CN112955598B

CN112955598B - Washing and drying integrated machine

Info

Publication number: CN112955598B
Application number: CN201980070957.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 辻贵裕; 市川晶; 冈崎纯也
Original assignee: Qingdao Haier Washing Machine Co Ltd; Haier Smart Home Co Ltd; Aqua Co Ltd
Current assignee: Qingdao Haier Washing Machine Co Ltd; Haier Smart Home Co Ltd; Aqua Co Ltd
Priority date: 2018-11-13
Filing date: 2019-11-11
Publication date: 2023-01-13
Anticipated expiration: 2039-11-11
Also published as: JP2020078464A; JP7311856B2; CN112955598A; WO2020098595A1

Abstract

A washing and drying all-in-one machine (1) comprising: an outer cylinder (3) capable of storing water; a circulation path (20) connected to the outer cylinder (3); an air supply unit (21) that takes air from the inside of the outer cylinder (3) into the circulation path (20) from the take-out port (20D) and returns the air into the outer cylinder (3) from the return port (20E); and a heating unit (22) provided in the circulation path (20). The washing and drying integrated machine (1) comprises a plurality of drying filters (F) and a water supply part (50), wherein the drying filters (F) are arranged on the side of an outlet (20D) of a heating part (22) in a circulating path (20). The plurality of drying filters (F) are arranged so as to overlap in the flow direction of air in the circulation path (20). Each drying filter (F) has a vertical surface (FA) for capturing foreign matters in the air heading from the take-out port (20D) to the return port (20E) in the circulation path (20). The water supply part (50) supplies water to the vertical surface part (FA) of each drying filter (F) from the upper side (Z1). The improved maintenance of the drying filter can be realized, and a large amount of foreign matters can be captured by the drying filter.

Description

Washing and drying integrated machine

Technical Field

The invention relates to a washing and drying integrated machine.

Background

The washing and drying machine described in the following patent document 1 includes: an outer cylinder capable of storing water, a roller arranged in the outer cylinder and used for accommodating washings, and a circulating air path. The circulation wind path comprises an air inlet and an air outlet which are connected with the outer cylinder, and an air supply unit with an air blower and a heater. When the blower is operated, air in the outer tub is circulated so as to be sucked into the circulation duct from the air inlet and flow into the outer tub from the air outlet. The circulated air is heated by the heater in the circulation air duct. The laundry in the drum is dried by the heated air. A drying filter for capturing foreign matters such as broken threads contained in the circulated air is disposed in the air blowing unit. To facilitate cleaning, the drying filter can be detached from the air supply unit.

In the integrated washing and drying machine disclosed in patent document 1, since a user needs to periodically remove and clean the drying filter, maintenance of the drying filter is troublesome. Further, it is always desirable that the drying filter can capture a large amount of foreign substances.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2011-244984

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

The present invention has been made under such a background, and an object of the present invention is to provide a washing and drying all-in-one machine which can improve the maintainability of a drying filter and can capture a large amount of foreign matter by the drying filter.

Means for solving the problems

The invention relates to a washing and drying integrated machine, which comprises: a box body; an outer cylinder supported by the tank body and capable of storing water; a washing tub accommodated in the outer tub and accommodating laundry; a circulation path having a take-out port and a return port connected to the outer cylinder; a blowing unit that takes out the air in the outer tube from the take-out port into the circulation path and returns the air in the outer tube from the return port into the outer tube, thereby circulating the air in the outer tube; a heating unit provided in the circulation path and heating air in the circulation path; a plurality of drying filters which are disposed in the circulation passage on the outlet side of the heating unit, are disposed so as to overlap in the flow direction of air in the circulation passage, and each have a vertical surface portion which captures foreign matter in the air heading from the outlet port to the return port in the circulation passage; and a water supply part for supplying water from the upper side to the vertical surface parts of the plurality of drying filters.

In addition, the washing and drying integrated machine of the present invention is characterized by further comprising: a pair of vertical walls that laterally sandwich a space between adjacent ones of the plurality of drying filters; and a bottom wall which is disposed between the pair of vertical walls and blocks the space from a lower side, wherein the water supply part blocks the space from an upper side, one of the pair of vertical walls is formed with a release hole facing to the outside of the space, and an upper surface part of the bottom wall descends along with being adjacent to the release hole and is connected with the release hole.

In addition, the present invention is characterized in that the water supply part includes a plurality of water supply ports provided in correspondence with the plurality of drying filters, and the water supply ports face the longitudinal surface parts of the corresponding drying filters from the upper side.

In addition, the present invention is characterized in that a plurality of the water supply ports are provided so as to be arranged in a lateral direction along the vertical surface portion of the corresponding drying filter, and each of the water supply ports linearly extends in a vertical direction.

In addition, the water supply unit may include a flow path for allowing water flowing in from the inlet port to flow out to the water supply port, the flow path may include an inlet port and may be connected to the water supply port, and a flow path area of the inlet port may be larger than a sum of flow path areas of all the water supply ports.

Effects of the invention

According to the present invention, the air in the outer tub of the washing and drying all-in-one machine is circulated so as to be taken out from the take-out port into the circulation path and returned from the return port into the outer tub. The circulated air is heated by the heating portion in the circulation path to become hot air, and the laundry in the washing drum is dried. A drying filter provided in the circulation path on the outlet side of the heating unit traps foreign matter contained in the air flowing from the outlet to the return port in the circulation path for circulation at the vertical surface. Therefore, the foreign matter in the air can be suppressed from adhering to the heating portion. Since the plurality of drying filters are arranged so as to overlap in the flow direction of the air in the circulation path, the air flowing through the circulation path passes through the plurality of drying filters in sequence. Therefore, a large amount of foreign matter can be captured from the air flowing through the circulation path by these drying filters.

When the water supply part supplies water to the vertical surface parts of the drying filters from the upper side, the foreign matters caught and adhered to the vertical surface parts are peeled off from the vertical surface parts by the water flowing down the vertical surface parts. The foreign matter falls down in the circulation passage, reaches the inside of the outer cylinder from the outlet, and is removed from the inside of the outer cylinder when the outer cylinder is drained. Therefore, the washing and drying integrated machine has the function of automatically maintaining the drying filter, so that a user can maintain the washing and drying integrated machine without detaching the drying filter. Therefore, the maintainability of the drying filter can be improved.

Further, according to the present invention, the space between the adjacent drying filters among the plurality of drying filters is laterally sandwiched by the pair of vertical walls, and is closed from the lower side by the bottom wall erected between the vertical walls, and is closed from the upper side by the water supply part. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the air passing through the drying filters to reach the corresponding space from not reaching the next drying filter but leaking out of the corresponding space. Therefore, since the air flowing through the circulation path passes through the plurality of dry filters in sequence with certainty, a large amount of foreign matter can be captured from the air flowing through the circulation path by the dry filters.

The vertical surface of the drying filter closest to the outlet is directly exposed to the circulation path. Therefore, when water is supplied from the water supply portion to the vertical surface portion, foreign matter adhering to the vertical surface portion peels off from the vertical surface portion, quickly falls down in the circulation path, and reaches the inside of the outer cylinder from the outlet.

On the other hand, among the dry filters adjacent to each other with the space between the dry filters interposed therebetween, the dry filter located on the downstream side in the flow direction of the air in the circulation passage has its vertical surface portion arranged to face the corresponding space, and therefore, is not directly exposed to the circulation passage. One of the pair of vertical walls is formed with a release hole facing the outside of the corresponding space, and the upper surface portion of the bottom wall is inclined so as to descend adjacent to and connect to the release hole. When water is supplied from the water supply portion to the vertical surface portion facing the corresponding space, the foreign matter attached to the vertical surface portion peels off, falls down in the corresponding space to be placed on the upper surface portion of the bottom wall, slides down along the inclination of the corresponding upper surface portion, and reaches the release hole. The foreign matter reaching the release hole is discharged to the outside of the corresponding space, falls down in the circulation passage, and reaches the inside of the outer cylinder through the discharge port. Therefore, not only the foreign matter caught at the vertical surface portion of the drying filter closest to the outlet but also the foreign matter caught in the space between the adjacent drying filters is fed into the outer tub by the water supply performed by the water supply portion. Therefore, the user can remove the foreign matter from the space without detaching the drying filter, and thus the maintainability of the drying filter can be further improved.

