JP2009034257A - Electric washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electric washing machine capable of washing door glass by a simple configuration. <P>SOLUTION: In the electric washing machine 10, by utilizing a specified exit which is a water supply exit 38 connected to a water supply path 46 among limited existing four exits in a valve unit 44 and providing a water path 72 for washing the door glass branched from the water supply path 46, a part of water flowing through the water supply path 46 flows through the water path 72 for washing the door glass, then flows down through the inner surface 23 of the door glass 12 and washes away dirt such as lint stuck to the inner surface 23. In such a manner, by a simple configuration, that is by utilizing the existing water supply exit 38 without adding an exit to the valve unit 44, the inner surface 23 of the door glass 12 is suitably washed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electric washing machine.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a drum-type washing machine that includes a rotating drum and that is configured to wash clothes in the rotating drum by rotating the rotating drum with an electric motor (for example, see Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent No. 3524688

  In a drum-type washing machine, a door provided on the front is generally formed of transparent glass so that clothes in a rotating drum can be visually recognized through the door during washing. However, lint (thread waste) or the like may adhere to the inside of the glass during washing, and the inside of the glass may become cloudy. In this case, the clothing in the rotating drum may be visually recognized. It is impossible and inconvenient. Conventionally, no particular measures have been taken against such problems. In addition, as a countermeasure, for example, a dedicated water supply valve may be provided only for cleaning the glass, and when this water supply valve is opened, water may flow through the inner surface of the glass, but a dedicated water supply valve should be provided. There is a risk that the configuration becomes complicated.

  The present invention has been made based on such a background, and an object thereof is to provide an electric washing machine capable of cleaning a door window with a simple configuration.

  The invention described in claim 1 is a treatment tank for storing clothes, washing, rinsing, dehydrating and drying clothes, and a door provided on the front surface of the treatment tank for opening and closing the front surface of the treatment tank. A window body, one end and the other end communicated with the treatment tank, and a circulation air passage for taking out the air in the treatment tank from one end during drying, dehumidifying, and returning the other end to the treatment tank A valve unit having a plurality of outlets including a first outlet and a second outlet, a water supply path having one end connected to the first outlet of the valve unit and the other end facing the treatment tank, and the valve unit One end is connected to the second outlet, and the other end is branched from the middle of the water supply channel and the heat exchange channel connected to a predetermined position of the circulation air channel, and the tip is opened at the upper part of the door window body. The door window body washing channel, During the rinsing, the first outlet of the valve unit is opened in order to allow the water coming out from the opening of the water passage for washing the door window to flow down along the inner surface of the door window to clean the door window. An electric washing machine comprising: a valve control means.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the water supply channel is provided with a powder detergent container in the middle thereof, and supplies water for washing and rinsing to the treatment tank through the powder detergent container. 2. The electric washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the door window cleaning water channel is branched from a water supply channel upstream of the powder detergent container and has a smaller diameter than the water supply channel. is there.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the valve unit is a single-input multi-output valve unit capable of selectively outputting water from one inlet through a plurality of outlets, and the valve unit includes the powder detergent container. The electric washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the electric washing machine is disposed rearward of the electric washing machine.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the valve unit includes a third outlet and a fourth outlet in addition to the first outlet and the second outlet, and the third outlet has an outlet diameter as compared with the first outlet. It is an outlet for flowing a smaller amount of water into the processing tank through the liquid processing agent storage unit than the first outlet, and the fourth outlet cleans lint adhering to the circulation air passage. The electric washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the electric washing machine is an outlet to which a water channel for supplying washing water is connected.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a processing tank for storing clothing, washing, rinsing and dehydrating the clothes, and a door window provided on the front surface of the processing tank for opening and closing the front surface of the processing tank. And one end and the other end are communicated with the treatment tank, a circulation air passage for taking out the air in the treatment tank from one end during drying, dehumidifying it, and returning it from the other end to the treatment tank, A valve unit having a plurality of outlets including one outlet and a fourth outlet, a water supply path having one end connected to the first outlet of the valve unit and the other end facing the treatment tank, and a first outlet of the valve unit One end is connected to the 4 outlets, the other end is connected to a predetermined position of the circulation air passage, a washing water passage for washing lint adhering in the circulation air passage, and a branch from the middle of the water supply passage, Opening the top of the door window The door window body cleaning channel, and during washing and rinsing, water from the opening of the door window body cleaning channel flows down along the inner surface of the door window body to cause the door window body to be cleaned. And a valve control means for opening a first outlet of the valve unit.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the water supply channel is provided with a powder detergent container in the middle thereof, and supplies water for washing and rinsing to the treatment tank through the powder detergent container. The electric washing machine according to claim 5, wherein the door window cleaning water channel is branched from a water supply channel upstream of the powder detergent container and has a smaller diameter than the water supply channel. is there.

According to the invention described in claim 1 or 5, the first outlet in the valve unit having a plurality of outlets, that is, the first outlet connected to the water supply channel for supplying washing and rinsing water to the treatment tank is opened. Thus, water can be supplied to the door window cleaning water channel branched from the water supply channel to wash the inner surface of the door window.
The first outlet is an outlet to which a water supply channel is connected, and is opened when supplying washing water and rinsing water into the treatment tank. When washing water or rinsing water is supplied into the treatment tank, the water is allowed to flow down along the inner surface of the door window to wash the door window. In that case, the water after washing the door window collects in the treatment tank, and there is no problem. When washing and rinsing, the user can see from the outside that the water has flowed down the inner surface of the door window and the dirt and fog on the inner surface of the door window are washed away, giving the user a clean impression. be able to.

  In the configuration according to claim 2 or 6, since the channel diameter of the water supply channel is increased so that a relatively large amount of water flows in order to secure a water amount for dissolving the powder detergent, the door window body is washed from the water supply channel. It is best to branch off the irrigation channel. In addition, the amount of water flowing along the inner surface of the door window can be adjusted to a desired amount by making the diameter of the water channel for cleaning the door window branched from the water supply channel smaller than the diameter of the water supply channel. it can.

