JP2014004059A - Clothes treatment apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a clothes treatment apparatus that has a structure capable of efficiently feeding steam to clothes and improving safety (thermal insulation property).SOLUTION: The clothes treatment apparatus includes a housing tub for housing clothes and a steam feeding mechanism for jetting steam to the housing tub. The steam feeding mechanism includes: a steam generator 420 that has a wall surface defining a chamber for generating steam; a heater for heating the wall surface; and a water feeding mechanism for discharging water to the wall surface, and a spacer 451 interposed for separating the steam generator 420 and a case 410.

Description

  The present invention relates to a clothing processing apparatus for washing, dewatering and / or drying clothing.

  A washing machine that supplies steam to clothes and sterilizes has been developed (see Patent Document 1). The washing machine of Patent Document 1 generates steam using a heater immersed in water.

European Patent No. 1883727

  The washing machine of Patent Document 1 supplies steam to a drum in which clothing is stored. However, since the pressure of the steam supplied to the drum is low, the space in the drum needs to be filled with steam. Therefore, the washing machine of Patent Document 1 consumes a large amount of electric power to generate steam. Therefore, the temperature of the case covering the steam generating part becomes high. When the temperature of the case becomes high, there may be a safety problem.

  An object of this invention is to provide the clothing processing apparatus which can supply vapor | steam efficiently to clothing and has a safe structure.

  The clothing processing apparatus which concerns on 1 aspect of this invention is equipped with the storage tank which accommodates clothing, and the vapor | steam supply mechanism which injects a vapor | steam to this storage tank, This vapor | steam supply mechanism is a chamber for generating the said vapor | steam. A steam generator having a wall surface that defines: a heater that heats the wall surface; a water supply mechanism that emits water to the wall surface heated by the heater; a case that covers the steam generator; the steam generator; And a spacer for separating the case.

  According to the above configuration, the steam generator has a wall surface that defines a chamber for generating steam. The water supply mechanism emits water to the wall surface heated by the heater. The emitted water hits the wall surface heated by the heater to become water vapor, and the pressure in the chamber rapidly increases due to the vaporization pressure, and the vapor is injected into the storage tank in which the clothes are stored. Unlike the prior art that leaks steam and places the garment in a steam atmosphere, the steam is injected at a high pressure so that the steam is supplied directly to the garment. Therefore, the clothing processing apparatus can supply steam to the clothing with high supply efficiency. Moreover, since the steam generator is separated from the case by the spacer, the temperature rise of the case is suppressed, and safety is improved.

  The clothing processing apparatus according to the present invention can efficiently supply steam to clothing.

Schematic longitudinal sectional view of a washing machine exemplified as a clothing processing apparatus 1 is a schematic perspective view of the washing machine shown in FIG. Schematic perspective view of the steam supply mechanism housed in the casing of the washing machine shown in FIG. Schematic perspective view of the steam generation part of the steam supply mechanism shown in FIG. Schematic perspective view of the steam generation part of the steam supply mechanism shown in FIG. FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B are schematic perspective views of an attachment structure for connecting the lid of the steam generating unit and the housing. 4A and 4B are schematic perspective views showing an exploded structure of the steam generation unit shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. 4A and 4B are schematic perspective views of the steam generator of the steam generating section shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. 4A and 4B are schematic perspective views of the steam generator of the steam generating section shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. Schematic perspective view of the main piece of the steam generator shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B 6A and 6B are schematic exploded perspective views of the steam generator shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. Schematic perspective view of the lid of the steam generator shown in FIG. Schematic plan view of the main piece shown in FIG. Schematic of the water supply mechanism of the steam supply mechanism shown in FIG. Schematic rear view of the front part of the storage tub of the washing machine shown in FIG. Explanatory drawing which represents roughly the relationship between the intermittent operation | movement of the pump of the water supply mechanism shown by FIG. 11, and the temperature in chamber space. Explanatory drawing which represents roughly the change of the temperature of the water supplied to the water tank of the washing machine shown by FIG. The block diagram which represents roughly the control with respect to the door body based on the temperature of the steam generator shown by FIG. 6B.

  Hereinafter, a washing machine exemplified as a clothing processing apparatus will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the terms representing the directions such as “up”, “down”, “left” and “right” used in the following description are merely for the purpose of clarifying the explanation, and the principle of the clothing processing apparatus It is not limited at all. The principle of the clothing processing apparatus can also be applied to an apparatus having the ability to wash and dry clothes and an apparatus for drying clothes.

