WO2021246115A1

WO2021246115A1 - Washing machine

Info

Publication number: WO2021246115A1
Application number: PCT/JP2021/017829
Authority: WO
Inventors: 智亮米田; 宣彦藤原
Original assignee: パナソニックＩｐマネジメント株式会社
Priority date: 2020-06-01
Filing date: 2021-05-11
Publication date: 2021-12-09
Also published as: CN115698411A; JP7426567B2; JPWO2021246115A1; TW202212667A

Abstract

This washing machine (100) is provided with a tub (220), a drum (210), a steam-generating part, and a ventilation fan (730). The drum (210) is provided in the interior of the tub (220). The steam-generating part is provided on the tub (220) and generates steam. The ventilation fan (730) supplies the steam generated by the steam-generating part to the interior of the drum (210).

Description

Washing machine

This disclosure relates to a washing machine.

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

In the drum-type washing machine according to Patent Document 1, washing water is supplied into the tab at a water level lower than the bottom surface of the drum, and the washing water is heated by the washing heater provided in the tab to generate steam and the drum is generated. It is rotated to supply steam into the drum through a small hole in the side wall of the drum.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-151187

This disclosure provides a washing machine that can efficiently supply steam into the storage tub.

The washing machine according to the present disclosure supplies the tab, the storage tub provided in the tab, the steam generation unit provided in the tab to generate steam, and the steam generated by the steam generation unit into the storage tub. It is equipped with a blower.

Further, the washing machine according to the present disclosure includes a tab, a storage tank provided in the tab, a water supply unit for supplying water to the tab, a wind supply unit for supplying wind to the tab, and a washing machine provided in the tab. It includes a steam generation unit that generates steam and a control unit. Then, the control unit drives the water supply unit to supply water into the tab, drives the steam generation unit to generate steam from the supplied water, and drives the wind supply unit to blow steam into the storage tank. ..

The washing machine according to this disclosure can efficiently supply steam into the storage tank.

FIG. 1 is a schematic vertical sectional view showing the configuration of the washing machine according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic front sectional view showing the configuration of the washing machine according to the first embodiment. 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 a conventional washing machine. FIG. 5 is a schematic view from the side showing the flow of steam in the steam process of a conventional washing machine. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the flow of steam in the steam process of the washing machine according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a schematic view from the side showing the flow of steam in the steam process of the washing machine according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a schematic front sectional view showing the configuration of the washing machine according to the fourth embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The disclosure is not limited by the accompanying drawings and the following description.

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, the washing machine 100 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7.

[Washing machine configuration]
FIG. 1 is a schematic vertical sectional view showing the configuration of the washing machine 100 according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a schematic front sectional view showing 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 the following, as shown in FIG. 1, the vertical direction in the state where the washing machine 100 is installed (corresponding to the installation state according to the present disclosure) may be described as the vertical direction. This also applies to the washing machines according to other embodiments.

As shown in FIG. 1, the washing machine 100 is a drum-type washing machine and includes a housing 110 and a tub unit 200 for accommodating an object to be processed in the housing 110. The tank unit 200 includes a drum 210, which is an example of a storage tank according to the present disclosure, and a tab 220 for accommodating the drum 210, which has a substantially cylindrical peripheral wall 211 surrounding the rotating shaft RX. The drum 210 is configured to accommodate an object to be treated, and the tab 220 is configured to store water (hereinafter, also referred to as “washing water”). That is, the washing machine 100 includes a tab 220 and a drum 210 provided in the tab 220. The object to be treated is, for example, clothing, a hat, shoes, a toy, or 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 water stored in the tab 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 the object to be processed and drop it downward as the drum 210 rotates.

Further, the washing machine 100 according to the present embodiment is provided on the tab 220 and includes a steam generation unit 160 for generating steam. The steam generation unit 160 includes a hot water heater 163 for heating the washing water stored in the tab 220, which is an example of the heater according to the present disclosure. The hot water heater 163 is provided with a thermal fuse (not shown), which will be described later. It is desirable that the steam generating unit 160 according to the present embodiment is located at a position lower than the bottom surface of the drum 210. This is because the updraft is generated by the steam, so that the steam generated in the tab 220 can be efficiently supplied into the drum 210. The hot water heater 163 according to the present embodiment is arranged at the lower part of the tab 220. That is, the steam generation unit 160 and the hot water heater 163 are arranged below the drum 210 in the installed state of the washing machine 100.

Further, 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, the hot water heater 163 is arranged so as to be horizontal below the drum 210 in the installed state of the washing machine 100. As a result, the washing machine 100 can submerge the hot water heater 163 with a small amount of washing water, as compared with the case where the longitudinal direction of the hot water heater 163 is provided so as to be substantially parallel to the bottom surface of the drum 210. The washing machine 100 can improve the thermal efficiency and generate steam in a short time by configuring the washing machine 100 to reduce the amount of washing water required for steam. Further, the washing machine 100 can increase the distance between the innermost lower end of the drum 210 and the set water level required for steam, and can prevent the object to be treated contained in the drum 210 from being flooded due to an erroneous detection of the water level. The hot water heater 163 may be provided so as to be inclined downward in the longitudinal direction. In this case, it is desirable that the heat generating portion of the hot water heater 163 is below the thermal fuse. As a result, even if the hot water heater 163 is heated without being submerged in water, when the temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature, the electric power is cut off by the thermal fuse and the heating is stopped. Therefore, even if the set water level required for steam is provided in the vicinity of the hot water heater 163, safety is ensured.

The hot water heater 163 has a built-in thermal fuse. Since the hot water heater 163 automatically stops heating by a thermal fuse when the temperature rises above a predetermined temperature, even if the water level sensor 321 erroneously detects the water level, the hot water heater 163 is prevented from being heated without being submerged. The thermal fuse may be provided on the outer wall of the tab 220 instead of being built in the hot water heater 163. Further, 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 hot water heater 163 may be stopped and an error display may be displayed on the operation unit 123.

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

The washing machine 100 further includes a door body 120 attached to the front wall 111. The door body 120 rotates between a closed position for closing the input port 119 formed on the front wall 111 and an open position for opening the input port 119. The user can rotate the door body 120 to the open position and charge the object to be processed into the drum 210 through the input port 119 of the front wall 111. After that, the user can move the door body 120 to the closed position and have the washing machine 100 wash the object to be processed. 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 object to be processed loaded into the drum 210 moves in the drum 210 as the drum 210 rotates, and undergoes a treatment according to the course selected by the user among washing, rinsing, and dehydration.

The drum 210 includes a peripheral wall 211 and a bottom wall 212 facing the door body 120 in the closed position. The tab 220 has a bottom portion 221 that surrounds a portion of the bottom wall 212 and the peripheral wall 211 of the drum 210, and a front portion 222 that surrounds the other portion of the peripheral wall 211 of the drum 210 between the bottom portion 221 and the door body 120. Be prepared.

