JP6948235B2 - Clothes dryer - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a clothes dryer.

For example, the clothes dryer disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a drying chamber in which clothes are housed and a circulating air passage connected to the drying chamber, and circulates air in the drying chamber through the circulating air passage. Therefore, the clothes in the drying chamber are dried. Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the clothes dryer disclosed in Patent Document 1 is provided with a plurality of air outlets on the front surface of the drying chamber to blow air into the drying chamber through a circulating air passage. Air is widely distributed in the drying chamber to improve the efficiency of drying clothes.

Japanese Patent No. 5443120

However, the clothes dryer disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above has a configuration in which one circulation air passage is provided for one air air inlet, that is, the same number of circulation air passages as the number of air air outlets are provided. The configuration is provided, and the configuration is complicated.

Therefore, the present embodiment provides a clothes dryer capable of efficiently drying clothes by providing a plurality of air outlets on the same surface of the drying chamber while avoiding complication of the configuration.

The clothes dryer according to the present embodiment includes a drying chamber, an air outlet, an air outlet, a circulating air passage, and a circulating blower. Clothes are stored in the drying room. The air outlet is provided in the drying chamber. The air inlet is provided in the drying chamber. The circulation air passage is connected between the air outlet and the air outlet. The circulation blower circulates the air in the drying chamber so as to be blown out from the air outlet into the circulation air passage and blown into the drying chamber from the air inlet through the circulation air passage. A plurality of the air blow ports are provided on the same surface in the drying chamber, and the clothes dryer further includes a switching means for switching the air blow ports for blowing air into the drying chamber and clothes in the drying chamber. It is provided with a dry state detecting means for detecting the dry state of the air, and a control means for controlling the operation of the switching means based on the dry state of the clothes detected by the dry state detecting means .

Longitudinal side view schematically showing a configuration example of the clothes dryer according to the first embodiment Longitudinal back view schematically showing a configuration example of the clothes dryer according to the first embodiment The figure which shows schematic the structural example of the heat pump unit which concerns on 1st Embodiment Front view schematically showing a configuration example of the back surface of the water tank according to the first embodiment Front view schematically showing a configuration example of the back surface of the water tank according to the second embodiment. Front view schematically showing a configuration example of the back surface of the water tank according to the third embodiment Front view schematically showing a configuration example of the back surface of the water tank according to the fourth embodiment. Front view schematically showing a configuration example of the back surface of the water tank according to the fifth embodiment Front view schematically showing a configuration example of the back surface of the water tank according to the sixth embodiment Front view schematically showing a configuration example of the back surface of the water tank according to the seventh embodiment Longitudinal side view schematically showing a configuration example of the clothes dryer according to the eighth embodiment The figure which shows the structural example of the back surface side of the door which concerns on 8th Embodiment schematicly. A cross-sectional view schematically showing a configuration example of the humidity sensor and its peripheral portion according to the eighth embodiment. A block diagram schematically showing a configuration example of a control system for a clothes dryer according to an eighth embodiment. The figure for demonstrating an example of the control content by the clothes dryer which concerns on 8th Embodiment

Hereinafter, a plurality of embodiments relating to the clothes dryer will be described with reference to the drawings. In each embodiment, substantially the same elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

(First Embodiment)
The washer / dryer 1 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a so-called drum-type washer / dryer having a washing function and a drying function for clothes, and also functions as a clothes dryer for drying clothes in the drying process. The housing 2 constituting the main body of the washer / dryer 1 has a substantially rectangular box shape, and the front surface portion 2a is formed in a slightly downward inclined shape. A laundry entrance / exit 3 that opens in a substantially circular shape is formed on the front surface portion 2a. Further, a door 4 for opening and closing the laundry entrance / exit 3 is rotatably provided on the front surface portion 2a. A protrusion 5 made of, for example, a glass material is provided on the back surface of the door 4, and when the door 4 closes the laundry entrance 3, the protrusion 5 enters the laundry entrance 3. It becomes.

A water tank 6 is elastically supported in the housing 2 via a suspension (not shown). The water tank 6 has a bottomed cylindrical shape in which the front surface thereof opens in a substantially circular shape and the rear surface thereof is closed. The water tank 6 is arranged in an inclined state in which the axial direction thereof is directed in the front-rear direction and the water tank 6 is slightly raised forward. The front opening of the water tank 6 is connected to the laundry entrance 3 via a bellows-shaped bellows 7. The water tank 6 functions as an example of a drying chamber during the drying process for drying laundry such as clothes.

