CN115698411A

CN115698411A - Washing machine

Info

Publication number: CN115698411A
Application number: CN202180038519.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 米田智亮; 藤原宣彦
Original assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
Current assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
Priority date: 2020-06-01
Filing date: 2021-05-11
Publication date: 2023-02-03
Also published as: WO2021246115A1; TW202212667A; JP7426567B2; JPWO2021246115A1

Abstract

The washing machine (100) is provided with an outer tub (220), a drum (210), a steam generation unit, and an air supply fan (730). The drum (210) is disposed in the outer tub (220). The steam generating part is arranged in the outer barrel (220) and is used for generating steam. The air supply fan (730) supplies the steam generated by the steam generation part into the drum (210).

Description

Washing machine

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a washing machine.

Background

Patent document 1 discloses a drum type washing machine that supplies steam into a drum.

In the drum-type washing machine of patent document 1, washing water is supplied into a tub (tub) at a water level lower than the bottom surface of a drum, the washing water is heated by a washing heater provided in the tub to generate steam, and the drum is rotated, and the steam is supplied into the drum from small holes in the side wall of the drum.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2014-151187

Disclosure of Invention

The invention provides a washing machine capable of efficiently supplying steam into a storage tank.

The washing machine of the present invention comprises: an outer tub; a storage groove arranged in the outer barrel; a steam generating part provided in the tub and generating steam; and a blowing section for supplying the steam generated by the steam generating section into the storage tank.

Further, the washing machine of the present invention includes: an outer tub; a storage groove arranged in the outer barrel; a water supply part supplying water to the outer tub; a wind supply unit supplying wind to the outer tub; a steam generating part provided in the tub and generating steam; and a control section. The control unit drives the water supply unit to supply water into the tub, drives the steam generation unit to generate steam using the supplied water, and drives the air supply unit to blow the steam into the storage tank.

The invention provides a washing machine which can efficiently supply steam into a storage tank.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic vertical sectional view showing a structure of a washing machine according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 2 is a schematic front sectional view showing the structure of the washing machine according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing steam supply control of the washing machine according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 4 is a schematic view of the steam flow in the steam step of the conventional washing machine, as viewed from the front.

Fig. 5 is a schematic view of the flow of steam in the steam step of the conventional washing machine, as viewed from the lateral direction.

Fig. 6 is a schematic view showing the flow of steam in the steam step of the washing machine according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 7 is a schematic view of the steam flow in the steam step of the washing machine according to embodiment 1, as viewed from the lateral direction.

Fig. 8 is a schematic front sectional view showing a structure of a washing machine according to embodiment 4.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, the present invention is not limited to the drawings and the following description.

(embodiment mode 1)

Hereinafter, a washing machine 100 according to embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 1 to 7.

[ Structure of washing machine ]

Fig. 1 is a schematic vertical sectional view showing a structure of a washing machine 100 according to embodiment 1, and fig. 2 is a schematic front sectional view showing a structure of the washing machine 100 according to embodiment 1. First, the structure of the washing machine 100 will be described with reference to fig. 1 and 2. Hereinafter, the vertical direction in a state where the washing machine 100 is installed as shown in fig. 1 (corresponding to the installation state of the present invention) may be referred to as the vertical direction. This is also the same in the washing machine of the other embodiments.

As shown in fig. 1, the washing machine 100 is a drum-type washing machine, and includes a casing 110 and a tank unit 200 for accommodating an object to be treated in the casing 110. The tank unit 200 includes: a drum 210 as an example of the storage tank of the present invention, which has a substantially cylindrical peripheral wall 211 surrounding a rotation axis RX; and an outer tub 220 which houses the drum 210. The drum 210 is configured to be able to store the object to be treated, and the tub 220 is configured to store water (hereinafter, also referred to as "washing water"). That is, the washing machine 100 includes a tub 220 and a drum 210 provided in the tub 220. The object to be treated includes, for example, clothes, hats, shoes, toys, and the like. The peripheral wall 211 has a plurality of holes 214 for communicating the inside and outside of the drum 210, and the plurality of holes 214 allow water stored in the tub 220 to pass through the inside of the drum 210. Three baffles (not shown) are provided at predetermined intervals inside the drum 210, and lift and drop the object to be processed downward as the drum 210 rotates.

The washing machine 100 of the present embodiment includes a steam generator 160, and the steam generator 160 is provided in the tub 220 to generate steam. The steam generator 160 includes a hot water heater 163, and the hot water heater 163 is an example of the heater of the present invention, and heats the washing water stored in the tub 220. The hot water heater 163 is provided with a thermal fuse (not shown) described later. The steam generating part 160 of the present embodiment is preferably located at a position lower than the bottom surface of the drum 210. This is because the steam generated in the tub 220 can be efficiently supplied into the drum 210 because an updraft is generated by the steam. The hot water heater 163 of the present embodiment is disposed at a lower portion of the outer tub 220. That is, the steam generating part 160 and the hot water heater 163 are disposed below the drum 210 in the installation state of the washing machine 100.

The hot water heater 163 is disposed such that its longitudinal direction is substantially parallel to the horizontal plane in the installation state of the washing machine 100. That is, the hot water heater 163 is horizontally disposed below the drum 210 in the installation state of the washing machine 100. Accordingly, the washing machine 100 can flood the hot water heater 163 with less washing water, as compared to a case where the longitudinal direction of the hot water heater 163 is set to be substantially parallel to the bottom surface of the drum 210. In the washing machine 100, the washing water required for using the steam is small, so that the heat efficiency can be improved, and the steam can be generated in a short time. In addition, in washing machine 100, the distance between the lowest end inside drum 210 and the set water level required for steam is large, and it is possible to suppress the immersion of the object to be treated stored in drum 210 due to the erroneous detection of the water level. The hot water heater 163 may be inclined downward in the longitudinal direction. In this case, it is preferable that the heat generating portion of the hot water heater 163 is located below the thermal fuse. Thus, even if the hot water heater 163 is not submerged and heated, the heating can be stopped by cutting off the electric power by the temperature fuse when the temperature becomes a predetermined temperature or higher. Therefore, even if the set water level required for the steam is provided in the vicinity of the hot water heater 163, safety can be ensured.

A thermal fuse is built in the hot water heater 163. Since the hot water heater 163 automatically stops heating by the temperature fuse when the temperature thereof becomes equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature, even when the water level sensor 321 erroneously detects the water level, it is possible to suppress the hot water heater 163 from being empty without being submerged. In addition, the temperature fuse may be provided on an outer wall of the outer tub 220 instead of being built in the hot water heater 163. When the water temperature T detected by the water temperature detection sensor 161 exceeds a predetermined abnormal temperature higher than the upper limit temperature adjustment temperature, the hot water heater 163 may be stopped and an error message may be displayed on the operation unit 123.

The housing 110 includes: a front wall 111 having an inlet 119 formed therein for introducing the object to be treated into the tank unit 200; and a rear wall 112 located on the side opposite to the side on which the front wall 111 is located. The housing 110 further includes: a housing top wall 113 extending substantially horizontally between the front wall 111 and the rear wall 112; and a housing bottom wall 114 on the side opposite to the side on which the housing top wall 113 is located. The drum 210 and the tub 220 are respectively provided with an opening 213 communicating with the inlet 119 formed in the front wall 111.

