JP4396486B2 - Drum type washer / dryer - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a drum-type washing and drying machine that sequentially controls each process such as washing, rinsing, dewatering, and drying in a rotating drum having a rotation center axis in a substantially horizontal direction or an oblique direction.

  Conventionally, this type of drum-type washing and drying machine is configured as shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the configuration will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a water receiving tub 3 is supported in a main body 1 by a plurality of suspensions (not shown) and a damper 2, and an opening 4 of the water receiving tub 3 is opened and closed by a door (not shown). The rotating drum 5 is rotatably disposed in the water receiving tank 3. The rotating drum 5 is driven by a motor 6, and a large number of through holes 7 and baffles 8 are provided in the rotating drum 5. The washing water supply valve 9 supplies water into the water receiving tank 3, and the cooling water supply valve 10 supplies cooling water and is provided in the main body 1. A drain port 11 is provided in the water receiving tank 3, and the drain port 11 communicates with a drain path 13 via a drain pump 12.

  The blower 14 blows air into the water receiving tank 3 through the blower hose 15. The heater 16 communicates with the blower 14, and the water receiver tank 3 and the blower 14 communicate with each other by the heat exchanger 17 and the blower hose 15. A series of drying circulation dehumidification paths are configured by the cooling water hose 18 directly connected to the cooling water supply valve 10 and opened to the heat exchanger 17 (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

The operation in the above configuration will be described. When the laundry is put into the rotating drum 5 and the washing process is started, the washing water supply valve 9 is opened to supply water into the water receiving tank 3 to a predetermined water level. Next, the rotating drum 5 rotates at about 50 r / min, and the loaded laundry is lifted up by the baffle 8 and repeatedly falls, and is washed by the detergent water and the impact force when dropped onto the water surface. When the washing process ends, the drainage pump 12 is driven to drain the washing water through the drainage path 13. When drainage is completed, the rotating drum 5 is rotated at a high speed of about 1000 r / min to perform dehydration. When the dehydration process is completed, the process proceeds to the drying process.

  In the drying process, as in the washing process, the rotating drum 5 is driven to stir the laundry in the rotating drum 5, and hot air heated by the blower 14 and the heater 16 is applied to the clothes in the rotating drum 5 from the outlet 15. Spray and heat and evaporate moisture contained in clothing. Further, the high-temperature air containing steam is sent into the heat exchanger 17 through the exhaust hose 17a, and the cooling water supplied into the heat exchanger 17 from the cooling water supply valve 10 through the cooling water hose 18. And is dehumidified by cooling and heat exchange. Further, the dehumidified air is heated again by the heater 16 and sent to the rotary drum 5 to dry the clothes. This forms a series of drying cycles.

In such a configuration, the yarn waste generated from the laundry during the drying process is likely to accumulate on the exhaust hose 17a, and when performing an operation to remove the yarn waste accumulated on the exhaust hose 17a, The amount of water supply in the rinsing process is increased, water is also allowed to enter the exhaust hose 17a below the water receiving tank 3, and the lint attached to the exhaust hose 17a due to the water flow generated by the rotation of the rotating drum 5 in the rinsing process Wash away. Furthermore, when the blower 14 is driven in accordance with this operation, the water level fluctuates due to the wind pressure, and the scattering of water increases, so that lint and the like are easily washed away.
JP 11-333185 A

  However, in order to improve the drying function in the drum type laundry dryer, in order to exhaust the air containing moisture from the laundry stored in the rotating drum and supply the dry warm air uniformly to the laundry, It is preferable that the exhaust from the receiving tank is on the upper side of the water receiving tank, and the air blowing into the water receiving tank is on the lower side of the water receiving tank. In such a drying function configuration, the exhaust port opens to the upper side of the water receiving tank, and the dehumidifying means is provided in the pipe line communicating therewith, thereby providing a compact and highly efficient dehumidifying means. In addition, the configuration in which the yarn waste and the like attached to the dehumidifying means is washed away by the water supply control or the air blowing control in the rinsing process as disclosed in the prior art cannot be applied.

  The object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and to provide a drum-type washing and drying machine provided with a compact dehumidifying means with high drying efficiency and effectively remove lint etc. adhering to the dehumidifying means. It is an object of the present invention to provide a drum-type washing and drying machine provided with a configuration for the above.

In order to achieve the above object, the drum type washing and drying machine of the present invention comprises a rotating drum having a plurality of through holes in a peripheral wall and formed in a cylindrical shape and having a rotating shaft in a horizontal direction or an inclined direction, and a main body. A water receiving tub that is elastically supported inside and encloses the rotating drum, a motor that rotationally drives the rotating drum, water supply means for supplying washing water into the water receiving tub, and a washing in the water receiving tub A draining means for draining water, a blowing means for sending wind into the rotating drum, a heating means for heating the wind blown by the blowing means located between the blowing means and the rotating drum, and a plate And a dehumidifying means comprising cooling water supply means for supplying cooling water to the heat exchange member and air discharged between the water receiving tank and the rotating drum from the through hole of the rotating drum. Dehumidifying means from the receiving tank, blower , A circulation path for blowing air again through the heating means, and the motor, water supply means, drainage means, blower means, heating means, cooling water supply means, etc., to control washing, rinsing, dehydration, drying, etc. And a control means for performing each of the steps, and a heat exchange member accommodation chamber containing the heat exchange member is provided adjacent to the upper part of the peripheral surface of the water receiving tank, and the side peripheral wall of the water receiving tank is An exhaust port communicating with the heat exchange member accommodation chamber is provided, and either one of the upper end edge and the lower end edge of the exhaust port is positioned radially outward with respect to the other, and the control means is at least in the rinsing process, A rinse water supply control operation for controlling the water supply means to supply water into the water receiving tub, and a heat exchange member for controlling the motor to rotate the rotating drum at a rotational speed faster than a first predetermined rotational speed in the washing process. Run the purification operation and the rotation direction of the rotary drum during the heat exchange member cleaning operation, which end edge located radially outwardly of the upper and lower edges of the exhaust port was set to the upstream side It is.

