JP2012130425A - Washing and drying machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a washing and drying machine in which laundry can be rapidly wet, temperatures of the whole laundry and a wash liquid can be efficiently increased, an excellent washing effect can be attained, time necessary for washing and drying can be reduced and water can be saved.SOLUTION: A washing and drying machine 100 comprises: a steam generator 8 for generating steam by heating and evaporating water; a steam supply part 5 for supplying the generated steam into a drum 3 rotated inside a water tank 2; and a control unit 16 for controlling washing and drying operations. The steam supply part 5 includes: a steam pipe 51 provided at an edge of an opening of the water tank 2 for supplying the steam from the steam generator 8 toward the inside of the drum 3; and a steam pipe 54 provided on a circumferential face of the water tank 2 for supplying the steam from the steam generator 8 toward the outside of the circumferential face of the drum 3.

Description

  The present invention relates to a washing and drying machine provided with steam supply means for supplying steam to the inside of a rotating drum that rotates in a washing tub.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, washing / drying machines with improved washing performance and various functions have been proposed. As one of this type of washing and drying machine, a steam generator, a steam supply pipe for guiding the steam generated by the steam generator to the peripheral surface of the washing tub, and a steam diffusion attached to the outlet of the steam supply pipe 2. Description of the Related Art There is a laundry dryer that includes a nozzle, rotates in a washing tub, and is configured to supply water vapor to the inside of a rotating drum having a through hole (for example, Patent Document 1).

  In the washing and drying machine of Patent Document 1, the supply of water vapor to the inside of the rotating drum raises the temperature of the washing water circulating inside the rotating drum and the washing tub during the washing operation, and is introduced into the rotating drum. The laundry is washed at a high temperature to promote the removal of dirt and obtain good cleaning performance. Has been implemented to get.

  Further, in a washing dryer having a conventional steam generator, water vapor is supplied even during a drying operation after completion of washing, and water is applied to the laundry in the middle of drying to remove wrinkles from the laundry. There is something that was configured. Thus, by supplying water vapor to the inside of the rotating drum, washing performance can be improved, and additional functions such as sterilization of laundry and wrinkle removal during drying can be realized.

Japanese Patent No. 4083151

  In the washing / drying machine of the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, water vapor is mainly used for heating the rotating drum, the amount of water vapor directly acting on the laundry is small, and the laundry is quickly wetted so that the temperature of the laundry is increased. There is a problem that it is insufficient to raise and improve the cleaning effect by swelling action.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, quickly wet the cloth of the laundry, can efficiently raise the temperature of the whole laundry and the washing liquid, a good cleaning effect is obtained, An object of the present invention is to provide a washing and drying machine capable of shortening the washing and drying time and saving water.

  The washing / drying machine according to the present invention is a washing / drying machine comprising steam supply means for supplying water vapor to an inner side of a rotating drum rotating in a washing tub, and operation control means for controlling washing and drying operations. The steam supply means includes an opening edge supply pipe provided at an opening edge of the washing water tub so as to supply the water vapor toward the inside of the rotary drum, and the water vapor is provided outside the peripheral surface of the rotary drum. It is provided with the surrounding surface supply pipe | tube provided in the surrounding surface of the said washing water tank so that it may supply toward.

  The washing / drying machine according to the present invention has a plurality of holes provided in a peripheral surface of the rotating drum, and the rotating drum in which the water vapor supplied to the peripheral surface of the washing tub is ejected by the peripheral surface supply pipe. The peripheral surface portion is characterized by having an aperture ratio larger than that of the other portions.

  The washing / drying machine according to the present invention is characterized in that the number of holes provided in the peripheral surface portion is larger than that of other portions.

  The washing / drying machine according to the present invention is characterized in that a plurality of the opening edge supply pipes are provided at the opening edge of the washing tub.

  In the washing and drying machine according to the present invention, the steam supply means includes a steam generator that generates the water vapor, and the operation control means is provided from the steam generator to the opening edge supply pipe and the peripheral surface supply pipe. It is configured to control the supply amount of the water vapor.

  The washing / drying machine according to the present invention further includes an amount detection unit that detects an amount of the laundry accommodated in the rotary drum, and the operation control unit is configured to detect the steam based on the amount detected by the amount detection unit. The supply amount of the water vapor from the generator to the opening edge supply pipe and the peripheral surface supply pipe is controlled.

  In the washing and drying machine according to the present invention, when the amount detected by the amount detection unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the operation control unit is configured to connect the opening edge supply pipe and the peripheral surface supply pipe from the steam generator. The water vapor is supplied to both.

  The washing / drying machine according to the present invention is characterized in that the operation control means supplies the water vapor from the steam generator to the peripheral surface supply pipe when controlling the drying operation.

  The washing / drying machine according to the present invention includes cloth quality determination means for determining whether the laundry cloth is hydrophilic or hydrophobic, and the operation control means is determined by the cloth quality determination means. The supply amount of the water vapor from the steam generator to the opening edge portion supply pipe and the peripheral surface supply pipe is controlled based on the cloth quality.

  In the present invention, water vapor can be supplied to the center portion of the laundry in the rotary drum by the opening edge supply pipe and to the outer peripheral portion of the laundry by the peripheral surface supply pipe. Accordingly, the laundry can be wetted quickly, the temperature of the laundry and the washing liquid can be increased efficiently, and a good cleaning effect can be obtained by the swelling action. Since the washing power is improved, the washing operation time can be shortened, and the laundry detergent solution warmed by steam as a whole has a low viscosity, so that the foaming at the time of dehydration is good, water saving effect, energy saving Can be achieved.

