JP2008067996A

JP2008067996A - Clothes dryer

Info

Publication number: JP2008067996A
Application number: JP2006251048A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Nobuhiko Fujiwara; 宣彦藤原; Shigeharu Nakamoto; 重陽中本; Sunao Asami; 直朝見
Original assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd
Current assignee: Panasonic Holdings Corp
Priority date: 2006-09-15
Filing date: 2006-09-15
Publication date: 2008-03-27

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a dehumidification amount at the time of a room dehumidifying operation to be made easily visible. <P>SOLUTION: This clothes dryer is equipped with a water level detecting means 28, a displaying means 29, and a controlling means 30. In this case, the water level detecting means 28 detects the water level of a dehumidification water container 25. The displaying means 29 displays the dehumidification amount of a heat sink 15 (dehumidifying means) in the room dehumidifying operation. The controlling means 30 controls the displaying means 29, and at the same time, calculates the dehumidification amount. Thus, by using the same water level detecting means 28 as a means for acquiring information for a water draining motion at the time of a drying operation and the room dehumidifying operation, the dehumidification amount in the room dehumidifying operation can precisely be calculated in spite of a simple constitution, and can be displayed on the displaying means 29. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

本発明は、例えば、冷凍サイクルを用いた除湿手段を用いて衣類の乾燥を行う衣類乾燥機に関し、特に部屋除湿機能を付加したものに関するものである。 The present invention relates to a clothes dryer for drying clothes using, for example, a dehumidifying means using a refrigeration cycle, and more particularly to a room with a room dehumidifying function.

従来のドラム式衣類乾燥機は図２に示すような構成であった。以下、その構成について説明する。図に示すように、外装ケース５１内に水平軸を中心軸として回転する回転ドラム５２が配置してあり、回転ドラム５２の前面の開口は、扉５３で開閉されるようにしてある。外装ケース５１内には、回転ドラム５２の内部に設定される乾燥室５４を含む風路５５が構成してあり、ダンパ５６ａ、ダンパ５６ｂを設けるとともに、循環用ファン５７を設けている。風路５５内に設置した吸熱器５８、放熱器５９と、風路５５外に設置した圧縮機６０、減圧手段６１で冷凍サイクルを構成している。また、風路５５に外気を供給する除湿運転用ファン６２を設けている。吸熱器５８で除湿した除湿水を排水するための除湿水排水路６３を設けている。 A conventional drum-type clothes dryer has a structure as shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the configuration will be described. As shown in the figure, a rotating drum 52 that rotates about a horizontal axis as a central axis is disposed in an outer case 51, and an opening on the front surface of the rotating drum 52 is opened and closed by a door 53. An air passage 55 including a drying chamber 54 set inside the rotary drum 52 is formed in the outer case 51. A damper 56a and a damper 56b are provided, and a circulation fan 57 is provided. A heat absorption device 58 and a heat radiator 59 installed in the air passage 55 and a compressor 60 and a decompression means 61 installed outside the air passage 55 constitute a refrigeration cycle. In addition, a dehumidifying operation fan 62 for supplying outside air to the air passage 55 is provided. A dehumidified water drainage channel 63 for draining the dehumidified water dehumidified by the heat absorber 58 is provided.

上記構成において、衣類の乾燥運転時は、ダンパ５６ａ、ダンパ５６ｂを図中破線位置に駆動し、循環用ファン５７を動作させ、吸熱器５８、凝縮器５９、乾燥室５４の順に空気が流れるよう風路５５にて空気を循環させる。ここで圧縮機６０を動作させ、乾燥室５４から流入した高湿の空気を吸熱器５８にて冷却除湿し、その後放熱器５９で空気を加熱し、高温低湿の空気を乾燥室５４に戻し、衣類の乾燥を促進させる。除湿水は除湿水排水路６３から排出される。 In the above configuration, during the drying operation of the clothes, the dampers 56a and 56b are driven to the positions indicated by the broken lines in the drawing, the circulation fan 57 is operated, and the air flows in the order of the heat absorber 58, the condenser 59, and the drying chamber 54. Air is circulated in the air passage 55. Here, the compressor 60 is operated, and the high-humidity air flowing from the drying chamber 54 is cooled and dehumidified by the heat absorber 58, and then the air is heated by the radiator 59, and the high-temperature and low-humidity air is returned to the drying chamber 54. Helps dry clothes. The dehumidified water is discharged from the dehumidified water drainage channel 63.

また部屋除湿運転時は、ダンパ５６ａ、ダンパ５６ｂを図中の実線位置に駆動し、除湿運転用ファン６２、圧縮機６０を動作させる。部屋の空気を風路５５内に供給して吸熱器５８、放熱器５９の順に通流させ、吸熱器５８で空気を冷却除湿し、風路５５から排出する。除湿水は除湿水排水路６３から排出される。
特開平９−５６９９２号公報 Further, during the room dehumidifying operation, the dampers 56a and 56b are driven to the positions indicated by solid lines in the drawing, and the dehumidifying operation fan 62 and the compressor 60 are operated. The air in the room is supplied into the air passage 55 and flows in the order of the heat absorber 58 and the heat radiator 59, and the air is cooled and dehumidified by the heat absorber 58 and discharged from the air passage 55. The dehumidified water is discharged from the dehumidified water drainage channel 63.
JP-A-9-56992

しかしながら、上記従来の構成では、部屋除湿運転時の除湿水を使用者が見ること無く排水されていたので、使用者が部屋除湿の効果を目で確認することができず、除湿の効果を実感し難いという課題があった。 However, in the above conventional configuration, since the dehumidified water during the room dehumidifying operation is drained without the user seeing it, the user cannot visually confirm the effect of the room dehumidifying, and the dehumidifying effect is realized. There was a problem that it was difficult.

