JP2008212169A - Drier - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a dryer configured to increase no contamination of air (for example, CO<SB>2</SB>concentration) as much as possible at a place where the dryer is installed even if a coolant (for example, CO<SB>2</SB>coolant) is leaked from a coolant circuit of the dryer. <P>SOLUTION: The dryer includes a clothes storage tub 2, an air delivery port 12 for supplying air to the storage tub, an air outlet 11 from the storage tub, a circulation airflow path 16 for connecting the air outlet and the air delivery port, a drain flow path 26 provided at a lower place of the airflow path and draining water in the airflow path, a blower 21 for circulating air in the airflow path, a heat absorber 22 for cooling air sent by the blower in the airflow path, a radiator 23 provided on the downstream side of the heat absorber in the airflow path and heating the air cooled by the heat absorber, and a coolant circuit for supplying the coolant to the heat absorber. In the dryer, when the leakage of the coolant is detected by coolant leakage detecting means 24, an airflow from the radiator to the air delivery port is blocked, outside air is sucked, and air in the storage tub is exhausted to the drain flow path. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a dryer such as a laundry dryer that dries an object to be dried such as dehydrated clothing after washing.

As described in Patent Document 1, for example, a conventional dryer dries clothing in a storage tub with warm air heated by a heat radiating (heating) device, and high-temperature and high-humidity air discharged from the storage tub. Water is removed by cooling with an endothermic (cooling) device. The air from which the moisture has been removed is returned to the storage tank after being heated by the radiator again. Thus, the air circulates through the storage tank, the heat absorber and the heat radiator.
JP 2007-7155 A

By the way, when refrigerant (for example, carbon dioxide (CO ₂ )) or oil that flows through the heat absorber leaks, CO ₂ refrigerant or the like enters the air circulating through the storage tank, heat absorber, and radiator, and its concentration To rise. This high CO ₂ concentration air flows out of the dryer when the dryer door is opened or through a gap. And if a dryer such as a washing dryer is installed in a very narrow and poorly ventilated area, the concentration of CO _{2 in} the atmosphere will rise, and there is a concern about adverse effects on the human body.

The problem to be solved is that if refrigerant (for example, CO ₂ refrigerant) leaks from the refrigerant circuit of the dryer, the air pollution level (for example, CO ₂ concentration) in the location where the dryer is installed may increase. There is a point.

  The dryer of the present invention includes a storage tank (2) for storing an object to be dried such as clothes, an air discharge port (12) for supplying air to the storage tank, and an air discharge port (12) for discharging the air from the storage tank. 11), an air passage (16) that circulates air by connecting the air discharge port and the air discharge port, and a drain passage (provided at a low place in the air passage) that drains drain water in the air passage ( 26), a blower (21) that circulates air in the air passage from the air discharge port toward the air discharge port, a heat absorber (22) that cools the air in the air passage blown by the blower, and the air passage And a radiator (23) that is provided downstream of the heat absorber and that heats the air cooled by the heat absorber, and a refrigerant circuit that supplies the refrigerant to the heat absorber. And the refrigerant | coolant leakage detection means (24) which detects the leakage of the refrigerant | coolant from a refrigerant circuit is provided, and if this refrigerant | coolant leakage detection means detects the leakage of a refrigerant | coolant, the flow of the air from a radiator to an air discharge port will be interrupted | blocked. At the same time, the outside air is sucked and the air in the storage tank is discharged to the drain channel.

  In addition, an outside air intake (37) is provided in the air path between the radiator and the air discharge port, and the air flow during the drying operation from the radiator to the air discharge port and the air from the outside air intake port. A damper (36) for selectively switching the air flow when the refrigerant leaks to the discharge port is provided, and when the refrigerant leak detecting means detects the refrigerant leak, the damper is driven and the refrigerant leaks from the flow during the drying operation. Switching to the flow of time may cause the air in the storage tank to be discharged to the drain channel.

