JP2005000493A

JP2005000493A - Washing and drying machine

Info

Publication number: JP2005000493A
Application number: JP2003169089A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Junji Kotani; 淳二小谷; Kentaro Yari; 健太郎鑓; Tetsuo Kawai; 哲夫河合; Hiroshi Sagane; 寛砂金
Original assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd
Current assignee: Panasonic Holdings Corp
Priority date: 2003-06-13
Filing date: 2003-06-13
Publication date: 2005-01-06

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform drying with less power consumption and to shorten a period of time by distributing clothes on the inner wall of an internal tub, allowing a blow to uniformly pass among the clothes, and supplying air with less moisture into the internal tub in a drying process in a washing and drying machine having the process for drying laundry by blowing the internal tub. <P>SOLUTION: The internal tub 7 having a rotary axis in the vertical direction and storing the laundry is freely rotatably supported inside an external tub 2 which is elastically hung inside a case 1. Blowing is performed into the internal tub 7 by a drying blower 40. The air to be supplied is heated by a heater 42. A controller 45 controls the operations of a motor 4, the drying blower 40, and the heater 42, and also successively controls a series of processes such as washing, rinsing, dehydrating and drying. The controller 45 rotates the internal tub 7 by the number of rotation to generate a natural blow by the rotation of the internal tub 7 in the drying process. The controller 45 also includes a process for performing blowing into the internal tub 7 through the use of the drying blower 40. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、内槽内に送風して洗濯物を乾燥させる行程を有する洗濯乾燥機に関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来、この種の洗濯乾燥機は図５に示すように構成していた。以下、その構成について説明する。
【０００３】
図５に示すように、筐体１は、外槽２を複数のサスペンション３により懸垂防振支持している。外槽２の下方にモータ４を設け、中空で二軸構造となった洗濯・脱水軸５、および洗濯または脱水時によって回転力の伝達を洗濯・脱水軸５に切り換えるクラッチ６を介して、外槽２の内部に回転自在に設けた内槽７に連結している。
【０００４】
内槽７の上方に流体バランサー８を設けており、内槽７の内底部に回転翼９を回転自在に設け、この回転翼９は、外周部に傾斜面を有する略皿状の基盤の上面に撹拌ブレード１０を形成することで、乾燥行程においては、衣類を回転翼９の回転による遠心力で傾斜面に沿って上方へと舞い上がりやすくするとともに、表面から裏面に貫通する小穴１１を多数設けている。
【０００５】
温風送風機１２は、乾燥のために内槽７内に温風を送風するもので、筐体１の略上方に設けている。ヒータ１３は、温風送風機１２により送風する空気を加熱する。冷却用送風機１４は、筐体１の側壁に設け、外部から筐体１の内部に冷風を導入するものである。
【０００６】
外槽２の上面に外槽カバー１５を設け、この外槽カバー１５の略中心部に開閉自在の中蓋１６を設けている。外槽カバー１５に吐出口１７を設け、温風（循環風）を吐出させるようにしている。吐出口１７とヒータ１３につづく温風循環経路１８ａの開口部１９とは、略相対した位置関係に設け、これら開口部１９と吐出口１７とを略垂直方向に伸縮自在の蛇腹ホース２０により連結している。
【０００７】