In the water tank 6, a drum 8 which is an example of a rotary tank is rotatably arranged. Like the water tank 6, the drum 8 also has an opening that opens in a substantially circular shape on the front surface thereof, and has a bottomed cylindrical shape in which the rear surface is closed. And, like the water tank 6, the drum 8 is also arranged in an inclined state in which the axial direction thereof is directed in the front-rear direction and the drum 8 is slightly raised forward. A large number of holes 8a are formed in the peripheral wall portion and the rear wall portion of the drum 8. These holes 8a function as water passage holes through which water passes during the washing process and the rinsing process, and function as ventilation holes through which dry air passes during the drying process.

A drum motor 9 is provided on the back of the water tank 6, and the drum 8 is rotationally driven by the drum motor 9 via a rotating shaft 8b. A plurality of baffles (not shown) for scooping up the clothes housed in the drum 8 are provided on the inner peripheral surface of the drum 8. Laundry such as clothes is housed in the drum 8 so as to be able to be taken in and out through the laundry entrance 3, the opening of the water tank 6, and the opening of the drum 8. The clothes housed in the drum 8 are repeatedly scraped up by the baffle and dropped as the drum 8 rotates.

The water tank 6 is provided with one air outlet 11 and a plurality of, in this case, three air outlets 12a, 12b, 12c. In this case, the air outlet 11 is provided upward at the upper part of the front portion of the peripheral wall surface of the water tank 6. On the other hand, the plurality of air inlets 12a, 12b, and 12c are all provided rearward on the back surface of the water tank 6. The front end of the air outlet duct 16 is connected to the upper part of the air outlet 11 via a connecting duct 15 formed in a bellows shape so as to be able to absorb vibration. A lint filter 17 is detachably attached to the middle portion of the air outlet duct 16. The lint filter 17 captures foreign matter such as lint contained in the air blown into the air blowing duct 16 from the inside of the water tank 6 through the air blowing port 11.

The air blowing duct 16 extends rearward from the connecting duct 15 and then turns downward, and the lower end thereof is inside the housing 2 via a connecting duct 18 formed in a bellows shape so as to be able to absorb vibration. It is connected to the upstream side of the unit case 20 of the heat pump unit 19 provided below the water tank 6 in the lower rear portion of the above. The unit case 20 constitutes the outer shell of the heat pump unit 19. The unit case 20 extends along the lateral direction of the washer / dryer 1, that is, along the horizontal direction, behind a suspension (not shown) that elastically supports the water tank 6. Further, one end of the air blowing duct 22 is connected to the downstream side of the unit case 20 via a connecting duct 21 formed in a bellows shape so as to be able to absorb vibration. The other end of the air blowing duct 22 extends upward and has a plurality of tip portions, in this case, branched into three to form branch ducts 23a, 23b, 23c. The branch duct 23a is connected to the air inlet 12a, the branch duct 23b is connected to the air inlet 12b, and the branch duct 23c is connected to the air inlet 12c.

Here, the washing / drying machine 1 is provided with one air outlet of the water tank 6 by means of the connecting duct 15, the air blowing duct 16, the connecting duct 18, the unit case 20 of the heat pump unit 19, the connecting duct 21, and the air blowing duct 22. A circulation air passage 30 is formed which connects 11 and a plurality of air inlets 12a, 12b, 12c in a communicative manner. The circulation air passage 30 is outside the water tank 6, and inside the housing 2, the upstream side, which is one end, is connected to one air outlet 11, and the downstream side, which is the other end, is a plurality of air. They are connected to the air inlets 12a, 12b, and 12c, respectively. That is, the washer / dryer 1 according to the present embodiment has one circulation air passage 30, in other words, one circulation system, and the downstream portion of the circulation air passage 30 is branched into a plurality of air. It is configured to be connected to the air inlets 12a, 12b, and 12c, respectively. In other words, the circulation system included in the washing / drying machine 1 according to the present embodiment has one air outlet 11 which is an inlet of air to the circulation air passage 30, whereas the air from the circulation air passage 30. The air inlets 12a, 12b, and 12c, which are the outlets of the above, are configured to be plural.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the heat pump 41 provided in the heat pump unit 19 comprises a refrigeration cycle in which the compressor 42, the condenser 43, the squeezer 44, and the evaporator 45 are cycle-connected by the refrigerant pipe 46. Of these, the condenser 43 and the evaporator 45 that form the heat exchanger are arranged inside the unit case 20 that forms a part of the circulation air passage 30. Further, a circulation blower 51 is provided in the circulation air passage 30. The circulation blower 51 rotates the fan 52 by the fan motor 53 to blow out the air in the water tank 6 from the air outlet 11 into the circulation air passage 30, and a plurality of air inlets through the circulation air passage 30. It is circulated so as to be blown into the water tank 6 from 12a, 12b, 12c. That is, by driving the circulation blower 51, the air in the water tank 6 is introduced into the circulation air passage 30 from one air outlet 11, and the air inlet is from the upstream side, which is the air outlet 11. It flows toward the downstream side, which is the 12a, 12b, and 12c sides.

