JP2009090125A - Drum type washing/drying machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent damage of an ultrasonic vibrator if water in a water storage tank is frozen when a mist treatment course is individually selected and independently executed. <P>SOLUTION: One or a plurality of mist treatment courses include mist treatment at least as the initial operation to moisten or wet clothes with mist 20 fed from a mist feeding part 30 through an air circulation/blowing path 9 for drying clothes and the mist feeding part 30 inside the air circulation/blowing path 9. When the mist treatment courses are individually selected and independently executed and started, the frozen state of water inside a water storage container 31 is determined based on temperature information from a temperature detection means 35. If the frozen state is determined, water inside the water storage container 31 is thawed through the drying process without actual operation of the mist treatment course and by blowing heating air. If it is detected that the frozen water is thawed based on the temperature information detected by the detecting means 35, the drying process is stopped to transfer to the actual operation of the mist treatment course. With this structure, the above purpose is achieved. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  In the present invention, after the mist treatment of moistening clothes in a rotating drum whose rotation axis is horizontal or inclined downward from the front side to the back side by mist generated by ultrasonic oscillation, the clothes are dried by heated air. The present invention relates to a drum-type washing and drying machine that can remove wrinkles and deodorize.

  Conventionally, in the drying process, the rotating drum containing the laundry such as clothes is rotated at a high speed, and the laundry is dried while sticking to the inner wall of the rotating drum. It is inevitable that wrinkles enter clothing, and it is necessary to add trouble to stretch the wrinkles when hanging such clothes on a hanger, etc. there were.

  Therefore, recently equipped with an atomizing unit that generates mist consisting of fine droplets, introducing mist into a rotating drum containing clothing, etc., and washing and drying to reduce static electricity and wrinkles that entered clothing etc. in the drying process 2. Description of the Related Art A clothing dryer (for example, see Patent Document 3) has been developed (for example, see Patent Document 3).

The washing / drying machine disclosed in Patent Document 1 is an outer tub, an inner tub that is rotatably arranged in the outer tub and accommodates laundry, and after the air in the outer tub is exhausted and dehumidified by a blower fan. Repeated heating and blowing into the outer tub, drying the clothes in the inner tub, provided in the vicinity of the hot air supply port to the inner tub through the heating means of this hot air circulation path, drying In the process, the mist is sprayed into the warm air circulation path. And it is said that the static electricity which generate | occur | produces when clothes are stirred at a drying process can be removed, the discomfort to the human body by static electricity can be eliminated, and the wrinkles of the clothes after drying can be reduced. Further, the hot air supply port is located at the rear of the upper surface of the outer tub that is not opened and closed, and dry air and mist are directly introduced into the inner tub from the upper end opening thereof. In the device described in Patent Document 2, the rotating drum is arranged so that the rotating shaft is inclined downward from the front side to the back side.
JP 2003-311067 A JP 2006-311067 A JP 2006-158585 A

  By the way, in the drum-type washing / drying machine in which the rotating drum as shown in Patent Document 2 is inclined or horizontally arranged, the applicant of the present invention performs washing by specific rotation of the rotating drum at the time of drying after mist treatment. We have developed a technology that can give an advantageous behavior to spreading and drying wrinkles on materials, but as wrinkle spreading and deodorizing effects increase, wrinkles by combining mist treatment and subsequent drying If the mode for executing the spreading and deodorizing is provided as a course menu that is individually selected and executed, it is possible to process only the spreading and deodorizing of the wrinkles, which is convenient for the user.

On the other hand, when a mode for reducing such wrinkles and deodorizing is selected and executed, a mist generating operation is started. In addition, the water remaining in the water storage container may be frozen during use in winter, particularly in cold regions with low temperatures or in high mountains. In this case, if the mist supply unit is of the ultrasonic type utilizing the oscillation of the ultrasonic element, the range in the oscillation area from the ultrasonic element in the frozen area is gradually thawed by the ultrasonic wave to become water. Since it contacts the surface, the ultrasonic element does not go into an empty cooking state. However, the water in contact with the surface of the ultrasonic element is atomized and can be subjected to a mist treatment from the time when the thawing zone penetrates the freezing zone. Here, even after the water in the through-thaw zone formed in the freezing zone has been atomized, the surrounding freezing zone may not be thawed. At the end of the process, the ultrasonic element becomes hot cooked and the ultrasonic element suddenly rises in temperature and breaks immediately.Specifically, the polarization changes when the ultrasonic element suddenly rises in temperature and exceeds the Curie point. Thus, it is conceivable that even when a voltage is applied, oscillation cannot be achieved. To cope with this, when it is possible to supply mist through the thawing penetration area, it is conceivable to supply water in an amount corresponding to the reduction of water in the thawing penetration area. It is not always possible to properly control the amount.

  Such a problem is common to all the courses with mist processing that are individually selected and executed independently in any mode in which mist processing is the initial operation.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic element by starting actual operation after thawing, even when the course with mist processing is individually selected and executed independently, even if the water in the water storage container is frozen. Another object of the present invention is to provide a drum-type washing and drying machine that can prevent breakage of the drum.

  In order to achieve the above object, the drum type washing and drying machine of the present invention exhausts air in a water tank by a blower fan, dehumidifies it with drainage of condensed water, heats it, and blows air into the water tank. Repeatedly, a circulation air passage that dries clothing and the like in a rotating drum that is accommodated in the water tank and has a large number of through holes and the rotation axis is horizontal or inclined downward from the front side to the back side, and the air of the circulation air passage A mist supply unit having an ultrasonic element located inside the side, and a temperature detection means installed in the mist supply unit, and the mist supplied from the mist supply unit wets clothes in the rotating drum or At least an initial operation with a wet mist process, a course with a mist process that is individually selected and executed independently, and a temperature detection means at the start when a course with a mist process is selected Based on the temperature information, the freezing or freezing possibility of the water in the water storage container is determined. If it is determined that the freezing or freezing is possible, the water supply for the course with mist processing and the driving of the ultrasonic element are included. Without performing the operation, drying is performed to defrost the water in the water storage container by blowing heated air, and the drying is stopped when it is determined that the thawing is based on the temperature information detected by the detection means. One feature is to shift to the actual operation.

  In such a configuration, the drum-type washer / dryer has a mist supply unit that supplies mist to the circulation air flow path, so that mist treatment for moistening or wetting clothes in the rotating drum can be performed, and this is the initial operation. Thus, a function is realized in which a course with mist processing for wrinkle spreading and deodorizing by combination with the already known drying is individually selected and executed. When such a course with mist processing is selected and executed, first, the possibility of freezing or freezing of water in the water storage container is determined based on temperature information from the temperature detection means installed in the mist supply unit, When it is judged that there is a possibility of freezing or freezing, instead of the actual operation including water supply of the course with mist processing and driving of the ultrasonic element, drying is performed, and the sump container is heated by the heated air circulating in the circulation air passage. As the temperature rises, the water can be thawed even if it is frozen. When it is determined that thawing has been completed based on the temperature information from the temperature detection means, the drying is stopped and the process proceeds to the actual operation, so that freezing avoidance is ensured and the course with mist processing is executed. be able to.

  In the above, the course with mist processing is accompanied by rotation of the rotating drum. After performing mist processing to wet or wet the clothes in the rotating drum with the mist supplied from the mist supply unit, the rotating drum is rotated. It is characterized by a wrinkle spreading / deodorizing mode in which drying is accompanied.

