JP4653770B2 - Drum type washer / dryer - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a drum-type washing and drying machine that includes a mist generating device and supplies mist to laundry such as dried clothes to reduce wrinkles that have entered the clothes.

  Conventionally, in the drying process, the rotating drum containing the laundry such as clothes is rotated at a high speed, and the laundry is dried while sticking to the inner wall of the rotating drum. It is inevitable that wrinkles enter clothing, and it is necessary to add trouble to stretch the wrinkles when hanging such clothes on a hanger, etc. there were.

  Therefore, recently equipped with a mist generating device that generates mist consisting of fine droplets, introducing mist into a rotating drum containing clothing, etc., and washing and drying to reduce static electricity and wrinkles that entered clothing etc. in the drying process For example, an apparatus having a configuration as shown in Patent Document 1 below is known.

  In the washing / drying machine 40 disclosed in Patent Document 1, as shown in FIG. 9, an outer tub 42 elastically suspended in a housing 41, and a laundry disposed rotatably in the outer tub 42. An inner tub 43 for storing the air, an air blowing means 44 (circulation fan) for blowing warm air into the inner tub 43, a heating means 45 for heating the air blown by the air blowing means 44, and a heat exchanger. And a warm air circulation path 46 that circulates the warm air by the blower means 44, and the spray device 47 warms the inner tank 43 through the heating means 45 (heater) of the warm air circulation path 46 (hot air supply path). It is provided in the vicinity of the wind supply port 48 and is configured to spray mist into the warm air circulation path in the drying process. And it is supposed that the static electricity which generate | occur | produces when clothes are stirred in a drying process can be removed, the discomfort to the human body by static electricity can be eliminated, and the wrinkles of the clothes after drying can be reduced.

  Moreover, in recent washing and drying machines, “Ag course” that can attach metal ions (for example, Ag ions) having antibacterial and antibacterial effects to laundry can be selected. In the final rinsing step in the rinsing process, the water from which the metal ions produced by the ion eluting device are eluted is fed into the rotating drum via the water supply path or the air supply path. The laundry is rinsed by being diluted with water which is supplied to the rotary drum through a separate detergent container. Then, by drying the laundry, sterilization and antibacterial effects are imparted to the laundry.

  Furthermore, the washing / drying machine is equipped with an ion elution unit that elutes metal ions in the water that is the source of mist, mists the water from which metal ions are eluted, and sprays the water on the laundry for antibacterial treatment. For example, one having a configuration as shown in Patent Document 2 below is known.

  In the washing / drying machine 50 disclosed in Patent Document 2, as shown in FIG. 10, a sealed drying chamber 51 (rotary drum) in which an object to be dried is placed, and a dehumidifying means 52 (mist) for dehumidifying the air in the sealed drying chamber 51. A generation device 53), a mist generation device 53 that generates mist sprayed on a drying target in the hermetic drying chamber 51, and an ion elution unit 54 that elutes metal ions into water that is a source of mist. ing. When drying the laundry after finishing the washing, rinsing and dewatering steps, the inside of the rotating drum functions as a hermetic drying chamber 51. The air in the sealed drying chamber 51 is sucked into the circulation duct 55 by a blower 56 provided in the middle of the circulation duct 55, warmed by the heater 57, and blown into the sealed drying chamber 51 again. The warm air deprived of moisture from the laundry comes into contact with the dehumidified water in the cooling chamber 58 provided in a part of the circulation duct 55 and is dehumidified. It is the mist generating device 53 that sprays the dehumidified water. The mist generating device 53 is configured to mist the metal ion water that has passed through the ion elution unit 54 in the drying process and spray it onto the laundry to perform antibacterial treatment.

JP 2003-311067 A JP 2006-141579 A

  The mist generated by the mist generator varies in characteristics such as buoyancy and surface tension (wetting) depending on the particle size. That is, an ultrafine mist having a particle size of less than 10 μm is also called a dry mist and is extremely fine, and thus has a high surface tension and high floating property, but has low wettability when attached to an object. ing. Fine mist having a particle size of 10 to 50 μm is also called wet mist, and has a relatively large particle size compared to the dry mist described above, and thus has a low surface tension and high wettability when attached to an object. have. A relatively coarse mist having a particle size of more than 50 μm has properties close to water droplets.

  Among these, wet mist with excellent wettability can reduce wrinkles such as clothes in the drying process while adhering to clothes that are laundry and moistening the laundry efficiently. Filling the rotating drum tank with mist containing a large amount of wet mist is important in obtaining the effect of reducing wrinkles such as clothing. In addition, when the mist generated by the mist generating device is introduced to the place where the clothing is placed, it should not be collided with the pipe wall of the introduction pipe line as much as possible, that is, condensed and lost to the pipe wall. It is important to efficiently send many mists to the place where the clothes are placed.

  The washing and drying machine disclosed in Patent Document 1 lacks such a viewpoint, and therefore, it has not always been possible to efficiently reduce wrinkles such as clothes, and to dry and deodorize.

  Moreover, in the washing / drying machine 40 disclosed in Patent Document 1, the air blowing means 44 is disposed on the upstream side of the heating means 45 so as to face the spraying device 47, and the hot air generated by the air blowing means 44 is sprayed. It is configured to directly hit the device 47. Therefore, although a part of the mist sprayed from the spraying device 47 reaches the clothes in the inner tub 43 as it is, most of the other impacts on the inner wall surface 46a of the hot air circulation path 46, and most of the mist is condensed on the inner wall surface 46a. After being lost as water droplets, the water reaches the inner tank 43. In this washing / drying machine 40, negative ions are generated by the crushing effect when the mist collides with the inner wall surface 46a, and the static neutralizing effect can be enhanced. However, most of the mist sprayed from the spray device 47 is used. Has disappeared in the middle and does not reach the clothes in the inner tub 43, and it is difficult to wet the clothes and effectively reduce wrinkles.

