KR20050044884A - Steam spraying type drum washer - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a drum washing machine for washing laundry by dropping the laundry to a certain height, and in particular, a steam jet drum washing machine that can improve sterilization and washing performance by spraying high temperature and high pressure steam into the tub and drum. It is about.

Steam jet drum washing machine according to the present invention is installed in the cabinet tub to wash the water supply therein; A drum rotatably installed in the tub; Water supply means for supplying washing water to the tub side; A steam generator which is installed to be connected to the water supply means and heats the wash water with high temperature and high pressure steam to supply the tub and the drum; And it is installed on the inlet side of the steam generating device comprises an inlet valve for adjusting the water supply of the wash water, not only rapid progress of the packing, but also to increase the sterilization effect and washing performance of the laundry, wash water and electrical energy Can save.

Description

Steam Spraying Drum Washing Machine {steam spraying type drum washer}

The present invention relates to a washing machine, and more particularly, to a drum washing machine for washing laundry by dropping the laundry to a certain height.

In general, the drum washing machine washes by using friction between the drum and the laundry rotated by the driving force of the motor in the state in which the detergent and the washing water and the laundry are put in the tub and the drum which are horizontally installed. Not tangled, pounding and rubbing has a laundry effect.

1 is a perspective view showing a drum washing machine according to the prior art, Figure 2 is a side cross-sectional view showing a drum washing machine according to the prior art.

A conventional drum washing machine is installed to suspend a cabinet (2) forming an exterior as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and a spring (4) inside the cabinet (2) and at the same time by a damper assembly (5). A tub 6 installed to be supported, a drum 8 rotatably installed inside the tub 6, in which washing water and laundry are contained, and protruding from the inner wall of the drum 8 at regular intervals. And a lift 8a for pulling up and dropping laundry as the drum 8 rotates, and a motor for rotating the drum 8 to be connected to the drum 8 at the rear of the tub 6. It comprises a (10).

In addition, the drum washing machine is installed on the upper side of the tub (6) and the water supply valve assembly 12 and the detergent box assembly 14 for supplying the washing water and detergent to the tub 6 and the drum (8), A drain pump assembly 16 is installed below the tub 6 to drain the wash water inside the tub 6 and the drum 8.

Here, the drum 8 has a plurality of dehydration holes (8h) formed on the inner wall surface so that the washing water can flow freely to the drum (8) and the tub (6) side as well as wash water from the laundry by centrifugal force during dehydration The water supply valve assembly 12 and the drain pump assembly 16 are configured to include a water supply valve (not shown) and a drain pump (not shown), respectively, to be washed according to the operation of the water supply valve and the drain pump. Water or drain the water.

In particular, the lower side of the tub 6 is equipped with a heater 20 so as to improve the washing performance by heating the wash water inside the tub 6 to a high temperature, the tub 6 is the heater 20 Heater mounting portion (6a) is formed to protrude downward to the bottom so that it can be mounted.

Looking at the operation of the prior art configured as described above are as follows.

First, when a washing stroke is performed in a state in which laundry is contained in the drum 8, the water supply valve is operated to open the washing water to be supplied into the tub 6 and the drum 8, but the washing water is supplied to the water supply. Passing through the valve assembly 12 and the detergent box assembly 14 is supplied into the tub 6 with detergent, an appropriate amount of washing water is supplied to the tub 6 in accordance with the amount of laundry.

Then, the motor 10 is operated to rotate the drum 8, the lift 8a raises the laundry to a certain height, and then washes the laundry to fall, the heater according to the user's setting 20 may be operated to heat the washing water inside the tub 6 to improve washing performance.

When the washing stroke is completed as described above, the drainage pump is operated to drain the washing water, and then the motor 10 is operated at high speed to rotate the drum 8 at high speed so that the washing water from the laundry is centrifugal. Intermittent dehydration proceeds by exiting, and the water supply valve is opened again to supply washing water and at the same time the drum 8 rotates to rinse.

As such, rinsing and intermittent dehydration are repeatedly operated, and finally, the dehydration stroke is performed to complete the washing.

