JP2003019382A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a washing machine with which laundry can be partially washed without damaging its fabric and also the laundry is sufficiently washed in partial washing. SOLUTION: The washing machine is provided with a washing main body 1 with an internally arranged tub part 2, a top cover 3 which covers the upper surface of the main body 1 and has an opening part 3a through which laundry 22 is thrown into the tub part 2 and a lid 4 for covering the upper surface of the top cover 3. The washing machine has a washing device 6 which is constituted of a boiler 7 having a heating means, a water supply pipe 16 for supplying water to the boiler 6 and a jet nozzle 20 for jet-injecting steam and warm water to the laundry 22 through the use of the pressure of steam which is generated from the boiler 7.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a washing machine for partially washing clothes such as sleeves and collars to remove stains.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG.
FIG. 3 is a top view showing a conventional conventional washing machine that can perform partial washing, and a top plate 31 that covers the upper part of the washing machine main body is provided with an opening 32 for putting clothes in. The upper portion of the opening 32 is covered with a lid 33 that can be opened and closed.
Further, a cleaning portion 34 having an uneven shape is provided near the opening 32 on the front side of the top plate 31. The top plate 31
Various switches are provided on the operation unit 35 provided on the rear side of the machine so that the cleaning process and the like can be set. And the cleaning part 3
After partially scrubbing the cuffs or collars of the cutter shirt etc. by 4, the cutter shirt etc. is thrown into the washing tub (not shown) in the main body of the washing machine through the opening 32, and the operation part 35 I was doing laundry by operating the switch.

However, the work that requires the force of rubbing clothes on the cleaning portion 34 is a heavy labor for the worker, and there is a problem in that it is inconvenient to use. Therefore, there is a washing machine including a partial washing device as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 8-32285. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the partial cleaning device 41. In the figure, 42 is a cylindrical cleaning rotary body, and a plurality of brush bodies 43 are provided on the peripheral surface thereof. The rotating body 42 for cleaning is rotationally driven by the rotational force of a motor 45 provided in a main body 44 being transmitted through a reduction mechanism 46 and a rotating shaft 47. In addition, a cleaning table 48 is provided below the cleaning rotary body 42, and the cleaning rotary body 42 is
A laundry 49 (not shown) is passed between the washing table 48 and the washing table 48. The interval between the cleaning rotary body 42 and the cleaning table 48 is set so that the brush body 43 is brought into sliding contact with the upper surface of the cleaning table 48. Then, the cleaning rotator 42 is rotated in the direction of arrow A to wash the laundry 49 from the end surface 51 side of the sliding surface recess 50.
When the cleaning object is inserted, the object to be cleaned is washed in the sliding surface concave portion 50 with the laundry 4
The object to be cleaned is cleaned by the brush body 43 while 9 passes. That is, the contact area between the cleaning rotary body 42 and the laundry 49 is increased, and the area for cleaning the partial dirt is increased.

[0004]

In the conventional washing machine as described above, in order to lighten the burden on the operator and partially wash the dirt on a specific portion of the laundry, the washing machine is provided with the brush body 43. The partial washing device 41 of the type in which the rotating body for rotation 42 is rotationally driven is housed in the washing machine main body (not shown), and the laundry 49 is partially slidably brought into contact with the brush body 43 of the rotating rotating body for washing 42. However, in the partial washing device 41 of the type in which the brush body 43 is driven to rotate, the brush body 43 and the laundry 49 are brought into sliding contact with each other to wash the laundry 4
There is a drawback in that the load on the laundry 49 for washing 9 is large and the cloth of the laundry 49 is partially damaged. Further, when the conventional partial washing device 41 is repeatedly washed on the collar and the sleeve, which are easily soiled, the fabric of the portion such as the collar and the sleeve is damaged more severely than other portions, and the collar and the sleeve are There was also a problem that even if the parts other than the above were still usable, the result was to shorten the life.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above problems, and can partially wash laundry without damaging the fabric of the laundry, and further has sufficient washing power in the partial washing. Aim to get the opportunity.

[0006]

In a washing machine according to the present invention, a washing machine main body having a water tub portion inside and a top surface of the washing machine main body are covered, and laundry is put into the water tub portion. In a washing machine having a top cover having an opening and a lid covering the top surface of the top cover, a boiler having a heating means, and a water supply means for supplying water to the boiler are provided, and steam generated from the boiler is used. The cleaning device is provided with a jet nozzle for jetting steam and water into the laundry by using pressure.

