JP4006188B2 - Washing and drying machine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a washing and drying machine that performs washing and drying operations sequentially, and in particular, can efficiently perform drying operations.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 5, this kind of washing and drying machine has a bottomed cylindrical water tank 2 suspended through an elastic support mechanism 3 in a main body 1 that forms an outer shell. A vertical rotary tank 4 is disposed. The rotary tank 4 has a large number of through holes 4a in the peripheral wall and a stirring body 5 at the bottom. The upper end opening of the water tank 2 is provided with an inner lid 6 so that the water tank 2 can be opened and closed, and a hot air circulation path 7 having both ends connected to each other is provided at the upper and lower portions of the water tank 2. . The hot air circulation path 7 includes a hot air generator 8 including a blower 8a and a heater 8b in the middle for discharging and supplying hot air toward the water tank 2 during a drying operation. A drain valve 9 communicating with the outside of the machine is provided at the bottom of the water tank 2.
[0003]
With the above configuration, the laundry stored in the water tank 2 and the rotating tub 4 is stored in the water tank 2 and the rotating tub 4 while being washed, and the stored laundry is washed by the rotating operation of the agitator 5. By rotating the rotating tub 4 at a high speed in the opened state, centrifugal dehydration is performed through a large number of through holes 4a. Next, the operation moves to a drying operation, and the rotating tub 4 is rotated at a low speed while the hot air is supplied from the upper part of the water tub 2 in the direction of the arrow in the figure while taking the moisture from the laundry. The so-called exhaust air discharged between the tanks flows so as to be sucked into the hot air circulation path 7 from the lower part of the water tank 2, is warmed again through the upper hot air generator 8, and is supplied into the water tank 2. Drying operation is promoted by circulating hot air.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, conventionally, in the above-described drying operation, the exhaust air after contributing to the drying of the laundry contains a large amount of moisture, so when the exhaust gas is discharged to the water tank 2 side, it contacts the wall surface of the water tank 2. Then, it is cooled by the heat exchange action at that time, whereby the moisture is condensed and dripped to be dehumidified. It functions as a so-called air-cooled dehumidifying means via the water tank 2. However, in the heat exchange performance utilizing the ambient conditions of the water tank 2, it is difficult to obtain high performance, and a high performance cannot be expected as an air-cooled dehumidifying function. Accordingly, when the dehumidifying efficiency is lowered, dry air cannot be sent to the hot air generator 8, and the heating efficiency and the drying efficiency are lowered. As a result, there is a problem that the drying time becomes long.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and therefore an object of the present invention is to provide a washing and drying machine capable of effectively exhibiting an efficient water-cooled dehumidifying function in order to obtain high dehumidifying performance.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a washing and drying machine of the present invention includes a water tank capable of storing water having an upper surface opened, and a rotating tub having an upper surface opened to wash and dry laundry provided in the water tank, One end of the lower portion is connected to the lower portion of the rotating tub, the other end of the upper portion is formed to be connected to the upper portion of the water tub, and a hot air circulation path having a hot air generator is provided on the way, and washing and drying operations are sequentially performed. In what I tried to do,
The rotary vessel, and the inner tub having a plurality of holes in the peripheral wall, as well as configuration and an outer tub having only the through hole upper disposed via a gap on the outside, the bottom of the outer vessel before Symbol It is configured to communicate with the lower part of the hot air circulation path,
During the drying operation, water is injected between the water tank and the outer tank to cool the outer peripheral surface of the outer tank, and hot air and heat moved from the inner tank to the outer tank side through the cooled outer tank. It is characterized in that they are exchanged (invention of claim 1).
[0007]
According to such a configuration, after the warm air supplied into the water tank contributes to the drying, it moves to the gap between the inner tank and the outer tank as exhaust air, and here the outer peripheral surface is cooled through the outer tank. Heat exchange is performed, and moisture is cooled and dehumidified from the exhaust. Therefore, it can function as a water-cooled dehumidifying means through the outer tank, and the exhausted air that has been dehumidified can be warmed again efficiently, the drying action can be promoted, and the drying time can be shortened. Can be expected.