外槽２の下部に温風、洗濯水、除湿水の出口２１を設け、この出口２１と温風循環経路１８とを伸縮自在の下部蛇腹ホース２２を介して連結している。温風循環経路１８の下部には、排水弁２３を介して排水口２４を設けている。２５は給水弁を含む給水部である。また、温風送風機１２の吸気側に吸気弁２６を介して吸気口２７を設けている。
【０００８】
温風送風機１２により循環する温風（循環風）は、ヒータ１３を通り、蛇腹ホース２０、吐出口１７、内槽７内部、回転翼９に設けた小穴１１、内槽７の周辺の小孔（図示せず）、外槽２の下部、外槽２の下部に設けた下部蛇腹ホース２２、温風循環経路１８を通り、再び温風送風機１２へと循環する。このとき、冷却用送風機１４により外部から導入した冷風により温風循環経路１８を冷却し、循環する高湿温風を除湿する。温度センサ２８は外槽２内に設け、循環風の温度を検知するようにしている。内槽７内には、投入された衣類（洗濯物および乾燥対象物）２９が入っている。
【０００９】
表示部３０は制御部３１に接続しており、制御部３１は、マイクロコンピュータを具備し、モータ４、温風送風機１２、ヒータ１３、冷却用送風機１４、排水弁２３、吸気弁２６などの動作を制御し、洗い、すすぎ、脱水、乾燥の各行程を逐次制御するように構成している。
【００１０】
また、制御部３１は、乾燥行程において、図６に示すように、衣類２９が内槽７の壁面に沿って内槽７の上方にせり上がり、回転中心部で回転翼９が見え出す程度の所定の回転数（たとえば、１８０ｒ／ｍｉｎ）で回転させる行程を有している。
【００１１】
上記構成においての動作を説明する。洗濯・すすぎ行程では、表示部３０に従い、制御部３１の制御により、排水弁２３を閉じた状態で、内槽７内に衣類２９と洗剤を投入し、給水部２５により水または湯を給水し、伝達機構部のクラッチ６の切り換えにより、モータ４の動力を洗濯・脱水軸５を介して、内槽７または回転翼９に伝達し、内槽７または回転翼９が回転することで、衣類２９に洗剤を含む水分を通過させたり、衣類２９を洗剤を含む水中で撹拌して洗濯・すすぎを行う。
【００１２】
脱水行程では、洗濯・すすぎ行程終了後、制御部３１により排水弁２３を開いて、内槽７内の水を排水口２４から外部へ排水した後、伝達機構部のクラッチ６を脱水側に切り換えて、モータ４の動力を洗濯・脱水軸５を介し内槽７に伝達して徐々に回転を上げて、８００ｒ／ｍｉｎ程度の回転数で回転させ、衣類２９に遠心力を与えることにより、水分を衣類２９から分離し、排水弁２３、排水口２４を通過して外部へ排水する。
【００１３】
乾燥行程では、同様に制御部３１により、まず、排水弁２３を閉じた上、回転翼９をゆっくり正逆に回転させることにより、脱水行程時における内槽７の回転による遠心力で内槽７の内壁に張り付いた衣類２９を引き剥がした後、内槽７の回転数を所定の回転数（１８０ｒ／ｍｉｎ）程度まで上げて、衣類２９を内槽７の内壁に沿って上方へせり上げる。
【００１４】
このとき、温風は、吐出口１７、内槽７の内部にある衣類２９の表面をなぞって、回転翼９の小穴１１、および一部は内槽７の内壁に設けた小孔（図示せず）を通過して外槽２の内部へと内槽７内でよどむことなく流れ、その後、外槽２の下部の出口２１へ移る。
【００１５】
この内槽７内を通過するとき、衣類２９の表面に当たるときに衣類に含まれる水分を取って温風循環経路１８へと流れ込み、ここで冷却用送風機１４による外部の空気によって冷やされて除湿される。除湿された水分は、温風循環経路１８の下部に集まり、排水弁２３が開かれたときに排水口２４から外部へ排水される。
【００１６】
この状態を数分つづけた後、回転翼９を正逆に数回回転させ、その後、再度内槽７を所定の回転数で回転させる行程へ戻り、この動作を繰り返し行う。
【００１７】
なお、この乾燥行程には、温風送風機１２の吸気側に設けている吸気弁２６を開けて、吸気口２７から外気を内槽７内部に導入するように設定する（例えば、特許文献１参照）。
【００１８】
【特許文献１】
特開２００２−１５９７８１号公報
【００１９】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
このような従来の構成では、乾燥行程にて、温風が衣類２９の表面をなぞるだけで、うまく衣類２９の間を通過せず、乾燥が進行しなくなったり、また、衣類２９から水分を蒸発させずに排出するため、乾燥能力が低く、多大な消費電力量を必要としたり、また、乾燥時間が長くなるという問題があった。
【００２０】
本発明は上記従来の課題を解決するもので、乾燥行程にて、衣類を内槽の内壁に分散させて衣類の間に風を均等に通過させ、さらに内槽内に湿度の低い空気を供給することで、ヒータで加熱した温風を供給しなくても衣類の乾燥を進め、少ない消費電力量で乾燥するとともに、時間を短縮することを目的としている。
【００２１】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明は上記目的を達成するために、筐体内部に弾性的に吊支した外槽内に、回転中心軸を鉛直方向に有し洗濯物を収容する内槽を回転自在に支持し、内槽の内底部に回転翼を回転自在に設け、内槽または回転翼を駆動手段により駆動し、内槽内に送風手段により送風するとともに、送風手段により送風される空気を加熱手段により加熱し、制御手段により駆動手段、送風手段、加熱手段などの動作を制御し、洗い、すすぎ、脱水、乾燥の一連の行程を逐次制御するよう構成し、前記制御手段は、乾燥行程にて、内槽の回転により自然風が発生する回転数で内槽を回転させ、かつ送風手段により内槽に送風する行程を有するものである。
【００２２】
これにより、乾燥行程にて、衣類を内槽の内壁に分散させて衣類の間に風を均等に通過させ、さらに内槽内に湿度の低い空気を供給することで、ヒータで加熱した温風を供給しなくても衣類の乾燥を進めることができて、少ない消費電力量で乾燥できるとともに、時間を短縮することができる。
