Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a drum-type washing and drying machine for washing
and drying clothes.
Background Art
[0002] Fig. 13 shows a conventional drum-type washing and drying machine (hereinafter referred
to simply as a drum-type washer) comprising:
housing 51;
outer tub 52 resiliently supported within housing 51;
air-supply tube 53 and air-discharge tube 54 for supplying and discharging air to
and from outer tub 52; and
base 59 to which devices forming a heat-pump are mounted. Air-supply tube 53 supplies
the air dehumidified and heated by the heat-pump to outer tub 52, and air-discharge
tube 54 exhausts outer tub 52 of the air. The heat-pump is formed of blower 55, heat
absorber 56, heat radiator 57, and compressor 58, which are rigidly mounted to base
59.
[0003] Tubes 53 and 54 shown in Fig. 13 are made of flexible material, shaped cylindrically,
and removable from outer tub 52. The heat-pump can be drawn out backward together
with base 59 from housing 51. This structure is disclosed, e.g. Patent Literature
1.
[0004] The structure discussed above allows removing tubes 53 and 54 from outer tub 52,
and drawing out the heat-pump together with base 59 backward from housing 51, so that
the drum-type washer can be simply assembled in the factory and the heat-pump can
be repaired with ease.
[0005] The foregoing structure, however, needs hands to move the heavy washing machine from
the place where a user keeps the drum-type washer in order to repair the heat-pump
thereof or give the heat-pump maintenance work, so that great amounts of time and
labor are required for preparing the repair or the maintenance work and for restoring
the heat-pump to the normal place. To be more specific, the drum-type washer, in general,
is placed in front of a wall with the rear being closer to the wall, so that no space
is available between the wall and the washing machine not only for drawing out the
heat pump backward but also for working on the heat pump. The washing machine, rather
heavy to lift, should be thus moved away from the wall before it is repaired or given
the maintenance work, and restored to the normal place after the work. The repair
or the maintenance work has thus required great amounts of time and labor.
[0006] Patent Literature 2 relates to a washing/drying machine which washes clothes using
water without the need for water treatment such as bacteria elimination, sterilization
and filtration or reducing the water treatment. This washing/drying machine includes
a rotating drum for loading/unloading clothes, a washing tub rotatably storing the
rotating drum, a dehumidification means recovering moisture from air as dew condensation
water, and a dew condensation water supply means supplying the dew condensation water
collected from the dehumidification means to the washing tub. This washing/drying
machine condenses the moisture evaporated in the air and uses it for washing.
Related Art Literature:
Summary of the Invention:
[0008] The invention is defined by the subject-matter of independent claim 1. The dependent
claims are directed to advantageous embodiments.
Advantages of the Invention:
[0009] Advantageously, it is provided a drum-type washing and drying machine (hereinafter
simply referred to as a drum-type washer) of which heat pump can be repaired or undergo
the maintenance work with ease. The drum-type washing and drying machine of the present
invention includes a heat pump which comprises the following elements:
a compressor;
a heat radiator for radiating the heat from a compressed refrigerant of a high temperature
and a high pressure;
a squeezer for decompressing the pressurized refrigerant;
a heat absorber for depriving the decompressed refrigerant of heat; and
pipes connecting the compressor, squeezer, heat radiator and heat absorber together
for the refrigerant to circulate through these structural elements.
[0010] The compressor, squeezer, heat radiator, and heat absorber coupled together by the
pipes can be removable from a top opening of a housing of the drum-type washing and
drying machine.
[0011] The structure discussed above allows saving time and labor necessary for moving and
restoring the drum-type washing and drying machine before and after the repair work
or the maintenance work for the heat pump, so that the heat pump can be repaired or
undergo the maintenance work with ease. The drum-type washing and drying machine thus
allows the heat pump to be repaired or undergo the maintenance work with ease.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0012]
Fig. 1 shows a sectional view of an essential part of a drum-type washer in accordance
with a first embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the drum-type washer shown in Fig. 1 with a part
of inside disclosed.
Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of the drum-type washer in accordance with the first
embodiment, where the washer is viewed from the rear with a part of inside disclosed.
Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the drum-type washer in accordance with the first
embodiment, where the washer is viewed from the top with a part of inside disclosed.
Fig. 5 shows a perspective view illustrating a site where the drum-type washer in
accordance with the first embodiment is installed.
Fig. 6 shows a top view of a heat pump of the drum-type washer in accordance with
the first embodiment.
Fig. 7 shows a perspective view of an outer shell of a heat pump of the drum-type
washer in accordance with the first embodiment.
Fig. 8 shows an exploded perspective view of the heat pump of the drum-type washer
in accordance with the first embodiment.
Fig. 9 shows a perspective view illustrating how to remove the outer shell of the
heat pump of the drum-type washer in accordance with the first embodiment, where the
outer shell is viewed from the bottom.
Fig. 10 shows schematically a system concept of the heat-pump of the drum-type washer
in accordance with the first embodiment.
Fig. 11 shows a sectional view of an essential part of a drum-type washer in accordance
with a comparative example which is not part of the present invention.
Fig. 12 shows a perspective view of the drum-type washer in accordance with the comparative
example, where the washer is viewed from the top with a part of inside disclosed.
Fig. 13 shows an exploded perspective view of a conventional drum-type washer.
Description of Preferred Embodiments
[0013] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are demonstrated hereinafter with
reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, similar elements have the
same reference signs and the descriptions thereof are sometimes omitted. The present
invention is not limited by the embodiments below.
Exemplary Embodiment 1
[0014] Fig. 1 shows a sectional view of an essential part of a drum-type washing and drying
machine (hereinafter referred to simply as a drum-type washer) in accordance with
the first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of
the drum-type washer shown in Fig. 1 with a part of inside disclosed. Fig. 3 shows
a perspective view of the drum-type washer, where the washer is viewed from the rear
with a part of inside disclosed. Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the drum-type
washer, where the washer is viewed from the top with a part of inside disclosed. Fig.
5 shows a perspective view illustrating a site the drum-type washer is kept. Fig.
6 shows a top view of a heat pump of the drum-type washer. Fig. 7 shows a perspective
view of an outer shell of the heat pump of the drum-type washer. Fig. 8 shows an exploded
perspective view of the heat pump of the drum-type washer. Fig. 9 shows a perspective
view illustrating how to remove the outer shell of the heat pump of the drum-type
washer, where the outer shell is viewed from the bottom. Fig. 10 shows schematically
a system concept of the heat-pump of the drum-type washer.
[0015] As shown in Fig. 1 - Fig. 3, outer tub 1 is resiliently supported by multiple suspension
mechanisms 3 within housing 2. Drum 4 has inlet 6 on the front for loading or unloading
clothes 5, shapes like a cylinder having a bottom, and is installed in outer tub 1.
Drum 4 rotates on rotary shaft 7, accommodates clothes 5, and is formed of enclosing
wall 8 having numerous vents 9. As shown in Fig. 1, outer tub 1, drum 4 and rotary
shaft 7 tilt up toward a front (front-up and rear-down) by angle θ, e.g. 20 degrees,
relative to the horizontal. Motor 10 is mounted to the outer face of underside 1b
of outer tub 1 for rotating drum 4 forward or backward. Housing 2 includes round inlet
6 on the front for loading or unloading clothes 5, and door 11 for opening or closing
inlet 6. Inlet 6 confronts opening 1a of outer tub 1, and opening 1a is air-tightly
connected to housing 2 with packing 12. Water inlet 13 is placed at the upper part
of outer tub 1 and connected to water supply valve 14 placed above outer tub 1. Outer
tub 1 includes drain port 15 at underside 1b for draining wash water, and drain port
15 is connected to drain valve 16.
[0016] Blower 17, shown in Fig. 1 forms a blowing means, and is placed over outer tub 1
such that blower 17 is located in the space formed between the top face of housing
2 and outer tub 1 at the upper-rear inside of housing 2. Blower 17 communicates with
air-supply duct 18 provided on an outer wall of outer tub 1, and blows air supplied
from duct port 18a shown in Figs. 2 and 3 along arrow 19 into drum 4 through air inlet
20. Outer tub 1 includes exhaust port 21 at the top face in front, and the air travels
through drum 4 and outer tub 1 and then exhausts from exhaust port 21 to the outside
of drum 4.
