JP2020192089A - Vertical type washing and drying machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a vertical type washing and drying machine capable of achieving reduction in wrinkles of laundry in a drying operation.SOLUTION: A vertical type washing and drying machine 1 includes: a motor 9 generating a driving force; a washing tub 4 storing laundry Q, and rotating by receiving the driving force of the motor 9; a rotary vane 5 rotating in the washing tub 4 by receiving the driving force of the motor 9; a brake 40 stopping the rotation of the washing tub 4; a clutch 41 cutting off/connecting a transmission path of the driving force from the motor 9 to the washing tub 4; a blower part 7 feeding air in the washing tub 4; and a control part 60. The control part 60 controls the motor 9, the brake 40, the clutch 41 and the blower part 7, and performs a drying operation for drying the laundry Q in the washing tub 4. In the drying operation, the control part 60 brings the washing tub 4 in a free state by actuating the motor 9, rotating the rotary vane 5, releasing the brake 40 and cutting off the transmission path by the clutch 41.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a vertical washer / dryer.

In the vertical electric washing machine described in Patent Document 1 below, an outer frame having an upper cover on which a clothes inlet is formed, an outer lid for opening and closing the clothes inlet, and an outer tub arranged in the outer frame are used. , Includes a washing / dehydrating tub arranged in the outer tub to accommodate the laundry, and a stirring blade arranged in the washing / dehydrating tub. The outer lid is provided with an intake window hole and an intake window lid that opens and closes the intake window hole. In the electric washing machine, the cold air drying course is executed with the intake window lid open. In the cold air drying course, a ventilation operation in which the washing / dehydrating tub and the stirring blade are integrally rotated at high speed and a cloth replacement operation in which the stirring blade is rotated while the rotation of the washing / dehydrating tub is stopped are repeated. In the ventilation operation, the outside air is taken into the washing / dehydrating tub through the intake window hole, so the laundry rotating with the washing / dehydrating tub and the stirring blade in the washing / dehydrating tub is dried by touching this air. ..

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-105232

In the electric washing machine described in Patent Document 1, in the cloth changing operation of the cold air drying course, the laundry in the washing / dehydrating tub tends to move by being agitated by the rotating stirring blades. On the other hand, the washing / dehydrating tub at this time is in a stationary state where the rotation is stopped. Therefore, extra friction is generated between the laundry and the inner surface of the washing / dehydrating tub, and the mechanical force due to this wear tends to twist the laundry, and the laundry tends to wrinkle due to the twist.

The present invention has been made under such a background, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vertical washer / dryer capable of reducing wrinkles of laundry in a drying operation.

The present invention includes a motor that generates a driving force, a washing tub in which an entrance / exit for laundry is formed at the upper end and a bottom wall is provided at the lower end to accommodate the laundry, and the washing tub rotates by receiving the driving force of the motor. Rotating blades arranged on the bottom wall in the washing tub and rotating in response to the driving force of the motor, a brake for stopping the rotation of the washing tub, and transmission of the driving force from the motor to the washing tub. The laundry in the washing tub is dried by controlling the clutch that blocks or connects the path, the blower that blows air into the washing tub, the motor, the brake, the clutch, and the blower. In the drying operation, the control means operates the motor to rotate the rotary blade, releases the brake, and shuts off the transmission path by the clutch, including a control means for executing the drying operation. This is a vertical washing / drying machine that frees the washing tub.

Further, in the present invention, in the drying operation, the control means activates the brake during the first period to make the washing tub stationary, and the washing tub is made stationary during the second period after the first period. Is in the free state.

Further, in the present invention, the vertical washer / dryer further includes a detection means for detecting the load amount of the laundry in the washing tub, and the control means can be used according to the load amount detected by the detection means. It is characterized in that the timing of putting the washing tub into the free state is determined.

According to the present invention, in the drying operation of the vertical washer / dryer, the laundry in the washing tub is agitated by the rotating rotor blades and dried by being exposed to the air blown by the blower. At that time, since the washing tub is in a free state, even if the laundry tries to move by being agitated by the rotor blades, the washing tub rotates while following the laundry so as not to interfere with the movement of the laundry. be able to. As a result, extra friction is less likely to occur between the laundry and the inner surface of the washing tub, so that the laundry is less likely to be twisted. Therefore, the laundry is less likely to wrinkle due to twisting. As a result, wrinkles of the laundry in the drying operation can be reduced. In addition, cloth pain in laundry can be reduced.