  In the present invention, since the opening ratio of the peripheral surface portion is increased, water vapor can be effectively applied to the laundry with the loss reduced.

  In the present invention, since the number of holes provided in the peripheral surface portion is larger than that of other portions, the aperture ratio of the peripheral surface portion can be easily increased.

  In the present invention, since a plurality of the opening edge supply pipes are provided at the opening edge, the amount of water vapor directly supplied to the laundry without loss from the opening edge supply pipe is increased, and the cleaning effect is further improved. .

  In the present invention, the supply amount of water vapor to the opening edge supply pipe and the peripheral surface supply pipe is controlled according to the amount of laundry. For example, when the amount of laundry is large and the supply of water vapor using only the opening edge supply pipe does not contact the water on the laundry on the bottom side of the rotating drum, the water supply from the steam generator to the peripheral surface supply pipe is performed. Thus, water vapor can be brought into contact with the entire laundry substantially uniformly, and a good cleaning effect can be obtained. And, when the amount of laundry is large, by supplying water vapor from the steam generator to the peripheral surface supply pipe before the end of the drying step, it is possible to contact the water vapor substantially uniformly over the entire laundry, It can finish well.

  In the present invention, by supplying water vapor to the rotating drum through the peripheral surface supply pipe at the time of drying, the humidity of the entire rotating drum can be increased, and wrinkles can be suppressed and finished well.

  In the present invention, the amount of water vapor supplied to the opening edge supply pipe and the peripheral surface supply pipe is controlled according to the quality of the laundry. When the fabric is hydrophilic, it is more likely to become dirty than when it is hydrophobic. Also, wrinkles are easier when drying. Therefore, when the cloth quality is hydrophilic, it is possible to perform cleaning with increased detergency by supplying water vapor to the opening edge supply pipe and the peripheral surface supply pipe during washing. When the fabric is hydrophilic, the surface of the fiber is raised by supplying water vapor through the peripheral surface supply pipe during drying, and the fabric can be finished softly with wrinkles extended.

  According to the laundry dryer of the present invention, water vapor can be supplied to the center of the laundry in the rotating drum by the opening edge supply pipe and to the outer peripheral part of the laundry by the peripheral surface supply pipe. The cloth can be wetted quickly and the temperature of the entire laundry and the washing liquid can be increased efficiently. Therefore, a good cleaning effect can be obtained, the washing and drying time can be shortened, and water can be saved to save energy.

It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the washing-drying machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the internal structure of the washing / drying machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the internal structure of the washing / drying machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the steam generation part which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a control block diagram of the washing / drying machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the washing-drying process by CPU which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the washing-drying process by CPU which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings illustrating embodiments thereof.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a washing / drying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 2 and 3 are longitudinal sectional views showing an internal configuration of the washing / drying machine according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of a steam generation part.
A washing / drying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a water tank (washing water tank) 2 inside an outer box 1 constituting an exterior. The aquarium 2 is a large-diameter bottomed cylindrical body provided with an opening 20 for loading laundry on one side, and a plurality of support legs 21 erected on the bottom surface of the outer box 1 (only one is shown). Thus, it is elastically supported with the opening 20 side inclined upward. The inclination angle of the water tank 2 is about 5 ° to 30 ° with respect to the horizontal plane.

  On the front surface (the left side surface in FIG. 2) of the outer box 1, a laundry inlet 11 is opened at a position facing the opening 20 of the water tub 2 so as to be opened and closed by a lid 10. The space between the opening 20 is liquid-tightly sealed by a bellows 12.

  Inside the water tank 2, a drum (rotary drum) 3 is supported coaxially with the water tank 2. The drum 3 is a bottomed cylindrical body having a slightly smaller diameter than the water tank 2, and an opening 30 for loading laundry is opened on one side. The drum 3 faces the opening 30 inside the opening 20 of the water tank 2 and is connected to the end of the output shaft 40 of the drum motor 4 fixed at the center of the bottom of the water tank 2. Therefore, it is configured to rotate inside the water tank 2.

  A fluid balancer 31 is provided around the opening 30 of the drum 3 so as to absorb vibration accompanying rotation of the drum 3. The drum motor 4 is fixed inside a motor chamber 41 connected to the outside of the bottom plate of the water tank 2. The output shaft 40 of the drum motor 4 protrudes into the water tank 2 through the bottom plate of the water tank 2 in a liquid-tight manner, and the drum 3 is connected to the protruding end.

As shown in FIG. 2, a large number of holes 34 are formed through the entire circumference in the central portion of the circumferential surface of the drum 3 where water vapor is injected from a vapor injection port 55 described later. . Further, holes 35 are formed through the entire periphery of the peripheral surface other than the above-described portions, that is, on the opening 30 side and the bottom surface side, with the space between the holes being larger than the holes 34.
A plurality of baffles 33 extending in the axial length direction are provided on the inner surface of the drum 3 so as to be evenly spaced in the circumferential direction. In FIG. 2, only a part of the holes 34 and 35 and one baffle 33 are shown. The holes 34 or the holes 35 are not limited to the case where the holes 34 or 35 are formed over the entire circumference of the drum 3, and a group of holes 34 or a group of holes 35 including a plurality of groups equally spaced in the circumferential direction. You may decide to form.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the lid body 10 includes a grip portion 13 that is gripped for opening and closing, and a door opening button 14 is disposed on the front surface of the outer box 1 in the vicinity of the lid body 10. The lid body 10 is opened and closed by operating the grip portion 13 or the door opening button 14. Laundry thrown in from the slot 11 provided on the front surface of the outer box 1 is introduced into the drum 3 through the openings 20 and 30. Inside the drum 3, washing water inside the water tub 2 flows from the holes 34, 35 provided on the peripheral surface, and a plurality of baffles 33 project from the inner surface of the drum 3. The laundry put in is immersed in the flowing wash water, and is stirred and washed while being lifted and dropped by the baffle 33.

