JP7344502B2 - drum type washing machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a drum type washing machine. Such a drum-type washing machine may be one that performs washing to drying continuously, or may be one that performs washing but does not perform drying.

Conventionally, in drum-type washing machines, a horizontal drum rotates in an outer tank filled with water to a predetermined water level, and the laundry is tumbled by a baffle installed inside the drum and slammed against the inner circumferential surface of the drum. The laundry is washed. At this time, the water stored in the outer tub permeates into the inside of the laundry, making the entire inside wet.

Patent Document 1 listed below describes a drum-type washing machine in which steam generated by a steam generator is injected into a drum so that laundry is quickly wetted.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2004-298614

There are some clothes in which it is undesirable for water to penetrate into the inside of the clothes. For example, in a down jacket, feathers are stuffed between the outer fabric and lining fabric, such as polyester, so if water penetrates inside and gets the entire feather wet, the feathers will harden and lose their fluffy feel. It's easy to get lost. Therefore, it is difficult to wash such clothes well using the conventional washing method using a drum-type washing machine.

Further, when washing clothes with dirt on or near the surface, in order to remove the dirt, it is sufficient that the water reaches at least the vicinity of the surface, and the water does not need to spread all over the interior. However, when conventional washing methods are used to wash such clothes, more water than necessary is used and water is likely to be wasted.

Therefore, it is conceivable to use steam to wash clothes in a way that removes dirt adhering to or near the surface of the clothes without collecting water in the outer tub as in the past.

As mentioned above, the drum type washing machine of Patent Document 1 is equipped with a steam generator. However, in this drum-type washing machine, the steam is jetted to quickly wet the clothes, and the pressure of the steam generated by the steam generator is lower than atmospheric pressure. Therefore, the force with which the injected steam hits the clothing is weak, and it is difficult to apply mechanical force to the clothing. Therefore, in the above-described drum-type washing machine, it is difficult to use the jetted steam to exert a cleaning power that removes dirt adhering to the surface or near the surface of clothing.

The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a drum-type washing machine that can effectively wash clothes using steam.

A drum-type washing machine according to a main aspect of the present invention includes: an outer tub disposed within a housing; a drum disposed within the outer tub and rotatable around a horizontal axis or a rotating shaft inclined with respect to the horizontal direction; , a steam nozzle that injects high-pressure steam into the interior of the drum; a steam supply unit that supplies high-pressure steam to the steam nozzle; a detergent nozzle that injects detergent liquid into the drum; and a detergent nozzle that injects detergent liquid into the drum. The detergent supply unit includes a detergent supply unit that supplies a liquid, a water nozzle that injects water into the inside of the drum, and a water supply unit that supplies water to the water nozzle. The drum has an opening, the outer tank has an opening in front of the opening of the drum, and the steam nozzle, the detergent nozzle, and the water nozzle are arranged at the periphery of the opening of the outer tank. are arranged side by side on the upper part of the drum and inject high-pressure steam, detergent liquid and water, respectively, into the interior of the drum from an opening in the drum. The detergent nozzle is arranged at the highest position of the periphery.

According to the above configuration, since high-pressure steam is injected from the steam nozzle into the inside of the drum, it is possible to vigorously spray the steam onto the clothes inside the drum. As a result, it is possible to apply not only the force of lifting dirt due to the heat of the steam and moisture to the clothing in the drum, but also the mechanical force of the spraying of the steam, so that the dirt adhering to or near the surface of the clothing can be easily peeled off.

Further, since the detergent liquid is sprayed into the drum from the detergent nozzle, the detergent can be impregnated on or near the surface of the clothes in the drum. This allows the detergent activated by the heat of the steam to remove stains from clothes more effectively.

Furthermore, since water is jetted into the drum from the water nozzle, water can be impregnated on or near the surface of the clothes inside the drum. Thereby, the detergent solution can be spread with water to make it easier to spread over the clothes, and the dirt peeled off from the clothes can be washed away with water, making it easier to remove the dirt from the clothes.