<Washing machine>
FIG. 1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of the washing machine 100. The washing machine 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The washing machine 100 includes a casing 110 and a storage tank 200 that stores clothes in the casing 110. The storage tank 200 includes a rotary drum 210 having a substantially cylindrical peripheral wall 211 that surrounds the rotation axis RX, and a water tank 220 that stores the rotary drum 210.

  The case 110 includes a front wall 111 in which an insertion port for putting clothes into the storage tub 200 is formed, and a rear wall 112 on the opposite side of the front wall 111. The rotating drum 210 and the water tank 220 open toward the front wall 111.

  The washing machine 100 further includes a door body 120 attached to the front wall 111. The door body 120 rotates between a closed position that closes the charging port formed in the front wall 111 and an open position that opens the charging port. The user can turn the door 120 to the open position, and put the clothes into the storage tub 200 through the insertion port of the front wall 111. Thereafter, the user can move the door 120 to the closed position and cause the washing machine 100 to wash clothes. Note that the door 120 shown in FIG. 1 is in the closed position.

  The rotating drum 210 rotates around a rotation axis RX extending between the front wall 111 and the rear wall 112. The clothes put in the storage tank 200 move in the rotary drum 210 as the rotary drum 210 rotates, and are subjected to various processes such as washing, rinsing and / or dehydration.

  The rotating drum 210 includes a bottom wall 212 facing the door body 120 in the closed position. The water tank 220 includes a bottom 221 that surrounds a part of the bottom wall 212 and the peripheral wall 211 of the rotary drum 210, and a front part 222 that surrounds the other part of the peripheral wall 211 of the rotary drum 210 between the bottom 221 and the door body 120. .

  The storage tank 200 includes a rotating shaft 230 attached to the bottom wall 212 of the rotating drum 210. The rotation shaft 230 extends toward the rear wall 112 along the rotation axis RX. The rotating shaft 230 passes through the bottom 221 of the water tank 220 and appears between the water tank 220 and the rear wall 112.

  The washing machine 100 includes a motor 231 installed below the water tank 220, a pulley 232 attached to the rotating shaft 230 exposed outside the water tank 220, and a belt 233 for transmitting the power of the motor 231 to the pulley 232. Are further provided. When the motor 231 operates, the power of the motor 231 is transmitted to the belt 233, the pulley 232, and the rotating shaft 230. As a result, the rotating drum 210 rotates in the water tank 220.

  The washing machine 100 further includes a packing structure 130 disposed between the front portion 222 of the water tank 220 and the door body 120. The door 120 rotated to the closed position compresses the packing structure 130. As a result, the packing structure 130 forms a watertight seal structure between the door body 120 and the front portion 222.

  The housing 110 includes a housing top wall 113 that extends substantially horizontally between the front wall 111 and the rear wall 112, and a housing bottom wall 114 on the opposite side of the housing top wall 113. The washing machine 100 further includes a water supply port 140 connected to a faucet (not shown), and a distribution unit 141 for distributing water introduced through the water supply port 140. The water supply port 140 appears on the housing top wall 113. The distribution unit 141 is disposed between the housing top wall 113 and the storage tank 200.

  The washing machine 100 further includes a detergent storage part (not shown) in which the detergent is stored and a steam supply mechanism 300 (described later) that jets steam to the storage tank 200. The distribution unit 141 includes a plurality of water supply valves for selectively supplying water to the storage tank 200, the detergent storage unit, and the steam supply mechanism 300. In addition, in FIG. 1, the water supply path | route to the storage tank 200 and a detergent storage part is not shown. A technique used in a known washing machine is suitably applied to water supply to the storage tank 200 and the detergent storage unit.

<Steam supply mechanism>
FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the washing machine 100. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the steam supply mechanism 300 accommodated in the housing 110. 2 and 3, the housing 110 is represented by a dotted line. In FIG. 3, the storage tank 200 is not shown. The arrows in FIG. 3 schematically represent the water supply path. The steam supply mechanism 300 is described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

  The steam supply mechanism 300 includes a water supply valve 310 used as a part of the distribution unit 141 and a water storage tank 320 disposed below the storage tank 200. The water supply valve 310 is used to control water supply to the water storage tank 320. When the water supply valve 310 is opened, water is supplied from the water supply port 140 to the water storage tank 320. When the water supply valve 310 is closed, the water supply to the water storage tank 320 is stopped.

