Patent Application
20090178442
The present invention relates to a washing and drying machine provided with a function of drying laundry by supplying warm air by circulation.
This type of washing and drying machine includes a washing and drying machine comprising a drum rotated about a horizontal axis and a washing and drying machine comprising an inner tub rotated about a vertical axis. Each of the drum and the inner tub has a circumferential wall formed with a number of small holes and functions as a rotating tub. These washing and drying machines a similar washing function and a similar drying function. For example, in a drying step, drying warm air is supplied by circulation while the rotating tub is rotated at low speeds, so that laundry accommodated in the rotating tub is dried. A water tub (outer tub) capable of storing water is provided outside the rotating tub. The washing and drying machine carries out washing with the water tub storing water.
When a water-supplying operation is continued even after supplied water exceeds a predetermined water level owing to failure in water supply or a control device of a water-supply valve, for example, water overflows such that there is a possibility that electrical components may be drenched and the floor may become sloppy. In view of the problem, the water tub is formed with overflow outlets through which overflowed water is directly discharged out of the machine when the water level in the water tub exceeds a predetermined level. On the other hand, the aforesaid drying warm air is adapted to be circulated through the water tub. Accordingly, the overflow outlets are located so that overflowed water is discharged through the overflow outlets before entering an outlet and an inlet of warm air, as in a washing and drying machine described in Japan published patent application No. 2005-46414 (JP-A-2005-46414).
An air supply duct 9 has an upper end connected to the upper rear of the water tub 2. An exhaust duct 10 has an upper end connected to the front of the water tub 2. The air supply duct 9 and the exhaust duct 10 have respective lower ends which are connected to each other by a heat exchange duct 11 provided with a warm air generating unit so as to communicate with each other. The warm air generating unit comprises a known heat pump mechanism 40.
The heat pump mechanism 40 is adapted to pump refrigerant by a compressor 13 and to circulate the refrigerant through a condenser 14, a capillary tube (serving as a refrigerant throttle valve) and an evaporator 15 sequentially. The condenser 14 heat-exchanges air circulated in the heat exchange duct 11, thereby heating the air. A blower 16 supplies the air heated by the condenser 14 through the air supply duct 9 into the water tub 2 and the drum 3 as warm air. As a result, laundry in the drum 3 is dried. Air used for drying and containing water content is cooled by the evaporator 15 thereby to be dehumidified. The air is then heated by the condenser 14 and re-supplied as drying warm air into the drum 3. That is, drying air is supplied into the drum 3 to dry laundry while being circulated in the circulation air passage 12 as shown by arrow A in
An overflow outlet 17 is provided at a predetermined position in a rear wall of the water tub 2 in order to cope with abnormal overflow water such as described above. The predetermined position is set so as to be located lower than a connecting hole of the air supply duct 9 serving an outlet of the circulation air passage 12 and a connecting hole of the exhaust duct 10 serving as an inlet of the circulation air passage 12. The overflow outlet 17 is constructed so that overflowed water caused to flow therethrough is directly discharged outside the machine through a drain passage such as an overflow conduit 18 and a drain conduit 7. A water supply conduit 20 is provided on an upper part of the water tub 2 so as to communicate with the water tub 2. The water supply conduit 20 includes a water supply valve 19 connected to a water supply. The water supply conduit 20 is capable of supplying water into the water tub 2 and the drum 3.
According to the foregoing construction, water in the water tub 2 is discharged outside the machine through the overflow outlet 17 before entering the circulation air passage 12 even when water supply to the water tub 2 is in an abnormal condition. Accordingly, a water level in the water tub 2 is prevented from being increased to or above a predetermined level. On the other hand, in the drying step, warm air is generated the heat pump mechanism 40 disposed in the heat exchange duct 11. The warm air is supplied through the air supply duct 9 from the rear side of the water tub 2 into the drum 3. In this case, the pressure in the water tub 2 is increased by the circulated warm air. When the heat pump mechanism 40 is employed as a warm air generating unit, a temperature of the warm air tends to be lower than in the case where an electric heater is employed. Accordingly, a cooling performance of the compressor 13 needs to be increased to about 1500 W, for example, and a flow rate of circulated air also needs to be increased to about 3 m3/min, for example. As a result, the inner pressure of the water tub 2 tends to be further increased.
