JPH11276757A - Washing and drying machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To extract water contained washing in to be dried in a short time and efficiently with low noise by varying the rotating speed of a spinning tub in plural stages. SOLUTION: After the washing process to the dry spinning process are automatically performed by a washing and drying machine, the drying process is started. At this time. first, a spinning tub 15 is rotated at high speed in the high speed rotating and drying process, and got air by a heating device 4 and a blower 5 is guided to an opening part on the spinning tub 15. At this time, water contained on washing 18 is centrifugally dry-spinned from the washing 18 by the action of centrifugal force, and the water of the laminated surface washing 18 is evaporated and diffused by hot air sucked in the spinning tub 15. After that, in the scraping process, the washing 18 adhering to the inner wall surface of the spinning tub 15 is scraped off by the scraping operation of a rotary vane 19. The tension to untwisting occurs, and then the transition to the low speed rotating and drying process occurs to evaporate and diffuse water of the washing 18.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention utilizes the effect of centrifugal dehydration by changing the rotation of a washing and dewatering tub.
The present invention relates to a washing and drying machine that sends warm air into a washing and dewatering tub to dry laundry, thereby increasing a drying speed, conserving energy, and remarkably improving the finished quality of laundry.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Hot air generated from a heating device and a blower is sent into a washing and dewatering tub to rotate the rotating blades to loosen the laundry, and then rotate the washing and dewatering tub to rotate the laundry. As a washing / drying machine for drying laundry, for example, there is Japanese Patent Application No. 9-158311 filed by the applicant.

FIG. 6 is a structural view of a washing / drying machine described in Japanese Patent Application No. 9-158311. In FIG. 6, reference numeral 1 denotes an outer box, 2 denotes an outer tub disposed in the outer box 1, and 3 denotes an outer tub. Is a flexible tube for guiding warm air generated by the heating device 4 and the blower 5 disposed on the inner bottom of the outer box 1 to an upper opening of the washing and dewatering tub, which will be described later. A blow-out nozzle 6 for blowing out warm air is mounted on the outer tub 2.

Reference numeral 7 denotes a motor disposed on the outer bottom of the outer tub 2, 8 denotes a belt for transmitting the rotational drive of the motor 7 from the motor pulley 9 to the main shaft pulley 10, and 11 denotes a rotational drive from the speed reducer 12 to be described later. A clutch 13 for switching between transmission to the dewatering tub and transmission to the rotating blades; a drain valve 13 for controlling the discharge of washing liquid to the outside from a drain hose 14 attached to a lower end of the outer tub 2; Is a washing and dewatering tub rotatably provided in the outer tub 2, 16 is a balancer provided on the upper peripheral edge of the washing and dewatering tub 15,
17 is a dewatering hole formed on the wall of the washing and dewatering tub 15;
Numeral 19 denotes laundry contained in the washing / dewatering tub 15, and numeral 19 denotes a rotary wing disposed on the inner bottom of the washing / dewatering tub 15.

[0005] Reference numeral 20 denotes a control unit for controlling the number of rotations and the rotation time of the motor 7 housed in a top cover 21 disposed on the upper part of the outer case 1, 22 a suction hole formed at the bottom of the outer case 1, 23. Exhaust holes 24 formed in the upper wall surface of the outer box 1;
Is a flexible exhaust duct communicating with the top of the space between the outer tub 2 and the washing and dewatering tub 15, 25 is a temperature detector disposed above the space between the outer tub 2 and the washing and dewatering tub 15, and 26 is a main shaft pulley. Reference numeral 28 denotes a rotation speed detector for detecting the rotation speed of the rotation blade, and reference numeral 28 denotes a rotation blade ventilation hole formed in the rotation blade 19.

The clutch 11 transmits the rotation of the main shaft pulley 10 directly to the washing and dewatering tub 15 when the clutch 11 is in operation, and transmits the rotation of the main shaft pulley 1 when the clutch 11 is inactive.
The rotation of 0 is transmitted to the rotor 19 via the speed reducer 12.

FIG. 7 is a control block diagram of the control unit 20. Reference numeral 30 denotes a motor left / right rotation unit 31 for performing left / right rotation of the rotary wing 19 based on a set time of a timer 32. No. 1 wing control unit. 26 is the motor 7
, A clutch operating means for transmitting the rotational drive of the motor 7 to the washing and spin-drying tub 15, a motor clockwise rotating means 34 for rotating the motor 7 clockwise, and a clutch operating 35 Control means 33 and a motor right rotation means 34 based on the output of the rotation speed detector 26.
Is a first tank control unit for controlling the temperature. 36 is a temperature detector 2
5 is a first central control unit that controls the heating device 4, the blower 5, the first blade control unit 30, and the first tank control unit 35 based on the output of the control unit 5.

Next, the operation of the washing and drying process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. After the washing and rinsing steps in the washing and drying machine are completed, the washing and dewatering tub 15 is rotated at a high speed to shift to a dehydrating step in which the moisture contained in the laundry 18 is blown off by centrifugal force [Step (1)]. After the dehydration process, the process proceeds to the drying process while the laundry 18 is stuck to the inner wall surface of the washing and dewatering tub 15 by centrifugal force, and the hot air is washed from the flexible tube 3 through the blowing nozzle 27. It is guided to the upper opening of the dewatering tank 15.

Here, the distribution route of the warm air will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, the external air sucked through the air inlet 22 formed at the bottom of the outer box 1 is turned into warm air by the heating device 4 and the blower 5, and the warm air is blown out of the flexible tube 3 as described above. It is guided to the upper opening of the washing and dewatering tub 15 via the nozzle 27.

Next, the warm air comes into contact with the laundry 18 to evaporate the water by the diffusion effect of the washing and dewatering tub 15 and the rotating action of the rotary wing 19 which rotates integrally with the washing and dewatering tub 15. As a result, the warm air having a high humidity escapes from the rotary blade ventilation hole 28 to the outer bottom of the washing and dewatering tub 15 or escapes through the dewatering hole 17 so that the space between the outer tub 2 and the washing and dewatering tub 15 is removed. Going upward from below. Then, the hot air having a high humidity is diffused from the flexible exhaust duct 24 to the outside through the exhaust holes 23.

Next, the process proceeds to the loosening and drying process (step (2)), and as shown in FIG.
Reciprocating rotation is performed for 1 minute so that clockwise rotation and counterclockwise rotation are alternately repeated at a cycle of 0.5 seconds and OFF. This allows
Laundry 1 attached to the inner wall of the washing and dewatering tub 15
8 (state A in FIG. 6) is scraped off, randomly swapped up and down, left and right, and loosened, so that warm air is uniformly contacted with the laundry 18 (state B in FIG. 6).

Next, the process proceeds to the drying step (step (3)). After the clutch operating means 33 is driven, the operation of the motor right rotation means 34 is controlled based on the output of the rotation speed detector 26. Thus, the washing and dewatering tub 15 rotates at a rotation speed of, for example, 300 rpm for about 3 minutes. At this time, the rotating action of the washing and dewatering tub 15 and the washing and dewatering tub 1
The laundry 18 in a state in which the warm air adheres to the inner wall surface of the washing and dewatering tub 15 by centrifugal force due to the diffusion effect of the rotating blade 19 that rotates integrally with the laundry 5 (state A in FIG. 6). Contact Laundry 1 in direct contact with warm air
The moisture contained in 8 is evaporated and diffused and exhausted through a predetermined circulation route.

Next, the process proceeds to the determination of the degree of drying [step (4)], and the degree of drying of the laundry 18 is determined based on the output of the temperature detector 25 for detecting the exhaust temperature. FIG.
FIG. 11 is a curve diagram showing an example of a temperature change of hot air obtained from a temperature detector 25 provided in an upper part of a space between the outer tub 2 and the washing and dewatering tub 5, and in FIG. The temperature of the remaining heat gradually rises (line A in FIG. 10), and then the temperature stabilizes (line B in FIG. 10). In this case, the temperature rises (C line in FIG. 10). In the process of the rising period, for example, one of the absolute value of the temperature and the amount of change from the initial temperature is selected and used as a criterion for determining the degree of drying of the laundry 18.

As a result of the determination, for example, when the absolute value of the output of the temperature detector 25 or the amount of change from the initial value is equal to or less than a predetermined value, it is determined that the drying is not completed, that is, NO. Then, returning to the loosening drying (step (2)), the same operation as described above is performed.

When the absolute value of the output of the temperature detector 25 or the amount of change from the initial value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, it is determined that drying is completed, that is, YES.
Thus, the operations of the heating device 4, the blower 5, and the motor 7 are stopped, and a series of drying steps is completed [Step (5)].

According to the above configuration, the warm air uniformly contacts the entirety of the laundry 18, so that the evaporation and diffusion of the moisture in the laundry 18 can be promoted.