本発明は、このような従来の構成の課題を解決するもので、低コストにて部屋除湿運転時の除湿量を表示する機能を実現し、使用者が除湿量を容易に視認できるようにすることを目的とする。 The present invention solves such a problem of the conventional configuration, realizes a function of displaying the dehumidification amount during the room dehumidification operation at low cost, and allows the user to easily see the dehumidification amount. For the purpose.

上記従来の課題を解決するために、本発明の衣類乾燥機は、除湿手段により除湿した除湿水を貯める除湿水容器と、前記除湿水容器の除湿水を排水する排水ポンプと、前記除湿水容器の水位を検出する水位検出手段と、部屋除湿運転時における前記除湿手段の除湿量を表示する表示手段と、前記除湿手段により除湿した除湿量を算出して前記表示手段により表示する制御手段とを備え、前記制御手段は、乾燥運転時に前記水位検出手段が所定水位を検出すると前記排水ポンプにより排水動作を行い、部屋除湿運転時に前記水位検出手段が所定水位を検出すると前記排水ポンプにより排水動作を行うとともに、所定水位に達するまでの除湿水の体積に排水動作回数を乗じて除湿量を算出し前記表示手段に表示するものである。 In order to solve the above conventional problems, the clothes dryer of the present invention includes a dehumidifying water container for storing dehumidified water dehumidified by dehumidifying means, a drain pump for draining dehumidified water from the dehumidified water container, and the dehumidified water container. Water level detecting means for detecting the water level of the water, display means for displaying the dehumidifying amount of the dehumidifying means during the room dehumidifying operation, and control means for calculating the dehumidifying amount dehumidified by the dehumidifying means and displaying the dehumidifying amount by the display means. The control means performs a drain operation by the drain pump when the water level detection means detects a predetermined water level during a drying operation, and performs a drain operation by the drain pump when the water level detection means detects a predetermined water level during a room dehumidification operation. In addition, the dehumidifying amount is calculated by multiplying the volume of the dehumidified water until the predetermined water level is reached by the number of times of draining operation, and displayed on the display means.

これにより、部屋除湿運転時における除湿量を簡潔な構成でありながら精度良く算出することができる。また、乾燥運転時と部屋除湿運転時における排水動作のため情報を得る手段として同一の水位検出手段を用いることができる。 As a result, the amount of dehumidification during the room dehumidifying operation can be accurately calculated with a simple configuration. Further, the same water level detecting means can be used as means for obtaining information for the drainage operation during the drying operation and the room dehumidifying operation.

本発明の衣類乾燥機は、部屋除湿運転時における除湿量を表示手段に表示するので、使用者が除湿の効果を容易に視認でき、また水位検出手段の情報を乾燥運転と部屋除湿運転の両方に用いているので、それぞれに対応した検出手段をそれぞれ設ける必要が無く、衣類乾燥機の低コスト化に貢献できる。 The clothes dryer of the present invention displays the amount of dehumidification during the room dehumidifying operation on the display means, so that the user can easily see the effect of the dehumidification, and information on the water level detecting means can be used for both the drying operation and the room dehumidifying operation. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide detection means corresponding to each of them, which can contribute to cost reduction of the clothes dryer.

第１の発明は、本体と、前記本体内に支持し衣類を乾燥する乾燥室と、送風手段が供給する空気を除湿する除湿手段と、乾燥運転時に空気が前記乾燥室と前記除湿手段とを循環するよう構成した循環風路と、部屋除湿運転時に外気を前記除湿手段に供給し除湿した乾燥空気を機外に排気するよう構成した部屋除湿用風路と、前記循環風路と前記部屋除湿用風路を切替える風路切替手段と、前記除湿手段により除湿した除湿水を貯める除湿水容器と、前記除湿水容器の除湿水を排水する排水ポンプと、前記除湿水容器の水位を検出する水位検出手段と、部屋除湿運転時における前記除湿手段の除湿量を表示する表示手段と、前記除湿手段により除湿した除湿量を算出して前記表示手段により表示する制御手段とを備え、前記制御手段は、乾燥運転時に前記水位検出手段が所定水位を検出すると前記排水ポンプにより排水動作を行い、部屋除湿運転時に前記水位検出手段が所定水位を検出すると前記排水ポンプにより排水動作を行うとともに、所定水位に達するまでの除湿水の体積に排水動作回数を乗じて除湿量を算出し前記表示手段に表示することにより、部屋除湿運転時における除湿量を簡潔な構成でありながら精度良く算出して表示手段に表示するので、使用者が除湿の効果を容易に視認できる。また、乾燥運転時と部屋除湿運転時における排水動作のため情報を得る手段として同一の水位検出手段を用いることができ、それぞれに対応した検出手段をそれぞれ設ける必要が無く、衣類乾燥機の低コスト化に貢献できる。 The first invention includes a main body, a drying chamber that is supported in the main body and dries clothes, a dehumidifying means that dehumidifies the air supplied by the blower means, and the air is supplied to the drying chamber and the dehumidifying means during a drying operation. A circulation air passage configured to circulate, a room dehumidification air passage configured to supply outside air to the dehumidifying means and exhaust the dehumidified dry air to the outside of the apparatus during the room dehumidification operation, the circulation air passage, and the room dehumidification Air path switching means for switching the air path, a dehumidifying water container for storing dehumidified water dehumidified by the dehumidifying means, a drain pump for draining dehumidified water in the dehumidified water container, and a water level for detecting the water level of the dehumidified water container Detection means; display means for displaying a dehumidifying amount of the dehumidifying means during room dehumidifying operation; and a control means for calculating the dehumidifying amount dehumidified by the dehumidifying means and displaying the dehumidifying amount by the display means. Dry luck Sometimes when the water level detection means detects a predetermined water level, the drainage pump performs a drainage operation.When the water level detection means detects a predetermined water level during a room dehumidifying operation, the drainage pump performs a drainage operation and until the predetermined water level is reached. By calculating the dehumidification amount by multiplying the volume of dehumidified water by the number of draining operations and displaying it on the display means, the dehumidification amount during the room dehumidification operation is calculated accurately and displayed on the display means while having a simple configuration. The user can easily visually recognize the effect of dehumidification. Also, the same water level detection means can be used as a means for obtaining information for the drainage operation during the drying operation and the room dehumidifying operation, and it is not necessary to provide a corresponding detection means for each, so that the cost of the clothes dryer can be reduced. Can contribute to