  In addition, an operation panel 15 including operation keys for various operations and a display unit for various displays is provided on the front upper portion of the outer box 1. The operation panel 15 is connected to a control unit (operation control means) 16 (see FIG. 2) provided inside the operation panel 15. The operation of the washing / drying machine including the washing operation, the dehydration operation, and the drying operation is executed by the operation of the control unit 16 based on the operation content of the operation panel 15. These washing operation, dehydration operation, and drying operation are each performed by known procedures, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  A water supply port 17 serving as a connection end to the water supply is provided on the rear upper surface of the outer box 1, and the water supply port 17 is provided with a water supply valve 18 (FIG. 2) provided inside the outer box 1 as shown in FIG. 2. Connected). The water supply valve 18 is a multiple solenoid valve having a plurality of water supply outlets. The first water supply outlet of the water supply valve 18 is connected to the upper peripheral surface in the vicinity of the bottom plate of the water tank 2 through the water supply pipe 19, and when the water supply valve 18 is switched to the first water supply outlet, Water is supplied into the water tank 2 through a water supply valve 18 and a water supply pipe 19. A detergent case can be arranged in the middle of the water supply pipe 19 so that an appropriate amount of detergent is introduced together with the water supply.

  Further, a water conduit 22 is connected to the circumferential surface near the bottom plate at the lowest position in the water tank 2, and this water conduit 22 is a cylindrical filter case fixedly supported at the front lower part inside the outer box 1. 23. Inside the filter case 23 is housed a lint filter 24 that captures foreign matter mixed in the water. The lower portion of the filter case 23 is connected to a drain pipe 26 laid along the bottom surface of the outer box 1 via a drain valve 25, and the drain pipe 26 is connected to a sewer pipe. Further, a return pipe 28 is connected to the rear end portion of the filter case 23 via a circulation pump 27, and the return pipe 28 extends upward along the front portion of the water tank 2, and opens the water tank 2. It is connected to the edge from above.

An air trap 36 is provided on the water tank 2 side of the water guide pipe 22, a pressure guide pipe 37 is connected to the air trap 36, and a water level sensor 38 is provided at the upper end of the pressure guide pipe 37. The water level sensor 38 communicates with the water tank 2 via the pressure guiding pipe 37 and the air trap 36 so that the pressure (water pressure) due to the water level in the water tank 2 is transmitted to the water level sensor 38.
The water level sensor 38 includes a coil and a magnetic body, and the magnetic body moves in the coil in accordance with a pressure change due to the water level in the water tank 2. And it is comprised so that the inductance of the coil produced by the position of the magnetic body in a coil may be detected as an oscillation frequency, and the water level in the water tank 2 may be detected.

  The washing water supplied into the water tank 2 is introduced into the filter case 23 through the water conduit 22 and fills the inside of the filter case 23. The circulation pump 27 attached to the filter case 23 is continuously or intermittently driven during the aforementioned washing operation. By this driving, the washing water inside the filter case 23 is sucked into the circulation pump 27 and pressurized, and is fed to the upper part of the water tank 2 through the return pipe 28, and the laundry inside the drum 3 is fed from the tip of the return pipe 28. It is sprayed on and acts to enhance the cleaning effect. Since the wash water in the water tank 2 is continuously supplied to the inside of the filter case 23 through the water conduit 22, the circulation of the wash water from the water tank 2 through the inside of the filter case 23 and back into the drum 3 occurs. . Foreign matters such as fiber waste contained in the circulating washing water are captured and removed by the lint filter 24 provided in the filter case 23, and clean washing water is passed through the return pipe 28 inside the drum 3. It will be poured down.

  The drain valve 25 provided at the lower part of the filter case 23 is opened after the above washing operation. By this opening, the washing water inside the water tank 2 is discharged to the drain pipe 26 through the water conduit 22 and the filter case 23 and drained to the sewer pipe. Even during this drainage, the foreign matter contained in the wash water is captured by the lint filter 24 inside the filter case 23, so that there is no possibility of being discharged to the sewer pipe through the drain pipe 26, thereby reducing the environmental load. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the drying unit 9 includes a blower 91, a PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) heater 92, a case 95 that is attached to the upper surface of the outer box 1 and contains a drying filter 94, and is heated and dried. A blower duct 96 for blowing air to the drum 3 and a heat exchanging portion 93 provided on the back side of the water tank 2 are provided.

  The blower 91 includes a fan case 91a, a rotary blade 91b accommodated in the fan case 91a, and a fan motor 91c that rotationally drives the rotary blade 91b, and is attached to the upper part of the water tank 2. The fan motor 91c is connected to the rotary blade 91b and is configured to rotationally drive the rotary blade 91b by a direct drive structure.

The PTC heater 92 is disposed between the fan case 91 a and the blower duct 96 in the blower 91 and heats the air blown by the blower 91. A blower opening 97 of the blower duct 96 is provided at the opening edge of the water tank 2, and warm air is blown out from the blower opening 97 toward the lower portion of the drum 3.
The heat exchanging portion 93 is formed so as to connect the opening 93 a on the blower 91 side at the upper part of the water tank 2 and the opening 93 b at the lower back of the water tank 2. Cooling water is passed through the peripheral wall of the heat exchange section 93. A first temperature sensor 93c and a second temperature sensor 93d are provided on the openings 93b and 93a side of the heat exchanging section 93, respectively, and detect temperatures (air and cooling water temperatures) in the vicinity of the openings 93b and 93a. To do.

