JP2003210886A - Washing and drying machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a washing and drying machine capable of reducing wrinkles of clothes, or the like. <P>SOLUTION: In the washing and drying machine having a frame body, an outer tank hanged from the frame body, a spinning tab rotatably arranged within the outer tank, a fan for drawing in air within the outer tank from the bottom portion of the outer tank and returning it again into the outer tank through a circulation path, a heater provided within the path, a water supplying means for supplying water into the path, a water discharging means for discharging the water supplied into the outer tank, and a control means for controlling the water supplying means and the water discharging means, and performing washing operation, drying operation, and air blowing operation, cycles of storing the water within the outer tank by supplying the water into the outer tank by the water supplying means and discharging water by the water discharging means are repeated a plurality of times in the air blowing operation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a washer / dryer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a washing / drying machine, in a washing operation, after supplying tap water (washing water), a stirring blade is normally and reversely rotated to perform a washing operation in which a mechanical force is exerted on laundry clothes, and then a tap water is supplied. A dewatering operation is performed in which water (rinsing water) is supplied and the washing clothes are subjected to a mechanical force in the same manner, and then the washing and dewatering tank is rotated to centrifugally dewater the washing water contained in the clothes. Run, and after that,
The drying operation is performed by supplying warm air to the washing / dehydrating tub to dry the laundry. As a washer / dryer that executes such a series of operations, JP-A-11-347281 and the like,
There are JP-A Nos. 11-347282 and 11-347296.

However, in a washer / dryer equipped with a stirring blade,
Wrinkles easily occur on clothes during dry operation.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a washer / dryer capable of reducing wrinkles on clothes and the like.

[0005]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a frame, an outer tub suspended and supported by the frame, and a laundry rotatably installed in the outer tub. It also has a dewatering tank, water supply means for supplying water to the outer tank, drainage means for draining the water supplied to the outer tank, and control means for controlling the water supply means and the drainage means. A washing / drying machine that operates and blows air, characterized in that the water feeding means supplies water to the outer tub to perform the blowing operation.

[0006]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention is a frame, an outer tub suspended and supported by the frame, and a washing and removing machine rotatably installed in the outer tub. A water tank, water supply means for supplying water to the outer tank, drainage means for draining the water supplied to the outer tank, and control means for controlling the water supply means and the drainage means, washing operation, drying operation, A washing / drying machine that performs a blowing operation, wherein the water supply means supplies water to the outer tub to perform the blowing operation. According to this configuration, it is possible to reduce wrinkles on the clothes that are attached during the drying operation.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a frame body, an outer tub suspended from and supported by the frame body, a washing and dehydrating tub rotatably installed in the outer tub, and It has a water supply means for supplying water to the outer tub, a drainage means for draining the water supplied to the outer tub, and a control means for controlling the water supply means and the drainage means, and performs a washing operation, a drying operation, and a blowing operation. A washer / dryer, wherein the blower operation is performed in a state where water is supplied to the outer tub by the water supply means and water is stored in the outer tub, and the water in the outer tub is drained by the drainage means. It is a washing and drying machine. According to this configuration, the wrinkles of the clothes attached in the dry operation can be reduced by the steaming effect,
Further, the outer tank can be cooled. According to a third aspect of the present invention, a frame, an outer tub suspended from and supported by the frame, a washing / dehydrating tub rotatably installed in the outer tub, and a lower outer tub. A fan that sucks the air in the outer tub from the inside and returns it to the outer tub again through a circulation passage, a heater provided in the passage, a water supply means for supplying water into the passage, and the outer tub A washer / dryer having a draining means for draining the water supplied to, and a controlling means for controlling the water supplying means and the draining means, and performing a washing operation, a drying operation, and a blowing operation, wherein the blowing operation is performed in the washing operation. The washing / drying machine is characterized in that a cycle of supplying water to the outer tub by a water supply means to store water in the outer tub and draining the water by the drainage means is performed a plurality of times. According to this configuration, it is possible to reduce the wrinkles of the clothes attached during the drying operation by the steaming effect, and it is possible to efficiently cool the outer tub.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects, the water supply means stores water in the outer tub below the bottom of the washing / dehydrating tub. A washer / dryer characterized by performing the blowing operation. According to this configuration, in addition to the effects produced by the configurations of claims 1 to 3, it is possible to steam the dried clothes in the drying operation without immersing them in water.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects, the washing / dehydrating tub has an upper portion with a clothes inlet and a lid for covering the clothes inlet. The control means is configured to supply water to the outer tub by the water supply means to store water, and drain the water in the outer tub by the drainage means when the lid is opened. It is a machine. According to this structure, in addition to the effects produced by the structures according to claims 1 to 3, the clothes can be kept in a steamed state to some extent until the clothes are taken out.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects, the washing / dehydrating tub has an upper part with a clothes inlet and a lid for covering the clothes inlet. The control means supplies water to the outer tub by the water supply means to store water, and drains the water in the outer tub by the drainage means when the lid is opened or after a predetermined time has passed after the operation ends. It is a washer / dryer characterized by the above. According to this configuration, in addition to the effects produced by the configurations according to claims 1 to 3, the clothes can be kept in a steamed state to some extent until the clothes are taken out, and the wetness of the clothes can be reduced.