As a result, exhaust from the water receiving tank is on the upper side of the water receiving tank, and ventilation to the inside of the water receiving tank is on the lower side of the water receiving tank. With the configuration in which one of the upper edge and the lower edge is positioned radially outward with respect to the other, the rotating drum has a diameter between the upper edge and the lower edge of the exhaust port in the water receiving tank supplied with water. When the edge side located on the outer side of the water is rotated so that the upstream side becomes the upstream side, the water in the water receiving tank rotates on the inner surface of the side peripheral wall in the water receiving tank as the rotating drum rotates. From the edge side located at the edge, water enters the heat exchange member accommodation chamber vigorously through the exhaust port, and the lint generated from the laundry in the drying process adheres to the heat exchange member, the inner wall of the heat exchange member accommodation chamber, etc. , It can be washed away by the water Come, it is possible to prevent the deterioration of the drying function by adhering deposition of such lint.

In particular, in the rinsing process, water can surely enter the heat exchange member accommodation chamber through the exhaust port, so that the attached yarn waste is reliably washed away by the entered water, It is possible to prevent the drying function from being deteriorated due to adhesion and deposition.

In order to achieve the above object, the drum type washing and drying machine of the present invention comprises a rotating drum having a plurality of through holes in a peripheral wall and formed in a cylindrical shape and having a rotating shaft in a horizontal direction or an inclined direction. A water receiving tank that is elastically supported in the main body and encloses the rotating drum, a motor that rotationally drives the rotating drum, a water supply means for supplying washing water into the water receiving tank, and the water receiving tank Draining means for draining the washing water, blowing means for sending wind into the rotating drum, heating means for heating the wind blown by the blowing means located between the blowing means and the rotating drum, A dehumidifying means comprising a plate-like heat exchange member and a cooling water supply means for supplying cooling water to the heat exchange member, and air discharged between the water receiving tank and the rotating drum from the through hole of the rotating drum. Dehumidifying means from the water receiving tank, A circulation path for blowing air again into the water receiving tank through the air means and the heating means, and the motor, the water supply means, the drainage means, the air blowing means, the heating means and the cooling water supply means to control washing, rinsing, dehydration, And a control means for performing each process such as drying, and a heat exchange member accommodation chamber containing the heat exchange member is provided adjacent to the upper part of the peripheral surface of the water receiving tank, and a side peripheral wall of the water receiving tank An exhaust port communicating with the heat exchange member housing chamber is provided, and either one of the upper end edge and the lower end edge of the exhaust port is positioned radially outward with respect to the other, and the control means starts the washing process Sometimes, a water supply control operation for controlling the water supply means to supply water to a second predetermined water level lower than a first predetermined water level, which is a standard water level for executing a washing process in the water receiving tub, and controlling the motor First predetermined in the washing process A foam generating operation for rotating the rotating drum at a rotational speed faster than a rotational speed, and the rotational direction of the rotating drum at the time of the foam generating operation is located radially outside the upper end edge and the lower end edge of the exhaust port. The end edge side is the downstream side.

As a result, during the foam generation operation, if the rotation direction of the rotary drum rotates so that the edge side located radially outside of the upper end edge and the lower end edge of the exhaust port is on the downstream side, the generated detergent foam is heated. Intrusion into the exchange member housing chamber can be prevented, and by having the function of cleaning the foam, the cleaning performance can be improved by cleaning the foam without impairing the drying function.

  The drum type washing and drying machine of the present invention can improve the drying function, and in the drying process, lint generated from the laundry adheres to the heat exchange member, the inner wall of the heat exchange member accommodation chamber, and the like. In the rinsing process, the attached water yarn waste and the like can be washed away effectively, and thus the drying function can be prevented from being lowered due to the adhesion and accumulation of yarn waste and the like.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rotating drum having a cylindrical shape with a plurality of through holes in a peripheral wall and having a rotating shaft in a horizontal direction or an inclined direction, and a water receiver elastically supported in a main body and including the rotating drum. A tank, a motor for rotating the rotating drum, a water supply means for supplying washing water into the water receiving tank, a draining means for draining the washing water in the water receiving tank, and wind in the rotating drum. A blowing means for feeding, a heating means for heating the air blown by the blowing means located between the blowing means and the rotating drum, a plate-like heat exchange member and cooling water to the heat exchange member Dehumidifying means comprising cooling water supply means, and air discharged between the water receiving tank and the rotating drum from the through hole of the rotating drum again from the water receiving tank through the dehumidifying means, blowing means, and heating means. Circulation path to blow air into the water receiving tank And control means for controlling the motor, the water supply means, the drainage means, the air blowing means, the heating means, the cooling water supply means and the like to execute the respective steps such as washing, rinsing, dehydration, and drying, and the heat exchange member And a heat exchange member accommodation chamber adjacent to the upper portion of the peripheral surface of the water receiving tank, and an exhaust port communicating with the heat exchange member accommodation chamber is provided on a side peripheral wall of the water receiving tank. Rinse water supply in which either one of the upper end edge or the lower end edge is positioned radially outward with respect to the other, and the control means controls the water supply means to supply water into the water receiving tank at least in the rinsing process. Performing a control operation and a heat exchange member cleaning operation for controlling the motor to rotate the rotating drum at a rotational speed faster than a first predetermined rotational speed in a washing process, and performing the heat exchange member cleaning operation Rolling direction of rotation of the drum, by the end edge located radially outwardly of the upper and lower edges of the exhaust port was set to the upstream side, the rotating drum is evacuated by water supplied water receiving tank When the edge of the upper edge and the lower edge of the mouth that is positioned radially outward is turned upstream , the water in the water receiving tub moves along the inner surface of the side peripheral wall in the water receiving tub as the rotating drum rotates. At this time, the water vigorously enters the heat exchange member accommodation chamber through the exhaust port from the edge side located on the outer side in the radial direction, and is generated from the laundry in the drying process, and the heat exchange member and the heat exchange member accommodation chamber The lint etc. adhering to the inner wall and the like are washed away by the water that has entered, and it is possible to prevent the drying function from being deteriorated due to the accumulated accumulation of lint etc.