The tank unit 200 includes a rotating shaft 230 attached to the bottom wall 212 of the drum 210. The rotary shaft 230 extends along the rotary shaft RX toward the rear wall 112. The rotary shaft 230 penetrates the bottom 221 of the tab 220 and appears between the tab 220 and the rear wall 112.

The washing machine 100 includes a motor 231 installed below the tab 220, a pulley 232 attached to a rotary shaft 230 exposed outside the tab 220, and a belt 233 for transmitting the power of the motor 231 to the pulley 232. , Are further provided. When the motor 231 operates, the power of the motor 231 is transmitted to the belt 233, the pulley 232 and the rotary shaft 230. As a result, the drum 210 rotates in the tab 220.

The washing machine 100 further includes a packing structure 116 disposed between the front portion 222 of the tab 220 and the door body 120. The door body 120 rotated to the closed position compresses the packing structure 116. As a result, the packing structure 116 forms a watertight seal structure between the door body 120 and the front portion 222.

The washing machine 100 carries out cloth amount sensing for measuring the amount of the object to be processed. In the cloth amount sensing, for example, the drum 210 is accelerated to a specified rotation speed and 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 wind supply unit according to the present disclosure. The drying unit 700 supplies air to the tab 220. The drying unit 700 includes an air filter 711, a drying duct 710, a heat exchange unit 712 as an example of the air heating unit according to the present disclosure, a blower fan 730 as an example of the blower unit according to the present disclosure, and an intake pipe 750. And the air supply tube 760. The intake pipe 750 and the air supply pipe 760 form a part of the air passage as an example of the air passage according to the present disclosure, which is provided with the air blow fan 730 and is connected to the tab 220.

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

The drying unit 700 takes in the air of the tank unit 200 from the intake pipe 750 and sends the air to the tank unit 200 through the air supply pipe 760 to form a circulation air passage including the tank unit 200.

When the blower fan 730 rotates, a negative pressure environment is created in the intake pipe 750, while a positive pressure environment is created in the air blower pipe 760, and wind is supplied into the drum 210. Therefore, the washing machine 100 is a circulation type washing / drying machine provided with a circulation air passage composed of a drying unit 700 and a tub unit 200.

An intake port 751 is provided on the joint surface between the intake pipe 750 and the tank unit 200, and an air supply port 761 is provided on the joint surface between the air supply pipe 760 and the tank unit 200. The drying unit 700 includes an intake port 751 and an air supply port 761. The intake port 751 is an opening for connecting the tab 220 and the intake pipe 750 at a position above the steam generation unit 160 in the installed state of the washing machine 100 on the upstream side of the blower fan 730 and for sucking the air in the tab 220. It is a department. The air supply port 761 is an opening for connecting the tab 220 and the air supply pipe 760 and blowing air (steam) into the drum 210 on the downstream side of the heat exchange unit 712 and the blower fan 730. Since the updraft is generated by the steam, the intake port 751 is preferably provided at a position higher than the hot water heater 163 included in the steam generation unit 160 according to the present embodiment. It is particularly desirable to provide the intake port 751 on the upper part of the tab 220 where warm air including steam tends to collect. Further, it is desirable that the intake port 751 is provided at a position higher than the air supply port 761.

The drying unit 700 is provided with a drying temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the air inside the drying unit 700. As in the present embodiment, as the drying temperature sensor, the suction temperature sensor 162a that detects the temperature of the air sucked from the intake port 751 and the blowout that detects the temperature of the air heated by the heat exchange unit 712. A temperature sensor 162b and a temperature sensor 162b may be provided respectively. That is, the blowout temperature sensor 162b is an example of the blowout temperature detection unit according to the present disclosure, and detects the temperature of steam in the vicinity of the air supply port 761.

As shown in FIG. 2, the washing machine 100 includes a water supply unit 139 that supplies water to the tab 220 as an example of the water supply unit according to the present disclosure. The water supply unit 139 includes a water supply port 140 connected to a faucet (not shown), a water supply valve 141, a detergent storage unit 150 for storing detergent, and a water supply pipe 151 for connecting the detergent storage unit 150 and the tank unit 200. ,including.

It is preferable that the washing water to be supplied is supplied to the inside of the tab 220 so as not to hit the object to be treated contained in the drum 210. Therefore, the water supply pipe 151 is arranged in the upper rear side of the tab 220, and the flow path formed by the water supply pipe 151 may be formed along the rear surface of the tab 220. Further, even if the water supply valve 141 is intermittently opened to reduce the amount of water supplied so that water does not get inside the drum 210, the supplied water flows down along the inner surface of the tab 220. good. It should be noted that the first water supply flow path for supplying water so that the object to be treated contained in the drum 210 is exposed to the washing water, and the second water supply channel for supplying water so that the object to be processed contained in the drum 210 is not exposed to the washing water. A water supply flow path may be provided, and the first water supply flow path and the second water supply flow path may be used properly depending on the application.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the washing machine 100 includes an upstream circulation pipe 640, a downstream circulation pipe 650, a drain pipe 660, a drain valve 690, and a lint filter 152. Here, the upstream circulation pipe 640 defines the path of water flowing from the tab 220 to the circulation pump 610. The downstream circulation pipe 650 defines the path of water returning from the circulation pump 610 to the tab 220. The drainage pipe 660 defines a drainage route to the outside of the housing 110. The lint filter 152 collects foreign substances such as lint. The drain valve 690 is attached to the drain pipe 660. The drainage portion according to the present embodiment for draining the water stored in the tab 220 includes a drain valve 690 and is defined by a flow path from the drum 210 to the drain pipe 660. The upstream circulation pipe 640 branches near the connection portion with the tab 220 to form an air trap 630, and is connected to the air pipe 631 at the upper part of the air trap 630. At the upper part of the air pipe 631, a water level sensor 321 for detecting the water level in the tab 220, which is an example of the water level detecting unit according to the present disclosure, is provided.

The washing machine 100 includes a water level sensor 321 which is an example of the water level detection unit according to the present disclosure. The water level sensor 321 is composed of a MEMS type pressure sensor. Since the water level sensor 321 can accurately detect the water level by adopting the MEMS type pressure sensor, it is possible to suppress the infiltration of water into the drum 210 or the exposure of the hot water heater 163. Therefore, it is not necessary to take a long distance from the lower end of the drum 210 to the hot water heater 163 in order to cope with the false detection of the water level, so that the degree of freedom in design is improved.