Further, the jet nozzle of the cleaning device is arranged so as to face an end portion forming the opening of the top panel, and the laundry is fixedly held between the lid and the top cover. It is a thing.

Further, the cleaning device is attached to the surface of the lid on the side of the water tank.

Further, the jet direction of the jet nozzle can be changed.

Further, OFF / O of water supply to the cleaning device
N is adapted to interlock with the opening and closing of the lid.

Further, a steam shutter for blocking the front surface of the jet hole of the jet nozzle is provided, and the steam shutter blocks / opens the front surface of the jet nozzle in conjunction with opening / closing of the lid. .

[0012] Further, the jet nozzle is surrounded by an injection hole so as to extend within an irradiation distance from the washing machine,
A scattering prevention cover formed of a soft material in the shape of a bellows is provided, and a cutout portion for discharging scattered water vapor and water is formed at a position of the scattering prevention cover facing the water tank portion.

[0013]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiment 1. 1 is a perspective view of a main part of a washing machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1, in which 1 is a main body of a washing machine, 2 is a water tank part for storing laundry, 3 Is a top cover that covers the upper portion of the water tub portion 2, and has an opening 3a at the center for putting in laundry. Reference numeral 4 is a lid that closes the opening 3a, and forms a monitoring window 5. The lid 4 is openably and closably supported by the top cover 3 and the rotation fulcrum 4a. A cleaning device 6 is arranged on the surface of the lid 4 at a position facing the opening 3a. 2
A switch 1 is described later.

Next, the structure of the cleaning device 6 will be described. Figure 3
FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the cleaning device 6, and FIG.
In the exploded perspective view of 7, a boiler 7 is connected to a flexible tube 8, and a tube guide 9 that supports the flexible tube 8, a rotation fulcrum 10 of the tube guide 9 that rotatably supports the lid 4, and a support angle of the tube guide 9 are provided. A cam groove 11 that is a follower node that determines the rotation angle, a cam 12 that is a driving node that contacts the cam groove 11, a motor 13 that gives the cam 12 a rotational movement, and a rotation shaft 14 of the motor 13.

The operation of the washing machine provided with the cleaning device 6 thus constructed will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a washing machine in which laundry is set, and Fig. 5 is a configuration diagram showing the internal configuration of the boiler. 15 is a top cover edge on the back of the laundry, 16 is water from a water pipe, etc. A water supply pipe for supplying water to the boiler 7, 17 is a valve for controlling ON / OFF of water injection, 18 is a heater for heating the boiler 7, 19 is a power source connected to the heater 18, 20 is water for supplying water or steam to the boiler 7. Flexible tube 8
A jet nozzle attached to the outlet of the nozzle, 21 is a switch that interlocks with the valve 17 being OFF when the lid 4 is opened and ON when the lid 4 is closed, and 22 is the laundry disposed at a position facing the jet nozzle 20 Is.

First, the laundry 22 is placed between the lid 4 and the top cover 3 with the surface of the dirty portion of the laundry 22 such as a collar or sleeve as the upper surface, and the laundry 22 is arranged so as to face the jet nozzle 20. To do. At this time, by closing the lid 4, the switch 21 is turned on and the valve 17 is opened. And
A power source 19 is turned on to the heater 18 to supply electric power to heat the boiler 7 to 100 degrees or more. Then, since the valve 17 is open, tap water is supplied to the boiler 7 via the water supply pipe 15. The water that has entered the boiler 7 boils and becomes steam. In this way, when water becomes steam, the steam pressure rises and the inside of the boiler 7 becomes high pressure. Then, due to this pressure, steam and hot water inside the boiler 7 are ejected from an injection hole (not shown) at the tip of the jet nozzle 20. Since the jet nozzle 20 has an injection hole (not shown) at its tip facing the edge 15 of the top cover 3, the steam and hot water jumping out of the jet nozzle 20 will be on the edge 15 of the top cover 3. It surely collides with a certain laundry 22 and removes the dirt 22a of the laundry 22. If a commercially available detergent is applied to the dirt 22a portion of the laundry 22 in advance, the dirt 22a will be melted out and the dirt can be easily removed.

When the water vapor and hot water jetted from the jet nozzle 20 collide with the laundry 22, the water vapor and hot water splash and scatter in all directions. Since it falls inside 2, it does not jump out of the washing machine body 1.