  Further, in the washing / drying machine 50 disclosed in Patent Document 2, mist consisting of minute water droplets from which metal ions are eluted in the drying process is sprayed on the laundry, but the metal ions generated by the mist generating device 53 are used. Since the mist contained therein is introduced into the hermetic drying chamber 51 through the long circulation duct 55 and through the blower 56 and the heater 57 provided in the middle of the circulation duct 55, most of the mist is included in the circulation duct. It will disappear in the middle of 55. Therefore, it is difficult for the washing / drying machine 50 to efficiently spray the mist containing metal ions on the laundry and effectively reduce wrinkles, and the antibacterial effect due to the metal ions cannot be sufficiently exhibited. Patent Document 2 discloses an embodiment in which the mist generating device is disposed near the outlet of the circulation duct. In this embodiment, the injection nozzle of the metal ion elution device is far away from the mist generating device. It is arranged in the middle of the circulation duct, and the water itself from which the metal ions are eluted hardly reaches the mist generating device.

  In a conventional washer / dryer, after the mist generated in the mist generating device is fed into the rotating drum and the “wrinkle spreading process” of the laundry is performed, the water supply to the water reservoir of the mist generating device is stopped. And left as it was. For this reason, when the water stored in the water reservoir is not removed for a long period of time, mold and fungi may propagate in the water. Then, when such mold and fungus-grown water is used in the washing process when the washing and drying machine is operated next, there is a problem that moldy odor remains on the clothes after washing and drying. In order to prevent this, it is conceivable to forcibly remove the water stored in the water reservoir after the “wrinkle spreading process” of the laundry. It is necessary to provide a mechanism for draining water (drainage path, open / close valve, etc.) and to add control for that, and the water that could not be removed remains as water scale in the water reservoir. There was a problem of sticking and remaining. Further, if the water in the reservoir container is removed by evaporation, the capacity of the reservoir container cannot be increased so much that the amount of mist generated is reduced.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and even if the water stored in the water reservoir of the mist generating device is left for a long period of time or is not forcibly removed. However, an object of the present invention is to provide a drum-type washing and drying machine that can prevent mold and fungi from growing there.

The drum-type washing and drying machine of the invention according to claim 1 is provided with a rotating drum that is provided with a large number of through holes and that is rotationally driven to accommodate the laundry. Washing, rinsing, and dewatering steps are performed by controlling the rotation of the rotating drum, and the laundry is dried by circulating the air in the water tank through a circulation air passage provided with a dehumidifying means and a heating means. In the drum-type washing / drying machine for carrying out the process, a water reservoir container is provided in the circulation ventilation path, and in the wrinkle spreading process of the laundry, mist is applied by applying ultrasonic vibration to the water stored in the water reservoir container. includes a mist generating device for generating, in the rinse step, the ion elution unit for eluting metal ions to supply water to the metal ions are eluted into the rotary drum, the said The strike generating device and the ion elution unit are connected through the same water supply channel Rutomoni, in the water supply path, the ion elution unit is disposed upstream of the mist generating device, in the rinsing step, the mist generating device In the wrinkle spreading step, the water from which the metal ions are eluted is supplied to the water storage container and overflowed to supply the water from which the metal ions have been eluted into the rotating drum. The mist generating device is driven, and the generated mist is fed into the rotating drum from the circulation air passage .

  According to the drum type washer / dryer of the invention according to claim 1, since the ion elution device is arranged on the upstream side of the mist generating device and is connected through the same water supply path, the metal ions eluted by the ion elution device are removed. It is possible to supply the water contained in the water reservoir container of the mist generating device, and to prevent mold and bacteria from breeding in the water stored in the water reservoir container by the sterilization and antibacterial action of metal ions. it can.

Also, have you the rinsing step, since the feed water containing water reservoir metal ions stored in the container into the rotary drum from the water reservoir, to penetrate the interior of the laundry water containing metal ions, sterilization・ An antibacterial effect can be imparted.

Further, in the wrinkle spreading step, the mist generating device is driven, and the generated mist is fed into the rotating drum from the circulation air flow path, so that the entire garment is moistened and wrinkles of the garment are effectively reduced. it can.

  The drum-type washing / drying machine according to the invention of claim 2 is the drum-type washing / drying machine according to claim 1, wherein the ion elution device is disposed upstream of the mist generating device in the water supply path, After the mist generated in the mist generating device is fed into the rotating drum and the wrinkle spreading process is performed on the laundry, the metal ions generated by the ion eluting device are eluted in the water reservoir of the mist generating device. The water is supplied and stored.

  According to the drum type laundry dryer according to the second aspect of the present invention, the water containing metal ions eluted by the ion eluting device is supplied to the water reservoir of the mist generating device after performing the wrinkle spreading process of the laundry. Therefore, even if it is left for a long time without removing the water stored in the mist generating device, or it is not forcibly removed, mold or fungus is added to the water stored in the water reservoir. It can be prevented from breeding.