第２の発明は、特に、第１の発明において、制御手段は、所定時間排水動作を行っても水位検出手段が所定水位を検出する場合に排水異常を表示手段に表示するとともに、乾燥運転あるいは部屋除湿運転を停止することにより、排水異常検出のための検出手段を別途設ける必要が無く、衣類乾燥機の低コスト化に貢献できる。また、排水異常により除湿水容器から除湿水が漏出することを未然に防止できる。 In a second aspect of the invention, in particular, in the first aspect of the invention, the control means displays a drainage abnormality on the display means when the water level detection means detects the predetermined water level even if the drainage operation is performed for a predetermined time, By stopping the room dehumidifying operation, it is not necessary to separately provide a detection means for detecting an abnormality in drainage, which can contribute to cost reduction of the clothes dryer. Moreover, it is possible to prevent the dehumidified water from leaking out of the dehumidified water container due to the abnormal drainage.

第３の発明は、特に、第１の発明または第２の発明において、空気を機外に排気する排気口と、外気を導入するとともに送風手段の吸込み側に設けた吸気口とを備え、風路切替手段は、空気を乾燥室側または前記排気口側に切替える排気切替手段と、前記吸気口を開閉する吸気開閉手段により構成したことにより、単一の送風手段で乾燥室の空気と部屋の空気を吸込むことが可能になり、単一の送風手段で衣類乾燥運転と部屋除湿運転を行うことができ、衣類乾燥機の低コスト化、軽量化、コンパクト化に貢献できる。 In particular, the third invention includes an exhaust port for exhausting air outside the machine and an intake port provided on the suction side of the blower means in the first or second invention. The path switching means comprises exhaust switching means for switching the air to the drying chamber side or the exhaust port side, and intake opening / closing means for opening and closing the intake port. Air can be sucked in, and the clothes drying operation and the room dehumidifying operation can be performed with a single air blowing means, which can contribute to cost reduction, weight reduction, and compactness of the clothes dryer.

第４の発明は、特に、第１〜第３のいずれか１つの発明において、吸気口の下流側と除湿手段との間に空気の温度および湿度を検出する温湿度検出手段を備え、表示手段は、部屋除湿運転時に前記温湿度検出手段の検出温度および湿度を表示することにより、使用者が部屋の温湿度を把握することができ、除湿の効果を把握することができる。また、乾燥運転時においては乾燥室を通過した循環空気の温湿度を検出し、的確な乾燥終了判定を行え、乾燥不足や過乾燥による電力の無駄を抑制することができる。 In particular, according to a fourth invention, in any one of the first to third inventions, a temperature / humidity detecting means for detecting the temperature and humidity of the air is provided between the downstream side of the intake port and the dehumidifying means, and the display means. By displaying the temperature and humidity detected by the temperature / humidity detecting means during the room dehumidifying operation, the user can grasp the temperature and humidity of the room and can grasp the effect of dehumidification. In addition, during the drying operation, the temperature and humidity of the circulating air that has passed through the drying chamber can be detected to accurately determine the end of drying, and waste of power due to insufficient drying or excessive drying can be suppressed.

第５の発明は、特に、第４の発明において、制御手段は、検出湿度が所定値を下回ると部屋除湿運転を停止することにより、無駄な運転を抑制できる。 According to a fifth aspect of the invention, in particular, in the fourth aspect of the invention, when the detected humidity falls below a predetermined value, the control unit can suppress the useless operation by stopping the room dehumidifying operation.

第６の発明は、特に、第１〜第５のいずれか１つの発明において、乾燥室に収容した衣類の洗濯を可能にし、洗濯水と除湿手段が除湿した除湿水を共通の排水口より排水することにより、衣類の洗濯から乾燥までを同一槽内で一貫して行うことができ、また、本体を設置した床面の排水口と本体の排水口の接続を容易にできる。 The sixth invention, in particular, in any one of the first to fifth inventions, enables washing of the clothes accommodated in the drying chamber, and drains the dehumidified water dehumidified by the washing water and the dehumidifying means from the common drain port. By doing so, from washing to drying of clothes can be performed consistently in the same tank, and the drainage port of the floor on which the main body is installed and the drainage port of the main body can be easily connected.

第７の発明は、特に、第１〜第６のいずれか１つの発明において、圧縮手段と、放熱器と、減圧手段と、吸熱器を環状に配管接続して冷凍サイクルを構成し、除湿手段は、前記吸熱器としたことにより、除湿のために冷却水を使うことが無く、また、乾燥室に送る空気を電気ヒータで昇温する場合に比べ消費電力を大幅に少なくすることができる。 In a seventh aspect of the invention, in particular, in any one of the first to sixth aspects of the invention, a compression unit, a radiator, a decompression unit, and a heat absorber are connected in a ring to form a refrigeration cycle, and a dehumidification unit Since the heat absorber is used, cooling water is not used for dehumidification, and power consumption can be significantly reduced as compared with the case where the temperature of the air sent to the drying chamber is raised by an electric heater.