Furthermore, water may be supplied to at least one of the storage tub or the air passage when refrigerant leakage is detected.
And at the time of refrigerant | coolant leak detection, water may be injected toward either a heat absorber, a heat radiator, or both.
The refrigerant may be carbon dioxide.

According to the present invention, when the refrigerant leakage detecting means detects the refrigerant leakage, the air flow from the radiator to the air discharge port is blocked, the outside air is sucked, and the air in the storage tank is discharged to the drain channel. To do. Therefore, even if a refrigerant (for example, CO ₂ refrigerant) leaks from the refrigerant circuit, it is discharged into the sewage through the drain channel, so the degree of air pollution (for example, CO ₂ concentration) in the place where the dryer is installed ) Can be prevented as much as possible.

In addition, if water is supplied to at least one of the storage tank or the air passage when refrigerant leakage is detected, the refrigerant is stored while dissolving the leaked refrigerant (for example, CO ₂ refrigerant) in the supplied water. Along with the air flow from inside the tank, it is discharged to the drain channel. As a result, the refrigerant can be discharged in a shorter time.

Refrigerant leak detection means for the purpose of preventing the air pollution level (for example, CO ₂ concentration) in the location where the dryer is installed from rising as much as possible even if refrigerant (for example, CO ₂ refrigerant) leaks from the refrigerant circuit of the dryer When the leak of the refrigerant is detected, the air flow from the radiator to the air outlet is cut off, and the outside air is sucked in and the air in the storage tank is discharged to the drain channel.

Next, a first embodiment of the dryer according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a first embodiment of a dryer according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the dryer during exhaust. FIG. 3 is an input / output diagram of the controller of the dryer. FIG. 4 is a flowchart when the CO ₂ refrigerant leaks. In FIG. 2, the flow of the refrigerant is indicated by an arrow for reference, but the refrigeration cycle is stopped and no refrigerant flows during exhaust. In FIG. 3, only main components related to the flow when CO ₂ refrigerant leakage is detected are shown, and other components not shown are also connected to the control device.

  The casing 1 of the drum-type washing and drying machine is configured by a box having an open bottom surface, and a storage tub 2 for storing laundry (clothing) that is an object to be dried is provided in the casing 1. A drum (not shown) into which the laundry is put is rotatably provided in the storage tub 2, and the drum as the stirring device is rotationally driven by a drive motor. The front opening of the casing 1 is closed by a door 6 so as to be freely opened and closed. The door 6 is opened, and the laundry is put into the drum of the storage tub 2.

And the air discharge port 11 which discharges the air in the storage tank 2 and the air discharge port 12 which supplies air in the storage tank 2 are provided, and the air path 16 connects the air discharge port 11 and the air discharge port 12 is doing. The air passage 16 is provided with a blower 21 that blows air from the air outlet 11 toward the air outlet 12, a heat absorber 22 that cools the air in the air passage 16, and a heat radiator 23 that heats the air. The radiator 23 is disposed on the downstream side of the heat absorber 22. Further, a CO ₂ concentration sensor 24 that is a refrigerant leakage detection means is provided in the vicinity of the air discharge port 12.

  A drain passage 26 for draining the drain is connected near the lower end of the air passage 16 (between the heat absorber 22 and the radiator 23). Drain water such as dew condensation water coming out of the heat absorber 22 at the time of dehumidification is drained from the drain channel 26 to an outdoor sewer pipe. Further, a drain valve 27 is provided in the drain channel 26.

The heat absorber 22 and the heat radiator 23 constitute a refrigerant circuit together with the compressor 31 and the expansion valve 32.
The compressor 31 compresses the gaseous CO ₂ refrigerant and discharges the high-pressure refrigerant having a high temperature to the radiator 23. The radiator 23 exchanges heat between the high-temperature refrigerant and the air in the air passage 16 to air-cool the refrigerant and to heat the air in the air passage 16. And the refrigerant | coolant which came out of the heat radiator 23 is pressure-reduced through the expansion valve 32, temperature falls, and flows into the heat absorber 22. FIG. The heat absorber 22 exchanges heat between the low-pressure refrigerant having a low temperature and the air in the air passage 16 to cool the air in the air passage 16. This cooling dehumidifies the air. The condensed water generated at this time becomes a drain and is drained from the drain channel 26.

