TW202212667A - washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

This washing machine is provided with a tub, a drum, a steam-generating part, and a ventilation fan. The drum is provided in the interior of the tub. The steam-generating part is provided on the tub and generates steam. The ventilation fan supplies the steam generated by the steam-generating part to the interior of the drum.

Description

washing machine

The present disclosure is related to a washing machine.

Patent Document 1 discloses a drum-type washing machine that supplies steam into the drum.

The front-loading type washing machine of Patent Document 1 supplies washing water into the tank at a water level lower than the bottom surface of the drum, generates steam by heating the washing water by a washing heater provided in the tank, and rotates the drum to rotate the drum. The steam is supplied into the drum from the small holes in the side wall of the drum. prior art literature

Patent Literature Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2014-151187

The present disclosure provides a washing machine that can efficiently supply steam into the accommodating tank.

The washing machine of the present disclosure includes: a tank body; an accommodating tank provided in the tank body; a steam generating part provided in the tank body to generate steam; supply.

Furthermore, the washing machine of the present disclosure includes: a tank body; an accommodating tank provided in the tank body; a water supply unit for supplying water to the tank body; an air supply unit for supplying air to the tank body; ; and the Control Department. The control unit drives the water supply unit to supply water into the tank, drives the steam generator to generate steam from the supplied water, and drives the air supply unit to blow the steam into the storage tank.

The washing machine of the present disclosure can efficiently supply steam into the accommodating tank.

Form for carrying out the invention Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, the present disclosure is not limited by the attached drawings and the following description. (Embodiment 1)

Hereinafter, the washing machine 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure will be described using FIGS. 1 to 7 . [Constitution of washing machine]

1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the outline of the configuration of the washing machine 100 according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a front sectional view showing the outline of the configuration of the washing machine 100 according to the first embodiment. First, the configuration of the washing machine 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 . In addition, below, the vertical direction in the state (equivalent to the installation state of this indication) in which the washing machine 100 was installed as shown in FIG. 1 may be described as an up-down direction. This point is the same also in the washing machine of other embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the washing machine 100 is a drum-type washing machine, and includes a casing 110 , and a tank unit 200 , and a to-be-processed object is accommodated in the casing 110 . The tank unit 200 includes: a drum 210 , which is an example of the accommodating tank of the present disclosure, having a substantially cylindrical peripheral wall 211 surrounding the rotation axis RX; The drum 210 is configured to accommodate the object to be treated, and the tank body 220 is configured to store water (hereinafter also referred to as "wash water"). That is, the washing machine 100 includes: the tank body 220 ; and the drum 210 , which are provided in the tank body 220 . The objects to be treated are, for example, clothing, hats, shoes, toys, and the like. A plurality of holes 214 for communicating the inside and outside of the drum 210 are formed in the peripheral wall 211 , and the plurality of holes 214 allow the water accumulated in the tank body 220 to pass through the inside of the drum 210 . Three baffles (not shown) are provided inside the drum 210 at predetermined intervals, and the baffles lift and drop the object to be processed in accordance with the rotation of the drum 210 .

Moreover, the washing machine 100 of this embodiment is provided with the steam generating part 160 provided in the tank 220, and generating steam. The steam generator 160 includes a warm water heater 163 which is an example of the heater of the present disclosure, and heats the wash water stored in the tank body 220 . A thermal fuse (not shown) to be described later is provided in the warm water heater 163 . The steam generating part 160 of this embodiment is preferably located at a position lower than the bottom surface of the drum 210 . This is because an upward airflow is generated by the steam, so that the steam generated in the tank body 220 can be efficiently supplied into the drum 210 . The warm water heater 163 of the present embodiment is arranged at the lower part of the tank body 220 . That is, the steam generator 160 and the warm water heater 163 are arranged below the drum 210 in the installation state of the washing machine 100 .

Moreover, the hot water heater 163 is arranged so that the longitudinal direction is substantially parallel to the horizontal plane in the installed state of the washing machine 100 . That is, in the installation state of the washing machine 100, the warm water heater 163 is horizontally arranged below the drum 210. Therefore, compared with the case where the longitudinal direction of the warm water heater 163 is substantially parallel to the bottom surface of the drum 210, the washing machine 100 can submerge the warm water heater 163 in water with less washing water. The washing machine 100 can improve thermal efficiency and generate steam in a short time by reducing the amount of washing water required for steam. In addition, the washing machine 100 can increase the distance between the innermost end of the drum 210 and the set water level required for steam, thereby preventing the object to be treated in the drum 210 from being flooded due to misdetection of the water level. In addition, the warm water heater 163 may be arranged to be inclined downward in the longitudinal direction. In this case, the heat generating portion of the warm water heater 163 is preferably located below the thermal fuse. Thereby, even if the warm water heater 163 is heated without being submerged in water, when the temperature becomes equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature, the electric power is interrupted by the thermal fuse to stop the heating. Therefore, even if the set water level required for steam is provided in the vicinity of the warm water heater 163, safety can be ensured.

A thermal fuse is built in the warm water heater 163 . Since the warm water heater 163 automatically stops heating by the thermal fuse when the temperature reaches a predetermined temperature or higher, even if the water level sensor 321 erroneously detects the water level, the warm water heater 163 is prevented from being submerged in the water. The case of empty burning in the state of water. In addition, the thermal fuse may be installed on the outer wall of the tank body 220 instead of being built in the warm water heater 163 . In addition, when the water temperature T detected by the water temperature detection sensor 161 exceeds a predetermined abnormal temperature higher than the upper limit temperature control temperature, the warm water heater 163 can also be stopped and the operation unit 123 Issue an error display.

The casing 110 includes a front wall 111 in which an input port 119 for inputting the object to be processed into the tank unit 200 is formed, and a rear wall 112 located on the opposite side to the front wall 111 . Further, the casing 110 includes a casing top wall 113 extending substantially horizontally between the front wall 111 and the rear wall 112 , and a casing bottom wall 114 located on the opposite side of the casing top wall 113 . An opening 213 is formed in each of the drum 210 and the tank body 220 , and the opening 213 communicates with the input port 119 formed in the front wall 111 .

The washing machine 100 further includes a door body 120 mounted on the front wall 111 . The door body 120 is rotated between a closed position in which the inlet port 119 formed in the front wall 111 is closed, and an open position in which the inlet port 119 is opened. The user can rotate the door body 120 to the open position, and input the object to be processed toward the drum 210 through the input port 119 of the front wall 111 . Then, the user can move the door body 120 to the closed position and let the washing machine 100 wash the objects to be treated. In addition, the door body 120 shown in FIG. 1 is in the closed position.

The drum 210 rotates around a rotation axis RX extending between the front wall 111 and the rear wall 112 . The to-be-processed object put into the drum 210 moves in the drum 210 along with the rotation of the drum 210, and is processed according to the course selected by the user among the laundry, washing and dehydration.

The drum 210 includes: a peripheral wall 211; and a bottom wall 212, facing the door 120 at the closed position. The tank body 220 includes a bottom portion 221 surrounding the bottom wall 212 of the drum 210 and a part of the peripheral wall 211 ;

The tank unit 200 includes: a rotating shaft 230 mounted on the bottom wall 212 of the drum 210 . The rotation shaft 230 extends toward the rear wall 112 along the rotation axis RX. The rotating shaft 230 penetrates through the bottom 221 of the groove body 220 and appears between the groove body 220 and the rear wall 112 .