以下、本発明の実施の形態について、図面を参照しながら説明する。なお、この実施の形態によって本発明が限定されるものではない。 Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

（実施の形態１）
図１は、本発明の第１の実施の形態における衣類乾燥機の全体断面図である。本体１の内部には、円筒状の外槽２を設け、外槽２の内部には、衣類（図示せず）を収容する円筒状の内槽３を回転可能に設け、モータ４により回転駆動される。内槽３は洗濯工程においては、衣類の洗濯室となり、乾燥工程においては、衣類の乾燥室５となる。 (Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is an overall cross-sectional view of a clothes dryer according to the first embodiment of the present invention. A cylindrical outer tub 2 is provided inside the main body 1, and a cylindrical inner tub 3 for storing clothes (not shown) is rotatably provided inside the outer tub 2, and is driven to rotate by a motor 4. Is done. The inner tub 3 becomes a clothes laundry room in the washing process, and becomes a clothes drying room 5 in the drying process.

本体１の前面には衣類を出し入れする開口部６と、これを開閉する扉７が設けられている。本体１の下部に洗濯水や除湿水を排出する排水口８を設け、洗濯水排水経路９に排水弁１０を設けている。送風手段１１は、本体１の上方に設けている。 On the front surface of the main body 1, there are provided an opening 6 for putting clothes in and out and a door 7 for opening and closing the opening. A drain port 8 for discharging washing water and dehumidified water is provided in the lower part of the main body 1, and a drain valve 10 is provided in the washing water drain path 9. The air blowing means 11 is provided above the main body 1.

圧縮手段１２、放熱器１３、減圧手段１４、吸熱器１５（除湿手段）で冷凍サイクルを構成し、放熱器１３と吸熱器１５は、吸気口１６と排気口１７と乾燥室５に連通する熱交換風路１８内に配置され、吸熱器１５を放熱器１３の上流側に配置している。放熱器１３、吸熱器１５はいわゆるフィンアンドチューブ式の熱交換器であり、減圧手段１４はキャピラリーチューブや電動膨張弁などの絞りを用いている。吸気口１６は送風手段１１の吸込み側に配置している。 The compressor 12, the radiator 13, the decompressor 14, and the heat absorber 15 (dehumidifier) constitute a refrigeration cycle, and the radiator 13 and the heat absorber 15 communicate with the intake port 16, the exhaust port 17, and the drying chamber 5. It arrange | positions in the exchange air path 18, and the heat absorber 15 is arrange | positioned in the upstream of the heat radiator 13. FIG. The radiator 13 and the heat absorber 15 are so-called fin-and-tube heat exchangers, and the decompression means 14 uses a restriction such as a capillary tube or an electric expansion valve. The intake port 16 is arranged on the suction side of the air blowing means 11.

風路切替手段である吸気開閉手段１９と排気切替手段２０により、図１中の破線矢印の流れとなる循環風路２１と、実線矢印の流れとなる部屋除湿用風路２２に切替える。送風手段１１が吸引する空気の温湿度を検出する温湿度検出手段２３を吸引風路２４に設けている。熱交換風路１８の下部には、吸熱器１５で発生した除湿水を貯める除湿水容器２５が設けられており、除湿水容器２５に貯まった水は排水ポンプ２６の動作により排水口８を経て本体１外へと排出される。除湿水排水経路２７は排水弁１０の下流にて洗濯水排水経路９と合流している。除湿水容器２５には除湿水の水位を検出する水位検出手段２８を設けている。 By the intake air opening / closing means 19 and the exhaust gas switching means 20 which are air path switching means, the air flow is switched to the circulation air path 21 as shown by the broken arrow in FIG. 1 and the room dehumidifying air path 22 as shown by the solid arrow. A temperature / humidity detecting means 23 for detecting the temperature / humidity of the air sucked by the blowing means 11 is provided in the suction air passage 24. A dehumidifying water container 25 for storing dehumidified water generated by the heat absorber 15 is provided at the lower part of the heat exchange air passage 18. The water stored in the dehumidifying water container 25 passes through the drain port 8 by the operation of the drain pump 26. It is discharged out of the main body 1. The dehumidified water drainage path 27 joins the washing water drainage path 9 downstream of the drain valve 10. The dehumidifying water container 25 is provided with a water level detecting means 28 for detecting the water level of the dehumidifying water.

本体Ｉの前面上部に表示手段２９を配置しており、ボタンなどの操作部（図示せず）を併設している。操作部の操作や、温湿度検出手段２３、水位検出手段２８の情報が制御手段３０に入力され、制御手段３０はモータ４、排水弁１０、送風手段１１、圧縮手段１２、吸気開閉手段１９、排気切替手段２０、排水ポンプ２６を制御して洗濯、脱水、乾燥の衣類洗濯乾燥機としての運転と、本体１を設置している場所（ここでは浴室を含む洗面所とする）を除湿する部屋除湿運転を制御するとともに、表示手段２９の表示内容を制御する。制御手段３０は部屋除湿運転時における除湿量を推定し表示手段２９に表示する。 The display means 29 is arranged on the front upper part of the main body I, and an operation unit (not shown) such as a button is also provided. Information on the operation section, temperature / humidity detection means 23, and water level detection means 28 is input to the control means 30. The control means 30 includes the motor 4, the drain valve 10, the blower means 11, the compression means 12, the intake air opening / closing means 19, A room for controlling the exhaust gas switching means 20 and the drainage pump 26 to dehumidify the operation as a washing / drying clothes washing / drying machine and the place where the main body 1 is installed (here, a bathroom including a bathroom) While controlling the dehumidifying operation, the display content of the display means 29 is controlled. The control means 30 estimates the amount of dehumidification during the room dehumidifying operation and displays it on the display means 29.