In particular, in the rinsing process, water can surely enter the heat exchange member accommodation chamber through the exhaust port, so that the attached yarn waste is reliably washed away by the entered water, It is possible to prevent the drying function from being deteriorated due to adhesion and deposition.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rotating drum having a cylindrical shape with a plurality of through holes in a peripheral wall and having a rotating shaft in a horizontal direction or an inclined direction, and a water receiver elastically supported in a main body and including the rotating drum. A tank, a motor for rotating the rotating drum, a water supply means for supplying washing water into the water receiving tank, a draining means for draining the washing water in the water receiving tank, and wind in the rotating drum. A blowing means for feeding, a heating means for heating the air blown by the blowing means located between the blowing means and the rotating drum, a plate-like heat exchange member and cooling water to the heat exchange member Dehumidifying means comprising cooling water supply means, and air discharged between the water receiving tank and the rotating drum from the through hole of the rotating drum again from the water receiving tank through the dehumidifying means, blowing means, and heating means. Circulation path to blow air into the water receiving tank And control means for controlling the motor, the water supply means, the drainage means, the air blowing means, the heating means, the cooling water supply means and the like to execute the respective steps such as washing, rinsing, dehydration, and drying, and the heat exchange member And a heat exchange member accommodation chamber adjacent to the upper portion of the water receiving tank side circumferential surface, and communicated with the heat exchange member accommodation chamber on the side peripheral wall of the water receiving tank.
An exhaust port is provided, and either the upper end edge or the lower end edge of the exhaust port is positioned radially outward with respect to the other, and the control means controls the water supply means at the start of the washing process. A water supply control operation for supplying water to a second predetermined water level lower than a first predetermined water level, which is a standard water level for executing a washing process in the water receiving tub, and a first predetermined rotation speed in the washing process by controlling the motor A foam generating operation for rotating the rotating drum at a faster rotational speed, and the rotational direction of the rotating drum at the time of the foam generating operation is an end located radially outside of the upper end edge and the lower end edge of the exhaust port. By setting the edge side to the downstream side, the rotation direction of the rotating drum is such that the edge side located radially outside of the upper end edge and the lower end edge of the exhaust port is the downstream side during the foam generation operation. Occurs when rotating It is possible to prevent the detergent bubbles from entering the indoor heat exchange member accommodated by having a function of foam cleaning, without drying function is impaired, it is possible to wash performance enhanced by Foaming.

In the third invention, in particular, the heat exchange member housing chamber of the first or second invention is provided with a heat exchange member above the exhaust port, and a substantially U-shaped path is formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the heat exchange member. In the drying process, in order to dehumidify the air having moisture, it is possible to dehumidify using the two surfaces of the upper surface and the lower surface of the heat exchange member, so that the dehumidifying performance is improved, Drying efficiency can be improved, and the heat exchanging path is formed in a substantially U shape with the heat exchanging member interposed therebetween, so that a compact configuration that effectively uses a limited space can be achieved.

In the fourth aspect of the invention, in particular, a communication port is provided in part of the side wall of the heat exchange member according to any one of the first to third aspects to connect the upper path and the lower path of the heat exchange member accommodating portion. The water flowing into the heat exchange member accommodating portion from the exhaust port vigorously flows through the upper path and the lower path of the dehumidifying means accommodating chamber via the communication port of the heat exchange member, so that the water stirring effect is increased, and the yarn Wastes and the like can be washed away more effectively.

In the fifth invention, in particular, the heat exchange member accommodation chamber of any one of the first to fourth inventions is formed integrally with the water receiving tank, and is from the exhaust port to the heat exchange member accommodation portion. The distance is shortened and water easily flows into the dehumidifying means accommodation chamber from the water receiving tank through the exhaust port, and the water flows in vigorously. Since there is no need for a connection portion with the exchange member accommodation chamber, there is no concern about water leakage from that portion.

Following, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a drum-type washing / drying machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a vertical step view of another part of the drum-type washing / drying machine.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the rotating drum 21 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape, and a large number of through holes 22 are provided on the entire outer peripheral portion, and are rotatably disposed in a water receiving tank 23. A rotary shaft 24 is provided in the tilt direction at the rotation center of the rotary drum 21, and the axial center direction of the rotary drum 21 is tilted downward from the front side toward the back side. A motor 25 attached to the back surface of the water receiving tank 23 is connected to the rotating shaft 24, and the rotating drum 21 is driven to rotate in the forward and reverse directions. Several protruding plates 26 are provided on the inner wall surface of the rotating drum 21.

  An opening provided on the upward inclined surface on the front side of the water receiving tub 23 is covered with a lid 27 so as to be freely opened and closed. ing. Since the lid 27 is provided on the upward inclined surface, the laundry can be carried out without bending the waist.

  The water receiving tank 23 is suspended from the main body 29 so as to be swingable by a spring body 30 and a damper 31, and a drain groove 23 a is provided at a lower portion of the water receiving tank 23 in a direction perpendicular to the rotation direction of the rotary drum 21. One end of the drainage path 32 is connected to the drainage groove 23a, and the other end of the drainage path 32 is connected to a drainage valve (drainage means) 33 so that the washing water in the water receiving tub 23 is drained. . The water supply valve (water supply means) 34 supplies water into the water receiving tank 23 through the water supply path 35. The water level detection means 36 detects the water level in the water receiving tank 23.

