KR20050060566A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention discloses a washing machine capable of heating wash water through the supply of steam and hot water, and preventing a problem in which scale occurs in a heater for generating steam and hot water. The disclosed washing machine includes a water tank for washing water, a heating tank accommodating a predetermined amount of water so as to generate steam by heating the water supplied thereto, a heater installed inside the heating tank to heat water in the heating tank; A water supply device for supplying water to the water tank and the heating tank, a steam supply pipe for guiding the steam in the heating tank to the water tank, a steam supply valve for opening and closing the steam supply pipe, and heating to drain the water in the heating tank after the steam is generated. It includes a drain pipe for opening and closing the drain pipe and the drain pipe connected to the tank.

Description

Washing machine {WASHING MACHINE}

The present invention relates to a washing machine, and more particularly, to a washing machine that can quickly increase the temperature of the washing water by supplying steam and hot water into the washing tank.

In general, the drum washing machine is a device for washing the laundry through the operation of the laundry and the washing water rises and falls along the inner surface of the rotating drum when the cylindrical rotating drum rotates. Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2001-149685 discloses a drum washing machine for heating washing water to perform washing.

The drum washing machine includes a water tank for washing fresh water of the washing water, and a rotating drum rotatably installed inside the water tank, and having a through-drum formed therein for dewatering. A heater for heating the wash water is provided. When the drum washing machine performs washing in a state in which washing water and detergent are supplied to the inside of the tank, the drum rotates at a low speed to perform the washing operation. In addition, the drum washing machine is effectively washed because the washing water is heated by the heater.

However, such a washing machine takes a lot of time to heat the washing water to the temperature required for washing because the washing machine heats a large amount of washing water filled in the water tank through the lower heater to make the water supply to the inside of the tank. There was a delay.

In addition, the heater of such a washing machine has a problem that the heat exchange efficiency is lowered because the scale is generated on the surface of the heater due to the basic materials such as calcium and magnesium contained in the water because it is kept in a submerged state in the tank. .

The present invention is to solve such a problem, an object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine that can reduce the overall washing time by increasing the temperature of the wash water quickly through the supply of steam and hot water into the tank.

In addition, another object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine that can prevent the deterioration of the heater by preventing the scale from occurring in the heater.

Washing machine according to the present invention for achieving this object, a washing tank for washing water, a heating tank for accommodating a predetermined amount of water so as to generate steam by heating the water supplied to the water, and heating the water inside the heating tank A heater installed inside the heating tank, a water supply device for supplying water to the water tank and the heating tank, a steam supply pipe for guiding steam in the heating tank to the water tank, and a steam supply valve for opening and closing the steam supply pipe. And a drain pipe connected to the heating tank and a drain valve to open and close the drain pipe to drain the water of the heating tank after the steam generation ends.

In another aspect, the present invention is characterized in that the heating tank has a water level sensor for detecting the internal water level, a temperature sensor for detecting the internal temperature, and a pressure sensor for detecting the internal pressure.

In another aspect, the present invention is characterized in that it further comprises a hot water supply pipe for guiding the hot water inside the heating tank to the water tank, and a hot water supply valve for opening and closing the hot water supply pipe.

The water supply device may include a first water supply pipe for supplying water to the water tank, a first water supply valve for controlling water supply of the first water supply pipe, a second water supply pipe for supplying water to the heating tank, and a second water supply pipe. It characterized in that it comprises a second water supply valve for controlling the water supply.

In another aspect, the present invention is characterized in that it further comprises a rotating drum rotatably installed in the tank and the inlet is forward facing and a plurality of through-holes formed around, and a driving device for driving the rotating drum.

In addition, the washing machine according to the present invention includes a water tank in which the wash water is fresh, a heating tank accommodating a predetermined amount of water so as to generate steam by heating the water supplied thereto, and an outer surface of the heating tank to heat water in the heating tank. A heater installed in contact with the water, a water supply device for supplying water to the water tank and the heating tank, a steam supply pipe for guiding steam in the heating tank to the water tank, and a steam supply valve for opening and closing the steam supply pipe. It is done.