[0017]

The conventional washing and drying machines are:
In the drying process, the rotation speed of the washing and dewatering tub is 300 rpm
m, and the centrifugal force is small, so that the laundry only comes into contact with the inner wall surface of the washing and dewatering tub by lightly stacking. There is an advantage that warm air enters the wall close to the wall and the drying speed is high, but since there is no effect of centrifugal dehydration, all moisture contained in the laundry will be vaporized with warm air,
There is a problem that energy efficiency is not good and drying time is long.

If the rotation speed of the washing and dewatering tub is set high and the centrifugal force generated by this rotation is increased, moisture contained in the laundry is removed from the laundry by centrifugal dehydration at the beginning of drying. Although the effect is very large, the centrifugal dewatering effect is lost over time, and it comes into contact with warm air while sticking to the inner wall surface of the washing and dewatering tub. Even with such a drying method, the surface of the laundry that is in direct contact with the warm air evaporates and the drying proceeds.However, since the centrifugal force is large, the laundry is pressed strongly against the inner wall surface of the washing and dewatering tub to form a laminated state. There is a problem that the finished quality of the laundry is not good, such as wrinkling of the product and uneven drying, and the rotating sound of the washing and dewatering tub is loud.

An object of the present invention is to eliminate the disadvantages of the prior art, to utilize the effect of centrifugal dehydration with high energy efficiency, and to contact the entire washing in the washing and dewatering tub with warm air evenly to improve drying efficiency. Another object of the present invention is to provide a washing / drying machine which can significantly improve the drying performance and can dry the laundry without causing wrinkles and uneven drying.

[0020]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention firstly provides a washing and dehydrating tub in a drying step of supplying warm air to the washing and dehydrating tub while rotating the tub. By changing the number of rotations of the dehydration tub in a plurality of stages, the moisture contained in the laundry can be dried efficiently in a short time and with low noise, and wrinkles and uneven drying do not occur.

Second, the drying step includes a high-speed rotation operation for rotating the washing and dewatering tub at a high rotation speed and a low-speed rotation operation for rotating the washing and dehydration tub at a low rotation speed. The moisture contained in the laundry can be squeezed out by the effect of centrifugal dehydration with high energy efficiency due to the high-speed rotation, and the evaporation and diffusion of the moisture in the laundry can be promoted by the low-speed rotation with a weak centrifugal force.

Third, the high-speed rotation operation is performed by rotating the washing and dewatering tub at a rotation speed substantially equal to that during the dehydration process.
The control circuit and control software can be shared, and the cost can be reduced.

Fourth, in the drying step, by performing the low-speed rotation operation after the high-speed rotation operation, the drying can be efficiently performed by utilizing the centrifugal dehydration effect obtained in the initial stage of the drying step. This enables energy saving operation and low noise operation.

Fifth, the drying process includes rotating the rotating blades to scrape off the laundry stuck to the wall surface of the washing and dewatering tub, thereby sticking to the inner wall surface of the washing and dewatering tub. The laundry in the state can be dispersed, and the drying efficiency can be improved.

Sixth, by performing the scraping operation after the high-speed rotation operation, the laundry adhered to the inner wall surface of the washing and dewatering tub can be dispersed by the high-speed rotation operation, and the next low-speed rotation operation can be performed. And can be evenly contacted with warm air and dried efficiently.

Seventh, the drying process includes a loosening operation in which the rotating blades are rotated to loosen the laundry, whereby the laundry is switched up and down and left and right in the washing and dewatering tub.
It is reliably dispersed and can evenly contact the warm air.

Eighth, by alternately performing a low-speed rotation operation and a loosening operation, a loosening operation of randomly changing the laundry vertically and horizontally and a washing operation of the laundry by a warm air effect in a low-speed rotation state where the centrifugal force is weak. By repeating the operation of accelerating the evaporation and diffusion of water, the drying operation can be performed with energy saving and a short drying time, high quality with no wrinkles or uneven drying of the laundry, and low noise.

Ninth, when an operation mode for automatically performing the washing process to the drying process is set, the dehydration process time in the operation mode is set to the operation mode for automatically performing the washing process to the dehydration process. Since the dehydration process time was set longer than the setting, the moisture contained in the laundry during the dehydration process can be squeezed out by the energy-efficient centrifugal dehydration effect by high-speed rotation. By repeating the operation of scraping off the wall surface of the dewatering tub and then randomly changing it up, down, left and right, the laundry can be efficiently and quickly dried in the drying process.

Tenth, since hot air is supplied into the washing and spin-drying tub during the spin-drying process, the evaporation and diffusion of the moisture of the laundry can be promoted by the effect of the hot air in a low-speed rotation state where the centrifugal force is weak. Energy saving, short drying time, no wrinkles and uneven drying of laundry, high finishing quality, and low noise drying process can be obtained.

[0030]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a flow chart showing the operation of a drying process according to a first embodiment of the washing and drying machine of the present invention. The structure of the washing and drying machine of the present invention is the same as that of the conventional example described with reference to FIG. Is also the same as the control block diagram shown in FIG. 7, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The drying process in the washing and drying machine of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. After the laundry 18 containing water after washing by hand washing is put into the washing and spin-drying tub 15 or automatically performed up to the spin-drying cycle by the washing and drying machine, the drying cycle is selected and the drying cycle is started [step (6)] First, the process proceeds to the high-speed rotation drying process [step (7)]. Here, as shown in the operation sequence of FIG.
While rotating at 0 rpm at high speed, the heating device 4 and the blower 5 are turned on, and the warm air is guided from the flexible tube 3 to the upper opening of the washing and dewatering tub 15 through the blowing nozzle 27.

The laundry 18 is centrifugally generated by the rotation of the washing and dewatering tub 15 at about 900 rpm.
5 and pushed into the laminated state. The water contained in the laundry 18 is centrifugally dehydrated from the laundry 18 by the action of centrifugal force, drained from the drain port, and blown out from the blowing nozzle 27, and is washed by the fan effect of the rotation of the washing and dewatering tub 15. By the warm air sucked into the dehydration tub 15, the moisture contained in the laundry 18 on the surface of the laminated state evaporates and diffuses, and is exhausted through a predetermined circulation path.

This high-speed rotation drying [step (7)]
Continue for 20 minutes. During this time, the moisture contained in the laundry 18 decreases rapidly due to the effect of centrifugal dehydration and the effect of warm air.

Next, the process proceeds to the scraping process [step (8)]. As shown in FIG. 2, the operation sequence of the rotor 19 in this scraping operation is performed at a rotational speed of 130 rpm and an O
Clockwise rotation and counterclockwise rotation are alternately repeated in a cycle of N1 seconds and OFF 0.5 seconds to make two reciprocations. By the scraping operation of the rotary blade 19 in only two reciprocating motions, the laundry 18 stuck to the inner wall surface of the washing and dewatering tub 15 is scraped off by the rotary blade 19 without being entangled, and the surface of the rotary blade 19 is removed. Disperse in.

Then, the process proceeds to the release (step (9)). As shown in the operation sequence of FIG. 2, the rotating blade 19 is turned on for 0.5 second at a rotational speed of 130 rpm, and turned off for 0.5 second.
The clockwise and counterclockwise rotations are alternately repeated at a cycle of 0.5 seconds, and reciprocate 10 times. By this loosening operation, the laundry 18 is randomly replaced vertically and horizontally and loosened.

By the scraping operation and the loosening operation, the laundry 18 stuck to the inner wall surface of the washing and dewatering tub 15 is surely dispersed and comes into contact with the warm air evenly.

Next, the process shifts to the low-speed rotation drying process (step (10)). After the clutch operation means 33 is driven, the motor right rotation means 34 is operated based on the output of the rotation speed detector 26.
Is controlled. Thus, the washing and dewatering tub 15 rotates at a rotation speed of, for example, 300 rpm for about 4 minutes. At this time, the warm air blown from the blow-out nozzle 27 is washed and removed by the fan effect of the rotating action of the washing and dewatering tub 15 and the rotating action of the rotary wing 19 that rotates integrally with the washing and dewatering tub 15. It is sucked into the water tank 15.

The hot air comes into contact with the laundry 18 which has been slightly moved to the inner wall surface of the washing and dewatering tub 15 by the centrifugal force generated by the rotation of 300 rpm. The moisture contained in the laundry 18 at a location directly in contact with the warm air evaporates and diffuses and is exhausted through a predetermined distribution path.

Next, the process proceeds to the determination of the degree of drying [step (11)], and the degree of drying of the laundry 18 is determined based on the output of the temperature detector 25 for detecting the exhaust gas temperature. In the end,
When the absolute value of the output of the temperature detector 25 or the amount of change from the initial value is equal to or less than a predetermined value, it is determined that the drying is not completed, that is, NO. Then, the process returns to the step of loosening [step (9)], and the same operation as described above is performed again.

