JP2011152253A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To effectively dissolve a detergent by the time the detergent is fed into a water tub. <P>SOLUTION: The washing machine includes: a water supply path 11 for feeding water into the water tub 3; a water supply valve 12 disposed in an inlet of the water supply path 11; a detergent case 16 disposed in the water supply path 11; a heating part 13 for heating water fed into the water supply path 11 from the water supply valve 12; water temperature detecting means 19 for detecting the temperature of water fed into the water supply path 11; and control means 21 for controlling the water supply valve 12 and the heating part 13. The control means 21 controls the heating part 13 based on the water temperature detected by the water temperature detecting means 19, and raises the water temperature to prescribed temperature to feed water into the detergent case 16. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a washing machine for washing clothes and the like.

  Conventionally, this type of washing machine is generally one in which detergent is put into a detergent case, tap water is supplied to the bottom of the water tank through the detergent case, and the rotating drum is rotated to dissolve the detergent. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  FIG. 6 shows the configuration of the drum-type washing machine described in Patent Document 1. As shown in FIG. 6, the water tank 53 is elastically supported by the suspension mechanism 52 in the housing 51. A rotating drum 54 formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom is rotatably provided in the water tank 53, and its rotational axis is inclined forward and upward. On the front side of the water tank 53 is formed a clothing input port 55 that communicates with the opening end of the rotary drum 54. By opening an openable / closable door 56 that closes the opening formed on the front side of the housing 51, a clothing input port is opened. The laundry can be taken in and out through the rotary drum 54 through 55.

  The rotating drum 54 has a large number of through holes (not shown) communicating with the inside of the water tank 53 on its peripheral side surface, and agitation protrusions 57 are provided at a plurality of positions on the inner peripheral surface. The rotating drum 54 rotates in the forward and reverse directions by a motor 58 attached to the lower surface side of the water tank 53. The rotational force of the motor 58 is transmitted to the rotating drum 54 via the belt 59 and the transmission pulley 60, and washing is performed while stirring laundry such as clothes put in the rotating drum 54.

  The operation of the drum type washing machine is such that when a detergent for washing is put into a detergent case 57 provided at the upper part of the housing 51 and laundry is put into the rotating drum 54 to start operation, a water supply valve 61 is provided. The tap water is supplied from the water injection nozzle 62 to the detergent case 57, and together with the detergent A in the detergent case 57, a predetermined amount of washing water is stored in the water tank 53 through the water injection path 63.

  When the rotary drum 54 is driven to rotate by the motor 58 and the washing process is started, the laundry in the rotary drum 54 is lifted in the rotational direction by the stirring protrusions 57 provided on the inner peripheral wall of the rotary drum 54. Then, the falling stirring operation is repeated, and the laundry is washed by the action of tapping. After a predetermined washing time, the dirty washing water passes through a drainage channel 64 connected to the drainage port of the water tank 53 and is drained to the outside of the casing 51 by a drainage pump 65 provided below the water tank 53.

  Thereafter, the washing water contained in the laundry is dehydrated by a dehydrating operation of rotating the rotary drum 54 at a high speed, and a new washing water is poured into the water tank 53 to perform a rinsing step. Also in this rinsing process, the laundry stored in the rotating drum 54 is rinsed by the stirring operation 57 being repeated by the stirring protrusions 57 by the rotation of the rotating drum 54. After a predetermined rinsing time, the laundry is soiled. The rinsing water is discharged by the drain pump 65, and the rinsing water contained in the laundry is dehydrated by the dehydrating operation of rotating the rotary drum 54 at a high speed, and the operation ends.

  At the start of washing, detergent is dissolved in tap water to generate washing water. As described above, the water flow at the time of water supply is used, and the rotating drum 54 is rotated at the start of washing. In order to improve the washing performance of the laundry, it is considered to promote the dissolution of the detergent in the washing water.

As an example, it is considered that a detergent blade is provided in a detergent case to dissolve the detergent (see, for example, Patent Document 2). As another example, it is considered that the washing water in the water tank is heated by a heater while being circulated by a circulation pump, and the temperature of the washing water is raised and returned to the water tank (for example, Patent Documents). 3).

JP 2007-117140 A JP-A-56-109700 JP-A-2-289298

  However, in the conventional configuration, when the hardness of the supplied water becomes high, the detergent is difficult to dissolve, and cannot be sufficiently dissolved only by the rotation of the rotating drum. Although it is also considered to promote the dissolution of the detergent, when the washing water is heated by the heater, the washing water stored in the aquarium, the aquarium in contact with the heated washing water, the rotating drum, and the entire laundry are heated. As a result, there is a problem that the power consumption of the heater increases.