Washing machine 100 further includes a door 120 attached to front wall 111. The door 120 pivots between a closed position at which the inlet port 119 formed in the front wall 111 is closed and an open position at which the inlet port 119 is opened. The user can pivot the door 120 to the open position and insert the object to be processed into the drum 210 through the inlet 119 of the front wall 111. Thereafter, the user can move the door 120 to the closed position and cause the washing machine 100 to wash the object to be treated. Further, the door 120 shown in fig. 1 is located at the closed position.

The drum 210 rotates about a rotation axis RX extending between the front wall 111 and the rear wall 112. The object to be treated put into the drum 210 moves in the drum 210 according to the rotation of the drum 210, and receives a process corresponding to a program selected by a user among washing, rinsing, and spinning.

The drum 210 includes a peripheral wall 211 and a bottom wall 212 opposite to the door body 120 at the closed position. The outer tub 220 includes: a bottom 221 surrounding a part of the bottom wall 212 and the peripheral wall 211 of the drum 210; and a front portion 222 enclosing the other portion of the peripheral wall 211 of the drum 210 between the bottom portion 221 and the door body 120.

The tank unit 200 includes a rotation shaft 230 mounted to the bottom wall 212 of the drum 210. The rotation shaft 230 extends along the rotation axis RX toward the rear wall 112. The rotation shaft 230 penetrates the bottom 221 of the outer tub 220 and is exposed between the outer tub 220 and the rear wall 112.

The washing machine 100 further includes: a motor 231 mounted below the tub 220; a pulley 232 mounted to a portion of the rotation shaft 230 exposed outside the outer tub 220; and a belt 233 for transmitting power of the motor 231 to the pulley 232. When the motor 231 operates, the power of the motor 231 is transmitted to the belt 233, the pulley 232, and the rotary shaft 230. As a result, the drum 210 rotates within the outer tub 220.

The washing machine 100 further includes a sealing member structure 116, and the sealing member structure 116 is disposed between the front portion 222 of the outer tub 220 and the door body 120. The door 120 rotated to the closed position compresses the seal structure 116. As a result, the seal structure 116 forms a liquid-tight seal structure between the door 120 and the front portion 222.

The washing machine 100 performs cloth amount detection for measuring the amount of the object to be treated. The cloth amount detection is performed by, for example, accelerating the drum 210 to a predetermined rotation speed and measuring the current value of the motor 231 at that time.

The washing machine 100 further includes a drying unit 700 as an example of the wind supply unit of the present invention. The drying unit 700 supplies wind to the outer tub 220. The drying unit 700 includes an air filter 711, a drying duct 710, a heat exchanging part 712 as an example of an air heating part of the present invention, an air blowing fan 730 as an example of an air blowing part of the present invention, an air inlet pipe 750, and an air supply pipe 760. The air inlet pipe 750 and the air supply pipe 760 constitute a part of an air path, which is an example of the air path of the present invention, provided with the air supply fan 730 and connected to the outer tub 220.

Here, the air filter 711 removes lint from the air sent out from the drum 210. The heat exchange unit 712 is configured by a heat pump or a drying heater, and heats the supplied air by exchanging heat with the air passing through the air filter 711. The drying duct 710 houses an air filter 711 and a heat exchange portion 712. The blowing fan 730 is coupled to the drying duct 710 to generate wind. That is, air blowing fan 730 supplies steam generated by steam generating unit 160 into drum 210. The intake duct 750 defines a flow path of air from the tank unit 200 to the blower fan 730. The air supply duct 760 regulates the flow of air supplied from the air supply fan 730 to the tank unit 200.

The drying unit 700 sucks air in the tank unit 200 from the air inlet pipe 750 and feeds the air to the tank unit 200 through the air feed pipe 760, thereby constituting a circulation air path including the tank unit 200.

When blower fan 730 rotates, a negative pressure environment is formed in air inlet pipe 750, while a positive pressure environment is formed in air supply pipe 760, and air is supplied into drum 210. Therefore, the washing machine 100 is a circulation type washing and drying machine including a circulation air duct constituted by the drying unit 700 and the tub unit 200.

An air inlet 751 is provided at a joint surface between the air inlet pipe 750 and the trough unit 200, and an air outlet 761 is provided at a joint surface between the air supply pipe 760 and the trough unit 200. The drying unit 700 includes an air inlet 751 and an air supply port 761. The intake port 751 is an opening portion: on the upstream side of the blower fan 730, the outer tub 220 and the intake pipe 750 are connected to each other at a position above the steam generating unit 160 in the installed state of the washing machine 100, and air in the outer tub 220 is sucked. The air supply port 761 is an opening portion: the outer tub 220 is connected to the air supply duct 760 at a downstream side of the heat exchange part 712 and the air supply fan 730 to supply air (steam) into the drum 210. The air inlet 751 is preferably provided at a position higher than the hot water heater 163 included in the steam generating unit 160 of the present embodiment, because an updraft is generated by the steam. Particularly, the air inlet 751 is preferably provided at an upper portion of the outer tub 220 in which heated air containing steam is easily accumulated. More preferably, the air inlet 751 is provided at a position higher than the air supply port 761.

The drying unit 700 is provided with a drying temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the air in the drying unit 700. As in the present embodiment, an intake temperature sensor 162a and an outlet temperature sensor 162b may be provided as the drying temperature sensors, respectively, the intake temperature sensor 162a detecting the temperature of the air taken in from the air inlet 751, and the outlet temperature sensor 162b detecting the temperature of the air heated by the heat exchanger 712. That is, the outlet temperature sensor 162b is an example of the outlet temperature detection unit of the present invention, and detects the temperature of the steam near the air supply port 761.

As shown in fig. 2, the washing machine 100 includes a water supply unit 139 for supplying water to the outer tub 220 as an example of the water supply unit according to the present invention. The water supply unit 139 includes a water supply inlet 140 connected to a water tap (not shown), a water supply valve 141, a detergent storage part 150 storing detergent, and a water supply pipe 151 connecting the detergent storage part 150 and the tank unit 200.

Preferably, the supplied washing water is supplied into the tub 220 so as not to be washed into the object to be treated stored in the drum 210. Therefore, the water supply pipe 151 may be disposed at an upper portion of the rear side of the tub 220, and the flow path formed by the water supply pipe 151 may be formed along the rear surface of the tub 220. The water supply valve 141 may be intermittently opened to reduce the amount of water supplied, and the supplied water may flow down along the inner surface of the tub 220 to prevent the water from splashing into the drum 210. Further, the present invention may further include: a 1 st water supply passage through which washing water is supplied to the object to be treated stored in the drum 210; and a 2 nd water supply flow path for supplying water so that the washing water does not flow into the object to be treated stored in the drum 210, and the 1 st water supply flow path and the 2 nd water supply flow path are used separately according to the application.

In addition, as shown in fig. 1, the washing machine 100 is provided with an upstream circulation pipe 640, a downstream circulation pipe 650, a drain pipe 660, a drain valve 690, and a lint filter 152. Here, the upstream circulation pipe 640 defines a path of water flowing from the tub 220 to the circulation pump 610. The downstream circulation pipe 650 provides a path of the water returned from the circulation pump 610 to the outer tub 220. The drain pipe 660 defines a drain path to the outside of the case 110. The lint filter 152 recovers foreign matters such as lint. A drain valve 690 is installed at the drain pipe 660. The drain unit of the present embodiment, which discharges water accumulated in the outer tub 220, includes a drain valve 690, and is defined by a flow path from the drum 210 to the drain pipe 660. The upstream circulation pipe 640 is branched near a connection portion with the outer tub 220 to form an air trap 630, and is connected to an air pipe 631 at an upper portion of the air trap 630. A water level sensor 321 is provided at an upper portion of the air pipe 631, and the water level sensor 321 is an example of a water level detecting part of the present invention and detects a water level in the outer tub 220.