In the configuration according to claim 3 or 4, the valve unit provided in the electric washing machine is generally a single-input multiple-output valve unit that can selectively output water from one inlet through a plurality of outlets. The door window body can be cleaned favorably by using the existing valve unit without adding an outlet of the existing valve unit.
In other words, according to the present invention, of the limited outlets provided in the existing valve unit, a specific outlet called the first outlet to which the water supply channel is connected is used and connected to the specific outlet. By providing the door window cleaning water channel branched from the water supply channel, cleaning of the inner surface of the door window body with a simple configuration is excellent in the visual recognition effect and can be effectively performed at a timing with no malfunction.

  Here, the door window cleaning water channel is branched from the water supply channel connected to the first outlet. Although it is conceivable to branch the door window cleaning water channel from the flow path connected to the third outlet, the third outlet for flowing water via the liquid processing agent container is generally not a washing operation, In this case, the door window cannot be washed by the washing operation because it is opened by the rinsing operation. On the other hand, when the control is performed to open the third outlet in the washing operation, the liquid processing agent flows out in the washing operation and cannot be used in the rinsing operation. In addition, the amount of water coming out of the second outlet is less than that of the first outlet, and cannot be used for door window cleaning. Since the fourth outlet is opened at the end of the drying operation, for example, if the fourth outlet is used for the door window cleaning water channel, the dried clothing is wetted, which is inappropriate.

  Moreover, in the structure of Claim 3, a valve unit can be arrange | positioned compactly so that it may be hidden behind a powder detergent accommodating part, and it does not secure an extra space in order to arrange a valve unit in an electric washing machine. That's it.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a front view of an electric washing machine 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a right sectional view of the electric washing machine 10. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the electric washing machine 10 and shows an essential part extracted. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a water channel and an ozone supply channel that supplies air containing ozone in the electric washing machine 10. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the drying air passage 28 as seen from the upper rear side. FIG. 6 is a rear view of the drying air passage 28. 7 is a schematic view of a cross section taken along the line AA in FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG.
<Overall configuration of electric washing machine>
Referring to FIG. 1, an electric washing machine 10 includes a housing 11 having a slightly elongated rectangular parallelepiped shape that constitutes an outer shell thereof. A washing tub 20 (see FIG. 2) is disposed inside the housing 11 as a processing tub for storing clothing. A circular opening 15 is formed substantially in the center of the front surface (front surface) of the housing 11, and a door glass 12 (door window body) capable of opening and closing the opening 15 is provided. The door glass 12 has a substantially truncated cone shape whose main surface is made of, for example, transparent tempered glass or transparent resin (see FIG. 2).

An operation / display unit 13 is disposed on the front upper portion of the housing 11 (above the door glass 12). A plurality of operation keys (not shown) and a display (not shown) are arranged on the operation / display unit 13, and the operation of the electric washing machine 1 is performed by operating the operation keys (not shown). And the operating status of the electric washing machine 1 is displayed on a display (not shown).
Referring to FIG. 2, the washing tub 20 includes an outer tub 21 having a substantially cylindrical inner peripheral surface, and a rotating drum 24 that is a cylindrical inner tub provided in the outer tub 21. A number of through holes 65 are formed in the peripheral wall of the rotating drum 24, and the inside of the rotating drum 24 and the inside of the outer tub 21 communicate with each other through these through holes 65. An entrance / exit 19 is formed in front of the washing tub 20, that is, the outer tub 21 and the rotary drum 24, and clothes are taken in and out through the entrance / exit 19. The door glass 12 described above closes the entrance 19 when the opening 15 is closed (plugs the entrance 19). At this time, the inner surface 23 of the door glass 12 faces the inside of the washing tub 20 through the doorway 19. On the other hand, the door glass 12 opens the entrance 19 to the front when the opening 15 is opened.

  A DD motor 22 is attached to the back surface of the outer tub 21, and the rotating drum 24 can be rotated in the outer tub 21 by driving the DD motor 22. The electric washing machine 1 employs a so-called oblique drum structure in which the rotation shaft of the rotating drum 24 is inclined obliquely forward and upward with respect to the horizontal direction. The outer tub 21 is attached to the base portion 11 </ b> B of the housing 11 by a damper 45.

  Referring to FIG. 3, a water injection unit 25 is provided on the upper left side of the outer tub 21. The water injection unit 25 is a unit through which the water passes when water for washing operation or rinsing operation is supplied into the outer tub 21. A valve unit 44 for supplying tap water to the water injection unit 25 is disposed behind the water injection unit 25 (specifically, behind a powder detergent container 47 as a powder detergent container described later). In this way, the valve unit 44 can be arranged in a compact manner so as to be hidden behind the powder detergent container 47, and it is not necessary to secure an extra space for arranging the valve unit 44 in the electric washing machine 10. The valve unit 44 will be described in detail later. The water injection unit 25 is provided with a detergent container 27 in which various detergents are stored. The supplied water flows through the detergent container 27, and accordingly, the detergent is supplied together with the water or not supplied. Can be selected. The detergent container 27 includes a powder detergent container 47 in which a powder detergent is accommodated, and a softener container 49 as a liquid treatment agent accommodating portion in which a liquid treatment agent such as a softener (finishing agent) is accommodated.

  The electric washing machine 1 is a washing and drying machine, and can perform a drying operation in addition to a washing operation and a rinsing operation. For this purpose, a drying air passage 28 shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5 is connected to the rear of the outer tub 21. A lower end portion of the drying air passage 28 is connected to a lower portion of the rear portion of the outer tub 21, and a first communication hole 17 that allows the drying air passage 28 and the outer tub 21 to communicate with each other is formed in this connection portion.

  Referring to FIG. 4, the drying air passage 28 constitutes a part of the circulation air passage. In the drying operation, the humid air in the outer tub 21 is taken out from the first communication hole 17, and this air is moved upward. Dehumidify while leading to A blower unit 29 as a blower is connected to the upper part of the drying air passage 28 via a first connection hose 60. Further, the blower unit 29 is connected to the upper portion of the outer tub 21 via the second connection hose 61. Here, the second connection hose 61 and the outer tub 21 communicate with each other via the second communication hole 18. The blower unit 29 includes a blower (not shown). When this blower (not shown) is operated, the blower unit 29 is dehumidified by the drying air passage 28 via the second communication hole 18. The air thus returned is returned into the outer tub 21. The blower unit 29 is provided with a heater (not shown) for heating the air returned to the outer tub 21. Thus, the drying air passage 28, the first connection hose 60, the blower unit 29, and the second connection hose 61 function as a circulation air passage, and one end (the first communication hole 17 side) of this circulation air passage and The other end (second communication hole 18 side) communicates with the outer tub 21 (washing tub 20).

