JP2011115249A - Washing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a washing apparatus which allows an object to be washed of small specific gravity to be floated to spread in washing liquid and prevents a collision with a washing tub. <P>SOLUTION: A control part 20 sets the liquid level of the washing liquid 50 to be supplied into a casing 1 on the basis of the kind of the object 60 to be washed, which is charged into the washing tub 2, then opens a flow rate control valve 17 and starts the supply of the washing liquid into the casing 1. When confirming that the liquid level of the washing liquid 50 inside the casing 1 has reached the set liquid level, the control part 20 opens a flow rate control valve 18 to circulate the washing liquid 50 inside the casing 1, and simultaneously rotates the washing tub 2 to wash the object 60 to be washed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a washing apparatus for washing an object to be washed, and more particularly to a washing apparatus for washing an object to be washed in a washing tub filled with a cleaning liquid containing water, petroleum solvent, organic solvent, or the like.

  As a conventional washing apparatus, not only a washing tub that forms a rotation axis in the vertical direction, but also a rotation axis is formed in a horizontal direction or a direction inclined from the horizontal direction (hereinafter simply referred to as “horizontal inclination direction”). What is equipped with the washing tub to do is prevailing widely. A washing apparatus including a washing tub that forms a rotation axis in the vertical direction rotates a pulsator installed at the bottom of the washing tub to generate a rotating flow (swirl water flow) in the washing liquid in the washing tub. The objects to be cleaned such as clothes are rubbed against each other by the force of the generated rotational flow of the cleaning liquid (the principle of fir washing), thereby cleaning the objects to be cleaned. On the other hand, a washing apparatus having a washing tub that forms a rotation axis in a horizontal direction or a horizontal inclination direction rotates the washing tub so that the object to be cleaned is washed by the blades protruding from the inner wall surface of the washing tub. After being moved upward, the object to be cleaned is dropped by its own weight. When the object to be cleaned falls, the object to be cleaned is cleaned by the impact force caused by the collision with the inner wall surface of the washing tub (the principle of tapping).

  The cleaning liquid used for washing by such a washing apparatus is water or a water-based cleaning liquid such as a solvent in which a surfactant is mixed in water, and a non-aqueous cleaning liquid such as a petroleum solvent or an organic solvent. being classified. When water-based cleaning liquid is used, water-soluble dirt attached to the object to be cleaned is washed, but depending on the material and fibers of the object to be cleaned, it may be hardened or damaged, so that the condition of the object to be cleaned after cleaning is deteriorated. Resulting in. On the other hand, when a non-aqueous cleaning liquid is used, the risk of damaging an object to be cleaned such as an aqueous cleaning liquid can be avoided, but water-soluble dirt cannot be reliably cleaned.

  On the other hand, the present applicant was accommodated in the washing tub by filling the inside of the casing where the washing tub with the central axis in the horizontal direction was filled with the cleaning liquid and rotating the washing tub. The laundry method (refer patent document 1) and the washing apparatus (patent document 2) which wash | cleaned the to-be-cleaned object by making it float in a washing | cleaning liquid were proposed. In the washing method of Patent Literature 1 and the washing device of Patent Literature 2, the washing tub having the inner wall surface side of the washing tub is rotated by rotating the washing tub having the unevenness continuously provided on the inner wall surface in the circumferential direction. An eddy current is generated for each uneven surface of the inner wall. Since this swirl is continuously formed along the inner wall surface of the washing tub, a large flow along the rotation of the washing tub is generated in the cleaning liquid in the washing tub. Since the swirl and the large flow generated in this way affect the object to be cleaned, the object to be cleaned floats and spreads so as to float in the washing tub. Therefore, not only the contact surface with the cleaning liquid in the object to be cleaned is widened, but also the penetration of the cleaning liquid into the object to be cleaned is increased, and as a result, the cleaning effect of the cleaning liquid on the dirt of the object to be cleaned is increased.

  That is, the present applicant performs the cleaning by forming a pressure distribution based on the rotation of the washing tub with respect to the cleaning liquid filled in the casing as in the washing method of Patent Document 1 and the washing apparatus of Patent Document 2. As a result, it was possible to prevent the object to be cleaned from being damaged and enhance its cleaning effect. In addition, since the pressure distribution formed in the cleaning liquid affects the behavior of the object to be cleaned in the cleaning liquid, in order to fully exhibit these effects, the pressure is applied to the cleaning liquid filled in the casing. It is necessary to form the distribution effectively.

  And as a result of having further verified about the composition of each of patent documents 1 and patent documents 2, this applicant, as mentioned above, rotation of the uneven surface provided continuously in the circumferential direction on the inner wall surface of the washing tub This revealed that a pressure distribution was formed in the cleaning liquid. That is, an uneven surface is formed in the washing tub along the rotation direction. For this reason, when the washing tub rotates, the cleaning liquid in the concave portion tends to move in the rotation direction by the convex portion, but the cleaning liquid itself tends to stay, so that a spiral swirl flow is generated in the concave portion.

