JP2014083138A - Washing and drying machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a washing and drying machine which removes lint (yarn waste) deposited on an outer surface of a washing/dehydrating bin, an inner surface of an outer tank and the like after a drying step, and reduces the deposition of lint on clothing in a next operation.SOLUTION: In the washing and drying machine which comprises: a washing/dehydrating bin for storing clothing therein; an outer tank for accommodating the washing/dehydrating bin therein; a driving device for rotatably driving the washing/dehydrating bin; a housing for supporting the outer tank; water supply means for supplying water into the outer tank; a drain passage for discharging water from the inside of the outer tank; and a drain valve for opening/closing the drain passage, and has a washing step, a rinsing step, a dehydrating step and a drying step, the washing and drying machine supplies water into the outer tank by using the water supply means in a state that the drain valve is closed, and drives the washing/dehydrating bin in a state that water is stored in the outer tank, after the finish of the drying step and before a washing course, a washing/drying course or a drying course, which is started next to the drying step.

Description

  The present invention relates to a washing / drying machine.

  One of the problems of the washing and drying machine is prevention of adhesion of lint (waste thread) generated by rubbing between clothes and a washing tub or rubbing between clothes during washing or drying operation to the clothes. The lint generated during the washing operation goes into the washing water and is collected by a lint filter (waste collecting means) provided in the washing water circulation path or drainage path. On the other hand, lint produced in the drying process is collected by a lint filter provided in a circulation path of dry air, but part of the lint may adhere to the inside of the washing tub or the circulation path of dry air due to static electricity or the like. The lint may flow into the washing water during the next washing operation, enter the washing / dehydrating tank, and adhere to the clothing. Further, lint adhering to the circulation path of the dry air may deteriorate the drying performance. As a background art of this technique, there is Patent Document 1 below. In this Patent Document 1, “the dehumidifier is provided with a water supply device for supplying water for cleaning (rint washing), and the water supply by the water supply device is drained during the washing process, during the drying process, or during this operation. This is performed after the drying process in the period from the end of the drying process until the first water supply to the washing tub in the next operation.

JP 2005-21601 A

  The above-mentioned patent document 1 describes reduction of lint adhesion in a dehumidifier in a washing / drying machine. However, it is not considered about the lint attached to the outside surface of the washing and dewatering tub and the inside surface of the outside tub other than the inside of the dehumidifier, and the lint generated in the drying operation is not used in the next washing operation. May adhere to clothing.

  An object of the present invention is to remove lint adhering to the outer side surface of a washing and dewatering tub or the inner side surface of an outer tub after a drying step, and to reduce the adhesion of lint to clothing during the next operation.

  In order to solve the above problems, a washing / dehydrating tub in which clothes are accommodated, an outer tub containing the washing / dehydrating tub, a driving device for rotationally driving the washing / dehydrating tub, and the outer tub are supported. A casing, a water supply means for supplying water into the outer tub, a drainage path for draining from the outer tub, and a drain valve for opening and closing the drainage path, and a washing process, a rinsing process, a dehydrating process, and a drying process In the washing / drying machine, the water supply means supplies water into the outer tub while the drain valve is closed from the end of the drying step to the next washing course or the washing / drying course or drying course. The washing and dewatering tub is driven while water is accumulated in the tub.

  According to the present invention, lint adhering to the gap between the washing / dehydrating tub and the outer tub in the washing / drying machine is removed after the drying step, and adhesion of lint to clothing can be reduced in the next operation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a drum type washing / drying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view which cuts a part of housing | casing of the drum type washing-drying machine which is one embodiment of this invention, and shows an internal structure. It is a side view which shows the internal structure of the drum type washing-drying machine which is one example of embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which cut | disconnects the drum type washing-drying machine which is one embodiment of this invention longitudinally at the approximate center part of the front-back direction, and shows a washing | cleaning and dehydration tank bottom wall surface. It is a side view which shows the internal structure of the drum type washing-drying machine which is one example of embodiment of this invention. It is a photograph which shows the lint inside an outer tank at the time of repeating a drying operation. It is a photograph which shows the lint of the water receiving part vicinity at the time of repeating a drying operation. It is a flowchart which shows a part of control process which the microcomputer in the controller of the control system of the drum type washing-drying machine which is one embodiment of this invention performs. It is a flowchart which shows the control in the lint cleaning process of the drum type washing-drying machine which is one embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows typically arrangement | positioning and the washing | cleaning range of the outer tank cover side water supply nozzle of the drum-type washing-drying rinsing machine which is one embodiment of this invention. The single unit of an outer tank cover side water supply nozzle is shown, (a) is a front view, (b) is a side view, (c) is a top view, and (d) is a bottom view. It is a top view which shows arrangement | positioning of the outer tank bottom wall side water supply nozzle of the drum type washing-drying machine which is one embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows a part of control process which the microcomputer in the controller of the control system of the drum type washing-drying machine which is one embodiment of this invention performs. It is a flowchart which shows the control in the lint cleaning process of the drum type washing-drying machine which is one embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram showing the water supply means to the outer tub of the drum type washing-drying machine which is one embodiment of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram of the water receiving part vicinity of an outer tub and a washing / dehydrating tub. It is a conceptual diagram of the water receiving part vicinity using another structure. It is an external appearance perspective view which shows the vertical washer / dryer which is the example of 1 embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which cut | disconnects a part of housing | casing of the vertical washing dryer which is one embodiment of this invention, and shows an internal structure. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the water supply unit and water supply path | route of the vertical washer-dryer which are one embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic which shows an example of the water supply structure of the vertical washing dryer which is one embodiment of this invention.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a drum type washing / drying machine 100A according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a part of the housing cut to show the internal structure, FIG. 3 is a side view showing the internal structure, and FIG. 4 is a vertical cut at a substantially central portion in the front-rear direction of the housing. FIG. 5 is a side view showing the internal structure seen from the opposite direction of FIG.

