JP4020820B2 - Washing and drying machine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a washing / drying machine provided with a drying function.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art A washing / drying machine is known in which a drying function is provided in a washing machine and washing and drying are arbitrarily selected and washing to drying are automatically performed. As shown in FIG. In addition, a drying function is provided.
[0003]
In FIG. 5, an outer tub 3 that is supported by a suspension 2 in an anti-vibration manner is disposed in a housing 1, and an inner tub 4 that is provided with a stirring blade 6 at the bottom is disposed in the outer tub 3. The stirring blades 6 are individually driven to rotate by the motor 8 by driving switching by the clutch 9. Open the outer lid 63 provided at the top of the housing 1, open the inner lid 65 provided on the outer tub cover 64 that closes the upper opening of the outer tub 3, and put laundry and detergent into the inner tub 4, The washing process can be performed by pouring water into the inner tub 4 and rotating the stirring blade 6 by the motor 8. When the washing process is finished, the water in the inner tub 4 is drained, and then the motor 8 rotates the inner tub 4 to discharge water contained in the laundry from the small holes formed in the peripheral wall of the inner tub 4 by centrifugal force. A dehydration process is performed. When the dehydration process is completed, the washing process is completed by performing a rinsing process of water injection, stirring, drainage, and dehydration.
[0004]
In order to be able to carry out a drying process in addition to this washing process, an air circulation path is formed which leads from the inner tub 4 to the outer tub 3 and then returns to the inner tub 4 through the heat exchanger 12, the blower 18 and the heater 19. Has been. When the warm air heated by the heater 19 is fed into the inner tub 4 by the blower 18 while stirring the laundry by the stirring blade 6, the hot air deprived of moisture from the laundry is passed through the small hole of the inner tub 4. 3 and passing through the heat exchanger 12, the hot air containing moisture is dehumidified due to moisture condensation due to cooling. Since the dehumidified air is heated again through the heater 19 by the blower 18 and is fed into the inner tub 4, the laundry is dried by repeating this air circulation.
[0005]
When the washing machine is provided with a drying function as described above, the outer tub cover 64 and the inner lid 65 that close the upper opening of the outer tub 3 have a dehumidifying performance from the laundry when hot air leaks out. Since the drying time is prolonged and the drying time is prolonged, airtightness is required so that the hot air does not leak out, and heat resistance is required so that deformation is not caused by the hot air having a high temperature. In order to improve the airtightness and heat resistance, either one of the outer tub cover 64 and the inner lid 65 is formed of a metal material, or the outer surface of the inner lid 65 is formed of a resin material and the inner surface is formed of a metal material. Is known (see Patent Document 1).
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-300195 (pages 2 to 4, FIG. 2)
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
A configuration in which one or a part of the outer tub cover or inner lid is formed of a metal material as in the prior art is an effective means for ensuring airtightness and heat resistance. As the weight increases, the center of gravity of the outer tub that is float-supported by the suspension and the inner tub accommodated in the outer tub moves upward, and the vibration when rotating the inner tub to dehydrate the laundry increases. Therefore, there is a problem that the number of rotations of the inner tank is limited, and the dehydration time becomes long.
[0008]
In addition, there are many requests from users that the state of the laundry being washed, dehydrated, or dried can be seen, but in the conventional example, it is easy to see the laundry contained in the inner tub. could not.
[0009]
The present invention was devised in view of the above problems, and allows the state of the laundry in the inner tub to be easily observed from the outside and increases the number of revolutions of the inner tub for dehydration to shorten the dehydration time. An object of the present invention is to provide a washing and drying machine that can be used.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an anti-vibration support for an outer tub that opens upward in a casing in which an outer lid is provided so as to be openable and closable at a clothing input port that opens upward, and the upper tub is disposed upward in the outer tub. inner tank for opening is rotatably disposed, the warm air to feed Kyusuru warm-air blow port in the outer tub wherein the tank to the outer tank cover for closing the opening of is formed, the inner to the outer tub cover An inner lid is provided for opening and closing an opening formed so as to communicate with the inside of the tub, and the outer tub is fed into the inner tub from the hot air outlet to take away moisture from the laundry. An exhaust port for leading the air that has entered the outer tub from the small hole formed in the peripheral surface to the outside is formed, and the exhaust port is connected to the hot air outlet through a heat exchanger, a circulation fan, and a heater. drying a washing and drying machine comprising forming a circulation path of the air by, the outer lid in transparent material Thereby forming Te, the outer tub cover formed by polypropylene and the addition amount of talc is increased than usual, said inner lid, the area can confirm the state of the contained laundry in said tank A transparent window formed of polyethylene naphthalate, and a window frame formed of polypropylene having the same composition as the outer tank cover and fixing the peripheral edge of the transparent window between the upper frame and the lower frame from above and below. By pulling up from the outer tank cover with a handle provided at one end, it is pivotally supported by a hinge structure formed of a resin material provided at the other end, and the hinge structure is in a position where the inner lid is closed, It is configured to be held at each of the open positions, and an O-ring is fitted between the transparent window and the window frame, so that airtightness between the transparent window and the window frame is maintained. In addition, a packing made of an elastic material is attached to the inner lid, so that when the inner lid is closed, the packing is arranged in close contact with the peripheral edge of the opening of the outer tub cover so as to be freely opened and closed. It is characterized in that the airtightness by the inner lid is maintained .
