JP7760189B2 - washing machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a washing machine.

Conventionally, there have been provided washer-dryers such as those disclosed in Patent Document 1 below. The washer-dryer of Patent Document 1 includes a rotating drum rotatably mounted within a washing machine housing, an air intake port for taking in air from outside the washing machine housing as drying air, an air intake path for supplying the drying air from the air intake port to the rotating drum, a heater for heating the drying air, a blower fan for blowing the drying air into the rotating drum, an exhaust port opening to the outside of the washing machine housing, an exhaust path for supplying the drying air that has exchanged heat with clothes in the rotating drum to the exhaust port, and a controller for controlling the heater, the blower fan, etc. The washer-dryer also includes a lint filter device detachably mounted in a filter housing to capture foreign matter contained in the air flowing through the circulating air duct.
Also, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2012-075818 discloses a washer-dryer capable of washing using hot water. In such a washer-dryer, when washing using hot water, water vapor generated in the water tub can infiltrate the circulation air duct. When water vapor infiltrates the circulation air duct, the humidity in the circulation air duct increases, making condensation more likely to occur in the circulation air duct. In particular, if condensation occurs repeatedly over a long period of time in electrical components, such as a drying heater, installed inside the circulation air duct, there is a concern that this could lead to failure of the electrical components. To solve this problem, the prior art disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2012-075818 suppresses condensation in the circulation air duct by energizing the drying heater to generate heat when washing using hot water.

JP 2017-051296 A JP 2012-075818 A

In the washer-dryer disclosed in Patent Document 1, the air intake for introducing outside air and the air exhaust for discharging inside air are located at separate locations in the circulating air passage. Therefore, if the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1 is used, the lint filter device must be made wide (horizontally elongated), for example, to accommodate the placement of the air intake and exhaust ports, posing a first problem: this can hinder effective use of the limited space within the housing that makes up the washing machine.

Therefore, the present invention, which addresses the first problem, aims to provide a washing machine that optimizes the arrangement of an outside air inlet section for introducing outside air, an inside air outlet section for exhausting inside air, and a filter device, thereby making effective use of the limited space within the housing.
Furthermore, in the washer-dryer described in Patent Document 2, the drying heater is energized to generate heat when hot water is used, which raises concerns about increased power consumption due to simultaneous use of the hot water heater and the drying heater. Furthermore, using the drying heater when generating hot water poses a problem that the heater is energized while exposed to condensed water, which may cause malfunctions. Furthermore, there is a second problem that leaving condensation on the heater may induce the growth of microorganisms such as mold.
Therefore, the present invention, which addresses the second problem, aims to provide a washing machine that can suppress the occurrence of condensation inside the washing machine even when washing is performed using warm water.

The washing machine of the present invention, which is provided to solve the first problem described above, comprises a housing, a water tub disposed within the housing, a rotating tub disposed rotatably within the water tub, a hot air supply unit that supplies hot air to a washing tub intake unit disposed within the water tub, an air supply path from a washing tub exhaust unit disposed within the water tub to the washing tub intake unit, and a filter device disposed along the air supply path, the filter device comprising: a filter member that captures foreign matter contained in the air; a filter housing portion that forms a space through which air flowing through the air supply path can pass and that can accommodate the filter member; an outside air inlet portion that communicates with the filter housing portion and is open to the outside so that air can be introduced into the air supply path from the outside; and an inside air outlet portion that communicates with the filter housing portion and is open to the outside so that air can be exhausted from the air supply path to the outside.

In the washing machine of the present invention, the outside air inlet and the inside air outlet are provided in communication with the filter housing. In this way, the washing machine of the present invention is configured so that the outside air inlet and the inside air outlet are integrated with the filter housing. Therefore, according to the present invention, the arrangement of the outside air inlet for introducing outside air, the inside air outlet for discharging inside air, and the filter device is optimized, thereby providing a washing machine that can effectively utilize the limited space within the housing.
The washing machine of the present invention, which is provided to solve the second problem described above, has the following configuration and effects.
The washing machine of the present invention has a housing, a washing tub including a water tub provided in the housing and a rotary tub rotatably provided in the water tub, an air blowing path connecting a washing tub intake section and a washing tub exhaust section provided in the washing tub to be able to blow air outside the washing tub, an air blowing device that generates an airflow in the air blowing path, and a hot water forming section that supplies hot water to the washing tub, and the washing machine has a plurality of processes selected from a washing process that washes laundry put into the washing tub, a rinsing process that rinses the laundry put into the washing tub, and a dewatering process that dewaters the laundry put into the washing tub. The washing machine can be operated in an operating mode consisting of one or more processes, and includes either or both of the washing process and the rinsing process and the dehydration process, and when operating in an operating mode in which either or both of the washing and rinsing processes are performed using warm water supplied by the warm water forming unit and the dehydration process is performed at least once, the washing machine can perform an air blowing operation during dehydration in which the air blowing device generates an air flow in the air blowing path during at least one of the one or more dehydration processes included in the operation in the operating mode.
With this configuration, when the washing machine is operated in an operating mode that uses warm water to wash or rinse or both, the airflow through the airflow path can be used to reduce humidity and suppress condensation by performing an airflow operation during the dehydration process.

According to the present invention, which addresses the first problem, it is possible to provide a washing machine that can effectively utilize the limited space within the housing by optimizing the arrangement of the outside air inlet section for introducing outside air, the inside air outlet section for exhausting inside air, and the filter device.
According to the present invention, which addresses the second problem, it is possible to provide a washing machine that can suppress the occurrence of condensation inside the washing machine even when washing is performed using warm water.

1 is a perspective view showing a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the washing machine shown in FIG. 1 . 2 is a perspective view showing a water tub, a spin tub, and an exhaust-side communication portion of an air blowing path provided in the washing machine of FIG. 1. [0023]FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the members shown in FIG. 3 as viewed from a different angle. 1 is a perspective view showing a portion forming an intermediate portion of an air flow path and an intake side communication portion, as well as a filter device, a hot air supply portion, and the like associated therewith. FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the members shown in FIG. 5 as viewed from a different angle. 2 is a perspective view showing a hot air supply unit and its surroundings provided in the washing machine of FIG. 1. [0023]FIG. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a filter device provided in the washing machine of FIG. 1 . 9 is an enlarged perspective view of a filter housing portion that constitutes the filter device of FIG. 8. FIG. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the members shown in FIG. 9 as viewed from a different angle. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an upstream filter member constituting the filter device of FIG. 8 . 12 is a perspective view showing the upstream filter member shown in FIG. 11 as viewed from a different angle. FIG. 9A is a perspective view showing the downstream filter constituting the filter device of FIG. 8 as viewed from the front side (upstream side), and FIG. 9B is a perspective view showing the downstream filter as viewed from the back side (downstream side). 2A is a perspective view showing the vicinity of the water receiving section of the washing machine of FIG. 1, FIG. 2B is a perspective view seen from the direction of arrow A in FIG. 2A, and FIG. 2C is a perspective view seen from the direction of arrow B in FIG. 2A. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of a water receiving portion provided in the washing machine of FIG. 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a housing constituting the washing machine of FIG. 1. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a washing machine according to a first modified example. 10 is a timing chart showing the operation of the washing machine according to the first modified example. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the top surface of a washing machine according to a second modified example. FIG. 20 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of FIG. 19 .

A washing machine 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the basic configuration of the washing machine 10 will be described first, and for parts that require a detailed explanation, a general description of the configuration will be given first, and for parts that require further explanation, a detailed description will be given after the general description. In the following description, explanations of positional relationships such as up, down, left, and right are based on the washing machine 10 being installed in the normal state, unless otherwise specified.

<<General configuration of washing machine 10>>
As shown in FIG. 1 , washing machine 10 is a so-called drum-type washing machine. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , washing machine 10 includes a housing 20, a washing tub 35 including a water tub 30 and a rotatable tub 40, an air supply path 50, a hot air supply unit 70, a water supply/drainage unit 80, a filter device 100, and the like. Washing machine 10 supplies water to the water tub 30 and the rotatable tub 40 via the water supply/drainage unit 80, and rotates the rotatable tub 40 to perform a washing operation (washing operation) to wash and rinse laundry placed in the rotatable tub 40. Furthermore, washing machine 10 can also perform a spin-drying operation to spin the laundry by rotating the rotatable tub 40 within the water tub 30 after draining the water from the water tub 30 and the rotatable tub 40. Furthermore, washing machine 10 can also perform a drying operation to dry the laundry in the rotatable tub 40 by operating the hot air supply unit 70 to circulate hot air through the air supply path 50 connected to the water tub 30. The basic configuration of washing machine 10 will be described in detail below.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the housing 20 houses the water tub 30, spin tub 40, air flow path 50, hot air supply unit 70, water supply and drainage unit 80, filter device 100, and other components that make up the washing machine 10. The housing 20 has a front surface 20a, a back surface 20b, a left side surface 20c, a right side surface 20d, a top surface 20e, and a bottom surface 20f, and is shaped like a roughly rectangular parallelepiped that is elongated in the vertical direction.

As shown in FIG. 1, the housing 20 has a door 22 on the front surface 20a. The door 22 can be, for example, approximately circular in front view, as in the illustrated example. The door 22 is supported so that it can be opened and closed, for example, by a hinge provided at the end on the side (left side in the illustrated example) when viewed from the front surface 20a. The door 22 also has a locking mechanism on the side opposite the hinge. The housing 20 also has an operation panel 24 on the front surface 20a side, on the top surface 20e side. The operation panel 24 is located above the door 22. The operation panel 24 is provided with a power switch, switches for selecting washing modes, etc., a display, etc.

As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the washing tub 35 has a water tub 30 and a rotatable tub 40 housed within it, with the rotatable tub 40 housed within the water tub 30. The water tub 30 is cylindrical and has a bottom, and is housed and supported within the housing 20 by a suspension structure such as a damper. The water tub 30 is positioned so that its opening corresponds to the door 22 on the front surface 20a of the housing 20. The water tub 30 is connected to the water supply and drainage unit 80, which will be described in detail later, via piping. This allows the water tub 30 to store water supplied from the outside and to discharge water from within. The water tub 30 also has a washing tub intake unit 32 and a washing tub exhaust unit 34.

The washing tub air intake 32 is located on the front surface 20a of the water tub 30. In this embodiment, the water tub 30 has a gasket 36 on the front surface 20a, and the washing tub air intake 32 is attached to this gasket 36. The washing tub exhaust 34 is located on the rear surface 20b of the water tub 30. The water tub 30 is connected to the air supply path 50, which will be described in detail later, via the washing tub air intake 32 and the washing tub exhaust 34. This allows the water tub 30 to draw air flowing through the air supply path 50 through the washing tub air intake 32 on the front surface 20a and exhaust it through the washing tub exhaust 34 on the rear surface 20b. Note that while the washing tub air intake 32 is attached to the gasket 36 and is used to draw air into the rotatable tub 40, as an example, it may alternatively be configured to blow air into the rotatable tub 40 via the washing tub air intake 32.