  When the drying unit 9 is operated, air circulates in the water tank 2 as indicated by arrows in FIG. That is, the rotary blade 91b of the blower 91 rotates, the warm air generated by the PTC heater 92 passes through the case 95 and the drying filter 94, and passes from the blower duct 96 to the lower part of the space in the drum 3 through the blower duct 96. And blow out. Thereby, the water | moisture content of the laundry in the drum 3 evaporates. The moisture-containing air, that is, humid air, exits the drum 3 from the holes 34 and 35 and is sucked into the heat exchanging portion 93 through the opening 93 b at the lower back of the water tank 2. It is cooled by the flowing cooling water. Thereby, the moisture contained in the humid air is condensed. That is, the wet air is dehumidified by the heat exchanging section 93 to become dry air. The dry air is sucked into the opening 93 a on the blower 91 side, sent into the fan case 91 a, heated again by the PTC heater 92, passed through the case 95 and the drying filter 94, and then passed from the blower opening 97 to the drum 3. Blow out toward the bottom inside. The drying part 9 operates and the warm air circulates, whereby the laundry in the drum 3 can be dried.

As shown in FIG. 4, a small diameter water supply pipe 50 is connected to the second water supply outlet of the water supply valve 18, and the water supply valve 18 is switched to the second water supply outlet. Water supplied from the water supply port 17 is supplied. The water supply pipe 50 extends forward in the upper space of the water tank 2. The water supply valve 18 can supply water to both the water supply pipes 50 and 19 simultaneously.
The other end of the water supply pipe 50 is connected to a water tank 6 that temporarily stores water supplied from the water supply pipe 50, and the water tank 6 is connected to a metering pump 7 capable of supplying a certain amount of water by a water supply pipe 57. Yes. Further, the metering pump 7 is connected to the steam generator 8 by a water supply pipe 58. Steam supply section (steam supply) from water supply pipes 50, 57, 58, water tank 6, metering pump 7, steam generator 8, steam pipe (opening edge supply pipe) 51, 51 and steam pipe (circumferential supply pipe) 54 Means) 5 is configured.

As shown in FIG. 1, the steam generator 8 heats and evaporates the feed water from the feed water pipe 58 to generate water vapor, and sends it to the steam pipes 51, 51 and 54. The steam pipes 51, 51 extend further forward from the steam generator 8, and one steam injection port 52 provided side by side with the return pipe 28 at the opening edge of the water tub 2, and the side of the washing dryer at the opening edge. It is connected to the other steam injection port 52 provided on the opposite side of the direction. The steam delivered to the steam pipes 51, 51 is configured to be sprayed from the steam injection ports 52, 52 toward the center of the laundry put into the drum 3.
The steam pipe 54 extends rearward from the steam generator 8 and is connected to a steam injection port 55 provided at a substantially central portion in the axial direction of the peripheral surface of the water tank 2. The steam delivered to the steam pipe 54 is sprayed from the steam injection port 55 toward the rear part slightly from the center part of the peripheral surface of the drum 3, and is configured to be applied to the outer peripheral part of the laundry inside from the hole 34. ing.
It is preferable that the steam pipes 51 and 54 have a shorter length, that is, a shorter steam flow path to prevent a temperature drop due to the thermal expansion of the steam.

  The water tank 6 is a hollow container capable of storing a predetermined amount of water, and has an inlet pipe 60 that communicates with the upper surface, an outlet pipe 61 that communicates with the side surface near the bottom surface, and an overflow that communicates with the side surface located away from the bottom surface. A tube 62. A water supply pipe 50 extending from the water supply valve 18 is connected to an inlet pipe 60, and is configured such that water flowing from the inlet pipe 60 is stored inside the water tank 6. The outlet pipe 61 is connected to the metering pump 7 via the water supply pipe 57, and the water conduit 63 is connected to the overflow pipe 62.

  When the water level of the stored water in the water tank 6 rises, the overflow pipe 62 sends out the water exceeding the opening position to the water guide pipe 63 and keeps the internal water level of the water tank 6 constant. The water sent out to the water conduit 63 is supplied to the heat exchanging section 93 and reused as cooling water for cooling and dehumidifying the humid air flowing in the heat exchanging section 93. Moreover, the water sent out to the water conduit 63 is supplied to the inside of the water tank 2 and reused as part of the washing water.

  The metering pump 7 includes an elastic tube 70 and a pressing body 71, and is configured as a so-called tube pump. The pressing body 71 is a disc provided with pressing pieces protruding radially outward at a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction, is fixed to the output end of the motor 72, and rotates by driving the motor 72. The elastic tube 70 is arranged with its both ends connected to the joint 73 and bent in a circle so as to surround the outside of the pressing body 71. A water supply pipe 57 extending from the outlet pipe 61 of the water tank 6 is connected to one end of the elastic tube 70 via a joint 73, and the stored water inside the water tank 6 is introduced into the elastic tube 70 through the water supply pipe 57. Is done. The other end of the elastic tube 70 is connected to the steam generator 8 via a water supply pipe 58 connected to the same side of the joint 73.

As shown in the figure, the pressing piece provided on the pressing body 71 crushes the corresponding portion of the elastic tube 70 at each tip, and moves according to the rotation of the pressing body 71. By this movement, the water in the elastic tube 70 is pushed out toward the other end and sent to the steam generator 8 through the downstream water supply pipe 50. A plurality of (three in the figure) pressing pieces of the pressing body 71 are provided, and each of them moves in a state where the elastic tube 70 is crushed. Therefore, the steam generator 8 responds to the rotation of the pressing body 71. A fixed amount of water is sent out continuously.
The metering pump 7 is not limited to the illustrated tube pump.