As an example of the water level detection unit according to the present disclosure, instead of the water level sensor 321 configured by the MEMS type pressure sensor, a sensor that reads the potential change between the electrodes and detects the water level, or a float sensor is used. A sensor that detects the water level may be used. Since these water level detection units sensitively reflect the decrease in water level, it is possible to effectively suppress the hot water heater 163 from being heated in the air without being submerged.

The lint filter 152 may be configured to be locked when the washing water becomes hot. As a result, it is possible to prevent the lint filter 152 from being removed and the high-temperature washing water from flowing out during the steam supply control described later.

The washing machine 100 includes a water temperature detection sensor 161 which is an example of the water temperature detection unit according to the present disclosure. The water temperature detection sensor 161 is attached to the outer wall surface of the tab 220 and detects the temperature of the washing water in the tab 220. The mounting location of the water temperature detection sensor 161 is not limited to the outer wall surface of the tab 220, as long as the water temperature T in the tab 220 can be detected, and may be, for example, the inside of the tab 220.

Further, the washing machine 100 includes an operation unit 123. The operation unit 123 includes a button for receiving the user's operation and a display unit. The user can select various courses by using the buttons on the operation unit 123, and information about the selected course is displayed on the display unit. The operation unit 123 may be configured by a touch panel. Various courses include a washing course, a drying course, a washing and drying course that is performed as a part from washing to drying, a refreshing course that treats the object to be processed only with steam without washing, and a washing tub that processes the washing tub without putting the object to be processed. Includes tab cleaning course, etc. As part of these courses, steam supply control, which will be described later, is performed. It should be noted that the various courses may include a course consisting only of steam supply control.

Further, the washing machine 100 includes a control unit 170. The control unit 170 controls the entire washing machine 100, and particularly executes steam supply control. Although the details will be described later, the control unit 170 drives the water supply unit 139 to supply water into the tab 220, drives the steam generation unit 160 to generate steam from the supplied water, and drives the drying unit 700. Blow steam into the drum 210. The position of the control unit 170 shown in FIG. 1 is an example, and may be arranged at another position. Further, the control unit 170 has a computer system having a processor and a memory. Then, the processor executes the program stored in the memory, so that the computer system functions as the control unit 170. The program executed by the processor is assumed to be recorded in advance in the memory of the computer system here, but may be recorded in a non-temporary recording medium such as a memory card and provided, or a telecommunications line such as the Internet. May be provided through.

[Steam supply control]
The steam supply control exerts effects such as wrinkle removal, sterilization, deodorization, allergen removal or deactivation of clothes by allowing steam to act on the object to be treated. The steam supply control includes, for example, a water supply step of supplying water to the steam generation unit 160, a steam step of generating steam, a drying step of drying a wet object to be treated, and a cooling step of cooling the washing water in the tab 220. ,including. The process time related to the steam supply control, the rotation time limit of the drum 210, and the like are determined based on the amount of the object to be treated or the temperature of the washing water.

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

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

As shown in FIG. 3, when the refresh course starts (step S101), the control unit 170 executes the water supply step (step S102). Specifically, the control unit 170 operates the water supply valve 141 to supply water to the detergent storage unit 150, and the supplied water is inside the tab 220 so as not to hit the object to be treated stored in the drum 210. Water is supplied to (step S102). The control unit 170 determines whether or not the water level detected by the water level sensor 321 is equal to or higher than the B water level (step S103). The control unit 170 continues to supply water until the water level B is reached (step S103, No) (step S102). When the water level sensor 321 detects that the water level B has been reached (step S103, Yes), the control unit 170 closes the water supply valve 141 and proceeds to the steam process. That is, the control unit 170 executes the steam process of blowing steam into the tab 220.

When the steam process starts, the control unit 170 starts energizing the hot water heater 163 (step S104). By starting the steam process in the state where the water supply is completed in this way, the hot water heater 163 can be heated while the hot water heater 163 is completely immersed in the washing water. Therefore, the hot water heater 163 can be prevented from being heated in the air. If the hot water heater 163 is completely immersed in the washing water, the hot water heater 163 may be energized during the water supply process.

The control unit 170 causes the hot water heater 163 to heat the washing water until the temperature of the washing water detected by the water temperature detection sensor 161 reaches the upper limit temperature control temperature which is a predetermined temperature. The upper limit temperature control temperature is set to, for example, 60 ° C. The washing water stored in the steam generation unit 160 is subcooled to boil in the vicinity of the hot water heater 163 to generate steam. The washing water stored in the steam generation unit 160 may generate steam by normal boiling.

When the washing water reaches the upper limit temperature control temperature, the control unit 170 stops the hot water heater 163. When the washing water drops to the lower limit temperature control temperature, which is a temperature lower than the upper limit temperature control temperature, the control unit 170 starts energization of the hot water heater 163 again. The lower limit temperature control temperature is set to, for example, 55 ° C.

In the present embodiment, when 2 minutes have passed since the energization of the hot water heater 163 was started, the control unit 170 drives the blower fan 730 (step S105). That is, in the steam process for generating steam, the control unit 170 starts blowing air from the drying unit 700 when the water in the tab 220 reaches a predetermined water temperature.

Further, the control unit 170 drives the water supply unit 139 to supply water into the tab 220 while the drying unit 700 is stopped, and drives the steam generation unit 160 to generate steam from the supplied water. Then, the control unit 170 drives the drying unit 700 to blow steam into the drum 210. In this way, by starting the steam process in a state where the water supply is completed so that the water level becomes B or higher, it is possible to prevent the water level sensor 321 from erroneously detecting the water level due to the change in the wind pressure due to the drive of the blower fan 730. The blower fan 730 may be driven intermittently in the steam process. By detecting the water level with the water level sensor 321 when the blower fan 730 is stopped, erroneous detection due to a change in wind pressure can be suppressed.

In the steam process, the control unit 170 continuously or intermittently operates the motor 231 that rotates the drum 210. The rotation speed of the drum 210 is set to, for example, about 50 to 60 r / min at which the object to be processed contained in the drum 210 is tumbled. When the drum 210 is rotating at about 50 to 60 r / min, the object to be processed in the drum 210 is lifted upward in the drum 210 by the baffle and dropped from above. In the present embodiment, since the air supply port 761 is provided on the back surface of the drum 210, when the object to be processed falls from above, it passes in front of the air supply port 761 and is sprayed with steam. As a result, the object to be treated can efficiently obtain the effect of steam. Further, when the object to be treated is clothing, the clothing is spread by the wind blown when it falls from above, so that the wrinkles of the clothing can be efficiently smoothed.

