JP2004008670A - Washer-dryer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a washer-dryer which can dry washing by a wind volume and a calorific value suitable for quality of cloth of washing. <P>SOLUTION: This washer-dryer discriminates whether quality of cloth has high water absorptivity or not and changes drying conditions of a blower fan and a heater to wash and dry cloth made of a chemical fiber etc. weak against heat or cloth made of cotton comparatively strong against heat to dry the cloth by a calorific value corresponding to the kind of cloth to prevent harming the cloth. A volume of cooling water is supplied corresponding to difference of vaporizing water volumes by difference of kinds of cloth to dry washing by optimum drying time to suppress waste consumption of water. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a washing machine having a drying step.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the streamlining of life, drum-type drying and washing machines that can automatically operate from washing to drying have begun to spread as products that respond to consumer needs. However, to improve drying performance, problems to be overcome include eliminating uneven drying and eliminating damage to the cloth due to overdrying. Drum-type washing machines have a structure in which the drum rotates around a horizontal axis in a water tub, and the washing and drying can be performed by the same drum. It has become a typical drum-type drying and washing machine that has both.
[0003]
The general configuration and operation of this conventional drum type washing machine (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-80396) will be described below. FIG. 21 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a conventional drum type washing machine, and FIG. 22 is a schematic side sectional view of the same. As shown in these figures, the drum-type drying and washing machine is mainly provided with a water tub 4 suspended by a spring inside an outer box 1 and a rotation inside the water tub 4 about a horizontal axis. The drum 5 has a double structure.
[0004]
The water tub 4 is suspended by a spring to absorb vibration during operation, and has a function of storing and discharging a washing liquid and a dehydrating liquid. A large number of small holes 5c are provided on the entire peripheral wall of the drum 5 to supply water for washing, drainage for dehydration, and hot air for drying. A drying heater 28 is attached to the upper part of the water tank 4, and a blowing fan 25 for circulating warm air during drying is provided.
[0005]
An opening / closing door 3 for taking in / out the laundry is provided in front of the drying washing machine, and the door packing 10 is sandwiched between the opening / closing door 3 and the water tub 4 to put the laundry in the water tub 4. The mouth is closed.
[0006]
In the figure, 9 is a driving device for rotating the drum 5, 18 is a drainage pump for discharging the washing liquid and the like out of the machine, and 17a is provided in a piping path between the water tub 4 and the drainage pump 18. It is a waste thread filter. An operation panel 11 is provided at the upper front of the washing machine.
[0007]
In the drum-type drying washing machine having the above-described configuration, the control operation of the control circuit normally allows washing, rinsing, dehydrating, and drying in the order of washing, rinsing, dehydrating, and drying while the laundry is stored in the drum 5. Can be performed continuously, and each step can be performed independently.
[0008]
In the operation from the washing step to the drying step, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 23, the laundry is put in the drum 5, the power switch is turned on (step S1), and the course is selected. Next, the start / pause switch is pressed (ON) (step S2), the drum 5 is rotated, the capacity is detected based on the fluctuation value of the motor torque (step S3), and the detected cloth amount is determined by the microcomputer (step S3). The information is stored by a microcomputer.
[0009]
Then, the water supply valve 13 is opened to supply water into the water tub 4 (step S4), and when a predetermined water level is detected by the water level sensor 23, tumbling is performed for a short time to make the laundry contain water. Since the water in the water tub 4 is reduced below a predetermined water level by including water in the laundry, the reduced water level is detected by the water level sensor 23, and a water level change amount from the predetermined water level to the reduced water level is calculated by the microcomputer. The tumbling is performed again for a short period of time, and the reduced water level is detected by the water level sensor 23. The amount of change is stored. Then, the laundry quality is determined (step S5) from the results of the two water level changes and the laundry amount detection, and the process proceeds to the washing process.
[0010]
The washing process is performed by rotating the drum 5 at a low speed (step S6). Thereafter, the drainage pump 18 is turned on to drain the water (step S7). Thereafter, water is supplied again into the water tank 4, and a rinsing step is performed (step S8).
[0011]
The rinsing step is performed by causing washing water not containing detergent to be contained in the laundry, rotating the drum 5 at a low speed with the drive unit 9, and tumbling the laundry in the drum 5. Thereafter, the drainage pump 18 is turned on to drain the washing water out of the machine (step S9), and a washing dehydration step is performed (step S10).
[0012]
In the dehydration step, the water contained in the laundry is rotated by high speed rotation of the drum 5 by the driving device 9, is blown out from the small hole 5 c of the drum 5, travels down the inner surface of the water tub 4, and is guided to the lower portion thereof. The water is forcibly drained out of the machine.
[0013]
Subsequently, the process proceeds to a drying step, proceeds to step S11, calls the laundry fabric determined in step S5, proceeds to step S12, and determines whether the laundry fabric is hydrophilic fiber or hydrophobic fiber. It is determined by the microcomputer whether or not the drying process is performed.
