JPH09123879A - Hot water washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a hot water washing machine using inexpensive electric power and having the capability of saving a water resource. SOLUTION: Water contained in an electric hot water heater 2 is heated, using inexpensive midnight electric power excessively available at midnight, and hot water so produced is mixed with water via a hot water mixing valve 10, thereby increasing a washing water volume. Also, a selector switch SW-3 is provided so as to be capable of selecting one of an automatic washing process for continuously washing with mixed hot water and then only with water, and a water washing process using only water. In addition, either of the processes can be made selectable, depending upon the extent of a stain.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a hot water washing machine for washing an article to be washed such as an automobile with hot water.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A jet-type hot water washing machine for washing automobiles removes dirt of automobiles that are hard to remove by water jetting by injecting hot water at high pressure. As a heat source for producing this hot water, petroleum fuel, Those using gas fuel or electricity are provided.

[0003]

By the way, on the present earth, depending on the exhaust gas of factories, the exhaust gas of automobiles, the gas generated from petroleum fuel used as a heat source for general heating and hot water supply, etc. The atmosphere is polluted with oxides. In order to prevent pollution of these environments, the use of petroleum fuel or gas fuel used in the above hot water washer should be avoided.

However, when a water heater that uses electric power is used while avoiding the use of oil fuel or gas fuel, the power consumption increases and the cost increases, so that only a large amount of water is washed. There was a problem that it was a waste of water resources.

In view of the above, the main object of the present invention is to provide a hot water washing machine which can save water resources by using inexpensive electric power.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a clean hot water washer by utilizing inexpensive late-night power, which is a surplus of late-night. That is, the hot water washer according to the present invention is an electric water heater heated and kept warm by electric power, a washer for ejecting hot water from the water heater to wash an object to be cleaned, and a hot water for the electric water heater for the washer. It is equipped with a pump for guiding, and is characterized by using midnight electric power as a heating and heat retaining means of the electric water heater.

However, the midnight power is 8 hours from 23:00 midnight to 7:00 the next morning. During other times, it cannot be used as a heating means of the electric water heater, and the stored water in the electric water heater cannot be constantly heated. On the other hand, the capacity of the electric water heater is a specified amount, and if the hot water in the electric water heater is used for cleaning as it is, the amount of cleaning water is limited and the number of objects to be cleaned (especially automobiles) is limited. . Therefore, in this invention, although the cleaning power is slightly inferior, by adopting a configuration in which a hot and cold water mixing valve that mixes hot water from the electric water heater with water is adopted, if hot water is mixed with water and high-pressure injection is performed, The number of car washes can be increased.

Further, there are few things where the whole wash is strongly soiled from one end to the other. Therefore, it is not necessary to wash the unsoiled part with warm water, and it is sufficient to wash only with water. Therefore, in the present invention, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which a water supply passage for guiding only water to the washer is provided without passing through the hot water mixing valve.

In addition, since there is a heavily soiled portion and a less soiled portion in the washed product, the less soiled portion is subjected to high pressure cold water cleaning with water only, and particularly the soiled portion is heated with high pressure hot water. Wash with. In order to automatically perform the washing with warm water and the washing with cold water, the washing time is set in advance according to the object to be washed, and the washing with mixed hot and cold water and the subsequent washing with cold water only with water If an automatic washing process that continuously performs washing is provided,
Dirt will be removed without waste, and it will also contribute to saving hot water in the water heater.

If the selection switch can be switched to one of the automatic cleaning process and the cold water cleaning process using only water, two courses can be selected according to the user's request.

In each of these courses, if the portion that is heavily soiled is washed with a detergent as required, the soil can be easily removed, and a great saving of hot water and water can be expected. Therefore, in the present invention, it is possible to employ a configuration in which a detergent tank for supplying the detergent is provided, and the detergent from the detergent tank can be supplied by the ON operation of the detergent switch in the automatic cleaning process or the water cleaning process.

