JP2012030002A - Drum-type washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a heating means from being overheated while enhancing the water saving and the cleaning effect.SOLUTION: The drum-type washing machine comprises: a heating means 17 for heating washing liquid placed in the bottom of a water tank 2; a water flow control board for directing the washing liquid placed in the bottom of the water tank to the heating means; and a control means 24 for activating, e.g., a drive unit 10 that rotationally drives a drum 7 as well as controlling the operation. In the step of heating the washing liquid by the heating means, the control means rotates the drum at a rotation frequency such that the laundry is affixed to the inner wall of the drum while directing the washing liquid drained into the water tank from the drum toward the heating means using the water flow control board.

Description

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

  Conventionally, this type of drum-type washing machine has a circulation pump for circulating the washing liquid collected at the bottom of the water tank of the washing machine in order to improve the washing power and the rinsing performance at the time of washing, as well as water saving. By providing a route to circulate in the drum, it is possible to quickly and satisfactorily contact the washing liquid with clothing, to separate dirt by the spraying power of the circulating water, and to wet the laundry with a small amount of water. It is considered to be able to do this (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  The drum type washing machine described in Patent Document 1 is provided with a circulation pump and a circulation path for circulating the washing liquid in the water tank in which the drum for storing the laundry is installed in the drum, and a heater is provided at the bottom of the water tank. Is provided to heat the washing liquid.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-235069

  However, in the conventional configuration, in the washing process, the washing liquid is heated by the heating means such as a heater and the washing liquid is circulated by the circulation pump. Therefore, the liquid level of the washing liquid stored at the bottom of the water tank by the operation of the circulation pump When the energization is continued with the surface of the heating means exposed from the surface of the washing liquid, the heating means is overheated and the water tank provided with the heating means is damaged.

  In order to prevent this, after the heating of the washing liquid by the heating means is completed, the circulation pump is operated, or the circulation pump is operated and the heating means is operated after the clothes are wetted. It is possible to suppress a decrease in the stored washing liquid level and to prevent the surface of the heating means from being exposed from the washing liquid level.

  However, in such a configuration, the time for the clothes to get wet with the washing liquid is delayed, and the heating of the washing liquid is delayed, which makes it difficult to improve the washing performance in a limited washing time. In addition, the water level can be increased by increasing the amount of water, and the heating means and the circulation pump can be operated at the same time, but the water-saving performance is reduced and the amount of water increases to increase the energy for heating the washing liquid. There was a problem that the performance also deteriorated.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and provides a drum-type washing machine that can quickly wet clothes and heat washing liquid without increasing the amount of water, thereby improving washing performance, saving water and saving energy. For the purpose.

In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, a drum-type washing machine according to the present invention includes a cylindrical drum with a bottom that is rotatably disposed in a water tub and has a large number of small holes on a peripheral side surface, and the drum. A driving device for driving, water supply means for supplying water into the water tank, water level detecting means for detecting the water level in the water tank, heating means for heating the washing liquid provided at the bottom of the water tank, and the bottom of the water tank A flow control plate for guiding the washing liquid to the heating means, and a control means for controlling the operation by driving the driving device and the like, the control means in the step of heating the washing liquid by the heating means The laundry is rotated at a rotational speed at which the laundry sticks to the inner wall of the drum, and the washing liquid flowing out from the drum into the water tank is guided to the heating means by the water flow control plate.

  As a result, the washing liquid contained in the laundry can flow out from the drum into the water tank by centrifugal force, and the water level of the washing liquid collected at the bottom of the water tank can be raised, and the heating means is exposed from the liquid surface. It is possible to prevent overheating.

  The drum type washing machine of the present invention can prevent overheating of the heating means, reduce the amount of water used and shorten the heating time by the heating means, and can improve the cleaning performance and water saving and energy saving performance.