  The dry air passage 28 will be described in detail. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the dry air passage 28 includes a first air passage 31 that extends while slightly curving from the lower side to the upper side, and an upper end of the first air passage 31. A second air passage 32 that is communicated and extends from the upper end of the first air passage 31 in a substantially orthogonal direction is bent, and is bent at a connecting portion between the first air passage 31 and the second air passage 32. Both the first air passage 31 and the second air passage 32 are formed of resin. The first air path 31 is disposed adjacent to the rear side of the outer tub 21, and the second air path 32 is disposed adjacent to the upper side of the outer tub 21 (see FIG. 2). That is, since the drying air path 28 has a shape along the outer tub 21, the drying air path 28 can be compactly arranged in the housing 11, and the electric washing machine 10 as a whole can be made compact.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the first communication hole 17 described above is provided at the lower end portion of the first air passage 31, and the first connection hose 60 described above is connected to the tip of the second air passage 32. A mountain shape 33 and a mountain shape 34 projecting into the first air passage 31 are formed below the center of the first air passage 31 in the vertical direction. Both the chevron 33 and the chevron 34 are triangular in cross section and face each other. By providing the mountain shape 33 and the mountain shape 34, the first air passage 31 has a narrow air passage cross section in the middle thereof, and the flow of wind in the first air passage 31 is stagnant. A ground side electrode 35 and a detection side electrode 36 are attached to the dry air passage 28 as bubble detection electrodes. The ground side electrode 35 protrudes into the dry air passage 28 in the vicinity of the first communication hole 17, and the detection side electrode 36 protrudes into the dry air passage 28 above the chevron 33 and the chevron 34. ing. In the washing operation and the rinsing operation, bubbles generated in the washing tub 20 may enter the drying air passage 28 from the first communication hole 17. When the foam reaches the blower unit 29 from the drying air passage 28 via the first connection hose 60 (see FIG. 4), the blower unit 29 is rusted by the foam. Therefore, the ground side electrode 35 and the detection side electrode 36 detect the intrusion of bubbles into the dry air passage 28, and a process of removing the bubbles is performed. Specifically, when bubbles from the first communication hole 17 reach the detection side electrode 36, the ground side electrode 35 and the detection side electrode 36 are short-circuited by the bubbles, thereby detecting the entry of the bubbles. In addition, as a process which removes a bubble, the bubble in the dry air path 28 is washed away with the water supplied in the dry air path 28 so that it may mention later.

In the second air passage 32, as shown in FIG. 8, the pair of opposed inner wall surfaces 58 are inclined so as to approach each other downward, and the internal space of the second air passage 32 is narrowed downward. It has become.
As shown in FIG. 4, the electric washing machine 10 includes an ozone generation unit 30 in the vicinity of the blower unit 29. The ozone generation unit 30 generates ozone at the time of drying operation or air wash, and contributes to sterilization / deodorization of clothes to be dried and air wash to sterilize / deodorize clothes put in the washing tub 20. Note that the air wash is a process in which air containing ozone is given to clothing stored in the rotating drum 24, and bacteria and other bacteria attached to the clothing are sterilized and deodorized by ozone. It is an independent process different from the drying process. In an air wash, since the clothes are washed with air by air containing ozone (air), the sterilization / deodorization of the clothes is performed.・ Deodorization is called air wash.

  The valve unit 44 described above is provided between the tap water tap 43 and the water injection unit 25. Specifically, the faucet 43 is connected to the valve unit 44 via the water supply hose 42, and all tap water supplied from the faucet 43 flows to the valve unit 44. The valve unit 44 is a so-called single-input multi-output quadruple valve in which four valves sharing the inlet 37 through which tap water from the faucet 43 flows are united, and four outlets according to the four valves. have. Therefore, in the valve unit 44, the tap water that has entered from the inlet 37 can be selectively output from the four outlets. In the following, the outlets of the four valves in the valve unit 44 are the water supply outlet 38 as the first outlet, the dehumidified water outlet 39 as the second outlet, the rinse water outlet 40 as the third outlet, and the cleaning as the fourth outlet. This is distinguished from the water outlet 41. About the magnitude | size (outlet diameter) of each exit, it has the relationship of water supply outlet 38> rinse water outlet 40> washing water outlet 41> dehumidification water outlet 39.

  One end of a water supply path 46 is connected to the water supply outlet 38. The other end of the water supply channel 46 is desired from the upper side in the washing tub 20. In the middle of the water supply path 46, a powder detergent container 47 of the water injection unit 25 is interposed. One end of a heat exchange water channel 62 is connected to the dehumidified water outlet 39. The other end of the heat exchange water channel 62 is connected from above to a predetermined position (described later) of the second air channel 32 of the drying air channel 28 (see FIG. 5). One end of a rinse water flow path 48 is connected to the rinse water outlet 40. The other end of the rinse water channel 48 is desired in the washing tub 20 from above. In the middle of the rinsing water channel 48, a softener container 49 of the water injection unit 25 is interposed. Note that the other end of the water supply passage 46 and the other end of the rinsing water passage 48 may join in the middle before entering the washing tub 20. The cleaning water outlet 41 is connected to one end of a cleaning water channel 98 as a water channel for supplying cleaning water to be described later. The other end of the cleaning water channel 98 is connected from above to a predetermined position (described later) of the second air channel 32 of the drying air channel 28 (see FIG. 5). As shown in FIG. 5, the connection position of the other end of the cleaning water passage 98 with respect to the second air passage 32 is in the vicinity of the bent portion of the drying air passage 28, specifically, the other end of the heat exchange water passage 62 with respect to the second air passage 32. It exists in the 1st connection hose 60 side (downstream side seeing in the flow direction of the wind in the dry air path 28) rather than a connection position. Here, as shown in FIG. 7, the upstream side from the connection position of the other end of the heat exchange water channel 62 is a dehumidifying unit 63 in the dry air channel 28 when viewed in the wind flow direction. In the dehumidifying part 63, the above-mentioned ground side electrode 35, detection side electrode 36, chevron 33 and chevron 34 are arranged. As described above, the other end of the heat exchange water channel 62 is connected to the dehumidifying unit 63, and the connection position of the other end of the cleaning water channel 98 to the drying air channel 28 is viewed in the direction of the wind flow in the drying air channel 28. And downstream of the dehumidifying unit 63.