However, in the conventional drum washing machine, the washing water passing through the water supply valve assembly is supplied to the upper side of the tub 6 together with the detergent while passing through the detergent box assembly 14, and then a heater installed inside the tub 6. Since it is heated by 20) as the cold wash water is supplied at the time of initial water supply, there is a problem that the speed of laden laundry is slowed.

In the conventional drum washing machine, since the heater mounting portion 6a is formed to protrude downward in order to mount the heater 20 for heating the washing water inside the tub 6, the heater mounting portion ( When a separate space for forming 6a) is required and the wash water is supplied to the tub 6, the washing water is also contained in the heater mounting portion 6a so that the washing water is wasted and the heater mounting portion 6a There is a problem that the detergent remains to degrade the washing performance.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, steam jet drum washing machine to be sprayed into the tub and drum to wash water is heated to improve the sterilization and washing performance as well as speed up the wetting speed The purpose is to provide.

In order to solve the above problems, the steam jet drum washing machine according to the present invention is installed in the cabinet tub to the wash water supplied therein; A drum rotatably installed in the tub; Water supply means for supplying washing water to the tub side; A steam generator which is installed to be connected to the water supply means and heats the wash water with high temperature and high pressure steam to supply the tub and the drum; And it is preferably made to include an inlet valve installed on the inlet side of the steam generator to control the water supply of the wash water.

Here, the water supply means is installed so that one end is connected to the steam generator, the water supply passage for supplying the wash water to the steam generator, one end is connected to the steam generator, the other end is in communication with the inside of the tub It may be configured to include a steam flow path for supplying steam into the tub and drum. The steam flow passage may be provided with a spray nozzle at the other end connected to the tub. A gasket is provided between the tub and the cabinet, and the steam flow path communicates with the tub internal space through the gasket. In addition, at least some of the steam flow path may be formed of a duct.

The steam generator is preferably made of a hermetically sealed pressure vessel installed so that the water supply passage and the steam passage are connected, and a heater installed to be located inside the pressure vessel to heat the wash water. The pressure vessel may be further provided with a water level sensor for detecting the water level of the wash water supplied. It may be configured to further include a discharge valve provided on the discharge side of the steam generator to control the discharge of steam. In addition, at least one of the inflow valve or the discharge valve may be selectively adjusted according to the sensed water level.

The pressure vessel is further provided with a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature, the heater may be controlled to operate in accordance with the temperature measured by the temperature sensor. The discharge port of the steam generating device may be directly connected to communicate with the inner space of the tub. In addition, the discharge side of the steam generator is preferably provided in a state arranged to communicate with the inner space of the tub.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 3 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of the steam jet drum washing machine according to the present invention, Figure 4 is a side sectional view showing a first embodiment of the steam jet drum washing machine according to the present invention, Figure 5 is Part of the steam generator is a cutaway perspective view.

In the first embodiment of the steam jet drum washing machine according to the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the cabinet 52 forms an exterior, and the cabinet 52 is suspended by a spring 54. A tub 56 installed at the same time and supported by the damper assembly 55, a drum 58 rotatably installed inside the tub 56 to contain wash water and laundry, and the drum 58. It is installed to protrude at an interval on the inner wall surface so as to lift and drop the laundry as the drum 58 is rotated, and is installed to be connected to the drum 58 in the rear of the tub 56 And the motor 60 for rotating the drum 58 and the tub 56 positioned above the tub 56 to heat the wash water with steam of high temperature and high pressure to be supplied into the tub 56 and the drum 58. It is configured to include a generator 70. Here, the discharge side of the steam generating device 70 is preferably provided in a state arranged to communicate with the inner space of the tub.

In addition, the drum washing machine is installed to be located above the tub 56, the water supply means 62 for supplying the washing water into the tub 56 and the drum 58, and the lower side of the tub 56 A drain pump assembly 66 is installed to drain the wash water inside the tub 56 and the drum 58, and the steam generator 70 is installed to be connected to the water supply means 62.