Then, in the unit case 20, the evaporator 45 is arranged on the air outlet 11 side of the water tank 6, that is, on the upstream side of the circulation air passage 30. On the other hand, the condenser 43 is arranged on the air inlets 12a, 12b, 12c side of the water tank 6, that is, on the downstream side of the circulation air passage 30. That is, in the circulation air passage 30, the condenser 43 is arranged on the downstream side of the evaporator 45. The evaporator 45 is an example of a dehumidifying means, and cools the air flowing in the circulation air passage 30 from the air outlet 11 side to the air outlets 12a, 12b, 12c side, that is, from the upstream side to the downstream side. It functions as a dehumidifying means for dehumidifying. On the other hand, the condenser 43 is an example of the heating means, and heats the air flowing in the circulation air passage 30 from the air outlet 11 side to the air outlets 12a, 12b, 12c side, that is, from the upstream side to the downstream side. Functions as a heating means.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, in the present embodiment, the plurality of air inlets 12a, 12b, 12c are provided on the same surface among the plurality of surfaces constituting the water tank 6, in this case, on the back surface. Further, the plurality of air inlets 12a, 12b, 12c are provided at different height positions on the back surface of the water tank 6. In the present embodiment, the air inlets 12a, 12b, and 12c all have a shape in which the dimension along the circumferential direction of the water tank 6 becomes longer toward the outside in the radial direction of the water tank 6, that is, a suction port that opens in a fan shape. There is. Further, the plurality of air inlets 12a, 12b, 12c are arranged on the same circumference along the circumferential direction of the water tank 6.

Further, in the present embodiment, the lowermost end HaL of the air blowing port 12a is higher than the uppermost end HbU of the air blowing port 12b, and the lowermost end HbL of the air blowing port 12b is the uppermost end portion of the air blowing port 12c. It is higher than HcU, and the uppermost end HcU of the air air inlet 12c is lower than the lowermost end HaL of the air air inlet 12a and the lowermost end HbL of the air air inlet 12b. That is, in the present embodiment, the entire air blow port 12a is provided at a position higher than the entire air blow port 12b and the air blow port 12c, and the entire air blow port 12b is provided at a position higher than the entire air blow port 12c. The entire air inlet 12c is provided at a position higher than the entire air inlet 12a and the entire air inlet 12b.

According to the present embodiment, the washer / dryer 1 is provided with a plurality of air outlets 12a, 12b, 12c, all of which are provided on the same surface of the plurality of surfaces constituting the water tank 6, in this case, on the back surface. There is. According to this configuration, the warm air supplied from the circulation air passage 30 can be blown into the water tank 6 from the plurality of air blowing ports 12a, 12b, 12c, and the clothes in the drum 8 can be efficiently dried. can. In particular, since the washer / dryer 1 according to the present embodiment has a configuration in which the axial direction of the drum 8 is inclined forward, clothes containing moisture tend to be biased toward the back surface side of the drum 8 due to its weight. According to the present embodiment, the plurality of air inlets 12a, 12b, 12c are all provided on the back surface of the water tank 6. Therefore, warm air can be supplied from the back side where the clothes containing moisture tend to be biased, and the clothes in the drum 8 can be dried more efficiently.

Here, according to the washing / drying machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the number of circulation air passages 30, that is, the number of circulation systems for circulating the air in the water tank 6, is one, and the downstream of the circulation air passages 30. The portion is branched into a plurality of parts and connected to a plurality of air inlets 12a, 12b, 12c of the water tank 6. That is, while the water tank 6 is provided with a plurality of air inlets 12a, 12b, 12c, the number of circulation air passages 30 remains one. Therefore, unlike the conventional configuration in which the same number of circulation air passages are provided as the number of air inlets, a plurality of air inlets 12a, 12b, 12c are provided on the same surface of the water tank 6 while avoiding the complexity of the configuration. This makes it possible to efficiently dry the clothes in the drum 8.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the heights of the plurality of air inlets 12a, 12b, 12c provided on the same surface of the water tank 6, in this case, on the back surface, are different from each other. According to this configuration, warm air can be supplied to the water tank 6 from different heights over a wide range, and the clothes in the drum 8 can be dried more efficiently.