The invention according to claim 7 of the present invention is the washing and drying machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the water supply means is a self-priming pump. According to this configuration, in addition to the effects produced by the configurations of claims 1 to 3, it is possible to save water.

[0012]

EXAMPLE FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a longitudinal section of a washer / dryer according to an embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 1 is a frame body forming an outer frame. Reference numeral 2 denotes a washing / dehydrating tank, which has a water passage hole 2a in its peripheral wall, a fluid balancer 3 at its upper edge portion, and a rotator 4 rotatably installed inside the bottom portion. The rotating body 4 has a large diameter (90% or more of the diameter of the washing / dewatering tub 2 is desirable) and is curved so as to raise the peripheral portion, and a water passage hole 4a is provided in the lower region. Reference numeral 5 is an outer tub that encloses the washing / dehydrating tub 2. The driving device 6 is attached to the outside of the bottom by a steel plate mounting base 7, and is suspended from the four corners of the upper end of the outer frame 1 by anti-vibration supporting devices 8. Support below.

The drive unit 6 incorporates a drive motor, an electric operation clutch mechanism, and a planetary gear speed reduction mechanism, and is equipped with a washing and dehydrating tub 2
Rotating the rotating body 4 (stirring mode) with the stationary, rotating the washing / dehydrating tub 2 and the rotating body 4 in opposite directions (washing mode), the washing / dehydrating tub 2 and the rotating body 4 are integrated. It has a selective drive function to rotate in the same direction (dehydration / drying mode).

The upper cover 9 having the clothes inlet 9a is
Fit into the opening edge so as to cover the upper opening of the frame body 1,
The front panel 10 and the back panel 11 are attached to the frame body 1 with mounting screws.

The front panel box 12 formed between the top cover 9 and the front panel 10 has a power switch.
An operation panel 14 provided with 13, an input switch group and a display element group, a water level sensor 15 for generating a water level signal according to the water level in the outer tub 5, and a control unit 16 are incorporated. These constitute a control device.

In the back panel box 17 formed between the top cover 9 and the back panel 11, the washing water supply means and the high-concentration detergent liquid generating means are installed so as to be installed side by side.

The washing water supply means is composed of a main water supply solenoid valve 20 having its water inlet side connected to the water supply port 18 and its water outlet side connected to the water inlet 19.

The high-concentration detergent liquid generating / supplying means supplies a small amount of detergent-dissolving water to the detergent-dissolving container 21 from the auxiliary water-supply solenoid valve 22 and agitates the powder synthetic detergent put in the detergent-dissolving container 21. While being dissolved in the detergent-dissolving water, a high-concentration detergent solution is produced. The detergent dissolving container 21 has an overflow portion (not shown) connected to the water supply port 19, and the generated high-concentration detergent liquid is diluted with further water supply (diluted water supply) to increase the amount of water so that the detergent solution overflows from the overflow water portion. Supply to the water inlet 19. In order to dilute the detergent-dissolving water for generating a high-concentration detergent solution, a small amount not to overflow from the overflow portion of the detergent-dissolving container 21, and to dilute to a detergent concentration suitable for immersion in laundry when diluting water is supplied. The main water supply solenoid valve 20 is also opened to supply additional dilution water to the water injection port 19.

When a finishing agent feeder is attached to the detergent dissolving container 21, an auxiliary water supply solenoid valve 22a for flowing out the finishing agent is provided.
To provide.

As shown in FIG. 1, the hot air supply means is a heater that passes air sucked from the lower portion 5a of the outer tank 5 through a duct 27.
It is heated at 29 and blown out from the outlet 30.
The warm air drying means is formed so as to extend upward in a vertical state along the outer wall surface on the rear side of the outer tub 5 from the suction port 5a formed on the side wall near the bottom of the outer tub 5 to form the suction port 5a.
A water-cooled dehumidification duct 23 that dams the wash water that has entered from
A cooling water sprinkling unit 2 which is located at the upper part of the water cooling / dehumidifying duct 23 and is a water supply means for supplying cooling water from the inside of the duct to the outer tub 5.
4, a downward air passage duct 25 that folds back at a position higher than the water level of the outer tub 5 in a washing operation and extends vertically along the outer wall surface of the outer tub 5 toward the lower side of the outer tub 5 and the outer tub 5. A circulation fan 26 which is arranged in a space below and sucks air from the downdraft duct 25 to generate circulation air, and an upward direction along the outer wall surface of the outer tub 5 from the outlet of the circulation fan 26. An ascending air duct 27 extending vertically to the heater, a heater (PTC heater) 29 installed on the outer tank upper cover 28 for heating the circulating air sent from the ascending air duct 27, and a heater.
An outlet 30 for blowing the circulating air heated by 29 into the washing / dehydrating tub 2 is provided.

A humidity sensor 40 as a humidity detecting means and a first temperature sensor 41 are installed in the descending air duct 25, and a heater 29 is installed.
The second temperature sensor 42 is installed in the air passage on the downstream side of.