  Reference numeral 1 denotes a housing constituting the outer shell. The housing 1 is mounted on a base 1g, and includes left and right side plates 1a and 1b, a front cover 1c, a back cover 1d, a top cover 1e, and a lower front cover 1f. The left and right side plates 1a and 1b are joined by a U-shaped upper reinforcing material (not shown), a front reinforcing material (not shown), and a rear reinforcing material (not shown), and include the base 1g. A box-shaped housing 1 is formed and has sufficient strength as a housing.

  Reference numeral 9 denotes a door that closes the insertion port 1h for putting in and out the garment provided in the approximate center of the front cover 1c, and is supported by a hinge (not shown) provided in the front reinforcing member so as to be opened and closed. When the door release button 9d is pressed, the lock mechanism (not shown) is released and the door 9 is opened. When the door 9 is pressed against the front cover 1c, the door 9 is locked and closed. The front reinforcing member has a substantially circular opening for putting clothes in and out coaxially with an opening 2c of the outer tub 2 described later.

  Reference numeral 3 denotes a cylindrical washing and dewatering tub (rotary drum) that is freely supported. The cylindrical outer peripheral wall 3e has a large number of through holes 3g for water passage and ventilation, and clothes are taken in and out of the front end face. An opening 3a is provided for this purpose. A fluid balancer 3c integrated with the washing and dewatering tub 3 is provided outside the opening 3a. A plurality of lifters 3b extending in the axial direction are provided inside the outer peripheral wall 3e. When the washing and dewatering tub 3 is rotated at a low speed during washing and drying, the outer peripheral wall is subjected to centrifugal force by rotation and external force by the lifter 3b. Repeats the movement of lifting along 3e and dropping by gravity. The rotation center axis of the washing and dewatering tub 3 is inclined so that the horizontal or opening 3a side becomes higher.

  Reference numeral 2 denotes a cylindrical outer tub that coaxially encloses the washing and dewatering tub 3, opens on the front surface, and attaches a motor 4 to the outer center of the bottom wall 2 e. The rotating shaft of the motor 4 passes through the outer tub 2 and is connected to the center of the bottom wall 3 f of the washing and dewatering tub 3. An outer tub cover 2 d is provided at the opening on the front surface, and water can be stored in the outer tub 2. In the center of the front side of the outer tub cover 2d, there is an opening 2c for taking in and out clothing. The opening provided in the main opening 2c and the front reinforcing member (not shown) is connected by a rubber bellows 40, and the outer tub 2 is sealed with water by closing the door 9.

  The motor 4 includes a rotation detection device (not shown) configured by a Hall element or a photo interrupter that detects the rotation speed, and a motor current detection device (not shown) that detects a current flowing through the motor 4.

  At the lowermost part of the outer tub 2, a convex water receiving portion 2f projecting outward in the radial direction of the outer tub 2 is provided. The water receiving portion 2f is formed in substantially the entire depth direction of the outer tub 2, and is connected to the drainage hose 31 via the drainage port 2b. A circulation pump 34, a lint filter 35, and a drain valve 36 are provided in the middle of the drain hose 31. Water is stored in the outer tub 2 by closing the drain valve 36 and supplying water, and the drain valve 36 is opened to open the outer tub 2. Drain the water inside the machine. Further, by driving the circulation pump 34, the water accumulated in the outer tub 2 is sprinkled into the washing and dewatering tub 3 through the circulation water hose 31a. At this time, the circulated water passes through the lint filter 35, and lint such as lint contained in the water is collected in the lint filter 35. The lint filter 35 can be easily attached and detached by opening the door 1h provided on the lower front cover 1f and turning the handle 35a.

  Reference numeral 33 denotes a detergent container provided on the upper left side in the housing 1, and a drawer-type detergent tray 7 is mounted from the front opening. When putting detergents, the detergent tray 7 is pulled out as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. The detergent container 33 is fixed to the housing 1.

  On the back side of the detergent container 33, components related to water supply such as a water supply electromagnetic valve 30, a bath water supply pump 32, and a water level sensor 37 are provided. The top cover 1e is provided with a water supply hose connection port 30a from the water tap and a water absorption hose connection port 32a for remaining hot water in the bath. The detergent container 33 is connected to a water supply nozzle 2g provided in the outer tub 2, and supplies washing water to the outer tub 2 by opening the water supply electromagnetic valve 30 or driving the bath water supply pump 32.

  The outer tub cover 2d is connected to an air outlet 23 for blowing air into the washing and dewatering tub 3 mainly in the drying process, and the air channel 20 is connected to the bottom wall 2e of the outer tub 2. The air passage 20 is composed of a plurality of bellows tubes and ducts, and a dehumidifier (not shown), a blower fan 21 and a heat source 22 are provided in the middle of the air passage 20 and connected to the blower port 23.

  In such a washing / drying machine 100A, lint adheres to the inner surface side of the outer tub 2 (the washing and dehydration tub 3 side) after the drying operation is completed. FIG. 6A shows a state of the inside of the outer tub when the drying operation is repeated using a new towel that is liable to generate lint in order to confirm the position where lint adheres. FIG. 6B is a close-up photograph of the vicinity of the water receiving portion 2f. The wind blown into the washing / dehydrating tub 3 during the drying process passes through the through hole 3g and is discharged to the drain port 2b or the intake port 2a connected to the air channel 20. At this time, it is considered that the lint adheres to the concave and convex portions arranged on the inner peripheral surface of the outer tub 2, and particularly in the water receiving portion 2f, the stagnation of the wind occurs due to the convex shape and the lint is less than the other portions. Many deposits.