  The steam supply mechanism 300 further includes a pump 330 attached to the water storage tank 320 and a steam generator 400 that receives water discharged from the pump 330. The pump 330 performs a water supply operation intermittently or continuously to the steam generation unit 400. During the intermittent water supply operation, the pump 330 supplies an appropriate amount of water adjusted so that instantaneous steam generation occurs to the steam generation unit 400. If the pump 330 continuously supplies water to the steam generation unit 400, impurities (scale) contained in the water used for generating steam are washed away from the steam generation unit 400. The steam generator 400 will be described later.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the steam supply mechanism 300 further includes a steam conduction pipe 340 that extends downward from the steam generation unit 400. As shown in FIG. 1, the front portion 222 of the water tank 220 includes a peripheral wall portion 223 that surrounds the peripheral wall 211 of the rotating drum 210 and an annular portion 224 that cooperates with the packing structure 130 to form a watertight seal structure. The steam conduction pipe 340 is connected to the peripheral wall part 223. The steam generated by the steam generation unit 400 is supplied to the storage tank 200 through the steam conduction pipe 340. In addition, it is preferable that the vapor | steam conduction pipe | tube 340 is made into a bellows shape so that the vibration at the time of rotating the storage tank 200 may not be transmitted to the steam generation part 400. FIG.

  Since the pump 330 forcibly supplies water from the water storage tank 320 to the steam generator 420 in the steam generation unit 400, the steam generator 420 can be disposed above the water storage tank 320. When water is supplied from the water storage tank 320 to the steam generator 420 without providing the pump 330, the water in the water storage tank 320 must be sent to the steam generator 420 by the action of gravity, so that the steam generator 420 is stored in the water storage tank. It must be placed lower than 320. Compared with this, by arranging the pump 330, water is forcibly supplied from the water storage tank 320 to the steam generator 420 by the pressure of the pump 330, so that the arrangement of the steam generator 420 and the water storage tank 320 is accompanied. It is difficult for the constraints of mutual vertical relationships to occur. Since the degree of freedom increases in the arrangement of the water storage tank and the steam generator, the space in the housing 110 can be effectively used.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the steam generator 420 is arranged above the water storage tank 320, but water is supplied from the water storage tank 320 to the steam generator 420 by the pump 330 without any problem.

  If water inadvertently flows into the steam generator due to factors such as accidental failure, steam will be generated outside the necessity. However, as a result of the arrangement of the pump 330, the water storage tank 320 can be disposed below the steam generator 420. Even when the pump 330 is stopped due to a malfunction due to a failure and the supply of water to the steam generator 420 cannot be controlled, the water staying in the water tank 320 and the hose connecting the pump 330 and the steam generator 420 is retained. However, it does not flow into the steam generator 420 inadvertently. As described above, when the pump 330 is not provided, the steam generator 420 must be disposed below the water storage tank 320. For example, when a control component such as an on-off valve provided to control the supply of water from the water storage tank 320 to the steam generator 420 fails, the supply of water to the steam generator 420 cannot be controlled, and the action of gravity As a result, water is inadvertently supplied from the water storage tank 320 to the steam generator 420. Compared with this, since the pump 330 is arranged, a situation where water is inadvertently supplied from the water storage tank 320 to the steam generator 420 is avoided.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the steam generator 420 is disposed above the storage tank 200. At this time, impurities contained in the water supplied to the steam generator 420 form a chamber space 430 such as the outer chamber wall 431, the inner chamber wall 432, the upper surface 429, and the lower surface 434 of the lid piece 424 at the time of vaporization. Adhere or deposit on the wall. If impurities adhere to or deposit on the wall surface forming the chamber space 430 and accumulate, heat transfer is not properly performed between the wall surface and the supplied water, and evaporation is difficult. However, if the steam generator 420 is disposed above the storage tank 200, the adhered or deposited impurities are discharged or dropped below the steam generator 420 by the action of pressure and gravity during vaporization. . Therefore, the impurities are easily discharged from the chamber space 430 to the storage tank 200. As a result, accumulation of impurities adhered or precipitated in the chamber of the steam generator 420 is prevented. In addition, a reduction in vaporization ability due to the accumulation of impurities is prevented in advance.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the water storage tank 320 is disposed in the lower left space of the housing 110. The steam generator 420 is disposed in the upper right space of the housing 110. As described above, the steam generator 420 and the water storage tank 320 are disposed at substantially symmetrical positions with respect to the central axis (rotation axis RX) of the storage tank 200.