[0008]
And in the thing of Claim 1, in the water tank bottom part, the 1st drain valve connected with the inside of a rotation tank, and the 2nd drain valve connected between the water tank and the outer tank were provided, and at the time of dry operation, The water poured between the water tank and the outer tank can be stored (invention of claim 2).
[0009]
According to such a configuration, a sufficient contact time with water can be ensured, so that heat exchange can be ensured and stable dehumidification performance can be obtained.
[0010]
Further, in the present invention, a water storage tank for storing water used during the washing operation is provided, and water in the water storage tank is poured between the water tank and the outer tank during the drying operation. (Invention of claim 3)
[0011]
According to such a configuration, water used in the washing operation can be reused for water cooling during the drying operation, and a water-cooled dehumidifying means that can be expected to save water can be provided.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(First embodiment)
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
First, FIG. 1 is a longitudinal side view of a main part showing a schematic configuration of the entire washing and drying machine. As shown in the drawing, a main body 11 forming an outer shell is composed of an outer box 12 and a top cover 13. An operation panel 14 having various switch keys (not shown) is disposed in front of the top cover 13, and a circuit configuration mainly including a microcomputer for controlling the overall washing and drying operation is disposed inside the operation panel 14. A control device 15 is provided.
[0013]
And inside the outer box 12 of the main body 11, a bottomed cylindrical water tank 16 having an open upper surface is suspended via a plurality of elastic support mechanisms 17 (only one shown), A first drain port 18 and a second drain port 19 which are two drain ports are formed at the bottom, and a first drain valve 20 and a second drain valve 21 are connected to each other, and On the downstream side, it is led out of the machine via drainage pipes 22 communicating with each other. In addition, an overflow port 23 is formed in the upper part of the water tank 16, and an overflow pipe 24 communicating with the drain pipe 22 is provided.
Further, the upper end of the water tank 16 is fitted and fixed so as to cover a tank cover 25 having an opening at the center, and an inner lid 26 is provided at the opening to be able to open and close.
[0014]
A rotating tub 27 for storing laundry is rotatably provided in the water tank 16 having such a configuration. The rotating tank 27 has a double wall (tank) configuration including an inner tank 28 and an outer tank 29 in the shape of a vertical bottomed cylinder having an upper surface opened similar to the water tank 16. Among them, the inner tank 28 has a large number of through-holes 28a on the entire peripheral wall including the bottom, and is provided with a stirring body 30 that is large enough to occupy most of the inner bottom. The stirring body 30 is formed with a plurality of through holes 30a penetrating in the vertical direction.
[0015]
On the other hand, the outer tub 29 is provided with a predetermined gap between the inner tub 28 and the outer periphery, and has a substantially non-porous configuration in which a plurality of through holes 29a are provided only in the upper part. And the balance ring 31 is attached to the upper end opening part of the rotation tank 27 which consists of these inner and outer tanks 28 and 29, and the hollow shaft 32 is connected to the center bottom part. Inside the hollow shaft 32, a rotating shaft 33 having the upper end connected to the agitator 30 is inserted, and both the shafts 32, 33 are not shown by a drive motor 34 attached to the outer bottom of the water tank 16. It is configured to be selectively driven to rotate through a mechanism.
Further, between the central portion of the outer bottom portion of the outer tub 29 constituting the rotating tub 27 and the inner bottom portion including the first drain port 18 at the bottom of the water tub 16, the inside of the rotating tub 27 and the first drain valve described above. A discharge passage 35 that communicates with 20 is formed independently in a watertight manner.
[0016]
And also, in the said body 11 the is connected Te vertical portion smell of the water tank 16, the warm air circulating path 36 for supplying hot air into the water tank 16 is provided. That is, the lower end of the warm air circulation path 36 communicates with the upper part of the discharge passage 35 near the first drain port 18 , and the other upper end communicates with the tank cover 25. In addition, an air blower 37 a and a heater 37 b constituting the warm air generator 37 are arranged in the upper part located in the top cover 13.