The control unit 170 determines whether or not the water level detected by the water level sensor 321 is lower than the C water level (step S106). When the water level is equal to or higher than the C water level (step S106, No), the control unit 170 proceeds to the process of step S108. When the water level becomes lower than the C water level (step S106, Yes), the control unit 170 stops the 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 since the energization of the hot water heater 163 was started (step S108). Until the steam process time ts elapses (steps S108, No), the control unit 170 repeats the process from step S104. When the steam process time ts has elapsed (step S108, Yes), the control unit 170 ends the steam process and shifts to the drying process (step S109). The steam process time ts is set to, for example, about 5 minutes.

The object to be treated after the steam process is moistened by steam and cannot be used or worn immediately. Therefore, as in the drying process of a general washing machine, it is necessary to drive only the blower fan 730 or the heat exchange unit 712 and the blower fan 730 at the same time while rotating the drum 210 to dry the wet object to be processed. There is. That is, the control unit 170 executes a drying step of drying the object to be processed contained in the tab 220.

In the present embodiment, when the drying step is started, the control unit 170 stops the hot water heater 163 and starts driving the drying function, that is, driving the blower fan 730 and the heat exchange unit 712 (step S109). The control unit 170 determines the dryness of the object to be processed from the difference between the suction temperature detected by the suction temperature sensor 162a and the blowout temperature detected by the blowout temperature sensor 162b. As the object to be processed dries, the amount of heat used to evaporate the water content of the object to be processed decreases, so the control unit 170 determines that the degree of drying increases when the difference between the suction temperature and the ejection temperature decreases. ..

Next, the cooling process for cooling the washing water in the tab 220 will be described. The purpose of the cooling step is to prevent the user from being burned by cooling the washing water to a predetermined temperature or lower and draining the water. If the water temperature T of the washing water after the steam step is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature, the cooling step may not be executed. In the present embodiment, since the amount of heat dissipated from the washing water is larger than the amount of heat obtained from the dry air, a part of the drying step also serves as the cooling step, but the cooling step and the drying step may be executed separately.

In the present embodiment, the washing water is allowed to cool until the temperature of the washing water detected by the water temperature detection sensor 161 falls below a predetermined temperature. The control unit 170 determines whether or not the water temperature T detected by the water temperature detection sensor 161 is less than 50 ° C. (step S110). When the water temperature T detected by the water temperature detection sensor 161 is 50 ° C. or higher (step S110, No), the control unit 170 cools the washing water from the blower fan 730 in the driven state. As described above, since the amount of heat dissipated from the washing water is larger than the amount of heat obtained from the dry air, the washing water is cooled even when the heat exchange unit 712 is driven.

Further, the control unit 170 adds the cooling time t', which is the cooling time, to t2 described later (step S111). The determination of the water temperature T is performed every time the cooling time t', which is a predetermined time, elapses.

The drainage operation is executed when the washing water is cooled to a predetermined water temperature or lower after the cooling process or during the cooling process. In the present embodiment, when the water temperature T falls below 50 ° C. (step S110, Yes), 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 tab 220 is discharged to the outside of the washing machine 100 via the drain pipe 660. The water flow generated by the drainage flushes the scale deposited on the surface of the hot water heater 163 during the steam process. As a result, the accumulation of scale is suppressed, so that it is possible to suppress the decrease in the steam generation capacity of the hot water heater 163 due to the accumulation of impurities. As described above, when the steam process for blowing steam into the tab 220 is completed, the control unit 170 stops driving the steam generating unit 160 and then starts driving the drying unit 700 (blower fan 730). Then, when the water in the tab 220 reaches a predetermined water temperature (50 ° C. in this example), the control unit 170 drains the water in the tab 220.

The control unit 170 determines whether or not the drying process time dt has elapsed after the completion of the drainage operation (step S113). The control unit 170 continues to drive the heat exchange unit 712 until the drying step time dt elapses (steps S113, No). The drying step time td is set as the sum of t2, which is a predetermined time, and the cooling time t ′. For example, t2 is set to about 5 minutes. When the cooling is performed a plurality of times, the cooling time t ′ for the plurality of times may be added to t2. When the drying step time td elapses (step S113, Yes), the drying step is completed and the refreshing course is completed (step S114).

[Action of steam process]
FIG. 4 is a schematic view seen from the front showing the flow of steam in the steam process of the conventional washing machine 1000, and FIG. 5 is a schematic view seen from the side showing the flow of steam in the steam process of the washing machine 1000. Is.

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 tab 1220, a motor 1231, a circulation pump 1610, and a drying unit 1700. To prepare for. The water supply unit 1139 includes a water supply port 1140, a water supply valve 1141, a detergent accommodating portion 1150, and a water supply pipe 1151. The steam generation unit 1160 includes a hot water heater 1163. An opening 1213 is formed in the drum 1210 and the tab 1220, respectively. The drum 1210 is formed with a plurality of holes 1214 that allow the inside and outside of the drum 1210 to communicate with each other. The drying unit 1700 includes an intake pipe 1750, a blower fan 1730, and an air supply pipe 1760. The conventional washing machine 1000 heats the washing water stored in the steam generation unit 1160 to generate steam, and rotates the drum 1210 to supply steam into the drum 1210 through the holes 1214 on the side wall of the drum 1210. As described above, the conventional washing machine 1000 uses natural convection generated by the rotation of the drum 1210 as a means for supplying steam into the drum 1210. Therefore, the conventional washing machine 1000 has a problem that the amount of steam supplied to the object to be processed in the drum 1210 is small and the effect of steam cannot be sufficiently exerted.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the flow of steam in the steam process of the washing machine 100 according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing the flow of steam in the steam process of the washing machine 100, as viewed from the side. be.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, in the steam process of the present embodiment, the water collected in the steam generation unit 160 is heated by the hot water heater 163, and the blower fan 730 is driven. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the steam generated in the steam generation unit 160 rises to the upper part of the tank unit 200, and is introduced into the drying unit 700 from the intake port 751 via the air supply pipe 760. Will be done. Then, steam is supplied from the drying unit 700 to the object to be processed in the drum 210 from the air supply port 761 via the intake pipe 750. As a result, a large amount of steam can be supplied to the object to be processed in the drum 210, and the water content of the object to be processed can be increased.

In the steam process, the washing machine 100 may be modified so as to drive the heat exchange unit 712, which is an example of the air heating unit according to the present disclosure. The washing machine according to the first modification can send high-temperature steam to the drum 210 by operating the heat exchange unit 712 in the steam process, so that it has wrinkle-removing performance and sterilization / deodorizing performance. Etc. are improved. Further, by keeping the steam at a high temperature, the washing machine according to the first modification can prevent the steam from condensing and reducing the amount of steam blown into the tab 220.

Further, in the steam process, the washing machine 100 may be deformed so as to drive the motor 231 to rotate the drum 210. In the washing machine according to the second modification, steam can be evenly applied to the object to be processed by rotating the drum 210 to stir the object to be processed.