The washing machine 100 further includes a motor 231 installed below the tank body 220 ; a pulley 232 installed on the rotating shaft 230 exposed outside the tank body 220 ; When the motor 231 is actuated, the power of the motor 231 is transmitted to the belt 233 , the pulley 232 and the rotating shaft 230 . As a result, the drum 210 rotates in the tank body 220 .

The washing machine 100 further includes a cushion structure 116 disposed between the front portion 222 of the tank body 220 and the door body 120 . Rotating the door 120 to the closed position compresses the cushion formation 116 . As a result, the gasket structure 116 forms a watertight sealing structure between the door body 120 and the front portion 222 .

The washing machine 100 implements cloth amount sensing for measuring the amount of the object to be treated. In the cloth amount sensing, for example, the drum 210 is accelerated to a predetermined number of rotations, and is measured from the current value of the motor 231 at that time.

The washing machine 100 further includes a drying unit 700 which is an example of the air supply unit of the present disclosure. The drying unit 700 is a member that supplies air to the tank body 220 . The drying unit 700 includes an air filter 711 , a drying duct 710 , a heat exchange part 712 , which is an example of an air heating part of the present disclosure; The air intake pipe 750 and the air supply pipe 760 constitute a part of the air passage. The air passage is an example of the air passage of the present disclosure. The air passage is provided with the air blowing fan 730 and is connected to the tank body 220 .

Here, the air filter 711 removes the lint from the air sent from the drum 210 . The heat exchange part 712 is constituted by a heat pump or a drying heater, and heats the supplied air by exchanging heat with the air passing through the air filter 711 . The drying duct 710 accommodates the air filter 711 and the heat exchange part 712 . The blower fan 730 is coupled to the drying duct 710 to generate wind. That is, the blower fan 730 supplies the steam generated by the steam generation part 160 into the drum 210 . The intake duct 750 defines the flow path of the air from the tank unit 200 to the blower fan 730 . The air supply duct 760 regulates the flow of the air sent from the air supply fan 730 to the tank unit 200 .

The drying unit 700 constitutes a circulating air path including the tank unit 200 by introducing the air into the tank unit 200 from the suction pipe 750 and sending the air into the tank unit 200 through the air supply pipe 760 .

When the blower fan 730 rotates, a negative pressure environment is created in the air intake duct 750 , while a positive pressure environment is created in the air supply duct 760 , and air is supplied into the drum 210 . Therefore, the washing machine 100 is a circulation-type washing-drying machine provided with a circulation air duct constituted by the drying unit 700 and the tank unit 200 .

The air intake port 751 is provided in the joint surface of the air intake pipe 750 and the tank unit 200 , and the air supply port 761 is provided in the joint surface of the air supply pipe 760 and the tank unit 200 . The drying unit 700 includes an air intake port 751 and an air supply port 761 . The air inlet 751 is used to connect the tank body 220 and the air intake pipe 750 on the upstream side of the blower fan 730 at the upper position of the steam generator 160 in the installed state of the washing machine 100, and to carry out the air in the tank body 220. Inhalation opening. The air supply port 761 is an opening for connecting the tank body 220 and the air supply pipe 760 on the downstream side of the heat exchange part 712 and the blower fan 730 to blow air (steam) into the drum 210 . Since an upward airflow is generated by the steam, the intake port 751 is preferably provided at a higher position than the hot water heater 163 included in the steam generating part 160 of the present embodiment. In particular, the suction port 751 is preferably provided at the upper portion of the tank body 220, and the tank body 220 is likely to store warmed air containing steam. In addition, it is preferable that the intake port 751 is provided at a higher position than the air supply port 761 .

The drying unit 700 is provided with a drying temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the air in the drying unit 700 . In addition, as in the present embodiment, as the drying temperature sensor, a suction temperature sensor 162 a and a blowing temperature sensor 162 b may be provided, respectively, and the suction temperature sensor 162 a detects the suction temperature from the suction port 751 . As for the temperature of the air, the aforementioned blowing temperature sensor 162b detects the temperature of the air heated by the heat exchange part 712 . That is, the blowing temperature sensor 162b is an example of the blowing temperature detecting part of the present disclosure, and detects the temperature of the steam in the vicinity of the air supply port 761 .

As shown in FIG. 2 , as an example of the water supply unit of the present disclosure, the machine 100 includes a water supply unit 139 for supplying water to the tank body 220 . The water supply unit 139 includes: a water supply port 140, which is connected to a faucet (not shown); a water supply valve 141; .

In order not to contact the objects to be treated accommodated in the drum 210 , the supplied washing water should preferably be supplied to the inside of the tank body 220 . Therefore, the water supply pipe 151 is arranged at the upper rear side of the tank body 220 , and the flow path formed by the water supply pipe 151 can also be formed along the rear surface of the tank body 220 . Moreover, in order to prevent water from being added to the drum 210 , the water supply valve 141 may be opened intermittently to reduce the amount of water to be supplied, and the water to be supplied may flow down along the inner surface of the tank body 220 . In addition, a first water supply flow path and a second water supply flow path may be provided, and the first water supply flow path and the second water supply flow path may be used separately according to the application. The object to be treated in the drum 210 is supplied with water, and the second water supply flow path is to supply water so that the washing water does not come into contact with the object to be treated accommodated in the drum 210 .

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 1, the washing machine 100 is provided with the upstream circulation pipe 640, the downstream circulation pipe 650, the drain pipe 660, the drain valve 690, and the lint filter 152. Here, the upstream circulation pipe 640 defines the path of the water flowing from the tank body 220 to the circulation pump 610 . The downstream circulation pipe 650 defines the path of the water returning from the circulation pump 610 to the tank body 220 . The drain pipe 660 defines a drain path toward the outside of the housing 110 . The lint filter 152 collects foreign matter such as lint. The drain valve 690 is installed on the drain pipe 660 . The drain part of this embodiment which drains the water accumulated in the tank body 220 contains the drain valve 690, and is prescribed|regulated to the flow path from the drum 210 to the drain pipe 660. An air trap 630 is formed in the upstream circulation pipe 640 in the vicinity of the connection portion with the tank body 220 , and an air pipe 631 is connected to the upper part of the air trap 630 . A water level sensor 321 for detecting the water level in the tank body 220 is disposed on the upper part of the air pipe 631, which is an example of the water level detecting part of the present disclosure.

The washing machine 100 is provided with the water level sensor 321 which is an example of the water level detection part of this disclosure. The water level sensor 321 is formed by a MEMS pressure sensor. Since the water level sensor 321 can detect the water level with high accuracy by using a MEMS pressure sensor, it is possible to suppress the water immersion into the drum 210 or the exposure of the warm water heater 163 . Therefore, it becomes unnecessary to lengthen the distance from the lower end of the drum 210 to the warm water heater 163 in order to cope with the false detection of the water level, so that the degree of freedom of design is improved.

In addition, as an example of the water level detection part of the present disclosure, the water level sensor 321 composed of a MEMS pressure sensor can also be replaced, and a sensor for electrode detection or a water level detection sensor can be used instead. In the sensor, the electrode detection is a detection of reading the potential change between electrodes to detect the water level, and the water level detection is a detection performed by a float sensor. Since the water level detection parts are sensitive to the decrease of the water level, the situation where the warm water heater 163 is not submerged in water can be effectively suppressed from burning empty.

