JP2015057156A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a washing machine capable of efficiently permeating micronized water into gaps between fibers of laundry.SOLUTION: A washing machine comprises: a water tub (5) which is disposed inside a housing (2) and in which washing water is supplied; a rotary tub (6) in which clothes are accommodated; and a steam generator (28) which vaporizes the water supplied to the rotary tub (6). The steam generator (28) includes: a heating chamber (30) in which the water to be vaporized is supplied from a water supply source; and a heater (32) for heating the water supplied to the heating chamber (30) via a wall surface (30b) for dividing the heating chamber (30). The water from the water supply source is supplied to the wall surface (30b) heated by the heater (32).

Description

  The present embodiment relates to a washing machine.

  Conventionally, it has been proposed to improve the washing performance by warming the washing water or installing a steam function in the washing machine and generating steam during washing in the washing process, so that the cloth gets wet quickly. ing. And in patent document 1, it is simple by heating a laundry, a water tank, etc. with warm air beforehand, before starting a washing process, without heating washing water directly, compared with the conventional warm water washing. A washing machine is shown which has a simple structure and enhances the hot water washing effect in the subsequent washing step.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, as shown in FIG. 9, a steam generator (67) is arranged above or below the tab (55), and the container (68) provided in the steam generator (67) is disposed. Steam generated by heating the stored washing water is sprayed into the tub (55) and drum (56) to quickly wet the cloth, and an appropriate amount of washing water is put into the tub (55) and drum (56). 1 shows a structure of a washing machine in which a washing stroke is performed by closing the water supply valve (65) and rotating the drum (56) when the water is supplied.

JP 2006-198149 A JP 2004-298614 A

  However, the configuration described in Patent Document 1 is for heating laundry or a water tub with warm air without heating the washing water, but in the subsequent washing process due to the amount of heat stored in the laundry. Since this is an alternative to the conventional hot water cleaning using warm water, a large amount of heat and time are required for heating.

  Moreover, in the structure of patent document 2, the vapor | steam generated with the vapor | steam generator (67) is condensed in the space of a container (68) and a narrow discharge flow path (70), and this is a tab ( 55) When discharged into the interior, it becomes a sudden open state, so that the efficiency such as the speed and amount of steam is lowered, and there is a drawback that it cannot be effectively sprayed on the laundry.

  Further, in the washing process using steam, steam is generated after supplying a certain amount of washing water into the drum (56), and is injected into the drum (56) from the steam flow path (70). Since the laundry is already wet at the time of spraying, the amount of heat of steam is taken away by the moisture contained in the laundry and it cannot be heated while wetting the laundry effectively. There is a problem that time is increased and power consumption is increased. This supply of steam continues until an appropriate amount of washing water is supplied into the drum (56), and then the water supply valve (65) is closed and the drum (56) is rotated to perform the washing process. Therefore, the drum (56) does not rotate when the steam is supplied, and the permeation of the steam into the lower part of the stacked laundry is extremely reduced and the cloth wetting effect becomes uneven. there were.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and water particles in the generated steam are made fine by electrostatic atomization and supplied to the laundry in the rotating tub, so that a good cloth wetting effect is obtained. Another object of the present invention is to provide a washing / drying machine capable of improving the washing effect by increasing the temperature of the laundry and its swelling action.

  The washing machine according to the present embodiment includes a water tank that is disposed inside the housing and is supplied with washing water, a rotating tank in which clothing is stored, and a steam generator that vaporizes water supplied to the rotating tank. The steam generator includes a heating chamber to which water to be vaporized from a water supply source is supplied, and a heater to heat the water supplied to the heating chamber through a wall surface that defines the heating chamber, Water from a water supply source is supplied to the wall surface heated by the heater.

It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the drum type washing-drying machine which shows one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of the steam generator in FIG. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the washing process of one Example of this invention. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the time passage of a washing and drying process, and the temperature in a water tank. It is a flowchart which shows the employment example at the time of the drying process of a steam generator. It is a flowchart which shows the example of adoption at the time of the drying process of a steam generator. It is a perspective view which shows the Example which employ | adopted this invention for the vertical washer-dryer. It is a perspective view of the drum type washing machine which shows a prior art example.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The drum type washing / drying machine (1) whose longitudinal side view of the entire product is shown in FIG. 1 forms a casing (2) which is an outer shell by left and right side plates, front plates, top plates and back plates made of thin steel plates. . The lower surface of the housing (2) is supported by a dish-shaped base plate (3) formed relatively thick with polypropylene resin or the like.