[0014]
The drying step is performed by rotating the drum 5 at a low speed with the driving device 9 while blowing the air heated to a high temperature by the drying heater 7 into the drum 5 by the blower 8. Moisture evaporated from the laundry during the drying process is removed by contacting the cooling water inside the cooler 33 disposed vertically. The cooling water comes into contact with the warm air discharged from the drum 5, collects fine lint contained in the warm air, and passes through a drain passage connected at the lower part of the water tank 4 to be drained by the drain pump 18. After the water is drained out of the machine and the drying operation time elapses, the drying process ends.
[0015]
If the cloth of the laundry is determined to be hydrophilic fiber, the process proceeds to step S13, the correction operation time c is added to the reference drying operation time T, the drying operation time is set longer, and the drying step is performed. After the elapse of the drying operation time, the drying process ends.
[0016]
If it is determined in step S12 that the laundry fabric is a hydrophobic fiber, the process proceeds to step S14, in which the drying operation time is set shorter by subtracting the correction time d from the reference drying operation time T. After the drying operation time has elapsed, the drying step is completed.
[0017]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, the above-described configuration is a method of increasing or decreasing the set operation time according to the result of the determination of the cloth quality or the cloth amount. Fabric damage occurs.
[0018]
In addition, in the method of increasing or decreasing the set operation time in response to the difference in the amount of evaporative water caused by the difference in the cloth quality and the cloth amount, the drying performance cannot be maximized, and the optimum drying time cannot be obtained. There was a problem.
[0019]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a drying washing machine capable of drying laundry according to cloth quality. Another object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine capable of optimizing an amount of cooling water supplied to a cooler for dehumidifying hot air containing moisture and suppressing wasteful water consumption. .
[0020]
[Means for solving the problem]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is characterized by a drying and washing machine provided with a cloth quality discriminating means for discriminating the cloth quality and an operation control means for changing an operation condition of a drying operation from the result of the cloth quality discrimination.
[0021]
According to the above configuration, it is determined whether or not the cloth is excellent in water absorbency, and by changing the drying operation conditions according to the cloth, washing and drying a heat-sensitive cloth such as a synthetic fiber cloth. The amount of heat of the hot air can be changed between when washing and drying cotton or the like which is relatively resistant to heat, and drying can be performed with the amount of heat according to the type of cloth, thereby preventing damage to the cloth.
[0022]
The drying operation control target includes hot air supply means including a heater for supplying hot air to the drum and a blower fan, and a cooler for cooling and dehumidifying hot air containing moisture discharged from the drum with cooling water. .
[0023]
As a control method of these control objects, when the control object is a blower fan, by changing the number of revolutions, it is possible to dry the hot air flow according to the cloth type, and to suppress damage to the cloth. . Specifically, when it is determined that the fabric is excellent in water absorbency, the air volume is increased by increasing the rotation speed of the blower fan, and when it is determined that the cloth is not excellent in water absorbency, the rotation of the blower fan is increased. Control is performed to reduce the air volume by reducing the number.
[0024]
When the object to be controlled is a heater, by changing the input voltage, it is possible to dry with a calorific value according to the type of cloth. Specifically, when it is determined that the fabric is excellent in water absorbency, the amount of heat is increased by increasing the heater input voltage, and when it is determined that the fabric is not excellent in water absorbency, the determination is made in accordance with the determination. Thus, control is performed to reduce the voltage of the heater input and adjust the amount of heat.
[0025]
When the control target is a cooler, a capacity determining unit that determines the capacity of the laundry is provided, and the amount of cooling water of the cooler is changed in accordance with the result of the capacity determination, so that the amount of evaporative water that varies with the capacity is changed. Drying is performed with the amount of cooling water, and the operation can be completed in an optimal drying time. Specifically, control is performed to increase the amount of cooling water in the cooler when it is determined that the capacity is large, and to decrease the amount of cooling water when it is determined that the capacity is small.
[0026]
When the control target is a cooler, it is also possible to control to change the amount of cooling water according to the cloth quality determination result by the cloth quality determination means. Specifically, when it is determined that the fabric is excellent in water absorption, the amount of cooling water in the cooler is increased, and when it is determined that the cloth is not excellent in water absorption, the amount of cooling water in the cooler is decreased. Is performed.
[0027]
Note that the cloth quality determining means may employ either a method of determining the cloth quality from a difference in water supply time or a method of determining the cloth quality from a difference in water supply amount. The water supply time and the water supply amount refer to a water supply time or a water supply amount until the set water level is reached, and the set water level is preferably a water level calculated by the capacity determination of the laundry, but is not limited thereto. Instead, the water level may be a predetermined water level regardless of the capacity.
[0028]
For example, when continuous operation from the washing process to the drying process is set, based on the water supply time until the water level set by the capacity sensing before washing is reached, the cooling water to the cooler in the drying process is determined. By changing the amount of supplied water, drying can be performed with an optimal drying time by drying with a cooling water amount corresponding to the amount of evaporative water that varies depending on the type of cloth.
