JP2004049254A - Washing/drying machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To inhibit growth of mold by drying a tub. <P>SOLUTION: In the washing/drying machine, a "tub drying" process for drying the tub after washing clothes by feeding hot air by a hot air feeder can be executed in a course in which washing/drying processes including the laundry washing process are combined, and in addition, the tub drying process for drying the tub can be executed alone. Accordingly, moisture is not left in the tub, so that growth of mold in the tub can be inhibited. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a washer / dryer capable of drying a tub.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, washing and drying machines have been equipped with a hot air supply device that supplies hot air to the inside of the tub so that laundry can be dried in addition to washing and dewatering. It is.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, even in the above-mentioned conventional washing and drying machine, when the laundry is merely washed and dehydrated, moisture remains in the tub, which causes the occurrence of mold.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a washing and drying machine capable of drying a tub to suppress the occurrence of mold.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the washing and drying machine of the present invention comprises, firstly, a tub having a vertical axis and a hot air supply device for supplying hot air to the inside of the tub. In addition to being able to perform washing, dehydration, and drying, in a tub cleaning course for cleaning the tub, a tub cleaning course may be provided with hot air supplied by the hot air supply device. A tank drying step of drying the tank after cleaning by supplying the tank is included.
[0005]
In a washing / drying machine having a tub arranged in a vertical axis, the tub is immersed in water all around the tub and to a considerable height at the time of washing. There is much water remaining in the tank later, and mold is likely to occur.
On the other hand, in the above-described apparatus, since the tank is dried by executing the tank cleaning course, no moisture remains in the tank, and the occurrence of mold can be suppressed.
[0006]
Secondly, the washing and drying machine of the present invention comprises a tub having a vertical axis and a hot air supply device for supplying warm air to the inside of the tub, and performs washing, dehydration, and drying of laundry. Performing a tub drying step of drying the tub by supplying hot air by the hot air supply device in a course combined with another step including washing of the laundry. It is possible to do.
According to this, the tub is dried by executing a course including a tub drying step in addition to the step of washing the laundry, so that moisture is not left in the tub and generation of mold can be suppressed.
[0007]
Thirdly, the washing and drying machine of the present invention includes a tub having a vertical axis and a hot air supply device for supplying warm air to the inside of the tub, and performs washing, dehydration, and drying of laundry. It is possible to perform the tank drying operation for drying the tank by supplying hot air from the hot air supply device.
According to this, since the tank is dried by executing the single tank drying operation, no water remains in the tank and the occurrence of mold can be suppressed.
[0008]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, FIG. 2 shows the entire configuration of a washing / drying machine, in which a tub 2 is provided inside an outer box 1. The tank 2 is composed of a double tank of an outer tank 2a and an inner tank 2b, both of which have a bottomed cylindrical shape. On the other hand, the outer box 1 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape having an opening 3 on the lower surface, and the outer tank is formed by a support mechanism 4 mainly including a plurality of hanging rods 4a suspended from an upper portion of the outer box 1. 2a, and thus the entire tank 2, is supported so as to be oscillatable in a vertical axis shape whose axis is the vertical direction.
[0009]
The inner tank 2b is rotatably disposed inside the outer tank 2a, and a stirrer 5 is also rotatably disposed in the lower portion of the inner tank 2b, and the stirrer 5 and the inner tank 2b are connected to each other. A drive device 6 (not shown in detail), which is mainly composed of a motor and is generally selectively driven to rotate, is disposed outside and below the outer tub 2a.
On the other hand, a rotary balancer 7 is attached to the upper edge of the inner tank 2b, and a ring-shaped tank cover 8 is attached to the upper edge of the outer tank 2a. At the rear side (left side in the figure) by a hinge 10 so that it can be opened and closed up and down.
[0010]
The inner lid 9 has a ventilation hole 11 formed of, for example, a plurality of horizontally long slits, and a filter 12 that covers the entire ventilation hole 11 is attached to the back side. The filter 12 is made of, for example, a fine mesh or fiber that captures lint (thread waste) scattered from laundry (clothing) not shown.