Further, according to the present invention, since the laundry is in a damp state during the first period, which is a period before the final stage in the drying operation, the washing tub is in a stationary state and the laundry and the inner surface of the washing tub are in a stationary state. Even if friction occurs between the laundry, the laundry is not easily twisted. Rather, during the first period, the washing tub is in a stationary state during the rotation of the rotor blades, which promotes the stirring of the laundry in the washing tub, so that even heavy laundry is efficiently dried. .. Then, wrinkles are likely to occur in the laundry that has been dried to some extent with the passage of the first period. Therefore, during the second period, which is the final stage after the first period, the washing tub becomes free to wash. The laundry in the tub is less likely to twist, and the laundry is less likely to wrinkle due to twisting. As a result, in the drying operation, it is possible to efficiently dry the laundry and reduce wrinkles in the laundry.

Further, according to the present invention, the timing for freeing the washing tub is determined according to the load amount of the laundry in the washing tub. Therefore, the timing for freeing the washing tub is optimized. , More efficient drying of laundry and further reduction of wrinkles in laundry can be achieved.

FIG. 1 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional right side view of the vertical washer / dryer according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main part of a vertical washer / dryer whose cross section is shown. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the vertical washer / dryer. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a washing / drying operation executed in the vertical washing / drying machine. FIG. 5 is a graph showing the timed change of the temperature in the washing tub in the drying process in the washing and drying operation. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a drying process.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional right side view of the vertical washer / dryer 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The vertical direction in FIG. 1 is referred to as the vertical direction Z of the vertical washer / dryer 1, and the horizontal direction in FIG. 1 is referred to as the front-rear direction Y of the vertical washer / dryer 1. Of the vertical directions Z, the upper side is called the upper side Z1 and the lower side is called the lower side Z2. Of the front-rear direction Y, the left side in FIG. 1 is referred to as the front side Y1, and the right side in FIG. 1 is referred to as the rear side Y2.

The vertical washer / dryer 1 is housed in a housing 2 forming an outer shell thereof, an outer tub 3 housed in the housing 2, a washing tub 4 housed in the outer tub 3, and a washing tub 4. Includes the rotor blades 5 and. The vertical washer / dryer 1 heats the duct 6 connected to the outer tub 3, the air blower 7 that blows air from the duct 6 into the washing tub 4, and the air sent into the washing tub 4 by the blower 7. Includes a heating unit 8. The vertical washer / dryer 1 has a motor 9 that generates a driving force for rotating the washing tub 4 and the rotary blades 5, and brakes the rotation of the washing tub 4 or intermittently transfers the driving force of the motor 9 to the washing tub 4. Includes a brake clutch mechanism 10 for transmitting.

The housing 2 is made of metal, for example, and is formed in a box shape. The upper surface 2A of the housing 2 is formed so as to extend toward the upper side Z1 toward the rear side Y2, for example. The portion forming the upper surface 2A and the upper end of the rear surface 2B of the housing 2 may be detachable from the housing 2 as a top plate of a separate part from the housing 2. In the following, in the upper surface plate, a portion straddling the rear end portion of the upper surface 2A and the upper end portion of the rear surface 2B may be referred to as a back plate. An opening 15 for communicating the inside and outside of the housing 2 is formed on the upper surface 2A. A door 16 for opening and closing the opening 15 is provided on the upper surface 2A. In the area around the opening 15 on the upper surface 2A, an operation unit 17 composed of a liquid crystal operation panel or the like is provided. By operating the operation unit 17, the user of the vertical washer / dryer 1 can freely select the operating conditions for the washing / drying operation executed by the vertical washer / dryer 1, or the vertical washer / dryer 1 can be used. It is possible to instruct the start or stop of the washing / drying operation.

The outer tank 3 is made of resin, for example, and is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape. The outer tank 3 has a substantially cylindrical circumferential wall 3A arranged along the vertical direction Z, a bottom wall 3B that closes the hollow portion of the circumferential wall 3A from the lower Z2, and an edge of the circumferential wall 3A on the upper Z1 side. It has a ring-shaped annular wall 3C protruding toward the center of the circle of the circumferential wall 3A while edging. Inside the annular wall 3C, an entrance / exit 18 communicating from the upper side Z1 is formed in a hollow portion of the circumferential wall 3A. The doorway 18 faces the opening 15 of the housing 2 from the lower side Z2 and is in a state of communicating with the opening 15. The annular wall 3C is provided with a door 19 that opens and closes the doorway 18. The bottom wall 3B is formed in a disk shape extending substantially horizontally, and a through hole 3D penetrating the bottom wall 3B is formed at the center position of the circle of the bottom wall 3B.

Water is stored in the outer tank 3. A water supply channel 20 connected to a tap water faucet is connected to the annular wall 3C of the outer tank 3 from the upper side Z1, and tap water is supplied from the water supply channel 20 into the outer tank 3. A water supply valve 21 that opens and closes to start and stop water supply is provided in the middle of the water supply channel 20. A drainage channel 22 is connected to the bottom wall 3B of the outer tank 3 from the lower side Z2, and the water in the outer tank 3 is discharged to the outside of the machine from the drainage channel 22. A drain valve 23 that opens and closes to start and stop drainage is provided in the middle of the drainage channel 22.