Further, a yarn waste collecting filter (not shown) is installed at the folded portion from the upper part of the water cooling / dehumidifying duct 23 to the descending air duct 25.

The water-cooled dehumidifying duct 23 and the downwind duct 25
The upward air ducts 27 are mounted side by side in the circumferential direction of the outer tub 5.

The warm air drying means drains the washing water in the outer tub 5 after washing, spins the washing / dehydrating tub 2 at a high speed to spin it off, and then operates the circulation fan 26 while rotating it at a low speed. In the process of sucking out the moist air in the outer tub 5 and the washing / dehydrating tub 2 through the suction port 5a and raising the inside of the water-cooling dehumidification duct 23, cooling is performed by the cooling water supplied from the cooling sprinkler 24 into the water-cooling dehumidification duct 23. And dehumidify. After that, the air that has been cooled and dehumidified descends the downflow duct 25 and is sucked into the circulation fan 26, is sent from the circulation fan 26 to the blowout port 30 through the upflow duct 27 and the heater 29, and is heated by the heater 29 to be washed. Blow toward the vicinity of the inner wall surface in the combined washing / dehydrating tub 2 in the opposite direction to the rotating direction of the washing / dehydrating tub 2. In this way washing and dewatering tank
The circulating air blown into 2 touches the laundry in the washing / dehydrating tub 2 to dry the laundry.

The clothes inlet 9a formed on the top cover 9 is
The lid 31 is configured to be openably and closably covered, and the opening 28a formed in the outer tank upper cover 28 is configured to be openably and closably covered by an inner lid 32.

The drainage port 5b formed at the bottom of the outer tank 5 is
It is connected to a drain hose 34 via a drain solenoid valve 33 which is a drain means for draining the water inside. The air trap 5c is connected to the water level sensor 15 via an air tube 35. At the lower end edge of the frame body 1, a base 37 made of synthetic resin with legs 36 attached to the four corners is attached. The reference numeral 38 is
It is the laundry put into the washing and dehydrating tub 2.

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a concrete structure of the above-mentioned washing and drying machine. A part of the description overlapping with the description of FIG. 1 is omitted. The drive device 6 includes a drive motor 61, an electric operation clutch mechanism 62, a planetary gear reduction mechanism 63, a center output shaft 64 and an outer output shaft 65, and is integrally assembled on the lower surface of a steel plate mounting base 7, and this mounting base Install by screwing 7 to the bottom of the bottom of outer tank 5.

The drive motor 61 is a reversible rotation type motor having a plurality of steps or continuously variable speed. In this embodiment, the rotation speed of rotating the rotating body 4 with the washing / dehydrating tub 2 kept stationary at the time of detection and the washing / dehydrating tub at wet water supply.
2 and the rotating body 4 are rotated integrally, and the washing / dehydrating tub 2 and / or the rotating body 4 are repeatedly rotated in the forward and reverse directions when descending and soaking the high-concentration detergent liquid on the laundry. The rotation speed to rotate, the rotation speed to rotate the sun gear of the planetary gear reduction mechanism during washing, and the washing and dewatering tub 2 during dewatering.
And a rotation speed that integrally rotates the rotating body 4 at 950 rpm,
When washing with warm air, the washing / dehydrating tank 2 and the rotating body 4 are integrated into 700r.
Rotation was performed at pm, 100 rpm, and 35 rpm, and the rotation speed at which the rotor 4 was independently rotated was set.

The planetary gear reduction mechanism 63 is a mechanism in which a carrier supporting the planetary gears is coupled to the central output shaft 64, an internal gear is coupled to the outer output shaft 65, and a sun gear is directly coupled to the drive motor 61. .

The electric operation clutch mechanism 62 selectively sets the stirring mode, the washing mode, and the dehydration / drying mode by operating the operation lever 62b by the electric operation device 62a. In the stirring mode, the planetary gear reduction mechanism 63
The rotating force of the drive motor 61 is applied to the rotating body through the planetary gear speed reduction mechanism 63 and the central output shaft 64 in a state where a stationary force is applied to the washing / dehydrating tub 2 by engaging the internal gear of the rotating member with the stationary member.
The rotation amount is transmitted to the rotary body 4 to rotate the rotary body 4 to detect the cloth amount and the cloth quality based on the load acting on the rotary body 4. In the washing mode, the sun gear is rotated by the drive motor 61 in a state where the internal gear of the planetary gear reduction mechanism 63 is freely rotated, so that the rotational force of the drive motor 61 is applied to both the central output shaft 64 and the outer output shaft 65. By transmitting in the opposite direction, the washing / dehydrating tub (2) and the rotating body (4) are repeatedly rotated in the opposite direction to perform washing. Then, in the dehydration / drying mode, the internal gear of the planetary gear reduction mechanism 62 is connected to the drive motor 61, and the sun gear and the internal gear are integrally rotated by the drive motor 61, and the central output shaft 64 and the outer output shaft are rotated. 65
Rotate in the same direction to rotate the washing and dehydrating tub 2 and the rotating body 4 in the same direction at low speed to perform wet water supply, rotate at high speed to perform centrifugal dehydration, and rotate at various speeds to dry with warm air. Is a configuration for executing.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the electrical construction of this washer / dryer.

