JP2004159756A - Washing and drying machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform humidification effective for the prevention of electrostatic charges of laundry or the like neither too much nor too little corresponding to the amount of the friction of the laundry by the amount of the laundry and the course of an operation, etc. <P>SOLUTION: In the process of drying, the storage of a prescribed amount of water in an outer tub and the operation of prescribed time are executed by prolonging the time or reducing a water amount to be stored in the outer tub as it is the condition that the friction of the laundry inside an inner tub is larger for the amount of the laundry and the course of the operation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a washer / dryer that stores a predetermined amount of water in an outer tub during a drying process and operates for a predetermined time in this state.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, in a washing / drying machine, an inner tub is rotatably disposed inside an outer tub that can store water, and a driving device that rotationally drives the inner tub and a hot air supply device that supplies hot air into the inner tub. A wind supply device is provided so that the laundry can be washed, dehydrated, and dried in the inner tub.
When the laundry is dried in this manner, the laundry rubs against each other in the inner tub or rubs against the inner tub and becomes charged. In addition, the laundry is easily wrinkled, and it is difficult to obtain a soft finish.
[0003]
Therefore, in recent years, there has been provided a type in which a predetermined amount of water (for example, the water level does not reach the inner tub) is stored in the outer tub and the operation is performed for a predetermined time in the process of drying the laundry. (For example, see Patent Document 1). In this case, the laundry is humidified by steam generated by evaporating the water stored in the outer tub, the charge is reduced, wrinkles are reduced, and a more fluffy finish is obtained.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent No. 2688117 (paragraph "0026", FIGS. 1 and 2)
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the above-described conventional apparatus, the operation performed in a state in which a predetermined amount of water is stored in the outer tub is performed for a fixed time and with a constant amount of water regardless of the amount or course of the laundry. Depending on the amount and the course of operation, the humidification of the laundry is insufficient, and the effect of preventing the above-mentioned electrification and the like is not sufficiently obtained. On the contrary, the humidification is excessive and a good finish is obtained. Had the disadvantage of not having.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a washer / dryer capable of humidifying without excess or deficiency according to the amount of friction of the laundry, such as the amount of laundry and a driving course. To offer.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the washing and drying machine of the present invention has an outer tub capable of storing water, an inner tub rotatably disposed inside the outer tub, and a driving device for rotating the inner tub, A warm air supply device for supplying warm air into the inner tub, washing, dehydrating, and drying the laundry in the inner tub, and in the drying step, a predetermined amount is supplied to the outer tub. First, the operation is performed for a predetermined period of time in a case where the operation is performed for a predetermined period of time, the longer the operation is performed as the friction of the laundry in the inner tub increases. Features (the invention of claim 1).
[0008]
The smaller the amount of laundry, the easier it is to move in the inner tub during drying, and the greater the friction between the laundry and the friction with the inner tub. In the driving course, the longer the course, the greater the friction between the laundry and the inner tub. Therefore, as described above, the operation in which a predetermined amount of water is stored in the outer tub is performed for a longer time as the friction of the laundry in the inner tub increases, thereby preventing the charge from being prevented. Effective humidification can be performed without excess or shortage according to the amount of friction of the laundry.
[0009]
Secondly, the washing and drying machine of the present invention stores the predetermined amount of water in the outer tub and performs the operation for a predetermined time in such a manner that the more the friction of the laundry in the inner tub is, the more the outer tub is conditioned. The present invention is characterized in that it is executed with a reduced amount of water to be stored (the invention of claim 2). With this product, when the friction of the laundry increases, the amount of laundry is small, the amount of water stored in the outer tub is reduced, and conversely, when the amount of laundry is large, or in the course of washing a large volume The humidifying operation is performed by increasing the amount of water stored in the outer tank. As a result, humidification can be performed without excess or deficiency according to the amount of laundry and the driving course that appear in the amount of friction of the laundry.
[0010]
In these cases, if the system is provided with temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature inside the machine and the operation is extended when the detected temperature is equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature, a predetermined amount of water is again stored in the outer tank during the extended operation. It is preferable to perform the operation for a predetermined time (the invention of claim 3).
In this case, recharging and excessive drying of the laundry due to the extended operation can be avoided.