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

Washing machine to which the present invention is applied, as shown in Figure 1, for the fresh water of the wash water, a drum-like water tank 11 is installed inside the main body 10, and can be rotated inside the water tank (11) Drum washing machine comprising a rotating drum 12 is installed.

The water tank 11 inside the main body 10 is installed to be inclined at a predetermined angle α with respect to the installation surface of the washing machine as a whole so that the front portion at which the inlet 11a is formed is higher than the rear portion, and the inside of the water tank 11 The rotating drum 12 is installed to be inclined so that the front portion in which the inlet 12a is formed in the same shape as the water tank 11 is higher than the rear portion thereof. That is, the rotating drum 12 is provided such that the front portion with the inlet 12a is formed toward the front upper portion thereof so that the rotation center line A is inclined at a predetermined angle α with respect to the installation surface of the washing machine. At this time, the rotating drum 12 is rotatably supported in the rear center of the rear tank of the rotating shaft 13 coupled to the center of the rear portion is in a state rotatable inside the tank (11). In addition, a plurality of through holes 12b are formed around the rotating drum 12, and a plurality of lifters 14 are formed on the inner surface of the rotating drum 12 to allow the laundry to rise and fall when the rotating drum 12 rotates. ) Is installed.

The motor 15 is installed as a driving device for rotating the rotating shaft 13 connected to the rotating drum 12 outside the rear portion of the water tank 11. The motor 15 includes a stator 15a fixed to the rear side of the water tank 11, a rotor 15b disposed rotatably on the outside of the stator 15a, and a rotor 15b and a rotating shaft 13 ) Is composed of a rotating plate (15c) for connecting. In addition, the front portion of the main body 10 corresponds to the inlet 12a of the rotating drum 12 and the inlet 11a of the water tank 11 so that the laundry can be put into the inside of the rotating drum 12 or the laundry can be taken out therein. An inlet 16 which is open at a position is formed, and the inlet 16 is provided with a door 17 that opens and closes the inlet.

The upper part of the water tank 11, the detergent supply device 18 for supplying detergent to the interior of the water tank 11, the steam generator 30 for supplying hot water and steam into the water tank 11, the steam generator Steam and hot water supply device for supplying steam or hot water generated in the 30 into the water tank, and the water supply device 20 for supplying water to the water tank 11 and the steam generator 30 is installed. And the lower part of the water tank 11 for draining the water in the water tank 11 is provided with a drain 19, including a drain pipe (19a), a drain valve (19b), a drain motor (19c).

Detergent supply device 18 has an accommodation space for receiving a detergent therein, is installed on the front side of the main body 10 to facilitate the user to put the detergent. The water supply device 20 includes a first water supply pipe 21 for supplying water toward the water tank 11 and a first water supply valve 22 installed in the first water supply pipe 21 to control water supply of the first water supply pipe 21. It is provided. At this time, the first water supply pipe 21 is connected to the detergent supply device 18 so that water supplied from the outside can be supplied toward the detergent supply device 18. In addition, a separate connection pipe 23 is installed between the detergent supply device 18 and the water tank 11 so that water passing through the detergent supply device 18 can be supplied to the water tank 11. This allows the water supplied to the inside of the water tank 11 to pass through the detergent supply device 18 so that the detergent inside the detergent supply device 18 can be supplied to the water tank 11 in a dissolved state in the water. In addition, the water supply device 20 is installed on the second water supply pipe 24 for supplying water to the steam generator 30 as well as the water supply to the detergent supply device 18, and the steam generator is installed in the second water supply pipe 24. A second water supply valve 25 for controlling the water supply to the side 30 is provided.