[0017]
Further, a water supply valve 38 having, for example, a three-way switching valve structure is provided in the top cover 13, one of which is controlled to open and close as a washing water supply path 38 a so that water can be injected into the rotary tub 27. and the other is to enable water injection toward between the rotating tub 27 (the outer tub 29) and the water tank 16 through the tank cover 25 is opened and closed controlled as water cooling water supply passage 38b.
[0018]
Next, the operation of the washing / drying machine having the above configuration will be described.
Now, let us describe the case where it is set to automatically perform from washing to drying. First, the laundry operation will be outlined. After the laundry is put into the rotary tub 27 as is well known, a start switch (not shown) of the operation panel 14 is operated to start the operation. Then, only the washing water supply path 38a side of the water supply valve 38 is opened to supply washing water, and the water level is controlled to an appropriate level by a water level switch (not shown) or the control device 15.
[0019]
Then, the drive motor 34 is energized and activated, and the washing process is executed by the rotating operation of the stirring body 30. After a predetermined time, the process proceeds to the rinsing process and, for example, two rinsings are performed in the same manner as the washing operation. Next, the process proceeds to a dehydration process, and the rotating tub 27 is rotated at a high speed integrally with the stirring body 30 through a clutch mechanism (not shown), and the water extracted by centrifugal separation from the laundry is removed from the through hole 28a of the inner tub 28 through the outer tub 29a. After being released to the side, it is pumped by centrifugal force and discharged from the through hole 29a in the upper part of the outer tank 29 to the water tank 16 side, so-called centrifugal dehydration is performed. The dewatered and discharged water is discharged out of the machine from the drainage pipe 22 through the second drainage valve 21 in the open state from the second drainage port 19 at the bottom of the water tank 16.
[0020]
When such a consistent washing operation from washing to dehydration is completed, the operation shifts to a drying operation. Here, the rotating tub 27 is rotated at a low speed, and hot air accompanying the energization driving of the hot air generating device 37 including the blower 37 a and the heater 37 b is supplied from the hot air circulation path 36 into the water tank 16. The hot air supplied into the water tank 16 has a top opening closed by an inner lid 26 and can be used effectively without leaking out of the water tank 16. In this case, the water tank 16 serves as a drying chamber. Function. In addition, the solid line arrow in a figure shows the rough flow direction of warm air (exhaust air).
[0021]
Accordingly, the hot air contributes to the drying action by blowing on the laundry accommodated in the rotating tub 27 , and then is taken into the hot air circulation path 36 from the lower portion of the rotating tub 27 through the discharge passage 35 at the lower portion of the water tub 16. A so-called circulation supply is performed which is warmed again and supplied into the water tank 16. In this case, since the rotary tank 27 has a double wall (tank) configuration, most of the exhaust air that is warm air after contributing to drying moves to the outer tank 29 side through the through holes 28a in the inner tank 28 peripheral wall. In addition, a part thereof passes through the through hole 30a of the stirring body 30 at the bottom to reach the discharge passage 35 from the central portion of the bottom of the outer tub 29, and flows into the hot air circulation path 36 as described above. To do.
[0022]
Further, the water cooling water supply path 38b of the water supply valve 38, the first and second drain valves 20 and 21 and the like are also controlled to be opened and closed by the control device 15 as follows.
FIG. 2 is a time chart at the time of the drying operation showing these operation states. With reference to this, the water supply valve 38 is energized and only one of the water cooling water supply passages 38b is opened, Water is poured between the rotary tanks 27 (outer tanks 29). However, the space between these two tanks has a substantially non-porous outer tub 29 and a discharge passage 35 that constitute the rotating tub 27 in a watertight manner and is configured as an independent passage. The second drain valve 21 provided in communication with the second drain port 19 is also maintained in a closed state, and is naturally shut off from the drain line 22 led out of the machine.
[0023]
Therefore, the water poured between the two tanks increases the water level from below so as to fill the space and can be stored until reaching the overflow port 23, and more water overflows from the overflow port 23 and overflows. It is discharged from the drainage pipe line 22 through the path 24.