  When the next washing operation is started with these lints left unattended, the accumulated lint flows into the washing water and adheres to the clothes being washed. A control processing program for preventing this will be described below.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a basic control processing program for washing and drying. When the power switch 14 is pressed, the power is turned on, and the basic control processing program for washing and drying shown in FIG. 7 is executed.

  In step S101, the state of the washing / drying machine 100A is checked and the initial setting is performed.

In step S102, the display 11 of the operation panel 10 is turned on, and a washing / drying course is set according to an instruction input from the operation button switch 13. When no instruction is input, the standard washing / drying course or the washing / drying course set in the previous operation is automatically set.
Here, when the drying course or the washing drying course is set, the lint cleaning process is automatically or arbitrarily set by the lint cleaning process switch 13a.

  In step S103, the instruction input from the start switch 12 of the operation panel 10 is monitored and the process branches. When the start switch 12 is pressed, the cloth amount sensing process in step S104 is performed. As an example of the cloth amount sensing, the washing and dewatering tub 3 is rotated at a low speed or accelerated to a specified rotational speed, and the current value of the motor 4 at that time is measured to determine the amount of clothes. Then, the display unit 11 displays the time until drying is completed. Thereafter, a waiting time (step S105) is provided for the user to put in the detergent / softening agent. Although not shown in the figure, if the door 9 is not closed when the standby time is over, the user is notified using a buzzer or the like to close the door so that there is no water leakage.

  In step S106, a washing operation is executed. In the washing operation, the three steps of washing, intermediate dehydration, and rinsing are sequentially performed. However, since it is the same as a normal drum-type washing and drying machine, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  A step S107 branches the process after confirming whether or not a washing / drying course is set. If the washing course is set, the operation is terminated, and if the washing / drying course is set, the process proceeds to S108.

  A step S108 executes the drying process when the washing / drying course is set. The drying process sequentially executes two processes of high-speed dewatering and drying, but since it is the same as a normal drum-type washing and drying machine, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In step S109, it is checked whether the lint cleaning process is set, and the process branches. If the lint clean setting is OFF, the operation is terminated. If it is ON, the process proceeds to step S110.

  Step S110 executes lint cleaning. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of steps in S110. If the setting of lint clean is ON in S109, it is detected in step S110a whether or not clothing has been taken out. As a method for detecting the presence or absence of clothes in the washing and dewatering tub 3, in addition to a method for performing the same operation as the cloth amount sensing as in step S103, a method for detecting that the door 9 is opened and closed after the drying process is completed, A method of detecting when the user operates the lint cleaning process switch 13a can be considered. Also, the start button for the lint cleaning process may also be used by another button.

  When clothing is detected in the washing and dewatering tub 3, the washing / drying machine 100A proceeds to step S111a and guides the user to take out the clothing and close the door 9 using a buzzer or sound. This process (step S111) is repeated until the clothes are removed. Alternatively, depending on the setting, the process is forcibly shifted to the next step after a predetermined number of repetitions.

  After detecting that the clothes have been removed, the process proceeds to step S110c, and water supply into the outer tub 2 is started with the drain valve 36 closed. At this time, by temporarily opening and closing the drain valve 36, the lint accumulated in the water receiving portion 2f is sent into the drain hose 31 prior to the other lint and discharged from the outer tank 2, and accumulated in the water receiving portion 2f. The lint may not be diffused into the outer tub 2.

After reaching a predetermined water level in step S110d, the process proceeds to step S110e and the washing and dewatering tub 3 is driven. At this time, the accumulated water is rolled up by the rotation of the washing and dewatering tub 3 to remove the lint attached to the inner surface of the outer tub 2, but the water needs a momentum to remove the lint attached to the step. In order to give momentum to the water, the washing / dehydrating tub 3 needs a high rotation speed, and the higher the rotation speed, the smaller the amount of water required to wash out lint. On the other hand, increasing the rotational speed increases the power consumption of the motor 4 and increases noise and vibration. For these reasons, the speed of rotation of the washing and dewatering tub 3 is set moderately, or by providing a plurality of courses with an emphasis on water saving and low noise, the user does not feel uncomfortable, and the power consumption and usage Reduce the increase in water volume. Here, the washing and dewatering tub 3 may be operated so as to repeat sudden inversion without rotating once, or to repeatedly invert after rotating several times. By performing the reversal, it is possible to easily remove the lint attached to the position that is hidden by the unevenness and is difficult to remove by only rotating from one direction.
In this example, the rotation speed of the washing and dewatering tub 3 was set to 80 to 300 rpm, which is higher than the washing process and lower than the dehydration process.

  At this time, the circulation pump 34 may be operated. By doing so, the lint that has been accumulated in the water by the rotation of the washing and dewatering tub 3 can be efficiently removed by the lint filter 35.

  After a lapse of a predetermined time (step S110f), water supply is stopped, the drain valve 36 is opened, lint is sent into the drain hose 31 and discharged from the outer tub 2. The drainage at this time passes through the lint filter 35 and the lint is collected.

  At this time, it is more preferable that the time interval from the end of the drying step S108 to the start of the lint cleaning step S110 is short. As time passes after completion of the drying step S108, the dry lint becomes harder to peel off from the adhered and adhered portion. Therefore, the lint cleaning step S110 can be suppressed by leaving the lint cleaning step S110 without taking a long time after the drying step S108.

  In addition, when the above process is completed, the cleanliness in the washing / drying machine 100A can be further improved by driving the blower fan 21 to remove the moisture in the outer tub 2. Here, in order to reduce the operation time, electric power may be supplied to the heat source 22 to promote evaporation of moisture.