【００２３】
【発明の実施の形態】
本発明の請求項１に記載の発明は、筐体内部に弾性的に吊支した外槽と、回転中心軸を鉛直方向に有し前記外槽内に回転自在に支持し洗濯物を収容する内槽と、前記内槽の内底部に回転自在に設けた回転翼と、前記内槽または回転翼を駆動する駆動手段と、前記内槽内に送風する送風手段と、前記送風手段により送風される空気を加熱する加熱手段と、前記駆動手段、送風手段、加熱手段などの動作を制御し、洗い、すすぎ、脱水、乾燥の一連の行程を逐次制御する制御手段とを備え、前記制御手段は、乾燥行程にて、前記内槽の回転により自然風が発生する回転数で内槽を回転させ、かつ前記送風手段により内槽に送風する行程を有するものであり、乾燥行程にて、内槽を回転させて下部で重なり合っていた衣類を内槽の内壁に分散させ、内槽の回転による自然風を発生させることにより、衣類の間に風を均等に通過させることができ、さらに内槽内に湿度の低い空気を供給することで、ヒータで加熱した温風を供給しなくても衣類の乾燥を進めることができ、少ない消費電力量で乾燥することができるとともに、時間を短縮することができる。
【００２４】
請求項２に記載の発明は、上記請求項１に記載の発明において、制御手段は、内槽の回転により自然風が発生する回転数で内槽を回転させ、かつ送風手段により内槽に送風する行程にて、加熱手段を間欠動作させるようにしたものであり、内槽内に加熱手段により加熱した温風を供給することで、衣類の乾燥を進めるとともに、外槽、内槽、衣類などを暖め、つぎに、加熱を停止したとき内槽内に供給する風は内槽内で余熱により暖められ、衣類を乾燥しやすくなり、少ない消費電力量で乾燥時間を短縮することができる。
【００２５】
請求項３に記載の発明は、上記請求項１に記載の発明において、制御手段は、内槽の回転により自然風が発生する回転数で内槽を回転させ、かつ送風手段により内槽に送風する行程にて、加熱手段を連続動作させるようにしたものであり、加熱手段により加熱した温風を連続供給することで、乾燥効率を向上することができ、乾燥時間を短縮することができる。
【００２６】
【実施例】
以下、本発明の実施例について、図面を参照しながら説明する。なお、従来例と同じ構成のものは同一符号を付して説明を省略する。
【００２７】
（実施例１）
図１に示すように、外槽カバー３２は、略ドーナツ状に形成し、外槽２の上方開口側に配設し、送風蛇腹ホース３３から温風を供給する温風供給口３４を設けている。また、この外槽カバー３２に内蓋３５を開閉自在に設け、衣類を出し入れ可能にしている。
【００２８】
筐体カバー３６は、筐体１の上部に配置し、その開口部を蓋体３７により開閉自在に覆うとともに、操作表示手段３８、内槽７に給水する給水弁３９を設けている。筐体カバー３６の後方には、送風手段である乾燥用送風機４０を配置し、一端は吸気フィルター４１を介して機体外に通じている。乾燥用送風機４０は吸気フィルター４１を介して機体外から吸気し、他端の加熱手段であるヒータ４２を通って加熱した温風を温風供給口３４より、内槽７内に送り込む。内槽７内にて衣類の水分を蒸発させ湿気を含んだ温風は、排気口４３から排気フィルター４４を介し排出される。
【００２９】
制御装置（制御手段）４５は、外枠１の背面に配設された裏板４６に取付けており、マイクロコンピュータを具備し、モータ（駆動手段）４、クラッチ６、排水弁４８、給水弁３９、乾燥用送風機４０、ヒータ４２などの動作を制御し、洗い、すすぎ、脱水、乾燥の一連の行程を逐次制御する。
【００３０】
ここで、制御装置４５は、乾燥行程にて、図２に示すように、内槽７の回転により自然風が発生する回転数（例えば、７００ｒ／ｍｉｎ）で内槽７を回転させ、かつヒータ４２に通電しない状態で乾燥用送風機４０により内槽７に送風する第１の行程を有している。この第１の行程を乾燥行程の初期に所定時間（Ｔ１）（例えば、乾燥行程の２／５）行うようにしている。
【００３１】
上記構成において動作を説明する。洗い行程では、蓋体３７と内蓋３５を開けて、内槽７に衣類を投入し運転を開始すると、給水弁３９が開き、外槽カバー３２に接続された給水蛇腹ホース４７を通して所定の水位まで給水した後、モータ４を駆動する。伝達機構部のクラッチ６によりモータ４の動力が洗濯軸４９を介して回転翼９に伝達されて駆動し、撹拌ブレード１０により衣類を撹拌し、衣類どうしまたは内槽７や回転翼９との接触により作用する機械力と水流により衣類の洗浄が行われる。
【００３２】
脱水行程では、洗濯終了後、排水弁２３を開いて内槽７内の水を排水した後、クラッチ６を脱水側に切り換えて、モータ４の動力を脱水軸５０に伝達して内槽７を駆動し、遠心力により衣類から水分を分離させる。
【００３３】
乾燥行程では、第１の行程として、脱水終了後、排水弁４８を閉じ、クラッチ６を脱水側のまま、モータ４の回転を内槽７に伝達し、内槽７の回転により自然風が発生する回転数（例えば、７００ｒ／ｍｉｎ）で内槽７を回転させる。衣類は脱水行程後の内槽７の内壁に張り付いたまま、または、衣類を投入し乾燥行程からに場合は内槽７の内壁に沿って上方へせり上がり、内槽７の内壁に分散し、ほぼ均等配置した状態となる。
【００３４】
このとき、自然風は内槽７の中心上方から下方へ引き込まれ、乾燥用送風機４０から送風された相対湿度が低い風とともに、内槽７の回転による遠心力で内槽７の中心から内槽７内壁に分散された衣類の間を通過し、内槽７の小孔を通過し、外槽２の内壁を沿って上方に流れ、内槽７の上方の排気フィルター４４から排出される。
【００３５】
この自然風と乾燥用送風機４０から送風された相対湿度が低い風は、衣類の間を均等に風を通過することができ、ヒータ４２によって加熱した温風を供給することなく衣類から水分を蒸発させ、乾燥を進行することができるため、衣類が乾燥する前まで継続する（例えば、乾燥度８０％）。