  In such a configuration, the rotating drum is appropriately rotated to such an extent that centrifugal force is not applied to the mist supplied in the mist processing, so that the rotating drum is filled with the mist that tends to stay in the lower portion of the rotating drum. It is possible to increase the degree of freedom by dissociating hydrogen bonds between the fibers by effectively and uniformly wetting the fibers, and to replace the odor particles bonded to the fibers with water molecules to facilitate separation. Next, the odorous molecules that are separated or easily separated are carried away in the exhaust gas and removed from the clothing, etc. while promoting the separation of the odorous molecules by blowing air of heated air in the drying to facilitate the separation of the odorous molecules. can do. Moreover, since odorous molecules are taken into the condensed water condensed when the exhaust gas is dehumidified and drained together with the condensed water, it is possible to prevent the odorous molecules once carried from the clothing or the like from adhering to the clothing or the like again. At the same time, by rotating the rotating drum, repeatedly lifting the clothes etc. and dropping them by their own weight, and lifting the clothes etc. in which the hydrogen bonds between fibers are dissociated by the mist treatment can be lifted softly, and the wrinkles can be spread by mechanical action In addition, generation of wrinkles can be prevented, and the fibers can be hydrogen-bonded by drying to stabilize the garment in a wrinkled state.

  In the above, the course with mist treatment further performs drying after performing the mist treatment to wet or wet the clothes in the rotary drum with the mist supplied from the mist supply unit without rotating the rotary drum. It can be characterized by being in a deodorizing mode.

  In such a configuration, the mechanical action of wrinkles cannot be obtained due to the mist processing and drying without rotation of the rotating drum, but even a delicate material such as clothing may damage or damage the texture. Deodorization can be achieved without losing shape.

  According to the present invention, the initial operation is a mist process that wets or wets clothes or the like in the rotating drum, and a course with a mist process such as wrinkle spreading and deodorization mode in combination with drying is selected and executed. First, the possibility of freezing or freezing of the water in the water storage container is determined. When freezing or freezing is possible, drying is performed instead of the actual operation of the course with mist treatment, and the water is frozen. However, when it can be determined that it has been thawed, drying is stopped and the operation proceeds to the actual operation. Therefore, it is ensured that the course with mist processing is executed by ensuring freezing, and the ultrasonic element is driven in the frozen state. As a result, it is possible to prevent the ultrasonic element from being damaged due to an empty cooking state.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the drum type washing and drying machine of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be understood that the embodiments disclosed below are illustrative in all respects and are not restrictive. The technical scope of the present invention is shown not by the content disclosed in the embodiment but by the description of the scope of claims, and further includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims. Should be understood.

  First, the structure and operation of a drum-type washing and drying machine provided with an atomizing unit according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view for explaining the structure of a drum-type washing / drying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows the arrangement of circulation air flow paths and atomization units of the drum-type washing / drying machine. It is the perspective view seen from the housing | casing back side for demonstrating. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the circulating air flow path and the atomizing unit of the drum type washer / dryer as viewed from the rear side of the casing, for explaining the structure. FIG. It is side surface sectional drawing for demonstrating the connection structure of the atomization unit and water tank of a washing-drying machine.

First, in the drum-type washing / drying machine 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, a water tank 3 is arranged in a floating state in a washing / drying machine casing 2 by a suspension structure (not shown), and the bottom of the water tank 3 has a bottomed cylindrical shape. The formed rotating drum 4 is disposed such that its axial direction is inclined downward from the front side to the back side. A clothing doorway leading to the opening end of the rotating drum 4 is formed on the front side of the water tank 3, and a door 5 that closes the opening provided on the upward inclined surface formed on the front side of the washing and drying machine housing 2 so as to be openable and closable. The laundry can be taken in and out of the rotary drum 4 through the clothing doorway. Since the door 5 is provided on the upwardly inclined surface, the work for putting in and out the laundry can be performed without bending the waist, and the workability of the drum-type washing machine for taking in and out the laundry from the side opening is generally horizontal. The badness of has been improved.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the rotating drum 4 is provided with a plurality of peripheral wall through holes 4c and bottom wall through holes 4f communicating with the water tank 3 on the peripheral wall 4a and the bottom wall 4b. In FIG. 7, bottom surface inlets 4d are formed at a plurality of positions along the circumferential direction facing the hot air supply port 18 formed in the upper part of the rear wall of the water tank 3, As shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of radial ribs 4g are formed, and two circumferential ribs 4h are formed concentrically in the circumferential direction so as to intersect the radial ribs 4g.

  In addition, stirring protrusions 4e are provided at a plurality of positions on the inner surface of the peripheral wall 4a. The rotating drum 4 is rotationally driven in the forward and reverse directions by a motor 6 attached to the back side of the water tank 3. Further, a water supply pipe 7 and a drain pipe 8 are connected to the water tank 3, and water is supplied into the water tank 3 and drained from the water tank 3 by control of a water supply valve and a drain valve (not shown).

  When the door 5 is opened and laundry and detergent (the detergent may be automatically added in the initial stage of water injection) are introduced into the rotating drum 4 from the opening, and the operation of the drum type laundry dryer 1 is started. A predetermined amount of water is poured into the water tank 3 from the water supply pipe 7, and the rotary drum 4 is driven to rotate by the motor 6 to start the washing process. By the rotation of the rotating drum 4, the laundry accommodated in the rotating drum 4 is lifted in the rotating direction by the stirring protrusion 4e provided on the inner peripheral wall of the rotating drum 4, and the stirring that falls from the lifted appropriate height position. Since the operation is repeated, the laundry has the effect of tapping and washing.

  After the required washing time has elapsed, the dirty washing liquid is discharged from the drain pipe 8, and the washing liquid contained in the laundry is dehydrated by a dehydrating operation that rotates the rotating drum 4 at a high speed. Then, water is supplied from the water supply pipe 7 to perform the rinsing / dehydration process. Also in the rinsing / dehydrating step, the laundry accommodated in the rotating drum 4 is repeatedly agitated by being lifted and dropped by the agitating protrusion 4e by the rotation of the rotating drum 4, and rinsed. Then, after rinsing, the water contained in the laundry is dehydrated again by the dehydration operation of rotating the rotating drum 4 at a high speed, and the rinsing / dehydration step is completed.

  The drum-type washing / drying machine 1 has a function of drying laundry stored in the rotary drum 4. The air in the water tank 3 is exhausted and dehumidified, and the heated dry air is blown into the water tank 3 again. A circulating air passage 9 is provided. In the middle of the circulation air passage 9, dehumidifying means such as the evaporator 10, heating means such as the condenser 11, and air blowing means such as the air blowing fan 12 are provided at a lower position in the washing and drying machine housing 2. Yes. The circulation air passage 9 is composed of a circulation air introduction line 13 between the water tank 3 for exhausting from the water tank and the blower fan 12, and a dry air blower line 14 between the blower fan 12 and the water tank 3. The atomizing unit 30 is connected to an upper position close to the hot air supply port 18 formed on the back wall of the water tank 3 in the dry air blowing duct 14.

The dry air blowing duct 14 is configured with a lower duct 15, a flexible duct 16, and an upper duct 17 in order from the upstream side in the space behind the washing / drying machine casing 2 (the back side of the water tank 3). A communication port 17 a is opened below the downstream end of the upper pipe line 17, and the communication port 17 a is connected to a hot air supply port 18 provided on the back surface of the water tank 3. The upper pipe line 17 is inclined to rise toward the center of the housing 2 at the lower part thereof, bent about 90 ° in the middle, and directed toward the hot air supply port 18 of the water tank 3 at the upper part thereof. Inclined downward. The flexible duct 16 is configured by using a flexible pipe material, and prevents the vibration of the lower pipe line 15 accompanying the rotation of the rotary drum 4 or the start / stop from being transmitted to the blower fan 12 side. . The dry air dehumidified by the evaporator 10 and heated by the condenser 11 is sent from the hot air supply port 18 to the water tank 3 and the rotary drum 4 located in the interior thereof via the dry air blowing pipe 14. It is.

  By rotating and driving the blower fan 12 at a high speed, an air flow is generated in the circulation blower path 9, and the damp air in the rotary drum 4 containing the laundry flows through the peripheral wall through hole 4c provided in the peripheral wall 4a. The air is exhausted from the water tank 3 to the circulating air introduction conduit 13 toward the blower fan 12, and moisture is condensed by the evaporator 10 located upstream of the blower fan 12, and the heat is exchanged with the condenser 11. By being heated, it becomes high-temperature dry air.