  The spiral swirling flow is formed in each recess, so that the cleaning liquid filled in the casing flows at different flow rates substantially concentrically in the radial direction of the washing tub, and the pressure distribution in the radial direction of the washing tub. Is formed. The pressure distribution formed in the radial direction of the washing tub floats the object to be washed in the washing tub, and as a result, the object to be washed floating in the washing liquid is expanded and the washing effect is promoted. In addition, the object to be cleaned can be prevented from being damaged.

Japanese Patent No. 3841822 Japanese Patent No. 3863176

  In each of Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, as described above, the washing tub is rotated in the casing filled with the cleaning liquid in the casing, whereby the object to be cleaned is floated and cleaned in the cleaning liquid. However, when washing an object to be cleaned such as a down jacket, the buoyancy works more than the gravity, so the object to be washed floats above the washing tub. Therefore, when washing an object to be cleaned having a small specific gravity, the object to be cleaned will float on the upper part of the washing tub due to the buoyancy acting on the object to be cleaned. It will come into contact. Therefore, in the upper part of the washing tub, the object to be cleaned repeatedly collides with the inner wall surface of the washing tub, and as a result, the cloth of the object to be cleaned is damaged.

  In view of such a problem, an object of the present invention is to propose a washing apparatus capable of floating an object to be cleaned having a small specific gravity so as to spread in a cleaning liquid and preventing collision with a washing tub.

  In order to achieve the above object, a washing apparatus according to the present invention comprises a washing tub that is rotated by a rotating shaft that is inclined in the horizontal direction from the vertical direction or in the horizontal direction, and an object to be cleaned is accommodated therein, and the laundry Supplying into the casing in a washing apparatus comprising a casing that covers the tank and to which the cleaning liquid is supplied, a liquid supply passage that supplies the cleaning liquid to the casing, and a drain passage that discharges the cleaning liquid from the casing A liquid level sensor for measuring the liquid level of the cleaning liquid, a control unit for controlling the supply and circulation of the cleaning liquid into the casing and the rotation of the washing tub to control the cleaning operation of the object to be cleaned; When the object to be cleaned is cleaned, the control unit sets a liquid level of the cleaning liquid in the casing according to the type of the object to be cleaned put into the washing tub, and detects the liquid level sensor Shi Based on the value, the flow rate of the cleaning liquid supplied to the casing by the liquid supply flow channel and the flow rate of the cleaning liquid discharged from the casing by the drainage flow channel are controlled, so that the level of the cleaning liquid in the casing is controlled. The washing tub is rotated in a state where the liquid level is set to.

  In such a washing apparatus, the control unit sets the level of the cleaning liquid in the casing to a height position higher than the central axis of the washing tub, and the level of the cleaning liquid is half the height of the washing tub. A cleaning liquid is supplied into the casing so as to be at or above the position. The washing tub is provided with a concave and convex curved surface that is concave and convex in the radial direction of the washing tub on the inner wall surface, and the concave and convex curved surface has a cross section perpendicular to the axis of the washing tub being continuous in the circumferential direction. It is assumed that the curve is a continuous curve along the axis of the washing tub. At this time, the washing tub further includes a slit penetrating from the inner wall surface toward the outer wall surface.

  In these washing apparatuses, the liquid supply flow path may be installed immediately above the washing tub in the casing, or the liquid supply flow path is located at a position off the direct upper side of the washing tub in the casing. It is good also as what is installed in.

  According to the present invention, the liquid level of the cleaning liquid in the casing is measured by the liquid level sensor, and the object to be cleaned can be cleaned at a liquid level corresponding to the type of the object to be cleaned. As a result, the range in which the object to be cleaned, which is spread while floating in the cleaning liquid, floats is limited by the liquid level of the cleaning liquid. For this reason, when cleaning an object to be cleaned having a low specific gravity, the level of the cleaning liquid in the casing can be lowered to prevent the cleaning liquid from floating and colliding with the washing tub.