[0011]
According to the washing and drying machine having the above-described configuration, the outer tub cover that closes the upper opening of the outer tub is formed of polypropylene with an increased amount of talc than usual, and the inner lid provided on the outer tub cover is A transparent window formed of polyethylene naphthalate having an area where the state of the laundry stored in the inner tub can be confirmed, and a peripheral portion of the transparent window formed of polypropylene having the same composition as the outer tub cover It is composed of a window frame that is sandwiched and fixed between the upper frame and the lower frame from above and below, so that the state of the laundry during the washing operation or the drying operation can be observed, and the outer lid is made of a transparent material. Since it is formed, the state of the laundry during the dehydration operation can be observed from the outside. Further, the inner cover is formed of resin, since weight reduction due to the hinge structure and outer tub cover in addition to the Re This also formed in the resin is achieved, the outer tub and the inner tub housed in it is supported by a suspension such as The center of gravity does not move upward, enabling high-speed rotation during dehydration and improving dewatering performance. Further, in the washing and drying machine having a circulation path for dehumidification and heating as in the above configuration, the outer tub cover is formed of polypropylene with an increased amount of talc added during the drying process. The lid consists of a transparent window made of polyethylene naphthalate and a window frame made of polypropylene of the same composition as the outer tank cover, and is lifted from the outer tank cover with a handle provided at one end. It is pivotally supported by a hinge structure provided at the end and formed of a resin material. The hinge structure is configured so that the inner lid is held in a closed position and an open position, and between the transparent window and the window frame. Is fitted with an O-ring to maintain airtightness between the transparent window and the window frame, and a packing made of an elastic material is attached to the inner lid, Since the airtightness is maintained by the inner lid that the packing is in close contact with the peripheral edge of the opening of the outer tub cover and can be freely opened and closed, it does not deform even when exposed to high temperatures during drying. The top opening of the tank can be sealed, and the airtightness between the transparent lid and the window frame can be maintained. Furthermore, when the inner lid is closed, it opens and closes closely to the peripheral edge of the top opening of the outer tank cover. Since the airtightness by the freely arranged inner lid can be maintained, it is possible to prevent the problem that the hot air leaks to the outside and the drying ability is reduced.
[0012]
In the above configuration, polyethylene naphthalate is a suitable resin material because of its excellent heat resistance and transparency as the transparent resin forming the inner lid or a part thereof.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings to provide an understanding of the present invention. The following embodiment is an example embodying the present invention, and does not limit the technical scope of the present invention. In addition, the same reference numerals are given to components common to the conventional configuration.
[0014]
FIG. 1 shows an overall configuration of a washing / drying machine according to the present embodiment, in which a drying function is provided in addition to washing and dehydrating functions. The outer tub 3 disposed in the housing 1 is supported by a vibration-proof structure that is elastically suspended by a plurality of suspensions 2, and is configured to be able to absorb vibration during dehydration by the suspension 2. In this outer tub 3, an inner tub 4 having a stirring blade 6 disposed at the bottom is disposed. The stirring wing 6 and the inner tub 4 provide rotation of a motor 8 attached to the bottom of the outer tub 3 with a clutch 9. These are individually driven to rotate.
[0015]
The upper opening of the outer tub 3 is closed by an outer tub cover 11 provided with an inner lid 13 so that the inner lid 13 can be opened and closed. A water supply port (not shown) is provided at a parallel position. Further, a drain port 21 and an exhaust port 22 are provided at the bottom of the outer tub 3, and the drain port 21 is configured so that water in the outer tub 3 can be discharged to the outside through a drain valve 26.