The washing tub 4 is made of metal, for example, and is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape that is one size smaller than the outer tub 3, and can accommodate the laundry Q inside. The washing tub 4 has a substantially cylindrical circumferential wall 4A arranged along the vertical direction Z, and a bottom wall 4B provided at the lower end of the washing tub 4 and closing the hollow portion of the circumferential wall 4A from the lower side Z2. ..

The inner peripheral surface of the circumferential wall 4A is the inner peripheral surface of the washing tub 4. The upper end of the inner peripheral surface of the circumferential wall 4A is an entrance / exit 24 that exposes the hollow portion of the circumferential wall 4A to the upper side Z1. The doorway 24 is formed at the upper end of the washing tub 4. The doorway 24 faces the doorway 18 of the outer tank 3 from the lower side Z2 and is in a state of communicating with the doorway 18. The user takes the laundry Q in and out of the washing tub 4 from the upper side Z1 through the open openings 15, the entrances 18 and 24.

The washing tub 4 is coaxially housed in the outer tub 3. The washing tub 4 housed in the outer tub 3 is rotatable about an axis J extending in the vertical direction Z along its central axis. Further, a plurality of through holes 4C are formed in the circumferential wall 4A and the bottom wall 4B of the washing tub 4, and water in the outer tub 3 is passed between the outer tub 3 and the washing tub 4 via the through holes 4C. You can come and go. Therefore, the water level in the outer tub 3 and the water level in the washing tub 4 match.

The bottom wall 4B of the washing tub 4 is formed in a disk shape extending substantially parallel to the bottom wall 3B of the outer tub 3 at intervals on the upper side Z1, and is located at the center position of the circle on the bottom wall 4B that coincides with the axis J. Is formed with a through hole 4D penetrating the bottom wall 4B. The bottom wall 4B is provided with a tubular support shaft 25 extending to the lower side Z2 along the axis J while surrounding the through hole 4D. The support shaft 25 is inserted into the through hole 3D of the bottom wall 3B of the outer tank 3, and the lower end portion of the support shaft 25 is located in Z2 below the bottom wall 3B.

The rotary blade 5 is a so-called pulsator, is formed in a disk shape centered on the axis J, and is arranged on the bottom wall 4B in the washing tub 4 so as to be concentric with the washing tub 4. A plurality of blades 5A arranged radially are provided on the upper surface of the rotary blade 5 facing the entrance / exit 24 of the washing tub 4. The rotary blade 5 is provided with a rotary shaft 26 extending from the center of the circle to the lower side Z2 along the axis J. The rotating shaft 26 is inserted through the hollow portion of the support shaft 25, and the lower end portion of the rotating shaft 26 is located on the lower side Z2 of the bottom wall 3B of the outer tank 3.

The duct 6 is a tubular flow path that is arranged in the housing 2 outside the outer tank 3, for example, on the upper side Z1 of the annular wall 3C of the outer tank 3 and extends in the front-rear direction Y. The front end of the duct 6 is bent and connected to the upper end of the annular wall 3C from the upper side Z1, and the rear end of the duct 6 is the upper end of the rear surface 2B of the housing 2, specifically, the back plate described above. Located in. An outlet 6A is formed at a portion connected to the annular wall 3C at the front end portion of the duct 6, and an inlet 6B is formed at a portion located at the back plate at the rear end portion of the duct 6. The inside of the duct 6 is in a state of communicating with the inside of the outer tub 3 via the outlet 6A, and is in a state of communicating with the outside of the vertical washer / dryer 1 via the inlet 6B.

The blower portion 7 is a so-called fan, and includes a rotary blade 28 arranged inside the duct 6 and a motor (not shown) for rotating the rotary blade 28. When the rotary blade 28 rotates, the air outside the vertical washer / dryer 1 is sucked into the duct 6 through the inlet 6B as shown by the thick broken line arrow, and then the washing tub 4 is sucked from the outlet 6A of the duct 6. After being sent from the upper side Z1 into the washing tub 4 through the through hole 4C and the doorway 24, the air flows to the doorway 24 and the doorway 18 of the upper side Z1 by changing the flow direction. At the tip of the air flowing to the upper side Z1, there is a door 19 in a state where the doorway 18 is closed. The door 19 is formed with an opening 19A closed by the filter 29. The air flowing to the upper side Z1 flows out of the outer tub 3 through the opening 19A, and is discharged to the outside of the vertical washer / dryer 1 through a gap (not shown) provided in the housing 2. .. Foreign matter such as dust contained in the air is captured by the filter 29. Although different from the present embodiment, air may be circulated between the duct 6 and the outer tub 3 and sent into the washing tub 4 by connecting the inlet 6B to the outer tub 3. In any case, sending air from the duct 6 into the washing tub 4 is hereinafter referred to as "blower".