As shown in FIG. 4, the water supply outlet 38, the dehumidified water outlet 39, the rinse water outlet 40, and the washing water outlet 41 are controlled to be opened and closed by a control unit 100 as valve control means or control means, as will be described later.
Among washing operations (washing operation, rinsing operation, dehydration operation, and drying operation), in the washing operation, the water supply outlet 38 and the washing water outlet 41 are opened, and in the rinsing operation, the water supply outlet 38, the rinsing water outlet 40, and the washing water. Each outlet 41 is opened at a set time. In the dehydration operation, none of the outlets is opened, and in the drying operation, the dehumidified water outlet 39 and the washing water outlet 41 are opened at set times, respectively.

  When the water supply outlet 38 is opened, a relatively large amount of water (for example, about 19 liters / min) flows in the water supply passage 46, and when the rinse water outlet 40 is opened, the rinse water flow passage 48 is more than the flow rate in the water supply passage 46. A small amount of water, for example, about 14 liters / min flows. Water flowing through the water supply channel 46 is supplied into the washing tub 20 via the powder detergent container 47. The tap water flowing through the rinsing water channel 48 is supplied into the washing tub 20 via the softener container 49.

  Here, the water supply channel 46 is provided with a door glass cleaning water channel 72 (door window cleaning water channel) branched from the water supply channel 46 on the upstream side of the powder detergent container 47. As shown in FIG. 2, the tip of the door glass cleaning water channel 72 is connected to the front upper end of the outer tub 21, and the door glass 12 faces the inner surface 23 of the door glass 12 with the opening 15 closed from above. (This opening is referred to as a supply port 55). As will be described later, when the water supply outlet 38 (see FIG. 4) is opened in the washing operation and the rinsing operation, most of the water flowing in the water supply passage 46 (washing water and rinsing water) passes through the water supply passage 46. While continuing to flow and supplied directly into the washing tub 20, the remainder flows through the door glass cleaning water channel 72 and is fed from the supply port 55 to the clothes in the washing tub 20 (the rotating drum 24). Specifically, water supplied from the supply port 55 into the washing tub 20 flows down along the inner surface 23 of the door glass 12 and accumulates in the washing tub 20. Thereby, dirt such as lint and dust adhering to the inner surface 23 is washed away by the water from the supply port 55, so that the inner surface 23 of the door glass 12 can be cleaned. In this way, among the existing four outlets limited in the valve unit 44 shown in FIG. 4, the supply water outlet 38 to which a large amount of water can flow compared to other outlets connected to the water supply passage 46 is specified. The inner surface 23 of the door glass 12 is suitably cleaned without adding an outlet to the valve unit 44 with a simple configuration using the outlet of the water and the door glass cleaning water channel 72 branched from the water supply channel 46. be able to. Furthermore, by using the water supply outlet 38 having the largest outlet diameter (the flow rate is large) among the four outlets of the valve unit 44, both water supply to the washing tub 20 and cleaning of the inner surface 23 of the door glass 12 can be achieved. Can do.

  Here, the door glass cleaning water channel 72 is branched from the water supply channel 46 connected to the water supply outlet 38. Although it is conceivable to branch the door glass cleaning water channel 72 from the rinsing water flow path 48, the rinsing water outlet 40 is opened not in the washing operation but in the rinsing operation as described above. 12 can not be washed. On the other hand, if control is performed to open the rinsing water outlet 40 in the washing operation, the softener flows out in the washing operation and cannot be used in the rinsing operation. In addition, as will be described later, the amount of water discharged from the dehumidified water outlet 39 is less than that of the water supply outlet 38 and cannot be used for cleaning the door glass 12. Since the washing water outlet 41 is opened at the end of the drying operation, as will be described later, if the washing water outlet 41 is used for the door glass washing water channel 72, the dried clothes will be wetted, which is inappropriate. is there.

  The diameter of the door glass cleaning water channel 72 is smaller than the diameter of the water supply channel 46. Specifically, the diameter of the water supply channel 46 is made large so that a relatively large amount of water flows in order to secure the amount of water for dissolving the powder detergent, so that the door glass cleaning water channel 72 is branched from the water supply channel 46. Is the best. Further, the diameter of the water passage 72 for washing the door glass branched from the water supply passage 46 is made smaller than the diameter of the water supply passage 46 so that the amount of water flowing along the inner surface 23 of the door glass 12 is adjusted to a desired amount. can do.

The supply port 55 may be provided with a nozzle made of, for example, a mesh, and the water passing through the supply port 55 may be provided in the washing tub 20 in a shower shape.
When the dehumidified water outlet 39 is opened, for example, about 0.5 liter / min of water flows in the heat exchange channel 62. Further, when the washing water outlet 41 is opened, about 7 liters / min of water flows in the washing water channel 98, for example. These waters are supplied into the drying air passage 28.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the water supplied from the heat exchange water channel 62 into the dry air channel 28 was dropped into the dehumidifying part 63, specifically, the first air channel 31, and narrowed by the chevron 33 and the chevron 34. It hits the inner wall of the first air passage 31 and becomes splashed or foggy. The water in the form of droplets or mist is exchanged as heat exchange water (dehumidified water) with the moist air taken out from the first communication hole 17 to the drying air passage 28 and passing through the dehumidifying unit 63. And dehumidify the air. As described above, the dehumidifying unit 63 is a region for dehumidifying air in the drying air passage 28. And since the contact area of the water for heat exchange and moist air can be ensured large by making the water for heat exchange into the shape of a droplet or a mist, this air can be dehumidified efficiently. Further, the water for heat exchange in the form of droplets or mist encloses the dust flowing along with the air in the drying air passage 28 and flows down toward the first communication hole 17 in the first air passage 31, so that the drying air It is possible to prevent dust from adhering to the path 28. The chevron 33 and the chevron 34 are places where dust and lint are likely to adhere. Therefore, if the Yamagata 33 and the Yamagata 34 are arranged at a position lower than the average water level in the washing tub 20 in the washing operation, the Yamagata 33 and the Yamagata will flow into the water flowing into the drying air passage 28 from the washing tub 20 in the washing operation. 34 can be soaked, and dust and lint can be peeled off from the chevron 33 and the chevron 34 by this water.