[0017] On the top face of outer tub 1, elastic connecting member 23 on heat absorber side
is placed in front for connecting exhaust port 21 to outer shell 22 of the heat pump,
and then heat absorber 24 and heat radiator 25 are placed next to connecting member
23 for forming a heat exchanger of the heat pump. Then elastic connecting member 26
on heat radiator side is placed behind heat radiator 25 for connecting outer shell
22 of the heat pump to blower 17. Those structural elements placed on the top face
of outer tub 1 are arranged generally in parallel with rotary shaft 7, i.e. they are
tilted up toward a front (front-up and rear-down). The drying air supplied from exhaust
port 21 travels along arrow 27 almost linearly in following order of the structural
elements arranged as discussed above, i.e. from connecting member 23 on heat absorber
side to connecting member 26 on heat radiator side. Outer shell 22 thus connects outer
tub 1 to the heat pump and works as air-circulation path 22 for circulating the drying
air.
[0018] As shown in Fig. 1, bottom face 22a of outer shell 22 of the heat pump tilts along
arrow 27 showing the flow of drying air, i.e. bottom face 22a is placed generally
in parallel with rotary shaft 7 as outer tub 1 is placed (front-up and rear-down).
As shown in Fig. 4, outer shell 22 has opening 22b at the top face. Outer shell 22
is removable from housing 2 along vertical direction as indicated by the up-down arrows
shown in Fig. 9. Upper inside of housing 2, there are front bracket 44a extending
backward and rear bracket 44b extending forward, and they support heat pump 47 within
housing 2.
[0019] As shown in Fig. 4, front bracket 44a of housing 2 is fitted to front mounting section
22c provided at the front of outer shell 22, and rear bracket 44b is fitted to rear
mounting section 22d shown in Fig. 6, so that outer shell 22 of the heat pump can
be fixed to housing 2. In other words, heat pump 47 belongs to the same vibration
system as housing 2.
[0020] Heat pump 47 is supported within housing 2 by a supporter formed of front bracket
44a and rear bracket 44b such that a given space can be formed between the underside
of outer shell 22 of the heat pump and the top face of outer tub 1. This structure
allows preventing outer tub 1 from touching outer shell 22 when tub 1 trembles due
to the spin of drum 4.
[0021] The drying air blown by blower 17 travels through air-supply duct 18, air inlet 20
and goes into drum 4, and passes through clothes 5 in drum 4, then goes out from exhaust
port 21 as shown with arrow 28 in Fig. 10. The drying air then travels through connecting
member 23 on heat absorber side, and goes into heat absorber 24, heat radiator 25
placed in outer shell 22 (not shown in Fig. 10) of the heat pump, and then travels
through connecting member 26 on heat radiator side, and finally returns to blower
17. The drying air thus forms an air-circulation path.
[0022] As shown in Fig. 6 and Fig. 8, heat absorber 24, heat radiator 25 and compressor
29 are unitized into the heat pump and placed on base 30. Base 30 is placed along
bottom face 22a of outer shell 22 of the heat pump such that base 30 is removable
from outer shell 22 in vertical direction as indicated by up-down arrows 28a shown
in Fig. 8. Base 30 includes first setting section 30a shaped like a plane on which
heat radiator 25 and heat absorber 24 are set, and second setting section 30b shaped
like a cylinder in which compressor 29 is accommodated. Second setting section 30b
is formed behind first setting section 30a, and located deeper backward above drum
4 than first setting section 30a.
[0023] As shown in Fig. 1, first setting section 30a tilts along arrow 27 indicating the
flow of the drying air, namely, it tilts generally in parallel with the top face of
outer tub 1, i.e. front-up and rear-down. When base 30 is placed in outer shell 22,
the underside of cylindrical second setting section 30b is kept horizontally and lower
than first setting section 30a. First setting section 30a of base 30 includes lower
separator 30c and upper separator 30d extending vertically as shown in Fig. 8. Those
separators isolate heat absorber 24 and heat radiator 25, i.e. heat exchanger side,
from compressor 29, i.e. compressor side on first setting section 30a. Heat absorber
24 and heat radiator 25 have their lower ends placed on lower separator 30c, and then
upper separator 30d fits onto the upper ends of heat absorber 24 and heat radiator
25 so that heat absorber 24 and heat radiator 25 can be fixed to base 30.
[0024] Discharge port 31 is provided to the lower rear part of outer shell 22 on heat exchanger
side for discharging the water dehumidified by heat absorber 24. As shown in Fig.
5, opening 22b of outer shell 22 is covered with cover 33 unified with lid 32 which
opens/closes top opening 2a of housing 2. Outer shell 22 of the heat pump and cover
33 form the air-circulation path through which the drying air travels.
[0025] Lid 32 can swing relative to housing 2 on hinge mechanism 34 provided to the rear
upper end of housing 2, so that it opens/closes top opening 2a of housing 2. At the
same time, cover 33 unified with lid 32 at the inner face of lid 32 opens/closes opening
22b of outer shell 22 of heat pump. In other words, when lid 32 has opening 2a of
housing 2 opened, opening 22b of outer shell 22 is opened simultaneously.
[0026] Connecting member 23 on heat absorber side is coupled to entrance 22e provided to
the front side of outer shell 22 under lid 32, and connecting member 26 on heat radiator
side is coupled to exit 22f provided to the rear side of outer shell 22 under lid
32. This structure allows detaching the connecting members 23 and 26 from outer shell
22 by opening lid 32.
[0027] Heat pump 47 includes the following structural elements:
compressor 29;
heat radiator 25 for radiating the heat of a refrigerant compressed by compressor
29;
squeezer 35 formed of capillaries for decompressing the pressurized refrigerant;
heat absorber 24 for depriving the ambient air of heat; and
pipe 36 for connecting the foregoing structural elements together for circulating
the refrigerant through them.
[0028] As shown in Fig. 10, the refrigerant of the heat pump flows along arrow 37 and circulates
to form a heat pump cycle.
[0029] Compressor 29 is coupled electrically to controller 38 provided outside heat pump
47, where controller 38 is placed below outer tub 1. Heat pump 47 and controller 38
are detachable from each other via an electric connecting section formed of connector
38a shown in Fig. 10. Connector 38a is held at a rear corner section over heat pump
47, where the rear corner section is formed between outer shell 22 and lid 32 so that
connector 38a can be simply removed from top opening 2a of housing 2 with lid 32 opened.
[0030] As discussed above, the drum-type washing and drying machine of the present invention
comprising the following structural elements:
housing 2;
outer tub 1 resiliently supported within housing 2;
cylindrical drum 4 with a bottom, and disposed rotatably in outer tub 1, having inlet
6 on the front for loading clothes 5 therein, and tilted up toward front (front-up
and rear-down);
motor 10 for driving drum 4;
heat pump 47 disposed within housing 2 for drying clothes 5 loaded in drum 4;
air-circulation path 22 coupling outer tub 1 to heat pump 47 for circulating drying-air;
blower 17 for blowing air through air-circulation path 22;
air inlet 20 for introducing the drying air into drum 4;
exhaust port 21 for exhausting the drying air from drum 4; and
lid 32 for covering top opening 2a of housing 2 such that lid 32 opens/closes top
opening 2a.
[0031] Heat pump 47 comprises the following structural elements:
compressor 29;
heat radiator 25 for radiating heat of a pressurized refrigerant of high temperature
and high pressure;
squeezer 35 for decompressing the pressurized refrigerant;
heat absorber 24 for the decompressed refrigerant of low pressure to deprive the ambient
air of heat; and
pipes 36 connecting compressor 29, squeezer 35, heat radiator 25, and heat absorber
24 together for the refrigerant to circulate through these elements.
[0032] Compressor 29, squeezer 35, heat radiator 25, and heat absorber 24 coupled together
by pipes 36 are disposed above outer tub 1 so that they can be detachable through
top opening 2a of housing 2.
[0033] The structure discussed above allows eliminating the time and labor necessary for
moving/restoring the drum-type washer from/to the work-place in order to repair or
give the washer maintenance work. The washer thus can be repaired or undergo the maintenance
work with ease.
[0034] Since heat pump 47 is placed above outer tub 1, the washing water never enters air-circulation
path 22 disposed above drum 4. This structure thus prevents heat absorber 24 and heat
radiator 25 made of metal excellent in heat conduction, e.g. copper or aluminum, from
being corroded by detergent, softening agent, bleaching agent contained in the wash
water. This structure also allows simply draining the water produced by heat absorber
24 during the drying operation without using a draining means such as a pump.