  In addition, since the washing water stored in the water tank is circulated and heated, when the washing water is stored in the water tank, the dissolved detergent is a part thereof, and the detergent is dissolved by circulation and heating. proceed. Therefore, since washing water in which the detergent is dissolved is generated as the washing progresses, it takes time from the start of washing until washing is performed with the washing water in which the detergent is dissolved. There was a problem that it could not be cleaned. Also, at the beginning of washing, it is difficult to circulate because the undissolved detergent contained in the washing water stored in the aquarium is mixed in the laundry, and it takes time to dissolve and causes uneven washing There was a problem of becoming.

  This invention solves the said conventional subject, and it aims at providing the washing machine which dissolved the detergent effectively until it supplies to a water tank.

  In order to solve the conventional problems, the washing machine of the present invention includes a water supply channel for supplying water into a water tank, a water supply valve provided at an inlet of the water supply channel, a detergent case provided in the water supply channel, and the water supply valve. A heating unit for heating the water supplied to the water supply channel, water temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of the water supplied to the water supply channel, and a control unit for controlling the water supply valve and the heating unit, The control means controls the heating unit based on the water temperature detected by the water temperature detection means, raises the temperature to a predetermined temperature, and supplies it to the detergent case.

  As a result, the water supplied to the detergent case can be heated and can be dissolved effectively before the detergent is supplied into the aquarium, so that the detergent can be effectively applied to the laundry from the start of washing. The cleaning effect can be enhanced by acting.

  The washing machine of the present invention can supply the washing water in which the detergent is dissolved into the aquarium, and can enhance the washing effect by effectively causing the detergent to act on the laundry from the start of washing.

Sectional drawing of the washing machine in the 1st Embodiment of this invention Top view of the main part of the washing machine Top view of the main part of another example of the washing machine Top view of the main part of the washing machine in the second embodiment of the present invention Sectional drawing of the washing machine in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention Cross section of a conventional washing machine

  1st invention is the water tank elastically supported in the housing | casing, the washing tub rotatably provided in the said water tank, the water supply path which supplies water in the said water tank, and the water supply valve provided in the inlet of the said water supply path A detergent case provided in the water supply channel, a heating unit that heats water supplied to the water supply channel from the water supply valve, water temperature detection means that detects the temperature of water supplied to the water supply channel, and A control unit for controlling the water supply valve and the heating unit, the control unit controlling the heating unit based on the water temperature detected by the water temperature detection unit, raising the temperature to a predetermined temperature, and supplying it to the detergent case By doing in this way, the water supplied to a detergent case can be made into warm water suitable for melt | dissolution of a detergent, and a detergent can be melt | dissolved effectively before wash water is supplied in a water tank. Therefore, the washing effect can be enhanced by effectively acting the detergent on the laundry from the start of washing, the power consumption can be reduced, and the washing time can be shortened.

  In particular, the second invention is provided with temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of water flowing out from the heating section downstream of the heating section of the first invention, and the control means is based on the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means. By controlling the heating unit in preference to the output of the water temperature detecting means, the temperature of the water supplied to the detergent case can be controlled without depending on the temperature of the water supplied from the water supply valve to the water supply channel. It can be accurately heated to a temperature suitable for dissolution, and can be activated while preventing destruction of the enzyme that is a component of the detergent.

  In the third aspect of the invention, in particular, the temperature detecting means of the first or second aspect of the present invention is disposed between the water injection part from the outlet of the heating part of the water supply path to the detergent case, thereby supplying water from the water supply valve to the water supply path. The water temperature supplied to the detergent case can be accurately heated to a temperature suitable for dissolving the detergent without being affected by the temperature of the treated water, preventing the enzyme that is a detergent component from being destroyed and activated. It is possible to increase the degree of freedom of the place where the temperature detecting means is installed.

  The fourth aspect of the invention is particularly provided with a flow rate detecting means for detecting the flow rate of water flowing downstream from the outlet of the heating section of the water supply channel according to any one of the first to third aspects of the invention, By controlling the heating unit according to the flow rate detected by the detection means, the heating unit can be controlled according to the flow rate of water flowing from the outlet of the heating unit to the downstream side, and the water supply valve to the water supply channel Regardless of the temperature of the supplied water, the water temperature supplied to the detergent case can be accurately heated to a temperature suitable for dissolving the detergent, preventing the destruction of the enzyme that is a component of the detergent and being active Can be

  5th invention provides the water supply adjustment part which controls especially the water quantity supplied to the water supply path of any one of 1st-4th invention, and the control means detected with the water temperature detection means or the temperature detection means. By adjusting the amount of water supplied to the water supply channel according to the temperature, it is supplied to the water supply channel according to the temperature of the water supplied to the water supply channel or the temperature of the water flowing out of the heating unit. The amount of water can be controlled, and the temperature and amount of water flowing through the heating unit can be adjusted efficiently and optimally.