Further, when the object to be treated is clothes, the clothes are loosened by rotating the drum 210, so that steam works effectively in the washing machine according to the second modification. Further, in the washing machine according to the second modification, by operating the blower fan 730, the pulling force due to the circulating wind acts on the clothes, so that the ability to remove the wrinkles of the clothes is improved. If the object to be treated is shoes, a stuffed animal, or the like, steam may be sprayed on the drum 210 in a stationary state.

In the case of a drum-type washing machine such as the washing machine 100, it is desirable that the steam temperature is set to 70 ° C. or lower. That is, it is desirable that the control unit 170 stops the heating by the heat exchange unit 712 when the temperature of the steam detected by the blowout temperature sensor 162b is 70 ° C. or higher. This is because, in particular, when the object to be treated is polyester fiber, the garment in the folded state may have secondary wrinkles at 70 ° C. or higher where the polyester is easily plastically deformed. On the other hand, when the present disclosure is applied to a refresher type clothing processing apparatus that suspends an object to be processed from above, it is desirable that the temperature of steam is set to 70 ° C. or higher. This is because, in particular, when the object to be treated is polyester fiber, the garment in a suspended state is efficiently wrinkled by treating it with steam at 70 ° C. or higher. In addition, a sterilizing effect can be expected by treating at a high temperature.

[Effects, etc.]
The washing machine 100 according to the present embodiment includes a tab 220, a drum 210 provided in the tab 220, a hot water heater 163, and a blower fan 730. The hot water heater 163 is provided on the tab 220 and is a part of the steam generating unit 160 for generating steam. The blower fan 730 supplies the steam generated by the hot water heater 163 to the drum 210.

As a result, the steam generated in the tab 220 is supplied to the drum 210 by the blower fan 730. Therefore, the washing machine 100 can increase the amount of steam supplied into the drum 210 as compared with the conventional washing machine. That is, the washing machine 100 can efficiently supply steam into the drum.

The washing machine 100 according to the present embodiment includes a tab 220, a drum 210 provided in the tab 220, a water supply unit 139, a drying unit 700, a hot water heater 163, and a control unit 170. The water supply unit 139 supplies water to the tab 220. The drying unit 700 supplies air to the tab 220. The hot water heater 163 is provided in the tab 220 and is a part of the steam generation unit that generates steam. The control unit 170 drives the water supply unit 139 to supply water into the tab 220, drives the hot water heater 163 to generate steam from the supplied water, and drives the blower fan 730 to blow steam into the drum 210. Let me.

The steam generation unit 160 of the washing machine 100 according to the present embodiment includes a hot water heater 163 for heating the water stored in the tab 220, and the hot water heater 163 is below the drum 210 in the installed state of the washing machine 100. It may be arranged in.

Thereby, the washing machine 100 can store water in the tab 220 so that the object to be treated such as clothes housed in the drum 210 does not get wet, and can generate steam in the lower part of the tab 220. Further, since the warmed steam rises, the washing machine 100 can efficiently supply steam into the drum 210.

The drying unit 700 of the washing machine 100 according to the present embodiment may include a blower fan 730, an intake pipe 750 and an air supply pipe 760, and an intake port 751. The blower fan 730 produces wind. The intake pipe 750 and the air supply pipe 760 are provided with a blower fan 730 and form a part of the air passage connected to the tab 220. The intake port 751 is for connecting the tab 220 and the intake pipe 750 at a position above the hot water heater 163 in the installed state of the washing machine 100 on the upstream side of the blower fan 730 and for sucking the air in the tab 220. be.

As a result, when steam lighter than air is generated, it rises to the upper part of the tab 220 and is taken in from the intake port 751.

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

The drying unit 700 of the washing machine 100 according to the present embodiment connects the tab 220 and the air supply pipe 760 on the downstream side of the air blower fan 730, and has an air supply port 761 for blowing air into the drum 210. May include.

As a result, the intake steam is blown into the drum 210 on the downstream side of the blower fan 730, which is a positive pressure environment.

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

The washing machine 100 according to the present embodiment further includes a water level sensor 321 for detecting the water level in the tab 220, and the hot water heater 163 may be arranged below the drum 210. Further, the control unit 170 of the washing machine 100 according to the present embodiment drives the water supply unit 139 to supply water into the tab 220 and drives the hot water heater 163 to supply water while the driving of the drying unit 700 is stopped. Steam may be generated by the water. Then, the control unit 170 of the washing machine 100 according to the present embodiment may drive the drying unit 700 to blow steam into the drum 210.

As a result, the washing machine 100 can execute the water supply step in a state where the blowing by the drying unit 700 is stopped, so that it is possible to prevent the water level sensor 321 from erroneously detecting the water level due to the wind pressure.

Therefore, the washing machine 100 can prevent the water level of the water stored in the lower part of the tab 220 used for steam generation from falling below the C water level.

The washing machine 100 according to the present embodiment further includes a water temperature detection sensor 161 that detects the water temperature T in the tab 220, and the control unit 170 determines that the water in the tab 220 reaches a predetermined water temperature in the steam process. Air blowing by the drying unit 700 may be started.

As a result, the washing machine 100 can efficiently supply steam by starting blowing air after reaching the water temperature at which steam is generated.

The control unit 170 of the washing machine 100 according to the present embodiment may suspend the blowing by the drying unit 700 at a predetermined timing in the steam process.

Thereby, the washing machine 100 can suppress erroneous detection of the water level due to the wind pressure when detecting the fluctuation of the water level in the steam process.

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

As a result, the washing machine 100 can send high-temperature steam to the drum 210, so that it is possible to improve the wrinkle removing performance, the sterilization / deodorizing performance, and the like of the object to be treated. Further, the washing machine 100 can suppress the temperature of the steam from dropping and condensing by heating the steam blown by the drying unit 700.

The drying unit 700 of the washing machine 100 according to the present embodiment may include an air supply port 761 and a blowout temperature sensor 162b. The air supply port 761 is for connecting the tab 220 and the air supply pipe 760 on the downstream side of the heat exchange unit 712 and blowing steam into the drum 210. The blowout temperature sensor 162b detects the temperature of steam in the vicinity of the air supply port 761. Further, the control unit 170 may stop the heating by the heat exchange unit 712 when the temperature of the steam detected by the blowout temperature sensor 162b is 70 ° C. or higher.

As a result, in the washing machine 100, it is possible to prevent secondary wrinkles from being formed on the clothes to be treated by spraying high-temperature steam.

The control unit 170 of the washing machine 100 according to the present embodiment may execute a steam step of blowing steam into the tab 220 and a drying step of drying the object to be processed contained in the tab 220. ..

As a result, the washing machine 100 treats the object to be treated with a large amount of steam and then dries the wet object to be treated, so that the user can immediately use the treated object after the operation is completed. Or you can wear it.

