JP2014200422A - Drum type washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a drum type washing machine in which washing operation time using warm water is shortened, and in which overheat caused by exposure of a heater is suppressed.SOLUTION: A drum type washing machine includes: a water tub 2 elastically supported in a housing 1; a cylindrical drum 3 with a bottom provided rotatably in the water tub 2; a pump 18 for circulating washing water in the water tub 2 into the drum 3; and a first heater 30 and a second heater 31 provided inside the water tub 2 and in a circulation water passage 17 respectively. In the drum type washing machine, energization of the first heater 30 and the second heater 31 is selectively used according to ON/OFF of the pump 18. Thereby, overheat is prevented in a state where the first heater 30 is exposed due to lowering of a water level during the driving of the pump 18, and a heating state of the water in the water tub 2 is always maintained. Thus, temperature rise time before reaching predetermined target temperature in a washing step by warm water is shortened, and operation time is shortened.

Description

  The present invention relates to a drum type washing machine for washing clothes and the like.

  Conventionally, in order to enhance the cleaning effect, this type of drum-type washing machine circulates the washing water in the water tank in which the detergent is dissolved during the washing into the drum and descends the laundry, and the washing water penetrates into the laundry. It is considered to speed up (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional drum-type washing machine. The drum type washing machine 100 has a circulation water channel 103 that circulates by rotation of the drum 101. Furthermore, in order to enhance the cleaning effect, it is considered that a heater 104 is provided at the bottom of the water tank 102 to heat the washing water. In addition, it is possible to perform washing with less washing water by tilting the rotating shaft 105 of the drum 101 forwardly upward.

  In the drum-type washing machine 100 described above, the washing water at the bottom of the water tub 102 may be wound up by the high-speed rotation of the drum 101, thereby obstructing the rotation of the drum 101. Therefore, it is considered that a water reservoir is provided in the lower part of the water tank 102 (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

  FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional drum type washing machine. The drum-type washing machine 200 includes a drum 201 and a water tank 202 that are inclined at a predetermined angle from the horizontal. A water reservoir 206 is provided at the bottom of the water tank 202. The water reservoir 206 has the heater 204 disposed therein. When the washing water is drained, the washing water is stored in the water reservoir 206, so that even if the drum 201 rotates at a high speed during draining, the washing water dehydrated from the clothes is collected in the water reservoir 206, and the high speed rotation of the drum 201 is inhibited. Suppress. As a result, the dehydration rate is improved and the washing time can be shortened.

JP 2007-117135 A JP 2007-68805 A

  However, in the above-described conventional configuration, the washing water supplied into the aquarium at the time of washing is heated with a heater, and the washing water stored in the aquarium is circulated into the drum so that the washing water is stored at the bottom of the aquarium. There was a problem that the water level of the heater was lowered and the heater was exposed from the surface of the washing water and overheated. In addition, it is considered that the heater provided at the bottom of the water tank inclined upward is arranged in a substantially horizontal direction, but the water level is lowered by the circulation of the washing water, and the upper part of the heater is exposed from the water surface. Had problems. Although it is conceivable to prevent the heater from being exposed by increasing the amount of water supplied to the washing water, there is a problem that the time required for raising the washing water to a predetermined temperature becomes long.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and an object thereof is to provide a drum type washing machine that shortens a washing operation time using hot water and suppresses overheating due to heater exposure.

In order to solve the conventional problems, a drum-type washing machine according to the present invention supplies a water tank supported in a housing, a drum rotatably provided in the water tank, and washing water into the water tank. A water supply device, a circulation water passage through which the wash water in the water tank circulates into the drum, a circulation device provided in the circulation water passage for circulating the wash water, a motor for rotationally driving the drum, and a water supply in the water tank A water reservoir provided at the bottom, wherein the water reservoir is provided with a first heater for heating the wash water, and a second heater for heating the wash water to the discharge side of the circulation device in the circulation channel. A heater is provided.

  Thereby, regardless of the amount of water, it is possible to suppress the overheating of the washing water due to the exposure of the heater and to carry out the washing step with warm water without reducing the circulation flow rate by the circulation device.

  The drum type washing machine of the present invention can improve the cleaning performance and reduce the operation time by circulating hot water.