The washing machine 100 includes a water level sensor 321 as an example of the water level detecting unit according to the present invention. The water level sensor 321 is constituted by a MEMS type pressure sensor. Since the water level sensor 321 can detect the water level with high accuracy by using the MEMS pressure sensor, it is possible to suppress the immersion into the drum 210 or the exposure of the hot water heater 163. Therefore, it is not necessary to make the distance from the lower end of the drum 210 to the hot water heater 163 long in order to cope with the erroneous detection of the water level, and thus the degree of freedom in design is improved.

As an example of the water level detecting unit of the present invention, a sensor for performing electrode detection for detecting a water level by reading a potential change between electrodes or a sensor for performing water level detection by a float sensor may be used instead of the water level sensor 321 formed of an MEMS pressure sensor. Since the water level detector can sensitively reflect the decrease in the water level, it is possible to effectively prevent the hot water heater 163 from being empty in a state where it is not submerged.

The lint filter 152 may be locked in a state where the washing water is heated. Accordingly, in the steam supply control described later, it is possible to prevent the high-temperature washing water from flowing out to the outside due to the lint filter 152 being detached.

The washing machine 100 includes a water temperature detection sensor 161 as an example of the water temperature detection unit of the present invention. The water temperature detection sensor 161 is installed on an outer wall surface of the outer tub 220 to detect a temperature of the washing water in the outer tub 220. The location of the water temperature detection sensor 161 is not limited to the outer wall surface of the tub 220, and may detect the water temperature T in the tub 220, and may be, for example, the inside of the tub 220.

Further, the washing machine 100 includes an operation unit 123. The operation unit 123 includes buttons for receiving user operations and a display unit. The user can select various programs using the buttons of the operation unit 123, and information related to the selected programs is displayed on the display unit. The operation unit 123 may be a touch panel. The various processes include a washing process, a drying process, a washing and drying process performed as a loop from washing to drying, an air washing process in which only steam is used to treat the object without washing the object, and a tub cleaning process in which the object is not put in the tub and the washing tub is treated. As a part of the above-described routine, steam supply control described later is performed. Further, the various programs may also include a program constituted only by the steam supply control.

Further, the washing machine 100 includes a control unit 170. The control part 170 performs steam supply control in particular, in addition to controlling the entire washing machine 100. The controller 170 drives the water supply unit 139 to supply water into the tub 220, drives the steam generator 160 to generate steam using the supplied water, and drives the drying unit 700 to blow the steam into the drum 210, as will be described later in detail. The position of the control unit 170 shown in fig. 1 is an example, and may be arranged in other positions. The control unit 170 includes a computer system having a processor and a memory. The computer system functions as the control unit 170 by causing the processor to execute the program stored in the memory. Here, the program executed by the processor is stored in advance in the memory of the computer system, but may be provided by being stored in a non-transitory storage medium such as a memory card or may be provided via an electric communication line such as the internet.

[ steam supply control ]

In the steam supply control, the steam is applied to the object to be treated, thereby exhibiting effects such as wrinkle removal, sterilization, deodorization, allergen removal, and inactivation of the laundry. The steam supply control includes, for example, a water supply step of supplying water to the steam generating unit 160, a steam generating step of generating steam, a drying step of drying wet objects to be treated, and a cooling step of cooling the washing water in the tub 220. The process time and the rotation time period of the drum 210, etc. related to the steam supply control can be determined based on the amount of the treated object or the temperature of the washing water.

Hereinafter, an air washing process including a steam step and a drying step will be described as an example of the steam supply control. Hereinafter, as shown in fig. 2, a water level higher than the inner bottom surface of drum 210 is referred to as a water level, a water level lower than the bottom surface of drum 210 and set to a steam step is referred to as B water level, and a water level lower than B water level and to which hot water heater 163 may be exposed is referred to as C water level.

Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing the steam supply control (air washing process) of the washing machine 100 according to embodiment 1.

As shown in fig. 3, when the air wash process is started (step S101), the control unit 170 performs a water supply process (step S102). Specifically, controller 170 opens water supply valve 141 to supply water to detergent container 150, and supplies the supplied water to tub 220 so that the water does not flow into the object to be treated stored in drum 210 (step S102). The controller 170 determines whether or not the water level detected by the water level sensor 321 is equal to or higher than the B water level (step S103). Until the water level B is reached (no at step S103), control unit 170 continues the water supply (step S102). When the water level sensor 321 detects that the water level has reached the B water level (yes in step S103), the controller 170 closes the water supply valve 141 and enters the steam step. That is, the control part 170 performs a steam process of blowing steam into the outer tub 220.

When the steam process is started, the control unit 170 starts energization of the hot water heater 163 (step S104). In this way, by starting the steam step in a state where the water supply is completed, the hot water heater 163 can be heated in a state where the hot water heater 163 is completely immersed in the washing water. Therefore, the hot water heater 163 can be prevented from being empty. In addition, if the hot water heater 163 is completely immersed in the washing water, the energization of the hot water heater 163 may be started in the water supply process.

The controller 170 causes the hot water heater 163 to heat the washing water until the temperature of the washing water detected by the water temperature detection sensor 161 reaches the upper limit temperature adjustment temperature, which is a predetermined temperature. The upper limit temperature adjustment temperature is set to, for example, 60 ℃. The washing water accumulated in the steam generator 160 is supercooled and boiled in the vicinity of the hot water heater 163 to generate steam. The washing water stored in the steam generator 160 may generate steam by normal boiling.

When the washing water reaches the upper limit temperature adjustment temperature, the control part 170 stops the hot water heater 163. When the washing water is lowered to the lower limit temperature adjustment temperature, which is a temperature lower than the upper limit temperature adjustment temperature, the control unit 170 starts energization of the hot water heater 163 again. The lower limit temperature adjustment temperature is set to 55 ℃.

In the present embodiment, when the energization of the hot water heater 163 is started and two minutes have elapsed, the control unit 170 drives the blower fan 730 (step S105). That is, the controller 170 starts the blowing of the drying unit 700 when the water in the tub 220 reaches a predetermined water temperature in the steam step of generating the steam.

In addition, the control unit 170 drives the water supply unit 139 to supply water into the outer tub 220 in a state where the driving of the drying unit 700 is stopped, and drives the steam generation unit 160 to generate steam using the supplied water. Then, the control part 170 drives the drying unit 700 to blow the steam into the drum 210. In this way, the steam process is started in a state where the water supply is completed to the level B or higher, and thereby, it is possible to suppress the water level sensor 321 from erroneously detecting the water level under the influence of the change in the wind pressure caused by the driving of the blower fan 730. The driving of the blower fan 730 in the steam step may be intermittently operated. When the blower fan 730 is stopped, the water level sensor 321 detects the water level, thereby suppressing erroneous detection due to a change in wind pressure.