  In the above structure, the lint filter 35 is installed to collect the lint in the waste water. However, the lint filter 35 cannot be installed due to a space in the main body or the like, or the waste water does not have the circulation pump 34 and the lint filter 35 A structure that does not pass through is also conceivable. In that case, lint in the drainage is collected by installing a lint collection box 50 between a drainage hose 31 outside the housing 1 and a drainage groove (not shown) arranged on the floor. can do. By installing the lint collecting mechanism outside the casing, the degree of freedom in installing the washing / drying machine 100A is improved.

  In addition, the conventional washer-dryer has a process of flowing the water in a drain trap (not shown) at the end of a drain groove (not shown) attached to the floor surface during the drying process into the sewage by wind. There are models. In these models, after the drying process is completed, water is supplied from the drain hose 31 to recover the water in the drain trap. However, since water is used in the lint cleaning process as in this embodiment, the drain is specially drained. It is not necessary to provide a process for recovering the water in the trap, and an increase in the amount of water used can be prevented.

Although the lint cleaning process of Example 1 was performed after the drying process was completed, in this example, the lint cleaning process is performed at the beginning of the washing operation when the previous operation is an operation of performing the drying process.

  Here, a water supply nozzle for supplying water into the outer tub 2 will be described. FIG. 9 is a plan view schematically showing the arrangement and cleaning range of the outer tub cover side water supply nozzle of the drum type washing and drying machine. FIG. 10 shows a single water supply nozzle provided on the outer tub cover, where (a) is a front view, (b) is a side view, (c) is a top view, and (d) is a bottom view.

  As shown in FIG. 9, on the front side of the outer tub cover 2d, an outer tub cover-side water supply nozzle 50A for spraying tap water (cleaning water) is provided for cleaning the tub. The outer tank cover-side water supply nozzle 50A is made of synthetic resin or the like, has a substantially arcuate shape (arc shape), and is provided in the upper part of the outer tank cover 2d. Further, the outer tank cover side water supply nozzle 50A is formed with a length of about a quarter of the circumference, and extends from the center to the left and right with the same length. Further, a water supply port 50f1 to which the cleaning water supply hose 55 is connected is formed in the center portion in the circumferential direction of the outer tank cover side water supply nozzle 50A, and penetrates the outer tank cover 2d to the outside of the outer tank cover 2d. It protrudes. A seal member (not shown) such as an O-ring is provided at the boundary between the outer tub cover 2d and the water supply port 50f1 so that water does not leak.

  The outer tank cover-side water supply nozzle 50 </ b> A is disposed between the outer tank cover 2 d and the side surface (circumferential surface) of the washing and dewatering tank 3.

As shown in FIG. 10 (a), a plurality (15 in this embodiment) of water spray ports 50b2 are formed on the front surface 50d of the outer tank cover side water supply nozzle 50A at intervals in the circumferential direction. Moreover, the hole diameter (diameter) of the water spray port 50b2 is formed to be 1.2 mm, for example.
Note that the number, position, and hole diameter of the water spout 50b2 are not limited to the present embodiment, and can be changed as appropriate.

  As shown in FIGS. 10B and 10C, on the upper surface 50e of the outer tub cover-side water supply nozzle 50A, a plurality of mounting portions 51A are formed so as to protrude rearward from the upper surface 50e at intervals in the circumferential direction. Has been. The mounting portion 51A has a rectangular piece 51a, and is configured by forming a screw insertion hole 51b in the piece 51a. Each mounting portion 51A is formed so as to be flush with the upper surface 50e, and a screw (not shown) is inserted into the insertion hole 51b and is screwed to the inner wall surface of the outer tub cover 2d.

  As shown in FIG. 10 (d), a water spray port 50a2 is formed at a position corresponding to the water supply port 50f1 on the bottom surface 50f of the outer tank cover side water supply nozzle 50A. In the present embodiment, only one water spout 50a2 is provided, but it may be provided at a plurality of locations.

  In the washing / drying machine 100A provided with the outer tub cover side water supply nozzle 50A in this way, the washing water is discharged forward from the water sprinkling port 50b2, hits the inner wall surface of the inclined portion of the outer tub cover 2d, and the hit position is the center. It spreads radially around. The washing water sprayed on the inner wall surface flows down the inner wall surface of the outer tank cover 2d by the action of gravity.

  The washing water discharged from the sprinkling port 50a2 hits the washing / dehydrating tub 3, and the outer tub cover 2d or a part of the inner wall surface of the outer tub 2 by the centrifugal force when the washing / dehydrating tub 3 rotates, particularly the water spout. Spatter around 50a2. In addition, although there is one sprinkling port 50a2 sprayed to the washing and dewatering tub 3 side, water can be sprinkled over the entire peripheral surface of the washing and dewatering tub 3 by sprinkling water while rotating the washing and dewatering tub 3. It becomes possible. In this way, the amount of water used can be reduced by blowing away tap water by centrifugal force and washing the inside of the outer tub cover 2d as compared with the case where the tap water is blown and washed.

  When cleaning water discharged from the respective water spray ports 50b2 of the outer tank cover-side water supply nozzle 50A to the outer tank cover 2d radiates radially, adjacent water spray ports 50b1 in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction (gravity direction). The washing water from each other overlaps each other. As a result, when the cleaning water flows downward, a region where the cleaning water does not flow can be eliminated on the inner wall surface of the outer tub cover 2d, and lint can be prevented from remaining.

  Moreover, although the structure which supplies water from the main body front was demonstrated above, water supply may be from the main body back side or both sides of a front back surface. The structure for supplying water from the back is described below. FIG. 11 is a plan view showing the arrangement of the water supply nozzles on the outer tank bottom wall side of the drum type washing and drying machine.

