JP2005065922A - Drum type washing/drying machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a drum type washing/drying machine having a drying function for laundry with an air heating structure efficiently producing dry and hot air. <P>SOLUTION: This drum type washing/drying machine dries the laundry by forming a circulating blast route which, after the air exhausted from a water tub 3 by the rotating drive of a blower fan 15 is dehumidified in a dehumidifying pipe 16, sends the air from a blasting pipe 18 to a heating pipe 19, and blasts the hot air heated by the heater 20 from a blast outlet 22 to the interior 3. The heating pipe is formed of heat-resistant and flame retardant resin so that the heat of the heater 20 is scarcely radiated to the outside and efficiently heat the dry air by the heater 20. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a drum-type washing and drying machine that performs washing, rinsing, dehydration, and drying steps in a rotating drum that is rotatably supported in a water tank in a horizontal direction or in a direction inclined from the horizontal direction.

  The drum-type washing / drying machine has a bottomed cylindrical rotating drum having a plurality of through holes formed on its peripheral surface for allowing water and air to pass in a horizontal direction or a direction inclined from the horizontal direction in a water tank. The rotary drum can be driven to rotate. The water tank is provided with a clothing doorway that can be opened and closed by a door on the front side thereof, and the laundry is put into the rotating drum from the clothing doorway to control water injection and drainage into the water tank and rotation of the rotating drum. Thus, each step of washing, rinsing and dehydration can be performed. Further, by forming a circulation air passage that exhausts air in the water tank and returns it to the water tank again through the dehumidifying part and the heating part, a drying process for drying the laundry stored in the rotating drum can be performed, In addition to the washing, rinsing, and dewatering steps, the drum-type washing and drying machine can also be used for a drying step.

As such a drum-type washing / drying machine, many proposals have been made for a structure for smoothly carrying out the drying step. For example, a structure shown in Patent Document 1 is known.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-333185 (pages 3 to 5, FIG. 1)

  In order to efficiently dry laundry that is wet like dehydrated laundry, it is necessary to blow dry air heated to the required temperature into the rotating drum, which is included in the air exhausted from the water tank. After the moisture to be removed is dehumidified in the dehumidifying part, it is heated to a required temperature by the heater of the heating part and blown into the water tank. The heater is required to be able to efficiently heat the dehumidified air, and in order to efficiently heat the air flowing at a high speed, for example, the surface temperature in contact with the air is about 400 ° C. It arrange | positions in the air flow path which comprises a path | route.

  The temperature of the heater disposed in the air flow path is lowered due to heat being taken away by the flowing air, but if the air flow is stopped due to an unexpected situation such as the stop of the blower fan, a pipe that forms the air flow path Is exposed to a high temperature, the pipe forming the air flow path is generally made of metal. However, since metals are generally excellent in thermal conductivity, there is a problem that the heat of the heater easily escapes to the pipe line, resulting in a loss in heating efficiency for heating the air flowing through the pipe line.

  In addition, when the heater becomes abnormally hot due to the stoppage of air blowing as described above, abnormally hot air is fed into the aquarium to damage the laundry or damage each component. There was a fear.

  In addition, since the circulation air passage is in communication with the water tank, there is a state in which water or bubbles enter the air flow path in the process of washing and rinsing, and the intruded water and bubbles constitute the circulation air passage. When a pipe structure that does not flow into components such as a blower fan is required, and water or foam abnormally enters due to some abnormality, it is necessary to stop the operation of the washing and drying machine.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a drum-type washing / drying machine having a structure that can efficiently heat air for performing a drying step and can cope with an abnormal state.

  The first invention of the present application for achieving the above object is characterized in that a rotating drum that is rotated and accommodates laundry in a drum having a plurality of through holes is disposed in the water tank, Washing, rinsing, and dewatering steps are performed by controlling the drainage and rotation of the rotating drum, and the air in the water tank is circulated through the circulation air flow path having the dehumidifying means and the heating means by the air blowing means. In the drum-type washing / drying machine that performs the drying step, the circulating air blowing path is characterized in that at least a heating pipe having a heating means is formed of a material having a small heat capacity.