[0035] Heat pump 47 can be supported by a supporter provided to housing 2 shown in Fig.
1 so that heat pump 47 is located above outer tub 1. To be more specific, housing
2 is equipped with this another supporter for supporting heat pump 47 such that heat
pump 47 can be located above outer tub 1.
[0036] This structure prevents the vibration of outer tub 1 from traveling to heat pump
47 directly, so that adverse affect of vibration of drum 4 during the dehydrating
operation can be eliminated. The reliability and durability of heat pump 47 can be
thus improved. On top of that, heat pump 47 can be detached or mounted with ease above
outer tub 1 which may swing though because tub 1 is resiliently supported in housing
2.
[0037] As shown in Fig. 6 and Fig. 8, heat pump 47 is formed of compressor 29, heat radiator
25 and heat absorber 24 unified together on base 30, and then base30 is detachably
mounted to housing 2 as shown in Fig. 1. This structure allows fixing the relative
positions among compressor 29, squeezer 35, heat radiator 25, and heat absorber 24
coupled together by pipes 36, so that the stress applied to pipes 36 can be reduced.
Heat pump 47 can be thus simply handled when it is detached or mounted from/to housing
2, and actually it can be detached or mounted with ease from/to above outer tub 1.
[0038] An operation of the drum-type washing and drying machine (hereinafter referred to
simply as a drum-type washer) as structured above is demonstrated hereinafter following
the order of chief steps of the drum-type washer: washing step, rinsing step, dehydrating
step, and drying step.
[0039] During the washing step, supply water until the water reaches a predetermined level
in outer tub 1 with drain valve 16 closed as shown in Fig. 1. Then drive drum 4 containing
clothes 5 and the water for washing. At this time a part of the water enters air-supply
duct 18; however, the water never enters heat pump 47 or blower 17 because the route
of air-supply duct 18 is lifted upward.
[0040] During the rinsing step after the washing step, the water is supplied into outer
tub 1 as is done in the washing step for rinsing clothes 5 by rotating drum 4.
[0041] During the dehydrating step, open the drain valve 16 for draining the water outside
the drum-type washer, and then spin drum 4 containing clothes 5 with motor 10 at a
high speed for dehydration. During the washing and dehydrating steps, although drum
4 spins and vibrates, which produces vibrations on the entire outer tub 1, the vibrations
can be absorbed by suspension mechanisms 3, so that the vibrations are attenuated
before they reach housing 2, which thus poorly vibrates.
[0042] During the drying step, compressor 29 of heat pump 47 compresses the refrigerant,
and the pressure of compressor 29 allows the refrigerant to circulate in heat radiator
25, squeezer 35 and heat absorber 24 through pipes 36. Heat radiator 25 radiates the
heat of the compressed refrigerant, and in heat absorber 24, the refrigerant decompressed
by squeezer 35 absorbs heat. At this time blower 17 blows warm air heated by the heat
dissipated from heat radiator 25 into drum 4 through air-supply duct 18 and air inlet
20. Drum 4 is driven by motor 10, and clothes 5 are lifted and dropped due to the
spin of drum 4, whereby clothes 5 are agitated up and down.
[0043] The warm air blown into drum 4 travels through respective clothes 5, thereby depriving
clothes 5 of water, and the damped warm air travels through exhaust port 21, connecting
member 23 on heat absorber side, and reaches heat absorber 24. When this damped warm
air passes through heat absorber 24, the air is deprived of sensible heat and latent
heat, and dehumidified. The air is separated into dry-air and water. The dry-air is
heated again by heat radiator 25 placed immediately after heat absorber 24, and becomes
warm before it travels through blower 17 and air-supply duct 18, and reaches drum
4, in other words, the air circulates to drum 4.
[0044] The water dewed by heat absorber 24, on the other hand, is discharged outside the
drum-type washer, as indicated by arrows 43 in Fig. 8, from discharge port 31 provided
at a lower section of the rear end-face, closer to the heat exchanger, of outer shell
22. This is because first setting section 30a tilts up toward a front (front-up and
rear-down) like the outer tub 1 does. The water can be discharged from discharge port
31 to the outside directly, or it can be discharged from drain port 15 via outer tub
1 to the outside.
[0045] Use of heat pump 47 allows the refrigerant to recover the heat which heat absorber
24 absorbs from the ambient air, and then allows the refrigerant to dissipate the
heat again in heat radiator 25, so that an amount of heat greater than the energy
supplied to compressor 29 can be supplied to clothes 5. As a result, a drying time
can be shortened and energy can be saved.
[0046] Since drum 4 and outer tub 1 tilt up toward a front (front-up and rear-down), inlet
6 is located at a convenient height for a user to load or unload clothes 5, and spaces
having an appropriate width, depth and height for placing some devices can be obtained
both at the lower front and the upper rear in housing 2.
[0047] Placement of heat pump 47 above outer tub 1 allows simply taking out compressor 29,
squeezer 35, heat radiator 25 and heat absorber 24 coupled together by pipes 36 upward
from top opening 2a by opening lid 32 as shown in Fig. 5. Considering a limited area
of installation location, the drum-type washer is placed, in general, in front of
wall 39 or between walls 39 with a small space reserved between rear face 2b of housing
2 and wall 39, or between at least one of lateral faces 2c of housing 2 and wall 39
as shown in Fig. 5. Lid 32 is one of the structural elements contributing to the external
appearance of the drum-type washer, and yet, lid 32 is rather easy to open while the
time and labor for moving the drum-type washer can be eliminated. This configuration
and the placement of heat pump 47 above outer tub 1 allow taking out compressor 29,
squeezer 35, heat radiator 25 and heat absorber 24, forming heat pump 47, upward with
ease. As a result, the maintenance work on heat pump 47 can be done with more ease.
[0048] The placement of heat pump 47 above outer tub 1 allows preventing the wash water
from entering heat absorber 24 or heat radiator 25 of heat pump 47 through circulation
path 22. Heat absorber 24 and heat radiator 25 are generally made of metal excellent
in heat conduction, e.g. copper or aluminum, and when the components of detergent,
softening agent, bleaching agent contained in the wash water attach to heat absorber
24 or heat radiator 25, the components probably corrode heat absorber 24 or heat radiator
25. The placement of heat pump 47 above outer tub 1 thus prevents the wash water in
outer tub 1 located below heat pump 47 from attaching to heat pump 47. The structure
discussed above thus prevents the wash water from entering heat pump 47, so that heat
absorber 24 and heat radiator 25 can be prevented from being corroded without taking
any measures against corrosion. As a result, the durability and reliability of heat
absorber 24 and heat radiator 25 can be improved.
[0049] On top of that, heat absorber 24 can be placed at a comparative upper section among
the structural elements of the drum-type washer. This placement allows the water,
which is produced by heat absorber 24 in dehumidifying the drying air during the drying
step, travels on first setting section 30a tilted up toward a front (front-up and
rear-down) as outer tub 1 is tilted, and is discharged from discharge port 31 shown
in Fig. 3 or Fig. 6. As a result, the water can be discharged without using an extra
mechanical discharging means.
[0050] Heat pump 47 is formed of compressor 29, heat radiator 25, heat absorber 24, and
those elements are mounted to and unified with base 30 as shown in Fig. 6 and Fig.
8, and unified base 30 can be mounted to or removed from housing 2. The unit assembly
discussed above allows heat pump 47 to be mounted or detached for the repair work
or maintenance work free from stress applied to pipes 36, so that the workers do not
need to pay much attention to handling pipes 36 of heat pump 47. In other words, this
structure eases this burden (handling pipes 36 with great care) for the workers, who
can thus work more efficiently.
[0051] Compressor 29 is placed such that the bottom thereof is kept horizontal, namely,
in parallel to the horizontal. This structure allows determining whether or not the
relative positional relations among compressor 29, squeezer 35, heat radiator 25,
and heat absorber 24 can be maintained in the drum-type washer based on this horizontal
status as a reference when those elements are taken out. This determination will reduce
the possibility of producing the stress applied to pipes 36 caused by a deviation
in the relative positional relations.