A water tank (5) is disposed inside the housing (2). The water tank (5) is made of resin with a closed back surface and has a horizontal cylindrical shape. The bottom of the water tank (5) is supported by a pair of elastic support devices (4) provided on the left and right of the base plate (3). Is suspended by a coil spring and elastically moved forward in the housing (2) and supported in an inclined manner.

  Inside the water tank (5), a bottomed cylindrical drum (6) that is rotatable about a horizontal axis is disposed. The drum (6) is made of stainless steel, and is supported in a slightly upwardly inclined state along the water tank (5). The drum (6) has a large number of dewatering holes (6a) and a laundry scraper. The baffle (6b) is provided, and functions as a shared tank for the water tank (5) in the easy-to-wash process and the drying process.

  A motor (7) is supported on the closed back surface of the drum (6) and is supported by the closed back surface portion of the water tank (5), and is controlled at a rotational speed corresponding to an easy washing and drying process. The drum (6) is rotated by this motor (7). The motor (7) is, for example, an outer rotor type composed of a DC brushless motor. The inner stator is fixed to the water tank (5) side, and a rotating shaft directly connected to the outer rotor is attached to the rear wall of the water tank (5). It penetrates in a watertight manner and is connected to the center of the back surface of the drum (6). A drain hose (9) that has a drain valve (8) and leads out washing water in the tank (5) to the outside of the machine is connected to the rear lower surface of the water tank (5).

  In addition, an operation panel (10) for selecting and setting a washing course is arranged on the upper front side of the housing (2), and a circular input for loading and unloading laundry in the center of the front surface. A door (12) having a transparent glass window that opens and closes the opening (11) is provided.

  A bellows (14) made of a soft resin material having excellent chemical resistance is attached to the gap between the opening periphery of the inlet (11) and the water tank cover (13) at the front opening of the water tank (5). In order to prevent leakage from the water tank (5) to the outside of the machine, a part thereof is extended and brought into contact with the transparent window (15) on the back side of the door (12) in the closed state, and the inlet (11) Water leakage from the machine to the outside of the machine is also prevented, and a bellows part is provided to prevent rotational vibrations of the water tank (5) and drum (6) from being transmitted to the door (12) side.

  A water reservoir (16) communicating with the inside of the water tank (5) is integrally formed on the lower surface of the water tank (5), and a heater (17) for heating the washing water is provided inside the water reservoir (16). It is arranged.

  (18) is a lint filter provided on the upstream side of the drainage valve (8), which captures lint such as lint contained in the drainage and allows it to be cleaned by pulling it out with the knob (18a). ing.

  On the other hand, a drying means (20) provided with a heating device (21) provided with a heater and a fan device (22) is disposed above the water tank (5), and is heated by the heating device (21). The generated warm air is blown forward of the main body by the fan device (22). In addition, an air supply pipe (23) is connected to the downstream side of the heating device (22) in front of the upper part of the water tank (5), and the tip of the air supply pipe (23) is a front portion of the water tank (5). Through the drum (6).

  And the heat exchanger (24) formed in a part of circulating air path of warm air is provided in the back part of the water tank (5). This heat exchanger (24) is arranged on the side of the motor (7) so as to avoid the motor (7), and the lower part is connected to the lower end opening of the water tank (5), and the upper part is The fan device (22) is connected to the casing.

  With this configuration, when the fan device (22) is driven, the heated air generated by the heating device (21) becomes hot air and is blown into the drum (6) from the air supply pipe (23). After acting to dry clothes and heating the inside, it flows out from the dewatering hole (6a) of the drum (6), passes between the water tank (5) and the drum (6), and the lower rear of the water tank (5). To the heat exchanger (24), and rises in the air passage and returns to the fan device (22) to form a circulating air passage for warm air.

  And in the housing | casing (2) upper part, the water supply valve (25) for supplying water in the said water tank (5) and the water injector (26) for throwing in the detergent arrange | positioned at the upper part of the said heat exchanger (24), Furthermore, a bath water pump (not shown) is installed.