[0029]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a structure of an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Since the basic configuration of the drum-type drying and washing machine shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 is common to the following embodiments, the basic configuration will be described in the first embodiment, and the second embodiment will be described. Hereinafter, the description thereof will be omitted.
[0030]
<First embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a drum type washing and washing machine according to the present invention. In the drum type washing machine, an outer box is disposed on the bottom 2, and the upper surface of the outer box 1 is covered with a top plate 32. The outer box 1 is formed by bending a decorative steel plate. The top plate 32 is formed of a compression board or the like, and is screwed to the outer case 1.
[0031]
An operation panel 11 on which a user operates is mounted on an upper front part of the outer box 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the operation panel 11 has a display unit 11a and a plurality of operation keys 111 to 119, and a control circuit 31 (see FIG. 3) is arranged on the back surface. The display unit 11a includes a liquid crystal display device, and displays input information and the like.
[0032]
The operation keys 111 to 119 perform operations for setting operation conditions provided in the drum-type drying and washing machine, and the like. The power key 111 turns on / off the power of the drum type washer. When the power key 111 is turned on, the washing and drying conditions of the “standard course” are displayed on the display unit 11a. In the standard course, conditions for optimally performing the washing step and the drying step in the case of laundry such as cotton and synthetic fiber are set in advance. By pressing the course switching key 114, the user can select operating conditions such as a "dry course" and a "blanket course" to be described later.
[0033]
When the washing key 116 is depressed, it is possible to set so that only the washing step including the washing step, the rinsing step and the dehydrating step is performed, and the drying step is not performed. When the drying key 115 is pressed, it is set so that only the drying step is performed. When the washing key 117, the rinsing key 118 or the dehydrating key 119 is depressed, it is set so that only the washing step, the rinsing step and the dehydrating step are performed, respectively.
[0034]
When the operating conditions are set, the operation of the drum type washing machine is started by turning on the start key 112. When the start key 112 is pressed during operation, the operation of the drum type washer is temporarily stopped, and when the start key 112 is pressed again, the operation is restarted. When the door lock release key 113 is pressed during the suspension, the locked state of the opening / closing door 3 is released, and additional laundry can be input.
[0035]
FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the drum type washing machine. The control circuit 31 stores a control program for controlling the operation of the drum type washing machine, and when the operating conditions are set by the operation keys 111 to 119, the operation of the drum type washing machine is performed based on the operating conditions.
[0036]
Inside the outer box 1, a water tank 4 having an opening 4a opened toward the front surface is arranged so as to be inclined downward as going backward. In the water tank 4, a rotating drum 5 having an opening 5a is coaxially inclined. This inclination improves the visibility of the inside of the drum 5 from the front side.
[0037]
A drive mechanism 9 is attached to the bottom outer surface of the water tank 4. The drive mechanism 9 has a case 9a and a motor including a rotor 9b and a stator 9c inside the case 9a. The stator 9c is fixed to the case 9a, and the rotor 9b is fixed to the tank shaft 5d of the drum 5. The tank shaft 5d is supported by a bearing 6 fixed to the case 9a, and one end is fixed to the drum 5, so that the drum 5 is rotatable. Thus, a driving mechanism 9 directly connected to the drum 5 is formed, and the rotation of the rotor 9b directly drives the rotation of the drum 5. Further, a rotation detecting means (not shown) for detecting the number of rotations of the rotor 9b is provided, and the driving mechanism 9 is an inverter motor whose rotation speed is controlled based on the detection result of the rotation detecting means.
[0038]
A small hole 5c is provided in the peripheral wall of the drum 5. The small hole 5c communicates the water tub 4 with the drum 5 so that the washing water can flow between the water tub 4 and the drum 5. A baffle 5b is formed on the inner wall surface of the drum 5 so as to protrude therefrom. The laundry is hooked and lifted by the rotation of the drum 5, and the washing is performed by dropping the laundry into the washing liquid. The baffle 5b is fixed to the inner wall of the drum 5, or is formed integrally with the drum 5.
[0039]
A liquid balancer 5e is provided on the outer peripheral edge of the opening 5a of the drum 5. The fluid balancer 5e is filled with a liquid having a large specific gravity, such as salt water, and the fluid moves when the drum 5 rotates, thereby canceling the shift of the center of gravity due to the bias of the laundry and the washing water. The liquid balancer 5e may be provided on the inner peripheral edge of the drum 5.
[0040]
A packing 10 made of an elastic material such as rubber or soft resin is attached to the periphery of the laundry inlet 1a and the opening 4a of the water tub 4, and forms an access path for taking in and out the laundry. The opening / closing door 3 is provided with a window 3 a that is in close contact with the packing 10. A part of the front surface of the door 3 and the window 3a are made of a transparent material such as glass so that the inside of the drum 5 can be visually recognized.
[0041]
When the opening / closing door 3 is closed, the inner peripheral edge 10a of the packing 10 comes into close contact with the peripheral edge of the window 3a to close the access path. This prevents the washing water in the water tub 4 from leaking to the outside. Further, a bellows or the like is provided on the packing 10 so that the packing 10 follows the water tank 4 by bending in response to the swing thereof.