The lint filter 152 may be locked and detached when the washing water becomes high temperature. Thereby, in the steam supply control to be described later, it is possible to suppress the detachment of the lint filter 152 and the outflow of the high-temperature washing water to the outside.

The washing machine 100 is provided with the water temperature detection sensor 161 which is an example of the water temperature detection part of this disclosure. The water temperature detection sensor 161 is installed on the outer side wall of the tank body 220 and detects the temperature of the washing water in the tank body 220 . In addition, the installation location of the water temperature detection sensor 161 is not limited to the outer sidewall surface of the tank body 220 , as long as it can detect the water temperature T in the tank body 220 , for example, the inner side of the tank body 220 .

Moreover, the washing machine 100 includes the operation unit 123 . The operation unit 123 includes buttons for receiving user's operations, and a display unit. The user can select various itineraries through the buttons of the operation part 123, and the information related to the selected itinerary is displayed on the display part. In addition, the operation unit 123 may be constituted by a touch panel. Various courses include: washing course, drying course, washing and drying course in which washing and drying are performed as one cycle, refreshing course in which only the object to be treated is treated with steam without washing, and the The tank cleaning process for the treatment of the washing tank, etc. As part of these strokes, steam supply control described later is performed. In addition, various strokes may include strokes constituted only by steam supply control.

Moreover, the washing machine 100 includes the control unit 170 . In addition to controlling the entire washing machine 100, the control unit 170 particularly executes steam supply control. Details will be described later. The control unit 170 drives the water supply unit 139 to supply water into the tank body 220, drives the steam generator 160 to generate steam from the supplied water, and drives the drying unit 700 to generate steam. Air is supplied to the drum 210 . In addition, the position of the control part 170 shown in FIG. 1 is only an example, and may be arrange|positioned at another position. Moreover, the control part 170 has a computer system which has a processor and a memory. Furthermore, by causing the processor to execute the program stored in the memory, the computer system functions as the control unit 170 . Although the program executed by the processor is set to be pre-recorded in the memory of the computer system, it can also be provided in a non-temporary recording medium such as a memory card, or via a telecommunication line such as the Internet. . [Steam supply control]

Steam supply control is to exert effects such as wrinkle removal, sterilization, deodorization, allergen removal or deactivation of clothes by applying steam to the object to be treated. The steam supply control includes, for example, the following steps: a water supply step for supplying water to the steam generator 160 ; a steam step for generating steam; a drying step for drying the wet object to be processed; The process time related to the steam supply control, the rotation time limit of the drum 210, and the like are determined according to the amount of the to-be-processed object or the temperature of the wash water.

Hereinafter, as an example of the steam supply control, a soft stroke including a steam step and a drying step will be described. Hereinafter, as shown in FIG. 2 , the water level higher than the inner bottom surface of the drum 210 is set as the A water level, the water level lower than the bottom surface of the drum 210 and the set water level of the steam process is set as the B water level, and the water level higher than the B level is set as the water level B. The lower water level and the water level at which the warm water heater 163 may be exposed is set to the C water level.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing steam supply control (softening stroke) of the washing machine 100 according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 3 , when the loosening stroke is started (step S101 ), the control unit 170 executes the water supply process (step S102 ). Specifically, the control unit 170 operates the water supply valve 141 to supply water to the lotion accommodating unit 150, and the supplied water supplies water into the tank 220 so as not to contact the to-be-processed object accommodated in the drum 210 (step S102). The control part 170 determines whether the water level detected by the water level sensor 321 is the B water level or more (step S103). The control unit 170 continues the water supply until the water level B is reached (NO in step S103 ) (step S102 ). When it is detected by the water level sensor 321 that the water level B has been reached (YES in step S103 ), the control unit 170 closes the water supply valve 141 and proceeds to the steaming process. That is, the control part 170 performs the steam process of blowing steam into the tank body 220.

When the steam process is started, the control unit 170 starts energization of the hot water heater 163 (step S104). In this way, by starting the steam process in the state in which the water supply is completed, the warm water heater 163 can be heated in a state in which the warm water heater 163 is completely immersed in the washing water. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the hot water heater 163 from burning empty. In addition, as long as the warm water heater 163 is completely immersed in the washing water, the energization of the warm water heater 163 may be started in the water supply step.

The control part 170 makes the warm water heater 163 heat the wash water until the temperature of the wash water detected by the water temperature detection sensor 161 reaches a predetermined temperature, that is, the upper temperature control temperature. The upper limit temperature control temperature is set to, for example, 60°C. The wash water accumulated in the steam generator 160 is subcooled boiling near the warm water heater 163 to generate steam. In addition, the washing water accumulated in the steam generating part 160 may generate steam by ordinary boiling.

When the wash water reaches the upper limit temperature control temperature, the control unit 170 stops the warm water heater 163 . When the wash water falls to a lower temperature limit temperature than the upper limit temperature control temperature, that is, the lower limit temperature control temperature, the control unit 170 restarts the energization of the warm water heater 163 . The lower limit temperature control temperature is set to, for example, 55°C.

In the present embodiment, when the energization of the hot water heater 163 is started and 2 minutes have passed, the control unit 170 drives the blower fan 730 (step S105). That is, the control part 170 starts the air blow by the drying unit 700 when the water in the tank body 220 reaches a predetermined water temperature in the steam generation process of steam.

In addition, the control unit 170 drives the water supply unit 139 to supply water into the tank body 220 while the driving of the drying unit 700 is stopped, and drives the steam generator 160 to generate steam from the supplied water. Then, the control unit 170 drives the drying unit 700 to blow the steam into the drum 210 . In this way, by starting the steam process in a state where the water supply is completed and the water level B or higher, the water level sensor 321 can prevent the water level sensor 321 from erroneously detecting the water level due to changes in wind pressure caused by the driving of the blower fan 730 . In addition, the drive of the blower fan 730 in the steam process may be operated intermittently. When the air supply fan 730 is stopped, the water level is detected by the water level sensor 321, so that the false detection caused by the change of the wind pressure can be suppressed.

In the steam process, the control unit 170 operates the motor 231 for rotating the drum 210 continuously or intermittently. The number of rotations of the drum 210 is set to, for example, about 50 to 60 r/min at which the object to be treated accommodated in the drum 210 is rolled. When the drum 210 rotates at about 50-60 r/min, the objects to be processed in the drum 210 will be lifted to the top of the drum 210 by the baffle plate, and fall from above. In this embodiment, since the air supply port 761 is provided in the back surface of the drum 210, when the to-be-processed object falls from the upper direction, it passes through the front of the air supply port 761 and is sprayed with steam. Thereby, the to-be-processed object can obtain the effect of steam efficiently. Furthermore, when the object to be treated is clothing, when it falls from above, the clothing is spread out by the blown wind, so that wrinkles in the clothing can be effectively smoothed out.

The control unit 170 determines whether the water level detected by the water level sensor 321 has not reached the C level (step S106). When the water level is equal to or higher than the C water level (NO in step S106 ), the control unit 170 proceeds to the process of step S108 . When the water level has not reached the C water level (YES in step S106 ), the control unit 170 stops energization of the hot water heater 163 and proceeds to the process of step S108 (step S107 ). The control unit 170 determines whether or not the steam process time ts has elapsed after the energization of the hot water heater 163 is started (step S108 ). Until the steam process time ts elapses (NO in step S108 ), the control unit 170 repeats the processing from step S104 . When the steaming step time ts has elapsed (YES in step S108 ), the control unit 170 ends the steaming step and shifts to the drying step (step S109 ). The steam step time ts is set to, for example, about 5 minutes.