When the steam process is completed, the control unit 170 of the washing machine 100 according to the present embodiment stops the drive of the hot water heater 163 and then starts the drive of the drying unit 700, so that the water in the tab 220 reaches a predetermined water temperature. Upon reaching it, the water in the tab 220 may be drained.

Thereby, the washing machine 100 can lower the water temperature T in the tab 220 by allowing the water in the tab 220 to be cooled by blowing air without supplying additional water to the tab 220.

The steam generation unit 160 of the washing machine 100 according to the present embodiment includes a hot water heater 163 for heating the water stored in the tab 220, and the hot water heater 163 is below the drum 210 in the installed state of the washing machine 100. It may be arranged so as to be horizontal.

As a result, in a drum-type washing machine such as a washing machine 100 in which the drum 210 is inclined, the water surface and the hot water heater 163 are substantially parallel to each other, so that the hot water heater 163 can be completely submerged with the minimum amount of water. can.

(Embodiment 2)
The washing machine according to the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that steam supply control is performed in the washing course. That is, the control unit of the washing machine according to the second embodiment is different from the control unit 170 of the washing machine 100 according to the first embodiment in its control content. Since other configurations of the washing machine according to the second embodiment are the same as those of the washing machine 100 according to the first embodiment, the control unit of the washing machine according to the second embodiment will be mainly described here.

The washing course includes a washing process, a rinsing process and a dehydration process. The steam step is carried out in at least one of the washing step, the rinsing step and the dehydrating step. In the following, when the steam step is carried out in the washing step (hereinafter, also referred to as “application example 1”), when the steam step is carried out in the rinsing step (hereinafter, also referred to as “application example 2”), in the dehydration step. The case where the steam process is carried out (hereinafter, also referred to as “application example 3”) will be described in order. In the following, application examples 1 to 3 will be described assuming that the steam step is carried out in one of the washing step, the rinsing step and the dehydration step, but among the washing step, the rinsing step and the dehydration step. The steam process may be carried out within a plurality of processes.

[Application example 1: Steam process in washing process]
Hereinafter, a case where the control unit according to the first application carries out the steam process at the end of the washing process will be described.

Immediately after the start of operation, the control unit according to Application Example 1 supplies washing water to the A water level higher than the inner bottom surface of the drum 210. At the time of water supply, the detergent stored in the detergent storage unit 150 is supplied into the tab 220 together with the washing water, and the washing process is started.

In the washing step, the control unit according to Application Example 1 operates a motor 231 that rotates the drum 210 to perform a washing operation that combines tap washing, push washing, rubbing, etc., and adheres to the object to be processed. Dirt is removed. Here, tap washing is a washing method in which the object to be treated is tapped on the drum 210. Push-washing is a washing method in which the drum 210 is rotated at a high speed to wash the object to be processed in a state of being attached to the drum 210. Rubbing is a washing method in which the rotation direction of the drum 210 is reversed in a short time. At the same time, by driving the circulation pump 610, washing water is applied to the object to be processed, further enhancing the cleaning effect of the object to be processed.

At the end of the washing process, the control unit according to Application Example 1 drains water to the B water level and carries out the steam process. This is to prevent the object to be treated from being damaged by heating the washing water with the hot water heater 163 while the object to be treated such as clothes is immersed in the washing water. Of course, the steam process may be carried out with the A water level unchanged.

The control unit according to Application Example 1 carries out a cooling step of cooling the washing water in the tab 220 after the steam step. The control unit according to the first application lowers the temperature of the washing water to a predetermined temperature by supplying water to the tab 220, drains the washing water, and shifts to the rinsing process. When the rinsing process and dehydration process are completed, the washing course is completed.

In this way, by carrying out the steam process during the washing process, effects such as sterilization, deodorization, removal or deactivation of allergens, and entangled object to be treated can be obtained. Be done.

Although the case where the steam process is executed in the latter half of the washing process has been described here, the steam process may be modified to be executed in the early stage of the washing process. When the steam process is carried out in the early stage of the washing process, the control unit related to the deformation of Application Example 1 first supplies the washing water to the B water level and executes the steam process. After the steam process, the control unit related to the deformation of Application Example 1 further supplies washing water to the A water level and executes the washing operation. As a further deformation, the control unit related to the further deformation of Application Example 1 may carry out the steam process after supplying water to the A water level from the beginning.

[Application example 2: Steam process in the rinsing process]
Hereinafter, a case where the control unit according to the application example 2 carries out the steam process during the rinsing process will be described.

In the rinsing step, one or a plurality of rinsing steps are provided, and in Application Example 2, a case where a steam step is provided in the final rinsing step immediately before the dehydration step will be described as an example.

In order to obtain the effect of loosening the entangled object by steam, it is preferable to carry out the steam process at the end of the final rinsing process. In the early stage of the rinsing process, the control unit according to the second application executes rinsing at the water level A or higher as in a general washing machine, and drains the water to the water level B at the end of the rinsing process to perform the steam process.

The control unit according to Application Example 2 carries out a cooling process after the steam process. In the cooling step, the control unit according to the second application causes the temperature of the washing water to be lowered to a predetermined temperature by supplying water to the tab 220, drains the washing water, and shifts to the dehydration step. As the cooling means, a method of providing a cooling time until the water temperature T naturally cools to a predetermined temperature may be used.

As described above, in Application Example 2, by carrying out the steam step in the rinsing step, effects such as sterilization, deodorization, inactivation of allergen, and loosening effect of the entangled object to be treated can be obtained.

[Application example 3: Steam process in dehydration process]
Hereinafter, a case where the control unit according to the third application carries out the steam process during the dehydration process will be described.

The steam process during the dehydration process includes a method of supplying water to the B water level at the beginning of the dehydration process and executing the steam process while rotating the drum 210 at high speed, and a steam process of supplying water to the B water level after the high speed rotation of the drum 210 is completed. It doesn't matter which way you do. After the steam process is executed, the process proceeds to the cooling process, and the control unit according to the third application cools the washing water and then drains the washing water to the outside of the washing machine 100.

In this way, by carrying out the steam process in the dehydration process, effects such as sterilization, deodorization, removal or deactivation of allergens, and reduction of wrinkles due to loosening of entangled objects can be obtained.

(Embodiment 3)
The washing machine according to the third embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the steam supply control is performed after performing a series of washing-drying operations. That is, the control unit of the washing machine according to the third embodiment is different from the control unit 170 of the washing machine 100 according to the first embodiment in its control content. Since other configurations of the washing machine according to the third embodiment are the same as those of the washing machine 100 according to the first embodiment, the control unit of the washing machine according to the third embodiment will be mainly described here.