As the detergent, a liquid detergent is usually used, and the detergent is stored in a detergent tank and used as needed. Further, it is desirable that the detergent tank can be pulled out from the main body of the washing machine because it can be easily injected or replenished. In order to facilitate this withdrawal, a rail may be laid on the bottom of the tank storage portion of the main body of the washing machine, and the tank may be configured to slide on this rail. In addition, it is desirable from the viewpoint of effective use of resources that there be no spills in the supply of detergent.

In view of this, in the present invention, the detergent tank has a wide and deep detergent replenishing port formed in the upper portion of the main body, and the detergent replenishing port is formed at the bottom of the receiving port. It is possible to adopt a configuration in which it can be pulled out from.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a hot water washer according to the present invention. The hot water washer 1 includes an electric water heater 2 and a cleaning gun 3 as a cleaner for injecting hot water from the electric water heater 2 at high pressure. The cleaning gun 3 is provided with a pump 4 for supplying and driving high-pressure water, a float tank 5 provided on the inlet side of the pump, and a detergent tank 6 for supplying detergent.

A hot and cold water flow passage 7 is provided between the electric water heater 2 and the float tank 5, and a cold water flow passage 9 for guiding water from the tap water 8 is connected to the hot and cold water flow passage 7 and the hot and cold water mixing is performed at this connection portion. The valve 10 is interposed so that hot water of the electric water heater 2 and tap water can be mixed to save hot water. Further, a bypass flow passage 11 (water supply passage) is provided between the cold water flow passage 9 and the float tank 5 so that only cold water can be supplied.

In the electric water heater 2, a supply path 13 for supplying water from the tap water 8 is connected to an internal tank portion, a heating element 14 such as a sheath heater is arranged in the tank portion, and the tank portion A heat insulating material (not shown) is stretched around the periphery. The heating element 14 may be a heat pump type heat exchanger that heats water in the tank by circulating a heat medium, in addition to a sheath heater or the like. This heating element 14
The power is supplied by the midnight power, and the heating and heat retaining operation is performed from 11:00 to 7:00 in the morning.

A safety valve 15 and a check valve 16 are provided in the flow path 7 between the tank outlet of the electric water heater 2 and the hot and cold water mixing valve 10. On the other hand, a pressure reducing valve 17 and a check valve 18 are interposed in the cold water flow passage 9.

The hot and cold water mixing valve 10 is a three-way valve having a well-known structure, and by adjusting the opening of the valve, the mixing ratio of water and hot water is set in advance, and hot and cold water having a desired temperature is supplied to the float tank 5. . The hot and cold water mixing valve 1
A temperature sensor may be provided on the outlet side of 0 and a control unit that receives a signal from the sensor and adjusts the opening degree of the mixing valve 10 may be provided.

The float tank 5 is for temporarily storing mixed hot and cold water, and in particular, the hot water solenoid valve 22 interposed in the hot water flow passage 7 and the bypass flow passage 11 on the inlet side of the float tank 5. Also, it is useful when the hot water or water is temporarily stored and made to stand by while the gun stop 24 provided in the cleaning gun 3 is operating with the water solenoid valve 23 open. This float tank 5 is a float 25
And a ball tap valve 26 that opens and closes by its vertical movement.

The outlet side of the float tank 5 is connected to the inlet side of the pump 4, and the outlet side of the pump 4 is connected to the cleaning gun 3 via the unloader valve 27. The unloader valve 27 is a three-way valve, and a return flow path 28 for returning to the inlet of the pump 4 is connected to one of its outlet ports. Therefore, the unloader valve 27 detects the fluid pressure of the hose 29 of the cleaning gun 24 and switches the valve to the pump return side when the gun stop 24 of the cleaning gun 3 operates while the pump 4 is driven. It has become.

A washing tank 6 is provided at the inlet side of the pump 4.
Is connected to the detergent channel 31 from the detergent channel 3
1, a detergent cock 32 for manually adjusting the detergent supply amount according to the concentration of the detergent to be charged and a detergent electromagnetic valve 33 for opening and closing the flow path 31 are interposed.

2 to 8 show the arrangement of these constituent members. 2 is a plan sectional view of the hot water washer, FIG. 3 is a front sectional view of the same, FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the same, FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the cleaning tank portion, FIG. 6 is a plan view of the hot water washer, and FIG. Is a front view thereof, and FIG. 8 is a side view thereof.