The rotatable tub 40 is a tub accommodated within the water tub 30 so that it can rotate. The rotatable tub 40 is cylindrical and has a bottom. Like the water tub 30, the rotatable tub 40 is positioned so that its opening corresponds to the door 22 provided on the front surface 20a of the housing 20. Therefore, in the washing machine 10, laundry can be placed in and removed from the rotatable tub 40 by opening the door 22. The rotatable tub 40 can be rotated by a drive device (not shown), such as a motor, disposed at the rear of the water tub 30. The rotatable tub 40 has multiple openings around its periphery that connect the inside and outside of the rotatable tub 40. Therefore, by storing water in the water tub 30, the washing machine 10 can also introduce water into the rotatable tub 40. Furthermore, by draining water from the water tub 30, the washing machine 10 can also discharge water from the rotatable tub 40.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the air supply path 50 serves as a path for blowing air from the washing tub exhaust port 34 of the water tub 30 to the washing tub intake port 32 outside the water tub 30. That is, as indicated by the dashed arrows in Figures 3, 5, and 6, the air supply path 50 is a path for directing airflow from the washing tub exhaust port 34 of the water tub 30 upstream to the washing tub intake port 32 of the water tub 30, which is located downstream in the airflow direction. By blowing air through the air supply path 50, an airflow can be generated inside the water tub 30, flowing from the front side to the back side. The air supply path 50 can be broadly divided into three sections: an exhaust-side communication section 52 (communication section), an intermediate section 54, and an intake-side communication section 56, arranged from the upstream side (the washing tub exhaust port 34 side) to the downstream side (the washing tub intake port 32 side) in the airflow direction outside the water tub 30.

The exhaust-side communication section 52 is a section that communicates with the washing tub exhaust section 34 of the water tub 30. The exhaust-side communication section 52 has a communication section 58 and a water receiving section 60. The communication section 58 is a passage that rises from the rear surface 20b side of the water tub 30. One end (lower end) of the communication section 58 is connected to the washing tub exhaust section 34. This allows the air discharged from the washing tub exhaust section 34 to flow upward through the communication section 58. The other end of the communication section 58 is connected to the water receiving section 60. The water receiving section 60 receives water supplied by the water supply section 82, which will be described in detail later, and drops the received water into the communication section 58 to clean the inner surface of the communication section 58.

The intermediate section 54 is located in the middle of the airflow path 50, with the washing tub exhaust section 34 of the water tub 30 on the upstream side, in the direction of airflow that flows to the washing tub intake section 32 of the water tub 30. In other words, the intermediate section 54 is located downstream of the exhaust-side communication section 52 that connects to the washing tub exhaust section 34 of the water tub 30 in the direction of airflow in the airflow path 50. The intermediate section 54 is located on the top surface 20e side of the water tub 30. The intermediate section 54 is positioned so as to extend from the back surface 20b side of the housing 20 toward the front surface 20a side. A filter device 100, described in detail below, is located in the intermediate section 54. This makes it possible to remove foreign matter such as lint contained in the air passing through the airflow path 50. Furthermore, the intermediate section 54 can introduce outside air into the air flow path 50 and discharge air flowing through the air flow path 50 via the outside air inlet section 140 and inside air outlet section 130 provided in the filter device 100.

The intake-side communication section 56 is located on the downstream side of the airflow path 50, with the washing tub exhaust section 34 of the water tub 30 on the upstream side, in the direction of airflow that flows to the washing tub intake section 32 of the water tub 30. That is, the intake-side communication section 56 is connected downstream of the middle section 54 in the airflow path 50 and is connected to the washing tub intake section 32 of the water tub 30. Like the middle section 54, the intake-side communication section 56 is located on the top surface 20e side of the water tub 30. The intake-side communication section 56 is equipped with a hot air supply section 70, which will be described in detail later. This allows the hot air supply section 70 to heat the air from which foreign matter has been removed by the filter device 100 in the middle section 54. The intake-side communication section 56 is connected to the washing tub intake section 32 at its terminal end.

The hot air supply unit 70 supplies hot air to the washing machine tub air intake unit 32 provided in the water tub 30. As shown in FIG. 7, the hot air supply unit 70 has an air blower 72 and a heating device 74. The air blower 72 is used to create an air flow in the air flow path and can be configured, for example, by a conventionally known air blower fan. The heating device 74 heats the air flowing through the air flow path 50 when the air blower 72 is activated. The heating device 74 can be configured, for example, by a conventionally known electric heater.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the water supply and drainage unit 80 has a water supply unit 82 and a drainage unit 84. The water supply unit 82 has a water supply channel connected to an external water source and is capable of supplying water to the water tub 30. The water supply unit 82 can, for example, supply water supplied from the water supply source directly to the water tub 30, or can supply mixed water to the water tub 30 by mixing water with detergent, fabric softener, etc. that has been added in a separately provided inlet partway along the water supply channel leading to the water tub 30. The drainage unit 84 has a drainage channel connected to the water tub 30 separately from the water supply unit 82. The drainage unit 84 is capable of discharging water from the water tub 30 via the aforementioned drainage channel.

The filter device 100 is disposed in the intermediate section 54 of the air flow path 50. The filter device 100 is used to capture foreign matter such as lint contained in the air.

The washing machine 10 is generally configured as described above. Below, we will explain in detail, with reference to the drawings, those parts of the configuration described above that require further detailed explanation.

<<Regarding the Filter Device 100>>
The filter device 100 will be described in more detail and specifically below. As described above, the filter device 100 is provided midway along the air flow path 50. As shown in Figures 2, 5, 6, and other figures, in this embodiment, the filter device 100 is provided in the intermediate portion 54 of the air flow path 50. As shown in Figure 8, the filter device 100 has a filter housing portion 110, an inside air discharge portion 130, an outside air intake portion 140, and a filter member 150. The filter device 100 integrates the filter housing portion 110, the inside air discharge portion 130, and the outside air intake portion 140 into a unit, and the filter member 150 is detachable from this unit.

The filter housing section 110 forms a space through which air flowing through the air flow path 50 can pass and which can accommodate the filter member 150. As shown in Figures 8 to 10, the filter housing section 110 opens toward the top surface 20e of the housing 20, and the filter member 150 can be attached and detached through this opening. The filter housing section 110 is open so that it is roughly rectangular in plan view, and has an upstream opening 112, a downstream opening 114, an internal air exhaust communication port 116, and an external air intake communication port 118 on its inner periphery.

The upstream opening 112 opens on the upstream inner surface 110a of the filter housing 110, which is on the upstream side of the air flow through the airflow path 50. The downstream opening 114 opens on the downstream inner surface 110b, which is on the downstream side of the air flow through the airflow path 50. The downstream opening 114 is formed in an area of the downstream inner surface 110b on the side where the outside air intake communication port 118 is provided. The downstream inner surface 110b is the surface opposite the upstream inner surface 110a. The inside air exhaust communication port 116 opens on a first side inner surface 110c of the filter housing 110, which is erected so as to intersect (in this embodiment, approximately perpendicular to) the upstream inner surface 110a and the downstream inner surface 110b. The internal air discharge port 116 is an opening that connects the filter housing 110 and the internal air discharge port 130. The internal air discharge port 116 also constitutes the internal air discharge port 130, which will be described later. The external air introduction port 118 opens in a second inner lateral surface 110d, which is erected on the inner periphery of the filter housing 110 and faces the first inner lateral surface 110c. The external air introduction port 118 is an opening that connects the filter housing 110 and the external air introduction port 140. The external air introduction port 118 also constitutes the external air introduction port 140, which will be described later.

The filter housing portion 110 has a drain port 120, an inclined portion 122, a guide groove 124, and an engaged portion 126 on the bottom portion 110e. The drain port 120 is an opening for draining moisture such as condensation from the filter housing portion 110. The drain port 120 is located on the bottom portion 110e, adjacent to the downstream inner circumferential surface 110b and the second side inner circumferential surface 110d. The drain port 120 is connected to the outside of the filter housing portion 110 via a drain pipe 120a so that it can drain toward the communication portion 58, which is upstream of the filter device 100 in the airflow direction. The inclined portion 122 is a portion of the bottom portion 110e that slopes downward toward the drain port 120. This allows the filter housing portion 110 to guide moisture that falls onto the bottom portion 110e within the filter housing portion 110 toward the drain port 120. The guide groove 124 is a groove that ensures easy attachment and detachment of the downstream filter member 180, which forms part of the filter member 150 (described in detail below). The guide groove 124 has a recessed shape that matches the shape of the lower end of the downstream filter member 180. The engaged portion 126 is a portion that engages with an engaging portion 190 provided at the upper end of the downstream filter member 180.

Furthermore, part or all of the inner circumferential surface of the filter accommodating section 110 has a pleated, uneven shape. In this embodiment, the upstream inner circumferential surface 110a, the first side inner circumferential surface 110c, and the second side inner circumferential surface 110d have a pleated, uneven shape. This allows moisture such as condensation water in the filter accommodating section 110 to gradually fall toward the bottom 110e and the drain port 120. In this way, the airflow passing through the filter accommodating section 110 can cause some of the condensation water to evaporate, thereby reducing the amount of moisture returned from the drain port 120 to the communication section 58.

The internal air exhaust section 130 is connected to the filter housing section 110 and is open to the outside so that air can be exhausted from the air supply path 50 to the outside. The internal air exhaust section 130 has the internal air exhaust section communication port 116 described above, an internal air exhaust path 132, and an internal air exhaust port 134. The internal air exhaust path 132 is connected to the filter housing section 110 via the internal air exhaust section communication port 116. The internal air exhaust path 132 is a passage connecting the internal air exhaust section communication port 116 and the internal air exhaust port 134. The internal air exhaust port 134 is an opening provided at the end of the internal air exhaust path 132 opposite the internal air exhaust section communication port 116.

Here, the internal air exhaust unit communication port 116 is an opening formed in the first side inner peripheral surface 110c erected in the filter housing portion 110, while the internal air exhaust port 134 opens toward the top surface 20e. Therefore, the internal air exhaust path 132 connecting the two openings is bent approximately 90 degrees midway. The internal air exhaust path 132 is formed so that the bent portion midway has a curved surface (R-shape) to minimize pressure loss in the airflow passing through it. Furthermore, the internal air exhaust unit 130 is formed so that the opening area of the internal air exhaust port 134 is larger than the opening area of the internal air exhaust unit communication port 116 to suppress the exhaust speed of the airflow (exhaust) exiting the internal air exhaust port 134. This configuration reduces the exhaust speed at the internal air exhaust port 134. This prevents exhaust air from being forcefully discharged around the washing machine 10, and even if the washing machine is installed in a location close to walls, such as a small washing machine installation space in an apartment, it prevents humid exhaust air from hitting the wallpaper. As a result, it is possible to prevent condensation from adhering to the surface of the wallpaper, or the growth of microorganisms such as mold, caused by contact with the exhaust air from the washing machine 10.