  In the present embodiment, the rotation shaft 24 is provided in the tilt direction at the rotation center of the rotary drum 21, and the axial center direction of the rotary drum 21 is inclined downward from the front side toward the back side. However, the rotating shaft 24 may be provided in the horizontal direction at the rotation center of the rotating drum 21, and the axial center direction of the rotating drum 21 may be disposed in the horizontal direction.

  2 and 3, the structure of the drying function will be described with a cross section different from that in FIG.

  In FIG. 2, the drying function includes a heater (heating means) 37, a blower fan (blower means) 38, and a fan case 39 that accommodates the heater 37 and the blower fan 38 therein. 29 is attached. In the water receiving tank 23, an exhaust port 40 for taking in air in the water receiving tank 23 is provided in the trunk portion of the water receiving tank 23, and a hot air blowing port 41 is provided on the back surface of the water receiving tank 23. The water receiving tank 23 is integrally provided with a heat exchange member accommodation chamber 42 so that one end communicates with the exhaust port 40, and the other end of the heat exchange member accommodation chamber 42 is connected to the first bellows hose 43 and the thread. It is connected to the intake end 39a of the fan case 39 via the waste collection filter 43b. On the other hand, the exhaust end 39b of the fan case 39 has a second bellows hose at the other end of the back surface air passage 44 provided integrally with the water receiving tank 23 so that one end communicates with the hot air blowing port 41 of the water receiving tank 23. 45 is connected. In addition, a back surface through hole 46 is provided on the back surface of the rotating drum 21 at a position corresponding to the hot air blowing port 41, and air from the warm air blowing port 41 is blown into the rotating drum 21. .

  A plate-shaped heat exchange member 47 is attached to the heat exchange member accommodation chamber 42 so as to be inclined downward from the front side to the rear side above the exhaust port 40. The member 47 is divided into a lower heat exchange member accommodation chamber 42a and an upper heat exchange member accommodation chamber 42b, and the lower heat exchange member accommodation chamber 42a and the upper heat exchange member accommodation chamber 42b are connected to the heat exchange member via a communication port 42c. 47 communicates on the lower end 47b side, and the path is substantially U-shaped. The cooling water supply valve (cooling water supply means) 48 supplies cooling water from the water supply cap 50 to the upper end portion 47a side of the heat exchange member 47 via the cooling water hose 49. The cooling water supply valve 48 and the cooling water The hose 49 and the water supply cap 50 constitute cooling water supply means. Further, in this configuration, the heat exchange member 47 is provided with a communication port 47e that communicates the lower heat exchange member accommodation chamber 42a and the upper heat exchange member accommodation chamber 42b away from the connection portion with the first bellows hose 43, The replacement member 47 is provided on the lower end 47 b side.

  In FIG. 3, the exhaust port 40 has an exhaust port upper end edge 40a and an exhaust port lower end edge 40b. The water receiving tank 23 is provided with a straight portion 23b partially above the upper end edge 40a of the exhaust port, so that the upper end edge 40a of the exhaust port is positioned radially outward from the lower end edge 40b of the exhaust port.

  In the present embodiment, in order to position the upper end edge 40a of the exhaust port in the radially outward direction from the lower end edge 40b of the exhaust port, a straight portion is partially above the upper end edge 40a of the water receiving tank 23. 23b is provided, but as a result, the structure is not limited to the above structure as long as the exhaust port upper edge 40a is located on the outer side in the radial direction from the exhaust port lower edge 40b.

The drum-type washing and drying machine having the above-described configuration is a washing process by a control operation by the control device 51,
A rinsing process, a dehydrating process and a drying process are performed.

  In addition, the drum type washing and drying machine of the present embodiment is configured so as to be able to carry out foam washing using detergent foam obtained by foaming water in which detergent is dissolved at a high concentration in the washing process. Hereafter, the required operation | movement of the drum type washing-drying machine 1 which becomes the said structure is demonstrated.

  FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the control device 51. The control means 52 constituted by a microcomputer displays on the display means 55 in accordance with a setting input such as selection of a driving course inputted from the setting means 54. The control command is output to the power switching unit 53 using the control program stored in the storage unit 56. The power switching unit 53 is configured by using a switching element such as an SCR, and the motor 25, the water supply valve 34, the drain valve 33, the heater 37, the blower fan 38, and the cooling water supply valve according to a control command output from the control unit 52. 48 etc. are ON / OFF controlled.

  The lid 27 is opened, the laundry is put into the rotary drum 21, a required amount of detergent is put into the detergent inlet connected to the water supply valve 34, and the power switch 58 is turned on, and the surface of the main body 29 is turned on. By selecting and inputting the driving course according to the type of laundry from the setting means 54 provided on the operation panel provided in the control panel 52 and inputting the start of driving, the control means 52 stores the control program corresponding to the setting input in the storage means 56. The control operation according to the control procedure is started. First, the control means 52 detects the amount of laundry by rotating the rotary drum 21. Since the cloth amount detection means 57 detects the amount of laundry from the load change received by the motor 25 according to the amount of laundry, the detected amount of laundry is input to the control means 52 and stored in the storage means 56. The

  First, a washing process is started, and water supply control and rotation control of the rotary drum 21 are executed in the washing process. The control means 52 opens the water supply valve 34 and outputs a control command for supplying water into the water receiving tank 23 to the power switching unit 53, and at the same time, provides a control command for rotating the rotary drum 12 at the first predetermined rotational speed. To 53. By this control operation, the water supply valve 34 is opened, tap water is supplied through the water supply path 35, and water mixed with detergent is supplied into the water receiving tank 23. In parallel with this water supply, the rotary drum 21 is rotationally driven by the motor 25 at the first predetermined rotational speed. The first predetermined rotation speed is when the laundry housed in the rotating drum 21 is lifted in the rotating direction by the rotation of the rotating drum 21 and moves to a height position where its own weight is greater than the inertia and centrifugal force associated with the rotation. It is a rotational speed which shows the behavior which falls on the lower inner peripheral surface of the rotating drum 21.