These are the schematic perspective views which show the basic composition of the washing apparatus of this invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a configuration of a washing tub provided in a casing of the washing apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the washing tub in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the washing tub shown in FIG. 2. These are the principal part enlarged views of the washing tub shown in FIG. These are figures which show schematic structure of the washing apparatus of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. These are figures which show schematic structure of the washing apparatus of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

<Basic configuration>
The basic configuration of the washing apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of the washing apparatus of the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of the washing tub in the washing apparatus of FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the washing tub in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the washing tub shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a main part in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the washing apparatus of the present invention is provided with a casing 1 into which cleaning liquid is supplied, a cylindrical washing tub 2 provided inside the casing 1, and a front side of the casing 1 being opened. The door 3 that covers the inlet 11 for the object to be cleaned, the rotary shaft 4 that passes through the casing 1 and is connected to the washing tub 2, and the rotational force is transmitted through the rotary shaft 4 to rotate the washing tub 2. Drive mechanism 5. Each of the casing 1 and the washing tub 2 shown in FIG. 1 has a cylindrical shape whose central axis is inclined in the horizontal direction from the vertical direction. That is, the washing apparatus 2 rotates in the casing 1 with the central axis inclined in the horizontal direction from the vertical direction as a rotation axis. The casing 1 is not limited to a cylindrical shape having a cross section concentric with the washing tub 2, and may be any shape as long as the washing tub 2 can freely rotate therein.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a part of the door 3 has a protrusion inserted into the casing 1 from the insertion port 11, and when the insertion port 11 is closed by the door 3, The casing 1 is sealed by the door 3 so that the cleaning liquid does not leak to the outside by fitting the protrusion into the insertion port 11. Moreover, the door part 3 is good also as what is provided with the window part comprised with transparent members, such as glass, so that an operator can confirm the inside of the casing 1 when the casing 1 is closed. Thereby, the operator can visually recognize the amount of the cleaning liquid supplied into the casing 1 and the state of the object to be cleaned. The drive mechanism 5 may be configured by an electric motor including the rotation shaft 4, an electric motor that indirectly rotates the rotation shaft 4, and a pulley and a belt that transmit the rotation of the electric motor to the rotation shaft 4. It is good also as what comprises. Since the drive mechanism 5 is provided outside the casing 1, the rotating shaft 4 is inserted into the casing 1 and connected to the washing tub 2. Therefore, the casing 1 is provided with a bearing portion into which the rotating shaft 4 is inserted. The bearing portion includes a seal structure that prevents the cleaning liquid in the casing 1 from leaking to the outside.

  The structure of the washing tub 2 in the washing apparatus configured as described above will be described below with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 2, the washing tub 2 having a cylindrical shape whose rotation axis is inclined in the horizontal direction from the vertical direction has a basket shape having an opening 21 opened on one bottom surface. On the inner wall surface of the washing tub 2, an uneven curved surface 22 having a concavo-convex shape in which a cross section perpendicular to the rotation axis of the washing tub 2 is continuous in the circumferential direction, and the direction of the rotation axis of the washing tub 2 is opened as a longitudinal direction. The slit 23 is provided. And as shown in FIG. 3, the uneven | corrugated curved surface 22 and the slit 23 are alternately formed along the circumferential direction in the cross section of the inner wall surface of the washing tub 2 perpendicular | vertical with respect to the rotating shaft of the washing tub 2. As shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the uneven curved surface 22 formed on the inner wall surface of the laundry tub 2 has a cross-section with a concavo-convex shape perpendicular to the rotation axis of the laundry tub 2 along the rotation axis direction of the laundry tub 2. Formed by curved surfaces. That is, the concave portions 22a and the convex portions 22b (see FIG. 3) whose longitudinal directions are the rotation axis directions of the washing tub 2 are alternately and continuously formed along the circumferential direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the washing tub 2. As a result, the concave and convex curved surface 22 is formed on the inner wall surface of the washing tub 2. Further, since the slit 23 penetrates from the inner wall toward the outer wall of the washing tub 2, the cleaning liquid in the washing tub 2 is discharged to an area between the casing 1 and the washing tub 2 by the slit 23, and the casing The cleaning liquid in the region between 1 and the washing tub 2 flows into the washing tub 2.

  In the configuration of FIG. 2, the slit 23 is opened with the rotation axis direction of the washing tub 2 as the longitudinal direction, but is formed by a plurality of holes arranged with respect to the rotation axis direction of the washing tub 2. It is good also as a thing. In addition, the slit 23 may be provided not only on the inner wall surface serving as the peripheral surface of the washing tub 2 but also on the bottom surface 24 opposed to the opening surface 21, or the casing 1 (see FIG. 1) and the opening surface 21. A gap may be provided between the two. And it is good also as what provides the slit 23 between the casing 1 and the opening surface 21, or only in the bottom face 24. FIG. Furthermore, the configuration of the washing tub 2 is not limited to the one in which the concave and convex curvatures 22 and the slits 23 are alternately formed on the inner wall surface, and the concave and convex curved surface 22 is formed over the entire peripheral surface of the inner wall surface of the washing tub 2. In addition, the slit 23 may be provided in a part of the recess 22a (see FIG. 3).