  As described above, the water supplied from the washing water channel 98 into the drying air channel 28 is more than the water supplied from the heat exchange water channel 62 into the drying air channel 28. First, the second air channel 32 shown in FIG. It hits the inner wall 58 and jumps in all directions. As shown in FIG. 7, this water reaches the upper end of the first air passage 31 while jumping around in the second air passage 32, and flows down vigorously in the first air passage 32. Further, this water is diffused by the air flowing in the dry air passage 28 and reaches every corner of the dry air passage 28 including the upper corners in the first air passage 31. Thus, the water (washing water) supplied from the washing water channel 98 into the drying air channel 28 is not removed by the heat exchanging water described above, and the inside of the drying air channel 28 (the ground side electrode 35 and the detection side electrode). 36 and the like, downstream of the mountain 33 and the mountain 34, and the rear upper portion of the connecting portion of the first air passage 31 and the second air passage 32 (the bent portion of the dry air passage 28 described above). The corners of the lint are areas where lint tends to adhere and are difficult to remove.) It is possible to wash away dirt such as lint and dust. The washed-out dirt moves down the drying air passage 28 together with the washing water and flows into the outer tank 21 from the first communication hole 17. As described above, the washing water outlet 41 shown in FIG. 4 is an outlet provided exclusively for water in the valve unit 44 for washing the circulation air passage (specifically, the drying air passage 28). As described above, in the dry air passage 28, the downstream side of the dehumidifying unit 63 (that is, the downstream side of the ground-side electrode 35 and the detection-side electrode 36 and the downstream portion of the bent portion of the dry air passage 28). The washing water channel 98 is connected to a position such as lint where the lint removed from the dehumidified air flow is likely to accumulate. Therefore, cleaning water is intensively supplied from the downstream side as viewed from the direction of wind flow to the portion where dirt easily adheres in the drying air passage 28, and the dirt adhering to the drying air passage 28 is effectively removed. Can do. The speed of the air flowing through the drying air passage 28 may be a constant speed, or may be a repetition of strong and weak winds, or intermittent operation of blowing and stopping.

  The water in the washing tub 20 (outer tub 21) can be discharged by controlling the opening and closing of the drain valve 51 provided in the drain pipe 50. A filter unit 53 is connected to the drain valve 51 via an intermediate hose 52. The filter unit 53 is for capturing lint and foreign matter contained in the water discharged from the outer tub 21. The water that has entered the filter unit 53 passes through the drain pipe 54 and the valve 83 and is discharged from the drain hose 59 to the outside of the housing 11. Outside the housing 11, for example, it passes through the external drain hose 56 and is discharged to the drain trap 57.

The electric washing machine 10 can use bath water for washing operation and rinsing operation. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, a bath water pump 26 is provided adjacent to the right rear of the water injection unit 25. As shown in FIG. 4, a bath water hose 67 for pumping bath water from a bathtub 66 can be connected to the bath water pump 26. The bath water pump 26 is a self-contained pump and is connected to a priming water channel 70 for supplying priming water. The priming water channel 70 branches off from the water supply channel 46 on the upstream side of the powder detergent container 47. When the water supply outlet 38 is opened in the valve unit 44, tap water supplied from the faucet 43 flows through the water supply path 46. At this time, a part of the water flowing through the water supply channel 46 is supplied to the bath water pump 26 through the priming water channel 70. The supplied water (priming water) enables the bath water pump 26 to pump up the bath water. Then, the bath water pumped up through the bath water hose 67 is supplied to the water injection unit 25 and then flows into the washing tub 20 through the water supply channel 46 and / or the rinse water channel 48. The priming water channel 70 may be branched from the door glass cleaning water channel 72, or conversely, the door glass cleaning water channel 72 may be branched from the priming water channel 70.
Furthermore, one end of a first overflow hose 88 is connected to the outer tub 21, the other end of the first overflow hose 88 is connected to one end of a second overflow hose 89, and the other end of the second overflow hose 89 is a valve. 83. When the water accumulated in the outer tub 21 overflows above a predetermined water level, the water is discharged through the first overflow hose 88 and the second overflow hose 89 in order. At that time, the atmospheric pressure in the outer tub 21 needs to be equal to the external atmospheric pressure. Therefore, the connection between the first overflow hose 88 and the second overflow hose 89 and the inlet of the filter unit 53 are connected by an air hose 90 so that the atmospheric pressure in the outer tub 21 is equal to the external atmospheric pressure. Yes.

In order to detect the water level in the washing tub 20, a lower end of an air trap hose 92 is connected to the drain pipe 50, and a water level sensor 93 is provided at the upper end of the air trap hose 92. The water level in the washing tub 20 can be confirmed by the water level sensor 93.
<Control of water supply and drainage in washing>
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration relating to control of water supply / drainage in washing. 10A and 10B are flowcharts for explaining control of water supply / drainage in washing.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the control unit 100 is electrically connected to each of the water level sensor 93, the valve unit 44, the drain valve 51, and the DD motor 22. The controller 100 is provided with water level data in the washing tub 20 from the water level sensor 93. Further, the control unit 100 opens and closes the water supply outlet 38, the dehumidified water outlet 39, the rinse water outlet 40 and the washing water outlet 41, and the drain valve 51 of the valve unit 44, and controls the driving of the DD motor 22. Further, the control unit 100 has a built-in timer 95 for measuring time.