  The air passage 16 is provided with a damper 36 and an outside air inlet 37 between the radiator 23 and the air outlet 12. The damper 36 serving as the air path switching unit switches the flow path of the air path 16. Then, during normal operation (drying operation) illustrated in FIG. 1, air from the radiator 23 is caused to flow to the air discharge port 12. During this drying operation, the outside air inlet 37 is closed by the damper 36. On the other hand, at the time of exhaustion (refrigerant leakage) shown in FIG. 2, the flow path from the radiator 23 to the air discharge port 12 is shut off, and the outside air taken in from the outside air intake 37 (that is, the casing 1 and the storage tank). 2) is taken into the air passage 16 and flows into the storage tank 2 through the air outlet 12. In addition, since the lower surface of the casing 1 is open, air outside the casing 1 also flows into the air passage 16 from the outside air inlet 37 through the space between the casing 1 and the storage tank 2.

The control device 41 that is a control means of the dryer is configured by a microcomputer or the like, and controls the operation of the dryer. In particular, regarding the operation of detecting CO ₂ refrigerant leakage, as shown in FIG. 3, a signal from the CO ₂ concentration sensor 24 or the like is input to the control device 41. In addition, a drive signal is output from the control device 41 to the display device 42, the expansion valve 32, the blower 21, the damper 36, the compressor 31, the drain valve 27, and the like. In addition, various devices such as a dryer are connected to the control device 41 so as to allow input and output. Various setting values (for example, a CO ₂ concentration reference value) are stored in a storage unit (EPROM, RAM, etc.) of the control device 41, and a timer (not shown) is incorporated.

  In the case of drying wet clothes with the dryer configured as described above, the door 6 is opened, the clothes are put into the drum of the storage tub 2, and the door 6 is closed after being put. Then, as shown in FIG. 1, the compressor 31 and the blower 21 are operated, and hot and humid air in the storage tank 2 is sucked from the air discharge port 11, cooled by the heat absorber 22, and dehumidified. Subsequently, it is heated by the radiator 23 to form high-temperature dry air, which is discharged into the storage tank 2 to dry the wet clothing.

Next, the flow when the CO ₂ refrigerant leaks will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.
In step 1, the control device 41 samples the detection value of the CO ₂ concentration sensor 24. Then go to step 2.

In step 2, the control device 41 determines whether or not the CO ₂ concentration detected by the CO ₂ concentration sensor 24 is equal to or greater than a reference value set in the control device 41. If it is less than the reference value, it is determined that the CO ₂ refrigerant is not leaking from the heat absorber 22 or the radiator 23, and the process returns to step 1 to continue monitoring the refrigerant leak. On the other hand, if it is equal to or greater than the reference value, it is determined that the CO ₂ refrigerant is leaking from the heat absorber 22, the radiator 23, etc., and the process goes to Step 3.

  In step 3, the control device 41 outputs an error display signal to the display device 42, and the display device 42 displays an error to notify that the refrigerant is leaking. Then go to step 4. In step 4, the control device 41 outputs a stop signal to the compressor 31, stops the compressor 31, stops the refrigerant flow in the refrigerant circuit, and goes to step 5.

In step 5, the control device 41 outputs a fully closed signal to the expansion valve 32, closes the expansion valve 32, prevents the refrigerant from moving, and minimizes the amount of refrigerant leakage. Then go to step 6.
In step 6, the control device 41 outputs an open signal to the drain valve 27, and when the drain valve 27 is closed, opens it. Then go to step 7.