The outside air intake section 140 is connected to the filter housing section 110 and is open to the outside so that air (outside air) can be introduced into the air supply path 50 from the outside. The outside air intake section 140 is located on the opposite side of the filter housing section 110 from the inside air exhaust section 130. The outside air intake section 140 has the same configuration as the inside air exhaust section 130 described above.

Specifically, the outside air introduction section 140 has the above-mentioned outside air introduction section communication port 118, an outside air introduction path 142, and an outside air introduction port 144. The outside air introduction path 142 is in communication with the filter housing section 110 via the outside air introduction section communication port 118. The outside air introduction path 142 is a passage connecting the outside air introduction section communication port 118 and the outside air introduction port 144. The outside air introduction port 144 is an opening provided at the end of the outside air introduction path 142 opposite the outside air introduction section communication port 118.

Furthermore, like the inside air exhaust path 132, the outside air introduction path 142 is bent approximately 90 degrees midway. Specifically, the outside air introduction port 118 is an opening formed on the second side inner circumferential surface 110d of the filter housing 110, while the outside air introduction port 144 opens toward the top surface 20e. Therefore, the outside air introduction path 142 is bent approximately 90 degrees midway. The outside air introduction path 142 is formed so that the bent portion provided midway has a curved surface (R-shape) to minimize pressure loss of the airflow taken in from the outside. Furthermore, the outside air introduction portion 140 is formed so that the opening area of the outside air introduction port 144 is larger than the opening area of the outside air introduction port 118. This allows outside air to be taken in efficiently.

As shown in FIG. 8 , the filter member 150 captures foreign matter contained in the air flowing through the airflow path 50. In this embodiment, the washing machine 10 is configured so that the filter member 150 includes an upstream filter member 160 and a downstream filter member 180 arranged in the direction of airflow in the airflow path 50.

As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the upstream filter member 160 comprises an upstream filter 164 attached to an upstream filter main body 162. The upstream filter member 160 is insertable and removable from above into the filter housing section 110, which opens toward the top surface 20e. The upstream filter main body 162 has a blocking section 166, an upstream upright section 168, a first side upright section 170, a second side upright section 172, and a partition wall 174.

When the upstream filter member 160 is inserted into the filter housing portion 110, the blocking portion 166 blocks the opening of the filter housing portion 110 provided on the top surface 20e side. The blocking portion 166 has a recess 166a on the surface exposed on the top surface 20e side. The recess 166a makes it easier for the user to grip the upstream filter member 160 when inserting or removing it from the filter housing portion 110, and is designed to allow multiple fingers to be inserted into it.

The upstream upright portion 168 is a portion that extends along the upstream inner circumferential surface 110a when the upstream filter member 160 is fitted into the filter housing portion 110. The upstream upright portion 168 extends from the back surface (bottom side) of the blocking portion 166, approximately perpendicular to the blocking portion 166. At least the portion of the upstream upright portion 168 that corresponds to the upstream opening 112 on the upstream inner circumferential surface 110a is lattice-shaped to minimize resistance to the airflow flowing into the filter housing portion 110 from the upstream opening 112. A mesh-shaped upstream filter 164 is attached to the upstream upright portion 168 over the entire lattice-shaped portion. An upstream seal portion 168a is attached around the portion where the upstream filter 164 is attached to maintain airtightness and watertightness. The upstream seal portion 168a can be made of a variety of materials, but in this embodiment it is made of EPDM rubber.

The first side upright portion 170 is a portion that stands along the first side inner peripheral surface 110c when the upstream filter member 160 is fitted into the filter housing portion 110 described above. Like the upstream upright portion 168, the first side upright portion 170 stands on the back side (bottom side) of the blocking portion 166, approximately perpendicular to the blocking portion 166. The first side upright portion 170 is also formed at one widthwise end of the upstream upright portion 168, so as to intersect (approximately perpendicular in this embodiment) with the upstream upright portion 168. Like the upstream upright portion 168, the first side upright portion 170 has a lattice pattern at least in the portion corresponding to the internal air exhaust communication port 116, in order to minimize resistance to the airflow that passes through the internal air exhaust communication port 116 and is discharged from the filter housing portion 110.

The second lateral upright portion 172 is a portion that stands along the second lateral inner peripheral surface 110d when the upstream filter member 160 is fitted into the filter housing portion 110 described above. Like the upstream upright portion 168 and the first lateral upright portion 170, the second lateral upright portion 172 stands on the back surface (bottom side) of the blocking portion 166, approximately perpendicular to the blocking portion 166. The second lateral upright portion 172 is formed on the other widthwise end of the upstream upright portion 168 (the opposite side from the first lateral upright portion 170) so as to intersect (approximately perpendicular in this embodiment) with the upstream upright portion 168. The second lateral upright portion 172 is approximately parallel to the first lateral upright portion 170. Furthermore, like the upstream side upright portion 168 and the first side upright portion 170, the second side upright portion 172 has a lattice pattern at least in the portion corresponding to the outside air inlet communication port 118 to minimize resistance to the air flow that passes through the outside air inlet communication port 118 and is introduced into the filter housing portion 110.

The partition wall 174 divides the internal space of the filter housing section 110 into a first space 176 and a second space 178. Specifically, the partition wall 174, like the upstream upright section 168, is erected on the back surface (bottom side) of the blocking section 166 so as to be approximately perpendicular to the blocking section 166. The partition wall 174 is also formed in the widthwise middle of the upstream upright section 168 (between the first side upright section 170 and the second side upright section 172) so as to intersect (in this embodiment, approximately perpendicular to) the upstream upright section 168. The partition wall 174 is approximately parallel to the first side upright section 170 and the second side upright section 172. This allows the partition wall 174 to divide the opening area formed in the upstream upright section 168 into an area on the side where the outside air inlet communication port 118 is located and an area on the side where the inside air outlet communication port 116 is located. Furthermore, the partition wall 174 is formed so as to reach the downstream inner circumferential surface 110b when the upstream filter member 160 is fitted into the filter housing portion 110. Therefore, the partition wall 174 can divide the internal space of the filter housing portion 110 into a first space 176 that communicates with the downstream opening 114 and the outside air inlet communication port 118, and a second space 178 that communicates with the inside air outlet communication port 116.

As shown in FIG. 13, the downstream filter member 180 is a filter that is attached across the opening area of the downstream opening 114. The downstream filter member 180 comprises a downstream filter 184 attached to a downstream filter frame 182. Like the upstream filter member 160, the downstream filter member 180 can be inserted and removed from above into the filter housing section 110, which opens toward the top surface 20e.

Specifically, the downstream filter frame 182 is a member for mounting the downstream filter 184. The downstream filter frame 182 has a filter mounting portion 186, a grip portion 188, an engagement portion 190, and a downstream seal portion 192.

The filter mounting portion 186 is the portion where the downstream filter 184 is attached. The filter mounting portion 186 has a flat, lattice-like shape. The mesh-like downstream filter 184 is attached to the filter mounting portion 186. The lower end of the downstream filter frame 182 is shaped so that it can be inserted into the guide groove 124 provided in the bottom portion 110e of the filter housing portion 110 described above.

The grip portion 188 is provided at the portion that will become the upper end of the downstream filter member 180 when it is installed. The grip portion 188 is curved in a curled shape from the upper end of the flat filter mounting portion 186. The grip portion 188 is curved in a direction away from the downstream inner circumferential surface 110b so as not to hinder the filter mounting portion 186 from coming into close contact with the downstream inner circumferential surface 110b when the downstream filter member 180 is installed.

The engaging portion 190 is used to secure the downstream filter member 180 to the downstream inner circumferential surface 110b of the filter housing portion 110. The engaging portion 190 is adapted to engage with the engaged portion 126 provided on the downstream inner circumferential surface 110b. In this embodiment, the engaging portion 190 is claw-shaped, and the engaged portion 126 is a recess into which the engaging portion 190 can be inserted and engaged.

The downstream seal portion 192 is attached to surround the portion where the downstream filter 184 is attached, so that it can be interposed between the filter mounting portion 186 and the downstream inner circumferential surface 110b when the downstream filter element 180 is attached. Therefore, when the downstream filter element 180 is attached, airtightness and watertightness are maintained between the filter mounting portion 186 and the downstream inner circumferential surface 110b. The downstream seal portion 192 can be made of various materials, but in this embodiment, it is made of EPDM rubber. By providing the downstream filter element 180 in this way, it can capture lint even if, for example, the upstream filter element 160 is forgotten to be attached. Furthermore, by drawing in outside air through the outside air inlet 140, the moist circulating airflow sent from the washing tub 35 to the intermediate portion 54 is cooled in the filter housing portion 110 (reducing the amount of saturated water vapor), which can also cause condensation to occur on the downstream filter element 180. By generating condensed water in this way, it is possible to make it harder for lint to adhere to the downstream filter member 180 and to allow the lint to flow down from the downstream filter member 180.

<<About the water receiving portion 60>>
Next, the water receiving portion 60 will be specifically and in detail described with reference to the drawings. As described above, the water receiving portion 60 is provided upstream of the filter device 100 in the airflow direction of the airflow path 50. The water receiving portion 60 is connected to the end of the communication portion 58 that forms the exhaust-side communication portion 52 of the airflow path 50.

As shown in Figures 14 and 15, the water receiving section 60 has a bottom surface 60a and an outer edge portion 60b that extends outward from the bottom surface 60a. This allows water to be introduced into the area enclosed by the outer edge portion 60b. The outer edge portion 60b is provided with a connection portion 60c that is connected to the water supply and drainage section 80 via a pipe. The connection portion 60c is formed to protrude outward from the outer edge portion 60b. This allows water to be introduced into the water receiving section 60 via the connection portion 60c in a direction that intersects the outer edge portion 60b (along the bottom surface 60a), thereby delivering water to a location distant from the connection portion 60c. The connection portion 60c is not limited to being provided in a direction that intersects with the opening direction of the opening 62; as long as the destination (landing position) of the supplied water is within the water receiving section 60, the connection portion 60c may be provided along the opening direction.