Furthermore, high-pressure steam, detergent liquid, and water can be injected from the steam nozzle, detergent nozzle, and water nozzle, respectively, toward the center of the drum without being obstructed by other nozzles. In addition, even if the clothes become lump-like at the bottom of the drum, the high-pressure steam, detergent solution, and water are directed to the deep space inside the drum without being obstructed by the lump-like clothes. You can dodge it.
Furthermore, since the detergent nozzle is arranged at the highest position on the periphery, the detergent liquid is evenly spread to the left and right sides of the drum, making it easier to apply it evenly to the clothes.

The drum-type washing machine according to the present aspect further includes a hollow baffle provided on the inner circumferential surface of the drum and extending in the axial direction of the drum, and an end surface of the baffle is provided with a high-pressure baffle injected from the steam nozzle. An intake port is provided for taking at least a portion of the steam into the interior, and a plurality of discharge holes are provided on a side surface of the baffle for releasing the steam taken inside from the intake port. configurations may be adopted.

According to the above configuration, even when many clothes are packed in the drum, steam can be brought into contact with the surface of the clothes at the back of the drum through the baffle, and the surface of the clothes or the vicinity of the surface This makes it possible to remove dirt adhering to the surface using steam.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a drum-type washing machine that can effectively wash clothes using steam.

The effects and significance of the present invention will become clearer from the description of the embodiments shown below. However, the following embodiments are merely one example of implementing the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to what is described in the following embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a drum-type washing machine according to an embodiment. FIG. 2A is a front sectional view of main parts showing the arrangement of the steam nozzle, water nozzle, and detergent nozzle to the outer tank according to the embodiment. FIG. 2(b) is a sectional view showing the structure of a steam nozzle according to the embodiment, and FIG. 2(c) is a sectional view showing the structure of a water nozzle and a detergent nozzle according to the embodiment. . FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a drum-type washing machine according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating control processing of the washing operation in the steam washing course according to the embodiment. FIGS. 5A and 5B are flowcharts showing control processing of the steam washing process and the steam rinsing process included in the washing operation of the steam washing course, respectively, according to the embodiment. FIG. 6(a) is a sectional view of the main parts of the outer tank and drum cut at the position of the steam nozzle according to modification example 1, and FIGS. 6(b) and (c) are respectively FIG. 4 is a front view and a front cross-sectional view of the baffle. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a detergent supply unit according to modification example 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A drum-type washing machine without a drying function, which is an embodiment of the drum-type washing machine of the present invention, will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing the configuration of a drum type washing machine 1. As shown in FIG. FIG. 2A is a front sectional view of main parts showing the arrangement of the steam nozzle 51, water nozzle 52, and detergent nozzle 53 to the outer tank 20. FIG. 2(b) is a sectional view showing the structure of the steam nozzle 51, and FIG. 2(c) is a sectional view showing the structure of the water nozzle 52 and the detergent nozzle 53.

The drum type washing machine 1 includes a rectangular housing 10. A circular input port 11 into which laundry is input is formed in the center of the front surface of the casing 10. The input port 11 is covered by a door 12 that can be opened and closed.

Inside the housing 10, an outer tank 20 is elastically supported by a plurality of dampers 21 and springs 22. A drum 23 is rotatably arranged inside the outer tank 20. The drum 23 rotates around a horizontal axis. The drum 23 has a circular opening 23a on the front surface, and the outer tank 20 has a circular opening 20a in front of the opening 23a of the drum 23. The opening 20a of the outer tank 20 faces the input port 11, and both the input port 11 and the input port 11 are closed by a door 12. The peripheral edge 20b of the opening 20a of the outer tank 20 and the peripheral edge 11a of the input port 11 of the housing 10 are connected by an annular packing 24 made of an elastic material.

A large number of dehydration holes 23b are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the drum 23. Further, on the inner peripheral surface of the drum 23, an annular balancer 25 is provided near the opening 23a, and three baffles 26 are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. Each baffle 26 has a substantially triangular prism shape, extends in the axial direction of the drum 23, and is hollow inside.