  According to the above configuration, since the heating pipe with the heating means is made of a material having a small heat capacity, the state in which the heat of the heating means escapes to the heating pipe is suppressed, and heating of the air flowing through the heating pipe is suppressed. The ratio consumed is increased, and the drying efficiency in the drying process can be improved by efficiently heating the air.

  In the above configuration, damage to the combustion can be prevented when the heating pipe is made of a flame-retardant material and the heating means becomes abnormally hot. Synthetic resin material with excellent heat resistance can be applied as a flame retardant material, and it is possible to form an integral structure when adjacent water tanks are formed by resin molding, which is effective in reducing the overall structure weight. is there.

  Further, it is preferable to provide a partition wall made of a non-combustible material along the inner peripheral wall surrounding the heating means of the heating pipe line, and the heat from the heating means escapes to the heating pipe line and is blocked by the partition wall. Since the partition wall whose temperature has increased due to heating heats the flowing air, the heating of the air is promoted and at the same time the temperature increase of the partition wall is suppressed. Therefore, when the partition wall is provided, the heat resistance of the material forming the heating pipe can be set low, and the range of material selection can be expanded.

Further, in the second invention of the present application for achieving the above object, a rotating drum in which a large number of through holes are formed is disposed in a water tank, and by controlling the water supply, drainage and rotation of the rotating drum in the water tank, Washing, washing, rinsing, and dewatering are performed on the laundry stored in the rotating drum, and the air in the water tank is circulated through the circulation air passage provided with the dehumidifying means and the heating means by the air blowing means. In the drum type washer / dryer for carrying out the drying step, the temperature detecting means is provided in the air flow path in which the heating means is provided. Since the temperature of the heated heating pipe line is detected, a state in which the temperature of the heating means is abnormally increased due to a stop of the blowing means is detected, and hot air is fed into the rotating drum. It is possible to prevent the laundry from being damaged and the components from being damaged by high temperatures.

  The temperature detecting means in the above configuration can quickly detect an abnormal temperature rise of the heating means by being disposed at a position close to the heat transfer member connected to the support that supports the heating means.

  In order to achieve the above object, the third invention of the present application is such that a rotating drum in which a large number of through holes are formed is arranged in a water tank so that its rotating shaft is in a horizontal direction or a direction inclined from the horizontal direction. The washing, rinsing, and dewatering steps are performed by controlling the water supply, drainage, and rotation of the rotary drum in the water tank, and the air in the water tank is blown by a blowing means through a circulation blowing path provided with a dehumidifying means and a heating means. In the drum-type washing and drying machine that performs the drying process of the laundry by circulating, the circulating air blowing path passes the air sucked from the inside of the water tank through the dehumidifying conduit provided with the dehumidifying means, and above the rear surface of the water tank. It is characterized in that it is formed as a circulation path through which air is blown from the back surface into a water tank from a heating pipe line formed in a substantially arc shape around the rotation axis and provided with heating means.

  According to the above configuration, since the heating pipe that is a part of the circulating air passage is formed in a substantially arc shape around the rotation axis above the rear surface of the water tank, the spray and bubbles are a component of the air blowing fan and the like. It can be made difficult to invade.

  In the above configuration, the water level detection means for detecting the intrusion of water from the water tank is provided at a position below the lower end position of the inner diameter of the arc uppermost portion above the air blowing port into the water tank of the heating pipe. Features.

  According to the above configuration, the water level detection means provided in the heating pipe formed in the arc-shaped channel enters the heating pipe from the blower opening leading to the inside of the water tank due to an abnormality of water injection control into the water tank. Detects an abnormal water level that causes the water level to exceed the uppermost position of the arc-shaped flow path, so that water enters the components such as the blower fan by the control corresponding to the detection of the abnormal water level. It is possible to prevent damage from occurring.

