JP2012130424A - Washing/drying machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a washing/drying machine capable of carrying out a drying process for an appropriate time according to a cloth amount and a cloth quality of laundry to inhibit the laundry from becoming undried or excessively dried after finishing the drying process, and suppress consumption of a waste electric power.SOLUTION: A control part 7 of a washing/drying machine 100 controls operation of a drying part 6 in such a manner that it detects a cloth amount of laundry contained in a drum 4, determines whether the quality of the laundry is hydrophilic or hydrophobic based on a predetermined criteria, and sets a lower limit operating time from a time point for the drying part 6 to begin operating until a time point to begin determining to stop operation and an upper limit operating time to stop operation by a time elapsed from the time point to begin operating regardless of a result of the determination.

Description

  The present invention relates to a washing / drying machine for washing and dehydrating laundry and then performing a drying operation.

In general, a washing / drying machine automatically performs washing, rinsing, dehydration and drying.
Drying is performed by a circulation-type drying unit having a blower, a heating device, a blower duct, and a blower path that also serves as a heat exchanger for dehumidification. When the drying unit is in operation, the air sent from the blower is heated by the heating device to become warm air, and the warm air is blown from the air duct into the drum installed in the water tank, and contacts the laundry contained in the drum. To do. As a result, the moisture contained in the laundry evaporates, and the moist air is exhausted out of the drum through a small hole provided in the drum peripheral wall, led to the air flow path to be cooled, and the moisture contained in the moist air is condensed. To do. As a result, the humid air is dehumidified to become dry air, which is again warmed by the blower and the heating device and blown out into the drum. Thus, the laundry in the drum is dried by circulating air inside and outside the drum.

  In the washing and drying machine, at the start of operation, the time required for the motor rotation speed to increase from the predetermined rotation speed by a predetermined amount, and the time required for the brake rotation to decrease from the predetermined rotation speed by a predetermined amount The amount of cloth (mass, capacity) of the laundry is detected based on the ratio and the like, and the time of each process such as washing and drying is set according to the amount of cloth.

When the drying is insufficient, it is necessary to perform the drying operation again. When the drying is excessive, there is a problem that wrinkles can occur and the clothes are damaged. Therefore, it is necessary to set the drying time appropriately.
Patent Document 1 discloses an invention of a washing and drying machine including first and second drying courses that are different in the detection method of the stop timing of the drying process and can be selected by the user. The first drying course sets the stop timing based on the difference in temperature detected by the first temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the upper part of the water tank and the second temperature sensor that detects the vicinity of the exhaust port. 2 Stop time is set based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor. If the temperature difference cannot be detected due to a failure of the temperature sensor or the like, the drying process stop timing cannot be set, so that the drying process is performed when the preset maximum operating time has elapsed, regardless of the detection result of the temperature sensor. Is configured to stop.

Patent Document 2 discloses an invention of a dryer that determines the progress of the drying process based on the change state of the temperature of the circulating air and the temperature of the outlet and inlet of water supplied to the heat exchanger.
In Patent Document 3, the mass of the laundry is detected at the start of operation, the magnitude of the torque fluctuation of the motor is detected in the washing process, the cloth quality of the laundry is determined from the mass and the magnitude of the torque fluctuation, An invention of a washing and drying machine is disclosed in which the rotation control of the dehydration operation immediately before the drying process is changed based on the determination result to improve the drying efficiency.

JP 2003-53087 A Japanese Patent No. 3346942 JP 2007-185357 A

  In the washing / drying machine of Patent Document 1, when the difference between the temperatures detected by the two temperature sensors is equal to or less than a predetermined value, it is determined that a completely dry state is achieved. Then, as described above, in consideration of the case where the temperature cannot be detected normally, the longest drying operation time is set so that the clothing does not become overdried. Thus, the drying operation is controlled to end. Furthermore, by setting the longest operation time according to the mass of clothing, it is further prevented from being overdried.

By the way, the fibers constituting the clothes of laundry include hydrophobic fibers that do not absorb much water like chemical fibers, and hydrophilic fibers that absorb water well like cotton. Therefore, the conditions for controlling the washing process and the drying process are usually set assuming intermediate standard clothing (mixed clothing). However, the time required for drying differs between clothing containing a lot of synthetic fibers and clothing containing a lot of cotton. For example, when drying clothes containing a lot of synthetic fibers, there is a possibility of overdrying in the longest operation time assuming standard clothes. On the other hand, when drying clothes containing a lot of cotton, if the difference between the temperatures detected by the two temperature sensors falls within a predetermined range, the drying process will end even if the clothes are in an undried state, This is not compatible with the dry state of the laundry.
Also, in the latter half of the drying operation, the dryness of the laundry increases as the moisture evaporates, but in this case, if drying is performed with the same drying capacity as the initial stage of the drying operation, the drying capacity of the laundry becomes excessive, There is a risk of wasting unnecessary energy.
When the temperature of the cooling water used for the heat exchanger is high or low, there is a case where the end of the drying process cannot be correctly detected due to the difference in temperature detected by the two temperature sensors. (When the temperature of the cooling water is high, the temperature difference between the two temperature sensors tends to be small, and when the temperature of the cooling water is low, the temperature difference between the two temperature sensors tends to be large, (It becomes easy to detect falsely.)
Even when the drying filter is clogged, the end of the drying process due to the difference in temperature detected by the two temperature sensors may not be detected correctly.
(Since this may occur, the shortest operation time and the longest operation time are provided.)

