JP2016158738A - Clothing treatment device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To hold sterilization performance for a long time by preventing accumulation of impurity contained in steam in a flow passage.SOLUTION: A steam supply mechanism 300 constituted by a water supply flow passage 350, a water storage tank 320, supply means 330, a steam generation part 400 and a steam supply flow passage 360 is constituted so that it has a filter 504 for removing impurity contained in the steam in the steam supply flow passage 360 for delivering steam to a housing tub 200 from the steam generation part 400. Thus, accumulation of impurity contained in the water in the steam supply flow passage 360 is prevented and sterilization performance can be held for a long time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

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

  Conventionally, as a garment processing apparatus of this type, a washing machine has been developed that includes a steam generator, supplies steam generated by the steam generator to clothes, and sterilizes the clothes. The structure which prevents precipitation of the impurity contained in the water which passes is proposed (for example, refer patent document 1).

  FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the steam generator of the washing machine described in Patent Document 1.

  In the washing machine, a steam generator 30 is installed on an upper part of a water tank (not shown) that rotatably includes a rotating drum (not shown) for storing clothes.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the steam generator 30 has a water supply pipe 24 connected to an external water supply source (not shown), and the water supply pipe 24 has a water supply valve for controlling water supply to the steam generator 30 side. 25 is provided. The steam generator 30 is connected to a steam supply pipe 26 that guides the steam generated by the steam generator 30 to the inside of the water tank.

  The steam generator 30 includes a body 31 made of a metal molding formed of aluminum die casting, a steam supply passage 32 formed inside the body 31, an inlet connected to the water supply pipe 24, and an outlet connected to the steam supply pipe 26. And a heater 33 that is embedded in the body 31 and generates steam by heating water, and a temperature sensor 34 that is attached to the outer surface of the body 31 and controls the temperature of the heater 33.

  The pipe 35 forming the steam supply channel 32 is formed of a stainless steel material having excellent surface roughness, and the inner surface of the pipe 35 is processed into a smooth surface by electrolytic polishing, so that impurities contained in water are piped. 35, the adhesion of impurities contained in water to the inner surface of the steam supply channel 32 is prevented.

  An outlet nozzle 38 having a tapered inner surface 39 whose inner diameter gradually decreases from one end close to the outlet side to the other end away from the outlet side is attached to the outlet of the steam supply flow path 32. By forming the outlet nozzle 38 in such a structure, precipitation of impurities contained in water in the steam supply flow path 32 is prevented while causing flow path resistance on the outlet side.

JP 2007-195942 A

  However, in the conventional configuration, although the precipitation frequency of impurities contained in water can be suppressed, in the unlikely event that impurities are deposited in the steam supply flow path, the tip diameter of the outlet nozzle is small, so the outlet nozzle Impurities contained in water are accumulated and clogged at the tip portion, which makes it difficult to supply sufficient steam to clothing, resulting in a problem that sterilization performance is deteriorated.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and provides a clothing processing apparatus that can prevent accumulation of impurities contained in water in a steam supply flow path and maintain sterilization performance for a long period of time. Objective.

  In order to solve the conventional problems, a clothing processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a storage tub for storing laundry, a steam supply mechanism for supplying steam to the storage tub, and water from an external water source to the steam supply mechanism. A water supply valve for supplying the water, wherein the steam supply mechanism stores the water supplied from the water supply valve, a steam generator for generating the steam, and the water in the water storage tank. Supply means for supplying to the steam generator, and a filter for removing impurities contained in the steam at a downstream position of the steam generator.

  As a result, accumulation of impurities contained in the water in the steam supply channel can be prevented, and sterilization performance can be maintained over a long period of time.

  The clothing processing apparatus of the present invention can prevent accumulation of impurities contained in water in the steam supply flow path, and can maintain sterilization performance for a long period of time.