Sectional drawing of the drum type washing machine in Embodiment 1 of this invention Cross section of the main part of the water tank of the drum type washing machine The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the drum type washing machine in Embodiment 2 of this invention. Time chart showing the operation of the drum type washing machine

  A first aspect of the present invention is a water tank for storing washing liquid, a cylindrical drum with a bottom provided with a large number of small holes on a peripheral side surface thereof rotatably in the water tank, and a driving device for driving the drum to rotate. Water supply means for supplying water into the water tank, water level detection means for detecting the water level in the water tank, heating means for heating the washing liquid provided at the bottom of the water tank, and washing provided at the bottom of the water tank A water flow control plate for guiding the liquid to the heating means, and a control means for controlling the operation by driving the driving device and the like, the control means in the step of heating the washing liquid by the heating means, The drum is rotated at a rotation speed that sticks to the inner wall of the drum, and the washing liquid that has flowed out of the drum into the water tub is guided to the heating means by the water flow control plate, so that it is included in the laundry. Washing liquid It is possible to raise the water level of the washing liquid that flows out from the drum into the water tank by centrifugal force and accumulates at the bottom of the water tank, and prevents overheating due to the heating means being exposed from the liquid surface, and at the time of washing The amount of water used can be reduced, the heating time by the heating means can be shortened, and water saving and energy saving effects can be enhanced.

  The second invention, in particular, in the first invention, comprises a circulation path for circulating the washing liquid from the bottom of the water tub into the drum, and a circulation pump provided in the circulation path. In the step of heating the washing liquid, the laundry is rotated by rotating the drum at a rotation speed at which the laundry sticks to the inner wall of the drum, and the heating means and the circulation pump are operated together. It is possible to accelerate the permeation of the liquid and the temperature rise of the washing liquid, and the cleaning efficiency can be increased.

  According to a third aspect of the invention, in particular, in the second aspect of the invention, there is provided cloth amount detection means for detecting the amount of laundry put in the drum, and the control means detects the cloth amount in the step of heating the washing liquid. When a predetermined time elapses corresponding to the amount of cloth detected by the means, the operation of the circulation pump is stopped, and the drum is lowered to a rotation speed at which the laundry can be tumbled. When it gets wet with the washing liquid, tapping by tumbling can be performed effectively, and the cleaning performance can be further improved.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, in particular, in the first aspect of the invention, in the step of heating the washing liquid by the heating means, the control means changes the rotational speed at which the laundry sticks to the inner wall of the drum in a short cycle. As a result, the centrifugal force acting on the laundry can be changed, and the washing effect can be obtained due to the variation of the pressing force with which the laundry is pressed against the inner wall of the drum, thereby improving the washing performance.

  In a fifth aspect of the invention, in particular, in the first aspect of the invention, the control means rotates the drum at a rotation speed at which the laundry can tumbl in the process of heating the washing liquid by the heating means, and the heating means by the water level detection means. When it is detected that the lower level is higher than the first predetermined water level, the laundry rotates at a rotation speed at which the laundry sticks to the inner wall of the drum, and becomes higher than the second predetermined water level higher than the first predetermined water level. When this is detected, the drum is rotated at a tumbling speed so that the heating means is prevented from overheating in the process of heating the washing liquid, and the washing time of the laundry by tumbling is increased. And can improve both water saving and cleaning performance.

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

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

  1 and 2, a bottomed cylindrical water tank 2 for storing a washing liquid is elastically supported in a casing 1 of the washing machine. The water tank 2 is suspended from the upper part of the housing 1 by a suspension spring 3 and supported from below by a bottom plate 4 of the washing machine via a damper 5. A bottomed cylindrical drum 7 having a large number of small holes 6 on the peripheral side wall surface is rotatably disposed in the water tank 2, and the horizontal or horizontal direction with the rotation axis direction from the front side toward the back side. It is pivotally supported so as to be tilted downward from and freely rotatable.

  The drum 7 accommodates the laundry 8 inside. By rotating the drum 7, the laundry 4 is lifted in the rotation direction by the plurality of stirring protrusions 9 provided on the inner peripheral side wall of the drum 7, and the laundry 8 is dropped from above the drum 7, Laundry is performed by applying the mechanical force of tapping to the laundry 8. In order to rotationally drive the drum 7, a motor (driving device) 10 is fixed to the lower part of the outer periphery of the water tank 2, and the drum 7 is rotated via a belt 11 and a pulley 12.

  A door 13 for taking in and out the laundry 8 is provided on the front surface of the housing 1 so as to be freely opened and closed. In addition, a water supply valve 14 serving as a water supply means for supplying the washing liquid to the water tank 2 is provided in the upper part of the housing 1 and is connected to the water tank 2 via a detergent case 15 into which a detergent is introduced. The water level of the washing liquid supplied into the water tank 2 is detected by a water level sensor 16.