(Second Embodiment)
As illustrated in FIG. 5, a plurality of, in this case, three air inlets 212a, 212b, and 212c are provided on the back surface of the water tank 6 according to the present embodiment. All of these air inlets 212a, 212b, and 212c are provided on the upper portion of the water tank 6, at least on the portion above the rotation shaft 8b of the drum 8, and are provided on the back surface of the water tank 6. It is provided at a position higher than the overflow port 201. Further, the air inlets 212a, 212b, and 212c are all suction ports that open in a so-called fan shape, similarly to the above-mentioned air inlets 12a, 12b, and 12c. Further, the plurality of air inlets 212a, 212b, 212c are arranged on the same circumference along the circumferential direction of the water tank 6. Further, the plurality of air inlets 212a, 212b, 212c are arranged on different straight lines along the radial direction of the water tank 6.

Further, when the upward direction of the water tank 6 is the 12 o'clock direction D1, the left end portion of the air inlet 212a is along the 10 o'clock direction, that is, the direction D2 inclined about 60 degrees to the left from the upward direction of the water tank 6. The right end of the air inlet 212c is along the 2 o'clock direction, that is, the direction D3 which is inclined by about 60 degrees to the right from the upper direction of the water tank 6. That is, the plurality of air inlets 212a, 212b, and 212c are centrally arranged so as to be within a range inclined by about 60 degrees to the left and right with the upward direction D1 of the water tank 6 as the center.

The overflow port 201 is an opening for discharging the water in the water tank 6 when the water level in the water tank 6 exceeds the predetermined water level HW, that is, the water level at the height at which the overflow port 201 is provided. The overflow port 201 prevents the water level in the water tank 6 from exceeding the predetermined water level HW.

Also in this embodiment, warm air can be blown over a wide range in the water tank 6 from the plurality of air inlets 212a, 212b, 212c, and the clothes in the drum 8 can be efficiently dried. Further, as in the first embodiment, it is possible to keep the circulation air passage 30 as one while providing a plurality of air inlets 212a, 212b, 212c, and it is possible to avoid complication of the configuration. Further, it is possible to prevent the water in the water tank 6 from exceeding the height of the overflow port 201 and flowing into the circulation air passage 30 from the plurality of air inlets 212a, 212b, 212c.

(Third Embodiment)
As illustrated in FIG. 6, the back surface of the water tank 6 according to the present embodiment is provided with a plurality of, in this case, three air inlets 312a, 312b, and 312c. All of these air inlets 312a, 312b, and 312c are provided in the upper portion of the water tank 6, at least in the portion above the rotation shaft 8b of the drum 8, and are provided on the back surface of the water tank 6. It is provided at a position higher than the overflow port 301. Further, the air inlets 312a, 312b, and 312c are all suction ports that open in a substantially rectangular shape. Further, the plurality of air inlets 312a, 312b, and 312c are arranged in the same linear shape along the radial direction of the water tank 6. Further, the plurality of air inlets 312a, 312b, and 312c are arranged on different circumferences along the circumferential direction of the water tank 6.

Also in this embodiment, warm air can be blown over a wide range in the water tank 6 from the plurality of air inlets 312a, 312b, 312c, and the clothes in the drum 8 can be efficiently dried. Further, as in the first embodiment, the circulation air passage 30 can be left as one while providing a plurality of air inlets 312a, 312b, 312c, and the complexity of the configuration can be avoided. Further, it is possible to prevent the water in the water tank 6 from exceeding the height of the overflow port 301 and flowing into the circulation air passage 30 from the plurality of air inlets 312a, 312b, 312c.

(Fourth Embodiment)
As illustrated in FIG. 7, a plurality of, in this case, three air inlets 412a, 412b, and 412c are provided on the back surface of the water tank 6 according to the present embodiment. All of these air inlets 412a, 412b, and 412c are provided in the upper portion of the water tank 6, at least in the portion above the rotation shaft 8b of the drum 8, and are provided in the back surface of the water tank 6. It is provided at a position higher than the overflow port 401. Further, the air inlets 412a, 412b, and 412c are all suction ports that open in a so-called fan shape, similarly to the above-mentioned air inlets 12a, 12b, 12c. That is, the air inlets 412a, 412b, and 412c have an opening shape in which the above-mentioned air inlets 312a, 312b, and 312c are respectively extended in an arc shape along the circumferential direction of the water tank 6.

In the present embodiment, the air inlets 412a, 412b, and 412c are further arranged on the outer side in the radial direction of the water tank 6, and the dimensions along the circumferential direction of the water tank 6 are larger. The air inlets arranged on the outer side in the radial direction of No. 6 have a larger opening area. That is, in the present embodiment, the opening area of the air blowing port 412b is larger than the opening area of the air blowing port 412c, and the opening area of the air blowing port 412a is larger than the opening area of the air blowing port 412b. Further, the plurality of air inlets 412a, 412b, 412c are arranged in the same linear shape along the radial direction of the water tank 6. Further, the plurality of air inlets 412a, 412b, 412c are arranged on different circumferences along the circumferential direction of the water tank 6.