【００３６】
その後、図２に示すように、第２の行程として、ヒータ４２に通電した状態で、回転翼９を正逆に回転させることで内槽７の内壁に張り付いた衣類を引き剥がし、回転翼９を正逆に回転と内槽７の低い回転数（例えば、３５ｒ／ｍｉｎ）の繰り返す行程を所定時間（Ｔ２−Ｔ１）行い、その後、第３の行程として、回転翼９を正逆に回転の連続の行程を所定時間（Ｔ３−Ｔ２）行うことで、衣類はしわを付けることなく、少ない消費電力量で乾燥することができる。
【００３７】
このように本実施例によれば、乾燥行程にて、内槽７の回転により自然風が発生する回転数（例えば、７００ｒ／ｍｉｎ）で内槽７を回転させ、かつヒータ４２に通電しない状態で乾燥用送風機４０により内槽７に送風する第１の行程を乾燥行程の初期（乾燥行程の２／５）に行うようにしているので、乾燥時間は少し長くかかるが、少ない消費電力量で、節電した洗濯乾燥機を実現することができる。
【００３８】
（実施例２）
図１に示す制御装置４５は、図３に示すように、内槽７の回転により自然風が発生する回転数（例えば、７００ｒ／ｍｉｎ）で内槽７を回転させ、乾燥用送風機４０により内槽７に送風する第１の行程の初期に、ヒータ４２によって加熱した温風を送風する構成としている。他の構成は上記実施例１と同じである。
【００３９】
上記構成において動作を説明する。なお、洗濯行程から脱水行程までの動作と、乾燥行程の基本的な動作は、上記実施例１と同じである。
【００４０】
乾燥行程の第１の行程にて、内槽７の回転により自然風が発生する回転数で内槽７を回転させ、乾燥用送風機４０から送風する行程の初期に、所定時間（Ｔ４）ヒータ４２によって加熱（例えば、外槽２の内部が３０℃以上）した温風を送風することにより、衣類から水分を蒸発させ、さらに外槽２と内槽７と衣類が暖められる。その後、ヒータ４２による加熱を停止しても、外槽２と内槽７と衣類の余熱により、より効果的に衣類から水分を蒸発させ、乾燥が進行する。
【００４１】
このように本実施例によれば、第１の行程の内槽７を回転させている初期にヒータ４２を加熱し、その後、加熱を停止することで、衣類の乾燥速度が速くなり、乾燥時間を短縮し、少ない消費電力量で、衣類を乾燥することができる。
【００４２】
なお、本実施例では、第１の行程の初期に、ヒータ４２によって加熱した温風を送風する構成としているが、ヒータ４２による加熱を停止した後、さらに、間欠的にヒータ４２によって加熱してもよく、同様の作用効果を得ることができる。
【００４３】
（実施例３）
図１に示す制御装置４５は、図４に示すように、内槽７の回転により自然風が発生する回転数（例えば、７００ｒ／ｍｉｎ）で内槽７を回転させ、乾燥用送風機４０により内槽７に送風する第１の行程にて、ヒータ４２を連続動作させ、ヒータ４２によって加熱した温風を送風する構成としている。他の構成は上記実施例１と同じである。
【００４４】
上記構成において動作を説明する。なお、洗濯行程から脱水行程までの動作と、乾燥行程の基本的な動作は、上記実施例１と同じである。
【００４５】
乾燥行程の第１の行程にて、内槽７の回転により自然風が発生する回転数で内槽７を回転させ、ヒータ４２によって加熱した温風を送風するとともに、つづく第２の行程および第３の行程のすべてにて、ヒータ４２を動作させ、温風を送風し続けることで、効率よく衣類の乾燥を行うことができる。
【００４６】
このように本実施例によれば、第１の行程にて、ヒータ４２を連続動作させるようにしたので、ヒータ４２により加熱した温風を連続供給することで、乾燥効率を向上することができ、同じ量の衣類であれば、乾燥時間を短縮することができる。また、同じ乾燥時間であれば、より多くの衣類を乾燥することができる。
【００４７】
【発明の効果】
以上のように本発明の請求項１に記載の発明によれば、制御手段は、乾燥行程にて、内槽の回転により自然風が発生する回転数で内槽を回転させ、かつ送風手段により内槽に送風する行程を有するから、乾燥行程にて、衣類を内槽の内壁に分散させて衣類の間に風を均等に通過させ、さらに内槽内に湿度の低い空気を供給することで、ヒータで加熱した温風を供給しなくても衣類の乾燥を進めることができて、少ない消費電力量で乾燥できるとともに、時間を短縮することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の第１の実施例の洗濯乾燥機の断面図
【図２】同洗濯乾燥機の要部動作タイムチャート
【図３】本発明の第２の実施例の洗濯乾燥機の要部動作タイムチャート
【図４】本発明の第３の実施例の洗濯乾燥機の要部動作タイムチャート
【図５】従来の洗濯乾燥機の断面図
【図６】同洗濯乾燥機の要部動作タイムチャート
【符号の説明】
１筺体
２外槽
４モータ（駆動手段）
７内槽
９回転翼
４０乾燥用送風機（送風手段）
４２ヒータ（加熱手段）
４５制御装置（制御手段）[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a washing / drying machine having a process of blowing air into an inner tub and drying laundry.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, this type of washing and drying machine is configured as shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the configuration will be described.
