JP2007068679A - Drum type washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a washing machine capable of economically and safely draining water after heat-washing process. <P>SOLUTION: The washing machine comprises an elastically supported water receiving tub 33 which encloses a rotary drum 31, a water supply valve 44a for feeding water into the water receiving tub 33, a water level detecting means 46 for draining water inside the water receiving tub 33, a drain valve 43 for draining water in the water receiving tub 33, a washing heater 45 for heating washing water inside the water receiving tub 33, and a temperature detecting means 55 for detecting the temperature of washing water inside the water receiving tub 33. The washing machine has the heat-washing process for heating washing water by controlling the washing heater 45 for washing. In the heat-washing process, if the rate of rising of the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means 55 is not more than a prescribed value, it is determined that the quantity of water is large, and the heating temperature is controlled by the washing heater 45 and the temperature detecting means 55 to be lowered. Accordingly, water can be drained economically and safely after the heat-washing process. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a drum-type washing machine that performs various processes such as washing, rinsing, and dewatering by rotationally driving a rotating drum having a rotation center axis in a horizontal direction or an inclination direction.

  Conventionally, this type of drum-type washing machine can rotate the rotating drum horizontally or inclined around the central axis, supply water up to the water level set in the water receiving tank, wash, rinse, dewater and dry. Yes, it has heating means 20 for heating the supplied wash water (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  4 and 5 show the configuration of a conventional washing machine, which will be described below. The rotating drum 1 is provided with a large number of water passage holes 2 on the entire outer periphery thereof, and is rotatably disposed inside the water receiving tank 3. A rotating shaft 4 is fixed in the horizontal direction at the rotation center of the rotating drum 1, and a motor 5 is connected to the rotating shaft 4 to rotate the rotating drum 1. Several protruding plates 6 are provided on the inner wall surface of the rotating drum 1 to facilitate the stirring of the clothes.

  The water receiving tub 3 is suspended from the washing machine body 7 by a spring body 8 so as to be swingable. One end of the drainage connection hose 9 is connected to the lower part of the water receiving tub 3 and the other end of the drainage connection hose 9 is drained. The drainage hose 11 is connected to the other end side of the drainage pump 10 so as to drain the washing water in the water receiving tub 3. The drainage hose 11 connected to the drainage pump 10 is configured to rise upward in the main body once, bend at the height of the overflow surface 26, turn back downward, and then drain outside the machine. The water supply valve 12 supplies water into the water receiving tank 3, and the water level detection means 18 detects the water level in the water receiving tank 3. The heating means 20 is composed of a sheathed heater or the like, and heats the supplied washing water, and has a heating washing process of washing with warm water.

  The blower fan 13, the heater 14, and the hot air blowing path 15 take in the air in the water receiving tank 3 from the hot air intake port 17, blows air from the hot air blowing port 16, and performs drying.

In the above configuration, washing, rinsing, dehydration and drying are performed.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-201991

  However, in such a conventional washing machine, when a heated washing course for washing with hot water at a high temperature (for example, 90 ° C. setting) for the purpose of bleaching and sterilization, etc., when draining at a high temperature, Deformation / damage of drainage path, deformation / damage of drainage outlet on drained building side, or if human body touches drainage, there is a possibility of burns etc. However, if the capacity of the laundry is large, the amount of hot water is also large, and a lot of water and time are required for cooling.

  In addition, as a countermeasure above, even if the maximum input capacity of the laundry in the heated washing course is set more limited than the standard washing capacity and described in the instruction manual etc., it is not always observed, Could not be.

  In addition, when the laundry volume detection means is provided to detect the laundry volume before water supply immediately after the start of operation, the method of detecting by the weight sensor or the current value during inertial rotation of the rotating drum, etc. There are also errors, and these methods cannot determine the material of the laundry, so the amount of water, including the difference in water content depending on the material, cannot be determined accurately.

  In addition, in the water receiving tank, the overflowed water that cannot occur during normal washing is discharged outside the machine when the water supply valve or the water level detection means is faulty or the signal transmission path and the control part are abnormal. When there is an overflow route (overflow route) that leads to the drainage route, if there is a large amount of laundry, hot water will immediately flow out of the overflow route due to a small amount of water supply. There was a problem that water could not be supplied sufficiently.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and the capacity of the laundry when driving a heated washing course for washing with high-temperature (for example, 90 ° C. setting) warm water for the purpose of bleaching and sterilization. Even when there is a lot of water (a lot of washing water), when cooling and draining high-temperature water, it is intended to prevent excessive use of water and time and to improve safety without draining high-temperature water.