In the warm water washing machine 1, the inside of a box-shaped main body 35 is divided into three chambers by a vertical partition plate 36 and an intermediate plate 37, and the electric water heater 2 is built in the left chamber thereof. The pump 4 and the motor 38 for driving the pump 4 and the cleaning tank 6 are housed in the lower right chamber. Further, in the upper right chamber, a float tank 5 and a hose reel 39 around which the hose 29 between the cleaning gun 3 and the pump 4 is wound are arranged.

The cleaning tank 6 can be pulled out from the side surface of the lower right chamber as shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, and can be slid between a pair of front and rear rails 40 installed in the lower right chamber. Further, a rectangular and wide deep detergent supply port 42 is formed on the upper surface of the cleaning tank 6, and a detergent supply port 43 with a filter is formed at the bottom of the reception port 42. Therefore, it is easy to inject the detergent even when it is injected and replenished, and even if it overflows from the tank portion, it is stored in the receiving port 42.

Note that the receptacle 42 can normally be closed by a lid 44 in order to prevent entry of dust and dirt. A measuring gauge 45 for confirming the detergent capacity in the tank is attached to the side wall of the detergent tank 6, and a pressure switch PS for detecting the detergent water level is arranged at the bottom of the tank. A pull handle 47 is provided on the front side of the detergent tank 6 on the pull-out side.

As shown in FIG. 7, an outlet hole 48 for withdrawing the hose portion 9 of the cleaning gun 3 is formed at a position corresponding to the right chamber of the main body 35 of the cleaning machine, and a gun receiver 49 is provided in the vicinity thereof. . Further, in FIG. 7, on the front surface of the main body,
An operation unit 51 including switches for operating the warm water washing machine and a lamp display unit is arranged. The operation unit 51 includes
Cleaning switch SW- operated at the start and end of cleaning
1, SW-2, and a course changeover switch SW-3 operated when selecting a course between cold water washing and automatic washing
And a detergent switch SW-4 to be operated when using detergent
And

Next, these switches SW-1 to SW-
4, a control circuit for achieving the intended purpose will be described with reference to the electrical wiring diagram of FIG. Note that the electric wiring of the electric water heater 2 is a circuit that only uses late-night electric power, and the control of its heating element is also a well-known technique, so it is omitted here.

In FIG. 9, a three-phase AC motor 38 for driving the pump 4 is connected to an AC power source 52 via an earth leakage breaker ELB and an electromagnetic switch 53, and a cleaning switch for operating this electromagnetic switch 53. The power supply is driven / stopped by turning ON / OFF the SW-1 and SW-2.

Further, in this electric circuit, an automatic washing step of continuously performing washing with mixed hot and cold water, followed by washing with water only, and a washing step with cold water only are selected. Course selection circuit 5 for
5, a detergent introduction circuit 56 that enables the introduction of detergent, and a detergent detection circuit 57 that detects the presence or absence of detergent in the detergent tank.
And a freezing prevention circuit 58 for preventing freezing of the electric water heater 2 and various pipes.

The course selection circuit 55 includes a course changeover switch SW-3 which can be switched between two positions of an automatic course selection side contact and a water course selection side contact, and a relay connected in series to the automatic course contact of the switch SW-3. RX1, a hot water timer DX1 serially connected to a normally open contact RX-1 of the relay RX1, a water timer DX2 serially connected to a normally closed contact of the hot water timer DX1, and a water timer DX2.
Water solenoid valve SV1 serially connected to the normally closed contact of the relay RX1A of the relay RX1 and the hot water timer DX1
And a hot water solenoid valve SV2 connected in series to the normally closed contact point. The normally closed contact of the relay RX2 is connected in series with the cleaning switches SW-1 and SW-2.