The heating unit 8 is a known heater and is arranged inside the duct 6. The heating unit 8 generates heat when it is turned on and energized, and heats the air sent from the duct 6 into the washing tub 4. On the other hand, since the heating unit 8 does not generate heat when it is turned off and the energization is cut off, the heating of the surrounding air is stopped.

The motor 9 is an electric motor such as an inverter motor. The motor 9 is arranged in the lower Z2 of the outer tub 3 in the housing 2. The motor 9 has an output shaft 30 that rotates about the axis J, and outputs the generated driving force from the output shaft 30. The output shaft 30 is connected to the lower end of the support shaft 25 of the washing tub 4 via the brake clutch mechanism 10. The output shaft 30 is connected to the lower end of the rotating shaft 26 via the reduction mechanism 31.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main part of the washing tub 4, the rotary blade 5, the brake clutch mechanism 10, and the reduction mechanism 31 in which a part thereof is shown in cross section. Hereinafter, the reduction mechanism 31 and the brake clutch mechanism 10 will be described in detail.

The speed reduction mechanism 31 is arranged inside the tubular support shaft 25 in the washing tub 4. The portion of the support shaft 25 accommodating the reduction mechanism 31 is configured as a large diameter portion 25A having a diameter one step larger than the upper and lower portions thereof. The vertical washer / dryer 1 includes a cylindrical case 32 that accommodates at least a large diameter portion 25A of the support shaft 25. The case 32 is fixed to the bottom wall 3B of the outer tank 3. In the middle of the case 32 in the vertical direction Z, an annular flange portion 32A protruding outward in the radial direction of the case 32 is provided. The case 32 may be vertically splitable at the flange portion 32A. A vertical axis 32B extending from the flange portion 32A to the lower side Z2 is fixed to the flange portion 32A. The case 32 includes a stay 32C that protrudes outward in the radial direction of the case 32 and is connected to the lower end of the vertical axis 32B.

An example of the reduction mechanism 31 is a planetary gear mechanism. The reduction mechanism 31 in this case includes a sun gear 33 connected to the upper end of the output shaft 30 of the motor 9, a plurality of planetary gears 34 arranged around the sun gear 33 and meshing with the sun gear 33, and these planets. It has an outer ring gear 35 that surrounds the gear 34 and meshes with each planetary gear 34, and a carrier 36 that holds each planetary gear 34 so as to be rotatable and is connected to a lower end portion of a rotating shaft 26 of a rotary blade 5. When the motor 9 generates a driving force and the output shaft 30 rotates, the sun gear 33 rotates integrally with the output shaft 30. Then, each planetary gear 34 revolves around the sun gear 33 while rotating, whereby the carrier 36 rotates with the rotation shaft 26. Therefore, the rotary blade 5 connected to the rotary shaft 26 rotates around the axis J at a lower speed than the output shaft 30 of the motor 9 by transmitting the driving force of the motor 9. Since the rotor 5 and the motor 9 are always connected to each other, the rotor 5 rotates in conjunction with the operation of the motor 9.

The brake clutch mechanism 10 includes a lever 39, a brake 40, a clutch 41, and an actuator 42. The lever 39 has a main body portion 39A, is connected to the vertical axis 32B of the case 32 in the main body portion 39A, and is rotatable around the vertical axis 32B. The lever 39 has a first protruding portion 39B protruding laterally from, for example, the upper end portion of the main body portion 39A, and a second protruding portion 39C protruding laterally from, for example, the lower end portion of the main body portion 39A.

The brake 40 is, for example, a brake band, which surrounds the large diameter portion 25A of the support shaft 25 in the case 32. In the brake 40, one end is fixed to the case 32, and the other end is pulled out from the inside of the case 32 and fixed to the main body 39A of the lever 39. The brake 40 winds around the outer peripheral surface of the large diameter portion 25A or separates from the outer peripheral surface of the large diameter portion 25A according to the rotation of the lever 39.

When the lever 39 rotates clockwise in a plan view, the brake 40 is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the large diameter portion 25A and press-contacted. The brake 40 at this time is in the operating state, and the rotation of the support shaft 25, that is, the washing tub 4 is stopped by the frictional force between the brake 40 and the large diameter portion 25A. On the other hand, when the lever 39 rotates counterclockwise in a plan view, the brake 40 separates from the outer peripheral surface of the large diameter portion 25A. At this time, the brake 40 is in the released state, and the frictional force between the brake 40 and the large diameter portion 25A is reduced, so that the washing tub 4 can rotate. The vertical axis 32B that supports the lever 39 in the case 32 is provided with an urging member 43 formed of a coil spring or the like, and the brake 40 is a clock in a plan view so as to wrap around the outer peripheral surface of the large diameter portion 25A. It is always urged by the urging member 43 in the clockwise direction.