The to-be-processed object after the steam process is wet with steam and cannot be used or worn immediately. Therefore, it is necessary to drive only the blower fan 730 or drive both the heat exchange part 712 and the blower fan 730 while rotating the drum 210 to dry the wet object to be processed, as in the drying process of a general washing machine. That is, the control part 170 performs the drying process which dries the to-be-processed object accommodated in the tank 220.

In the present embodiment, when the drying process is started, the control unit 170 stops the hot water heater 163 and starts the driving of the drying function, that is, the driving of the blower fan 730 and the heat exchange unit 712 (step S109). In addition, the control unit 170 determines the drying state of the object from the difference between the suction temperature detected by the suction temperature sensor 162a and the blowing temperature detected by the blowing temperature sensor 162b. As the object to be treated dries, the amount of heat for evaporating the moisture of the object to be treated becomes smaller. Therefore, when the difference between the suction temperature and the blowing temperature becomes smaller, the control unit 170 determines that the degree of drying has increased.

Next, a cooling process for cooling the washing water in the tank body 220 will be described. The purpose of the cooling process is to drain the water by cooling the washing water to a predetermined temperature or less, so as to prevent the user from getting burned. In addition, as long as the water temperature T of the washing water after the steam process is equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature, the cooling process may not be performed. In the present embodiment, since the heat radiation amount of the washing water is larger than that obtained from the drying air, a part of the drying process is also used as the cooling process, but the cooling process and the drying process may be performed separately.

In this embodiment, the washing water is allowed to cool until the temperature of the washing water detected by the water temperature detection sensor 161 is lower than a predetermined temperature. The control unit 170 determines whether the water temperature T detected by the water temperature detection sensor 161 is lower than 50° C. (step S110 ). When the water temperature T detected by the water temperature detection sensor 161 is 50° C. or higher (NO in step S110 ), the control unit 170 cools the washing water with the blower fan 730 in the driven state. In addition, as described above, since the heat radiated by the washing water is larger than the heat obtained from the drying air, the washing water is cooled even in the state where the heat exchange part 712 is driven.

Moreover, the control part 170 adds cooling time t' which is the time to perform cooling, and t2 mentioned later (step S111). The determination of the water temperature T is performed every time a predetermined time, that is, a cooling time t' elapses.

The drainage operation is performed after the cooling process or when the washing water has been cooled to a predetermined water temperature or lower. In the present embodiment, when the water temperature T is lower than 50° C. (YES in step S110 ), the control unit 170 executes the drainage operation (step S112 ). When the control unit 170 opens the drain valve 690 , the washing water in the tank body 220 is discharged to the outside of the washing machine 100 through the drain pipe 660 . The water flow generated by the drainage washes away the scale deposited on the surface of the warm water heater 163 during the steam process. Thereby, since the accumulation of scale can be suppressed, it can suppress that the steam generating ability of the warm water heater 163 is reduced by the accumulation of impurities. In this way, when the steam step of blowing steam into the tank body 220 is completed, the control unit 170 stops the driving of the steam generating unit 160, and then starts the driving of the drying unit 700 (the blower fan 730). Then, when the water in the tank body 220 reaches a predetermined water temperature (50° C. in this example), the control unit 170 drains the water in the tank body 220 .

The control unit 170 determines whether or not the drying process time td has elapsed after the drainage operation is completed (step S113). The control unit 170 continues to maintain the drive of the heat exchange unit 712 until the drying process time td elapses (NO in step S113 ). The drying step time td is set as the sum of the predetermined time t2 and the cooling time t'. For example, t2 is set to about 5 minutes. In addition, in the case where the cooling is performed a plurality of times, the cooling time t' divided into a plurality of times may be added to t2. When the drying process time td has elapsed (YES in step S113 ), the drying process is completed, and the loosening process is completed (step S114 ). [Function of steam process]

4 is a schematic diagram showing the flow of steam in the steam process of the conventional washing machine 1000 and viewed from the front, and FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the flow of steam in the steam process of the washing machine 1000 and viewed from the side.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , the conventional washing machine 1000 includes a water supply unit 1139 , a steam generator 1160 , a drum 1210 , a tank 1220 , a motor 1231 , a circulation pump 1610 , and a drying unit 1700 . The water supply unit 1139 includes a water supply port 1140 , a water supply valve 1141 , a lotion accommodating portion 1150 and a water supply pipe 1151 . The steam generator 1160 includes a warm water heater 1163 . Openings 1213 are formed in the drum 1210 and the tank body 1220, respectively. The drum 1210 is formed with a plurality of holes 1214 that communicate the inside and the outside of the drum 1210 . The drying unit 1700 includes an air intake duct 1750 , a ventilation fan 1730 and an air supply duct 1760 . The conventional washing machine 1000 heats the washing water stored in the steam generator 1160 to generate steam, rotates the drum 1210, and supplies the steam into the drum 1210 from the holes 1214 in the side wall of the drum 1210. As described above, in the conventional washing machine 1000, as a method of supplying steam into the drum 1210, natural convection generated by the rotation of the drum 1210 is used. Therefore, the conventional washing machine 1000 has a problem that the amount of steam supplied to the object to be treated in the drum 1210 is small, and the effect of the steam cannot be fully exhibited.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the flow of steam in the steam process of the washing machine 100 according to Embodiment 1, and FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the flow of steam in the steam process of the washing machine 100 viewed from the side.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 , in the steam process of the present embodiment, the hot water heater 163 heats the water stored in the steam generator 160 and drives the blower fan 730 . As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 , the steam generated in the steam generator 160 (a) rises to the upper part of the tank unit 200 , and (b) is introduced into the drying unit 700 from the air inlet 751 through the air supply pipe 760 . Then, the steam (c) is supplied from the drying unit 700 to the object to be processed in the drum 210 from the air supply port 761 through the air intake pipe 750 . Thereby, a large amount of steam can be supplied to the object to be treated in the drum 210, and the moisture content of the object to be treated can be increased.

In the steam process, the washing machine 100 may be deformed to drive the heat exchange part 712 , which is an example of the air heating part of the present disclosure. The washing machine of this modification 1 can operate the heat exchange part 712 in the steam process to send high-temperature steam into the drum 210, thereby improving the wrinkle removal performance, sterilization, and deodorization performance of the object to be processed. In addition, by keeping the steam at a high temperature, the washing machine of Modification 1 can suppress the reduction in the amount of steam blown into the tub 220 due to condensation of the steam.

In addition, in the steam process, the washing machine 100 may be deformed to drive the motor 231 to rotate the drum 210 . In the washing machine of this modification 2, by rotating the drum 210 to stir the to-be-processed object, steam can be made to act on the to-be-processed object uniformly.

Moreover, in the case where the object to be treated is clothes, the clothes are loosened by rotating the drum 210, and therefore, in the washing machine of Modification 2, steam effectively acts. Moreover, in the washing machine of the modification 2, since the blower fan 730 is actuated, the pulling force is applied to the clothes by the circulating air, so that the ability to remove the wrinkle of the clothes is improved. In addition, when the object to be processed is a shoe or a stuffed doll, steam may be sprayed in a state in which the drum 210 is stationary.