A top cover 13 is mounted on the outer box 1, and the top cover 13 is formed with the laundry door 14 facing the inner lid 9 and the inner tub 2b. In this case, a lid 15 having a two-fold structure is pivotally mounted.
[0011]
A hot air supply device 16 is provided at the rear of the top cover 13. The hot air supply device 16 includes, in detail, a blower 17 including a blower blade 17a, a casing 17b surrounding the blower blade 17a, and a motor 17c that rotationally drives the blower blade 17a. A heater case 18 disposed in front of the blower 17 in communication with a casing 17b of the blower 17, a heater 19 disposed in the heater case 18, and a heater formed from the heater case 18 at the rear of the bath cover 8. It is composed of a bellows-like connecting hose 21 which is rich in elasticity and flexibility and is connected to the air blowing port 20.
[0012]
Further, a control device 22 is provided inside a front portion of the top cover 13. The control device 22 mainly includes a microcomputer, for example, and functions as control means for controlling the operation of the washing / drying machine as described later.
[0013]
Next, FIG. 3 shows an operation panel 23 provided on the upper surface of the front part of the top cover 13. The operation panel 23 has a power "on" switch 24 and a power "off" switch 25, and also has a "start (pause)" selection switch 26, a "wash water" (water supply pump) use selection switch 27, and a "course". Select switch 28, "dehydration" time select switch 29, "rinse" count select switch 30, "wash" time select switch 31, "reservation" setting switch 32, "water level" select switch 33, "bath wash" course select switch 34, a "drying" time selection switch 35, and a "tank drying course" selection switch 36, and in addition, display units 37 to 45 for displaying the content and presence or absence of the selection or setting thereof.
[0014]
FIG. 4 shows an electrical configuration centered on the control device 22. The control device 22 receives various switch signals from various switches 24 to 36 of the operation panel 23, A water level detection signal is input from a water level sensor 46 provided to detect the water level in the outer tank 2 (outer tub 2 a), and a lid opening / closing response signal is supplied from a lid switch 47 provided to respond to opening and closing of the lid 15. A temperature detection signal is input from a temperature sensor 48 provided to detect the temperature in the bath 2.
[0015]
Then, based on these inputs and the control program stored in advance, the control device 22 controls the various display units 37 to 45 of the operation panel 23, and outputs a buzzer 49 as an alarm and a A water supply valve 50 provided to supply water (inside the inner tank 2b), a drain valve 51 provided to drain water from the tank 2, a driving device 6 (motor), the heater 19, and the blower 17 are connected to a drive circuit 52. Is to be controlled through.
[0016]
Therefore, the operation of the washing / drying machine controlled by the control device 22 will be described below.
When the "bath cleaning" course selection switch 34 is operated on the operation panel 23, the control device 22 executes the "bath cleaning course" shown in FIG. In this “bath cleaning” course, the steps are “water supply”, “placement”, “washing”, “dehydration of residual water”, “drainage”, “dehydration”, “water supply”, “rinse”, “remaining water”. It is executed in the order of "dehydration", "drainage" and "tank drying".
[0017]
In the “water supply” process, the water supply valve 50 is opened to supply a larger amount of water into the tub 2 for an additional 30 seconds than the “high” water level, which is the maximum water level at the time of washing. The tub 2b, in particular, a portion higher than the highest portion that comes into contact with water during washing is immersed in the water in the outer tub 2a. After the water reaches a predetermined water level, the stirring device 5 is intermittently rotated by the driving device 6 in, for example, both forward and reverse directions.
[0018]
In the “soaking” step, the stirring body 5 is intermittently rotated, for example, in both the forward and reverse directions while the inner tank 2b is immersed in the water in the outer tank 2a, for example, for 20 seconds. In the "washing" step, the agitator 5 is intermittently rotated, for example, in both the forward and reverse directions while the inner tank 2b is immersed in the water in the outer tank 2a, for example, for three minutes. Note that it is necessary to put a detergent suitable for cleaning the tank 2 into the tank 2 before the “place” and “wash” steps.