A control unit 16 which is a control means for receiving power via the power switch 13 is mainly composed of a microcomputer 16a, and includes a power circuit 16b and a driving device.
6, a main water supply solenoid valve 20, an auxiliary water supply solenoid valve 22, a detergent stirring motor 39, a drainage solenoid valve 33, a circulation fan 26, a heater 29, and a semiconductor AC switching element (FLS) for controlling power supply to the cooling watering solenoid valve 24a. ) And a drive circuit 16c having a group.

The drive motor 61 of the drive device 6 has a stator winding 61a and a rotation sensor 61b, and the electric operation clutch mechanism 62 has an electric operation device 62a and a position sensor 62c for detecting the operating position.

The drive circuit 16c is the drive device 6
Regarding the power supply control to the stator winding 61a of the drive motor 61 in the above, two semiconductor AC switching elements (FLS) 16c1 and 16c2 are provided for forward and reverse rotation control. FLS
16c1 is a semiconductor switching element for forward rotation power supply control, and FLS16c2 is a semiconductor AC switching element for reverse rotation power supply control. In this embodiment, the rotation speed control of the drive motor 61 is performed by supplying power to the stator winding 61a with F
Although it is configured to perform the phase control by LS16c1 and 16c2, in the configuration using the brushless motor driven by the inverter, PWM control or PAM
It can be configured to be controlled. Also,
An FLS 16c3 for controlling power supply to the electric operating device 62a of the electric operating clutch mechanism 62 in the drive device 6 is provided.

The drive circuit 16c includes a main water supply solenoid valve 20,
The water supply solenoid valve 22, the detergent stirring motor 39, the drainage solenoid valve 33, the circulation fan 26, the heater 29, and the FLS 16c to 416c10 for controlling the power supply to the cooling water sprinkling solenoid valve 24a are provided. Then, the drive circuit 16c controls the conduction state of the FLS 16c1 to FLS 16c10 according to an instruction from the microcomputer 16a to control power supply to the subordinate loads.

The micro computer 16a further includes a rotation sensor 61b of the drive motor 61 and an electric operation clutch mechanism 62.
Position sensor 62c, water level sensor 15 for detecting the washing water level in the outer tub 5, humidity sensor 40, first and second temperature sensors 41, 42,
By connecting the unbalanced detection sensor 43 and the operation panel 14 and executing the control processing program incorporated in advance, the input switch group 14a and the water level sensor 15 of the operation panel 14 are connected.
Rotation sensor 61b, position sensor 62c, humidity sensor 39,
By detecting signals from the first and second temperature sensors 41 and 42 and the unbalance detection sensor 43 and controlling the drive circuit 16c, detection, high-concentration detergent liquid generation, laundry wetting, high-concentration detergent liquid generation / supply ( Immersion), washing, rinsing, dehydration, and hot air drying are performed, and the display element group 14b of the operation panel 14 is executed.
To display its progress by controlling. Here, the unbalance detection sensor 43 determines that the washing / dehydrating tub 2 (outer tub 5) is predetermined by the unbalance of the distribution of the laundry 38 in the washing / dehydrating tub 2 when the washing / dehydrating tub 2 is rotated. It is a sensor that detects large fluctuations above a certain value.

The input switch group 14a of the operation panel 14 includes a course setting switch for setting the type of operation (washing / drying) to be executed and a mode setting for setting the execution method of washing and drying according to the laundry (dry matter). Equipped with a switch. The course setting switch has a washing / drying course, a washing course,
A setting switch for selectively setting the drying course is provided, and the mode setting switch is provided with a switch for selectively setting the standard mode, shirt mode, blanket mode, fresh drying mode, dry mode, finishing mode, and small item drying mode. .

Here, the washing / drying course includes washing operation,
It is a course that consistently executes dry operation and blow operation,
The washing course is a course for performing a washing operation from washing to centrifugal dehydration, and the drying course is a course for performing a drying operation of the laundry that has been washed and dehydrated and a subsequent blowing operation.

Next, the operation will be described.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of each of the operations executed by the microcomputer 16a in the control unit 16 which is the control means.