[Steam supply control after the first drying process]
Hereinafter, a case where the steam process is carried out after the drying process will be described.

When a series of operations of washing step, rinsing step and dehydration step are completed, the first drying step is carried out. In the drying step, the control unit according to the third embodiment drives the blower fan 730 and the heat exchange unit 712 while rotating the drum 210 to dry the object to be treated wet by washing. At this time, the control unit according to the third embodiment drives the drain valve 690 so as to be continuously or intermittently opened. When the object to be processed dries, energy is not used to evaporate the water contained in the object to be processed, so that the temperature of the wind circulating in the drum 210 gradually rises.

When the control unit according to the third embodiment detects that the air has reached a predetermined temperature by the drying temperature sensor (suction temperature sensor 162a and outlet temperature sensor 162b), the drain valve 690 is closed and water is supplied. The valve 141 is opened to supply the washing water to the B water level. The blower fan 730 and the heat exchange unit 712 may be stopped at the time of water supply in order to prevent water from splashing on the object to be processed in the drum 210. Further, the predetermined temperature refers to the temperature in the latter half of the lapse rate drying period when the warm air temperature approaches the temperature equilibrium. At this stage, the object to be treated is dry enough to be used or worn.

When the water supply is completed, the steam process will be carried out. When the steam process is completed, the drying course proceeds in the order of the second drying process for drying the wet object to be treated after the steam process, the cooling process, and the drainage operation.

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

By executing the steam step after the drying step as in the present embodiment, the sterilization and deodorization of the object to be treated, the inactivation of the allergen adhering to the object to be treated, and the drying wrinkles of the object to be treated by steam are removed. Effects such as mitigation can be obtained.

(Embodiment 4)
[Structure of washing machine equipped with second water supply pipe]
The washing machine 100a according to the fourth embodiment is provided with a second water supply pipe 153 connecting the water supply valve 141 and the upstream circulation pipe 640 as an example of the second water supply unit according to the present disclosure. It is different from the washing machine 100 according to the above. Further, the control unit 170a of the washing machine 100a according to the fourth embodiment is different from the control unit 170 of the washing machine 100 according to the first embodiment in its control content. Since other configurations of the washing machine 100a according to the fourth embodiment are the same as those of the washing machine 100 according to the first embodiment, the differences will be mainly described here.

FIG. 8 is a schematic front sectional view showing the configuration of the washing machine 100a according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.

The position of the control unit 170a shown in FIG. 8 is an example, and may be arranged at another position. Further, the control unit 170a has a computer system having a processor and a memory. Then, the processor executes the program stored in the memory, so that the computer system functions as the control unit 170a. The program executed by the processor is assumed to be recorded in advance in the memory of the computer system here, but may be recorded in a non-temporary recording medium such as a memory card and provided, or a telecommunications line such as the Internet. May be provided through.

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

After the steam process is completed, if the temperature inside the tab 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 joins the washing water drained from the tab 220. As a result, the washing water is cooled in the upstream circulation pipe 640 before being drained from the washing machine 100. Therefore, since it is not necessary to separately provide a time for the cooling step, the washing machine 100a according to the fourth embodiment can complete the steam supply control in a shorter time than the washing machine 100 according to the first embodiment.

[Action, etc.]
The washing machine 100a according to the present embodiment further has a drain valve 690 forming a part of a drainage portion for draining the water stored in the tab 220, and a second water supply for supplying water so as to merge with the drained water. A tube 153 and the like may be provided. When the steam process of blowing steam into the tab 220 is completed, the control unit 170a may stop the drive of the hot water heater 163 to execute drainage by the drain valve 690 and water supply by the second water supply pipe 153.

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

(Other embodiments)
In the first to fourth embodiments, a drum type washing machine has been described as an example of the washing machine according to the present disclosure. The washing machine according to the present disclosure is not limited to the drum type washing machine, and may be a vertical washing machine or a refresher.

In the first to fourth embodiments, the steam generation unit 160 integrally formed with the tab 220 has been described as an example of the steam generation unit according to the present disclosure. Since the steam generation unit according to the present disclosure may be provided in communication with the tab according to the present disclosure, it may be a steam water tank of another part provided at the lower part of the tab according to the present disclosure.

In the first to fourth embodiments, as an example of water supply by the water supply unit according to the present disclosure, a configuration in which the water supply unit 139 executes water supply in a state where the ventilation is stopped has been described. Since the water supply can be executed if 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 executed with the ventilation stopped. For example, water supply may be performed in a state where the blower fan 730 is driven at a constant rotation speed. The wind pressure generated when the blower fan 730 is rotated at a constant rotation speed is substantially constant. Therefore, since the differential pressure before and after water supply corresponds to the change in water pressure, it is possible to prevent the water level sensor 321 from erroneously detecting the water level. Further, the washing machine according to the present disclosure is provided with a wind pressure detection unit in the wind supply unit according to the present disclosure, and the water level is calculated by taking the difference in wind pressure from the pressure detected by the water level detection unit according to the present disclosure. The configuration may be used. The washing machine according to this modification can supply water while blowing air.

In the first to fourth embodiments, as an example of the timing for starting the driving of the steam generation unit according to the present disclosure and the wind supply unit according to the present disclosure, the operation of the blower fan 730 is started after the heating by the hot water heater 163. Explained. The timing for starting the driving of the steam generation unit according to the present disclosure and the wind supply unit according to the present disclosure is not limited to this. In the steam process, the hot water heater 163 and the blower fan 730 may be started to be driven at the same time, or the blower fan 730 may be started to be driven first. Further, the driving of the blower fan 730 may be configured to start when the temperature of the washing water detected by the water temperature detection sensor 161 reaches a predetermined temperature. As a result, the washing machine according to the present deformation can suppress the heat dissipation of the washing water due to the circulation of air, and can efficiently raise the water temperature T.

In the first to fourth embodiments, two configurations have been described as an example of a configuration in which the water level is controlled so that the water level does not become the water level at which the heater may be exposed in the steam process. That is, a configuration in which the hot water heater 163 is stopped when the water level becomes lower than C, and a configuration in which the blower fan 730 is intermittently operated and the water level is detected when the blower fan 730 is stopped have been described. The configuration for controlling the water level so that the water level is not such that the heater may be exposed is not limited to these. For example, in the steam process, when the water level in the tab 220 becomes lower than the preset re-water supply water level (not shown), the water supply valve 141 may be opened to re-supply water to a predetermined water level. By setting the resupply water level higher than the C water level, it is possible to prevent a part of the hot water heater 163 from being above the water surface. Further, in the steam process, when the water level sensor 321 detects a sudden drop in pressure, the hot water heater 163 may be stopped. This is because it is highly possible that the sudden drop in pressure is not the effect of the air blown by the blower fan 730 but the effect of the water level change due to water leakage.