The clutch 41 first comprises a first meshing member 44 fixed to the output shaft 30 of the motor 9, a second meshing member 45 connected to the lower end of the support shaft 25 of the washing tub 4, and a second meshing member 45. It includes an urging member 46 that urges the meshing member 44, and an arm 47 that moves the second meshing member 45 in conjunction with the rotation of the lever 39.

The first meshing member 44 is an annular body arranged coaxially with the output shaft 30. An uneven tooth 44A arranged along the circumferential direction of the first meshing member 44 is provided at the upper end portion of the first meshing member 44. The second meshing member 45 is an annular body coaxially with the first meshing member 44 and arranged on Z1 above the first meshing member 44. At the lower end of the second meshing member 45, uneven teeth 45A arranged along the circumferential direction of the second meshing member 45 are provided. An annular flange portion 45B that projects outward in the radial direction of the second meshing member 45 is provided at the upper end portion of the second meshing member 45.

The second meshing member 45 can rotate integrally with the support shaft 25 of the washing tub 4 and can move relative to the vertical direction Z. The urging member 46 is composed of a coil spring or the like wound around the support shaft 25, and by pressing the flange portion 45B of the second meshing member 45 from the upper side Z1, the entire second meshing member 45 is always moved to the lower side Z2. Bounce.

The arm 47 is arranged so as to connect the second protruding portion 39C of the lever 39 and the flange portion 45B of the second meshing member 45. Since the horizontal shaft 48 supported by the case 32 is connected to the middle portion of the arm 47, the arm 47 can swing around the horizontal shaft 48. In FIG. 2, the upper end portion forming one end of the arm 47 is in a state of facing the second protruding portion 39C from the downstream side in the clockwise direction in a plan view. The lower end portion forming the other end of the arm 47 is in a state of facing the flange portion 45B of the second meshing member 45 from the lower side Z2.

In the clutch 41 shown in FIG. 2, the second protruding portion 39C of the lever 39 presses one end of the arm 47, so that the other end of the arm 47 engages in the second engagement against the urging force of the urging member 46. It is in a state of swinging so as to lift the member 45. At this time, since the teeth 45A of the second meshing member 45 are separated from the teeth 44A of the first meshing member 44, the output shaft 30 of the motor 9 and the support shaft 25 of the washing tub 4 are disconnected from each other. is there. That is, the clutch 41 shown in FIG. 2 is in a state of blocking the transmission path of the driving force from the motor 9 to the washing tub 4.

In the state of FIG. 2, when the lever 39 rotates counterclockwise in a plan view and the second protruding portion 39C of the lever 39 does not press one end of the arm 47, the other end of the arm 47 is disengaged. It swings so as to descend. As a result, the second meshing member 45 is lowered toward the first meshing member 44 by the urging force of the urging member 46, and the teeth 44A of the first meshing member 44 and the teeth 45A of the second meshing member 45 mesh with each other. Therefore, the driving force can be transmitted from the output shaft 30 of the motor 9 to the support shaft 25 of the washing tub 4. That is, the clutch 41 connects the transmission path of the driving force from the motor 9 to the washing tub 4. Therefore, the washing tub 4 can rotate by receiving the driving force of the motor 9.

The actuator 42 is composed of, for example, a torque motor. The brake clutch mechanism 10 includes a wire 49 that connects the actuator 42 and the first protrusion 39B of the lever 39. The actuator 42 can rotate the lever 39 step by step by turning it on and pulling the wire 49 step by step. When the brake clutch mechanism 10 in FIG. 2 is referred to as the first state, in the first state, the brake 40 is in the operating state, and the clutch 41 is in the state of blocking the transmission path of the driving force from the motor 9 to the washing tub 4. .. At this time, the washing tub 4 is in a stationary state in which rotation has stopped. In this embodiment, the normal brake clutch mechanism 10 is in the first state.

When the actuator 42 pulls the wire 49 one step to rotate the lever 39 counterclockwise in a plan view by a predetermined amount, the brake clutch mechanism 10 is in the second state (not shown). In the second state, the brake 40 is in the released state, and the clutch 41 is in the state of continuously blocking the transmission path of the driving force from the motor 9 to the washing tub 4. The washing tub 4 at this time is in a free state where it can rotate freely.