When the power switch 13 is turned on, the microcomputer 16a executes the following control processing. Step 401 Put the laundry clothes 38 into the washing / dehydrating tub 2, operate the input switch group 14a of the operation panel 14 to perform the initial setting,
When the dry start button switch is pressed, the automatic control process of each operation is started. The initial setting is performed by selecting the course and mode. Here, the operation control when the washing / drying course is set is illustrated. Step 402 The detection control process of the laundry amount of the laundry 38 is performed. The amount of cloth is detected by controlling the electric operation clutch mechanism 62 of the drive device 6 in the stirring mode in the dry cloth state before water supply, urging the drive motor 61 for a short time to rotationally drive the rotating body 4, and deactivating it. It detects based on the deceleration characteristic in the inertia rotation of. Based on this detection result (the amount of laundry to be washed), the amount of washing water and the amount of detergent for producing washing water having a preferable detergent concentration are calculated and determined, and this amount of detergent is displayed by the display element group 14b and corresponds. An amount of the powdered synthetic detergent is put into the detergent dissolving container 21. Step 403 The electric operation clutch mechanism 62 of the drive unit 6 is controlled to the dehydration / drying mode, and the drive motor 61 is operated at a low speed to wash and dehydrate the tub.
While the main body 2 and the rotating body 4 are rotating at a low speed, the main water supply solenoid valve 20 is opened to supply tap water directly to the water injection port 19 to spray the tap water on the laundry 38 in the washing / dehydrating tub 2. The laundry 38 absorbs the tap water that has been sprayed and becomes wet to reduce the bulk. The amount of tap water sprayed at this time is the laundry detected by the detection operation.
The amount of laundry 38 is controlled according to the amount, and when the amount of laundry 38 is small, the amount of laundry is reduced, and the amount of laundry is increased as the amount of laundry is increased.
The amount of tap water sprayed on the laundry 38 is, for example, about 4 L (liter), 4 kg to 8 when the amount of the laundry 38 is less than 4 kg.
In case of kg, it should be 10L. The water supply of this amount is controlled by the opening time of the main water supply solenoid valve 20. Then, if necessary, so that the tap water can sufficiently penetrate into the laundry 38,
Leave it in a wet state for a certain period of time. This stationary time is controlled according to the amount of laundry 38 and the amount of tap water sprinkled. The washing / dehydrating tub 2 may be stopped during the stationary time for allowing the sprayed tap water to sufficiently penetrate the laundry 38, but the washing / dehydrating tub 2 should be kept low for quick penetration. It is good to rotate at speed. Step 404 Open the auxiliary water supply solenoid valve 22 to supply a small amount of tap water (detergent dissolved water) that does not overflow into the detergent dissolving container 21 and put the detergent dissolving container 21 into the detergent dissolving container 21 to generate wash water having a preferable detergent concentration. A high-concentration detergent liquid is produced by dissolving the powder synthetic detergent of (1) with a small amount of detergent-dissolving water while stirring with a rotating body. The amount of the detergent-dissolved water is set to an amount suitable for sufficiently dissolving the powder synthetic detergent while stirring the powder synthetic detergent by the rotating body without overflowing from the overflow portion of the detergent dissolution container 21. Step 405 The electric operation clutch mechanism 62 of the drive unit 6 is controlled to the dehydration / drying mode, and the drive motor 61 is operated at a low speed to wash and dehydrate the tub.
Auxiliary water solenoid valve 22 while rotating 2 and rotating body 4 at low speed
Is opened and the high-concentration detergent solution is diluted by supplying water to the detergent dissolving container 21 and is overflowed from the overflow portion to be sent to the water inlet 19, and the main water supply solenoid valve 20 is opened to inject water to the water inlet 19 The concentrated detergent liquid is diluted with a preferable high-concentration detergent liquid, and the diluted detergent liquid is dropped onto the laundry 38 in the washing / dehydrating tank 2 to be immersed in the laundry 38.

The high-concentration detergent liquid submerged in the laundry 38 acts on the laundry 38 by its chemical high washing power to enhance the washing power, so that the mechanical force acting on the laundry 38 in the washing operation is increased. It is possible to reduce the damage and the entanglement of the cloth.

The powder synthetic detergent includes a surface-active agent for removing stains, an alkaline agent for assisting the active agent, zeolite, an enzyme,
It contains builders such as anti-redeposition agents and additives such as optical brighteners. Zeolite functions to suppress the decrease in the amount of effective surfactant in the wash water by removing (softening) the metal ions contained in tap water and suppressing the generation of metal soap. In the washing water produced by dissolving the powder synthetic detergent in a large amount of tap water, the amount of zeolite is insufficient and the effective surfactant is greatly reduced.