  According to the present invention, since the heating pipe line in which the heating means is arranged is formed of a material having a small heat capacity, there is little loss of heat from the heating means to the pipe line, and most of it can be used for heating the blown air. The laundry can be efficiently dried. Moreover, since the temperature detection means is provided in the heating pipe line, it is possible to detect a state in which the heating temperature has abnormally increased due to the stoppage of air blowing, etc., and the laundry and components are damaged by abnormally high temperature air. Can be prevented. In addition, it is difficult for splashes and bubbles to enter the components such as the blower fan, and the water level that has entered the heating pipe is in an abnormal level that exceeds the uppermost position of the arcuate channel. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of damage due to the intrusion of water or bubbles into the components such as the blower fan by the control corresponding to the detection of the water level abnormality.

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a drum type washing / drying machine 1 according to an embodiment. A water tank 3 is suspended in a housing 6 by a suspension structure (not shown), and a bottomed cylindrical shape is formed in the water tank 3. The rotating drum 2 formed in the above is disposed with its axial direction inclined downward from the front side to the back side. On the front side of the water tank 3 is formed a clothing doorway 11 leading to the opening end of the rotary drum 2, and a door 9 that closes the opening provided on the upward inclined surface formed on the front side of the housing 6 so as to be openable and closable. By opening, the laundry can be taken in and out of the rotary drum 2 through the clothing entrance 11. Since the door 9 is provided on the upward inclined surface, the work for putting in and out the laundry can be carried out without bending the waist, and generally the workability of the drum type washing machine for taking in and out the laundry from the sideways opening is provided. The evil has been improved.

  The rotary drum 2 is formed with a large number of through holes 8 communicating with the water tank 3 on its peripheral surface, and provided with stirring protrusions (not shown) at a plurality of positions on the inner peripheral surface. The rotating drum 2 is rotationally driven in the forward and reverse directions by a motor 7 attached to the back side of the water tank 3. In addition, a water injection pipe 12 and a drain pipe 13 are connected to the water tank 3, and water injection and drainage into the water tank 3 are performed by controlling a water injection valve and a drain valve (not shown).

  When the door 9 is opened and laundry and detergent are put into the rotary drum 2 to start the operation of the drum-type washing and drying machine 1, a predetermined amount of water is injected into the water tank 3 from the water injection pipe 12. 7, the rotary drum 2 is rotationally driven to start the washing process. By the rotation of the rotating drum 2, the laundry accommodated in the rotating drum 2 is lifted in the rotating direction by the stirring protrusion provided on the inner peripheral wall of the rotating drum 2, and the stirring operation of dropping from the lifted appropriate height position Is repeated, so that the laundry has the effect of tapping and washing. After the required washing time, the dirty washing liquid is discharged from the drain pipe 13, and the washing liquid contained in the laundry is dehydrated by a dehydrating operation that rotates the rotating drum 2 at a high speed. Rinsing is performed by pouring water from the passage 12. Also in this rinsing step, the laundry stored in the rotary drum 2 is rinsed by repeating the stirring operation of being lifted and dropped by the stirring protrusion 4 by the rotation of the rotary drum 2.

  The drum-type washing / drying machine 1 is provided with a function of drying laundry stored in the rotary drum 2. The air in the water tub 3 is exhausted to dehumidify the heated dry air again in the water tub 3. A circulation ventilation path for blowing air inside is formed. FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the circulation fan path, and by rotating the blower fan 15 disposed in the circulation fan path, an air flow is generated in the circulation fan path to accommodate the laundry. The air in the rotating drum 2 is exhausted from the exhaust port 21 of the water tank 3 to the dehumidifying conduit 16 through the through hole 8. Since the dehumidification pipe line 16 is cooled by spraying water supplied from the water supply pipe line 12 or the like, the air containing water exhausted from the water tank 3 is cooled and dehumidified by moisture condensation.

  The air duct 18 connected to the dehumidifying duct 16 is formed as a duct that guides air to the back side of the water tank 3 through the lint collecting filter 17 disposed in the vicinity of the clothing entrance 11. It connects with the heating pipe line 19 arrange | positioned by the side. As shown in FIG. 3, the heating pipe line 19 is formed in a substantially circular arc shape above the motor 7 attached to the back surface of the water tank 3, and the blower fan 15 is connected to the blow pipe line 18 in the inside thereof. At the other end, a blower port 22 communicating with the water tank 3 is formed, and a heater (heating means) 20 is disposed at an arc-shaped bent portion. The air passing through the heating pipe 19 is heated to a predetermined temperature by the heater 20, blown into the water tank 3 from the blower opening 22 as dry heated air, and fed into the rotary drum 2 through the through holes 8. The laundry agitated by the rotation of the rotary drum 2 is dehydrated by the dry heated air, and the drying proceeds. The laundry is dried by repeating this air circulation for a required time.