[0052] Second setting section 30b where compressor 29 is placed is located lower than first
setting section 30a where heat radiator 25 and heat absorber 24 are placed. The bottom
of compressor 29 having a comparative greater weight among the structural elements
of heat pump 47 is thus situated at a rather lower location. This structure allows
the workers to take out, in a stable manner, compressor 29, squeezer 35, heat radiator
25 and heat absorber 24 unified together. Even if compressor 29 and other elements
coupled with pipes 36 touch housing 2 and encounter with waver unexpectedly, they
wave but subside soon because the center gravity of the mass is situated at a rather
lower place. This structure thus reduces the possibility of applying the stress, produced
by a deviation in the relative positional relations, to pipes 36. Heat pump 47 can
be thus placed with the bottom of compressor 29 kept parallel to the horizontal.
[0053] The foregoing structure allows the worker to place compressor 29, squeezer 35, heat
radiator 25 and heat absorber 24 coupled by pipes 36 with the bottom of compressor
29 kept parallel to the horizontal when the worker takes out or mounts those elements.
As a result, the relative positional relations among those elements can be maintained,
and the stress applied to pipes 36 can be reduced.
[0054] Heat pump 47 includes first setting section 30a on which at least one of heat radiator
25 or heat absorber 24 is mounted and second setting section 30b on which compressor
29 is mounted, and the second setting section 30b is situated lower than first setting
section 30a. This structure allows compressor 29, having a greater mass than heat
radiator 25 or heat absorber 24, to be located at a lower place than heat radiator
25 and heat absorber 24, so that the center gravity of the mass can be lowered for
simpler handling and better operability when those elements are removed or mounted.
Even if those elements touch housing 2 and receive external force unexpectedly, they
wave but subside soon because of the lowered center gravity of the mass. This structure
thus reduces the possibility of applying the stress, produced by a deviation in the
relative positional relations, to pipes 36.
[0055] First setting section 30a is placed at a forward section above drum 4 and second
setting section 30b is placed at a backward section above drum 4, so that the worker
can take out the heat pump with ease. On top of that, this structure allows placing
the air-circulation path in a compact manner. Since heat radiator 25 and heat absorber
24 placed on first setting section 30a can be divided into two sections, they can
be placed in a flexible manner. Taking advantage of this flexible placement, it is
desirable for forming a heat transfer mechanism having a maximized heat-transfer area
in order to accelerate heat transfer to/from the drying air. Heat radiator 25 and
heat absorber 24 thus can be placed in a more flexible manner than compressor 29 placed
on second setting section 30b; however a capacity accommodating heat radiator 25 and
heat absorber 24 is often obliged to be great.
[0056] During the maintenance work, the worker takes out heat pump 47 upward with lid 32
opening. At this time, the worker often takes it out from the front side because a
working space is generally available in front of the drum-type washer, as shown in
Fig. 5, for saving the worker from moving the washer. First setting section 30a having
a rather greater capacity is thus placed at the forward section above drum 4, and
second setting section 30b having a rather smaller capacity is place at the backward
section above drum 4. This placement is convenient for the worker to take out heat
pump 47 including heat radiator 25 from the drum-type washer, so that the worker can
do the job with more ease.
[0057] As shown in Fig. 1, air inlet 20 is placed at the vicinity of the rear face of drum
4, and exhaust port 21 is placed at the vicinity of the front face of drum 4. This
structure allows the drying air to circulate from underside 1b, where a large number
of clothes 5 exists, of drum 4 toward inlet 6. The drying air thus can stay in drum
4 for a longer time, so that the drying air can be brought into contact with clothes
5 more efficiently, and this structure advantageously uses the drying air to dry clothes
5. On top of that, the air-circulation path, through which the drying air flows, is
formed of outer shell 22 of the heat pump, and this air-circulation path is placed
along rotary shaft 7, so that the drying air can flow smooth, and the air-circulation
path can be placed in a compact manner. The air-circulation path is placed above drum
4, and is tilted up toward a front (front-up and rear-down), and kept approx. parallel
to rotary shaft 7 of drum 4. This structure allows placing the air-circulation path
compactly, which allows the worker in charge of the repair or maintenance work to
take out heat pump 47 with more ease.
[0058] To be more specific, heat pump 47 includes air-circulation path 22 formed along rotary
shaft 7 of drum 4, and either one of air inlet 20 or exhaust port 21 is placed at
the front side of drum 4 and the remainder is placed at the rear side of drum 4. First
setting section 30a on which at least one of heat radiator 25 or heat absorber 24
is mounted is placed at the forward section above drum 4, and second setting section
30b on which compressor 29 is mounted is placed at the backward section above drum
4.
[0059] The foregoing structure achieves a smooth flow of the drying air, which can thus
efficiently circulate in drum 4. In the case where the worker repairs heat pump 47
or gives the maintenance work to heat pump 47 from the front side of drum-type washer,
first setting section 30a, where heat radiator 25 or heat absorber 24 is mounted,
is placed on the forward section above drum 4. This structure allows the worker to
take out heat pump 47 from housing 2 with ease even if heat pump 47 is upsized by
enlarging the heat-exchange area in order to increase efficiency both in dehumidifying
and heating. Heat pump 47, though it is upsized, can be placed in the air-circulation
path compactly.
[0060] Air-circulation path 22 is placed above drum 4 and tilted up toward a front (front-up
and rear-down) and kept parallel to rotary shaft 7 of drum 4. This structure allows
draining the dew water produced by heat absorber 24 from the rear of drum 4 with ease.
On top of that air-circulation path 22 runs along outer tub 1 so that path 22 can
be placed compactly. The drying air thus can circulate in drum 4 efficiently. The
structure discussed above allows taking out heat pump 47 or the structural elements
forming pump 47 from housing 2 with ease in the case of repair or maintenance.
[0061] As shown in Fig. 1, air-circulation path 22 is formed of connecting member 23 coupled
to outer tub 1 on heat absorber side, outer shell 22 having heat absorber 24 and heat
radiator 25 therein and covered with cover 33, connecting member 26 on heat radiator
side, and air-supply duct 18 coupled to outer tub 1. Connecting members 23, 26 and
outer shell 22 are placed above drum 4. Entrance 22e communicates with exit 22f of
outer shell 22 under lid 32 as shown in Fig. 7 or Fig. 8. Entrance 22e of outer shell
22 is formed between connecting member 23 on heat absorber side and the front side
of outer shell 22, and exit 22f is formed between connecting member 26 on heat radiator
side and the rear side of outer shell 22. This structure allows the connecting members
23 and 26 to be detachable from outer shell 22 by opening lid 32.
[0062] Air-circulation path 22 formed by outer shell 22 covered with cover 33 is tilted
up toward a front (front-up and rear-down) and kept parallel to rotary shaft 7 of
drum 4. This structure allows shortening the length of path 22, so that path 22 can
be formed more compactly. Path 22 includes opening 22b through which heat radiator
25 and heat absorber 24 can be removed, and cover 33 for covering opening 22b. This
structure eliminates the work of a repairman to detach heat pump 47 from the air-circulation
path, and the removal off cover 33 allows the repairman to simply take out upsized
heat pump 47, in which the structural elements including compressor 29 are connected
and unitized together by pipes 36. The repairman can thus repair heat pump 47 efficiently.
[0063] Cover 33 is unitarily formed with lid 32, so that an open of lid 32 simultaneously
opens opening 22b of outer shell 22, thereby exposing heat absorber 24, heat radiator
25 and compressor 29 accommodated in outer shell 22.
[0064] In other words, the air-circulation path includes opening 22b through which heat
radiator 25 and heat absorber 24 can be removed, and cover 33 detachably mounted for
covering the opening 22b. Heat pump 47 accommodates heat radiator 25 and heat absorber
24 in the air-circulation path, and cover 33 finishes up the air-circulation path.
This structure allows saving a worker from taking out the air-circulation path coupled
to outer tub 1, and instead, allows the worker to simply take out compressor 29, squeezer
35, heat radiator 25 and heat absorber 24 coupled together by pipes 36 from top opening
2a of housing 2.
[0065] The air-circulation path includes opening 22b on the upper side, and cover 33 detachably
mounted for covering the opening 22b, and heat radiator 25 and heat absorber 24 can
be removed through opening 22b. Heat pump 47 accommodates heat radiator 25 and heat
absorber 24 in the air-circulation path. Cover 33 finishes up the air-circulation
path, and is unitarily formed with lid 32. This structure allows saving a worker from
taking out the air-circulation path coupled to outer tub 1, and instead, allows the
worker to simply take out compressor 29, squeezer 35, heat radiator 25 and heat absorber
24 coupled together by pipes 36 from top opening 2a of housing 2 by just removing
cover 33. On top of that, an open of lid 32 simultaneously opens opening 22b of outer
shell 22, thereby exposing heat radiator 25 and heat absorber 24 accommodated in the
air-circulation path for being detached or mounted.
