JP4457857B2 - Washing and drying machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a washing / drying machine having a clothes drying function and a rotating drum having a rotation center axis in a horizontal direction or an inclination direction.

  Conventionally, a washing machine in which this kind of rotating drum rotates about the central axis in the horizontal or inclined direction can supply water up to the water level set in the water receiving tub, and can perform washing, rinsing, dehydration and drying. And a water level detecting means for detecting the water level, and an overflow drainage section for draining the overflow water when a certain level of water is exceeded.

  Moreover, the warm air generated by the warm air generating means is sent from a blower opening provided on the side surface of the water receiving tank so as to dry the clothes (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  5, 6 and 7 show a conventional washing machine, and its configuration will be described below. The rotating drum 1 is provided with a large number of water passage holes 2 on the entire outer periphery thereof and is rotatably disposed in the water receiving tank 3. A rotating shaft 4 is provided in the horizontal direction at the center of rotation of the rotating drum 1, and a motor 5 is connected to the rotating shaft 4 to rotate the rotating drum 1. Several protruding plates 6 are provided on the inner wall surface of the rotating drum 1.

  The water receiving tub 3 is suspended from the washing machine body 7 by a spring body 8 so as to be swingable. One end of the drainage connection hose 9 is connected to the lower part of the water receiving tub 3 and the other end of the drainage connection hose 9 is drained. The drainage hose 11 is connected to the other end side of the drainage pump 10 so as to drain the washing water in the water receiving tub 3. The drainage hose 11 connected to the drainage pump 10 is raised upward and once turned downward by 90 degrees or more at the height of the overflow surface 26. The water supply valve 12 supplies water into the water receiving tank 3.

  The blower fan 13, the heater 14, and the hot air blowing path 15 take in the air in the water receiving tank 3 from the hot air intake port 16 and blows air from the hot air blowing port 17. The water level detection means 18 detects the water level in the water receiving tank 3.

The control device 19 has a control means 20 constituted by a microcomputer, and controls the operations of the motor 5, the drainage pump 10, the water supply valve 12, the blower fan 13, the heater 14 and the like through the power switching means 21 to perform washing, A series of processes such as rinsing, dehydration, and drying are sequentially controlled. The input setting means 22 is for setting a driving course and the like. The control means 20 inputs information from the input setting means 22 and displays the display means 23 based on the information to notify the user. The commercial power supply 24 is connected and the power switch 25 is pressed to perform washing.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-201991

  However, in such a conventional washing machine, it is possible to accurately determine an abnormality of overflow that cannot occur during normal washing in the case of an abnormality such as a failure of a water supply valve or a water level detection means or a failure in their signal transmission path and the control part. It may disappear. In particular, the water level detection means is often composed of a precise pressure sensor for detecting pressure, and is liable to cause a sensing failure. In this way, when the water level rises to the overflow level, if the water supply capacity is higher than the drainage capacity of the overflow drainage section, water will leak into the electrical parts due to water leakage from the inlet, etc. There is a risk that it may lead to expansion damage.

  The drying function is provided with a hot air intake port above the water receiving tank and a hot air blowing port below the water receiving tank. This is because warm air accumulates at the top, so that the drying efficiency is increased by taking in air from above and blowing from below. However, it reaches a level that is almost equivalent to the overflow level where the air outlet is lowered as much as possible. This makes it easier for bubbles generated during washing to enter from the air outlet as the water level rises. Water containing detergent is prone to foam, and the foam also has high electrical conductivity due to the detergent components.If foam enters, it adheres to electrical components such as heaters and fan motors, resulting in corrosion or electrical short-circuits, resulting in malfunctions, etc. It leads to trouble.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and prevents bubbles generated during washing from adhering to the electrical part as well as during malfunctions of the water supply system and the water level detection means so as not to cause a failure or the like. The purpose is that.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a rotating drum having a central axis of rotation in a horizontal direction or an inclined direction, a water receiving tub containing the rotating drum and elastically supported by a washing machine body, and the water receiving tub. A water supply means for supplying water, a water level detection means for detecting the water level in the water receiving tank, an overflow drainage section that is provided on a side surface of the water receiving tank and guides the overflowing water that exceeds the overflow surface toward the drain valve, A drainage means for draining water in the water receiving tank, a hot air generating means for drying the laundry, a hot air blowing path for guiding the warm air into the water receiving tank, and provided on the side of the water receiving tank, A warm air blowing port for introducing warm air into the water receiving tank, and a first pair provided in the vicinity of the warm air blowing port of the warm air blowing path above the overflow surface and at the lower front of the water receiving tank. And an electrode above the overflow surface near the hot air generating means and the water receiver A second pair of electrodes provided at the lower part of the front surface, and a control means for controlling a series of washing operations, the water supply means, the water level detection means, the drainage means, the hot air generation means and the signals of the pair of electrodes. The control means is configured to detect bubbles between the first and second pairs of electrodes.