  In the sixth aspect of the invention, in particular, in the water supply channel of any one of the first to fifth aspects, the meandering part is provided in the heating part, so that the water supplied from the water supply valve flows through the heating part and the time. It is possible to increase the temperature to a preset temperature by efficiently heating in a short period from the water supply valve to the detergent case.

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

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a top view of the main part of the washing machine.

  1 and 2, a water tank 3 is elastically supported by a suspension mechanism 2 in a housing 1. A rotating drum 4 as a washing tub formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom is provided in the water tub 3 so as to be freely rotatable, and its rotational axis is inclined upwardly. On the front side of the aquarium 3 is formed a clothing input port 5 leading to the opening end of the rotary drum 4, and by opening an openable / closable door 6 that closes the opening formed on the front side of the housing 1, 5, laundry such as clothes can be taken in and out of the rotary drum 4.

  The rotating drum 4 is formed with a large number of through holes (not shown) communicating with the inside of the water tank 3 on its peripheral side surface, and is provided with stirring protrusions 7 at a plurality of positions on the inner peripheral surface. The rotating drum 4 is rotated in the forward and reverse directions by a motor 8 attached to the lower surface side of the water tank 3. The rotational force of the motor 8 is transmitted to the rotary drum 4 through the belt 9 and the transmission pulley 10 and washing is performed while stirring laundry such as clothes put in the rotary drum 4.

  A water supply valve 12 is provided at the inlet of a water supply path 11 for supplying washing water into the water tank 3. The water supply valve 12 is disposed in the upper part of the housing 1 and supplies tap water or the like supplied from the outside of the housing 1. The tap water supplied from the water supply valve 12 to the water supply channel 11 is heated through the heating unit 13 and supplied from the water injection nozzle 14 a provided in the water injection unit 14 to the detergent supply device 15 provided in the water supply channel 11. At the time of washing, it flows into the water tank 3 through the water injection hose 17 together with the laundry detergent A that has been put into the detergent case 16 of the detergent supply device 15.

  The water supply path 11 is provided with a meandering portion 18 that winds, and the heating portion 13 heats the water flowing through the meandering portion 18. The heating unit 13 is composed of a plate-like heater for efficiently heating the water flowing through the meandering portion 18, and is disposed on the lower surface side of the meandering portion 18. A water temperature detecting means 19 for detecting the temperature of tap water supplied from the water supply valve 12 to the water supply passage 11 is provided in the vicinity of the inlet 18a of the meandering portion 18 provided in the water supply passage 11, that is, upstream of the heating portion 13. ing. Further, in the vicinity of the outlet 18 b of the meandering portion 18, a temperature detection means 20 that detects the temperature of the tap water that has passed through the heating portion 13 and is heated is provided.

  The control means 21 provided in the housing 1 controls the motor 8 that drives the rotating drum 4, the water supply valve 12 that supplies tap water to the water supply path 11, the heating unit 13 that heats the water that passes through the meandering unit 18, and the like. . Reference numeral 22 denotes a drainage channel for discharging the washing water in the water tank 3, and the washing water after washing and rinsing is discharged to the outside by the drainage pump 23.

  About the washing machine of this invention comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below. First, in the washing process, when a predetermined amount of laundry detergent A is put into a detergent case 16 provided in the upper part of the housing 1 and laundry is put into the rotating drum 4 to start operation, The tap water is supplied from 12 to the water supply channel 11, and the temperature of the water is detected by the water temperature detecting means 19. When the detected water temperature is a low temperature of 20 degrees or less, for example, the water flowing through the meandering portion 18 is heated by the heating portion 13.

The control unit 21 controls the heating unit 13 based on the water temperature detected by the water temperature detection unit 19, and raises the temperature to a temperature suitable for dissolving the detergent A (generally 35 to 40 ° C.). A predetermined amount of laundry is supplied to the detergent case 16 from the provided water injection nozzle 14a and supplied to the water tank 3 from the water injection hose 17 together with the detergent A in the detergent case 16 according to the amount of laundry detected at the start of washing. Water is stored.