The longitudinal cross-sectional view of the washing machine illustrated as a clothing processing apparatus in embodiment of this invention Schematic perspective view of the washing machine Schematic perspective view of a steam supply mechanism housed in the casing of the washing machine Top view of the main part of the steam supply mechanism of the washing machine AA sectional view of the same plan view (A) Perspective view of branching means of steam supply mechanism of washing machine, (b) Perspective view of branching means seen from opposite side Sectional drawing of the principal part which shows the structure of the steam generator of the washing machine illustrated as a conventional clothing processing apparatus

  The first invention includes a storage tub for storing laundry, a steam supply mechanism for supplying steam to the storage tub, and a water supply valve for supplying water from an external water source to the steam supply mechanism, the steam supply The mechanism includes a water storage tank for storing the water supplied from the water supply valve, a steam generator for generating the steam, a supply means for supplying the water in the water storage tank to the steam generator, And a filter for removing impurities contained in the steam at a downstream position of the steam generator.

  Thereby, accumulation of impurities contained in the water in the steam supply channel can be prevented, and sterilization performance can be maintained for a long time.

  According to a second invention, in particular, in the first invention, there is provided branching means for branching the steam generated by the steam generator in a plurality of directions, and the branching means is steam for sucking steam generated by the steam generator. A suction pipe, a steam discharge pipe for supplying the steam generated by the steam generator to the storage tank, and a discharge pipe for discharging impurities contained in water to the storage tank. The filter is disposed.

  Thereby, accumulation of impurities contained in the water in the steam supply channel can be prevented, and sterilization performance can be maintained for a long time.

  In a third aspect of the invention, in particular, in the second aspect of the invention, the steam discharge pipe is configured to have an inclination upward from a horizontal plane.

  Thereby, accumulation of impurities contained in the water in the steam supply channel can be prevented, and sterilization performance can be maintained for a long time.

  According to a fourth aspect of the invention, in particular, in the second or third aspect of the invention, the discharge pipe has the discharge port disposed at a position horizontal to or below the branch point of the branch means. Is.

  Thereby, accumulation of impurities contained in the water in the steam supply channel can be prevented, and sterilization performance can be maintained for a long time.

  Hereinafter, a washing machine exemplified as a clothing processing apparatus will be described with reference to the drawings with respect to an embodiment of the present invention. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a washing machine exemplified as a clothing processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the washing machine, and FIG. 3 is a housing of the washing machine. It is a schematic perspective view of the vapor | steam supply mechanism accommodated in the body. 2 and 3, the housing 110 is indicated by a dotted line. Moreover, in FIG. 3, the storage tank 200 is not shown. Moreover, the solid line arrow in FIG. 3 represents the water supply path | route schematically.

  1, 2, and 3, the washing machine 100 includes a housing 110 and a housing tank 200 that houses clothing in the housing 110, and the housing tank 200 is a substantially cylindrical shape that surrounds the rotation axis RX. The rotary drum 210 having a peripheral wall 211 having a shape and a water tank 220 that houses the rotary drum 210 are mainly configured.

  The housing 110 includes a front wall 111 in which an insertion port for putting clothes into the storage tank 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 are open toward the front wall 111.

  The washing machine 100 includes a door body 120 attached to the front wall 111. The door body 120 rotates between a closed position for closing the charging port formed in the front wall 111 and an open position for opening the charging port. The user turns the door body 120 to the open position, puts clothing into the storage tub 200 through the insertion port of the front wall 111, moves the door body 120 to the closed position, and starts washing. Note that the door 120 shown in FIG. 1 is in a 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 has 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. It has.

The storage tank 200 has a rotating shaft 230 attached to the bottom wall 212 of the rotating drum 210, and the rotating 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 the water tank 220 and the rear wall 11.
Appears between two.

  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. It has. 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 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 front portion 222 of the water tank 220 includes a peripheral wall portion 223 and an annular portion 224 that forms a watertight seal structure in cooperation with the packing structure 130.

  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 includes a detergent container (not shown) in which detergent is accommodated and a steam supply mechanism 300 that injects steam into the container 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. For water supply to the storage tub 200 and the detergent storage section, a technique used in a known washing machine is preferably applied.

  In addition, a control unit 122 that controls the motor 231, the water supply valve 310, and the like and sequentially controls the stroke is provided inside the front upper portion of the housing 110.