  As shown in FIG. 11, an outer tank bottom wall side water supply nozzle 50 </ b> B for sprinkling tap water for tank cleaning is attached to the bottom wall 2 e of the outer tank 2. In addition, FIG. 11 is the state which looked at the inside of the outer tank 2 which removed the outer tank cover 2d from the front side (front side). The outer tank bottom wall side water supply nozzle 50B has a substantially arcuate shape (arc shape) and is arranged along the circumferential direction on the upper surface of the bottom surface 2e of the outer tank 2, in other words, along the circumferential direction of the washing and dewatering tank 3. Has been. Further, the outer tank bottom wall side water supply nozzle 50B is formed with a length of about a quarter of the circumference, and is arranged to extend from the center to the left and right with the same length. The shape of the outer tank bottom wall side water supply nozzle 50B is substantially the same as the shape of the outer tank cover side water supply nozzle 50A, and has a water supply port (not shown), a water spray port 50b3, and a mounting portion 51B. It arrange | positions so that the clearance gap which can sprinkle will be formed in the tank bottom wall 2e.

  When the cleaning water discharged from the respective water spouts of the outer tank bottom wall side water supply nozzle 50B to the outer tank bottom wall 2e is radially scattered, the cleaning waters from adjacent water spouts overlap each other.

  In the above structure, water is not sprinkled on the inner peripheral surface of the outer tub 2 particularly on the side surface on the upper side of the housing. Since this portion has less unevenness and less lint adhesion, the amount of water used can be reduced by the above structure.

  As described above, the washing / drying machine 100A has a structure in which the water in the outer tub 2 is sufficiently sprayed at a position where the lint is likely to adhere, and the lint can be peeled off.

  A method of not rotating the washing / dehydrating tub 3 by the motor 4 will be described. By not driving the motor 4, the power consumption can be reduced. At this time, if it is the outer tank cover side water supply nozzle 50A, it does not have the water spout 50a2, and water is sprayed only from the water spout 50b2 to the outer tank cover 2d.

  This operation example will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of a basic control processing program for washing and drying. The power is turned on when the power switch 14 is pressed, and the basic control processing program for washing and drying shown in FIG. 12 is executed.

  In step S101, the state of the washing / drying machine 100A is checked and the initial setting is performed.

  In step S102B, the display 11 of the operation panel 10 is turned on, and a washing / drying course is set according to an instruction input from the operation button switch 13. When no instruction is input, the standard washing / drying course or the washing / drying course set in the previous operation is automatically set. Here, it is determined whether or not the drying course was set at the previous operation, and if it is set, the lint cleaning process is automatically set to ON. Also, record whether the drying course is selected in this operation. Thereby, the lint cleaning process can be performed without user's trouble, the adhesion of lint to clothing can be reduced, and the forgetting to set the course can be prevented. This automatic setting can be arbitrarily switched ON / OFF.

  In step S103B, the instruction input from the start switch 12 of the operation panel 10 is monitored and the process branches. If the start switch 12 is pressed, the process proceeds to step S109B, and it is determined whether or not the lint cleaning process is set. If it is set, the process proceeds to step S112. If it is not set, the process proceeds to step S104.

  In step S112, lint cleaning is executed. FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of steps in S112.

  In step S112a, after closing the drain valve 26, water is sprayed from the outer tank cover side water supply nozzle 50A or the outer tank bottom wall side water supply nozzle 50B toward the outer tank cover 2d or the inner surface of the outer tank 2. The wash water that has fallen along the inner surface of the outer tub 2 according to gravity flows into the water receiving portion 2f. After reaching the predetermined water level, the drain valve 36 is opened, and the lint is discharged from the outer tub 2 to the drain hose 31 through the drain port 2b (step S112c). The water level at this time prevents the water accumulated in the lower part of the outer tub 2 from entering the washing / dehydrating tub 3 and coming into contact with clothes and attaching lint. Then, water supply is stopped in step S112e, and the lint cleaning process is completed.

  Step S104 after the lint cleaning process is the same as the above from the cloth amount sensing step to step S108, and thus detailed description is omitted.

  Thereby, since it was after the drying process in Example 1, it was necessary to detect the presence or absence of clothing and to devise so that the clothing would not be wetted again. Since the process is performed, the clothes may be wet.

  Further, in a structure that does not have the circulation pump 34, the wastewater is collected by the lint filter 35 and then discharged out of the housing. On the other hand, in the structure having the circulation pump 34, by driving the circulation pump 34, the lint in the water used in the lint cleaning process can be removed by the lint filter 35 and reused during the next washing operation. Thereby, the increase in the amount of water used can be suppressed.

  In the above, it has been described that the lint cleaning process is performed independently of other processes from the end of the drying process to the start of the washing operation, but if there are no factors that inhibit the lint cleaning process in other processes, a plurality of processes are performed. May be performed simultaneously. For example, in step S105, there is a process in which the user waits for the washing / drying machine 100A for the detergent to be charged. By performing the lint cleaning process during this time, the operation time can be shortened. At this time, the outer tank cover side water supply nozzle 50A or the outer tank bottom wall side water supply nozzle 50B has an independent water supply path (not shown) so that water can be supplied into the outer tank 2 without the detergent container 33 being interposed.

  In the above process, the method for determining whether the drying course has been set in the previous operation has been described. However, using a sensor (not shown) such as an infrared sensor, lint is provided on the water receiving portion 2f where lint is most likely to accumulate. It is also possible to automate the setting of ON / OFF of the lint cleansing course by determining whether or not there is accumulation. It can also be used to determine if there is no lint left.

  Further, in the above structure, water spraying is not performed on the inner peripheral surface of the outer tub 2, particularly on the side surface on the upper side of the housing, but when used in combination with the operation of Example 1, it adhered to the inner peripheral surface of the outer tub 2. A small amount of lint can also be removed. At this time, in order to reduce the amount of water used and power consumption, the number of times of performing the operation of the first embodiment may be reduced.

In the first and second embodiments, the method of spraying water from the upper part of the outer tub 2 and washing the lint along the inner surface of the outer tub 2 has been described. In the present embodiment, a structure focusing on the water receiving portion 2f where lint is most likely to accumulate will be described.

