JP2004024600A - Dryer device in washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To inhibit growth and propagation of mold and microbes in a washing machine, especially in a washing tub of the automatic washing machine W, easily and inexpensively without using a special detergent, and without affecting the environment. <P>SOLUTION: Dry air is blown out by a blower mechanism with a driving fan 9, and moisture left and attached inside the washing machine, which tends to be a hotbed of growth and propagation of mold and microbes, is vaporized as moisture bearing air and discharged to the outside. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a drying device in a washing machine for drying a washing tub, particularly, a washing tub.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a problem caused by molds and microorganisms generated in the washing machine, especially in the washing tub, which has become a problem due to the spread of automatic washing machines, the generated molds and microorganisms proliferate, intervene with water during washing and adhere to the laundry, and the laundry has an odor. It has been reported that it causes various allergies.
[0003]
The automatic washing machine cannot easily remove the washing tub because of its structure, and cannot directly clean the inside of the washing machine, especially the washing tub. Further, even if the lid of the washing machine is opened and the inside of the washing machine is dried to suppress the generation and proliferation of molds and microorganisms, the flow of air inside the washing machine cannot be expected much, and water remains. Therefore, it does not easily dry.
[0004]
Currently, fully automatic washing and drying machines that automatically perform washing and drying are commercially available, but the drying target of this fully automatic washing and drying machine is not the inside of the washing machine, but only the laundry, The drying step cannot be carried out without the condition, that is, the empty drying is not performed.
[0005]
Even with a fully automatic washing and drying machine, it is possible to remove most of the moisture remaining or attached to the washing machine, especially to the washing tub, when the drying process is performed during washing. However, fully automatic washing and drying machines currently on the market are very expensive compared to ordinary fully automatic washing machines, and since they have not yet started marketing, the penetration rate to ordinary households is very high. Low. In addition, when the washing is completed without passing through the laundry drying step, since the empty drying cannot be performed as described above, moisture remains in the washing machine, particularly in the washing tub.
[0006]
For this reason, the method of suppressing the generation or proliferation of molds or microorganisms in an automatic washing machine, mainly in a washing machine of a fully automatic washing machine without a drying function, particularly in a washing tub, is mainly used in a washing machine with a dedicated detergent, particularly in a washing tub. Limited to cleaning, this was the only aggressive measure currently available.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the method for suppressing the generation or growth of fungi or microorganisms by washing the washing machine, especially the washing tub with the above-mentioned dedicated cleaning agent, requires regular washing of the washing machine, especially the washing tub with the dedicated washing liquid. Therefore, a dedicated cleaning solution must be purchased frequently, which is uneconomical. Also, care must be taken when handling the dedicated cleaning solution, and complicated work is required, such as washing out the dedicated cleaning solution remaining in the washing machine, especially in the washing tub, so that the cleaning solution does not adhere to clothing. Was done.
[0008]
Furthermore, since the washing liquid is contained in the washing machine, especially in the wastewater discharged after washing the washing tub, the environment may be adversely affected. Further, there is a possibility that the washing liquid remaining as a result of insufficient washing may adhere to the laundry, which may have a bad influence on the human body.
[0009]
The present invention has been made by paying attention to the above points. By drying a washing machine, especially a washing tub, without using a special cleaning agent, it is easy and inexpensive, and it is possible to reduce molds without burdening the environment. An object of the present invention is to provide a dryer in a washing machine that suppresses the generation and growth of microorganisms.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention can solve the above problems by providing the following configuration.
[0011]
(1) Dry air is discharged from a blowing mechanism provided with a driving fan to vaporize moisture remaining or attached to a washing machine, particularly a washing tub, which becomes a hotbed for generation and growth of molds and microorganisms, and contains water. A drying device in a washing machine, characterized in that the inside of the machine can be dried by being discharged outside the machine.
[0012]
(2) The dryer in the washing machine according to (1), wherein the blower mechanism includes a driving fan, a driving device, a heating element, a swirling flow guide blade, a dehumidifying / dust removing filter, and a main body holding unit.
[0013]
(3) The drying device in a washing machine according to the above (1) or (2), wherein the blowing mechanism is freely detachable from the washing machine.