  In this way, further bubbles are prevented from entering so as not to adhere to electric parts such as a heater and a fan motor and to become a state of corrosion or electric short circuit.

  The washing machine of the present invention can prevent further bubbles from entering so that foam generated during washing adheres to electric parts such as a heater and a fan motor and does not become a state of corrosion or electrical short.

  A first invention is a rotating drum having a rotation center axis in a horizontal direction or an inclination direction, a water receiving tub containing the rotating drum and elastically supported by a washing machine body, and water supply for supplying water into the water receiving tub Means, a water level detection means for detecting the water level in the water receiving tank, an overflow drainage section that is provided on a side surface of the water receiving tank and guides the overflow water that exceeds the overflow surface in the direction of the drain valve, and A draining means for draining water, a warm air generating means for drying the laundry, a warm air blowing path for guiding the warm air into the water receiving tank, and a side surface of the water receiving tank, the warm air is provided in the water A hot air blowing port to be introduced into the receiving tank, a first pair of electrodes provided in the vicinity of the hot air blowing port of the hot air blowing path above the overflow surface and at the lower front of the water receiving tank, In the vicinity of the hot air generating means, the first is provided above the overflow surface and below the front surface of the water receiving tank. A pair of electrodes, a series of washing operations, the water supply means, the water level detection means, the drainage means, the hot air generation means and the control means for controlling the signal of the pair of electrodes, It is configured to detect bubbles between the pair of electrodes. By detecting bubbles with the electrodes, it adheres to electrical components such as heaters and fan motors, and no more bubbles to prevent corrosion or electrical shorting. Can be prevented from entering.

In the second aspect of the invention, the control means detects the bubbles between the first pair of electrodes and reduces the rotational speed of the rotating drum. It is possible to prevent further bubbles from entering so as not to adhere to electrical parts such as a fan motor and cause a state of corrosion or electrical short.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the control means stops the water supply means when detecting a bubble between the first pair of electrodes, and can suppress further increase of the bubble, and a heater or fan motor. It is possible to prevent the intrusion of further bubbles so as not to adhere to electrical parts such as corrosion and to be in a state of corrosion or electrical short.

In a fourth aspect of the present invention, when the control means detects bubbles between the first pair of electrodes , the control means lowers the number of rotations of the rotating drum and stops the water supply means, and thereafter bubbles are generated between the first pair of electrodes. When no longer detected, the rotational speed of the rotating drum is returned to the previous rotational speed and the water supply means is operated, and the foam can be erased by returning the strength of the agitation and detecting the foam by supplying water again. It can be determined that the bubble has not been detected by supplying water again, and it is possible to distinguish the next optimum operation because the bubble has been erased.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, when the control means detects bubbles between the second pair of electrodes, the drainage means is operated to drain the water in the water receiving tank. It is possible to prevent the intrusion of further bubbles so as not to adhere to electrical parts such as corrosion and to be in a state of corrosion or electrical short.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention, when the control means detects bubbles between the second pair of electrodes, the draining means is operated and the rotating drum is rotated for a predetermined time. It is possible to prevent the intrusion of further bubbles so as not to adhere to the electrical parts and to be in a state of corrosion or electrical short.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention , the control means is set so as not to be included in the washing time while rotating the rotating drum for a predetermined time while operating the drainage means when bubbles are detected between the second pair of electrodes. It is possible to prevent a decrease in cleaning power without reducing the actual operation time.