[0011]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, FIG. 3 shows the entire configuration of a washing / drying machine, in which an outer tub 2 is disposed inside an outer box 1. The outer tub 2 is a drum-shaped one having an opening 3 for taking in and out the laundry in the front part, and is provided with a plurality of sets (only one set is shown) of suspensions 4 erected from the bottom surface of the outer box 1 to form a horizontal axis. And is elastically supported so as to be inclined forward (upward to the left in the figure).
[0012]
A water reservoir 5 is formed on the rear side of the bottom of the outer tank 2, and a drainage port 6 is formed at the last part which is the lowest part of the water storage section 5. A drain valve 7 that is opened and closed is connected. As a result, the outer tub 2 can store water further upward from the water storage unit 5 by closing the drain valve 7. The water reservoir 5 is provided with a heater 8 for heating water therein, and the drain valve 7 is connected to a drain hose 9 for draining outside the machine when the drain valve 7 is opened.
[0013]
On the other hand, a laundry doorway 10 formed in the front part of the outer box 1 is connected to the opening 3 of the outer tub 2 via a bellows 11. Further, a door 12 is provided at the laundry entrance 10 of the outer box 1 so as to be openable and closable.
[0014]
An inner tank 13 is rotatably disposed inside the outer tank 2. The inner tub 13 is also a drum-shaped one having an opening 14 for loading and unloading laundry on a front surface thereof, and a plurality of (only one illustrated) baffles 15 for agitating laundry are provided on a peripheral side wall thereof. A large number of through holes 16 which are water holes for dehydration and ventilation holes for drying are formed over almost the entire surface (only a part is shown).
[0015]
A motor 17 is attached to the back of the outer tub 2. The motor 17 is of an outer rotor type. A rotary shaft 17b, which rotates integrally with the rotor 17a, is inserted into the outer tub 2, and the inner tub 13 is attached to a tip end thereof. As a result, the inner tub 13 is driven to rotate by the motor 17, that is, the motor 17 functions as a driving device that drives the inner tub 13 to rotate. The inner tub 13 is supported coaxially with the outer tub 2 (horizontal axis and inclined forward and upward).
[0016]
A warm air supply device 18 is provided from the back to the upper portion outside the outer tub 2. In this case, the hot air supply device 18 has a dehumidifier 19 disposed on the back of the outer tub 2 and a blower 20 and a heater 21 disposed on the upper portion. The inlet 18a communicates from the lowermost portion of the back of the outer tub 2 into the outer tub 2 and the outlet 18b extends from the foremost upper portion of the outer tub 2 into the outer tub 2. Communicating.
[0017]
Here, in detail, the dehumidifier 19 is supplied with water from a water injection valve 24 disposed above the water sprinkler 26 through a water injection tube 25, and the water is supplied to the dehumidifier 19 as indicated by an arrow A in FIG. To be radiated and dropped.
Further, the blower 20 sucks the air in the inner tank 13 into the dehumidifier 19 from the inlet 18a through the outer tank 2 as shown by an arrow B by the rotation of the impeller 20a. From inside, the heater 21 is passed through the blower 20, and the outlet 18 b is returned to the inner tank 13 through the outer tank 2.
[0018]
In the process, in the dehumidifier 19, the air in the inner tank 13 passing therethrough is cooled and dehumidified by the water radiated from the sprinkler 26. In the heater 21, the heater 21 a heats the dehumidified air passing through the heater 21 to generate warm air. Thus, warm air is supplied into the inner tank 13.
[0019]
In addition, FIG. 3 shows a temperature sensor 27 attached to the lower portion of the back of the outer tub 2. The temperature sensor 27 serves as a temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature inside the apparatus. , The temperature in the outer tub 2 and thus the temperature in the inner tub 13 are indirectly detected. Reference numeral 28 denotes a rotation sensor provided on the motor 17, and the rotation sensor 28 detects the rotation of the rotor 17a and thus the rotation of the inner tank 13.
[0020]
Further, in FIG. 3, reference numeral 29 denotes a water injection case for injecting water into the outer tub 2, reference numeral 30 denotes a water supply pump for supplying the remaining hot water of the bath solely into the outer tub 2 through the water injection case 29, and reference numeral 31 denotes the outer water supply pump. 1 shows a control device which is a control means including, for example, a microcomputer provided inside a front upper portion of a box 1.