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and the drying process can be performed for an appropriate period of time according to the amount and quality of the laundry. It is an object of the present invention to provide a washing / drying machine in which the drying state is suppressed and the wasteful power consumption is suppressed.

  The washer / dryer according to the present invention is rotatably arranged in a water tank, a drum having a plurality of holes in a peripheral wall, a motor for driving the drum to rotate, and air exhausted to the outside of the drum through the holes. And drying means for drying the laundry contained in the drum, and a cloth for detecting the amount of the laundry contained in the drum A time point at which the operation stop determination is started from the start time of the operation of the drying means based on the amount detection means, the operation control means for controlling the operation of the drying means, and the cloth amount detected by the cloth amount detection means A washing / drying machine comprising time setting means for setting an upper limit operation time for stopping the operation as a result of the elapse of time from the start of the operation regardless of a lower limit operation time until and a result of the determination. Cloth quality determining means for determining whether the cloth quality of the article is more hydrophilic or hydrophobic than a predetermined standard, and the time setting means is based on the determined cloth quality, the lower limit operation time and the upper limit operation time. Is set.

  In the present invention, the lower limit (shortest) operation time and the amount of laundry and whether or not the laundry includes a lot of clothes made of hydrophilic fibers that are difficult to dry, that is, the amount of water absorption of the laundry, Since the upper limit (longest) operation time is set, the drying process can be performed for an appropriate time, and the laundry is prevented from being undried or overdried after the drying process is completed.

  In the washing / drying machine according to the present invention, when the time setting means determines that the cloth quality is hydrophilic by the cloth quality determination means, the time setting means previously stores the cloth quality when the cloth quality is the predetermined reference quality. The lower limit operation time is made longer than the set reference lower limit operation time.

  In the present invention, if the laundry contains a lot of hydrophilic clothes that are difficult to dry, the lower limit operation time, which is a precondition for determining the stop time of the drying process, is lengthened, so the laundry is in an undried state. Is more suppressed.

  In the washing / drying machine according to the present invention, when the time setting means determines that the cloth quality is hydrophilic by the cloth quality determination means, the time setting means previously stores the cloth quality when the cloth quality is the predetermined reference quality. The upper limit operation time is made longer than the set reference upper limit operation time.

  In the present invention, when the laundry contains a lot of hydrophilic clothes that are difficult to dry, the upper limit operation time is lengthened, so that the laundry is further prevented from being dried.

  The washing / drying machine according to the present invention is characterized in that the time setting means makes the upper limit operation time shorter than the reference upper limit operation time when the cloth quality is determined to be hydrophobic.

  In the present invention, when the laundry contains a lot of hydrophobic clothes that are easy to dry, the upper limit operation time for stopping the operation is always shortened after the start of the operation of the drying means. It is more suppressed that it becomes a state of being damaged.

  The washing / drying machine according to the present invention is characterized in that the time setting means makes the lower limit operation time shorter than the reference lower limit operation time when the cloth quality is determined to be hydrophobic.

  In the present invention, when the laundry contains a lot of hydrophobic clothes that are easy to dry, the lower limit operation time is shortened, so that the laundry becomes overdried and is further prevented from being damaged.

  The washing / drying machine according to the present invention includes a water level detection unit that detects a water level in the water tank, and the cloth quality determination unit performs stirring for a predetermined time after the water level detection unit detects that the water level is a predetermined level. The cloth quality of the laundry is determined based on the difference between the water level detected by the water level detecting means and the predetermined water level.

  In the present invention, the fabric quality can be easily determined based on the water absorption amount of the laundry.

  The washing / drying machine according to the present invention includes torque fluctuation detection means for detecting the magnitude of torque fluctuation of the motor, and the cloth quality detection means is based on the magnitude of torque fluctuation detected by the torque fluctuation detection means. And determining the cloth quality.

  In the present invention, the fabric quality can be easily determined based on the magnitude of torque fluctuation.

  In the washing / drying machine according to the present invention, the cloth quality detection means determines the cloth quality based on the magnitude of the torque fluctuation when the cloth amount detected by the cloth amount detection means is equal to or less than a predetermined value. It is characterized by doing.

  In the present invention, when the amount of laundry is small, the cloth quality can be determined more accurately than when the amount of water is reduced.

  The washing and drying machine according to the present invention includes an instruction receiving unit that receives an instruction related to a difference between the lower limit operation time or the upper limit operation time set by the time setting unit and the reference lower limit operation time or the reference upper limit operation time, The time setting unit sets a lower limit operation time or an upper limit operation time based on the instruction when it is determined that the instruction is received by the instruction reception unit.

  In the present invention, since the amount of increase / decrease from the reference operation time is adjusted by the user's instruction, the finished state of drying of the laundry can be adapted to the user's preference. In addition, the amount of reduction in driving time can be adjusted, for example, when the user has a lot of hydrophobic clothes in the laundry but is thick and visually perceived to absorb water to some extent.