In the steam step, the controller 170 continuously or intermittently operates the motor 231, and the motor 231 rotates the drum 210. The rotation speed of the drum 210 is set to, for example, about 50 to 60r/min at which the object to be treated stored in the drum 210 is tumbled. When the drum 210 rotates at about 50r/min to 60r/min, the object to be processed in the drum 210 is lifted upward in the drum 210 by the baffle plate and falls from above. In the present embodiment, since the air supply port 761 is provided on the rear surface of the drum 210, the steam is blown through the front of the air supply port 761 when the object to be processed falls from above. Thus, the object to be treated can efficiently obtain the effect of steam. In addition, when the object to be treated is laundry, since the laundry can be spread by the blown wind when it falls from above, wrinkles of the laundry can be spread efficiently.

The controller 170 determines whether or not the water level detected by the water level sensor 321 is lower than the C water level (step S106). If the water level is not lower than the C water level (no in step S106), control unit 170 proceeds to the process of step S108. When the water level is lower than the C water level (yes in step S106), the controller 170 stops the energization of the hot water heater 163 and proceeds to the process of step S108 (step S107). The control unit 170 determines whether or not the steam process time ts has elapsed since the start of energization of the hot water heater 163 (step S108). Until the steam step time ts elapses (no at step S108), the control unit 170 repeats the processing from step S104. When the steam step time ts elapses (yes in step S108), the control unit 170 ends the steam step and shifts to the drying step (step S109). The steam step time ts is set to about 5 minutes, for example.

The object to be treated after the steam step is wet by steam, and thus cannot be used or worn immediately. Therefore, as in the drying process of a general washing machine, it is necessary to dry the wet object to be treated by driving only the air blowing fan 730 or driving both the heat exchange unit 712 and the air blowing fan 730 while rotating the drum 210. That is, the control unit 170 performs a drying process of drying the object stored in the tub 220.

In the present embodiment, when the drying process is started, the control unit 170 stops the hot water heater 163 and starts the driving of the drying function, that is, the driving of the blower fan 730 and the heat exchanging unit 712 (step S109). The control unit 170 determines the degree of drying of the object to be processed based on the difference between the suction temperature detected by the suction temperature sensor 162a and the discharge temperature detected by the discharge temperature sensor 162b. Since the amount of heat for evaporating the moisture of the object to be processed becomes smaller as the object to be processed is dried, the controller 170 determines that the degree of drying is higher when the difference between the suction temperature and the discharge temperature becomes smaller.

Next, a cooling process for cooling the washing water in the outer tub 220 will be described. The cooling step is intended to cool the washing water to a temperature lower than a predetermined temperature and discharge the washing water, thereby preventing the user from being scalded. In addition, the cooling process may not be performed if the water temperature T of the washing water after the steam process is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature. In the present embodiment, the amount of heat dissipated from the washing water is greater than the amount of heat obtained from the drying air, and therefore, a part of the drying process serves as the cooling process at the same time, but the cooling process and the drying process may be performed independently.

In the present embodiment, the washing water is naturally cooled until the temperature of the washing water detected by the water temperature detection sensor 161 is lower than a predetermined temperature. The controller 170 determines whether or not the water temperature T detected by the water temperature detection sensor 161 is less than 50 ℃ (step S110). When the water temperature T detected by the water temperature detection sensor 161 is 50 ℃ or higher (no in step S110), the control unit 170 cools the washing water by the blower fan 730 in a driven state. Further, as described above, since the amount of heat radiated from the washing water is larger than the amount of heat obtained from the dry air, the washing water can be cooled even in a state where the heat exchange portion 712 is driven.

Further, the control unit 170 adds a natural cooling time t', which is a time for cooling, to t2 (step S111), which will be described later. The determination of the water temperature T is performed every time the natural cooling time T' as the predetermined time elapses.

The draining operation is performed after the cooling process or when the washing water is cooled to a predetermined water temperature or less during the cooling process. In the present embodiment, when the water temperature T is lower than 50 ℃ (yes in step S110), the control unit 170 performs the water discharging operation (step S112). When the drain valve 690 is opened, the control unit 170 discharges the wash water in the outer tub 220 to the outside of the washing machine 100 through the drain pipe 660. The scale deposited on the surface of the hot water heater 163 during the steam step is washed by the water flow generated by the drain water. This can suppress the deposition of scale, and thus can suppress the decrease in the steam generation capacity of the hot water heater 163 due to the deposition of impurities. As described above, when the steam step of blowing steam into the tub 220 is completed, the control unit 170 stops the driving of the steam generating unit 160 and then starts the driving of the drying unit 700 (blower fan 730). Then, the controller 170 discharges the water in the outer tub 220 when the water in the outer tub 220 reaches a predetermined water temperature (50 ℃ in this example).

After the completion of the water discharge operation, the control unit 170 determines whether or not the drying process time td has elapsed (step S113). Until the drying process time td elapses (no in step S113), the control unit 170 keeps driving the heat exchanging unit 712. The drying process time td is set to the sum of the predetermined time t2 and the natural cooling time t'. For example, t2 is set to about 5 minutes. When the natural cooling is performed a plurality of times, the natural cooling time t' and t2 may be added a plurality of times. When the drying process time td elapses (yes in step S113), the drying process is completed, and the air-washing process is completed (step S114).

[ Effect of steam Process ]

Fig. 4 is a schematic view of a steam flow in the steam step of the conventional washing machine 1000, as viewed from the front, and fig. 5 is a schematic view of the steam flow in the steam step of the washing machine 1000, as viewed from the lateral direction.

As shown in fig. 4 and 5, the conventional washing machine 1000 includes a water supply unit 1139, a steam generation unit 1160, a drum 1210, an outer tub 1220, a motor 1231, a circulation pump 1610, and a drying unit 1700. The water supply unit 1139 includes a water supply port 1140, a water supply valve 1141, a detergent storage 1150, and a water supply pipe 1151. The steam generation part 1160 includes a hot water heater 1163. An opening portion 1213 is formed in each of the drum 1210 and the tub 1220. The roller 1210 is formed with a plurality of holes 1214 that communicate the inside and outside of the roller 1210. The drying unit 1700 includes an air inlet pipe 1750, an air blowing fan 1730, and an air feeding pipe 1760. In conventional washing machine 1000, washing water stored in steam generation unit 1160 is heated to generate steam, drum 1210 is rotated, and steam is supplied into drum 1210 through hole 1214 in the sidewall of drum 1210. As described above, in conventional washing machine 1000, natural convection generated by rotation of drum 1210 is used as a means for supplying steam into drum 1210. Therefore, the conventional washing machine 1000 has the following problems: the amount of steam supplied to the object to be treated in drum 1210 is small, and the effect of the steam cannot be sufficiently exhibited.

Fig. 6 is a schematic view showing a flow of steam in the steam step of washing machine 100 according to embodiment 1, and fig. 7 is a schematic view showing a flow of steam in the steam step of washing machine 100, as viewed from a lateral direction.

As shown in fig. 6 and 7, in the steam step of the present embodiment, the hot water heater 163 heats the water stored in the steam generating part 160 and the blower fan 730 is driven. As shown in fig. 6 and 7, the steam generated in the steam generating unit 160 (a) rises to the upper portion of the tank unit 200, and (b) is introduced from the air inlet 751 to the drying unit 700 through the air supply pipe 760. Then, the steam is supplied from the drying unit 700 to the object to be treated in the drum 210 from the air supply port 761 through the air supply pipe 750. This enables a large amount of steam to be supplied to the object to be treated in the drum 210, thereby increasing the water content of the object to be treated.