As a result, the outer tub 29 of the rotating tub 27 is cooled by the water stored from the outer peripheral wall side, and heat exchange is performed between the inner and outer sides via the outer tub 29. This is because the exhaust air containing a large amount of water, which is warm air after contributing to the drying of the laundry, is cooled by coming into contact with the outer tub 29, and the water is condensed and dripped.
[0024]
That is, it functions as a water-cooled dehumidifying means, moisture is dehumidified from the exhaust gas, and the dehumidified exhaust gas is taken into the hot air circulation path 36 through the discharge passage 35 and is heated and warmed by the hot air generator 37 again. The condensed and dripped water travels along the inner surface of the outer tub 29 to the discharge passage 35, passes through the first drain valve 20 opened from the first drain port 18, and passes through the drain pipe 22. It is discharged outside the machine.
During the drying operation, the rotating tub 27 is rotated at a low speed so that the laundry can be dried uniformly, and the contact with the stored cooling water is more actively promoted. It also contributes to the improvement of the water-cooled dehumidification function.
[0025]
Thus, when the predetermined drying operation is finished, the rotary tank 27 and the hot air generator 37 are stopped, and the water in the water tank 16 stored for water cooling is drained as shown in FIG. That is, the water-cooling water supply path 38b of the water supply valve 38 is closed and water injection is stopped, and the stored water is discharged to the outside through the drain line 22 by the opening operation of the second drain valve 21. . Thereafter, both the first and second drain valves 20 and 21 are closed to complete the entire operation.
[0026]
Thus, according to the present embodiment, the following effects are obtained.
The rotary tank 27 has a double wall (tank) configuration including inner and outer tanks 28 and 29, and the exhaust air after contributing to drying during the drying operation is heat-exchanged between the inside and outside through the outer tank 29. The exhaust air was cooled. And as the cooling means, water was poured between both the water tank 16 and the outer tank 29 to cool the outer peripheral surface of the outer tank 29. This effectively functions as a so-called water-cooled dehumidifying means in which moisture in the exhaust is heat-exchanged through the outer tank 29, cooled, condensed and removed, and it is efficient to heat and exhaust the exhaust after this dehumidification again. In addition, it is possible to quickly heat to an appropriate temperature, and thus it is possible to improve the performance of the drying action performed by circulatingly supplying the warm air.
[0027]
Moreover, in this embodiment, the water-cooling water injection is stored between the two tanks, so that a sufficient contact time with water can be secured and the cooling effect can be effectively obtained with a relatively small amount of water, A reliable and stable dehumidifying performance can be expected. In addition, since the rotating tank 27 is rotated at a low speed during the drying operation, the degree of contact between the outer tank 29 and the stored water is positively performed, and the entire area does not stagnate and contacts evenly and efficiently. It can also lead to improvement of dehumidification performance.
In addition, as described above, the double wall (tank) configuration of the rotating tub 27 that sufficiently exhibits the water-cooled dehumidifying function during the drying operation supplies and stores the washing water only in the non-porous outer tub 29 during the washing operation. It has a water saving effect.
[0028]
In this embodiment, water is continuously poured during the drying operation. However, not limited to this, the water injection operation is variably controlled according to the progress of the drying operation, or after being stored up to the overflow port 23 position. Water can be injected intermittently to save water, and the control means can be changed in various ways. Moreover, it is also possible to carry out without necessarily storing as a cooling means, for example, by pouring water toward the rotating outer tub 29, the outer peripheral surface of the outer tub 29 can be effectively water-cooled. As a dehumidifying function, a far superior dehumidifying performance can be expected compared to the conventional air-cooled type.
[0029]
(Second Embodiment)
Next, FIGS. 3 and 4 show a second embodiment of the present invention. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof is omitted, and only different parts will be described. 3 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a diagram corresponding to FIG.
In the second embodiment, the water cooling water is injected and stored between the water tank 16 and the outer tank 29 in the first embodiment, whereas the water cooling water is temporarily stored in the present embodiment. This is different in that a dedicated water storage tank 39 for storing water is provided and can be reused for water cooling during the drying operation.