  The washing and drying machine according to the present invention includes two temperature detection means for detecting temperatures at different positions of the air circulation path, a lower limit operation time elapse determination means for determining whether or not a lower limit operation time has elapsed, Temperature difference determination means for determining whether or not the difference between the temperatures detected by the two temperature detection means is within a predetermined range, and the operation control means has a lower limit operation time elapsed by the lower limit operation time elapse determination means. When the temperature difference determination unit determines that the temperature difference is within the predetermined range, the operation of the drying unit is stopped.

  In the present invention, it is possible to appropriately determine when to stop the drying process.

  The washing / drying machine according to the present invention includes an upper limit operation time elapse determination unit that determines whether or not the upper limit operation time has elapsed, and the operation control unit has passed the upper limit operation time elapse by the upper limit operation time elapse determination unit. When it is determined that, the operation of the drying means is stopped.

  In the present invention, the laundry is further prevented from being overdried.

  According to the present invention, since the lower limit operation time and the upper limit operation time are set according to the amount and quality of the laundry, the drying process can be performed for an appropriate time, and the laundry is not dried after the drying process is completed. Or it is suppressed that it will be in an overdried state. And wasteful power consumption is suppressed.

It is a schematic perspective view which shows the external appearance of the washing / drying machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is side surface sectional drawing which shows the washing-drying machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a control block diagram of the washing / drying machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the washing-drying process by CPU which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the washing-drying process by CPU which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen which sets the determination method of a cloth quality. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process of the setting of the driving time by CPU which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen which sets the driving time to change. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen which sets the change degree of driving time. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the determination process of the fabric quality by CPU which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an appearance of a washing / drying machine 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the washing / drying machine shown in FIG.
The washing / drying machine 100 according to the present invention is provided in an outer box 1 provided with an opening 11 on the front surface, a bottomed cylindrical water tank 3 disposed in the outer box 1, and a water tank 3 that is rotatable. , A bottomed cylindrical drum 4 for storing the laundry, a drying unit 6 for drying the laundry, a panel 12 provided in a lower part of the front surface of the outer box 1, and a bottom of the outer box 1 The bottom 13 and the two dampers 9 that elastically support the rear portion of the water tank 3 are provided. A door 2 is rotatably attached to the opening 11 of the outer box 1 by a hinge.

  In the upper part of the outer box 1, a detergent case 14 for storing detergent, bleach and softener, and an operation unit 8 having operation keys and a touch panel type display unit are provided. In addition to the power key, the operation start key, and the like, the operation key of the operation unit 8 is also provided with a key for inputting a washing / drying course (for example, a plurality of stages such as standard, my family style, elaborate, dry, and blanket). On the back side of the operation unit 8 (inside the outer box 1), a control unit 7 that controls the operation of the washing and drying machine 100 is disposed. Further, a step portion 15 lower than the front portion of the top surface is provided at the rear portion of the top surface of the outer box 1.

  A drum motor 5 that rotationally drives the drum 4 is attached to the rear portion of the water tank 3. An end of the damper 9 opposite to the water tank 3 side is attached to a damper mounting portion 10 a of the damper support fitting 10.

  A water tank opening 3a is provided on the front surface of the water tank 3, and a packing 3b made of an elastic body such as rubber or soft resin is fixed to an opening edge of the water tank opening 3a. As a result, when the door 2 is closed, the door 2 comes into close contact with the packing 3 b, and the liquid in the water tank 3 is prevented from leaking out of the water tank 3. The water tank 3 is disposed sideways so that the water tank opening 3a faces the opening 11 of the outer box 1, and more specifically, the central axis of the water tank 3 so that the water tank opening 3a is higher than the rear part of the water tank 3. Is inclined at an angle of 5 ° to 30 ° with respect to the horizontal direction.

  A water supply duct 20 for supplying water, washing liquid and the like to the water tank 3 is connected to the upper part of the water tank 3. A drainage duct 21 is connected to the lower part of the water tank 3 to drain water, washing liquid, and the like in the water tank 3 to the outside. The drain duct 21 is connected to a drain hose 23 via a filter 22. The filter 22 removes the yarn waste in the liquid flowing from the water tank 3. The drain hose 23 is provided with a drain valve 25 that is opened and closed by a drain motor 24.

An air trap 28 is provided on the water tank 3 side of the drainage duct 21, a pressure guiding pipe 29 is connected to the air trap 28, and a water level sensor 30 is provided at the upper end of the pressure guiding pipe 29. The water level sensor 30 communicates with the water tank 3 via the pressure guiding pipe 29 and the air trap 28, and the pressure (water pressure) due to the water level in the water tank 3 is transmitted to the water level sensor 30.
The water level sensor 30 includes a coil and a magnetic body, and the magnetic body moves in the coil in accordance with a pressure change due to the water level in the water tank 3. And it is comprised so that the inductance of the coil produced by the position of the magnetic body in a coil may be detected as an oscillation frequency, and the water level in the water tank 3 may be detected.