Side sectional view of the drum type washing machine of the present invention Block diagram of the drum type washing machine of the present invention Sectional view of a conventional drum-type washing machine Sectional view of a conventional drum-type washing machine

  The drum type washing machine of the present invention includes a water tank supported in a housing, a drum rotatably provided in the water tank, a water supply device that supplies the washing water into the water tank, and the washing water in the water tank. A circulation water channel that circulates into the drum, a circulation device that is provided in the circulation water channel and circulates washing water, a motor that rotationally drives the drum, and a water reservoir provided at the bottom of the water tank. The water reservoir is provided with a first heater for heating the washing water, and a second heater for heating the washing water is provided on the discharge side of the circulation device in the circulation channel.

  With such a configuration, the circulating water can be heated by the heating device provided in the circulating water channel, the overheating of the washing water due to the heater exposure is suppressed regardless of the amount of water, and the circulation flow rate by the circulation device is not reduced. In addition, a washing step with warm water can be performed.

  In the above configuration, it is preferable that the first heater is stopped and the second heater is operated while the circulation device is driven.

  As a result, during the washing step, the first heating device is not driven in a state where the water level in the water tank is lowered while the circulation device is driven, so that even if the first heater is exposed, it is still baked Can be prevented. Further, since the second heater is in a driven state even when the first heater is stopped, the washing water can always be kept heated. For this reason, the temperature rise time of the washing water does not become unnecessarily long, and extension of the operation time can be prevented. Moreover, since warm washing water can be supplied stably, the washing performance can be improved.

In the above configuration, the apparatus further comprises a water level detection device for detecting the water level of the washing water,
When the circulating device is being driven and the water level in the water tank becomes lower than the position of the first heater, the first heater may be stopped and the second heater may be operated.

  Thereby, since the number of ON / OFF times of the heating device can be suppressed, the durability of the heating device can be improved.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

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

  In the drum type washing machine of the present invention, a water tank 2 for storing washing water is provided inside a housing 1. The aquarium 2 has an opening 6 on the front surface side, and is disposed in a state where the opening 6 side is inclined upward from the horizontal. The user puts in and out the laundry through the opening 6. The water tank 2 is elastically supported by a suspension spring (not shown) and a damper (not shown). A bottomed cylindrical drum 3 for storing laundry is rotatably provided in the water tank 2. A plurality of baffles 4 for lifting the laundry and a large number of small holes 5 communicating with the inside of the water tub 2 are provided on the peripheral side wall surface of the drum 3. A drum drive motor 7 that rotates the drum 3 is fixed to the outside of the rear surface of the water tank 2.

  In addition, the water tank 2 and the drum 3 do not need to incline and may be arrange | positioned horizontally. Further, the motor for rotating the drum 3 may not be disposed on the rear surface of the water tank 2 but may be a belt driving system that is provided below the water tank 2 and drives the drum 3 via a belt.

  Above the water tank 2, a water supply valve 8 (water supply device) for supplying washing water into the water tank 2 is provided. Water is supplied into the water tank 2 through the detergent case 10 provided in the water supply path 9. Water is supplied to the space between the drums 3 of the water tank 2.

  In the lower part of the water tank 2, a concave water reservoir 11 for storing washing water is provided. Even if the drum 3 rotates at a high speed, the water reservoir 11 can prevent the washing water from being rolled up, and the drum 3 can stably rotate at a high speed.

  The water reservoir 11 is provided with a first heater 30 (first heating device) for heating the washing water. The first heater 30 is disposed in the water reservoir 11 substantially in parallel with the surface of the washing water stored in the water tank 2, and the washing water stored in the water reservoir 11 can be heated to a predetermined temperature suitable for washing. it can. The first heater is a sheathed heater, for example.