  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 via the water supply flow path 350, and when the water supply valve 310 is closed, water supply to the water storage tank 320 is stopped.

  The steam supply mechanism 300 includes a supply unit 330 attached to the water storage tank 320 and a steam generation unit 400 that receives water discharged from the supply unit 330 and sent through the water supply channel 350. The supply unit 330 performs a water supply operation intermittently or continuously to the steam generation unit 400. During the intermittent water supply operation, the supply unit 330 supplies an appropriate amount of water adjusted so that instantaneous steam generation occurs to the steam generation unit 400. When the supply means 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.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the steam supply mechanism 300 includes a steam supply channel 360 that sends the steam generated by the steam generator 400 to the storage tank 200. The steam supply channel 360 is installed in the first steam conducting pipe 340 extending downward from the steam generating section 400 and the peripheral wall section 223 of the water tank 220 connected to the first steam conducting pipe 340 and surrounding the peripheral wall 211 of the rotating drum 210. Branching means 500, and a second steam conducting pipe 341 that connects the branching means 500 and the packing structure 130 are provided.

  6A is a perspective view of the branching means of the steam supply mechanism of the washing machine exemplified as the clothing processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the branching means seen from the opposite side. FIG.

6A and 6B, the branching unit 500 includes a steam suction pipe 501 that sucks the steam generated in the steam generation unit 400, and a steam discharge that supplies the storage tank 200 with the steam generated in the steam generation unit 400. A pipe 502, a discharge pipe 503 that discharges impurities contained in water into the storage tank 200, and a filter 504 that removes impurities contained in the steam generated in the steam generation unit 400 are provided. The filter 504 is installed inside the vapor discharge pipe 502.
Thereby, impurities contained in the vapor generated in the vapor generation unit 400 can be removed by the filter 504. Further, the impurities removed by the filter 504 flow from the discharge pipe 503 to the storage tank 200, and the impurities contained in the vapor do not enter the second vapor conduction pipe 341, thereby preventing clogging of the flow path, Sterilization performance can be maintained over a long period of time.

  FIG. 4 is a plan view of a main part of the steam supply mechanism of the washing machine exemplified as the clothing processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, and shows the first steam conduction pipe 340, the second steam conduction pipe 341, and the branching means 500. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 4.

  In FIG. 4, the branching unit 500 is attached to the peripheral wall portion 223 of the water tank 220, and the first steam conducting pipe 340 is connected between the steam generating unit 400 and the steam suction pipe 501 of the branching unit 500, and the second The steam conduction pipe 341 is connected between the steam discharge pipe 502 of the branching means 500 and the packing structure 130.

  The steam generated by the steam generator 400 is supplied into the rotating drum 210 of the storage tank 200 through the first steam conducting pipe 340, the branching means 500, the second steam conducting pipe 341, and the packing structure 130. Is done.

  Further, a filter 504 for removing impurities contained in the vapor is disposed on the second vapor conduction tube 341 side inside the vapor discharge tube 502 (see FIG. 6).

  In addition, in order to absorb the vibration at the time of rotating the rotating drum 210 of the storage tank 200, it is preferable that the 1st vapor | steam conduction | electrical_connection pipe 340 and the 2nd vapor | steam conduction | electrical_connection pipe are made into a bellows shape. The steam discharge pipe 502 is configured to have a predetermined inclination above the horizontal plane (HP surface in FIG. 4).

  As a result, the impurities removed by the filter 504 flow to the discharge pipe 503 by their own weight, so that the filter 504 can be prevented from being clogged during long-term use.