Also in this embodiment, warm air can be blown over a wide range in the water tank 6 from the plurality of air inlets 412a, 412b, 412c, and the clothes in the drum 8 can be efficiently dried. Further, as in the first embodiment, it is possible to keep the circulation air passage 30 as one while providing a plurality of air inlets 412a, 412b, 412c, and it is possible to avoid complication of the configuration. Further, it is possible to prevent the water in the water tank 6 from exceeding the height of the overflow port 401 and flowing into the circulation air passage 30 from the plurality of air inlets 412a, 412b, 412c.

(Fifth Embodiment)
As illustrated in FIG. 8, a plurality of, in this case, three air inlets 512a, 512b, and 512c are provided on the back surface of the water tank 6 according to the present embodiment. All of these air inlets 512a, 512b, and 512c are provided on the upper portion of the water tank 6, at least on the portion above the rotation shaft 8b of the drum 8, and are provided on the back surface of the water tank 6. It is provided at a position higher than the overflow port 501. Further, the air inlets 512a, 512b, and 512c are all suction ports that extend linearly along the radial direction of the water tank 6 and open in a substantially rectangular shape. Further, the plurality of air inlets 512a, 512b, and 512c are arranged on different straight lines along the radial direction of the water tank 6.

Also in this embodiment, warm air can be blown over a wide range in the water tank 6 from the plurality of air inlets 512a, 512b, 512c, and the clothes in the drum 8 can be efficiently dried. Further, as in the first embodiment, the circulation air passage 30 can be left as one while providing a plurality of air inlets 512a, 512b, 512c, and the complexity of the configuration can be avoided. Further, it is possible to prevent the water in the water tank 6 from exceeding the height of the overflow port 501 and flowing into the circulation air passage 30 from the plurality of air inlets 512a, 512b, 512c.

(Sixth Embodiment)
As illustrated in FIG. 9, a plurality of, in this case, three air inlets 612a, 612b, and 612c are provided on the back surface of the water tank 6 according to the present embodiment. All of these air inlets 612a, 612b, and 612c are provided on the upper portion of the water tank 6, at least on the portion above the rotation shaft 8b of the drum 8, and are provided on the back surface of the water tank 6. It is provided at a position higher than the overflow port 601. The air inlets 612a, 612b, and 612c have an opening shape in which the above-mentioned air inlets 512a, 512b, and 512c are expanded in a fan shape, respectively.

In the present embodiment, the air inlets 612a, 612b, and 612c have a longer dimension along the circumferential direction of the water tank 6 toward the outside in the radial direction of the water tank 6, whereby the dimensions of the air inlets 612a, 612b, and 612c become longer in the radial direction of the water tank 6. The opening size becomes larger as it goes toward it. That is, in the present embodiment, the air inlets 612a, 612b, and 612c all have a shape in which the opening size is larger on the outside than on the inside, that is, a so-called fan shape. Further, the plurality of air inlets 612a, 612b, and 612c are arranged on different straight lines along the radial direction of the water tank 6. Further, the plurality of air inlets 612a, 612b, and 612c are arranged on the same circumference along the circumferential direction of the water tank 6.

Also in this embodiment, warm air can be blown over a wide range in the water tank 6 from the plurality of air inlets 612a, 612b, 612c, and the clothes in the drum 8 can be efficiently dried. Further, as in the first embodiment, it is possible to keep the circulation air passage 30 as one while providing a plurality of air inlets 612a, 612b, 612c, and it is possible to avoid complication of the configuration. Further, it is possible to prevent the water in the water tank 6 from exceeding the height of the overflow port 601 and flowing into the circulation air passage 30 from the plurality of air inlets 612a, 612b, 612c.

(7th Embodiment)
As illustrated in FIG. 10, a plurality of, in this case, three air inlets 712a, 712b, and 712c are provided on the back surface of the water tank 6 according to the present embodiment. All of these air inlets 712a, 712b, and 712c are provided in the upper portion of the water tank 6, at least in the portion above the rotation shaft 8b of the drum 8, and are provided in the back surface of the water tank 6. It is provided at a position higher than the overflow port 701. Further, the air inlets 712a, 712b, and 712c are all suction ports that open in a so-called fan shape, similarly to the air inlets 12a, 12b, and 12c described above. Further, the plurality of air inlets 712a, 712b, and 712c are arranged on different circumferences along the circumferential direction of the water tank 6. Further, the plurality of air inlets 712a, 712b, 712c are arranged on different straight lines along the radial direction of the water tank 6.