  At the bottom of the water reservoir, there is provided an entrance for a circulating water channel 17 for circulating the wash water. The circulation channel 17 is provided with a pump 18 (circulation device) for circulating the wash water. The circulating water channel 17 has a discharge part 19 downstream thereof. Washing water from the circulation channel 17 is discharged into the drum 3 from the opening 6 of the water tank 2. A switching valve 20 is provided on the downstream side of the pump 18 and can be switched to either the circulation water channel 17 leading to the discharge unit 19 or the drainage channel 21 for discharging the wash water to the outside of the machine. When the drainage channel 21 is closed and communicates with the discharge unit 19 by switching the switching valve 20, the wash water in the water reservoir 11 is discharged from the discharge unit 19 toward the laundry in the drum 3 through the circulation channel 17. Can do. In the draining step after washing and rinsing, when the drainage channel 21 communicates by switching the switching valve 20 and the discharge part 19 is closed, the washing water can be discharged out of the machine through the drainage channel 21.

  In the circulating water channel 17, a water level detection device 35 that detects the water level in the water tank 2 is provided on the suction side of the pump 18 and downstream of the water reservoir 11. By the water level detection of the water level detection device 35, the water supply amount set in the washing step and the rinsing step is supplied.

  A second heater 31 (second heating device) composed of a pipe-shaped ring heater is provided in the circulating water channel 17 on the discharge side of the pump 18 and upstream of the discharge unit 19. The second heater heats the wash water in the circulation water channel 17.

  According to the drum type washing machine of the present invention, the water can be heated in a state where water is mixed in the circulation water channel 17, and the pump 18 is not driven during the washing step in actual operation. In the state, the first heater 30 is operated, and in the state where the pump 18 is driven, the second heater 31 is operated.

  The circulating water channel 17 is provided with a water temperature detection device 36 such as a thermistor. When the water temperature of the washing water is lower than the predetermined water temperature by the water temperature detection device, the first heater 30 or the second heater 31 is operated to heat the washing water. The water temperature detection device may be provided in the water tank 2. Moreover, it is good also as a structure provided in both the water tank 2 and the circulating water channel 17. FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the drum type washing machine of the present invention. A control device 22 is provided below the drum type washing machine. The control device 22 operates the drum drive motor 7, the water supply valve 8, the pump 18, the switching valve 20, the first heater 30, and the second heater 31 based on the outputs of the water level detection device 35 and the water temperature detection device 36. To control. The control device 22 sequentially controls each step of washing, rinsing and dewatering.

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

  The user opens the door 23 that can be opened and closed on the front side of the housing 1, and puts the laundry into the drum 3 through the opening 6. An operation unit (not shown) is operated to start operation. Based on the drive current of the drum drive motor 7, the cloth apprehension portion 37 detects the cloth amount and outputs it to the control device 22. The control device 22 operates the water supply valve 8 to start water supply. The amount of water is set in advance according to the amount of cloth fed. The supplied wash water is supplied into the aquarium 2 together with the detergent put into the detergent case 12. After the start of water supply, the water level detection means 35 detects that a set amount of wash water has been supplied. When the set water level is reached, the water supply is stopped and the washing step starts.

  In the washing step, the drum 3 is driven to rotate forward and backward by the drum drive motor 7, and the laundry in the drum 3 is lifted by the baffle 4. The laundry is knocked down from above the drum 3 onto the water surface. Further, during the washing step, the control valve 22 switches the switching valve 20 to the circulating water channel 17 side. Further, the pump 18 is driven at a preset number of rotations, and a predetermined amount of washing water is circulated in the drum 3 through the discharge unit 19. As a result, the washing water is infiltrated into the clothes being stirred in the drum 3.

  While the pump 18 is in operation, the washing water in the water tank 2 is circulated, so that the water level in the water tank 2 is lowered. However, if the pump 18 is continuously moved, the water level is lowered too much. Then, the on / off control of the pump 18 is repeated.

  During the washing step, the first heater provided in the water tank 2 is energized. Thereby, the wash water in the water tank 2 is heated. By raising the temperature of the washing water, the action of separating dirt from clothing is strengthened, and the washing effect can be enhanced. At this time, the water temperature is monitored by the water temperature detector 36 and controlled at a predetermined temperature. For example, in general, sebum dirt can be more easily removed by setting the water temperature to 30 to 40 ° C. The sterilization effect can be enhanced by setting the water temperature to a temperature higher than that, for example, 60 ° C. or higher. Further, when the water temperature is lowered in winter or the like, for example, when the temperature is 15 ° C. or lower, the cleaning ability is lowered. By increasing the water temperature of the washing water by the first heater 30, a high detergency can be obtained even in winter.