  If the water stored in the water reservoir is forced to be discharged after the mist generator is activated, a mechanism (such as a drainage channel or an on-off valve) that drains the water in the water reservoir is provided. Therefore, there is a problem that it is necessary to add control for that purpose, and there is a problem that water that cannot be completely removed remains and remains in the water reservoir container as scale. Further, if the water in the reservoir container is removed by evaporation, the capacity of the reservoir container cannot be increased so much that the amount of mist generated is reduced. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, it is only necessary to provide one on-off valve on the upstream side of the water supply path for supplying water to the mist generating device and the ion eluting device. Since the number of parts can be reduced and the water supply path can have a simple configuration, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  Furthermore, mist generation in the mist generation device and metal ion elution in the ion elution device are electrically controllable, and mist generation and / or metal ion elution is performed even if the water supply path is the same. Alternatively, it is possible to easily realize a process selection in which neither mist generation nor metal ion elution is performed.

According to the present invention , mold and fungi can be prevented from breeding in the water stored in the water reservoir of the mist generating device.

Also, in the rinsing process, water containing metal ions stored in the water reservoir is fed into the rotating drum from the water reservoir, so that the water containing metal ions penetrates into the laundry to be disinfected / antibacterial. An effect can be imparted.

Further, in the wrinkle spreading step, the mist generating device is driven, and the generated mist is fed into the rotating drum from the circulation air flow path, so that the entire garment is moistened and wrinkles of the garment are effectively reduced. it can.

It is side surface sectional drawing for demonstrating the structure of the drum type washing-drying machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is the perspective view seen from the housing | casing back side for demonstrating arrangement | positioning of the mist production | generation apparatus metal and ion elution apparatus of the drum type washing-drying machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which notches and shows a part seen from the housing | casing back side for demonstrating the connection structure with the mist production | generation apparatus metal and ion elution apparatus of the drum type washing-drying machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is side surface sectional drawing for demonstrating the connection structure of the mist production | generation apparatus and water tank of the drum type washing-drying machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is side surface sectional drawing for demonstrating the structure of the mist production | generation apparatus of the drum type washing-drying machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a back surface sectional view for demonstrating the structure of the mist production | generation apparatus of the drum type washing-drying machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a structure schematic diagram for demonstrating the working principle of the metal ion elution apparatus of the drum type washing-drying machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is side surface sectional drawing for demonstrating the structure of the mist production | generation apparatus of the drum type washing-drying machine which concerns on another embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating the structure of the conventional washing-drying machine provided with a mist production | generation apparatus. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating the structure of the conventional washing-drying machine provided with a metal ion elution apparatus and a mist production | generation apparatus.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS The best mode for carrying out the drum-type washing and drying machine of the invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. It should be understood that the embodiments disclosed below are illustrative in all respects and are not restrictive. The technical scope of the present invention is shown not by the content disclosed in the embodiment but by the description of the scope of claims, and further includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims. Should be understood.

  First, the structure and operation of a drum-type washing and drying machine provided with a mist generating device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view for explaining the structure of a drum-type washing / drying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows the arrangement of a circulation ventilation path and a mist generating device of the drum-type washing / drying machine. It is the perspective view seen from the housing | casing back side for demonstrating. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the drum-type washing and drying machine as seen from the rear side of the housing for explaining the connection structure between the metal and the ion elution device of the mist generating device. These are side surface sectional drawings for demonstrating the connection structure of the mist production | generation apparatus and water tank of a drum type washing-drying machine.

  First, in a drum-type washing / drying machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, a water tank 3 is suspended in a washing / drying machine casing 2 by a suspension structure (not shown), and the water tank 3 has a bottomed cylindrical shape. The formed rotating drum 4 is disposed with its axial center inclined downward from the front side to the back side. A clothing doorway leading to the opening end of the rotating drum 4 is formed on the front side of the water tank 3, and a door 5 that closes the opening provided on the upward inclined surface formed on the front side of the washing and drying machine housing 2 so as to be openable and closable. The laundry can be taken in and out of the rotary drum 4 through the clothing doorway. Since the door 5 is provided on the upwardly inclined surface, the work for putting in and out the laundry can be performed without bending the waist, and the workability of the drum-type washing machine for taking in and out the laundry from the side opening is generally horizontal. The badness of has been improved.

  The rotating drum 4 is provided with a plurality of through holes 4c communicating with the inside of the water tank 3 in the peripheral wall 4a and the bottom wall 4b, and the bottom wall 4b is opposed to the air inlet 18 formed in the water tank 3. Bottom openings 4d are formed at a plurality of positions along the circumferential direction, and stirring protrusions 4e are provided at a plurality of positions on the inner surface of the peripheral wall 4a. The rotating drum 4 is rotationally driven in the forward and reverse directions by a motor 6 attached to the back side of the water tank 3. Further, a water supply pipe 7 and a drain pipe 8 are connected to the water tank 3, and water is supplied into the water tank 3 and drained from the water tank 3 by control of a water supply valve and a drain valve (not shown).

  When the door 5 is opened, the laundry is put into the rotating drum 4 from the opening, the detergent is put into the detergent container (not shown), and the operation of the drum-type washing / drying machine 1 is started. A predetermined amount of water is injected from the pipe 7, and the rotary drum 4 is rotationally driven by the motor 6 to start the washing process. By the rotation of the rotating drum 4, the laundry accommodated in the rotating drum 4 is lifted in the rotating direction by the stirring protrusion 4e provided on the inner peripheral wall of the rotating drum 4, and the stirring that falls from the lifted appropriate height position. Since the operation is repeated, the laundry has the effect of tapping and washing.