When the absolute value of the output of the temperature detector 25 or the amount of change from the initial value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, it is determined that drying is completed, that is, YES. As a result, the operations of the heating device 4, the blower 5, and the motor 7 are stopped, and a series of drying steps is completed [Step (1).
2)].

In the drying step, the washing and dewatering tub 15 is initially rotated at 900 rpm at a high speed for about 20 minutes, and after the next scraping operation and the loosening operation, the washing and dewatering tub 15 is rotated.
The experimental results are shown below, which are the basis for rotating at a low speed at 300 rpm for about 4 minutes.

This experiment was based on JIS C 9608 rotary drum type electric clothes dryer, the laundry was 100% cotton cloth, the laundry amount was 2 kg, and the moisture content of the laundry at the start of drying was The rate is 75%. The input of the drive motor for the washing and dewatering tub is about 200 W, the input of the heater is about 1000 W, and the input of the blower is about 20 W.

The tank rotation time was 4 minutes.
The reciprocating rotation is performed for 1 minute by alternately repeating the clockwise rotation and the counterclockwise rotation of the rotary wing 19 at a cycle of ON 0.5 seconds and OFF 0.5 seconds. One cycle of loosening and tank rotation is 5 minutes.
Every minute, the weight of the laundry containing water and the amount of water dehydrated by centrifugation were measured.

FIG. 4 is a drying characteristic curve diagram relating to the effect of the number of rotations of the washing and dewatering tub. The number of rotations of the washing and dewatering tub during rotation of the tub is 300 rpm, 500 rpm, and 700 rpm.
m, and an experimental result (relationship between drying speed g / min and operation time min) at 900 rpm, which is almost the same as in the dehydration step.

FIG. 5 is a graph showing the drying characteristics of the effects of dewatering and warm air. The results of the experiment at 900 rpm of the washing and dewatering tub during the spin drying (the total water loss and the effect of centrifugal dewatering) are shown. (Relationship between operating time with discharged water and water evaporated by the effect of warm air).

According to the results of this experiment, in FIG. 4, a significant difference in the rotation speed was observed in the drying speed for about 20 minutes from the start of drying, and no significant difference was observed thereafter. When the rotation speed of the washing and dewatering tub is 700 rpm and 900 rpm, there is a peak in the initial drying speed at the start of drying, but this phenomenon does not appear when the rotation speed is 300 rpm and 500 rpm, and peaks as the rotation speed increases. It is understood that the effect of centrifugal dehydration is large.

On the other hand, in FIG. 5, the rotation speed is 900 rpm.
It can be seen that the amount of water discharged by the centrifugal dehydration is large at the beginning of drying, and then gradually decreases. After about 20 minutes, the centrifugal dehydration effect becomes zero and only the effect of hot air drying is obtained. Then, from the experiment shown in FIG. 4, no significant difference is observed in the rotation speed after about 20 minutes have elapsed, indicating that the rotation speed may be lower for the warm air effect.

From FIG. 4, it can be seen that the end of the drying becomes faster as the rotation speed is higher because of the effect of centrifugal dehydration.
At 300 rpm, the drying time is about 95 minutes each,
The time is about 125 minutes, and the time can be reduced by about 25% when the rotation speed is 900 rpm.

Further, when the drive motor for the washing and dewatering tub is an induction motor that is generally widely used, the rotation speed of the washing and dewatering tub is 9
Even if it is 00 rpm, it is almost the same as 300 rpm,
Only 200W, 20 minutes (Power consumption is only 70WH
Weak). Therefore, from the viewpoint of energy, the number of rotations of the washing and dewatering tub is 90
At 0 rpm and 300 rpm, the drying time is about 95 minutes and about 125 minutes, respectively. Therefore, by setting the rotation speed of the washing and dewatering tub at a high speed at the beginning of drying, about 25% energy saving can be achieved. .

In FIG. 2, the washing and dewatering tub 15,
Although the operating state of the rotary wing 19 is shown in a rectangular shape, the present invention is not limited to this.
The rotation state at the time of stop (at the time of inertial rotation) naturally changes with time. Further, the rotation of the washing / dewatering tub 15 may be such that the rotation speed is changed stepwise or continuously until the final high-speed rotation is started after the start.

Further, the timing of alternately switching between the washing and dewatering tub 15 and the rotary wings 19 is appropriately designed such that the rotary wings 19 are driven after the washing and dewatering tub 15 is completely stopped. Further, one rectangle of the rotary wing 19 includes a forward / reverse rotation operation sequence shown in FIG.

The duration of the high-speed rotation of the washing and dewatering tub 15 is such that the centrifugal dewatering effect, which depends on the conditions of centrifugal dehydration such as the number of revolutions of the washing and dewatering tub 15 and the wall shape, gradually decreases with time. The time is determined experimentally until the dehydration effect becomes smaller than the drying rate of evaporation and diffusion of water by warm air. Alternatively, the washing and dewatering tub 1 is determined based on the information that it is determined that the water droplets of the centrifugal dehydration do not hit the outer tub 2 or that it is determined that the water droplets are no longer present in the drain port.
5 may be switched to low-speed rotation. The supply of the warm air may be performed after a lapse of a predetermined time after the rotation of the washing and dewatering tub 15 starts.

The rotation speed of the washing and dewatering tub 15 is 900
It is not limited to the numerical values of rpm, 300 rpm, and high speed and low speed. The high speed may be varied stepwise or continuously to a higher value, and the low speed may be changed to dry. May be changed at a lower speed in accordance with the progress of the movement, thereby reducing the occurrence of wrinkles.

If the number of revolutions of the high-speed rotation in the drying step is set to be the same as the number of revolutions of the washing and dewatering tub 15 in the dehydrating step, a common control circuit and control software can be achieved.

With the above structure, the water contained in the laundry 18 is first squeezed out by the effect of high-efficiency centrifugal dehydration by the high-speed rotation of the washing and dewatering tub 15, and the laundry 18 is removed from the laundry and dewatering tub 15. Washing is performed by repeating a loosening operation of scraping off from a wall surface and then randomly changing the direction up, down, left and right, and an operation of promoting the evaporation and diffusion of moisture of the laundry 18 by the effect of warm air in a low-speed rotation state with a weak centrifugal force. The object 18 can be dried.
As a result, energy saving, quick drying time, and laundry 1
8, low-noise drying with high finishing quality without wrinkles and uneven drying can be performed.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the operation of the drying process according to the second embodiment of the washing and drying machine of the present invention. The laundry 18 to be washed and dried is put into the washing and dewatering tub 15 and the laundry is dried. The entire process up to the process is set and started as an automatic course [Step (13)], and the process shifts to the washing process and the rinsing process as in the prior art [Step (1).
4)] [Step (15)].

After the end of the rinsing step, the process shifts to the dewatering step [step (16)]. In this dehydration step, after the rinsing liquid in the washing and dewatering tub 15 is drained, as shown in the operation sequence of FIG.
High-speed rotation at 0 rpm. The laundry 18 is about 900r
washing and dewatering tub 15 by centrifugal force due to the rotation action of pm
It is pushed down by the inner wall surface and becomes a laminated state. The water contained in the laundry 18 is centrifugally dehydrated from the laundry 18 by the action of the centrifugal force, and is drained from the drain port.

When a period from the washing to the dehydration step is set to be automatically performed, the heating device 4 and the blower 5 are turned on after the elapse of the dehydration time, for example, about 5 minutes, and the hot air flows from the flexible tube 3. It is guided to the upper opening of the washing and dewatering tub 15 through the blowing nozzle 27.

The water contained in the laundry 18 is continuously centrifugally dewatered by the centrifugal force of the rotation action of about 900 rpm, drained from the drain port, and further blown out from the blowing nozzle 27 to rotate the washing and dewatering tub 15. The hot air sucked into the washing and dewatering tub 15 by the fan effect causes moisture contained in the laundry 18 on the laminated surface to evaporate and diffuse, and is exhausted through a predetermined circulation route. The high-speed rotation drying in the dehydration process lasts about 20 minutes. During this time, the moisture contained in the laundry 18 decreases rapidly due to the effect of centrifugal dehydration and the effect of warm air.

Next, the process shifts to the scraping process [step (17)]. The scraping operation, the following loosening operation [step (18)], the low-speed rotation operation [step (19)], and the determination of the dryness [step (20)] are performed in the first embodiment described above. 8)] ~
This is the same as [Step (11)].

The timing at which the heating device 4 and the blower 5 are turned on is not limited to 5 minutes after the start of high-speed dehydration as described above, but may be set as appropriate.