A drive motor 30 that generates torque to drive the drum 23 is disposed behind the outer tank 20 . The drive motor 30 is, for example, an outer rotor type DC brushless motor. During the washing process and the rinsing process, the drive motor 30 rotates the drum 23 at a rotation speed such that the centrifugal force applied to the laundry in the drum 23 is smaller than the gravity. On the other hand, during the dewatering process, the drive motor 30 rotates the drum 23 at a rotation speed at which the centrifugal force applied to the laundry in the drum 23 is much greater than the gravity.

A drain port 20c is formed at the bottom of the outer tank 20. A drain valve 40 is provided at the drain port 20c. Drain valve 40 is connected to drain hose 41. When the drain valve 40 is opened, the water stored in the outer tank 20 is discharged to the outside of the machine through the drain hose 41.

In the outer tank 20, a steam nozzle 51, a water nozzle 52, and a detergent nozzle 53 are arranged in line above the peripheral edge 20b of the opening 20a. As shown in FIG. 2(a), the detergent nozzle 53 is arranged at the highest position of the peripheral edge 20b, the water nozzle 52 is arranged to the left of the detergent nozzle 53, and the steam nozzle 51 is arranged to the left of the water nozzle 52. Placed. Steam nozzle 51, water nozzle 52, and detergent nozzle 53 inject high-pressure steam, water, and detergent liquid into the interior of drum 23, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 2(b), the steam nozzle 51 consists of an elongated cylindrical tube body 100 whose middle portion is bent at an obtuse angle. The tube body 100 has a bending angle of about 120 degrees and an inner diameter of about 6 mm, for example. The opening at the proximal end of the tubular body 100 serves as an inlet 100a, and the opening at the distal end of the tubular body 100 serves as an injection port 100b.

Water nozzle 52 and detergent nozzle 53 have the same structure. As shown in FIG. 2(c), the water nozzle 52 and the detergent nozzle 53 are composed of a tubular body 100, which is the same as the steam nozzle 51, and a nozzle body 110 attached to an opening at the tip of the tubular body 100. The nozzle body 110 sprays the liquid in a mist form from the injection port 111 so that the spray pattern is circular and a filled cone with an even flow rate distribution. The inner diameter of the nozzle body 110 is, for example, about 1 mm.

As shown in FIG. 2(a), the steam nozzle 51, the water nozzle 52, and the detergent nozzle 53 have their proximal ends located outside the outer tank 20, and their distal ends penetrating the peripheral edge 20b and opening the opening 20a. It protrudes into the outer tank 20 toward the center. The steam nozzle 51, the water nozzle 52, and the detergent nozzle 53 have their injection ports 100b and 111 facing near the center of the drum 23.

Inside the housing 10, there is a steam supply unit 60 that supplies high-temperature and high-pressure steam to the steam nozzle 51, a water supply unit 70 that supplies water to the water nozzle 52, and a detergent supply unit that supplies detergent liquid to the detergent nozzle 53. A section 80 is provided.

The steam supply unit 60 includes a steam generation device 61 that generates high-temperature and high-pressure steam, a steam supply pipe 62 that guides the steam generated by the steam generation device 61 to the steam nozzle 51, and a system for supplying water to the steam generation device 61. A water supply pipe 63 and a first water supply valve 64 are included. The steam generation device 61 includes a boiler tank 65, a heater 66 disposed in the boiler tank 65, and a supply valve 67 that opens and closes a steam outlet 65a provided in the boiler tank 65. The steam supply pipe 62 has one end connected to the supply valve 67 and the other end connected to the inlet 100a of the steam nozzle 51. The water supply pipe 63 has one end connected to a water supply port 65b provided in the boiler tank 65, and the other end connected to the first water supply valve 64. The first water supply valve 64 has a water supply port S1 common to a second water supply valve and a third water supply valve, which will be described later. A water supply hose extending from a water faucet is connected to the water supply port S1.