  After the required washing time has elapsed, the dirty washing liquid is discharged from the drain pipe 8, and the washing liquid contained in the laundry is dehydrated by a dehydrating operation that rotates the rotating drum 4 at a high speed. Then, water is supplied from the water supply pipe 7 to perform the rinsing / dehydration process. Also in the rinsing / dehydrating step, the laundry accommodated in the rotating drum 4 is repeatedly agitated by being lifted and dropped by the agitating protrusion 4e by the rotation of the rotating drum 4, and rinsed. Then, after rinsing, the water contained in the laundry is dehydrated again by the dehydration operation of rotating the rotating drum 4 at a high speed, and the rinsing / dehydration step is completed.

  The drum-type washing / drying machine 1 has a function of drying laundry stored in the rotating drum 4. The air in the water tank 3 is exhausted to dehumidify, and the heated dry air is blown into the water tank 3 again. A circulating air passage 9 is provided. In the middle of the circulation air passage 9, dehumidifying means such as the evaporator 10, heating means such as the condenser 11, and air blowing means such as the air blowing fan 12 are provided at a lower position in the washing and drying machine housing 2. Yes. The circulation air flow path 9 is composed of a circulation air introduction line 13 between the water tank 3 and the blower fan 12 and a dry air air supply line 14 between the blower fan 12 and the water tank 3. A mist generating device 30 is connected to an upper position in the vicinity of the air inlet 18 formed on the bottom surface of the water tank 3 in the conduit 14.

  A metal ion elution device 37 (ion elution device) is connected through the same water supply path (water injection hose 34, which will be described later) for supplying water to the mist generation device 30, and the metal ion elution device 37 is located upstream and the mist generation device 30. And a metal ion elution device 37 are arranged in series.

  The dry air blowing duct 14 is configured with a lower duct 15, a flexible duct 16, and an upper duct 17 in order from the upstream side in the space behind the washing / drying machine casing 2 (the back side of the water tank 3). A communication port 17 a is opened below the downstream end of the upper pipe line 17, and the communication port 17 a is connected to an air guide port 18 provided on the back surface of the water tank 3. The upper pipe line 17 is inclined to rise toward the center of the housing 2 in the lower part thereof, bent approximately 90 ° in the middle, and downward in the upper part toward the air inlet 18 of the water tank 3. Inclined. The flexible duct 16 is configured by using a flexible pipe material, and prevents the vibration of the lower pipe line 15 accompanying the rotation of the rotary drum 4 or the start / stop from being transmitted to the blower fan 12 side. . The dry air dehumidified by the evaporator 10 and heated by the condenser 11 is sent from the air inlet 18 to the water tank 3 and the rotating drum 4 located inside the air duct 18 via the dry air blowing duct 14.

  By rotating and driving the blower fan 12 at high speed, an air flow is generated in the circulation blower passage 9, and the humid air in the rotary drum 4 containing the laundry passes through the through holes 4c provided in the peripheral wall 4a. The air is exhausted from the water tank 3 to the circulating air introduction pipe 13 to the blower fan 12 side, dehumidified by dew condensation by the evaporator 10 located upstream of the blower fan 12, and heated by heat exchange with the condenser 11. As a result, high-temperature dry air is obtained.

  The heated dry air is sent out from the blower fan 12 to the dry air blower conduit 14 to the water tank 3, and is sent into the water tank 3 through the air inlet 18 provided in the water tank 3. The high-temperature dry air sent into the water tank 3 is introduced into the rotating drum 4 through a bottom opening 4d and a through hole 4c provided in the bottom wall 4b of the rotating drum 4, and flows between laundry such as clothes. While being dried, it becomes moist air, passes through the through holes 4c provided in the peripheral wall 4a to the water tank 3, and is again introduced into the circulating air introduction conduit 13. A drying process is implemented by the circulation of the air in such a circulation ventilation path 9 (circulation air introduction pipe line 13, dry air ventilation pipe line 14).

  Here, the drum-type washing / drying machine 1 according to the present embodiment has a “wrinkle” for the purpose of extending and reducing wrinkles of dry clothing while rotating the mist generating device 30 and the rotating drum 4 described later. "Nobashi Course" is provided. In this “wrinkle spreading course”, the evaporator 10 and the condenser 11 are stopped, the rotational speed of the rotating drum 4 and the blower fan 12 is rotated at a lower speed than in the normal drying process, and the mist generating device 30 is activated. As a result, the mist generating device 30 generates a mist 20 composed of fine droplets, and the mist 20 is dropped into a dry air flow that circulates through the dry air blower conduit 14. In a state where a lot of fine wet mist and dry mist are present, the water is fed into the water tank 3 and introduced into the rotating drum 4. In this way, a process is performed in which the mist 20 is filled to every corner in the rotating drum 4 to effectively moisten the clothing surface and to reduce the wrinkles of the clothing in a dry state. Is done. Further, after that, the mist generating device 30 is stopped, the rotational speeds of the rotary drum 4 and the blower fan 12 are increased to the same speed as the normal drying process, and the evaporator 10 and the condenser 11 are operated, A drying operation can be performed to stretch the wrinkles of the clothing while drying the clothing. In the “wrinkle spreading course” described above, the rotating drum 4 does not necessarily have to be rotated.

  Further, in the above-described “wrinkle spreading course”, it is possible to reduce wrinkles with the mist 20 as described above, and further, a deodorizing effect can be expected by the following principle. Usually, the odor is attached to the clothing surface as a odor component as a molecule. For example, the smell of tobacco and yakiniku is the case, and when the mist 20 hits the odor molecule, the odor molecule is dissolved in the water molecule itself, and is detached from the clothing. Then, after such mist treatment, a drying operation is performed, and the water in which the odor component is dissolved is evaporated by high-temperature and low-humidity air, thereby preventing the odor molecule from reattaching to the clothing and deodorizing. It becomes possible.