  Since the heater 20 is disposed, the heating pipe 19 needs to be made of a material that can withstand high temperatures. In particular, when the blowing capacity of the blower fan 15 is reduced or stopped for some reason, the heating pipe 19 is 400 ° C. It will be exposed to near temperature. For this reason, it has been conventionally formed of a metal material. However, since metal has a high thermal conductivity, the heat of the heater 20 is dissipated to the outside and the amount of air heating consumed for heating the air is reduced, leading to a reduction in heating efficiency. It was. In the configuration of the present embodiment, the heating pipe 19 is made of a heat-resistant and flame-retardant synthetic resin material, and the heating efficiency by the heater 20 due to heat conduction is suppressed simultaneously with weight reduction.

  As shown in FIG. 4 (a), the heating pipe line 19 includes fitting portions 23a and 24a in which a lower case 23 on the water tank 3 side and an upper case 24 on the housing 6 side are formed at respective edges by resin molding. By fitting and joining, a pipe line that accommodates the heater 20 can be formed. As shown in FIG. 4B, the lower case 23 and the upper case 24 can be directly exposed to the heat of the heater 20 by attaching a thin metal plate (incombustible material) 25 to the arrangement position of the heater 20. And heat resistance can be further improved. Although the temperature of the metal thin plate 25 is increased by the radiant heat of the heater 20, the heat is lost to the circulating air, so that the air is heated and the temperature increase is suppressed.

  In the washing or rinsing process, water and bubbles enter the heating pipe 19 from the water tank 3 through the air blowing port 22, so that the portion of the heater 20 disposed in the heating pipe 19 is electrically insulated. It is formed as a sheathed heater and is supported by the upper case 24 by a support fitting 26 at a plurality of positions. Further, a thermal fuse (temperature detection means) 27 is attached to the outer surface of the heating pipe 19 downstream in the air blowing direction, that is, on the side close to the air blowing port 22 to detect that the heating temperature by the heater 20 has risen abnormally. Then, the energization circuit to the heater 20 is shut off.

  FIG. 5 shows the configuration of the mounting position of the thermal fuse 27. The thermal fuse 27 is held by a holding metal fitting 28 fixed to the outer surface of the upper case 24, and the inner surface of the upper case 24 facing the holding metal fitting 28. A support fitting 26 that supports the heater 20 is fixed to the side. Since the heat of the heater 20 is transferred from the support fitting 26 to the holding fitting 28 through the upper case 24, it is possible to detect the abnormal temperature rise of the heater 20 by the temperature fuse 27, and the heat transfer temperature is blown out of the temperature fuse 27. When the temperature is reached, the thermal fuse 27 can be blown to break the circuit.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the heating pipe line 19 is formed in a substantially arc shape above the motor 7, so that splashes and bubbles that have entered from the blower port 22 exceed the lower end position of the inner diameter of the arc uppermost portion. Therefore, it is difficult to reach the blower fan 15.

  Conventionally, the heating pipe is provided in the casing above the water tank, but the space is effectively utilized by forming the heating pipe 19 in a substantially arc shape in the empty space above the motor 7. Since the height of the housing 6 can be reduced, a drum-type washing and drying machine that is compact and easy to use can be obtained.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a pair of water level detection contacts (water level detection means) 29 are disposed in the heating pipe line 19 to detect that the water level in the water tank 3 has abnormally increased due to some abnormality. The structure which performs is provided. When water that has entered the heating pipe 19 from the water tank 3 through the blower port 22 is connected to the pair of water level detection contacts 29, the water level detection contacts 29 are electrically connected to each other. The occurrence of a malfunction due to an abnormal rise in water level can be prevented by controlling water injection and drainage. The heating pipe 19 is formed in an arc shape, and the water level detection contact 29 is disposed at a position below the lower end position of the inner diameter of the uppermost part of the arc, so that intrusion of water from the water tank 3 is caused by the water level detection contact 29. If it exceeds, the abnormal water level can be detected before it enters a state of flowing downward into the blower fan 15 or the blower duct 18 and the corresponding treatment can be executed.