  In addition, if there is an overflow route (overflow route) that leads from the water receiving tub to the drainage route so that overflowing water that cannot occur during normal washing is discharged to the outside of the machine, there is a large volume of laundry (washing water) The purpose is to realize a safe washing machine without draining from the overflow path (overflow path) in a high temperature state even when cooling water cannot be sufficiently supplied.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a rotating drum having a central axis of rotation in a horizontal direction or an inclined direction, a water receiving tub containing the rotating drum and elastically supported by a washing machine body, and the water receiving tub. Water supply means for supplying water, water level detection means for detecting the water level in the water receiving tank, drainage means for draining the water in the water receiving tank, and heating means for heating the washing water in the water receiving tank And temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of the washing water in the water receiving tub, and data from the temperature detection means etc. are input to control the heating means etc. to control a series of washing, rinsing and dehydrating operations. Control means, and the control means has a heating washing process for controlling the heating means to heat washing water and washing, and in the heating washing process, the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means is increased. If the rate is below a predetermined value, Those configured to perform control to lower the heating temperature and the heat means by said temperature detecting means.

  As a result, even if the laundry capacity is large (washing water is large) when driving a heated laundry course for washing with warm water at a high temperature (for example, 90 ° C. setting) for bleaching / sterilization, etc. When cooling and draining high-temperature water, water and time are not used excessively.

  In addition, when there is a large amount of laundry (a lot of washing water), there is an overflow route that leads from the water receiving tank to the drainage route so that overflowing water that cannot occur during normal washing is discharged outside the machine. Even when cooling water cannot be supplied sufficiently, a safe washing machine is realized without draining at a high temperature.

  The washing machine of the present invention has a large amount of laundry (a lot of washing water) when a heated washing course for washing with hot water at a high temperature (for example, 90 ° C. setting) for bleaching / sterilization is operated. ) Even in this case, it is possible to prevent excessive use of water and time when cooling and draining hot water.

  In addition, when there is an overflow route that leads from the water receiving tub to the drainage route so that overflowing water that cannot occur during normal washing is discharged to the outside of the machine, when there is a large amount of laundry (a lot of washing water) In addition, even when cooling water cannot be sufficiently supplied, a safe washing machine can be realized without draining from the overflow path (overflow path) in a high temperature state.

  A first invention is a rotating drum having a rotation center axis in a horizontal direction or an inclination direction, a water receiving tub containing the rotating drum and elastically supported by a washing machine body, and water supply for supplying water into the water receiving tub Means, water level detecting means for detecting the water level in the water receiving tank, draining means for draining the water in the water receiving tank, heating means for heating the wash water in the water receiving tank, and the water receiver Temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the washing water in the tub, and control means for controlling a series of washing, rinsing and dehydrating operations by inputting data from the temperature detecting means and controlling the heating means. The control means has a heating washing process for controlling the heating means to heat the washing water and washing, and in the heating washing process, the rate of temperature increase detected by the temperature detecting means is below a predetermined value. The heating means and the temperature sensor. By controlling to lower the heating temperature by means, laundry is operated when a heated washing course for washing with warm water at a high temperature (for example, 90 ° C. setting) for bleaching and sterilization is operated. Even when there is a large volume of water (a lot of washing water), it is possible to prevent excessive use of water and time when cooling and draining high-temperature water.

  In addition, when there is a large amount of laundry (a lot of washing water), there is an overflow route that leads from the water receiving tank to the drainage route so that overflowing water that cannot occur during normal washing is discharged outside the machine. Even when the cooling water cannot be supplied sufficiently, a safe washing machine can be realized without draining from the overflow path (overflow path) in a high temperature state.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a drum type washing machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a control circuit diagram in which the drum type washing machine is partially blocked.