Below, with reference to FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B, control of the water supply / drainage in washing by the control part 100 is demonstrated in order of a washing operation, a rinse operation, and a drying operation.
As shown in FIG. 10A, in the washing operation, first, the water supply outlet 38 is opened, for example, for 5 seconds (step S1). At this time, the tap water supplied from the faucet 43 dissolves the powder detergent in the powder detergent container 47 through the water supply channel 46 and flows into the washing tub 20 (see FIG. 4). Thereby, water in which the powder detergent is dissolved can be stored in the washing tub 20. Then, when 5 seconds elapse after the water supply outlet 38 is opened, the water supply outlet 38 is closed for 2 seconds, for example (step S2). Then, step S1 and step S2 are repeated until the water level in the washing tub 20 reaches the specified water level, and the water supply outlet 38 is intermittently opened, thereby intermittently supplying water to the washing tub 20 (washing water supply). (No in step S3). Here, the intermittent water supply is not limited to the water supply outlet 38 being reliably opened and closed (the water supply outlet 38 is completely closed when the water supply outlet 38 is closed), but the water supply amount continuously increases and decreases (the water supply outlet 38 is closed). Sometimes not fully closed). In conjunction with the intermittent opening of the water supply outlet 38, the inner surface 23 of the door glass 12 is washed with shower-like water supplied from the supply port 55 as described above (see FIG. 2). The water that has washed the door glass 12 is also stored in the washing tub 20. Further, by intermittently opening the water supply outlet 38, water can be intermittently passed through the powder detergent container 47, thereby preventing the powder detergent in the powder detergent container 47 from remaining undissolved.

  When the water level in the washing tub 20 reaches the specified water level (Yes in step S3), the DD motor 22 is driven to rotate the rotating drum 24 and the clothes in the rotating drum 24 are agitated (step S4). Thereby, clothing is suitably entangled with water in which powder detergent is dissolved, and washing of the clothing is executed. Here, as described above, when the inner surface 23 of the door glass 12 is cleaned, the inner surface 23 and the clothing in the vicinity of the inner surface 23 are wetted, so that the frictional resistance between the stirred clothing and the inner surface 23 is reduced. After washing, the drain valve 51 is opened, and the water in the washing tub 20 is drained outside the machine (step S5). Then, with the drain valve 51 opened, the rotary drum 24 is rotated to dehydrate clothing (intermediate dehydration) (step S6). Moisture that oozes from the clothes due to the intermediate dehydration is drained out of the machine from the washing tub 20. The above is the washing operation. At the end of the washing operation, the drain valve 51 is closed.

A rinsing operation is performed following the washing operation. The rinsing operation is divided into a first rinsing operation and a second rinsing operation.
In the first rinsing operation, first, the water supply outlet 38 is opened for 1 second, for example (step S7). Thereafter, the water supply outlet 38 is closed for 1 second, for example (step S8). And until predetermined time passes, step S7 and step S8 are repeated and the water supply exit 38 is opened intermittently, and the water supply from the water supply path 46 to the washing tub 20 (rinsing 1 water supply) is intermittently performed. Performed (step S9). The clothes in the rotating drum 24 are rinsed by the water supplied in this way. Since the powder detergent in the powder detergent container 47 is used up in the previous washing operation, the tap water supplied through the powder detergent container 47 does not contain detergent. Therefore, clothes can be rinsed with pure tap water. In conjunction with the intermittent opening of the water supply outlet 38, the inner surface 23 of the door glass 12 is washed with shower-like water from the supply port 55 as described above (see FIG. 2). The water which washed the door glass 12 is also supplied to the washing tub 20, and rinses clothes. Then, when the predetermined time described above has elapsed since the start of the first rinsing operation (Yes in step S9), the drainage valve 51 is opened, and the clothes are stirred by rotating the rotary drum 24, whereby the clothes are dehydrated. (Rinse dehydration) is performed (step S10). The above is one rinse operation. At the end of one rinsing operation, the drain valve 51 is closed.

  In the next two rinse operations, the rinse water outlet 40 is first opened as shown in FIG. 10B (step S11). Thereby, the tap water supplied from the faucet 43 melts the softener in the softener container 49 through the rinse water channel 48 and flows into the washing tub 20 (see FIG. 4). As a result, the clothes in the washing tub 20 are bathed with water in which the softener is dissolved. Then, the water supply outlet 38 is opened for 3 seconds, for example (step S12). Thereafter, the water supply outlet 38 is closed for 2 seconds, for example (step S13). And by repeating step S11-step S13 until the water level in the washing tub 20 reaches a regulation water level, water supply to the washing tub 20 (rinsing 2 water supply) is performed intermittently (No in step S14). . Here, since the rinse water outlet 40 is always opened, the water supply itself is not interrupted, but the water supply amount is increased or decreased by intermittently opening the water supply outlet 38. In conjunction with the intermittent opening of the water supply outlet 38, the inner surface 23 of the door glass 12 is washed with tap water from the supply port 55 as described above (see FIG. 2). The water that has washed the door glass 12 is also stored in the washing tub 20.

  When the water level in the washing tub 20 reaches the specified water level (Yes in step S14), the rotary drum 24 is rotated, and the clothes in the rotary drum 24 are stirred (step S15). Thereby, the rinsing of the clothes with stirring is executed. Moreover, when the garment is agitated, the softener penetrates well into the entire garment. After rinsing, the drain valve 51 is opened, and the water in the washing tub 20 is drained outside the machine (step S16). Then, with the drain valve 51 opened, the rotary drum 24 is rotated at a high speed, and the clothes are dehydrated (final dehydration) (step S17). Moisture that oozes out of the clothes by the final dehydration is drained out of the machine from the washing tub 20. The above is two rinse operations.

  In this way, each time washing and rinsing, the user can visually recognize from the outside that the water has flowed down the inner surface 23 of the door glass 12 and the dirt and cloudiness of the inner surface 23 of the door glass 12 has been washed away. Can give a clean impression. That is, the inner surface 23 of the door glass 12 can be effectively cleaned at a timing that is excellent in visual recognition effect and has no defects.