[0014]
(4) The drying device in a washing machine according to the above (1) or (2), wherein the air blowing mechanism is incorporated in a washing machine body lid and forms an integral structure with the washing machine body.
[0015]
(5) The blowing mechanism is incorporated in a drying device installed in an existing fully automatic washing and drying machine, and controls the blowing by the drying device to dry the inside of the washing machine, particularly the washing tub. The drying device in a washing machine according to the above (1).
[0016]
(6) The dryer in the washing machine according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the blowing mechanism includes a timer and can set a blowing time.
[0017]
(7) The dryer in the washing machine according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein the blowing mechanism is capable of selectively discharging high-temperature dry air or normal-temperature dry air.
[0018]
(8) The drying in the washing machine according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein the blower mechanism is capable of freely changing a discharge direction of discharge air by mounting a nozzle on an exhaust port. apparatus.
[0019]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
(Example 1)
FIG. 1 is an explanatory cross-sectional view showing a basic configuration of a drying device in a washing machine according to the present embodiment.
[0020]
Referring to FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a housing that forms the outer shape of an existing or commercially available automatic washing machine W, and 2 denotes an opening of the housing 1 and includes a lid 3 that can be opened and closed.
[0021]
Reference numeral 4 denotes a main body of the drying device in the washing machine which is detachably provided in the opening portion 2 of the housing 1 through a main body holding frame 5 which is a main body holding means. Along the inside of the air flow passage 7 of the main body 4, a dehumidifying / dust removing filter 8, a driving fan 9, a driving device 10 for the driving fan 9, and a heating element 11 such as a nichrome wire are arranged to form a discharge port 12. The discharge port 12 is provided with a swirling flow guide blade 13 for discharging a desired airflow into the washing tub.
[0022]
By driving the driving fan 9, outside air is sucked into the air flow passage 7 from the intake port 6. The outside air sucked into the air flow passage 7 passes through the dehumidifying / dust removing filter 8 to be in a low humidity / dry state. Outside air (hereinafter referred to as dry air) in a low humidity / dry state passes through the heating element 11 and becomes high temperature dry air.
[0023]
Since the heating element 11 can selectively generate heat, the dry air that has passed through the heating element 11 can be maintained at room temperature (normal temperature dry air). The room temperature dry air or the high temperature dry air that has passed through the heating element 11 is turned into a swirling airflow by the swirling flow guide blades 13 and is discharged into the automatic washing machine W through the discharge port 12.
[0024]
The high-temperature dry air or normal-temperature dry air swirling airflow discharged from the discharge port 12 into the automatic washing machine W reaches the deepest portion of a washing and dewatering tub (hereinafter, washing tub) 14 located in the housing 1. The high temperature dry air or the room temperature dry air swirling airflow that has reached the deepest portion of the washing tub 14 flows into the entire water receiving tub 16 from a number of dehydration holes 15 opened in the washing tub 14.
[0025]
The high temperature dry air or the room temperature dry air swirling airflow that has flowed into the entire water receiving layer 16 dries the moisture remaining or attached to the washing tub 14 and the water receiving tub 16. The dried air obtained by drying the water in the washing tub 14 and the water receiving tub 16 becomes hydrated air containing water, and is quickly discharged from the opening 2 of the housing 1 of the automatic washing machine W to the outside of the machine.
[0026]
(Example 2)
FIG. 2 is an external view showing another example of a removable type in-washing machine drying apparatus according to the present embodiment.
[0027]
The in-washing machine drying device main body 4a is detachably attached to an arbitrary position of the housing 1 of the automatic washing machine W via a suction cup 17 as a main body holding means. The method of attachment and detachment is not limited to the suction cup, but may be an L-shaped hook, a clip or the like.
[0028]
The drying air supply pipe 18 is rotatably attached to the drying machine main body 4a in the washing machine at the base thereof. When the drying apparatus 4a in the washing machine is used, an arbitrary outlet 12a is located above the opening 2 so as to be positioned. The dry air supply pipe 18 of the mold is held, and high-temperature dry air or normal-temperature dry air is supplied into the washing tub 14 through the dry air supply pipe 18 of any type. In this embodiment, it is a channel type dry air supply pipe.