  Next, the configuration of the mist generating apparatus 30 and the “wrinkle spreading course” according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 and the above-mentioned drawings. FIG. 5 is a side sectional view for explaining the structure of the mist generating device of the drum type washing and drying machine according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a rear sectional view thereof.

  The mist generating device 30 is disposed at an upper position close to the air inlet 18, and a water reservoir container 31 that stores water 21 as a mist generation source, and the water 21 stored in the water reservoir container 31. An ultrasonic transducer 32 that applies ultrasonic vibration, a water injection device 33 that injects water 21 into the water reservoir 31, and a water temperature sensor 35 that measures the water temperature in the water reservoir 31 are configured. And the water reservoir 31 of the mist production | generation apparatus 30 is arrange | positioned in the upper position adjacent to the air inlet 18 in the back surface of the water tank 3, and directly passes through the connection port 31e located above the air inlet 18, and a dry air ventilation duct 14 (circulation ventilation path 9) is connected to the upper pipe line 17.

  The water reservoir 31 is fixed adjacent to the outside of the rear surface of the water tank 3, and the front side wall 31 b facing the water tank 3 of the water reservoir 31 is inclined along the rear surface of the water tank 3 with respect to the vertical direction. The rear side wall 31b is formed in the vertical direction along the back panel of the washing / drying machine housing 2, and the bottom wall 31a side of the water reservoir 31 is formed wide.

  The water reservoir 31 stores water 21 as a mist generation source, and a water injection port 31 c for injecting the water 21 from the water injection device 33 is provided at the upper portion thereof, on the side facing the upper pipe line 17. An opening weir 31d is provided in the side wall 31b, and thereby, a connection port 31e connected to the upper pipe line 17 is provided in an upper portion of the air guide port 18. By causing the water 21 injected into the water reservoir 31 from the water injection port 31c to overflow from the opening weir 31d to the upper conduit 17 above the air guide port 18 through the connection port 31e, the water reservoir 31 can be configured with a simple configuration. The inner water 21 is configured to be kept at a constant water level. The water 21 overflowed from the opening weir 31d is supplied to the water tank 3 through the connection port 31e, the upper pipe line 17 and the air guide port 18, and is discharged to the outside through the drain pipe line 8.

  The ultrasonic transducer 32 is disposed such that the vibration surface 32a of the piezoelectric element that generates ultrasonic vibrations is in close contact with the bottom wall 31a of the water reservoir 31, and the ultrasonic transmission direction 32b is activated by operating the piezoelectric element. The ultrasonic vibration is transmitted in the direction (perpendicular to the vibration surface 32 a), and the liquid column 22 is formed in the water 21 in the water reservoir 31. As shown in FIG. 6, since the ultrasonic transducer 32 is attached so that the vibration surface 32a faces the opposite side of the connection port 31e, the liquid column 22 is opposite to the connection port 31e. It is formed toward the inner surface of the side wall 31b. As the liquid column 22 is formed, the water 21 in the water reservoir 31 rises along the liquid column 22 and descends and rises along the inner surface of the side wall 31b as indicated by the arrows. Will occur. At the same time, the ultrasonic vibration transmitted through the liquid column 22 finely vibrates the surface of the water 21, thereby weakening the surface tension near the tip of the liquid column 22 and responding to the fine vibration of the liquid column 22. Mist 20 (mist) which is a fine droplet is generated, and this mist 20 is pushed out by the convection motion of the water 21 described above and discharged toward the ultrasonic wave transmitting direction 32b. It descends and rises along the inner surface of the side wall 31b according to the convection, and is then discharged along the surface of the stored water 21 and the inner surface of the side wall 31b through the connection port 31e to the upper duct 17 above the air guide port 18. The mist 20 discharged to the upper pipe line 17 is sent into the water tank 3 from the air guide port 18 immediately below, and further, the bottom opening 4 d of the rotating drum 4 is introduced into the rotating drum 4.

Further, in the present embodiment, when the mist 20 is introduced into the rotating drum 4, the blower fan 12 is rotated at a rotational speed of about 500 rpm. At this time, the amount of air flow in the circulating air flow path 9 is 0.07 m ³ / min, and during the rated operation in the normal drying process (the air blowing fan 12 is rotated at a rotational speed of 5800 rpm, and the dry air air blowing line 14 2 m ³ / min of dry air is sent in), and the rotational speed of the rotary fan corresponds to about 1/10, and the amount of blown air corresponds to about 1/30. By causing air to flow through the dry air blowing duct 14 with such a weak air flow, the wind pressure that pushes the mist 20 into the rotating drum 4 from the air guide port 18 acts and can be appropriately introduced into the rotating drum 4. In addition, a wet mist and a highly dry dry mist can be simultaneously introduced into the rotary drum 4 from the air inlet 18, and the clothing temperature is close to room temperature and the mist 20 temperature is high. Moisture is condensed on the surface, and the garment can be moistened more efficiently.