However, the high-concentration detergent liquid produced by dissolving the powdered synthetic detergent with a small amount of tap water (detergent-dissolved water) (for example, detergent concentration 10 times the detergent concentration of washing water) has a metal ion amount of Since the amount is small, the zeolite can sufficiently function to suppress the decrease in effective surfactant to an extremely small amount (about 2%). Therefore, when such a high-concentration detergent solution is dropped onto the laundry to be submerged, the detergent solution can be applied to the laundry (dirty clothes) at a high speed (about 4 times the wash water).
Penetrates at a double speed) to reach dirt quickly, a surfactant promotes emulsification and dispersion of dirt, an alkaline material promotes swelling and saponification of oil dirt, and an enzyme decomposes dirt of fat and protein. Demonstrate cleaning power. Step 406 This is a time for promoting the penetration and immersion of the high-concentration detergent liquid that has fallen on the laundry 38 into the laundry 38, and may be omitted. Step 407 The main water supply solenoid valve 20 and the auxiliary water supply solenoid valve 22 are opened to start the supply of tap water (wash water). The washing water is supplied up to the amount of water determined in step 402, but is interrupted to detect the amount of cloth (a compress value) and the quality of the laundry 38 during the supply of water. This interrupted water level is the microcomputer 16a
The water level is set in advance and is suitable for detecting the amount of compress and the texture. Step 408 Detect the amount of compress cloth and the quality of the cloth to correct and wash the amount of wash water supply,
Determine the control constants for dehydration and drying operations. For this cloth quality detection, the water supply is interrupted at a predetermined low water level to control the electrically operated clutch mechanism 62 of the drive device 6 in the detection mode, and the drive motor 61 is urged for a short time to rotationally drive the rotating body 4. The first deceleration characteristic (amount of compress) in inertial rotation when deenergized is detected, and then the water supply is restarted to replenish the wash water to a predetermined high water level and then the water supply is interrupted to drive the drive motor of the drive unit 6. 61
Is driven for a short time to rotate the rotating body 4 to detect the second deceleration characteristic in inertial rotation at the time of deactivation, and the laundry based on the difference between the first damping characteristic and the second damping characteristic. Detect 38 cloth qualities. This cloth quality detection control is omitted when it becomes unnecessary due to the initial setting. Then, in accordance with the cloth quality, the time and water flow (mechanical agitation strength) in the washing and rinsing operation and the control constant in the drying operation are determined. Step 409 Supply tap water up to the amount of water determined in Step 402. By this water supply, the washing water becomes a detergent concentration suitable for washing by further diluting the high-concentration detergent liquid. This allows the laundry 38
Is suitable for applying a mechanical washing force to the laundry 38 by rotating the washing / dehydrating tub 2 and the rotating body 4 while being immersed in washing water having a predetermined detergent concentration in the washing / dehydrating tub 2. It will be in a state. Step 410 The drive unit 6 is controlled so as to perform the washing operation for the washing water flow and the washing time set in Step 408. In this washing operation, the drive device 6 controls the electric operation clutch mechanism 62 in the washing mode, and repeats the forward / reverse operation of the drive motor 61, thereby repeating the washing / dehydrating tub 2 and the rotating body 4 in opposite directions to rotate in forward / reverse directions. Then, the laundry 38 is mechanically washed. The mechanical (stirring) force applied to the laundry 38 is adjusted by adjusting the ON / OFF time limit of the forward / reverse rotation of the washing / dehydrating tub 2 and the rotating body 4, adjusting the number of revolutions, and adjusting the washing (stirring) time. It can be controlled by

Since this washing / drying machine is designed to utilize the high chemical cleaning power of the high-concentration detergent liquid, the laundry 38 will be better soiled than the conventional cleaning system even with a small mechanical (agitation) power. As a result, damage and entanglement of the laundry 38 can be reduced. Step 411 Open the drainage solenoid valve 33 to drain the wash water out of the machine. Step 412 Open the main water supply solenoid valve 20 and the auxiliary water supply solenoid valve 22 to supply rinsing water (tap water) up to the set water amount. If necessary, the auxiliary water supply solenoid valve 22a is opened to mix the finishing agent. Step 413 The drive unit 6 is controlled to execute the rinsing operation. Step 414 The drainage solenoid valve 33 is opened to drain the rinse water out of the machine. Step 415 The drainage solenoid valve 33 is kept open to control the electric operation clutch mechanism 62 of the drive unit 6 in the dehydration / drying mode, and the drive motor 61 is operated at high speed to integrate the washing / dehydrating tub 2 and the rotating body 4. The water content of the laundry 38 is centrifugally dehydrated by rotating the laundry 38 at a high speed of 950 rpm. When the centrifugal dehydration is completed, the laundry 38 is pressed against the side wall of the washing / dehydrating tub 2 and adheres to the side wall surface. Step 416 The electric operation clutch mechanism 62 of the drive unit 6 is controlled to the dehydration / drying mode, the drive motor 61 is operated to rotate the washing / dehydrating tub 2 and the rotating body 4, and the circulation fan 26 is operated to operate the outer tub 5
The air in the inside is sucked out from the outlet 5a, and when passing through the water cooling / dehumidifying duct 23, it is cooled and dehumidified by the cooling water supplied from the cooling / spraying part 24 into the water cooling / dehumidifying duct 23, and the circulation fan 26 is passed through the downflow duct 25. To the outlet 30 through the ascending air duct 27 and the heater 29, and heated by the heater 29 to rotate the washing / dehydrating tub 2 toward the inner wall surface in the washing / dehydrating tub 2. Circulating air blown in the opposite direction is generated to dry the laundry in the washing / dehydrating tub 2.

In this drying operation, basically, according to a predetermined time schedule set in advance, as described above, the circulation fan 26 is operated while the washing / dehydrating tank 2 and the rotating body 4 are rotated. By circulating the air in the dehydration tank 2 (outer tank 5) through the ducts 23, 25, 27, spraying water from the cooling / spraying unit 24 to water-dehumidify the circulating air, and to heat the water-cooled dehumidified circulating air by the heater 29. Execute, but control the rotation of the washing / dehydrating tub 2 and the rotating body 4 according to the set mode, the amount of laundry 38, the humidity of the circulating air (dryness of laundry 38), the temperature, and the result of unbalance detection. And circulation fans
The operation control of 26, the heat generation control of the heater 29, and the sprinkling control of the cooling sprinkling unit 24 are executed.