  The heated dry air is sent from the blower fan 12 to the dry air blower duct 14 to the water tank 3 and is sent into the water tank 3 through the hot air supply port 18 provided in the water tank 3. The high-temperature dry air sent into the water tank 3 is introduced into the rotating drum 4 through the bottom opening 4d and the bottom wall through-hole 4f provided in the bottom wall 4b of the rotating drum 4, and passes between the laundry such as clothes. While being circulated and dried, the air becomes moist air and passes through the peripheral wall through hole 4c provided in the peripheral wall 4a to the water tank 3, and is again introduced into the circulating air introduction conduit 13. A drying process is implemented by the circulation of the air in such a circulation ventilation path 9 (circulation air introduction pipe line 13, dry air ventilation pipe line 14).

  Here, the drum-type washing / drying machine 1 according to the present embodiment has an “wrinkle” for the purpose of spreading and reducing wrinkles of dry clothing while rotating the atomizing unit 30 and the rotating drum 4 described later. "Nobashi Course" is provided. In this “wrinkle spreading course”, the evaporator 10 and the condenser 11 are stopped, the rotational speed of the rotary drum 4 and the blower fan 12 is rotated at a lower speed than in the normal drying process, and the atomization unit 30 is activated. As a result, the mist 20 made of fine droplets is generated in the atomizing unit 30 and the mist 20 is dropped into the dry air flow flowing through the dry air blowing duct 14. In a state where a lot of fine wet mist and dry mist are present, it is fed into the water tank 3 and introduced into the rotating drum 4. In this way, a process is performed in which the mist 20 is filled to every corner in the rotating drum 4 to effectively moisten the clothing surface and to reduce the wrinkles of the clothing in a dry state. Is done. Further, after that, the atomization unit 30 is stopped, the rotational speeds of the rotary drum 4 and the blower fan 12 are increased to the same speed as the normal drying process, and the evaporator 10 and the condenser 11 are operated, A drying operation can be performed to stretch the wrinkles of the clothing while drying the clothing. In the “wrinkle spreading course” described above, the rotating drum 4 does not necessarily have to be rotated.

  Further, in the above-described “wrinkle spreading course”, it is possible to reduce wrinkles with the mist 20 as described above, and further, a deodorizing effect can be expected by the following principle. Usually, the odor is attached to the clothing surface as a odor component as a molecule. For example, the smell of tobacco and yakiniku is the case, and when the mist 20 hits the odor molecule, the odor molecule is dissolved in the water molecule itself, and is detached from the clothing. Then, after such mist treatment, a drying operation is performed, and the water in which the odor component is dissolved is evaporated by high-temperature and low-humidity air, thereby preventing the odor molecule from reattaching to the clothing and deodorizing. It becomes possible.

Here, the wrinkle spreading mechanism of cellulosic fibers such as cotton and linen will be explained. The wrinkles formed in clothing are usually stabilized by hydrogen bonding between the fibers and restraining each other as shown in FIG. It has become. Therefore, when the clothing fibers are uniformly moistened, the hydrogen bonds between the fibers disappear as shown in FIG. 13B, and the fibers can move freely. In this state, the rotating drum 4 is rotated, lifted, dropped and struck repeatedly to stretch the fibers as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 13 (d), the fibers stretched by drying after wrinkling are fixed again in the stretched state by hydrogen bonding, and the garment is stabilized in the stretched state.

  Moreover, the deodorizing mechanism by a mist process is demonstrated. The odor is attached to the clothing by binding the odor molecule to the fiber as shown in FIG. Also, when the fiber is uniformly wetted with mist, the water molecules forming the mist particles without increasing the drying load in the case of being wetted with water, as shown in FIG. The bond of water is replaced with water molecules, and the bonds of odorous molecules are cut to make it easier to separate from the fiber. Therefore, when the air is blown, the odorous molecules that are easily separated from the fibers can be carried away from the clothing as shown in FIG.

  Therefore, in the drum-type washing / drying machine 1 of the present embodiment, wrinkles can be spread and deodorized by drying after the mist treatment. In addition, wet air carrying odor molecules exhausted through the water tank 3 and the rotating drum 4 in the drying process is condensed by the evaporator 10 as condensed water, but this condensed water has been carried from clothing. Since the odor molecules are captured and drained together with the dew condensation water, the odor molecules once separated from the clothing and carried by the circulating air do not circulate and adhere to the clothing.

  Next, the configuration of the atomizing unit 30 and the “wrinkle spreading course” according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 and the above-mentioned drawings. FIG. 5 is a side sectional view for explaining the structure of the atomizing unit of the drum type washing / drying machine 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a rear sectional view thereof.

  The atomization unit 30 is disposed at an upper position close to the hot air supply port 18, and includes a water storage container 31 that stores water 21 as a mist generation source, and water 21 stored in the water storage container 31. On the other hand, an ultrasonic transducer 32 for applying ultrasonic vibration, a water injection device 33 for injecting water 21 into the water storage container 31, and a water temperature sensor 35 for measuring the water temperature in the water storage container 31 are provided. Yes. And the water storage container 31 of the atomization unit 30 is arrange | positioned in the upper position adjacent to the warm air supply port 18 in the back surface of the water tank 3, and it dries directly via the connection port 31e located above the warm air supply port 18. It is connected to the upper duct 17 of the air blowing duct 14 (circulation ventilation path 9).

  The water storage container 31 is fixed adjacent to the outer rear surface of the water tank 3, and the front side wall 31 b facing the water tank 3 of the water storage container 31 is inclined with respect to the vertical direction along the rear surface of the water tank 3. The rear side wall 31b is formed in the vertical direction along the back panel of the washer-dryer casing 2, and the bottom wall 31a side of the water reservoir 31 is formed wide.

  The water storage container 31 stores water 21 as a mist generation source, and a water injection port 31c for injecting the water 21 from the water injection device 33 is provided at the upper portion thereof, on the side facing the upper pipe line 17. An opening weir 31d is provided in the side wall 31b, and thereby, a connection port 31e connected to the upper pipe line 17 is provided in an upper portion of the hot air supply port 18. By allowing the water 21 injected into the water storage container 31 from the water injection port 31c to overflow from the opening weir 31d to the upper conduit 17 above the hot air supply port 18 through the connection port 31e, the water can be stored with a simple configuration. The water 21 in the container 31 is configured to be kept at a constant water level. The water 21 overflowed from the opening weir 31d is fed to the water tank 3 via the connection port 31e, the upper pipe line 17, the communication port 17a, and the hot air supply port 18, and is connected to the machine via the drain pipe line 8. Discharged outside.

The ultrasonic transducer 32 stores the vibration surface 32a of the piezoelectric element that generates ultrasonic vibrations in the water storage container 3.
1 is arranged in close contact with the bottom wall 31a, and by operating the piezoelectric element, ultrasonic vibration is transmitted in the ultrasonic wave transmitting direction 32b (direction perpendicular to the vibration surface 32a), and the water in the water storage container 31 is A liquid column 22 is formed in the water 21. As shown in FIG. 6, since the ultrasonic transducer 32 is attached so that the vibration surface 32a faces the opposite side of the connection port 31e, the liquid column 22 is opposite to the connection port 31e. It is formed toward the inner surface of the side wall 32b. As the liquid column 22 is formed, the water 21 in the water storage container 31 rises along the liquid column 22 and descends and rises along the inner surface of the side wall 31b as indicated by the arrows. Will occur. At the same time, the ultrasonic vibration transmitted through the liquid column 22 finely vibrates the surface of the water 21, thereby weakening the surface tension near the tip of the liquid column 22 and responding to the fine vibration of the liquid column 22. Mist 20 (mist) which is a fine droplet is generated, and this mist 20 is pushed out by the convection motion of the water 21 described above and discharged toward the ultrasonic wave transmitting direction 32b. According to the convection, it descends and rises along the inner surface of the side wall 31b, and then the upper pipe line 17 above the communication port 17a and the hot air supply port 18 through the connection port 31e along the surface of the stored water 21 and the inner surface of the side wall 31b. To be released. The mist 20 discharged to the upper pipe line 17 is sent to the water tank 3 from the communication port 17a and the hot air supply port 18 immediately below, and further through the bottom opening 4d of the rotating drum 4 and the bottom wall through hole 4f. Are introduced into the rotating drum 4.