Further, according to the present invention, each of the plurality of water supply ports provided in the water supply unit faces the vertical surface portion of the corresponding drying filter among the plurality of drying filters from the upper side. Thus, water from the corresponding water supply port is poured from above onto the vertical surface portion of each drying filter, and therefore foreign matter can be reliably peeled off from the vertical surface portion of each drying filter. Therefore, the maintainability of the drying filter can be further improved.

Further, according to the present invention, a plurality of water supply ports are provided so as to be arranged in a lateral direction along the vertical surface portion of the corresponding drying filter, and each water supply port linearly extends in the vertical direction. Thus, water falling from each of the plurality of water supply ports arranged in the horizontal direction is poured from above onto the vertical surface portion of each drying filter, and therefore, foreign matter in a wide range in the horizontal direction of the vertical surface portion can be reliably peeled off. Therefore, the maintainability of the drying filter can be further improved.

In addition, according to the present invention, the water flowing into the flow path from the inlet port flows out from each water supply port in the water supply unit, and is poured onto the longitudinal surface portion of the drying filter from above. The flow passage area of the inlet is larger than the sum of the flow passage areas of all the water supply ports. This makes it possible to distribute the water flowing into the flow path from the inlet over the entire flow path, and thus to discharge the water in the flow path from each water supply port at the same timing with the same force. Therefore, the foreign matter can be peeled off from the vertical surfaces of the respective drying filters uniformly and simultaneously. Therefore, the maintainability of the drying filter can be further improved.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic longitudinal left side view of a washer dryer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the outer tub and the drying section disposed in the washing and drying integrated machine, viewed from the rear side.

Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the outer tub and the drying section.

Fig. 4 is a rear view of the filter unit constituting the drying section.

Fig. 5 is a top view of the filter unit.

Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the filter unit.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the filter unit.

Fig. 8 isbase:Sub>A sectional viewbase:Sub>A-base:Sub>A of fig. 4.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view B-B of fig. 5.

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view C-C of fig. 5.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a drying section including a longitudinal section.

Fig. 12 is a main part perspective view of the outer tub and the drying section including a longitudinal section.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the duct and filter unit that make up the drying section.

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the conduit and filter unit.

Description of the reference numerals

1: a washing and drying integrated machine; 2: a box body; 3: an outer cylinder; 7: a washing drum; 20: a circulation path; 20D: a take-out port; 20E: a return port; 21: an air supply part; 22: a heating section; 41B: a longitudinal wall; 41BB: a left longitudinal wall; 41BD: a release port; 41C: a bottom wall; 41CA: an upper surface portion; 42J: a water supply port; 43C: a flow path; 43CA: an inflow port; 50: a water supply part; f: drying the filter; FA: a longitudinal section; l: washing the article; s: a space; t: a foreign matter; z1: an upper side; z2: the lower side.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a schematic longitudinal left side view of a washer dryer 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The direction perpendicular to the paper surface of fig. 1 is referred to as a left-right direction X of the washing and drying machine 1, the left-right direction of fig. 1 is referred to as a front-rear direction Y of the washing and drying machine 1, and the up-down direction of fig. 1 is referred to as an up-down direction Z of the washing and drying machine 1. In the left-right direction X, the back side of the paper surface in fig. 1 is referred to as a right side X1, and the front side of the paper surface in fig. 1 is referred to as a left side X2. In the front-rear direction Y, the left side in fig. 1 is referred to as a front side Y1, and the right side in fig. 1 is referred to as a rear side Y2. Among the vertical directions Z, the upper side is referred to as an upper side Z1, and the lower side is referred to as a lower side Z2. The washing and drying all-in-one machine 1 is a so-called drum-type washing and drying all-in-one machine. Washing and drying all-in-one 1 includes: the washing machine includes a casing 2, an outer tub 3 disposed in the casing 2, a water supply path 4 and a water discharge path 5 connected to the outer tub 3, a water discharge filter 6 for capturing foreign matters in water discharged from the outer tub 3 through the water discharge path 5, a washing tub 7 housed in the outer tub 3, a motor 8 for rotating the washing tub 7, and a drying unit 9 for drying laundry L in the washing tub 7.

The case 2 is formed in a box shape. The front surface 2A of the case 2 is, for example, a vertical surface. An opening 2B for communicating the inside and outside of the case 2 is formed in the front surface 2A. A door 10 for opening and closing the opening 2B is provided on the front surface 2A.

The outer cylinder 3 is elastically supported by the casing 2 via a hanger bar (not shown). The outer cylinder 3 has a cylindrical circumferential wall 3A centered on an axis J extending in the front-rear direction Y in the horizontal direction H, a disc-shaped rear wall 3B closing a hollow portion of the circumferential wall 3A from the rear side Y2, and an annular front wall 3C continuous with a front end edge of the circumferential wall 3A. The back wall 3B is disposed vertically, and has an outer peripheral portion 3D and a central portion 3E protruding one step toward the rear side Y2 of the outer peripheral portion 3D. A through hole 3F that penetrates the center portion 3E in the front-rear direction Y along the axis J is formed in the center of the center portion 3E. The front wall 3C has: an annular first portion 3G protruding from the front end edge of the circumferential wall 3A toward the axis J side, a cylindrical second portion 3H protruding from the inner peripheral edge of the first portion 3G toward the front side Y1, and an annular third portion 3I protruding from the front end edge of the second portion 3H toward the axis J side. Inside the third portion 3I, an inlet/outlet 3J that communicates from the front side Y1 to the hollow portion of the circumferential wall 3A is formed. The inlet/outlet 3J faces and communicates with the opening 2B of the casing 2 from the rear side Y2.

The water supply path 4 has one end (not shown) connected to a faucet (not shown) and the other end 4A connected to, for example, the center portion 3E of the rear wall 3B of the outer tube 3. In the water supply, water from the faucet is supplied from the water supply path 4 into the outer tube 3. The outer cylinder 3 stores therein water such as tap water or detergent water in which detergent is dissolved. A water supply valve 11 that is opened and closed to start or stop water supply is provided in the middle of the water supply path 4.

The drainage channel 5 is connected to a lower end of the outer cylinder 3, for example, a lower end of the first portion 3G of the front wall 3C. The water in the outer cylinder 3 is discharged from the drainage passage 5 to the outside of the machine. A drain valve 12 that is opened and closed to start or stop drainage is provided in the middle of the drain passage 5.

The drain filter 6 is provided in the drain path 5 at an upstream portion of the outer tub 3 from the drain valve 12. Since the front end of the drain filter 6 is exposed to the front surface 2A of the case 2, the user can attach and detach the drain filter 6 to and from the case 2 by grasping the front end of the drain filter 6. The structure of the drain filter 6 can use a known structure.

The washing tub 7 is one turn smaller than the outer tub 3. The washing drum 7 has: a cylindrical circumferential wall 7A disposed coaxially with the circumferential wall 3A of the outer cylinder 3, a disc-shaped rear wall 7B closing a hollow portion of the circumferential wall 7A from the rear side Y2, and an annular wall 7C protruding from a front end edge of the circumferential wall 7A toward the axis J side. In the washing tub 7, a plurality of through holes 7D are formed at least in the circumferential wall 7A, and water in the outer tub 3 flows between the outer tub 3 and the washing tub 7 through the through holes 7D. Thereby, the water level in the outer tub 3 is matched with the water level in the washing tub 7. A support shaft 13 extending along the axis J toward the rear side Y2 is provided in the center of the back wall 7B of the washing tub 7. The rear end of the support shaft 13 is disposed on the rear side Y2 of the rear wall 3B through the through hole 3F of the rear wall 3B of the outer cylinder 3.