Washing machine 100 may be modified such that heat exchange unit 712, which is an example of the air heating unit of the present invention, is driven in the steam step. In the washing machine of modification 1, since high-temperature steam can be sent into drum 210 by operating heat exchanger 712 in the steam step, wrinkle removal performance, sterilization and deodorization performance, etc. of the object to be treated are improved. Further, by maintaining the steam at a high temperature, in the washing machine according to modification 1, it is possible to suppress the steam from condensing and reducing the amount of steam to be blown into the tub 220.

In addition, washing machine 100 may be modified such that drum 210 is rotated by driving motor 231 in the steam step. In the washing machine of modification 2, the drum 210 is rotated to agitate the object to be treated, thereby allowing steam to uniformly act on the object to be treated.

In addition, in the case where the object to be treated is laundry, since the laundry is disentangled by rotating drum 210, steam can effectively act in the washing machine of modification 2. In the washing machine according to modification 2, the force pulled by the circulating air acts on the laundry by operating the blower fan 730, and thus the ability to remove wrinkles from the laundry is improved. In addition, in the case where the object to be processed is a shoe, a cloth doll, or the like, the steam may be blown in a state where the drum 210 is stationary.

In the case of a drum-type washing machine such as the washing machine 100, it is preferable that the temperature of the steam is set to 70 ℃. That is, it is preferable that the control unit 170 stop heating of the heat exchanger 712 when the temperature of the steam detected by the outlet air temperature sensor 162b is 70 ℃. This is because, particularly in the case where the object to be treated is a polyester fiber, secondary wrinkles may occur in the clothes in a folded state at a temperature of 70 ℃ or higher at which the polyester is likely to be plastically deformed. On the other hand, when the present invention is applied to a clothes treatment apparatus of a nursing machine type in which an object to be treated is suspended from above, it is preferable that the temperature of steam be set to 70 ℃. This is because, particularly in the case where the object to be treated is a polyester fiber, the wrinkles of the clothes in a hanging state can be efficiently spread by the treatment with steam of 70 ℃. In addition, the sterilization effect can be expected by performing the treatment at a high temperature.

[ Effect and the like ]

The washing machine 100 of the present embodiment includes an outer tub 220, a drum 210 provided in the outer tub 220, a hot water heater 163, and an air blowing fan 730. The hot water heater 163 is provided to the outer tub 220 and is a part of the steam generating part 160 that generates steam. The air blowing fan 730 supplies the steam generated by the hot water heater 163 to the drum 210.

Thereby, the steam generated in the tub 220 is supplied to the drum 210 by the blowing fan 730. Therefore, washing machine 100 can increase the amount of steam supplied into drum 210 as compared to a conventional washing machine. That is, the washing machine 100 can efficiently supply steam into the drum.

The washing machine 100 of the present embodiment includes a tub 220, a drum 210 provided in the tub 220, a water supply unit 139, a drying unit 700, a hot water heater 163, and a controller 170. The water supply unit 139 supplies water to the outer tub 220. The drying unit 700 supplies wind to the outer tub 220. The hot water heater 163 is provided inside the outer tub 220 and is a part of a steam generating part that generates steam. The controller 170 drives the water supply unit 139 to supply water into the tub 220, drives the hot water heater 163 to generate steam using the supplied water, and drives the blower fan 730 to blow the steam into the drum 210.

The steam generator 160 of the washing machine 100 according to the present embodiment may include a hot water heater 163 for heating water stored in the tub 220, and the hot water heater 163 may be disposed below the drum 210 in the installed state of the washing machine 100.

Accordingly, in washing machine 100, water is accumulated in tub 220 so that the object to be treated, such as laundry, contained in drum 210 is not wetted, and steam can be generated in the lower portion of tub 220. In addition, since the heated steam rises, the washing machine 100 can efficiently supply the steam into the drum 210.

The drying unit 700 of the washing machine 100 according to the present embodiment may include a blower fan 730, an intake pipe 750, an air supply pipe 760, and an air inlet 751. The blower fan 730 generates air. The air inlet pipe 750 and the air supply pipe 760 constitute a part of an air path provided with the air supply fan 730 and connected to the outer tub 220. The intake port 751 is an intake port that: on the upstream side of the blower fan 730, the outer tub 220 and the intake pipe 750 are connected at a position above the hot water heater 163 in the set state of the washing machine 100, for sucking air in the outer tub 220.

Accordingly, the steam lighter than air is generated to rise toward the upper portion of the outer tub 220 and is sucked through the air inlet 751.

Accordingly, the washing machine 100 can efficiently suck and supply the generated steam to the drum 210.

The drying unit 700 of the washing machine 100 according to the present embodiment may further include an air supply port 761 for supplying air into the drum 210 by connecting the outer tub 220 and the air supply duct 760 to a downstream side of the air supply fan 730.

Thereby, the sucked steam is blown into the drum 210 at the downstream side of the blower fan 730 in the positive pressure environment.

Accordingly, the washing machine 100 can efficiently supply steam into the drum 210.

The washing machine 100 according to the present embodiment may further include a water level sensor 321 for detecting a water level in the tub 220, and the hot water heater 163 may be disposed below the drum 210. In addition, the control unit 170 of the washing machine 100 according to the present embodiment may drive the water supply unit 139 to supply water into the outer tub 220 in a state where the driving of the drying unit 700 is stopped, and drive the hot water heater 163 to generate steam using the supplied water. Then, control unit 170 of washing machine 100 according to the present embodiment may drive drying unit 700 to blow steam into drum 210.

Accordingly, in washing machine 100, since the water supply process can be performed in a state where blowing of air by drying unit 700 is stopped, it is possible to suppress erroneous detection of the water level by water level sensor 321 due to wind pressure.

Therefore, in the washing machine 100, the water level of the water stored in the lower portion of the outer tub 220 for generating the steam can be suppressed from being lower than the C water level.

The washing machine 100 according to the present embodiment may further include a water temperature detection sensor 161 for detecting a water temperature T in the outer tub 220, and the controller 170 may start air blowing of the drying unit 700 when the water in the outer tub 220 reaches a predetermined water temperature in the steam step.

Accordingly, in the washing machine 100, the air blowing is started after the water temperature for generating the steam has been reached, and the steam can be efficiently supplied.

The control unit 170 of the washing machine 100 according to the present embodiment may temporarily stop the blowing of the drying unit 700 at a predetermined timing in the steam step.

Accordingly, in the washing machine 100, when detecting the variation of the water level in the steam step, it is possible to suppress erroneous detection of the water level due to wind pressure.

The drying unit 700 of the washing machine 100 of the present embodiment may include a heat exchanger 712 that heats the supplied wind.

Accordingly, in washing machine 100, since high-temperature steam can be sent into drum 210, wrinkle removal performance, sterilization/deodorization performance, and the like of the object to be treated can be improved. In addition, in the washing machine 100, by heating the steam blown from the drying unit 700, it is possible to suppress the steam from being condensed due to a temperature decrease.

The drying unit 700 of the washing machine 100 according to the present embodiment may include the air supply port 761 and the outlet temperature sensor 162b. The air supply port 761 connects the outer tub 220 and the air supply pipe 760 at a downstream side of the heat exchange portion 712, and blows the steam into the drum 210. The outlet temperature sensor 162b detects the temperature of the steam near the air outlet 761. Further, the controller 170 may stop the heating of the heat exchanger 712 when the temperature of the steam detected by the outlet air temperature sensor 162b is 70 ℃.

