JP2017148092A - Clothing processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a clothing processing device which secures safety, and which has an inexpensive steam supply mechanism.SOLUTION: In a steam course for jetting steam toward clothing in a rotary drum 210, when a pump 330 operates for predetermined time, in the case where an operation current of the pump 330 is equal to or less than a predetermined value, water is supplied to a water storage tank 320 by operating a water supply valve 310. With this constitution, a circuit for directly detecting a water level in the water storage tank 320 can be eliminated, safety from electric shock can be secured and a manufacturing cost can be reduced.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

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

  Conventionally, as this type of clothing processing apparatus, a washing machine that supplies steam to clothing and sterilizes has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  A washing machine as a clothing processing apparatus described in Patent Document 1 includes a water storage tank that stores water for generating steam to be supplied to clothing, and a water level sensor that detects the water level in the water storage tank, and uses the water level sensor. The water level in the water tank is detected and the amount of water supplied to the water tank is controlled, so that water does not overflow from the water tank.

European Patent No. 1883727

  However, in the configuration of the conventional washing machine as the clothing processing apparatus described in Patent Document 1, when the water level sensor circuit breaks down, when the electrode of the water level sensor is in contact with the water in the water tank, There was a problem that water became a charging part, and there was a possibility that a user may be electrocuted through the water.

  In addition, as a circuit method for detecting the water level in the water tank, for example, if it is a method using a float (floating) and a mechanical switch, it can cope with the aforementioned insulation risk, but the sensor system is enlarged, There was also a problem that the manufacturing cost was increased.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and an object thereof is to provide an economical clothing processing apparatus capable of ensuring safety against electric shock and reducing manufacturing costs.

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, a clothing processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a storage tank that stores clothing, and a steam supply mechanism that supplies steam to the storage tank, and the steam supply mechanism generates steam. A steam generator having a wall surface defining a chamber for heating, a heater for heating the wall surface, a water supply mechanism for emitting water to the wall surface heated by the heater, and a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the wall surface A water storage tank for storing water supplied to the steam supply mechanism is provided, and the amount of water supplied to the water storage tank is controlled by a change in the amount of current consumed by the water supply mechanism.

  This makes it possible to eliminate the circuit that directly detects the water level in the water tank, ensuring safety and reducing the manufacturing cost.

  The clothing processing apparatus according to the present invention can ensure safety and reduce manufacturing costs while supplying steam to clothing.

Schematic 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 (A) The schematic perspective view seen from the table | surface of the steam generation part of the steam supply mechanism of the washing machine, (B) The schematic perspective view seen from the back of the steam generation part Schematic exploded perspective view of a mounting structure for connecting the lid of the steam generator of the washing machine and the housing (A) Schematic perspective view seen from the front of the steam generator of the washing machine, (B) Schematic perspective view seen from the back of the steam generator Schematic perspective view of the main piece of the steam generator of the washing machine Schematic exploded perspective view of the steam generator of the washing machine Schematic perspective view of the lid of the steam generator of the washing machine Schematic plan view of the main piece of the steam generator of the washing machine Schematic of the water supply mechanism of the steam supply mechanism of the washing machine Schematic back view of the front part of the storage tub of the washing machine A graph schematically showing the relationship between the intermittent operation of the pump of the water supply mechanism of the washing machine and the temperature in the chamber space A graph that schematically shows changes in the temperature of the water supplied to the water tank of the washing machine The block diagram which represents roughly the control with respect to the door body based on the temperature of the steam generator of the washing machine The block diagram which represents roughly control of the water supply valve with respect to the consumption current of the pump of the water supply mechanism of the washing machine A graph schematically showing the relationship between the intermittent operation of the pump of the water supply mechanism of the washing machine, the water level in the water tank, and the pump current

  1st invention is equipped with the storage tank which accommodates clothing, and the vapor | steam supply mechanism which supplies a vapor | steam to the said storage tank, The said vapor | steam supply mechanism has the wall surface which prescribes | regulates the chamber for generating a vapor | steam A reservoir for storing water to be supplied to the steam supply mechanism, including a water heater, a heater for heating the wall surface, a water supply mechanism for emitting water to the wall surface heated by the heater, and a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the wall surface A tank is provided, and the amount of water supplied to the water storage tank is controlled by a change in the amount of current consumed by the water supply mechanism.