Inside the annular wall 7C, a port 7E that communicates with the hollow portion of the circumferential wall 7A from the front side Y1 is formed. The inlet/outlet 7E faces and communicates with the inlet/outlet 3J of the outer cylinder 3 and the opening 2B of the casing 2 from the rear side Y2. The doorway 3J and the doorway 7E are opened and closed together with the opening 2B by the door 10. The user of the integrated washing and drying machine 1 puts the laundry L into the washing tub 7 through the opened opening 2B, the entrance 3J, and the entrance 7E.

The motor 8 is disposed on the rear side Y2 of the rear wall 3B of the outer cylinder 3 in the housing 2. The motor 8 is coupled to a support shaft 13 provided in the washing tub 7. The driving force generated by the motor 8 is transmitted to the support shaft 13, and the washing tub 7 rotates about the axis J along with the support shaft 13. A clutch mechanism (not shown) for transmitting or cutting off the driving force of the motor 8 to the support shaft 13 may be provided between the motor 8 and the support shaft 13.

The drying section 9 includes a circulation path 20, a blowing section 21, and a heating section 22. The circulation path 20 is a flow path disposed on the upper side Z1 of the outer cylinder 3 in the casing 2. The circulation path 20 includes: a middle portion 20A extending in the front-rear direction Y, a rear portion 20B extending from a rear end of the middle portion 20A to the lower side Z2, and a front portion 20C extending from a front end of the middle portion 20A to the lower side Z2. A take-out port 20D is formed at the front end of the lower end of the rear portion 20B. The outlet 20D is connected to a portion higher than the upper limit water level in the outer peripheral portion 3D of the back wall 3B of the outer tube 3, and communicates with the inside of the outer tube 3 from the rear side Y2. At the lower end of the front portion 20C, a return port 20E is formed. The return port 20E is connected to the upper end of the second portion 3H of the front wall 3C of the outer cylinder 3, and communicates with the inside of the outer cylinder 3 from the upper side Z1.

The blowing unit 21 is a so-called blower, and includes a rotary vane 23 disposed in a region on the upstream side of the ejection port 20D in the circulation path 20, and a motor (not shown) for rotating the rotary vane 23. When the rotary blade 23 rotates, the air in the outer tub 3, that is, the air in the outer tub 3 and the air in the washing tub 7 are taken out into the circulation path 20 from the take-out port 20D as indicated by thick broken arrows, and then returned into the outer tub 3 from the return port 20E. Thereby, the air in the outer cylinder 3 circulates so as to flow through the outer cylinder 3 and the circulation path 20 in this order.

The heating unit 22 is a heat exchanger in a heat pump, a general heater, or the like, and at least a part of the heating unit 22 is provided in the circulation passage 20. The heating unit 22 includes a plurality of fin-shaped heat radiating portions 22A at portions provided in the circulation path 20. When the heating unit 22 is operated, the heat radiating unit 22A becomes high in temperature, and thus the air flowing through the circulation passage 20 is heated to become hot air when passing around the heat radiating unit 22A.

The dry all-in-one machine 1 includes a control section 24 configured as a microcomputer. The control unit 24 controls the operations of the motor 8, the water supply valve 11, the drain valve 12, the air blowing unit 21, and the heating unit 22 to perform the washing and drying operation. The washing and drying operation includes a washing process, a rinsing process, a dehydrating process, and a drying process.

Before the cleaning process begins, detergent is introduced into the washing drum 7. In the washing process, the controller 24 opens the water supply valve 11 for a predetermined time in a state where the drain valve 12 is closed to supply water to the outer tub 3 and the washing tub 7, and then rotates the washing tub 7 by the motor 8. Thereby, the laundry L in the washing tub 7 is washed. In the tumbling washing, the laundry L is repeatedly "beaten" by being lifted to a certain extent and then naturally falling down to the water surface. The impact caused by the beating and the detergent components contained in the detergent water accumulated in the washing drum 7 remove dirt from the laundry L. After a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of beating, the control unit 24 opens the drain valve 12 to drain water, and the washing process is ended.

In the rinsing process, the controller 24 opens the water supply valve 11 with the drain valve 12 closed for a predetermined time to supply water to the outer tub 3 and the washing tub 7, and then rotates the washing tub 7 by the motor 8. Since the beating is repeated, the laundry L is rinsed by the tap water in the washing tub 7. After a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the beating, the controller 24 drains the water, and the rinsing process is terminated. The rinsing process may be repeated several times. In the spin-drying process, the control unit 24 spin-dries the washing tub 7 while opening the drain valve 12. The laundry L in the washing drum 7 is dehydrated by a centrifugal force generated by the dehydration rotation of the washing drum 7. The water seeped out of the laundry L by the dehydration is discharged to the outside of the machine from the drainage path 5. The dehydration process may be performed not only after the rinsing process but also after the washing process.

During the drying process, the control unit 24 generates hot air by the air blowing unit 21 and the heating unit 22, circulates the hot air between the washing drum 7 and the circulation path 20, and supplies the hot air to the laundry L in the washing drum 7. Thereby, the laundry L is dried. Foreign matters such as broken strings are generated during the washing operation, and the foreign matters flow along with hot air during the drying process. When foreign matter adheres to and accumulates in the heat radiating portion 22A of the heating portion 22, there is a possibility that performance is degraded due to a decrease in heating efficiency of the heating portion 22 and a deterioration in air flow in the circulation passage 20, and therefore, it is necessary to trap the foreign matter. Therefore, the drying part 9 further includes a filtering unit 25, a bypass 26, and a water injection valve 27. Hereinafter, the air blowing part 21 and the circulation path 20 will be described in detail, and then the filter unit 25, the bypass 26, and the water injection valve 27 will be described.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of outer tub 3 and drying unit 9 viewed from rear side Y2. The blower 21 includes a hollow disk-shaped casing 29 in which the rotary blades 23 are accommodated. The casing 29 is a part of the circulation path 20 and is fixed to the case 2. The inner space of the casing 29 constitutes a connection portion between the middle portion 20A and the rear portion 20B in the circulation path 20.

Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the outer tub 3 and the drying section 9. The circulation path 20 includes a duct 30 occupying almost the entire rear portion 20B and a connection hose 31 connecting the housing 29 and the duct 30. The duct 30 includes a main body 32 and a cover 33 (refer to fig. 2).

The main body 32 has a curved wall 32A curved so that the curved wall 32A descends to the lower left along the upper left portion of the circumferential wall 3A of the outer cylinder 3, and a top wall 32B that is approximately semicircular plate-shaped bulging toward the front side Y1 and extends from the right end of the curved wall 32A to the left side X2. Between the curved wall 32A and the top wall 32B, a downstream space 32C that narrows in the up-down direction Z as it approaches the right side X1 is divided. The top wall 32B extends obliquely with respect to the horizontal direction H so as to descend as it approaches the left side X2. The ceiling wall 32B is provided with a cylindrical upper coupling portion 32D protruding toward the upper side Z1. The internal space of the upper coupling portion 32D is in a state of communicating with the downstream space 32C from the upper side Z1. The internal spaces of the downstream space 32C and the upper coupling portion 32D constitute a part of the internal space of the rear portion 20B of the circulation passage 20. The main body 32 has a side wall 32E, and the side wall 32E is bridged between the curved wall 32A and the end edge of the top wall 32B so as to block the downstream space 32C from the front side Y1 and the left side X2.

The main body 32 has a first vertical wall 32F extending from the rear end of the curved wall 32A to the lower side Z2, and a lateral wall 32G protruding from the lower end of the first vertical wall 32F to the rear side Y2. The upper end of the first vertical wall 32F is curved along the curved wall 32A in an arc shape, and the lower end of the first vertical wall 32F extends linearly while being inclined with respect to the horizontal direction H so as to descend toward the left side X2. The lateral wall 32G is strip-shaped and extends along the lower end of the first vertical wall 32F while being inclined with respect to the horizontal direction H. The rear end portion of the side wall 32E is disposed on the rear side Y2 of the downstream space 32C, and the lower portion of the rear end portion of the side wall 32E is connected to the left ends of the first vertical wall 32F and the lateral wall 32G, respectively.