[0019]
In the “residual water dehydration” process, the drainage valve 51 is opened to drain water from the tank 2, that is, while the water is left in the tank 2, the driving device 6 rotates the inner tank 2 b intermittently to perform centrifugal dehydration. Is performed, for example, within 50 seconds.
In the “drain” step, the drain valve 51 is opened to drain water from the tank 2. In the “dehydration” step, while the drain valve 51 is opened to drain the water from the tank 2, the drive device 6 rotates the inner tank 2 b for, for example, 30 seconds to perform centrifugal dehydration, for example, for 50 seconds. Do between.
The “rinsing” step is performed in the same manner as the “washing” step.
[0020]
In the "tank drying" step, the inner tank 2b is rotated at a speed of, for example, 100 [rpm] by the driving device 6, for example, for 4 minutes and 40 seconds, while the drain valve 51 is opened to drain the water from the tank 2. Then, the hot air supply device 16 is operated. The operation of the hot air supply device 16 is the rotation of the blower blades 17a in the blower 17 and the heat generated by the heater 19, and the rotation of the blower blades 17a causes the intake port at the back of the top cover 13 as shown by the arrow in FIG. The air outside the outer box 1 is sucked into the casing 17b from 53 and sent into the heater case 18. The air sent into the heater case 18 is heated there by the heater 19 that is generating heat and is turned into hot air, that is, hot air is generated.
[0021]
The generated hot air is blown and supplied into the outer tub 2a from the hot air blowing port 20 through the connection hose 21, and further blown and supplied into the inner tub 2b, so that the outer tub 2a and the inner tub 2b, The water remaining on the tank 2 is evaporated.
Then, warm air containing moisture evaporated from the tank 2 then exits through a large number of through-holes (not shown) on the peripheral side of the inner tank 2b and the upper end opening of the inner tank 2b to remove the filter 12. As a result, the air passes through the space 11 between the outer tub 2 a and the outer case 1 through the vent hole 11 of the inner cover 9, and is discharged outside through the opening 3 on the lower surface of the outer case 1. This is performed, for example, for 5 minutes to dry the tank 2.
[0022]
At this time, by rotating the inner tub 2b at the above-mentioned speed of, for example, 100 [rpm], the entire inner tub 2b can be dried uniformly.
Then, after the “tank drying” step, the buzzer 49 is operated, for example, for 15 seconds, and then the power supply is automatically turned off (auto power off) to complete the entire operation of the “tank cleaning course”.
[0023]
On the other hand, when the "tank drying course" selection switch 36 is operated on the operation panel 23, as shown in FIG. 5, the control device 22 executes the "tank drying course" during the operation routine started by turning on the power. In step S1 for determining whether or not the "course" selection switch 36 has been operated, it is determined that the operation has been performed (YES), and then it is determined whether or not the "start" selection switch 26 has been operated (step S1). S2).
[0024]
If it is determined in step S2 that the operation has been performed (YES), the control device 22 sequentially executes the steps of “washing”, “rinsing”, and “dehydration” (steps S3 to S5). The “washing” step and the “rinsing” step, which are washing steps, store water (washing water) supplied by the water supply valve 50 from the inner tub 2b containing laundry to the outer tub 2a, In this state, by rotating the stirring body 5 by the driving device 6, the laundry is stirred together with the washing water to perform washing (washing, rinsing). Note that, as is well known, the "washing" step is performed with water containing a detergent, and the "rinsing" step is performed without containing water with a detergent.
[0025]
In the “dehydration” step, by rotating the inner tub 2b, the water content of the laundry in the inner tub 2b is shaken off by centrifugal force from the through hole on the peripheral side of the inner tub 2b (centrifugal dehydration). The water is discharged outside the machine through a drain valve 51 and a drain hose (not shown).