[0030]
That is, referring to FIG. 3, the construction of the water storage tank 39 is located below the water tank 16 so as to be able to store a predetermined volume of water. These drain valves 20 and 21 are connected to the downstream side of the respective drain valves 20 and 21. Further, a third drain valve 40 is provided in communication with the lower right portion of the water storage tank 39 in the figure, and is used for drainage in the tank 39. The third drain valve 40 is connected to the drain pipe 41 and discharged outside the machine. An overflow pipe 42 is connected to the inner upper part of the water storage tank 39, and the other end is connected to the downstream side of the drain pipe 41.
In addition, the suction side of the pump 43 is connected to the lower left portion of the water storage tank 39 in the figure, and the water injection pipe 44 connected to the discharge side at the other end extends upward and is connected to the upper part of the water tank 16. Yes.
[0031]
The operation of the above configuration will be described. By storing the first drain valve 20 during the washing operation, water can be stored in the rotary tub 27, and washing can be performed easily. Further, when draining, the first and third drain valves 20 and 40 are opened, so that the water in the rotary tank 27 can be discharged outside the machine through the water storage tank 39.
[0032]
In this embodiment, the water used for the final rinse is stored in the water storage tank 39. In this case, when rinsing water is drained, only the first drain valve 20 is opened and the third drain valve 40 is closed. As a result, a predetermined amount of rinse water is stored in the water storage tank 39, and more than a predetermined amount of water is discharged from the overflow pipe 42 to the outside of the machine. Accordingly, the water dehydrated by the dehydration operation in the next stroke also flows into the water storage tank 39 from the first and second drain valves 20 and 21 in the open state, but more than a predetermined amount of water is discharged from the overflow pipe 42. Is done.
[0033]
Next, when the drying operation is started, the hot air is circulated and supplied from the hot air circulation path 36 into the water tank 16 as in the first embodiment, and the drying action is advanced. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, various feed and drain valves and the pump 43 are turned on to function as water-cooled dehumidifying means. That is, the first and second drain valves 20 and 21 are opened, and the third drain valve 40 is closed, and the pump 43 is turned on.
[0034]
As a result, the water in the water storage tank 39 is pumped and pumped by the pump 43 toward the water injection pipe 44 and injected between the upper part of the water tank 16 and the outer tank 29, and the injected water is the second water. It returns to the water storage tank 39 through the drain valve 21, and the water in the tank 39 is so-called circulating water injection. By continuing this water injection, the outer peripheral surface of the outer tub 29 is cooled, heat exchange is performed with the exhaust after contributing to the drying on the inner peripheral side of the outer tub 29, and the exhaust containing a large amount of moisture. Is cooled. Accordingly, the water is condensed, dripped and dehumidified, and functions as a so-called water-cooled dehumidifying means. The condensed and dropped water flows along the bottom of the outer tub 29 and flows into the water storage tank 39 through the discharge passage 35 and the first drain valve 20.
[0035]
In addition, in the present embodiment, water is also poured between the water tank 16 and the outer tank 29 from the water cooling water supply path 38b of the water supply valve 38 to be water cooled, and flows into the water storage tank 39 from the second drain valve 21. Excess water is overflowed and drained from the overflow line 42 so that a part of the water is replaced. When the drying operation that exhibits such a water-cooled dehumidifying function is completed, the draining operation of FIG. 4 is executed, the pump 43 is turned off and stopped, the third drain valve 40 is opened, and the water storage tank is opened. The water provided for water cooling in 39 is discharged out of the machine, and after a predetermined time, all drain valves 20, 21, 40 are closed and the entire operation is terminated.
[0036]
Thus, also in the present embodiment, the double wall (tank) configuration of the rotating tank 27 is used, and functions sufficiently as a water-cooled dehumidifying means in association with heat exchange with the exhaust gas through the outer tank 29 during the drying operation. In the same manner as in the first embodiment, it is possible to expect an efficient drying action with excellent dehumidifying performance. In particular, the water storage tank 39 for storing the water used during the washing operation is provided, and this water is reused for water cooling during the drying operation, so that it is very effective as a water-cooled cooling means that saves water. .