In the drying step, an efficient drying operation is desired by making use of a closed space including the circulation air passage 12 with the circulation air flowing through the water tub 2. However, since the aforesaid overflow outlet 17 normally communicates with the exterior of the machine through the drain passage such as the overflow conduit 18, part of warm air leaks through the overflow outlet 17 out of the machine during the drying step, resulting in loss of heat energy. The heat energy loss becomes more significant as the inner pressure of the water tub 2 is increased as described above.
Furthermore, as shown in
An object of the present invention is to provide a washing and drying machine which can carry out an efficient drying operation without damaging the original function of the overflow outlet by preventing warm air from leaking during the drying step.
The present invention provides a washing and drying machine which comprises a rotating tub having small holes in a circumferential wall and receiving laundry, a water tub which is provided around the rotating tub and is capable of storing water, a circulating passage communicating between an interior and an exterior of the water tub so that air is circulated therethrough, a warm air generating unit rendering air in the circulating passage warm, and an overflow outlet provided in the water tub so as to be drainable away when a water level in the water tub is increased to or above a predetermined level, characterized by an air stopping unit provided in a drain passage communicating with the overflow outlet and with an outside of the machine, the air stopping unit allowing water to pass therethrough and stopping an air flow.
According to the washing and drying machine of the invention, water is promptly discharged through the overflow outlet when the water level in the water tub is at or above the predetermined level. Accordingly, an abnormal overflow condition can be avoided without damaging the original function of the overflow outlet. Furthermore, ventilation of the overflow outlet is cut off by the air stopping unit in the drying step, whereupon hot air or the like can be prevented from leaking out of the machine. Consequently, an efficient drying operation can be carried out.
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to
Referring to
An overflow conduit 21 communicating with the overflow outlet 17 comprises a joint member 21a and a hose pipe 21b as shown in
The air inlet duct 9 and the exhaust air duct 10 are fixed to the water tub 2 side and both constitute the air circulating passage 12 through the water tub 2. On the other hand, a heat exchange duct 11 disposed below the water tub 2 is fixed to and supported by the casing 1 side. Connecting portions between the air inlet duct 9 and the exhaust air duct 10 and the heat exchange duct 11 are formed into a bellow-shape and elastically telescopic.
A heat pump mechanism 40 serving as a warm air generating unit is disposed on a part of the air circulating passage 12 constituted by the heat exchange duct 11. In the embodiment, the heat exchange duct 11 is formed so as to have steps in an up-and-down direction. An evaporator 15 is disposed at a higher side of the heat exchange duct 11 (front side). The evaporator 15 has a function of dehumidifying air (a dehumidifying function). A condenser 14 is disposed at a lower side (rear side) and has a function of heating air (a heating function). The underside of the heat exchange duct 11 includes a part corresponding to the evaporator 15. A water collecting recess 25 and a drain outlet 26 are formed in the part of the underside of the heat exchange duct 11. A dehumidification water drain conduit 28 provided with an on-off valve 27 is provided below the water collecting recess 25 and the drain outlet 26. The dehumidification water drain conduit 28 connects between the drain outlet 26 and the drain conduit 7 so that dehumidification water collected to the water collecting recess 25 is discharged to a predetermined drain location outside the machine.
The operation of the drum washing and drying machine will now be described. In this type of washing and drying machine, a rotational speed of the drum 3 is controlled so that steps of wash, dehydration and drying are automatically executed, as well known. In the wash step (including a rinse step), the water supply valve 19 is opened to supply water through the water supply conduit 20 into the water tub 2. In this case, the washing and drying machine is controlled so that an amount of water according to a volume of laundry is supplied and a predetermined water level is reached in the water tub 2. At the same time, water is supplied through the trap water supply conduit 24 branching off from the water supply conduit 20 and the water supply inlet 23 into the joint member 21a.
Accordingly, water supply to the joint member 21a of the overflow conduit 21 is continued while water is supplied into the water tub 2. Thus, water in the joint member 21a does not remain in the U-shaped trap as shown in FIG, 3 but keeps flowing over an upper end of the trap 22, further flowing through the drain passage such as the overflow conduit 21 and the drain conduit 7 outside the machine. When the predetermined water level is reached in the water tub 2, the water supply valve 19 is closed such that the water supply operation through the water supply conduit 20 is stopped and the water supply to the overflow conduit 21 is also stopped. As a result, water remains in the U-shaped portion of the trap 22 such that the water level H is ensured as shown in
The water level H remains unchanged when a water supply operation is not carried out thereafter. Even when a water supply operation is carried out thereafter, the remaining water is replaced by newly supplied water but the water level H remains unchanged in the trap 22. Furthermore, even if an abnormal condition occurs in the water supply such that the water supply to the water tub 2 is continued thereby to increase the water level in the water tub 2, water over the predetermined water level is discharged from the overflow outlet 17. Accordingly, an occurrence of abnormal overflow due to an increase in the water level can be avoided.
