JP2014094203A - Clothes processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a clothes processing device which has a configuration capable of preventing deposition of scales which is generated in a chamber for generating steam.SOLUTION: A steam supply mechanism for supplying steam to an accommodation tub includes: a steam generator 420 having a wall surface for specifying a chamber for generating steam; a heater 425 for heating the wall surface; and a water supply mechanism for emitting water to the wall surface heated by the heater. The chamber includes: an inflow port 437 for emitting water to the inside of the steam generator; an exhaust port for exhausting the steam from the steam generator; and a steam flow passage for leading the steam from the inflow port to the exhaust port. By including a plurality of steam flow passages, deposition of scales which is generated on the surface in the flow passage is made to be small, and the deposition peeled from the surface in the flow passage becomes small and easy to be exhausted to the outside of the steam flow passage.

Description

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

  A washing machine that efficiently supplies steam to clothing 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 efficiently supplies steam to a drum in which clothing is accommodated. However, in the steam flow path from the water supply port to the discharge port in the chamber in the steam generator, impurities (scale) contained in the water used for steam generation accumulate in the steam flow path. Therefore, in the washing machine of Patent Document 1, the scale accumulates in the steam flow path and peels off and closes the inlet, so that the steam cannot be stably supplied and the reliability decreases, or the steam flow path is There was a problem that the period until it was closed and can no longer be used was shortened.

  According to the present invention, in a steam flow path that generates and conveys steam, even when scale is deposited in the steam flow path, the scale deposit generated on the surface in the path is reduced in size and separated from the surface in the path. An object of the present invention is to provide a clothing processing apparatus that improves reliability and prolongs the deposition by making the deposits small and easily discharging out of the steam flow path.

  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 supplies 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 wall, a heater that heats the wall surface, and a water supply mechanism that emits water to the wall surface heated by the heater, and the chamber supplies water into the steam generator. A plurality of the steam flow paths, including an outlet for exiting, an exhaust outlet for discharging steam from within the steam generator, and a steam flow path for guiding steam from the inlet to the exhaust outlet. Features.

  According to the above configuration, since the vapor flow path is divided into a plurality of paths, even when impurities accumulate in the path, the scale deposits generated on the surface in the path are reduced in size and separated from the surface in the path. The deposited deposits become smaller and are easily discharged out of the steam flow path. Moreover, the period until the steam flow path is closed due to impurities and cannot be used is prolonged.

  Moreover, even if one of the paths is blocked by scale accumulation, it is unlikely that all the other paths are blocked at the same time, and steam can be supplied to the storage tank by leaving the other paths remaining. In addition, the period until all the steam flow paths are closed due to impurities and become unusable is prolonged, and the reliability is improved.

  Also, from the viewpoint of vaporization efficiency, by using a plurality of routes, the entire surface area inside the route is increased, vaporization is promoted, and the vaporization efficiency is improved.

  The said structure WHEREIN: It is preferable that the said path | route is mutually partitioned off by the partition and is attached side by side.

  According to the above configuration, when the path is separated from each other by the partition wall, even when impurities are deposited in the path, the deposit is reduced in size, and the scale peeling pieces generated on the inner surface of the path are reduced and the vapor is reduced. It becomes easy to discharge out of the flow path. Further, the partition wall can be formed integrally with the path and can be manufactured at low cost.

  In the above configuration, it is preferable that the barrier ribs are separated from each other by a partition wall and are provided vertically.

  According to the above configuration, even when impurities are accumulated in the path by partitioning each other by the partition walls, the deposit is reduced in size, and the scale peeling pieces generated on the inner surface of the path become smaller and out of the steam flow path. It becomes easy to discharge. In addition, since the partition wall can be fixed by being sandwiched between the upper and lower flow paths, the partition wall thickness can be made as thin as possible, and the flow path area can be more easily secured.

  The said structure WHEREIN: It is preferable that the said partition is formed with a material with high heat insulation.