[0066] Lid 32 can swing rearward on hinge mechanism 34 so that it can open/close housing
2. The maintenance work for heat pump 47 is done temporarily in front of the space
where the drum-type washer is kept, so that the worker should reserve a place for
placing lid 32 to be removed. Since this hinge mechanism can hold lid 32 to open/close
housing 2, the worker needs not to find the place. Hinge mechanism 34 also couples
lid 32 to housing 2, so that a joining work, necessary when lid 32 is closed, between
housing 2 and lid 32 can be simplified.
[0067] Heat pump 47 is electrically connected to controller 38 with a connecting section,
i.e. connector 38a, which is placed near to top opening 2a such that connector 38a
can be seen when lid 32 is opened as shown in Fig. 1. This placement allows the worker
to simply detach heat pump 47 from connector 38a without any obstacle.
[0068] Outer shell 22 of heat pump is coupled to connecting member 23 on heat absorber side
and connecting member 26 on heat radiator side immediately under lid 32 and near top
opening 2a, where both of connecting members 23 and 26 are made of flexible material,
the flexibility of connecting members 23 and 26 aids the worker in removing heat pump
47 efficiently from outer shell 22. Compressor 29, squeezer 35, heat absorber 24 and
heat radiator 25 coupled together by pipes 36 can be detached as a unitized heat pump
47 from above outer tub 1.
[0069] Lid 32 can swing on hinge mechanism 34, which thus saves the worker from removing
lid 32 or reserving a space for temporarily placing lid 32. The worker thus can do
the repair work or maintenance work with lid 32 connected to housing 2, so that the
worker can open/close top opening 2a of housing 2 with ease.
[0070] The drum-type washer includes controller 38 for controlling the operation of heat
pump 47, and the electric connecting section between controller 38 and heat pump 47
is formed such that heat pump 47 can be removed from controller 38 through top opening
2a. This structure allows the worker to electrically and safely separate heat pump
47 from controller 38 before the worker takes out heat pump 47, and also allows the
worker to connect again to controller 38 without fail after the worker mounts heat
pump 47 properly.
[0071] The drum-type washer includes flexible connecting members 23, 26 for coupling heat
pump 47 to outer tub 1. First ends of respective connecting members 23, 26 are coupled
to the air-circulation path, and second ends thereof are coupled to outer tub 1. At
least one of the first or the second ends thereof is removable through top opening
2a of housing 2. The flexibility of connecting members 23 and 26 allows the worker
to separate heat pump 47 from outer tub 1 with ease, so that the worker can remove
heat pump 47 efficiently.
[0072] In this first embodiment, hinge mechanism 34 between lid 32 and housing 2 is placed
on the rear side of housing 2; however, it can be placed on the lateral side, i.e.
lid can be opened laterally. The drying air is introduced from the rear of drum 4
and exhausted from the front; however, the drying air can flow in a reversal direction.
Heat pump 47 can be taken out together with outer shell 22.
Comparative Example
[0073] The comparative example is not part of the present invention is demonstrated hereinafter
with reference to Figs. 11 and 12. Fig. 11 shows a sectional view of an essential
part of a drum-type washing and drying machine (hereinafter simply referred to as
a drum-type washer) in accordance with the comparative example is not part of the
present invention. Fig. 12 shows a perspective view of the drum-type washer, where
a part of housing 2 is viewed from the top. Similar elements to those used in the
first embodiment have the same reference signs, and the descriptions thereof are omitted
here.
[0074] The drum-type washer in accordance with the comparative example differs from the
one in accordance with the first embodiment in mounting unitized heat pump 47 detachably
above outer tub 1, where compressor 29, squeezer 35, heat absorber 24 and heat radiator
25 are coupled together by pipes 36 and unitized into heat pump 47.
[0075] To be more specific, the bottom of outer shell 22 of heat pump is rigidly mounted
onto outer tub 1 with detachable brackets 45. Opening 22b of outer shell 22 is covered
with cover 46 independent of lid 32, and cover 46 is detachable vertically as indicated
by up-down arrow 48 shown in Fig. 12. An open of lid 32 allows removing cover 46.
Heat absorber 24 and heat radiator 25 are placed in the space formed between outer
shell 22 and cover 46, thereby forming an air-circulation path through which the drying
air circulates.
[0076] The foregoing structure allows heat pump 47 to be detachably mounted to the top face
of outer tub 1, and to belong to the vibration system of outer tub 1. The weight of
heat pump 47 is thus added to outer tub 1. When the vibration system including outer
tub 1 is vibrated by the spin of drum 4, this additional weight allows reducing the
vibration amplitude. As a result, the drum-type washer operates more quietly.
[0077] Heat pump 47 can be mounted to the top face of outer tub 1 as shown in Fig. 11. This
structure allows constructing heat pump 47 compactly to be accommodated in a limited
space formed above outer tub 1 and within housing 2, and the own weight of heat pump
47 thus can reduce the vibrations of outer tub 1.
[0078] Compressor 29, heat radiator 25, and heat absorber 24 are unitarily mounted on base
30 and unitized into heat pump 47, and base 30 is detachably mounted above outer tub
1 as shown in Fig. 1. This structure allows fixing the relative positions among compressor
29, squeezer 35, heat radiator 25, and heat absorber 24 coupled together by pipes
36, so that the stress applied to pipes 36 can be reduced. Heat pump 47 can be thus
simply handled when it is detached or mounted from/to housing 2, and can be compactly
placed in the limited space formed above outer tub 1 and within housing 2.
[0079] Heat pump 47 can be placed with the bottom of compressor 29 kept parallel to the
horizontal. This structure allows a repairman to place compressor 29, squeezer 35,
heat radiator 25 and heat absorber 24 coupled by pipes 36 with the bottom of compressor
29 kept parallel to the horizontal when the repairman takes out or mount those elements.
As a result, the relative positional relations among those elements can be maintained,
and the stress applied to pipes 36 can be reduced.
[0080] Heat pump 47 includes first setting section 30a on which at least one of heat radiator
25 or heat absorber 24 is mounted and second setting section 30b on which compressor
29 is mounted, and the second setting section 30b is kept lower than first setting
section 30a. This structure allows compressor 29, having a greater mass than heat
radiator 25 or heat absorber 24, to be located at a lower place than heat radiator
25 and heat absorber 24, so that the center gravity of the mass can be lowered for
simpler handling and better operability when those elements are removed or mounted.
Even if those elements touch housing 2 and receive external force unexpectedly, they
wave but subside soon because of the lowered center gravity of the mass. This structure
thus reduces the possibility of applying the stress on pipes 36 caused by a deviation
in the relative positional relations among the structural elements including compressor
29.
[0081] Heat pump 47 includes air-circulation path 22 formed along rotary shaft 7 of drum
4, and either one of air inlet 20 or exhaust port 21 is placed at the front side of
drum 4 and the remainder is placed at the rear side of drum 4. First setting section
30a on which at least one of heat radiator 25 or heat absorber 24 is mounted is placed
at a forward section above drum 4, and second setting section 30b on which compressor
29 is mounted is placed at a backward section above drum 4.
[0082] The foregoing structure achieves a smooth flow of the drying air, which can thus
efficiently circulate in drum 4. In the case where the repairman repairs heat pump
47 or gives the maintenance work to heat pump 47 from the front side of the drum-type
washer, first setting section 30a, where heat radiator 25 or heat absorber 24 is mounted,
is placed on the forward section above drum 4. This structure allows the repairman
to take out heat pump 47 from housing 2 with ease even if heat pump 47 is upsized
by enlarging the heat-exchange area in order to increase efficiency both in dehumidifying
and heating. Heat pump 47, though it is upsized, can be placed in air-circulation
path 22 compactly.
[0083] Air-circulation path 22 is placed above drum 4 and tilted up toward a front (front-up
and rear-down) and kept parallel to rotary shaft 7 of drum 4. This structure allows
draining the dew water produced by heat absorber 24 from the rear of drum 4 with ease.