Further, in the present embodiment, when the mist 20 is introduced into the rotating drum 4, the blower fan 12 is rotated at a rotational speed of about 500 rpm. At this time, the air flow rate in the circulating air flow path 9 is 0.07 m ³ / min, and during the rated operation in the normal drying process (the air blowing fan 12 is rotated at a constant speed of 5800 rpm, and the dry air air blowing line against 2.2 m ³ / min flow rate of the dry air is sent in) to 14, about 1/10 the rotational speed of the rotating fan corresponds to about 1/3 in the blast volume. By causing air to flow through the dry air blowing duct 14 with such a weak air volume, wind pressure that pushes the mist 20 into the rotating drum 4 from the hot air supply port 18 acts and appropriately introduces it into the rotating drum 4. In addition, wet mist and highly dry dry mist can be simultaneously introduced into the rotary drum 4 from the hot air supply port 18, the temperature of the clothing is close to room temperature, and the temperature of the mist 20 is When it is high, moisture aggregates on the garment surface, and the garment can be moistened more efficiently.

The blowing rate of air flow in the circulating air passage 9 to obtain such an effect, 0.05m ³ /min~1.00m ³ / min are suitable, this air volume is 0.05 m ³ / If it is less than min, when the wet mist is introduced into the rotating drum 4, the clothes in the rotating drum 4 become an obstacle and cannot sufficiently enter the rotating drum 4. It may flow down between the rotary drum 4 and the amount of dry mist introduced into the rotary drum 4 is reduced, so that the above effect cannot be obtained sufficiently. Further, when the air flow rate in the circulation air flow path 9 exceeds 1.00 m ³ / min, the wet mist collides with the tube wall of the dry air air flow line 14 (upper line 17) and the wet mist The existence ratio is reduced, and the dry mist passes through the rotary drum 4 without adhering to the clothing.

Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, rectifying fins 36 (rectifying means) are provided in the vicinity of the upper portion of the connection port 31e connected to the dry air blowing conduit 14 of the water storage container 31. Yes. The rectifying fins 36 are configured by a plate-like member that horizontally crosses the dry air blowing duct 14 at a position that enters the dry air blowing duct 14 side from the connection port 31e. As described above, when the blower fan 12 is rotationally driven in the “wrinkle spreading course”, an air flow is generated in the dry air blower duct 14, but in the case where the rectifying fin 36 is not provided, However, by providing the rectifying fins 36, a part of the air flows through the rectifying fins 36 as shown by the broken arrows. It branches by passing the upper part, is introduced into the atomization unit 30 from the upper part of the connection port 31e, and then circulates in the atomization unit 30 to connect to the connection port 31.
An air flow returning from e to the dry air blowing duct 14 is formed. In such a state, the mist 20 generated in the atomization unit 30 rides on the air flow described above and flows into the dry air blowing duct 14, and further, through the communication port 17a due to its own weight and air flow. It is dropped toward the wind supply port 18 and introduced into the water tank 3 and further into the rotating drum 4.

  Since the liquid column 22 is formed to be inclined toward the inner surface of the side wall opposite to the connection port as described above, the water 21 spills into the upper pipe line 17 through the connection port 31e by the liquid column 22 directly. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an excessive decrease in the water 21 in the water storage container 31.

  The water injection device 33 is for replenishing the water 21 consumed by the generation of the mist 20 in the water storage container 31. The water supply port 33 a provided below the water injection device 33 and the water injection port 31 c of the water storage container 31 are provided. Are connected by a water injection hose 34, and an on-off valve (not shown) is provided at an appropriate position therebetween. In the first stage when the atomizing unit 30 is activated, the water injection device 33 opens the on-off valve and supplies water from the water supply port 33a of the water injection device 33 for a predetermined time sufficient for water to accumulate in the water storage container 31. While supplying the water 21 through the hose 34, the excess water 21 is overflowed from the opening weir 31d of the side wall 31b, and the water 21 in the water storage container 31 is kept at a constant water level. The water injection operation at the initial stage of the start-up is for replenishing the water 21 in the water storage container 31 that has decreased due to evaporation or the like during the pause and always operating the atomization unit 30 under a constant water level.

  The water temperature sensor 35 is configured using a thermistor or the like, and measures the water temperature in the water storage container 31. When the water temperature measured by the water temperature sensor 35 exceeds a predetermined temperature (set to the upper limit temperature of use of the ultrasonic transducer 32 or a temperature slightly lower than that), the water 21 is supplied from the water injection device 33 and the water temperature is adjusted. The water temperature in the water storage container 31 is always kept from exceeding the predetermined temperature.

  The mist 20 generated by the atomizing unit 30 differs in characteristics such as buoyancy and surface tension (wetting) depending on the particle size. That is, an ultrafine mist having a particle size of less than 10 μm is also called a dry mist and is extremely fine, and thus has a high surface tension and high floating property, but has low wettability when attached to an object. ing. Fine mist having a particle size of 10 to 50 μm is also called wet mist, and has a relatively large particle size compared to the dry mist described above, and thus has a low surface tension and high wettability when attached to an object. have. A relatively coarse mist having a particle size of more than 50 μm has properties close to water droplets.

  The mist 20 generated in the atomization unit 30 collides with the side wall 31b of the water storage container 31 and the pipe wall of the upper pipe line 17 while moving to the warm air supply port 18, or aggregates with each other. As a result, the coarse mist gradually drops and separates, and the fine wet mist increases its abundance ratio. And it introduce | transduces in the rotating drum 4 in the state which has wet mist as a main body.

Here, the mist 20 in a state mainly composed of wet mist is a state in which the wet mist exceeds 50% of the whole in volume abundance, and the particle size distribution of the mist 20 measured by a measuring apparatus using a laser diffraction scattering method is as follows. This means that the average particle size (median diameter D ₅₀ ) is in the range of 10 to ₅₀ μm.

If the path during which the mist 20 moves to the hot air supply port 18 is long, or if there is a bent part in the path, even the fine wet mist aggregates and falls off, and the wet mist in the mist 20 is separated. Since the existence ratio decreases and the mist 20 is mainly dry mist, it is not desirable. According to the above configuration, the mist 20 generated in the atomization unit 30 is
From the connection port 31e between the atomizing unit 30 (water storage container 31) located above the hot air supply port 18 and the dry air blowing pipe line 14 (upper pipe line 17), the dry air blowing pipe line 14 is sent. It falls by its own weight, is dropped from the warm air supply port 18 into the water tank 3 mainly with wet mist, and is further introduced into the rotating drum 4. Moreover, since the blower fan 12 is disposed at a lower position in the washing / drying machine housing 2 and the dry air is sent from the blower fan 12 to the dry air blower duct 14, the atomization unit 30 into which the mist 20 is introduced. In the connection port 31e, the mist 20 is introduced into the dry air flow without being affected by the wind pressure (dynamic pressure) from the blower fan 12.

  Thus, since the movement path from the atomization unit 30 to the hot air supply port 18 is short and is configured to fall by its own weight, it suppresses aggregation of wet mist in the middle of the movement path, and wettability. The mist 20 can be introduced and filled into the rotating drum 4 in a state mainly composed of a wet mist having a particle diameter of 10 to 50 μm, and the surface of the clothes can be effectively moistened. By drying the clothes in a state, wrinkles that have entered the clothes can be effectively reduced.