As shown in FIG. 2, the steam generator 30 heats a heating tank 31 formed of a sealed container accommodating a predetermined amount of water, and water filled in the heating tank 31 to steam and hot water. It has a heater 32 for generating a. In addition, the steam generator 30 is installed in the upper portion of the heating tank 31, respectively, the water level sensor 33 for the water level control in the heating tank 31, the temperature sensor for temperature control in the heating tank 31 34, a pressure sensor 35 for pressure control inside the heating tank 31.

The heater 32 is installed in the lower portion of the inner side of the heating tank 31 to be immersed in the water in the heating tank 31. In addition, one side of the heating tank 31 is connected to the second water supply pipe 24 for supplying water into the inside, and the other side of the heating tank 31 for supplying hot water and steam toward the water tank 11 Hot water supply and steam supply are installed respectively. In addition, the heating tank 31 is provided with a steam generator drainage device 60 for draining the water therein after the end of steam generation.

1 and 2, the hot water supply device guides the hot water inside the heating tank 31 to the water tank 11, and connects the hot water supply pipe connecting the inlet side of the heating tank 31 and the water tank 11 to each other. (41) and a hot water supply valve (42) installed in the middle of the hot water supply pipe (41) to control hot water supply. At this time, the inlet of the hot water supply pipe 41 is connected to the lower side of the heating tank 31 side. In addition, the hot water spray nozzle 43 is installed at the outlet of the hot water supply pipe 41 to spray hot water to the laundry inside the rotary drum 12. This is to heat the water through the heater 32 in the heating tank 31 to make hot water and to supply it to the interior of the water tank (11).

The steam supply device guides the steam in the heating tank 31 to the inside of the water tank 11, and a steam supply pipe 51 connecting the upper side of the heating tank 31 to the inlet side of the water tank 11, and It is installed in the middle of the steam supply pipe 51 includes a steam supply valve 52 for controlling the supply of steam. In addition, the steam supply pipe 51 extends into the heating tank 31 so that only the steam in the heating tank 31 flows therein, and then bends upward to the upper portion thereof, so that the inlet of the heating tank 31 It is configured to be located inside the upper portion. This configuration is to supply the steam to the inside of the water tank 11 so that the washing water in the water tank 11 is heated by the steam so that the temperature of the wash water can be quickly raised to the appropriate temperature required for washing.

The steam generator drainage device 60 is composed of a drain pipe 61 whose inlet is connected to a lower portion of the heating tank 31 and a drain valve 62 for opening and closing the drain pipe 61. At this time, the drain pipe 61 is connected to the heating tank 31 is extended to the inner bottom of the main body 10, as shown in Figure 1 is connected to the drain pipe 19a installed for drainage of the water tank (11). This configuration prevents the problem of scale on the surface of the heater 32 due to foreign matter contained in the water by allowing the water inside the heating tank 31 to be drained after the operation of generating hot water and steam is finished. Through this is to prevent the degradation of the heater (32). That is, by reducing the time for which the heater 32 is submerged in water as much as possible, it is possible to minimize the phenomenon of the scale on the surface of the heater 32 to prevent performance degradation of the heater 32.

Figure 3 shows another embodiment of the steam generating apparatus according to the present invention. This is installed outside the heating tank 31 such that the heater 80 for heating the water in the heating tank 31 is in contact with the lower outer surface of the heating tank 31. This configuration is to prevent the problem that the heater 80 is installed on the outside of the heating tank 31 is not in contact with the water inside the heating tank 31, the scale is generated in the heater (80). At this time, the drainage device 70 is composed of a drain pipe 71 connected to the side of the heating tank 31, and a drain valve 72 for opening and closing the drain pipe 71.

The following describes the overall operation of such a washing machine.

When the washing machine is operated while the laundry is put in the inside of the rotating drum 12 and the detergent is put into the detergent supply device 18, the first water supply valve 22 is controlled by the washing machine controller (not shown). ) And the second water supply valve 25 is opened to supply water to the detergent supply device 18 and the steam generator 30, respectively. At this time, the detergent in the detergent supply device 18 is supplied to the water tank 11 in a state dissolved in the water supplied to the water tank 11 via the detergent supply device 18. After a predetermined amount of washing water is supplied into the water tank 11 through the first water supply pipe 21, the water supply to the first water supply pipe 21 is stopped while the first water supply valve 22 is closed.