On top of that air-circulation path 22 runs along outer tub 1 so that path 22 can
be placed compactly. The drying air thus can circulate in drum 4 efficiently. The
structure discussed above allows taking out heat pump 47 or the structural elements
forming pump 47 from housing 2 with ease in the case of repair or maintenance.
[0084] The air-circulation path includes opening 22b on the upper side, and cover 46 detachably
mounted for covering opening 22b, and heat radiator 25 and heat absorber 24 can be
removed through opening 22b. Heat pump 47 accommodates heat radiator 25 and heat absorber
24 in the air-circulation path. Cover 46 finishes up the air-circulation path. This
structure allows saving a worker from taking out the air-circulation path coupled
to outer tub 1, and instead, allows the worker to simply take out compressor 29, squeezer
35, heat radiator 25 and heat absorber 24 coupled together by pipes 36 from top opening
2a of housing 2 by just removing cover 46.
[0085] Lid 32 can swing on hinge mechanism 34, which thus saves the worker from removing
lid 32 or reserving a space for temporarily placing lid 32. The worker thus can do
the repair work or maintenance work with lid 32 connected to housing 2, so that the
worker can open/close top opening 2a of housing 2 with ease.
[0086] The drum-type washer includes controller 38 for controlling the operation of heat
pump 47, and an electric connecting section between controller 38 and heat pump 47
is formed such that heat pump 47 can be removed from controller 38 through top opening
2a. This structure allows the worker to electrically and safely separate heat pump
47 from controller 38 before the worker takes out heat pump 47, and also allows the
worker to connect it again to controller 38 without fail after the worker mounts heat
pump 47 properly.
[0087] The drum-type washer includes flexible connecting members 23, 26 for coupling heat
pump 47 to outer tub 1. First ends of respective connecting members 23, 26 are coupled
to the air-circulation path, and second ends thereof are coupled to outer tub 1. At
least one of the first or the second ends thereof is removable through top opening
2a of housing 2. The flexibility of connecting members 23 and 26 aids the repairman
in separating heat pump 47 from outer tub 1 with more ease, so that the repairman
can remove heat pump 47 efficiently.
Industrial Applicability
[0088] The drum-type washing and drying machine of the present invention allows the heat
pump to be repaired with ease or simply undergo the maintenance work. The present
invention is thus useful for the drum-type washing and drying machine including the
heat pump for washing and drying clothes.
Description of Reference Signs
[0089]
- 1
- outer tub
- 1a
- opening
- 1b
- underside
- 2
- housing
- 2a
- top opening
- 3
- suspension mechanism
- 4
- drum
- 5
- clothes
- 6
- inlet
- 7
- rotary shaft
- 8
- enclosing wall
- 9
- vent
- 10
- motor
- 11
- door
- 12
- packing
- 13
- water inlet
- 14
- water supply valve
- 15
- drain port
- 16
- drain valve
- 17
- blower
- 18
- air-supply duct
- 18a
- air-supply duct port
- 19, 27, 28, 28a, 37, 43
- arrow
- 20
- air inlet
- 21
- exhaust port
- 22
- outer shell of heat pump (air-circulation path)
- 22a
- bottom face
- 22b
- opening
- 22c
- front mounting section
- 22d
- rear mounting section
- 22e
- entrance
- 23
- connecting member on heat absorber side
- 24
- heat absorber
- 25
- heat radiator
- 26
- connecting section on heat radiator side
- 29
- compressor
- 30
- base
- 30a
- first setting section
- 30b
- second setting section
- 31
- discharge port
- 32
- lid
- 33, 46
- cover
- 34
- hinge mechanism
- 35
- squeezer
- 36
- pipe
- 38
- controller
- 44a
- front bracket
- 44b
- rear bracket
- 45
- bracket
- 47
- heat pump
- 48
- up-down arrow
1. A drum-type washing and drying machine comprising:
a housing (2);
an outer tub (1) supported resiliently within the housing;
a cylindrical drum (4) with a bottom, disposed rotatably in the outer tub (1), having
an inlet (6) on a front side thereof for loading clothes (5) therein, and tilted up
toward a front;
a motor (10) configured to drive the drum (4);
a heat pump (47) disposed in the housing (2) and configured to dry the clothes(5)
loaded in the drum (4);
an air-circulation path (22) coupling the outer tub (1) to the heat pump (47) for
circulating drying-air;
a blower (17) configured to blow air into the air-circulation path (22);
an air inlet (20) configured to introduce the drying-air into the drum (4);
an exhaust port configured to exhaust the drying-air from the drum (4); and
a lid (32) covering a top opening (2a) of the housing (2) configured to open and close
the top opening (2a); and
a supporter provided in the housing (2) configured to support the heat pump (47) within
the housing (2),
wherein the heat pump (47) includes:
a compressor (29);
a heat radiator (25) configured to dissipate heat of a compressed refrigerant of high
temperature and high pressure;
a squeezer (35) configured to decompress the refrigerant of high pressure;
a heat absorber (24) configured to absorb heat of the decompressed refrigerant of
low pressure;
a pipe (36) coupling the compressor (29), the squeezer (35), the heat radiator (25),
and the heat absorber (24) together and configured to circulate the refrigerant therein,
characterized in that:
the compressor (29), the squeezer (35), the heat radiator (25), and the heat absorber
(24) coupled together by the pipe (36) are configured to be taken out from the top
opening (2a) of the housing (2); and
the heat pump (47) is disposed above the outer tub (1) by the supporter.
2. The drum-type washing and drying machine according to claim 1,
wherein the heat pump (47) includes a first setting section, where the heat radiator
(25) and the heat absorber (24) are disposed, and a second setting section, where
the compressor (29) is disposed,
wherein the second setting section is kept lower than the first setting section.
3. The drum-type washing and drying machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the heat
pump (47) is disposed such that a bottom face of the compressor (29) is kept parallel
to a horizontal plane.
4. The drum-type washing and drying machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the supporter
includes a front bracket (44a) extending backward and a rear bracket (44b) extending
forward, and the front bracket (44a) of the housing (2) is fitted to the front mounting
section (22c) provided at the front of outer shell (22), and the rear bracket (44b)
of the housing (2) is fitted to the rear mounting section (22d) provided at the rear
of outer shell (22), and the heat pump (47) is supported by them.
5. The drum-type washing and drying machine according to claim 1 or 2,
wherein the heat pump (47) includes the air-circulation path formed along a rotary
shaft of the drum (4), and one of the air inlet and the exhaust port is disposed on
a front face of the drum (4) and a remainder is disposed on a rear face of the drum
(4),
wherein a first setting section, where at least one of the heat radiator (25) and
the heat absorber (24) is disposed, is placed at a forward section above the drum
(4), and a second setting section, where the compressor (29) is disposed, is placed
at a backward section above the drum (4).
6. The drum-type washing and drying machine according to claim 5, wherein the air-circulation
path is disposed above the drum (4) and is tilted rearward in a front-up and rear-down
manner and kept parallel to the rotary shaft of the drum (4).
7. The drum-type washing and drying machine according to claim 1 or 2,
wherein the air-circulation path includes an opening and a cover at an upper side
of the path, and the heat radiator (25) and the heat absorber (24) can be detached
through the opening (2a) which can be covered with the cover,
wherein the heat pump (47) accommodates the heat radiator (25) and the heat absorber
(24) in the air-circulation path, and the cover finishes up the air-circulation path.
8. The drum-type washing and drying machine according to claim 1 or 2,
wherein the air-circulation path includes an opening and a cover at an upper side
of the path, and the heat radiator (25) and the heat absorber (24) can be detached
through the opening (2a) which can be covered with the cover,
wherein the heat pump (47) accommodates the heat radiator (25) and the heat absorber
(24) in the air-circulation path, and the cover finishes up the air-circulation path,
and the cover is unitarily formed with the lid (32).
9. The drum-type washing and drying machine according to claim 1 - or 2, wherein the
lid (32) can swing on a hinge mechanism.
10. The drum-type washing and drying machine according to claim 1 - or 2 further comprising
a controller, wherein the controller and the heat pump (47) are coupled together electrically
with a connecting section, and the heat pump (47) is detachable from the connecting
section through the top opening (2a) of the housing (2).