[0003]
As shown in FIG. 5, the casing 1 supports the outer tub 2 by a plurality of suspensions 3 for suspension vibration isolation. A motor 4 is provided below the outer tub 2 and is externally connected to a washing / dehydrating shaft 5 that is hollow and has a biaxial structure, and a clutch 6 that switches transmission of rotational force to the washing / dehydrating shaft 5 during washing or dehydration. The tank 2 is connected to an inner tank 7 that is rotatably provided inside the tank 2.
[0004]
A fluid balancer 8 is provided above the inner tank 7, and a rotary blade 9 is rotatably provided on the inner bottom of the inner tank 7. The rotary blade 9 is an upper surface of a substantially dish-like base having an inclined surface on the outer periphery. By forming the agitating blade 10 in the drying process, the clothes can be easily lifted up along the inclined surface by the centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the rotary blade 9 and many small holes 11 penetrating from the front surface to the back surface are provided in the drying process. ing.
[0005]
The hot air blower 12 blows hot air into the inner tub 7 for drying, and is provided substantially above the housing 1. The heater 13 heats the air blown by the hot air blower 12. The cooling fan 14 is provided on the side wall of the housing 1 and introduces cold air into the housing 1 from the outside.
[0006]
An outer tub cover 15 is provided on the upper surface of the outer tub 2, and an openable / closable inner lid 16 is provided at a substantially central portion of the outer tub cover 15. A discharge port 17 is provided in the outer tank cover 15 so as to discharge warm air (circulating air). The discharge port 17 and the opening 19 of the hot air circulation path 18a that continues to the heater 13 are provided in a substantially opposite positional relationship, and the opening 19 and the discharge port 17 are connected by a bellows hose 20 that can extend and contract in a substantially vertical direction. is doing.
[0007]
An outlet 21 for hot air, washing water, and dehumidified water is provided at the lower part of the outer tub 2, and the outlet 21 and the hot air circulation path 18 are connected via a retractable lower bellows hose 22. In the lower part of the hot air circulation path 18, a drain port 24 is provided via a drain valve 23. Reference numeral 25 denotes a water supply unit including a water supply valve. An intake port 27 is provided on the intake side of the hot air blower 12 via an intake valve 26.
[0008]
Hot air (circulated air) circulated by the hot air blower 12 passes through the heater 13, the bellows hose 20, the discharge port 17, the inner tank 7, the small holes 11 provided in the rotary blade 9, and the small holes around the inner tank 7. (Not shown), passes through the lower bellows hose 22 provided in the lower part of the outer tub 2, the lower part of the outer tub 2, and the hot air circulation path 18, and then circulates again to the hot air blower 12. At this time, the hot air circulation path 18 is cooled by the cold air introduced from the outside by the cooling blower 14, and the circulating high-humidity hot air is dehumidified. The temperature sensor 28 is provided in the outer tub 2 so as to detect the temperature of the circulating air. The inner tub 7 contains the clothes (laundry and drying objects) 29 that have been thrown in.
[0009]
The display unit 30 is connected to the control unit 31, and the control unit 31 includes a microcomputer and operates the motor 4, the hot air blower 12, the heater 13, the cooling blower 14, the drain valve 23, the intake valve 26, and the like. And the steps of washing, rinsing, dewatering and drying are sequentially controlled.
[0010]
Further, as shown in FIG. 6, in the drying process, the control unit 31 is configured such that the clothing 29 rises above the inner tub 7 along the wall surface of the inner tub 7 and the rotating blades 9 can be seen at the center of rotation. It has a process of rotating at a predetermined rotational speed (for example, 180 r / min).
[0011]
The operation in the above configuration will be described. In the washing and rinsing process, according to the display unit 30, the control unit 31 controls the clothes valve 29 and the detergent into the inner tub 7 with the drain valve 23 closed, and the water supply unit 25 supplies water or hot water. By switching the clutch 6 of the transmission mechanism section, the power of the motor 4 is transmitted to the inner tub 7 or the rotary wing 9 via the washing / dehydrating shaft 5, and the inner tub 7 or the rotary wing 9 rotates, so that the clothes Washing and rinsing are performed by passing moisture containing detergent through 29 or stirring the clothes 29 in water containing detergent.