Accordingly, in the washing machine 100, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of secondary wrinkles in the laundry as the object to be treated due to the blowing of the high-temperature steam.

The control unit 170 of the washing machine 100 according to the present embodiment may perform a steam step of blowing steam into the tub 220 and a drying step of drying the object to be treated received in the tub 220.

Thus, in the washing machine 100, the object to be treated is treated with a large amount of steam and then dried in a wet state, so that the user can use or wear the treated object immediately after the operation is completed.

The controller 170 of the washing machine 100 according to the present embodiment may start driving the drying unit 700 after stopping driving the hot water heater 163 when the steam step is completed, and drain the water in the tub 220 when the water in the tub 220 reaches a predetermined water temperature.

Thus, in the washing machine 100, the water inside the tub 220 is naturally cooled by the air blowing, and thus the water temperature T inside the tub 220 can be lowered without additionally supplying water inside the tub 220.

The steam generator 160 of the washing machine 100 according to the present embodiment may include a hot water heater 163 for heating water stored in the tub 220, and the hot water heater 163 may be horizontally disposed below the drum 210 in the installed state of the washing machine 100.

Accordingly, in the drum type washing machine such as the washing machine 100 having the drum 210 provided at an inclination, since the water surface and the hot water heater 163 are substantially parallel, the hot water heater 163 can be completely immersed in the minimum amount of water.

(embodiment mode 2)

The washing machine of embodiment 2 is different from embodiment 1 in that steam supply control is performed in a washing process. That is, the control content of the control unit of the washing machine of embodiment 2 is different from the control unit 170 of the washing machine 100 of embodiment 1. The other configurations of the washing machine according to embodiment 2 are the same as those of the washing machine 100 according to embodiment 1, and therefore a description will be given here mainly of a control unit of the washing machine according to embodiment 2.

The washing process includes a washing process, a rinsing process and a dehydrating process. The steam step is performed in at least one of the washing step, the rinsing step, and the dehydration step. Hereinafter, a case where the steam step is performed in the cleaning step (hereinafter, also referred to as "application example 1"), a case where the steam step is performed in the rinsing step (hereinafter, also referred to as "application example 2"), and a case where the steam step is performed in the dehydration step (hereinafter, also referred to as "application example 3") will be described in order. In addition, although the following description is given with reference to examples 1 to 3 as a case where the steam step is performed in 1 of the cleaning step, the rinsing step, and the dehydration step, the steam step may be performed in a plurality of steps among the cleaning step, the rinsing step, and the dehydration step.

Application example 1: steam step in washing step

The following description deals with a case where the control unit of example 1 performs the steam step at the final stage of the cleaning step.

Immediately after the start of the operation, the control unit of application example 1 supplies the washing water to a water level a higher than the inner bottom surface of drum 210. When the water is supplied, the detergent contained in the detergent container 150 is supplied into the tub 220 together with the washing water, and the washing process is started.

In the cleaning step, the control unit of application example 1 operates motor 231, and this motor 231 rotates drum 210 to perform a cleaning operation combining beat washing, press washing, kneading washing, and the like, thereby removing dirt adhering to the object to be treated. Here, the beat washing is a washing method for beating the object to be processed to the drum 210. The push washing is a washing method of washing the object to be processed while rotating the drum 210 at a high speed and in a state of being attached to the drum 210. Kneading is a washing method in which the rotation direction of the drum 210 is reversed in a short time. In addition, by driving the circulation pump 610 to apply washing water to the object to be treated, the cleaning effect of the object to be treated is further improved.

When the final stage of the cleaning process is reached, the controller of application example 1 drains the water to the B water level, and the steam process is performed. This is to prevent the object to be treated such as clothes from being damaged by the hot water heater 163 by heating the washing water in a state where the object is immersed in the washing water. Of course, the steam step may be performed in a state where the a water level is maintained.

The control unit of application example 1 performs a cooling process for cooling the washing water in the outer tub 220 after the steam process. The control unit of application example 1 discharges the washing water after the temperature of the washing water is lowered to a predetermined temperature by supplying water into the tub 220, and shifts to the rinsing process. When the rinsing process and the dehydrating process are finished, the washing process is completed.

In this way, by performing the steam step in the cleaning step, effects such as sterilization, deodorization, removal or inactivation of allergens, and unwinding of entangled objects to be treated can be obtained.

In addition, although the case where the steam step is performed in the latter half of the washing step is described here, the steam step may be performed in the initial stage of the washing step. In the case where the steam process is performed at the initial stage of the washing process, the control part of the variation of application example 1 first supplies the washing water to the B water level and performs the steam process. After the steam step, the control unit according to the modification of application example 1 further supplies the washing water to the a water level and performs the washing operation. As a further modification, the controller of the further modification of application example 1 may perform the steam step after water is supplied to the a water level from the beginning.

Application example 2: steam step in rinsing step

The following description deals with a case where the control unit of example 2 performs the steam step in the rinsing step.

The rinsing step is provided 1 or more times, and in application example 2, a case where a steam step is provided in a final rinsing step immediately before the dehydration step will be described as an example.

In order to obtain the effect of unwinding the wound object to be treated by using steam, it is preferable to perform the steam process at the final stage of the final rinsing process. In the initial stage of the rinsing process, the controller of application example 2 performs rinsing at a water level a or higher, and performs a steam process by draining water to a water level B in the final stage of the rinsing process, as in a normal washing machine.

The control unit of application example 2 performs the cooling step after the steam step. In the cooling process, the controller of application example 2 supplies water into the outer tub 220 to lower the temperature of the washing water to a predetermined temperature, and then discharges the washing water to perform a dehydration process. As the cooling means, a method of setting a cooling time for naturally cooling the water temperature T to a predetermined temperature may be used.

As described above, in application example 2, the steam step is performed in the rinsing step, whereby effects such as sterilization, deodorization, inactivation of allergens, and disentanglement of entangled objects can be obtained.

[ application example 3: steam step in dehydration step

The following description deals with a case where the control unit of example 3 performs the steam step in the dehydration step.

The steam process in the dehydration process may be any one of a method of supplying water to the B water level at the initial stage of the dehydration process and performing the steam process while rotating the drum 210 at a high speed and a method of supplying water to the B water level and performing the steam process after the high-speed rotation of the drum 210 is finished. After the steam step is performed, the process proceeds to the cooling step, and the control unit of application example 3 cools the washing water and then discharges the water to the outside of washing machine 100.

In this way, by performing the steam step in the dehydration step, effects such as sterilization, deodorization, removal or inactivation of allergens, and reduction of wrinkles by unwinding of wound objects to be treated can be obtained.

(embodiment mode 3)

The washing machine of embodiment 3 differs from embodiment 1 in that: after performing a series of operations of washing and drying, steam supply control is performed. That is, the control content of the control unit of the washing machine of embodiment 3 is different from the control unit 170 of the washing machine 100 of embodiment 1. The other configurations of the washing machine according to embodiment 3 are the same as those of the washing machine 100 according to embodiment 1, and therefore a description will be given here mainly of a control unit of the washing machine according to embodiment 3.