The main body 32 has a second vertical wall 32H that is L-shaped in a rear view and that surrounds the rear end of the side wall 32E and the lateral wall 32G. One or more of the above-described outlets 20D are formed in the lower end of the second vertical wall 32H. In the present embodiment, one elongated hole-shaped outlet 20D that is long in the vertical direction Z is formed, and penetrates the second vertical wall 32H in the front-rear direction Y. The second vertical wall 32H is provided with a tubular lower connection portion 32I that wraps the ejection opening 20D and protrudes toward the front side Y1. A through hole 3K having the same shape as the outlet 20D is formed in the back wall 3B of the outer tube 3. The lower coupling portion 32I is inserted into the through hole 3K from the rear side Y2. Thereby, the outlet 20D is connected to the rear wall 3B and communicates with the inside of the outer tube 3.

The main body 32 has an outer wall 32J that connects the right edge of the first vertical wall 32F and the left edge, the lower edge, and the right edge of the second vertical wall 32H to the hemming and protrudes to the rear side Y2. The outer wall 32J is formed in an approximately U shape in a rear view, and both upper end portions of the outer wall 32J are connected to the left and right ends of the rear end portion of the top wall 32B, respectively. In an upper end portion of the outer wall 32J connected to the right end of the top wall 32B, a notch 32JA recessed toward the front side Y1 is formed. In a front region of the outer peripheral surface of the outer wall 32J, a plurality of first locking portions 32JB are provided that protrude from the outer peripheral surface. Screws B1 (see fig. 2) are inserted through insertion holes formed in the respective first locking portions 32JB, and are assembled into screw holes 3L provided at corresponding positions in the back surface wall 3B of the outer cylinder 3. Thereby, the entire pipe 30 including the main body 32 is fixed to the outer cylinder 3. The body 32 is formed with a middle space 32K defined by the rear end portion of the side wall 32E, the lateral wall 32G, the top wall 32B, and the right portion of the outer wall 32J. The intermediate space 32K is a space that is substantially rectangular in rear view and thin in the front-rear direction Y, and is adjacent to the first vertical wall 32F from the rear side Y2 and communicates with the downstream space 32C from the rear side Y2.

The main body 32 has a vertical partition plate 32L and a horizontal partition plate 32M protruding from the second vertical wall 32H to the rear side Y2. The vertical partition plate 32L is disposed adjacent to the intermediate space 32K from the left side X2, extends downward Z2 from the rear end of the top wall 32B, and is continuous with the edge of the upper side Z1 of the ejection port 20D. A through hole 32N is formed in a middle portion of the vertical partition plate 32L, and is formed in a rectangular shape having a length in the vertical direction Z. The lateral partition plate 32M is disposed on the lower side Z2 of the middle space 32K, on the side Z1 of the dispensing port 20D, and extends between the middle portion of the longitudinal partition plate 32L and the right portion of the outer wall 32J. The lateral separation plate 32M extends substantially parallel to the top wall 32B and the lateral wall 32G while inclining with respect to the horizontal direction H so as to descend toward the left side X2. The left end of the upper surface portion of the horizontal partition plate 32M is connected to the lower end of the through hole 32N of the vertical partition plate 32L. A slit 32P that divides the horizontal separation plate 32M into two in the left-right direction X is formed in a middle portion of the horizontal separation plate 32M. A screw hole 32Q is formed in a rear surface portion of the second vertical wall 32H in the slit 32P.

The main body 32 is formed with an arrangement space 32R defined by a vertical partition plate 32L, a horizontal partition plate 32M, a top wall 32B, and a right portion of an outer wall 32J. The arrangement space 32R is a space that is substantially rectangular in shape and thin in the front-rear direction Y in a rear view, and communicates with the intermediate space 32K from the rear side Y2. A portion of arrangement space 32R located above Z1 with respect to lateral wall 32G overlaps the entire region of intermediate space 32K in a rear view. The filter unit 25 is disposed in the disposition space 32R. The main body 32 is formed with an upstream space 32S, and the upstream space 32S is defined by a portion of the vertical partition plate 32L located below the through hole 32N by Z2, the horizontal partition plate 32M, and right and lower portions of the outer wall 32J. The upstream space 32S is a substantially semicircular space that bulges downward Z2 in a rear view, is located below Z2 of the arrangement space 32R with a transverse partition plate 32M therebetween, and communicates with the ejection port 20D from the rear side Y2.

The body 32 is formed with a vertical space 32T that is sandwiched by the left portion of the outer wall 32J and a vertical partition plate 32L from both sides in the left-right direction X and that extends in a long and narrow manner in the up-down direction Z. The vertical space 32T is blocked by the left end of the second vertical wall 32H from the front side Y1, and is blocked by the left end of the ceiling wall 32B from the upper side Z1. The lower end of the vertical space 32T communicates with the upstream space 32S from the left side X2. The main body 32 includes a partition plate 32U that spans between a portion of the vertical partition plate 32L on the upper side Z1 with respect to the through hole 32N and a left portion of the outer wall 32J. The vertical space 32T is divided into a lower area of the lower side Z2 of the partition plate 32U and an upper area of the upper side Z1 of the partition plate 32U by the partition plate 32U located midway thereof. The through hole 32N communicates with the lower region of the shielding plate 32U from the right side X1.

The cover 33 (see fig. 2) has a contour that substantially coincides with the outer wall 32J and the top wall 32B of the body 32 in a rear view, and is formed in a plate shape whose width becomes narrower toward the lower side Z2. The cover 33 is provided with a plurality of locking portions 33A (see fig. 2) protruding from the outer edge thereof. In the outer peripheral surface of the outer wall 32J of the body 32, a plurality of second locking portions 32JC protruding from the outer peripheral surface are provided in the rear region corresponding to the locking portions 33A. Screws (not shown) are inserted through insertion holes formed in the respective locking portions 33A, and are assembled into screw holes 32JD provided in the rear end surfaces of the corresponding second locking portions 32JC. Thereby, the cover 33 is fixed to the main body 32 from the rear side Y2, and the duct 30 is completed (see fig. 2).

In the completed duct 30, the arrangement space 32R, the upstream space 32S, and the vertical space 32T provided on the rear surface side of the main body 32 are closed by the cover 33 from the rear side Y2. The rear ends of the longitudinal partition plate 32L and the partition plate 32U are in contact with the front surface portion of the cover 33. Therefore, the arrangement space 32R and the lower region of the vertical space 32T arranged across the vertical partition plate 32L do not communicate with each other except for the through hole 32N of the vertical partition plate 32L. In the vertical space 32T, a lower region and an upper region disposed with the partition plate 32U interposed therebetween are partitioned. Since a gap Q (see fig. 12) exists between the rear end of the cross partition plate 32M and the front surface portion of the cover 33, the arrangement space 32R and the upstream space 32S communicate via the gap Q.

The connection hose 31 is, for example, a rubber cylinder, and its inner space is open to the upper side Z1 and the lower side Z2. A bellows part 31A is provided between the upper end and the lower end of the connection hose 31. The lower end of the connection hose 31 is fitted to the upper connection portion 32D of the duct 30. The upper end of the connection hose 31 is connected to the casing 29 of the blower 21. The internal space of the connection hose 31 constitutes a part of the internal space of the rear portion 20B of the circulation passage 20. The vibration of the outer tub 3 during the washing and drying operation can be suppressed from being transmitted to the air blowing part 21 by the elastic deformation of the bellows part 31A.

Fig. 4 is a rear view of the filter unit 25. The overall shape of the filter unit 25 when viewed from the rear is formed into a rectangle, in detail, a parallelogram, having two sides inclined with respect to the horizontal direction H in such a manner as to descend adjacent to the left side X2 and the other two sides extending substantially perpendicularly in the up-down direction Z. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the filter unit 25. The filter unit 25 is formed in a box shape that is thin in the front-rear direction Y.

Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the filter unit 25. The filter unit 25 includes a first filter member 41, a second filter member 42, and a water supply cover 43.