In addition, in the case of a drum-type washing machine such as the washing machine 100, the temperature of the steam is preferably set to 70°C or lower. That is, it is preferable that the control part 170 stops the heating by the heat exchange part 712 when the temperature of the steam detected by the blowing temperature sensor 162b is 70 degreeC or more. This is because, in particular, when the object to be treated is polyester fiber, at 70° C. or higher where polyester is easily plastically deformed, there is a possibility that secondary wrinkles may occur in the folded clothing. On the other hand, when the present disclosure is applied to a refresher-type laundry treatment apparatus in which the object to be treated is suspended from above, the temperature of the steam is preferably set to 70°C or higher. This is because, in particular, when the object to be treated is polyester fiber, wrinkles can be effectively smoothed out by treating the hanging clothes with steam at a temperature of 70°C or higher. Moreover, by processing at a high temperature, a sterilization effect can also be expected. [Effect, etc.]

The washing machine 100 of the present embodiment includes: a tank body 220 ; a drum 210 provided in the tank body 220 ; a warm water heater 163 ; and a blower fan 730 . The warm water heater 163 is provided in the tank body 220, and is a part of the steam generation part 160 which generates steam. The blower fan 730 supplies the steam generated by the warm water heater 163 to the drum 210 .

Thereby, the steam generated in the tank body 220 is supplied to the drum 210 by the blower fan 730 . Therefore, compared with the conventional washing machine, the washing machine 100 can increase the amount of steam supplied into the drum 210 . That is, the washing machine 100 can efficiently supply the steam into the drum.

The washing machine 100 of the present embodiment includes: a tank body 220 ; a drum 210 provided in the tank body 220 ; a water supply unit 139 ; a drying unit 700 ; a warm water heater 163 ; The water supply unit 139 supplies water to the tank body 220 . The drying unit 700 supplies air to the tank body 220 . The warm water heater 163 is installed in the tank body 220, and is a part of the steam generating part which generates steam. The control unit 170 drives the water supply unit 139 to supply water into the tank 220 , drives the warm water heater 163 to generate steam from the supplied water, and drives the blower fan 730 to blow the steam into the drum 210 .

Thereby, the steam generated in the tank body 220 is supplied to the drum 210 by the blower fan 730 . Therefore, compared with the conventional washing machine, the washing machine 100 can increase the amount of steam supplied into the drum 210 . That is, the washing machine 100 can efficiently supply the steam into the drum.

The steam generator 160 of the washing machine 100 of the present embodiment may include a warm water heater 163 for heating the water stored in the tank body 220, and the warm water heater 163 is disposed in the drum in the installation state of the washing machine 100 below 210.

In this way, the washing machine 100 can store water in the tank body 220 so as to prevent the articles to be treated such as clothes accommodated in the drum 210 from getting wet, and generate steam in the lower part of the tank body 220 . Also, since the heated steam rises, the washing machine 100 can efficiently supply the steam into the drum 210 .

The drying unit 700 of the washing machine 100 of the present embodiment may further include a blower fan 730 , an air intake duct 750 , an air supply duct 760 , and an air intake port 751 . The blower fan 730 generates wind. The air intake duct 750 and the air supply duct 760 constitute a part of the air passage, and the air passage is provided with the air blowing fan 730 and is connected to the tank body 220 . The air inlet 751 is used to connect the tank body 220 and the air intake pipe 750 on the upstream side of the air blower fan 730 at a position above the warm water heater 163 in the installed state of the washing machine 100, and to discharge the air in the tank body 220. A component that performs suction.

Thereby, when steam lighter than air is generated, it rises toward the upper part of the tank body 220 and is sucked through the suction port 751 .

Therefore, the washing machine 100 can efficiently take in the generated steam and supply it to the drum 210 .

The drying unit 700 of the washing machine 100 of the present embodiment may also include an air supply port 761 for connecting the tank body 220 and the air supply pipe 760 on the downstream side of the air supply fan 730 to blow air into the drum 210 .

Thereby, the sucked steam is blown into the drum 210 in the positive pressure environment, that is, on the downstream side of the blower fan 730 .

Therefore, the washing machine 100 can efficiently send the steam into the drum 210 .

The washing machine 100 of this embodiment may further include a water level sensor 321 for detecting the water level in the tank body 220 , and the warm water heater 163 is disposed below the drum 210 . In addition, the control unit 170 of the washing machine 100 of the present embodiment may drive the water supply unit 139 to supply water into the tank 220 and drive the warm water heater 163 in a state where the driving of the drying unit 700 has been stopped. Water supplied to generate steam. In addition, the control unit 170 of the washing machine 100 of the present embodiment may drive the drying unit 700 to blow steam into the drum 210 .

As a result, the washing machine 100 can perform the water supply process in a state in which the air supply by the drying unit 700 is stopped, so that the water level sensor 321 can be prevented from erroneously detecting the water level due to wind pressure.

Therefore, the washing machine 100 can suppress that the water level of the water used for steam generation and accumulated in the lower part of the tank body 220 is lower than the C water level.

The washing machine 100 of this embodiment may further include: a water temperature detection sensor 161 to detect the water temperature T in the tank body 220, and the control unit 170 in the steam process, when the water in the tank body 220 reaches a predetermined level of water When it is warm, the air supply by the drying unit 700 is started.

Thereby, since the washing machine 100 does not start blowing air until the water temperature at which the steam can be generated is reached, the steam can be efficiently supplied.

In the steam process, the control unit 170 of the washing machine 100 of the present embodiment may temporarily stop the air supply by the drying unit 700 at a predetermined time.

Thereby, when the washing machine 100 detects the fluctuation of the water level in the steam process, it is possible to suppress the situation where the water level is erroneously detected due to the wind pressure.

The drying unit 700 of the washing machine 100 of the present embodiment may include a heat exchange unit 712 for heating the supplied air.

Thereby, the washing machine 100 can send the high-temperature steam into the drum 210, so that the wrinkle-removing performance, the sterilizing and deodorizing performance, etc. of the object to be processed can be improved. In addition, the washing machine 100 can heat the steam blown by the drying unit 700, thereby preventing the steam from being lowered in temperature and condensing.

The drying unit 700 of the washing machine 100 of the present embodiment may also include the air supply port 761 and the blowing temperature sensor 162b. The air supply port 761 is a member for connecting the tank body 220 and the air supply pipe 760 on the downstream side of the heat exchange part 712 to blow steam into the drum 210 . The blowing temperature sensor 162b detects the temperature of the steam near the air supply port 761 . Moreover, the control part 170 may stop the heating by the heat exchange part 712 when the temperature of the steam detected by the blowing temperature sensor 162b is 70 degreeC or more.

Thereby, in the washing machine 100, by blowing high-temperature steam, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of secondary wrinkling of the object to be processed, that is, the clothes.

The control unit 170 of the washing machine 100 of the present embodiment may also perform the following steps: a steam step, which blows steam into the tank 220;

In this way, the washing machine 100 dries the wetted object after processing the object with a large amount of steam, and the user can use or wear the treated object immediately after the operation is completed.

The control unit 170 of the washing machine 100 of the present embodiment may stop the drive of the warm water heater 163 at the end of the steam process, and then start the drive of the drying unit 700. When the water in the tank 220 reaches a predetermined water temperature, the control unit 170 may start the drive of the drying unit 700. The water in the tank body 220 is drained.