Since the trap water supply conduit 24 is formed into a pipe whose diameter is rendered as small as possible, an amount of water supplied through the conduit 24 is reduced into a small amount. Accordingly, an amount of water flowing through the overflow conduit 21 and the drain conduit 7 outside the machine is rendered as small as possible.
In the drying step (the drying operation), the drum 3 is rotated at low speeds. Furthermore, drying warm air is caused to flow through the circulation air passage 12 in the direction of arrow A in
Heat exchange is executed between air transferred to the heat exchange duct 11 and the refrigerant expanded by a capillary tube (not shown), whereupon the air is cooled. As a result, the water content in the air is condensed thereby to be dehumidified. The dehumidified water drops thereby to be collected into the water collecting recess 25. The dehumidified water collected in the recess 25 is discharged from the drain outlet 26 through the opened on-off valve 27 and the dehumidification water drain conduit 28 and further through the drain pipe passage 7 joined to the conduit 28 to the drain location outside the machine.
On the other hand, the air dehumidified in the evaporator 15 flows in the heat exchange duct 11. Heat exchange is again carried out between the dehumidified air and the refrigerant in the condenser 14 at the low position side and then heated, thereafter being supplied into the drum 3 as the drying warm air. Thus, the drying of laundry progresses by circulating air while the air is heated and dehumidified repeatedly. It is desirable that the circulation of warm air as described above should be carried out in a closed space in the whole circulation air passage 12 including the water tub 2. In the embodiment, air permeability of the overflow outlet 17 communicating with the exterior of the machine is cut off when water is stored in the trap 22 provided in the overflow conduit 21 (the joint member 21a). More specifically, the trap 22 functions as air stopping unit 44 together with the trap water supply conduit 24. Accordingly, even if part of warm air flows along the rear side of the drum 3 (as shown by the broken line arrow A in
The following effects can be achieved from the first embodiment. When a water supply operation is carried out in the wash step prior to the drying step, water is stored in the trap 22 constituting the overflow conduit 21. Accordingly, the flow paths communicating with the drain passage to the exterior of the machine are maintained in an air-permeability cut-off state. Furthermore, a simple construction can be achieved since water is supplied to the trap 22 using the water supply unit for the wash operation, Furthermore, overflowed water is discharged through the overflow outlet 17 upon occurrence of an abnormal water supply. The overflow outlet 17 is located higher than the U-shaped trap 22. Consequently, the water level in the water tub 2 can be prevented from being increased to or above the predetermined level, Thus, although the overflow outlet 17 has an original function of coping with an abnormal overflow, the original function of the overflow outlet 17 can be prevented from being damaged.
The drying step is initiated and completed while water is stored in the trap 22, that is, while an air flow is blocked by the air stopping unit 41. As a result, warm air can smoothly be circulated throughout the drying step without leaking through the overflow outlet 17. Furthermore, since warm air is not discharged into the room (outside the washing and drying machine) an inhabited environment can be prevented from being adversely affected by increases in the temperature and humidity. Furthermore, warm air does not give any unpleasantness to the user. Accordingly, no problem arises when the washing and drying machine is installed indoors.
Since the heat pump mechanism 40 is used as the warm air generation unit, thermal energy can effectively be utilized. Furthermore, warm air can reliably be prevented from leaking through the overflow outlet 17 even when the pressure in the water tub 2 is increased by increasing the cooling performance of the compressor 13 or a flow rate of circulated air for the purpose of improving the drying performance. Consequently, the performance of the warm air generation unit and the freedom in the design can be improved. In particular, when warm air is taken from the rear side of the water tub 2 and the overflow outlet 17 needs to be provided in the rear side, part of fresh warm air which has not been supplied to the drum 3 before contributing to drying leaks through the overflow outlet 17 in the conventional construction (as shown by broken line arrow B in
Water storage (water supply) in the trap 22 is carried out by a water supply unit commonly using the water supply valve 19 for supply of washing water. However, the water supply should not be limited to the water supply unit. For example, a water supply valve dedicated to the trap 22 may be provided so that a water supply operation is carried out in response to execution of a drying step. In this case, when the water supply valve dedicated to the trap 22 is controlled independent of the water supply valve 19, a necessary amount of water can be supplied to the trap 22, whereupon useless water can be prevented from flowing as compared with the foregoing embodiment.