The water receiving portion 60 is also provided with an opening 62, an upright portion 64, and a groove 66. The opening 62 is an opening formed on the bottom surface 60a of the water receiving portion 60 so as to communicate with the communication portion 58. The opening shape of the opening 62 is formed to match the shape and size of the opening at the end of the communication portion 58. The upright portion 64 is a portion that is formed to surround the opening 62. In this embodiment, the upright portion 64 is formed to stand along the edge of the opening 62, but it may be formed to stand outside the opening 62 so as to surround the opening 62. With this configuration, a portion of the water introduced from the connecting portion 60c is blocked by the upright portion 64 and remains pooled along the outer edge 60b of the water receiving portion 60, while the remaining water flows over the upright portion 64 or drops through the groove 66 into the opening 62. The groove 66 is a groove formed in the upright portion 64. The groove 66 is provided at one or more locations in the upright portion 64 .
While the present embodiment has been described as an example of a configuration having both the upright portions 64 and the grooves 66, the configuration may not have both the upright portions 64 and the grooves 66, or may have only one of the upright portions 64 and the grooves 66 (in the case of a configuration having only the grooves 66, the grooves 66 are provided around the opening 62). The number and size of the grooves 66 can be appropriately determined. For example, more grooves 66 can be provided in the portion of the communicating portion 58 where lint is likely to adhere, or the density of the grooves 66 can be varied depending on the distance from the connecting portion 60c, which serves as the water inlet. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14 , more grooves 66 are provided on the side where lint is likely to adhere, and the connecting portion 60c is located. Therefore, by introducing water into the water receiving portion 60, water flows preferentially toward the side of the communicating portion 58 where lint is likely to adhere, enabling the communicating portion 58 to be thoroughly cleaned.

The water receiving section 60 is configured as described above, and water supplied by the water supply and drainage section 80 from a direction intersecting the opening direction of the opening 62 (in this embodiment, a substantially horizontal direction) falls into the communication section 58 for cleaning (lint flushing). Lint flushing can be performed at any appropriate time, such as when water is supplied to the water tub 30 for washing or rinsing during the wash cycle, or within a predetermined time after the dry cycle when the drain valve can be left open.

<<About the hot air supply unit 70>>
Next, the characteristic parts of the hot air supply unit 70 will be specifically and in detail explained with reference to the drawings. As described above, the hot air supply unit 70 supplies hot air to the washing tub air intake unit 32 provided in the water tub 30. As shown in Fig. 7, the hot air supply unit 70 has an air blower 72 for forming an air current in the air blowing path 50 and a heater 74 for heating the air flowing through the air blowing path 50.

Here, the heating device 74 is located in the exhaust-side communication section 52, located midway along the air flow path 50, at the narrowed section 52a, where the cross-sectional area of the passage is narrower than the upstream section. Therefore, the warm air supply section 70 can efficiently exchange heat with the air flowing through the air flow path 50 in the heating device 74, smoothly heating the air. Furthermore, the heating device 74 is located further downstream than the air blower 72, allowing it to heat the air just before it enters the water tub 30. This minimizes the temperature drop and moisture absorption caused by heat dissipation of the heated air as it flows through the air flow path 50. This allows air with the highest possible temperature and lowest possible humidity to be introduced into the water tub 30, improving the drying efficiency of the laundry in the water tub 30.

<<About the housing 20>>
Next, the characteristic parts of the housing 20 will be specifically and in detail described with reference to the drawings. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the housing 20 has a main body 26a and a base 26b. In addition, as shown in Figure 16, the housing 20 has a connection part 26c.

The main body 26a houses the water tub 30, rotating tub 40, air flow path 50, water receiver 60, hot air supply unit 70, water supply and drainage unit 80, filter device 100, and other components. The main body 26a has a front beam 28a located on the front surface 20a side of the top surface 20e, a rear beam 28b located on the rear surface 20b side, and a pair of side beams 28c, 28d located on the left and right sides 20c, 20d. The front beam 28a extends left and right on the front surface 20a. The front beam 28a is located below the circuit board behind the operation panel 24. The rear beam 28b extends left and right on the rear surface 20b. The side beams 28c, 28d extend in the front-to-rear direction on the left and right sides and are connected to the front beam 28a and rear beam 28b.

In the main body 26a, the components forming the air flow path 50 are suspended from the beams. Specifically, the air flow path 50 includes a base component 50a, which forms the lower half of the air flow path 50; a filter housing component 50b, which forms the peripheral portion centered on the filter housing component 110; and a hot air supply component 50c, which forms the peripheral portion centered on the hot air supply component 70. The air flow path 50 is constructed by assembling the filter housing component 50b and the hot air supply component 50c onto the base component 50a. When suspending the air flow path 50 from the beams, the base component 50a is first suspended from the front beam 28a, rear beam 28b, and side beam 28c. Then, the filter housing component 50b and the hot air supply component 50c are assembled onto the base component 50a. In this way, the washing machine 10 can assemble the airflow path 50 in a simple procedure, utilizing the beams that make up the main body 26a. Furthermore, the main body 26a has a highly rigid structure, with high-strength front beam 28a, rear beam 28b, and side beams 28c and 28d arranged on the upper side. In consideration of the characteristics of the main body 26a, the airflow path 50, which is heavier than other components and is prone to vibration due to airflow, is assembled by suspending it from the beams 28a to 28d in the washing machine 10. This allows the airflow path 50 to be stably maintained in the washing machine 10.

Pedestal portion 26b is disposed below main body portion 26a as a base for main body portion 26a. In plan view, pedestal portion 26b has approximately the same size and shape as main body portion 26a. In plan view, pedestal portion 26b has a cavity that penetrates vertically in the center. In addition, the peripheral portion of pedestal portion 26b surrounding the cavity also has a honeycomb shape with many through-holes that penetrate vertically. This reduces the weight of pedestal portion 26b without compromising its strength.

Furthermore, the periphery of the base portion 26b is cut out from the top surface 20e toward the bottom surface 20f on the front surface 20a side. Therefore, when the main body portion 26a is placed on the base portion 26b, an opening 26d that opens outward in the circumferential direction is formed between the two. Opening 26d can be used on the lower side of the housing 20 to insert hands or tools into the inside of the housing 20 for work, as well as for various purposes such as routing drainage pipes, updating and maintaining printed circuit boards, etc.

The connecting portion 26c connects the main body portion 26a and the base portion 26b, improving vibration resistance and rigidity. The connecting portion 26c has a main body-side fixing portion 26e and a base-side fixing portion 26f. The main body-side fixing portion 26e is attached to the bottom of the main body portion 26a at a position on the front face 20a side, spanning almost the entire width. The base-side fixing portion 26f is attached to the top of the base portion 26b at a position on the front face 20a side, spanning almost the entire width.

Specifically, the main body-side fixing portion 26e has a main body-side front plate 26g extending laterally from the lower front surface of the main body portion 26a. The base-side fixing portion 26f has base-side side beams 26h, 26i fastened to the upper left and right surfaces of the base portion 26b, and a base-side front plate 26j extending laterally from the upper front surface of the base portion 26b. The base-side side beams 26h, 26i are provided with connection portions 26k to which a suspension structure (not shown), such as a damper, that supports the aquarium 30 is connected. The connection portion 26c is fixed to the base-side side beam 26h by fastening the upper surface of the base-side front plate 26j to the lower surfaces of the base-side side beams 26h, 26i with fasteners such as screws, and by fastening the lower surface of the main body-side front plate 26g to the upper surfaces of the base-side side beams 26h, 26i with fasteners such as screws. In this way, by connecting and fixing the main body side fixing portion 26e and the base side fixing portion 26f with a fixing device, the connecting portion 26c integrates the main body portion 26a and the base portion 26b, thereby improving vibration resistance and rigidity.

The washing machine 10 described above is effective in solving various problems in the prior art through the following configuration.

(1-1) The washing machine 10 of this embodiment comprises a housing 20, a washing tub 35 including a water tub 30 provided in the housing 20 and a rotating tub 40 rotatably provided within the water tub 30, a hot air supply unit 70 that supplies hot air to a washing tub intake unit 32 provided in the washing tub 35, an air blowing path 50 that runs from a washing tub exhaust unit 34 provided in the water tub 30 to the washing tub intake unit 32, and a filter device 100 provided midway along the air blowing path 50, and the filter device 100 includes an upstream filter member 160 that captures foreign matter contained in the air. and downstream filter member 180; a filter housing section 110 that forms a space through which air flowing through air flow path 50 can pass and that can house upstream filter member 160 and downstream filter member 180; an outside air inlet section 140 that communicates with filter housing section 110 and is open to the outside so that air can be introduced into air flow path 50 from the outside; and an inside air outlet section 130 that communicates with filter housing section 110 and is open to the outside so that air can be discharged from air flow path 50 to the outside.

The washing machine 10 described above is configured so that the outside air inlet 140 and the inside air outlet 130 are connected to the filter housing 110, which houses the filters (upstream filter member 160 and downstream filter member 180). In this way, the washing machine 10 is configured to integrate the outside air inlet 140 and the inside air outlet 130 with the filter housing 110. Therefore, with the above-described configuration, the arrangement of the outside air inlet 140 for introducing outside air, the inside air outlet 130 for exhausting inside air, and the filter device 100 can be optimized, providing a washing machine 10 that can effectively utilize the limited space within the housing 20.

In this embodiment, an example is shown in which two filters, an upstream filter member 160 and a downstream filter member 180, are provided. However, when using the configuration described in (1-1) above, it is possible to use only one of them, for example by omitting the downstream filter member 180.

(1-2) The washing machine 10 of this embodiment is characterized in that the filter device 100 integrates the filter housing 110, the outside air intake section 140, and the inside air exhaust section 130.

This configuration makes it possible to assemble the inside air exhaust section 130 and the outside air intake section 140 integrally with the filter housing section 110, contributing to a reduction in the number of parts and a simplification of the device configuration.

(1-3) The washing machine 10 of this embodiment is characterized in that the internal air discharge section 130 has an internal air discharge section communication port 116 that communicates with the filter housing section 110 and an internal air discharge port 134 that opens to the outside, and air that has entered the internal air discharge section communication port 116 from the filter housing section 110 can be discharged from the internal air discharge port 134, and the opening area of the internal air discharge port 134 is larger than the opening area of the internal air discharge section communication port 116.

This configuration reduces the exhaust speed at the internal air exhaust port 134, thereby preventing the exhaust air from being forcefully discharged around the washing machine 10. This prevents humid exhaust air from hitting the wallpaper, even if the washing machine is installed in a location with nearby walls, such as a small washing machine installation space in an apartment building. As a result, it is possible to prevent condensation from adhering to the surface of the wallpaper, or the growth of microorganisms such as mold, caused by contact with the exhaust air from the washing machine 10.

(1-4) The washing machine 10 of this embodiment is characterized in that the filter housing section 110 has an upstream opening 112 that opens upstream of the air flow flowing through the air blowing path 50, a downstream opening 114 that opens downstream of the air flow flowing through the air blowing path 50, an inside air exhaust section communication port 116 that communicates with the inside air exhaust section 130, and an outside air intake section communication port 118 that communicates with the outside air intake section 140, and the filter device 100 has a partition wall 174 that divides the internal space of the filter housing section 110 into a first space 176 that communicates with the downstream opening 114 and the outside air intake section communication port 118, and a second space 178 that communicates with the inside air exhaust section communication port 116.

This configuration makes it easy to separate the airflow circulating inside the washing machine 10 from the airflow discharged to the outside as exhaust air.