  According to the above configuration, since the surface temperature of the partition wall can be suppressed from becoming high, impurities are hardly generated on the surface of the partition wall, the reliability of the steam flow path is improved, and the steam flow path is closed by the impurities. It becomes possible to prolong the period until it becomes impossible. In addition, since impurities are less likely to be generated on the partition wall surface, the peeled pieces of the scale can be easily discharged out of the steam flow path.

  The said structure WHEREIN: It is preferable to make it the cross-sectional area of the said steam flow path | route smaller than the area of the said exhaust port.

  According to the above configuration, even when the scale is deposited in the steam flow path, the deposits peeled off from the surface in the path are surely smaller than the exhaust port, and can be reliably discharged from the exhaust port.

  The clothing processing apparatus according to the present invention reduces the scale deposit generated on the surface in the path in the steam flow path for generating and transporting the steam, even if the scale is deposited in the steam flow path. The deposits peeled off from the surface can be reduced and easily discharged out of the steam flow path, and steam can be supplied over a long period of time.

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. Schematic perspective view of a steam generator used in a washing machine exemplified as a clothing processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 Schematic perspective view of the steam generator viewed from the other direction 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 cross-sectional view of the steam generator shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B 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. Schematic exploded perspective view of a steam generator used in a washing machine exemplified as a clothing processing apparatus in the second embodiment Schematic plan view of the main piece of the steam generator shown in FIG. Schematic cross-sectional view of the steam generator shown in FIG.

  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.

(Embodiment 1)
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.

  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.

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

  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.

  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.

  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. The inner chamber wall 432 and a main partition wall 440 that partitions the flow path to the left and right are further provided. The flow path defined for this steam is exemplified as the steam flow path. Hereinafter, the steam flow path is simply referred to as a flow path.

  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 as seen from the back side. FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the steam generator 420. The steam generator 420 is described with reference to FIGS. 6B to 10.

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, an outer shield wall 435 having substantially the same shape as the outer chamber wall 431, and a lid partition wall 441 that partitions the flow path to the left and right. The lid piece 424 is pressed against the main piece 423. As a result, the outer 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 is separated from the inner chamber wall 432, the partition wall 440 of the main piece, 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 located above the inflow port 437, It collides with the partition wall 441. 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. The vapor generated by the evaporation is guided to the exhaust port 438 along the flow path, and is discharged from the exhaust pipe 422 to the outside of the steam generator 420. In this embodiment, the chamber space 430 used for generating steam is exemplified as a chamber.

  The main piece partition wall 440 and the lid piece partition wall 441 that divide the flow path to the left and right are exemplified as the partition walls. 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, the bulkhead 440 of the main piece, and / or the lid piece located above the inlet 437. The lower surface 434 of the 424 and the partition wall 441 of the lid piece are exemplified as wall surfaces.

  When the water supplied to the chamber space 430 is hard water, impurities (scale) contained in the water supplied to the steam generator 420 are attached or generated on the wall surface forming the chamber space 430 at the time of vaporization. However, by providing a partition wall in the center of the flow path and dividing the flow path into left and right, that is, side by side, the scale to be deposited is dispersed, and the deposit that peels off from the surface in the flow path is divided into two. In order to reduce the size, the deposit that peels off from the surface in the flow path is easily blown away under the action of pressure during vaporization. In addition, when one of the flow paths is blocked by the accumulation of scale, steam can be supplied to the storage tank through another flow path.

  Further, if the cross-sectional area of the flow path divided into left and right is smaller than the area of the exhaust port 438, the deposits discharged from the flow path are surely discharged from the exhaust port 438.

  On the other hand, when the water supplied into the chamber is distilled water, no scale is generated. However, the partition wall increases the overall surface area in the flow path and increases the vaporization efficiency, so that the amount of steam generated in the chamber space increases.

  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.