In both the first embodiment and the second embodiment, warm air is supplied into the washing and dewatering tub 15 during the scraping operation and the unraveling operation. During this operation, only the rotary blade 19 rotates. The washing and spin-drying tub 15 does not rotate, and the washing and spin-drying tub 1 does not rotate.
5, the contact effect between the laundry 18 and the warm air is reduced. Therefore, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the supply of hot air is stopped during the scraping operation and the loosening operation.

With the above configuration, when the operation mode is set so that the washing process to the drying process are automatically performed, the water contained in the laundry 18 is removed in the dehydration process.
First of all, while squeezing out by the effect of centrifugal dehydration with high energy efficiency by high-speed rotation and evaporating by the effect of warm air, the time is reduced, and
Thereafter, the laundry 18 is scraped off from the wall surface of the washing and spin-drying tub 15 and then randomly displaced up, down, left, and right. By repeating the operation of promoting the washing, the laundry 18 can be dried. Accordingly, it is possible to perform drying with high finishing quality and low noise without energy saving, fast drying time, and no wrinkles and uneven drying on the laundry 18.

[0064]

As described above, the washing and drying machine according to the present invention firstly provides a washing and dewatering tub in the drying step of supplying warm air into the washing and dewatering tub while rotating the washing and dewatering tub. By changing the number of rotations of the laundry in multiple stages, the moisture contained in the laundry can be dried quickly and efficiently with low noise,
No wrinkles or uneven drying occur.

Secondly, the drying step includes a high-speed rotation operation for rotating the washing and spinning tub at a high rotation speed and a low-speed rotation operation for rotating the washing and spinning tub at a low rotation speed. The moisture contained in the laundry can be squeezed out by the effect of centrifugal dehydration with high energy efficiency due to the high-speed rotation, and the evaporation and diffusion of the moisture in the laundry can be promoted by the low-speed rotation with a weak centrifugal force.

Third, the high-speed rotation operation is performed by rotating the washing and dewatering tub at a rotation speed substantially the same as that during the dehydration process.
The control circuit and control software can be shared, and the cost can be reduced.

Fourth, in the drying step, by performing the low-speed rotation operation after the high-speed rotation operation, the drying can be efficiently performed by utilizing the centrifugal dehydration effect obtained in the initial stage of the drying step. This enables energy saving operation and low noise operation.

Fifth, in the drying step, the rotating blades are rotated to scrape off the laundry stuck to the wall surface of the washing and spin-drying tub, thereby stuck to the inner wall surface of the washing and spin-drying tub. The laundry in the state can be dispersed, and the drying efficiency can be improved.

Sixth, by performing the scraping operation after the high-speed rotation operation, the laundry adhered to the inner wall surface of the washing and dewatering tub can be dispersed by the high-speed rotation operation, and the next low-speed rotation operation can be performed. And can be evenly contacted with warm air and dried efficiently.

Seventh, the drying process includes a loosening operation in which the rotating blades are rotated to loosen the laundry, so that the laundry is switched up and down and left and right in the washing and dewatering tub.
It is reliably dispersed and can evenly contact the warm air.

Eighth, by alternately performing the low-speed rotation operation and the loosening operation, the laundry is randomly replaced vertically and horizontally and the laundry is loosened by the warm air effect in the low-speed rotation state where the centrifugal force is weak. By repeating the operation of accelerating the evaporation and diffusion of water, the drying operation can be performed with energy saving and a short drying time, high quality with no wrinkles or uneven drying of the laundry, and low noise.

Ninth, when an operation mode for automatically performing the washing process to the drying process is set, the dehydration process time in the operation mode is set to the operation mode for automatically performing the washing process to the dehydration process. Since the time is set longer than the dehydration process time at the time of setting, the water contained in the laundry in the dehydration process can be squeezed out by the energy-efficient centrifugal dehydration effect of high-speed rotation, and the time can be reduced, and
Thereafter, the laundry is scraped off from the wall surface of the washing and dewatering tub, and thereafter, an operation of randomly replacing and loosening up, down, left, and right is repeated, so that the laundry can be efficiently dried in a short time.

Tenth, since warm air is supplied into the washing and spin-drying tub during the spin-drying process, the evaporative diffusion of the water content of the laundry can be promoted by the effect of the warm air in a low-speed rotation state where the centrifugal force is weak. Energy saving, short drying time, no wrinkles and uneven drying of laundry, high finishing quality, and low noise drying process can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing an operation in a drying process of a first embodiment of a washing and drying machine of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an operation sequence diagram of a drying process of the first embodiment of the washing and drying machine of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation in a drying process of a second embodiment of the washing and drying machine of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a characteristic curve diagram showing a relationship between the number of rotations of a washing and dewatering tub, a drying time, and a drying speed.

FIG. 5 is a characteristic curve diagram showing a relationship between dehydration in a drying process and drying time by hot air supply, and drying speed.

FIG. 6 is a structural diagram of a washing / drying machine.

FIG. 7 is a control block diagram of the washing / drying machine.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of a conventional washing and drying machine in a drying step.

FIG. 9 is an operation sequence diagram of a loosening operation in a drying process of a conventional washing and drying machine.

FIG. 10 is a characteristic curve diagram of the exhaust temperature of a conventional washing and drying machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Outer box, 2 ... Outer tank, 3 ... Flexible tube, 4 ... Heating device, 5 ... Blower, 6 ... Waterproof plate, 7 ... Motor,
8 belt, 9 motor pulley, 10 spindle pulley, 11 clutch, 12 reducer, 13
... drain valve, 14 ... drain hose, 15 ... washing and dewatering tub, 16 ... balancer, 17 ... dewatering hole,
18: laundry, 19: rotor, 20: control unit, 21: top cover, 22: intake hole,
23 ... exhaust hole, 24 ... exhaust duct, 25 ...
Temperature detector, 26: Rotational speed detector, 27: Blow-out nozzle, 28: Rotor blade vent, 30: First
Wing control unit, 31: motor right / left rotation means, 32: timer, 33: clutch operation means, 34: motor right rotation means, 35: first tank control unit, 36: first central control unit

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] July 8, 1998

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Full text

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Document Name] Statement

[Title of the Invention] Washing and drying machine

[Claims]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention utilizes the effect of centrifugal dehydration by changing the rotation of a washing and dewatering tub.
The present invention relates to a washing and drying machine that sends warm air into a washing and dewatering tub to dry laundry, thereby increasing a drying speed, conserving energy, and remarkably improving the finished quality of laundry.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Warm air generated from a heating device and a blower is sent into a washing and dewatering tub to rotate the rotating blades to break the laundry, and then rotate the washing and dewatering tub to rotate the laundry. For example, Japanese Patent Application No. 9-158311 filed earlier by the applicant as a washing and drying machine for drying laundry.

FIG. 6 is a structural view of a washing / drying machine described in Japanese Patent Application No. 9-158311. In FIG. 6, reference numeral 1 denotes an outer box, 2 denotes an outer tub disposed in the outer box 1, and 3 denotes an outer tub. Is a flexible tube for guiding warm air generated by the heating device 4 and the blower 5 disposed on the inner bottom of the outer box 1 to an upper opening of the washing and dewatering tub, which will be described later. A blow-out nozzle 6 for blowing out warm air is mounted on the outer tub 2.

Reference numeral 7 denotes a motor disposed on the outer bottom of the outer tub 2, 8 denotes a belt for transmitting the rotational drive of the motor 7 from the motor pulley 9 to the main shaft pulley 10, and 11 denotes a rotational drive from the speed reducer 12 to be described later. A clutch 13 for switching between transmission to the dewatering tub and transmission to the rotating blades; a drain valve 13 for controlling the discharge of washing liquid to the outside from a drain hose 14 attached to a lower end of the outer tub 2; Is a washing and dewatering tub rotatably provided in the outer tub 2, 16 is a balancer provided on the upper peripheral edge of the washing and dewatering tub 15,
17 is a dewatering hole formed on the wall of the washing and dewatering tub 15;
Numeral 19 denotes laundry contained in the washing / dewatering tub 15, and numeral 19 denotes a rotary wing disposed on the inner bottom of the washing / dewatering tub 15.

[0005] Reference numeral 20 denotes a control unit for controlling the number of rotations and the rotation time of the motor 7 housed in a top cover 21 disposed on the upper part of the outer case 1, 22 a suction hole formed at the bottom of the outer case 1, 23. Exhaust holes 24 formed in the upper wall surface of the outer box 1;
Is a flexible exhaust duct communicating with the top of the space between the outer tub 2 and the washing and dewatering tub 15, 25 is a temperature detector disposed above the space between the outer tub 2 and the washing and dewatering tub 15, and 26 is a main shaft pulley. Reference numeral 28 denotes a rotation speed detector for detecting the rotation speed of the rotation blade, and reference numeral 28 denotes a rotation blade ventilation hole formed in the rotation blade 19.