Meanwhile, since the steam supply valve 52, the hot water supply valve 42, and the drain valves 62 and 72 of the steam generator 30 are kept in the closed state at first, the steam supply device through the second water supply pipe 24 ( Water supplied to 30 is filled in the inside of the heating tank 31. When water is filled in the heating tank 31, the washing machine controller controls the opening and closing of the second water supply valve 25 based on the detection of the water level sensor 33 so that the inside of the heating tank 31 is always maintained at an appropriate level. The heaters 32 and 80 are driven to heat the water in the heating tank 31.

When the water in the heating tank 31 becomes about 30 degrees of hot water through the heating of the heaters 32 and 80, the control unit controls to open the hot water supply valve 42 so that the hot water is supplied into the water tank 11. do. At this time, the control unit opens the hot water supply valve 42 so that the hot water is supplied to the water tank 11 when the water temperature inside the heating tank 31 reaches the set water temperature 30 through the detection of the temperature sensor 34. In addition, when the water level of the heating tank 31 is lowered through the supply of hot water, the controller controls the opening of the second water supply valve 25 through the detection of the water level sensor 33 so that the water level of the heating tank 31 is always maintained properly. do. And while this control is repeated, the continuous supply of hot water is made to the interior of the water tank (11).

After the appropriate amount of hot water for washing is supplied into the water tank 11, the hot water supply valve 42 is closed to stop the supply of hot water, and the water in the heating tank 31 is supplied to the heaters 32 and 80. It continues to heat up and becomes steam. When the pressure inside the heating tank 31 rises to the set steam supply pressure through the generation of steam, the control unit detects it through the pressure sensor 35 and opens the steam supply valve 52 to the inside of the water tank 11. By allowing the steam to be supplied, the washing water filled in the water tank 11 is heated by the steam. In addition, when the internal pressure of the heating tank 31 is lowered through the supply of steam, the control unit closes the steam supply valve 52 and controls the opening of the steam 11 after the pressure is increased again. To be done. In addition, when the water level of the heating tank 31 is lowered during the steam supply process, the second water supply valve 25 is opened to supply water into the heating tank 31. This steam supply operation is continued until the washing water filled in the water tank 11 rises to the temperature required for washing. For example, when the temperature of the wash water required for washing is set to 60, the hot water supplied to the inside of the water tank 11 is continued until the temperature rises to 60 through the heating of steam. Here, the water level and the water temperature inside the water tank 11 are detected through a separate water level sensor and a temperature sensor installed in the water tank 11, although not shown in the figure.

As described above, the present invention heats the water through the heater 32 of the steam generator 30 and supplies the water to the inside of the water tank 11, and then heats the hot water inside the water tank 11 by supplying steam again. Through the heater installed in (11) can increase the temperature of the washing water faster than the conventional washing machine that was heating the washing water can reduce the overall washing time.

After the washing water is heated to the washing temperature set by the supply of steam, the supply of steam is stopped, and the rotating drum 12 rotates at a low speed by the operation of the motor 15 to perform washing. After the washing operation is completed, a rinsing operation is performed to repeat dehydration and water supply. Water supplied to the inside of the water tank 11 while performing the rinsing is made through the first water supply pipe 21 while the first water supply valve 22 is opened. And drainage of the water tank 11 is made while the drain valve 19b opens and the drain pump 19c operates. In addition, when performing final dehydration after rinsing, the drain pump 19c operates in a state where the drain valve 19b is opened, and the rotating drum 12 rotates at a high speed for a predetermined time so that laundry is dewatered.

In addition, after the washing operation is completed, the control unit opens the drain valve 62 provided in the lower portion of the heating tank 32 so that the scale is not generated in the heater 32 through the complete drainage inside the heating tank 31.