The first filter member 41 has: a frame portion 41A having a contour which is approximately rectangular in a rear view; a pair of left and right vertical walls 41B projecting from the frame portion 41A to the front side Y1; and a bottom wall 41C protruding from the lower end of the frame portion 41A toward the front side Y1. The upper edge and the lower edge of the frame portion 41A are inclined with respect to the horizontal direction H so as to descend as they approach the left side X2. The right and left edges of the frame portion 41A extend substantially perpendicularly in the vertical direction Z. The lower end portion of the right edge of the frame portion 41A is curved so as to deviate to the left side X2 as approaching the lower side Z2. A rib-shaped upper insertion portion 41D that protrudes upward Z1 and extends in the left-right direction X along the upper edge is provided on the upper edge of the frame portion 41A. An opening 41E that penetrates the frame portion 41A in the front-rear direction Y is provided over substantially the entire area of the frame portion 41A in a rear view. The frame portion 41A has one or more longitudinal ribs 41F of a longitudinal opening 41E. In the present embodiment, two vertical ribs 41F are provided in a row in the left-right direction X, and the opening 41E is divided equally into three small openings 41EA arranged in the left-right direction X by these vertical ribs 41F. Each small opening 41EA is formed in a vertically long rectangle, or more precisely, in a parallelogram having two sides parallel to the upper edge and the lower edge of the frame portion 41A. The first filter member 41 is provided with a drying filter F1 covering the entire area of each small opening 41EA. The drying filter F1 in the present embodiment is a mesh sheet attached to the frame portion 41A, but may be a mesh formed integrally with the frame portion 41A. A rear surface portion of the drying filter F1 extending vertically and horizontally is referred to as a vertical surface portion F1A. A lateral rib 41G that protrudes toward the rear side Y2 and extends in the left-right direction X along the lower end of the opening 41E is provided on the lower side Z2 of the rear surface portion of the frame portion 41A with respect to the opening 41E.

The pair of vertical walls 41B includes a right vertical wall 41BA and a left vertical wall 41BB, the right vertical wall 41BA projecting from the right edge of the frame portion 41A toward the front side Y1 and extending in the vertical direction Z, and the left vertical wall 41BB projecting from the left edge of the frame portion 41A toward the front side Y1 and extending in the vertical direction Z. The lower end portion of right vertical wall 41BA is bent along the lower end portion of the right edge of frame portion 41A. The front end portion of the right vertical wall 41BA constitutes a rib-shaped right insertion portion 41BC that is narrowed one turn in the left-right direction X and extends in the up-down direction Z. A relief hole 41BD penetrating the left vertical wall 41BB in the left-right direction X is formed in a lower end portion of the left vertical wall 41BB as one of the pair of vertical walls 41B. A front end portion of a portion of the left vertical wall 41BB on the upper side Z1 than the release hole 41BD constitutes a rib-shaped left insertion portion 41BE that is narrowed one turn in the left-right direction X and extends in the up-down direction Z.

The bottom wall 41C is erected between the lower ends of the right and left vertical walls 41BA and 41 BB. The upper surface portion 41CA of the bottom wall 41C is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction H so as to descend as it approaches the release hole 41BD of the left side X2, and is continuous with the release hole 41BD. A locking portion 41CB protruding from the bottom wall 41C toward the lower side Z2 is provided in a central portion of the bottom wall 41C in the left-right direction X. The locking portion 41CB is formed with an insertion hole 41CC penetrating the locking portion 41CB in the front-rear direction Y.

The second filter member 42 has a frame portion 42A having a substantially rectangular contour in rear view, and a top wall 42B projecting from an upper edge of the frame portion 42A to the rear side Y2. The upper edge and the lower edge of the frame portion 42A are inclined with respect to the horizontal direction H so as to descend as approaching the left side X2. The right and left edges of the frame portion 42A extend substantially vertically in the vertical direction Z. The lower end portion of the right edge of the frame portion 42A is curved so as to deviate to the left side X2 as approaching the lower side Z2. An opening 42C penetrating the frame 42A in the front-rear direction Y is provided over substantially the entire area of the frame 42A in a rear view. The frame portion 42A has one or more longitudinal ribs 42D that longitudinally cut the opening 42C. In the present embodiment, two vertical ribs 42D are provided in a row in the left-right direction X, and the opening 42C is divided equally into three small openings 42CA arranged in the left-right direction X by these vertical ribs 42D. Each small opening 42CA is formed in a rectangular shape having the same size as each small opening 41EA of the first filter member 41, and is strictly formed in a parallelogram shape. The second filter member 42 is provided with a drying filter F2 covering the entire area of each small opening 42CA. The drying filter F2 in the present embodiment is a mesh sheet attached to the frame 42A along the upper, lower, left, and right sides, but may be a mesh formed integrally with the frame 42A. A rear surface portion of the drying filter F2 extending vertically and horizontally is referred to as a vertical surface portion F2A.

Hereinafter, dry filter F1 of first filter member 41 and dry filter F2 of second filter member 42 may be collectively referred to as "dry filters F". The vertical face F1A of the dry filter F1 and the vertical face F2A of the dry filter F2 may be collectively referred to as "vertical face FA".

A pair of right ribs 42E extending in the vertical direction Z along the right edge of the frame portion 42A are provided on the right side X1 of the rear surface portion of the frame portion 42A with respect to the opening 42C. A right insertion groove 42F extending in the vertical direction Z is formed between these right ribs 42E. A pair of left ribs 42G extending in the up-down direction Z along the left edge of the frame portion 42A are provided on the left side X2 of the opening 42C in the rear surface portion of the frame portion 42A. A left insertion groove 42H extending in the vertical direction Z is formed between these left ribs 42G.

The top wall 42B has a main body 42BA and an extended portion 42BB, the main body 42BA is rectangular plate-shaped and long in the left-right direction X and is disposed obliquely left and down along the upper edge of the frame portion 42A, and the extended portion 42BB is rectangular plate-shaped and shorter than the main body 42BA and extends from the right end of the main body 42BA to the right side X1 along the horizontal direction H. The body 42BA has a rectangular plate-shaped lower portion 42BC and a rectangular plate-shaped upper portion 42BD, the lower portion 42BC constitutes an entire contour of the body 42BA in plan view, and the upper portion 42BD is provided on an upper surface portion of the lower portion 42BC and is disposed inside the contour of the lower portion 42BC in plan view. An upper insertion groove 42BE extending in the left-right direction X is formed in a rear end portion of the lower surface portion of the lower portion 42BC (see fig. 14 described later). The extension portion 42BB has a rectangular plate-shaped lower portion 42BF and a rectangular plate-shaped upper portion 42BG, the lower portion 42BF constituting an entire contour of the extension portion 42BB in plan view, and the upper portion 42BG is provided on an upper surface portion of the lower portion 42BF and is disposed inside the contour of the lower portion 42BF in plan view. The left end of the lower portion 42BF is connected to the right end of the lower portion 42BC of the main body portion 42BA, and the left end of the upper portion 42BG is connected to the right end of the upper portion 42BD of the main body portion 42 BA. In the upper surface portion of top wall 42B, frame-shaped outer edge portion 42K surrounding upper portions 42BD and 42BG in plan view is formed as a part of the upper surface portions of lower portions 42BC and 42 BF.

The main body 42BA is formed with a plurality of water supply ports 42J of the same shape and the same size. Each water supply port 42J extends linearly in the vertical direction, that is, in the vertical direction Z, and penetrates both the lower portion 42BC and the upper portion 42BD (see fig. 9 and 10 described later). Each water supply port 42J has an approximately rectangular flat section, and the flat section is the same at any position of the water supply port 42J in the up-down direction Z. The flat cross section of the water supply port 42J is the flow path area of the water supply port 42J. These water supply ports 42J include: a plurality of first water supply ports 42JA distributed over the entire rear end portion of the upper portion 42BD and arranged in a row at equal intervals in the left-right direction X; and a plurality of second water supply ports 42JB distributed over the entire front end of the upper portion 42BD and arranged in a row at equal intervals in the left-right direction X. In the present embodiment, 12 first water supply ports 42JA and second water supply ports 42JB are provided, respectively. The upper insertion groove 42BE is disposed between the row of the first water supply ports 42JA and the row of the second water supply ports 42JB (see fig. 14).

