JP2012170682A - Drum washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a drum washing machine provided with a highly safe hot water heater.SOLUTION: A drum washing machine includes: a rotary drum 43; a water tub 42; a motor 45; first and second water supply means 57 and 58 for supplying water into the water tub 42; water level detecting means 76 for detecting a water level; a water circulation system 56 for jetting to circulate washing water in the water tub 42 from a jet port 70 provided on the inside front side of the water tub 42 into the rotary drum 43 by a circulation pump 67; a hot water heater 72 arranged at the bottom of the water tub 42; and control means 82 for controlling each of the processes. In a washing process, the hot water heater 72 is disposed below the lowest water level which declines while the circulation pump 67 is driven. The control means 82 energizes the hot water heater 72 when water is supplied to a water level which is below the aforementioned lowest water level and above the upper surface part of the hot water heater 72. Thus, an overheating or an abnormal heat of the hot water heater 72 is prevented and a high safety can be achieved.

Description

  The present invention relates to a drum type washing machine for washing laundry contained in a rotating drum.

  Conventionally, this type of drum type washing machine has improved the cleaning power by discharging heated washing water onto the laundry. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  FIG. 4 shows a longitudinal sectional view of a conventional drum-type washing machine described in Patent Document 1. As shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 4, a bottomed cylindrical outer tub 6 is supported in the housing 1 in a state of being inclined downward from the front side to the back side of the housing 1 by a suspension structure (not shown). The outer tub 6 is composed of the outer tub main body 2 and the outer tub cover 3, and is connected and fixed in a watertight manner through the first packing member 4 at the connection portion. The outer tub 6 includes a rotatable drum 5 formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape so as to be freely rotatable. An opening / closing door 8 is provided at the front of the housing 1. A first water supply valve 9 and a second water supply valve 11 for supplying washing water are provided at the upper rear of the housing 1.

  The rotating drum 5 is rotationally driven by a drive motor 7 attached to the outer side of the outer tub main body bottom 2c of the outer tub 6, and its rotational speed and direction are variable. The inner bottom of the outer tub 6 is provided with a hot water heater 36 made of a sheathed heater or the like to heat the washing water.

  The washing water heated in the washing process enters from the water intake 20 formed on the inner bottom surface of the outer tub 6 by the water flow generated by the rotation of the rotating drum 5, and the first circulation water channel 22 and the first circulation water channel 22. The second circulating water channel 26 and the third circulating water channel 27 communicating with the circulating water channel 22 are discharged from the discharge port 32 to the laundry in the rotary drum 5.

JP 2007-117135 A

  However, in the conventional configuration, for some reason, for example, the hot water heater is energized even if the water level does not reach a predetermined water level due to a failure of the water supply valve. There was a problem.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a drum-type washing machine having high safety that prevents overheating, abnormal heat generation, and the like of a hot water heater.

The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and includes a rotating drum formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape, a water tank that rotatably includes the rotating drum, a motor that rotationally drives the rotating drum, and the water tank Water supply means for supplying water, water level detection means for detecting the water level in the aquarium, and washing water in the aquarium are fed into the rotating drum from a spout provided on the front side inward of the aquarium by a circulation pump. A water circulation system for spraying and circulating, a hot water heater for heating washing water disposed in the horizontal direction at the bottom of the water tank, and controlling the motor, water supply means, circulation pump, hot water heater, etc., washing, rinsing, Control means for controlling each process such as dehydration and the like, and in the washing process, the warm water heater is provided below the lowest water level that is lowered during the driving of the circulation pump, and the control means includes the lowest water level. In below, and the when the water is supplied to above the water level than the upper surface portion of the water heater, in which a structure for energizing the hot water heater. This can prevent the hot water heater from being overheated or abnormally heated.

  In the drum type washing machine of the present invention, since the hot water heater is energized only when the hot water heater is in the wash water, it is possible to realize cleaning with hot water with high safety.

The longitudinal cross-sectional view of the drum type washing machine in embodiment of this invention Block diagram of the drum type washing machine Control flow chart of the drum type washing machine Vertical section of a conventional drum-type washing machine