In this embodiment, the partition wall 174 is illustrated as being fixed, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the partition wall 174 can also be made movable so that it can move in the width direction of the upstream opening 112. With this configuration, it is possible to easily change the ratio of the airflow circulated inside the washing machine 10 to the airflow discharged to the outside as exhaust air. Also, in this embodiment, the partition wall 174 is illustrated as being a component of the upstream filter member 160, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the partition wall 174 may be a component of the filter housing section 110.

(1-5) The washing machine 10 of this embodiment is characterized in that the filter housing section 110 has an upstream opening 112 that opens upstream of the air flow flowing through the air blowing path 50 and a downstream opening 114 that opens downstream of the air flow flowing through the air blowing path 50, and the filter member has an upstream filter member 160 that is attached across the opening area of the upstream opening 112 and a downstream filter member 180 that is attached across the opening area of the downstream opening 114.

This configuration allows for two-stage removal of foreign matter contained in the airflow circulating through the airflow path 50. Therefore, the above-described configuration enables the circulation of highly purified airflow. Furthermore, as described above, by providing the upstream filter member 160 and the downstream filter member 180, even if one of the filter members is left unattached, the other filter member can still capture lint in the air. Furthermore, by providing two filters consisting of the upstream filter member 160 and the downstream filter member 180, compared to a single filter, the moist air flowing through the airflow path 50 and the outside air taken in through the outside air intake section 140 are mixed in the filter housing section 110, thereby lowering the temperature of the moist air flowing through the airflow path 50 (reducing the amount of saturated water vapor), allowing the moisture contained therein to be efficiently separated and removed as condensed water. Furthermore, condensed water generated on the upstream filter member 160 and downstream filter member 180 makes it difficult for lint contained in the air passing through the filter housing portion 110 to adhere, or even if lint does adhere, the condensed water can wash it away.

As described above, if the filter housing 110 is configured to efficiently separate and remove moisture contained in humid air flowing through the air passage 50 as condensed water, for example by providing the upstream filter member 160 and downstream filter member 180, it is desirable to have a configuration that can prevent condensed water from accumulating in the filter housing 110. Based on this knowledge, it is desirable to have a configuration such as the following (1-6), for example.

(1-6) The washing machine 10 of this embodiment is characterized in that the filter housing 110 has a drain outlet 120 through which water can be discharged, and an inclined portion 122 on the bottom 110e that slopes downward toward the drain outlet 120.

This configuration allows moisture such as condensation water collected in the filter housing portion 110 to be smoothly collected and discharged through the drain outlet 120. This makes it possible to maintain the inside of the filter housing portion 110 clean.

(1-7) The washing machine 10 of this embodiment is characterized by having a drain pipe 120a that connects from the drain outlet 120 to the air blowing path 50 upstream of the filter device 100.

This configuration allows moisture, such as condensation water, collected by the filter device 100 to be smoothly circulated upstream of the air flow path 50.

(1-8) The washing machine 10 of this embodiment is characterized in that part or all of the inner circumferential surface of the filter housing portion 110 is uneven.

This configuration allows moisture such as condensation to flow slowly downward in the filter housing portion 110. This allows the moisture to evaporate due to the airflow passing through the filter housing portion 110, minimizing the amount of moisture discharged to the outside from the filter housing portion 110.

(2-1) The washing machine 10 of this embodiment comprises a housing 20, a washing tub 35 including a water tub 30 provided within the housing 20 and a rotating tub 40 rotatably provided within the water tub 30, a hot air supply unit 70 that supplies hot air to a washing tub intake unit 32 of the washing tub 35, an air supply path 50 that runs from a washing tub exhaust unit 34 provided in the washing tub 35 to the washing tub intake unit 32, a filter device 100 that collects foreign matter contained in the air flowing through the air supply path 50, and a water supply unit 82 that can supply water. The air supply path 50 has a communication part 58 that connects the washing tub exhaust unit 34 to the filter device 100, and the communication part 58 has a water receiving unit 60 that receives water supplied by the water supply unit 82 and the communication part 58 that connects to the water receiving unit 60, and the water receiving unit 60 communicates with the communication part 58 via an opening 62 provided in the water receiving unit 60.

With this configuration, water can flow from the water receiving portion 60 through the opening 62 into the communication portion 58, cleaning the communication portion 58. Therefore, with the above-described configuration, a washing machine 10 can be provided that can keep the communication portion 58 clean.

(2-2) The washing machine 10 of this embodiment is characterized in that the water receiving section 60 has an upright section 64 that stands upright and surrounds the opening 62.

This configuration allows water accumulated on the outer periphery of the standing portion 64 to fall from approximately the entire circumferential area of the opening 62 toward the communicating portion 58. Therefore, with the above-described configuration, the communicating portion 58 can be cleaned over approximately the entire circumferential area.

(2-3) The washing machine 10 of this embodiment is characterized in that the water receiving portion 60 has grooves 66 provided at one or more locations around the opening 62.

This configuration allows water to fall toward the opening 62 at the location where the groove 66 is provided. This makes it possible to drop water in the desired location and clean the communication part 58, rather than leaving it to chance.

(2-4) The washing machine 10 of this embodiment is characterized in that the water supply section 82 supplies water from a direction intersecting the opening direction of the opening 62.

This configuration allows water to be distributed approximately evenly throughout the water receiving section 60. This allows water to flow approximately evenly from each section of the opening 62 toward the communication section 58, allowing for cleaning.

(3-1) The washing machine 10 of this embodiment comprises a housing 20, a washing tub 35 including a water tub 30 provided within the housing 20 and a rotatable tub 40 rotatably provided within the water tub 30, a hot air supply unit 70 that supplies hot air to a washing tub intake section 32 of the washing tub 35, and an air supply path 50 that runs from a washing tub exhaust section 34 provided in the washing tub 35 to the washing tub intake section 32. The hot air supply unit 70 has an air blower 72 that forms an airflow in the air supply path 50 and a heating device 74 that heats the air flowing through the air supply path 50, and the heating device 74 is located midway along the air supply path 50 at a narrowed section 52a where the cross-sectional area of the space forming the air supply path 50 is narrower than the upstream side.

The washing machine 10 of this embodiment is provided with a heating device 74 in the narrowed section 52a of the air flow path 50, where the spatial cross-sectional area is narrowed, allowing the air flowing through the air flow path 50 to be heated smoothly and efficiently.

(3-2) The washing machine 10 of this embodiment is characterized by including a filter device 100 that captures foreign matter contained in the air flowing through the airflow path 50, and the warm air supply unit 70 being disposed downstream of the filter device 100 in the airflow direction of the airflow path 50.

This configuration allows the airflow to be heated after foreign matter has been removed by the filter device 100. Therefore, with the above-described configuration, the airflow can be heated more efficiently using less thermal energy than when heating the airflow before foreign matter is removed, since there are no foreign matters present.

(3-3) The washing machine 10 of this embodiment comprises a housing 20, a washing tub 35 including a water tub 30 provided within the housing 20 and a rotatable tub 40 provided rotatably within the water tub 30, a hot air supply unit 70 that supplies hot air to the washing tub intake unit 32 of the washing tub 35, and an air supply path 50 that runs from the washing tub exhaust unit 34 provided in the washing tub 35 to the washing tub intake unit 32. The housing 20 has a front beam 28a extending laterally on the front side, a rear beam 28b extending laterally on the rear side, and a pair of side beams 28c, 28d extending in the front-rear direction on the left and right sides and connected to the front beam 28a and rear beam 28b, and the components of the air supply path 50 are suspended from one or more beams selected from the front beam 28a, rear beam 28b, and side beams 28c, 28d.

With this configuration, the components of the air flow path 50 can be suspended from the highly rigid front beam 28a, rear beam 28b, and side beams 28c and 28d, improving rigidity against vibration. Specifically, for example, when the hot air supply unit 70 and other components are attached to the air flow path 50 as described above, the air flow path 50 is heavier than the other components, raising concerns about the generation of vibrations associated with airflow and the impact of vibrations associated with the rotation of the washing tub 35. However, if the components of the air flow path 50 are suspended and attached to the highly rigid housing 20, which is made up of highly rigid beams, the air flow path 50 can be maintained stably.

(3-4) The washing machine 10 of this embodiment is characterized in that the components forming the hot air supply unit 70 are assembled to the components forming the air flow path 50.

This configuration allows each beam to absorb vibrations caused by the operation of the hot air supply unit 70, further improving rigidity against vibrations.

(4-1) The washing machine 10 of this embodiment comprises a housing 20, a water tub 30 provided within the housing 20, and a washing tub 35 including a rotating tub 40 rotatably provided within the water tub 30. The housing 20 has a main body 26a that houses the washing tub 35 therein, a base 26b that is disposed below the main body 26a, and a connecting portion 26c that connects the main body 26a and the base 26b. The connecting portion 26c has a main body-side fixing portion 26e that is fixed to the bottom of the main body 26a, and a base 26b. and a base-side fixing portion 26f fixed to the top portion, the base-side fixing portion having base-side side beams fastened to the left and right upper surfaces of the base portion and a base-side front plate extending in the left-right direction on the front upper surface of the base portion, the body-side fixing portion having a body-side front plate extending in the left-right direction on the lower front surface of the body portion, and the base-side front plate and the body-side plate are fastened to the base-side side beams.

This configuration makes it possible to improve vibration damping and rigidity.

(4-2) The washing machine 10 of this embodiment is characterized by having an opening 26d between the main body 26a and the base 26b that can be opened outward in the circumferential direction.

With this configuration, for example, opening 26d can be used for various purposes, such as inserting hands or tools inside housing 20 to perform work on the lower side of housing 20, laying drainage pipes, updating and maintaining printed circuit boards, etc.

The washing machine of the present invention is not limited to the washing machine 10 illustrated in the above embodiment, and can also have the configurations described below as modified examples, for example. A detailed description will be given below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same components as those described in the above embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals, and detailed description will be omitted.

First Variation
Here, for example, a washer-dryer capable of washing using hot water is disclosed, such as that disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-075818. In such a washer-dryer, when washing using hot water, water vapor generated in the water tub can infiltrate the circulation air duct. When water vapor infiltrates the circulation air duct, the humidity in the circulation air duct increases, making condensation more likely to occur in the circulation air duct. In particular, if condensation occurs repeatedly over a long period of time in electrical components such as a drying heater installed inside the circulation air duct, there is a concern that this could lead to failure of the electrical components. To solve this problem, the prior art disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-075818 suppresses condensation in the circulation air duct by energizing the drying heater to generate heat when washing using hot water.

However, in the washer-dryer described in the above-mentioned patent document, the drying heater is energized to generate heat when hot water is used, which raises concerns about increased power consumption due to simultaneous use of the hot water heater and drying heater. Furthermore, using the drying heater when generating hot water poses the problem of the heater being energized while exposed to condensed water, which could lead to malfunctions. Furthermore, leaving condensation on the heater could potentially encourage the growth of microorganisms such as mold.

Therefore, the first variant aims to prevent condensation from forming inside the washing machine, even when washing using warm water.

