JPH0739695A - Drum type washing/drying machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To perform alarming due to a filter sign (such as an alarming means for reporting the cleaning time of a lint filter to a user) when the total integrated value of wash operation time and dry operation time reaches a prescribed value previously set by experiment. CONSTITUTION:A water vessel is arranged inside an outer box, a drum equipped with a lot of small holes for passing water and air is supported on a peripheral wall inside this water vessel so as to freely rotated, and a drainage pump 11 is installed. Concerning such a drum type washing/drying machine to complete processing from washing to drying with the same drum, this machine is provided with a buzzer for pressing the cleaning of the lint filter to a user and a microcomputer chip for performing alarming with the buzzer when the integrated value of the wash operation time and the dry operation time reaches the prescribed value.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention covers everything from washing to drying.
More specifically, the present invention relates to a drum type washer / dryer having two drums, and more particularly, to an improvement in a method for prompting a user to clean a lint filter.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A drum type washer / dryer has a structure in which the drum rotates about a horizontal axis in a water tank. Since the same drum can be used for washing and drying, the functions from washing / dewatering to drying can be performed. It has become a representative of a combined washer / dryer. The outline of the structure and operation will be described below with reference to the schematic views of the drum type washer / dryer shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

This drum type washer / dryer comprises a water tank 2 suspended by a spring inside an outer box 1 and a drum 3 arranged inside the water tank 2 so as to rotate about a horizontal axis. It has a structure. Reference numeral 15 in FIG. 1 denotes an operation / display part, and a control circuit is attached to the back side of this part. Aquarium 2
Is suspended by a spring to absorb vibration during operation, and has a function of storing and discharging washing liquid and dehydration liquid. The drum 3 is provided with a large number of small holes 4 on its entire peripheral wall for allowing water supply during washing, drainage during dehydration and hot air during drying to pass through. A heater 5 for drying is provided above the water tank 2.
Is attached. Further, a blower 6 and a circulation duct 7 for circulating warm air during drying are provided.

A door 8 for loading and unloading laundry is provided on the front surface of the main body, and the door 8 is structured to be sealed by a packing 9 with the water tank 2. Reference numeral 10 is a drive motor for rotating the drum 3, and 11 is a drainage pump for discharging washing liquid and the like out of the machine. 1
Reference numeral 3 is a thread waste filter provided in a pipe path between the water tank 2 and the drainage pump 11, and reference numeral 14 is a switch operated by attaching and detaching the thread waste filter 13.

The washing process is carried out by putting laundry in the drum 3, pouring a washing liquid containing a detergent into the laundry from above, and rotating the drum 3 at a low speed. The laundry in the drum 3 is lifted to near the top of the drum 3 by the centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the drum 3 and a baffle (not shown), and then falls by its own weight (called tumbling). By repeating this tumbling, the laundry is washed by the impact force when dropped. Rinsing is performed in the same manner. The water level of the washing liquid is detected by the water level sensor 12.

The dewatering step is performed by rotating the drum 3 at a high speed and using the centrifugal force to press the laundry against the inner surface of the peripheral wall of the drum 3. At this time, the water is blown from the small holes 4 of the drum 3, travels along the inner surface of the water tank 2 and is guided to the lower portion,
It is discharged outside the machine by the drainage pump 11.

The drying process is performed by blowing the air heated by the drying heater 5 to a high temperature into the drum 3 by the blower 6 and rotating the drum 3 at a low speed. The air in the water tank 2 heated by the drying heater 5 and having a high temperature is
The drum 3 is rotated and agitated to raise the temperature of the entire inside of the water tub 2 including the laundry to evaporate the water contained in the laundry. This hot and humid air is brought into direct contact with cooling water to condense water while passing through the distance from the outlet of the hot air circulation duct 7 connected to the water tank 2 on the water tank 2 side to the drying heater 5, Dehumidification is performed by discharging the moisture out of the machine. The laundry is dried by repeating the cycle in which the dehumidified air is heated again by the drying heater 5.

[0008]

In the conventional drum type washer / dryer, even if the lint filter is clogged and the drainage cannot be performed, there is no means known to the user. If you use it without noticing the clogging of the lint filter, you may not be able to drain the water, operation may stop during washing, dewatering performance may deteriorate, and water remaining in the water tank may cause insufficient drying. is there.