  Projecting plates 26 are provided at a plurality of positions on the inner peripheral surface of the rotating drum 21, and when the rotating drum 2 rotates at a predetermined speed, the projecting plate 26 rotates by hooking the laundry in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the rotating drum 21. Lift in the direction. Since the laundry falls when its own weight is lifted up to a height position superior to the inertia and centrifugal force accompanying rotation, the laundry accumulated in the rotating drum 21 is also lifted and moved one after another and falls from above. At the same time as the accumulated state is separated, the laundry is given a washing action by the impact of dropping. When the rotational speed is lower than the first predetermined rotational speed, the action of lifting the laundry does not occur, and conversely, the centrifugal force increases at a rotational speed faster than the first predetermined rotational speed. It will stick to and will not fall.

  Since water supply is continued in the water receiving tank 23 in parallel with the rotational driving of the rotating drum 21, a large number of water 22 supplied to the water receiving tank 23 is formed in the peripheral surface of the rotating drum 21. Also enters the rotary drum 21. Accordingly, the laundry that is repeatedly lifted and dropped by the rotating drum 21 rotating at the first predetermined rotation speed is uniformly wetted with water when dropped.

  The water level in the supplied water receiving tub 23 is detected by the water level detecting means 36 provided in the water receiving tub 23, and the water level becomes a second predetermined water level lower than the first predetermined water level for performing the washing operation. Since the water level detection means 36 inputs the detection output to the control means 52, the control means 52 outputs a control command for closing the water supply valve 34 and stopping the water supply to the power switching unit 53, so that the water supply is stopped.

  When water is supplied to the water receiving tank 23 up to the second predetermined water level, the control means 52 outputs a control command for rotating the rotary drum 21 to the motor 25 at a second predetermined rotational speed that is faster than the first predetermined rotational speed. Therefore, the rotary drum 21 is rotationally driven at the second predetermined rotational speed. The second predetermined rotation speed is a rotation speed such that the laundry is stuck to the inner peripheral surface of the rotary drum 21 by the centrifugal force accompanying the rotation of the rotary drum 21. When the rotary drum 21 is driven to rotate at the second predetermined rotation speed, a high-concentration detergent liquid in which detergent is mixed in a small amount of water supply generates a water flow and bubbles due to the rotation of the rotary drum 21. Easy state.

  Below, this bubble production | generation operation | movement is demonstrated.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a drainage groove 23a is formed at the bottom of the water receiving tank 23 in a direction orthogonal to the counterclockwise direction (arrow A direction) that is the rotation direction of the rotary drum 21, and the drainage groove 23a. Since the side walls of the crossing in the direction of the water flow (arrow B direction), turbulent flow (arrow C) is generated in the water flow by this side wall, and the washing water mixed with the detergent at a high concentration becomes foamed by the turbulent flow.

  In general, detergent molecules consist of hydrophilic groups and lipophilic groups. In detergent solutions that are dissolved in water, the detergent molecules are aligned at the interface (water surface), and the detergent molecules that are not aligned are present individually or as micelles (groups) in the water. To do. As soon as the interfacial detergent molecules are removed, the detergent molecules in the water move to the interface and are replenished. When bubbles generated by turbulent flow are sent to the detergent liquid, the bubbles rise to reach the interface, and detergent bubbles in a form in which the detergent molecules aligned with the interface are held in the foam film as they are are generated. Since the detergent foam has as many detergent molecules as possible, the detergent concentration is also high. Since the detergent molecules in the liquid move to replenish the detergent molecules removed as detergent bubbles, detergent bubbles are created one after another when bubbles are sent one after another.

  The detergent foam generated in large quantities fills and rises between the water receiving tub 23 and the rotating drum 21, and invades one after another into the rotating drum 21 from the open front side opening and adheres to the laundry. The laundry is stuck to the inner peripheral surface of the rotating drum 21 rotating at the second predetermined rotation speed, and detergent bubbles easily enter the space vacated in the center of the rotating drum 21, and washing is performed through the through holes 22. Since there is a state in which the detergent foam penetrates into the laundry, the detergent foam uniformly adheres to the laundry. The laundry is in a state of being evenly wetted by water due to the behavior of the rotary drum 21 being driven to rotate at the first predetermined rotational speed, and when detergent bubbles adhere to the laundry, the detergent components penetrate into the laundry. It becomes easy.

  When the detergent foam penetrates the surface or the interior of the soiled laundry, the lipophilic group is bound to the oil soil and the particle soil adhered to the oil and carried away. In addition, if the detergent foam breaks when passing through the laundry, a high concentration of detergent liquid will permeate into the laundry, and the dirt will be easily removed, so that the laundry can be washed with the detergent foam. . By making the detergent liquid into a detergent foam having a large volume and adhering and penetrating into the laundry in the rotary drum 21 in this way, the detergent component easily acts on the dirt, and the detergent liquid of high concentration is easily soaked and washing unevenness is caused. It is suppressed and the washing time can be improved and at the same time the washing time can be shortened.