  14 is a side view showing the internal structure of the washing / drying machine 100A, and FIG. 15 (a) is a conceptual diagram of the outer tub 2 and the washing / dehydrating tub 3 in the vicinity of the water receiving portion 2f.

  In this structure, the drain port 2 b of the outer tub 2 is connected to the water storage tank 61 through the lint filter 35. The water storage tank 61 has two discharge ports at the bottom, the first discharge port 61 a is connected to the drain hose 31 via the drain valve 36, and the second discharge port 61 b is connected to the reservoir water circulation pump 62. The reservoir water circulation pump 62 is connected to the front side of the water receiving portion 2f via the reservoir water circulation hose 62a. The pool water circulation pump 62 may also serve as the circulation pump 34 described above.

  During the washing operation, the drain valve 36 is closed, a part of the drainage is stored in the water storage tank 61, and the stored water is used for the lint cleaning process after the drying process. This greatly reduces the amount of water used in the lint cleaning process.

  At this time, the cleanliness of the outer tub can be maintained by using less contaminated water used in the latter stage of the rinsing process during the washing operation. Moreover, the process using the water stored in the water storage tank 61 is more preferable at the initial stage of the lint cleaning process if water is sprayed into the outer tub 2 using tap water as a finish, so that the cleanliness in the outer tub 2 is maintained.

  Lint adhering outside the vicinity of the water receiving portion 2f is removed by generating running water by driving the washing and dewatering tub 3. Here, the rotational speed of the washing and dewatering tub 3 is preferably equal to or higher than the speed at which the flowing water reaches the upper part of the inner surface of the outer tub 2. Thereby, water flows evenly on the inner surface of the outer tub 2 and can prevent lint from being left behind.

  Moreover, FIG.15 (b) is a conceptual diagram of the water-receiving part 2f vicinity using another structure. In this structure, a valve body 60 having a plurality of states is used instead of the drain valve 36. The valve body 60 has a first discharge port 60b and a second discharge port 60c, a first state in which the first discharge port 60b is open and the second discharge port 60c is closed, and a second discharge port. There is a second state in which the outlet 60c is open and the first discharge port 60b is closed, and a third state in which the two discharge ports are both closed.

  The inlet 60a of the valve body 60 is connected to the drain 2b of the outer tub 2 and has a lint filter 35 therebetween. The first discharge port 60 b of the valve body 60 is connected to the drain hose 31, and the second discharge port 60 c is connected to the water storage tank 61. The water storage tank 61 has a discharge port in the lower part and is connected to a reservoir water circulation pump 62. The reservoir water circulation pump 62 is connected to the water receiver 2f from the discharge port via the reservoir water circulation hose 62a. The reservoir water circulation hose 62a has a valve body 62b.

  The valve body 60 is normally in the first state, and the water flowing from the drain port 2 b flows to the drain hose 31. At this time, the valve body 62b is closed to prevent water from entering the water storage tank 61. The second state is reached at the end of the rinsing process, and used water is stored in the water storage tank 61. In the lint cleaning process, the valve body 62b is opened, the water stored in the water storage tank 61 is stored, the water circulation pump 62 is driven, and water is injected into the water receiving portion 2f. After the water injection is completed, the valve body 62b is closed to prevent backflow. Thereby, water is stored in the outer tub 2 and a lint cleaning process is performed using this water.

  By using the structure of FIG. 15B, the amount of water when storing water in the outer tub 2 can be reduced as compared with the structure of FIG.

In the above-described Examples 1 to 3, the description has been made using a washing and drying machine generally called a drum type. In this embodiment, a laundry dryer generally called a vertical type will be described.

  FIG. 16 is an external perspective view of the vertical washer-dryer 100B. FIG. 17 is a plan view showing the internal structure by cutting vertically at a substantially central portion in the left-right direction of the housing. FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram showing a path from the water supply unit 112A to the outer tub 109 or the washing / dehydrating tub 108 in the washing / drying machine 100B.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the washing and drying machine of this embodiment is a vertical washing and drying machine in which the rotation axis of the washing and dewatering tub 108 is substantially vertical. An upper surface cover 102a is provided on the upper portion of the casing 102 of the washing / drying machine, and an outer lid 103 is provided on the upper surface cover 102a. The outer lid 103 is folded in a mountain shape and opened to the rear side, thereby opening the opening 102b and allowing clothes to be taken in and out of the washing / dehydrating tub 108.

  A water supply hose connection port 104 from the water tap and a water absorption hose connection port 105 for remaining hot water in the bath are provided on the back side of the top cover 102a. A power switch 106 is provided on the front side of the top cover 102a, and an operation panel 107 including an operation switch 107a and a display 107b is provided on the front side of the outer lid 103.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the washing and drying machine includes a washing / dehydrating tub 108, an outer tub 109, a driving device 110, a detergent / finishing agent charging device 111, a water supply unit 112A, a drying duct 120, and the like in a housing 102. Yes.

  The washing and dewatering tub 108 has a bottomed cylindrical shape and includes a body plate 108a formed of a stainless steel plate or the like. A large number of through holes 108a1 for water flow and ventilation are formed in the body plate 108a. The washing and dewatering tub 108 includes a rotary blade 108b on the inner bottom surface.

  The outer tub 109 has a bottomed cylindrical shape, includes a washing and dewatering tub 108 coaxially, and includes an outer tub cover 109a on the upper portion thereof. The user of the washing and drying machine can put clothes in and out of the washing and dehydrating tank 108 through the opening 102b by opening the outer lid 103 and the lid member 109c of the outer tank cover 109a.

