the water supply device 50 is configured to function as the detergent automatic feeding device. However, the water supply device 50 can be configured such that the water injection unit 52 has a detergent box that feeds a one-time amount of detergent from the outside, in addition to the function of the detergent automatic feeding device. In this case, the water supply device 50 is configured such that, when the first valve 111 is open, water flowing through the first water passage is discharged to the bottom of the water injection port member 150 via the detergent box, and is supplied to the tub 20 via the water injection pipe 54. The water supply path from the first valve 111 to the water injection pipe 54 becomes the first water supply path that supplies water to the tub 20 via the detergent box. On the other hand, the water supply path constituted by the third valve 113 and the third water supply hose 140 is the second water supply path that supplies water to the tub 20 without passing through the detergent box. In the drain passage cleaning operation of Fig. 6, the third valve 113 is open, and the first valve 111 is not open in the water flushing process. That is, in the water flushing process, water is supplied to the drain passage 40a by supplying water to the tub 20 from the second water supply path, and water is not supplied to the tub 20 from the first water supply path. Therefore, even if acid is accidentally fed to the detergent box from the outside at the time of the drain passage cleaning operation, water containing the acid is not supplied to the drain passage 40a, and thus the water containing the acid can be prevented from being mixed with the chlorine-based cleaning agent.

[0171] Further, in the above embodiment, the drum-type washer-dryer 1 is exemplified. However, the present application can be applied to a washing machine other than the drum-type washer-dryer, such as a drum-type washing machine without a drying function, a fully-automatic washing machine having a vertical-axis type washing and dewatering tub as an inner tub in the tub, and a fully-automatic washer-dryer with a drying function.

[0172] In addition, the embodiments of the present application can be appropriately changed within the scope of the technical idea recited in the claims.

Claims

1. A laundry machine characterized by, Possessing: an outer tub configured in a cabinet to accumulate water; an inner tub configured in the outer tub to contain laundry; a water supply device to supply water to the outer tub; a drain path extending from the outer tub to the outside of the machine to connect with a drain pipe provided at a setting place to allow water drained from the outer tub to flow; a drain valve provided in the drain path; an injection port provided in the drain path at a position on the outer tub side than the drain valve to connect with the outside of the cabinet; and a control unit to execute a drain path cleaning operation capable of cleaning the drain path and the drain pipe, the control unit executes, in the drain path cleaning operation: an injection process of opening the drain valve and waiting for a cleaning agent to be injected into the drain path through the injection port; and a flushing process of supplying water to the drain path by operating the water supply device to flush water into the drain path and the drain pipe.

2. The washing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: the control unit executes, between the injection process and the flushing process, a standing process of allowing the drain path and the drain pipe to stand in a state of being coated with the cleaning agent for a prescribed standing time.

3. The washing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: in the flushing process, the control unit operates the water supply device to accumulate water in the drain path on the upstream side than the drain valve in a state where the drain valve is closed, and then opens the drain valve. Further possessing: a filter housing portion that constitutes a part of the drain path on the upstream side of the drain valve and has an insertion port as the injection port; and 4. A laundry washing machine according to Claim 3, characterized in that a drain filter housed in the filter housing portion through the insertion port.

5. The washing machine according to claim 4, characterized in that: in the flushing process, the control unit stops the water supply device after water is accumulated in the drain path on the upstream side of the drain valve, and then opens the drain valve after a prescribed water accumulation time elapses.

6. The washing machine according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that: in the flushing process, the control unit operates the water supply device to accumulate water in the drain path on the upstream side than the drain valve in a state where the drain valve is closed, and then stops the water supply device before the water contacts the inner tub.

7. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by further possessing: a closure member to plug the injection port in an openable and closable manner.

8. The washing machine according to claim 7, characterized by further possessing: a detection unit to detect that the injection port is plugged by the closure member, the control unit does not proceed to a subsequent process of the injection process in a case where the injection port is not plugged by the closure member.

9. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: the water supply device includes: a detergent box to allow a detergent to be put in from the outside; a first water supply path to supply water to the outer tub via the detergent box; and a second water supply path to supply water to the outer tub without passing through the detergent box, ​ ​ In the flushing process, the control portion supplies water to the drain path by supplying water from the second water supply path to the interior of the outer tub.

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