  In the case of a general washing machine, a detergent container that accommodates detergent is disposed on one of the left side and the right side in front of the upper part of the housing. The space outside the substantially cylindrical storage tank 200 excluding the position occupied by the detergent storage section is effectively utilized for arranging the water storage tank 320 and the steam generator 420, respectively. For example, if the detergent container is disposed on the left side in front of the upper portion of the housing 110, the water storage tank 320 is disposed on the lower left side of the housing 110 as shown in FIG. 2. At this time, if the steam generator 420 is disposed in front of the upper right side of the housing 110, the internal space between the inner surface of the substantially rectangular box-shaped housing 110 and the outer surface of the substantially cylindrical storage tank 200 is: The storage tank 320 and the steam generator 420 are effectively used for the arrangement. As a result, the water tank 320 and the steam generator 420 may be designed to be as large as possible within the allowed space.

  Further, when the detergent container is in the position as described above, the water storage tank 320 is disposed at a position substantially symmetrical to the detergent container with respect to the central axis (rotation axis RX) of the container tank 200, and steam is generated. If the container 420 is disposed at a position substantially symmetrical to the water storage tank 320 with respect to the horizontal plane HP including the rotation axis RX of the storage tank 200, the space inside the housing 110 is effectively utilized as described above. .

  Further, when the detergent container is in the above-described position, the steam generator 420 may be disposed above the water tank 320 if the water tank 320 is disposed below the detergent container. At this time, the steam generator 420 may be disposed at a position substantially symmetrical to the water storage tank 320 with respect to a vertical plane including the rotation axis RX of the storage tank 200. As a result, the space inside the housing 110 is effectively utilized as described above.

  Further, when the rotation axis RX of the storage tank 200 is inclined in the front-rear direction of the housing 110 (for example, the rotation axis RX of the rotation drum 210 is inclined upward from the rear wall 112 toward the front wall 111). In such a case, the water storage tank 320 and the steam generator 420 may be arranged at substantially symmetrical positions with respect to the rotation axis RX of the storage tank 200 or the horizontal plane HP including the rotation axis RX. If the water storage tank 320 and the steam generator 420 are disposed at a position that is substantially symmetrical with respect to a vertical plane that passes through the approximate center in the front-rear direction of the casing 110, the space between the inner surface of the casing 110 and the outer surface of the storage tank 200 is reduced. The internal space is effectively utilized for arranging the water storage tank 320 and the steam generator 420.

  4A and 4B are schematic perspective views of the steam generation unit 400. FIG. The steam generator 400 is described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 4B.

  The steam generation unit 400 includes a substantially rectangular box-shaped case 410 and a steam generator 420 accommodated in the case 410. The case 410 includes a container part 411 for housing the steam generator 420 and a lid part 412 that covers the container part 411. That is, the steam generator 420 is covered by the case 410.

  The steam generator 420 is connected to the pump 330 using a connection pipe 421 and a tube (not shown). Further, the steam generator 420 is connected to the steam conduction pipe 340 using the exhaust pipe 422. The container part 411 includes a bottom wall part 414 in which an opening 413 is formed. The connection pipe 421 and the exhaust pipe 422 protrude downward through the opening 413.

  FIG. 5A is a schematic perspective view of an attachment structure for connecting lid portion 412 and housing 110. A mounting structure between the lid 412 and the housing 110 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 4A and 5A.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the housing 110 includes a right wall 115 erected between the front wall 111 and the rear wall 112, and a left wall 116 opposite to the right wall 115. The housing 110 further includes a first reinforcement frame 117 disposed along the upper edge of the right wall 115 and a second reinforcement frame 118 disposed along the upper edge of the front wall 111.

  The lid 412 includes a substantially rectangular upper wall 415, a lid peripheral wall 416 that protrudes downward from the edge of the upper wall 415, and a protruding piece 417 that protrudes forward from the lid peripheral wall 416. The washing machine 100 further includes a first attachment piece 151 connected to the first reinforcement frame 117 and the upper wall 415, and a second attachment piece 152 connected to the second reinforcement frame 118 and the protruding piece 417. . The first attachment piece 151 and the second attachment piece 152 protrude upward from the lid portion 412 to separate the casing top wall 113 and the steam generation portion 400. As a result, heat transfer from the steam generator 400 to the housing 110 is relaxed. In this embodiment, the 1st attachment piece 151 and the 2nd attachment piece 152 are illustrated as a holding | maintenance part.

  FIG. 5B is a schematic perspective view showing an exploded structure of the steam generation unit shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. The spacer 451 will be described with reference to FIG. 5B.

  6A and 6B are schematic perspective views of the steam generator 420. The steam generator 420 is described with reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B.

  The steam generator 420 includes a substantially rectangular main piece 423, a lid piece 424 provided on the main piece 423, and a linear heater 425 provided on the main piece 423. In the present embodiment, the main piece 423 and the lid piece 424 are made of aluminum. Therefore, the main piece 423 and the lid piece 424 are appropriately heated by the heater 425.