  Since the washing water is heated to a temperature suitable for dissolving the detergent by the heating unit 13 and supplied to the detergent case 16, the washing water is supplied into the water tank 3 in a state where the detergent A is dissolved with a small amount of water supply. That is, before entering the water tank 3, washing water in which the detergent is dissolved can be generated and stored in the water tank 3.

  Further, the temperature detection means 20 detects the temperature of the heated water flowing out from the heating unit 13, and the control means 21 has priority over the output of the water temperature detection means 19 based on the temperature detected by the temperature detection means 20. The heating unit 13 is controlled. Accordingly, the water temperature supplied to the detergent case 16 can be accurately heated to a temperature suitable for dissolving the detergent without being influenced by the temperature of the water supplied from the water supply valve 12 to the water supply channel 11. It is possible to prevent and activate the enzyme that is a component of

  Then, when the temperature of the washing water passing through rises to, for example, 35 ° C., the energization of the heating unit 13 is stopped, and the heating unit 13 is controlled by the control means 21 so that the washing water becomes a predetermined set temperature, so It is designed to be heated to a suitable temperature. The heating of the washing water can be arbitrarily set, and can be operated at all times, or can be manually operated as necessary.

  When the rotary drum 4 is rotationally driven by the motor 8 and the washing process is started, the laundry in the rotary drum 4 is lifted in the rotation direction by the stirring protrusions 7 provided on the inner peripheral wall of the rotary drum 4. Then, the falling stirring operation is repeated, and the laundry is washed by the action of tapping. Since washing can be performed with washing water in which the detergent is dissolved from the start of the washing process in which the rotary drum 4 is driven to rotate, there is no wasted time until the detergent is dissolved, and washing efficiency can be improved.

  After a predetermined washing time, the dirty washing water passes through the drainage channel 22 connected to the drainage port of the water tank 3, and is drained to the outside of the housing 1 by the drainage pump 23 provided below the water tank 3. After the washing water contained in the laundry is dehydrated by the dehydrating operation of rotating the high speed, the rinsing process is executed. Even at the start of the rinsing process, rinsing water is supplied from the water supply valve 12 to the water supply path 11 and supplied into the water tank 3 through the detergent case 16. At the time of water supply in the rinsing process, the heating unit 13 is inactive, and the water passing through the meandering unit 18 flows to the detergent case 16 without being heated.

  In the rinsing process, the same agitating operation as in the washing process is repeated for a predetermined time, and rinsing is performed. After the predetermined rinsing time, dirty rinsing water is discharged from the drainage channel 22 to the outside, and the rotating drum 4 is moved at high speed The rinse water contained in the laundry is dehydrated by the rotating dehydrating operation, and the operation is terminated.

  FIG. 3 shows another example of the water supply operation in the rinsing process, in which a second water supply valve 24 is provided in addition to the water supply valve 12. At the start of the rinsing process, the second water supply valve 24 is opened and new washing water is supplied into the water tank 3. Washing water supplied from the second water supply valve 24 is supplied from the second water supply path 25 directly into the water tank 3 through the detergent case 16 without being heated.

  In addition, the water supply in the rinsing process can be simultaneously supplied into the water tank 3 through the detergent case 16 from both the water supply path 11 and the second water supply path 25 as the water supply valve 12 is opened simultaneously with the second water supply valve 24. Thus, a predetermined amount of rinse water can be quickly supplied into the water tank 3. When water is supplied from the water supply channel 11 in the rinsing process, the heating unit 13 is inactive, and the water passing through the meandering unit 18 flows to the detergent case 16 without being heated.

  As described above, the washing machine of the present invention includes the heating unit 13 that heats the water supplied from the water supply valve 12 to the water supply channel 11, and the water temperature detection means 19 that detects the temperature of the water supplied to the water supply channel 11. The control unit 21 controls the water supply valve 12 and the heating unit 13, and the control unit 21 controls the heating unit 13 on the basis of the water temperature detected by the water temperature detection unit 19 to increase the temperature to a temperature suitable for dissolving the detergent. The detergent is supplied to the detergent case 16 so that the detergent can be effectively dissolved before the washing water is supplied into the aquarium 3, and the detergent is effectively applied to the laundry from the start of washing. The cleaning effect can be enhanced by the action, the power consumption can be reduced, and the washing time can be shortened.

  Further, the temperature of the water flowing out from the heating unit 13 is detected by the temperature detection unit 20, and the heating unit 13 is controlled in preference to the output of the water temperature detection unit 19 based on the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 20. The water temperature supplied to the detergent case 16 can be accurately heated to a temperature suitable for dissolving the detergent without being influenced by the temperature of the water supplied from the water supply valve 12 to the water supply path 11. It is possible to prevent and activate the enzyme that is a component of the detergent.