  In the washing tub 2 configured in this way, as shown in FIG. 3, the concave and convex curved surface 22 provided between the slits 23 adjacent in the circumferential direction of the washing tub 2 includes a plurality of concave portions 22 a and a plurality of convex portions 22 b. Are alternately formed. At this time, as shown in FIG. 4, by changing the shape of each of the bottom part 221 of the concave part 22a, the top part 222 of the convex part 22b, and the connecting part 223 between the concave part 22a and the convex part 22b, The curve by the circumferential cross section of the curved surface 22 is made smooth. Thereby, when the uneven | corrugated curved surface 22 rotates along the circumferential direction of the washing tub 2, when the convex part 22b forms a flow with respect to the fluid inside the concave part 22a, the disturbance given to the flow can be suppressed. The uneven curved surface 22 may be formed to have the same width with respect to the circumferential direction of the washing tub 2, or may have different widths along the circumferential direction of the washing tub 2, as shown in FIG. . The uneven curved surface 22 may be formed of a curved thin metal plate and attached to the inner wall surface of the cylindrical basket-like washing tub 2 provided with the slits 23.

  The washing tub 2 configured as described above is rotated in the casing 1 supplied with the cleaning liquid by the rotational force transmitted from the drive mechanism 5 through the rotating shaft 4, and the object to be cleaned accommodated in the washing tub 2 is rotated. Cleaning and rinsing are performed. The relationship between the behavior of the cleaning liquid in the washing tub 2 and the object to be cleaned at this time will be briefly described with reference to FIGS. When the washing tub 2 rotates in the direction of the arrow A shown in FIG. 4, the convex portion 22b behind the concave portion 22a moves to the position of the concave portion 22a with respect to the rotational direction (arrow A). The cleaning liquid in the region R surrounded by the two convex portions 22b and the concave portion 22a on both sides of the liquid crystal tends to move in the rotation direction (arrow A). However, in the region R, on the side close to the top portion 222 of the convex portion 22b, the interval between the convex portions 22b sandwiched between both sides of the concave portion 22a is widened, so that the influence of the movement of the convex portion 22b is reduced. Therefore, the cleaning liquid on the side close to the top portion 222 of the convex portion 22 b tends to stagnate and forms a large flow along the convex portion 22 b that rotates along the arrow A.

  As described above, the cleaning liquid in the vicinity of the inner wall surface of the washing tub 2 forms a large flow along the rotation direction (arrow A) due to the rotation of the concave and convex curved surface 22, and the concave portion 22 a and the convex portion 22 b on the concave and convex curved surface 22. In each region R formed by (1), a vortex along the concave portion 22a and the convex portion 22b is formed. On the other hand, since the cleaning liquid in the area on the rotating shaft side of the washing tub 2 is separated from the uneven curved surface 22, the influence of the rotation of the uneven curved surface 22 is small. From these facts, the large flow along the rotation direction (arrow A) formed by the rotation of the concave and convex curved surface 22 and the vortex flow along the concave portion 22 a and the convex portion 22 b are radially directed toward the central axis of the washing tub 2. Propagate to.

  Therefore, the washing liquid in the washing tub 2 forms a layer of washing liquid flow at different flow rates from the inner wall surface of the washing tub 2 toward the rotation axis in a cross section perpendicular to the rotation axis of the washing tub 2. That is, in the washing tub 2, a cleaning liquid flow layer having the fastest flow velocity is formed on the inner wall surface in the circumferential direction, and the cleaning liquid flow layer has a slower flow velocity toward the rotation axis of the washing tub 2. Is formed. As a result, the cleaning liquid filled in the washing tub 2 forms a pressure distribution in the radial direction from the inner wall surface toward the rotation axis, and the object to be cleaned drifts in the cleaning liquid based on the pressure distribution. . That is, the object to be cleaned behaves like swimming in a weightless state in the cleaning liquid in the washing tub 2 due to the influence of pressure distribution and buoyancy generated in the cleaning liquid. Therefore, the object to be cleaned in the washing tub 2 floats in the cleaning liquid while spreading itself.

  Moreover, since layers having different flow rates are formed in the cleaning liquid in the washing tub 2 and pressure distribution is generated, when the object to be cleaned in the cleaning liquid moves to the inner wall surface side of the washing tub 2, it is affected by the fast flow of the cleaning liquid. Show the behavior. That is, in addition to the large flow in the rotation direction, there is a vortex formed by the concave and convex curved surface 22, so that the flow of the cleaning liquid not only prevents the object to be cleaned from colliding with the inner wall surface of the washing tub 2. , It is forcibly moved to the rotating shaft side. Further, since the pressure distribution is formed because the flow rates of the cleaning liquid are different, the object to be cleaned that is affected by the flow speed of each layer spreads by drifting in the cleaning liquid. As a result, the surface of the object to be cleaned that comes into contact with the liquid molecules of the cleaning liquid expands, so that not only the cleaning and rinsing effect of the cleaning liquid is enhanced, but also the object to be cleaned is twisted based on the flow of the cleaning liquid and the washing tub Damage due to cleaning is reduced because the burden of collision with the body is reduced.