以上のような構成において、動作、作用について説明する。洗濯運転では、排水弁１０を閉じた状態で外槽２内に所定の水位に達するまで給水を行い、モータ４により衣類と洗浄水の入った内槽３を回転させて衣類の洗濯を行う。また、洗濯後の濯ぎ運転でも、洗濯運転と同様に外槽２内に給水を行い、内槽３を回転させて衣類の濯ぎを行う。脱水運転では、排水弁１０を開いて機外へ水を排水した後、モータ４により衣類の入った内槽３を高速回転して脱水する。 The operation and action of the above configuration will be described. In the washing operation, water is supplied until the water level reaches a predetermined water level in the outer tub 2 with the drain valve 10 closed, and the clothes are washed by rotating the inner tub 3 containing clothes and washing water by the motor 4. In the rinsing operation after washing, water is supplied into the outer tub 2 as in the washing operation, and the inner tub 3 is rotated to rinse the clothes. In the dehydration operation, the drain valve 10 is opened to drain water to the outside of the machine, and then the motor 4 is rotated at high speed to dehydrate the inner tub 3 containing clothes.

乾燥運転では、吸気開閉手段１９と排気切替手段２０を図１中破線位置に切替え、送風手段１１を動作させ、図１中の破線矢印のように循環風路２１と吸引風路２４を通じて空気を循環させる。また圧縮手段１２の動作により、吸熱器１５にて低温低圧の気液混合の冷媒は乾燥室５より出た多湿の空気より顕熱および潜熱を吸熱して、低圧のガス状冷媒となる。圧縮手段１２が吸入した冷媒は圧縮されて高温高圧のガス状冷媒となり、放熱器１３にて空気に放熱し、高圧の液状冷媒となる。そして減圧手段１４にて減圧され、再び吸熱器１５に流入する。 In the drying operation, the intake opening / closing means 19 and the exhaust switching means 20 are switched to the broken line positions in FIG. 1 to operate the air blowing means 11, and air is supplied through the circulation air passage 21 and the suction air passage 24 as indicated by the broken line arrows in FIG. Circulate. Further, by the operation of the compression means 12, the low-temperature and low-pressure gas-liquid mixed refrigerant in the heat absorber 15 absorbs sensible heat and latent heat from the humid air coming out of the drying chamber 5 and becomes a low-pressure gaseous refrigerant. The refrigerant sucked by the compression means 12 is compressed to become a high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant, dissipates heat to the air by the radiator 13, and becomes a high-pressure liquid refrigerant. Then, the pressure is reduced by the pressure reducing means 14 and flows into the heat absorber 15 again.

内槽３はモータ４により回転駆動されて衣類は上下に攪拌され、循環空気が衣類の隙間を通るときに水分を奪い、多湿状態で外槽２より出て吸引風路２４を通流して送風手段１１に吸引され、吸熱器１５に供給される。吸熱器１５において空気を冷却して結露させ、空気から除湿する。この空気は放熱器１３において加熱されて高温低湿の温風となり、循環風路２１を通流して内槽３に再び流入し、衣類の乾燥を促進する。 The inner tub 3 is rotationally driven by the motor 4 so that the clothes are stirred up and down, deprived of moisture when the circulating air passes through the gaps of the clothes, exits the outer tub 2 in a humid state, flows through the suction air passage 24 and blows air. It is sucked by the means 11 and supplied to the heat absorber 15. In the heat absorber 15, the air is cooled and condensed, and dehumidified from the air. This air is heated in the radiator 13 to become hot air of high temperature and low humidity, flows through the circulation air passage 21 and flows into the inner tub 3 again, and promotes drying of clothes.

吸熱器１５で発生した除湿水は、除湿水容器２５に貯まり、水位検出手段２８が所定水位に達したことを検知すると排水ポンプ２６を所定時間動作させて本体１外へと排出される。上記動作により、衣類の乾燥が進行される。温湿度検出手段２３が乾燥室５を通過した循環空気の温度および湿度を検出し、所定温度以上かつ所定湿度以下になると乾燥を終了する。ここで、排水ポンプ２６を所定時間駆動して排水動作を行っても水位検出手段２８が所定水位を検出する場合、すなわち、除湿水容器２５から水が減らない場合に排水異常を表示手段２９に表示するとともに、乾燥運転を停止する。 The dehumidified water generated in the heat absorber 15 is stored in the dehumidified water container 25, and when it is detected that the water level detecting means 28 has reached a predetermined water level, the drain pump 26 is operated for a predetermined time and discharged outside the main body 1. The clothes are dried by the above operation. The temperature / humidity detecting means 23 detects the temperature and humidity of the circulating air that has passed through the drying chamber 5, and the drying is terminated when the temperature is higher than the predetermined temperature and lower than the predetermined humidity. Here, if the water level detection means 28 detects the predetermined water level even if the drainage pump 26 is driven for a predetermined time to perform the drainage operation, that is, if water does not decrease from the dehumidified water container 25, the drainage abnormality is indicated on the display means 29. Display and stop the drying operation.