  The steam generator 420 further includes a thermistor 426. In addition to the connection pipe 421, the exhaust pipe 422 and the heater 425, the thermistor 426 is also attached to the main piece 423. The heater 425 is controlled by temperature information obtained by the thermistor 426 using the thermistor 426. Therefore, the temperature of the main piece 423 and the lid piece 424 is kept substantially constant. The same effect can be obtained by using a thermostat that controls on / off of the heater 425 at a predetermined temperature instead of the thermistor 426.

  The steam generator 420 is attached to the case 410 via a spacer 451. That is, the steam generator 420 and the case 410 are separated by the spacer 451. Although the steam generator 420 becomes high temperature, the heat of the steam generator 420 is hardly transmitted to the case 410 due to this configuration. For this reason, the temperature rise of case 410 is suppressed and safety increases.

  Note that when the spacer 451 has a hollow cylindrical shape, the heat conduction can be reduced, and the temperature rise of the case 410 is suppressed. Further, when the spacer 451 has a cylindrical shape, sufficient strength can be obtained even if the thickness is small, and heat conduction can be further reduced.

  When a material (for example, iron or stainless steel) whose thermal conductivity is lower than a material (for example, aluminum) that configures the steam generator 420 is used as the material for the spacer 451, the heat conduction from the steam generator 420 is performed. The temperature of the case 410 can be suppressed from being increased.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of the main piece 423. The main piece 423 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6B and 7.

  The main piece 423 includes a main piece lower surface 427 to which the connection pipe 421, the exhaust pipe 422 and the thermistor 426 are attached, a peripheral surface 428 on which the heater 425 is disposed, and an upper surface 429 on the opposite side of the main piece lower surface 427. Including. The main piece 423 is erected from the upper surface 429 toward the lid piece 424, and has an outer chamber wall 431 that defines a substantially triangular chamber space 430, and a substantially J shape that defines a flow path for steam in the chamber space 430. And an inner chamber wall 432.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the steam generator 420. FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view of the lid piece 424. The steam generator 420 is described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 6B to 9.

  The steam generator 420 includes a packing ring 433 attached to the main piece 423 so as to surround the outer chamber wall 431. The packing ring 433 is made of heat resistant rubber.

  The lid piece 424 includes a lower surface 434 facing the main piece 423, and a shield wall 435 having substantially the same shape as the outer chamber wall 431. The lid piece 424 is pressed against the main piece 423. As a result, the shield wall 435 compresses the packing ring 433 and keeps the chamber space 430 airtight.

  The main piece 423 is formed with an inflow port 437 through which water supplied through the connection pipe 421 flows into the chamber space 430. An inflow port 437 formed substantially at the center of the chamber space 430 is surrounded by the inner chamber wall 432. If the pump 330 supplies a predetermined amount of water to the steam generator 420, the water is injected upward through the connection pipe 421 and the inlet 437. As a result, the water collides with the inner chamber wall 432, the upper surface 429 of the main piece 423 surrounded by the inner chamber wall 432 and / or the lower surface 434 of the lid piece 424 positioned above the inflow port 437. The steam generator 420 is heated by a heater 425 (eg, about 200 ° C.) and has high thermal energy. The pump 330 that performs intermittent water supply operation supplies an appropriate amount of water to the heat energy of the steam generator 420 (for example, about 2 cc / time). As a result, the water emitted upward from the inlet 437 evaporates instantaneously. In this embodiment, the chamber space 430 used for generating steam is exemplified as a chamber. The inner chamber wall 432 that the water supplied through the inlet 437 collides with, the upper surface 429 of the main piece 423 surrounded by the inner chamber wall 432 and / or the lower surface 434 of the lid piece 424 positioned above the inlet 437 has a wall surface As an example. The inflow port 437 to which the connection pipe 421 is attached is exemplified as the attachment portion.

  As a result of the instantaneous evaporation of water, the internal pressure of the chamber space 430 increases rapidly. As a result, even if impurities contained in the water supplied to the steam generator 420 adhere or deposit on the wall surface forming the chamber space 430 during vaporization, the adhered or precipitated impurities are affected by the pressure during vaporization. It is easily discharged out of the chamber space 430.

  FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view of the main piece 423. The main piece 423 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6B and 10.

  The heater 425 extends along a substantially U-shaped path in the main piece 423. As a result, the heater 425 surrounds the inflow port 437 to which the connection pipe 421 is attached. As a result, the inner chamber wall 432 and the region surrounded by the inner chamber wall 432 have the highest temperature in the chamber space 430. Therefore, the water emitted through the inlet 437 evaporates instantaneously.