The water supply cover 43 has a hollow main body portion 43A that is long in the left-right direction X and a hollow connecting portion 43B that connects to the main body portion 43A from the right side X1. The lower surface 43AA of the body 43A is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction H so as to descend toward the left side X2. The internal space 43AB of the main body portion 43A is open to the lower side Z2 from an opening 43AC (see fig. 8) formed almost over the entire area of the lower surface portion 43 AA. The lower surface portion 43BA of the connection portion 43B extends in the horizontal direction H. The inner space 43BB of the connection portion 43B is open to the lower side Z2 from an opening 43BC (see fig. 8) formed almost over the entire area of the lower surface portion 43 BA. The opening 43BC of the connector 43B is connected to the opening 43AC of the main body portion 43A from the right side X1, and the internal space 43BB of the connector 43B communicates with the internal space 43AB of the main body portion 43A from the right side X1. A tubular tube portion 43BD extending to the rear side Y2 is provided in a rear surface portion of the connection portion 43B. The internal space 43BE of the tube portion 43BD communicates with the internal space 43BB of the connection portion 43B from the rear side Y2. The internal space 43AB of the main body 43A, the internal space 43BB of the connecting portion 43B, and the internal space 43BE of the tube portion 43BD are integrated to constitute a flow path 43C in the water supply cover 43. A circular opening formed in the rear end surface of the tube 43BD and opening the internal space 43BE to the rear side Y2 constitutes an inlet 43CA of the flow path 43C. The opening area of the inlet 43CA is the flow path area of the inlet 43CA.

Next, the assembly of the filter unit 25 will be described. The operator inserts the right insertion portion 41BC, the left insertion portion 41BE, and the upper insertion portion 41D of the first filter member 41 into the right insertion groove 42F, the left insertion groove 42H, and the upper insertion groove 42BE of the second filter member 42, respectively (see fig. 14), thereby combining the first filter member 41 and the second filter member 42. Then, the operator combines the water supply cover 43 and the second filter member 42 by covering the water supply cover 43 on the top wall 42B of the second filter member 42 from the upper side Z1. Thereby, the filter unit 25 is completed. The first filter member 41 and the second filter member 42 may be combined after the water supply cover 43 and the second filter member 42 are combined.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the completed filter unit 25. In the completed filter unit 25, the frame 41A of the first filter member 41 is disposed on the rear side Y2 of the frame 42A of the second filter member 42. Thus, the dry filter F1 attached to the frame 41A is arranged to overlap the dry filter F2 attached to the frame 42A from the rear side Y2. In this way, space S is ensured between adjacent drying filters F1 and F2. The right and left vertical walls 41BA and 41BB of the first filter member 41 sandwich the space S from the lateral direction, that is, from both sides in the left-right direction X. The release hole 41BD formed in the left vertical wall 41BB communicates with the space S from the left side X2 and faces the outside of the space S. The bottom wall 41C of the first filter member 41 is connected to the lower end of the frame 42A, and closes the space S from the lower side Z2. The body portion 42BA of the ceiling wall 42B of the second filter member 42 blocks the space S from the upper side Z1. The top wall 42B and the water supply cover 43 covering the top wall 42B from the upper side Z1 constitute a water supply unit 50.

Fig. 8 isbase:Sub>A sectional viewbase:Sub>A-base:Sub>A of fig. 4. In the lower surface portion of the water supply cover 43, an outer edge portion of the opening 43AC of the main body portion 43A and the opening 43BC of the connecting portion 43B is covered with the outer edge portion 42K of the upper surface portion of the ceiling wall 42B from the upper side Z1 (see also fig. 6). The upper portion 42BD and the upper portion 42BG of the top wall 42B are fitted into the flow path 43C of the water supply cover 43 from the lower side Z2. The flow path 43C in the water supply cover 43 is connected to all the water supply ports 42J formed in the top wall 42B from the upper side Z1.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view B-B of fig. 5. In the internal space 43AB of the main body 43A constituting a part of the flow path 43C in the water supply cover 43, the width W in the front-rear direction Y is substantially constant (see fig. 8), but the height dimension D becomes smaller as it approaches the left side X2. In order to achieve such a height dimension D, the thickness of the top wall 43AD of the body portion 43A in the vertical direction Z is arranged to increase as it approaches the left side X2. The first water supply port 42JA on the rear side Y2 among the water supply ports 42J is disposed at the same position as the vertical surface portion F1A of the drying filter F1 of the first filter member 41 in the front-rear direction Y and the left-right direction X, and is disposed on the upper side Z1 of the vertical surface portion F1A. Thus, the plurality of first water supply ports 42JA are arranged in the lateral direction, i.e., the left-right direction X, along the vertical surface F1A of the corresponding drying filter F1, and face the vertical surface F1A from the upper side Z1.

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view C-C of fig. 5. Vertical surface F2A of drying filter F2 of second filter member 42 faces space S between drying filter F1 and drying filter F2 from front side Y1. The second water supply port 42JB on the front side Y1 among the water supply ports 42J is disposed at the same position as the vertical surface F2A of the drying filter F2 in the front-rear direction Y and the left-right direction X, and is disposed on the upper side Z1 of the vertical surface F2A. Thereby, the plurality of second water supply ports 42JB are arranged laterally along the vertical surface F2A of the corresponding drying filter F2, and face the vertical surface F2A from the upper side Z1. In this way, the water supply ports 42J are provided in plural corresponding to the plural drying filters F, like the first water supply port 42JA and the second water supply port 42JB.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the duct 30 and the filter unit 25 including a longitudinal section. In fig. 11, the cover 33 of the duct 30 is not shown. The filter unit 25 is fitted into the arrangement space 32R of the duct 30 from the rear side Y2 (see also fig. 3). A lateral rib 42L extending in the left-right direction X is provided on the lower side Z2 of the front surface portion of the frame portion 42A of the second filter member 42 with respect to the dry filter F2. In a portion of the second vertical wall 32H of the duct 30 facing the frame portion 42A from the front side Y1, a lateral groove 32HA extending in the left-right direction X is provided. The bottom wall 41C of the first filter member 41 is placed on the lateral partition plate 32M of the duct 30, and the lateral rib 42L is fitted into the lateral groove 32HA, whereby the filter unit 25 is positioned in the arrangement space 32R. The locking portion 41CB of the bottom wall 41C is fitted into the slit 32P of the lateral partition plate 32M, and the screw B2 is fitted into the screw hole 32Q of the slit 32P through the insertion hole 41CC of the locking portion 41CB (see also fig. 3 and 6). Thereby, the filter unit 25 in the arrangement space 32R is fixed to the duct 30.

In the first filter member 41 of the filter unit 25 fixed to the duct 30, the bottom wall 41C, the right vertical wall 41BA, and the left vertical wall 41BB are in contact with the lateral partition plate 32M, the outer wall 32J, and the vertical partition plate 32L (see fig. 3) of the duct 30, respectively. Further, the main body portion 43A of the water supply cover 43 of the filter unit 25 contacts the top wall 32B of the duct 30. Thereby, the filter unit 25 occupies almost the entire region of the arrangement space 32R of the duct 30, and is located between the downstream space 32C and the intermediate space 32K and the upstream space 32S in the duct 30. The plural drying filters F in the filter unit 25 are disposed on the side of the outlet 20D from the heating unit 22 in the circulation path 20 as a whole (see fig. 1). Among the plurality of dry filters F, the dry filter F1 is disposed closer to the outlet 20D than the dry filter F2. The connection portion 43B of the water supply cover 43 is disposed on the right side X1 of the disposition space 32R through the notch 32JA (see fig. 3) of the outer wall 32J. The relief hole 41BD (see fig. 7) formed in the left vertical wall 41BB communicates with the through hole 32N (see fig. 3) of the vertical partition plate 32L from the right side X1.