  A heater (heating means) 17 for heating the washing liquid is disposed on the inner bottom of the water tank 2. A circulation pump 18 is provided for circulating the washing liquid into the drum 7 during the washing process. The circulation pump 18 is also driven when the washing liquid or the like is drained after the steps such as washing, rinsing, and dehydration are completed.

  The suction side of the circulation pump 18 is connected to a circulation path inlet 19 provided at the bottom of the water tank 2, and the discharge side is connected to a drain hose 21 that discharges the washing liquid to the outside of the housing 1 via the switching valve 20. It is connected. The other of the switching valves 20 is connected to a circulation path 22 that leads to the upper part of the water tank 2. In the circulation path 22, a nozzle portion 23 that can inject the washing liquid toward the laundry 8 in the drum 7 is provided at a tip portion connected to the upper portion of the water tank 2.

  A heating chamber 26 that is recessed downward is provided at the lower portion of the water tank 2, and a heater 17 bent in a substantially U shape is disposed in the heating chamber 26 in the horizontal direction so that the washing can be stored in the heating chamber 26. It is submerged in the liquid and heated to a predetermined temperature. A water flow control plate 27 is provided in the heating chamber 26 so as to extend the side wall.

  A control means 24 is disposed below the front side of the housing 1, and drives the motor 10, the water supply valve 14, the heater 17, the circulation pump 18, the switching valve 20, and the like, and performs steps such as washing, rinsing, and dehydration. Are controlled sequentially.

  About the drum type washing machine comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below. First, the door 13 is opened, the laundry 8 is put into the drum 7, the power switch (not shown) of the operation unit 25 provided on the front upper surface of the housing 1 is turned on, and the start switch (not shown). When the operation is started by detecting the amount of the thrown-in laundry, the water supply means 14 operates to start water supply, and the washing liquid is put into the water tank 2 together with the detergent put into the detergent case 15. Is supplied with water.

  The water supply amount is set in advance according to the amount of the laundry 8 that has been thrown in. When the water level sensor 16 detects a predetermined water level, the water supply is stopped and the motor 10 is driven. In the washing step, the drum 7 is driven forward and backward by a motor 10 at a rotational speed of, for example, about 50 rpm, and the laundry 8 in the drum 7 is driven by a plurality of stirring protrusions 9 provided on the inner peripheral side wall of the drum 7. Is lifted in the rotation direction and dropped onto the water surface from above in the drum 7, and washing is performed by applying a mechanical force of tapping to the laundry 8.

  In this washing step, a heating step for heating the washing liquid is performed. The washing liquid is heated by the heater 17 and is heated to a predetermined temperature (for example, 30 to 40 ° C.) suitable for washing by the control means 24 based on the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means (not shown). Whether or not the washing liquid is heated in the washing step can be selected.

  In the washing liquid heating step performed in the washing step, the drum 7 is rotated at a rotational speed (for example, about 100 to 400 rpm) such that the laundry 8 sticks to the inner peripheral side wall of the drum 7. As a result, the washing liquid contained in the laundry 8 flows out of the drum 7 through the small hole 6 into the water tank 2 due to centrifugal force, and the water level of the washing liquid collected at the bottom of the water tank 2 rises. The heater 17 is immersed in the washing liquid to prevent overheating.

  At this time, the washing liquid accumulated in the lower part of the water tub 2 is entangled in the same direction as the rotation of the drum 7 and tries to move. When the washing liquid moves, the water level in the heating chamber 26 at the bottom of the drum 7 is lowered, and the heater 17 may be exposed from the liquid surface. Therefore, the direction of movement of the washing liquid to be moved by the rotation of the drum 7 is made to follow the water flow control plate 27 so as to be gathered in the heating chamber 26 toward the heater 17.

  The water flow control plate 27 is formed in an arc shape so as to guide the water flow of the washing liquid toward the heater 17, and has an arc shape in the rotation direction of the drum 7. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the upstream side in the rotational direction A of the drum 7 with respect to the heating chamber 26 provided with the heater 17 is depressed downward from the inner peripheral side surface of the water tank 2 toward the heater 17. The water flow is generated on the downstream side, and the water flow control plate 27 is projected upward from the inner peripheral side surface of the water tank 2 toward the drum 7 side, and the water flow indicated by arrow b is generated by recessing in an arc shape downstream. Like to do.