  In FIG. 5, the discharge port 506 of the discharge pipe 503 of the branching unit 500 is accommodated below the branch point 505 of the branching unit 500 with a predetermined inclination with respect to the horizontal plane (HP surface in FIG. 5). It is connected to the water tank 220 of the tank 200. Alternatively, the discharge port 506 of the discharge pipe 503 of the branching unit 500 may be connected to the water tank 220 of the storage tank 200 horizontally from the branch point 505 of the branching unit 500. As a result, the impurities removed by the filter 504 provided at the tip of the steam discharge pipe 502 and flowing into the discharge pipe 503 flow into the water tank 220 of the storage tank 200 by their own weight. Can be used effectively for a long time.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the steam supply mechanism 300 including the water supply channel 350, the water storage tank 320, the supply unit 330, the steam generation unit 400, and the steam supply channel 360 is the steam generation unit 400. By depositing the filter 504 for removing impurities contained in the vapor in the vapor supply channel 360 that sends the vapor from the storage tank 200 to the storage tank 200, accumulation of impurities contained in the water in the vapor supply channel 360 is achieved. And sterilization performance can be maintained over a long period of time.

  The steam supply channel 360 is provided on the side surface of the storage tank 200 and branches the steam generated by the steam generator 400 in two directions. The first steam generator 400 connects the steam generator 400 and the branch means 500. The vapor conduction pipe 340 and the second vapor conduction pipe 341 connecting the branch means 500 and the storage tank 200 are provided. The branch means 500 includes a steam suction pipe 501 connected to the first steam conduction pipe 340, a second A steam discharge pipe 502 connected to the steam conduction pipe 341 and a discharge pipe 503 for discharging impurities contained in water into the storage tank 200 from the discharge port 506 are formed in communication with each other, and a filter 504 is provided in the steam discharge pipe 502. By adopting an internal configuration, it is possible to prevent accumulation of impurities contained in water in the steam supply flow channel 360 and to maintain sterilization performance over a long period of time.

  Further, the branching unit 500 has a configuration in which the vapor discharge pipe 502 is formed with a predetermined inclination above the horizontal plane, so that impurities collected by the filter 504 can be stored in the storage tank from the discharge port 506 of the discharge pipe 503 by its own weight. Since it can discharge | emit into 200, clogging of the filter 504 can be prevented and sterilization performance can be maintained over a long period of time.

  Further, the branching unit 500 forms the discharge port 506 of the discharge pipe 503 with a predetermined inclination downward from the horizontal plane, so that impurities collected by the filter 504 are moved from the discharge port of the discharge pipe into the storage tank by its own weight. Since it can be discharged, the filter 504 is prevented from being clogged, and impurities are not deposited in the branching means, so that the sterilization performance can be maintained for a long period of time.

  In addition, although this Embodiment demonstrated taking the drum type washing machine as an example, you may employ | adopt for a vertical washing machine and may employ | adopt for a clothes dryer.

  The present invention prevents clogging of the filter provided in the steam supply flow path of the steam supply mechanism, prevents impurities from accumulating in the flow path, and maintains sterilization performance over a long period of time. Therefore, it can be applied to uses such as a clothes washing and drying apparatus and a clothes drying apparatus having a mechanism for processing clothes using steam.

200 storage tank 300 steam supply mechanism 310 water supply valve 320 water storage tank 330 supply means 340 first steam conduction pipe 341 second steam conduction pipe 350 water supply flow path 360 steam supply flow path 400 steam generation section 500 branching means 501 steam suction Pipe 502 Steam discharge pipe 503 Discharge pipe 504 Filter 506 Discharge port

Claims (4)

A storage tank for storing laundry, a steam supply mechanism for supplying steam to the storage tank, and a water supply valve for supplying water from an external water source to the steam supply mechanism,
The steam supply mechanism includes a water storage tank that stores the water supplied from the water supply valve, a steam generator for generating the steam, and a supply unit that supplies the water in the water storage tank to the steam generator. And a filter for removing impurities contained in the steam at a downstream position of the steam generator. Providing a branching means for branching the steam generated in the steam generator in a plurality of directions;
The branching means is contained in water in the steam suction pipe for sucking steam generated in the steam generator, a steam discharge pipe for supplying steam generated in the steam generator to the storage tank, and water in the storage tank. A discharge pipe for discharging impurities,
The clothing processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the filter is disposed in the steam discharge pipe. The clothing processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the steam discharge pipe is configured to have an inclination upward from a horizontal plane. The clothing processing apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the discharge pipe has a discharge port disposed at a horizontal position relative to a branch point of the branching unit or at a position lower than the discharge port.

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