  The washing and dewatering tub 108 includes a balance ring (also referred to as a fluid balancer) 108c formed of synthetic resin or the like at the upper edge of the body plate 108a. The balance ring 108c is configured by enclosing a fluid having a large specific gravity therein, and fluid is moved in the balance ring 108c when an eccentricity occurs due to the bias of the laundry when the washing and dewatering tub 108 rotates. This cancels the eccentricity and maintains the balance of rotation.

  The driving device 110 is disposed at the outer center of the bottom surface of the outer tub 109. The driving device 110 includes a motor 110a and a clutch mechanism 110b, and a rotating shaft 110c of the driving device 110 passes through the outer tub 109 and is coupled to the washing / dehydrating tub 108 and the rotary blade 108b. . The clutch mechanism 110b has a function of transmitting the rotational power of the motor 110a to the washing and dewatering tub 108 and / or the rotary blade 108b. The motor 110a includes a rotation detection device 128 configured by a Hall element or a photo interrupter that detects the rotation, and a motor current detection device 129 that detects a current flowing through the motor 110a.

  The charging device 111 is provided on the front side of the top cover 102a. The detergent and the finishing agent are charged between the outer tub 109 and the washing / dehydrating tub 108 by the charging hose 111a.

The water supply unit 112A is provided on the back side of the top cover 102a. The water supply unit 112A supplies tap water from the water supply hose connection port 104 to the charging device 111 or a water cooling / dehumidification mechanism (not shown) described later. In addition, the water supply unit 112A receives tap water from the water supply hose connection port 104 and bath water from the water absorption hose connection port 105 from between the outer tub 109 and the washing / dehydration tub 108 via the water injection hose 111b. Water can be poured inside.
Further, the water supply unit 112A can inject tap water from the water supply hose connection port 104 into the upper portion of the washing and dewatering tank 108 through the cleaning hose 111c.

  A drop portion 109 m provided on the bottom surface of the outer tub 109 is connected to communicate with the lower communication pipe 113. The lower communication pipe 113 is connected to communicate with the washing water drainage path 115 via the drain valve 114. By closing the drain valve 114, it is possible to store flush water and rinse water in the outer tub 109. Further, by opening the drain valve 114, the water in the outer tub 109 can be drained out of the washing / drying machine via the washing water drainage passage 115.

  Further, the lower communication pipe 113 is connected so as to communicate with a washing water circulation channel 118 (partially omitted) via a lint filter 116 and a circulation pump 117 installed at the lower part of the casing 102. The washing water circulation channel 118 is connected to communicate with a second lint filter 140 provided above the washing and dewatering tub 108.

  When the circulation pump 117 is driven, the water in the outer tub 109 flows into the lint filter 116 through the drop portion 109m and the lower communication pipe 113, the lint is removed, and flows into the suction port of the circulation pump 117. Water (circulated water) sent from the circulation pump 117 is poured so as to be sprayed from above into the washing and dewatering tank 108 via the washing water circulation water channel 118.

  The drying duct 120 is installed vertically inside the back surface of the housing 102, and the lower part of the duct is connected to the drop portion 109m of the outer tub 109 by a rubber bellows tube 120a. A water-cooled dehumidifying mechanism (not shown) is built in the drying duct 120, and cooling water is supplied from the water supply unit 112A to the water-cooled dehumidifying mechanism. The cooling water flows down the wall surface (a metal plate made of stainless steel or the like) of the drying duct 120 and enters the drop-in portion 109m, and is discharged to the outside through the lower communication pipe 113 and the washing water drainage passage 115.

  The outlet of the drying duct 120 is connected to the inlet of the fan 121, and the outlet of the fan 121 is connected to the heater 122. The outlet of the heater 122 is connected to the blowing nozzle 124 via the air duct 123.

  As described above, in the drying process, the air in the outer tub 109 is water-cooled and dehumidified by the drying duct 120 and sucked from the suction port of the fan 121, and the air discharged from the fan 121 is heated by the heater 122 to obtain a high temperature and low humidity. Can be blown out from the blowing nozzle 124 into the washing and dewatering tank 108.

  Although not shown, the air duct 123 has a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the air blown into the washing and dewatering tub 108 during the drying process, and the drop portion 109m of the outer tub 109 has a washing A temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the water and the temperature of the air sucked into the drying duct 120 during the drying process, between the lower communication pipe 113 and the drain valve 114, the temperature of the washing water and the drainage of the washing water during the drying process A temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of air discharged from the road 115 to the outside of the machine, and an acceleration sensor for detecting vibration acceleration due to vibration of the outer tank 109 are provided on the upper side of the outer tank 109. Further, a water level sensor (not shown) for detecting the level of the washing water stored in the outer tub 109 is provided.

  Next, the water supply unit 112A will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 18, the water supply unit 112A has five solenoid valves, and performs water injection according to operation by a combination of opening and closing.

  When the first electromagnetic valve 112d (main) is opened, tap water is poured into the outer tub 109 through the water injection hose 111b. This path also serves as a bath water supply path by the bath water pump 112f via the water supply hose connection port 105 for remaining hot water in the bath, and bath water is also poured into the outer tank 109 from the water injection hose 111b.

  When the second electromagnetic valve 112a is opened, tap water is supplied into the outer tub 109 together with the detergent in the charging device 111 via the hose 112i, the charging device 111, and the charging hose 111a.

  When the third solenoid valve 112b and the fourth solenoid valve 112e are opened, tap water enters the outer tank 9 together with the finishing agent in the charging device 111 via the hose 121j, the charging device 111, and the charging hose 111a. Supplied.

  When only the third electromagnetic valve 112b is opened, tap water is supplied to the water channel member 150 via the hose 111c. When the fourth solenoid valve 112c is opened, tap water is supplied to a water-cooled dehumidifying mechanism (not shown) in the drying duct 120 via a hose (not shown).