[0042]
A detergent case 15 for accommodating a detergent is arranged in an upper portion of the outer box 1. In the detergent case 15, a passage that passes through the detergent storage portion and a passage that does not pass are provided, so that the washing water flowing into the detergent case 15 can be switched and circulated. A water supply pipe 12 is led out from the detergent case 15 to one side, and a water supply nozzle 15a supported by the door packing 10 is led out to the other side. The water supply pipe 12 is connected to a water supply valve 13.
[0043]
FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the water supply valve 13. As shown in the figure, the water supply valve 13 has discharge ports 13a and 13b and an inlet 13c. The inflow port 13c is connected to a water pipe so that city water can be supplied. The discharge port 13a is connected to the water supply pipe 12, discharges city water by driving the water supply valve 13, and the washing water is supplied into the water tub 4 from the water supply nozzle 15a via the detergent case 15. As will be described later, the outlet 13b of the water supply valve 13 is connected to a drying duct 27 (see FIG. 5) through which hot air circulates, and condenses moisture in the hot air.
[0044]
In FIG. 3, a drain duct 16 is led out from the outlet 4 c on the bottom of the water tank 4. The drain duct 16a connects between the connection case 17 having the lint filter 17a and the water tank 4, and the drain duct 16b connects between the connection case 17 and the drain pump 18. The drain duct 16c communicates with the outside, and drains washing water to the outside by the operation of the drain pump 18.
[0045]
The lint filter 17a is made of, for example, a resin formed in a lattice shape or a fine-grained fiber formed in a bag shape, and accumulates lint and the like in the wash water as the wash water passes. ing. Further, the lint filter 17a is detachably mounted in the connection case 17, and is removed together with the cap 17b from the lower part of the front surface of the outer box 1 so as to be easily cleaned.
[0046]
A pressure guiding pipe 22 is led out of the air trap 21 branched from the drain duct 16a. The water level sensor 23 communicates with the water tank 4 via the pressure guiding pipe 22 and the air trap 21, and the pressure (water pressure) due to the water pressure in the water tank 4 is transmitted to the water level sensor 23. The water level sensor 23 incorporates a coil and a magnetic body, and the magnetic body moves in the coil according to a pressure change due to the water level in the water tank 4. Then, the inductance of the coil caused by the position of the magnetic substance in the coil is detected as the oscillation frequency, and the water level in the water tank 4 is detected. The water level sensor 23 may be provided at any position communicating with the inside of the water tank 4.
[0047]
FIG. 5 is a side sectional view in which a part different from the drum type washing machine is cut. As shown in FIG. 5, a hot air unit (hot air supply means) 24 including a blower fan 25 and a heater 28 for drying the laundry is provided above the water tub 4. The hot air unit 24 is disposed in the middle of the path of the drying duct 27 that connects the outlet 4b facing the opening 4a of the water tank 4 and the circulation port 4d provided at the lower part of the water tank 4.
[0048]
As shown in FIG. 5, the drying duct 27 passes through the cooling chamber 33 from the circulation port 4 d provided at the lower part of the water tank 4 outside the water tank 4, and connects the hot air unit 24 including the blower fan 25 and the heater 28 to the drying duct 27. This is a series of paths leading to the outlet 4b. Warm air circulates between the drying duct 27 and the water tank 4 as follows. That is, the air heated by the heater 28 by the blower fan 25 only during the drying operation is blown into the drum 5 from the outlet 4b to sufficiently absorb the moisture of the clothes and circulate through the small hole 5c of the drum 5 to the water tank 4. It passes through the opening 4d, enters the drying duct 27, and flows into the cooling chamber 33. In the cooling chamber 33, the hot air is cooled by the cooling water sprayed from the discharge port 13b of the water supply valve 13 to condense the moisture, and the air from which the moisture has been removed flows again to the outlet 4b by the blower fan 25, and The wind circulates between the water tank 4 and the drying duct 27.
[0049]
The output of the heater 28 is controlled in accordance with the temperature detected by the temperature sensors 29 a and 29 b attached to the drying duct 27, and a predetermined temperature is sent into the drum 5. Further, as described above, the discharge port 13 b of the water supply valve 13 is connected to the cooling chamber (cooler) 64 provided on the way of the drying duct 27, and the temperature of the water passing through the drying duct 27 is increased by driving the water supply valve 13. It cools and condenses moisture in the wind.
[0050]
FIG. 6 shows a control block diagram. The main part of the control operation is a microcomputer 50 (hereinafter, referred to as a microcomputer). Signals from the operation keys 111 to 119, the water level sensor 23 as water level detecting means, a power supply circuit 51, a reset circuit 52, a rotation detecting means 53 of the motor 9 and a temperature detecting means 54 of the heater 28 are input to the microcomputer 50. .