  The step 15 on the rear side of the outer box 1 is composed of a horizontal surface 15a and a vertical surface 15b, and a water supply port 26 for supplying tap water to the water tank 3 is provided on the horizontal surface 15a. The water supply port 26 is connected to the water supply duct 20 via a water supply valve 27. The tap water supplied from the water supply port 26 via the water supply duct 20 is directly flowed into the water tank 3 or mixed with a detergent or a softener and then flowed into the water tank 3.

  The drum 4 is arranged so that the central axis is parallel to the central axis of the water tank 3 and is eccentric to the top surface side of the outer case 1. That is, the rotation axis of the drum 4 is inclined so as to form an angle of 5 ° to 30 ° with respect to the horizontal direction, and is positioned on the upper side of the water tank 3 with respect to the central axis of the water tank 3. In other words, in the vertical plane including the rotation axis of the drum 4, the distance between the lower part of the drum 4 and the lower part of the water tank 3 is larger than the distance between the upper part of the drum 4 and the upper part of the water tank 3.

  On the front surface of the drum 4, there is provided a drum opening 4 a facing the opening 11 of the outer box 1 and the water tank opening 3 a. The drum opening 4a has a larger diameter than the water tank opening 3a. A plurality of small holes 4b are provided in the peripheral wall of the drum 4 over the entire area. The small holes 4 b are for circulating washing water, dry air, and the like between the space between the water tank 3 and the drum 4 and the space in the drum 4.

  A baffle 4 c that protrudes inward in the radial direction is provided on the inner wall surface of the drum 4. This baffle 4c is arrange | positioned at three places at intervals of 120 degrees in the circumferential direction, for example. As the drum 4 rotates, the baffle 4c repeats lifting and dropping of the laundry. Further, a liquid balancer 4d is provided so as to surround the drum opening 4a of the drum 4 from the outside. When the drum 4 rotates, an imbalance caused by the bias of the laundry and the washing liquid is caused inside the liquid balancer 4d. It is configured to cancel by the movement of the enclosed liquid.

  The drying unit 6 is attached to the upper surface of the blower 61, a PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) heater 62, the outer box 1, and houses a drying filter 64, and air that blows heated and dried air to the drum 4. A duct 66 and a heat exchanging portion 63 provided on the back side of the water tank 3 are provided.

  The blower 61 includes a fan case 61a, a rotary blade 61b accommodated in the fan case 61a, and a fan motor 61c that rotationally drives the rotary blade 61b, and is attached to the upper part of the water tank 3 and the outer box 1. . The fan motor 61c is connected to the rotary blade 61b, and is configured to rotationally drive the rotary blade 61b by a direct drive structure.

The PTC heater 62 is disposed between the fan case 61 a and the blower duct 66 in the blower 61 and heats the air blown by the blower 61. Between the upper edge of the water tank opening 3 a and the upper edge of the drum opening 4 a, an air outlet 67 of the air duct 66 is provided, and hot air is blown out from the air outlet 67 toward the lower part of the drum 4. The
The heat exchanging part 63 is formed so as to connect the opening 63a on the blower 61 side in the upper part of the water tank 3 and the opening 63b in the lower part of the rear of the water tank. Cooling water is passed through the peripheral wall of the heat exchange unit 63. A first temperature sensor 63c and a second temperature sensor 63d are provided on the openings 63b and 63a side of the heat exchange unit 63, respectively, and detect the temperatures (air and cooling water temperatures) in the vicinity of the openings 63b and 63a. To do.

  When the drying unit 6 is operated, air circulates in the water tank 3 as indicated by arrows in FIG. That is, the rotary blade 61b of the blower 61 rotates, and the warm air generated by the PTC heater 62 passes through the case 65 and the drying filter 64, passes through the blower duct 66, and moves from the blower port 67 toward the lower part of the space in the drum 4. And blow out. Thereby, the water | moisture content of the laundry in the drum 4 evaporates. The moisture-containing air, that is, humid air, exits the drum 4 through the small holes 4 a, is sucked into the heat exchanging portion 63 from the opening 63 b at the lower back of the water tank 3, and flows to the outer periphery of the heat exchanging portion 63. Cooled by the cooling water being done. Thereby, the moisture contained in the humid air is condensed. That is, the wet air is dehumidified by the heat exchange unit 63 to become dry air. The dry air is sucked into the opening 63 a on the blower 61 side, sent into the fan case 61 a, heated again by the PTC heater 62, passed through the case 65 and the drying filter 64, and then passed from the blower port 67 to the drum 4. Blow out toward the bottom inside. The drying unit 6 operates and the warm air circulates, whereby the laundry in the drum 4 can be dried.

FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of the washing / drying machine 100.
The control unit 7 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 71, a ROM 72 that stores a control program for controlling the entire washing and drying machine 100 and an operation time table 73, and a microcomputer (microcomputer) that includes a RAM 74 as a work area. Consists of. The CPU 71 reads the control program stored in the ROM 72 onto the RAM 74 and executes the control program while temporarily storing the data being processed in the RAM 74.
The operation time table 73 has a minimum operation time (lower limit operation time) and a maximum operation time (upper limit) according to the degree of the operation time and the amount of change selected by the user for each laundry and drying course, for each laundry and drying course. Operation time) is set. The operation time data is based on data of a drying test performed for each washing / drying course, the amount of cloth, and the cloth quality.