In detail, the water supply means 62 is installed on the rear surface of the cabinet 52 to be connected between the water supply valve assembly 62a and the water supply valve assembly 62a and the tub 56 to control water supply. Detergent box assembly 62b for storing detergent and first and second water supply passages 62c branched from the water supply valve assembly 62a and connected to the detergent box assembly 62b and the steam generator 70, respectively. 62c ') and one end of the steam generator 70 are connected to each other, and the other end is positioned inside the tub 56 and the drum 58 so that steam is introduced into the tub 56 and the drum 58. It comprises a steam flow path 62d to supply.

Here, the drum 58 has a plurality of dehydration holes (58h) formed on the inner wall surface so that the washing water can flow freely to the drum (58) and the tub (56) side as well as wash water from the laundry by centrifugal force during dehydration The water supply valve assembly 62a and the drain valve assembly 66 are configured to include a water supply valve (not shown) and a drain pump (not shown), respectively, to be washed according to the operation of the water supply valve and the drain pump. Water or drain the water.

Next, the first and second water supply passages 62c and 62c 'are branched from the water supply valve assembly 62a and installed to be connected to the detergent box assembly 62b and the steam generator 70 to supply wash water. In addition, the steam flow path (62d) is provided with a nozzle for injection at the end (62d ') so that the steam can be injected at a high speed, penetrating through the gasket (57) provided in the tub 56 of the tub 56 And the drum 58 are preferably installed. Here, the injection nozzle is preferably formed integrally with the end (62d ') of the steam flow path.

Of course, the discharge port of the steam generator 70 may be directly connected through the gasket 57 so as to communicate with the internal space of the tub 56. In addition, the steam flow path 62d is generally provided in a tubular type, but part of the steam flow path 62d may be provided in a duct type.

Next, the steam generator 70 is installed so that the second water supply passage 62c 'and the steam passage 62d are relatively short, and located above the tub 56 so as to be advantageous for repair and inspection. do.

In particular, the steam generator 70 is installed so that the second water supply passage (62c ') and the steam passage (62d) is connected to the upper end as shown in Figure 5 formed a space for storing the wash water therein It is installed between the sealed pressure vessel 72 and the heater 74 installed to be located inside the pressure vessel 72 to heat the wash water, and between the second water supply passage 62c 'and the pressure vessel 72. And an inlet valve 76a for adjusting the water supply of the wash water, and a discharge valve 76b provided between the steam passage 62d and the pressure vessel 72 to regulate the discharge of steam.

Here, the inlet valve (76a) and the discharge valve (76b) is a pressure valve to control the opening and closing according to the pressure inside the pressure vessel (72), the inlet valve (76a) is inside the pressure vessel (72) When the pressure is less than a predetermined pressure is opened, the discharge valve 76b may be electronically controlled or mechanically adjusted to open when the pressure inside the pressure vessel 72 is above a predetermined pressure.

In addition, the steam generator 70 is installed on the pressure vessel 72 to detect the water supply amount of the wash water in the pressure vessel 72 to operate the inlet valve 76a and the discharge valve 76b. The water level sensor 77 for adjusting and the temperature sensor 78 is installed below the pressure vessel 72 is further included to adjust the operation of the heater 74 according to the temperature inside the pressure vessel 72, The water level sensor 77 may detect the level of the wash water according to the movement of the float floating on the water surface of the wash water, or detect the water level of the wash water by changing the internal pressure as the wash water is supplied to the pressure vessel 72. have.

And, the steam generator 70 is installed so that the heater 74 is located on the lower side of the pressure vessel 72 so that even if only a predetermined amount of wash water is supplied to the pressure vessel 72. However, the heater 74 further includes safety means to prevent the heater 74 from overheating as the electric heater is heated when power is supplied.

Here, the safety means is installed on one side of the water level sensor 77, the automatic pressure switch (79a) to stop the operation of the heater 74 primarily when the pressure in the pressure vessel 72 is greater than the set pressure (Po). And an automatic temperature switch 79b such as a thermostat installed at one side of the temperature sensor 78 to stop the operation of the heater 74 when the temperature inside the pressure vessel 72 is greater than or equal to a set temperature (To). It is composed of

Of course, the automatic temperature switch 79b is additionally added to prevent overheating of the heater 74 when the automatic pressure switch 79a does not operate normally or leaks in the pressure vessel 72. Can be installed.