次に、洗濯乾燥機を設置している場所を除湿する、あるいは、吊り下げた衣類を乾燥する部屋除湿運転について説明する。吸気開閉手段１９、排気切替手段２０を図１中の実線位置に切替え、送風手段１１と圧縮手段１２を動作させる。送風手段１１の動作により、吸気口１７から部屋の空気を吸い込み、吸熱器１５にて冷却除湿した後、放熱器１３にて再熱して低湿の空気にし、部屋除湿用風路２２を通流させて排気口１７から排出する。 Next, the room dehumidifying operation for dehumidifying the place where the washing and drying machine is installed or drying the suspended clothes will be described. The intake air opening / closing means 19 and the exhaust gas switching means 20 are switched to the solid line positions in FIG. 1, and the air blowing means 11 and the compression means 12 are operated. By the operation of the air blowing means 11, the room air is sucked from the air inlet 17, cooled and dehumidified by the heat absorber 15, then reheated by the heat radiator 13 to become low-humidity air, and the room dehumidifying air passage 22 flows. And exhausted from the exhaust port 17.

吸熱器１５で結露した除湿水は、除湿水容器２５に貯まり、水位検出手段２８が所定水位に達したことを検知すると排水ポンプ２６を所定時間動作させる排水動作を行い、本体１外へと排出される。ここで事前に所定水位に達するまでの除湿水の体積、すなわち１回の排水動作における排水量を計測して制御手段３０に記憶させておき、制御手段３０は排水動作回数と記憶している１回の排水動作における排水量を乗じて除湿量を算出し、表示手段２９に表示する。また、温湿度検出手段２３が部屋の空気の温湿度を検出して表示手段２９に表示する。 The dehumidified water condensed in the heat absorber 15 is stored in the dehumidified water container 25, and when the water level detecting means 28 detects that the water level has reached a predetermined level, the drain pump 26 is operated for a predetermined time and discharged outside the main body 1. Is done. Here, the volume of the dehumidified water until the predetermined water level is reached in advance, that is, the amount of drainage in one drainage operation is measured and stored in the control means 30, and the control means 30 stores the number of drainage operations once. The amount of dehumidification is calculated by multiplying the amount of drainage in the draining operation, and displayed on the display means 29. Further, the temperature / humidity detecting means 23 detects the temperature / humidity of the air in the room and displays it on the display means 29.

ここで、検出湿度が所定値（例えば相対湿度６０％）を下回ると部屋除湿運転を停止する。また、排水ポンプ２６を所定時間駆動して排水動作を行っても水位検出手段２８が所定水位を検出する場合、すなわち、除湿水容器２５から水が減らない場合に排水異常を表示手段２９に表示するとともに、部屋除湿運転を停止する。 Here, when the detected humidity falls below a predetermined value (for example, relative humidity 60%), the room dehumidifying operation is stopped. Further, when the water level detection means 28 detects the predetermined water level even if the drainage pump 26 is driven for a predetermined time to perform the drainage operation, that is, when water does not decrease from the dehumidified water container 25, the drainage abnormality is displayed on the display means 29. At the same time, the room dehumidifying operation is stopped.

以上説明したように、部屋除湿運転時における除湿量を簡潔な構成でありながら精度良く算出して表示手段２９に表示するので、使用者が除湿の効果を容易に視認できる。また、乾燥運転時と部屋除湿運転時における排水動作のため情報を得る手段として同一の水位検出手段２８を用いることができ、それぞれに対応した検出手段をそれぞれ設ける必要が無く、衣類乾燥機の低コスト化に貢献できる。 As described above, the amount of dehumidification during the room dehumidifying operation is calculated with high accuracy and displayed on the display means 29 with a simple configuration, so that the user can easily recognize the effect of dehumidification. Further, the same water level detection means 28 can be used as a means for obtaining information for the drainage operation during the drying operation and the room dehumidification operation, and it is not necessary to provide a corresponding detection means for each. Can contribute to cost reduction.

また、所定時間排水動作を行っても水位検出手段２８が所定水位を検出する場合に排水異常を表示手段２９に表示するとともに、乾燥運転あるいは部屋除湿運転を停止することにより、排水異常検出のための検出手段を別途設ける必要が無く、衣類乾燥機の低コスト化に貢献できる。また、排水異常により除湿水容器２５から除湿水が漏出することを未然に防止できる。 In addition, when the water level detection means 28 detects the predetermined water level even if the drainage operation is performed for a predetermined time, the drainage abnormality is displayed on the display means 29, and the drying operation or the room dehumidifying operation is stopped to detect the drainage abnormality. There is no need to provide a separate detection means, which can contribute to cost reduction of the clothes dryer. Further, it is possible to prevent the dehumidified water from leaking out from the dehumidified water container 25 due to abnormal drainage.

また、空気を機外に排気する排気口１７と、外気を導入するとともに送風手段１１の吸込み側に設けた吸気口１６とを備え、風路切替手段は、空気を乾燥室５側または排気口１７側に切替える排気切替手段２０と、吸気口１６を開閉する吸気開閉手段１９で構成したことにより、送風手段１１は乾燥室５の空気と部屋の空気を選択して吸込むことが可能となり、単一の送風手段１１で衣類乾燥運転と部屋除湿運転を行うことができ、装置の低コスト化、軽量化、コンパクト化に貢献できる。 In addition, an air outlet 17 for exhausting air to the outside of the apparatus and an air inlet 16 for introducing outside air and provided on the suction side of the air blowing means 11 are provided. The exhaust air switching means 20 for switching to the 17 side and the intake air opening / closing means 19 for opening and closing the air inlet 16 enable the air blowing means 11 to select and suck in the air in the drying chamber 5 and the air in the room. One air blowing means 11 can perform clothes drying operation and room dehumidifying operation, which can contribute to cost reduction, weight reduction, and compactness of the apparatus.