  Thereby, the washing liquid dispersed and moved in the water tank 2 by the centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the drum 7 can be concentrated in the heating chamber 26 in which the heater 17 is provided. At the same time, the movement of the washing liquid collected in the heating chamber 26 can be restricted to suppress the lowering of the water level at the bottom of the water tub 2 and the safety and water saving can be further improved.

  Further, in the washing process, the drum 7 is rotated at a rotation speed such that the laundry 8 sticks to the inner wall of the drum 7 and the heater 17 and the circulation pump 18 are simultaneously operated to heat the washing liquid in the water tub 2. In addition, the washing performance can be improved by increasing the temperature, and the washing liquid can be circulated in the drum 7 so that the washing liquid can quickly penetrate into the clothes, and the washing effect of the detergent can be exhibited more quickly.

  Further, the washing liquid spraying force from the nozzle portion 23 adds a force to separate the dirt from the laundry 8, and the washing liquid can be heated quickly and uniformly, so that the washing of the detergent is promoted. The effect can be enhanced.

  Furthermore, when a predetermined time corresponding to the amount of cloth detected by the cloth amount detecting means (not shown) has elapsed, the operation of the circulation pump 18 is stopped and the drum 7 can be tumbled. By reducing the number of rotations (for example, about 30 to 60 rpm), the laundry 8 can be switched to a tumbling operation when wet with the washing liquid, and the effect of tapping is obtained and the cleaning performance is further improved. it can. The predetermined time may be, for example, about 1 to 5 minutes if the amount of cloth is less than half of the maximum capacity of the washing machine, or about 3 to 7 minutes if the amount of cloth is more than half of the maximum capacity.

  Further, in the process of heating the washing liquid, when the drum 7 is rotated at such a rotational speed that the laundry 8 sticks to the inner wall of the drum 7, the rotational speed of the drum 7 is changed in a short cycle of about 5 to 30 seconds. May be. The rotation speed is preferably changed within a range in which the state where the laundry 8 is stuck to the inner wall of the drum 7 is maintained. For example, when the rotation speed is 100 rpm and 400 rpm, the laundry 8 stuck to the inner wall of the drum 7 is used. The rotation speed difference can be increased in a balanced state. Thereby, since the centrifugal force applied to the laundry 8 fluctuates, a press-washing effect can be obtained and the cleaning performance can be enhanced.

  When the washing process is completed, the washing liquid is drained outside the machine by switching the switching valve 20 to the drainage hose 21 side and driving the circulation pump 18.

  Also in the rinsing process executed following the washing process, the water supply means 14 operates to start water supply, and the rinsing liquid is supplied into the water tank 2 as in the washing process. When the water level sensor 16 detects a predetermined water level, water supply is stopped and the motor 10 is driven. In the rinsing process, as in the washing process, the drum 7 is rotationally driven by the motor 10, and the laundry 8 in the drum 7 is lifted and dropped onto the water surface.

  At this time, the heater 17 provided at the bottom of the water tank 2 may be energized, and the rinse liquid in the water tank 2 may be heated to perform rinsing. For this reason, also in the rinsing step, the water level at the bottom of the aquarium 2 rises by rotating the drum 7 at such a rotational speed that the laundry 8 sticks to the inner wall of the drum 7, thereby preventing the heater 17 from overheating. Can do.

  As described above, the drum-type washing machine according to the present invention rotates the drum 7 at a rotational speed at which the laundry sticks to the inner wall of the drum 7 in the step of heating the washing liquid by the heater 17, and from the drum 7 to the water tank 2. The washing liquid that has flowed out into the water tank 2 is guided to the heating chamber 26 provided at the bottom of the water tank 2 by the water flow control plate 27, and the washing liquid contained in the laundry is caused to flow into the water tank 2 by centrifugal force. Thus, the water level of the washing liquid accumulated in the heating chamber 26 provided with the heater 17 can be raised, and overheating due to the heater 17 being exposed from the washing liquid is prevented, and the heating time by the heater 17 by reducing the amount of water used. Can be shortened, and water-saving and energy-saving effects can be enhanced.

  Although the present embodiment is a drum type washing machine, it can also be applied to a drum type washing machine having a drying function.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the heating process of the drum type washing machine in the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is the same time chart. The feature of the present embodiment is that in the process of heating the washing liquid by the heater 17, the drum 7 is rotated at a rotation speed at which the laundry can be tumbled, and the water level detection means lowers the first predetermined water level higher than the heater 17 When this is detected, the drum 7 is rotated at a rotational speed at which the laundry sticks to the inner wall of the drum 7, and when it is detected that the laundry is higher than the second predetermined water level higher than the first predetermined water level, tumbling is possible. The drum 7 is rotated by a number. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations, and the detailed description of the first embodiment is used.