  Since the substantially J-shaped inner chamber wall 432 extends within the chamber space 430 defined by the outer chamber wall 431, the chamber space 430 describes a spiral flow path. The main piece 423 has an exhaust port 438 formed at the end of the flow path. The vapor generated in the space surrounded by the inner chamber wall 432 moves toward the exhaust port 438 as the internal pressure of the chamber space 430 increases. An exhaust pipe 422 is attached to the exhaust port 438. The steam that has reached the exhaust port 438 is exhausted downward through the exhaust pipe 422.

  The heater 425 extends in a U shape along the outer path of the spiral flow path. Therefore, the steam generated in the space surrounded by the inner chamber wall 432 moves toward the exhaust pipe 422 while being heated. Therefore, high-temperature steam is exhausted.

<Water supply mechanism>
FIG. 11 is a schematic view of the water supply mechanism 500. The water supply mechanism 500 is demonstrated using FIG.

  A water supply mechanism 500 that emits water to the chamber space 430 of the steam generator 420 includes the water supply valve 310, the water storage tank 320, the pump 330, and the connection pipe 421. The water supply mechanism 500 further includes a water level sensor 321 for measuring the water level in the water storage tank 320. The water supply valve 310 may supply water to the water storage tank 320 or stop water supply to the water storage tank 320 according to the water level detected by the water level sensor 321. In the present embodiment, the water level sensor 321 is exemplified as the first detection element.

  The water supply valve 310 may be controlled according to the operation time and / or operation pattern of the pump 330 (intermittent water supply operation and / or continuous water supply operation). For example, the amount of water supplied from the water supply valve 310 may be adjusted so that the water storage tank 320 becomes empty when the operation of the pump 330 ends. As a result, the water in the water storage tank 320 is hardly frozen.

  The pump 330 supplies the water stored in the water storage tank 320 to the chamber space 430 through the connection pipe 421. The intermittent water supply operation of the pump 330 is adjusted so that water emitted into the chamber space 430 is instantly evaporated.

  As a result of the evaporation of water in the chamber space 430, impurities contained in the water may be deposited in the chamber space 430. The continuous water supply operation of the pump 330 is adjusted so that water flows into the chamber space 430 at a flow rate sufficient to sweep away accumulated impurities.

  The exhaust pipe 422 is connected to the steam conduction pipe 340. The steam generated in the chamber space 430 by the intermittent water supply operation of the pump 330 and the water flowing into the chamber space 430 by the continuous water supply operation of the pump 330 enter the storage tank 200 through the exhaust pipe 422 and the steam conduction pipe 340. Inflow.

<Supply of steam and water to the storage tank>
FIG. 12 is a schematic rear view of the front portion 222 of the storage tank 200. The supply of steam and water to the storage tank 200 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 11, and 12.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the annular portion 224 of the front portion 222 includes an inner surface 225 that faces the rotating drum 210 and an outer surface 226 that faces the front wall 111 of the housing 110. FIG. 12 mainly shows the inner surface 225.

  The steam supply mechanism 300 includes a branch pipe 351 and a nozzle 352 attached to the inner surface 225. The steam supply mechanism 300 further includes a steam tube 353 that connects the branch pipe 351 and the nozzle 352. The steam conduction pipe 340 is connected to the branch pipe 351 through the peripheral wall portion 223.

  The steam generated in the chamber space 430 flows into the steam conducting pipe 340 through the exhaust pipe 422 as the pressure in the chamber space 430 increases. Thereafter, the steam reaches the branch pipe 351 from the steam conduction pipe 340. The nozzle 352 is disposed above the branch pipe 351. Since the steam reaching the branch pipe 351 is high temperature, it is guided to the steam tube 353 and reaches the nozzle 352. Eventually, steam is injected from nozzle 352. In the present embodiment, the exhaust pipe 422, the steam conduction pipe 340, the branch pipe 351, and the steam tube 353 guide the steam generated in the chamber space 430 to the nozzle 352. Therefore, the exhaust pipe 422, the steam conducting pipe 340, the branch pipe 351, and the steam tube 353 are exemplified as the guide pipe.

  As described above, the pump 330 that performs the intermittent water supply operation emits an appropriate amount of water to the high-temperature chamber space 430, so that the water evaporates instantaneously. As a result, the internal pressure of the chamber space 430 increases rapidly. Therefore, the steam is injected from the nozzle 352 at a high pressure, and traverses the internal space of the storage tank 200 up and down.