Here, in the conventional configuration as shown in FIG. 3, if the heater 104 is energized while the wash water is circulating and the water level in the water tank 102 is lowered, there is a case where the heater 104 is baked. In order to avoid empty baking, the amount of water supply is usually increased so that the water level does not drop until the heater 104 is exposed. Alternatively, measures such as not driving the heater 104 are taken during the circulation of the washing water. For this reason, the temperature raising time for raising the water temperature to a predetermined value becomes longer, and as a result, there are problems such as longer operating time.

  On the other hand, in the drum type washing machine of the present invention, the first heater 30 is not energized while the pump 18 is being driven, and the second heater 31 is energized. Accordingly, since the washing water is heated by the second heater 31 while avoiding empty baking in the exposed state of the heating device, the washing water can be continuously heated.

  Here, the discharge side of the pump 18 in the circulating water channel 17 is filled with wash water because the pump 18 is driven. For this reason, it can avoid that the 2nd heater 31 will be in the baking state.

  That is, the first heater 30 and the second heater 31 can always be energized while being immersed in water. Thereby, while ensuring safety, the water in the water tank 2 is configured to be always heated, and the temperature rise time to a predetermined temperature is shortened. Further, since it is not necessary to stop the pump 18 or reduce the circulation flow rate in order to avoid the heater from being burned out, the cleaning performance can be maintained.

  After the washing step, the process proceeds to the draining step. By switching the switching valve 20 to the drainage channel 21 side, the washing water in the water tank 2 is drained outside the machine through the drainage channel 21 via the switching valve 20. Similarly, in the next rinsing step, water supply is started, and a predetermined amount of rinsing water is supplied into the water tank 2. After the water supply, the drum 3 and the pump 18 are driven to rinse the clothes. After completion, proceed to the dehydration step.

  In the dewatering step, the washing water is drained in the same manner as after the washing step, and when the draining is completed, the drum driving motor 7 is driven to rotate the drum 3 at a high speed to perform centrifugal dehydration of the clothes. The washing operation is performed as described above.

(Embodiment 2)
In the present embodiment, when the pump 18 is not driven in the first embodiment, the first heater 30 is driven. While the pump 18 is being driven, the water level in the water tank 2 is the same as that of the first heater 30. The second heater 31 is driven only when it is lowered below the position. The other configurations and operations use the first embodiment.

  As in the first embodiment, the ON / OFF of the first heater 30 and the second heater 31 is also switched in conjunction with the ON / OFF of the pump 18. Therefore, depending on the sequence of the pump 18, ON / OFF of each heater is frequently repeated. For this reason, durability of the relay etc. used for ON / OFF may fall.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the water level in the water tank 2 detected by the water level detection device 35 falls below the first heater 30, the first heater is stopped and the second heater is energized. Thereby, only when the first heater 30 is likely to be exposed, the ON / OFF frequency can be suppressed by switching ON / OFF of each heater. As a result, the durability of the heater, relay, etc. can be improved.

As described above, the drum type washing machine according to the present invention is useful for maintaining the cleaning performance and effectively shortening the operation time without incurring the safety deterioration due to the heater exposure in the washing step. .

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Case 2 Water tank 3 Drum 7 Drum drive motor 11 Water reservoir 17 Circulating water channel 18 Pump (circulation device)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 19 Discharge part 22 Control apparatus 30 1st heater 31 2nd heater 35 Water level detection apparatus

Claims (3)

A water tank supported in the housing;
A drum rotatably provided in the water tank;
A water supply device for supplying washing water into the water tank;
A circulation channel through which wash water in the water tank circulates into the drum;
A circulation device provided in the circulation channel and circulating the wash water;
A motor for rotating the drum;
A water reservoir provided at the bottom of the water tank,
The water reservoir is provided with a first heater for heating the washing water,
A drum-type washing machine provided with a second heater for heating washing water on the discharge side of the circulation device in the circulation channel. The drum type washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the first heater is stopped and the second heater is operated while the circulation device is driven. A water level detection device for detecting the level of the washing water;
2. The drum according to claim 1, wherein the first heater is stopped and the second heater is operated when the circulating device is driven and the water level in the water tank becomes lower than the position of the first heater. Type washing machine.

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