Therefore, when the relay RX1 is driven and the hot water timer DX1 is started by the ON operation of the washing switch SW-1 and the automatic course contact of the course changeover switch SW-3, the hot water solenoid valve SV2 is opened. Then, when the predetermined time set by the hot water timer DX1 elapses, the normally closed contact of the hot water timer DX1 opens and the normally open contact turns on to start the water timer DX2 to start the operation of the water solenoid valve SV1. Open up. After that, when the time set by the water timer DX2 elapses, the normally closed contact of the water timer DX2 opens, so the water solenoid valve SV1 closes, and at the same time, the normally open contact of the water timer DX2 closes to drive the relay RX2. The normally closed contact RX-2 connected to the detergent switches SW-1 and SW-2 is opened, and the automatic course is completed.

An automatic course indicator lamp PL2 is connected in parallel to the relay RX1, and a water course indicator lamp PL1 is connected in parallel to the water solenoid valve SV1. Further, a relay RX is provided on the water course side contact of the course changeover switch SW-3.
One normally closed contact RX-1B is connected.

The detergent detection circuit 57 is a timer DX for blinking the indicator light for detecting that the pressure switch PS has run out of detergent.
4 and the relay RX4 are connected in parallel. On the other hand, in the detergent charging circuit 56, the detergent switch SW-4 is connected to the parallel connection body of the relay RX3 and the detergent solenoid valve SV3 via the normally closed contact of the detergent timer DX3. further,
The detergent switch SW-4 has a normally open contact RX of the relay RX3.
-3 is connected in parallel, and a detergent timer D is connected to this parallel connection body.
X3 is connected.

Therefore, the detergent solenoid valve SV3 is opened by the ON operation of the detergent switch SW-4, and the detergent is supplied from the detergent tank 6 to the pump. During this time, relay R
Since X3 is driven, its normally-open contact RX-3 is closed, and the opening operation of the detergent electromagnetic valve SV3 can be continued. Then, after the elapse of the predetermined time set by the detergent timer DX3, the normally-closed contact of the detergent timer DX3 is opened, so that the detergent solenoid valve SV3 is closed to stop the supply of the detergent.

Further, the detergent running-out blinking timer DX4 and the normally open contact RX-4 of the relay RX4 are the detergent indicator lights PL.
3, when the detergent runs out, the pressure switch PS is turned on to activate the blinking timer DX4 and the relay RX4, the normally open contact RX-4 of the relay RX4 is closed, and the blinking timer DX4 is normally opened. It is connected so that the contact point DX-4 is turned on / off to blink the detergent indicator light PL3. Further, a normally closed contact of a relay RX4 is connected to the detergent indicator light PL3, and is connected so as to light up when the detergent switch SW-4 is turned on.

In the antifreezing circuit 58, the antifreezing thermostat 61 is connected to a parallel connection body of the antifreezing heater 60 and the antifreezing indicator lamp PL4 installed in the electric water heater 2 and various pipes, and the antifreezing thermo 61 is turned on. By the operation, the antifreezing heater 60 is energized.

The following operation can be performed by using the electric circuit having the above configuration. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the operation. First, the user considers how dirty the car is,
An automatic course or a water course is selected by the course changeover switch SW-3 (S1). When the automatic course is selected, the automatic course indicator light PL2 is turned on (S2), and the subsequent ON operation of the cleaning switch SW-1 (S3) starts the automatic cleaning process. In this automatic cleaning process, cleaning with hot and cold water that is performed by mixing hot water and water and subsequent cleaning with cold water using only water are performed for a predetermined time. The cleaning switch SW-1
When the motor 38 is driven, the hot water solenoid valve SV2 is opened and hot water is supplied to the washing gun 3 by the ON operation. When a predetermined time has passed by the hot water timer DX1, the hot water solenoid valve SV2 is closed and the water solenoid valve SV1 is opened,
Cold water is supplied to the cleaning gun 3 (S5). When a predetermined time elapses by the water timer DX2, the automatic cleaning process ends (S6).

During this time, the cleaning switch SW-2 is turned off.
If it operates (S7, S8), the timers DX1 and DX2 are cleared, so that the automatic cleaning process ends. If the detergent switch SW-4 is turned on during this period (S9, S10), the detergent is supplied from the detergent tank 6 for the time set by the detergent timer DX3, and the cleaning water containing the detergent is ejected from the nozzle of the cleaning gun 3. Will be done.