Thereby, the washing machine 100 cools the water in the tub 220 by blowing the air, so that the water temperature T in the tub 220 can be lowered without additional water supply in the tub 220 .

The steam generator 160 of the washing machine 100 of the present embodiment includes a warm water heater 163 for heating the water stored in the tank body 220, and the warm water heater 163 is horizontally arranged on the drum in the installation state of the washing machine 100 The lower part of 210 can also be used.

Thereby, in a drum type washing machine such as the washing machine 100 in which the drum 210 is installed obliquely, since the water surface is substantially parallel to the warm water heater 163, the warm water heater 163 can be completely immersed with a minimum amount of water. (Embodiment 2)

The washing machine of the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the steam supply control is performed during the washing process. That is, the control part of the washing machine of Embodiment 2 differs from the control part 170 of the washing machine 100 of Embodiment 1 in the content of control. The other configuration of the washing machine according to Embodiment 2 is the same as that of washing machine 100 according to Embodiment 1, and therefore, the description will center on the control unit of the washing machine according to Embodiment 2 here.

The washing process includes: laundry process, washing process and dehydration process. The steam process is performed in at least one of the laundry process, the washing process, and the dehydration process. Hereinafter, the case where the steam process is performed in the washing process (hereinafter also referred to as "application example 1"), the case where the steam process is performed in the washing process (hereinafter also referred to as "application example 2"), and the steam process in the dehydration process The case of (hereinafter also referred to as "application example 3") will be described in order. In the following, as an example of implementing the steam process in one of the washing process, the washing process, and the dehydrating process, Application Examples 1 to 3 will be described. The steam process is implemented in a plurality of processes. [Application Example 1: Steam Process in Laundry Process]

Hereinafter, the case where the control part of Application Example 1 implements the steam process at the end of the washing process will be described.

Immediately after the start of the operation, the control unit of the application example 1 supplies the wash water to a level A higher than the inner bottom surface of the drum 210 . When water is supplied, the lotion accommodated in the lotion accommodating portion 150 is supplied into the tank body 220 together with the washing water to start the washing process.

In the washing process, the control unit of Application Example 1 operates the motor 231 for rotating the drum 210 to perform washing operations such as pat washing, pressure washing, and kneading washing, thereby removing contamination adhering to the object to be treated. Here, the pat washing is a washing method in which the object to be processed is collided with the drum 210 . The pressure washing is a washing method in which the drum 210 is rotated at a high speed and the object to be treated is attached to the drum 210 and washed. Kneading washing is a washing method in which the rotation direction of the drum 210 is reversed in a short time. In addition, washing water is added to the object to be treated by driving the circulating pump 610 at the same time, thereby further improving the cleaning effect of the object to be treated.

When it becomes the final stage of the washing process, the control part of the application example 1 will discharge the water to the B water level to implement the steam process. This is to prevent the object to be treated from being damaged by heating the washing water by the warm water heater 163 in a state where the object to be treated such as clothing is immersed in the washing water. Of course, the steam process can also be carried out while maintaining the A water level.

The control part of the application example 1 implements the cooling process of cooling the washing water in the tank 220 after the steam process. The control part of the application example 1 lowers the temperature of the washing water to a predetermined temperature by supplying water into the tank body 220, and then drains the washing water, and then transfers to the washing process. When the washing process and the dehydration process are completed, the washing process is completed.

In this way, by implementing the steam process in the washing process, effects such as sterilization, deodorization, removal or deactivation of allergens, and effect of untangling the object to be processed can be obtained.

In addition, although the case where the steam process is performed in the latter half of the washing process is described here, the steam process may be changed to be performed on the sequence board of the washing process. In the case where the steam process is performed on the sequence plate of the washing process, the control unit of the modification of the application example 1 first supplies the wash water to the B level to perform the steam process. After the steam process, the control unit of the modification of the application example 1 then supplies the washing water to the A water level to execute the washing operation. In addition, as a further modification, the control part of the further modification of Application Example 1 may supply water to the A water level from the beginning, and then implement the steam process. [Application Example 2: Steam Process in Washing Process]

Hereinafter, the case where the control part of the application example 2 implements a steam process in a washing process is demonstrated.

In the cleaning step, the cleaning step is provided once or a plurality of times, and in the application example 2, the case where the steam step is provided in the final cleaning step before the dehydration step is explained as an example.

In order to obtain the effect of unraveling the entangled to-be-processed objects by steam, it is preferable to implement the steam process at the end of the final cleaning process. In the sequence plate of the washing process, the control unit of Application Example 2 executes washing at or above the A water level as in a general washing machine, and at the end of the washing process, drains the water to the B water level to implement the steam process.

The control part of the application example 2 implements a cooling process after a steam process. In the cooling step, the control unit of Application Example 2 lowers the temperature of the washing water to a predetermined temperature by supplying water into the tank body 220, drains the washing water, and transfers to the dehydration step. In addition, as the cooling method, a method of setting a cooling time, which is a time until the water temperature T naturally drops to a predetermined temperature, may be used.

As described above, in Application Example 2, effects such as sterilization, deodorization, deactivation of allergens, and effect of unraveling tangled objects can be obtained by implementing the steam step in the washing step. [Application Example 3: Steam Process in Dehydration Process]

Hereinafter, the case where the control part of the application example 3 implements the steam process in the dehydration process is demonstrated.

The steam step in the dehydration step may be any one of the following methods: a method in which water is supplied to the water level B in the dehydration step sequence plate, and the steam step is performed while rotating the drum 210 at a high speed; A method of performing a steam process. After the steam process is performed, the process proceeds to the cooling process, and the control unit of the application example 3 cools the washing water and drains the water to the outside of the washing machine 100 .

In this way, by implementing the steam process in the dehydration process, effects such as sterilization, deodorization, removal or deactivation of allergens, and reduction of wrinkles due to untanglement of the object to be treated can be obtained. (Embodiment 3)

The washing machine of Embodiment 3 is different from Embodiment 1 in that the steam supply control is performed after a series of operations of washing to drying are performed. That is, the control part of the washing machine of Embodiment 3 differs from the control part 170 of the washing machine 100 of Embodiment 1 in the content of control. The other configuration of the washing machine according to Embodiment 3 is the same as that of washing machine 100 according to Embodiment 1. Therefore, the description will be centered on the control unit of the washing machine according to Embodiment 3 here. [Steam supply control after the first drying process]

Hereinafter, the case where the steam step is performed after the drying step will be described.

When the series of actions of the laundry process, the washing process and the dehydration process are completed, the first drying process is carried out. In a drying process, the control part of Embodiment 3 drives the blower fan 730 and the heat exchange part 712, rotating the drum 210, and dries the to-be-processed object wet by washing. At this time, the control unit of Embodiment 3 drives the drain valve 690 to be continuously or intermittently opened. When the object to be treated is dried, energy is no longer used for evaporating the water contained in the object to be treated, so the temperature of the air circulating in the drum 210 gradually increases.