  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.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 13 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a steam generator 420A used in the washing machine exemplified as the clothing processing apparatus according to the second embodiment. FIG. 14 is a schematic plan view of the main piece 423A. FIG. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the steam generator 420A. The structure of the steam generator 420A will be described with reference to FIGS. In the second embodiment, the same elements as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. Therefore, the description of the first embodiment is also applied to elements having the same reference numerals.

  The steam generator 420A includes a main piece 423A, a cover piece 424A, a partition plate 442 and a packing ring 433 sandwiched between the main piece 423A and the cover piece 424A. Unlike the main piece 423 described in relation to the first embodiment, a rib 443 extending upward from the outer chamber wall 431 and the inner chamber wall 432 is attached to the main piece 423A. Further, unlike the steam generator 420 described in relation to the first embodiment, a partition plate 442 is attached to the steam generator 420A between the main piece 423A and the lid piece 424A. In the present embodiment, the partition plate 442 is formed of a highly heat-insulating material, for example, a heat-insulating resin such as a fluororesin or a phenol resin, or a ceramic. The outer chamber wall 431 and the inner chamber wall 432 include ribs 443, and the partition plate 442 is installed on the ribs 443. Therefore, the chamber space 430 is partitioned into flow paths that are provided side by side with the partition plate 442 as a partition. It is done. Further, the upper end of the partition 440 of the main piece is in contact with or close to the partition plate 442. The upper end of the partition wall 441 of the lid piece is in contact with or close to the partition plate 442. As a result, the flow path is partitioned by the partition walls vertically and horizontally.

  When the water supplied to the chamber space 430 is hard water, impurities (scale) contained in the water supplied to the steam generator 420A adhere to or generate on the wall surface forming the chamber space 430 at the time of vaporization. However, by providing a partition wall in the fluid flow path and dividing the flow path vertically and horizontally, that is, by arranging it vertically and horizontally, the deposited scale is dispersed, and the deposit that peels from the surface in the flow path is divided into 4 In order to reduce the size compared to before, the deposits that peel from the surface in the flow path are easily blown away by the action of pressure during vaporization. In addition, when one of the flow paths is blocked by the accumulation of scale, steam can be supplied to the storage tank through another flow path.

  In addition, the partition plate 442 is formed of a material having high heat insulation properties, and does not reach a high temperature. Therefore, it is difficult to generate a scale. As a result, the time required for the scale to deposit in the flow path can be delayed. In addition, since impurities are less likely to be generated on the partition wall surface, the peeled pieces of the scale can be easily discharged out of the steam flow path.

  Further, if the cross-sectional area of the flow path divided into four parts in the vertical and horizontal directions is smaller than the area of the exhaust port 438, the deposits discharged from the flow path are surely discharged from the exhaust port 438.

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

200 storage tank 300 steam supply mechanism 420, 420A steam generator 421 connection pipe 422 exhaust pipe 423, 423A main piece 424, 424A lid piece 425 heater 426 thermistor 427 main piece lower surface 428 peripheral surface 429 upper surface 430 chamber space 431 outer chamber wall 432 Inner chamber wall 434 Lower surface 435 Outer shield wall 437 Inlet 438 Exhaust port 440 Main piece partition 441 Cover piece 442 Partition plate 500 Water supply mechanism

Claims (5)

A storage tank for storing clothing, and 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, and a water supply mechanism for emitting water to the wall surface heated by the heater. Including
The chamber includes an inflow port for emitting water into the steam generator, an exhaust port for discharging steam from within the steam generator, and a steam flow path for guiding the steam from the inflow port to the exhaust port. ,
A clothing processing apparatus comprising a plurality of the steam flow paths. The clothing processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the steam flow paths are partitioned from each other by a partition wall and are provided side by side. The clothing processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the steam flow paths are partitioned from each other by a partition wall and are provided side by side. The clothing processing apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the partition wall is formed of a material having high heat insulating properties. The clothing processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a cross-sectional area of the steam flow path is smaller than an area of the exhaust port.