In addition, the steam generator 70 is a styrofoam installed to surround the outside of the pressure vessel 72 in order to prevent the heat loss to the outside through the pressure vessel 72 as the heater 74 is operated. It is configured to further include a heat insulating material (75).

The steam generator 70 is controlled by a controller (not shown) for controlling the operation of the washing machine, the operation of the heater 74, the inlet valve 76a and the discharge valve 76b.

6 is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of the steam jet drum washing machine according to the present invention.

On the other hand, the second embodiment of the steam jet drum washing machine according to the present invention is the same as the first embodiment of the steam jet drum washing machine as shown in Figure 6, the steam generator 70 is the tub 56 It is installed to be located below.

Therefore, the second water supply passage 63c 'connected between the steam generator 70 and the water supply valve assembly (not shown) and the steam passage 63d connected between the steam generator 70 and the tub 56 are provided. Is located between one side of the tub 56 and the cabinet 52.

When the steam generator 70 is installed below the tub 56 as described above, an empty space between the tub 56 lower side and the cabinet 52 may be used as an installation space of the steam generator 70. Therefore, even if the steam generator 70 is mounted, the size of the entire product does not increase.

Looking at the operation of the first embodiment of the steam jet drum washing machine according to the present invention configured as described above are as follows.

First, when a washing stroke is performed in a state in which laundry is contained in the drum 58, the water supply valve is operated to open the washing water to supply water into the tub 56 and the drum 58, and the washing water is the first water. The first water supply passage 62c passes through the detergent box assembly 62b and is supplied into the tub 56 together with a detergent. The tub 56 is supplied with an appropriate amount of washing water in accordance with the amount of laundry.

In addition, when the washing water is adjusted to steam injection according to the user's setting, the washing water is heated to a high temperature and high pressure steam while passing through the second water supply passage 62c 'and passing through the steam generator 70, and then steam is The steam flow path 62d is injected into the tub 56 and the drum 58.

Specifically, in the state in which the inlet valve 76a and the discharge valve 76b are opened, the washing water is supplied to the inside of the pressure vessel 72, and the washing water is supplied to the inside of the pressure vessel 72. By 77) the water supply of the wash water in the pressure vessel 72 is measured.

Next, when an appropriate amount of washing water is supplied into the pressure vessel 72, the inflow valve 76a and the discharge valve 76b are closed, and the heater 74 is operated to heat the washing water to steam the high temperature and high pressure. Generates.

Of course, the temperature sensor 78 measures the temperature inside the pressure vessel 72, thereby adjusting the operation of the heater 74 so that the heater 74 is not overheated.

In addition, when the temperature sensor 78 is broken or abnormally operated, the automatic pressure switch 79a and the automatic temperature switch 79b are operated to cut off the power supplied to the heater 74 to the heater 74. ) Can be prevented from overheating.

Next, as the heater 74 is operated, the washing water is boiled in the sealed pressure vessel 72 to generate high temperature and high pressure steam, and the temperature inside the pressure vessel 72 is applied to the temperature sensor 78. When the temperature is higher than the proper temperature, the discharge valve 76b is opened, and steam is injected into the tub 56 and the drum 58 along the steam flow path 62d so that the laundry can be loaded faster. .

When the appropriate amount of washing water is supplied to the tub 56 and the drum 58 as described above, the water supply valve is closed, and the motor 60 is operated to rotate the drum 58, thereby lifting the lift 58a. The washing stroke is carried out by raising the laundry to a certain height and then dropping it.

When the washing stroke is completed as described above, the drainage pump is operated to drain the washing water, and then the motor 60 is operated at high speed to rotate the drum 58 at high speed so that the washing water is removed from the laundry by centrifugal force. Intermittent dehydration proceeds by going out, and the water supply valve is opened again to supply washing water and at the same time the drum 58 is rotated to rinse.