An eighth aspect of the invention, warm air generating means is composed of a blower fan and a heater provided in the hot air blowing path, the control means of the hot air generating means and detecting the bubble between the second pair of electrodes The blower fan and the heater are operated simultaneously or by the blower fan alone, and it is possible to obtain a bubble discharging effect and a bubble adhesion preventing effect by wind.

  In the ninth aspect of the invention, the control means operates the water supply means when no bubbles are detected between the second pair of electrodes. If the water is supplied again and the bubbles are detected, the bubbles can be erased. It can be determined that there is no bubble, and if the bubble is not detected again, the next optimum operation can be distinguished as the bubble can be erased.

In a tenth aspect of the invention, the control means rotates the rotating drum at a lower rotational speed than the rotational speed of the rotating drum during the washing operation even if no bubbles are detected between the second pair of electrodes. Thus, further increase of bubbles can be suppressed, and adhesion of electric bubbles such as heaters and fan motors can be prevented, and further invasion of bubbles can be prevented so as not to be in a state of corrosion or electric short circuit.

  In the eleventh aspect of the invention, in the rinsing process, the control means does not stop the water supply means even if a bubble is detected between the second pair of electrodes. It is possible to prevent further bubbles from entering so as not to adhere to electrical parts such as a fan motor and cause a state of corrosion or electrical short.

  In a twelfth aspect of the invention, the control means sets the detection accuracy between the second pair of electrodes to be higher than the detection accuracy between the first pair of electrodes. Even the second electrode having a low bubble concentration can be operated without erroneous detection.

  In a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the control means is configured such that the detection operation between the second pair of electrodes is performed after the detection between the first pair of electrodes is operated, and an error in intrusion of bubbles is caused. It can be operated without detection.

  Hereinafter, 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)
As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the rotary drum 31 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape, provided with a large number of water passage holes 32 on the entire outer periphery, and is rotatably disposed in the water receiving tank 33. . A rotation axis (rotation center axis) 34 is provided in the inclination direction at the rotation center of the rotary drum 31, and the axial center direction of the rotation drum 31 is inclined downward from the front side toward the back side. A motor 35 attached to the rear surface of the water receiving tank 33 is connected to the rotating shaft 34, and the rotating drum 31 is rotated in the forward and reverse directions. Several protruding plates 36 are provided on the inner wall surface of the rotating drum 31.

An opening provided in the upward inclined surface on the front side of the water receiving tub 33 is covered with a lid 37 so as to be freely opened and closed, and by opening the lid 37, the laundry can be taken in and out of the rotary drum 31 through the clothing entrance 38. ing. Since the lid body 37 is provided on the upward inclined surface, the laundry can be carried out without bending the waist.

  The water receiving tank 33 is suspended from a washing machine body 39 by a spring body (not shown) and a damper 41 so as to be swingable. One end of a drainage path 42 is connected to the lower part of the water receiving tank 33, and The other end is connected to a drain valve (drainage means) 43 to drain the washing water in the water receiving tank 33. The water supply valve (water supply means) 44 supplies water into the water receiving tank 33 through the water supply path 45. The water level detection means 46 detects the water level in the water receiving tank 33.

  In the present embodiment, a rotation shaft 34 is provided in the tilt direction at the rotation center of the rotary drum 31, and the axial center direction of the rotary drum 31 is inclined downward from the front side toward the back side. However, the rotating shaft 34 may be provided in the horizontal direction at the rotation center of the rotating drum 31, and the axial center direction of the rotating drum 31 may be disposed in the horizontal direction.

  The drying function includes a heater 47, a blower fan 48, and a hot air blowing path 49. A hot air intake port 50 for taking in air in the water receiving tank 33 is provided on the back of the upper surface of the water receiving tank 33, and a hot air blowing port 51 is provided. It is provided above the back surface of the washing machine main body 39, and the air in the water receiving tub 33 is heated and circulated in the direction of the arrow to dry the laundry. A first pair of electrodes 54 a provided in the lower front portion of the water receiving tank 33 and a second pair 54 b of the first pair of electrodes provided in the vicinity of the hot air blowing port 51 in the hot air blowing passage 49. One pair of electrodes 54 is provided, and one of the second pair of electrodes 72 a provided at the lower front of the water receiving tank 33 and a second pair provided near the blower fan 48 in the hot air blower passage 49. A second electrode 72 comprising the other electrode 72b is provided.