In addition to the case where the drainage is not sufficient to cause the above problems to be noticeable, it takes a long time and is inconvenient until the dischargeable state is reached. That is, even in washing, it is more difficult to clean the filter when the amount of lint adhering to the lint filter increases, so it is preferable to clean the lint filter early. There are few proposals regarding an informing method for prompting the user to clean the lint filter, particularly, a proposal for actively controlling.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 4-97794 discloses a notification when the stored dry operation time reaches a predetermined time, but the accuracy is insufficient because there is no correction depending on the amount of laundry. . Further, it is intended only for the dryer, and it is unreasonable to apply it to the drum type washer-dryer which continuously performs washing and drying. Further, there is a problem that only the clogging of the filter is notified, and it is not possible to actively deal with the deterioration of the performance and safety due to the clogging of the filter.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a water tank arranged in an outer box, and a drum rotatably supported in the water tank and having a large number of small holes for passing water and ventilation in its peripheral wall. In a drum-type washer / dryer equipped with a drainage pump and performing the same process from washing to drying, a notification unit is provided to prompt the user to clean the lint filter, and the integrated value of the washing operation time and the drying operation time will be displayed. The control means is provided to notify by the notification means when the predetermined value is reached. Further, provided with a sensing means for detecting the amount of laundry put in, the accumulated value of the washing time and the drying time is corrected by the detected amount of laundry,
A control means is provided to notify by the notification means when the value reaches a predetermined value. Then, the correction value of the operating time accumulated according to the detected amount of laundry is set to a different value in the case of washing and the case of drying.

Further, a water tank arranged in the outer box, a drum rotatably supported in the water tank, having a plurality of small holes for water and ventilation in the peripheral wall, a pump for draining water, and a water tank. In a drum type washer / dryer that has a water level sensor that detects the water level inside, and that uses the same drum from washing to drying, a notification unit that prompts the user to clean the lint filter is provided, and the drain pump starts operating. When the water level exceeds the first set value at the time when a predetermined time has elapsed after the start of the operation, a control means is provided to control the notification means to perform the notification. In addition, if the water level exceeds the second set value even if a certain time has elapsed from the time when a predetermined time has passed since the drainage pump started operating, an error is notified and the operation is stopped. A control means for controlling the above is provided.

[0013]

[Function] As described below, usability and safety are improved. When the sum of the integrated values of the washing operation time and the drying operation time reaches a predetermined value set in advance by an experiment, a filter sign (informing means for informing the user of the cleaning time of the lint filter) is used to notify the accuracy. You can get a high standard of cleaning time. Further, since the notification is given at a relatively early time, the thread waste filter can be easily cleaned and the washing and drying machine can be operated without deterioration in its function. Then, since the integrated values of the washing operation time and the drying operation time are individually corrected based on the easy sensing data, the detection can be performed with higher accuracy. Further, in addition to the above detection and notification means, the method of detecting clogging of the thread waste filter from the relationship between the operation of the drainage pump and the water level in the water tank is used in combination, so that the notification by the filter sign becomes more reliable.

Further, when the lint filter is completely blocked and water cannot be drained, an error is notified and control is performed to stop the operation. Therefore, the operation is stopped during the washing process or the rinsing process or the water is left in the water tank. It also eliminates the claim of insufficient drying due to drying in the presence of water. Further, since the operation is stopped when the lint filter is completely closed, it is possible to prevent the temperature of the drainage pump from rising (when the pump is continuously operated in a state where water does not flow, the temperature of the motor rises).

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the basic configuration of the drum type washer / dryer according to the present embodiment is substantially similar to that of the conventional drum type washer / dryer. 2 and FIG. 2. 1 is an outer box, 8 is a door, and 15 is a display / operation unit. FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view showing the inside of FIG.

First, the structure will be described with reference to FIG.
The aquarium 2 is suspended from the outer box 1 by a spring,
It has a structure that can absorb the vibration generated during rinsing, dehydration and drying. Inside the water tank 2, a drum 3 is arranged so as to rotate around a horizontal axis. The peripheral wall of the drum 3 is provided with a large number of small holes 4 for supplying or draining washing water.