  According to the present invention, heating efficiency of dry air in the laundry drying process is good, and means for detecting abnormal temperature rise and water level abnormality is provided in the heating pipeline, so that efficient power consumption is suppressed and power consumption is suppressed. Thus, a drum-type washing and drying machine that can cope with an abnormal condition can be provided.

Sectional drawing which shows the principal part structure of the drum type washing-drying machine which concerns on embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows the structure of the circulation ventilation path | route in a structure same as the above. The top view which shows the structure in the heating pipe line which comprises a circulation ventilation path | route. Sectional drawing of a heating pipe line. Sectional drawing which shows the structure of a thermal fuse attachment site | part.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Drum-type washing dryer 2 Rotating drum 3 Water tank 7 Motor 8 Through-hole 15 Blower (blower means)
16 Dehumidification pipeline (dehumidification means)
18 Blower line 19 Heating line 20 Heater (heating means)
21 Exhaust port 22 Blower port 25 Metal sheet (non-combustible material)
26 Support metal fittings 27 Thermal fuse (temperature detection means)
29 Water level detection contact (water level detection means)

Claims (8)

A rotating drum that is formed with a large number of through-holes and accommodates laundry and is driven to rotate is disposed in the water tank, and each of washing, rinsing, and dewatering is controlled by controlling the water supply, drainage, and rotation of the rotating drum in the water tank. In the drum-type washing and drying machine that carries out the drying process of the laundry by circulating the air in the water tank by the blowing means through the circulation blowing path provided with the dehumidifying means and the heating means,
The drum-type washing and drying machine, wherein the circulating air flow path is formed of a material having a small heat capacity, at least a heating pipe line in which heating means is provided. The drum-type washing / drying machine according to claim 1, wherein the heating pipe is formed of a flame-retardant material. The drum-type washing / drying machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the heating pipe is formed of a synthetic resin material. The drum type washing and drying machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a partition wall made of a noncombustible material is provided along an inner peripheral wall surrounding the heating means of the heating pipe line. A rotating drum in which a large number of through holes are formed is disposed in the water tank, and washing, rinsing is performed on the laundry stored in the rotating drum by controlling the water supply, drainage, and rotation of the rotating drum in the water tank. In the drum type laundry dryer for carrying out the drying process of the laundry by carrying out each step of dehydration and circulating the air in the water tank by a blowing means through a circulation blowing path provided with a dehumidifying means and a heating means,
A drum-type washing and drying machine, wherein temperature detecting means is provided in a heating pipe line in which the heating means is provided. The drum-type washing and drying machine according to claim 5, wherein the temperature detection means is disposed at a position close to a heat transfer member connected to a support that supports the heating means. A rotating drum in which a large number of through holes are formed is disposed in the water tank so that its rotating shaft is in the horizontal direction or in a direction inclined from the horizontal direction, and water supply, drainage, and rotation of the rotating drum in the water tank are performed. Washing, rinsing, and dehydrating steps are controlled, and drum-type washing is performed by circulating air in the water tank through a circulation air passage provided with dehumidifying means and heating means by air blowing means. In the dryer
The circulation ventilation path is formed in a substantially circular arc shape around the rotation axis above the rear surface of the water tank, through which air sucked from inside the water tank passes through a dehumidification pipe line provided with dehumidification means, and is provided with heating means. A drum-type washing / drying machine, characterized in that the drum-type washing / drying machine is formed as a circulation path for blowing air from the back surface of the heating tank to the water tank. A water level detecting means for detecting the intrusion of water from the inside of the water tank is provided at a position below the lower end position of the inner diameter of the arc uppermost portion above the air blowing port into the water tank of the heating channel formed in an arc shape. The drum type washing and drying machine according to claim 7.

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