  As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the rotary drum 31 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape, provided with a large number of water passage holes 32 on the entire outer periphery, and is rotatably disposed in the water receiving tank 33. . A rotation axis (rotation center axis) 34 is provided in the inclination direction at the rotation center of the rotary drum 31, and the axial center direction of the rotation drum 31 is inclined downward from the front side toward the back side. A motor 35 attached to the bottom of the water receiving tank 33 is connected to the rotating shaft 34, and the rotating drum 31 is rotated in the forward and reverse directions. Several protruding plates 36 are provided on the inner wall surface of the rotating drum 31 to facilitate clothes stirring. An opening provided in the upward inclined surface on the front side of the water receiving tub 33 is covered with a lid 37 so as to be freely opened and closed, and by opening the lid 37, the laundry can be taken in and out of the rotary drum 31 through the clothing entrance 38. ing. Since the lid body 37 is provided on the upward inclined surface, the laundry can be carried out without bending the waist.

  The water receiving basin 33 is supported by a spring body 40 and a damper 41 so as to be swingable from the washing machine main body 39 so as to be swing-proof. One end of the drainage path 42 is connected to the lower part of the water receiving basin 33, The other end is connected to a drain valve (drainage means) 43 to drain the washing water in the water receiving tank 33. The water supply valve (water supply means) 44a supplies water into the water receiving tank 33 through the water supply path 44b. The water level detection means 46 detects the water level in the water receiving tank 33. A washing heater 45 (heating means) that warms the supplied water is provided at the bottom of the water receiving tank 33. The temperature detecting means 55 is provided at the bottom of the water receiving tub 33 and detects the temperature of the washing water heated by the washing heater 45.

  For the sake of safety, the overflow line (line) 19b is set so as to overflow from the overflow port 19a when the washing water level in the water receiving tank 33 becomes high due to some abnormality. The other end of the overflow path (overflow path) 19 having one end connected to the overflow port 19 a is connected to the drain path 42 a on the downstream side of the drain valve 43.

  In the present embodiment, a rotation shaft 34 is provided in the tilt direction at the rotation center of the rotary drum 31, and the axial center direction of the rotary drum 31 is inclined downward from the front side toward the back side. However, the rotating shaft 34 may be provided in the horizontal direction at the rotation center of the rotating drum 31, and the axial center direction of the rotating drum 31 may be disposed in the horizontal direction.

  Moreover, in this Embodiment, although it does not have a drying function, it is not limited to this.

  The control device 47 has a circuit configuration as shown in FIG. 2 and has a control means 48 constituted by a microcomputer, and via a power switching means 49, a motor 35, a drain valve 43, a water supply valve 44, a washing heater. The operation such as 45 is controlled, and a series of processes such as washing, rinsing and dehydration are sequentially controlled. The input setting means 50 sets a driving course and the like, and the control means 48 inputs information from the input setting means 50 and displays it on the display means 51 based on the information to notify the user. The commercial power supply 52 is connected by operating the power switch 53 to input power.

  The control means 48 controls the rotation of the motor 35 based on information from the rotation speed detection means 54 that detects the rotation speed of the motor 35.

  FIG. 3 is a main part operation flowchart of the drum type washing machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, based on FIG. 3, an operation and an action when the heating washing course is operated and the control for lowering the heating temperature is performed when the rate of temperature increase detected by the temperature detecting means is not more than a predetermined value will be described.

  The operation of the heated washing course is started (step 100), and when the water supply process (step 101) is completed, the washing water is heated to the set temperature (for example, 90 ° C.) by the washing heater 45 (heating means) in the washing process. (Step 102). When the water temperature reaches a predetermined reference temperature (for example, 50 ° C.) by the temperature detection means (step 103), a time required for reaching the predetermined temperature (for example, 60 ° C.) from that temperature (temperature increase rate) is measured (step) 104), if it is equal to or longer than the first predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes), it is determined that the amount of water is large (for example, 30 L), and the washing water temperature is set to a first heating temperature (for example, 70 ° C.) lower than the prescribed heating temperature. ) (Step 105) and the washing process is continued.

  In step 106, if the required time is equal to or shorter than the first predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes) and then equal to or longer than the second predetermined time (for example, 4 minutes), the amount of water is slightly larger (20 L). The heating temperature is set to a second heating temperature (for example, 80 ° C.) that is slightly lower than the prescribed heating temperature and higher than the first heating temperature (for example, 80 ° C.) (step 107), and the washing process is continuously operated.