  The branch pipe 351 includes a parent pipe 354 connected to the steam conducting pipe 340, an upper pipe 355 bent upward from the parent pipe 354, and a lower pipe 356 bent downward from the parent pipe 354. Steam or water flows into the parent pipe 354 through the steam conducting pipe 340. The upper tube 355 is connected to the steam tube 353, and defines an upward path for the steam toward the nozzle 352. In the present embodiment, the upward path defined by the upper tube 355 and the steam tube 353 is exemplified as the first path. The parent pipe 354 is exemplified as the inflow pipe. The upper tube 355 is exemplified as the first tube.

  Unlike the upper tube 355, the lower tube 356 defines a downward path. While the pump 330 performs a continuous water supply operation, the water that flows into the branch pipe 351 through the steam conducting pipe 340 flows down through the lower pipe 356 by gravity. In the present embodiment, the downward path defined by the lower tube 356 is exemplified as the second path. The lower tube 356 is exemplified as the second tube.

  FIG. 12 shows the included angle θ <b> 1 between the parent tube 354 and the upper child tube 355. FIG. 12 also shows the included angle θ <b> 2 between the parent tube 354 and the lower child tube 356. The included angle θ1 is an obtuse angle, while the included angle θ2 is an acute angle. Since the included angle θ2 is an acute angle, the flow loss from the parent tube 354 to the lower tube 356 is relatively large. Therefore, the steam that has flowed into the parent pipe 354 hardly flows to the lower child pipe 356 and flows mainly to the upper child pipe 355. On the other hand, since the upper tube 355 defines an upward flow path, the water flowing into the parent tube 354 hardly flows to the upper tube 355 and mainly flows to the lower tube 356 due to the action of gravity. Therefore, the flow path of steam and the flow path of water are appropriately separated.

<Intermittent pump operation>
FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the relationship between the intermittent operation of the pump 330 and the temperature in the chamber space 430. The intermittent operation of the pump 330 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8, 11, and 13.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the period during which the pump 330 is operating (ON period) is set shorter than the period during which the pump 330 is stopped (OFF period). As a result, an appropriate amount of water is emitted into the chamber space 430.

  In the ON period, a predetermined amount of water is supplied to the chamber space 430. As a result, water evaporates and becomes steam. The temperature of the chamber space 430 temporarily decreases due to the heat of vaporization caused by the phase change from water to steam. As described above, since the OFF period is set to be relatively long, the heater 425 can sufficiently raise the temperature of the chamber space 430 during the OFF period. Therefore, high-pressure steam continues to be supplied to the storage tank 200 while the pump 330 is intermittently operated. In particular, the chamber space 430 is sufficiently heated during the OFF period, and an appropriate amount of water that instantaneously evaporates is supplied to the thermal energy of the steam generator 420 including the chamber space 430 during the ON period ( For example, about 2 cc / time), the high-pressure steam is continuously supplied to the storage tank 200.

<Use of steam in the washing process>
FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing changes in the temperature of the water supplied to the water tank 220 in the washing step. The effect of the steam used in the washing process will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 8, 11 and 14.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a hot water heater 160 is disposed below the water tank 220. The hot water heater 160 is used to heat the water supplied into the water tank 220. In the present embodiment, the hot water heater 160 is exemplified as the second heater.

  As shown in FIG. 14, when the washing process is started, water is supplied to the water tank 220. During this time, the temperature of the water contained in the clothes in the water tank 220 is substantially constant. Thereafter, the water in the water tank 220 is heated using the hot water heater 160. Since the hot water heater 160 generates a large amount of heat, the temperature of the water contained in the clothes in the water tank 220 rises rapidly. Thereafter, when a predetermined temperature is reached, heating of water in the water tank 220 is stopped.

  In FIG. 14, the dotted line after the heating is stopped represents a change in the temperature of water contained in the clothing when the heating by the hot water heater 160 is stopped and no steam is supplied. The solid line after stopping the heating represents a change in the temperature of the water contained in the clothing when the heating by the hot water heater 160 is stopped and the steam is supplied to the storage tank 200.

  As described above, the steam supplied to the storage tank 200 has a high temperature and is directly supplied to the clothing, so that the temperature drop of the water contained in the clothing in the water tank 220 is alleviated. The heater 425 used in the steam generator 420 consumes less power than the hot water heater 160 attached to the water tank 220. Therefore, compared with the heat insulation of the water in the water tank 220 using the hot water heater 160, the heat insulation by the steam supply can achieve a small amount of power consumption. Therefore, the pump 330 preferably performs an intermittent water supply operation after the hot water heater 160 is stopped.