As an air flow rate of the air flow in the circulation air flow path 9 for obtaining such an effect, 0.05
m ³ /min~1.00m ³ / min are suitable, when the air blowing amount is less than 0.05 m ³ / min, when the wet mist is introduced into the rotary drum 4, rotary drum 4 A certain piece of clothing becomes an obstacle and does not sufficiently enter the rotating drum 4, and a part of the clothes may flow between the water tank 3 and the rotating drum 4, and is further introduced into the rotating drum 4 of the dry mist. The amount is reduced and the above effect cannot be obtained sufficiently. Further, when the air flow rate in the circulation air flow path 9 exceeds 1.00 m ³ / min, the wet mist collides with the tube wall of the dry air air flow line 14 (upper line 17) and the wet mist The existence ratio is reduced, and the dry mist passes through the rotary drum 4 without adhering to the clothing.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, rectifying fins 36 (rectifying means) are provided in the vicinity of the upper portion of the connection port 31 e connected to the dry air blowing duct 14 of the water reservoir 31. Yes. The rectifying fins 36 are configured by a plate-like member that horizontally crosses the dry air blowing duct 14 at a position that enters the dry air blowing duct 14 side from the connection port 31e. As described above, when the blower fan 12 is rotationally driven in the “wrinkle spreading course”, an air flow is generated in the dry air blower duct 14, but in the case where the rectifying fan 36 is not provided, However, by providing the rectifying fins 36, as shown by the broken line arrows, a part of the air of the rectifying fins 36 is less likely to enter the mist generating device 30 (water reservoir 31) from the connection port 31e. It branches by passing through the upper part, is introduced into the mist generating device 30 from the upper part of the connection port 31e, and then circulates in the mist generating device 30 and again passes from the connection port 31e to the dry air blowing conduit 14. A return air flow will be formed. In such a state, the mist 20 generated by the mist generating device 30 rides on the air flow described above and flows into the dry air blowing duct 14 and further toward the air guide port 18 due to its own weight and air flow. Are introduced into the water tank 3 and further into the rotating drum 4.

  Since the liquid column 22 is formed to be inclined toward the inner surface of the side wall opposite to the connection port as described above, the water 21 is spilled into the upper pipe line directly through the connection port by the liquid column 22. Therefore, excessive reduction of the water 21 in the water reservoir 31 can be prevented.

  The water injection device 33 is for replenishing the water 21 consumed by the generation of the mist 20 in the water reservoir 31, and includes a water supply port 33 a provided below the water injection device 33 and a water injection port 31 c of the water reservoir 31. Are connected by a water injection hose 34, and an on-off valve (not shown) and a metal ion elution device 37 are provided at appropriate positions therebetween. In the first stage when the mist generating device 30 is activated, the water injection device 33 opens the on-off valve and supplies water from the water supply port 33a of the water injection device 33 for a predetermined time sufficient for water to accumulate in the water reservoir 31. While supplying the water 21 via the hose 34, the excess water 21 is overflowed from the opening weir 31d of the side wall 31b, and the water 21 in the water reservoir 31 is kept at a constant water level. The water injection operation at the initial stage of the start-up is for replenishing the water 21 in the water reservoir 31 that has been reduced by evaporation or the like during the pause and always operating the mist generating device 30 under a constant water level.

  The water temperature sensor 35 is configured using a thermistor or the like, and measures the water temperature in the water reservoir 31. When the water temperature measured by the water temperature sensor 35 exceeds a predetermined temperature (set to the upper limit temperature of use of the ultrasonic transducer 32 or a temperature slightly lower than that), the water 21 is supplied from the water injection device 33 and the water temperature is adjusted. The water temperature in the reservoir container 31 is always kept from exceeding the predetermined temperature.

  The mist 20 generated by the mist generating device 30 differs in characteristics such as buoyancy and surface tension (wetting) depending on the particle size. That is, an ultrafine mist having a particle size of less than 10 μm is also called a dry mist and is extremely fine, and thus has a high surface tension and high floating property, but has low wettability when attached to an object. ing. Fine mist having a particle size of 10 to 50 μm is also called wet mist, and has a relatively large particle size compared to the dry mist described above, and thus has a low surface tension and high wettability when attached to an object. have. A relatively coarse mist having a particle size of more than 50 μm has properties close to water droplets.

The mist 20 generated in the mist generating device 30 collides with the side wall 31b of the water reservoir 31 and the pipe wall of the upper pipe line 17 while moving to the air guide port 18, or agglomerates with each other. Gradually the coarse mist is dropped and separated, and the fine wet mist increases its abundance ratio. And it introduce | transduces in the rotating drum 4 in the state which has wet mist as a main body. Here, the mist 20 in a state mainly composed of wet mist is a state in which the wet mist exceeds 50% of the entire volume abundance ratio, and the particle size distribution of the mist 20 is measured by a measuring apparatus using a laser diffraction scattering method. This means that the average particle size (median diameter D ₅₀ ) is in the range of 10 to ₅₀ μm.

  If the path during which the mist 20 moves to the air guide 18 is long, or if there is a bent part in the path, the fine wet mist is agglomerated and dropped off, and the abundance ratio of the wet mist in the mist 20 Decreases, and the mist 20 mainly composed of dry mist is not desirable. According to the above configuration, the mist 20 generated in the mist generating device 30 is generated between the mist generating device 30 (water reservoir 31) and the dry air blowing conduit 14 (upper conduit 17) positioned above the air inlet 18. From the connection port 31e, the air is fed into the dry air blowing conduit 14, falls by its own weight, is dropped from the air guide port 18 into the water tank 3 with wet mist as a main component, and is further introduced into the rotating drum 4. Moreover, since the blower fan 12 is disposed at a lower position in the washing / drying machine housing 2 and the dry air is sent from the blower fan 12 to the dry air blower duct 14, the mist generating device 30 into which the mist 20 is introduced. In the connection port 31e, the mist 20 is introduced into the dry air flow without being affected by the wind pressure (dynamic pressure) from the blower fan 12.