As described above in detail, the washing machine according to the present invention heats the water supplied through the heater of the steam generator and supplies the water to the tank, and supplies the steam generated from the steam generator to the tank to set the washing water of the tank. Since the heating to the washing temperature can increase the temperature of the washing water faster than the conventional washing machine, thereby reducing the overall washing time.

In addition, the washing machine according to the present invention allows the water inside the heating tank to be completely drained after the end of the steam generating operation so that the heater is not kept submerged in water or the heater is installed on the outer surface of the heating tank so that the heater does not come into contact with water. There is an effect that can prevent the problem of the scale to prevent the performance degradation of the heater.

1 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a washing machine according to the present invention.

2 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the steam generator of the washing machine according to the present invention.

3 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the steam generator of the washing machine according to the present invention, showing another embodiment.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

10: body, 11: tank,

12: rotating drum, 15: motor,

17: door, 18: detergent supply unit,

19: drainage, 20: water supply,

21: first water supply pipe, 22: first water supply valve,

24: second water supply pipe, 25: second water supply valve,

30: steam generator, 31: heating tank,

32,80: heater, 33: water level sensor,

34: temperature sensor, 35: pressure sensor,

41: hot water supply pipe, 42: hot water supply valve,

51: steam supply line, 52: steam supply valve.

60, 70: drainage system for steam generators.

Claims (11)

A water tank for washing water, a heating tank accommodating a predetermined amount of water so as to generate steam by heating the water supplied thereto, a heater installed in the heating tank to heat water in the heating tank, and the water tank. And a water supply device for supplying water to the heating tank, a steam supply pipe for guiding steam in the heating tank to the water tank, a steam supply valve for opening and closing the steam supply pipe, and draining water from the heating tank after the steam generation ends. Washing machine comprising a drain pipe connected to the heating tank to open and close the drain pipe to make. The method of claim 1, And a water level sensor detecting an internal water level, a temperature sensor detecting an internal temperature, and a pressure sensor detecting an internal pressure. The method of claim 2, And a hot water supply pipe for guiding the hot water inside the heating tank to the water tank, and a hot water supply valve for opening and closing the hot water supply pipe. The method of claim 2, The water supply device includes a first water supply pipe for supplying water to the water tank, a first water supply valve for controlling the water supply of the first water supply pipe, a second water supply pipe for supplying water to the heating tank, and a water supply of the second water supply pipe. Washing machine comprising a second water supply valve for controlling the. The method of claim 1, And a rotating drum rotatably installed in the water tank, the inlet facing forward, and having a plurality of through holes formed therein, and a driving device for driving the rotating drum. A water tank in which the wash water is fresh, a heating tank accommodating a predetermined amount of water so as to generate steam by heating the water supplied thereto, and a heater installed in contact with an outer surface of the heating tank to heat water in the heating tank; And a water supply device for supplying water to the water tank and the heating tank, a steam supply pipe for guiding steam in the heating tank to the water tank, and a steam supply valve for opening and closing the steam supply pipe. The method of claim 6, Washing machine further comprises a drain pipe connected to the heating tank to drain the water of the heating tank, and a drain valve for opening and closing the drain pipe. The method of claim 6, And a water level sensor detecting an internal water level, a temperature sensor detecting an internal temperature, and a pressure sensor detecting an internal pressure. The method of claim 6, And a hot water supply pipe for guiding the hot water inside the heating tank to the water tank, and a hot water supply valve for opening and closing the hot water supply pipe. The method of claim 6, The water supply device includes a first water supply pipe for supplying water to the water tank, a first water supply valve for controlling the water supply of the first water supply pipe, a second water supply pipe for supplying water to the heating tank, and a water supply of the second water supply pipe. Washing machine comprising a second water supply valve for controlling the. The method of claim 6, And a rotating drum rotatably installed in the water tank, the inlet facing forward, and having a plurality of through holes formed therein, and a driving device for driving the rotating drum.