The branch line 26 branches from an upstream portion of the water supply path 4 closer to the faucet than the water supply valve 11, and is connected to the pipe portion 43BD of the connection portion 43B of the water supply cover 43. The water filling valve 27 is provided in the branch line 26 (see fig. 1). The water filling valve 27 is opened and closed to supply water flowing from the water supply path 4 to the branch 26 to the pipe portion 43BD or to stop the supply. The opening and closing of the water injection valve 27 is controlled by the control unit 24 (see fig. 1).

In the drying process, hot air is generated and circulated by the air blowing unit 21 and the heating unit 22 as described above. The hot air travels from the outlet port 20D to the return port 20E in the circulation path 20, and travels to the air blowing unit 21 while rising in the intermediate rear portion 20B (see the thick dotted arrow in fig. 1). Fig. 12 is a main part perspective view of the tub 3 and the drying part 9 including a longitudinal section. Referring to fig. 11 and 12, in duct 30 constituting rear portion 20B, hot air rises from taking-out port 20D via upstream space 32S as indicated by the thick dashed arrow, and passes through drying filter F1 and drying filter F2 of filter unit 25 in order toward front side Y1. The hot air then reaches the downstream space 32C via the intermediate space 32K, rises inside the connection hose 31, and flows into the casing 29 of the blower 21 (see also fig. 2). In this way, the dry filters F1 and F2 are arranged so as to overlap each other in the flow direction of the air in the circulation passage 20 (the direction of the arrow of the thick broken line in each figure).

The vertical surface F1A of the dry filter F1 and the vertical surface F2A of the dry filter F2 are disposed so as to face the upstream side of the circulation path 20, and the foreign matter T is captured from the hot air in the circulation path 20 (see fig. 11). As the drying process proceeds, a large amount of foreign matter T is caught and remains on the longitudinal face F1A and the longitudinal face F2A. This can prevent the foreign matter T from adhering to the heating portion 22 provided in the circulation path 20 so as to be offset downstream from the outlet 20D than the drying filter F. In particular, since the foreign matter T that is not captured by the vertical surface portion F1A is captured by the vertical surface portion F2A, the risk of the foreign matter T flowing out and adhering to the heating unit 22 can be reduced. Further, space S between dry filter F1 and dry filter F2 is sandwiched laterally by a pair of vertical walls 41B, and is blocked from lower side Z2 by bottom wall 41C, and is blocked from upper side Z1 by water supply unit 50. This prevents the air that has passed through dry filter F1 and reached space S from leaking outside space S without reaching the next dry filter F2. Therefore, since the air flowing through the circulation passage 20 passes through the plurality of dry filters F in order with certainty, more foreign matters T can be captured from the air flowing through the circulation passage 20 by the dry filters F.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the duct 30 and the filter unit 25. In fig. 13, the cover 33 of the duct 30 is not shown. A door 51 for opening and closing the through hole 32N of the vertical partition plate 32L is provided in a lower region of the vertical space 32T located at the left end in the duct 30. The door 51 has a rectangular plate shape elongated in the vertical direction Z, is supported by the vertical partition plate 32L via a rotating shaft 52 passing through an upper end thereof, and is rotatable about the rotating shaft 52 in the left-right direction X. The door 51 of fig. 13 is located at a closing position for closing the through hole 32N from the left side X2 along the vertical partition plate 32L. Even if the air flowing into the upstream space 32S of the duct 30 from the taking-out port 20D reaches the lower region of the vertical space 32T during the drying process, the door 51 is biased toward the closed position by the air. Therefore, the air of the upstream space 32S is suppressed from flowing toward the side of the drying filter F2 not through the drying filter F1 but through the penetration holes 32N and the release holes 41BD (refer to fig. 7) of the filter unit 25. That is, the air of the upstream space 32S flows in such a manner as to surely pass through the drying filter F1.

After the drying course, that is, after the washing and drying operation is finished, the control part 24 opens the water filling valve 27. In addition, the water supply valve 11 may be provided upstream of the faucet from the branching position of the branch 26 in the water supply path 4, and in this case, the controller 24 opens both the water supply valve 11 and the water filling valve 27. Water from the faucet flows into the flow path 43C from the inlet 43CA of the pipe portion 43BD of the water supply cover 43 via the water supply path 4 and the branch 26.

The water flowing into the flow path 43C flows out from the flow path 43C to the water supply ports 42J and is sprayed from the water supply ports 42J. As indicated by the thick dotted arrow, the water discharged from the first water supply port 42JA among the water supply ports 42J flows down along the vertical surface F1A of the drying filter F1 by being poured on the vertical surface F1A from the upper side Z1. The foreign matter T adhering to the vertical surface F1A is peeled off from the vertical surface F1A by the water flowing down the vertical surface F1A, and directly falls into the upstream space 32S of the duct 30 to reach the outlet 20D. Since the vertical ribs 41F extending in the direction in which water and foreign matter T fall are provided around the drying filter F1, the foreign matter T can smoothly fall without being caught by the vertical ribs 41F. A guide portion 30A inclined toward the outlet 20D is provided in an outer wall 32J of the duct 30 defining the upstream space 32S, and the guide portion 30A guides the foreign matter T and water to the outlet 20D. The foreign matter T reaching the outlet 20D falls into the outer tube 3 through the outlet 20D and remains in the outer tube 3. The water that has dripped from the first water supply ports 42JA to the vertical surface F1A also falls from the duct 30 into the outer tube 3 and remains in the outer tube 3, like the foreign matter T.

The vertical face FA1 of the filter F1 closest to the outlet 20D is directly exposed to the upstream space 32S constituting the circulation path 20. Therefore, when water is supplied from the first water supply port 42JA to the vertical surface FA1, the foreign matter T adhering to the vertical surface FA1 drops in the circulation path 20 immediately after being peeled off from the vertical surface FA1, and reaches the outer cylinder 3 from the outlet 20D. In the duct 30, the lower connection portion 32I that covers the outlet 20D is inserted into the through hole 3K of the rear wall 3B of the outer tube 3 from the rear side Y2, and the front end of the lower connection portion 32I is exposed into the outer tube 3 from the front surface portion of the rear wall 3B (see fig. 12). That is, since there is no obstacle such as a step from the outlet 20D into the outer tube 3, the foreign matter T can reach the inside of the outer tube 3 from the outlet 20D without being caught in the middle.

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the duct 30 and the filter unit 25. In fig. 14, the cover 33 of the duct 30 and the first filter member 41 are not shown, and the drying filter F2 of the second filter member 42 is exposed. As indicated by the thick dashed arrow, the water discharged from the second water supply port 42JB among the water supply ports 42J flows down along the vertical surface F2A of the filter dryer F2 after being poured from the upper side Z1 onto the vertical surface F2A. The foreign matter T adhering to the vertical surface F2A is peeled off from the vertical surface F2A by the water flowing down the vertical surface F2A, falls in the space S between the dry filter F1 and the dry filter F2, and is placed on the upper surface portion 41CA of the bottom wall 41C of the first filter member 41. Since the vertical ribs 42D extending in the direction in which water and foreign matter T fall are provided around the drying filter F2, the foreign matter T smoothly falls without being caught by the vertical ribs 42D.

Space S is sandwiched between dry filter F1 and dry filter F2 from front to rear direction Y, between right vertical wall 41BA and left vertical wall 41BB from the lateral direction, and blocked by bottom wall 41C from lower side Z2 (see also fig. 7). Therefore, the water and the foreign matters T on the upper surface portion 41CA of the bottom wall 41C slide down along the inclination of the upper surface portion 41CA, and reach the discharge holes 41BD of the first filter member 41 and the through holes 32N of the vertical partition plate 32L without fail while going to the left side X2. That is, the water and the foreign matters T on the upper surface portion 41CA of the bottom wall 41C are targeted as the discharge holes 41BD. The water and the foreign matter T reaching the through hole 32N push the door 51 from the right side X1. As a result, as shown in fig. 14, the door 51 rotates from the currently closed position to the left side X2 to open the release hole 41BD and the through hole 32N, and therefore the water and the foreign matter T on the upper surface portion 41CA pass through the release hole 41BD and the through hole 32N to go out of the space S, fall down in the lower region of the vertical space 32T of the duct 30, and reach the take-out port 20D. The foreign matter T and the water that have reached the outlet 20D fall from the outlet 20D and remain in the outer tube 3. After the foreign matter T and the water pass through the release hole 41BD and the through hole 32N, the door 51 returns to the closed position by its own weight or an urging force of an urging member (not shown).