  If the required time is equal to or shorter than the second predetermined time (for example, 4 minutes), it is determined that the amount of water is small (for example, 10 L), the washing water temperature is set to a specified heating temperature (for example, 90 ° C.) (step 108), and washing is performed. Continue the process.

  Next, in the cooling step (step 109), water is supplied by the water supply means and the washing water temperature is cooled to a predetermined temperature (for example, 65 ° C.), and then the washing step is ended (step 110) and the next step (drainage) is performed. Proceed with

  Here, W is the heater output (W), C is the heat capacity (4.18 kJ / kg · deg), d is the specific gravity (1 kg / L), α is the loss factor (1.25), V is the amount of water (L), Let Δt be the rising temperature (deg), and the time h (minutes) for the water temperature V (L) to rise by Δt is calculated by Equation 1. That is, it can be seen that the rising time h (minutes) of the water temperature is proportional to the amount of water V (L).

  Therefore, since the setting of the heating temperature is determined based on the rise time of the washing water temperature, the actual water amount including the difference in moisture content depending on the material and form of the laundry is detected. Therefore, accurate determination is possible. Further, it is possible to change the washing sequence such as the drum rotation speed and rotation and stop time setting according to the amount of washing water, which is more effective.

  Further, since a large amount of water requires a large amount of energy for heating the washing water, according to the present embodiment, energy saving is achieved in combination with a reduction in the amount of water during cooling during drainage, which is very economical.

  Furthermore, since there is a limit to the supply of cooling water, such as when an overflow (overflow) path 19 is provided, the effect is particularly great.

  In principle, the higher the temperature, the greater the sterilization effect. However, the sterilization effect required for general households is mainly Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, etc., and the sterilization effect for Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, etc. is generally in a warm water of 50-60 ° C. or more for a predetermined time. It is known to be effective when acted on.

  For this reason, in this embodiment, it is proposed that the first heating temperature when it is determined that the amount of water is large is set to 70 ° C., but the desired sterilization effect may not be obtained at a setting of 70 ° C. The nature is low.

  Similarly, in principle, the higher the temperature, the greater the bleaching effect. However, the bleaching effect required in general households is usually removal of yellowing due to sebum of cotton material and stains on food spills with oil and pigments. Generally, 40-60 ° C is sufficient. A good bleaching effect.

  As described above, when the heating washing process has a heating washing process and the rate of increase in temperature detected by the temperature detecting means is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the amount of washing water is judged to be large and control is performed to lower the heating temperature. The drainage after the heat washing process can be performed economically and safely.

  As described above, the washing machine according to the present invention has a heating washing process in a washing machine having a rotation center axis in a horizontal direction or an inclination direction, and the rate of temperature increase detected by the temperature detecting means in the heating washing process. Is less than a predetermined value, the heating temperature can be controlled to be low, which is useful as a washing machine or the like having a function of economically and safely performing drainage after the heating and washing process.

Side sectional view of the drum-type washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Control circuit diagram of a part of the washing machine Main part operation flowchart of the washing machine Side view of a conventional washing machine Perspective view of a conventional washing machine with a part cut away

Explanation of symbols

31 Rotating drum 33 Water receiving tank 43 Drain valve (drainage means)
44a Water supply valve (water supply means)
45 Washing heater (heating means)
46 Water level detection means (bubble detection means)
48 Control means 55 Temperature detection means

Claims (1)

A rotating drum having a central axis of rotation in a horizontal direction or an inclined direction; a water receiving tank containing the rotating drum and elastically supported by a washing machine body; water supply means for supplying water into the water receiving tank; A water level detecting means for detecting the water level in the tank, a drain means for draining the water in the water receiving tank, a heating means for heating the washing water in the water receiving tank, and the washing water in the water receiving tank A temperature detection means for detecting temperature; and a control means for inputting a data from the temperature detection means and controlling the heating means to control a series of washing, rinsing and dehydrating operations, A heating washing step for controlling the heating means to heat washing water and washing, and in the heating washing step, when the rate of temperature increase detected by the temperature detecting means is a predetermined value or less, the heating means And the temperature detecting means Configured drum type washing machine to perform the control to lower the temperature.