  When the washing tub 2 is filled with a cleaning solution, such as a down coat having a small specific gravity, the object to be washed has a large buoyancy, and when the washing tub 2 is rotated for washing and rinsing, The washing object floats on the upper part of the washing tub 2 and comes into contact with the inner wall surface of the upper part of the washing tub 2. Therefore, as will be described in each of the following embodiments, an air layer is formed on the upper portion of the washing tub 2 without filling the washing tub 2 with the washing liquid in order to prevent the washing object having a large buoyancy from coming into contact with the washing tub 2. Let it form. That is, the liquid level of the cleaning liquid is set to a position equal to or larger than the inner peripheral diameter from the lowest position of the inner wall surface of the washing tub 2 and a position lower than the uppermost position, and air flows between the liquid level of the cleaning liquid and the uppermost position of the washing tub 2. A layer is formed. By forming an air layer in the washing tub 2 in this way, the object to be washed floating in the washing liquid does not move to a position higher than the liquid level of the washing liquid. It is possible to prevent the object to be cleaned from colliding with the wall surface.

  By rotating the washing tub 2 in this manner to form a pressure distribution in the washing liquid in the washing tub 2 and floating the washing object so as to spread in the washing liquid, the washing object can be washed or rinsed. In the case of rinsing, rinsing water is supplied instead of the cleaning liquid. As for the rotation of the washing tub 2 for cleaning and rinsing the object to be cleaned, only the rotation in a certain direction may be continuously performed for a predetermined time, or the rotation in the certain direction is intermittently performed every predetermined time. It may be done. That is, the washing tub 2 may be continuously rotated in the normal rotation direction (or reverse rotation direction) for a certain period of time, or the rotation period in which the washing tub 2 is rotated in the normal rotation direction (or reverse rotation direction) and the rotation of the laundry tub 2. The stop period may be repeated until a certain period elapses. Furthermore, when the rotation of the washing tub 2 for washing and rinsing is intermittently performed, the rotation direction may be switched to the reverse direction every time rotation is started intermittently. That is, the rotation period for rotating and rotating the washing tub 2 and the rotation stopping period of the washing tub 2 are repeated until a certain period elapses, and the rotation direction of the washing tub 2 is reversed to the normal rotation direction every rotation period. It is good also as what changes with directions.

  In the washing apparatus in which washing and rinsing are performed in this way, the washing liquid supplied at the time of washing may be either aqueous or non-aqueous. As the aqueous cleaning liquid, water or a water-mixed surfactant is used. Water-soluble dirt can be washed with this water-based washing liquid. Further, when a surfactant is prepared, the oily soil can be washed by the chemical reaction of the surfactant. On the other hand, as the non-aqueous cleaning liquid, a petroleum (hydrocarbon) solvent or an organic solvent is used. This non-aqueous cleaning liquid can mainly clean oily stains and has characteristics of better drying than an aqueous cleaning liquid.

  Further, at the time of performing washing and rinsing, the washing liquid and rinsing water are circulated. That is, when the cleaning liquid and the rinsing water supplied into the casing 1 are discharged from the casing 1, they are regenerated by filtration or chemical treatment, and then circulated by a pump or the like (not shown). Will be supplied again. Further, when supplying the cleaning liquid or rinsing water to start each of the cleaning and rinsing, or when discharging the cleaning liquid or rinsing water to finish each of the cleaning and rinsing, As will be described in the form, the air is opened to the atmosphere by an air flow path provided in the casing 1. As a result, when only supplying or discharging the cleaning liquid or rinsing water, the load applied to a pump (not shown) can be reduced, and the supply or discharge can be performed quickly.

  The washing apparatus in each of the following embodiments is provided with the configuration of the washing apparatus described in the basic configuration in common, and performs the operation in the washing or rinsing described in the basic configuration in common. Therefore, below, the part which is characterized by the washing apparatus of each embodiment shall be demonstrated in detail, and description about the part which is common in a basic composition is omitted.

<First Embodiment>
A washing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the washing apparatus of the present embodiment. The washing apparatus according to the present embodiment includes the casing 1 and the washing tub 2 having the configuration described in the basic configuration described above, and performs washing or rinsing of an object to be cleaned by the operation described in the basic configuration.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the washing apparatus according to the present embodiment has a liquid supply channel 12 that supplies a cleaning liquid to the casing 1 and an air channel that exhausts and sucks air in the casing 1. 13, a drainage flow path 14 for discharging the cleaning liquid from the casing 1 at the lower part of the casing 1, and a liquid level measurement pipe for measuring the level of the cleaning liquid supplied into the casing 1. 15 and a pressure sensor 16. And since the liquid supply flow path 12 is installed in the area | region which overlaps with the washing tub 2 in the upper part of the casing 1, the washing | cleaning liquid supplied from the liquid supply flow path 12 collides with the outer wall surface of the washing tub 2. FIG. The liquid supply flow path 12 may be configured such that a plurality of flow paths are formed along a direction parallel to the central axis of the washing tub 2, or one flow path may be formed.