[0029]
When not in use, the dry air supply pipe 18 can be moved to a position where it does not bridge the opening 2, and can be positioned so as not to hinder opening and closing of the lid 3.
[0030]
The drying air supply pipe 18 is not limited to being rotatably mounted, but is fixedly mounted at the base thereof to the in-washing machine drying device main body 4a, and detaches the washing tub drying device main body 4a from the automatic washing machine during washing. Thus, the lid 3 provided in the opening 2 can be opened and closed.
[0031]
FIG. 3 is an explanatory cross-sectional view of another example of the drying device in the washing machine shown in FIG. 2.
[0032]
An intake port 6a is opened at an arbitrary position of the drying machine main body 4a in a rectangular casing, and a dehumidification / dedusting filter (not shown) is provided so as to be located at the intake port 6a inside the drying machine main body 4a in the washing machine.
[0033]
A driving fan 9a, a driving device 10a for the driving fan 9a, and a heating element 11a such as a nichrome wire are arranged along the air flow passage 7a of the drying device main body 4a in the washing machine. Is rotatably or fixedly connected to the main body 4a of the dryer in the washing machine.
[0034]
A swirl guide blade 13a for discharging a desired airflow into the washing tub is provided at a discharge port 12a provided at the other end of the dry air supply pipe 18.
[0035]
By driving the driving fan 9a, outside air is sucked into the air flow passage 7a from the intake port 6a. The outside air drawn into the air flow passage 7a passes through a dehumidification / dedusting filter (not shown), and becomes dry air. The dry air becomes high-temperature dry air by passing through the heating element 11a.
[0036]
Since the heating element 11a can selectively generate heat, the dry air that has passed through the heating element 11a can be maintained at room temperature (normal temperature dry air). The room-temperature dry air or high-temperature dry air that has passed through the heating element 11a passes through the dry air supply pipe 18, becomes a swirling airflow by the swirling flow guide blades 13a provided at the discharge port 12a, and flows into the automatic washing machine W through the discharge port 12a. Is discharged.
[0037]
(Example 3)
FIG. 4 shows a washing machine with a drying function in the washing machine equipped with a drying device in the washing machine having an integral structure with the body of the automatic washing machine W. It is an outline view showing an example of an in-machine drying device.
[0038]
The main body-integrated washing machine drying device main body 4b has a driving fan 9b, a driving device 10b, a heating element 11b, a swirling flow guide blade 13b, and a dehumidification / dedusting filter 8b therein. An exhaust port 19 is provided at an arbitrary position on the lid 3b. In FIG. 4, exhaust ports 19 are provided on both side surfaces of the lid 3b.
[0039]
FIG. 5 is an explanatory cross-sectional view of an example of the main body 4b of the drying device in the washing machine shown in FIG.
[0040]
The drying device main body 4b in the washing machine has an integral structure with the lid 3b of the automatic washing machine W main body. The drying device main body 4b in the washing machine has an inlet 6b opened at an arbitrary position on the surface side of the lid 3b, and a dehumidification / dedusting filter (not shown) is located in the suction port 6b inside the drying device main body 4b in the washing machine. Be provided. A driving fan 9b, a driving device 10b for the driving fan 9b, and a heating element 11b such as a nichrome wire are arranged along an air flow passage 7b of the main body 4b in the washing machine to form a discharge port 12b. The outlet 12b is provided with a swirling flow guide blade 13b for discharging a desired airflow into the washing tub.
[0041]
By driving the driving fan 9b, outside air is sucked into the air flow passage 7b from the intake port 6b. The outside air sucked into the air flow passage 7b passes through a dehumidifying / dust removing filter (not shown) to become dry air. The dry air becomes high-temperature dry air by passing through the heating element 11b.
[0042]
Since the heating element 11b can selectively generate heat, the dry air that has passed through the heating element 11b can be maintained at room temperature (normal temperature dry air). The room-temperature dry air or high-temperature dry air that has passed through the heating element 11b is turned into a swirling airflow by the swirling flow guide blades 13b, and is discharged into the automatic washing machine W through the discharge port 12b.
[0043]
The high-temperature dry air or room-temperature dry air swirling airflow discharged into the automatic washing machine W from the discharge port 12b reaches the deepest portion of the washing tub 14 located in the housing 1. The high temperature dry air or the room temperature dry air swirling airflow that has reached the deepest portion of the washing tub 14 flows into the entire water receiving tub 16 from a number of dehydration holes 15 opened in the washing tub 14.