  Thereby, it becomes possible to abolish the circuit for directly detecting the water level in the water storage tank, and it is possible to secure safety against electric shock and to reduce the manufacturing cost.

  According to a second aspect of the invention, in particular, the water supply mechanism of the first aspect of the invention is provided with a pump, provided with a current detection circuit for detecting the operating current of the pump, and configured to control the amount of water supplied to the water storage tank. It is.

  Thereby, it becomes possible to abolish the circuit for directly detecting the water level in the water storage tank, and it is possible to secure safety against electric shock and to reduce the manufacturing cost.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings and a washing machine exemplified as a clothing processing apparatus. 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. Further, the present invention is not limited by this embodiment.

(Embodiment 1)
(Washing machine)
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.

  In FIG. 1, the washing machine 100 includes a casing 110 and a storage tank 200 that stores clothes in the casing 110. The storage tank 200 mainly 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 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 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 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 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. Is 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, and 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 container (not shown) in which detergent is accommodated, and a steam supply mechanism 300 (detailed in FIG. 2 and subsequent drawings) that injects steam into the container 200. In addition, 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.

  Further, in the upper part of the front surface of the housing 110, the motor 231 and the water supply valve 310 are controlled, and the process of each operation course including a steam course for injecting steam toward the clothes in the rotating drum 210 is performed. A control device 123 having a control unit 122 (see FIGS. 15 and 16) for controlling is provided.

(Steam supply mechanism)
FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a washing machine exemplified as a clothing processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the steam supply mechanism housed in the casing of the washing machine. 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 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 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, and the water supply valve 310 supplies water to the water storage tank 320. Used to control.

  When the water supply valve 310 is opened, water is supplied from the water supply port 140 to the water storage tank 320, 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 pump 330 attached to the water storage tank 320 and a steam generation unit 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. When 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 includes a steam conduction pipe 340 that extends downward from the steam generation unit 400. Further, 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 forms a watertight seal structure in cooperation with the packing structure 130. I have. 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 is 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.

  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 may adhere to or deposit on the wall surface in the steam generator 420 during vaporization. If impurities adhere to or deposit on the wall surface and accumulate, heat transfer is not properly performed between the wall surface and the supplied water, and evaporation is difficult.

  However, since 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. The Accordingly, the impurities are easily discharged from the steam generator 420 to the storage tank 200, and the accumulation of impurities is prevented in the steam generator 420. 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 arranged at substantially symmetrical positions with respect to the central axis (rotation axis RX) of the storage tank 200.

  FIG. 4A is a schematic perspective view seen from the table of the steam generation part of the steam supply mechanism of the washing machine exemplified as the clothing processing apparatus in the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. It is the schematic perspective view seen from the back of the steam generation part.

  The steam generation unit 400 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4A and 4B.

  The steam generator 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), and is connected to the steam conduction pipe 340 using an exhaust pipe 422. The container part 411 forms an opening 413 in the bottom wall part 414, and the connection pipe 421 and the exhaust pipe 422 protrude downward through the opening 413.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic exploded perspective view of an attachment structure for connecting the lid 412 of the steam generation unit of the washing machine exemplified as the clothing processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention and the housing 110.

  A mounting structure between the lid 412 and the housing 110 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 4 </ b> A, and 5.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the housing 110 includes a right wall 115 erected between a front wall 111 and a 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. Yes.

The lid 412 of the steam generating unit 400 includes a substantially rectangular upper wall 415, a lid peripheral wall 416 that projects downward from the edge of the upper wall 415, and a protruding piece 417 that projects forward from the lid peripheral wall 416. I have. 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. I have.

  The first attachment piece 151 and the second attachment piece 152 protrude upward from the lid portion 412, and are attached with the casing top wall 113 and the steam generation portion 400 spaced apart. 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.

  FIG. 6A is a schematic perspective view seen from the table of the steam generator of the steam generator of the washing machine exemplified as the clothing processing apparatus in the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. It is the schematic perspective view seen from the back of the generator.