  When the water heating process for heating the washing liquid by the heater 17 is started, the water supply means 14 is operated to start water supply, and the water level of the washing liquid is about 20 to 50 mm higher than the uppermost end of the heater 17. After supplying water until the water level becomes higher than the water level, the heater 17 is energized, and the drum 7 is rotated at a rotation speed (for example, about 30 to 60 rpm) at which the laundry can be tumbled to perform a tumbling operation. The laundry 8 is lifted and dropped on the water surface and washed.

  When tumbling is performed, the washing liquid accumulated in the lower part of the water tank 2 is wound up on the drum 2 or the washing liquid is held in the gaps of the laundry 8 and the water level gradually decreases. When the water level in the water tank 2 becomes lower than the first predetermined water level, the drum 7 is rotated at a rotation speed (about 100 to 400 rpm) such that the laundry 8 sticks to the inner peripheral wall of the drum 7.

  Thereby, the washing liquid held in the laundry 8 flows out from the drum 7 into the water tank 2 through the small holes 6 by centrifugal force, and the water level rises. When the water level becomes higher than the second predetermined water level which is higher by about 10 to 30 mm than the first predetermined water level, the high-speed rotation of the drum 7 is stopped and tumbling is performed again. When a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the water heating process, the energization of the heater 17 is stopped and the process proceeds to the next process.

  With the above configuration, the heater 17 can be prevented from being overheated with a small amount of water, and the tumbling time in the process of heating the washing liquid can be increased as much as possible to improve both water-saving performance and washing performance.

  As described above, the drum type washing machine according to the present invention can prevent overheating of the heating means, reduce the amount of water used and shorten the heating time by the heating means, and improve washing performance, water saving and energy saving performance. Since it can raise, it is useful as a drum type washing machine.

2 Water tank 6 Small hole 7 Drum 10 Motor (drive device)
14 Water supply valve (water supply means)
16 Water level detection means 17 Heater (heating means)
18 Circulating pump 22 Circulating path 24 Control means 27 Water flow control plate

Claims (5)

A water tank for storing the washing liquid, a bottomed cylindrical drum that is rotatably arranged in the water tank and has a large number of small holes on the peripheral side surface, a drive device that rotationally drives the drum, and the water tank Water supply means for supplying water, water level detection means for detecting the water level in the water tank, heating means for heating the washing liquid provided at the bottom of the water tank, and washing liquid provided at the bottom of the water tank to the heating means And a control means for controlling the operation by driving the driving device and the like, and the control means is configured to heat the washing liquid by the heating means, and the laundry sticks to the inner wall of the drum. A drum type washing machine that rotates the drum at a rotational speed and guides the washing liquid flowing out from the drum into the water tank to the heating means by the water flow control plate. A circulation path for circulating the washing liquid from the bottom of the water tub into the drum; and a circulation pump provided in the circulation path, wherein the control means heats the washing liquid by the heating means. 2. A drum type washing machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein said drum is rotated at a rotational speed that sticks to the inner wall of said, and said heating means and said circulation pump are both operated. A cloth amount detecting means for detecting the amount of laundry put in the drum is provided, and the control means is predetermined in accordance with the cloth amount detected by the cloth amount detecting means in the step of heating the washing liquid. 3. The drum type washing machine according to claim 2, wherein when the time elapses, the operation of the circulation pump is stopped and the drum is reduced to a rotational speed at which the laundry can be tumbled. 2. The drum type washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the control means changes the rotational speed at which the laundry is stuck to the inner wall of the drum in a short period in the step of heating the washing liquid by the heating means. In the process of heating the washing liquid by the heating unit, the control unit rotates the drum at a rotation speed at which the laundry can be tumbled, and detects that the water level detection unit has lowered the first predetermined water level higher than the heating unit. When the drum is rotated at a rotation speed at which the laundry sticks to the inner wall of the drum and it is detected that the laundry is higher than the second predetermined water level higher than the first predetermined water level, the drum is rotated at a rotation speed capable of tumbling. The drum type washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the drum is rotated.