Here, the jet nozzle 20 of the cleaning device 6
The irradiation distance L (see FIG. 5) between the laundry 22 and the laundry 22 will be described. Conforms to JIS electric washing machine C9606 cleaning test,
Artificial contaminated cloth as laundry 22 (simulating collar stain)
When the cleaning degree (%) is calculated using the test cloth as the test cloth, the result shown in FIG. 6 is obtained. The degree of cleaning (%) is calculated by the reflectance method using the formula of degree of cleaning (%) = (reflectance after washing−reflectance before washing) / (reflectance of original cloth−reflectance before washing) × 100.

As a condition of the experiment, the heater 18 of the boiler 7 has an output of 1350 W and the cleaning liquid is 2
100g / min of tap water regulated at 2 ℃
It was assumed that the contaminated cloth was preliminarily coated with an appropriate amount of a commercially available liquid detergent exclusively for partial washing. In addition, the jet nozzle 20
The hole diameter was 2 mm.

Looking at the results of this experiment, it is possible to obtain a cleaning degree of 40% obtained by usual washing in a washing machine and an irradiation distance L of 65 mm.
Can be obtained at Therefore, the irradiation distance L between the jet nozzle 20 and the laundry 22 can be separated up to 65 mm, and a remarkable cleaning effect can also be obtained. 6 like this
Since the soiled portion can be washed even at a distance of up to 5 mm, the condition of the thickness of the laundry 22 can be widened. In addition, until the cleaning of dirt on the cloth surface that has been irradiated with steam and warm water is completed
It can be done in a very short time of 0.15 seconds.

Next, the amount of water vapor or water supplied from the jet nozzle 20 will be described. Similarly to the above, the irradiation distance L was 10 mm, the irradiation time per jet water flow cross-sectional area was 0.3 seconds, and the amount of water supplied was changed by changing the opening / closing amount of the valve 17, and as a result, a cleaning test was performed. The results shown are obtained. The irradiation distance L is 10 mm
From the change in the degree of cleaning shown in FIG.
At the irradiation distance L between m, the cleaning degree does not change much, and
10 mm due to the high degree of cleaning of less than%
The experiment was conducted at the irradiation distance L of. As a result, the washing degree of 40% obtained by usual washing with a washing machine can be obtained with a water amount of 30 g per minute, and washing can be performed with an extremely small flow rate of water.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, when the flow rate of water supplied to the boiler 7 is 70 g or more, the cleaning degree tends not to increase, and further water supply is wasted.
No additional water supply is required. This also affects the relationship with the ability of the boiler 7 to produce water vapor, but the cleaning degree is 55% or more, which is more than the required cleaning degree, so 70 g
The following water supply is sufficient.

Therefore, according to the structure of the washing machine including the cleaning device 6 described in the first embodiment, the top cover 3 is provided with a partially soiled surface such as a collar or a cuff between the lid 4 and the top cover 3. By arranging the laundry 22 so as to come to the edge 15 of the top cover 3 and arranging the jet nozzle 20 of the cleaning device 6 at a position facing the edge 15 of the top cover 3, steam and warm water are ejected from the jet nozzle 20. The dirty portion can be washed by spraying it to collide with the laundry 22. Further, when the lid 4 is opened, the valve 17 is closed in conjunction, so that the water supply is stopped and the steam and hot water from the jet nozzle 20 are stopped. The jetting is also stopped, and the steam and warm water are not blown to the user. Further, since the valve 17 is opened with the lid 4 closed, when the washing device 6 is used, the lid 22 is closed to wash the laundry 22, and high-temperature steam is scattered outside the washing machine body 1. No need to worry about exposing the user to the high temperature of steam.

Embodiment 2. Further, FIG. 8 shows the washing device 6 disposed in the washing machine body 1 rotating, and the movement of the flexible tube 8, the tube guide 9 and the jet nozzle 20 is seen from above. The configuration of the cleaning device 6 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted. Motor power supply 23 to motor 13
When the electric power is supplied from the rotary shaft 14, the rotary shaft 14 rotates and the rotary shaft 1
The cam 12 attached to 4 rotates. When the cam 12 rotates, a load is applied to the cam groove 11 and the tube guide 9 moves. The rotational movement of the cam 12 is converted into a reciprocating movement about the rotation fulcrum 10 of the tube guide 9 via the cam groove 11, and the tube guide 9 repeatedly moves in the direction of the arrow in FIG. At this time, the jet nozzle 2
Since it moves like 0, the steam and hot water sprayed from the jet nozzle 20 can be automatically and evenly spread over a wide range of the laundry 22, so that the cleaning range can be widened.