After a sufficient amount of detergent foam has entered the rotating drum 21 and a time has elapsed in which the laundry is covered with the detergent foam, the control means 52 opens the water supply valve 34 and opens the water receiving tank 23. Since a control command for replenishing water is output to the power switching unit 53, the water supply valve 34 is opened and water supply is started. The water level in the supplied water receiving tank 23 is detected by the water level detection means 36, and when the first predetermined water level is detected, the water level detection means 36 outputs a detection output to the control means 52. With this control command, the water supply valve 34 is closed and the water supply is stopped.

  The first predetermined water level is a water supply amount corresponding to the amount of laundry, and is first detected by the cloth amount detection means 57 as described above, and the detected amount of laundry is stored in the storage means 56. Therefore, the water supply is stopped when the first predetermined water level that is the amount of water supply corresponding to the amount of laundry is detected.

  The control means 52 outputs a control command for rotating the rotary drum 21 at the first predetermined speed to the power switching unit 53 in accordance with the start of the replenishing water supply until the first predetermined water level is reached. The rotary drum 21 is rotationally driven at a first predetermined rotational speed. By rotating the rotary drum 21 at the first predetermined rotation speed, the laundry is lifted and dropped to be washed, and the rotation direction is switched between the normal rotation direction and the reverse rotation direction at predetermined time intervals. As a result, the detergent foam uniformly adheres to the dirt of the laundry covered with the detergent foam, and a washing operation over a predetermined time is performed with the wash water that has been replenished and supplied with the amount of water necessary for washing. When a predetermined time necessary for washing elapses, the control means 52 outputs a control command for stopping the rotation of the motor 25 to the power switching unit 53, so that the rotation of the rotary drum 21 is stopped and the washing process is completed.

  By carrying out foam washing in the washing process, the water receiving tub 23 is filled with detergent foam, and the rotating drum 21 rotates therein. There is a risk that detergent bubbles may enter even where you do not want the bubbles to enter. The place where the detergent bubbles are most likely to enter is a heat exchange member accommodation chamber 42 that communicates through an exhaust port 40 provided in the body portion of the water receiving tank 23. The heat exchange member accommodation chamber 42 is connected to the fan case 39 that accommodates the heater 37 and the blower fan 38 through the first bellows hose 43, and the detergent bubbles flowing into the heat exchange member accommodation chamber 42 are retained. Otherwise, the detergent foam may be sent into the fan case 39 by the air blow in the drying process. If the amount of the detergent foam inflow is large and the inflow continues, the lint collection on the way is recovered. It adheres to the filter 43b, the blower fan 38, etc. and obstructs the flow of drying air. Therefore, it is necessary to suppress the detergent foam from entering the heat exchange member accommodation chamber 42 from the water receiving tank 23.

  In the present embodiment, as a measure for preventing detergent bubbles from entering the dehumidifying duct 16 from the exhaust port 40, in the present embodiment, the heat exchange member accommodation chamber 42 opens into the water receiving tank 23. The exhaust port upper end edge 40a of the exhaust port 40 is positioned outward in the radial direction from the exhaust port lower end edge 40b. That is, during the foam generation operation, the rotation direction of the rotary drum 21 is in the direction of arrow A, so the detergent foam flow in the vicinity of the exhaust port 40 at that time flows from the lower end edge 40b of the exhaust port as indicated by arrow D. Since the detergent bubbles that have flown off flow down onto the side wall 23c on the extension of the upper end edge 40a of the exhaust port, the detergent bubbles are prevented from entering the dehumidifying conduit 16 from the exhaust port 40.

When the washing process is completed, the control means 52 opens the drain valve 33 and outputs a control command for draining the washing water in the water receiving tub 23 to the power switching unit 53, and then dehydrates the detergent liquid from the laundry on the rotary drum 21. A control command for rotationally driving at a fourth predetermined rotational speed that can be output is output to the power switching unit 53. A dehydrating operation is performed by rotating the rotating drum 21 at a high speed. Thereafter, the control means 52 opens the water supply valve 34 and outputs a control command for supplying water into the water receiving tank 23 to the power switching unit 53. By this control operation, when the water supply valve 34 is opened and tap water is supplied via the water supply path 35, the water level detection means 36 controls the detection output when the water level reaches the third predetermined water level for performing the rinsing operation. Therefore, the control means 52 outputs a control command for closing the water supply valve 34 and stopping the water supply to the power switching unit 53, so that the water to be stopped is supplied into the water receiving tank 23.

  Thereafter, the control means 52 moves the laundry housed in the rotary drum 21 to the height position where the laundry is lifted in the rotation direction by the rotation of the rotary drum 21 and the weight of the laundry is higher than the inertia and centrifugal force associated with the rotation. When this is done, a control command for rotationally driving the first drum at a first predetermined rotational speed indicating the behavior of falling on the lower inner peripheral surface of the rotating drum 21 is output to the power switching unit 53. Thereby, the rotary drum 21 is rotationally driven at the first predetermined rotational speed.

  While the rotary drum 21 is rotationally driven at the first predetermined rotational speed, the control means 52 controls the motor 25 to rotationally drive the rotary drum 21 at a third predetermined rotational speed that is faster than the first predetermined rotational speed. Therefore, the rotary drum 21 is rotationally driven at the third predetermined rotational speed. The third predetermined rotation speed is a rotation speed at which the laundry sticks to the inner peripheral surface of the rotation drum 21 due to the centrifugal force accompanying the rotation of the rotation drum 21, and the rotation direction is a clockwise direction (arrow E direction). .