[0051]
In the microcomputer 50, a capacity determining means 55 for determining the load capacity of the clothes, a cloth quality determining means 56 for determining the cloth quality of the laundry, and an operation for sequentially controlling washing, rinsing, dehydrating and drying to control the operation. The control unit 57 includes a timer 58 for monitoring the process time determined by the capacity determination, and a drying end detecting unit 59 for detecting the end of the operation of the drying process.
[0052]
The capacity determining means 55 detects, for example, a torque fluctuation value of the motor 9 for rotating the drum by the rotation detecting means 53 comprising a magnet and a reed switch, and inputs the signal to determine the capacity.
[0053]
The cloth quality determination means 56 determines the difference between the water supply time until the set water level is reached by the capacity determination using the water level sensor 23 and the timer 58. For example, water supply is started based on the capacity determination detected before the start of the washing process, and the cloth quality is determined based on the water supply time until the set water level is reached. At this time, since water cannot be absorbed by the entire garment simply by simply supplying water, the blending and stirring is performed for the purpose of absorbing the water by the garment. In the mixing and stirring, the cloth (water absorption) can be accurately determined by supplying water or rotating the drum at a low speed after the completion of water supply. For example, after water supply is started, the drum 4 is rotated clockwise at 45 rpm, rotated for 20 seconds, and then similarly rotated counterclockwise with a stop for 3 seconds. By repeating this, the time until the set water level is reached is determined by the timer 58, and the cloth quality is detected. In this way, by mixing and mixing, the water supply time or the water supply amount can be accurately calculated depending on the difference in the cloth quality, and even when the water does not easily penetrate the whole, such as a large capacity or bulky clothing, It is possible to accurately determine the fabric quality.
[0054]
On the output side of the microcomputer 50, each load is operated by the load drive circuit 60 according to the state determined by the microcomputer 50, and the motor 9, the water supply valves 13 and 13 b (for drying), the heater 28, the blower fan 25, The drainage pump 18 and the like are operated to sequentially control washing, rinsing, dehydrating, and drying to control the operation. In addition, the display section 11a for displaying the details of the operation and the buzzer 61 for controlling the buzzer 61 to notify the user at the time of termination, error, etc.
[0055]
Next, the operation control of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. When the laundry is thrown in from the laundry inlet 1a and the opening / closing door 3 is closed, the inner peripheral edge 10a of the packing 10 is brought into close contact with the peripheral edge of the window 3a of the opening / closing door 3, and the water tub 4 is sealed. When the power key 111 of the operation key is pressed (step 1-1) and the start / pause 112 is pressed (step 1-2), the capacity sensing for determining the load capacity (step 1-3) starts. Start.
[0056]
When the load capacity is determined by the capacity sensing, a water level corresponding to the capacity is set, the operation time is displayed on the display unit 11a, and water supply into the drum 5 (step 1-4) is started. At this time, the microcomputer 50 calculates the water supply time and determines the cloth quality (step 1-5). The water supply time is longer for a cloth having excellent water absorbency such as cotton, and the water supply time is shorter for a cloth having poor water absorbency such as synthetic fiber.
[0057]
The washing process is performed by rotating the drum 5 at a low speed (step 1-6). Thereafter, the drainage pump 18 is turned on to drain the water (step 1-7). Thereafter, water is again supplied to the inside of the water tank 4 (step 1-8), and a rinsing step is performed (step 1-9).
[0058]
The rinsing step is performed by causing washing water not containing detergent to be contained in the laundry, rotating the drum 5 at a low speed with the drive unit 9, and tumbling the laundry in the drum 5. Thereafter, the drain pump 18 is turned on to drain the washing water out of the machine (step 1-10), and a dehydration step of the laundry is performed (step 1-11).
[0059]
In the spin-drying step, the drum 5 is rotated at high speed by the driving device 9, and the water contained in the laundry is blown out from the small holes 5 c of the drum 3, travels down the inner surface of the water tub 4, and is guided to the lower portion thereof. The water is forcibly drained out of the machine. Subsequently, the process proceeds to a drying step, in which the water supply time calculated in the step 1-5 is called (step 1-12), and the microcomputer 50 determines the number of rotations of the blower fan (step 1-13). Done.
[0060]
As shown in FIG. 14, when the water supply time is long, the fan rotation speed is increased, and when the water supply time is short, the fan rotation speed is decreased to adjust the air volume (steps 1-14, 15, 16, 16). 17). For example, if the capacity determination is 2-3 kg (table left column C) and the time to reach the set water level is 100 seconds or more (water supply time a), the fan speed is set to 5000 rpm (table right column a). drive.
[0061]
The drying step is performed by rotating the drum 5 at a low speed with the driving device 9 while blowing the air heated to a high temperature by the drying heater 28 into the drum 5 with the blowing fan 25.
[0062]
Moisture evaporated from the laundry during the drying process is removed by contacting the cooling water inside the cooler 33 disposed vertically. The cooling water comes into contact with the warm air discharged from the drum 5, collects fine lint contained in the warm air, and passes through a drain passage connected at the lower part of the water tank 4 to be drained by the drain pump 18. When the water is drained out of the machine and the microcomputer 50 determines the end of the drying operation, the drying process ends.