[0037]
Further, in this embodiment, new water (cold water) is always injected from the water cooling water supply path 38b in addition to the water in the water storage tank 39 for water cooling, so that the water cooling effect can be effectively maintained. However, when the capacity of the water storage tank 39 can be secured large, the water stored in the water storage tank 39 can be sufficiently used for water cooling, and replenishment of water from the water cooling water supply path 38b is unnecessary or a small amount. It can be expected to further save water.
[0038]
In the present embodiment, the water stored in the water storage tank 39 is circulated and poured, so that the contact with the outer peripheral surface of the outer tub 29 can be improved unlike the contact in the stagnant state, and the water can be cooled well. It is advantageous for exhibiting a dehumidifying function.
However, the means for reusing water for water cooling by providing the water storage tank 39 in the present embodiment can be variously changed. For example, instead of the circulating water injection, the second drain valve 21 is closed to close the water tank 16 and the outside. The water in the water storage tank 39 is pumped up and stored between the tanks 29 by the pump 43 and can be easily used as a water-cooled cooling means similar to the so-called first embodiment. The operation of the pump 43 and the like can be easily controlled by the control device 15.
[0039]
In addition, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and shown in the drawings. For example, an air-cooled dehumidifying function is added to the water-cooled dehumidifying function to further improve the dehumidifying performance. Various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention, such as a configuration in which the embodiments are appropriately combined.
[0040]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, in the present invention, the rotating tub disposed in the water tub and storing the laundry is disposed in the inner tub having a large number of through holes on the peripheral wall and the outer side thereof through the gaps and is only permeable to the upper part. It is composed of an outer tank having holes, and during the drying operation, hot air is circulated and supplied into the water tank, and water is injected between the water tank and the outer tank to cool the outer peripheral surface of the outer tank. I made it.
As a result, after the warm air supplied into the water tank contributes to drying, it moves to the gap between the inner tank and the outer tank as exhaust air, where the outer peripheral surface is cooled by the heat exchange action. Water is cooled and dehumidified from the exhaust. Therefore, washing and drying that can function effectively as a water-cooled dehumidifying means, and that the exhausted air that has been dehumidified is efficiently warmed again, the drying action is promoted, and the drying time can be shortened. Can provide a machine.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal side view showing a schematic configuration of the entire washing / drying machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a time chart for explaining an operation during a drying operation. FIG. 1 equivalent diagram showing an example [FIG. 4] FIG. 2 equivalent diagram [FIG. 5] FIG.
11 is a main body, 15 is a control device, 16 is a water tank, 20 is a first drain valve, 21 is a second drain valve, 24 is an overflow pipe, 27 is a rotating tank, 28 is an inner tank, 29 is an outer tank, 35 is a discharge passage, 36 is a hot air circulation passage, 37 is a hot air generator, 37a is a blower, 37b is a heater, 38 is a water supply valve, 38b is a water cooling water supply passage, 39 is a water storage tank, and 40 is a third drainage. Valves and 43 indicate pumps.

Claims (3)

A water tank with an open upper surface capable of storing water, a rotating tank with an open upper surface for washing and drying laundry contained in the water tank, a lower end communicating with the lower part of the rotating tank, The end is formed in communication with the upper part of the water tank and is provided with a warm air circulation path having a warm air generator in the middle, in which washing and drying operations are sequentially performed,
The rotary vessel, and the inner tub having a plurality of holes in the peripheral wall, as well as configuration and an outer tub having only the through hole upper disposed via a gap on the outside, the bottom of the outer vessel before Symbol It is configured to communicate with the lower part of the hot air circulation path,
During the drying operation, water is injected between the water tank and the outer tank to cool the outer peripheral surface of the outer tank, and hot air and heat moved from the inner tank to the outer tank side through the cooled outer tank. A washer-dryer characterized in that it was replaced. The bottom of the water tank is provided with a first drain valve that communicates with the inside of the rotating tank, and a second drain valve that communicates between the water tank and the outer tank,
The washing / drying machine according to claim 1, wherein water poured between the water tank and the outer tank can be stored during the drying operation. Establish a water storage tank to store the water used during washing operation,
The washing / drying machine according to claim 1, wherein water in the water storage tank is poured between the water tank and the outer tank during the drying operation.

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