  In step 7, the control device 41 outputs a flow path switching signal to the damper 36, switches the flow path from the dry operation state shown in FIG. 1 to the exhaust state shown in FIG. . By switching the flow path of the damper 36 in step 7, the flow of air from the radiator 23 to the air discharge port 12 is blocked. Then, since the outside air inlet 37 is opened, outside air is sucked from the outside air inlet 37 by the blower 21 and flows into the storage tank 2 through the air discharge port 12. The air flowing into the storage tank 2 passes through the air discharge port 11 and the heat absorber 22 and is exhausted from the drain channel 26 to the sewage through the open drain valve 27. In accordance with this air flow, refrigerant, oil, etc. leaking from the heat absorber 22, the radiator 23, etc. are also exhausted from the drain channel 26 to sewage.

  In step 8, the control device 41 outputs a maximum output signal to the blower 21, maximizes the rotation speed of the blower 21, maximizes the air volume, and quickly exhausts the leaked refrigerant.

In this way, when the CO ₂ refrigerant leaks from the heat absorber 22 or the radiator 23, the CO ₂ concentration sensor 24 detects it, and when the detected CO ₂ concentration rises above the reference value, the damper 36 switches the flow path. . Then, outside air enters from the outside air intake 37, and the air in the storage tank 2 is exhausted from the drain passage 26 to the sewage together with the leaked refrigerant, oil, and the like. Therefore, the contamination degree (for example, CO ₂ concentration) of the air in the place where the dryer is installed and the storage tank 2 can be prevented from increasing as much as possible. Further, by switching the damper 36, it is possible to prevent the refrigerant or oil leaked from the heat absorber 22 or the radiator 23 from flowing into the storage tank 2, and to prevent the oil from adhering to the clothes in the storage tank 2. Furthermore, the refrigeration cycle (compressor 31) is stopped or the expansion valve 32 is closed to reduce refrigerant leakage as much as possible.

  As a control means, the control device 1) means for obtaining a signal relating to refrigerant leakage from the refrigerant leakage detection means, 2) means for stopping the refrigeration cycle, and 3) driving the damper to switch the air flow. Means.

  In addition to the above means, the control means includes means for executing each process corresponding to each process to be executed. Further, it is not always necessary to have all the above means.

  Next, a second embodiment of the dryer according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the dryer according to the present invention during exhaust. In the description of the second embodiment, components corresponding to those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. In FIG. 5, the flow of the refrigerant is indicated by an arrow for reference, but at the time of exhaust, the refrigeration cycle is stopped and the refrigerant is not flowing.

  The dryer according to the second embodiment has a washing function and includes a storage tank water supply channel 46 for supplying water to the storage tank 2. The storage tank water supply passage 46 is provided with an opening / closing valve 47, and the tip thereof is open to the upper part of the storage tank 2. Further, an airway water supply channel 48 is provided that branches off from the storage tank water supply channel 46. The air channel water supply channel 48 includes an on-off valve 49, and the tip of the water channel water channel 48 opens toward the heat absorber 22 in the air channel 16 and is formed with a large number of small holes for spraying. The on-off valves 47 and 49 are connected to the control device 41, and a drive signal can be output from the control device 41 to the on-off valves 47 and 49.

  The open / close valve 47 of the storage tank water supply channel 46 is opened during washing and rinsing, and supplies water to the storage tank 2. On the other hand, the opening / closing valve 49 of the air supply channel 48 is opened by outputting a drive signal from the control device 41 before or after step 8 in the flowchart of FIG.

In this way, in the second embodiment, when the refrigerant leaks, the air in the storage tank 2 is exhausted to the drain channel 26 and water is sprayed from the air channel water supply channel 48 into the air channel 16. The leaked CO ₂ refrigerant is discharged into the drain channel 26 while being dissolved in water. As a result, the CO ₂ refrigerant can be discharged in a shorter time. In particular, since water is sprayed in a mist toward the heat absorber 22, the CO ₂ refrigerant leaking from the heat absorber 22 can be discharged efficiently.