  A first invention is a rotating drum formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape, a water tank that rotatably includes the rotating drum, a motor that rotationally drives the rotating drum, a water supply means that supplies water into the water tank, A water level detecting means for detecting the water level in the water tank, and a water circulation system for circulating the wash water in the water tank by injecting it into the rotating drum from a jet port provided inward of the front surface of the water tank by a circulation pump. The hot water heater for heating the washing water disposed in the horizontal direction at the bottom of the water tank and the motor, the water supply means, the circulation pump, the hot water heater, etc. are controlled to control each process such as washing, rinsing and dehydration. Control means, and during the washing process, the hot water heater is provided below a minimum water level that is lowered during driving of the circulation pump, and the control means is below the minimum water level and the temperature When the hot water heater is energized when the water level is higher than the upper surface of the heater, the hot water heater is energized only when the hot water heater is in the wash water. Preventing high safety can be realized.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Further, the present invention is not limited by this embodiment.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal sectional view of a drum type washing machine in an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, a water tank 42 is swingably disposed inside a washing machine housing 41, and a rotating drum 43 is rotatably disposed in the water tank 42. A rotation shaft (rotation center shaft) 44 is provided in the horizontal direction at the rotation center of the rotating drum 43, and a motor 45 attached to the rotation shaft 44 in the vicinity of the back side of the water tank 42 is connected via a belt 46. The rotary drum 43 is rotated by 45 in the forward and reverse directions. Several protrusion plates 47 for stirring the laundry are provided on the inner wall surface of the rotating drum 43. In addition, a large number of water passage holes 48 are provided on the entire outer periphery of the rotating drum 43.

  The water tank 42, the rotating drum 43, the motor 45, and the like constitute a vibration water tank unit 49. The water tank unit 49 is formed by a plurality of spring bodies 50 from above the washing machine housing 41, and the washing machine. Anti-vibration is supported by a plurality of anti-vibration dampers 51 from the bottom of the housing 41.

  Further, the opening provided in the washing machine housing 41 on the front side of the water tub 42 is covered with a lid 52 so that the laundry can be opened and closed. By opening the lid 52, the laundry is put into and out of the rotary drum 43 through the clothing entrance 53. I can do it.

  In addition, this drum type washing machine has a function of automatically controlling the motor 45, the water supply system 54, the drainage system 55, and the water circulation system 56 according to the mode setting and control program to perform at least a washing process, a rinsing process, and a dehydrating process. is doing.

  The water supply system 54 includes a first water supply hose 59 or a second water supply hose by opening and closing the first electromagnetic valve 57 (first water supply means) or the second electromagnetic valve 58 (second water supply means). Water can be supplied from the water supply path 62 into the water tank 42 in a timely manner through the detergent storage 61 that passes through 60 and stores a detergent and a soft finish and stores a drawer (not shown) that can be pulled out from outside.

  The drainage system 55 collects lint from the outside through the drainage pipe 64 connected to the bottom of the water tank 42 when necessary, such as at the end of the washing process or at the end of the rinsing process, by driving the drainage pump 63. After passing through the detachable drainage filter 65, the drainage hose 66 arranged from the inside of the machine to the upper part outside the machine can be drained through the drainage pump 63.

  The water circulation system 56 circulates the water in the water tank 42 as necessary during the pre-washing process, the washing process, the rinsing process, and the like, thereby preventing the premature dissolution and unevenness of the detergent and improving the function of easy washing.

  The water circulation system 56 drives the circulation pump 67 to pass the washing water in the water tank 42 through the drainage filter 65 via the drainage pipe 64, and the inflow side path 68 to the circulation pump 67, the circulation pump 67 and Through the discharge side path 69 from the circulation pump 67, the water is repeatedly discharged into the rotary drum 43 as the circulating water indicated by the solid line arrow from the inner front outlet 70 of the water tank 42. A plurality of jet outlets 70 are provided in the circumferential direction, and the circulating water is discharged from all directions of the circumference.

  The recess 71 formed at the bottom of the water tank 42 is provided with a hot water heater (heating means) 72 such as a sheathed heater for heating the washing water in the horizontal direction. By discharging the washing water into the rotating drum 43 as described above, the washing water is sprinkled on the laundry and the washing water is circulated again. Since the heated washing water is sprinkled on the laundry, the molecular activity of the washing water is increased and the activation of the detergent is increased, so that the washing power can be increased and washing unevenness can be reduced. In the vicinity of the hot water heater 72, a temperature detection means 73 such as a thermistor for detecting the water temperature is provided.

  In addition, an air trap 74 is configured on the side wall of the outer periphery of the bottom of the outer tub 42 in communication with the drain pipe 64. The air trap 74 is provided inside the upper portion of the washing machine housing 41 by an air pipe 75, and is provided with a pressure sensor or the like. It is connected to the constructed water level detection means 76, and can detect the water level in a plurality of stages by the water pressure of the washing water supplied into the outer tub 42.

  As for the water level rank, the minimum set water level rank during the washing process is R8, the water level rank at the bottom surface position of the rotating drum 43 is R6, the water level rank at which the hot water heater 72 is turned on is R3, and the height of the upper surface portion of the hot water heater 72 is The water level rank is R1.