The lower surface, upper surface, and part of the side surface of the housing 80 of the steam generator 8 are covered with a hot plate 82 in which a heater wire 81 is embedded. On the upper surface of the housing 80, a flow down port 83 is opened so as to face the center of the bottom heat plate 82 from above, and a water supply pipe 58 extending from the metering pump 7 is connected to the flow down port 83. Further, one side of the bottom surface of the housing 80 is raised from the laying position of the heat plate 82, and two delivery ports 84, 84 are opened at both ends of the washing dryer in the lateral direction of the raised plate. The outlets 84 and 84 are connected to the steam injection ports 52 and 52 via the first air supply valves 53 and 53 and the steam pipes 51 and 51.
An outlet 87 is opened on the side of the housing 80 opposite to the side where the raised portion is provided. The outlet 87 is connected to the steam via the second air supply valve 56 and the steam pipe 54. It is connected to the injection port 55.

  The steam generator 8 configured as described above is supplied with water from the metering pump 7 through the water supply pipe 58, and generates heat by causing the heating plate 82 to generate heat by energizing the heater wire 81. The water supply flows down from the flow outlet 83 connected to the water supply pipe 58 to the approximate center of the hot plate 82 facing downward, is heated by the contact with the hot plate 82 and evaporates, and water vapor is generated inside the housing 80. appear. The generated water vapor is sent out into the steam pipes 51 and 51 through the outlets 84 and 84 when the first air supply valves 53 and 53 are opened by the control of the control unit 16, and at the tip of the steam pipes 51 and 51. It is injected from the steam injection ports 52 and 52 and supplied to the center of the laundry in the drum 3 as described above. Further, when the second air supply valve 56 is opened by the control of the control unit 16, the steam is sent into the steam pipe 54 through the delivery port 87, and is injected from the steam injection port 55 at the tip of the steam pipe 54. It is supplied to the outer periphery of the laundry in the drum 3.

Since the water is stably supplied to the steam generator 8 by the above-described operation of the metering pump 7, and this water supply is sequentially evaporated by contact with the hot plate 82, the steam generator 8 stably stabilizes a certain amount of water vapor. This water vapor is supplied to the inside of the drum 3.
The supply of water vapor into the drum 3 is performed in parallel with the supply of the washing water during the washing operation. The supplied water vapor hits the laundry before it is soaked in the washing water, heats and wets the laundry, softens the soil component, and promotes the action of removing the soil component. Therefore, the washing effect can be enhanced in the washing operation after water supply.

A temperature detector 85 that detects the temperature of the hot plate 82 is provided on the hot plate 82 of the steam generator 8, and an abnormal temperature detector 86 is provided on the upper surface of the housing 80. The temperature detected by the temperature detector 85 is used for on / off control of energization of the heater 81. The abnormal temperature detector 86 detects that the on / off control of the heater 81 is not normally executed due to an abnormality of the temperature detector 85, for example, and the hot plate 82 is overheated, and forcibly cuts off the power supply to the heater 81. It is provided for.
In addition, the structure of the steam generation part 5 is not limited to the above-mentioned structure. A container for storing water may be provided with a heater so that water is supplied to the container, the water is boiled, and water vapor is sent from the container to the steam pipes 51 and 54.

FIG. 5 is a control block diagram of the washer / dryer 100.
The control unit 16 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 161, a control program for controlling the entire washer / dryer 100, a ROM 162 storing a washing air supply time table 163, and a drying air supply time table 164, and a work area It is comprised with the microcomputer (microcomputer) provided with RAM165. The CPU 161 reads the control program stored in the ROM 162 onto the RAM 165, and executes the control program while temporarily storing the data being processed in the RAM 165.

  In the washing air supply time table 163, a time for supplying water vapor from the steam pipes 51 and 54 to the drum 3 is set for each washing and drying course, after the cloth quality determination of the washing process, for each cloth amount and cloth quality. ing. In the dry air supply time table 164, for each washing / drying course, a time for supplying water vapor from the steam pipes 51 and 54 to the drum 3 at the time of dry finishing is set for each amount and quality of the laundry. The air supply time data is based on experimental data performed for each washing / drying course, the amount of cloth, and the cloth quality.

Table 1 is a table showing an example of the washing air supply time table 163 when the washing / drying course is the standard course. In the table, “small cloth amount” indicates that the cloth amount is less than 2 kg, and “large cloth amount” indicates that the cloth amount is 2 kg or more. The unit of time is seconds, and indicates the air supply time after the cloth quality is judged.
When the ratio (mass ratio) of hydrophilic fibers such as cotton and hydrophobic fibers such as chemical fibers in the laundry is 60/40 or more, the cloth quality is hydrophilic (more cotton), and the ratio Is 40/60 or more and less than 60/40, the fabric quality is standard (mixed spinning), and when the ratio is less than 40/60, the fabric quality is hydrophobic (more synthetic fibers). In addition, the ratio for this cloth quality determination can be set arbitrarily. Regardless of whether each garment constituting the laundry is made of the same fiber (for example, 100% cotton) or a mixture of a plurality of fibers (for example, a mixture of 60% cotton and 40% synthetic fiber), Judge as the whole laundry. Even when the clothes are made of synthetic fibers, when the thickness is thick, the amount of water absorption increases, so it can be determined that the clothes are hydrophilic.
The determination of the cloth quality is performed by “detection of water reduction” and / or “detection of torque fluctuation of the drum motor 4” as will be described later.