  Further, in the “wrinkle spreading course”, the effect of reducing the wrinkle of clothing can be obtained without necessarily rotating the rotating drum 4. However, as described above, the rotating drum 4 is rotated. While the clothes in the rotating drum 4 are in a dry state at room temperature, the water temperature in the water storage container 31 rises due to the oscillation of the ultrasonic vibrator 32, so that the generated mist 20 is compared with the clothes surface temperature. And it becomes a high temperature. Accordingly, since the dry mist can also be introduced into the rotating drum 4 at a high temperature, not only the wet mist but also the dry mist has a surface of clothing that is lower than the temperature of the mist and the peripheral wall of the rotating drum 4. 4a or the like easily agglomerates and condenses as fine water droplets. At this time, when the rotary drum 4 is driven to rotate, the clothes are agitated, and the mist 20 including the dry mist is not disturbed by the clothes. And the entire garment can be moistened more efficiently.

  In the present embodiment, the mist 20 is sent from the connection port 31e to the dry air blowing conduit 14, dropped by its own weight, put on the air flow, and from the hot air supply port 18 into the water tank 3 and further into the rotating drum 4. In addition to the introduction, when the mist is introduced (when the atomization unit is activated), the rotating drum 4 is gently rotated at a rotation speed of about 45 rpm at which the clothes are stirred. In this way, by rotating the rotating drum 4 gently, wet mist that tends to stay near the bottom in the rotating drum 4 can be filled to every corner in the rotating drum 4. Can be effectively moistened with wet mist having high wettability. And the wrinkles which entered clothing can be effectively reduced by drying the clothing of such a state.

  According to the detailed examination of the present inventors, when the laundry is moistened, it is uniformly moistened at a drying rate of 90 to 96% (ideally 95%), and when dried, the drying rate is 99% or more. It has been found that drying is important. Here, the drying rate is a value obtained by multiplying a value obtained by dividing the weight of the laundry in a state before washing by the weight of the laundry after being moistened by 100 and expressed in%.

  In order to fill the wet mist as described above to every corner of the rotating drum 4, the rotating speed when the rotating drum 4 is rotated gently is suitably 15 to 80 rpm, and this rotating speed is less than 15 rpm. When a part of the mist 20 introduced from the hot air supply port stays in the vicinity of the bottom of the rotating drum 4 and the rotational speed exceeds 80 rpm, a part of the mist 20 is subjected to centrifugal force and the side wall of the rotating drum 4. It is pushed toward the side and collides with the side wall or the like, thereby reducing the presence ratio of the wet mist.

  The amount of mist generated per hour of the ultrasonic vibrator 32 used in the present embodiment is the water temperature of the water 21 in the water storage container 31 and the input voltage to the oscillation circuit unit 37 that drives the ultrasonic vibrator 32. Increase or decrease due to changes.

  For example, when the ultrasonic transducer 32 that oscillates at 1.6 MHz is used, if other conditions are fixed and only the water temperature is changed from 5 ° C. to 30 ° C., the amount of mist generated is about 1.5 times. Further, if only the voltage input to the oscillation circuit is changed from 95V to 107V, the amount of mist generated is also about 1.5 times here.

  Normally, the water temperature change and voltage change described above are normal changes that occur at home, so even if the amount of mist generated is at a minimum, the drying rate of clothing that is optimal for spreading wrinkles will be 90% to 96%. When the adjustment is made, the mist generation amount becomes excessive under the maximum mist generation amount condition, and the garment gets wet up to a dry rate of nearly 70% and becomes non-uniform.

  Conversely, if the mist generation rate is adjusted so that the drying rate of the garment is 90% to 96% under the maximum mist generation rate, the garment will hardly damp and remain at around 99% under the minimum condition. The effect is not obtained. Therefore, in order to effectively process clothing, it is desirable to keep the water temperature constant and the input voltage constant, but water temperature measuring means, water temperature adjusting means, input power measuring means, and input voltage adjusting means are required.

  In the present embodiment, the mist processing result is stabilized from 90% to 96% without using complicated water temperature adjusting means and input voltage adjusting means.

  The output of the oscillating circuit and the atomizing ability of the ultrasonic vibrator 32 are determined so that the mist processing result is from 90% to 96% under the conditions of the low water temperature and the low input voltage with the least amount of mist generated. .

  If mist is generated under the conditions of high water temperature and high input voltage at which the amount of mist generated is the largest in this atomization capability, as described above, excessive mist is supplied to the clothing.

  This excess mist is trapped in the bottom wall through hole 4f of the rotating drum bottom wall 4b, and the excess mist is collected. At this time, from the relationship between the contact efficiency between the bottom wall through-hole 4f and the mist, the amount of mist trapped naturally is determined according to the amount of mist, and when the amount of mist is small, the contact efficiency is low, so the trap is almost trapped. However, if the amount of mist is excessive, the contact efficiency is increased, so that much mist is trapped.

  Furthermore, in order to prevent moisture generated by collecting excess mist from entering the rotating drum 4 and coming into contact with the clothes lifted by the rotation, excessive and uneven wetting of the clothes is trapped and collected. Water flows along the radial ribs 4g installed on the back surface of the rotating drum bottom wall 4b by using gravity or centrifugal force, and further intersects with the radial ribs 4g in the previous period and has a dimension higher than that of the radial ribs 4g. Using the circumferential rib 4h installed on the back surface of the rotating drum bottom wall 4b so as to protrude into the water tank 3, the collected moisture is discharged by dropping from the edge of the circumferential rib 4h to the water tank 3 side. The water dropped to the water tank 3 is drained from the water tank 3 by controlling a drain valve (not shown).

In this way, even if the amount of mist generated by the ultrasonic transducer 32 changes due to the change in the water temperature and the change in the input voltage, the amount of mist supplied into the rotary drum 4 is kept constant. The mist treatment result can be stabilized within the range of 90% to 96% of the drying rate and can be effectively moistened. And by drying the clothing in such a state, wrinkles that have entered the clothing can be effectively reduced and deodorized.

  In the above description, the radial ribs 4g and the circumferential ribs 4h having a dimension higher than the radial ribs 4g and projecting toward the water tank 3 are configured on the back surface of the rotating drum bottom wall 4b. As shown in a) and (b), only the vicinity of the portion where the circumferential rib intersects with the radial rib may have a size higher than that of the radial rib, and the other portion may have a size lower than that of the radial rib.

  As a result, clothing is stuck to the rotating drum bottom wall 4b facing the front of the hot air supply port 18, and the flow of wind flows from the hot air supply port 18 to the water tank 3, the bottom opening 4d, and the rotating drum bottom wall 4b in this order. Even if the circumferential rib 4h has a low dimension, the flow of the wind on the back surface of the rotating drum bottom wall 4b is made free by the portion where the circumferential rib 4h is low, thereby bypassing the portion of the bottom wall 4b covered with clothing. As a result, the flow of wind in the rotating drum is secured, and the air flow in the circulation air passage can be smoothly blown, so that the clothes can be moistened in a shorter time, and also dried in a short time. Therefore, wrinkles of clothing can be reduced in a short time.

  Further, in the above, the radial rib 4g and the circumferential rib 4h are formed on the back surface of the rotating drum bottom wall 4b. However, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, a part of the bottom wall 4b is made a separate part. Alternatively, the radial ribs 4g and the circumferential ribs 4h may be formed on the back surface of the bottom wall 4i formed as a separate part. The bottom wall 4i made into a separate part may be fixed to the rotating drum bottom wall 4b by using a hook 4j grown from the separate part bottom wall 4i or a fixing screw boss 4k.

  When the separate part bottom wall 4i is assembled to the rotating drum bottom wall and a gap is formed at the joint, the seal packing 4l may be provided near the outer periphery of the back surface of the separate part bottom wall 4i.

  Thereby, the complicated shape by the radial rib 4g and the circumferential rib 4h formed on the back surface of the separate component bottom wall 4i can be configured as an integrally molded product suitable for mass production.