  The control unit 7 receives detection signals from the water level sensor 30, the first temperature sensor 63 c and the second temperature sensor 63 d, and the operation key signal of the operation unit 8. The control unit 7 outputs drive signals for the drum motor 5, the fan motor 61 c, the PTC heater 62, the water supply valve 27, and the drainage motor 24 in addition to the display signal for the display unit of the operation unit 8.

  In the washing / drying machine 100 configured as described above, the CPU 71 selects the operation time table 73 in accordance with a user instruction every time washing and drying are performed, and the detected laundry amount (capacity, mass) and the laundry. The shortest operation time and the longest operation time of the drying process with reference to the operation time table 73 based on the fabric quality determined from the amount of water absorbed (the amount of water reduction based on the decrease in the water level) and / or the amount of torque fluctuation of the drum motor 5 Set. When the shortest operation time has elapsed in the drying process and the difference between the temperatures detected by the first temperature sensor 63c and the second temperature sensor 63d has become a predetermined value or more, or when the longest operation time has elapsed, the CPU 71 Finish the drying process.

  Hereinafter, when the ratio (mass ratio) of hydrophilic fibers such as cotton and hydrophobic fibers such as chemical fibers in the laundry is 60/40 or more, the cloth quality is hydrophilic (more cotton), When the ratio is 40/60 or more and less than 60/40, the cloth quality is assumed to be standard (mixed spinning), and when the ratio is less than 40/60, the cloth quality is assumed to be hydrophobic (more synthetic fibers). In addition, the ratio for this cloth quality determination can be set arbitrarily. Regardless of whether each garment constituting the laundry is made of the same fiber (for example, 100% cotton) or a mixture of a plurality of fibers (for example, a mixture of 60% cotton and 40% synthetic fiber), Judge as the whole laundry. Even when the clothes are made of synthetic fibers, when the thickness is thick, the amount of water absorption increases, so it can be determined that the clothes are hydrophilic.

  4 and 5 are flowcharts showing the procedure of the washing and drying process by the CPU 71, and FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for setting a cloth quality determination method.

First, the CPU 71 determines whether or not the power key is turned on (S1). When the CPU 71 determines that the power key is not turned on (S1: NO), the process is repeated.
When it is determined that the power key is turned on (S1: YES), the CPU 71 determines whether or not selection of a washing / drying course has been accepted (S2). When the CPU 71 determines that the selection is not accepted (S2: NO), the process is repeated.

  When the CPU 71 determines that the selection has been accepted (S2: YES), the operation time (the shortest operation time and the longest operation time) during the drying operation is set as described later, that is, the operation time table 73 is selected (S3). ).

CPU71 determines whether the instruction | indication of the determination method of the fabric quality was received after setting of operation time (S4). The CPU 71 displays the cloth quality determination method setting screen shown in FIG. 6 on the display unit of the operation unit 8 and determines whether or not an instruction of the cloth quality determination method has been received from the user. The CPU 71 performs the cloth quality determination by two kinds of methods of “detection of water reduction amount” and “detection of torque fluctuation of the drum motor 5”, or by any one method according to the amount of cloth of the laundry. Accept instructions to do. When the CPU 71 determines that the instruction has not been received (S4: NO), the process is repeated.
In addition, you may decide to receive the instruction | indication of this fabric quality determination method at the time of installation of the washing dryer 100, or every predetermined period, without performing it every time of washing and drying.

When it is determined that the instruction has been received (S4: YES), the CPU 71 determines whether or not the start key is turned on (S5). When the CPU 71 determines that the start key is not turned on (S5: NO), the process is repeated.
If the CPU 71 determines that the start key is turned on (S5: YES), it detects the amount (mass) of the laundry (S6). The CPU 71 is based on the ratio of the time required to increase the rotational speed of the drum motor 5 from the predetermined rotational speed to a predetermined amount and the time required to decrease the predetermined rotational speed after applying the brake. Detect the amount of cloth. The method for detecting the amount of cloth is not limited to this method. Here, it is assumed that the cloth amount is set to 13 levels from Y1 to Y13.
Then, the CPU 71 determines the cloth quality as described later (S7).

  After the determination of the cloth quality, the CPU 71 starts a washing process (S8). The CPU 71 causes the drum motor 5 to alternately rotate the drum 4 in both the forward and reverse directions to perform normal washing such as a washing process using a detergent, a dehydration process in which the drum is rotated at a predetermined rotation speed and rotation time, and a rinsing process. Execute the process.

The CPU 71 determines whether or not the washing process is finished, that is, whether or not the dehydration process after rinsing is finished (S9). When the CPU 71 determines that the washing process has not ended (S9: NO), the process is repeated.
When the CPU 71 determines that the washing process is completed (S9: YES), the shortest operation time and the longest operation corresponding to the detected cloth amount and the cloth quality in the selected operation time table 73 are set as the shortest operation time and the longest operation. After setting the time, the drum 4 is rotated, the drying unit 6 is operated, and the drying of the laundry is started (S10).
Then, the CPU 71 determines whether or not the set shortest operation time has elapsed (S11). When the CPU 71 determines that the shortest operation time has not elapsed (S11: NO), the process is repeated.