A second embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to
The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the water supplying means for the trap 22 and in the means for treating dehumidification water from the evaporator 15. More specifically, the second embodiment is characterized by the provision of a drain pump 30 as water supplying means fro supplying dehumidification water to the trap 22. Accordingly, tap water from the water supply valve 19 is supplied through the water supply conduit 20 only to the water tub 2.
A dehumidification water tank 29 is installed below the evaporator 15 of the heat pump mechanism 40. The dehumidification water tank 29 stores dehumidification water resulting from cooling and dehumidifying circulated air by the evaporator 15 during the drying step. The dehumidification water tank 29 is located so as to receive the dehumidification water dropping from the drain outlet 26. The dehumidification water tank 29 has a size (volume) set based on an amount of water that results from a dehumidifying operation in a single drying step. For example, in the case where a drying volume is at 6 kg, about 3 liters of dehumidification water are normally produced. In the embodiment, the size of the dehumidification water tank 29 is set so as to have a slight allowance.
The drain pump 30 is provided in association with the dehumidification water tank 29. The drain pump 30 has a pump drain conduit 31 communicating with and connected to the upper water supply inlet 23 of the trap 22 (see
According to the above-described construction, when the dehumidification water produced during the drying step has reached the predetermined level, the drain pump 30 is driven so that the dehumidification water in the dehumidification tank 29 is supplied through the pump drain conduit 31 and the water supply inlet 23 into the trap 22 of the joint member 21a. The dehumidification water supplied into the trap 22 overflows the trap, thereby being discharged through the drain passage including the overflow conduit 21 and the drain conduit 7. In this case, when the water level in the dehumidification tank 29 has reduced to the predetermined level, the drain pump 30 is stopped. In response to stop of the draining operation by the drain pump 30, a predetermined amount of water (an amount of water at the water level H as shown in
After the drying step has progressed for a predetermined time and when the drying step has been completed, the dehumidification water is supplied into and remains in the trap 22 such that the air permeability is cut off between the overflow outlet 17 of the water tub 2 and the exterior of the machine. Even when the drain pump 30 is driven at a plurality of times in the middle of the drying step, the trap 22 is substantially maintained in a water storing state although the water stored in the trap 22 is replaced by newly supplied water. Accordingly, when initially used, the trap 22 stores water in the middle of the drying step and on, thereby blocking air flow. Thereafter, however, water is stored in the trap 22 from the beginning of the drying step. As a result, warm air can be prevented from leaking and an efficient drying can be carried out by circulation warm air.
According to the foregoing embodiment, the evaporator 15 is used as a dehumidifying means so that the dehumidification water is stored. The dehumidification water (drain water) is stored in the trap 22 by the water supply means. Accordingly, the air permeability can be cut off between the overflow outlet 17 of the water tub 2 and the exterior of the machine through the drain passage by using the dehumidification water which is supposed to be discharged. Consequently, waste of tap water can be prevented and aquatic resource can be saved. Furthermore, an operating cost can be reduced and the construction of the washing and drying machine can be prevented from being complicated. Otherwise, as in the first embodiment, a high efficient drying step can be carried out while warm air is prevented from leakage. Still furthermore, the residential environment can be prevented from being adversely affected by the discharged warm air and unpleasantness is not given to the user.
The control of the drain pump 30 is not limited to the control based on the water level but may be modified in various ways. For example, the drive may be controlled based on the time or can be controlled mainly in a time zone in which an amount of dehumidification water is increased (for example, a time zone in which a drying action is so strong that water evaporation is active). Furthermore, although the evaporator 15 of the hat pump mechanism 40 is used as the dehumidifying means, a water-cooled heat exchanger may be used in which air is cooled by an air-cooling means so that water content in the air is condensed thereby to be eliminated. In this construction, however, an electric heater needs to be provided as a warm air generating unit for rendering the dehumidified air warm.
A third embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to
The float chamber 34 comprises a smaller diameter cylindrical portion 34a communicating with the overflow outlet 17 and having a smaller diameter than the float valve 32, a circular conical portion 34b having an opening diameter gradually increased upward from the smaller diameter cylindrical portion 34a, and a larger diameter cylindrical portion 34c. The circular conical portion 34b includes a lower region serving as a valve seat to which the float valve 32 closely adheres. The float valve 32 has a function of opening and closing a flow path of the overflow conduit 33. The larger diameter cylindrical portion 34c of the float chamber 34 has an opening 36 in which a spherically protruding mesh member 35 is mounted. The float chamber 34 communicates via the opening 36 with the hose 33b.