The control unit of Embodiment 3 closes the drain valve 690 when it is detected by the drying temperature sensors (the suction temperature sensor 162a and the blowing temperature sensor 162b) that the air has reached a predetermined temperature, and the drain valve 690 is closed. The water supply valve 141 is actuated to supply the washing water to the B level. In order to suppress splashing of water to the to-be-processed object in the drum 210, the blower fan 730 and the heat exchange part 712 may be stopped at the time of water supply. In addition, the "predetermined temperature" refers to a temperature at which the temperature of the warm air is close to the second half of the drying period of the reduction rate of the temperature equilibrium. At this stage, the to-be-treated object is in a state of being dry enough to be used or worn.

When the water supply is completed, the steam process is carried out. When the steam process is completed, a drying process is performed in the order of the second drying process, the cooling process, and the drainage operation. The second drying process is a process of drying the wet object to be processed after the steam process.

In the drying process in this embodiment, the steam process is performed after the first drying process. Therefore, the steam process can be started in a state where the tank unit 200 is heated, so that the effect of the steam can be easily obtained.

As in the present embodiment, by performing the steam step after the drying step, sterilization of the object to be treated, deodorization, deactivation of allergic substances adhering to the object to be treated, and drying of the object to be treated by steam can be achieved Wrinkle reduction and other effects. (Embodiment 4) [Configuration of washing machine with second water supply pipe]

The washing machine 100a of the fourth embodiment is different from the washing machine 100 of the first embodiment in that the second water supply pipe 153 connecting the water supply valve 141 and the upstream circulation pipe 640 is provided as an example of the second water supply part of the present disclosure. Moreover, the control part 170a of the washing machine 100a of Embodiment 4 differs from the control part 170 of the washing machine 100 of Embodiment 1 in the content of control. The other configuration of the washing machine 100a of the fourth embodiment is the same as that of the washing machine 100 of the first embodiment, and therefore, the description will focus on the differences here.

FIG. 8 is a front cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the washing machine 100a according to Embodiment 4 of the present disclosure.

In addition, the position of the control part 170a shown in FIG. 8 is only an example, and may be arrange|positioned at another position. Moreover, the control part 170a has a computer system which has a processor and a memory. Furthermore, by causing the processor to execute the program stored in the memory, the computer system functions as the control unit 170a. Although the program executed by the processor is set to be pre-recorded in the memory of the computer system, it can also be provided in a non-temporary recording medium such as a memory card, or via a telecommunication line such as the Internet. .

Hereinafter, the drainage operation different from that of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 8 .

After the steam process is completed, when the temperature in the tank body 220 is equal to or higher than the predetermined water temperature, the control unit 170a opens the water supply valve 141 and the drain valve 690 at the same time. The water supplied from the water supply valve 141 is directly supplied to the upstream circulation pipe 640 through the second water supply pipe 153 , and merges with the washing water drained from the tank body 220 . Thereby, the wash water is cooled in the upstream circulation pipe 640 until it is drained from the washing machine 100 . Therefore, there is no need to provide additional time for the cooling process, so that the washing machine 100a of the fourth embodiment can complete the steam supply control in a shorter time than the washing machine 100 of the first embodiment. [action, etc.]

The washing machine 100a of the present embodiment may further include a drain valve 690 which constitutes a part of a drain portion for draining the water accumulated in the tank 220, and a second water supply pipe 153 for supplying water to merge with the drained water. The control unit 170a may stop the drive of the warm water heater 163, and execute the water drain by the drain valve 690 and the water supply by the second water supply pipe 153 when the steam process of blowing the steam into the tank 220 is completed.

As a result, the temperature of the drained wash water can be rapidly cooled, so that the washing machine 100a can complete the steam supply control in a short time. (other embodiments)

In Embodiments 1 to 4, a drum-type washing machine was described as an example of the washing machine of the present disclosure. The washing machine of the present disclosure is not limited to a drum-type washing machine, but can also be a vertical-type washing machine or a freshener.

In Embodiments 1 to 4, the steam generation part 160 formed integrally with the tank body 220 has been described as an example of the steam generation part of the present disclosure. The steam generating part of the present disclosure only needs to be provided in communication with the tank of the present disclosure, and thus may also be a steam water tank of another component provided in the lower portion of the tank of the present disclosure.

In Embodiments 1 to 4, as an example of the water supply by the water supply unit of the present disclosure, a configuration in which the water supply unit 139 performs water supply in a state where the air supply has been stopped has been described. Since the water supply can be performed as long as the influence of the wind pressure can be excluded and the water level can be detected, the water supply is not limited to the configuration in which the water supply is performed in a state where the air supply has been stopped. For example, the water supply may be performed in a state in which the blower fan 730 is driven at a fixed rotational speed. The wind pressure generated when the blower fan 730 is rotated at a fixed number of revolutions is substantially constant. Therefore, since the differential pressure before and after the water supply corresponds to the change of the water pressure, it is possible to prevent the water level sensor 321 from erroneously detecting the water level. In addition, the washing machine of the present disclosure may also employ a configuration in which a wind pressure detection unit is provided in the wind supply unit of the present disclosure, and a difference in wind pressure is obtained from the pressure detected by the water level detection unit of the present disclosure, thereby to calculate the water level. The washing machine of this modification can perform water supply while supplying air.

In Embodiments 1 to 4, the start of the blower fan 730 after the heating by the warm water heater 163 has been described as an example of the timing of starting the driving of the steam generator of the present disclosure and the wind supply unit of the present disclosure. composition of the drive. The timing of starting the driving of the steam generator of the present disclosure and the wind supply unit of the present disclosure is not limited to this. In the steam process, the hot water heater 163 and the blower fan 730 may start driving at the same time, or the blower fan 730 may start driving first. In addition, the driving of the blower fan 730 may also be configured to start when the temperature of the washing water detected by the water temperature detection sensor 161 reaches a predetermined temperature. Thereby, the washing machine of this modification can suppress the heat dissipation of the washing water due to the circulation of the air, and can efficiently raise the water temperature T.

In Embodiments 1 to 4, two configurations have been described as an example of the configuration in which the water level in the steam step is controlled so as not to become a water level where the heater may be exposed. That is, the configuration in which the hot water heater 163 is stopped when the water level is less than C, and the configuration in which the air blower fan 730 is intermittently operated and the water level is detected when the air blower fan 730 is stopped have been described. The configuration in which the water level is controlled so that the heater may not be exposed is not limited to this. For example, in the steam process, when the water level in the tank body 220 becomes lower than a preset re-water supply water level (not shown), the water supply valve 141 is opened and the water is re-supplied to the predetermined water level. By setting the resupply water level higher than the C water level, it is possible to prevent a part of the warm water heater 163 from becoming higher than the water surface. In addition, in the steam process, when the water level sensor 321 detects a sudden pressure drop, the hot water heater 163 may be stopped. This is because the sudden pressure drop is not influenced by the blowing by the blower fan 730, but is highly likely to be influenced by the water level change due to water leakage.

In Embodiments 1 to 3, as an example of the configuration in which the washing water is cooled before draining, the cooling step of performing the cooling when the water temperature T is 50° C. or higher has been described. The cooling process is not limited to this as long as the washing water can be cooled before draining. For example, when the drain valve 690 is closed, the blower fan 730 may be driven to circulate the air in the tank body 220, thereby promoting the heat dissipation of the washing water. Moreover, when the distance between the B water level and the lowermost end inside the drum 210 is sufficient, the temperature of the washing water may be lowered by further supplying water in the cooling step.