  The steam generator 420 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 (A) and 6 (B).

  The steam generator 420 includes a substantially rectangular main piece 423, a lid piece 424 disposed on the main piece 423, and a linear heater 425 disposed on the main piece 423. The main piece 423 and the lid piece 424 are formed of an aluminum material, and thus the main piece 423 and the lid piece 424 can be appropriately heated by the heater 425.

  The steam generator 420 further includes a thermistor 426 as a temperature sensor. 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 a thermistor 426 which is a temperature sensor. Therefore, the temperature of the main piece 423 and the lid piece 424 is kept substantially constant.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of a main piece of a steam generator of a washing machine exemplified as a clothing processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The main piece 423 will be described with reference to FIG. 6B and FIG.

  The main piece 423 of the steam generator 420 includes a main piece lower surface 427 to which the connecting pipe 421, the exhaust pipe 422 and the thermistor 426 are attached, a peripheral surface 428 on which the heater 425 is disposed, and a main piece lower surface 427 opposite to the main piece lower surface 427. An upper surface 429. 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 an approximately J that defines a flow path for steam in the chamber space 430. And an inner chamber wall 432 having a letter shape.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a steam generator of a washing machine exemplified as a clothing processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view of a lid piece of the steam generator. is there.

  The steam generator 420 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 6 </ b> B to 8, and 9.

  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 a heat resistant rubber material.

The lid piece 424 includes a lower surface 434 facing the main piece 423, and a shield wall 435 having substantially the same shape as the outer chamber wall 431. The lid piece 424 is pressed against the main piece 423. As a result, the shield wall 435 compresses the packing ring 433, and the chamber space 43
0 can be kept 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.

  When 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 surrounded by the inner chamber wall 432 and the inner chamber wall 432. It collides with the upper surface 429 of the main piece 423 and / or the lower surface 434 of the lid piece 424 located above the inflow port 437.

  At this time, the steam generator 420 is heated by the heater 425 (for example, about 200 ° C.) and has high heat energy, and the pump 330 that performs the intermittent water supply operation has the heat energy that the steam generator 420 has. In contrast, an appropriate amount of water is supplied (for example, about 2 cc / time). As a result, the water injected upward from the inlet 437 evaporates instantaneously.

  As a result of the instantaneous evaporation of water, the internal pressure of the chamber space 430 increases rapidly. As a result, even if impurities contained in the water supplied to the steam generator 420 adhere or deposit on the wall surface forming the chamber space 430 during vaporization, the adhered or precipitated impurities are affected by the pressure during vaporization. It is easily discharged out of the chamber space 430.

  In the present embodiment, the chamber space 430 used for generating steam is exemplified as a chamber. 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 and / or the lower surface 434 of the lid piece 424 positioned above the inlet 437 has a wall surface As an example. The inflow port 437 to which the connection pipe 421 is attached is illustrated as an attachment portion.

  FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view of a main piece of a steam generator of a washing machine exemplified as a clothing processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The main piece 423 will be described with reference to FIG. 6B and FIG.

  The heater 425 extends along a substantially U-shaped path in the main piece 423. The heater 425 surrounds the inflow port 437 to which the connection pipe 421 is attached. For this reason, the inner chamber wall 432 and the region surrounded by the inner chamber wall 432 have the highest temperature in the chamber space 430. Therefore, the water injected through the inlet 437 evaporates instantaneously.

  Since the substantially J-shaped inner chamber wall 432 extends within the chamber space 430 defined by the outer chamber wall 431, the chamber space 430 describes a spiral flow path. The main piece 423 is formed with an exhaust port 438 formed at the end of the flow path.

  The vapor generated in the space surrounded by the inner chamber wall 432 moves toward the exhaust port 438 as the internal pressure of the chamber space 430 increases. An exhaust pipe 422 is attached to the exhaust port 438, and the vapor that has reached the exhaust port 438 is exhausted downward through the exhaust pipe 422.

  The heater 425 extends in a U shape along the outer path of the spiral flow path. Therefore, the steam generated in the space surrounded by the inner chamber wall 432 moves toward the exhaust pipe 422 while being heated. Therefore, high-temperature steam is exhausted.