  The control device 56 is configured as shown in FIG. 3, and controls the operation of the motor 35, the drain valve 43, the water supply valve 44, the blower fan 48, the heater 47, etc., and a series of washing, rinsing, dehydrating and drying. A control means 57 comprising a microcomputer for sequentially controlling the stroke is provided. The control means 57 inputs information from the input setting means 58 for setting the driving course, etc., displays the information on the display means 59 based on the information, notifies the user, and starts the operation by the input setting means 58. Is set, the data from the water level detecting means 46 for detecting the water level in the water receiving tank 33 is input and the drain valve 43, the water supply valve 44, the blower fan 48, and the heater 47 are input via the load driving means 60. Control the operation of the washing, drying operation.

  At this time, the control means 57 controls the rotation of the motor 35 by controlling the inverter circuit 63 via the drive circuit 62 based on the information from the position detection means 61 that detects the position of the rotor of the motor 35. ing. Although the motor 35 is a direct current brushless motor, although not shown, the motor 35 is composed of a stator having a three-phase winding and a rotor having a two-pole permanent magnet disposed on the ring. The stator has a three-phase winding. The first winding 35a, the second winding 35b, and the third winding 35c to be configured are wound around an iron core provided with a slot.

  The inverter circuit 63 is composed of a switching element composed of a parallel circuit of a power transistor (IGBT) and a reverse conducting diode. A series circuit of a first switching element 63a and a second switching element 63b, a series circuit of a third switching element 63c and a fourth switching element 63d, and a fifth switching element 63e and a sixth switching element 63f A series circuit is configured, and the series circuit of each switching element is connected in parallel.

Here, both ends of the series circuit of the switching elements are input terminals, connected to a DC power source, and output terminals are respectively connected to connection points of two switching elements constituting the series circuit of the switching elements. The output terminal is connected to the U terminal, V terminal, and W terminal of the three-phase winding, and the U terminal, V terminal, and W terminal are connected by the on / off combination of two switching elements constituting the series circuit of the switching element. The three states are positive voltage, zero voltage, and release, respectively.

  The on / off of the switching element is controlled by the control means 57 based on information from the three position detection means 61a, 61b, 61c comprising Hall ICs. The position detection means 61a, 61b, 61c are arranged on the stator so as to face the permanent magnets of the rotor at an electrical angle of 120 degrees.

  During one rotation of the rotor, the three position detectors 61a, 61b, 61c each output a pulse at an electrical angle of 120 degrees. The control means 57 detects when the signal state of any of the three position detection means 61a, 61b, 61c changes, and based on the signals of the position detection means 61a, 61b, 61c, the switching elements 63a-63f. By changing the on / off state, the U terminal, the V terminal, and the W terminal are brought into three states of positive voltage, zero voltage, and release, and the first winding 35a, the second winding 35b, and the third winding of the stator. The coil 35c is energized to generate a magnetic field, and the rotor is rotated.

  The switching elements 63a, 63c, and 63e are each controlled by pulse width modulation (PWM), for example, by controlling the energization ratio of high and low at a repetition frequency of 10 kHz to control the rotational speed of the rotor. The control means 57 detects the cycle every time the signal state of any of the three position detection means 61a, 61b, 61c changes, calculates the rotational speed of the rotor from that period, and sets it to the set rotational speed. The switching elements 63a, 63c, and 63e are PWM-controlled.

  The current detection means 64 includes a resistor 65 connected to one input terminal of the inverter circuit 63 and a current detection circuit 66 connected to the resistor 65, detects the input current value of the inverter circuit 63, and outputs the output. This is input to the control means 57. When the motor 35 is a direct current brushless motor, the torque is substantially proportional to the input current. Therefore, the torque of the motor 35 is detected by detecting the input current value of the inverter circuit 63 by the current detection circuit 66 connected to the resistor 65. can do.