  The liquid level measurement pipe 15 is connected to the casing 1 at a position lower than the central axis of the washing tub 2 and is bent in the vertical direction. This liquid level measurement pipe 15 has a pressure sensor 16 for measuring the pressure in the liquid level measurement pipe 15 at the end opposite to the connection side of the casing 1, in the vertical direction, higher than the uppermost position of the washing tub 2. Installed high. In the liquid level measurement pipe 15 in which the pressure sensor 16 is installed in this way, a part of the cleaning liquid supplied into the casing 1 flows, and the liquid level in the vertical direction of the cleaning liquid is that of the cleaning liquid 50 in the casing 1. The height is the same as the liquid level. Since the pressure sensor 16 measures the air pressure in the liquid level measurement pipe 15 to measure the liquid level of the cleaning liquid 51 in the liquid level measurement pipe 15, the casing has the same height as the liquid level. The liquid level in 1 is measured. In the present embodiment, the liquid level measurement pipe 15 and the pressure sensor 16 are used as the liquid level sensor for measuring the liquid level of the cleaning liquid in the casing 1, but the capacitance and electrical resistance are measured. Another configuration may be used, such as a configuration for measuring the liquid level.

  Further, the washing apparatus includes a flow rate control valve 17 that controls the flow rate of the cleaning liquid supplied from the liquid supply flow path 12, a flow rate control valve 18 that controls the flow rate of the cleaning liquid discharged from the drainage flow path 14, and an operation. An operation unit 19 that receives an operation by a user, and a control unit 20 that performs opening / closing control of each of the flow control valves 17 and 18 by designating a valve opening degree. The control unit 20 receives a signal based on the operation content received by the operation unit 19 and, based on the signal from the pressure sensor 16 according to the operation content in the operation unit 19, the flow control valves 17, 18. Set each valve opening. That is, when the operator operates the operation unit 19 to input the contents of the object to be cleaned, the control unit 20 enters the casing 1 from the content of the object to be cleaned put into the washing tub 2. The liquid level of the supplied cleaning liquid 50 is calculated. And the control part 20 makes the valve-opening degree of the flow control valves 17 and 18 into the optimal opening degree based on the liquid level by the signal from the pressure sensor 16, so that the liquid level of the calculated cleaning liquid 50 is maintained. Control to be.

  The operation of the washing apparatus having such a configuration will be described below. After the object to be cleaned 60 is put into the washing tub 2, when the operator operates the operation unit 19 and inputs the type of the object to be cleaned 60, the control unit 20 determines the input content of the operation unit 19. Then, the liquid level of the cleaning liquid 50 supplied into the casing 1 is set. That is, if the object to be cleaned 60 is of a type that has a large specific gravity and can be balanced by buoyancy and gravity in the cleaning liquid, the cleaning liquid 50 in the casing 1 is filled so that the washing tub 2 is filled with the cleaning liquid 50. Is set at a position higher than the uppermost position of the washing tub 2. On the other hand, if the object to be cleaned 60 is of a type having a small specific gravity and large buoyancy in the cleaning liquid, such as a down jacket, the casing 1 is formed so that an air layer is formed in the washing tub 2. The liquid level of the cleaning liquid 50 is set to a position between the central axis position of the washing tub 2 and the uppermost position. About this liquid level, you may make it set to the position near the center axis position of the washing tub 2, so that the specific gravity becomes small.

  When the liquid level of the cleaning liquid 50 is set in this way, the control unit 20 closes the flow control valve 18 and opens the flow control valve 17 to start supplying the cleaning liquid into the casing 1. When the cleaning liquid 50 is supplied from the flow control valve 17 into the casing 1, a part of the cleaning liquid 50 flows into the liquid level measurement pipe 15, and the pressure based on the liquid level of the cleaning liquid 51 in the liquid level measurement pipe 15 is increased. The sensor 16 detects it. When the pressure sensor 16 sends a signal indicating the detected pressure in the liquid level measurement pipe 15 to the control unit 20, the control unit 20 uses the signal from the pressure sensor 16 to clean the cleaning liquid in the liquid level measurement pipe 15. By measuring the liquid level 51, the liquid level of the cleaning liquid 50 in the casing 1 is measured. When the control unit 20 confirms that the liquid level of the cleaning liquid 50 in the casing 1 has reached the set liquid level, the control unit 20 opens the flow control valve 18 so that the cleaning liquid 50 in the casing 1 is discharged from the drainage flow path 14. The cleaning liquid 50 supplied to the casing 1 is circulated so that it can be discharged.