11. The drum-type washing and drying machine according to claim 1 - or 2 further comprising
a flexible connecting member for coupling the heat pump (47) to the outer tub (1),
wherein a first end of the connecting member is coupled to the air-circulation path
and a second end thereof is coupled to the outer tub (1),
wherein at least one of the first end and the second end of the connecting member
is detachable through the top opening (2a) of the housing (2).
1. Wasch- und Trocknungsmaschine vom Trommeltyp, die aufweist:
ein Gehäuse (2);
eine äußere Wanne bzw. ein äußerer Bottich (1), der elastisch bzw. federnd innerhalb
des Gehäuses getragen bzw. gehalten ist;
eine zylindrische Trommel (4) mit einem Boden, die drehbar bzw. rotierbar in der äußeren
Wanne bzw. dem äußeren Bottich (1) angeordnet ist, weist einen Einlass (6) auf einer
Vorderseite davon auf, um Kleidung (5) darin zu laden bzw. zuzuführen, und nach oben
zu einer Frontseite gekippt bzw. geneigt ist;
einen Motor (10), der konfiguriert ist, um die Trommel (4) zu treiben;
eine Wärmepumpe (47), die in dem Gehäuse (2) angeordnet ist, und konfiguriert ist,
um die Kleidung (5), die in der Trommel (4) geladen ist, zu trocknen;
einen Luftzirkulationspfad (22), der die äußere Wanne bzw. den äußeren Bottich (1)
zu der Wärmepumpe (47) koppelt, um Trocknungsluft zu zirkulieren;
ein Gebläse (17), das konfiguriert ist, um Luft in den Luftzirkulationspfad (22) zu
blasen;
einen Lufteinlass (20), der konfiguriert ist, um die Trocknungsluft in die Trommel
(4) einzuführen;
eine Auslassöffnung bzw. Abluftöffnung, die konfiguriert ist, um die Trocknungsluft
von der Trommel (4) ausströmen zu lassen bzw. abzulassen oder entweichen zu lassen;
und
einen Deckel (32), der eine obere Öffnung (2a) des Gehäuses (2) abdeckt, der bzw.
das konfiguriert ist, um die obere Öffnung (2a) zu öffnen und zu schließen; und
einen Unterstützer bzw. eine Haltevorrichtung, die in dem Gehäuse (2) bereitgestellt
ist, der bzw. die konfiguriert ist, um die Wärmepumpe (47) innerhalb des Gehäuses
(2) zu stützen bzw. zu halten,
wobei die Wärmepumpe (47) einschließt:
einen Kompressor (29);
einen Wärmeradiator (25), der konfiguriert ist, um Wärme von einem komprimierten Kühlmittel
bzw. Kältemittel von hoher Temperatur und hohem Druck zu disipieren bzw. abzuleiten;
einen Squeezer bzw. eine Presse (35), der bzw. die konfiguriert ist, um das Kühlmittel
bzw. Kältemittel von hohem Druck zu dekomprimieren;
einen Wärmeabsorber (24), der konfiguriert ist, um Wärme des dekomprimierten Kühlmittels
bzw. Kältemittels von niedrigen Druck zu absorbieren bzw. aufzunehmen;
eine Röhre bzw. Leitung oder ein Rohr (36), die bzw. das den Kompressor (29), den
Squeezer bzw. die Presse (35), den Wärmeradiator (25) und den Wärmeabsorber (24) zusammenkoppelt,
und konfiguriert ist, um das Kühlmittel bzw. Kältemittel darin zu zirkulieren,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass:
der Kompressor (29), der Squeezer bzw. die Presse (35), der Wärmeradiator (25), und
der Wärmeabsorber (24), die durch die Röhre bzw. Leitung oder das Rohr (36) zusammengekoppelt
sind, konfiguriert sind, um von der oberen Öffnung (2a) des Gehäuses (2) herausgenommen
zu werden; und
die Wärmepumpe (47) über der äußeren Wanne bzw. dem äußeren Bottich (1) durch den
Unterstützer bzw. die Haltevorrichtung angeordnet ist.
2. Wasch- und Trocknungsmaschine vom Trommeltyp nach Anspruch 1,
wobei die Wärmepumpe (47) einen ersten Einstellabschnitt, wo der Wärmeradiator (25)
und der Wärmeabsorber (24) angeordnet sind, und einen zweiten Einstellabschnitt aufweist,
wo der Kompressor (29) angeordnet ist,
wobei der zweite Einstellabschnitt niedriger als der erste Einstellabschnitt gehalten
ist.
3. Wasch- und Trocknungsmaschine vom Trommeltyp nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei die Wärmepumpe
(47) angeordnet ist, so dass eine Bodenfläche des Kompressors (29) parallel zu einer
horizontalen Ebene gehalten ist.
4. Wasch- und Trocknungsmaschine vom Trommeltyp nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei der Unterstützer
bzw. die Haltevorrichtung eine Frontklammer bzw. einen Fronthalter (44a), die bzw.
der sich rückwärts erstreckt, und eine rückwärtige Klammer bzw. einen rückwärtigen
Halter (44b) einschließt, die bzw. der sich vorwärts erstreckt, und die Frontklammer
bzw. der Fronthalter (44a) des Gehäuses (2) an dem Frontbefestigungsabschnitt (22c)
angebracht ist, der an der Front des äußeren Gehäuses (22) bereitgestellt ist, und
die rückwärtige Klammer bzw. der rückwärtige Halter (44b) des Gehäuses (2) an dem
rückwärtigen Befestigungsabschnitt (22d) angebracht ist, der an der Rückseite des
äußeren Gehäuses (22) bereitgestellt ist, und die Wärmepumpe (47) durch sie getragen
bzw. unterstützt oder gestützt ist.
5. Wasch- und Trocknungsmaschine vom Trommeltyp nach Anspruch 1 oder 2,
wobei die Wärmepumpe (47) einen Luftzirkulationspfad einschließt, der entlang eines
Rotationsschaftes der Trommel (4) ausgebildet ist, und einer von dem Lufteinlass und
der Auslassöffnung bzw. Abluftöffnung ist an der Frontfläche der Trommel (4) angeordnet
ist und ein Verbleibender an einer rückwärtigen Fläche der Trommel (4) angeordnet
ist,
wobei ein erster Einstellabschnitt an einem Vorwärtsabschnitt über der Trommel (4)
platziert ist, wo zumindest einer von dem Wärmeradiator (25) und dem Wärmeabsorber
(24) angeordnet ist, und ein zweiter Einstellabschnitt an einem rückwärtigen Abschnitt
über der Trommel (4) platziert ist, wo der Kompressor (29) angeordnet ist.
6. Wasch- und Trocknungsmaschine vom Trommeltyp nach Anspruch 5, wobei der Luftzirkulationspfad
über der Trommel (4) angeordnet ist und rückwärts verdreht bzw. gekippt oder geneigt
ist und parallel zu dem Rotationsschaft der Trommel (4) gehalten ist, und zwar vorne
nach oben und hinten nach unten
7. Wasch- und Trocknungsmaschine vom Trommeltyp nach Anspruch 1 oder 2,
wobei der Luftzirkulationspfad eine Öffnung und eine Abdeckung an einer oberen Seite
des Pfades einschließt, und der Wärmeradiator (25) und der Wärmeabsorber (24) durch
die Öffnung (2a), welche durch die Abdeckung abgedeckt werden kann, vereinzelt bzw.
getrennt oder entfernt werden bzw. sein können,
wobei die Wärmepumpe (47) den Wärmeradiator (25) und den Wärmeabsorber (24) in dem
Luftzirkulationspfad aufnimmt bzw. beinhaltet und die Abdeckung den Luftzirkulationspfad
beendet bzw. abschließt.
8. Wasch- und Trocknungsmaschine vom Trommeltyp nach Anspruch 1 oder 2,
wobei der Luftzirkulationspfad eine Öffnung und eine Abdeckung an einer oberen Seite
des Pfades einschließt, und der Wärmeradiator (25) und der Wärmeabsorber (24) durch
die Öffnung (2a), welche durch die Abdeckung abgedeckt werden kann, vereinzelt bzw.
getrennt oder entfernt werden bzw. sein können,
wobei die Wärmepumpe (47) den Wärmeradiator (25) und den Wärmeabsorber (24) in den
Luftzirkulationspfad beinhaltet bzw. aufnimmt, und die Abdeckung den Luftzirkulationspfad
abschließt bzw. beendet, und die Abdeckung einheitlich mit dem Deckel (32) ausgebildet
ist.