  The water supply valve (25) is a multiple type that can be opened and closed independently, and the water injection section to the water supply valve (25) is a water supply for supplying washing water into the water tank (5). The water injector (26), the heat exchanger (24), and the water exchanger (24) connected to the water source via the water supply pipes (26a), (24a), (27a) connected to the valve ports, It is connected to each of the steam generators (27) whose details will be described later. For example, a small amount of water is dropped into the heat exchanger (24), and heat exchange is performed by contacting with warm air rising in the air passage, and moisture contained in the warm air is absorbed and circulated. Acts to dry the air.

  The steam generator (27) is arranged at the front upper part of the water tank (5) as shown in FIG. 2 for a perspective view and FIG. 3 for a side view of the steam generator (27a). The steam generator (28) which uses the water supplied via the heating steam as heating steam and the electrostatic atomizer (29) which refines the steam generated by the steam generator (28).

  The steam generator (28) is formed of a metal die-cast having high heat resistance and high thermal conductivity, specifically, an aluminum die-cast in a box shape, and is a heating chamber for heating water supplied to the inside. (30) is provided. The upper wall surface (30a) that defines the upper surface of the heating chamber (30) is provided with a water supply port (31) for supplying water from the water supply pipe (27a) to the heating chamber (30), and a water supply pipe A pipe (38) communicating the (27a) and the water supply port (31) is provided. A heater (32) for heating and vaporizing the supplied water is embedded in the lower part of the heating chamber (30), and the lower wall surface (30b) defining the lower surface of the heating chamber (30) by the heater (32) ) To heat the water supplied to the heating chamber (30).

  A temperature detecting means (33) such as a thermistor is provided in the upper part of the heating chamber (30), and is provided via a discharge port (34) for discharging steam generated by heating and a discharge pipe (35). The electrostatic atomizer (29) faces the inside of the drum from the opening of the drum (6).

  The electrostatic atomizer (29) is provided with a discharge electrode (36) at a position through which steam discharged from the steam generator (28) passes. And, by applying a high voltage from the high voltage power supply device (37) between the discharge electrodes (36), the steam discharged from the heating chamber (30) passes through the electric field generated from the discharge electrodes (36), The water particles of the steam are charged and repeatedly split, so that the surface area is increased and refined by so-called Rayleigh splitting, and the steam becomes further atomized steam (S), which is illustrated in FIG. Thus, the spray speed is increased and discharged into the drum (6).

  The steam generating device (27) is configured as described above, and in the washing process in the drum type washing and drying machine (1), each function process from washing to drying is selected and automatically executed. Then, after the laundry is put into the drum (6) from the charging port (11) and the door (12) is closed, the washing process in the drum (6) is performed as shown in the flowchart of FIG. After detecting the amount of cloth (S1), the steam generator (27) is driven (S2).

  That is, the heater (32) is energized to heat the inside of the heating chamber (30), and the water supply valve (25) is opened to inject steam water into the heating chamber (30) of the steam generator (28). (S3) In this way, the supplied water is heated to form steam, which is discharged from the discharge port (34) to the electrostatic atomizer (29), as described above, from the electrode (36) to which a high voltage is applied. Is discharged into the drum (6) as vapor (S) refined by high voltage discharge, and at the same time, the motor (7) is driven to rotate the drum (6) to start steam washing. (S4).

  By this steam washing, the laundry in the drum (6) is sprayed with steam (S) in a dry state, and since the steam (S) is electrostatically atomized, it is fine and has a high temperature. The formed water particles enter the gaps between the fibers of the laundry in a dry state and penetrate therethrough, whereby the fibers can swell and effectively peel off the dirt and can be lifted to the surface. In addition, since the laundry is being stirred by the rotation of the drum (6), the vaporized fine steam (S) is evenly applied to the entire laundry, so that a great cleaning effect can be obtained without unevenness.

  The steam washing action is to continue the operation for a predetermined time, for example, 30 minutes. When the predetermined operation time has elapsed, the steam generator (27) is stopped and the steam generator (28) is stopped. Water supply to the heater and heat generation of the heater (32) are stopped, and application of high voltage to the electrostatic atomizer (29) is also stopped (S5), and the stirring rotation of the drum (6) is temporarily stopped (S6). Control to do.