  In addition, since the bottom wall 4i, which is a separate part, can be assembled later on the rotating drum bottom wall 4b, the assembling process of the rotating drum 4 itself can be simplified.

  In the above embodiment, the example in which the water 21 is used as the mist generation source in the atomization unit 30 has been described. However, an Ag ion electrolytic solution, a detergent solution, a deodorizing solution, and a sterilizing solution are used depending on the application. Etc. may be used, and an effect corresponding to each liquid agent (mist generation source) can be obtained.

  In the present embodiment, in particular, the delicate relationship that the present inventor made in consideration of the relationship between the mist and the wetting of the fiber, the relationship between the wetting of the fiber and the wrinkle spreading effect and the deodorizing effect, the behavior of the odor molecule, etc. 100% cotton material or cotton poly blend material (cotton 70% or more) wrinkles and deodorization can be achieved stably and effectively, and it is effective even if it is adopted as a course menu to be washed alone in a drum-type washer / dryer. A deodorizing mode or a wrinkle spreading / deodorizing mode.

"Deodorization mode"
First, the deodorization mode will be described. In the drum-type washing and drying machine 1 described above, the air in the water tank 3 is exhausted by the blower fan 12 and dehumidified with drainage of condensed water by the evaporator 10, and then the condenser 11. A circulation air passage 9 for drying the clothes in the rotary drum 4 accommodated in the water tank 3 and having a plurality of peripheral wall through holes 4c, bottom wall through holes 4f, etc. The mist 20 supplied from the atomizing unit 30 is wetted with the mist 20 supplied from the atomizing unit 30 without rotating the rotating drum 4 using the atomizing unit 30 provided on the air blowing side of the circulation air passage 9. After that, a deodorization mode is provided in which clothes and the like are dried by heated air to deodorize, and the deodorization mode performs mist treatment and drying at least once. As described above, the drum type washing / drying machine 1 has the atomizing unit 30 for supplying the mist to the circulation air passage 9, so that the mist using the circulation air passage 9 without rotating the rotating drum 4 is used. Clothes etc. dried by the treatment can be wetted in a predetermined state.

  The wetness of the clothing can dissociate the hydrogen bonds between the fibers for spreading the wrinkles, but they do not spread the wrinkles. In addition, water molecules that are wet with clothing, etc., are replaced with odor molecules bound to the fibers, making it easier to separate the odor molecules from the fibers, but that alone is not enough to separate the odor molecules and still stays around the fibers. So deodorization is not complete.

  This enhances the separation of the odorous molecules from the fibers by vigorous replacement of the odorous molecules with the increase in the environmental temperature due to the blowing of heated air in the drying performed after the mist treatment, and simultaneously molecules from the fibers, Further, since the odor molecules that are easily separated are carried on the flow of the exhaust gas to the outside of the water tank, the odor molecules adhering to clothes and the like can be effectively removed. Moreover, since the exhaust that removes odorous molecules from clothes and carries them outside the water tank 3 is dehumidified, the water in the exhaust is condensed while trapping the odorous molecules and drained as dew condensation water, and once separated from the clothes etc., the water tank 3 It is possible to prevent the odorous molecules carried by the exhaust air from being brought back into the water tank 3 and adhering to clothes or the like.

  As a result, the drum-type washing / drying machine 1 has the atomizing unit 30 that supplies the mist to the circulation air passage 9, and the rotating drum 4 is in a low power consumption state without the rotation of the rotating drum 4. Dry garments and the like contained in the container in a predetermined wet state by mist treatment, and at least replace the odor molecules bound to the fibers with water molecules to facilitate separation of the odor molecules from the fibers, and then dry In addition to vigorous replacement of water molecules with odorous molecules by the blowing of heated air, the odorous molecules that are molecularly separated from the fibers and easily separated are carried away with the exhaust to the outside of the water tank 4 and removed. When moisture is collected during dehumidification, the odor molecules are aggregated and drained as dew condensation water, so that the odor molecules can be prevented from adhering again to clothes or the like housed in the rotating drum 4 in the water tank 3, so Odor effect Obtained. Therefore, it is effective when it is desired to remove the smell of cigarettes and grilled meat that are not contaminated and does not need to be washed, and is suitable for forms and materials that are easily damaged by the rotation of the rotating drum. Specifically, knitwear including blended products such as wool setters, embroidery, lace, clothing with hard accessories, rayon, tencel, hemp and blended products, pleats, wrinkles, embossed, etc. Examples include stuffed toys, cushions, jackets, ties, dresses, hats with hard cores, items that are easy to lose shape, fabrics that use strong twisted yarn such as crimped noodles, items that cannot be washed and cannot be dried.

"Wrinkle spreading and deodorizing mode"
Next, the wrinkle spreading / deodorizing mode will be described. In the drum type washing / drying machine 1 of the present embodiment, the air in the water tank 3 is exhausted by the blower fan 12, dehumidified by the evaporator 10 along with the drainage of condensed water, and then heated by the condenser 11. The circulation air passage 9 for repeatedly drying the air and drying clothes or the like in the rotating drum 4 accommodated in the water tank 3 and having a large number of the peripheral wall through holes 4c, the bottom wall through holes 4f, and the like, and the air through the circulation air passage 9 Using the atomizing unit 30 provided on the side, the clothes in the rotating drum 34 are wetted by the mist supplied from the atomizing unit 30 without rotating the rotating drum 4, and then the clothes etc. are heated by the heated air. The deodorizing mode in which the odor is removed by drying and the clothes in the rotating drum 4 are wetted by the mist supplied from the atomizing unit 30 with or without the rotation of the rotating drum 4. With rotation Wrinkle spreading and deodorizing mode for drying clothes and the like by drying the clothes with hot air is provided as a course menu that is individually selected and executed independently. In the deodorizing mode, the mist treatment and drying are performed. And at least once.

  Thereby, the deodorizing mode and the wrinkle spreading / deodorizing mode can be individually selected as the course menu and executed independently. Although the deodorizing mode has been described, in the wrinkle spreading / deodorizing mode, the rotating drum 4 is appropriately rotated to such an extent that centrifugal force is not applied to the mist supplied in the mist processing. The rotating drum 4 is filled with the mist that is likely to stagnate, so that effective and uniform wetting on clothes and the like can be achieved. In particular, in addition to the deodorizing effect similar to that in the deodorizing mode, by rotating the rotating drum 4 during drying, the clothes and the like are repeatedly lifted and dropped by their own weight, and hydrogen bonding between fibers is caused by mist treatment. Wrinkles can be stretched by the mechanical action of lifting, dropping and hitting clothes that have been dissociated, and can prevent wrinkles from being placed, and by drying, the fibers can be hydrogen bonded to stabilize the clothes in a wrinkled state. Be made. Also, it can be supple with fiber resuscitation.

  As a result, the deodorizing mode and the wrinkle spreading / deodorizing mode can be individually selected as the course menu and executed independently, and the lower part of the rotating drum 4 can be rotated by an appropriate rotation of the rotating drum 4 as necessary in the mist processing. In addition to filling the rotating drum 4 with the mist that is likely to stagnate in the rotating drum 4, it is possible to effectively and evenly wet clothes, etc., and in addition to the deodorizing effect in the deodorizing mode, By rotating the rotating drum during drying and lifting the garment etc. where the hydrogen bonds between fibers are dissociated by mist treatment, lifting it gently and hitting it, you can effectively wrinkle and generate wrinkles. In addition to preventing the fabric from stretching, the fibers stretched by drying can be hydrogen-bonded to stabilize the garment in a suitable wrinkled state, and the fiber can be supple by reviving. . Therefore, it is effective when you want to remove only wrinkles and odors from clothes that are wrinkled or smelled by clothes, but you do not need to wash them. It is suitable for things other than easy forms and materials. Specific examples include vests, skirts, cut-and-sews, polo shirts, baby clothes, and towel products.