  As shown in Table 1, for example, when the amount of cloth is 2 kg or more and water vapor is not supplied to the laundry on the bottom side of the drum 3 when the water vapor is supplied only by the steam tubes 51 and 51, the steam generator 8 to the steam tube By supplying water vapor to 54, water vapor can be brought into contact with the entire laundry substantially uniformly and a good cleaning effect can be obtained. Moreover, since it is easy to get dirty in the order of more cotton, mixed spinning, and more synthetic fibers, the air supply time is lengthened in this order to improve the cleaning power.

  In Table 1, the air supply time is changed according to the cloth quality, but is not limited to this. The time for supplying air from the steam pipe 51 depends on whether the cloth amount is “small” or “large”. The supply time may be changed between the steam pipe 51 and the steam pipe 54 in the case of “large amount of cloth”. Furthermore, in the case of “small amount of cloth”, air may be supplied from the steam pipe 54 in a state where the supply quantity is less than the supply quantity from the steam pipe 51.

  Table 2 is a table showing an example of the drying air supply time table 164 when the washing / drying course is the standard course. In the table, “small cloth amount” indicates that the cloth amount is less than 2 kg, and “large cloth amount” indicates that the cloth amount is 2 kg or more. The unit of time is seconds.

As shown in Table 2, when the amount of cloth is 2 kg or more and the steam is supplied only by the steam pipes 51, 51 when the steam does not contact the laundry on the bottom side of the drum 3, the steam generator 8 to the steam pipe 54 By supplying water vapor to the laundry, water vapor can be contacted substantially uniformly over the entire laundry, loosening the fibers hardened by drying, extending the wrinkles that occur throughout the laundry, Can be finished.
Further, wrinkles are likely to occur in the order of cotton, mixed spinning, and synthetic fiber, so the air supply time is lengthened in this order to improve the wrinkle stretching effect. Cotton laundry such as towel cloth is raised by the contact of water vapor and feels good.
In Table 2, the air supply time is changed according to the cloth quality, but is not limited to this, and the time for supplying air from the steam pipe 51 may be changed according to the amount of cloth. In the case of “large amount”, the supply time may be changed between the steam pipe 51 and the steam pipe 54. Furthermore, in the case of “small amount of cloth”, air may be supplied from the steam pipe 54 in a state where the supply quantity is less than the supply quantity from the steam pipe 51.

  The control unit 16 is supplied with detection signals from the water level sensor 38, the first temperature sensor 93c, the second temperature sensor 93d, and the operation key signal of the operation panel 15. From the control unit 16, in addition to the display signal for the display unit of the operation panel 15, the drum motor 4, the fan motor 91 c, the PTC heater 92, the water supply valve 18, the first air supply valve 53, and the second air supply valve 56 are output. A drive signal is output.

In the washing and drying machine 100 configured as described above, the CPU 161 measures the amount of cloth (capacity and mass) of the laundry when the start key of the operation panel 15 is pressed, and the inside of the drum 3 is based on the amount of cloth. Select the steam pipe that supplies steam to the valve and open the corresponding supply valve. Then, water supply is performed simultaneously with the supply of water vapor, and the laundry corresponding to the laundry drying course selected by the user is determined based on the fabric quality determined from the water absorption amount of the laundry detected at this time (water reduction amount based on a decrease in the water level). With reference to the air supply time table 163, the air supply time is set and water vapor is supplied. In addition, at the time of drying finishing, the air supply valve selected based on the cloth amount is opened, and the dry air supply time table 164 is referred to based on the cloth quality so that the water supply time is set and water vapor is supplied. It is configured.
Note that the supply of water vapor in the washing process is not limited to the case where it is performed simultaneously with the water supply.

6 and 7 are flowcharts showing the procedure of the washing and drying process by the CPU 161.
First, the CPU 161 determines whether or not the power key is turned on (S1). When the CPU 161 determines that the power key is not turned on (S1: NO), the process is repeated.
When the CPU 161 determines that the power key is turned on (S1: YES), it determines whether or not the selection of a washing / drying course (for example, a plurality of stages such as standard, my family style, careful, dry, blanket, etc.) has been accepted (S2). . When the CPU 161 determines that the selection is not accepted (S2: NO), the process is repeated.

When the CPU 161 determines that the selection has been accepted (S2: YES), it determines whether or not the start key is turned on (S3). When the CPU 161 determines that the start key is not turned on (S3: NO), the process is repeated.
When the CPU 161 determines that the start key is turned on (S3: YES), the CPU 161 detects the amount (mass) of the laundry (S4). The CPU 161 is based on the ratio of the time required to increase the rotational speed of the drum motor 4 from the predetermined rotational speed to a predetermined amount and the time required to decrease the predetermined rotational speed after applying the brake. Detect the amount of cloth. The method for detecting the amount of cloth is not limited to this method.

Next, the CPU 161 determines whether or not the cloth amount detected in step S4 is 2 kg or more (S5). If the cloth amount is 2 kg or more (S5: YES), the first air supply valve 53, 53 and the 2nd air supply valve 56 are opened, water vapor | steam is injected to the center part and outer peripheral part of the laundry from the steam injection ports 52, 52, and 55, and an air supply is started (S6). When the amount of cloth is not 2 kg or more, i.e., less than 2 kg (S5: NO), the CPU 161 opens only the first air supply valves 53, 53 and injects water vapor from the steam injection ports 52, 52 to the center of the laundry. (S7). The CPU 161 starts water supply at the same time.
In addition, the magnitude | size of the cloth amount determined by step S5 is not limited to 2 kg, A suitable value can be set.