  In addition, the temperature detection means 20 can be arrange | positioned between the water injection part 14 to the detergent case 16 from the exit of the heating part 13, ie, the exit 18b of the meandering part 18, and. In this case, the water temperature supplied to the detergent case 16 can be accurately heated to a temperature suitable for dissolving the detergent without being influenced by the temperature of the water supplied from the water supply valve 12 to the water supply channel 11, It is possible to prevent and activate the enzyme, which is a component of the detergent, and to increase the degree of freedom of the place where the temperature detection means 20 is installed, which can be advantageously configured practically.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 4 is a top view of the main part of the washing machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The feature of this embodiment is that a flow rate detecting means 25 for detecting the flow rate of water flowing downstream from the outlet of the heating section 13 of the water supply channel 11, that is, the outlet 18b of the meandering section 18, is provided. Further, a water supply adjusting unit 26 that controls the amount of water supplied to the water supply channel 11 is provided. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and those in the first embodiment are used for the detailed description.

  By controlling the heating unit 13 according to the flow rate of the washing water detected by the flow rate detection unit 25 by the control unit 21, the heating unit 13 is controlled according to the flow rate of the washing water flowing from the outlet of the heating unit 13 to the downstream side. The water temperature supplied to the detergent case 16 can be accurately heated to a temperature suitable for dissolving the detergent without being influenced by the temperature of the water supplied from the water supply valve 12 to the water supply channel 11. It is possible to prevent and activate the enzyme that is a component of the detergent.

  Further, the control means 21 adjusts the amount of water supplied to the water supply path 11 by the water supply adjusting unit 26 according to the temperature of the washing water detected by the water temperature detection means 19 or the temperature detection means 20, thereby providing the water supply path 11. The amount of water supplied to the water supply channel 11 can be controlled according to the temperature of the water supplied or the temperature of the water flowing out of the heating unit 13, and the temperature and amount of the water flowing through the heating unit 13 can be optimized efficiently. Can be adjusted.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a washing machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The feature of the present embodiment is that the washing water in the water tank 3 is returned to the rotary drum 4 by the circulation pump 27. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and those in the first embodiment are used for the detailed description.

According to the above configuration, by driving the circulation pump 27 in the washing step, heated washing water in which the detergent stored in the bottom of the water tank 3 is dissolved is supplied into the rotary drum 4 through the circulation water channel 28, It can be applied to the laundry being stirred in the rotating drum 4, and the cleaning power can be further enhanced.

  As described above, the washing machine according to the present invention can supply the washing water in which the detergent is dissolved into the aquarium, and enhances the washing effect by effectively acting the detergent on the laundry from the start of washing. It can be used as a washing machine.

1 Housing 3 Water Tank 4 Rotating Drum (Laundry Tank)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Water supply path 12 Water supply valve 16 Detergent case 13 Heating part 18 Meandering part 19 Water temperature detection means 20 Temperature detection means 21 Control means

Claims (6)

A water tank elastically supported in the housing, a washing tub rotatably provided in the water tank, a water supply path for supplying water into the water tank, a water supply valve provided at an inlet of the water supply path, and the water supply path A detergent case provided; a heating unit that heats water supplied to the water supply channel from the water supply valve; a water temperature detection means that detects a temperature of water supplied to the water supply channel; and the water supply valve and the heating unit. And a control unit that controls the heating unit based on the water temperature detected by the water temperature detection unit, and raises the temperature to a predetermined temperature to be supplied to the detergent case. A temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of water flowing out of the heating section is provided downstream of the heating section, and the control means controls the heating section in preference to the output of the water temperature detection means based on the temperature detected by the temperature detection means. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the washing machine is controlled. The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the temperature detection means is disposed between the water injection part from the outlet of the heating part of the water supply channel to the detergent case. The flow rate detection means which detects the flow volume of the water which flows downstream from the exit of the heating part of a water supply path is provided, and the control means controls a heating part according to the flow volume detected by the said flow rate detection means. The washing machine according to any one of -3. A water supply adjustment unit for controlling the amount of water supplied to the water supply channel is provided, and the control unit adjusts the amount of water supplied to the water supply channel according to the temperature detected by the water temperature detection unit or the temperature detection unit. The washing machine according to any one of 1 to 4. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the water supply path is provided with a meandering portion in the heating portion.

Images