Further, the plurality of air inlets 712a, 712b, and 712c have different opening areas, and in this case, the opening area is larger as the air suction ports are provided on the radial outer side of the water tank 6. It has become. Further, the plurality of air inlets 712a, 712b, and 712c are arranged along the locus L of the clothes that are scraped up and fallen in the drum 8 as the drum 8 rotates.

Also in this embodiment, warm air can be blown over a wide range in the water tank 6 from the plurality of air inlets 712a, 712b, 712c, and the clothes in the drum 8 can be efficiently dried. Further, as in the first embodiment, it is possible to keep the circulation air passage 30 as one while providing a plurality of air inlets 712a, 712b, 712c, and it is possible to avoid complication of the configuration. Further, it is possible to prevent the water in the water tank 6 from exceeding the height of the overflow port 701 and flowing into the circulation air passage 30 from the plurality of air inlets 712a, 712b, 712c. Further, according to the present embodiment, since the plurality of air inlets 712a, 712b, 712c are arranged along the falling locus L of the clothes in the drum 8, the clothes that are scooped up and fall in the drum 8 On the other hand, warm air can be efficiently blown out from the plurality of air outlets 712a, 712b, 712c so as to match the fall locus L, and clothes can be dried more efficiently.

(8th Embodiment)
This embodiment is configured so that the air outlet for blowing air into the water tank 6 can be switched based on the dry state of the clothes in the water tank 6. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 11, a plurality of, in this case, three air inlets 12a, 12b, 12c are provided at different height positions on the back surface of the water tank 6, and these air inlets 12a are provided. , 12b, 12c are connected to branch ducts 23a, 23b, 23c, respectively. In the present embodiment, the plurality of air inlets 12a, 12b, and 12c are all provided in the upper portion of the water tank 6, at least in the portion above the rotation shaft 8b of the drum 8.

On the other hand, the protruding portion 5 of the door 4 is provided with an inclined surface 5a above the protruding portion 5. The inclined surface 5a is inclined so as to descend from the front to the rear when the door 4 closes the laundry entrance / exit 3. The inclined surface 5a is provided with a plurality of humidity sensors 100a, 100b, 100c corresponding to the number of air inlets 12a, 12b, 12c in this case. The humidity sensors 100a, 100b, and 100c are examples of the dry state detecting means, and in the present embodiment, the dry state of clothes in the water tank 6 is detected based on the humidity in the water tank 6. As illustrated in FIG. 12, these humidity sensors 100a, 100b, 100c are linearly arranged along the vertical direction at substantially the center of the inclined surface 5a in the left-right direction.

As illustrated in FIG. 13, the inclined surface 5a is provided with a plurality of holes 5b penetrating the inclined surface 5a, in this case, three holes 5b corresponding to the number of air inlets 12a, 12b, 12c. , Humidity sensors 100a, 100b, 100c are fitted in the holes 5b, respectively. The humidity sensors 100a, 100b, and 100c are mounted on a substrate 101 provided on the back surface side of the inclined surface 5a. The flexible power cable 102 illustrated in FIG. 12 has one end connected to the substrate 101, the other end along the peripheral end of the door 4, and then washed and dried through a hinge portion 4a that rotatably supports the door 4. It is connected to the power supply system of the machine 1. As a result, power is supplied to the humidity sensors 100a, 100b, and 100c via the flexible power cable 102.

In the present embodiment, the humidity sensors 100a, 100b, 100c are configured to output a detection signal by wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). The humidity sensors 100a, 100b, and 100c may be configured to output a detection signal by wire communication.

The control device 200 illustrated in FIG. 14 is mainly composed of, for example, a microcomputer, and is washed by controlling the drive of a drum motor 9, a compressor 42, a circulation blower 51, a water supply valve, a drain valve, etc. (not shown). Controls the overall operation of the dryer 1. The control device 200 is an example of a control means. Further, the humidity sensors 100a, 100b, 100c described above are connected to the control device 200 so as to be capable of wireless communication. Further, dampers 300a, 300b, and 300c, which are examples of switching means, are connected to the control device 200. The dampers 300a, 300b, 300c are provided, for example, between the heat pump unit 19 and the plurality of air inlets 12a, 12b, 12c in the circulation air passage 30, and in the present embodiment, the branch ducts 23a, 23b. , 23c are provided inside, respectively.

The control device 200 switches the air blowing ports 12a, 12b, 12c for blowing air into the water tank 6 by controlling the opening / closing operation of the dampers 300a, 300b, 300c. That is, the control device 200 can switch the air blowing port for blowing air into the water tank 6 to the air blowing port 12a by opening the damper 300a and closing the dampers 300b and 300c. Further, the control device 200 can switch the air blowing port for blowing air into the water tank 6 to the air blowing port 12b by opening the damper 300b and closing the dampers 300a and 300c. Further, the control device 200 can switch the air blowing port for blowing air into the water tank 6 to the air blowing port 12c by opening the damper 300c and closing the dampers 300a and 300b.