[0063]
As described above, in the present embodiment, the cloth quality is determined from the water supply time until the set water level is reached by the capacity determination, and the rotation speed of the blower fan is changed according to the determination result to adjust the air volume. Therefore, damage to the cloth can be prevented.
[0064]
<Second embodiment>
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the second embodiment. Since the structure of the fully automatic washing machine shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 and the steps from the loading of the clothes to the sensing of the capacity are the same as those in the first embodiment, the description will be omitted.
[0065]
In the present embodiment, the cloth quality determination means determines the water level by the water level sensor 23 and the timer 58 based on the amount of water supplied until the set water level is reached by the capacity determination. For example, by setting the water level corresponding to the capacity by the capacity determination detected before the start of the washing process, starting water supply, then performing capacity sensing again, calculating the increased capacity and calculating the water supply amount, Judge the quality. In addition, it may be performed while mixing and stirring until the water supply is completed.
[0066]
In the control operation of the present embodiment, when the load capacity is determined by the capacity sensing (step 2-3), a water level corresponding to the capacity is set, the operation time is displayed on the display unit 11a, and the water supply into the drum 5 ( Step 2-4) is started. Thereafter, capacity sensing is performed again, the microcomputer 50 calculates the increased capacity from step 2-3, and calculates the amount of water supply to determine the cloth quality (step 2-5).
[0067]
A cloth having excellent water absorbency such as cotton requires a large amount of water supply, and a cloth having excellent water absorbency such as synthetic fiber requires a small amount of water supply. In addition, the steps from the washing step to the dehydrating step are the same as those in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.
[0068]
When the dehydration step (Step 2-11) is completed, the process proceeds to the drying step, where the water supply amount calculated by the microcomputer 50 (Step 2-5) is called (Step 2-12), and the rotation number of the blower fan 25 is calculated by the microcomputer 50. Is determined (step 2-13), and a drying step is performed.
[0069]
As shown in FIG. 15, when the amount of water supply is large, the fan speed is increased, and when the amount of water supply is small, the fan speed is decreased to adjust the air volume (steps 2-14, 15, 16, 17). For example, if the capacity is determined to be 2 to 3 kg (column C on the left side of the table) and the amount of supplied water is required to be 12 to 14 liters (L), the operation is performed at 4000 rpm (column c on the right side of the table). Note that the description of the drying process other than the above is the same as that of the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.
[0070]
As described above, in the present embodiment, the cloth quality is determined from the amount of water supplied until the set water level is reached by the capacity determination, and the number of revolutions of the blower fan is changed according to the determination result to adjust the air volume. Therefore, damage to the cloth can be prevented.
[0071]
<Third embodiment>
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the third embodiment. Note that the structure of the fully automatic washing machine shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 and the steps from the loading of clothes to the dewatering process are the same as those in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.
[0072]
In the present embodiment, the determination of the fabric quality is performed from the water supply time until the water reaches the water level set by the capacity determination, as in the first embodiment. The control target is the input voltage of the heater.
[0073]
When the dehydration step (step 3-11) ends, the control operation according to the present embodiment shifts to the drying step, and calls the water supply time calculated by the microcomputer 50 (step 3-5) (step 3-12). The input voltage of the heater 28 is determined by 50 (step 3-13), and a drying process is performed.
[0074]
As shown in FIG. 16, when the amount of water supply is large, the input voltage of the heater 28 is increased, and when the amount of water supply is small, the input voltage of the heater 28 is decreased to adjust the amount of heat (step 3-14, 15, 16, 17). For example, if the capacity determination is 1-2 kg (table B column left) and the water supply time to reach the set water level is 60-70 seconds (water supply time c), the heater input voltage is 90 V (table c column right). Drive with Note that the description of the drying process other than the above is the same as that of the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.
[0075]
As described above, in the present embodiment, the amount of water is determined from the water supply time until the set water level is reached by the capacity determination, and the amount of heat is adjusted by changing the input voltage of the heater according to the determination result. In addition, damage to the cloth can be prevented.
[0076]
<Fourth embodiment>
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the fourth embodiment. The structure of the fully automatic washing machine shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 and the steps from the loading of the clothes to the dewatering process are the same as those in the second embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.
[0077]
In the present embodiment, as in the second embodiment, the cloth quality determining means determines based on the amount of water supplied until the set water level is reached by the capacity determination. The control target is the same input voltage of the heater as in the third embodiment.
[0078]
When the dehydration step (step 4-11) ends, the control operation according to the present embodiment shifts to the drying step and calls the water supply amount calculated by the microcomputer 50 (step 4-5) (4-12). To determine the input voltage of the heater 28 (step 4-13), and the drying step is performed.