  In this way, when the cleaning liquid 50 for executing the cleaning of the cleaning object 60 is supplied from the liquid supply channel 12 into the casing 1 and then discharged from the drain channel 14 and circulated, the control is performed. The unit 20 drives the drive mechanism 5 (see FIG. 1) to rotate the washing tub 2. That is, the cleaning object 50 is cleaned by rotating the washing tub 2 at the same time as circulating the cleaning liquid 50 supplied into the casing 1. At this time, the control unit 20 receives the signal from the pressure sensor 16, confirms the liquid level of the cleaning liquid 50, and maintains the liquid level of the cleaning liquid 50 at the set liquid level. The valve opening degree of each 18 is adjusted.

  When the object to be cleaned 60 is an object to be cleaned that is greatly affected by buoyancy when cleaning is performed in this manner, an air layer is present in the washing tub 2 as described above. As formed, the liquid level of the cleaning liquid 50 is set to a position lower than the uppermost position of the washing tub 2. At this time, the object to be cleaned 60 floats in the upper part of the washing tub 2 due to the buoyancy exerted by the cleaning liquid 50 so as to float in the cleaning liquid 50 due to the influence of the flow velocity distribution in the cleaning liquid 50 generated by the rotation of the washing tub 2. It may end up. However, since the object to be cleaned 60 does not float above the liquid level of the cleaning liquid 50, the object to be cleaned 60 can be prevented from colliding with the upper inner wall surface of the rotating washing tub 2.

  When such cleaning is being performed, the cleaning liquid discharged from the drainage flow path 14 is circulated by a pump or the like (not shown) after being subjected to regeneration processing such as filtration or chemical processing, and is supplied to the liquid supply flow path. 12 is supplied again into the casing 1. Since the cleaning liquid supplied from the liquid supply flow path 12 collides with the outer wall surface of the rotating washing tub 2, the cleaning liquid flows along the outer wall surface of the washing tub 2 and then flows through the slit 23 (see FIG. 2). 2 flows into the interior. When the slit 23 is located directly below the liquid supply flow path 12, the cleaning liquid flows directly into the washing tub 2 from the slit 23. When the cleaning of the object to be cleaned 60 is completed, the control unit 20 closes the flow rate control valve 17 to prohibit the supply of the cleaning liquid from the liquid supply flow path 12 to the casing 1 and discharge the cleaning liquid 50 in the casing 1. It is discharged from the liquid flow path 14.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the level of the cleaning liquid supplied into the casing 1 is automatically set according to the type of the object to be cleaned 60, and the washing tub 2 is rotated to perform cleaning. The object 60 to be cleaned can be prevented from coming into contact with the inner wall surface of the washing tub 2. Thus, even when the object to be cleaned 60 having a small specific gravity and easily affected by buoyancy is washed, it is possible to prevent the object to be cleaned 60 from contacting the washing tub 2 and to prevent damage to the fabric. it can. In the above description, the cleaning operation using the cleaning liquid has been described. However, the same operation can be performed for the rinsing operation using water, thereby preventing the object to be cleaned 60 from coming into contact with the washing tub 2.

<Second Embodiment>
A washing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the washing apparatus of the present embodiment. In the configuration shown in FIG. 6, parts used for the same purpose as the configuration shown in FIG. 5 are given the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the washing apparatus of the present embodiment is different from the washing apparatus (see FIG. 5) in the first embodiment, and the liquid supply channel 12 does not overlap the washing tub 2 in the upper part of the casing 1. Installed in the area. That is, the liquid supply channel 12 is installed at a position where the supplied cleaning liquid does not directly collide with the washing tub 2. About the other structure of this washing apparatus, since it becomes the same structure as the washing apparatus in 1st Embodiment, it abbreviate | omits about the detailed description, and below, the operation | movement based on the structure by the liquid supply flow path 12, etc. The explanation is centered.

  Since the cleaning liquid supplied from the liquid supply channel 12 is supplied to a region between the inner wall surface of the casing 1 and the outer wall surface of the washing tub 2, the cleaning liquid is directly applied to the washing tub as in the first embodiment. 2 flows into the outer wall surface of the washing tub 2 and does not flow into the washing tub 2. That is, the cleaning liquid supplied to the outside of the washing tub 2 in the casing 1 flows into the inside of the washing tub 2 from the slit 23 (see 9 in FIG. 2) at a position lower than the liquid level of the cleaning liquid. Thus, the level of the cleaning liquid 50 inside and outside the washing tub 2 becomes equal in the casing 1. Therefore, in the present embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the cleaning liquid enters the washing tub 2 from the top of the washing tub 2. Since it is not the structure which flows in, the liquid level of the washing | cleaning liquid 50 can be made into a calm state, without giving a vibration to the liquid level of the washing | cleaning liquid 50 with the washing | cleaning liquid which flowed into the washing tub 2.