Above the water tank 2, a drying heater 5, a blower 6 for circulating warm air, and a circulation duct 7 are provided. Door 8 for loading and unloading laundry in front of the main unit
The door 8 is closed by a door packing 9 between the water tank 2 and the water tank 2 so that washing water and warm air during drying do not leak out of the machine. Reference numeral 10 is a motor for rotating the drum 3, and 11 is a drainage pump for discharging washing liquid and the like out of the machine. Reference numeral 13 denotes a lint filter provided in the middle of a pipe connecting the lower portion of the water tank 2 and the drainage pump 11, and is configured to be removable from the entire lower portion of the outer case 1. Reference numeral 14 denotes a switch that operates by attaching and detaching the thread waste filter 13, and is turned on when the thread waste filter 13 is securely attached, and turned off when the thread waste filter 13 is removed. A water level sensor 12 is connected to the lowermost part of the water tank 2 and detects the water level in the water tank 2.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the control circuit of the display / operation unit, and FIG. 4 is a plan view of the display unit and operation keys, which is an embodiment of the layout of the display unit and operation keys.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the layout (fluorescent display tube) of the layout shown in FIG. 4, where 16 is a filter sign indicating the cleaning time of the lint filter, and 17 is the case where clogging of the lint filter is detected. It is a segment display section that displays an error. This segment is also used for other error indications such as water supply abnormality and time indication.

The operation of the washing process to the drying process will be described below. In the washing process, the laundry is put in the drum 3, water is supplied after the capacity sensing (determined by the time until the number of rotations of the motor reaches a predetermined value, etc.) is completed, and the detergent is poured into the laundry to be included in the laundry 3 Is performed at low speed. The laundry in the drum 3 is tapped and washed by tamping. When the washing is completed, the rotation of the drum 3 is stopped, the drainage pump 11 is turned on, and the washing liquid is discharged to the outside of the machine. The washing liquid flows from the lower part of the water tank 2 to the lint filter 1
Take the route through 3 to the drainage pump 11. At this time,
The lint contained in the washing liquid is supplemented by the lint filter 13,
Prevents drainage pipes from being blocked by lint.

Similarly, the rinsing is performed by adding water containing no washing liquid to the laundry and tamping. The water level of the washing liquid in the water tank 2 is detected by the water level sensor 12.

The dewatering process is performed by rotating the drum 3 at a high speed and utilizing the centrifugal force generated thereby. The water contained in the laundry is blown from the small holes 4 of the drum 3, travels along the inner surface of the water tank 2, and is guided to the lower portion of the water tank 11.
Is forced out of the machine. The drying step is performed by rotating the drum 3 at a low speed while blowing the air heated by the drying heater 5 and having a high temperature into the drum 3 by the blower 6.

The water vaporized from the laundry during the drying operation is removed by coming into contact with the cooling water inside the duct 18 for circulating the warm air arranged in the vertical direction. This cooling water comes into contact with the warm air discharged from the drum 3, catches fine thread waste (cotton dust-like ones) contained in the warm air, and passes through a drainage path connected at the bottom of the water tank 2. It is discharged outside the machine by the drainage pump 11. At this time, the captured thread waste is collected by the thread waste filter 13. Therefore, the thread waste filter 13
Plays an important role in all processes from washing to drying,
It is important to detect clogging accurately and reliably.

The features of the present invention will be described below based on an example of the control flowchart shown in FIG. Power switch 1
When 8 is turned on, the power is turned on and the display is initialized. Next, a preset course is selected from preset driving courses such as washing only, washing to dehydration, washing / dehydration to drying, and the start key 19 is pressed to start the operation. When the start key is pressed, the drum 3 is first rotated to perform capacitance sensing, and the result is stored.
Subsequently, the water supply is started, and when the water level detected by the water level sensor 12 reaches a certain level, the washing process is started.

When the washing process is completed, the drainage pump 11 is turned off.
N and start draining. If the water level exceeds a first set value after a certain time has elapsed from the start of drainage, it is determined that the thread waste filter has been clogged and the letters on the filter on the display shown in FIG. 5 are turned on. Further, if the water level does not fall below the second set value (for example, water level 0) even after a certain period of time, it is determined that the thread waste filter 13 is closed, the error display is turned on, the operation is stopped, and the control means. A warning signal is generated by the microcomputer chip 20 and the buzzer 21 is driven to issue an alarm even with a buzzer sound. The buzzer 21 sounds for a certain period of time (for example, 10 seconds) and then stops, but the lighting of the error display is maintained until it is confirmed that the filter switch, which operates by attaching and detaching the thread waste filter 13, is turned off.