When the circulation pump 67 is driven during the washing or rinsing process, the washing water in the water tank 42 is discharged into the rotating drum 43 as circulating water indicated by the solid line arrow from the inner front outlet 70 of the water tank 42 as described above. However, this circulating water penetrates into the laundry in the rotating drum 43. As the washing water penetrates into the laundry and the washing water is filled in the path of the water circulation system 56, the water level in the water tank 42 is greatly lowered. Experimentally, it is about 50 mm lower than the lowest set water level rank R8 during the washing process, but the difference between R8 and the water level rank R1 of the upper surface of the hot water heater 72 is set to about 50 mm or more. Therefore, the hot water heater 72 is not exposed to the air while the circulation pump 67 is driven.

  Further, the water level rank R3 at which the hot water heater 72 is turned on is set below the water level that is lowered during the operation of the circulating pump 67 and above the water level rank R1 at the height of the upper surface of the hot water heater 72. Therefore, since the warm water heater 72 is always turned on only in the washing water, the warm water heater 72 is not overheated or abnormally heated.

  In addition, the rear upper part of the detergent container 61 provided in the upper part of the washing machine housing 41 and the upper part of the water tank 42 are connected by a connecting hose 77, and the air in the water tank 42 is pressurized by the stroke operation operation. It plays the role of pulling out.

  In addition, vibration detection means 78 of an acceleration sensor that detects vibration of the water tank unit 49 is disposed on the rear surface of the upper surface of the water tank 42, and is not an acceleration in one direction, but front and rear (X axis direction), left and right (Y axis direction). ), Vibrations in the three axial directions (up and down (Z-axis direction)) are detected to control the operation. This is because the actual vibration of the water tank unit 49 is not necessarily limited to one direction, and is therefore detected with high accuracy using a multi-axis acceleration sensor.

  The mode such as the driving course and various functions are selected by the user by inputting to the input setting means 80 from the operation display means 79 provided at the upper front of the washing machine housing 41, and inside the upper portion of the washing machine housing 41. The arranged control device 81 is displayed on the display means 96 (see FIG. 2) on the operation panel 79 based on the input information to notify the user.

  FIG. 2 is a block circuit diagram of the drum type washing machine in the embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 2, the control means 82 of the control device 81 is constituted by a microcomputer or the like, and starts operating when power is supplied from the commercial power supply 83 by turning on the power switch 84, a water level detection means 76, a temperature detection means 73, The outputs of the cloth amount detection means 85 and the vibration detection means 78 are input, and the setting contents are displayed on the display means 96 based on the contents set by the user input in the input setting means 80, and the bidirectional thyristor, The operation of the motor 45, the hot water heater 72, the first electromagnetic valve 57, the second electromagnetic valve 58, the drainage pump 63, the circulation pump 67, etc. is controlled and washed through a load driving means 86 constituted by a relay or the like. Control each step of rinsing and dehydration. Note that the display means 96 also notifies if there is any abnormality in the operation. The input setting means 80 and the display means 96 constitute an operation display means 79.

  About the drum type washing machine comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below.

  FIG. 3 is a control flowchart of the Cotton course, which is a standard operation course of the drum type washing machine in the embodiment of the present invention, and mainly describes the washing process.

  In FIG. 3, first, the user opens the lid 52, starts by putting clothes on the rotating drum 43, starts the Cotton course, sets the washing water temperature (YES in Step S <b> 1), The amount of cloth fed in is detected by the cloth amount detecting means 85 (step S2). In step S3, the control means 82 displays the water level corresponding to the cloth amount and the detergent amount with respect to the water amount at the water level. Is displayed.

In step S4, when the user puts the displayed amount of detergent into the drawer portion of the detergent storage unit 61, the first electromagnetic valve 57 is activated to start water supply, and the tap water is put together with the detergent in the detergent storage unit 61. Water is supplied into 42 (step S5). In the water supply process of step S5, in order to improve the balance of the laundry in the rotating drum 43 and promote the dissolution of the detergent, washing with foam is performed in which the rotating drum 43 rotates at a low speed (step S6). Water supply (step S7) is performed to compensate for the lowered water level that has permeated into the object. When the predetermined amount of water supply ends, the water supply stirring A starts in step S8.