  After that, the water supply valve (25) is opened and the main water supply for supplying detergent water to the water tank (5) via the water injector (26) is carried out (S7), and the water level in the water tank (5) reaches the predetermined water level. In such a case, the water supply valve (25) is closed to stop the water supply operation (S8), and then a normal washing process for stirring by rotation of the drum (6) is started (S9).

  As mentioned above, after washing with steam, the washing process with normal detergent water is performed, so that the dirt on the laundry raised by the steam washing will be better removed in the washing process with the detergent water. In particular, the cleaning effect on oil and fat stains becomes large, and the cleaning performance can be greatly improved. Then, after a main washing process of a predetermined time, for example, 20 minutes, the washing process is finished (S10), the drain valve (8) is opened, and the washing water in the water tank (5) is drained (S11). , Move on to the rinsing process.

  When the rinsing process is completed, the drain valve (8) is opened and the washing water is discharged from the drain hose (9) to the outside of the machine, and then the drum (6) is rotated at a high speed of 1000 rpm in one direction to form the body part. Water contained in the laundry is dewatered by centrifugal force from a number of dewatering holes (6a) provided on the peripheral wall.

  During the drying process following the rinsing process, the drying means (20) is operated to effectively dry the clothes, and the heating device (21) and the fan device (22) are operated, and a motor After the high speed rotation of (7), the drum (6) is controlled so that the rotation of the drum (6) is repeated at a speed of about 50 rpm at regular intervals.

  When the heating device (21) and the fan device (22) are operated as described above, the generated warm air flows through the air supply pipe (23) and is supplied into the drum (6), and the drum (6) The inside of the garment is brought into contact with the laundry and deprived of its moisture, and is dehumidified as moisture-containing air is discharged from the dewatering hole (6a) to the heat exchanger (24). It is dried by forcibly receiving dehumidifying action by warm air as well as dehydration.

  At this time, water is dripped from the water supply pipe (24a) to the heat exchanger (24), and the dripped water dehumidifies the hot air containing moisture rising in the heat exchanger (24) by heat exchange. In addition, the laundry is dried by removing moisture from the circulating hot air.

  As shown in the graph of FIG. 5, in the initial stage of the drying process, warm air is circulated by the heater heating by the heating device (21) and the fan device (22) in the drying means (20), and the water in the water tank (5) is circulated. The temperature continues to rise, but when the inside of the water tub (5) reaches a predetermined temperature, for example, 60 ° C., if the laundry is wet in the water tub (5) in an undried state, hot air circulation The hot air dehumidified by the dripping water from the heat exchanger (24) in the air passage is deprived of heat when it absorbs moisture from the laundry in the drum (6), so that the temperature in the aquarium is kept substantially constant. When the process proceeds to the end of the drying process where the laundry dries, heat exchange with moisture decreases, and the temperature in the water tank (5) begins to rise.

  In this embodiment, the steam generator (27) is driven again at this point, and is introduced into the steam generator (28) through the water supply pipe (27a) as shown in the flowchart of FIG. Steam is generated by heating the feed water with a heater (32), and steam (S) obtained by refining water particles with an electrostatic atomizer (29) is sprayed into the drum (6).

  This allows fine steam (S) to permeate into the laundry which is almost dry, swells the fibers, suppresses wrinkles and wrinkles, and allows smooth drying. The generation of static electricity after operation can also be reduced. Note that the operation of the steam generator (27) in the above is not continuous, and may be generated in a plurality of times. In either case, the operation is controlled to stop after a predetermined time.

  Then, when the temperature rises, for example, when 70 ° C. is detected, it is determined that the laundry is almost dry, the power to the heating device (21) is cut off, and then the drying process is performed by residual heat. Continue and end the drying process after a predetermined time.

  Further, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7, the steam generator (27) is driven after the end of the drying process following the washing process or the rinsing process. In other words, after the drying process is completed, the drum (6) is operated at a predetermined time interval, for example, 5 minutes, and then intermittently rotating for about 30 seconds and rotating at about 50 rpm for several hours. The steam (S) refined by the steam generator (28) and the electrostatic atomizer (29) is controlled to be introduced into the drum (6) when the drum (6) rotates. Has been.