The clutch 11 transmits the rotation of the main shaft pulley 10 directly to the washing and dewatering tub 15 when the clutch 11 is in operation, and transmits the rotation of the main shaft pulley 1 when the clutch 11 is inactive.
The rotation of 0 is transmitted to the rotor 19 via the speed reducer 12.

FIG. 7 is a control block diagram of the control unit 20. Reference numeral 30 denotes a motor left / right rotation unit 31 for performing left / right rotation of the rotary wing 19 based on a set time of a timer 32. No. 1 wing control unit. 26 is the motor 7
, A clutch operating means for transmitting the rotational drive of the motor 7 to the washing and spin-drying tub 15, a motor clockwise rotating means 34 for rotating the motor 7 clockwise, and a clutch operating 35 Control means 33 and a motor right rotation means 34 based on the output of the rotation speed detector 26.
Is a first tank control unit for controlling the temperature. 36 is a temperature detector 2
5 is a first central control unit that controls the heating device 4, the blower 5, the first blade control unit 30, and the first tank control unit 35 based on the output of the control unit 5.

Next, the operation of the washing and drying process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. After the washing and rinsing steps in the washing and drying machine are completed, the washing and dewatering tub 15 is rotated at a high speed to shift to a dehydrating step in which the moisture contained in the laundry 18 is blown off by centrifugal force [Step (1)]. After the dehydration process, the process proceeds to the drying process while the laundry 18 is stuck to the inner wall surface of the washing and dewatering tub 15 by centrifugal force, and the hot air is washed from the flexible tube 3 through the blowing nozzle 27. It is guided to the upper opening of the dewatering tank 15.

Here, the distribution route of the warm air will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, the external air sucked through the air inlet 22 formed at the bottom of the outer box 1 is turned into warm air by the heating device 4 and the blower 5, and the warm air is blown out of the flexible tube 3 as described above. It is guided to the upper opening of the washing and dewatering tub 15 via the nozzle 27.

Next, the warm air comes into contact with the laundry 18 to evaporate the water by the diffusion effect of the washing and dewatering tub 15 and the rotating action of the rotary wing 19 which rotates integrally with the washing and dewatering tub 15. As a result, the warm air having a high humidity escapes from the rotary blade ventilation hole 28 to the outer bottom of the washing and dewatering tub 15 or escapes through the dewatering hole 17 so that the space between the outer tub 2 and the washing and dewatering tub 15 is removed. Going upward from below. Then, the hot air having a high humidity is diffused from the flexible exhaust duct 24 to the outside through the exhaust holes 23.

Next, the process proceeds to the loosening and drying process (step (2)), and as shown in FIG.
Reciprocating rotation is performed for 1 minute so that clockwise rotation and counterclockwise rotation are alternately repeated at a cycle of 0.5 seconds and OFF. This allows
Laundry 1 attached to the inner wall of the washing and dewatering tub 15
8 (state A in FIG. 6) is scraped off, randomly switched up and down, left and right, and unraveled, and makes uniform contact with the laundry 18 (state B in FIG. 6) where the hot air is released.

Next, the process proceeds to the drying step (step (3)). After the clutch operating means 33 is driven, the operation of the motor right rotation means 34 is controlled based on the output of the rotation speed detector 26. Thus, the washing and dewatering tub 15 rotates at a rotation speed of, for example, 300 rpm for about 3 minutes. At this time, the rotating action of the washing and dewatering tub 15 and the washing and dewatering tub 1
The laundry 18 in a state in which the warm air adheres to the inner wall surface of the washing and dewatering tub 15 by centrifugal force due to the diffusion effect of the rotating blade 19 that rotates integrally with the laundry 5 (state A in FIG. 6). Contact Laundry 1 in direct contact with warm air
The moisture contained in 8 is evaporated and diffused and exhausted through a predetermined circulation route.

Next, the process proceeds to the determination of the degree of drying [step (4)], and the degree of drying of the laundry 18 is determined based on the output of the temperature detector 25 for detecting the exhaust temperature. FIG.
FIG. 11 is a curve diagram showing an example of a temperature change of hot air obtained from a temperature detector 25 provided in an upper part of a space between the outer tub 2 and the washing and dewatering tub 5, and in FIG. The temperature of the remaining heat gradually rises (line A in FIG. 10), and then the temperature stabilizes (line B in FIG. 10). In this case, the temperature rises (C line in FIG. 10). In the process of the rising period, for example, one of the absolute value of the temperature and the amount of change from the initial temperature is selected and used as a criterion for determining the degree of drying of the laundry 18.

As a result of the determination, for example, when the absolute value of the output of the temperature detector 25 or the amount of change from the initial value is equal to or less than a predetermined value, it is determined that the drying is not completed, that is, NO. Then, returning to the step of drying (step (2)), the same operation as described above is performed.

When the absolute value of the output of the temperature detector 25 or the amount of change from the initial value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, it is determined that drying is completed, that is, YES.
Thus, the operations of the heating device 4, the blower 5, and the motor 7 are stopped, and a series of drying steps is completed [Step (5)].

According to the above configuration, the warm air uniformly contacts the entirety of the laundry 18, so that the evaporation and diffusion of the moisture in the laundry 18 can be promoted.

[0017]

The conventional washing and drying machines are:
In the drying process, the rotation speed of the washing and dewatering tub is 300 rpm
m, and the centrifugal force is small, so that the laundry only comes into contact with the inner wall surface of the washing and dewatering tub by lightly stacking. There is an advantage that warm air enters the wall close to the wall and the drying speed is high, but since there is no effect of centrifugal dehydration, all moisture contained in the laundry will be vaporized with warm air,
There is a problem that energy efficiency is not good and drying time is long.

If the rotation speed of the washing and dewatering tub is set high and the centrifugal force generated by this rotation is increased, moisture contained in the laundry is removed from the laundry by centrifugal dehydration at the beginning of drying. Although the effect is very large, the centrifugal dewatering effect is lost over time, and it comes into contact with warm air while sticking to the inner wall surface of the washing and dewatering tub. Even with such a drying method, the surface of the laundry that is in direct contact with the warm air evaporates and the drying proceeds.However, since the centrifugal force is large, the laundry is pressed strongly against the inner wall surface of the washing and dewatering tub to form a laminated state. There is a problem that the finished quality of the laundry is not good, such as wrinkling of the product and uneven drying, and the rotating sound of the washing and dewatering tub is loud.

An object of the present invention is to eliminate the disadvantages of the prior art, to utilize the effect of centrifugal dehydration with high energy efficiency, and to contact the entire washing in the washing and dewatering tub with warm air evenly to improve drying efficiency. Another object of the present invention is to provide a washing / drying machine which can significantly improve the drying performance and can dry the laundry without causing wrinkles and uneven drying.

[0020]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention firstly provides a washing and dehydrating tub in a drying step of supplying warm air to the washing and dehydrating tub while rotating the tub. By changing the number of rotations of the dehydration tub in a plurality of stages, the moisture contained in the laundry can be dried efficiently in a short time and with low noise, and wrinkles and uneven drying do not occur.

Second, the drying step includes a high-speed rotation operation for rotating the washing and dewatering tub at a high rotation speed and a low-speed rotation operation for rotating the washing and dehydration tub at a low rotation speed. The moisture contained in the laundry can be squeezed out by the effect of centrifugal dehydration with high energy efficiency due to the high-speed rotation, and the evaporation and diffusion of the moisture in the laundry can be promoted by the low-speed rotation with a weak centrifugal force.

Third, in the drying step, by performing the low-speed rotation operation after the high-speed rotation operation, the drying can be efficiently performed by utilizing the centrifugal dehydration effect obtained in the initial stage of the drying step. This enables energy saving operation and low noise operation.

Fourth, the high-speed rotation operation is performed by rotating the washing and spin-drying tub at substantially the same speed as that during the spin-drying process.
The control circuit and control software can be shared, and the cost can be reduced.

Fifth, by changing the speed of the high-speed rotation operation from a low speed to a high speed, moisture is gradually squeezed out at a low speed rotation with a weak centrifugal force at the beginning of the high-speed rotation operation, and then the energy by the high-speed rotation is increased. As the water of the laundry can be squeezed out by the effect of highly efficient centrifugal dehydration,
Drying can be performed efficiently.

Sixth, the drying process includes the operation of rotating the rotating blades to scrape off the laundry stuck to the wall surface of the washing and dewatering tub, thereby stuck to the inner wall surface of the washing and dewatering tub. The laundry in the state can be dispersed, and the drying efficiency can be improved.