  The water between the rotating drum 21 and the water receiving tank 23 flows as indicated by an arrow F by the rotating operation (heat exchanging member cleaning operation) at the third predetermined rotation speed in the arrow E direction of the rotating drum 21 in this rinsing process. . At this time, since the exhaust port upper end edge 40a of the exhaust port 40 is positioned radially outward from the exhaust port lower end edge 40b, the flow of water in the vicinity of the exhaust port 40 is the upper end of the exhaust port as indicated by the arrow G. The water flowing from the edge 40 a to the outside of the lower end edge 40 b of the exhaust port and flowing into the heat exchange member accommodation chamber 42 is obtained to fall on the heat exchange member 47 and the inner wall of the heat exchange member accommodation chamber 42. In addition, it is possible to wash away detergent bubbles adhering to the inner wall of the heat exchange member housing chamber 42, yarn waste generated from the laundry in the drying process described later, and the like.

  The water that has flowed into the heat exchange member accommodation chamber 42 includes detergent bubbles, lint, etc. washed away from a drain hole 59 provided on the bottom surface of the lower heat exchange member accommodation chamber 42a and communicating with the water receiving tank 23. It is returned to the water receiving tank 23 together.

  Further, since a communication port 47e for communicating the lower heat exchange member accommodation chamber 42a and the upper heat exchange member accommodation chamber 42b of the heat exchange member accommodation portion 42 is provided in a part of the side wall of the heat exchange member 47, the arrow H Thus, the inner wall of the upper heat exchange member accommodation chamber 42b can be cleaned. At this time, the communication port 47e is separated from the connection portion with the first bellows hose 43 and is provided on the lower end portion 47b side of the heat exchange member 47, and therefore does not flow into the yarn waste collection filter 43b or the blower fan 38.

  When this rinsing process is completed, the control means 52 opens the drain valve 33 and outputs a control command for draining the rinsing water in the water receiving tub 23 to the power switching unit 53, and then removes the rotating drum 21 from the laundry with the detergent liquid. A control command for rotationally driving at a fourth predetermined rotational speed that can be dehydrated is output to the power switching unit 53. And the spin-drying | dehydration process is performed by rotating the rotating drum 21 at high speed.

  After completion of the washing process, the rinsing process, and the dehydrating process, a drying process is executed to dry the dehydrated laundry or dry wet clothes.

  In the drying process, as shown by the white arrow, the air blown by the rotation of the blower fan 38 is heated to a predetermined temperature by the heater 37, and warm air is blown through the second bellows hose 45 and the rear blower path 44. Air is blown into the water receiving tank 23 from the mouth 41 and further blown into the rotary drum 21 from the back through hole 46. The heated hot air deprives moisture from the wet laundry in the rotating drum 21 and becomes hot air having moisture. Thereafter, the hot air having moisture passes through the through hole 22 from the inside of the rotating drum 21, is discharged to the water receiving tank 23, and is further blown from the exhaust port 40 to the heat exchange member accommodation chamber 42.

  At this time, the cooling water supply valve 48 is in the ON state, and the cooling water falls from the water supply cap 50 to the upper end 47a side of the heat exchange member 47, and the upper surface 47c of the heat exchange member 47 is moved as indicated by the broken line arrow. It flows and falls from the front end portion of the lower end portion 47b of the heat exchange member 47 to the lower heat exchange member accommodation chamber 42a side. Thereafter, the cooling water is discharged into the water receiving tank 23 through a drain hole 59 provided on the bottom surface of the lower heat exchange member accommodating chamber 42 a and communicating with the water receiving tank 23, and is discharged to the outside through the drainage path 32. The

  The wet warm air sent from the exhaust port 40 into the lower heat exchange member accommodation chamber 42 a of the heat exchange member accommodation chamber 42 first comes into contact with the lower surface 47 d of the heat exchange member 47. At this time, since the lower surface 47d of the heat exchange member 47 is also cooled by the cooling water flowing on the upper surface 47c of the heat exchange member 47, heat exchange is performed between the wet warm air and the lower surface 47d of the heat exchange member 47. The action is performed, and the wet warm air is dehumidified (first dehumidifying step).

  Further, the wet warm air is sent to the upper heat exchange member accommodating chamber 42b on the lower end 47b side of the heat exchange member 47 through the communication port 42c. The cooling water falling from the lower end 47b is rolled up and scattered, heat exchange is performed with the scattered cooling water, and the moist hot air is dehumidified (second dehumidifying step).

  Thereafter, the moist warm air is sent to the upper heat exchange member accommodation chamber 42b and comes into contact with the upper surface 47c of the heat exchange member 47 and the cooling water flowing therethrough. At this time, the direction in which the cooling water flows and the direction in which the wet warm air flows are opposed to each other. Thereby, the moist warm air is subjected to heat exchange action with the upper surface 47c of the heat exchange member 47 and the cooling water flowing therethrough, and the moist warm air is dehumidified (third dehumidification step).

  Thus, the humid hot air that has passed through the three dehumidifying steps of the first dehumidifying step, the second dehumidifying step, and the third dehumidifying step becomes air that has been efficiently cooled and dehumidified, and the first bellows hose 43, the lint collection The air is sent from the intake end 39a of the fan case 39 into the fan case 39 through the filter 43b and reaches the blower fan 38.

  Thereafter, the laundry is gradually dried by the air circulation as described above, and the drying process is finished after a predetermined time has elapsed or when the laundry reaches a predetermined dryness.

  In such a drying process, the lint generated and adhered from the laundry may adhere to the heat exchange member 47 or the inner wall of the heat exchange member accommodation chamber 42 before being collected by the lint collection filter 43b. Since the washing is performed by the heat exchange member washing operation in the above-described rinsing process, it is possible to prevent the yarn waste and the like from accumulating on the inner walls of the heat exchange member 47 and the heat exchange member accommodation chamber 42.

  In the present embodiment, the exhaust port upper edge 40a is positioned radially outward from the exhaust port lower edge 40b, but the exhaust port lower edge 40b is positioned radially outward from the exhaust port upper edge 40a. Thus, even if the rotation directions in the bubble generation operation and the heat exchange member cleaning operation are set in opposite directions, the same effect can be obtained.