When the actuator 42 further rotates the lever 39 counterclockwise in a plan view by pulling the wire 49 one step further, the brake clutch mechanism 10 is in the third state (not shown). In the third state, the brake 40 is still in the released state, and the clutch 41 connects the transmission path of the driving force from the motor 9 to the washing tub 4 by engaging the first meshing member 44 and the second meshing member 45. It is in a state of being. At this time, the washing tub 4 is in a state where it can rotate by receiving the driving force of the motor 9, similarly to the rotary blade 5. When the actuator 42 is turned off, the lever 39 rotates in the opposite direction due to the urging force of the urging member 43 or the like described above, so that the brake clutch mechanism 10 switches in the order of the third state, the second state, and the first state. When the brake clutch mechanism 10 is in the first state, the wire 49 returns to its original position.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the vertical washer / dryer 1. The vertical washer / dryer 1 includes a control unit 60 as an example of a control means and a detection means. The control unit 60 is configured as a microcomputer including, for example, a CPU 61, a memory 62 such as a ROM or RAM, and a timer 63, and is built in the housing 2 (see FIG. 1).

The vertical washer / dryer 1 further includes a rotation speed reading device 64 as an example of the detecting means and a temperature detecting unit 65. The rotation speed reading device 64 and the temperature detecting unit 65, and the motor 9, the brake clutch mechanism 10, the water supply valve 21, the drain valve 23, the blower unit 7, the heating unit 8 and the operating unit 17, respectively, are connected to the control unit 60. It is electrically connected to it.

The rotation speed reading device 64 is a device that reads the rotation speed of the motor 9, strictly speaking, the rotation speed of the output shaft 30 in the motor 9, and is composed of, for example, a hall IC. The rotation speed read by the rotation speed reading device 64 is input to the control unit 60 in real time. The control unit 60 controls the motor 9 so as to rotate at a desired rotation speed by controlling the duty ratio of the voltage applied to the motor 9 based on the input rotation speed. In this embodiment, the rotation speed of the washing tub 4 is the same as the rotation speed of the motor 9, and the rotation speed of the rotary blade 5 is the rotation of the motor 9 with a predetermined constant such as the reduction ratio in the reduction mechanism 31. It is a value obtained by multiplying by a number. In any case, the rotation speed reading device 64 also reads the rotation speeds of the washing tub 4 and the rotor blades 5 by reading the rotation speeds of the motor 9. As the temperature detection unit 65, a known temperature sensor such as a thermistor can be used. The temperature detection unit 65 detects the temperature inside the outer tub 3, that is, the temperature inside the washing tub 4.

The control unit 60 switches the brake clutch mechanism 10 to any of the above-mentioned first state, second state, and third state by controlling ON / OFF of the actuator 42 of the brake clutch mechanism 10. That is, the control unit 60 controls the operations of the brake 40 and the clutch 41 in the brake clutch mechanism 10. The control unit 60 controls the opening and closing of the water supply valve 21 and the drain valve 23. The control unit 60 controls the operation of each of the blower unit 7 and the heating unit 8. When the user operates the operation unit 17 to select an operating condition or the like, the control unit 60 accepts the selection.

The control unit 60 executes the washing / drying operation by controlling the operations of the motor 9, the brake clutch mechanism 10, the water supply valve 21, the drain valve 23, the blower unit 7, and the heating unit 8. With reference to the flowchart of FIG. 4, the washing / drying operation includes a washing step of washing the laundry Q (step S1), a rinsing step of rinsing the laundry Q after the washing step (step S2), and a washing tub after the rinsing step. It has at least a dehydration step (step S3) in which the laundry Q is dehydrated by rotating 4 and a drying step (step S4) in which the laundry Q is dried after the dehydration step.

In the washing step of step S1, the control unit 60 opens the water supply valve 21 for a predetermined time to store water in the outer tub 3 and the washing tub 4 to a predetermined water level, and then rotates the rotary blade 5. As a result, the laundry Q in the washing tub 4 is agitated by the mechanical force generated by the blades 5A of the rotating rotary wing 5 and the mechanical force generated by the water flow generated in the washing tub 4 due to the rotation of the rotary wing 5. By stirring here, dirt is removed from the laundry Q. The washing tub 4 may rotate together with the rotary blade 5. Further, the detergent may be put into the washing tub 4, and in this case, the laundry Q in the washing tub 4 is decomposed by the detergent. When the predetermined washing time elapses, the control unit 60 opens the drain valve 23 to drain the outer tub 3 and the washing tub 4, and ends the washing process.

In the rinsing step of step S2, the control unit 60 opens the water supply valve 21 for a predetermined time to store tap water in the outer tub 3 and the washing tub 4 to a predetermined water level, and then rotates the rotary blade 5. As a result, the laundry Q in the washing tub 4 is sooted. When the predetermined rinsing time elapses, the control unit 60 opens the drain valve 23 to drain the outer tub 3 and the washing tub 4, and ends the rinsing process. The rinsing step may be performed multiple times.