Next, rinsing and intermittent dehydration are repeatedly operated as described above, and finally, a dehydration stroke is performed to complete washing.

Of course, in the washing and rinsing stroke, the washing water passes through the steam generator 70 and becomes a high-temperature, high-pressure steam, as in the case of initial water supply, to be sprayed into the tub 56 and the drum 58 according to the user's setting. This can improve sterilization and washing performance.

The steam jet drum washing machine according to the present invention configured as described above is heated while passing through the steam generator, so that water is fed into the tub and drum in the form of a high-temperature, high-pressure steam, so that the washing of the laundry is performed quickly during initial water supply. It is possible to save water and electrical energy, and to wash and rinse the water in the form of high temperature and high pressure steam during washing and rinsing, thereby improving the sterilization and washing performance.

In addition, since the discharge side of the steam generator is provided to be in communication with the inner space of the tub, the user can be manipulated to supply steam to the inside of the tub more conveniently.

1 is a perspective view of a drum washing machine according to the prior art,

Figure 2 is a side sectional view showing a drum washing machine according to the prior art,

3 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of the steam jet drum washing machine according to the present invention;

Figure 4 is a side sectional view showing a first embodiment of the steam jet drum washing machine according to the present invention,

5 is a perspective view showing a portion of the steam generator according to the present invention cut away;

6 is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of the steam jet drum washing machine according to the present invention.

<Explanation of symbols on main parts of the drawings>

52: cabinet 56: tub

58 drum 62 water supply means

62a: water supply valve assembly 62b: detergent box assembly

62c, 62c ': 1st and 2nd water supply flow path 62d: steam flow path

70: steam generator 72: pressure vessel

74: heater 75: heat insulating material

76a: inlet valve 76b: discharge valve

77: water level sensor 78: temperature sensor

79a: Automatic pressure switch 79b: Automatic temperature switch

Claims (12)

A tub installed inside the cabinet to supply washing water therein; A drum rotatably installed in the tub; Water supply means for supplying washing water to the tub side; A steam generator which is installed to be connected to the water supply means and heats the wash water with high temperature and high pressure steam to supply the tub and the drum; And The steam jet drum washing machine is installed on the inlet side of the steam generator and comprises an inlet valve for controlling the water supply of the wash water. The method of claim 1, The water supply means A water supply passage installed at one end of the steam generator to supply washing water to the steam generator; One end is connected to the steam generator, the other end is in communication with the inside of the tub and the steam injection drum washing machine comprising a steam flow path for supplying steam into the tub and drum. The method of claim 2, The steam flow path washing machine, characterized in that the jet nozzle is provided at the other end connected to the tub. The method of claim 2, A gasket is provided at the inlet of the tub, and the steam flow passage passes through the gasket and communicates with the tub internal space. The method of claim 2, At least a portion of the steam flow path is steam injection drum washing machine, characterized in that consisting of a duct. The method of claim 2, The steam generator is a sealed pressure vessel installed so that the water supply passage and the steam passage, The steam jet drum washing machine is installed to be located in the pressure vessel, characterized in that it comprises a heater for heating the wash water. The method of claim 6, The steam jet drum washing machine, characterized in that it further comprises a discharge valve provided on the discharge side of the steam generator to control the discharge of steam. The method of claim 7, wherein The steam jet drum washing machine, characterized in that the inside of the pressure vessel further comprises a water level sensor for detecting the water level of the supplied wash water. The method of claim 8, At least one of the inlet valve or the discharge valve is steam injection drum washing machine, characterized in that the operation is selectively adjusted according to the level detected by the water level sensor. The method of claim 6, The pressure vessel is further provided with a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature, the heater is a steam jet drum washing machine characterized in that the operation is selectively controlled according to the temperature measured by the temperature sensor. The method of claim 1, A steam jet drum washing machine, characterized in that the discharge port of the steam generator is directly connected to the inner space of the tub. The method of claim 1, And a discharge side of the steam generator is disposed to communicate with an inner space of the tub.