[0079]
As shown in FIG. 17, when the amount of water supply is large, the input voltage of the heater 28 is increased, and when the amount of water supply is small, the input voltage of the heater 28 is decreased to adjust the amount of heat (step 4-14, 15, 16, 17). For example, if the capacity is determined to be 3 to 4 kg (the left column of the table) and the water supply amount is less than 15 liters (L), the operation is performed with the input voltage of the heater set to 80 V (the right column of the table). The description of the drying process other than the above is the same as that of the first embodiment, and thus will be omitted.
[0080]
As described above, in the present embodiment, since the cloth quality is determined from the amount of water supplied until the set water level is reached by the capacity determination, and the input voltage of the heater is changed in accordance with the determination result, the heat amount is adjusted. In addition, damage to the cloth can be prevented.
[0081]
<Fifth embodiment>
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the fifth embodiment. Since the structure of the fully automatic washing machine shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 and the steps from the loading of the clothes to the sensing of the capacity are the same as those in the first embodiment, the description will be omitted.
[0082]
In the present embodiment, the cooling water amount of the drying cooler is changed according to the capacity determination. The configuration of the capacity determining means is the same as that of the first embodiment.
[0083]
In the control operation of the present embodiment, when the load capacity is determined by the capacity sensing (step 5-3), the water level corresponding to the capacity is set, the operation time is displayed on the display unit 11a, and the water supply into the drum 5 ( Step 5-4) is started. Further, the steps from the washing step to the dehydrating step are the same as those in the first embodiment, and thus the description is omitted.
[0084]
When the dehydration step (Step 5-10) is completed, the process proceeds to the drying step, the load capacity determined in Step 5-3 is called up (Step 5-11), and the microcomputer 50 supplies the drying water supply valve 13 in the cooler 64. The opening and closing of the discharge port 13b is controlled to adjust the amount of cooling water (step 5-12), and the drying process is performed.
[0085]
As shown in FIG. 18, when the load capacity is large, the cooling water amount is increased, and when the load capacity is small, the cooling water amount is decreased to adjust the water amount (steps 5-13, 14, 15, 16). . For example, when the capacity is determined to be 2.5 to 4 kg (left column b in the table), the operation is performed with the cooling water amount for drying set to 0.35 liter (L) / min. The description of the drying process other than the above is the same as that of the first embodiment, and thus will be omitted.
[0086]
As described above, in the present embodiment, by adjusting the cooling water amount of the cooler based on the capacity determination, it is possible to supply the cooling water amount corresponding to the difference in the amount of evaporating water caused by the magnitude of the capacity, thereby reducing wasteful water consumption. Can be suppressed.
[0087]
<Sixth embodiment>
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the sixth embodiment. Note that the structure of the fully automatic washing machine shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 and the steps from the loading of clothes to the dewatering process are the same as those in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.
[0088]
In the present embodiment, the cloth quality is determined based on the water supply time until the set water level is reached by the capacity determination, and the cooling water amount of the cooler to be controlled is changed according to the cloth quality determination.
[0089]
In the control operation of the present embodiment, when the dehydration step (step 6-11) is completed, the process proceeds to the drying step, and the water supply time calculated by the microcomputer 50 (step 6-5) is called (step 6-12). The opening / closing control of the discharge port 13b of the drying water supply valve in the cooler is performed by 50 to adjust the amount of cooling water (step 6-13), and the drying process is performed.
[0090]
As shown in FIG. 19, when the water supply time is long, the amount of cooling water is increased, and when the water supply time is short, the amount of cooling water is reduced to adjust the water amount (steps 6-14, 15, 16, 17). . For example, if the capacity determination is 4 kg or more (E column on the left of the table) and the water supply time is less than 100 seconds, the supply operation is performed with the cooling water amount for drying set to 0.25 liter (L) / min. The description of the drying process other than the above is the same as that of the first embodiment, and thus will be omitted.
[0091]
As described above, in the present embodiment, the cloth quality is determined from the water supply time until the set water level is reached by the capacity determination, and the cooling water amount of the cooler is adjusted according to the determination result, so that the cloth type is different. It is possible to supply a cooling water amount corresponding to a difference in the generated evaporating water amount, and it is possible to suppress wasteful water consumption.
[0092]
<Seventh embodiment>
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the seventh embodiment. The structure of the fully automatic washing machine shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 and the steps from the loading of the clothes to the dewatering process are the same as those in the second embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.
[0093]
In the present embodiment, the cloth quality is determined based on the amount of water supplied until the set water level is reached by the capacity determination, and the cooling water amount of the cooler to be controlled is changed according to the cloth quality determination.
[0094]
In the control operation of the present embodiment, when the dehydration step (Step 7-11) is completed, the process proceeds to the drying step, and the water supply amount calculated by the microcomputer 50 (Step 7-5) is called (Step 7-12). 50 controls the opening and closing of the drying water supply valve 13 in the cooler to adjust the amount of cooling water (step 7-13), and the drying process is performed.