  When the CPU 71 determines that the shortest operation time has elapsed (S11: YES), the CPU 71 determines whether the temperature difference detected by the first temperature sensor 63c and the second temperature sensor 63d is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (S12). . At the initial stage of drying, the warm air comes into contact with the laundry, absorbs moisture, and is discharged from the drum 4 in a state where the temperature is lowered, flows through the opening 63b, and the temperature is detected by the first temperature sensor 63c. . As the drying progresses, heat is not removed and the amount of moisture absorbed decreases, so that the temperature detected by the first temperature sensor 63c gradually increases. Since the heat contained in the warm air has more latent heat than the sensible heat, the amount of water vapor (= humidity) contained in the warm air is reduced, so that the ratio of latent heat exchange in the heat exchange unit 63 is reduced and the sensible heat exchange proceeds. Therefore, the total amount of heat discharged in the heat exchange unit 63 gradually decreases, and the temperature of the cooling water detected by the second temperature sensor 63d gradually decreases. Accordingly, as the drying progresses, the difference in temperature detected by the first temperature sensor 63c and the second temperature sensor 63d increases, so that it is determined by determining whether or not the temperature difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The end point of the process can be determined.

When the CPU 71 determines that the temperature difference is not equal to or greater than the predetermined value (S12: NO), the CPU 71 determines whether or not the set longest operation time has elapsed (S13). If the CPU 71 determines that the longest operation time has not elapsed (S13: NO), the process returns to step S12.
When the CPU 71 determines that the temperature difference is equal to or greater than the predetermined value (S12: YES) and when it is determined that the longest operation time has elapsed (S13: YES), the drying operation is terminated (S14), and the laundry drying is performed. Terminate the process.

The operation time setting process in step S3 will be described in detail below.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure for setting the operation time by the CPU 71, FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for setting the operation time to be changed, and FIG. 9 is an example of a screen for setting the degree of change of the operation time. FIG.
First, the CPU 71 displays the setting screen shown in FIG. 8 on the display unit of the operation unit 8, and determines whether or not an instruction for setting an operation time to be changed from the standard setting is received from the user (S31). In the setting screen of FIG. 8, when the laundry is hydrophobic (in the case of a large amount of synthetic fiber), the operation time to be changed (shortened) from the standard (mixed spinning) operation time is “longest operation time” and “shortest / The CPU 71 determines which button of “longest operation time (both)” is selected. Then, which button is selected as the “shortest operation time” or “shortest / longest operation time” as the operation time to be changed (lengthened) when the laundry is hydrophilic (in the case of more cotton) Then, the control unit 7 determines whether or not the setting instruction is accepted. If it is determined that the control unit 7 has not received the instruction (S31: NO), the process is repeated.

When it is determined that the instruction has been received (S31: YES), the CPU 71 determines whether an instruction for setting the degree of change in the driving time has been received (S32). In the setting screen of FIG. 9, “standard setting (change the operating time with the default change amount)”, “shorter (change amount is the default change) The CPU 71 determines which one of the buttons “longer than the amount” and “longer (the amount of change is smaller than the default amount of change)” has been selected. Then, the control unit 7 determines which one of the “standard setting”, “short”, and “long” buttons is selected as the amount of change for each of the shortest operation time and the longest operation time in the case of more cotton. It is determined whether a setting instruction is accepted. When the CPU 71 determines that the instruction has not been received (S32: NO), the process is repeated.
In step S31, for example, when it is instructed to change only the longest operation time in the case of a large amount of synthetic fiber, and to change only the shortest operation time in the case of a large amount of cotton, for example, a setting screen for the degree of change in the operation time in FIG. For chemical fiber, only the selection button for the change amount of the longest operation time is shown, and for cotton, only the selection button for the change amount of the shortest operation time is shown, only these selection buttons can be pressed, or only these selection buttons are highlighted. Or the like.
In addition, the reception of the instructions in steps S31 and S32 may be performed at the time of installation of the washing / drying machine 100 or every predetermined period without performing the washing / drying every time.

  If the CPU 71 determines that the instruction has been received (S32: YES), the user's selection is made for each amount of laundry in each of the cases of a large size, a standard size, and a high size cotton corresponding to the selected washing / drying course. An operation time table 73 indicating the shortest operation time and the longest operation time according to (short, standard setting, or long) is set (S33). That is, the CPU 71 selects the operating time table 73 based on the instructions in steps S31 and S32.

  In Table 1 below, the washing / drying course is the standard course. When there are many synthetic fibers, only the longest operation time is shortened. When cotton is large, only the shortest operation time is lengthened, and the amount of change in the operation time is the standard setting. It is a table | surface which shows the driving | operation time table when it is instruct | indicated by the user to use a change amount (S31, S32). The unit of the shortest operation time and the longest operation time is minutes.