  Further, in the mist process, the rotating drum 4 can be alternately rotated at the low speed of about 45 rpm, in the forward direction and continuously in the reverse direction, with the rotation stopped. Thus, without applying centrifugal force to the mist, the mist that tends to stay in the lower part of the rotating drum 4 is rotated by rotating the mist and the like up and down by repeating the forward continuous rotation and the reverse continuous rotation. It is possible to smoothly introduce the mist supplied to the rotating drum 4 by stopping the rotation between the continuous rotation in the forward direction and the continuous rotation in the reverse direction while realizing the uniform filling of the drum 4.

  In addition, the rotation of the rotating drum 4 during drying in the wrinkle spreading / deodorizing mode is continuously performed at a rotation speed that shows the behavior of clothes, etc. lifted by the rotation of the rotating drum 4 falling from the height where the weight of the rotating drum 4 is reduced. It is also possible to perform a forward / reverse continuous rotation drive mode in which the rotation is repeated forward and backward, and a forward / reverse arc rotation drive mode in which a sudden forward arc rotation exceeding 90 degrees and less than 200 degrees and a sudden reverse arc rotation are repeated.

Thus, the continuous rotation of the rotary drum 4 at a rotational speed at which the clothes, etc., lifted from the rotary drum 4 by the rotation of the rotary drum 4 has fallen from the height where the weight of the rotary drum 4 has fallen is reversed. In addition to the forward / reverse continuous rotation drive mode that is performed alternately, by executing the forward / reverse arc rotation drive mode, the rotating drum 4 can be used to rotate clothes such as a sudden forward arc rotation and a sudden reverse arc rotation of more than 90 degrees and less than 200 degrees. 4 Affixed to the inner surface and lifted up to more than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees, and braking for reversal of rotation occurring in the final stage of lifting of clothes etc. in this sudden forward arc rotation and sudden reverse arc rotation Since clothes and the like can be forcibly peeled off from the inner surface of the rotating drum 4 due to its inertia and its own weight and can be dropped from the inner surface of the rotating drum 4 to the side opposite to the lifting side by its own weight. In each arc rotation drive that switches between position and fall position, the arc rotation drive is switched alternately left and right, so that the action of unraveling clothes can be enhanced, the mechanical force can be applied evenly, the wrinkle spreading effect can be enhanced, and the low power consumption By alternately executing the reverse continuous rotation drive mode, the economic burden can be prevented from increasing unnecessarily. The rotation of the rotating drum 4 here is preferably set to around 50 rpm.

  The mist treatment is performed so that the weight change rate of 105% or more is wet with respect to the material having 70% or more of cotton, and the wetness of the material is uniformly and sufficiently affected by water absorption of these materials. Both odor effects and wrinkle spreading effects can be applied to every corner of clothing. It is not necessary to satisfy the above-mentioned wetting conditions with a synthetic fiber material with low water absorption, etc., but since the excess amount can be skipped by the combined use of rotation of the rotating drum and air blowing, the wrinkle spreading action in moist and moist condition There is no need to distinguish the wetting conditions, in particular.

  Further, the mist treatment is performed so that the weight change rate of 125% or more is not wetted with respect to a material having 70% or more of cotton, thereby causing problems due to excessive wetting by clothes, for example, wearing defects due to progress of shrinkage, It is possible to prevent various problems such as change in texture due to cotton weaving and the like, and lack of color (color transfer) in clothing having low dyeing fastness.

  The mist processing may be characterized by using a mist supply unit that generates mist with ultrasonic waves and controlling the drive voltage of the ultrasonic transducer according to the supplied power supply voltage.

"Example"
Here, in one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16, in the deodorization mode, the rotation of the rotating drum 4 is not accompanied, and the mist processing and drying are mist processing (a) (c ) And drying (b) and (c) are repeated alternately at least twice. As a result, the opportunity for effective separation, carrying and removal of odorous molecules by the combination of mist treatment and drying is increased, and the deodorizing effect is further enhanced. Specifically, the drying of (b) after the mist processing mist in (a) increases the temperature of the mist at the time of the previous mist processing and enhances the separation action of the odorous molecules, and the separation of the odorous molecules separated. Carrying out and discharging by dehumidification is performed, and the mist supplied at the time of the mist treatment in (c) is made hot mist due to the drying effect in (b), and the action of separating odor molecules is enhanced, and the drying in (d) In some cases, the mist molecules are further heated to further increase the separation effect of the odor molecules, and at the same time, the separated odor molecules are carried and discharged by dehumidification. Also, the deodorization mode shown in FIG. 16 is (a) 2 minutes for the first mist treatment, 15 minutes for the first drying in (b), 3 minutes for the second mist treatment in (c), (d) The second drying was performed for 15 minutes, and favorable results were obtained.

  In the wrinkle spreading / deodorizing mode, the mist processing shown in FIG. 16A is performed at a rotational speed of about 45 rpm. Is performed for 15 minutes in a forward / reverse continuous rotation drive mode in which the continuous rotation is alternately forward / reverse, and then the drying in FIG. 16 (b) is performed at a rapid forward arc rotation of 90 ° and less than 200 ° at about 50 rpm and less than 200 ° As a result of repeating the forward / reverse arc rotation drive mode in which the arc rotation is alternately performed for 20 minutes, a high wrinkle spreading effect was obtained in addition to deodorization.

  However, these deodorizing modes and wrinkle spreading / deodorizing modes are selected individually and when executed independently, a course with mist processing is performed in which mist processing is the initial operation. It is conceivable that the water in the container is frozen and the ultrasonic element is damaged by any chance.

In order to cope with this, in the present embodiment, in particular, a mist process of moistening or wetting clothes or the like in the rotary drum 4 by the mist supplied from the atomizing unit 30 is at least an initial operation, and is individually selected and independently. At the time of starting when the course with mist processing to be executed is selected, the freezing or freezing possibility of the water in the water storage container 31 is determined based on the temperature information from the water temperature sensor 35, and freezing or freezing is possible. When it is determined, the water temperature in the water storage container 31 is defrosted and the water in the water storage container 31 is thawed by blowing heated air without performing actual operation including water supply of the course with mist processing and driving of the ultrasonic element 32, and the water temperature When it is determined that the thawing is based on the temperature information directly detected by the sensor 35, the drying is stopped and the actual operation is started. In this way, when a course with mist treatment that aims to say wrinkle spreading and deodorization in combination with subsequent mist treatment is selected and executed separately, first atomization is performed. Unit 30, in particular, when the freezing or freezing possibility of water in the water storage container 31 is determined based on the temperature information from the water temperature sensor 35 installed in the water storage container 31, and when it is determined that the freezing or freezing is possible, Instead of the actual operation including the water supply of the course with mist processing and the driving of the ultrasonic element 32, the temperature in the sump container 31 is raised by the heated air circulating in the circulating air passage 9 by performing drying. Even if the water is frozen, it can be thawed. When it is determined that thawing has been completed based on the temperature information from the water temperature sensor 35, the drying is stopped and the operation is shifted to the actual operation, so that freezing avoidance is ensured and the course with mist processing is executed. Can do.

  As a result, when a course with mist processing is selected and executed, first, the possibility of freezing or freezing of the water in the water storage container 31 is determined, and when freezing or freezing is possible, the execution of the course with mist processing is performed. When it is determined that the water has been frozen and thawed even if it is frozen instead of the operation, the drying is stopped and the operation is shifted to the actual operation. It can be ensured that the ultrasonic element is driven in a frozen state, and it is possible to prevent the ultrasonic element from being damaged due to an empty cooking state.