  As described above, since the movement path from the mist generating device 30 to the air guide port 18 is short and is configured to fall by its own weight, it suppresses the aggregation of wet mist in the middle of the movement path and has excellent wettability. The mist 20 can be introduced into the rotating drum 4 and filled with the wet mist having a particle size of 10 to 50 μm as a main component, and the clothes surface can be effectively moistened. By drying the clothes, wrinkles that have entered the clothes can be effectively reduced.

  Further, in the “wrinkle spreading course”, the effect of reducing the wrinkle of clothing can be obtained without necessarily rotating the rotating drum 4. However, as described above, the rotating drum 4 is rotated. While the clothes in the rotating drum 4 are in a dry state at room temperature, the water temperature in the water reservoir 31 is raised by the oscillation of the ultrasonic vibrator 32, so that the generated mist 20 becomes high temperature. Accordingly, since the dry mist can be introduced into the rotating drum 4 at a high temperature, not only the wet mist but also the dry mist has a lower temperature than the temperature of the mist, and the peripheral wall 4 a of the rotating drum 4. Condensation and condensation easily occur, etc., but by rotating the rotating drum 4 at this time, the clothes are stirred, and the mist 20 including the dry mist can be introduced into the rotating drum 4 without being obstructed by the clothes. And the entire garment can be moistened more efficiently.

  In the present embodiment, the mist 20 is sent from the connection port 31e to the dry air blowing duct 14, dropped by its own weight, put on the air flow, and introduced from the air guide port 18 into the water tank 3 and further into the rotating drum 4. At the same time, when the mist is introduced (when the mist generating device is activated), the rotating drum 4 is gently rotated at a rotational speed of about 45 rpm at which the clothes are stirred. In this way, by rotating the rotating drum 4 gently, wet mist that tends to stay near the bottom in the rotating drum 4 can be filled to every corner in the rotating drum 4. Can be effectively moistened with wet mist having high wettability. And the wrinkles which entered clothing can be effectively reduced by drying the clothing of such a state.

  In order to fill such wet mist to every corner in the rotating drum 4, the rotation speed when the rotating drum 4 is rotated gently is suitably 15 to 80 rpm, and if this rotation speed is less than 15 rpm, A part of the mist 20 introduced from the air guide port stays in the vicinity of the bottom of the rotating drum 4. When the rotational speed exceeds 80 rpm, a part of the mist 20 is moved toward the side wall of the rotating drum 4 by centrifugal force. It is pushed and collides with a side wall etc., and the abundance ratio of wet mist is reduced.

  Next, the operation principle of the metal ion elution apparatus 37 according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram for explaining the operating principle of the metal ion elution device of the drum type washer / dryer according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The metal ion elution device 37 has two electrodes (an anode 38 and a cathode 39) arranged in parallel to each other in a flowing water path in a container in which an inlet and an outlet for water 21 are formed. Of these anodes 38 and cathodes 39, at least the anode 38 is made of a metal electrode, and an electrolysis reaction occurs when a predetermined voltage is applied between the anode 38 and the cathode 39, and the anode 38 is connected to the anode 38. Metal ions constituting 38 are eluted. In this embodiment, since the drum type washing / drying machine 1 of the present invention includes the “Ag course”, a silver electrode is used for the anode 38. In such a metal ion elution device 37, elution / non-elution of metal ions can be selected depending on whether or not voltage is applied, and the elution amount of metal ions can be controlled by controlling the current.

  In addition, the metal which comprises the anode 38 is not limited to silver, Copper, zinc, or those alloys may be sufficient. All of these metals have antibacterial properties. In particular, silver ions eluted from silver electrodes and zinc ions eluted from zinc electrodes are excellent in bactericidal effect, and copper ions eluted from copper electrodes are antifungal. Are better. Moreover, if it is an alloy containing silver, copper, and zinc, ions of component metals can be eluted at the same time, and it has antibacterial properties, bactericidal properties, and fungicidal properties that are characteristic of the metal ions. You can also.

  The metal ion elution device 37 is disposed and connected to the water injection hose 34 on the upstream side of the mist generating device 30, and applies a predetermined voltage between the anode 38 and the cathode 39, thereby supplying the water 21 containing metal ions. The water is supplied to the water reservoir 31 of the mist generating device 30. In this embodiment, the timing for supplying the water 21 containing metal ions to the water reservoir 31 of the mist generating device 30 by operating the metal ion elution device 37 in this embodiment is “Ag course”. And after running the “Wrinkle Strike Course”. In the “Ag course”, the mist generating device is not operated.

  In the present embodiment, when the “Ag course” is executed, the water 21 from which the metal ions generated by the metal ion eluting device 37 are eluted in all steps or at least the final rinsing step in the rinsing process is used as the mist generating device. 30 is supplied to the water reservoir 31, overflows from the water reservoir 31, is fed into the rotary drum 4 from the air guide port 18 of the dry air blowing duct 14, and passes through a detergent container separate from this path. The laundry is rinsed by being diluted with water supplied into the rotating drum 4. In this way, by supplying the water 21 in which the metal ions are eluted to the laundry in the rinsing step, the metal ions can be penetrated into the laundry, and therefore other methods, for example, metal ions in the mist 20 It is more advantageous than the inclusion of, and the adhesion efficiency to clothes after drying is also high. The concentration of metal ions in the rinsing water is controlled by controlling the current applied between the anode 38 and the cathode 39 of the metal ion eluting device or by controlling the dilution ratio with water supplied through the detergent container. Thus, desired sterilization and antibacterial effects can be imparted to the dried clothes.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, after the mist 20 generated in the mist generating device 30 is fed into the rotary drum 4 and the “wrinkle spreading process” of the laundry is performed, until the final drying process is performed. Alternatively, during the operation, the water 21 in which the metal ions generated by the metal ion eluting device 37 are eluted is supplied to the water reservoir 31 of the mist generating device 30 and stored. Accordingly, even if the water 21 stored in the water reservoir 31 is not removed for a long time or is not forcibly removed, mold or fungus is added to the water 21 stored in the water reservoir 31. Can be prevented from breeding. In the “wrinkle spreading process”, when the mist generation device 30 generates the mist 20, the metal ion elution device 37 does not elute the metal ions, but the water 21 that has simply passed through the metal ion elution device 37 is mist. It is supplied to the generation device 30.