<Use of steam in the dehydration process>
The effect of the steam used in the dehydration process will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In the dehydration process, the rotary drum 210 is rotated at a high speed. As shown in FIG. 1, a large number of small holes 219 are formed in the peripheral wall 211 of the rotary drum 210. The clothing housed in the rotating drum 210 is pressed against the peripheral wall 211 by centrifugal force. As a result, moisture contained in the clothing is released out of the rotating drum 210 through the small holes 219. Thus, the garment is properly dehydrated.

  The dehydrated clothing fibers tend to hydrogen bond with each other. The hydrogen bonds between the fibers result in clothing folds. If steam is supplied into the rotating drum 210, the steam breaks hydrogen bonds between the fibers. As a result, clothing wrinkles are reduced. Therefore, it is preferable that the pump 330 performs an intermittent water supply operation while the garment undergoes a dehydration process. As a result of the intermittent water supply operation, steam is injected into the rotating drum 210 from the nozzle 352 at a high pressure. As described above, the steam sprayed from the nozzle 352 crosses the storage tank 200, so that the steam sticks to the peripheral wall 211 and is uniformly sprayed on the rotating clothing. As a result, wrinkles are less likely to occur over the entire clothing in the rotating drum 210.

<Cooling of steam generator>
The cooling process of the steam generator 420 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 11.

  The steam generator 420 is preferably cooled with the end of the treatment of the clothing using steam. If the steam generator 420 is cooled, unnecessary injection of high temperature steam into the storage tank 200 is prevented.

  The power supply to the heater 425 is stopped to cool the steam generator 420. Thereafter, the pump 330 starts a continuous water supply operation. As a result, water continuously flows from the water storage tank 320 into the chamber space 430. The water that flows into the chamber space 430 takes heat from the steam generator 420 and flows into the storage tank 200. Therefore, the steam generator 420 is cooled in a short time.

  FIG. 15 is a block diagram schematically showing control on the door body 120 based on the temperature of the steam generator 420. The control with respect to the door body 120 is demonstrated using FIG.1, FIG.6B and FIG.15.

  The washing machine 100 includes a lock mechanism 121 that locks the door 120 in the closed position, and a control unit 122 that controls locking and unlocking of the lock mechanism 121. The mechanical and electrical mechanism of the lock mechanism 121 may be a structure used in a known washing machine.

  As shown in FIG. 6B, the steam generator 420 includes a thermistor 426. The thermistor 426 detects the temperature of the main piece 423 and outputs a signal corresponding to the detected temperature to the control unit 122. In the present embodiment, the thermistor 426 is exemplified as the second detection element.

  The control unit 122 maintains the lock of the door body 120 by the lock mechanism 121 until the signal output from the thermistor 426 indicates a temperature equal to or lower than a predetermined value. As a result, the internal space of the storage tank 200 is isolated from the outside until the steam generator 420 becomes a predetermined temperature or lower. Therefore, the washing machine 100 becomes very safe.

  The present invention is suitably used for an apparatus for processing clothing using steam.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Washing machine 110 Housing | casing 120 Door body 121 Lock mechanism 151 1st attachment piece 152 2nd attachment piece 160 Hot water heater 200 Accommodating tank 210 Rotating drum 211 Peripheral wall 220 Water tank 300 Steam supply mechanism 310 Water supply valve 320 Water storage tank 321 Water level sensor 330 Pump 340 Steam conduction pipe 351 Branch pipe 352 Nozzle 353 Steam tube 355 Upper pipe 356 Lower pipe 410 Case 420 Steam generator 421 Connection pipe 422 Exhaust pipe 425 Heater 426 Thermistor 429 Upper surface 430 Chamber space 432 Inner chamber wall 434 Lower surface 437 Inlet Exhaust port 451 Spacer 500 Water supply mechanism

Claims (5)

A storage tank for storing clothing;
A steam supply mechanism for supplying steam to the storage tank,
The steam supply mechanism includes a steam generator having a wall surface defining a chamber for generating the steam, a heater for heating the wall surface, a water supply mechanism for emitting water to the wall surface heated by the heater, A clothing processing apparatus, comprising: a case that covers a steam generator; and a spacer that separates the steam generator and the case.   The clothing processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the spacer has a hollow cylindrical shape.   The clothing processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a thermal conductivity of a material constituting the spacer is lower than a thermal conductivity of a material constituting the steam generator.   The clothing processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the water supply mechanism adjusts the amount of the water so that the water hitting the wall surface evaporates instantaneously.   The clothing processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the water supply mechanism supplies the water to the chamber intermittently.

Images