Seventh, by performing the scraping operation after the high-speed rotation operation, the laundry stuck to the inner wall surface of the washing and dewatering tub can be dispersed by the high-speed rotation operation, and the next low-speed rotation operation can be performed. And can be evenly contacted with warm air and dried efficiently.

Eighth, the drying process includes the unraveling operation of rotating the rotating blades to unravel the laundry, so that the laundry is switched up, down, left, and right in the washing and dewatering tub, and is reliably dispersed. And can evenly contact the hot air.

Ninth, by alternately performing the low-speed rotation operation and the decoupling operation, the decoupling operation of randomly changing the laundry up, down, left and right, and the washing by the warm air effect in the low-speed rotation state where the centrifugal force is weak. By repeating the operation of accelerating the evaporation and diffusion of the water content, the drying operation can be performed with low energy consumption and a short drying time, high quality with no wrinkles or uneven drying of the laundry, and low noise.

Tenth, when an operation mode for automatically performing the washing process to the drying process is set, warm air is supplied to the washing and dewatering tank during the dewatering process. In low-speed low-speed rotation, the effect of warm air can promote the evaporative diffusion of water in the laundry, energy saving and drying time is short, wrinkles and uneven drying of the laundry do not occur, and the finish quality is high, and A low-noise drying process can be obtained.

Eleventh, the drying step includes a high-speed rotation operation of rotating the washing and dewatering tub at a high rotation speed, and a low-speed rotation operation of rotating the washing and dehydration tub at a low rotation speed.
By providing a period during which hot air is not supplied during high-speed rotation, during periods when hot air is not supplied, water is squeezed out of the laundry by the high-efficiency centrifugal dehydration effect of high-speed rotation, and this water is reduced. Since the warm air is supplied to the laundry in the closed state, energy efficiency can be improved.

Twelfth, the rotational operation in the initial period of the drying process is changed from a low speed to a high speed, and hot air is supplied in the middle of the rotation. Immediately after the start, the laundry is squeezed out of moisture by the energy-efficient centrifugal dehydration effect of the rotating operation, and warm air can be supplied to the laundry with less moisture, so it should be dried efficiently. Can be.

Thirteenth, since the moisture contained in the laundry is squeezed out by the energy-efficient centrifugal dehydration effect of the high-speed rotation, and the hot air is supplied only during the low-speed rotation operation, the drying can be performed efficiently.

[0033]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a flow chart showing the operation of a drying process according to a first embodiment of the washing and drying machine of the present invention. The structure of the washing and drying machine of the present invention is the same as that of the conventional example described with reference to FIG. Is also the same as the control block diagram shown in FIG. 7, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The drying process in the washing and drying machine of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. After the laundry 18 containing water after washing by hand washing is put into the washing and spin-drying tub 15 or automatically performed up to the spin-drying cycle by the washing and drying machine, the drying cycle is selected and the drying cycle is started [step (6)] First, the process proceeds to the high-speed rotation drying process [step (7)]. Here, as shown in the operation sequence of FIG.
While rotating at 0 rpm at high speed, the heating device 4 and the blower 5 are turned on, and the warm air is guided from the flexible tube 3 to the upper opening of the washing and dewatering tub 15 through the blowing nozzle 27.

The laundry 18 is centrifugally generated by the rotating action of the washing / dewatering tub 15 at about 900 rpm.
5 and pushed into the laminated state. The water contained in the laundry 18 is centrifugally dehydrated from the laundry 18 by the action of centrifugal force, drained from the drain port, and blown out from the blowing nozzle 27, and is washed by the fan effect of the rotation of the washing and dewatering tub 15. By the warm air sucked into the dehydration tub 15, the moisture contained in the laundry 18 on the surface of the laminated state evaporates and diffuses, and is exhausted through a predetermined circulation path.

This high-speed rotation drying (step (7))
Continue for 20 minutes. During this time, the moisture contained in the laundry 18 decreases rapidly due to the effect of centrifugal dehydration and the effect of warm air.

Next, the process proceeds to the scraping process [step (8)]. As shown in FIG. 2, the operation sequence of the rotor 19 in this scraping operation is performed at a rotational speed of 130 rpm and an O
Clockwise rotation and counterclockwise rotation are alternately repeated in a cycle of N1 seconds and OFF 0.5 seconds to make two reciprocations. By the scraping operation of the rotary blade 19 in only two reciprocating motions, the laundry 18 stuck to the inner wall surface of the washing and dewatering tub 15 is scraped off by the rotary blade 19 without being entangled, and the surface of the rotary blade 19 is removed. Disperse in.

Then, the process shifts to unraveling [step (9)]. As shown in FIGS. 2 (1), (2), and (3), the rotary wing 19 is ON at a rotation speed of 130 rpm for 0.5 second and OFF.
The clockwise and counterclockwise rotations are alternately repeated at a cycle of 0.5 seconds, and reciprocate 10 times. By this unraveling operation, the laundry 18 is randomly replaced vertically and horizontally and is unraveled.

By the scraping operation and the unraveling operation,
Laundry 1 attached to the inner wall of the washing and dewatering tub 15
8 is in a dispersed state without fail, and makes even contact with warm air.

Next, the process shifts to the low-speed rotation drying process (step (10)). After the clutch operation means 33 is driven, the motor right rotation means 34 is operated based on the output of the rotation speed detector 26.
Is controlled. Thus, the washing and dewatering tub 15 rotates at a rotation speed of, for example, 300 rpm for about 4 minutes. At this time, the warm air blown from the blow-out nozzle 27 is washed and removed by the fan effect of the rotating action of the washing and dewatering tub 15 and the rotating action of the rotary wing 19 that rotates integrally with the washing and dewatering tub 15. It is sucked into the water tank 15.

The hot air comes into contact with the laundry 18 which is slightly moved to the inner wall surface of the washing and dewatering tub 15 by the centrifugal force generated by the rotation of 300 rpm. The moisture contained in the laundry 18 at a location directly in contact with the warm air evaporates and diffuses and is exhausted through a predetermined distribution path.

Next, the process proceeds to the determination of the degree of drying [step (11)], and the degree of drying of the laundry 18 is determined based on the output of the temperature detector 25 for detecting the exhaust temperature. In the end,
When the absolute value of the output of the temperature detector 25 or the amount of change from the initial value is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value, it is determined that the drying is not completed, that is, NO. Then, the process returns to the step [9], and the same operation as described above is performed again.

When the absolute value of the output of the temperature detector 25 or the amount of change from the initial value is equal to or larger than a predetermined value, it is determined that the drying is completed, that is, YES. As a result, the operations of the heating device 4, the blower 5, and the motor 7 are stopped, and a series of drying steps is completed [Step (1).
2)].

In the drying step, the washing and dewatering tub 15 is initially rotated at 900 rpm at a high speed for about 20 minutes, and after the next scraping operation, the washing and dewatering tub 15 is rotated at a low speed at 300 rpm for about 4 minutes. The experimental results that are the basis for the rotation are shown below.

This experiment was based on the JIS C 9608 rotary drum type electric clothes dryer. The laundry was made of 100% cotton cloth, the laundry amount was 2 kg, and the moisture content of the laundry at the start of drying was water-containing. The rate is 75%. The input of the drive motor for the washing and dewatering tub is about 200 W, the input of the heater is about 1000 W, and the input of the blower is about 20 W.

The tank rotation time was 4 minutes, and the rotation was reciprocated for 1 minute by alternately repeating clockwise rotation and counterclockwise rotation of the rotary blade 19 at ON 0.5 seconds and OFF 0.5 seconds. The weight of the laundry containing water and the amount of water subjected to centrifugal dehydration were measured every 5 minutes, with one cycle of the tub rotation being 5 minutes.

FIG. 4 is a drying characteristic curve diagram relating to the effect of the number of rotations of the washing and dewatering tub.
m, and an experimental result (relationship between drying speed g / min and operation time min) at 900 rpm, which is almost the same as in the dehydration step.

FIG. 5 is a graph showing the drying characteristics of the effects of dehydration and warm air. The results of the experiment at a rotation speed of the washing and dewatering tub of 900 rpm during the spin drying (whole water loss, effect of centrifugal dehydration). (Relationship between operating time with discharged water and water evaporated by the effect of warm air).

According to the results of this experiment, in FIG. 4, a significant difference in the rotation speed was observed in the drying speed for about 20 minutes from the start of drying, and no significant difference was observed thereafter. When the rotation speed of the washing and dewatering tub is 700 rpm and 900 rpm, there is a peak in the initial drying speed at the start of drying, but this phenomenon does not appear when the rotation speed is 300 rpm and 500 rpm, and peaks as the rotation speed increases. It is understood that the effect of centrifugal dehydration is large.