[0016]
The exhaust port 22 forms a circulation path for drying air, and the warm air fed from the warm air outlet 20 into the inner tub 4 takes away moisture from the laundry in the inner tub 4. Air containing moisture that has come into the outer tub 3 from a small hole (not shown) formed in the peripheral surface of the tub 4 is led out. The exhaust port 22 is connected to the heat exchanger 12 via a lower bellows hose 23 and a circulation path switching valve 24, and the heat exchanger 12 is connected to the upper bellows hose 17 via an air duct 35 provided with a circulation fan 18 and a heater 19. Since it is connected to the hot air outlet 20, a circulation path for the drying air is formed by the air blown by the circulation fan 18.
[0017]
The upper portion of the housing 1 is closed by a housing cover 15 provided with an outer lid 14 that can be opened and closed. An operation panel (not shown) is provided on the outer surface of the housing cover 15, and operation information from the operation panel is obtained from the housing. Washing and drying operations are performed by being input to the control device 10 disposed in the cover 15 and controlling each part by the control device 10. Open the outer lid 14, open the inner lid 13, put the laundry into the inner tub 4, set a washing course, a drying course, or a course that continues from washing to drying from the operation panel, and further wash conditions Alternatively, when the drying condition is selected, the control device 10 automatically executes the washing process and the drying process by control according to the set and selected contents.
[0018]
FIG. 2 shows a control circuit configuration by the control device 10. The control device 10 includes a control means 40 constituted by a microcomputer, a motor drive circuit 41 for supplying control power to the motor 8, a heater 19, and a circulation fan 18. , A power switching means 42 for switching control of the clutch 9, the circulation path switching valve 24, the drain valve 26, etc., a notification means 45 for acoustic notification of setting input or abnormal state, a storage means 46 for storing information necessary for the control operation, a motor A rotational speed detecting means 47 for detecting the rotational speed of 8, a cloth amount detecting means 48 for detecting the amount of laundry accommodated in the inner tub 4, and a power supply circuit 50 for supplying operating power to the motor 8 and the control circuit. It is prepared for. The control means 40 receives the detection output from the water amount detection means 49 that detects the amount of water in the inner tank 4 and the setting information from the setting input means 43 that is an operation button provided on the operation panel. In addition, a setting input state, an abnormal state, and the like are displayed on an operation display unit 44 provided on the operation panel. By connecting the power cord to the power outlet, the washing / drying machine is connected to the AC power source 51, the power switch 52 is turned on by operating the power button provided on the operation panel, and the control circuit is energized. The system is ready for operation.
[0019]
In the washing process, the outer lid 14 and the inner lid 13 are opened, the laundry and the detergent are put into the inner tub 4, and setting input for carrying out washing or drying subsequent to washing is performed from the operation panel, and the washing course is selected. And / or select a drying course. When an operation start input is made by the start button, the control device 10 connects the motor 8 to the stirring blade 6 by the clutch 9 and rotates the stirring blade 6 to determine the amount of laundry put in by the cloth amount detecting means 48. Then, a water supply valve (not shown) is opened to supply water into the inner tub 4 to a predetermined water level corresponding to the amount of laundry. When the water is supplied to a predetermined water level, the washing operation of stirring the laundry and water by rotating the stirring blade 6 by the motor 8 is performed.
[0020]
When the washing process is completed, the drain valve 26 is opened to drain the water in the inner tub 4 and the outer tub 3 to the outside, the motor 8 is connected to the inner tub 4 by the clutch 9, and the inner tub 4 is rotated by the rotation of the motor 8. Rotating drive, separating the moisture contained in the laundry by centrifugal force, dewatering is carried out into the outer tub 3 through a small hole formed in the inner tub 4, and the drain valve 26 is opened to remove the dehydrated water Discharge to the outside. After the dehydration operation is performed, the drain valve 26 is closed, the water supply valve is opened to supply water into the inner tub 4, the stirring blade 6 is rotated to stir the laundry, and the inner tub 4 is rotated to dehydrate. Is performed to remove detergent components contained in the laundry.
[0021]
When the setting is made to continue the drying process after the washing process is completed, the drain valve 26 is closed, the circulation path switching valve 24 is opened to form the air circulation path, and the stirring blade 6 is set to the normal position. A drying operation of energizing the heater 19 and the circulation fan 18 to circulate air through the circulation path while performing an agitation operation to peel off the laundry stuck to the peripheral wall of the inner tub 4 by dehydration by rotating and reversing the rotation operation. Executed.
[0022]
The warm air heated by the heater 19 by the air blown from the circulation fan 18 is fed into the inner tub 4 through the upper bellows hose 17 and the warm air outlet 20 to evaporate moisture from the stirred laundry. When moisture containing air exits from the small hole formed in the peripheral surface of the inner tank into the outer tank 3 and passes through the heat exchanger 12 through the exhaust port 22, the lower bellows hose 23, and the circulation path switching valve 24, The exchanger 12 is air-cooled by a blower (not shown) and / or cooled by jetting water into the heat exchanger 12, thereby causing moisture condensation and dehumidifying. The dehumidified air is sent again toward the heater 19 by the circulation fan 18, and the warm air heated by the heater 19 is sent again into the inner tank 4. The laundry is dried by this air circulation.