(Water supply mechanism)
FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a water supply mechanism of a steam supply mechanism of a washing machine exemplified as a clothing processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The water supply mechanism 500 is demonstrated using FIG.

  A water supply mechanism 500 that injects water into 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 valve 310 is controlled according to the operation time and / or operation pattern (intermittent water supply operation and / or continuous water supply operation) of the pump 330. For example, when the operation of the pump 330 ends, the water storage tank The amount of water supplied from the water supply valve 310 is adjusted so that 320 becomes empty. Thereby, the water in the water storage tank 320 is hardly frozen.

  Further, 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 injected into the chamber space 430 evaporates instantaneously.

  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.

  Further, 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 are stored in the storage tank 200 through the exhaust pipe 422 and the steam conduction pipe 340. Flow into.

(Supplying steam and water to the storage tank)
FIG. 12 is a schematic rear view of the front part of the storage tub of the washing machine exemplified as the clothing processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  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. Further, a steam tube 353 that connects the branch pipe 351 and the nozzle 352 is provided. 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 conducting 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 illustrated as guide pipes.

  As described above, the pump 330 that performs the intermittent water supply operation injects an appropriate amount of water into 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 child 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 route, the parent tube 354 as the inflow tube, and the upper tube 355 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 route, and the lower tube 356 is exemplified as the second tube.

  FIG. 12 shows the included angle θ1 between the parent tube 354 and the upper child tube 355 and the included angle θ2 between the parent tube 354 and the lower child tube 356. The included angle θ1 is an obtuse angle, while the included angle θ2 is an acute angle. Since the included angle θ2 is an acute angle, the flow loss from the parent tube 354 to the lower tube 356 is relatively large. Therefore, the steam that has flowed into the parent pipe 354 hardly flows to the lower child pipe 356 and flows mainly to the upper child pipe 355. On the other hand, since the upper tube 355 defines an upward flow path, the water flowing into the parent tube 354 hardly flows to the upper tube 355 and mainly flows to the lower tube 356 due to the action of gravity. Therefore, the flow path of steam and the flow path of water are appropriately separated.

(Intermittent pump operation)
FIG. 13 is a graph schematically showing the relationship between the intermittent operation of the pump 330 of the water supply mechanism 500 and the temperature in the chamber space 430. The intermittent operation of the pump 330 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8, 11, and 13.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the pump 330 performs an intermittent operation. The period during which the pump 330 is operating (ON period) is set shorter than the period during which the pump 330 is stopped (OFF period). As a result, an appropriate amount of water is emitted into the chamber space 430.

  When a predetermined amount of water is supplied to the chamber space 430 during the ON period, the water evaporates and becomes steam. The temperature of the chamber space 430 temporarily decreases due to the heat of vaporization caused by the phase change from water to steam. As described above, since the OFF period is set to be relatively long, the heater 425 can sufficiently raise the temperature of the chamber space 430 during the OFF period.

  Therefore, high-pressure steam continues to be supplied to the storage tank 200 while the pump 330 is intermittently operated. In particular, the chamber space 430 is sufficiently heated during the OFF period, and an appropriate amount of water that instantaneously evaporates is supplied to the thermal energy of the steam generator 420 including the chamber space 430 during the ON period ( For example, about 2 cc / time), the high-pressure steam is continuously supplied to the storage tank 200.

(Use of steam in the washing process)
FIG. 14 is a graph schematically showing a change in the temperature of the water supplied to the water tank 220 in the washing process of the washing machine exemplified as the clothing processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The effect of the steam used in the washing process will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 8, 11 and 14.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a hot water heater 160 is disposed below the water tank 220. The hot water heater 160 is used to heat the water supplied into the water tank 220. A hot water thermistor 161 for detecting the water temperature in the water tank 220 is provided in the vicinity of the hot water heater 160 in the water tank 220. In the present embodiment, the hot water heater 160 is exemplified as the second heater.

  As shown in FIG. 14, when the washing process is started, water is supplied to the water tank 220. During this time, the temperature of the water contained in the clothes in the water tank 220 is substantially constant. Thereafter, the water in the water tank 220 is heated using the hot water heater 160. Since the hot water heater 160 generates a large amount of heat, the temperature of the water contained in the clothes in the water tank 220 rises rapidly. Thereafter, when the water temperature detected by the hot water thermistor 161 reaches a predetermined temperature, heating of the water in the water tank 220 is stopped.