[0044]
The high-temperature dry air or room-temperature dry air swirling airflow that has flowed into the entirety of the water receiving tub 16 dries moisture remaining or attached to the washing tub 14 and the water receiving tub 16. The dried air obtained by drying the water in the washing tub 14 and the water receiving tub 16 becomes water-containing air, and is quickly discharged from the exhaust ports 19 provided on both sides of the air flow passage 7b.
[0045]
(Example 4)
The function of an existing drying device installed in an existing fully automatic washing and drying machine (not shown), in which the object to be dried is laundry, can be extended to be used for drying the inside of the washing machine, particularly, a washing tub. To be configured. That is, it is possible to provide a control means for drying in the washing machine in the control unit of the control of the drying device of the fully automatic washing and drying machine so as to control it as an air blowing mechanism to carry out a drying operation in the washing machine. That is, when there is no laundry, the existing drying device which is inoperable for safety is utilized, and even when there is no laundry, the inside of the washing machine, especially the washing tub, can be effectively and safely dried. Therefore, the present invention can be implemented by using both the laundry drying device and the blowing device.
[0046]
In the embodiments described above, drying can be performed by setting an arbitrary time by a timer (not shown).
[0047]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described method for discharging the dry air into the washing machine. In particular, an arbitrary nozzle can be attached to the discharge port, and it is possible to deliver dry air to an arbitrary part in the washing machine where the water droplets remain or adhere.
[0048]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, high-temperature dry air or room-temperature dry air reaches every corner in the washing machine, vaporizes remaining or attached moisture, and discharges water-containing air out of the machine. By drying the inside of the washing machine, especially the washing tub, the generation and growth of mold and microorganisms can be suppressed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing a basic configuration of a drying apparatus in a washing machine according to the present embodiment; FIG. 2 is an external view showing another example of a removable drying apparatus in a washing machine according to the embodiment; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of another example of the detachable washing machine drying apparatus shown in FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a washing machine drying function equipped with an automatic washing machine W main body and an integrated washing machine drying apparatus; FIG. 5 is an external view showing an example of the washing machine. FIG. 5 is an explanatory cross-sectional view of a drying device portion in the washing machine of an example of the washing machine with a drying function in the washing machine shown in FIG.
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Housing 2 Opening part 3 Lid 4 Drying machine main body in a washing machine 5 Main body holding frame 6 Intake port 7 Air flow path 8 Dehumidification / dedusting filter 9 Driving fan 10 Drive device 11 Heating element 12 Discharge port 13 Swirling flow guide blade 14 Washing Dewatering tank 15 Dewatering hole 16 Water receiving layer 17 Suction cup 18 Dry air supply pipe 19 Exhaust port 101 Motor 102 Rotary shaft 103 Rotary wing W Automatic washing machine

Claims (8)

Dry air is discharged from a blower mechanism equipped with a driving fan to vaporize moisture remaining in or attached to the washing machine, particularly to the washing tub, which becomes a hotbed for the generation and growth of molds and microorganisms, and becomes a wet air outside the machine. A drying unit in a washing machine, wherein the inside of the washing machine can be dried by discharging to a washing machine. 2. The drying device in a washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the blower mechanism includes a driving fan, a driving device, a heating element, a swirling flow guide blade, a dehumidifying / dust removing filter, and a main body holding unit. 3. The drying device according to claim 1, wherein the blower mechanism is freely detachable from the washing machine. The drying device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the air blowing mechanism is built in the lid of the washing machine main body and forms an integral structure with the main body of the washing machine. The air blowing mechanism is incorporated in a drying device installed in an existing fully automatic washing and drying machine, and controls the air blowing with the drying device to dry the inside of the washing machine, particularly the washing tub. 2. The drying device in a washing machine according to 1. The drying device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the blowing mechanism includes a timer and can set a blowing time. The drying apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the blowing mechanism is capable of selectively discharging high-temperature dry air or normal-temperature dry air. The drying device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the blower mechanism can freely change a discharge direction of discharge air by attaching a nozzle to an exhaust port.

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