[0023]
When washing, dehydration, and drying processes are performed as described above, there are many user requests to check the state of the laundry in each process, and in response to this, the washing and drying machine according to the present embodiment has an outer lid. 14 is formed of a transparent resin, and a part of the inner lid 13 is formed of a transparent resin so that the laundry in the inner tub 4 can be observed from the outside. The desire to check the condition of the laundry is not only to observe the operation of the washing / drying machine, but there is also a request to modify the laundry in the process at the discretion of the user according to the progress of the process. . For example, the washing / drying machine according to the present embodiment is provided with a function of switching the drying temperature between high and low depending on the type of laundry, and it is possible to set a drying course in which delicate clothing such as a blouse or a langery is dried at a low temperature. is there. Since clothes such as gym clothes and bath towels are not wrinkled, they dry at a high temperature, so the inner lid 13 is locked so as not to open by a lid lock mechanism. 13 can be opened so that the progress of drying can be observed from the transparent inner lid 13, and if there is dry laundry, the inner lid 13 can be opened and taken out. Become. In addition, since the power consumption for drying increases, it becomes a convenient function even when the progress of the drying process is observed, the laundry that has been dried to some extent is taken out, and then dried in the sun. .
[0024]
3 and 4 show the configuration of the resin outer tub cover 11 and the resin inner lid 13, and the hinge structure is attached to the outer tub cover 11 attached to the outer tub 3 so as to seal the upper opening thereof. An inner lid 13 is attached by 37 so as to be freely opened and closed.
[0025]
The outer tank cover 11 has a hot air outlet 20 for supplying warm air into the inner tank 4 and a water supply port 16 for supplying water into the inner tank 4, and is closed by an inner lid 13. Reinforcing ribs 38 are formed to compensate for a decrease in strength due to the formation of an opening that opens into the inner tank 4 to be formed. The outer tub cover 11 is made of polypropylene in which the amount of talc added is increased more than usual in order to obtain heat resistance against heat during the drying process. Due to this material and structure, deformation is not caused even when exposed to high temperatures during drying, and the upper opening of the outer tub 3 is sealed so that warm air does not leak to the outside and the drying capacity is not reduced.
[0026]
The inner lid 13 has a window frame 28 formed of polypropylene having the same composition as the outer tank cover 11 at the peripheral edge of the transparent window 27 formed of polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), which is a heat-resistant transparent resin material. It is fixed by sandwiching from above and below. As shown in FIG. 4, the window frame 28 includes an upper frame 28 a and a lower frame 28 b, and a convex portion formed on the peripheral portion of the transparent window 27 is fitted in a concave portion formed on each inner peripheral side. Since the O-ring 71 is fitted in the recess of the upper frame 28a, the upper frame 28a and the lower frame 28b are fixed with screws at a plurality of locations, so that the engagement structure is combined. And airtightness is improved. The inner lid 13 can be opened by a hinge structure 37 provided at the other end by holding the handle 36 provided at one end and pulling it up from the outer tank cover 11. The hinge structure 37 is configured to be clicked at a position where the inner lid 13 is closed or opened, and the closed position and the opened position are maintained. Further, a packing 70 made of an elastic material is attached to the peripheral edge of the lower frame 28b. When the inner lid 13 is closed, the packing 70 is in close contact with the peripheral edge of the upper opening of the outer tank cover 1 and can be freely opened and closed. The airtightness by the arranged inner lid 13 is maintained.
[0027]
Since most of the outer tub cover 11 and the inner lid 13 including the hinge structure 37 are formed of a resin material, the weight can be reduced. Even if the upper opening of the outer tub 3 is closed by the outer tub cover 11 provided with the inner lid 13, the center of gravity of the outer tub 3 and the inner tub 4 included in the outer tub 3 does not move upward due to weight reduction. Even if the dehydrating operation of rotating the tank 4 at high speed is performed, the occurrence of vibrations in the outer tank 3 that is floatingly supported by the suspension 2 is suppressed, and the dehydrating time can be shortened.