  In FIG. 14, the dotted line after the heating is stopped represents a change in the temperature of water contained in the clothing when the heating by the hot water heater 160 is stopped and no steam is supplied. The solid line after stopping the heating represents a change in the temperature of the water contained in the clothing when the heating by the hot water heater 160 is stopped and the steam is supplied to the storage tank 200.

  As described above, the steam supplied to the storage tank 200 has a high temperature and is directly supplied to the clothing, so that the temperature drop of the water contained in the clothing in the water tank 220 is alleviated. The heater 425 used in the steam generator 420 consumes less power than the hot water heater 160 attached to the water tank 220. Therefore, compared with the heat insulation of the water in the water tank 220 using the hot water heater 160, the heat insulation by the steam supply can achieve a small amount of power consumption. Therefore, the pump 330 preferably performs an intermittent water supply operation after the hot water heater 160 is stopped.

(Use of steam in the dehydration process)
The effect of steam used in the dehydration process of the washing machine exemplified as the clothing processing apparatus in the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 11, and 12.

  In the dehydration process, the rotary drum 210 is rotated at a high speed. As shown in FIG. 1, a large number of small holes 219 are formed in the peripheral wall 211 of the rotary drum 210. The clothing housed in the rotating drum 210 is pressed against the peripheral wall 211 by centrifugal force. As a result, moisture contained in the clothing is released out of the rotating drum 210 through the small holes 219. Thus, the garment is properly dehydrated.

  The dehydrated clothing fibers tend to hydrogen bond with each other. Hydrogen bonding between fibers causes clothing wrinkles. By supplying steam into the rotating drum 210, hydrogen bonding between fibers is released, and wrinkles of clothing are reduced. Therefore, it is preferable that the pump 330 performs an intermittent water supply operation while the garment undergoes a dehydration process.

As a result of the intermittent water supply operation, steam is injected into the rotary drum 210 at a high pressure from the nozzle 352, but as described above, the steam injected from the nozzle 352 crosses the storage tank 200.
The steam is evenly sprayed on the rotating clothing that sticks to the peripheral wall 211. As a result, wrinkles are less likely to occur over the entire clothing in the rotating drum 210.

(Cooling of steam generator)
The cooling process of the steam generator 420 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 11.

  The steam generator 420 is preferably cooled with the end of the treatment of the clothing with steam. When the steam generator 420 is cooled, unnecessary injection of high-temperature steam into the storage tank 200 is prevented.

  The power supply to the heater 425 is stopped to cool the steam generator 420. Thereafter, the pump 330 starts a continuous water supply operation. As a result, water continuously flows from the water storage tank 320 into the chamber space 430. The water that flows into the chamber space 430 takes heat from the steam generator 420 and flows into the storage tank 200. Therefore, the steam generator 420 is cooled in a short time.

  FIG. 15 is a block diagram schematically showing control on the door 120 based on the temperature of the steam generator 420 of the washing machine exemplified as the clothing processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The control with respect to the door body 120 is demonstrated using FIG.1, FIG.6 (B) and FIG.

  The washing machine 100 includes a lock mechanism 121 that locks the door body 120 in the closed position, and a control unit 122 that controls locking and unlocking of the lock mechanism 121 and controls processes. The mechanical and electrical mechanism of the lock mechanism 121 may be a structure used in a known washing machine.

  As shown in FIG. 6B, the steam generator 420 includes a thermistor 426 as a temperature sensor. The thermistor 426 detects the temperature of the main piece 423 and outputs a signal corresponding to the detected temperature to the control unit 122.

  The control unit 122 maintains the lock of the door body 120 by the lock mechanism 121 until the signal output from the thermistor 426 indicates a temperature equal to or lower than a predetermined value. As a result, the internal space of the storage tank 200 is isolated from the outside until the steam generator 420 becomes a predetermined temperature or lower. Therefore, the washing machine 100 becomes very safe.