[0095]
As shown in FIG. 20, when the amount of supplied water is large, the amount of cooling water is increased, and when the amount of supplied water is small, the amount of cooling water is decreased to adjust the amount of water (steps 7-14, 15, 16, 17). . For example, if the capacity determination is less than 1 kg (A column on the left side of the table) and the water supply amount is 8 to 10 liters (L), the supply operation is performed with the drying cooling water amount set to 0.35 liters (L) / min. Note that the description of the drying process other than the above is the same as that of the first embodiment, and thus will be omitted.
[0096]
As described above, in the present embodiment, the cloth quality is determined from the water supply amount until the set water level is reached by the capacity determination, and the cooling water amount of the cooler is adjusted according to the determination result, so that the cloth type is different. It is possible to supply a cooling water amount corresponding to a difference in the generated evaporating water amount, and it is possible to suppress wasteful water consumption.
[0097]
It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and it is needless to say that modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the present invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, a horizontal drum-type drying washing machine capable of automatically operating from washing to drying has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention may be applied to a vertical drying washing machine. is there.
[0098]
【The invention's effect】
As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, it is determined whether or not the fabric is excellent in water absorbency, and by changing the drying operation conditions in accordance with the fabric, the heat-sensitive fabric such as synthetic fiber fabric is used. It is possible to change the amount of heat of hot air between washing and drying cotton and washing and drying cotton and other materials that are relatively resistant to heat. be able to.
[0099]
In addition, by changing the amount of cooling water to the cooler in accordance with the amount of cloth and the quality of the cloth, it is possible to supply the amount of cooling water corresponding to the difference in the amount of evaporating water caused by the difference in the type of cloth having a different water absorption. Drying can be completed within the drying time, and wasteful water consumption can be suppressed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the external structure of a drum-type drying and washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a detailed view of an operation unit in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a schematic side sectional view showing the internal structure of the drum type washer of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a detailed view around a water supply in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of a part of the drum-type washer of FIG.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a control unit in FIG. 1;
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an operation program according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 8 is an operation program flowchart according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart of an operation program according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is an operation program flowchart according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart of an operation program according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart of an operation program according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart of an operation program according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is an operation program table according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is an operation program table according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 16 shows an operation program table according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 17 is an operation program table according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 18 is an operation program table according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 19 is an operation program table according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 20 is an operation program table according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 21 is a schematic perspective view of a conventional drum type washing machine.
FIG. 22 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a conventional drum type washing machine.
FIG. 23 is a flowchart of an operation program of a conventional drum-type drying and washing machine.
[Explanation of symbols]
1: Outer box
1a: laundry inlet
2: Bottom stand
3: Open / close door
4: Aquarium
5: drum
5b: Baffle
5c: small hole
9: Drive unit
10: Packing
11: Operation panel
11a: Display section
12: Water supply pipe
13: Water supply valve
13b: Water supply valve for drying
15: detergent case
16: Drainage duct
17a: Lint filter
17: Connection case
18: Drain pump
23: Water level sensor
24: Warm air unit
25: Ventilation fan
27: Duct for drying
28: heater
29a: Temperature sensor
31: Control device
32: Top plate
33: Cooling room

Claims (8)

A washing machine comprising: a cloth quality determining means for determining a cloth quality; and an operation control means for changing an operation condition of a drying operation based on a result of the cloth quality determination. A drum for storing laundry therein; hot air supply means including a heater for supplying hot air to the drum and a blower fan; and operation control means for controlling the hot air supply means to perform a drying operation. In a dry washing machine,
Cloth quality determining means for determining the cloth quality of the laundry is provided,
The said operation control means changes the operating condition of the said hot air supply means according to the cloth quality judgment result by the cloth quality judgment means, The drying washing machine characterized by the above-mentioned. The said operation control means changes the rotation speed of the said blowing fan according to a cloth quality discrimination result, The drying washing machine of Claim 2 characterized by the above-mentioned. The said operation control means changes the input voltage of the said heater according to cloth quality discrimination result, The drying washing machine of Claim 2 characterized by the above-mentioned. A drum accommodating laundry therein; hot air supply means for supplying hot air to the drum; a cooler for cooling and dehumidifying hot air containing water discharged from the drum with cooling water; In a drying washing machine having an operation control unit that performs a drying operation by controlling a hot air supply unit and a cooler,
Capacity determination means for determining the capacity of the laundry is provided,
The operation control means changes the amount of cooling water of the cooler in accordance with a result of the capacity determination by the capacity determination means. A drum accommodating laundry therein; hot air supply means for supplying hot air to the drum; a cooler for cooling and dehumidifying hot air containing water discharged from the drum with cooling water; In a drying washing machine having an operation control unit that performs a drying operation by controlling a hot air supply unit and a cooler,
Cloth quality determining means for determining the cloth quality of the laundry is provided,
The said operation control means changes the cooling water amount of the said cooler according to the cloth quality determination result by the cloth quality determination means, The drying washing machine characterized by the above-mentioned. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the cloth quality determining unit determines the cloth quality from a difference in water supply time. 7. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the cloth quality determining unit determines the cloth quality from a difference in water supply amount.

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