[0012]
In the dehydration process, after the washing / rinsing process is completed, the control unit 31 opens the drain valve 23 to drain the water in the inner tub 7 from the drain port 24 to the outside, and then switches the clutch 6 of the transmission mechanism unit to the dehydration side. Then, the motive power of the motor 4 is transmitted to the inner tub 7 through the washing / dehydrating shaft 5 to gradually increase the rotation speed, rotate at a rotation speed of about 800 r / min, and apply centrifugal force to the clothing 29 to obtain moisture. Is separated from the garment 29, passes through the drain valve 23 and the drain port 24, and drains to the outside.
[0013]
Similarly, in the drying process, the control unit 31 first closes the drain valve 23 and slowly rotates the rotor blade 9 in the forward and reverse directions, whereby the inner tank 7 is rotated by the centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the inner tank 7 during the dehydration process. After the garment 29 attached to the inner wall of the inner tank 7 is peeled off, the rotation speed of the inner tub 7 is increased to a predetermined rotation speed (180 r / min), and the garment 29 is lifted upward along the inner wall of the inner tub 7. .
[0014]
At this time, the warm air traces the surface of the garment 29 inside the discharge port 17 and the inner tub 7, and the small holes 11 of the rotor blades 9, and some of the small holes (not shown) provided in the inner wall of the inner tub 7. )) To the inside of the outer tub 2 without stagnation in the inner tub 7, and then to the outlet 21 at the bottom of the outer tub 2.
[0015]
When passing through the inner tub 7, when it hits the surface of the clothing 29, it takes moisture contained in the clothing and flows into the warm air circulation path 18, where it is cooled and dehumidified by the external air by the cooling fan 14. The The dehumidified water collects in the lower part of the warm air circulation path 18 and is drained to the outside from the drain port 24 when the drain valve 23 is opened.
[0016]
After continuing this state for several minutes, the rotary blade 9 is rotated several times forward and backward, and then the process returns to the step of rotating the inner tank 7 at a predetermined rotational speed, and this operation is repeated.
[0017]
In this drying process, the intake valve 26 provided on the intake side of the hot air blower 12 is opened, and setting is made so that outside air is introduced into the inner tank 7 from the intake port 27 (see, for example, Patent Document 1). ).
[0018]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-159781
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In such a conventional configuration, in the drying process, the warm air simply traces the surface of the garment 29 and does not pass between the garments 29, and drying does not proceed. In order to discharge without discharging, there is a problem that the drying capacity is low, a large amount of power consumption is required, and the drying time becomes long.
[0020]
The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems. In the drying process, the clothes are dispersed on the inner wall of the inner tub so that the air is evenly passed between the garments, and air with low humidity is supplied into the inner tub. By doing so, the object is to advance the drying of clothes without supplying warm air heated by a heater, to dry with less power consumption, and to shorten the time.
[0021]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention rotatably supports an inner tub that has a central axis of rotation in a vertical direction and accommodates laundry in an outer tub that is elastically suspended inside the casing. A rotary blade is rotatably provided on the inner bottom of the tank, the inner tank or the rotary blade is driven by a driving unit, and air is blown into the inner tank by a blowing unit, and air blown by the blowing unit is heated by a heating unit, The control means controls the operation of the driving means, the air blowing means, the heating means, and the like, and is configured to sequentially control a series of steps of washing, rinsing, dehydration, and drying. The inner tub is rotated at a rotational speed at which natural wind is generated by the rotation, and the air is blown to the inner tub by the blowing means.
[0022]
Thus, in the drying process, the clothing is dispersed on the inner wall of the inner tub so that the air is evenly passed between the garments, and air with low humidity is supplied into the inner tub so that the warm air heated by the heater The clothes can be dried even without supplying, and can be dried with less power consumption, and the time can be shortened.
[0023]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the outer tub that is elastically suspended inside the housing and the rotation center axis in the vertical direction are rotatably supported in the outer tub to accommodate the laundry. The inner tank, a rotating blade provided rotatably on the inner bottom of the inner tank, a driving means for driving the inner tank or the rotating blade, a blowing means for blowing air into the inner tank, and air blown by the blowing means. Heating means for heating the air to be heated, and control means for controlling the operation of the driving means, the air blowing means, the heating means, etc., and sequentially controlling a series of steps of washing, rinsing, dehydration, and drying. In the drying process, the inner tank is rotated at a rotational speed at which natural wind is generated by the rotation of the inner tank, and the inner tank is blown to the inner tank by the blowing means. Rotate to disperse the clothing that overlapped at the bottom on the inner wall of the inner tub, By generating a natural wind by rotating the tank, the wind can be evenly passed between clothing, and by supplying air with low humidity into the inner tank, hot air heated by a heater is supplied. Even if it is not, drying of clothes can be advanced, it can dry with little power consumption, and time can be shortened.
[0024]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the control means rotates the inner tank at a rotational speed at which natural wind is generated by the rotation of the inner tank, and blows air to the inner tank by the blowing means. In the process of heating, the heating means is operated intermittently. By supplying warm air heated by the heating means into the inner tub, the drying of the clothes is promoted and the outer tub, inner tub, clothes, etc. Next, when the heating is stopped, the wind supplied to the inner tub is warmed by the residual heat in the inner tub, so that the clothes can be easily dried, and the drying time can be shortened with less power consumption.