また、乾燥室５および吸気口１６の下流側に設け空気の温度および湿度を検出する温湿度検出手段２３を備え、表示手段２９は、部屋除湿運転時に吸気口１６より吸込んだ部屋の空気の温湿度を温湿度検出手段２３で検出して湿度を表示することにより、使用者が部屋の温湿度を把握することができ、除湿の効果を把握することができる。また乾燥運転時においては乾燥室５を通過した循環空気の温湿度を検出し、的確な乾燥終了判定を行え、乾燥不足や過乾燥による電力の無駄を抑制することができる。 In addition, a temperature / humidity detecting means 23 is provided on the downstream side of the drying chamber 5 and the intake port 16 to detect the temperature and humidity of the air, and the display means 29 is the temperature of the room air sucked from the intake port 16 during the room dehumidifying operation. By detecting the humidity with the temperature / humidity detecting means 23 and displaying the humidity, the user can grasp the temperature and humidity of the room and can grasp the effect of dehumidification. Further, during the drying operation, the temperature and humidity of the circulating air that has passed through the drying chamber 5 can be detected to accurately determine the end of drying, and the waste of electric power due to insufficient drying or excessive drying can be suppressed.

また、部屋除湿運転時における検出湿度が所定値を下回ると部屋除湿運転を停止することにより、無駄な運転を抑制できる。 In addition, if the detected humidity during the room dehumidifying operation falls below a predetermined value, useless operation can be suppressed by stopping the room dehumidifying operation.

また、乾燥室５に収容した衣類の洗濯を可能にし、洗濯水と吸熱器１５が除湿した除湿水を共通の排水口８より排水することにより、衣類の洗濯から乾燥までを同一槽内で一貫して行うことができ、また、床面の排水口と本体の排水口８の接続を容易にできる。 In addition, the clothes stored in the drying chamber 5 can be washed, and the washing water and the dehumidified water dehumidified by the heat absorber 15 are drained from the common drain port 8 so that the clothes can be washed and dried in the same tank. In addition, the connection between the drain outlet on the floor and the drain outlet 8 on the main body can be facilitated.

また、圧縮手段１２と、放熱器１３と、減圧手段１４と、吸熱器１５を環状に配管接続して冷凍サイクルを構成し、除湿手段は、前記吸熱器１５としたことにより、除湿のために冷却水を使うことが全く無く、また乾燥室に送る空気を電気ヒータで昇温する場合に比べ消費電力を大幅に少なくすることとができる。 In addition, the compression means 12, the radiator 13, the decompression means 14, and the heat absorber 15 are connected in an annular shape to form a refrigeration cycle. No cooling water is used at all, and power consumption can be greatly reduced compared to the case where the temperature of the air sent to the drying chamber is raised by an electric heater.

なお、上記実施の形態では、排水ポンプ２６にて除湿水を強制的に排水する方法で説明したが、除湿水排水経路２７に開閉弁を設け、開弁時に排水口８と除湿水容器２５のヘッド差で自然排水する方法を用いることもできる。 In the above embodiment, the method of forcibly draining the dehumidified water with the drain pump 26 has been described. However, an open / close valve is provided in the dehumidified water drain path 27, and the drain port 8 and the dehumidified water container 25 are opened when the valve is opened. It is also possible to use a method of naturally draining with a head difference.

また、上記実施の形態では、洗濯から乾燥までを同一の槽内において自動で行う洗濯機能付の衣類乾燥機に除湿手段を搭載したときの例について述べているが、これに限定されるものではなく、乾燥のみを行う衣類乾燥機であっても同様の効果が得られる。 In the above embodiment, an example is described in which the dehumidifying means is mounted on a clothes dryer with a washing function that automatically performs washing to drying in the same tank. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The same effect can be obtained even with a clothes dryer that only performs drying.

また、上記実施の形態においては、除湿手段は冷凍サイクルの吸熱器１５として説明したが、低温水が供給される熱交換器やペルチェ素子のような低温源で空気を冷却除湿する方法や、吸着剤で吸着除湿する方法においても本発明を適用できる。 In the above embodiment, the dehumidifying means has been described as the heat absorber 15 of the refrigeration cycle. However, a method of cooling and dehumidifying air with a low temperature source such as a heat exchanger or a Peltier element to which low temperature water is supplied, or an adsorption The present invention can also be applied to a method of adsorbing and dehumidifying with an agent.

以上のように、本発明にかかる衣類乾燥機は、部屋除湿運転時における除湿量を簡潔な構成でありながら精度良く算出して表示手段に表示するので、部屋除湿機能や吊り下げた衣類を乾燥させる機能を持った衣類乾燥機や衣類洗濯乾燥機に対して本発明を適用できる。 As described above, the clothes dryer according to the present invention calculates the dehumidification amount during the room dehumidification operation with a simple configuration and accurately displays the dehumidification amount on the display means. The present invention can be applied to a clothes dryer or a clothes washer / dryer having a function of causing the above to occur.