[0021]
FIG. 4 shows, in addition to the control device 31 described above, various operation switches 32 provided on an operation panel (not shown) for operating the operation of the washer / dryer, and the water level in the outer tub 2. Shown are a water level sensor 33 to detect, a door switch 34 to detect opening and closing of the door 12, and the above-mentioned temperature sensor 27 and rotation sensor 28, and these switch signals or detection signals are input to the control device 31. .
[0022]
Then, based on these inputs and the control program stored in advance, the control device 31 controls the various indicators 35, and supplies a water supply valve 36 for supplying water into the outer tank 2, the drain valve 7, the water injection valve 24, and the like. , Motor 17, heater 8, heater 21a, and blower 20 are controlled via drive circuit 37.
[0023]
Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described.
The control device 31 basically causes the operation of the washing / drying machine to proceed in the order of “washing”, “dehydration”, and “drying”. Immediately after the start of the entire operation, the operation contents of the various operation switches 32 by the user are confirmed. This includes the confirmation of the selected driving course, which includes, for example, the “standard” shown in FIG. 1 and the “steady” There are "blankets" suitable for washing and drying blankets.
[0024]
Next, the control device 31 measures the amount of the laundry stored in the inner tub 13. The measurement of the amount of the laundry is performed by rotating the motor 17 with a predetermined input and reading the detection result of the rotation sensor 28 at this time. When the motor 17 is rotated, the inner tub 13 rotates. The rotation is detected by the rotation sensor 28 because the rotation load is increased as the amount of the laundry stored in the inner tub 13 increases, and the rotation sensor 28 detects the rotation. Measure the amount of laundry. Therefore, at this time, the rotation sensor 28 functions as a laundry amount detecting unit.
[0025]
After that, the control device 31 executes a “washing” process. In this “washing” process, water is supplied to the outer tub 2 in an amount corresponding to the measured amount of the laundry, and the inner tub 13 is moved at a low speed in a state where the water is stored until the water level reaches a lower portion in the inner tub 13. By rotating, the laundry is agitated and washed (washed, then rinsed).
[0026]
In the next “dehydration” process, the water in the outer tub 2 and the inner tub 13 is discharged from the drain valve 7 to the outside of the machine through the drain hose 9, and the inner tub 13 is rotated at a high speed while the water is drained. As a result, the water content of the laundry in the inner tub 13 is shaken off and discharged from the through hole 16 by centrifugal force.
[0027]
Then, in the subsequent “drying” step, the drying operation is performed first, the blowing operation is performed, and then the humidifying operation is performed. FIG. 5 shows this. In the drying operation, while rotating the inner tub 13 at a low speed, the blower 20 of the hot air supply device 18 is rotated, the heater 21 a is heated, and the water injection valve 24 is inserted into the dehumidifier 19. From the sprinkler 26. Thus, the dehumidified warm air is supplied into the inner tub 13 as described above, and the warm air comes into contact with the agitated laundry by the rotation of the inner tub 13 to gradually dry the laundry.
[0028]
Next, in the air blowing operation, the heat generation of the heater 21a and the injection of water into the dehumidifier 19 are stopped, and the low-speed rotation of the inner tub 13 and the rotation of the blower 20 are continued. Send air at room temperature to cool it down.
[0029]
Then, in the subsequent humidifying operation, the water injection into the dehumidifier 19 is restarted with the drain valve 7 closed, whereby a predetermined amount (for example, as shown by the water level W in FIG. , The water level does not reach the inner tub 13), and in this state, the low-speed rotation of the inner tub 13 and the rotation of the blower 20 due to repetition of, for example, rotation drive-drive suspension are continued to operate for a predetermined time. Do. Then, the water stored in the outer tub 2 evaporates due to the residual heat to generate steam, and the steam humidifies the laundry.
[0030]
Here, in the case of this configuration, the above-described humidification operation (a predetermined amount of water is stored in the outer tub 2 and the operation for a predetermined time is performed based on the previous measurement result of the amount of laundry and the selection result of the operation course). Is performed with a longer time under the condition that the friction of the laundry in the inner tub 13 is large.