Here, an example of the lint cleaning process in the vertical washer / dryer will be described with reference to FIG.
The basic operation is the same as that of Example 1 in FIG. FIG. 19 is a conceptual diagram of a method of supplying water to the outer tub 109 or the washing / dehydrating tub 108 in the lint cleaning process.

  When it is detected that there is no clothing in the washing and dewatering tub 108 after the drying process and the lint cleaning process is started, only the third electromagnetic valve 112b is opened and tap water is supplied from the water supply unit 112A. At the same time, the washing and dewatering tub 108 starts rotating by the driving device 110.

  Under the outer tub cover 109a, an annular water channel member 150 concentric with the outer tub 109 and having substantially the same outer diameter as that of the washing and dewatering tub 108 is provided. The bottom surface 150a of the water channel member 150 is supplied from the water supply unit 112A. A plurality of sprinkling ports 150a1 for spraying the tap water thus sprinkled on the upper part (outer peripheral edge upper surface 108c1) of the washing and dewatering tank 108 are provided. Thereby, the tap water sprinkled from the sprinkling port 150a1 is directly sprinkled on the upper part of the washing and dewatering tank 108 (the outer peripheral edge upper surface 108c1 of the balance ring 108c) as indicated by the solid line arrow. At this time, the washing and dewatering tub 108 rotates, so that the tap water is scattered on the inner peripheral surface 109 s of the outer tub 109 by the centrifugal force when the washing and dewatering tub 108 is rotated. The tap water that has fallen on the inner peripheral surface 109 s of the outer tub 109 flows down downward in the vertical direction by the action of gravity. Thereby, the lint adhering to the inner peripheral surface 109s of the outer tank 109 is removed.

  The tap water including the lint flowing down the inner peripheral surface of the outer tub 109 accumulates at the bottom of the outer tub 109. The level of tap water collected at the bottom of the outer tub 109 may be set so as to touch the bottom of the washing and dewatering tub 108. As a result, the water accumulated in the bottom of the outer tub 109 is agitated by the rotation of the washing and dewatering tub 108 to generate a water flow, and the lint adhering to the bottom of the outer tub 109 and the lint flowing down from the inner peripheral surface of the outer tub 109 are removed. 109 is dispersed in the pool water without accumulating at the bottom, and drained from the depression 109m.

  In the case of the structure having the circulation pump 117 as in this embodiment, the lint may be removed by the lint filter 116 by driving the circulation pump 117. If the circulation pump 117 is used, there is no need to make a water flow by utilizing the rotation of the washing and dewatering tank 108, and the level of tap water can be lowered and the amount of water used can be reduced.

  At this time, a second lint filter 140 provided above the washing and dewatering tub 108 is present in the washing water circulation channel 118. When there is lint that is not collected by the lint filter 116 by providing the switching valve 140a on the discharge side of the second lint filter 140 so that the water injection hose 111b and the washing water hose 111c can be selected as the discharge path of the circulating water In addition, the lint can be collected by the second lint filter 140, and the amount of water used in the lint cleaning process can be further reduced by circulating water. For this reason, the reattachment of lint to the washing / dehydrating tub 108 and the outer tub 109 can be further suppressed, and the cleanliness of the circulating water, the washing / dehydrating tub 108 and the outer tub 109 can be further improved.

  After a predetermined time, the tap water used in the lint cleaning process is discharged from the housing 2 through the drain valve 114 and the washing water drain path 115.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Case 2 Outer tub 2f Water receiving part 3 Washing / dehydration tub 4 Motor 7 Detergent tray 12 Start switch 14 Power switch 31 Drain hose 34 Circulation pump 35 Lint filter 36 Drain valve 100A Washer / dryer

Claims (5)

A washing / dehydrating tub in which clothes are stored, an outer tub containing the washing / dehydrating tub, a driving device for rotationally driving the washing / dehydrating tub, a housing for supporting the outer tub, and an inner tub Water supply means for supplying water, a drainage path for draining from the outer tank, and a drainage valve for opening and closing the drainage path,
In a laundry dryer having a washing process, a rinsing process, a dehydrating process and a drying process,
The water supply means supplies water into the outer tub while the drain valve is closed from the end of the drying process to the next washing course or the washing / drying course or drying course, and water accumulates in the outer tub. The washing and drying machine, wherein the washing and dewatering tank is driven in a wet state. Washing and dewatering tub in which clothing is accommodated, an outer tub containing the washing and dehydrating tub, a water receiving portion provided at a lower portion of the outer tub, a housing for supporting the outer tub, and the outer tub A water supply means for supplying water, a drainage path for draining from the water receiving portion, and a drainage valve for opening and closing the drainage path,
In a laundry dryer having a washing process, a rinsing process, a dehydrating process and a drying process,
After the drying step, the washing / drying machine is characterized in that water is supplied to the water receiving portion so that the water level is equal to or less than the inner surface of the washing and dewatering tank, and the drainage valve is opened to drain water. In claim 1 or 2,
A tank for temporarily accumulating waste water from the washing step or the rinsing step,
A washing and drying machine characterized in that the water accumulated in the tank is supplied to the water receiving tank. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 3,
A washing / drying machine characterized in that the supplied water passes through the waste thread collecting means during or after rotation of the washing and dewatering tank. A washing / dehydrating tub in which clothes are stored, an outer tub containing the washing / dehydrating tub, a driving device for rotationally driving the washing / dehydrating tub, a housing supporting the outer tub, and the outer tub Water supply means for supplying water, a drainage path for draining from the outer tub, and a drainage valve for opening and closing the drainage path,
In a laundry dryer having a washing process, a rinsing process, a dehydrating process and a drying process,
A water supply path extending in the circumferential direction of the inner tank is provided in the outer tank,
A plurality of water spouts are provided in this water supply route,
When a washing course or a washing and drying course is started, tap water is sprinkled from the water spout using the water supply means before the washing step.