  An example of mist processing control in this case will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. When the wrinkle spreading / deodorizing course is selected and the start button is pressed and the signal is received, first, the possibility of freezing or freezing of water is determined based on whether the temperature detected by the water temperature sensor 35 is 0 ° C. or higher. Assuming that both detected water temperatures are 0 ° C. or higher, freezing or no possibility of freezing, displaying the remaining mist processing time on the operation panel, water supply, full water level detection or determination, driving of the ultrasonic element 32, Is continued until the remaining mist processing time reaches zero. However, since the water temperature is not 0 ° C. or higher, it is assumed that the product is frozen or freezing, and the drying operation is started by operating the evaporator 10, the condenser 11, and the blower fan 12 while displaying the thawing operation on the operation panel. This is continued until the temperature detected by the water temperature sensor 35 reaches 0 ° C. or higher. When it becomes 0 ° C. or higher, it is determined that it has been thawed, and the operation proceeds to the mist time display and mist generation operation.

  By the way, the water temperature sensor 32 installed in the atomization unit 30 is omitted in the drum type washing and drying machine 1, and the bottom outer surface of the water tank 3 and the exhaust side pipe line ( Alternatively, the temperature sensor 101 may be provided in at least one of the ventilation side duct of the circulation ventilation path) and the drain pipe 8, and these also reflect the environmental temperature when the drum type washing and drying machine 1 is not used. Therefore, at least one of them can be used for the determination of freezing or the possibility of freezing, and based on the determination of freezing or the possibility of freezing, by performing drying without performing the actual operation of the course with mist processing The operation for shifting to the freezing operation is realized in the same manner as described above. In this case, the temperature information from a plurality of detection means can be used together, and the lowest temperature information can be used for further safety. However, it is difficult for the temperature sensor 101 provided at these positions to obtain a correlation with the progress of thawing of the water frozen in the water storage container 31. Therefore, after starting the drying, after the time necessary for thawing has elapsed, the drying is stopped and the actual operation is started. In this way, after the time when it can be determined that thawing has been completed after the start of drying, the drying is stopped and the operation is shifted to the actual operation, so that it is ensured that the course with mist processing is executed while ensuring the avoidance of freezing. can do. If the time that can be determined to be thawed exceeds the experience value required for thawing when water at full water level freezes, sufficient thawing can be guaranteed.

  An example of mist processing control in this case will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In this example, the water tank temperature sensor provided at the bottom of the water tank 3 and the circulation air passage temperature sensor provided in the circulation air passage 9 are used in combination. When the wrinkle spreading / deodorizing course is selected and the start button is pressed and the signal is received, the water is first frozen or whether the temperature detected by at least one of the water tank temperature sensor and the circulating air passage temperature sensor is 0 ° C. or less. Determine the possibility of freezing. Since the detected temperature of both of the two temperature sensors is not 0 ° C. or less, it is assumed that there is no freezing or freezing possibility, and the remaining time of mist processing is displayed on the operation panel, while detecting or judging the water supply and full water level, the ultrasonic element 32 The mist generation operation with the driving of mist is performed, and the operation is continued until the remaining mist processing time becomes zero. However, if at least one detection temperature of the two temperature sensors is 0 ° C. or less, it is considered that the temperature is frozen or freezing, and the drying operation time (5 ° C.-detection) is displayed on the operation panel while the thawing operation is being displayed. (Temperature) x 1 min / ° C (set the detection temperature here using the lower detection temperature of the two sensors to prevent thawing time from extending unnecessarily while ensuring safety for thawing) After that, the evaporator 10, the condenser 11, and the blower fan 12 are operated to start the drying operation. The drying operation is continued until the set time elapses, and the drying operation is stopped after the set time elapses. Move to operation.

  In the above embodiment, the technical content of the present invention has been described by taking a drum-type washing / drying machine in which the rotating drum is inclined as an example. However, the rotating drum is arranged in the horizontal direction (the axis of the rotating drum is in the vertical direction). The technical contents of the present invention can also be applied to a washing machine), and can also be applied to a washing machine without a dryer.

It is side surface sectional drawing for demonstrating the structure of the drum type washing-drying machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is the perspective view seen from the housing | casing back side for demonstrating arrangement | positioning of the circulation ventilation path | route of the drum-type washing dryer which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and the atomization unit. It is sectional drawing which notches and shows a part seen from the housing | casing back surface for demonstrating the structure of the circulation ventilation path | route of the drum-type washing dryer which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and the atomization unit. It is side surface sectional drawing for demonstrating the connection structure of the atomization unit and water tank of the drum type washing-drying machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is side surface sectional drawing for demonstrating the structure of the atomization unit of the drum type washing-drying machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a back sectional view for explaining the structure of the atomization unit of the drum type washing and drying machine concerning an embodiment of the invention. It is a rear view for demonstrating the structural example of the rotating drum bottom wall of the drum type washing-drying machine which concerns on another embodiment of this invention. It is side surface sectional drawing for demonstrating the structural example of the rotating drum bottom wall of the drum type washing-drying machine which concerns on another embodiment of this invention. It is a rear view for demonstrating another structural example of the rotating drum bottom wall of the drum type washing-drying machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is side surface sectional drawing for demonstrating another structural example of the rotating drum bottom wall of the drum type washing-drying machine which concerns on another embodiment of this invention. It is a rear view for demonstrating the other structural example of the rotating drum bottom wall made into another components of the drum type washing-drying machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is side surface sectional drawing for demonstrating the other structural example of the rotating drum bottom wall made into another components of the drum type washing-drying machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the wrinkle spreading mechanism by the drum type washing-drying machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the deodorizing mechanism at the time of the mist process by the drum type washing / drying machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the drainage mechanism with dew condensation water at the time of the drying of the odor molecule isolate | separated and deodorized from the clothing at the time of the mist process of the drum type washing dryer which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is process drawing which shows the Example of the deodorizing mode of the drum type washing-drying machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows one deodorizing process control example used as the initial operation | movement in the wrinkle spreading and deodorizing course of the drum type washing-drying machine which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows another deodorizing process control example used as the initial operation | movement in the wrinkle spreading and deodorizing course of the drum type washing-drying machine which concerns on this Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Drum type washing / drying machine 2 Washing / drying machine housing 3 Water tank 4 Rotating drum 4c Peripheral wall through hole 4f Bottom wall through hole 6 Motor 9 Circulating air flow path 10 Evaporator (dehumidifying means)
11 Condenser (heating means)
12 Blower fan (Blower unit)
18 Hot air supply port 20 Mist 21 Water (liquid)
30 Atomization unit 31 Water reservoir 32 Ultrasonic vibrator 33 Water injection device 34 Water injection hose 101 Temperature sensor

Claims (3)

The air in the water tank is exhausted by a blower fan, dehumidified with drained dew condensation water, heated, and repeatedly blown into the water tank. The water tank has a number of through holes and the rotation axis is horizontal or front. A circulation air passage for drying clothes in a rotating drum inclined downward from the side to the back side, a mist supply portion having an ultrasonic element located inside the air supply side of the circulation air passage, and a mist supply portion Installed temperature detection means,
Having a mist process that wets or wets the clothes in the rotating drum with mist supplied from the mist supply unit as at least an initial operation, and includes a course with mist process that is individually selected and executed independently,
When the course with mist processing is selected, when the water in the water storage container is frozen or freezing is determined based on the temperature information from the temperature detection means, and when it is determined that there is freezing or freezing The temperature detected by the detection means is such that water is supplied to the course with mist treatment, the actual operation including the driving of the ultrasonic element is not performed, and the water in the water storage container is defrosted by blowing the heated air. The drum-type washing and drying machine, wherein when it is determined that the thawing is based on the information, the drying is stopped and the actual operation is started.   The course with mist treatment is accompanied by rotation of the rotating drum. After the mist processing to wet or wet the clothes in the rotating drum with the mist supplied from the mist supply unit, drying is performed with rotation of the rotating drum. The drum type washing and drying machine according to claim 1, which is a wrinkle spreading / deodorizing mode.   The course with mist treatment is a deodorization mode in which drying is performed after performing mist treatment to wet or wet clothes in the rotary drum with mist supplied from the mist supply unit without rotation of the rotary drum. The drum type washing and drying machine according to claim 1 or 2.

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