Next, an example of the control contents by the control device 200 will be described. When executing the drying operation for drying the clothes in the water tank 6, the control device 200 drives the compressor 42 of the heat pump unit 19 and also drives the circulation blower 51. As a result, warm air is supplied into the water tank 6 through the circulation air passage 30. Further, the control device 200 rotates the drum 8 by driving the drum motor 9. As a result, the clothes in the drum 8 are dried.

As illustrated in FIG. 15, at the start of this drying operation, the control device 200 opens the dampers 300a and closes the dampers 300b and 300c. As a result, in the initial stage of the drying operation, warm air is blown into the water tank 6 from the air blowing port 12a. When warm air is blown into the water tank 6, the moisture contained in the clothes starts to evaporate, and as a result, the humidity in the water tank 6, or more accurately, the relative humidity, rises as illustrated in FIG. Then, as the drying of the clothes progresses with the passage of the drying time, the air containing moisture is dehumidified by the dehumidifier 45 of the heat pump unit 19 in the process of circulating the air through the circulation air passage 30, so that the inside of the water tank 6 is used. Relative humidity gradually decreases.

Here, in the initial stage of the drying operation, warm air is blown into the water tank 6 from the air blowing port 12a as described above. Therefore, drying around the humidity sensor 100a corresponding to the air inlet 12a is promoted more than drying around the humidity sensors 100b and 100c. Therefore, the decrease in relative humidity Ha detected by the humidity sensor 100a corresponding to the air inlet 12a is the largest, followed by the relative humidity Hb detected by the humidity sensor 100b closest to the humidity sensor 100a, and the humidity sensor next to it. The relative humidity Hc detected by 100c decreases so as to follow the relative humidity Ha.

Then, when the relative humidity Ha detected by the humidity sensor 100a drops to a predetermined reference humidity Hk, the control device 200 executes the first switching operation. In this first switching operation, the control device 200 opens the dampers 300b and closes the dampers 300a and 300c. That is, the control device 200 switches the air blowing port for blowing warm air into the water tank 6 from the air blowing port 12a to the air blowing port 12b. As a result, warm air is blown into the water tank 6 from the air blowing port 12b. By switching the air inlet, warm air is rapidly supplied to the humidity sensor 100b and its surrounding area. Therefore, the relative humidity Hb detected by the humidity sensor 100b drops sharply. On the other hand, the amount of warm air supplied to the humidity sensor 100a and its peripheral portion sharply decreases. Therefore, the decrease of the relative humidity Ha detected by the humidity sensor 100a is slowed down.

Then, when the relative humidity Hb detected by the humidity sensor 100b drops to a predetermined reference humidity Hk, the control device 200 executes the second switching operation. In this second switching operation, the control device 200 opens the dampers 300c and closes the dampers 300a and 300b. That is, the control device 200 switches the air blowing port for blowing warm air into the water tank 6 from the air blowing port 12b to the air blowing port 12c. As a result, warm air is blown into the water tank 6 from the air blowing port 12c. By switching the air inlet, warm air suddenly flows toward the humidity sensor 100c and its surrounding area. Therefore, the relative humidity Hc detected by the humidity sensor 100c drops sharply. On the other hand, the amount of warm air supplied to the humidity sensor 100b and its peripheral portion sharply decreases. Therefore, the relative humidity Hb detected by the humidity sensor 100b slows down.

In the above-mentioned control, the predetermined reference humidity Hk can be appropriately changed and set. In the present embodiment, for example, the value of the relative humidity in the water tank 6 in a state where the drying rate of the clothes in the drum 8 is about 30%, that is, the moisture contained in the clothes is reduced to about 30% at the start of drying. Is set.

In the initial stage of the drying operation, since the clothes in the drum 8 contain a large amount of moisture, the clothes tend to be biased toward the inner peripheral surface side of the drum 8 and there is almost no clothes in the center of the drum 8. .. Then, as the drying operation progresses, the moisture contained in the clothes gradually decreases, and the lightened clothes tend to spread to the center of the drum 8.