In the dehydration step of step S3, the control unit 60 rotates the washing tub 4 at high speed, for example, at 850 rpm with the drain valve 23 open. The centrifugal force generated by this high-speed rotation dehydrates the laundry Q in the washing tub 4. The water exuded from the laundry Q due to dehydration is discharged to the outside of the machine from the drainage channel 22. The dehydration step may be carried out as an intermediate dehydration step after each of the washing step and the rinsing step. In this case, the dehydration step finally executed after the rinse step as in step S3 is referred to as a final dehydration step to distinguish it from the intermediate dehydration step. The maximum rotation speed of the washing tub 4 in the final dehydration step may be higher than the maximum rotation speed of the washing tub 4 in the intermediate dehydration step.

The control unit 60 executes the drying step of step S4 as the final step in the washing / drying operation. The drying step may be executed following the final dehydration step as one step of the washing / drying operation, or may be independently executed as the drying operation. In the drying step, the laundry Q in the washing tub 4 is agitated by the rotating rotary blades 5 and dried by being exposed to the air sent by the blower unit 7 and the heating unit 8.

FIG. 5 is a graph showing the timed change of the temperature in the washing tub 4 in the drying step. In the graph of FIG. 5, the horizontal axis represents the elapsed time (unit: minutes), and the vertical axis represents the temperature (unit: ° C.) in the outer tank 3 detected by the temperature detection unit 65. The temperature in the outer tub 3 is an index showing the drying efficiency of the laundry Q in the washing tub 4. As an example, the drying efficiency is a value (unit:%) obtained by dividing the mass of the completely dried laundry Q after the drying step by the mass of the wet laundry Q immediately before the start of the washing and drying step. .. The transition of the temperature in the outer tub 3 and the transition of the drying efficiency do not completely match, but when the temperature in the outer tub 3 is high, the drying efficiency is high and the moisture contained in the laundry Q is small.

The period of the drying process is divided into a first period and a second period after the first period. The first period is divided into a heat-drying period and a constant drying period after the heat-drying period. The heat-drying period is an early stage of the drying process, and during the heat-drying period, the temperature inside the outer tub 3 rises sharply due to the rapid removal of water from the laundry Q. In the constant drying period corresponding to the middle stage of the drying step, a certain amount of water per unit time is released from the laundry Q while the temperature in the outer tub 3 remains substantially constant. The second period, also referred to as a lapse rate drying period, is a final period in which the surface of the laundry Q is almost dried and the drying efficiency becomes, for example, 90% or more. In the second period, the temperature inside the outer tank 3 rises with the passage of time. Hereinafter, the temperature inside the outer tank 3 when the drying efficiency reaches 90% is referred to as a target temperature.

With reference to FIG. 6, which is a flowchart showing the drying process, the control unit 60 detects the amount of laundry Q in the washing tub 4 as the load amount according to the start of the drying process (step S41). As an example, the control unit 60 reads the variation in the rotation speed of the motor 9 when the rotary blade 5 on which the laundry Q is placed is rotated by the rotation speed reading device 64, and detects the load amount by this variation.

The control unit 60 determines the drying time, which is the period until the entire drying process is completed, the target time, which is the target value of the time until the first period is completed, and the like, according to the detected load amount. The relationship between the load amount and the drying time and the relationship between the load amount and the target time are obtained in advance by an experiment or the like and stored in the memory 62. Further, since the laundry Q dries faster as the load amount is smaller, the drying time and the target time are set shorter. On the contrary, the larger the load amount, the longer it takes for the laundry Q to dry, so that the drying time and the target time are set longer.

Next, the control unit 60 starts timing by the timer 63 (step S42). Then, the control unit 60 puts the brake clutch mechanism 10 in the first state, operates the blower unit 7 and the heating unit 8, and also operates the motor 9 (step S43). As a result, the first period starts, and during the first period, the heated air, that is, hot air is blown from the duct 6 onto the laundry Q in the washing tub 4 while the washing tub 4 is stationary, and the laundry Q , Stirred by the rotating rotor 5. At any time during the first period, the control unit 60 may switch the brake clutch mechanism 10 to the third state to rotate not only the rotor 5 but also the washing tub 4. As a result, the positions of the laundry Q in the washing tub 4 are exchanged, so that the hot air from the duct 6 can be evenly applied to all the laundry Q to effectively dry the laundry Q.

Then, when the target time of the first period elapses after the time measurement in step S42 starts (YES in step S44), the control unit 60 confirms the temperature inside the outer tank 3 (step S45). When the temperature inside the outer tub 3 reaches the target temperature described above (YES in step S45), the control unit 60 switches the brake clutch mechanism 10 from the first state to the second state (step S46). At this time, the blower unit 7, the heating unit 8 and the motor 9 may continue to operate, or may be temporarily stopped when the brake clutch mechanism 10 is switched, and then restarted after the brake clutch mechanism 10 is switched. You may. In any case, the second period starts according to the switching of the brake clutch mechanism 10. During the second period, the washing tub 4 is in a free state, and in this state, hot air is blown onto the laundry Q in the washing tub 4, and the laundry Q is agitated by the rotating rotary blades 5.