[0031]
FIG. 1 shows this, and the less the amount of laundry is 4 [kg], 3 [kg], 2 [kg], 1 [kg], the more the humidification operation time, for example, in the "standard" course 1 [minute], 1 [minute], 2 [minute], and 3 [minute] are sequentially increased. Further, the humidifying operation time of the “standard” course is longer than that of the “standard” course, and the humidifying operation time of the “firm” course is longer than that of the “blanket” course (“blanket”). The duration of the humidification operation of the "course" is longer than that of the "standard" course).
[0032]
As shown in FIG. 2, the smaller the amount of laundry, the greater the charge amount. This is because the smaller the amount of laundry, the easier it is for the laundry to move in the inner tub 13 during drying, and the greater the friction between the laundry and the friction with the inner tub 13. In the driving course, the longer the course, the larger the charge amount. This is because the longer the time, the greater the friction between the laundry and the friction with the inner tub 13.
[0033]
Thus, according to the present configuration, the humidifying operation is performed with a longer time as the condition of the friction of the laundry in the inner tub 13 increases, and the humidifying operation is performed with a longer time. Since the amount of humidification of the laundry increases, humidification that is effective in preventing electrification and the like can be performed without excess or deficiency according to the amount of friction (the amount of charge) of the laundry.
Although the "blanket" course takes less time than the "firm" course, it takes longer than the "standard" course, so the humidification operation time is also set between them.
[0034]
In addition, since the humidification of the laundry in the "drying" process can be performed without excess or deficiency according to the friction of the laundry, good results can be obtained with respect to prevention of wrinkling and a soft finish. .
After the humidification operation is performed, the drain valve 7 is opened to discharge the water in the outer tub 2 out of the machine.
[0035]
6 to 10 show the second to fifth embodiments of the present invention. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. Only different parts will be described.
[0036]
[Second embodiment]
In the second embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the humidifying operation in the above-mentioned "drying" step is executed by reducing the amount of water stored in the outer tub 2 as the friction of the laundry in the inner tub 13 increases. Like that.
[0037]
Specifically, in this case, when the friction of the laundry increases and the amount of the laundry is small, the amount of water stored in the outer tub is reduced from, for example, 800 [ml] to 500 [ml]. When the amount of laundry is large, or when a large amount of blanket is washed and dried, the amount of water stored in the outer tub is increased from 500 [ml] to 800 [ml], and humidification is performed. Driving. As a result, humidification can be performed without excess or shortage (with an appropriate amount of water) according to the amount of laundry that appears in the amount of friction of the laundry and the course of driving, preventing static electricity, preventing wrinkling, and softening. Good results can be obtained with respect to the finish and the like.
The setting of the amount of water stored in the outer tank 2 of the second embodiment may be executed in combination with the setting of the humidification operation time of the first embodiment.
[0038]
[Third embodiment]
In the third embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the humidifying operation in the above-mentioned “drying” step is performed under the condition that the friction of the laundry in the inner tub 13 is large, and the rotational driving time per unit time of the inner tub 13 ( (ON time) is shortened.
[0039]
Specifically, in this case, when the friction of the laundry increases and the amount of the laundry is small, the rotational driving time per unit time of the inner tub 13 is increased from 57/60 [sec] when the laundry is large to 47. / 50 [seconds], 37/40 [seconds], 27/30 [seconds], and conversely, when the friction of the laundry decreases and the amount of the laundry is large, per unit time of the inner tub 13 Are sequentially lengthened. Note that the OFF time in FIG. 7 indicates a time during which the driving of the inner tank 13 is stopped.
[0040]
In this case, in a course of washing and drying a large-volume blanket, the rotational driving time per unit time is shorter than or equal to the "standard" and "firm" courses.
Further, in these cases, the rotation speed of the inner tub 13 is proportional to the rotation driving time per unit time for the difference in the amount of laundry, and the "blanket" course is compared with the "standard" and "firm" courses. Is set in inverse proportion.
[0041]
As a result, the laundry can be agitated without any excess or shortage (at an appropriate degree of agitation) according to the amount of laundry and the driving course that appear in the amount of friction of the laundry. The contact can be made properly, and good results can be obtained with respect to prevention of electrification, prevention of wrinkling, and a soft finish.