[ control of steam supply after the first drying step ]

Hereinafter, a case where the steam step is performed after the drying step will be described.

When the series of operations of the washing process, the rinsing process and the dehydrating process is completed, the first drying process is performed. In the drying step, the control unit of embodiment 3 drives the blower fan 730 and the heat exchange unit 712 while rotating the drum 210, and dries the object to be treated wetted by washing. At this time, the control unit of embodiment 3 drives the drain valve 690 to be continuously or intermittently opened. When the object to be treated is dried, since the water contained in the object to be treated is evaporated without using energy, the temperature of the wind circulating in the drum 210 is gradually increased.

In the control unit of embodiment 3, when the drying temperature sensors (the suction temperature sensor 162a and the discharge temperature sensor 162B) detect that the temperature of the air has reached a predetermined temperature, the drain valve 690 is closed, the water supply valve 141 is opened, and the washing water is supplied to the B water level. In order to prevent water from splashing on the object to be treated in the drum 210, the air blowing fan 730 and the heat exchanging part 712 may be stopped during water supply. The predetermined temperature is a temperature in the second half of the deceleration drying period in which the warm air temperature approaches the temperature equilibrium. At this stage, the object to be treated is dried to such an extent that it can be used or worn.

The steam process is performed when the water supply is completed. When the steam step is completed, the drying process is performed in the order of the 2 nd drying step of drying the wet object to be treated after the steam step, the cooling step, and the draining operation.

In the drying program of the present embodiment, the steam step is performed after the first drying step, and therefore the steam step can be started in a state where the tank unit 200 is heated, and therefore the effect of steam is easily obtained.

As in the present embodiment, by performing the steam step after the drying step, the effects of sterilization and deodorization of the object to be treated, inactivation of an allergic substance attached to the object to be treated, reduction of drying wrinkles of the object to be treated by the steam, and the like can be obtained.

(embodiment 4)

[ Structure of washing machine having the second water supply pipe ]

The washing machine 100a of embodiment 4 differs from the washing machine 100 of embodiment 1 in that: a 2 nd water supply pipe 153 connecting the water supply valve 141 and the upstream circulation pipe 640 is provided as an example of the 2 nd water supply unit of the present invention. The control content of the control unit 170a of the washing machine 100a according to embodiment 4 is different from the control unit 170 of the washing machine 100 according to embodiment 1. The other configurations of the washing machine 100a according to embodiment 4 are the same as those of the washing machine 100 according to embodiment 1, and therefore, differences will be mainly described here.

Fig. 8 is a schematic front sectional view showing the structure of a washing machine 100a according to embodiment 4 of the present invention.

The position of the control unit 170a shown in fig. 8 is an example, and may be arranged at another position. The control unit 170a includes a computer system having a processor and a memory. The computer system functions as the control unit 170a by causing the processor to execute the program stored in the memory. Here, the program executed by the processor is stored in advance in the memory of the computer system, but may be provided by being stored in a non-transitory storage medium such as a memory card or may be provided via an electric communication line such as the internet.

Hereinafter, a water discharge operation different from embodiment 1 will be described with reference to fig. 8.

After the steam process is completed, if the temperature in the outer tub 220 is equal to or higher than a predetermined water temperature, the controller 170a opens the water supply valve 141 and the drain valve 690 at the same time. The water supplied from the water supply valve 141 is directly supplied to the upstream circulation pipe 640 via the 2 nd water supply pipe 153, and is merged with the washing water discharged from the outer tub 220. Thereby, the washing water is cooled in the upstream circulation pipe 640 before being discharged from the washing machine 100. Therefore, it is not necessary to additionally provide a time for the cooling process, and therefore, the washing machine 100a of embodiment 4 can complete the steam supply control in a shorter time than the washing machine 100 of embodiment 1.

[ Effect, etc. ]

The washing machine 100a of the present embodiment may further include: a drain valve 690 constituting a part of a drain unit for draining water stored in the outer tub 220; and a 2 nd water supply pipe 153 that supplies water so as to join the discharged water. When the steam process of blowing steam into the tub 220 is completed, the controller 170a may stop the driving of the hot water heater 163 and perform the water discharge by the water discharge valve 690 and the water supply by the 2 nd water supply pipe 153.

Accordingly, the temperature of the discharged washing water can be rapidly cooled, and thus the washing machine 100a can complete the steam supply control in a short time.

(other embodiments)

In embodiments 1 to 4, a drum-type washing machine is described as an example of the washing machine of the present invention. The washing machine of the present invention is not limited to a drum-type washing machine, and may be a vertical washing machine or a nursing machine.

In embodiments 1 to 4, the steam generating unit 160 integrally formed with the outer tub 220 is described as an example of the steam generating unit of the present invention. The steam generating part of the present invention may be provided so as to communicate with the tub of the present invention, and therefore may be a steam water tank as an independent component provided at a lower part of the tub of the present invention.

In embodiments 1 to 4, a configuration in which water supply unit 139 supplies water while blowing is stopped is described as an example of water supply by the water supply unit of the present invention. The water supply can be performed as long as the water level can be detected without the influence of the wind pressure, and therefore, the water supply is not limited to a configuration in which the water supply is performed in a state in which the air blowing is stopped. For example, the water supply may be performed in a state where the blower fan 730 is driven at a constant rotational speed. The wind pressure generated when the blower fan 730 is rotated at a constant rotation speed is substantially constant. Therefore, the differential pressure before and after the water supply corresponds to the change in the water pressure, and therefore, the water level sensor 321 can be prevented from erroneously detecting the water level. In addition, the washing machine of the present invention may also use the following structure: the wind supply unit of the present invention is provided with a wind pressure detector, and the water level is calculated by obtaining a difference in wind pressure from the pressure detected by the water level detector of the present invention. The washing machine of the present modification can perform water supply while supplying air.

In embodiments 1 to 4, a configuration in which the driving of the blower fan 730 is started after the heating by the hot water heater 163 is performed is described as an example of the timing at which the driving of the steam generation unit of the present invention and the driving of the air supply unit of the present invention are started. The timing of starting the driving of the steam generating unit of the present invention and the wind supply unit of the present invention is not limited to this. In the steam step, the hot water heater 163 and the blower fan 730 may be started to be driven at the same time, or the blower fan 730 may be started to be driven first. Further, the driving of the blower fan 730 may be started when the temperature of the washing water detected by the water temperature detection sensor 161 reaches a predetermined temperature. Thus, in the washing machine of the present modification, the washing water can be prevented from being radiated by the circulation of the air, and the water temperature T can be increased efficiently.

In embodiments 1 to 4, two configurations have been described as an example of a configuration in which the water level is controlled so as not to become a water level that may expose the heater in the steam step. That is, the structure in which the hot water heater 163 is stopped when the water level is lower than the C water level and the structure in which the air blowing fan 730 is intermittently operated and the water level is detected when the air blowing fan 730 is stopped have been described. The structure for controlling the water level so as not to become the water level that may expose the heater is not limited to the above structure. For example, in the steam step, when the water level in the outer tub 220 is lower than a predetermined re-supply water level (not shown), the water supply valve 141 may be opened to re-supply water to a predetermined water level. The re-supply water level is set higher than the C water level, and thus, a part of the hot water heater 163 can be prevented from being located above the water surface. In the steam step, the hot water heater 163 may be stopped when the water level sensor 321 detects a sudden pressure drop. This is because the rapid pressure drop is not an influence of the air blowing by the air blowing fan 730, but is highly likely to be an influence of the water level change due to water leakage.