  The cloth amount detection means 67 detects the amount of laundry in the rotary drum 31 and is rotated by a signal from the current detection circuit 64 when the rotary drum 31 is raised to a predetermined rotation speed (for example, 200 r / min). The amount of laundry in the drum 31 is detected.

  The commercial power supply 24 is connected to the inverter circuit 63 via a DC power supply conversion device including a diode bridge 68, a choke coil 69, and a smoothing capacitor 70. However, this is an example, and the configuration of the DC brushless motor 35, the configuration of the inverter circuit 63, and the like are not limited thereto.

  The first pair of electrodes 54 and the second pair of electrodes 72 are connected to a resistance value determination circuit 70. Further, the resistance between the pair of electrodes is calculated in the water / bubble detecting means 71 in the control means 57 by comparing with the reference resistance in the resistance value determining circuit, and the water / bubble is determined. At this time, the resistance value between the pair of electrodes is about 100 kΩ to 500 kΩ in the case of bubbles, and 1 MΩ or more in the case of nothing.

  Next, with respect to the washing machine configured as described above, the operation and action when water and foam are detected by the first and second pairs of electrodes during washing will be described with reference to FIG.

  Washing is started (step 101), and if the resistance value (step 102) between the first pair of electrodes 54 is 500 kΩ or more, it is determined that there is no bubble between the electrodes, and the normal sequence (step 103) If the washing operation is performed and the washing operation is continued for a predetermined time, the washing is finished (step 104).

  If the resistance value is less than 500 kΩ in step 102, it is determined that bubbles exist between the electrodes, and the defoaming sequence (step 106) when the bubbles are abnormal is entered.

  Here, the defoaming sequence (step 106) stops the water supply operation immediately when bubbles are detected by the electrode, and weakens the stirring operation such as changing the time limit of stirring or lowering the rotation speed of the rotating drum. That is.

  Thereafter, the resistance value between the first electrodes 54 is measured again (step 107), and if it is 500 kΩ or more, it is determined that the erasing of the foam is completed, and the washing operation of the normal sequence (step 103) is resumed.

  If the resistance value measured in step 107 is less than 500 kΩ, the resistance value between the second electrodes 72 is measured (step 108). If it is 1 MΩ or more, the defoaming sequence in step 106 is performed. If it is less than 1 MΩ in step 108, it is determined that a large amount of bubbles are present, and waterless stirring (step 109), which is an operation for eliminating bubbles, is performed.

  Here, the waterless agitation (step 109) starts drainage and rotates the rotating drum to promote the elimination of bubbles on the draft surface, and at the same time, bubbles are extracted from the clothing. Moreover, it is to erase the bubbles by drying the surface while blowing the bubbles by operating the fan.

  When the water in the tank gradually drains and the drainage is completed to a predetermined water level, the operation of the rotating drum and the fan is operated for a predetermined time, and the resistance value between the second electrodes 72 is measured again (step 110). If it is determined that the erasing of the foam has been completed, water is supplied to the previous water level, and the stirring operation is weaker than usual (step 111), and the washing is finished (step 104).

  If it is determined in the measurement of step 110 that bubbles cannot be erased at less than 1 MΩ, the waterless stirring in step 109 and the measurement in step 110, which are bubble elimination operations, are repeated N times a predetermined number of times (step 112). If it cannot be erased, it is determined that it is impossible, and the washing is finished (step 104), and the process proceeds to the next step (step 105).

  In the fan operation of step 109, even if the fan operation is performed intermittently, it is possible to eliminate bubbles or dry the surface, and it is possible to reduce power consumption by performing the operation intermittently. Further, after draining to a predetermined water level, it is possible to obtain a further bubble erasing effect by operating the fan for a certain period of time.

  In each step, since the bubble concentration near the second electrode 72 is lower than the bubble concentration near the first electrode 54, the detection level of the second electrode 72 is raised from the detection level of the first electrode 54. Yes.