Then, the control unit 60 confirms whether or not the end condition for ending the drying process is satisfied (step S47). An example of satisfying the end condition is, for example, that the above-mentioned drying time elapses from the start of timekeeping in step S42. When the end condition is satisfied by drying the laundry Q (YES in step S47), the control unit 60 stops the blower unit 7, the heating unit 8 and the motor 9 to put the brake clutch mechanism 10 in the first state. The drying process is completed by returning.

As described above, the control unit 60 operates the motor 9 to rotate the rotary blade 5 in the drying step. At that time, the control unit 60 operates the brake 40 to put the washing tub 4 in a stationary state during the first period in the drying step (see FIG. 5). Since the laundry Q is in a damp state during the first period, which is a period before the final stage in the drying operation, the washing tub 4 is in a stationary state and is between the laundry Q and the inner surface of the washing tub 4. Even if friction occurs, the laundry Q is not easily twisted. Rather, during the first period, the washing tub 4 is in a stationary state during the rotation of the rotary blades 5, so that the washing of the laundry Q in the washing tub 4 is promoted, so that even a heavy laundry Q can be used. Dry efficiently.

Since wrinkles are likely to occur in the laundry Q that has been dried to some extent with the passage of the first period, in the drying step, during the second period after the first period, the control unit 60 keeps the washing tub 4 free. (See Fig. 5). When the washing tub 4 is in the free state, even if the washing tub 4 tries to move by being agitated by the rotary blades 5, the washing tub 4 follows the washing tub Q so as not to interfere with the movement of the washing tub Q. Can rotate while. As a result, extra friction is less likely to occur between the laundry Q and the inner surface of the washing tub 4, so that the laundry Q is less likely to be twisted. Therefore, the laundry Q is less likely to wrinkle due to twisting. As a result, the wrinkles of the laundry Q in the drying operation can be reduced. Further, since the frictional force between the laundry Q and the inner surface of the washing tub 4 can be reduced, the cloth pain of the laundry Q can be reduced.

Further, when the washing tub 4 is in the free state, the brake 40 may be worn by the brake 40 rubbing against the large diameter portion 25A of the support shaft 25 of the washing tub 4, but only in the important period of the second period. By leaving the washing tub 4 in a free state, wear of the brake 40 can be suppressed.

Further, as described above, the control unit 60 determines the target time (step S44) of the first period according to the load amount detected in step S41. That is, the control unit 60 determines the timing at which the second period is started and the washing tub 4 is put into the free state according to the detected load amount. As a result, the timing of freeing the washing tub 4 is optimized, so that the washing Q can be dried more efficiently and the wrinkles of the washing Q can be further reduced.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.

For example, the vertical washer / dryer 1 is a vertical washer / dryer in which the axis J of the washing tub 4 is arranged so as to extend vertically along the vertical direction Z (see FIG. 1). The dryer also includes a configuration in which the axis J is arranged so as to be slightly inclined with respect to the vertical direction Z.

As a configuration for operating the brake 40 and the clutch 41, a configuration other than the actuator 42 by the torque motor described above may be adopted.

For example, the laundry Q may be dried using cold air instead of hot air, and in that case, the heating unit 8 may be omitted.

1 Vertical washer / dryer 4 Washing tub 4B Bottom wall 5 Rotorcraft 7 Blower 9 Motor 24 Doorway 40 Brake 41 Clutch 60 Control unit 64 Rotation speed reader Q Laundry

Claims (3)

A motor that generates driving force and
A washing tub in which the entrance and exit of the laundry is formed at the upper end and the bottom wall is provided at the lower end to accommodate the laundry and rotate by receiving the driving force of the motor.
Rotor blades arranged on the bottom wall in the washing tub and rotating by receiving the driving force of the motor,
A brake that stops the rotation of the washing tub and
A clutch that cuts off or connects the transmission path of the driving force from the motor to the washing tub,
A blower that blows air into the washing tub and
A control means for controlling the motor, the brake, the clutch, and the blower to perform a drying operation for drying the laundry in the washing tub.
In the drying operation, the control means activates the motor to rotate the rotor blades, releases the brakes, and shuts off the transmission path by the clutch to free the washing tub. Vertical washer / dryer. In the drying operation, the control means operates the brake to put the washing tub in a stationary state during the first period, and puts the washing tub into the free state during the second period after the first period. , The vertical washer / dryer according to claim 1. Further including a detecting means for detecting the load amount of the laundry in the washing tub,
The vertical washer / dryer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control means determines the timing of putting the washing tub into the free state according to the load amount detected by the detecting means.

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