Further, even if the shape of the opening (not shown) facing the opening 2a of the water tub portion 2 of the top cover 3 that sandwiches the laundry 22 is square or circular, it may be washed depending on the rotation angle of the cleaning device 6. The irradiation distance L between the object 22 and the jet nozzle 20 is separated, but as shown in the experimental result of the first embodiment, the cleaning degree of 40% can be obtained up to the irradiation distance L of 65 mm. Aperture shape and cleaning device 6
Even if there is a rotation angle at which the irradiation distance L between the jet nozzle 20 and the laundry 22 separates (becomes away) due to the rotation of, the cleaning of a wide range of partial washing can be performed without lowering the cleaning performance.

Embodiment 3. FIG. 9 shows a sectional view of a washing machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.
In the figure, reference numeral 24 is a steam shutter, and 25 is a spring. As shown in FIG. 9A, when the lid 4 is opened, the spring 25 pulls down the steam shutter 24, and an injection hole (not shown) of the jet nozzle 20. ) (The injection hole in the claims) is blocked, and when the lid 4 is closed as shown in FIG. 9B, the steam shutter 24 contacts the upper surface of the top cover 3 from the front of the jet nozzle 20. While moving, the steam shutter 24 becomes the jet nozzle 20.
Open the front of the injection hole (not shown). Therefore,
When water is left in the boiler 7 when the lid 4 is opened, even if the water is sprayed from the jet nozzle 20 as water vapor and hot water, it will collide with the steam shutter 24 and jump out of the washing machine body 1. It is easy to use and does not scatter to the user.

Fourth Embodiment FIG. 10A and FIG.
(B) is a principal part perspective view and a disassembled perspective view of a washing device showing a washing machine according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the figure,
The same parts as those in the first to third embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals,
The description is omitted. Reference numeral 26 is a flexible material, which is formed into a bellows shape, surrounds the jet nozzle 20, and is formed so as to extend to an irradiation distance L with the laundry 22. 27 is a water tank of the dispersion prevention cover 26. It is a cutout portion formed at a position facing the portion 2.

The cleaning device 6 constructed in this manner is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, the scattering prevention cover 26 surrounds the periphery of the tip of the jet nozzle 20 and also between the laundry 22 and the jet nozzle 20 sandwiched between the edge 15 of the top cover 3 and the lid 4 (irradiation distance L). The water vapor and the hot water discharged from the jet nozzle 20 during cleaning collide with the laundry 22 as indicated by solid arrows to remove dirt. At this time,
Water vapor and hot water are scattered. The scattered water vapor and warm water are reflected by the scattering prevention cover 26 and flow out from the cutout portion 28 as indicated by the dotted arrow. That is, with the scattering prevention cover 26, the irradiation distance L from the periphery of the jet nozzle 20
By providing the scattering prevention cover 26 that surrounds the portion and has the notch 28 that serves as an escape path for water vapor at a position facing the water tank portion 2, it is possible to minimize the scattering range of water vapor and warm water.

[0029]

Since the present invention is constructed as described above, it has the following effects.

A washing machine main body having a water tank inside
In a washing machine including a top cover that covers an upper surface of the main body of the washing machine and has an opening for putting laundry in the water tank section, and a lid that covers an upper surface of the top cover, a boiler having a heating unit, The boiler is provided with a water supply means for supplying water, and the cleaning device is provided with a jet nozzle for injecting steam and water into the laundry in a jet form by utilizing the pressure of steam generated from the boiler. Since the partial cleaning is performed with steam and warm water, the cleaning effect is high.Partial stains on the laundry can be cleaned only with liquid that is steam and warm water, and since it does not come into contact with solids, partial cleaning without damage to the cloth is possible. It can be carried out.

Further, the jet nozzle of the cleaning device is arranged so as to face the end portion forming the opening of the top panel, and the laundry is fixedly held between the lid and the top cover. Therefore, the laundry can be fixed in the main body of the washing machine with the lid closed, and the steam and hot water sprayed from the jet nozzle can be reliably applied to the partial washing part of the laundry.

