Patent ID: 6282928
Filing Date: 2001-09-04
Classification: D06F

Abstract:
A washer-dryer comprising:an outer tub;an inner tub housed in said outer tub for receiving a wash load, said inner tub having an approximately cylindrical shape and being rotable around a substantially vertical axis;agitation means provided in the inside of said inner tub and being freely rotable for agitating the wash load;a motor for rotating said inner tub or said agitation means;a hot air supply channel for supplying air into said inner tub;heating means for heating the air to be supplied from said hot air supply channel into said inner tub;a drying air blower for delivering the hot air into said inner tub via said hot air supply channel; andcontrol means for controlling each respective process of washing, rinsing, spin-drying and drying, by controlling operation of said motor, said heating means, and said drying air blower, wherein, during the drying process, said agitation means agitates the wash load in said inner tub, said heating means heats the air, and said drying air blower delivers the hot air into said inner tub to dehydrate and dry the wash load; andwherein said hot air supply channel forms a circulation channel for circulating the hot air heated by said heating means taken from inside of said inner tub, said circulation channel causing the hot air to undergo a heat exchange procedure at at least one of a place within the inside of said outer tub and at least at a part of said circulation channel.