On the other hand, in FIG. 5, the rotation speed is 900 rpm.
It can be seen that the amount of water discharged by the centrifugal dehydration is large at the beginning of drying, and then gradually decreases. After about 20 minutes, the centrifugal dehydration effect becomes zero and only the effect of hot air drying is obtained. Then, from the experiment shown in FIG. 4, no significant difference is observed in the rotation speed after about 20 minutes have elapsed, indicating that the rotation speed may be lower for the warm air effect.

From FIG. 4, it can be seen that the end of drying becomes faster as the rotation speed is higher because of the effect of centrifugal dehydration.
At 300 rpm, the drying time is about 95 minutes each,
The time is about 125 minutes, and the time can be reduced by about 25% when the rotation speed is 900 rpm.

Furthermore, when the drive motor of the washing and dewatering tub is an induction motor that is generally widely used, the rotation speed of the washing and dewatering tub is 9
Even if it is 00 rpm, it is almost the same as 300 rpm,
Only 200W, 20 minutes (Power consumption is only 70WH
Weak). Therefore, from the viewpoint of energy, the number of rotations of the washing and dewatering tub is 90
At 0 rpm and 300 rpm, the drying time is about 95 minutes and about 125 minutes, respectively. Therefore, by setting the rotation speed of the washing and dewatering tub at a high speed at the beginning of drying, about 25% energy saving can be achieved. .

In FIG. 2, the washing and dewatering tub 15,
Although the operating state of the rotary wing 19 is shown in a rectangular shape, the present invention is not limited to this.
The rotation state at the time of stop (at the time of inertial rotation) naturally changes with time. In addition, the rotation speed of the washing and dewatering tub 15 is changed from the startup to the final high-speed rotation, as shown in FIGS.
Instead, the rotation speed may be changed stepwise as shown in FIG. 2 (2) or continuously as shown in FIG. 2 (3).

Further, the timing of alternately switching between the washing and dewatering tub 15 and the rotary wings 19 is appropriately designed such that the rotary wings 19 are driven after the washing and dewatering tub 15 is completely stopped. Further, one rectangle of the rotary wing 19 includes a forward / reverse rotation operation sequence shown in FIG.

The duration of the high-speed rotation of the washing and dewatering tub 15 is such that the centrifugal dewatering effect, which depends on the spinning speed and the wall shape of the washing and dewatering tub 15, is gradually reduced with time. The time is determined experimentally until the dehydration effect becomes smaller than the drying rate of evaporation and diffusion of water by warm air. Alternatively, the washing and dewatering tub 1 is determined based on the information that it is determined that the water droplets of the centrifugal dehydration do not hit the outer tub 2 or that it is determined that the water droplets are no longer present in the drain port.
5 may be switched to low-speed rotation. The supply of the warm air may be performed after a lapse of a predetermined time after the rotation of the washing and dewatering tub 15 starts.

The rotation speed of the washing and dewatering tub 15 is 900
It is not limited to the numerical values of rpm, 300 rpm, and high speed and low speed. The high speed may be varied stepwise or continuously to a higher value, and the low speed may be changed to dry. May be changed at a lower speed in accordance with the progress of the movement, thereby reducing the occurrence of wrinkles.

Further, if the number of rotations of the high-speed rotation in the drying step is set to be the same as the number of rotations of the washing and dewatering tub 15 in the dehydration step, a common control circuit and control software can be used.

With the above structure, the water contained in the laundry 18 is first squeezed out by the effect of high-efficiency centrifugal dehydration by the high-speed rotation of the washing and dewatering tub 15, and the laundry 18 is removed from the laundry and dewatering tub 15. By scraping off the wall surface and then randomly changing it up, down, left and right, and repeating the operation of promoting the evaporation and diffusion of water in the laundry 18 by the effect of warm air in a low-speed rotation state with low centrifugal force, The laundry 18 can be dried. As a result, the drying time is fast with energy saving and the laundry 18
And high-quality, low-noise drying without wrinkles and uneven drying can be performed.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the drying process according to the second embodiment of the washing and drying machine of the present invention. The laundry 18 to be washed and dried is put into the washing and dewatering tub 15, and the laundry is dried. The entire process up to the process is set and started as an automatic course [Step (13)], and the process shifts to the washing process and the rinsing process as in the prior art [Step (1).
4)] [Step (15)].

After the end of the rinsing process, the process shifts to the dewatering process [step (16)]. In this dewatering step, after the rinsing liquid in the washing and dewatering tub 15 is drained, the washing and dewatering tub 15 first rotates at a high speed of about 900 rpm as shown in the timing chart of FIG. The laundry 18 is pushed to the inner wall surface of the washing and dewatering tub 15 by the centrifugal force due to the rotation action of about 900 rpm to be in a stacked state. The water contained in the laundry 18 is centrifugally dehydrated from the laundry 18 by the action of the centrifugal force, and is drained from the drain port.

When the time from the washing to the dewatering process is set to be automatically performed, the heating device 4 and the blower 5 are turned on after the elapse of the dewatering time, for example, about 5 minutes, and the hot air flows from the flexible tube 3. It is guided to the upper opening of the washing and dewatering tub 15 through the blowing nozzle 27.

The water contained in the laundry 18 is continuously centrifugally dehydrated by the centrifugal force of the rotation action of about 900 rpm, drained from the drain port, and further blown out from the blowing nozzle 27 to rotate the washing and dewatering tub 15. The hot air sucked into the washing and dewatering tub 15 by the fan effect causes moisture contained in the laundry 18 on the laminated surface to evaporate and diffuse, and is exhausted through a predetermined circulation route. The high-speed rotation drying in the dehydration process lasts about 20 minutes. During this time, the moisture contained in the laundry 18 decreases rapidly due to the effect of centrifugal dehydration and the effect of warm air.

Next, the process shifts to the scraping process [step (17)]. The scraping operation, the following unraveling operation [Step (18)], the low-speed rotation operation [Step (19)], and the determination of the dryness [Step (20)] are described in the first embodiment. Step (8)] ~
This is the same as [Step (11)].

The timing at which the heating device 4 and the blower 5 are turned on coincides with the high-speed rotation drying as in the first embodiment (FIGS. 2A and 2B), and also as in the second embodiment. The operation is not limited to 5 minutes after the start of the high-speed dehydration, but is set as appropriate. When the operation mode for automatically performing the washing process to the dehydration process is set, the washing and dehydration are performed in the middle of the dehydration process. Warm air may be supplied into the water tank 15. As a result, warm air is supplied into the washing and spin-drying tub during the spin-drying process. Drying time is short, and
A wrinkle and uneven drying of the laundry are not generated, and a high finishing quality and low-noise drying process can be obtained.

When the drying process includes a high-speed rotation operation and a low-speed rotation operation, a period during which no hot air is supplied is provided during the high-speed rotation operation, as shown in FIG. High efficiency centrifugal dewatering effectively squeezes out the water in the laundry. The hot air is supplied to the laundry with reduced moisture by the high-speed rotation operation, so that the energy efficiency is improved.

Further, when the rotation speed in the initial period of the drying process is changed from a low speed to a high speed as shown in FIGS. 2 (2) and 3 (3), the rotation is started from the middle as shown in FIG. 2 (C). The laundry immediately after the start of the drying process, which supplies warm air and contains a lot of moisture, squeezes out the moisture by the energy-efficient centrifugal dehydration effect of the rotating operation, and the laundry with less moisture Supply warm air to
Dry efficiently.

In each of FIGS. 2 (1) to 2 (3), the moisture contained in the laundry is squeezed out by the energy-efficient centrifugal dehydration effect of the high-speed rotation, and after shifting to the low-speed rotation operation, FIG. If hot air is supplied only for this low-speed rotation operation as shown in (D), drying can be performed efficiently.

In both the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the scraping operation and the releasing operation are performed.
As shown in FIG. 5, the hot air may be supplied without performing the scraping and unraveling operation. In both the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the inside of the washing and dewatering tub 15 is used during the scraping and unraveling operation. Hot air is supplied to the
Only 9 rotates and the washing and dewatering tub 15 does not rotate, and there is no fan effect of the washing and dewatering tub 15, so that the contact effect between the laundry 18 and the warm air is reduced. Therefore, a configuration in which the supply of warm air is stopped during the scraping operation and the unraveling operation can be adopted (FIG. 2B).

With the above configuration, when the operation mode is set so that the washing process to the drying process are automatically performed, the water contained in the laundry 18 is removed in the dehydration process.
First of all, while squeezing out by the effect of centrifugal dehydration with high energy efficiency by high-speed rotation and evaporating by the effect of warm air, the time is reduced, and
Thereafter, the laundry 18 is scraped off from the wall surface of the washing and spin-drying tub 15, and then is randomly switched up, down, left and right, and in a low-speed rotating state with a weak centrifugal force, the moisture of the laundry 18 is evaporated and diffused by the effect of warm air. By repeating the operation of promoting the washing, the laundry 18 can be dried. Accordingly, it is possible to perform drying with high finishing quality and low noise without energy saving, fast drying time, and no wrinkles and uneven drying on the laundry 18.