In embodiments 1 to 3, as an example of a structure for cooling the washing water before draining, a cooling step of performing natural cooling when the water temperature T is 50 ℃. The cooling step is not limited to this, as long as the washing water can be cooled before being drained. For example, the air blowing fan 730 may be driven in a state where the drain valve 690 is closed to circulate air in the outer tub 220, thereby promoting heat dissipation of the washing water. If the distance between the lowermost end of the drum 210 and the B water level is sufficient, water may be further supplied to lower the temperature of the washing water in the cooling step.

In embodiment 1, as a method of cooling the washing water in the outer tub 220, a method of naturally cooling the washing water over time is described. The method of cooling the washing water in the tub 220 may be, for example, a method of supplying further washing water into the tub 220 to lower the water temperature T in the tub 220, or a method of supplying water and simultaneously performing drainage to lower the drainage temperature. For example, in the course of performing the steam supply control at the a water level, the temperature of the washing water may be lowered by further supplying the washing water in order to rapidly cool the washing water. On the other hand, in the course of performing the steam supply control at the B water level, the temperature of the washing water may be lowered by further supplying the washing water only when the distance between the B water level and the bottom surface of the drum 210 is sufficient.

Industrial applicability

The present invention can be applied to a washing machine that supplies steam into a storage tank. Specifically, the present invention can be applied to a vertical washing machine, a drum washing machine, a dual-tub washing machine, and the like.

Description of the reference numerals

100. A washing machine; 100a, a washing machine; 110. a housing; 111. a front wall; 112. a rear wall; 113. a housing top wall; 114. a housing bottom wall; 116. a seal configuration; 119. a throwing port; 120. a door body; 123. an operation section; 139. a water supply unit (water supply unit); 140. a water supply port; 141. a water supply valve; 150. a detergent storage part; 151. a water supply pipe; 152. a lint filter; 153. a 2 nd water supply pipe (2 nd water supply part); 160. a steam generating section; 161. a water temperature detection sensor (water temperature detection unit); 162a, an intake temperature sensor; 162b, an outlet temperature sensor (outlet temperature detection unit); 163. a hot water heater (heater); 170. a control unit; 170a, a control unit; 200. a tank unit; 210. a drum (storage groove); 211. a peripheral wall; 212. a bottom wall; 213. an opening part; 214. a hole; 220. an outer tub; 221. a bottom; 222. a front portion; 230. a rotating shaft; 231. an electric motor; 232. a pulley; 233. a belt; 321. a water level sensor (water level detection unit); 610. a circulation pump; 630. a gas trap; 631. an air tube; 640. an upstream circulation pipe; 650. a downstream circulation pipe; 660. a drain pipe; 690. a drain valve; 700. a drying unit (wind supply unit); 710. a drying pipeline; 711. an air filter; 712. a heat exchange unit (air heating unit); 730. an air supply fan (air supply unit); 750. an air inlet pipe; 751. an air inlet; 760. an air supply pipe; 761. an air supply port; 1000. a washing machine; 1139. a water supply unit; 1140. a water supply port; 1141. a water supply valve; 1150. a detergent storage part; 1151. a water supply pipe; 1160. a steam generation unit; 1163. a hot water heater; 1210. a drum; 1213. an opening part; 1214. a hole; 1220. an outer tub; 1231. an electric motor; 1610. a circulation pump; 1700. a drying unit; 1730. an air supply fan; 1750. an air inlet pipe; 1760. an air feed pipe; RX, axis of rotation; t, water temperature; td, drying process time; ts, steam process time; t', natural cooling time.

Claims

1. A washing machine, in which,

the washing machine is provided with:

an outer tub;

a receiving groove provided in the outer tub;

a steam generating part provided to the tub and generating steam; and

and a blowing unit that supplies the steam generated by the steam generating unit into the storage tank.

2. A washing machine, wherein,

the washing machine is provided with:

an outer tub;

a receiving groove provided in the outer tub;

a water supply part supplying water to the outer tub;

an air supply unit supplying air to the outer tub;

a steam generating part provided in the tub and generating steam; and

a control part for controlling the operation of the display device,

as for the control portion, it is preferable that,

driving the water supply part to supply water into the outer barrel,

driving the steam generating part to generate steam using the supplied water,

the air supply unit is driven to blow steam into the storage tank.

3. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein,

the steam generating part comprises a heater for heating the water stored in the outer barrel,

the heater is disposed below the storage tank in an installation state of the washing machine.

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

the wind supply unit includes:

an air supply unit that generates air;

an air path provided with the air supply part and connected with the outer barrel; and

and an air inlet which is provided on the upstream side of the air blowing unit, connects the tub and the air passage at a position above the steam generator in the installed state of the washing machine, and sucks air in the tub.

5. The washing machine as claimed in claim 4, wherein,

the air supply unit includes an air supply port connecting the outer tub and the air passage on a downstream side of the air supply portion, and configured to supply air into the storage groove.

6. The washing machine according to any one of claims 2 to 5,

the washing machine further comprises a water level detection part for detecting the water level in the outer barrel,

the steam generating part is arranged below the accommodating groove,

as for the control portion, it is preferable that,

driving the water supply part to supply water into the tub in a state where the driving of the wind supply unit is stopped,

driving the steam generating part to generate steam using the supplied water,

the air supply unit is driven to blow steam into the storage tank.

7. The washing machine according to any one of claims 2 to 6,

the washing machine further comprises a water temperature detecting part for detecting the water temperature in the outer barrel,

as for the control portion, it is preferable that,

in the steam process for generating the steam,

and when the water in the outer barrel reaches the preset water temperature, the air supply unit starts to supply air.

8. The washing machine according to any one of claims 2 to 6,

as for the control portion, it is preferable that,

in the steam process for generating steam, the steam generating process,

the air supply means is temporarily stopped from blowing air at a predetermined timing.

9. The washing machine according to claim 4,

the wind supply unit includes an air heating part that heats supplied wind.

10. The washing machine as claimed in claim 9, wherein,

the wind supply unit includes:

an air supply port connecting the tub and the air passage on a downstream side of the air heater, for blowing steam into the storage tub; and

a blow-out temperature detection unit that detects a temperature of the steam near the air supply port,

the control section stops the heating by the air heating section when the temperature of the steam detected by the blowout temperature detection section is 70 ℃ or higher.

11. The washing machine according to any one of claims 2 to 10,

the control section executes:

a steam step of blowing steam into the tub; and

and a drying step of drying the object to be treated stored in the tub.

12. The washing machine according to any one of claims 2 to 11,

as for the control portion, it is preferable that,

when the steam step of blowing steam into the tub is completed, the driving of the wind supply unit is started after the driving of the steam generating part is stopped, and the water in the tub is discharged when the water in the tub reaches a predetermined water temperature.

13. The washing machine according to any one of claims 2 to 11,

the washing machine further includes:

a drain part for draining water stored in the outer tub; and

a 2 nd water supply unit for supplying water so as to join the discharged water,

as for the control portion, it is preferable that,

and stopping the driving of the steam generating part and performing the water discharging by the water discharging part and the water supplying by the 2 nd water supplying part when the steam step of blowing the steam into the tub is finished.

14. The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2,

the heater is horizontally disposed below the storage tank in an installation state of the washing machine.