  As described above, the drum type washing and drying machine according to the present invention can improve the drying function, and in the drying process, yarn waste generated from the laundry is removed from the heat exchange member and the heat exchange member storage chamber. Even if it adheres to the inner wall or the like, it can be effectively washed away in the rinsing process, so that it is possible to prevent the drying function from being lowered due to adhesion and accumulation of yarn waste etc. It is useful as a drum-type washing and drying machine that sequentially controls each process such as washing, rinsing, dewatering, and drying in a rotating drum having a rotation center axis in a direction or an oblique direction.

The longitudinal cross-sectional view of the drum type washing-drying machine of the 1st Embodiment of this invention Vertical view of different parts of the drum type washer / dryer Diameter direction sectional view of the water receiving tank and rotating drum of the drum type washing and drying machine The block diagram which shows the structure of the control apparatus of the drum type washing-drying machine Cross-sectional view of a conventional drum-type washing and drying machine

21 Rotating drum 22 Through hole 23 Water receiving tank 24 Rotating shaft 25 Motor 29 Main body 33 Drain valve (drainage means)
34 Water supply valve (water supply means)
37 Heater (heating means)
38 Blower fan (Blower unit)
39 Fan case (air flow path)
40 Exhaust port (air flow path)
40a Exhaust port upper edge 40b Exhaust port lower edge 40b
42 Heat exchange member storage chamber (circulation path)
43 1st bellows hose (circulation route)
44 Rear ventilation path (circulation path)
45 Second bellows hose (circulation route)
47 Heat exchange member 48 Cooling water supply valve (cooling water supply means)

Claims (5)

A rotating drum having a plurality of through holes in a peripheral wall and formed in a cylindrical shape and having a rotating shaft in a horizontal direction or an inclined direction, a water receiving tank elastically supported in a main body and containing the rotating drum, and the rotating drum A water driving means for supplying washing water into the water receiving tank, a draining means for draining the washing water in the water receiving tank, and an air blowing means for sending air into the rotating drum. A heating means that is located between the blowing means and the rotating drum and that heats the air blown by the blowing means; a plate-like heat exchange member; and a cooling water supply means that supplies cooling water to the heat exchange member Dehumidifying means, and air exhausted between the water receiving tank and the rotating drum from the through hole of the rotating drum is again blown from the water receiving tank into the water receiving tank through the dehumidifying means, blowing means, and heating means. The circulation path to be Control means for controlling the water supply means, the drainage means, the air blowing means, the heating means, the cooling water supply means, etc. to execute each step such as washing, rinsing, dehydration, drying, etc., and the heat accommodated in the heat exchange member An exchange member accommodation chamber is provided adjacent to the upper portion of the water receiving tank side peripheral surface, an exhaust port communicating with the heat exchange member accommodation chamber is provided on a side peripheral wall of the water receiving tank, and an upper end edge of the exhaust port is provided. Rinsing water supply control operation that is configured to position either one of the lower end edges radially outward with respect to the other , the control means, at least in the rinsing process, to control the water supply means to supply water into the water receiving tank, A heat exchanging member cleaning operation for controlling the motor to rotate the rotating drum at a rotational speed faster than a first predetermined rotational speed in a washing process, and rotating the rotating drum during the heat exchanging member cleaning operation. Direction, the drum type washing and drying machine edge side which is located radially outside of the upper and lower edges of the exhaust port was set to the upstream side. A rotating drum having a plurality of through holes in a peripheral wall and formed in a cylindrical shape and having a rotating shaft in a horizontal direction or an inclined direction, a water receiving tank elastically supported in a main body and containing the rotating drum, and the rotating drum A water driving means for supplying washing water into the water receiving tank, a draining means for draining the washing water in the water receiving tank, and an air blowing means for sending air into the rotating drum. A heating means that is located between the blowing means and the rotating drum and that heats the air blown by the blowing means; a plate-like heat exchange member; and a cooling water supply means that supplies cooling water to the heat exchange member Dehumidifying means, and air exhausted between the water receiving tank and the rotating drum from the through hole of the rotating drum is again blown from the water receiving tank into the water receiving tank through the dehumidifying means, blowing means, and heating means. The circulation path to be , Comprising water supply means, drainage means, air blowing means, controlled by washing the heating means and cooling water supply means or the like, rinsing, dehydration, and control means for executing the respective steps such as drying
A heat exchange member accommodating chamber accommodating the heat exchange member is provided adjacent to the upper portion of the water receiving tank side peripheral surface, and an exhaust port communicating with the heat exchange member accommodating chamber is provided on a side peripheral wall of the water receiving tank. And the control means is configured to position one of the upper edge and the lower edge of the exhaust port radially outward with respect to the other, and the control means controls the water supply means at the start of a washing process to control the water receiving tank. A water supply control operation for supplying water to a second predetermined water level lower than a first predetermined water level, which is a standard water level for executing a washing process, and a rotational speed faster than a first predetermined rotational speed in the washing process by controlling the motor The foam generating operation for rotating the rotating drum is performed, and the rotational direction of the rotating drum at the time of the foam generating operation is such that the edge side located radially outside of the upper end edge and the lower end edge of the exhaust port is the downstream side drum, which was set to Washing and drying machine. The drum-type laundry according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the heat exchange member accommodation chamber is configured such that the heat exchange member is provided above the exhaust port, and an upper surface and a lower surface of the heat exchange member form a substantially U-shaped path. Dryer. The drum-type washing / drying machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a communication port for communicating the upper path and the lower path of the heat exchange member housing portion is provided in a part of the side wall of the heat exchange member . The drum-type washing and drying machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the heat exchange member accommodation chamber is formed integrally with the water receiving tank .

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