In the first to third embodiments, as an example of a configuration in which the washing water is cooled before drainage, a cooling step of allowing the washing water to cool when the water temperature T is 50 ° C. or higher has been described. The cooling step is not limited to this, as long as the washing water can be cooled before drainage. For example, with the drain valve 690 closed, the blower fan 730 may be driven to circulate air in the tab 220 to promote heat dissipation of the washing water. Further, when the distance between the B water level and the lowermost end inside the drum 210 is sufficient, water may be further supplied in the cooling step to lower the temperature of the washing water.

In the first embodiment, a method of allowing the washing water in the tab 220 to cool over time has been described as a means for cooling the washing water. The means for cooling the washing water in the tab 220 is, for example, a method of further supplying washing water into the tab 220 to lower the water temperature T in the tab 220, or a method of draining while supplying water to lower the drainage temperature. You may. For example, in the course in which the steam supply control is executed at the A water level, the temperature of the washing water may be lowered by further supplying the washing water in order to quickly cool the washing water. On the other hand, in the course in which the steam supply control is executed at the B water level, the washing water may be further supplied to lower the temperature of the washing water only when the distance between the B water level and the bottom surface of the drum 210 is sufficient.

This disclosure is applicable to washing machines that supply steam into the containment tub. Specifically, the present disclosure is applicable to a vertical washing machine, a drum type washing machine, a two-tank type washing machine, and the like.

100 Washing machine 100a Washing machine 110 Housing 111 Front wall 112 Rear wall 113 Housing top wall 114 Housing bottom wall 116 Packing structure 119 Input port 120 Door body 123 Operation unit 139 Water supply unit (water supply unit)
140 Water supply port 141 Water supply valve 150 Detergent storage section 151 Water supply pipe 152 Lint filter 153 Second water supply pipe (second water supply section)
160 Steam generation unit 161 Water temperature detection sensor (water temperature detection unit)
162a Suction temperature sensor 162b Blow-out temperature sensor (blow-out temperature detector)
163 Hot water heater (heater)
170 Control unit 170a Control unit 200 Tank unit 210 Drum (accommodation tank)
211 Peripheral wall 212 Bottom wall 213 Opening 214 Hole 220 Tab 221 Bottom 222 Front 230 Rotating shaft 231 Motor 232 Pulley 233 Belt 321 Water level sensor (water level detector)
610 Circulation pump 630 Air trap 631 Air pipe 640 Upstream circulation pipe 650 Downstream circulation pipe 660 Drainage pipe 690 Drainage valve 700 Drying unit (wind supply unit)
710 Drying duct 711 Air filter 712 Heat exchange part (air heating part)
730 blower fan (blower part)
750 Intake pipe 751 Intake port 760 Air supply pipe 761 Air supply port 1000 Washing machine 1139 Water supply unit 1140 Water supply port 1141 Water supply valve 1150 Detergent storage 1151 Water supply pipe 1160 Steam generator 1163 Hot water heater 1210 Drum 1213 Opening 12 1610 Circulation pump 1700 Drying unit 1730 Blower fan 1750 Intake pipe 1760 Air supply pipe RX Rotating shaft T Water temperature td Drying process time ts Steam process time t'Cooling time

Claims

Tabs and
The storage tank provided in the tab and
A steam generation unit provided on the tab to generate steam,
A blower unit for supplying the steam generated by the steam generation unit into the storage tank is provided.
Washing machine.
Tabs and
The storage tank provided in the tab and
A water supply unit that supplies water to the tab,
A wind supply unit that supplies wind to the tab and
A steam generation unit provided in the tab to generate steam,
With a control unit,
The control unit
The water supply unit is driven to supply water into the tab,
Steam is generated by the water supplied by driving the steam generation unit.
The wind supply unit is driven to blow steam into the storage tank.
Washing machine.
The steam generation unit
Includes a heater that heats the water stored in the tab.
The heater is arranged below the storage tub in the installed state of the washing machine.
The washing machine according to claim 2.
The wind supply unit is
The blower that generates the wind and
An air passage provided with the air blower and connected to the tab,
On the upstream side of the blower portion, the tab and the air passage are connected at a position above the steam generation portion in the installed state of the washing machine, and an intake port for sucking air in the tab is included. ,
The washing machine according to any one of claims 2 to 3.
The wind supply unit includes, on the downstream side of the blower portion, an air supply port for connecting the tab and the air passage and blowing air into the accommodation tank.
The washing machine according to claim 4.
The washing machine further includes a water level detecting unit that detects the water level in the tab.
The steam generating unit is arranged below the storage tank, and is arranged below the storage tank.
The control unit
With the drive of the wind supply unit stopped, the water supply unit is driven to supply water into the tab.
Steam is generated by the water supplied by driving the steam generation unit.
The wind supply unit is driven to blow steam into the storage tank.
The washing machine according to any one of claims 2 to 5.
The washing machine further includes a water temperature detecting unit that detects the water temperature in the tab.
The control unit
In the steam process to generate steam
When the water in the tab reaches a predetermined water temperature, the air supply unit starts blowing air.
The washing machine according to any one of claims 2 to 6.
The control unit
In the steam process to generate steam
Temporarily suspends the air blown by the wind supply unit at a predetermined timing.
The washing machine according to any one of claims 2 to 6.
The wind supply unit is
Including an air heating unit that heats the supplied air,
The washing machine according to claim 4.
The wind supply unit is
On the downstream side of the air heating unit, an air supply port for connecting the tab and the air passage to blow steam into the storage tank, and
Includes a blowout temperature detector that detects the temperature of steam near the air supply port.
When the temperature of the steam detected by the blowout temperature detection unit is 70 ° C. or higher, the control unit stops heating by the air heating unit.
The washing machine according to claim 9.
The control unit
The steam process that blows steam into the tab,
A drying step of drying the object to be processed contained in the tab is performed.
The washing machine according to any one of claims 2 to 10.
The control unit
When the steam process for blowing steam into the tab is completed, the driving of the steam generating unit is stopped and then the driving of the air supply unit is started. When the water in the tab reaches a predetermined water temperature, the tab is used. Drain the water inside,
The washing machine according to any one of claims 2 to 11.
The washing machine has a drainage unit for draining water stored in the tab, and a drainage unit.
It is equipped with a second water supply unit that supplies water so that it merges with the drained water.
The control unit
When the steam process of blowing steam into the tab is completed, the driving of the steam generation unit is stopped, and drainage by the drainage unit and water supply by the second water supply unit are executed.
The washing machine according to any one of claims 2 to 11.
The steam generation unit
Includes a heater that heats the water stored in the tab.
The heater is
In the installed state of the washing machine, it is arranged horizontally below the storage tub.
The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2.