  After the rinsing operation (2 rinsing operations), a drying operation is performed. In the drying operation, first, a blower (not shown) and a heater (not shown) in the blower unit 29 are activated (ON), and the dehumidified water outlet 39 is opened (step S18). As shown in FIG. 4, wet air in the washing tub 20 is taken out from the first communication hole 17 to the drying air passage 28 by the blower (not shown), and rises in the drying air passage 28. At this time, the tap water supplied from the faucet 43 by opening the dehumidified water outlet 39 is given to the drying air passage 28 through the heat exchange water passage 62 as water for heat exchange, as described above. In the dehumidifying unit 63, heat is exchanged with moist air to dehumidify the air. The dehumidified air flows into the blower unit 29 through the first connection hose 60 and is heated by a heater (not shown). Then, the air passes through the second connection hose 61 and is refluxed from the second communication hole 18 into the washing tub 20. The clothing in the washing tub 20 is dried by this air circulation. As shown in FIG. 10B, air circulation is repeated until the drying of the clothes is completed (step S19). At this time, the tumbling of the clothes is performed by rotating the rotary drum 24. The lint described above occurs most frequently when clothes are dried, particularly when tumbling.

  When drying of the clothes is completed (Yes in step S19), the cool-down operation is performed. That is, the cool-down operation is performed immediately before the end of the drying operation (for example, about 2 minutes before the end). In the cool-down operation, first, a heater (not shown) is stopped (OFF) (step S20). Here, the blower (not shown) of the blower unit 29 is continuously operated. Thereby, since unheated air circulates, the clothing whose temperature has been increased by drying is cooled (cooled down) by the air. When a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the cool-down operation (Yes in step S21), the washing water outlet 41 is intermittently opened (step S22). Thereby, as described above, the washing water is supplied into the drying air passage 28. Here, for example, 500 cc of cleaning water is supplied six times at a time. Therefore, every time cleaning water is supplied, the lint accumulated in the drying air passage 28 is washed away by the cleaning water, and the inside of the drying air passage 28 is washed. If the clothes in the washing tub 20 can be prevented from getting wet, the washing water outlet 41 can be continuously opened (for example, for 3 to 5 seconds) to supply a large amount of water into the drying air passage 28 at once. Good. Thereby, the lint in the dry air path 28 can be quickly removed.

  At this time, since the dehumidified water outlet 39 is continuously opened, both the cleaning water and the heat exchange water are supplied into the drying air passage 28 at the same time. Therefore, a larger amount of water can be supplied into the drying air passage 28 than when one of the outlets (the washing water outlet 41 or the dehumidified water outlet 39) is opened, and dirt such as lint adhering to the drying air passage 28 is effectively removed. Can be removed.

  Furthermore, it is desirable that the blower (not shown) of the blower unit 29 is operated in conjunction with the opening of the washing water outlet 41. When a blower (not shown) is operated, the flow of air in the drying air passage 28 increases in vigor and becomes a strong wind. The strong air causes washing water (including water for heat exchange) to be supplied to the drying air passage. It can diffuse violently within 28. Therefore, the washing water can be distributed to every corner of the drying air passage 28, and the strong air is blown into the drying air passage 28 at once, so that the dirt adhering to the drying air passage 28 can be effectively removed. .

  When a predetermined time elapses in this state (Yes in step S23), the blower (not shown) is stopped (OFF), and the dehumidified water outlet 39 and the washing water outlet 41 are closed (step S24). Thereby, the drying operation is completed, and a series of washing is completed. Since the drain valve 51 is opened during the drying operation, the water supplied into the drying air passage 28 is discharged outside the machine through the washing tub 20.

  As described above, the plurality of outlets of the valve unit 44 shown in FIG. 4 are provided with the washing water outlet 41 as the outlet exclusively for drying air passage cleaning, and the washing water outlet 41 is opened at least during the drying operation. Thus, the cleaning water is supplied from the cleaning water channel 98 into the drying air channel 28. Therefore, in this electric washing machine 10, the inside of the drying air passage 28 is washed every time the drying operation is performed, and dirt such as lint attached to the drying air passage 28 is automatically and actively removed (self-cleaning). Therefore, the maintenance frequency of the drying air path 28 by the user can be greatly reduced. In particular, since the inside of the drying air passage 28 is washed with washing water at the end of the drying operation in which lint occurs most frequently, dirt in the drying air passage 28 can be effectively removed, that is, after the drying operation, that is, The dry air path 28 can be kept clean after the washing is completed. Of course, the washing water may be periodically supplied into the drying air passage 28 not only in the drying operation but also in each of the washing, rinsing and dewatering operations. Thereby, the inside of the dry air path 28 can be kept further clean.

When the ozone generating unit 30 is operated while the blower (not shown) is operating, the ozone generated by the ozone generating unit 30 causes the air hose 64 to be generated by the negative pressure generated by the blower (not shown). Then, the ozone that has been taken in is supplied to the washing tub 20 through the connection hose 61, so that the clothes stored in the rotary drum 24 are sterilized and deodorized.
<Modification>
The dehumidifying part 63 of the drying air passage 28 may be provided with a heat pump device 74 instead of the configuration for exchanging heat with moist air by flowing water for heat exchange as described above. FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically showing the drying air passage 28 and the heat pump device 74.

  The heat pump device 74 includes a closed pipe 75 through which refrigerant flows, a compressor 76 disposed in the middle of the pipe 75, a throttle unit 77, a cooling unit 78, and a heat radiating unit 79. The compressor 76, the throttle unit 77, the cooling unit 78, and the heat radiating unit 79 are the cooling unit 78, the compressor 76, the heat radiating unit 79, and the throttle unit 77 when viewed in the refrigerant flow direction in the pipe 75 (see the dotted line arrow in the figure). Are arranged in parallel in this order. The compressor 76 compresses the refrigerant. The throttle means 77 reduces the pressure of the compressed refrigerant. The cooling unit 78 and the heat radiating unit 79 are both fin-shaped and exposed in the drying air passage 28. In the cooling part 78, the refrigerant depressurized by the throttle means 77 passes. In the heat radiating unit 79, the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 76 passes.