The float valve 32 has a smaller mean density than water and a weight (gravity of the float valve 32) larger than pressure of warm air (an inner pressure of the water tub 2). Accordingly, in a normal state or when no abnormal overflow has occurred, the gravity causes the float valve 32 to adhere closely to the circular conical portion 34b, whereby the float valve 32 keeps the flow path of the overflow conduit 33 closed, as shown in
As described above, the float valve 32 counteracts against the pressure of warm air received from the water tub 2 side by the gravity thereof, thereby closing the flow path of the overflow conduit 33. On the other hand, when the water supply is in an abnormal condition (an abnormal overflow has occurred), the inflowed water causes the float valve 32 to come up. The float; valve 32 departs from the circular conical portion 34b, thereby opening the flow path of the overflow conduit 33. Accordingly, leakage of warm air during the drying step can reliably be prevented as in each foregoing embodiment. Furthermore, when the water level in the water tub 2 is at or above the predetermined level during water supply, the water can be discharged through the overflow outlet 17. Thus, an occurrence of abnormal overflow condition can be prevented. The float valve 32 may only be constructed to come up until the water level in the float chamber 34 reaches the opening 36.
Furthermore, the air stopping unit 42 can be provided which has a simple construction using the float valve 32. Still furthermore, since no water supplying means used in each foregoing embodiment is necessary, water can be saved and no troublesome water supply control is necessitated.
In the construction of the embodiment, drainage from the overflow conduit 33 is allowed when the water level in the water tub 2 reaches the opening 36 located higher than the overflow outlet 17. Accordingly, the overflow outlet 17 needs to be located slightly lower than in each foregoing embodiment. Furthermore, the mesh member 35 attached to the opening 36 may or may not be provided. Any construction may be provided which prevents the float valve 32 from being fitted in or adhering to the opening 36 so that water can normally flow. For example, the spherical float valve 32 can be prevented from being fitted in or adhering to the opening 36 when a circular end of the opening 36 is rendered sawtoothed. Additionally, the float valve 32 should not be limited to the spherical shape and may be practiced in various modified forms.
A fourth embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to
The overflow conduit 38 comprises a joint member 38a and a hose 38b. The joint member 38a comprises a case 39 extending vertically upward from the overflow outlet 17 and a conduit 45 extending downward from a side of the case 39. The joint member 38a is totally formed into an inverted U-shape. The case 39 comprises a smaller diameter cylinder 39a, a stepped portion 39b and a larger diameter cylinder 39c.
A valving element 37 which is elastically deformable is provided in the case 39. The valving element 37 has one end side fixed to an inner wall of the case 39 and the other end side which can come into contact with and separate from the stepped portion 39b. When being in contact with the stepped portion 39b, the other end side of the valving element 37 adheres closely to the stepped portion 39b. More specifically, the stepped portion 39b has a function of a valve seat of the valving element 37, and the valving element 37 has a function of opening and closing the flow path of the overflow conduit 38.
When adhering closely to the stepped portion 39b, the valving element 37 remains adherent to the stepped portion 39b by the gravity and an elastic force of the valving element 37 even if the valving element 37 is biased in an opening direction (upward in
According to the embodiment, leakage of warm air and abnormal overflow water can be avoided as in the foregoing third embodiment. Furthermore, no water supply means and other control means (for example, a mechanism for opening and closing the valving element 37, a sensor for detecting abnormal overflow water) are necessitated and accordingly, a simple construction can be provided.
The invention should not be limited to the foregoing embodiments. The embodiments may be modified or expanded as follows. The invention should not be limited to the drum washing and drying machine but may be applied to a washing and drying machine provided with a rotating tub rotatable about a vertical axis. Furthermore, the warm air generating unit should not be limited to the heat pump mechanism 40 but may be constituted by a combination of an electric heater and a blower. The overflow conduit 21, 33 or 38 should not be limited to the combination of the joint member 21a, 33a or 38a and the hose 21b, 33b or 38b. These members may be formed integrally with each other. Furthermore, the position of the air stopping unit 41 or 42 may be changed in the drain passage under the condition that the overflow outlet 17 is provided at a predetermined location.
As described above, the washing and drying machine of the invention is useful as a washing and drying machine which can carry out an efficient drying by preventing leakage of warm air during a drying step without damaging a primary function of an overflow outlet.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/JP2006/316870 | 8/28/2006 | WO | 00 | 5/16/2008 |