[Configuration and Effects of the First Modification]
The configuration and effects of the washing machine of this modified example, which is provided to solve the above-mentioned problems, are as follows.

(5-1) The washing machine of this modified example has a housing, a washing tub including a water tub provided within the housing and a rotating tub rotatably provided within the water tub, an air flow path connecting a washing tub intake section and a washing tub exhaust section provided in the washing tub to be able to blow air outside the washing tub, an air blower that generates airflow in the air flow path, and a hot water forming section that supplies hot water to the washing tub, and is configured to perform a plurality of processes selected from a washing process that washes laundry placed in the washing tub, a rinsing process that rinses laundry placed in the washing tub, and a spin-drying process that spin-dries laundry placed in the washing tub. The washing machine can be operated in an operating mode consisting of one or more processes, including the washing process, the rinsing process, or both, and the spin-drying process, and when the washing machine is operated in an operating mode in which either or both of the washing and rinsing processes are performed using hot water supplied by the hot water forming unit and the spin-drying process is performed at least once, the washing machine can perform a spin-drying air blowing operation in which the air blower generates an airflow in the air blowing path during at least one of the one or more spin-drying processes included in the operation in the operating mode.

With this configuration, when operating in an operating mode that uses warm water to wash and/or rinse, the airflow through the airflow path can be used to reduce humidity and prevent condensation by blowing air during the spin cycle.

(5-2) The washing machine described above may preferably be the one described in claim 1, characterized in that the spin-drying air blowing operation is performed at least in the spin-drying process that is performed immediately after washing or rinsing using warm water, among the multiple spin-drying processes included in the operating mode.

With this configuration, airflow can be circulated through the airflow path to reduce humidity during the spin-drying process, which is carried out immediately after the humidity has increased due to washing and rinsing using warm water. This further reduces the risk of condensation forming in the airflow path.

(5-3) The washing machine described above may be the one described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the spin tub is rotated at the maximum rotation speed during some of the spin-drying processes among the plurality of spin-drying processes included in the operating mode.

This configuration allows moisture remaining on or adhering to the rotating tub to be removed, accelerating the drying of the rotating tub. Furthermore, moisture removed from the rotating tub can be dried by blowing air during dehydration. Therefore, the above-described configuration can more reliably prevent condensation from forming.

(5-4) The washing machine described above may be the one described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the spin tub is rotated at the maximum rotation speed in at least the last spin-drying process among the multiple spin-drying processes included in the operating mode.

This configuration more reliably removes any moisture remaining on or adhering to the rotating tub, accelerating the drying of the rotating tub.

(5-5) The washing machine described above may preferably be one according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it has a heating device that heats the air passing through the air blowing path, and that heating of the air by the heating device is stopped when the spin-drying air blowing operation is performed during the spin-drying process, which is performed immediately after washing or rinsing using at least warm water.

This configuration reduces the power consumption caused by the operation of the heating device.

(5-5) The washing machine described above may preferably be one according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a room temperature detection device that detects room temperature, and the air blowing capacity of the air blower during the spin-drying air blowing operation is adjusted according to the room temperature detected by the room temperature detection device.

This configuration allows air to be blown at the optimal blowing capacity depending on the room temperature. This allows air to be blown at the optimal volume to prevent condensation, effectively preventing condensation.

(5-6) The washing machine described above may preferably be one according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a room temperature detection device that detects room temperature, and the air blowing time of the air blowing device during the spin-drying air blowing operation is adjusted according to the room temperature detected by the room temperature detection device.

This configuration allows the airflow time to be optimized depending on the room temperature. This prevents the unit from blowing air for an excessively long period of time in order to prevent condensation, thereby shortening operating time and reducing power consumption. Furthermore, sufficient airflow time can be ensured, taking into account room temperatures, and condensation can be efficiently prevented.

(5-7) The washing machine described above may be any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the spin-drying air blowing operation starts with a delay from the start of the spin-drying process.

This configuration prevents moisture-laden air from flowing through the airflow path immediately after the dehydration process begins.

(5-8) The washing machine described above may be one described in any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the start of the spin-drying air blowing operation is delayed from when the spin tub starts rotating during the spin-drying process until the rotation speed of the spin tub reaches a predetermined rotation speed.

This configuration allows a certain amount of moisture contained in the clothes to be dehydrated and drained during the early stages of the spin cycle, from when the spin tub starts to rotate until the rotation speed of the spin tub reaches a predetermined number of rotations, thereby preventing moisture-laden air present in the washing tub from flowing through the airflow path.

(5-9) The washing machine described above may be any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the dehydration air blowing operation is performed on the condition that the temperature of the hot water supplied by the hot water forming unit is equal to or higher than a predetermined reference temperature.

This configuration allows for proper air blowing during spin drying when hot water at a temperature where condensation is a concern is used for washing or rinsing.

[Specific example of the first modified example]
Hereinafter, the washing machine 10 according to the first modification will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the washing machine 10 according to this modification has a configuration that is mostly the same as that according to the above embodiment, and therefore the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Similar to the washing machine 10 illustrated in the above embodiment, the washing machine 10 includes a housing 20, a washing tub 35, an air flow path 50, an air blower 72, and a heating device 74. As shown in FIG. 17 , in addition to these components, the washing machine 10 of this modified example also includes a hot water forming unit 200, a room temperature detecting unit 210, and a control unit 220.

The hot water forming unit 200 is used to warm the water used for washing and rinsing. The hot water forming unit 200 is composed of a heater that generates heat when electricity is applied. The hot water forming unit 200 can warm water by heating low-temperature water supplied from the outside. The hot water forming unit 200 can be installed in an appropriate location, such as the washing tub 35. The hot water forming unit 200 is operable under the control of the control unit 220.

The room temperature detection device 210 is equipped with a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature in the room where the washing machine 10 is installed. The room temperature detection device 210 is capable of outputting data related to the detected room temperature to the control unit 220.

The control unit 220 controls the overall operation of the washing machine 10. The control unit 220 is connected to the hot water formation unit 200 and the room temperature detection device 210. The control unit 220 is also connected to the motor for driving the rotatable tub 40 in the washing tub 35, the air blower 72, and the heating device 74. This allows the control unit 220 to control the rotation of the rotatable tub 40, the air blowing by the air blower 72, heating by the heating device 74, etc.

The control unit 220 can control the operation of the washing machine 10 to perform an operation consisting of only one process selected from a plurality of processes including a washing process for washing laundry placed in the washing tub 35, a rinsing process for rinsing laundry placed in the washing tub 35, and a spin-drying process for spin-drying laundry placed in the washing tub 35, or an operation mode consisting of a combination of a plurality of processes selected from these processes. The washing machine 10 of this modified example is capable of performing a spin-drying air blowing operation under the control of the control unit 220 when operating in an operation mode including a washing process, a rinsing process, or both, and a spin-drying process, and when performing either or both of washing and rinsing using hot water supplied by the hot water supply unit. The spin-drying air blowing operation will be described in detail below with reference to the timing chart shown in FIG. 18.

In the example shown in the timing chart of FIG. 18, the washing machine 10 operates in an operating mode in which the following processes are performed in order: washing, first spin-drying, rinsing, second spin-drying, third spin-drying, and drying. The washing process is a process in which laundry loaded into the washing tub 35 is washed. In the operating mode shown in the timing chart of FIG. 18, laundry is performed using water heated by the hot water forming unit 200 during the washing process. The first spin-drying process is a spin-drying process performed after the washing process and before the rinsing process. The rinsing process is a process in which water is recharged into the washing tub 35 after the first spin-drying process to rinse the laundry. The second spin-drying process is a preliminary spin-drying process performed after the rinsing process and before the third spin-drying process. The third spin-drying process is a spin-drying process performed after the second spin-drying process to further spin-dry the laundry. The drying process is a process in which the laundry, which has been sufficiently dehydrated during the third spin-drying process, is dried using hot air supplied to the washing tub 35.

When washing is performed using warm water in the washing cycle in the above-described operating mode, the control unit 220 operates the blower 72 to generate airflow in the air flow path 50 during at least one of the first spin-drying cycle, second spin-drying cycle, and third spin-drying cycle included in that operating mode (spin-drying blowing operation). Spin-drying blowing operation is performed at least during the spin-drying cycle, which is performed immediately after washing or rinsing using warm water. In the example of Figure 18, warm water is used in the washing cycle. Therefore, the control unit 220 performs spin-drying blowing operation at least during the first spin-drying cycle, which is performed after the washing cycle. In the example of Figure 18, the control unit 220 controls the operation of the blower 72 so that spin-drying blowing operation is performed not only during the first spin-drying cycle, but also during the second and third spin-drying cycles.

The control unit 220 rotates the spin tub 40 at the maximum rotation speed during some of the spin cycles included in the operation mode. Furthermore, the control unit 220 rotates the spin tub 40 at the maximum rotation speed during at least the last spin cycle of the multiple spin cycles included in the operation mode. In the example shown in the timing chart of Figure 18, the control unit 220 controls the spin tub 40 to rotate at the maximum rotation speed during the third spin cycle, which is the last spin cycle of the first, second, and third spin cycles.

The control unit 220 also controls the heater 74 to stop heating the air when blowing air during the spin cycle, which is performed immediately after washing or rinsing using warm water. In the example of Figure 18, because washing is performed using warm water during the washing cycle, the control unit 220 stops the heater 74 from heating the air when blowing air during the spin cycle in the first spin cycle, which is performed immediately after the washing cycle.

When performing the spin-drying air blowing operation, the control unit 220 controls the air blowing capacity of the air blower 72 to be adjusted continuously or in stages depending on the room temperature detected by the room temperature detection device 210. In this modified example, temperature ranges are specified so that room temperature can be grasped in three stages: when the room temperature is low, such as in winter; when the room temperature is moderate, such as in spring or autumn; and when the room temperature is high, such as in summer. The air blowing capacity of the air blower 72 is specified in three stages depending on the rotation speed of the fan equipped in the air blower 72. Furthermore, the relationship between room temperature and the air blowing capacity of the air blower 72 is specified in advance. For example, when the room temperature is high, the air blowing capacity of the air blower 72 is specified to be the lowest because condensation is less likely to occur. On the other hand, when the room temperature is low, the air blowing capacity of the air blower 72 is specified to be high because condensation is more likely to occur. Furthermore, when the room temperature is moderate, the air blowing capacity of the air blower 72 is also specified to be medium. The control unit 220 controls the air blowing capacity of the air blower 72 in accordance with predetermined regulations based on the relationship between room temperature and air blowing capacity thus determined and the room temperature detected by the room temperature detection device 210.

The control unit 220 controls the air blowing time of the air blower 72 during the spin-off air blowing operation to be adjusted continuously or in stages according to the room temperature detected by the room temperature detection device. For example, as described above, the control unit 220 grasps the room temperature by dividing it into three levels: high, low, and medium. When the room temperature is medium, the control unit 220 sets the air blowing time of the air blower 72 to a standard time. When the room temperature is high, the possibility of condensation occurring is low, so the control unit 220 controls the air blowing time of the air blower 72 to be shorter than the standard time. When the room temperature is low, the possibility of condensation occurring is high, so the control unit 220 controls the air blowing time of the air blower 72 to be longer than the standard time. In this way, the control unit 220 controls the air blowing time of the air blower 72 to be longer than the standard time according to the room temperature detected by the room temperature detection device 210.