According to the present embodiment, in the initial stage of the drying operation, the air inlet 12a existing at the uppermost part of the back surface of the water tank 6, that is, the position facing the inner peripheral surface of the drum 8, is opened, and another air outlet 12b is opened. , 12c can be closed to centrally supply warm air to the inner peripheral surface of the drum 8 and its peripheral portion. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently dry clothes containing a large amount of moisture, which tends to be biased toward the inner peripheral surface of the drum 8 at the initial stage of the drying operation. Then, according to the present embodiment, as the drying operation progresses, the air blowing ports for blowing warm air into the water tank 6 are sequentially switched to the air blowing ports 12b and 12c existing on the more central side. As a result, warm air can be supplied to the clothes that have spread to the center of the drum 8 as the drying operation progresses, and the clothes can be dried efficiently.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, an air outlet for blowing warm air into the water tank 6 according to the progress of the drying operation, in other words, according to the change in the dry state of the clothes in the drum 8. It was configured to switch. As a result, warm air can be supplied into the water tank 6 according to the drying state of the clothes, and the clothes can be efficiently dried from the initial stage to the end of the drying operation.

(Other embodiments)
The present embodiment is not limited to the plurality of embodiments described above, and can be extended or modified as follows, for example. For example, the plurality of embodiments described above can be appropriately combined and implemented.

Further, the surface of the water tank 6 provided with the plurality of air inlets is not limited to the back surface, and may be, for example, the front surface or the side peripheral surface of the water tank 6. Also in this case, the plurality of air inlets are provided on the same surface of the water tank 6. Further, the dry state detecting means is not limited to the humidity sensors 100a, 100b, 100c, and may be, for example, a temperature sensor that detects the temperature in the water tank 6. Further, as the dry state detecting means, both a humidity sensor and a temperature sensor may be provided.

Further, if it becomes difficult to provide the drum motor 9 on one surface of the water tank 6 due to the provision of a plurality of air suction ports on one surface of the water tank 6, the drum motor 9 is provided at a position away from the water tank 6. The rotational force generated by the drum motor 9 may be transmitted to the rotating shaft 8b of the drum 8 by a transmission mechanism including, for example, a belt.

Further, the present embodiment is not limited to the so-called drum type washer-dryer in which the rotation axis of the rotary tub extends in the horizontal direction or the inclined direction, and the so-called vertical axis type washing in which the rotation axis of the rotary tub is in the vertical direction. It can also be applied to a dryer. The present embodiment can also be applied to a pure clothes dryer having no washing function.

It should be noted that this embodiment is presented as an example, and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other embodiments, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. The present embodiment and its modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

In the drawing, 1 is a washer / dryer (clothes dryer), 6 is a water tank (drying chamber), 8 is a drum (rotary tank), 11 is an air outlet, 12a, 12b, 12c are air outlets, and 30 is a circulating air. Roads, 51 are circulation blowers, 100a, 100b, 100c are humidity sensors (dry state detecting means), 200 are control devices (control means), 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, 701 are overflow ports, 212a, 212b, 212c is an air inlet, 300a, 300b, 300c are dampers (switching means), 312a, 312b, 312c are air inlets, 412a, 412b, 412c are air inlets, 512a, 512b, 512c are air inlets, 612a, 612b and 612c indicate an air inlet, and 712a, 712b and 712c indicate an air inlet.

Claims (8)

A drying room where clothes are stored and
The air outlet provided in the drying chamber and
An air outlet provided in the drying chamber and
A circulation air passage connected between the air outlet and the air outlet,
A circulation blower that blows air from the drying chamber into the circulating air passage from the air outlet and circulates the air through the circulating air passage so as to be blown into the drying chamber from the air inlet.
With
A plurality of the air inlets are provided on the same surface in the drying chamber .
Moreover,
A switching means for switching the air outlet for blowing air into the drying chamber, and
A drying state detecting means for detecting the dry state of clothes in the drying chamber,
A control means for controlling the operation of the switching means based on the dry state of clothes detected by the dry state detecting means, and
A clothes dryer equipped with. The clothes dryer according to claim 1, wherein the heights of the plurality of air outlets provided on the same surface of the drying chamber are different from each other. The drying chamber is provided with an overflow port for discharging water in the drying chamber when the water level in the drying chamber exceeds a predetermined water level.
The clothes dryer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the air outlet is provided at a position higher than the overflow port. The drying chamber has a bottomed cylindrical shape.
The clothes dryer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the air outlet is arranged along the radial direction of the drying chamber. The clothes dryer according to claim 4, wherein the air outlet has a larger opening area as the air outlet is arranged on the outer side in the radial direction of the drying chamber. The drying chamber has a bottomed cylindrical shape.
The clothes dryer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the air outlet extends along the radial direction of the drying chamber. The clothes dryer according to claim 6, wherein the air outlet becomes longer along the circumferential direction of the drying chamber toward the outer side in the radial direction of the drying chamber. It is provided in the drying chamber and is provided with a rotary tank for accommodating clothes.
The clothes dryer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the air outlet is arranged along the trajectory of clothes falling in the rotary tank as the rotary tank rotates.

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