If there is no filter sign or error display as described above, the process proceeds to the next step, rinsing. The notification for notifying the cleaning time of the thread waste filter 13 and the error notification for warning the clogging are similarly performed in the rinsing process, the dehydrating process and the drying process.

When the dehydration process is completed, wash, rinse,
The operating time required for dehydration is newly stored in addition to the accumulated value up to that point. Next, the drying process is started, and when the drying process is completed, the required drying time is added to the accumulated value up to that point and newly stored. When the sum of the stored integrated value and the correction value based on the capacitance sensing result exceeds the set value, the filter sign is turned on and a notification is given. This notification is continued unless the outlet is unplugged and the OF of the filter switch 14 is turned off.
It is not released until F is detected.

[0027]

Since the present invention is constructed and controlled as described above, the clogging of the thread waste filter can be notified to the user at an early stage. Moreover, since the accuracy of the jam determination is increased, the filter sign can be effectively used, and the user can use it with confidence.

Further, in the state where the lint filter is completely closed, an error notification is given so that the user can identify the degree of clogging, and the correct judgment can be made even if there is a malfunction due to the clogging of the lint filter. it can. That is, even if the operation is stopped midway without shifting to the next process because the thread waste filter is clogged and the drainage cannot be performed, the reason can be understood and the thread waste filter can be cleaned and the operation can be restarted. . The continuous operation of the drainage pump in a clogged state does not cause a temperature rise of the motor of the drainage pump, and safety is improved.

Further, since the filter sign can be reset only by actually inspecting the lint filter, the uncertainties which are the drawbacks of the judgment only by integrating the operating time can be avoided, and the filter can be used. It will be good.

Except for adding a filter switch and changing the control software, conventionally provided parts can be used, so that detection and notification can be performed at low cost, with high accuracy, and with excellent safety and reliability.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a conventional drum type washer / dryer.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of an example of a conventional drum type washer / dryer.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an example of a control circuit of the drum type washer / dryer according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a display / operation unit of the drum type washer / dryer of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged explanatory diagram of the display unit in FIG.

FIG. 6 is an operation flowchart showing the flow of the operation control method according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols] 1 Outer box 2 Water tank 3 Drum 4 Small hole 5 Drying heater 6 Blower 7 Warm air duct 8 Door 9 Door packing 10 Drive motor 11 Drain pump 12 Water level sensor 13 Lint filter 14 Filter switch 15 Display / Operation section 16 Filter sign 17 Error display / segment display section 18 Cooling duct 20 Microcomputer chip 21 Buzzer

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A washing machine, comprising: a water tank arranged in an outer box, a drum rotatably supported in the water tank, a drum having a large number of small holes for water and ventilation in a peripheral wall, and a pump for draining water. In a drum type washer / dryer that performs from drying to drying with the same drum, a notification means is provided to prompt the user to clean the thread waste filter, and when the integrated value of the washing operation time and the drying operation time reaches a predetermined value, the notification means A drum-type washer / dryer characterized by having a control means for giving notification. 2. A sensing means for detecting the amount of laundry put in is provided, the integrated value of the washing time and the drying time is corrected by the detected amount of laundry, and a notification is given when the value reaches a predetermined value. 2. The drum type washer / dryer according to claim 1, further comprising control means for giving notification by means. 3. The drum type washing and drying according to claim 2, wherein the correction value of the operating time accumulated according to the detected amount of laundry is set to a different value for washing and for drying. Machine. 4. A water tank arranged in an outer box, a drum rotatably supported in the water tank, having a plurality of small holes for water and ventilation in a peripheral wall, a pump for draining water, and a water tank. In a drum type washer / dryer that has a water level sensor that detects the water level inside, and that uses the same drum from washing to drying, a notification unit that prompts the user to clean the lint filter is provided, and the drain pump starts operating. The drum type washer / dryer is characterized in that a control means is provided to control so that when the water level exceeds the first set value at the time when a predetermined time has elapsed, the notification means gives a notification. 5. If the water level exceeds a second set value even if a certain time has elapsed from the time when a predetermined time has passed since the drainage pump started operating, an error is notified and operation is performed. 5. The drum type washer / dryer according to claim 4, further comprising control means for controlling so as to stop.