When a predetermined time has elapsed after the water filling valve 27 is opened, the controller 24 closes the water filling valve 27 to stop the supply of water to the water supply unit 50 and open the drain valve 12. In the state where the water filling valve 27 is opened, the water discharge valve 12 may be always opened. When the drain valve 12 is opened, the water remaining in the outer tub 3 flows into the drain path 5 together with the foreign matter T. That is, the foreign matter T is removed from the inside of the outer cylinder 3 when the outer cylinder 3 discharges water. The foreign matter T flowing into the drainage channel 5 is captured by the drainage filter 6 (see fig. 1). When the user removes the drain filter 6 at an appropriate timing for maintenance, the foreign matter T captured by the drain filter 6 is removed.

As described above, in the integrated washing and drying machine 1, the water supply unit 50 supplies water from the upper side Z1 to the vertical surfaces FA of the plurality of drying filters F at a predetermined timing. That is, the washing and drying machine 1 has a function of automatically maintaining the drying filter F, and thus, a user does not need to remove the drying filter F for maintenance. Therefore, the maintainability of the drying filter F can be improved. In particular, in the filter unit 25, not only the foreign matter T captured by the vertical surface F1A of the dry filter F1 closest to the outlet 20D but also the foreign matter T captured by the vertical surface F2A of the dry filter F2 overlapping the dry filter F1 with the space S therebetween is fed into the outer tub 3 by the water supplied from the water supply unit 50. Therefore, the user does not need to detach the dry filter F to remove the foreign matter T from the space S, and thus the maintainability of the dry filter F can be further improved.

Since the drying filter F may be non-detachable, it is possible to achieve a simplified configuration and a reduced cost compared to a detachable drying filter. In addition, in the case of the detachable drying filter, if the user forgets to maintain the filter, the performance may be degraded, and the washing and drying integrated machine 1 having the automatic maintenance function may prevent the performance degradation due to the forgetting of the maintenance. Further, since the arrangement space required in the case of the detachable drying filter can be utilized for other purposes, it is possible to improve the performance by, for example, increasing the size of the heating unit 22 and the rotary blade 23.

A plurality of water supply ports 42J of the water supply unit 50 are provided so as to be arranged in the lateral direction along the vertical face FA of the corresponding drying filter F, and the water flowing through the water supply ports 42J is guided to fall straight by linearly extending in the vertical direction (see fig. 13 and 14). Therefore, water falling straight from each of the plurality of water supply ports 42J arranged in the horizontal direction flows from the upper side Z1 to the vertical surface portions FA of the respective drying filters F, and foreign matters T in a wide range in the left-right direction X on the vertical surface portions FA can be reliably peeled off. In particular, since the adjacent water supply ports 42J are arranged apart from each other so as not to be connected to each other among the plurality of water supply ports 42J arranged in a line, the jetting direction of water from the water supply ports 42J can be easily controlled.

The flow passage area of the inlet 43CA is set to be larger than the sum of the flow passage areas of all (24 in the present embodiment) of the water supply ports 42J. In this case, the outflow amount of water from the water supply port 42J is smaller than the inflow amount of water flowing from the inflow port 43CA to the flow path 43C. Thus, the water flowing from the inlet 43CA into the flow path 43C is temporarily blocked in the flow path 43C, and the water can be distributed over the entire area of the flow path 43C. This allows the water in the flow path 43C to flow out from the water supply ports 42J at the same timing and with the same momentum. Therefore, the foreign matters T can be peeled off from the vertical face portions FA of the respective drying filters F uniformly and simultaneously. Therefore, the maintainability of the drying filter F can be further improved.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.

For example, although the dry filter F is two dry filters F1 and F2 in the above embodiment, three or more dry filters F may be arranged in a stacked manner. In this case, similarly to the above-described dry filter F2, in order to remove the foreign matter T, water is poured from the upper side Z1 onto the vertical surface FA of each dry filter F other than the dry filter F1 closest to the outlet 20D of the duct 30. The vertical surfaces FA of the plurality of drying filters F are arranged vertically so as to face the outlet 20D side of the circulation path 20, that is, the upstream side, and the vertical surfaces FA may be arranged in parallel or not. The vertical surface portions FA may be arranged in the vertical direction or may be arranged obliquely to the vertical direction.

In the washing and drying integrated machine 1, the drain filter 6 may be omitted. In this case, the foreign matters T caught by the respective drying filters F and flowing into the tub 3 are discharged to the outside of the machine through the water discharge path 5 (refer to fig. 1) when the tub 3 is drained.

As part of the automatic maintenance of the dry filter F, the controller 24 may stop the water supply from the water supply unit 50 to the dry filter F and then circulate the air in the outer tub 3 through the blower 21. Accordingly, the drying filter F, which has been previously wetted with water to remove the foreign matters T, is dried by being blown by the air flowing into the circulation passage 20 from the outer tub 3. By operating the heating unit 22 to circulate the hot air, the drying of the drying filter F can be promoted. In this way, the user can prevent the drying filter F from being dried, and thus the maintainability of the drying filter F can be further improved.

In the drum-type washing and drying all-in-one machine 1 in the above embodiment, the washing tub 7 may be disposed with the axis J inclined in the horizontal direction H. Furthermore, the washer dryer 1 may be a vertical washer dryer with an axis J extending longitudinally.

Claims

1. An all-in-one washer dryer, characterized in that includes:

a box body;

an outer cylinder supported by the tank body and capable of storing water;

a washing tub accommodated in the outer tub and accommodating laundry;

a circulation path having a take-out port and a return port connected to the outer cylinder;

a blowing unit that takes out the air in the outer tube from the take-out port into the circulation path and returns the air in the outer tube from the return port into the outer tube, thereby circulating the air in the outer tube;

a heating unit provided in the circulation path and heating air in the circulation path;

a plurality of drying filters which are disposed in the circulation passage on the outlet side of the heating unit, are disposed so as to overlap in the flow direction of air in the circulation passage, and each have a vertical surface portion which captures foreign matter in the air heading from the outlet port to the return port in the circulation passage; and

a water supply unit for supplying water from an upper side to the vertical surface portions of the plurality of drying filters;

a pair of vertical walls that laterally sandwich a space between adjacent ones of the plurality of drying filters, the pair of vertical walls including a left vertical wall and a right vertical wall; and

a bottom wall which is disposed between the pair of vertical walls and blocks the space from a lower side,

a longitudinal partition plate in contact with the left longitudinal wall,

the water supply part blocks the space from the upper side,

one of the pair of vertical walls is formed with a relief hole facing the outside of the space,

a through hole is formed in the vertical partition plate to correspond to the release hole,

the upper surface part of the bottom wall descends along with the adjacent release hole and is connected with the release hole,

a door that opens and closes the through hole of the longitudinal partition plate is provided on the left vertical wall, and the door is supported by the longitudinal partition plate via a rotating shaft that passes through an upper end of the door.

2. The washing and drying integrated machine according to claim 1,

the water supply part is provided with a plurality of water supply ports, the plurality of water supply ports and the plurality of drying filters are correspondingly provided, and the water supply ports correspond to the longitudinal parts of the drying filters from the upper side.

3. The washing and drying integrated machine according to claim 2,

a plurality of water supply ports are provided in a lateral arrangement along the longitudinal surface of the corresponding drying filter,

each of the water supply ports linearly extends in a longitudinal direction.

4. The washing and drying integrated machine according to claim 2 or 3,

the water supply unit has a flow path for allowing water flowing in from the inlet port to flow out to the water supply port, the flow path having an inlet port and being connected to the water supply port,

the flow passage area of the inflow port is larger than the sum of the flow passage areas of all the water supply ports.