Further, since the cleaning device is attached to the surface of the lid on the water tank side, steam and hot water sprayed from the jet nozzle can be surely applied to the partial washing part of the laundry, and the lid is further opened. Since the cleaning device moves upward, it does not interfere with normal washing and is easy to use.

Further, since the jetting direction (angle) of the jet nozzle can be changed, it is possible to carry out partial washing and washing over a wide range of the laundry.

Further, OFF / O of water supply to the cleaning device
Since N is linked to the opening and closing of the lid, steam and water are not sprayed from the cleaning device when the lid is opened.

A steam shutter for blocking the front surface of the jet hole of the jet nozzle is provided, and the steam shutter is adapted to block / open the front surface of the jet nozzle in conjunction with opening / closing of the lid. Even if water vapor or water remaining in the cleaning device when opened is sprayed, it is blocked by the vapor shutter, and the user is not exposed to water vapor or hit by water.

Further, the jet nozzle is surrounded by an injection hole so as to extend within an irradiation distance from the washing machine,
A scattering prevention cover formed in the shape of a bellows with a soft material is provided, and a notch portion that escapes the scattered water vapor and water is formed at a position facing the water tank portion of the scattering prevention cover. Since it can be minimized, it is possible to prevent the inside of the washing machine main body from being soiled with water,
The user is not exposed to water vapor or water.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of essential parts showing a washing machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of essential parts showing the washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 (a) is a perspective view of a washing device showing the washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. (B) It is a disassembled perspective view of the washing | cleaning apparatus which shows the washing machine which is Embodiment 1 of this invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of essential parts showing the washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a main part configuration diagram showing a washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a relationship between the distance between the jet nozzle and the laundry and the degree of cleaning, which shows the washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the relationship between the water supply flow rate and the degree of cleaning of the washing device showing the washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the cleaning device showing the washing machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 (a) is a perspective view of essential parts of a washing device showing a washing machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention. (B) It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the washing machine which is Embodiment 3 of this invention.

FIG. 10 (a) is a perspective view of a principal part of a washing machine according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. (B) It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the washing machine which is Embodiment 4 of this invention.

FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of main parts of a washing machine according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a top view showing a conventional washing machine.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a main part of a conventional washing machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 washing machine body, 2 water tank part, 3 top cover, 3a
Opening, 4 lid, 5 monitoring window, 6 cleaning device, 7 boiler, 8 flexible tube, 9 tube guide, 10 rotation fulcrum, 11 cam groove, 12 cam, 13
Motor, 14 rotating shafts, 15 edges, 16 water pipes, 1
7 valves, 18 heater, 19 power supply, 20 jet nozzle, 21 switch, 22 laundry, 22a dirt,
23 dirt, 23 motor power supply, 24 steam shutter, 25 spring, 26 shatterproof cover, 27
Notch.

Continued front page    (72) Inventor Shinichi Nakamura             2-3 2-3 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo             Inside Ryo Electric Co., Ltd. F term (reference) 3B155 AA02 BA01 BA08 BB02 BB08                       CA01 CB60 CB67 DA05 KA31                       LA14 LB29 LB30 MA01 MA02

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A washing machine main body having a water tub portion provided therein, a top cover having an opening for covering the upper surface of the washing machine main body and for introducing laundry into the water tub portion, and an upper surface of the top cover. In a washing machine having a lid for covering, a boiler having a heating means and a water supply means for supplying water to the boiler are provided, and steam and water are applied to the laundry by utilizing the pressure of steam generated from the boiler. A washing machine comprising a cleaning device formed by forming a jet nozzle that jets in a jet shape. 2. A jet nozzle of the cleaning device is arranged so as to face an end portion of the top panel forming an opening, and the laundry is fixedly held between the lid and the top cover. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the cleaning device is attached to a surface of the lid on the side of the water tank portion. 4. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the jet direction of the jet nozzle is variable. 5. OFF / ON of water supply to the cleaning device
The washing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that it is linked with opening and closing of the lid. 6. A steam shutter for blocking the front surface of the jet hole of the jet nozzle is provided, and the steam shutter comprises:
The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the front surface of the jet nozzle is blocked / opened in association with opening / closing of the lid. 7. A scattering prevention cover, which surrounds the injection hole of the jet nozzle and extends within the irradiation distance from the washing machine, is provided with a scattering prevention cover formed in a bellows-like tubular shape with a soft material,
The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein a cutout portion is formed at a position of the splash prevention cover facing the water tank portion to release the scattered water vapor and water.