The rotation of the washing / dehydrating tub 2 in this drying operation is set to 700 rpm as a semi-high speed rotation, 100 rpm as a low speed rotation speed, and 35 rpm as an ultra-low speed rotation speed. The specific value of each of these rotation speeds is not limited to this value and may be changed as necessary. For example, it is preferable to change the amount according to the amount of cloth and the quality of cloth. The first drying operation, in which the washing / dehydrating tank 2 is rotated by semi-high speed rotation, is performed in the initial heating stage in the initial stage of the drying operation.
It is suitable for promoting the centrifugal dehydration and heat drying of 38.
In this initial heating stage, water cooling and dehumidification of the circulating air is not performed. Washing and dewatering tank at a lower rotation speed than the first drying operation 2
In the second drying operation in which is rotated, it is suitable for circulating air to be blown into the washing / dehydrating tub 2 evenly in the water-cooling dehumidifying / drying step to be performed thereafter and to touch the laundry 38. Then, the rotation of the washing and dehydrating tub 2 at an ultra-low rotation speed is suitable for blowing the circulating air while slowly rotating the dried product 38 in the shirt mode, the blanket mode, the dry mode, and the small item drying mode to dry it. .

Since the runout of the washing / dehydrating tub 2 (outer tub 5) due to the imbalance of the laundry 38 becomes larger as the rotation speed of the washing / dehydrating tub 2 becomes higher, when the runout is detected at the quasi-high speed rotation speed. By changing to a low speed rotation speed and performing speed control to change to an ultra-low speed rotation speed when shake is detected in low speed rotation, warm air drying is continued while reducing inconvenience (vibration or noise) due to shake. When the rotation speed is reduced by detecting the shake,
It is dried to the required degree of dryness by extending the drying time.

When clogging occurs in the warm air circulation path (particularly, the lint collecting filter), the air volume of the circulating air is reduced and the drying efficiency is reduced. This clogging detection is performed by monitoring the temperature difference between the circulating air before and after the heater 29 (the temperature detected by the first and second temperature sensors 41, 42) or by monitoring the magnitude of the current consumption of the heater 29. To do. The temperature difference of the circulating air becomes large when the yarn dust collecting filter is clogged and the air volume of the circulating air decreases, and the current consumption of the heater 29 uses the PTC heater. As the amount of circulating air decreases due to clogging, it is possible to detect the degree of clogging of the yarn waste collection filter by monitoring the temperature difference of the circulating air or the amount of current consumption of the heater 29. You can

Further, the transient rise of the temperature of the air in the washing / dehydrating tub 2 causes the laundry 38 and the components of the washer / dryer, particularly the resin molded components, to be overheated and damaged. In order to prevent such overheating, when the temperature of the circulating air blown into the washing / dehydrating tub 2 from the outlet 30 (the temperature detected by the second temperature sensor 41) reaches 106 ° C, the amount of power supplied to the heater 29 is reduced. Control to let.

Further, during the warm air drying, the warm air continues to hit the laundry 38 in a biased state, and the laundry (the surface portion) is dried locally to raise the temperature of the laundry 38 locally. In order to prevent the
The hot air is blown to the laundry by replacing (reversing) and loosening it.
It is desirable to make sure that you touch the It is desirable that the stirring for replacing (reversing) and loosening the laundry 38 be performed with a stirring force according to the amount of the laundry 38 and the progress of drying (dryness and elapsed operating time). The strength of the stirring force can be changed depending on the rotation speed and rotation time of the rotating body 4. And temperature sensors 41, 42 and humidity sensor 4
When the dryness is detected to be about 90% by 0 or after a predetermined time (300 minutes) has passed from the start of the drying operation, it is determined that the clothes have dried and the PTC heater 29 is de-energized. Step 417 In step 417, the blowing operation is executed. In this blowing operation, the heat generation of the heater 29 is stopped (turned off), and the drive device 6 is controlled so as to repeat the replacement (reversal) and the loosening of the laundry 38 for a predetermined time (here, 20 minutes is set). In the blowing operation, three minutes after the start of the blowing operation, water is supplied to the outer tank for 7 minutes at 0.3 L / min from the cooling water sprinkling unit 24 which is a water supply means. By doing so, it is possible to reduce wrinkles on the clothes during the drying operation. Further, when water is being supplied from the cooling water sprinkler 24, it is desirable to close the drainage electromagnetic valve 33 to collect a predetermined amount of water in the outer tub 5 and then open the drainage electromagnetic valve 33 to drain the water. By doing so, the outer tank can be efficiently cooled. After 13 minutes from the start of the blowing operation, the drainage electromagnetic valve 33 is closed again to store the water pool in the outer tub 5, and 20 minutes after the start of the blowing operation, the drainage electromagnetic valve 33 is opened to drain the water. In this way, the outer tank can be efficiently cooled by performing the cycle of storing and draining water in the outer tank a plurality of times. When water is finally supplied from the cooling / spraying unit 24 to the outer tub 5 by the blowing operation, the drainage solenoid valve 33 is kept closed.
By doing so, the clothes in the washing / dehydrating tub 2 can be kept moist. It is preferable that the water is supplied to the outer tub below the bottom of the washing / dehydrating tub 2 by the cooling water sprinkling part 24. As a result, dry clothes can be steamed without being soaked in water. After that, the circulation fan 26 and the cooling water sprinkling solenoid valve 24a are stopped (turned off), and the blowing operation is finished. In step 418, the operation of stirring is performed every 5 minutes after the blowing operation is completed. If 120 minutes have passed from the end of the blowing operation in step 419, or step 4
When the opening of the lid 31 by 20 is detected by a switch (not shown), the drainage electromagnetic valve 33 is opened to stop (turn off) the drive device 6 to end the operation. By not draining until the lid 31 is opened in this way, the clothes can be kept in a steamed state until the clothes are taken out, and the water in the outer tub is drained by the draining means after a lapse of a predetermined time after the completion of the blowing operation. By doing so, the dampness of clothes can be reduced. still,
As the water supply means for steaming clothes, the main water supply solenoid valve 20 or a self-priming pump (not shown) may be used in addition to the cooling water sprinkling portion 24. Further water saving is possible by using a self-priming pump.