  If the water 21 stored in the water reservoir 31 is forced to be discharged after the mist generating device 30 is operated, a mechanism (drainage path or on / off valve) for removing the water 21 in the water reservoir 31 Etc.) and additional control for that purpose, and the water 21 that could not be removed remained as scale and adhered to the water reservoir 31. . Further, if the water in the water reservoir 31 is to be removed by evaporation, there is a problem that the capacity of the water reservoir 31 cannot be increased so much that the amount of mist 20 generated is reduced. On the other hand, in this embodiment, it is only necessary to provide one on-off valve upstream of the drain hose 34 that supplies the water 21 to the mist generating device 30 and the ion elution device 37. By reducing the number of parts, the number of parts can be reduced and the water supply path (drainage hose 34) can have a simple configuration, so that the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  Furthermore, the generation of the mist 20 in the mist generation device 30 and the elution of the metal ions in the ion elution device 37 can be electrically controlled, and even if the water supply path is the same, the generation of the mist 20 and / or the metal ions. It is possible to easily realize a process selection such as elution of mist 20 or generation of mist 20 and elution of metal ions.

(Modification in the above embodiment)
In the above embodiment, the opening weir 31d is provided in the side wall 31b of the water reservoir 31 and the water 21 is injected into the water reservoir 31 from the water injection device 33 at the first stage of starting the mist generating device 30. Although the operation of overflowing from the weir 31d is automatically performed, as shown in FIG. 8, in addition to the opening weir 31d, a water level sensor 37 such as a pressure detection type is attached to the bottom wall of the water reservoir 31. You may provide in 31a or its peripheral part. When the water level measured by the water level sensor 37 becomes less than a predetermined water level (for example, 10 mm) from the bottom wall 31a of the water reservoir container 31, water 21 is injected from the water injection device 33 into the water reservoir container 31. What is necessary is just to comprise. Thus, the water injection operation is executed only when the water level is excessively lowered without performing the operation of automatically injecting water from the water injection device 33 to the water reservoir 31 at the first stage of starting the mist generating device 30. Thus, it is possible to prevent the ultrasonic vibrator 32 from being easily deteriorated by keeping the water level in the water reservoir 31 at a predetermined water level or higher.

  In the above embodiment, the example in which the water 21 is used as the mist generation source in the mist generating device 30 has been described. However, an Ag ion electrolytic solution, a detergent solution, a deodorizing solution, and a sterilizing solution are used depending on the application. Etc. may be used, and an effect corresponding to each liquid agent (mist generation source) can be obtained.

  In the above embodiment, the technical content of the present invention has been described by taking a drum-type washing / drying machine in which the rotating drum is inclined as an example. However, the rotating drum is arranged in the horizontal direction (the axis of the rotating drum is in the vertical direction). The technical contents of the present invention can also be applied to a washing machine), and can also be applied to a washing machine without a dryer.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Drum-type washer / dryer 2 Washer / dryer housing 3 Water tank 4 Rotating drum 9 Circulating air passage 10 Evaporator (dehumidifying means)
11 Condenser (heating means)
12 Blower fan (Blower unit)
18 Air guide 20 Mist 21 Water (liquid)
30 Mist Generator 31 Water Reservoir 31e Connection Port 32 Ultrasonic Vibrator 33 Water Injection Device 34 Water Injection Hose 35 Water Temperature Sensor 36 Rectification Fin 37 Metal Ion Elution Device

Claims (2)

A large number of through-holes are formed, and a rotating drum that accommodates the laundry and is driven to rotate is provided in the water tank. Washing, rinsing, and dewatering are controlled by controlling water supply, drainage, and rotation of the rotating drum. In the drum type laundry dryer for performing the drying process of the laundry by performing each process and circulating the air in the water tank by a blowing means through a circulation blowing path provided with a dehumidifying means and a heating means,
A mist generating device for generating mist by applying ultrasonic vibration to the water stored in the water reservoir container in the wrinkle spreading process of the laundry , having a water reservoir container in the circulation air flow path ;
In the rinsing step, an ion elution unit for eluting metal ions to supply water to the metal ions are eluted into the rotary drum, a comprises,
Rutomoni said mist generating device and the ion elution unit are connected through the same water supply channel, in the water supply path, the ion elution unit is disposed upstream of the mist generating device, in the rinsing step, the mist generating In the wrinkle spreading step, the device is stopped, and the water from which the metal ions are eluted is supplied to the water reservoir and overflowed, thereby supplying the water from which the metal ions are eluted from the circulation air passage. The drum type washing and drying machine , wherein the mist generating device is driven, and the generated mist is fed into the rotating drum from the circulating air blowing path . The washing濯物wrinkles extend step after implementation claims wherein the water reservoir of the mist generating device, the metal ions generated by the ion eluting unit is characterized in that the reservoir supplies the eluted water The drum-type washing and drying machine according to 1.

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