The control unit 220 controls the start of the spin-dry air blowing operation so that it is delayed from the start of the spin cycle. Specifically, the control unit 220 delays the start of the spin-dry air blowing operation from when the rotating tub 40 starts rotating in the spin cycle until the rotation speed of the rotating tub 40 reaches a predetermined rotation speed. Specifically, the control unit 220 delays the start of the spin-dry air blowing operation until the rotation speed of the rotating tub 40 reaches a predetermined rotation speed specified in the range of 30 to 60% of the maximum rotation speed (in the example shown in Figure 18, a rotation speed that is approximately 40% of the maximum rotation speed). Furthermore, the control unit 220 is controlled to start the spin-dry air blowing operation after the rotation speed of the rotating tub 40 reaches the predetermined rotation speed.

As described above, when the washing machine 10 of this modified example is operated in an operating mode that performs either or both of a washing cycle and a rinsing cycle using hot water supplied by the hot water forming unit 200 and that performs the spin cycle at least once, the washing machine 10 performs a spin-cycle air blowing operation in which the air blower 72 generates an airflow in the air blowing path 50 during at least one of the spin cycles included in the operating mode. Therefore, when the washing machine 10 is operated in an operating mode that performs either or both of a washing cycle and a rinsing cycle using hot water, the spin-cycle air blowing operation during the spin cycle reduces humidity and prevents condensation by the airflow flowing through the air blowing path 50.

Furthermore, in the washing machine 10 of this modified example, among the multiple spin cycles included in the operating mode, at least the spin cycle performed immediately after washing or rinsing using warm water is performed, and the spin cycle air blowing operation is performed. Therefore, in the spin cycle performed immediately after the humidity has increased due to washing or rinsing using warm water, airflow can be circulated through the air blowing path 50 to reduce humidity. This further reduces the occurrence of condensation in the air blowing path 50.

As described above, the washing machine 10 of this modified example rotates the spin tub 40 at the maximum rotation speed during some of the spin cycles included in the multiple spin cycles in the operating mode. This allows moisture remaining in or adhering to the spin tub 40 to be removed, facilitating drying of the spin tub 40. Furthermore, the moisture removed from the spin tub 40 can be dried by performing an air blowing operation during spin cycle. Therefore, the above-described configuration can more reliably suppress the occurrence of condensation.

In this modified example, the rotating tub 40 is rotated at the maximum rotation speed in some of the spin-drying processes included in the operating mode, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the rotating tub 40 may be rotated at the maximum rotation speed in all spin-drying processes, or may be rotated at a rotation speed lower than the maximum rotation speed in all spin-drying processes.

In this modified washing machine 10, the spin tub 40 is rotated at the maximum rotation speed at least during the final spin-drying cycle among the multiple spin-drying cycles included in the operating mode. Therefore, the washing machine 10 can more reliably remove moisture remaining in or adhering to the spin tub 40, accelerating the drying of the spin tub 40.

In this modified example, the rotating tub 40 is rotated at the maximum rotation speed during at least the final spin-drying process among the multiple spin-drying processes included in the operating mode, but the present invention is not limited to this. Specifically, the rotating tub 40 may not be rotated at the maximum rotation speed during the final spin-drying process.

Furthermore, the washing machine 10 of this modified example has a heating device 74 that heats the air passing through the air blowing path 50, and the heating of air by the heating device 74 is stopped at least when the spin-drying air blowing operation is performed during the spin-drying process, which is performed immediately after washing or rinsing using warm water. Therefore, with the washing machine 10 of this modified example, it is possible to reduce the power consumption caused by the operation of the heating device 74.

In this modified example, a configuration has been described in which the heating of air by the heater 74 is stopped when the air blowing operation during spin-drying is performed during the spin-drying process, which is performed immediately after washing or rinsing using warm water. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In other words, the washing machine 10 may be configured to heat the air by the heater 74 during the spin-drying process, which is performed immediately after washing or rinsing using warm water.

The washing machine 10 of this modified example described above has a room temperature detection device 210 that detects the room temperature, and the air blowing capacity of the air blower 72 during the spin-drying air blowing operation is adjusted according to the room temperature detected by the room temperature detection device 210. Therefore, the washing machine 10 of this modified example can blow air at an optimal air blowing capacity depending on the room temperature. This allows air to be blown at an optimal volume to prevent condensation from occurring, thereby efficiently preventing condensation.

In this modified example, the washing machine 10 is exemplified as one in which the air blowing capacity of the air blower 72 during the spin-drying air blowing operation is adjusted according to the room temperature detected by the room temperature detection device 210, but the present invention is not limited to this. Specifically, the washing machine 10 may maintain the same air blowing capacity of the air blower 72 during the spin-drying air blowing operation regardless of the room temperature, or may be provided with a clock function or the like to enable the washing machine 10 to know the season and change the air blowing capacity according to the season.

The washing machine 10 of this modified example has a room temperature detection device 210 that detects the room temperature, and adjusts the air blowing time by the air blower 72 during the spin-drying air blowing operation according to the room temperature detected by the room temperature detection device 210. Therefore, with the washing machine 10 of this modified example, the air blowing time can be optimized according to the room temperature. This prevents the air from being blown for an excessively long time in order to prevent condensation from occurring, and enables shortening of operating time and reduction of power consumption. Furthermore, sufficient air blowing time can be ensured taking into account the room temperature, thereby efficiently preventing condensation from occurring.

Note that while the washing machine 10 of this modified example is configured to adjust the air blowing time of the air blower 72 during the spin-drying air blowing operation according to the room temperature, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the washing machine 10 may keep the air blowing time of the air blower 72 during the spin-drying air blowing operation the same regardless of the room temperature, or the washing machine 10 may be provided with a clock function or the like to be able to keep track of the season and change the air blowing time according to the season.

In this modified washing machine 10, the start of the spin-drying air blowing operation is delayed from the start of the spin cycle. Therefore, this modified washing machine 10 can prevent moisture-rich air from flowing through the air blowing path 50 immediately after the start of the spin cycle.

Note that, in this modified example, the spin-off air blowing operation is delayed from the start of the spin cycle, but the present invention is not limited to this. In other words, the washing machine 10 may be configured so that the spin-off air blowing operation is started at the same timing as the spin cycle.

In the washing machine 10 of this modified example, the start of the spin-drying air blowing operation is delayed from when the spin tub 40 starts rotating during the spin cycle until the rotation speed of the spin tub 40 reaches a predetermined rotation speed. Therefore, in the washing machine 10 of this modified example, air containing a large amount of moisture present in the early stage of the spin cycle, from when the spin tub 40 starts rotating during the spin cycle until the rotation speed of the spin tub 40 reaches the predetermined rotation speed, can be prevented from flowing through the air blowing path 50.

In this modified washing machine 10, an example has been shown in which the start of the spin-drying air blowing operation is delayed until the rotation speed of the spin tub 40 reaches a predetermined rotation speed during the spin-drying process, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the washing machine 10 may be one in which the spin-drying air blowing operation is started a predetermined time after the start of the spin-drying process.

In this modified example, the washing machine 10 is shown as being configured such that the condition for performing the spin-off air blowing operation is that hot water is used in the washing process, regardless of the temperature of the hot water supplied by the hot water formation unit 200 in the washing process. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Specifically, the spin-off air blowing operation may be performed on the condition that the temperature of the hot water supplied by the hot water formation unit 200 is equal to or higher than a predetermined reference temperature. This allows the spin-off air blowing operation to be performed appropriately when hot water at a temperature where condensation is a concern is used for washing or rinsing, and makes it possible to omit the spin-off air blowing operation when hot water at a temperature where condensation is less likely to occur is used.

In this modified example, an example is shown in which the air blowing operation during spin drying is performed depending on the temperature of the hot water supplied by the hot water formation unit 200, but the present invention is not limited to this. In other words, the washing machine 10 may perform the air blowing operation during spin drying regardless of the temperature of the hot water supplied by the hot water formation unit 200.

<<Second Variation>>
Conventionally, there has been provided a washer-dryer such as that disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2017-051296. The washer-dryer in Patent Literature 1 includes a rotating drum rotatably mounted within a washing machine housing, an air intake port for taking in air from outside the washing machine housing as drying air, an air intake path for feeding the drying air from the air intake port to the rotating drum, a heater for heating the drying air, a blower fan for feeding the drying air into the rotating drum, an exhaust port opening to the outside of the washing machine housing, an exhaust path for feeding the drying air that has exchanged heat with the clothes in the rotating drum to the exhaust port, and a controller for controlling the heater, the blower fan, etc.

However, when providing air intake and exhaust ports on the housing of a washing machine, as in the washer-dryer of Patent Document 1, there is a concern that the air intake and exhaust ports may become blocked by items being placed on top of them, resulting in reduced air intake and exhaust performance.

The second variant aims to ensure that a path for air flow can be secured even when items or other items are placed in areas where the outside air intake and inside air exhaust sections used for intake and exhaust of air in the washing machine are located.

[Configuration and Effects of the Second Modification]
The configuration and effects of the washing machine of this modified example, which is provided to solve the above-mentioned problems, are as follows.

(6-1) This washing machine of the present variation comprises a housing, a washing tub including a water tub provided within the housing and a rotatable tub provided within the water tub, an air flow path connecting a washing tub intake section and a washing tub exhaust section provided in the washing tub to the outside of the washing tub so that air can be blown therethrough, an outside air inlet section that opens to the outside so that air can be introduced into the air flow path from the outside, and an inside air outlet section that opens to the outside so that air can be exhausted from the air flow path to the outside, and is characterized in that either or both of the outside air inlet section and the inside air outlet section have a first communication section that communicates with the outside so that air flows in a direction intersecting the exterior surface of the housing that is exposed to the outside, and a second communication section that communicates with the outside so that air flows in a direction intersecting the first communication section.

In this modified washing machine, either the outside air intake section or the inside air exhaust section, or both, have a first communication section that communicates with the outside so that air flows in a direction that intersects with the exterior surface of the housing that is exposed to the outside, and a second communication section that communicates with the outside so that air flows in a direction that intersects with the first communication section. Therefore, even if an object is placed in a way that blocks the first communication section, a path for air to flow can be secured via the second communication section.

In this modified example, the exterior surface on which the external air inlet and internal air outlet are provided can be, for example, the top or side of the washing machine. If the external air inlet and internal air outlet provided on the top of the washing machine are equipped with the first and second communication sections as described above, there is a concern that the first communication section may be blocked if an object is placed on the top, but air flow can be ensured through the second communication section. Furthermore, if the external air inlet and internal air outlet are provided on the side of the washing machine, there is a concern that the first communication section may be blocked if the side on which they are provided is placed against a wall, but air flow can be ensured through the second communication section.