  Then, the CPU 161 determines the cloth quality (S8). The CPU 161 supplies a predetermined amount of water to the water tank 2, detects the water level after the completion of water supply by the water level sensor 38, for example, performs stirring for a predetermined time such as 1 minute, and then detects the water level again by the water level sensor 38. The amount of water reduction from the water level when the water supply is completed is detected. Then, the water tank 2 is again supplied and stirred for 1 minute to detect the reduced water amount twice. The CPU 161 stores the total value of the three water reduction amounts or the third water reduction amount in the ROM 162. When the cloth quality is hydrophilic, the amount of water reduction increases. In addition, the method of calculating | requiring a water reduction amount is not limited to said case. The CPU 161 may detect the magnitude (variation width and average value) of torque fluctuation of the drum motor 4 based on the magnitude of the q-axis current after the water level in the drum 3 reaches a predetermined water level and is stabilized. Good. When the ratio of cotton in the laundry is large and the water absorption is large, the fluctuation of the drum motor 4 becomes large.

  Then, the CPU 161 determines whether (washing) air supply time has elapsed (S9). The air supply time is set according to the amount of cloth detected in step S4 and the cloth quality determined in step S8 in the above-described washing air supply time setting table 163 selected corresponding to the washing / drying course. If the CPU 161 determines that the air supply time has not elapsed (S9: NO), the process is repeated.

  When the CPU 161 determines that the air supply time has elapsed (S9: YES), the CPU 161 starts the washing process (S10). The CPU 161 rotates the drum 3 alternately in both forward and reverse directions by the drum motor 4 to perform normal washing such as washing with detergent, dewatering to rotate the drum at a predetermined rotation speed and rotation time, and rinsing. Execute the process.

The CPU 161 determines whether or not the washing process is finished, that is, whether or not the dehydration process after rinsing is finished (S11). When the CPU 161 determines that the washing process has not ended (S11: NO), the process is repeated.
When the CPU 161 determines that the washing process is completed (S11: YES), the drum 3 is rotated and dried after setting the shortest (lower limit) operation time and the longest (upper limit) operation time based on the selected washing operation course. The unit 9 is operated to start drying the laundry (S12).
Then, the CPU 161 determines whether it is time to start finishing (S13). For example, after the shortest operating time has elapsed, the CPU 161 determines that the difference in temperature detected by the first temperature sensor 93c and the second temperature sensor 93d is greater than or equal to a predetermined value or that the longest operating time has elapsed. In this case, it is determined that the finishing time is reached. When the CPU 161 determines that it is not the start time (S13: NO), the process is repeated.

  At the initial stage of drying, the warm air comes into contact with the laundry, absorbs moisture, cools the drum 3, and flows through the opening 93b. The temperature is detected by the first temperature sensor 93c. . As the drying progresses, heat is not removed and the amount of moisture absorbed decreases, so that the temperature detected by the first temperature sensor 93c gradually increases. Since the heat contained in the warm air has more latent heat than the sensible heat, the amount of water vapor (= humidity) contained in the warm air is reduced, so that the rate of latent heat exchange in the heat exchanging section 93 is reduced and the sensible heat exchange proceeds. Therefore, the total amount of heat discharged in the heat exchanging section 93 is gradually decreased, and the temperature of the cooling water detected by the second temperature sensor 93d is gradually decreased. Accordingly, as the drying progresses, the difference in temperature detected by the first temperature sensor 93c and the second temperature sensor 93d increases, so that it is determined by determining whether the temperature difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. It can be determined that it is time to start finishing.

  When the CPU 161 determines that it is the start time (S13: YES), it determines whether or not the amount of cloth detected in step S4 is 2 kg or more (S14), and if the amount of cloth is 2 kg or more (S14). : YES), the first air supply valve 53 and the second air supply valve 56 are opened, water vapor is injected from the steam injection ports 52, 52 and 55 to the center and the outer periphery of the laundry, and finishing of drying is started ( S15). When the amount of cloth is not 2 kg or more, i.e., less than 2 kg (S14: NO), the CPU 161 opens only the first air supply valve 53, and sprays water vapor from the steam injection port 55 to the outer periphery of the laundry, Finishing is started (S16).

  Then, the CPU 161 determines whether the air supply time has elapsed (S17). The air supply time is set corresponding to the cloth amount detected in step S4 and the cloth quality determined in step S8 in the above-described dry air supply time setting table 164 selected corresponding to the washing / drying course. If the CPU 161 determines that the air supply time has not elapsed (S17: NO), the process is repeated.

  When the CPU 161 determines that the air supply time has elapsed (S17: YES), the drying operation ends (S18), and the washing and drying process ends.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, water vapor can be supplied to the center of the laundry in the drum 3 by the steam pipe 51 and to the outer periphery of the laundry by the steam pipe 54, so that the cloth gets wet quickly. The temperature of the entire laundry and the detergent liquid can be increased efficiently by performing the above, and a good cleaning effect can be obtained by the swelling action and the warming action.

And in this Embodiment, since it is comprised so that the supply amount of the water vapor | steam to the steam pipes 51 and 51 and the steam pipe 54 may be controlled according to the quantity of the laundry, as mentioned above, When the amount is large, the water vapor is also supplied to the steam pipe 54, so that the water can be brought into contact with the entire laundry substantially uniformly.
In the present embodiment, the steam supply time to the steam pipes 51 and 51 and the steam pipe 54 is controlled according to the cloth quality of the laundry. Is hydrophilic and can easily become dirty, the air supply time can be lengthened to increase the washing power.
As described above, since the washing / drying machine 100 according to the present embodiment has improved detergency, the washing operation time can be shortened, and the laundry detergent solution warmed entirely by water vapor has a viscosity. Since it is low, it has good bubble breakage during dehydration, has a water-saving effect, and can save energy.