(Water supply control of tank by current detection of pump)
FIG. 16 is a block diagram schematically showing the control of the water supply valve with respect to the current consumption of the pump of the water supply mechanism of the washing machine exemplified as the clothing processing apparatus in the embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 17, and the intermittent operation of the pump It is a graph which represents roughly the relationship between the water level in a water tank, and a pump electric current.

  The control operation of the water supply valve 310 based on the current of the pump 330 will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the washing machine 100 includes a control unit 122 that controls the operation of the pump 330, a pump drive circuit 502 that controls energization of the pump 330 by an operation signal from the control unit 122, and a current of the pump 330. A current detection circuit 501 configured with a highly accurate resistor or the like, and a water supply valve drive circuit 503 that controls energization of the water supply valve 310 by an operation signal from the control unit 122.

The operation will be described below with reference to FIG. When sufficient water is stored in the water storage tank 320, the pump drive circuit 502 starts energizing the pump 330 based on the operation signal from the control unit 122 (ON period). During this ON period, the water in the water storage tank 320 is pumped up by the pump 330, a predetermined amount of water is supplied to the chamber space 430, and the water in the water storage tank 320 decreases by a predetermined amount.

  In this case, since the pump 330 is pumping water, the current value also increases as the load increases, and in this embodiment, a current of 150 mA flows (points (a) and (b) in FIG. 17). point). The current detection circuit 501 converts the current value of 150 mA into a predetermined voltage signal and outputs it to the control unit 122.

  Here, the operation when there is not enough water in the water storage tank 320 will be described.

  After the pump operation at the point in FIG. 17B is finished, the water in the water storage tank 320 disappears, so that the pump 330 cannot pump water even during the ON period of the pump 330. . Therefore, the load is reduced, and the current value is reduced as compared with the case where there is water. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that a current of 50 mA flows (point (c) in FIG. 17). Then, the current detection circuit 501 converts the current value for 50 mA into a predetermined voltage and outputs it to the control unit 122.

  The control unit 122 monitors the signal from the current detection circuit 501. For example, when the current value of the pump 330 is less than 75 mA, the control unit 122 determines that there is no water in the water tank 320, and the control unit 122 Then, an operation signal is sent to the water supply valve drive circuit 503, the water supply valve 310 is operated, and water supply to the water storage tank 320 is started (point (d) in FIG. 17).

  By this water supply operation, water is stored again in the water storage tank 320, so that a predetermined amount of water is supplied to the chamber space 430 in the next cycle (point (e) in FIG. 17) when the pump 330 is turned on.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, a circuit for directly detecting the water level is not required by detecting the amount of water stored in the water storage tank 320 based on a change in the value of the current flowing in the pump 330, and the sensor circuit The risk of electric shock of the user due to the destruction of the battery can be prevented, and a more economical washing machine can be provided to the user.

  As described above, the clothing processing apparatus according to the present invention detects the water level in the water tank by the change in the current consumed when the water stored in the water tank in the water supply mechanism is supplied to the steam generator by the pump. By doing so, it becomes possible to abolish the circuit that directly detects the water level in the water tank, and it is possible to ensure safety against electric shock and to reduce the manufacturing cost, so clothing having a steam supply mechanism It can be applied to uses such as a laundry drying device and a clothing drying device.

122 Control Unit 200 Storage Tank 300 Steam Supply Mechanism 310 Water Supply Valve 320 Water Storage Tank 330 Pump 420 Steam Generator 425 Heater 426 Thermistor (Temperature Sensor)
430 Chamber space 500 Water supply mechanism 501 Current detection circuit

Claims (2)

A storage tank for storing clothing; and a steam supply mechanism for supplying steam to the storage tank, wherein the steam supply mechanism includes a steam generator having a wall surface defining a chamber for generating steam; A heater for heating, a water supply mechanism for emitting water to the wall surface heated by the heater, and a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the wall surface, and a water storage tank for storing water to be supplied to the steam supply mechanism is provided. A clothing processing apparatus that controls the amount of water supplied to the water storage tank according to a change in the amount of current consumed by the mechanism. The clothing processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the water supply mechanism includes a pump, includes a current detection circuit that detects an operating current of the pump, and controls the amount of water supplied to the water storage tank.

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