(6-2) The washing machine described above may be configured so that one of the first communication portion and the second communication portion branches off from the other.

This configuration simplifies the configuration because there is no need to provide the first and second communication sections as completely separate components.

(6-3) In the washing machine described above, it is preferable that either or both of the outside air intake section and the inside air exhaust section are provided on the portion of the exterior surface that forms the top surface of the housing.

This configuration prevents obstruction of air flow in the external air intake section or internal air exhaust section due to items being placed on the top surface of the housing, etc.

(6-4) The washing machine described above may preferably have a slat portion on the exterior surface, with multiple slats arranged in a chain or lattice pattern, the slat portion being exposed to the outside and connected to the side of the exterior surface, one or both of the outside air inlet and the inside air outlet being provided on the slat portion, the first communication portion being formed by an opening that opens to the exterior surface between adjacent slats that make up the slat portion, and the second communication portion being formed by a portion that does not open to the exterior surface between adjacent slats that make up the slat portion and that connects to the side of the exterior surface.

With this configuration, a first communication section is formed by the openings formed between the bars, and a second communication section can be formed in the area between the bars where no openings are formed.

[Specific example of the second modified example]
Hereinafter, the washing machine 10 according to the second modification will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 19 and Fig. 20. Note that the washing machine 10 according to this modification has a configuration that is mostly the same as that according to the above embodiment, and therefore the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The washing machine 10 has a housing 20, washing tub 35, and air passage 50 configured similarly to those illustrated in the above embodiment. The washing machine 10 of the second modified example differs in part from the internal air exhaust section 130 and external air intake section 140 described above. The configuration of the internal air exhaust section 130 and external air intake section 140 of the second modified example will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

The internal air exhaust section 130 is open to the outside so that air can be exhausted from the air flow path 50 to the outside. The external air intake section 140 is also open to the outside so that air can be introduced from the outside into the air flow path 50. The internal air exhaust section 130 and the external air intake section 140 are each located on the top surface 20e, which forms the exterior surface of the housing 20, on the rear surface 20b side.

The internal air exhaust section 130 and the external air intake section 140 are formed by slat-like sections 250, 260, each of which has multiple slats 252, 262 arranged in a chain or lattice pattern. The slat-like sections 250, 260 are exposed to the outside on the top surface 20e and are formed to communicate with each other toward the side of the top surface 20e (toward the back surface 20b in this modified example).

The internal air exhaust section 130 and the external air intake section 140 have first communication sections 254, 264 and second communication sections 256, 266 formed by rib sections 250, 260, respectively.

The first communication sections 254, 264 are connected to the outside so that air can flow in a direction intersecting the top surface 20e (in this modified example, the vertical direction). The first communication sections 254, 264 are formed by openings that open to the top surface 20e between adjacent bars 252, 252 and between adjacent bars 262, 262 that make up the bar-shaped sections 250, 260.

The second communication portions 256, 266 are connected to the outside to allow air to flow in a direction intersecting the first communication portions 254, 264. The second communication portions 256, 266 are formed to branch off from the first communication portions 254, 264. The second communication portions 256, 266 are formed by portions that are closed to the top surface 20e between adjacent ribs 252, 252 or ribs 262, 262 that make up the rib-shaped portions 250, 260, and that open toward the side of the top surface 20e (toward the rear surface 20b in this modified example). The closed portions that make up the second communication portions 256, 266 are located lower than the upper ends (open ends) of the ribs 252, 252 and ribs 262, 262. As a result, grooves are formed between the ribs 252, 252 and ribs 262, 262 that allow air to flow along the surface of the top surface 20e (exterior surface). Furthermore, as shown in Figure 20, crosspieces 252 and 262 have inclined portions 258 and 268 that slope from the upper end to the lower end at the terminal end of second communicating portions 256 and 266 (the rear surface 20b side in this modified example). Because of this configuration, even if an item is placed on crosspieces 250 and 260, a gap is formed between inclined portions 258 and 268 and the item, ensuring breathability in second communicating portions 256 and 266.

As described above, in the washing machine 10 of this modified example, both the internal air exhaust section 130 and the external air intake section 140 have first communication sections 254, 264 that communicate with the outside so that air flows in a direction intersecting the top surface 20e of the housing 20 that is exposed to the outside, and second communication sections 256, 266 that communicate with the outside so that air flows in a direction intersecting the first communication sections 254, 264. Therefore, in the washing machine 10 of this modified example, even if an object is placed so as to block the first communication sections 254, 264, a path for air to flow can be secured via the second communication sections 256, 266.

In this modified example, the internal air exhaust section 130 and the external air intake section 140 are provided on the top surface 20e, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, if the internal air exhaust section 130 and the external air intake section 140 are provided on the side surface of the housing 20, and the side surface on which they are provided is configured as described above, even if the first communication sections 254, 264 are blocked by, for example, placing the side surface against a wall, air flow through the second communication sections 256, 266 can be ensured.

In this modified example, both the inside air exhaust section 130 and the outside air intake section 140 are configured to include the first communication sections 254, 264 and the second communication sections 256, 266 as described above, but the present invention is not limited to this. In other words, either the inside air exhaust section 130 or the outside air intake section 140 may have a configuration other than the above-described configuration that includes the first communication sections 254, 264 and the second communication sections 256, 266.

The washing machine 10 of this modified example described above is formed so that one of the first communication portions 254, 264 and the second communication portions 256, 266 branches off from the other. This eliminates the need to provide the first communication portions 254, 264 and the second communication portions 256, 266 as completely separate components, simplifying the configuration.

In this modified example, the second communication sections 256, 266 branch off from the first communication sections 254, 264, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the inside air exhaust section 130 and the outside air intake section 140 may be configured so that the first communication sections 254, 264 branch off from the second communication sections 256, 266, or the first communication sections 254, 264 and the second communication sections 256, 266 may be provided on separate paths.

The washing machine 10 described above has an internal air exhaust section 130 and an external air intake section 140 provided on the top surface 20e of the housing 20. Therefore, the washing machine 10 can prevent the flow of air in the internal air exhaust section 130 and the external air intake section 140 from being obstructed by items being placed on the top surface of the housing 20, for example.

In this modified example, both the internal air exhaust section 130 and the external air intake section 140 are provided on the top surface 20e, but the present invention is not limited to this. Specifically, either or both of the internal air exhaust section 130 and the external air intake section 140 may be provided on an exterior surface other than the top surface 20e, such as a side surface of the housing 20.

The washing machine 10 described above has slat-like portions 250, 260, each of which has multiple slats 252, 262 arranged in a chain or lattice pattern on the top surface 20e. The slat-like portions 250, 260 are exposed to the outside and are formed to communicate with the sides of the top surface 20e. Both the internal air exhaust port 130 and the external air intake port 140 are also provided on the slat-like portions 250, 260. First communication portions 254, 264 are formed by openings that open to the top surface 20e between the slats 252, 262, and second communication portions 256, 266 are formed by non-opening portions between the slats 252, 262. The washing machine 10 of this modified example is able to provide the first communication portions 254, 264 and the second communication portions 256, 266 with this simple configuration.

In this modified example, the first communication portions 254, 264 and the second communication portions 256, 266 are provided using the rib-shaped portions 250, 260, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the washing machine 10 may be provided with separate openings for the first communication portions 254, 264 and second communication portions 256, 266.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and variations, and other embodiments may be possible within the scope of the claims, based on the teachings and spirit of the invention. The components of the above-described embodiments may be arbitrarily selected and combined. Furthermore, any component of the embodiments may be arbitrarily combined with any component described in the Summary of the Invention or any component that embodies any component described in the Summary of the Invention. We intend to obtain rights to these as well through amendments to this application or divisional applications, etc.

This invention can be used effectively in washing machines in general.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10: Washing machine 20: Housing 26a: Main body 26b: Base 26c: Connection 26d: Opening 26e: Main body side fixing portion 26f: Base side fixing portion 28a: Front beam 28b: Rear beam 28c: Side beam 28d: Side beam 30: Water tub 32: Washing tub intake portion 34: Washing tub exhaust portion 35: Washing tub 40: Rotating tub 50: Air blowing path 52a: Narrowed portion 58: Communication portion 60: Water receiving portion 62: Opening 64: Standing portion 66: Groove 70: Warm air supply portion 72: Air blower 74: Heating device 82: Water supply portion 100: Filter device 110: Filter accommodating portion 110e: Bottom 112: Upstream opening 114: Downstream opening 116: Internal air discharge section communication port 118: External air introduction section communication port 120: Drain port 120a: Drain pipe 122: Inclined section 130: Internal air discharge section 134: Internal air discharge port 140: External air introduction section 160: Upstream filter member 174: Partition wall 176: First space 178: Second space 180: Downstream filter member 200: Hot water formation section 210: Room temperature detection device 220: Control section 250: Bar-shaped section 252: Bar 254: First communication section 256: Second communication section 258: Inclined section 260: Bar-shaped section 262: Bar 264 : First communication part 266 : Second communication part 268 : Inclined part

Claims (4)

The housing and
a washing tub including a water tub provided in the housing and a rotary tub rotatably provided in the water tub;
an air blowing path that connects the washing tub intake part and the washing tub exhaust part provided in the washing tub so as to be able to blow air outside the washing tub;
a filter housing portion that defines a space through which air flowing through the airflow path can pass and that can house a filter member that captures foreign matter contained in the air;
an outside air introduction section that is in communication with the filter housing section and is open to the outside so that air can be introduced into the air flow path from the outside;
an internal air discharge section that is in communication with the filter housing section and is open to the outside so that air can be discharged from the air blowing path to the outside,
the outside air introduction section is located on the opposite side of the filter housing section from the inside air discharge section,
the outside air introduction section and the inside air exhaust section are each provided on a top surface of the housing,
Both the outside air introduction section and the inside air discharge section have a first communication section that communicates with the outside so that air flows in a direction intersecting with the top surface of the housing that is exposed to the outside, and a second communication section that communicates with the outside so that air flows in a direction intersecting with the first communication section ,
The top surface has a lattice-like portion in which a plurality of lattices are arranged in a lattice-like or grid-like manner,
The rib-like portion is formed so as to be exposed to the outside and to communicate with a side of the top surface,
the first communication portion is formed by an opening portion that is open to the top surface between the adjacent bars that constitute the bar-shaped portion,
The washing machine is characterized in that the second communication portion is formed by a portion that is not open to the top surface between adjacent ribs that constitute the rib-shaped portion and that communicates with a side of the top surface . The washing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that one of the first communication portion and the second communication portion is formed so as to branch off from the other. The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a groove through which air flows along a surface of the top face is formed between adjacent ones of the bars in the second communication portion. The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the crosspiece has an inclined portion inclined from an upper end side to a lower end side on a lateral side of the top surface in the second communication portion.