  In the water supply agitation A, the motor 45 is driven, the rotating drum 43 rotates at a low speed, and the agitation is performed by tapping washing that lifts the laundry and drops its own weight. At the same time, the circulation pump 67 is driven for 1 minute, and the washing water in the water tub 42 is sprayed as circulating water from the spout 70 at the front part of the water tub 42 toward the laundry in the rotating drum 43 to promote the dissolution of the detergent. (Step S9) Next, when the circulation pump 67 is stopped for one minute, the second electromagnetic valve 58 is opened and water is supplied to a predetermined water level (Step S10). The reason why the circulation pump 67 is stopped during the water supply is to correctly detect the water level in the water tank 42. Each one minute is repeated, and when a predetermined time has elapsed (step S11) and the clothes are removed to some extent, the process proceeds to the water supply stirring B in step S12.

  In the water supply agitation B, the motor 45 is driven, the rotating drum 43 is rotated for 4 minutes longer than the water supply agitation A, and the laundry is agitated. At the same time, the second solenoid valve 58 is opened and water is supplied up to a predetermined water level, for example, R11 higher than R8 of the lowest set water level rank (step S13). At this time, the circulation pump 67 is stopped. At the same time, when the water level detected in step S14 reaches the water level rank R3 (step S15), the hot water heater 72 is turned on (step S16), and heating of the washing water is started. This heating is stopped when the set temperature is reached, and when the temperature decreases, the heating is repeated until the washing process is completed. Next, it moves to the water supply stirring C of step S17.

  In the water supply stirring C, similarly to the water supply stirring B, the rotating drum 43 rotates for 4 minutes, and the laundry is stirred. At the same time, the circulation pump 67 is driven, and the wash water in the water tank 42 is injected into the rotary drum 43 from the outlet 70 at the front of the water tank 42 as circulating water (step S18). At this time, since the washing water is in a heated state, the washing water sprayed into the rotating drum 43 makes it easy for the dirt attached to the laundry to float, and the molecular activity of the washing water increases. Since the activation of the detergent increases, the cleaning power can be increased and washing unevenness can be reduced. When the water supply stirring B for 4 minutes and the water supply stirring C for 4 minutes are repeated and a predetermined time has elapsed (step S19), the hot water heater 72 is also turned off (step S20), and the washing process ends.

  In the next process, the rinse (1) process, the drainage pump 63 is driven to drain the water in the water tank 42, and then intermediate dehydration is performed. Centrifugal force is applied to the laundry to remove moisture from the laundry. After the separation, the water is supplied to the washing water level, and the motor 45 is driven to start the rinsing and stirring for taking out the detergent liquid from the laundry (step S21).

  In the rinsing process (2), that is, the final rinsing process, drainage and intermediate dewatering are performed in the same manner as in the rinsing process (1), and after the rinsing is completed, rinsing and stirring are started (step S22).

  In the dehydration process in step S23, after rinsing is completed, the drainage pump 63 is driven to drain the water in the water tank 42, and then the motor 45 is driven to rotate the rotating drum 43 at high speed, thereby applying centrifugal force to the laundry. By giving, it separates the moisture from the laundry for a predetermined time, and the course ends.

As described above, in the present embodiment, in the washing process, the hot water heater is provided below the lowest water level that is lowered while the circulation pump is being driven, and the upper surface portion of the hot water heater is below the lowest water level. By supplying current to the hot water heater when the water level is higher than the water level, the hot water heater is energized only when the hot water heater is in the wash water. Can be realized.

  As described above, the drum type washing machine according to the present invention can prevent overheating, abnormal heat generation, and the like of the hot water heater by setting the attachment position of the hot water heater and controlling the water level that is energized to the hot water heater. Since it becomes possible, it is applicable to uses, such as another washing machine which has a warm water heater.

42 Water tank 43 Rotating drum 45 Motor 56 Water circulation system 57 First solenoid valve (first water supply means)
58 Second solenoid valve (second water supply means)
67 Circulating pump 70 Jet outlet 72 Hot water heater 76 Water level detection means 82 Control means

Claims (1)

A rotating drum formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape, a water tank that rotatably includes the rotating drum, a motor that rotationally drives the rotating drum, and first and second water supply means for supplying water into the water tank, A water level detecting means for detecting the water level in the water tank, and a water circulation system for circulating the wash water in the water tank by injecting it into the rotating drum from a jet port provided inward of the front surface of the water tank by a circulation pump. The hot water heater for heating the washing water disposed in the horizontal direction at the bottom of the water tank and the motor, the water supply means, the circulation pump, the hot water heater, etc. are controlled to control each process such as washing, rinsing and dehydration. Control means, and in the washing process, the hot water heater is provided below the lowest water level that is lowered during the circulation pump drive, and the control means is below the lowest water level, and When water is supplied to above the water level than the upper surface portion of the water heater, a drum type washing machine for energizing the hot water heater.