  Next, a third embodiment of the dryer according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view of a third embodiment of the dryer according to the present invention. FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the dryer during exhaust. In the description of the third embodiment, components corresponding to those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. In FIG. 7, the flow of the refrigerant is indicated by an arrow for reference, but at the time of exhaust, the refrigeration cycle is stopped and the refrigerant is not flowing.

  The dryer of the third embodiment is different from the dryer of the first embodiment in the arrangement position of the blower 21. In other words, in the first embodiment, the blower 21 is disposed on the downstream side of the air discharge port 11. However, in the third embodiment, the radiator 23 and the air discharge port 12 that are upstream of the air discharge port 12 are provided. Arranged between. The damper 36 of the third embodiment is provided between the radiator 23 and the blower 21.

In the dryer according to the third embodiment configured as described above, the CO ₂ refrigerant can be discharged from the drain passage 26 when the refrigerant leaks, as in the dryer according to the first embodiment.

  Next, a fourth embodiment of the dryer according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 8 is a schematic sectional view of the fourth embodiment of the dryer according to the present invention during exhaust. In the description of the fourth embodiment, components corresponding to those of the second embodiment and the third embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. In FIG. 8, the flow of the refrigerant is indicated by an arrow for reference. However, at the time of exhaust, the refrigeration cycle is stopped and no refrigerant flows.

The dryer of the fourth embodiment is different from the dryer of the third embodiment in that water supply facilities 46 to 49 are provided.
In the dryer of the fourth embodiment configured as described above, the air in the air passage 16 and the storage tub 2 is transferred to the drain passage 26 when the refrigerant leaks, as in the second embodiment. While exhausting, water can be sprinkled from the air supply water channel 48 into the air channel 16 and the leaked CO ₂ refrigerant can be discharged into the drain channel 26 while being dissolved in water.

As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was explained in full detail, this invention is not limited to the said Example, A various change is performed within the range of the summary of this invention described in the claim. It is possible. Examples of modifications of the present invention are illustrated below.
(1) If the air blower 21 can blow air from the air passage from the air discharge port toward the air discharge port, the arrangement, structure, and form thereof can be changed as appropriate.

(2) The radiator preferably constitutes a refrigeration cycle together with the compressor, but other heating devices are possible, for example, an electric heater.
(3) The order of the steps in each flowchart can be changed as appropriate. For example, the order of step 6 and step 7 can be interchanged.

(4) The refrigerant is optimally carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ), but other refrigerants are possible.
(5) The refrigerant leakage detection means is not limited to the CO ₂ concentration sensor 24, and any refrigerant leakage from the refrigerant circuit may be detected, and the structure, arrangement, type, and the like can be changed as appropriate. However, it is preferable that the refrigerant leakage into the storage tank or the air passage can be detected. In particular, the arrangement position of the CO ₂ concentration sensor 24 is preferably in the vicinity of the air discharge port 12 or in the vicinity of the storage tank 2 side of the door 6.
In addition, refrigerant leakage detection means such as a CO ₂ concentration sensor 24 can be provided in the space between the casing 1 and the storage tank 2 to detect refrigerant leakage from the compressor 31 or the like. In this way, when the refrigerant from the compressor 31 is detected, the damper 36 is switched in the same manner as the refrigerant leak detection by the CO ₂ concentration sensor 24. The refrigerant, oil, etc. leaked from the compressor 31 and the like are sucked into the air passage 16 from the outside air inlet 37 of the air passage 16 and exhausted to the drain passage 26 through the storage tank 2, the heat absorber 22 and the like. . However, in this case, the oil leaked from the compressor 31 flows in the storage tank 2 and thus may adhere to an object to be dried.
Further, as other refrigerant leakage detection means, for example, there are the following i) to iii).
i) It is also possible to detect the refrigerant pressure in the refrigerant circuit and determine the refrigerant leakage based on the pressure change. That is, when the refrigerant pressure becomes equal to or lower than the reference value, it is determined that the refrigerant leaks.
ii) It is also possible to detect the refrigerant leakage from the change in the evaporation temperature by detecting the evaporation temperature of the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit (the refrigerant temperature at the heat absorber). That is, when the evaporation temperature is equal to or higher than the reference value, it is determined that the refrigerant is leaking.
iii) It is also possible to detect the refrigerant leakage in the refrigerant circuit by detecting the condensing temperature of the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit (the refrigerant temperature in the radiator). That is, when the condensation temperature is equal to or lower than the reference value, it is determined that the refrigerant is leaking.