In Embodiment 1, as a method of cooling the washing water in the tank body 220, the method of taking time to stand to cool was demonstrated. The method of cooling the washing water in the tank body 220 may be, for example, a method of further supplying the washing water into the tank body 220 to lower the water temperature T in the tank body 220, and performing drainage while supplying water to reduce the drainage. temperature method. For example, in the course of executing the steam supply control at the A water level, in order to rapidly cool the wash water, the wash water may be further supplied to lower the temperature of the wash water. On the other hand, only when the distance between the B water level and the bottom surface of the drum 210 is sufficient in the course of executing the steam supply control at the B water level, the wash water may be further supplied to lower the temperature of the wash water.

industrial availability The present disclosure can be applied to a washing machine that supplies steam into the accommodating tub. Specifically, the present disclosure can be applied to an upright washing machine, a front-loading washing machine, a double-tank washing machine, and the like.

100, 100a, 1000: washing machine 110: Shell 111: Front Wall 112: Back Wall 113: Shell top wall 114: Shell bottom wall 116: Pad construction 119: Input port 120: door body 123: Operation Department 139, 1139: Water Supply Unit 140, 1140: Water inlet 141, 1141: Water supply valve 150, 1150: Lotion container 151, 1151: Water supply pipes 152: Lint filter 153: 2nd water supply pipe 160, 1160: Steam generating section 161: Water temperature detection sensor 162a: Suction temperature sensor 162b: Blow out temperature sensor 163, 1163: Warm Water Heaters 170, 170a: Control Department 200: Slot unit 210, 1210: Roller 211: Zhou Wall 212: Bottom wall 213,1213: Opening 214, 1214: hole 220,1220: tank body 221: Bottom 222: Front 230: Rotary shaft 231, 1231: Motor 232: Pulley 233: Belt 321: Water level sensor 610, 1610: Circulating pumps 630: Air collector 631: Air tube 640: Upstream circulation pipe 650: Downstream circulation pipe 660: Drain pipe 690: Drain valve 700, 1700: Drying unit 710: Drying Pipe 711: Air filter 712: Heat Exchange Department 730, 1730: Supply air fans 750,1750: Suction pipe 751: Inhalation port 760, 1760: Air supply tube 761: Air supply port A,B,C: water level RX: Rotary axis T: water temperature td: drying process time ts: steam process time t2: Scheduled time t′: cooling time S101~S114: Steps

FIG. 1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing the configuration of the washing machine according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a front cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the washing machine according to Embodiment 1. FIG.

3 is a flowchart showing steam supply control of the washing machine according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view from the front showing the flow of steam in the steam process of the conventional washing machine.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the flow of steam in the steam process of the conventional washing machine, viewed from the side.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the flow of steam in the steam step of the washing machine of Embodiment 1. FIG.

Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the flow of steam in the steam step of the washing machine according to Embodiment 1, viewed from the side.

FIG. 8 is a front cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the washing machine according to Embodiment 4. FIG.

100: washing machine

110: Shell

111: Front Wall

112: Back Wall

113: Shell top wall

114: Shell bottom wall

116: Pad construction

119: Input port

120: door body

123: Operation Department

152: Lint filter

161: Water temperature detection sensor

162a: Suction temperature sensor

162b: Blow out temperature sensor

163: Warm water heater

170: Control Department

200: Slot unit

210: Roller

211: Zhou Wall

212: Bottom wall

213: Opening

214: Hole

220: tank body

221: Bottom

222: Front

230: Rotary shaft

231: Motor

232: Pulley

233: Belt

321: Water level sensor

610: Circulation pump

630: Air collector

631: Air tube

640: Upstream circulation pipe

650: Downstream circulation pipe

660: Drain pipe

690: Drain valve

700: Drying unit

710: Drying Pipe

711: Air filter

712: Heat Exchange Department

730: Air supply fan

750: suction pipe

751: Inhalation port

760: Air supply tube

761: Air supply port

RX: Rotary axis

Claims (14)

A washing machine has: tank body; an accommodating groove, which is arranged in the aforesaid groove body; a steam generating part, which is installed in the tank to generate steam; and The air blowing part supplies the steam generated by the steam generating part into the accommodating tank. A washing machine has: tank body; an accommodating groove, which is arranged in the aforesaid groove body; The water supply part supplies water to the tank body; an air supply unit, which supplies air to the aforesaid tank body; a steam generating part, which is arranged in the tank and generates steam; and control department, The control unit drives the water supply unit to supply water into the tank, The steam generator is driven to generate steam by the water supplied, The air supply unit is driven to blow steam into the accommodating tank. The washing machine of claim 2, wherein the steam generating part comprises: The heater heats the water accumulated in the tank, The heater is disposed below the accommodating tank in the installed state of the washing machine. The washing machine of claim 2 or 3, wherein the aforementioned air supply unit comprises: The air supply part generates wind; an air duct, provided with the aforementioned air supply part, and connected with the aforementioned tank body; and The intake port connects the tank body and the air passage on the upstream side of the air blower at a position above the steam generator in the installed state of the washing machine, and sucks the air in the tank. The washing machine of claim 4, wherein the aforementioned air supply unit comprises: The air supply port is used for connecting the groove body and the air passage on the downstream side of the air blowing part, and blowing air into the accommodating groove. The washing machine according to any one of claims 2 to 5, further comprising: The water level detection part detects the water level in the aforementioned tank, The steam generating part is arranged below the accommodating tank, The control unit drives the water supply unit to supply water to the tank in a state where the drive of the wind supply unit is stopped, The steam generator is driven to generate steam by the water supplied, The air supply unit is driven to blow steam into the accommodating tank. The washing machine according to any one of claims 2 to 6, further comprising: The water temperature detection part detects the water temperature in the tank, The control unit starts the air blowing by the air supply unit when the water in the tank reaches a predetermined water temperature in the steam generating step of the steam. The washing machine according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the control unit temporarily stops the air supply by the air supply unit at a predetermined time point in the steam generating process of steam. The washing machine of claim 4, wherein the aforementioned air supply unit comprises: The air heating part heats the supplied air. The washing machine of claim 9, wherein the aforementioned air supply unit comprises: an air supply port for connecting the tank body and the air passage on the downstream side of the air heating part, and blowing the steam into the accommodating tank; and The blowing temperature detection part detects the temperature of the steam near the aforesaid air outlet, The control part stops the heating by the said air heating part when the temperature of the steam detected by the said blowing temperature detection part is 70 degreeC or more. The washing machine according to any one of claims 2 to 10, wherein the control unit performs the following steps: a steam process, which blows steam into the tank; and In the drying step, the to-be-processed object accommodated in the said tank is dried. The washing machine according to any one of claims 2 to 11, wherein when the steam step of blowing steam into the tank is completed, the control part stops the driving of the steam generating part, and then starts the driving of the air supply unit; When the water in the tank reaches a predetermined water temperature, the water in the tank is drained. The washing machine according to any one of claims 2 to 11, further comprising: a drainage part for draining the water accumulated in the tank body; and The second water supply unit supplies water in order to merge with the drained water, When the steam step of blowing steam into the tank is completed, the control unit stops the driving of the steam generating unit, and executes the drainage by the drainage unit and the water supply by the second water supply unit. The washing machine of claim 1 or 2, wherein the aforementioned steam generating part comprises: The heater heats the water accumulated in the tank, The heater is arranged horizontally below the accommodating tank in the installation state of the washing machine.

Images