[0025]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the control means rotates the inner tank at a rotational speed at which natural wind is generated by the rotation of the inner tank, and blows air to the inner tank by the blowing means. In this process, the heating means is continuously operated. By continuously supplying warm air heated by the heating means, the drying efficiency can be improved and the drying time can be shortened.
[0026]
【Example】
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, the thing of the same structure as a prior art example attaches | subjects the same code | symbol, and abbreviate | omits description.
[0027]
(Example 1)
As shown in FIG. 1, the outer tub cover 32 is formed in a substantially donut shape, is disposed on the upper opening side of the outer tub 2, and is provided with a hot air supply port 34 that supplies hot air from the blower bellows hose 33. Yes. In addition, an inner lid 35 is provided on the outer tub cover 32 so as to be opened and closed so that clothes can be taken in and out.
[0028]
The housing cover 36 is disposed on the upper portion of the housing 1, and its opening is covered with a lid 37 so that it can be opened and closed, and an operation display means 38 and a water supply valve 39 for supplying water to the inner tank 7 are provided. A drying blower 40, which is a blower, is disposed behind the housing cover 36, and one end communicates with the outside of the machine body via an intake filter 41. The drying blower 40 sucks in air from outside the airframe via an air intake filter 41 and sends hot air heated through a heater 42 as heating means at the other end into the inner tank 7 through the hot air supply port 34. Warm air containing moisture by evaporating moisture in the inner tub 7 is discharged from the exhaust port 43 through the exhaust filter 44.
[0029]
The control device (control means) 45 is attached to a back plate 46 disposed on the back surface of the outer frame 1 and includes a microcomputer, and includes a motor (drive means) 4, a clutch 6, a drain valve 48, and a water supply valve 39. The operation of the blower 40 for drying, the heater 42, etc. is controlled, and a series of steps of washing, rinsing, dehydration and drying are sequentially controlled.
[0030]
Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the control device 45 rotates the inner tub 7 at a rotation speed (for example, 700 r / min) at which natural wind is generated by the rotation of the inner tub 7 in the drying process, and the heater In the state which does not supply electricity to 42, it has the 1st process which ventilates to the inner tank 7 with the air blower 40 for drying. The first stroke is performed for a predetermined time (T1) (for example, 2/5 of the drying stroke) at the beginning of the drying stroke.
[0031]
The operation in the above configuration will be described. In the washing process, when the lid 37 and the inner lid 35 are opened, clothes are put into the inner tub 7 and the operation is started, the water supply valve 39 is opened and a predetermined water level is passed through the water supply bellows hose 47 connected to the outer tub cover 32. After the water is supplied, the motor 4 is driven. The power of the motor 4 is transmitted to the rotary blade 9 via the washing shaft 49 and driven by the clutch 6 of the transmission mechanism, and the clothes are agitated by the agitating blade 10, and the clothes are in contact with each other or the inner tub 7 and the rotary blade 9. The clothes are washed by the mechanical force and the water flow acting by.
[0032]
In the dehydration process, after washing is completed, the drain valve 23 is opened to drain the water in the inner tub 7, the clutch 6 is switched to the dehydration side, and the power of the motor 4 is transmitted to the dehydration shaft 50 to remove the inner tub 7. Drives and separates moisture from clothing by centrifugal force.
[0033]
In the drying process, as the first process, after the dehydration is completed, the drain valve 48 is closed, the rotation of the motor 4 is transmitted to the inner tank 7 while the clutch 6 is kept on the dehydrating side, and natural wind is generated by the rotation of the inner tank 7. The inner tank 7 is rotated at a rotating speed (for example, 700 r / min). The clothes are stuck to the inner wall of the inner tub 7 after the dehydration process, or are thrown upward along the inner wall of the inner tub 7 in the case where the clothes are put in and the drying process is performed, and are dispersed on the inner wall of the inner tub 7. , Almost evenly arranged.
[0034]
At this time, the natural wind is drawn downward from the upper center of the inner tub 7, and with the low relative humidity blown from the drying blower 40, the centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the inner tub 7 causes the inner tub 7 to move from the center of the inner tub 7. 7 passes between clothes distributed on the inner wall, passes through a small hole in the inner tub 7, flows upward along the inner wall of the outer tub 2, and is discharged from an exhaust filter 44 above the inner tub 7.
[0035]
The natural wind and the low relative humidity blown from the drying blower 40 can pass through the clothes evenly, and the moisture is evaporated from the clothes without supplying warm air heated by the heater 42. Since the drying can proceed, the garment is continued until it dries (for example, the dryness is 80%).
[0036]
Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 2, as a second step, while the heater 42 is energized, the rotating blades 9 are rotated in the forward and reverse directions to peel off the clothes attached to the inner wall of the inner tub 7. Rotate 9 in the forward and reverse directions and repeat a low rotation speed (for example, 35 r / min) of the inner tub 7 for a predetermined time (T2-T1), and then rotate the rotating blade 9 in the forward and reverse directions as a third stroke. By performing the continuous process of (2) for a predetermined time (T3-T2), the clothes can be dried with less power consumption without wrinkling.