Note that the configuration of the steam generation unit 5 and the control of the amount of steam supplied to the steam pipes 51 and 51 and the steam pipe 54 during washing are not limited to those described in the present embodiment. The number of steam pipes 51 is not limited to two, and may be one or three or more. Further, the present invention is not limited to the case where each of the first air supply valve 53 and the second air supply valve 56 is provided, and one switching valve may be provided to switch to the steam pipe 51 and / or the steam pipe 54. . In this embodiment, the supply amount of water vapor is controlled by the supply time, but the flow rate of water vapor per unit time supplied from the first supply valve 53 and the second supply valve 56 is controlled. You may decide.
The control of the supply amount based on the cloth amount and the cloth quality is not limited to the case described in the present embodiment. The supply of water vapor may not be controlled based on the amount of cloth and the cloth quality, and the water vapor may be uniformly supplied from both the steam pipe 51 and the steam pipe 54, and based on either the cloth amount or the cloth quality. The supply amount of water vapor may be controlled. It is not limited to the case where the number of stages of the amount of cloth and the quality of the cloth is two or three.

Further, in the present embodiment, the portion of the peripheral surface of the drum 3 where the water vapor is irradiated has a larger number of holes 34 and the opening ratio is increased, so that the water vapor can be effectively washed with reduced loss. You can hit things. And since the number of the holes 35 in the portions other than the above portions is reduced, a decrease in the rigidity (strength) of the drum 3 is suppressed.
It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the case where the number of the holes 34 and 35 is changed, and the diameter of the hole 34 may be made larger than the diameter of the hole 35 to increase the aperture ratio.

And in this Embodiment, the humidity of the whole drum 3 can be raised and it can finish favorably by supplying water vapor | steam to the drum 3 from the steam pipe 54 at the time of drying. As described above, when the fabric is hydrophilic, the wrinkles are easier and harder, but by supplying water vapor from the steam pipe 54 to the drum 3, the surface of the fiber is raised and the wrinkles are stretched. You can finish softly.
Control of water vapor supply during drying is not limited to the case described in this embodiment. The supply of water vapor may be uniformly supplied from the steam pipe 54 without controlling the supply of water vapor based on the amount of cloth and the cloth quality, and the supply amount of water vapor is controlled based on either the cloth amount or the cloth quality. You may decide to do it.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Outer box 2 Water tank 3 Drum 4 Drum motor 5 Steam supply part 50, 57, 58 Water supply pipe 51, 54 Steam pipe 52, 55 Steam injection port 53 1st air supply valve 56 2nd air supply valve 6 Water tank 7 Metering pump DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 8 Steam generator 9 Drying part 91 Blower 92 PTC heater 93 Heat exchange part 93a, 93b Opening part 93c 1st temperature sensor 93d 2nd temperature sensor 94 Drying filter 95 Case 96 Air blow duct 97 Air outlet 15 Operation panel 16 Control part 161 CPU
162 ROM
163 Washing air supply time table 164 Drying air supply time table 165 RAM
38 Water level sensor

Claims (9)

In a washing and drying machine comprising a steam supply means for supplying steam to the inside of a rotating drum that rotates in a washing tub, and an operation control means for controlling washing and drying operations,
The steam supply means includes
An opening edge supply pipe provided at an opening edge of the washing tub so as to supply the water vapor toward the inside of the rotating drum;
A washing and drying machine comprising: a circumferential surface supply pipe provided on a circumferential surface of the washing tub so as to supply the water vapor toward the outside of the circumferential surface of the rotating drum. A plurality of holes are provided in the peripheral surface of the rotating drum,
The opening portion of the peripheral surface portion of the rotating drum from which the water vapor supplied to the peripheral surface of the washing tub by the peripheral surface supply pipe is larger than the other portion. Laundry dryer.   The washing / drying machine according to claim 2, wherein the number of holes provided in the peripheral surface portion is larger than that of other portions.   The laundry dryer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a plurality of the opening edge supply pipes are provided at an opening edge of the washing tub. The steam supply means has a steam generator for generating the water vapor,
The said operation control means is comprised so that the supply_amount | feed_rate of the said water vapor | steam from the said steam generator to the said opening edge part supply pipe | tube and a surrounding surface supply pipe | tube may be comprised. The washing dryer according to any one of the above. Comprising an amount detection means for detecting the amount of laundry housed in the rotary drum;
The said operation control means controls the supply amount of the said water vapor | steam from the said steam generator to the said opening edge part supply pipe | tube and a surrounding surface supply pipe | tube based on the quantity detected by the said quantity detection means. Item 6. A washing and drying machine according to Item 5.   The operation control means is configured to supply the water vapor from the steam generator to both the opening edge supply pipe and the peripheral surface supply pipe when the quantity detected by the quantity detection means is a predetermined value or more. The washing / drying machine according to claim 6.   The said operation control means supplies the said water vapor | steam to the said surrounding surface supply pipe | tube from the said steam generator, when controlling the said driving | operation of drying, The any one of Claim 5-7 characterized by the above-mentioned. Laundry dryer. A cloth quality determining means for determining whether the laundry cloth is hydrophilic or hydrophobic;
The operation control means controls the supply amount of the water vapor from the steam generator to the opening edge supply pipe and the peripheral surface supply pipe based on the cloth quality determined by the cloth quality determination means. The washing / drying machine according to claim 6.

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