[0028]
In the above configuration, the inner lid 13 is partially formed on the transparent window 27, but the entire surface thereof can also be formed transparent. Although the state of the laundry accommodated in the inner tub 4 can be sufficiently confirmed even with the area of the transparent window 27 shown in FIG. 3, the visibility is surely improved when the entire surface is formed transparent. However, since polyethylene naphthalate, which is a transparent heat-resistant material, is more expensive than a general resin material, any configuration is considered in consideration of manufacturing man-hours, design, etc. when the window frame 28 is provided. This is a preferable choice.
[0029]
The outer lid 14 can be formed using a transparent resin material such as polycarbonate, which is widely used, because the thermal effect and airtightness during drying are not important.
[0030]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, a part of the inner lid is formed of a heat-resistant transparent resin, and the outer lid is also formed of a transparent material, so that the state of the laundry in each process of washing, dehydration, and drying can be determined. It can be easily confirmed from the outside, and the user can modify the desired state in each process that is automated according to the state of the laundry.
[0031]
The present invention, the inner cover is formed of resin, since the hinge structure and outer tub cover in addition to the Re this also formed of resin, the center of gravity of the inner tub housed outer tub and to this was supported by a suspension It can be set low, enabling high-speed rotation during dehydration and improving dehydration performance.
[0032]
Furthermore, the present invention relates to a washing and drying machine having a circulation path for dehumidification and heating, and in the drying process, the outer tub cover is formed of polypropylene with an increased amount of talc added than usual. Is composed of a transparent window formed of polyethylene naphthalate and a window frame formed of polypropylene of the same composition as the outer tank cover, and the other end is lifted from the outer tank cover with a handle provided at one end. The hinge structure is supported by a hinge structure formed of a resin material, and is configured to be held in the closed position and the open position of the inner lid, and between the transparent window and the window frame. The O-ring is fitted to maintain the airtightness between the transparent window and the window frame, and the inner lid is closed by attaching a packing made of an elastic material to the inner lid. Since the airtightness is maintained by the inner lid that is placed in close contact with the peripheral edge of the opening of the outer tub cover so that it can be opened and closed, there is no deformation even when exposed to high temperatures during drying. The upper opening can be sealed, and the airtightness between the transparent lid and the window frame can be maintained, and when the inner lid is closed, it can be opened and closed in close contact with the peripheral edge of the upper opening of the outer tank cover. Since the airtightness due to the arranged inner lid can be maintained, it is possible to prevent the problem that the hot air leaks to the outside and the drying ability is reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the overall configuration of a washing / drying machine according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control circuit configuration in the washer / dryer.
FIG. 3 is a plan view showing configurations of an outer tank cover and an inner lid according to the embodiment.
4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 3 showing the configuration of the outer tank cover and the inner lid of the above.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a washing / drying machine according to a conventional technique.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Housing | casing 3 Outer tank 4 Inner tank 6 Stirring blade 8 Motor 10 Control apparatus 11 Outer tank cover 12 Heat exchanger 13 Inner lid 14 Outer lid 18 Circulating fan 19 Heater 27 Transparent window 28 Window frame

Claims (1)

An outer tub that opens upward is supported in an anti-vibration manner in a housing that is provided with an outer lid that can be opened and closed freely at a clothing inlet that opens upward, and an inner tub that opens upward is rotatably disposed in the outer tub. to close the opening portion of the outer tub wherein the warm air to feed Kyusuru warm-air blow port in the tank is formed in the outer tub cover, the outer tub wherein the formed opening so as to communicate the tank cover The outer tub is provided so as to be openable and closable , and the outer tub is supplied to the outer tub from the hot air outlet through the small tub formed in the peripheral surface of the inner tub. An exhaust port is formed to guide the air that has come out to the outside, and the exhaust port is connected to the hot air outlet through a heat exchanger, a circulation fan and a heater to form a circulation path for drying air. a washing and drying machine comprising Te, the outer lid so as to form a transparent material, the outer tub cover It is formed of polypropylene with an increased amount of talc added than usual, and the inner lid is an area where the state of the laundry stored in the inner tub can be confirmed and is formed of polyethylene naphthalate A window and a window frame that is formed of polypropylene having the same composition as the outer tank cover and fixes the peripheral edge of the transparent window between the upper frame and the lower frame from above and below, and has a handle provided at one end. By pulling up from the outer tank cover, it is pivotally supported by a hinge structure provided at the other end and formed of a resin material, and the hinge structure is held in each of the closed position and the open position of the inner lid. The O-ring is fitted between the transparent window and the window frame, so that airtightness between the transparent window and the window frame is maintained, and the inner lid is made of an elastic material. Made packings that are attached, the packing that is airtight by inner lid arranged openably close contact with is held on the periphery of the opening portion of the outer tub cover when closing the inner lid A washing dryer characterized by.

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