[0037]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the drying process, the inner tub 7 is rotated at a rotation speed (for example, 700 r / min) generated by the rotation of the inner tub 7 and the heater 42 is not energized. In the initial stage of the drying process (2/5 of the drying process), the drying process takes a little longer, but with less power consumption. A power-saving washing and drying machine can be realized.
[0038]
(Example 2)
As shown in FIG. 3, the control device 45 shown in FIG. 1 rotates the inner tub 7 at a rotational speed (for example, 700 r / min) at which natural wind is generated by the rotation of the inner tub 7. In the initial stage of the first step of blowing air to the tank 7, the hot air heated by the heater 42 is blown. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.
[0039]
The operation in the above configuration will be described. The operation from the washing process to the dehydration process and the basic operation of the drying process are the same as in the first embodiment.
[0040]
In the first step of the drying process, the inner tank 7 is rotated at a rotation speed at which natural wind is generated by the rotation of the inner tank 7, and the heater 42 is provided for a predetermined time (T4) at the beginning of the process of blowing air from the drying blower 40. By blowing warm air heated by (for example, the inside of the outer tub 2 is 30 ° C. or more), moisture is evaporated from the clothing, and the outer tub 2, the inner tub 7 and the clothing are further warmed. Thereafter, even if heating by the heater 42 is stopped, moisture is more effectively evaporated from the clothing by the residual heat of the outer tub 2, the inner tub 7, and the clothing, and drying proceeds.
[0041]
As described above, according to this embodiment, the heater 42 is heated in the initial stage of rotating the inner tank 7 in the first stroke, and then the heating is stopped, so that the drying speed of the clothes is increased and the drying time is increased. The clothes can be dried with less power consumption.
[0042]
In this embodiment, the warm air heated by the heater 42 is blown at the initial stage of the first stroke. However, after the heating by the heater 42 is stopped, the heater 42 is further intermittently heated by the heater 42. In addition, the same effect can be obtained.
[0043]
Example 3
As shown in FIG. 4, the control device 45 shown in FIG. 1 rotates the inner tub 7 at a rotational speed (for example, 700 r / min) at which natural wind is generated by the rotation of the inner tub 7, and the drying fan 40 rotates the inner tub 7. In the first step of blowing air to the tank 7, the heater 42 is continuously operated and the hot air heated by the heater 42 is blown. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.
[0044]
The operation in the above configuration will be described. The operation from the washing process to the dehydration process and the basic operation of the drying process are the same as in the first embodiment.
[0045]
In the first step of the drying step, the inner tub 7 is rotated at a rotation speed at which natural wind is generated by the rotation of the inner tub 7, and the warm air heated by the heater 42 is blown. In all of the steps 3, the heater 42 is operated and the hot air is continuously blown, whereby the clothes can be efficiently dried.
[0046]
Thus, according to the present embodiment, since the heater 42 is continuously operated in the first step, the drying efficiency can be improved by continuously supplying the warm air heated by the heater 42. With the same amount of clothes, the drying time can be shortened. Further, more clothes can be dried with the same drying time.
[0047]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the invention described in claim 1 of the present invention, the control means rotates the inner tank at a rotation speed at which natural wind is generated by the rotation of the inner tank in the drying process, and the air blowing means. Since it has a process of blowing air to the inner tub, in the drying process, the clothes are dispersed on the inner wall of the inner tub, allowing the air to pass evenly between the clothes, and further supplying low humidity air into the inner tub. The clothes can be dried without supplying warm air heated by the heater, and can be dried with a small amount of power consumption, and the time can be shortened.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a washing / drying machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an operation time chart of the main part of the washing / drying machine. Main part operation time chart [FIG. 4] Main part operation time chart of the washing and drying machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention [FIG. 5] Cross-sectional view of the conventional washing and drying machine [FIG. Operation time chart [Explanation of symbols]
1 Housing 2 Outer tank 4 Motor (drive means)
7 Inner tank 9 Rotor blade 40 Blower for drying (Blower unit)
42 Heater (heating means)
45 Control device (control means)

Claims

An outer tub that is elastically suspended inside the housing, an inner tub that has a central axis of rotation in the vertical direction and is rotatably supported in the outer tub, and stores laundry, and rotates on the inner bottom of the inner tub. Freely provided rotor blades, driving means for driving the inner tank or rotor blades, air blowing means for blowing air into the inner tank, heating means for heating air blown by the air blowing means, and the driving means Control means for controlling the operation of the air blowing means, the heating means, etc., and sequentially controlling a series of steps of washing, rinsing, dehydration, and drying, and the control means is configured by rotating the inner tank in the drying step. A washing and drying machine having a process of rotating an inner tub at a rotational speed at which natural wind is generated and blowing air to the inner tub by the blowing means.

2. The control means according to claim 1, wherein the control means rotates the inner tank at a rotational speed at which natural wind is generated by rotation of the inner tank, and intermittently operates the heating means in a process of blowing air to the inner tank by the blowing means. Washing and drying machine.

2. The control means according to claim 1, wherein the heating means is continuously operated in a process of rotating the inner tank at a rotation speed at which natural wind is generated by rotation of the inner tank and blowing air to the inner tank by the blowing means. Washing and drying machine.