  Also in the washing apparatus of the present embodiment, when the object to be cleaned 60 is cleaned, the type of the object to be cleaned 60 input to the washing tub 2 is input by operating the operation unit 19 as in the first embodiment. Is done. As a result, the control unit 20 sets the level of the cleaning liquid 50 optimum for cleaning the article 60 to be cleaned, closes the flow control valve 18 and opens the flow control valve 17, and supplies the cleaning liquid into the casing 1. . When the object to be cleaned 20 confirms from the signal from the pressure sensor 16 that the level of the cleaning liquid 50 in the casing 1 has reached the set level, the flow control valve 18 is opened and the washing tub 2 is opened. Rotate to start cleaning the object to be cleaned 60.

  At this time, the cleaning liquid discharged and circulated from the drainage flow path 14 is supplied again into the casing 1 from the liquid supply flow path 12, but as described above, unlike the first embodiment, Supplied outside. Therefore, unlike the first embodiment, since the supplied cleaning liquid does not collide with the liquid level of the cleaning liquid 50 in the washing tub 2, vibration of the liquid level of the cleaning liquid 50 in the washing tub 2 can be suppressed. . As a result, when the object to be cleaned 60 is an object to be cleaned that is susceptible to buoyancy, the drift of the liquid surface of the cleaning liquid 50 is small when drifting to the liquid surface side of the cleaning liquid 50, so It is possible to further prevent the cleaning object 60 from colliding with the wall surface. When the cleaning of the object to be cleaned 60 is completed, the control unit 20 closes the flow rate control valve 17 to prohibit the supply of the cleaning liquid from the liquid supply flow path 12 to the casing 1 and discharge the cleaning liquid 50 in the casing 1. It is discharged from the liquid flow path 14.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be applied to a washing apparatus that cleans an object to be cleaned by rotating a washing tub in a casing that is circulated and supplied with a cleaning liquid. Further, the cleaning liquid used in the washing apparatus may be an aqueous cleaning liquid or a non-aqueous cleaning liquid.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Casing 2 Washing tub 3 Door part 4 Rotating shaft 5 Drive mechanism 11 Input port 12 Liquid supply flow path 13 Air flow path 14 Drainage flow path 15 Liquid level measurement piping 16 Pressure sensor 17, 18 Flow control valve 19 Operation part 20 Control part 21 Opening part 22 Concave and convex curved surface 22a Concave part 22b Convex part 23 Slit 24 Bottom face 50, 51 Cleaning liquid 60 Object to be cleaned 221 Bottom part 222 Top part 223 Connection part

Claims (6)

A washing tub that is rotated by a rotating shaft that is inclined in the horizontal direction from the vertical direction or a horizontal direction and that contains an object to be cleaned, a casing that covers the washing tub and is supplied with cleaning liquid, In a washing apparatus comprising a liquid supply flow path for supplying the cleaning liquid and a drain flow path for discharging the cleaning liquid from the casing,
A liquid level sensor for measuring the liquid level of the cleaning liquid supplied into the casing;
A control unit that controls the supply and circulation of the cleaning liquid into the casing and the rotation of the washing tub to control the cleaning operation of the object to be cleaned;
With
When cleaning the object to be cleaned,
The controller is
Set the liquid level of the cleaning liquid in the casing according to the type of the object to be cleaned put into the washing tub,
Based on the value detected by the liquid level sensor, the flow rate of the cleaning liquid supplied to the casing by the liquid supply flow path and the flow rate of the cleaning liquid discharged from the casing by the drainage flow path are controlled, A washing apparatus characterized in that the washing tub is rotated in a state where the level of the cleaning liquid in the casing is set to a set liquid level. In claim 1,
The said control part sets the liquid level of the washing | cleaning liquid in the said casing to the height position more than the center axis | shaft of the said washing tub, The washing apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. In claim 1 or claim 2,
The washing tub has an uneven curved surface that is uneven in the radial direction of the washing tub on its inner wall surface,
The concave / convex curved surface is a concave / convex curve in which a cross section perpendicular to the axis of the washing tub is continuous in the circumferential direction, and the curved line has a shape continuous along the axis of the laundry tub. A washing machine characterized. In claim 3,
The washing apparatus, wherein the washing tub includes a slit penetrating from an inner wall surface toward an outer wall surface. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 4,
The washing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid supply flow path is installed immediately above the washing tub in the casing. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 4,
The washing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid supply flow path is installed at a position off the top of the washing tub in the casing.

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