本発明の実施の形態１を示す衣類乾燥機の全体断面図Whole sectional view of a clothes dryer showing Embodiment 1 of the present invention 従来の衣類乾燥機の断面図Cross section of conventional clothes dryer

符号の説明Explanation of symbols

１本体
５乾燥室
８排水口
１１送風手段
１５吸熱器（除湿手段）
１６吸気口
１７排気口
１９吸気開閉手段（風路切替手段）
２０排気切替手段（風路切替手段）
２１循環風路
２２部屋除湿用風路
２３温湿度検出手段
２５除湿水容器
２８水位検出手段
２９表示手段
３０制御手段 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main body 5 Drying chamber 8 Drain outlet 11 Blower means 15 Heat absorber (dehumidification means)
16 Intake port 17 Exhaust port 19 Intake opening / closing means (air path switching means)
20 Exhaust switching means (wind path switching means)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 Circulating air path 22 Air path for room dehumidification 23 Temperature / humidity detection means 25 Dehumidification water container 28 Water level detection means 29 Display means 30 Control means

Claims

本体と、前記本体内に支持し衣類を乾燥する乾燥室と、送風手段が供給する空気を除湿する除湿手段と、乾燥運転時に空気が前記乾燥室と前記除湿手段とを循環するよう構成した循環風路と、部屋除湿運転時に外気を前記除湿手段に供給し除湿した乾燥空気を機外に排気するよう構成した部屋除湿用風路と、前記循環風路と前記部屋除湿用風路を切替える風路切替手段と、前記除湿手段により除湿した除湿水を貯める除湿水容器と、前記除湿水容器の除湿水を排水する排水ポンプと、前記除湿水容器の水位を検出する水位検出手段と、部屋除湿運転時における前記除湿手段の除湿量を表示する表示手段と、前記除湿手段により除湿した除湿量を算出して前記表示手段により表示する制御手段とを備え、前記制御手段は、乾燥運転時に前記水位検出手段が所定水位を検出すると前記排水ポンプにより排水動作を行い、部屋除湿運転時に前記水位検出手段が所定水位を検出すると前記排水ポンプにより排水動作を行うとともに、所定水位に達するまでの除湿水の体積に排水動作回数を乗じて除湿量を算出し前記表示手段に表示する衣類乾燥機。 A main body, a drying chamber supported in the main body for drying clothes, a dehumidifying means for dehumidifying the air supplied by the blowing means, and a circulation configured to circulate the air through the drying chamber and the dehumidifying means during a drying operation An air path, a room dehumidifying air path configured to supply outside air to the dehumidifying means and exhaust the dehumidified dry air outside the apparatus during room dehumidifying operation, and a wind for switching between the circulating air path and the room dehumidifying air path A path switching means, a dehumidifying water container for storing dehumidified water dehumidified by the dehumidifying means, a drain pump for draining dehumidified water in the dehumidified water container, a water level detecting means for detecting the water level of the dehumidified water container, and room dehumidifying Display means for displaying the dehumidification amount of the dehumidifying means during operation, and control means for calculating the dehumidification amount dehumidified by the dehumidifying means and displaying the dehumidification amount by the display means, and the control means includes the water level during the drying operation. When the discharge means detects a predetermined water level, the drainage pump performs a drainage operation. When the water level detection means detects a predetermined water level during a room dehumidification operation, the drainage pump performs a drainage operation and dehumidified water until the predetermined water level is reached. A clothes dryer that calculates the dehumidification amount by multiplying the volume by the number of times of drainage operation and displays the dehumidification amount on the display means.

制御手段は、所定時間排水動作を行っても水位検出手段が所定水位を検出する場合に排水異常を表示手段に表示するとともに、乾燥運転あるいは部屋除湿運転を停止する請求項１記載の衣類乾燥機。 2. The clothes dryer according to claim 1, wherein the control means displays the drainage abnormality on the display means and stops the drying operation or the room dehumidifying operation when the water level detecting means detects the predetermined water level even if the draining operation is performed for a predetermined time. .

空気を機外に排気する排気口と、外気を導入するとともに送風手段の吸込み側に設けた吸気口とを備え、風路切替手段は、空気を乾燥室側または前記排気口側に切替える排気切替手段と、前記吸気口を開閉する吸気開閉手段により構成した請求項１または２記載の衣類乾燥機。 An exhaust port for exhausting air to the outside of the machine and an intake port provided on the suction side of the blower means for introducing outside air, and the air path switching means is an exhaust switch for switching the air to the drying chamber side or the exhaust port side. The clothes dryer according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a means and an intake opening / closing means for opening and closing the intake port.

吸気口の下流側と除湿手段との間に空気の温度および湿度を検出する温湿度検出手段を備え、表示手段は、部屋除湿運転時に前記温湿度検出手段の検出温度および湿度を表示する請求項１〜３のいずれか１項に記載の衣類乾燥機。 A temperature / humidity detection means for detecting air temperature and humidity is provided between the downstream side of the air inlet and the dehumidification means, and the display means displays the detected temperature and humidity of the temperature / humidity detection means during a room dehumidification operation. The clothes dryer of any one of 1-3.

制御手段は、検出湿度が所定値を下回ると部屋除湿運転を停止する請求項４記載の衣類乾燥機。 The clothes dryer according to claim 4, wherein the control means stops the room dehumidifying operation when the detected humidity falls below a predetermined value.

乾燥室に収容した衣類の洗濯を可能にし、洗濯水と除湿手段が除湿した除湿水を共通の排水口より排水する請求項１〜５のいずれか１項に記載の衣類乾燥機。 The clothes dryer according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the clothes contained in the drying chamber can be washed, and the washing water and the dehumidified water dehumidified by the dehumidifying means are drained from a common drain port.

圧縮手段と、放熱器と、減圧手段と、吸熱器を環状に配管接続して冷凍サイクルを構成し、除湿手段は、前記吸熱器とした請求項１〜６のいずれか１項記載の衣類乾燥機。 The clothes drying apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a compression unit, a radiator, a decompression unit, and a heat absorber are annularly connected to form a refrigeration cycle, and the dehumidifying unit is the heat absorber. Machine.