Note that the setting of the rotation driving time per unit time of the inner tank 13 and the setting of the rotation speed of the inner tank 13 of the third embodiment are the same as the setting of the humidifying operation time of the first embodiment and the setting of the outer tank 2 of the second embodiment. The setting of the amount of water to be stored may be executed independently or in combination with each other.
[0042]
[Fourth embodiment]
In the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 8, after the "drying" step, the temperature is detected by the temperature sensor 27, and the operation is extended when the detected temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature due to the influence of the outside air temperature or the like. During the extended operation, the humidifying operation (operation for a predetermined time in a state where a predetermined amount of water is stored in the outer tub 2) is performed again after the blowing operation.
[0043]
By doing so, it is possible to avoid recharging and excessive drying of the laundry due to the extended operation.
In this case, the extended operation including the humidification operation is executed in combination with the setting of the humidification operation time of the first embodiment or the setting of the amount of water stored in the outer tank 2 of the second embodiment. Both or both of them may be executed in combination with the setting of the rotation driving time per unit time of the inner tank 13 and the setting of the rotation speed of the third embodiment.
[0044]
[Fifth embodiment]
In the fifth embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the operation panel (for example, a key with the character “Moisture”) 41 for selecting whether or not to perform the humidification operation in the “drying” process, and the selection thereof Display units (for example, light-emitting units with characters “present” and “absent”) 42 and 43 for displaying the contents are provided (FIG. 9), and when “presence” of the humidification operation is selected from these, Then, the "drying" step including the humidifying operation described above is executed (FIG. 10 (a)). When "None" of the humidifying operation is selected, the "drying" step not including the humidifying operation is executed. ((B) of FIG. 10).
[0045]
By doing so, the humidification operation can be arbitrarily performed, and when the finish is hurried, the humidification operation can be performed without performing the humidification operation. Note that the selection of the humidifying operation may be performed in the above-described extended operation.
[0046]
In addition, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above and shown in the drawings. For example, as a whole of the washing and drying machine, the outer tub and the inner tub are not formed in the above-described horizontal axis but in the vertical axis. It is also applicable to the vertical axis type disposed in the range not departing from the gist, such as not only the residual heat of the drying operation at the time of the humidification operation but also the generation of steam by generating heat from the heater. It can be carried out with appropriate changes within.
[0047]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the washing / drying machine of the present invention, during the drying process, a predetermined amount of water is stored in the outer tub and the operation is performed for a predetermined time, and the friction of the laundry in the inner tub is reduced. The greater the number of conditions, the longer the time or the smaller the amount of water stored in the outer tub. Significant effect that humidification can be performed without shortage is obtained.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a time setting of a humidifying operation according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a relationship between an amount of laundry and a course of operation and a charge amount of the laundry; FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an electrical configuration. FIG. 5 is a diagram of a drying process. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a water amount setting diagram of a humidifying operation according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 5 showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a partial front view of an operation panel showing a fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram corresponding to FIG.
2 denotes an outer tank, 13 denotes an inner tank, 17 denotes a motor (drive device), 18 denotes a hot air supply device, and 27 denotes a temperature sensor (temperature detecting means).

Claims (3)

An outer tank that can store water,
An inner tank rotatably arranged inside the outer tank,
A driving device for rotationally driving the inner tank;
A hot air supply device for supplying hot air into the inner tank;
Comprising, washing the laundry in the inner tub, dewatering, and drying, in the process of drying, storing a predetermined amount of water in the outer tub, for a predetermined time of operation,
The washing and drying machine is characterized in that the operation is performed with a longer time as the condition of the friction of the laundry in the inner tub is greater. An outer tank that can store water,
An inner tank rotatably arranged inside the outer tank,
A driving device for rotationally driving the inner tank;
A hot air supply device for supplying hot air into the inner tank;
Comprising, washing the laundry in the inner tub, dewatering, and drying, in the process of drying, storing a predetermined amount of water in the outer tub, for a predetermined time of operation,
The washing and drying machine is characterized in that the operation is performed with a smaller amount of water stored in the outer tub as the friction of the laundry in the inner tub increases. It is provided with temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature inside the machine, and when the detected temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, the operation is extended. During the extended operation, a predetermined amount of water is stored again in the outer tank, and the operation is performed for a predetermined time. 3. The washing and drying machine according to claim 1, wherein the washing and drying is performed.

Images