  As indicated by the bold solid arrows in the figure, the moist air flowing upward through the dry air passage 28 from the first communication hole 17 toward the second communication hole 18 passes through the cooling unit 78 and the heat dissipation unit 79 in order. Here, when the air passes through the cooling unit 78, heat is absorbed by the decompressed refrigerant passing through the cooling unit 78 and is dehumidified. Then, the dehumidified air is heated by the heat dissipated from the compressed refrigerant passing through the heat dissipating part 79 when subsequently passing through the heat dissipating part 79. The refrigerant that has passed through the cooling section 78 is compressed by the compressor 76 and travels toward the heat radiating section 79, and the refrigerant that has passed through the heat radiating section 79 is decompressed by the throttle means 77 and travels toward the cooling section 78. In this way, the refrigerant circulates in the pipe 75 while repeating compression / decompression.

  Here, the fins of the cooling unit 78 are likely to accumulate dirt such as lint that is removed from the dehumidified air flow. Therefore, the other end of the washing water channel 98 described above is connected to the drying air channel 28 on the downstream side and the upper side of the cooling unit 78 as viewed in the air flow direction, for example. As a result, the cleaning water supplied from the cleaning water channel 98 into the drying air channel 28 is concentrated in the cooling unit 78 where dirt easily adheres in the drying air channel 28, and the dirt adhering to the cooling unit 78. Rinse away. Thereby, the dirt adhering to the dry air path 28 can be effectively removed. The position where the other end of the cleaning water channel 98 is connected in the drying air channel 28 may be anywhere as long as the cleaning water can be easily supplied from the cleaning water channel 98 to the cooling unit 78.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims. For example, the configuration for cleaning the drying air passage 28 can be applied to a laundry machine having the drying air passage 28 even if it has only a drying function. Further, the configuration for cleaning the inner surface 23 of the door glass 12 can be applied to various laundry machines having the door glass 12.

1 is a front view of an electric washing machine 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a right side sectional view of the electric washing machine 10. FIG. It is a top view of the electric washing machine 10, Comprising: The principal part is extracted and shown. It is a figure showing the structure of the ozone supply path which supplies the water channel and the air containing ozone in the electric washing machine. It is the perspective view which looked at the dry air path 28 from the back upper side. 3 is a rear view of the drying air passage 28. FIG. It is the schematic of the AA arrow cross section of FIG. It is BB arrow sectional drawing of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical structure which concerns on control of the water supply / drainage in washing. It is a flowchart for demonstrating control of the water supply / drainage in washing. It is a flowchart for demonstrating control of the water supply / drainage in washing. It is the figure which showed the dry air path 28 and the heat pump apparatus 74 typically.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Electric washing machine 12 Door glass 20 Washing tub 23 Inner surface 28 Drying air path 29 Blower unit 37 Inlet 38 Water supply outlet (1st exit)
39 Dehumidification water outlet (second exit)
40 Rinsing water outlet (third exit)
41 Wash water outlet (4th exit)
44 Valve unit 46 Water supply channel 47 Powder detergent container 49 Softener container 55 Supply port 60 First connection hose 61 Second connection hose 62 Heat exchange channel 72 Door glass cleaning channel 98 Cleaning channel 100 Control unit

Claims (6)

A treatment tank for containing clothing and washing, rinsing, dehydrating and drying the clothing;
A door window for opening and closing the front surface of the processing tank, provided on the front surface of the processing tank;
One end and the other end are communicated with the treatment tank, and the air in the treatment tank is taken out from one end during drying, dehumidified, and a circulation air passage for returning from the other end to the treatment tank,
A valve unit having a plurality of outlets including a first outlet and a second outlet;
One end is connected to the first outlet of the valve unit, and the other end is a water supply channel facing the treatment tank,
One end is connected to the second outlet of the valve unit, and the other end is connected to a predetermined position of the circulation air passage,
A water passage for washing the door window, which is branched from the middle of the water supply passage, and has an opening at the top of the door window,
During washing and rinsing, the first outlet of the valve unit is opened in order to cause the door window body to be cleaned by water flowing out from the opening of the water passage for cleaning the door window body flowing down the inner surface of the door window body. Open valve control means;
An electric washing machine comprising: In the middle of the water supply path, a powder detergent container is interposed, and water for washing and rinsing is supplied to the treatment tank through the powder detergent container,
2. The electric washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the door window cleaning water channel is branched from a water supply channel upstream of the powder detergent container and has a smaller diameter than the water supply channel. The valve unit is a single-input multi-output valve unit that can selectively output water from one inlet through a plurality of outlets.
The electric washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the valve unit is disposed behind the powder detergent container. The valve unit includes a third outlet and a fourth outlet in addition to the first outlet and the second outlet,
The third outlet has an outlet diameter smaller than that of the first outlet, and is an outlet for allowing a smaller amount of water to flow into the processing tank via the liquid processing agent container than the first outlet.
The said 4th exit is an exit to which the water channel which supplies the washing water for wash | cleaning the lint adhering in the said circulation air path is connected, The Claim 4 characterized by the above-mentioned. Electric washing machine. A treatment tank for containing clothing and washing, rinsing and dewatering the clothing;
A door window for opening and closing the front surface of the processing tank, provided on the front surface of the processing tank;
One end and the other end are communicated with the treatment tank, and the air in the treatment tank is taken out from one end during drying, dehumidified, and a circulation air passage for returning from the other end to the treatment tank,
A valve unit having a plurality of outlets including a first outlet and a fourth outlet;
One end is connected to the first outlet of the valve unit, and the other end is a water supply channel facing the treatment tank,
One end is connected to the fourth outlet of the valve unit, the other end is connected to a predetermined position of the circulation air passage, and a washing water passage for washing lint adhering in the circulation air passage;
A water passage for washing the door window, which is branched from the middle of the water supply passage, and has an opening at the top of the door window,
During washing and rinsing, the first outlet of the valve unit is opened in order to cause the door window body to be cleaned by water flowing out from the opening of the water passage for cleaning the door window body flowing down the inner surface of the door window body. Open valve control means;
Electric washing machine characterized by including. In the middle of the water supply path, a powder detergent container is interposed, and water for washing and rinsing is supplied to the treatment tank through the powder detergent container,
6. The electric washing machine according to claim 5, wherein the door window cleaning water channel is branched from a water supply channel upstream of the powder detergent container and has a smaller diameter than the water supply channel.

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