  The intermittent rotation of the drum (6) at predetermined time intervals after completion of the drying operation causes the laundry to be stubbornly wrinkled by leaving the laundry without taking out the laundry even though the drying operation is completed. However, by operating the steam generator (27) as described above, the fine sprayed into the drum (6) in conjunction with the agitation caused by the intermittent rotation of the drum (6). Vaporized steam (S) can further suppress the occurrence of wrinkles and a feeling of wrinkle in the laundry after the drying process, and has an antistatic effect, and can prevent the generation of static electricity.

  After the drying operation, the air blowing operation may be intermittently performed simultaneously with the intermittent rotation of the drum (6). Then, when the door (11) is opened after the drying operation is finished, the power is turned off after a few minutes and all operations are finished, and then the drum (6) is intermittently rotated and steam is generated. The device (27) will not operate.

  FIG. 8 is a configuration showing an example in which the steam generator (27 ′) of the present invention is provided in the vertical washer / dryer (1 ′). A water supply valve (25 ') is installed in the water tank (5') and is connected via a water supply pipe (27a ') connected to the valve opening of the water supply valve (25') connected to the water supply source. The steam generator (27 ') arranged corresponding to the upper surface openings of the water tank (5') and the rotating tank (6 ') is connected.

  And this steam generator (27 ') is the structure provided with the steam generator (28') and electrostatic atomizer (29 ') which are fundamentally the same as what was demonstrated in the said Example, Spraying water supplied through the water supply pipe (27a ') into heated steam, and spraying it into the tank from the opening of the rotating tank (6') as finely atomized steam (S). Thus, the same operational effects as in the above embodiment can be obtained.

  The above-described embodiments are presented as examples, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the scope of claims and the equivalents thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Drum type washing machine 5 ... Water tank 6 ... Drum 6a ... Dehydration hole 7 ... Motor 11 ... Input port
12 ... Door 20 ... Drying means 21 ... Heating device
22 ... Fan device 23 ... Air supply pipe 24 ... Heat exchanger
25 ... Water supply valve 26 ... Water injector 27 ... Steam generator
27a ... Water supply pipe 28 ... Steam generator 29 ... Electrostatic atomizer
30 ... Heating room 31 ... Water supply port 32 ... Heater
33 ... Temperature detector 34 ... Discharge port 35 ... Discharge pipe
36 ... Discharge electrode 37 ... High-voltage power supply device S ... Refined steam 1 '... Vertical washer / dryer 5' ... Water tank 6 '... Rotating tank
25 '... Water supply valve 27' ... Steam generator 28 '... Steam generator
29 ′… Electrostatic atomizer

Claims (9)

A water tank disposed inside the housing and supplied with washing water; a rotating tank in which clothes are stored; and a steam generator for evaporating water supplied to the rotating tank,
The steam generator includes a heating chamber to which water to be vaporized from a water supply source is supplied, and a heater to heat the water supplied to the heating chamber through a wall surface that defines the heating chamber. A washing machine, wherein water from a water supply source is supplied to the wall surface to be heated.   The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the wall surface heated by the heater partitions a lower surface of the heating chamber. The heating chamber includes a water supply port through which water from a water supply source flows through a water supply pipe,
The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the water supply port is provided at a position facing the wall surface heated by the heater.   The said heating chamber is provided with the water supply port into which the water from a water supply source flows in via a water supply pipe | tube, and the piping which connects the said water supply pipe | tube and the said water supply port, The any one of Claims 1-3 characterized by the above-mentioned. The washing machine according to item. The heating chamber includes a water supply port through which water from a water supply source flows in via a water supply pipe, and a discharge port through which generated steam is discharged.
The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the water supply port and the discharge port are arranged along a direction in which the heater extends.   The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the wall surface heated by the heater has a thinner wall thickness than other wall surfaces that define the heating chamber.   The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the heating chamber is provided by metal die casting and the heater is embedded. The heating chamber includes a discharge port for discharging the generated steam,
The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a terminal for supplying power to the heater is provided on a side opposite to a direction in which steam is discharged from the discharge port.   The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the steam generator includes temperature detection means for detecting a temperature of the heating chamber.

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