  The detection of the second electrode 72 is set so as to be detected after the detection operation of the first electrode 54, and erroneous detection due to condensation or the like can be prevented.

  As described above, when foam is detected between the first and second electrodes during washing, it is determined from the resistance value in each case so that the generated foam does not adhere to the electrical part and cause a failure or the like. I have to.

As described above, the washing machine according to the present invention can detect bubbles between electrodes in a washing machine having a rotation center axis in a horizontal direction or an inclined direction, and can prevent an increase in bubbles. It is useful as a washing machine or the like having a prevention means that can protect parts.

Side sectional view of the washing and drying machine in Embodiment 1 of the present invention Rear view of the washer / dryer Circuit block diagram of the washer / dryer Main part operation flowchart of the washing and drying machine Side sectional view of a conventional washing machine Perspective view of a conventional washing machine with a part cut away Block diagram of a conventional washing machine

31 Rotating drum 33 Water receiving tank 39 Washing machine body 43 Drain valve (drainage means)
49 Hot air blowing route 51 Hot air blowing port 55 Overflowing water surface

Claims (13)

A rotating drum having a central axis of rotation in a horizontal direction or an inclined direction; a water receiving tank containing the rotating drum and elastically supported by a washing machine body; water supply means for supplying water into the water receiving tank; A water level detecting means for detecting the water level in the tank, an overflow drainage section provided on a side surface of the water receiving tank for guiding the overflowed water exceeding the overflow surface toward the drain valve, and a draining means for draining the water in the water receiving tank A warm air generating means for drying the laundry, a warm air blowing path for guiding the warm air into the water receiving tub, and a side surface of the water receiving tub, and introducing the hot air into the water receiving tub. In the vicinity of the hot air blowing port, in the vicinity of the hot air blowing port of the hot air blowing path, above the overflow surface and in the lower part of the front surface of the water receiving tank, and in the vicinity of the hot air generating means A second pair of electrodes provided above the overflow surface and below the front surface of the water receiving tank And a control means for controlling a series of washing operations, the water supply means, the water level detection means, the drainage means, the hot air generation means, and a signal of a pair of electrodes, wherein the control means includes the first and second ones. A washer-dryer configured to detect bubbles between the pair of electrodes. 2. The washing / drying machine according to claim 1, wherein the control means reduces the rotational speed of the rotating drum when detecting bubbles between the first pair of electrodes. The washing / drying machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control means stops the water supply means when detecting bubbles between the first pair of electrodes. Control means, the rotation of the water supply means with the detecting bubbles between the first pair of electrodes lowers the rotational speed of the rotary drum is stopped, no longer detects bubbles between subsequent said first pair of electrodes washing and drying machine of claim 1 wherein to work the water supply means with return to the rotation speed before lowering the rotational speed of the drum. The washing and drying according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein when the control means detects bubbles between the second pair of electrodes, the drainage means is operated to drain the water in the water receiving tank. Machine. The washing and drying machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control means rotates the rotating drum for a predetermined time while operating the drainage means when bubbles are detected between the second pair of electrodes. The control means does not include the washing time while rotating the rotating drum for a predetermined time while operating the drainage means when bubbles are detected between the second pair of electrodes. The washing dryer according to item 1. Hot air generating means is composed of a blower fan and a heater provided in the hot air blowing path, the control means, the blowing fan and the heater of the hot air generating means and detecting the bubble between the second pair of electrodes The washing and drying machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the air dryer is operated simultaneously or by the blower fan alone. The washing / drying machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the control means operates the water supply means when no bubbles are detected between the second pair of electrodes. The control means rotates the rotating drum at a rotational speed lower than the rotational speed of the rotating drum during a washing operation even when foam is no longer detected between the second pair of electrodes. The washing dryer according to any one of the above. The washing / drying machine according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the control means does not stop the water supply means in the rinsing process until the second pair of electrodes detect bubbles. The washing and drying according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the control means increases the detection accuracy between the second pair of electrodes more than the detection accuracy between the first pair of electrodes. Machine. The washing means according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the control means operates so that the detection operation between the second pair of electrodes is performed after the detection between the first pair of electrodes is operated. Dryer.

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