(6) Water spraying (injection, spraying) at the time of refrigerant leakage is preferably performed in the air passage (heat absorber, heat radiator), but can also be performed in the storage tank.

When the refrigerant leak detecting means detects the refrigerant leak, the air flow from the radiator to the air discharge port is shut off, the outside air is sucked, and the air in the storage tank is discharged to the drain flow path. Therefore, even if a refrigerant (for example, CO ₂ refrigerant) leaks from the refrigerant circuit of the dryer, the degree of pollution (for example, CO ₂ concentration) in the atmosphere where the dryer is installed can be prevented from increasing as much as possible. Therefore, it is optimal to apply to a dryer that is very narrow and may be installed in a poorly ventilated place.

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a first embodiment of a dryer according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of the dryer during exhaust. FIG. 3 is an input / output diagram of the controller of the dryer. FIG. 4 is a flowchart when the CO ₂ refrigerant leaks. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the dryer according to the present invention during exhaust. FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view of a third embodiment of the dryer according to the present invention. FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the dryer during exhaust. FIG. 8 is a schematic sectional view of the fourth embodiment of the dryer according to the present invention during exhaust.

Explanation of symbols

2 Storage tank 11 Air discharge port 12 Air discharge port 16 Air passage 21 Blower 22 Heat absorber 23 Heat radiator 24 CO ₂ concentration sensor (refrigerant leakage detection means)
26 Drain flow path 36 Damper 37 Outside air intake 48 Air supply channel

Claims (5)

A storage tank for storing dried items such as clothes;
An air outlet for supplying air to the storage tank;
An air outlet for discharging the air in the storage tank;
An air path for circulating air by connecting the air discharge port and the air discharge port;
A drain passage that is provided at a low place in the air passage and drains drain water in the air passage;
A blower that circulates air in the air path from an air outlet toward an air outlet;
A heat absorber for cooling the air in the air passage blown by the blower,
A radiator that is provided downstream of the heat absorber in the air passage and heats the air cooled by the heat absorber;
In a dryer comprising a refrigerant circuit for supplying a refrigerant to the heat absorber,
Refrigerant leakage detection means for detecting leakage of refrigerant from the refrigerant circuit is provided,
When this refrigerant leak detection means detects a refrigerant leak, the air flow from the radiator to the air outlet is cut off, the outside air is sucked in, and the air in the storage tank is discharged to the drain channel. Drying machine. An outside air intake is provided in the air path between the radiator and the air outlet,
A damper is provided for selectively switching between the air flow during the drying operation from the radiator to the air discharge port and the air flow during refrigerant leakage from the outside air intake port to the air discharge port,
When the refrigerant leakage detecting means detects a refrigerant leakage, the damper is driven to switch from the flow during the drying operation to the flow during the refrigerant leakage, and the air in the storage tank is discharged to the drain flow path. Item 4. The dryer according to item 1. 3. The dryer according to claim 1, wherein water is supplied to at least one of the storage tank and the air passage when leakage of the refrigerant is detected. 4. The dryer according to claim 1, wherein water is jetted toward one or both of the heat absorber and the heat radiator when the refrigerant leak is detected. The dryer according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, wherein the refrigerant is carbon dioxide.

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