  As shown in Table 1, in the case of a longer synthetic fiber, the shortest operation time is not different from that in the case of blending, but the longest operation time is shorter than that in the case of blending. As a result, the laundry that is originally easy to dry is dried more than necessary, and wrinkles and fabrics are prevented from being damaged, and wasteful power consumption is suppressed. In the case of cotton, the longest operation time is the same as that in the case of blending, but the shortest operation time is longer than that in the case of blending. Since the shortest operation time, which is a prerequisite for determining the stop time, is lengthened, non-drying is prevented.

  Table 2 shows that the washing and drying course is the standard course. When there are many synthetic fibers, only the longest operation time is shortened. When there are many cottons, only the shortest operation time is lengthened. It is a table | surface which shows the driving | operation time table when the user instruct | indicates so that driving | running time may be shortened (S31, S32).

  As shown in Table 2, in the case of a large synthetic fiber, the longest operation time is shorter than that in the case of blending, but is longer than the standard setting in Table 1. Further, in the case of cotton, the shortest operation time is longer than that in the case of blending, but is shorter than the standard setting in Table 1. In this case, the finished state of drying of the laundry can be adapted to the user's preference. For example, when the user puts the laundry into the washing / drying machine 100, if the amount of synthetic fiber is large, but it is visually recognized that there are many thick items, the longest operation time is set longer, so that the non-drying is more reliably performed. Can be prevented.

  Table 3 shows that the washing and drying course is the standard course. When there is a large amount of synthetic fibers, both the shortest and longest operating time are shortened. When the cotton is large, both the shortest and longest operating time are lengthened. It is a table | surface which shows the driving | operation time table when it is instruct | indicated by the user to use a setting value (S31, S32). In this case, it is possible to more reliably prevent overdrying in the case of a large amount of synthetic fiber, and more reliably prevent undrying in the case of a large amount of cotton.

The operation time setting process in step S7 will be described in detail below.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure of the cloth quality determination process performed by the CPU 71.
First, the CPU 71 determines whether or not it is instructed to perform the cloth quality determination by two types of methods in step S4 (S41).
When it is determined that the CPU 71 has been instructed to perform the cloth quality determination by two methods (S41: YES), the CPU 71 detects the amount of water reduction (S42). Specifically, the CPU 71 supplies water to the water tank 3, detects the water level after the completion of water supply by the water level sensor 30, and after stirring for a predetermined time (for example, 2 minutes) such as 2 minutes, adjusts the water level again by the water level sensor 30. Detecting and detecting the amount of water reduction from the water level when the water supply is completed. Then, the water tank 3 is again supplied with water and stirred for 2 minutes to detect the amount of water reduction twice. The CPU 71 stores the total value of the three water reduction amounts or the third water reduction amount in the ROM 72. When the cloth quality is hydrophilic, the amount of water reduction increases. In addition, the method of calculating | requiring a water reduction amount is not limited to said case.

  Next, the CPU 71 detects a change in torque of the drum motor 5 (S43). After the water level in the drum 4 reaches a predetermined water level and becomes stable, the CPU 71 detects the magnitude of torque fluctuation (variation width and average value) of the drum motor 5 based on the magnitude of the q-axis current. When the ratio of cotton in the laundry is large and the water absorption is large, the torque fluctuation of the drum motor 5 becomes large.

  When the CPU 71 determines in step S41 that the cloth quality determination is not instructed to be performed by two types of methods, that is, when it is determined that the cloth quality determination is instructed to be performed by one type (S41: NO), in step S6. It is determined whether or not the detected cloth amount is 2 kg or more (S44). When the CPU 71 determines that the amount of cloth is 2 kg or more (S44: YES), it detects the amount of water reduction (S45). When the CPU 71 determines that the amount of cloth is not 2 kg or more, that is, less than 2 kg (S44: NO), the CPU 71 detects a change in the torque of the drum motor 5 (S46). If the amount of cloth is small and the determination of the cloth quality is performed based on the reduced water amount, the absolute amount of the reduced water amount becomes small and it becomes difficult to accurately determine the cloth quality. Detect the magnitude of variation.

  The CPU 71 determines the quality of the laundry based on the results of steps S42 and S43, or based on the amount of reduced water in step S45 or the magnitude of the fluctuation in torque in step S46 (S47). When the cloth quality is determined by two methods, the determination becomes more accurate.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the minimum operation time and the minimum operation time can be finely set according to the amount and quality of the laundry, and the drying process can be performed for an appropriate time. It is suppressed that the laundry is in an undried or overdried state after the process is completed, and wasteful power consumption is suppressed.

In the present embodiment, the case of receiving an instruction for setting the operation time and the degree of change in step S3 is described, but the present invention is not limited to this. When the CPU 71 detects the amount of cloth and determines the cloth quality, the drying process is performed based on the shortest operation time and the longest operation time set in advance (standard setting) corresponding to each cloth amount and the cloth quality. You may decide.
When the instruction is received and drying is performed, the finished state of drying of the laundry can be adapted to the user's preference.
And you may enable it to adjust the reference | standard (ratio of a hydrophilic fiber and a hydrophobic fiber) for determining cloth quality by a user.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the case where the cloth quality is determined based on the water reduction amount and / or the magnitude of the torque fluctuation of the drum motor 5 is described, but the present invention is not limited to this. And when the quality of the cloth is determined by one type of method, the amount of the cloth of the laundry serving as a reference for selecting the method is not limited to 2 kg.