[0052]

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a washer / dryer capable of reducing wrinkles on clothes and the like.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a longitudinal section of a washer / dryer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a specific configuration of the washer / dryer shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the washer / dryer shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

4 is a flowchart of a washing operation, a drying operation, and a blowing operation executed by a microcomputer in the control unit shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 ... Washing / dehydrating tank, 6 ... Drive device, 23 ... Water cooling / dehumidifying duct,
24 ... Cooling sprinkler part, 24a ... Cooling sprinkler solenoid valve, 26 ... Circulation fan, 29 ... Heater, 33 ... Drainage solenoid valve, 38 ... Laundry, 40 ... Humidity sensor, 41, 42 ... Temperature sensor

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Katsutoshi Aita             1-1-1 Higashitaga-cho, Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture             Inside the ceremony company Hitachi Taga Electronics (72) Inventor Isao Hiyama             1-1-1 Higashitaga-cho, Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture             Inside the ceremony company Hitachi Taga Electronics (72) Inventor, Toshiyasu Kamano             1-1-1 Higashitaga-cho, Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture             Inside the ceremony company Hitachi Taga Electronics (72) Inventor Yuichiro Takamune             1-1-1 Higashitaga-cho, Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture             Inside the ceremony company Hitachi Taga Electronics F term (reference) 3B155 AA14 AA16 AA17 AA18 BA09                       CB07 CB49 CB51 CB55 CB57                       CB60 DB12 KA27 KA29 KA31                       LB11 LC07 LC28 MA01 MA02                       MA06 MA08

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A frame, an outer tub suspended and supported by the frame, a washing / dehydrating tub rotatably installed in the outer tub, a water supply means for supplying water to the outer tub, A washing / drying machine for performing a washing operation, a drying operation, and a blowing operation, comprising a draining means for draining water supplied to an outer tub and a control means for controlling the water supplying means and the draining means, the water supplying means The washer / dryer is characterized in that water is supplied to the outer tub by means of the blower operation. 2. A frame, an outer tub suspended from and supported by the frame, a washing / dehydrating tub rotatably installed in the outer tub, a water supply means for supplying water to the outer tub, A washing / drying machine for performing a washing operation, a drying operation, and a blowing operation, comprising a draining means for draining water supplied to an outer tub and a control means for controlling the water supplying means and the draining means, the water supplying means The washing and drying machine is characterized in that the blower operation is performed in a state where water is supplied to the outer tub by the above and water is accumulated in the outer tub, and the water in the outer tub is drained by the draining means. 3. A frame, an outer tub suspended and supported by the frame, a washing / dehydrating tub rotatably installed in the outer tub, and air from the lower part of the outer tub to the inside of the outer tub. A fan that sucks in air and returns it to the outer tub again through a circulation passage, a heater provided in the passage, a water supply means for supplying water into the passage, and the water supplied to the outer tub is drained. A washing / drying machine having a draining means for controlling, and a controlling means for controlling the water supplying means and the draining means, and performing a washing operation, a drying operation, and a blowing operation, wherein the water supplying means transfers the water to the outer tub in the blowing operation. A washer / dryer characterized by performing a plurality of cycles of supplying water to store water in the outer tub and draining the water by the draining means. 4. The air-blowing operation according to claim 1, wherein the water supply means performs the air-blowing operation while water is stored in the outer tub below the bottom of the washing / dehydrating tub. Washing and drying machine. 5. The laundry washing / dehydrating tub according to claim 1, further comprising a clothes inlet and a lid for covering the clothes inlet, wherein the control means controls the water supply means to remove the water. A washer / dryer characterized in that water is supplied to a tank to store the water, and the water in the outer tank is drained by the draining means when the lid is opened. 6. The laundry washing / dehydrating tub according to claim 1, further comprising: a clothes inlet and a lid for covering the clothes inlet, and the control means uses the water supply means to control the outside. A washer / dryer characterized in that water is supplied to a tank to store water, and the water in the outer tank is drained by the draining means when the lid is opened or when a predetermined time has elapsed after the operation is completed. 7. The washing / drying machine according to claim 1, wherein the water supply means is a self-priming pump.