[0026]
After the “dehydration” step, the control device 22 determines whether or not the lid 15 has been opened / closed based on a lid opening / closing response signal output from the lid switch 47 (step S6). Here, after the “dehydration” process, it is necessary to open the lid 15 in order to take out the laundry in the tub 2, and thereafter, to dry the tub, it is necessary to close the opened lid 15 (tub). Drying is performed on condition that the lid 15 is in a closed state). Therefore, the determination as to whether or not the lid 15 has been opened / closed here is a determination as to whether or not the laundry has been taken out of the tub 2, and whether or not the tub can be dried. Judgment.
[0027]
If it is determined in step S6 that the lid 15 has been opened and closed (YES: the laundry has been taken out of the tub 2 and the tub can be further dried), the control device 22 proceeds to the next step. The “tank drying” step is executed (step S7). This “tank drying” step is performed in the same manner as the “tank drying” step of the “tank cleaning course”.
Then, when the “tank drying” process is completed, the entire operation of the “tank drying course” is ended.
[0028]
If it is determined in step S1 that the "tank drying course" selection switch 36 has not been operated (NO), then it is determined whether the "start" selection switch 26 has been operated (step S8). If it is determined that the operation has been performed (YES), the steps of “washing”, “rinsing”, and “dehydration” are sequentially executed as “standard course” (steps S9 to S11), and all of the “standard course” are executed. End the operation.
[0029]
After the “standard course”, the drying time is selected by the “drying” time selection switch 35 on the operation panel 23, and then the “start” selection switch 26 is operated. The laundry is dried by the warm air supplied into the tub 2 as described above by operating the device 16 with, for example, the alternating rotation of the stirring body 5 and the inner tub 2b.
[0030]
As described above, in this configuration, in addition to being able to wash, dehydrate, and dry laundry, a tub cleaning course that cleans the tub 2 can be executed. The course includes a tank drying step of drying the tank 2 after cleaning by supplying hot air by the hot air supply device 16. Thus, the tank 2 is dried by executing the tank cleaning course, so that no water remains in the tank 2 and the occurrence of mold can be suppressed.
[0031]
Further, in the present configuration, the tub drying process of drying the tub 2 by supplying the hot air by the hot air supply device 16 is a course (tub drying course) in combination with another process including washing of laundry. ). Thereby, since the tank 2 is dried by executing the course including the tank drying step, the moisture can not be left in the tank 2 and the generation of the mold can be suppressed as described above.
[0032]
6 to 11 show the second to fifth embodiments of the present invention, in which the same reference numerals are given to the same parts as in the first embodiment, and the description will be omitted. Only different parts will be described.
[Second embodiment]
In the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, first, as shown in FIG. 6, a "tank drying" selection switch 61 is provided on the operation panel 23 in place of the "tank drying course" selection switch 36. ing.
[0033]
As shown in FIG. 7, in step S21 instead of the above-described step S1, the control device 22 determines whether the “tank drying” selection switch 61 has been operated in addition to the course selection operation using the “course” selection switch 28. In this step S21, if it is determined that the operation has been performed (YES), after the above-described step S2, each process of the course selected by the "course" selection switch 28 is performed. (Including the washing process) (Step S22), and thereafter, through the above-described Steps S6 and S7, the tub drying course is executed.
[0034]
That is, the tub drying course in this case is a combination of the tub drying step and each step of the course selected by the "course" selection switch 28. This is executed in a course in combination with another process including washing, and therefore, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained without leaving moisture in the tub 2 and suppressing the occurrence of mold.
In this case, if it is determined in step S1 that the operation is not performed (NO), only the respective steps of the course selected by the "course" selection switch 28 are executed after step S8 described above (step S23). .
[0035]
[Third embodiment]
In the third embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, first, as shown in FIG. 8, the above-mentioned “tank drying” selection switch 61 and the above-mentioned “tank drying course” selection switch are provided on the operation panel 23. Neither 36 nor the display unit 45 is provided.