On the other hand, when the course selector switch SW-3 is switched to the water course, the water course indicator lamp PL1 lights up (S
11) Since the water solenoid valve SV1 is opened, if the cleaning switch SW-1 is turned on, the pump 4 is driven to start cold water cleaning (S12, S13). In the case of this cold water cleaning, since the timer is not set, the cleaning can be continued for a desired time. Then, the cold water cleaning is stopped by the OFF operation of the cleaning switch SW-2 (S14), and the cleaning is finished (S6). Even in this cold water cleaning, if the detergent switch SW-4 is turned on, the cleaning water mixed with the detergent for a predetermined time can be supplied (S15).

[0040]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, since the midnight power is used as the heating and heat retaining means of the electric water heater, it is possible to provide an inexpensive and clean hot water washing machine.

Further, if a hot and cold water mixing valve for mixing hot water from the electric water heater with water is provided, hot water heated only by midnight power can be appropriately mixed with water, so that the amount of washing water increases and the car wash is increased. The number can be increased.

Further, since a cold water flow path is provided separately from the above, there are few things that are heavily soiled from one end to the other, so it is sufficient to wash only the parts that are not so dirty with only water.

Furthermore, if an automatic cleaning process is carried out in which the hot water cleaning process with hot water and the subsequent cold water cleaning process are continuously provided, dirt can be removed without waste and the hot water of the water heater can be saved. Then, by switching the selection switch, it is possible to switch between one of the automatic cleaning process and the cold water cleaning process using only water.
You will be able to choose one course. Furthermore, if it is configured to add detergent in each of these courses,
If it is possible to clean the heavily soiled portion with a detergent as needed, the soiling can be easily removed, and a great saving of hot water and water can be expected.

If the detergent tank can be pulled out from the main body of the washing machine, the detergent can be easily injected and replenished.
Furthermore, if a wide and deep detergent replenishing port is provided, it is possible to prevent the detergent from spilling and to effectively use resources. When this hot water washing machine is used for washing automobiles, it is extremely effective in terms of effective use of resources and protection of the global environment in the present age when the number of automobiles is increasing significantly.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration block diagram of a hot water washer according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan sectional view of a hot water washing machine.

FIG. 3 is a front sectional view of the same.

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the same.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a cleaning tank unit.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a warm water washing machine.

[Figure 7] Front view

FIG. 8 is a side view thereof.

[Figure 9] Wiring diagram of the hot water washer

FIG. 10 is an operation flowchart of the hot water washing machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Hot Water Washer 2 Electric Water Heater 3 Washing Gun 4 Pump 5 Float Tank 6 Detergent Tank 7 Hot Water Flow Path 9 Cold Water Flow Path 10 Hot Water Mixing Valve 14 Heater

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An electric water heater that is heated and kept warm by electric power, a washing machine that blows hot water from the water heater to wash an object to be washed, and a pump that guides the hot water of the electric water heater to the washing machine. A warm water washing machine characterized by using midnight power as a heating and heat retaining means for an electric water heater. 2. The hot water washer according to claim 1, further comprising a hot and cold water mixing valve for mixing hot water from the electric water heater with water. 3. The hot water washer according to claim 2, further comprising a water supply passage for guiding only water to the washer. 4. The warm water washing machine according to claim 3, further comprising an automatic washing step of continuously performing washing with mixed hot and cold water, which is performed by washing with mixed hot and cold water, and subsequent washing with water only. 5. The hot water washing machine according to claim 4, wherein one of an automatic washing step and a cold water washing step using only water can be switched by changing over a selection switch. 6. A detergent tank for supplying detergent is provided,
The hot water washing machine according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the detergent from the detergent tank can be supplied by an ON operation of a detergent switch in an automatic washing process or a cold water washing process. 7. The detergent tank has a wide and deep detergent replenishing port formed in an upper portion of the main body, and a detergent replenishing port is formed in a bottom portion of the receiving port so that the detergent tank can be pulled out from a side surface of the main body of the hot water washing machine. The hot water washer according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6. 8. The article to be cleaned is an automobile,
A warm water washing machine for an automobile according to 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7.