  Furthermore, the position of the first temperature sensor 63c and the second temperature sensor 63d when measuring the temperature difference after the shortest operating time has elapsed is not limited to the case shown in the present embodiment. For example, the temperature difference between the temperature of the upper part of the water tank 3 (the temperature of the hot air to be used for drying from now on) and the temperature of the exhaust port (the temperature after contact with the warm air laundry) may be obtained. In this case, since the temperature difference becomes smaller as the drying proceeds, the operation of the drying unit 6 is stopped when the temperature difference becomes a predetermined value or less after the shortest operation time has elapsed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Outer box 2 Door 3 Water tank 3a Water tank opening part 4 Drum 4a Drum opening part 4b Hole 5 Drum motor 6 Drying part 61 Blower 62 PTC heater 63 Heat exchange part 63a, 63b Opening part 63c 1st temperature sensor 63d 2nd temperature sensor 64 Drying filter 65 Case 66 Air duct 67 Air outlet 7 Control unit 71 CPU
72 ROM
73 Operating time table 74 RAM
8 Operation section 30 Water level sensor

Claims (11)

A drum that is rotatably arranged in the water tank and has a plurality of holes in the peripheral wall;
A motor for rotationally driving the drum;
A drying means for circulating the air exhausted to the outside of the drum through the hole so that the air is dehumidified and heated and sent to the inside of the drum, and drying the laundry stored in the inside of the drum;
A cloth amount detecting means for detecting the amount of the laundry contained in the drum;
Operation control means for controlling the operation of the drying means;
Based on the cloth amount detected by the cloth amount detecting means, regardless of the lower limit operation time from the start time of the operation of the drying means to the start time of the operation stop determination, and the result of the determination, In a washer / dryer comprising: a time setting means for setting an upper limit operation time for stopping operation after the start time has elapsed;
Cloth quality determining means for determining whether the cloth quality of the laundry is more hydrophilic or hydrophobic than a predetermined standard;
The said time setting means sets the minimum operation time and the maximum operation time based on the determined cloth quality, The washing / drying machine characterized by the above-mentioned.   The time setting means, when the cloth quality determining means determines that the cloth quality is hydrophilic, when the cloth quality is the predetermined reference cloth quality, from a reference lower limit operation time set in advance. The washing / drying machine according to claim 1, wherein the lower limit operation time is increased.   The time setting means, when the cloth quality determining means determines that the cloth quality is hydrophilic, when the cloth quality is the predetermined reference cloth quality, based on a reference upper limit operation time set in advance. The washing / drying machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the upper limit operation time is lengthened.   The said time setting means makes an upper limit operation time shorter than the said reference upper limit operation time, when it determines with the said cloth quality being hydrophobic, The any one of Claim 1 to 3 characterized by the above-mentioned. Laundry dryer.   The said time setting means makes a minimum operation time shorter than the said reference | standard minimum operation time, when it determines with the said cloth quality being hydrophobic, The any one of Claim 1 to 4 characterized by the above-mentioned. Laundry dryer. Equipped with water level detection means to detect the water level in the aquarium,
The cloth quality determination means detects the difference between the predetermined water level and the water level detected again by the water level detection means after stirring for a predetermined time after the water level detection means detects that the water level is the predetermined water level. 6. The laundry dryer according to claim 1, wherein the quality of the laundry is determined based on the laundry. Comprising torque fluctuation detecting means for detecting the magnitude of torque fluctuation of the motor;
The laundry according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the cloth quality detection means determines the cloth quality based on a magnitude of torque fluctuation detected by the torque fluctuation detection means. Dryer.   The cloth quality detecting means determines the cloth quality based on the magnitude of the torque fluctuation when the cloth quantity detected by the cloth quantity detecting means is a predetermined value or less. The washing dryer as described in. An instruction receiving means for receiving an instruction relating to a difference between the lower limit operation time or the upper limit operation time set by the time setting means and the reference lower limit operation time or the reference upper limit operation time;
The time setting means sets a lower limit operation time or an upper limit operation time based on the instruction when it is determined that the instruction is received by the instruction reception means. The washing dryer according to one. Two temperature detection means for detecting temperatures at different positions of the air circulation path;
A lower limit operation time elapse determining means for determining whether or not the lower limit operation time has elapsed;
Temperature difference determination means for determining whether or not the difference between the temperatures detected by the two temperature detection means is within a predetermined range;
The operation control means determines that the lower limit operation time has elapsed by the lower limit operation time elapse determination means, and when the temperature difference determination means determines that the temperature difference is within the predetermined range, the drying means The washing / drying machine according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the operation is stopped. An upper limit operation time elapse determining means for determining whether or not the upper limit operation time has elapsed,
The said operation control means stops the driving | operation of the said drying means, when it determines with the upper limit operation time progress determination means having passed the upper limit operation time, The any one of Claim 1-10 characterized by the above-mentioned. The washing dryer as described in.

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