[0036]
In this case, as shown in FIG. 9, the control device 22 performs the “drying” time selection switch 35 in addition to the course selection operation using the “course” selection switch 28 in step S31 instead of step S1 described above. It is determined whether or not has been operated. If it is determined in this step S31 that the operation has been performed (YES), after the above-described step S2, the above-described step S22 is performed, and further thereafter, After the above-described step S6, the tank drying course (step S32) of the time selected by the “drying” time selection switch 35 is performed, thereby executing the tank drying course.
[0037]
That is, the tub drying course in this case is also a combination of the tub drying step and each step of the course selected by the “course” selection switch 28. In short, the tub drying step includes other steps including washing of laundry. Therefore, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained without leaving moisture in the tank 2 and suppressing the occurrence of mold.
In this case, if it is determined in step S1 that the operation is not performed (NO), the process goes through step S8 and then goes through step S23.
[0038]
[Fourth embodiment]
In the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 10, after setting the bath drying course (step S41), the control device 22 determines whether a course other than the bath drying course is selected (step S42). If it is determined in step S42 that the selection is not made (NO), the tank drying course is executed through step S2 described above (step S43). If it is determined that the selection is made (YES), the setting is performed. It is not possible (step S44).
That is, in this case, the combination of the tank drying course and the other courses cannot be set.
[0039]
[Fifth embodiment]
In the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the "drying" time is displayed in the "1" (1 hour) display portion, which is the minimum selection time of the "drying" time selection switch 35 on the operation panel 23 in the display section 44. 71 (the “tank drying course” selection switch 36 and the display unit 45 are not provided).
[0040]
Thus, without putting the laundry in the tub 2, the "drying" time selection switch 35 is used to select the "tub drying" display 71 portion ("1" display portion), and then the "start" selection switch 26, the hot air supply device 16 is operated for one hour, for example, with the rotation of the stirrer 5 and the inner tank 2b alternately, so that the tank 2 is supplied with the warm air supplied as described above. Dried.
[0041]
That is, in this case, the tank drying operation for drying the tank 2 is executed independently without being combined with other steps, and this also leaves no water in the tank 2 and generates mold. Is obtained.
The time required for drying the tank with the “drying” time selection switch 35 (the third and fifth embodiments) may be shorter than that described above.
In addition, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above and shown in the drawings, and can be implemented with appropriate modifications without departing from the scope of the invention.
[0042]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the washing / drying machine of the present invention, a tub drying step in a tub washing course, a tub drying step in a course combined with another step including washing of laundry, or a single tub drying operation By drying the tank, the occurrence of mold can be suppressed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a view showing a process of a tub washing course showing a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a vertical side view of the entire washing / drying machine. FIG. 3 is a plan view of an operation panel. FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart. FIG. 6 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 3 showing a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 5. FIG. 8 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 3 showing a third embodiment of the present invention. 9 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 5. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 3 showing a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a tank, 16 is a hot air supply device, 22 is a control device, 28 is a “course” selection switch, 34 is a “tank cleaning” course selection switch, 35 is a “drying” time selection switch, and 36 is a “tank drying course”. A selection switch, 61 indicates a “tank drying” selection switch, and 71 indicates a “tank drying” display.

Claims (3)

The tub is provided with a vertical axis, and a hot air supply device for supplying hot air to the inside of the tub is provided.In addition to being capable of washing laundry, dewatering, and drying, the tub is In what is possible to run a tank cleaning course to wash,
A washing / drying machine, wherein the tub washing course includes a tub drying step of drying the tub after washing by supplying hot air from the hot air supply device. Along with the tub having a vertical axis, equipped with a hot air supply device for supplying hot air to the inside of the tub, washing and dehydration of the laundry, and can be dried,
Washing and drying that enables a tub drying step of drying the tub by supplying hot air by the hot air supply device to be performed in a course in combination with another step including washing of the laundry. Machine. Along with the tub having a vertical axis, equipped with a hot air supply device for supplying hot air to the inside of the tub, washing and dehydration of the laundry, and can be dried,
A washing / drying machine capable of independently executing a tub drying operation for drying the tub by supplying hot air from the hot air supply device.

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