9. Wasch- und Trocknungsmaschine vom Trommeltyp nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei der Deckel
(32) an einem Scharniermechanismus bzw. Gelenkmechanismus oder Drehgelenk schwingen
bzw. drehen kann.
10. Wasch- und Trocknungsmaschine vom Trommeltyp nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, weiter aufweisend
eine Steuerung, wobei die Steuerung und die Wärmepumpe (47) elektrisch mit einem Verbindungsabschnitt
zusammengekoppelt sind und die Wärmepumpe von dem Verbindungsabschnitt durch die obere
Öffnung (2a) des Gehäuses (2) abnehmbar bzw. trennbar oder entfernbar ist.
11. Wasch- und Trocknungsmaschine vom Trommeltyp nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, weiter aufweisend
ein flexibles Verbindungsglied zum Koppeln der Wärmepumpe (47) an die äußere Wanne
bzw. den äußeren Bottich (1),
wobei ein erstes Ende des Verbindungsgliedes zu dem Luftzirkulationspfad gekoppelt
ist und ein zweites Ende davon zu der äußeren Wanne bzw. dem äußeren Bottich (1) gekoppelt
ist,
wobei zumindest eines von dem ersten Ende und dem zweiten Ende des Verbindungsglieds
durch die obere Öffnung (2a) des Gehäuses (2) abnehmbar bzw. trennbar oder entfernbar
ist.
1. Machine à laver et à sécher à tambour, comprenant :
un logement (2) ;
une cuve extérieure (1) supportée de façon résistante à l'intérieur du logement ;
un tambour cylindrique (4) avec un fond, disposé de façon rotative dans la cuve extérieure
(1), possédant une entrée (6) sur un côté avant de celui-ci pour charger des vêtements
(5) dans celui-ci, et incliné vers le haut vers un avant ;
un moteur (10) configuré pour entraîner le tambour (4) ;
une pompe à chaleur (47) disposée dans le logement (2) et configurée pour sécher les
vêtements (5) chargés dans le tambour (4) ;
un trajet de circulation d'air (22) accouplant la cuve extérieure (1) avec la pompe
à chaleur (47) pour faire circuler de l'air de séchage ;
un ventilateur (17) configuré pour souffler de l'air dans le trajet de circulation
d'air (22) ;
une entrée d'air (20) configurée pour introduire l'air de séchage dans le tambour
(4) ;
un orifice d'évacuation configuré pour évacuer l'air de séchage à partir du tambour
(4) ; et
un couvercle (32), recouvrant une ouverture supérieure (2a) du logement (2),
configuré pour ouvrir et fermer l'ouverture supérieure (2a) ; et
un élément de support prévu dans le logement (2) configuré pour supporter la pompe
à chaleur (47) à l'intérieur du logement (2),
dans laquelle la pompe à chaleur (47) comprend :
un compresseur (29) ;
un radiateur à chaleur (25) configuré pour dissiper de la chaleur d'un frigorigène
comprimé de haute température et haute pression ;
un dispositif de compression (35) configuré pour décompresser le frigorigène de haute
pression ;
un absorbeur de chaleur (24) configuré pour absorber de la chaleur du frigorigène
décomprimé de basse pression ;
un tuyau (36) accouplant le compresseur (29), le dispositif de compression (35), le
radiateur à chaleur (25), et l'absorbeur de chaleur (24) ensemble et configuré pour
faire circuler le frigorigène dans ceux-ci,
caractérisé en ce que :
le compresseur (29), le dispositif de compression (35), le radiateur à chaleur (25),
et l'absorbeur de chaleur (24) accouplés ensemble par le tuyau (36) sont configurés
pour être extraits à partir de l'ouverture supérieure (2a) du logement (2) ; et
la pompe à chaleur (47) est disposée au-dessus de la cuve extérieure (1) par l'élément
de support.
2. Machine à laver et à sécher à tambour selon la revendication 1,
dans laquelle la pompe à chaleur (47) comprend une première section de pose, où le
radiateur à chaleur (25) et l'absorbeur de chaleur (24) sont disposés, et une seconde
section de pose, où le compresseur (29) est disposé,
dans laquelle la seconde section de pose est maintenue plus basse que la première
section de pose.
3. Machine à laver et à sécher à tambour selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans laquelle
la pompe à chaleur (47) est disposée de sorte qu'une face inférieure du compresseur
(29) soit maintenue parallèle à un plan horizontal.
4. Machine à laver et à sécher à tambour selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans laquelle
l'élément de support comprend un appui avant (44a) s'étendant vers l'arrière et un
appui arrière (44b) s'étendant vers l'avant, et l'appui avant (44a) du logement (2)
est installé sur la section de montage avant (22c) prévue à l'avant d'une enveloppe
extérieure (22), et l'appui arrière (44b) du logement (2) est installé sur la section
de montage arrière (22d) prévue à l'arrière de l'enveloppe extérieure (22), et la
pompe à chaleur (47) est supportée par ceux-ci.
5. Machine à laver et à sécher à tambour selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans laquelle
la pompe à chaleur (47) comprend le trajet de circulation d'air formé le long d'un
arbre rotatif du tambour (4), et un élément parmi l'entrée d'air et l'orifice d'évacuation
est disposé sur une face avant du tambour (4) et un élément restant est disposé sur
une face arrière du tambour (4),
dans laquelle une première section de pose, où au moins un élément parmi le radiateur
à chaleur (25) et l'absorbeur de chaleur (24) est disposé, est placée dans une section
vers l'avant au-dessus du tambour (4), et une seconde section de pose, où le compresseur
(29) est disposé, est placée dans une section vers l'arrière au-dessus du tambour
(4).
6. Machine à laver et à sécher à tambour selon la revendication 5, dans laquelle le trajet
de circulation d'air est disposé au-dessus du tambour (4) et est incliné vers l'arrière,
avec l'avant vers le haut et l'arrière vers le bas, et maintenu parallèle à l'arbre
rotatif du tambour (4).
7. Machine à laver et à sécher à tambour selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans laquelle
le trajet de circulation d'air comprend une ouverture et un dispositif de couverture
sur un côté supérieur du trajet, et le radiateur à chaleur (25) et l'absorbeur de
chaleur (24) peuvent être démontés à travers l'ouverture (2a) qui peut être couverte
avec le dispositif de couverture,
dans laquelle la pompe à chaleur (47) loge le radiateur à chaleur (25) et l'absorbeur
de chaleur (24) dans le trajet de circulation d'air, et le dispositif de couverture
termine le trajet de circulation d'air.
8. Machine à laver et à sécher à tambour selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans laquelle
le trajet de circulation d'air comprend une ouverture et un dispositif de couverture
sur un côté supérieur du trajet, et le radiateur à chaleur (25) et l'absorbeur de
chaleur (24) peuvent être démontés à travers l'ouverture (2a) qui peut être couverte
avec le dispositif de couverture,
dans laquelle la pompe à chaleur (47) loge le radiateur à chaleur (25) et l'absorbeur
de chaleur (24) dans le trajet de circulation d'air, et le dispositif de couverture
termine le trajet de circulation d'air, et le dispositif de couverture est formé de
façon unitaire avec le couvercle (32).
9. Machine à laver et à sécher à tambour selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans laquelle
le couvercle (32) peut pivoter sur un mécanisme d'articulation.
10. Machine à laver et à sécher à tambour selon la revendication 1 ou 2, comprenant en
outre un dispositif de commande, dans laquelle le dispositif de commande et la pompe
à chaleur (47) sont couplés électriquement ensemble avec une section de connexion,
et la pompe à chaleur (47) est démontable à partir de la section de connexion à travers
l'ouverture supérieure (2a) du logement (2).
11. Machine à laver et à sécher à tambour selon la revendication 1 ou 2, comprenant en
outre un élément de raccordement flexible pour accoupler la pompe à chaleur (47) avec
la cuve extérieure (1),
dans laquelle une première extrémité de l'élément de raccordement est accouplée avec
le trajet de circulation d'air et une seconde extrémité de celui-ci est accouplée
avec la cuve extérieure (1),
dans laquelle au moins une parmi la première extrémité et la seconde extrémité de
l'élément de raccordement est démontable à travers l'ouverture supérieure (2a) du
logement (2).