[0070]

As described above, the washing and drying machine according to the present invention firstly provides a washing and dewatering tub in the drying step of supplying warm air into the washing and dewatering tub while rotating the washing and dewatering tub. By changing the number of rotations of the laundry in multiple stages, the moisture contained in the laundry can be dried quickly and efficiently with low noise,
No wrinkles or uneven drying occur.

Secondly, the drying process includes a high-speed rotation operation for rotating the washing and dewatering tub at a high rotation speed and a low-speed rotation operation for rotating the washing and dehydration tub at a low rotation speed. In addition, the moisture contained in the laundry can be squeezed out by the effect of centrifugal dehydration with high energy efficiency due to high-speed rotation, and the evaporation and diffusion of moisture in the laundry can be promoted by low-speed rotation with low centrifugal force.

Third, in the drying step, by performing the low-speed rotation operation after the high-speed rotation operation, the drying can be efficiently performed by utilizing the centrifugal dehydration effect obtained in the initial stage of the drying step. This enables energy saving operation and low noise operation.

Fourth, the high-speed rotation operation is performed by rotating the washing and spin-drying tub at substantially the same speed as that during the spin-drying process.
The control circuit and control software can be shared, and the cost can be reduced.

Fifth, by changing the speed of the high-speed rotation operation from a low speed to a high speed, moisture is gradually squeezed out at a low speed rotation with a weak centrifugal force at the beginning of the high-speed rotation operation, and then the energy by the high-speed rotation is increased. As the water of the laundry can be squeezed out by the effect of highly efficient centrifugal dehydration,
Drying can be performed efficiently.

Sixth, the drying process includes the operation of rotating the rotating blades to scrape off the laundry stuck to the wall surface of the washing and dewatering tub, thereby stuck to the inner wall surface of the washing and dewatering tub. The laundry in the state can be dispersed, and the drying efficiency can be improved.

Seventh, by performing the scraping operation after the high-speed rotation operation, the laundry stuck on the inner wall surface of the washing and dewatering tub can be dispersed by the high-speed rotation operation, and the next low-speed rotation operation can be performed. And can be evenly contacted with warm air and dried efficiently.

Eighth, the drying process includes the unraveling operation of rotating the rotating wings to unravel the laundry, whereby the laundry is switched up and down and left and right in the washing and dewatering tub, and is reliably dispersed. And can evenly contact the hot air.

Ninth, by alternately performing the low-speed rotation operation and the decoupling operation, the decoupling operation of randomly changing the laundry up, down, left and right, and the washing operation by the warm air effect in the low-speed rotation state with a weak centrifugal force. By repeating the operation of accelerating the evaporation and diffusion of the water content, the drying operation can be performed with low energy consumption and a short drying time, high quality with no wrinkles or uneven drying of the laundry, and low noise.

Tenth, when an operation mode for automatically performing the washing process to the drying process is set, warm air is supplied to the washing and dewatering tank during the dewatering process. In low-speed low-speed rotation, the effect of warm air can promote the evaporative diffusion of water in the laundry, energy saving and drying time is short, wrinkles and uneven drying of the laundry do not occur, and the finish quality is high, and A low-noise drying process can be obtained.

Eleventh, the drying step includes a high-speed rotation operation for rotating the washing and spinning tub at a high speed, and a low-speed rotation for rotating the washing and spinning tub at a low speed.
By providing a period during which hot air is not supplied during high-speed rotation, during periods when hot air is not supplied, water is squeezed out of the laundry by the high-efficiency centrifugal dehydration effect of high-speed rotation, and this water is reduced. Since the warm air is supplied to the laundry in the closed state, energy efficiency can be improved.

Twelfth, by changing the speed of the rotating operation in the initial period of the drying process from a low speed to a high speed and supplying warm air in the middle of the rotation, the drying process containing a large amount of moisture is performed. Immediately after the start, the laundry is squeezed out of moisture by the energy-efficient centrifugal dehydration effect of the rotating operation, and warm air can be supplied to the laundry with less moisture, so it should be dried efficiently. Can be.

Thirteenth, since the moisture contained in the laundry is squeezed out by the centrifugal dewatering effect with high energy efficiency by high-speed rotation, hot air is supplied only at low-speed rotation, so that drying can be performed efficiently.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing an operation in a drying process of a first embodiment of a washing and drying machine of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a timing chart of a drying process of the embodiment of the washing and drying machine of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation in a drying process of a second embodiment of the washing and drying machine of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a characteristic curve diagram showing a relationship between the number of rotations of a washing and dewatering tub, a drying time, and a drying speed.

FIG. 5 is a characteristic curve diagram showing a relationship between dehydration in a drying process and drying time by hot air supply, and drying speed.

FIG. 6 is a structural diagram of a washing / drying machine.

FIG. 7 is a control block diagram of the washing / drying machine.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of a conventional washing and drying machine in a drying step.

FIG. 9 is a timing chart of a loosening operation in a drying process of a conventional washing and drying machine.

FIG. 10 is a characteristic curve diagram of the exhaust temperature of a conventional washing and drying machine.

[Description of Signs] 1 ... Outer box, 2 ... Outer tank, 3 ... Flexible tube, 4 ... Heating device, 5 ... Blower, 6 ... Waterproof plate, 7 ... Motor,
8 belt, 9 motor pulley, 10 spindle pulley, 11 clutch, 12 reducer, 13
... drain valve, 14 ... drain hose, 15 ... washing and dewatering tub, 16 ... balancer, 17 ... dewatering hole,
18: laundry, 19: rotor, 20: control unit, 21: top cover, 22: intake hole,
23 ... exhaust hole, 24 ... exhaust duct, 25 ...
Temperature detector, 26: Rotational speed detector, 27: Blow-out nozzle, 28: Rotor blade vent, 30: First
Wing control unit, 31: motor right / left rotation means, 32: timer, 33: clutch operation means, 34: motor right rotation means, 35: first tank control unit, 36: first central control unit

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] Figure 2

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG. 2

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Katsunori Ishii 1-1-1 Yamate, Funabashi-shi, Chiba Prefecture Inside Nippon Steel Corporation (72) Inventor Kunio Inose 1-1-1 Yamate, Funabashi-shi, Chiba Japan (72) Inventor Mamoru Katano 1-1-1 Yamate, Funabashi-shi, Chiba Japan Incorporated Steel Corporation (72) Inventor Yoshio Yoshida 2-3-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Mitsui Electric Inside (72) Inventor Shinichi Nakamura 2-3-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Mitsui Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Masaji Kukino 2-3-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Mitsubishi Electric (72) Inventor Shinsuke Ise 2-3-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (72) Inventor Kazuhiko Manya Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Eye No. 2 No. 3 Mitsubishi Electric Co., Ltd. in

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A washing process for rotating a rotor, a dehydrating process for rotating a washing and dewatering tub, and a drying process for supplying warm air into the washing and dewatering tub while rotating the washing and dewatering tub. A washing and drying machine having a washing and drying machine, wherein in the drying step, the number of rotations of the washing and dewatering tub is changed in a plurality of stages. 2. The drying step includes a high-speed rotation operation of rotating the washing and dewatering tub at a high rotation speed, and a low-speed rotation operation of rotating the washing and dehydration tub at a low rotation speed. The washing and drying machine according to claim 1, wherein 3. The washing and drying machine according to claim 1, wherein the high-speed rotation operation rotates the washing and dehydrating tub at substantially the same rotation speed as in the dehydration process. 4. The drying process according to claim 1, wherein a low-speed rotation operation is performed after the high-speed rotation operation.
The washing and drying machine according to any one of the above. 5. The drying process according to claim 1, wherein the drying step includes a scraping operation of rotating a rotating blade to scrape off the laundry stuck to a wall surface of the washing and dewatering tub. The washing and drying machine as described. 6. The washing and drying machine according to claim 5, wherein the scraping operation is performed after the high-speed rotation operation. 7. The washing / drying machine according to claim 5, wherein the drying step includes a loosening operation for rotating the rotor to loosen the laundry. 8. The washing and drying machine according to claim 2, wherein the low-speed rotation operation and the loosening operation are alternately performed. 9. When an operation mode for automatically performing the washing process to the drying process is set, the dehydration process time in the operation mode is set when the operation mode for automatically performing the washing process to the dehydration process is set. The washing / drying machine according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the drying time is longer than the dehydration process time. 10. The washing and drying machine according to claim 9, wherein hot air is supplied into the washing and dewatering tub in the dehydration step.