When the first water supply valve 64 is opened, water from the water tap is supplied to the boiler tank 65 through the water supply pipe 63, and water is stored in the boiler tank 65. When a predetermined amount of water is stored in the boiler tank 65, the first water supply valve 64 is closed. The heater 66 operates, and the water in the boiler tank 65 is heated by the heater 66 . The water boils and steam is generated in the boiler tank 65. At this time, the supply valve 67 is closed, and the steam pressure within the boiler tank 65 increases as steam is generated. In this way, high temperature and high pressure steam is generated within the boiler tank 65.

When the supply valve 67 is opened, high pressure steam is discharged from the steam outlet 65a. In the steam generation device 61 of this embodiment, the maximum discharge pressure is, for example, about 0.4 MPa. Steam discharged from the steam outlet 65a passes through the steam supply pipe 62 to the steam nozzle 51, and is injected into the drum 23 from the injection port 100b of the steam nozzle 51 through the opening 23a. As shown in FIG. 2(a), the high temperature and high pressure steam injected from the steam nozzle 51 heads toward the center of the drum 23 while diffusing.

Note that the steam supply pipe 62 is covered with a heat insulating material (not shown), so that the steam sent to the steam nozzle 51 can easily be maintained at a high temperature.

The water supply section 70 includes a water supply pipe 71 and a second water supply valve 72. The water supply pipe 71 has one end connected to the second water supply valve 72 and the other end connected to the inlet 100a of the water nozzle 52.

When the second water supply valve 72 is opened, water from the water faucet passes through the water supply pipe 71 and reaches the water nozzle 52, and the inside of the drum 23 from the injection port 111 of the nozzle body 110 of the water nozzle 52 through the opening 23a. is sprayed on. As shown in FIG. 2(a), the water sprayed from the water nozzle 52 heads toward the center of the drum 23 while being diffused.

The detergent supply unit 80 includes a detergent box 81 in which detergent liquid is generated and stored, a detergent liquid supply pipe 82 and a supply pump 83 for guiding the detergent liquid in the detergent box 81 to the detergent nozzle 53, and a supply pump 83 for supplying water to the detergent box 81. It includes a water supply pipe 84 and a third water supply valve 85 for performing this. One end of the detergent liquid supply pipe 82 is connected to a drain port 81a provided in the detergent box 81, and the other end is connected to an inlet port 100a of the detergent nozzle 53. The supply pump 83 is provided in the middle of the detergent liquid supply pipe 82. The water supply pipe 84 has one end connected to a water supply port 81b provided in the detergent box 81, and the other end connected to a third water supply valve 85.

Powdered or liquid detergent is introduced into the detergent box 81 through an inlet (not shown) provided on the top surface of the detergent box 81 . The third water supply valve 85 is opened, and a predetermined amount of water is supplied into the detergent box 81 through the water supply pipe 84. Water and detergent are mixed in the detergent box 81 to produce detergent liquid. When the supply pump 83 operates, the detergent liquid in the detergent box 81 is sent to the detergent nozzle 53 through the detergent liquid supply pipe 82. The detergent liquid that has reached the detergent nozzle 53 is sprayed into the interior of the drum 23 from the injection port 111 of the nozzle body 110 of the detergent nozzle 53 through the opening 23a. As shown in FIG. 2(a), the detergent liquid sprayed from the detergent nozzle 53 heads toward the center of the drum 23 while being diffused.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the drum type washing machine 1. As shown in FIG.

In addition to the above-described configuration, the drum-type washing machine 1 includes a control section 201, a storage section 202, an operation section 203, a water level sensor 204, a temperature sensor 205, a motor drive section 206, a water supply drive section 207, a drainage drive section 208, and a heater drive section. section 209, a valve drive section 210, and a pump drive section 211.

The operation unit 203 includes a power button 203a, a start button 203b, and a course selection button 203c. The power button 203a is a button for turning on and off the power of the drum type washing machine 1. The start button 203b is a button for starting driving. The course selection button 203c is a button for selecting an arbitrary washing course from among a plurality of washing courses related to the washing operation. The operation unit 203 outputs an input signal to the control unit 201 according to the button operated by the user.

The water level sensor 204 detects the water level in the outer tank 20 and outputs a water level signal to the control unit 201 according to the detected water level. Temperature sensor 205 detects the temperature inside outer tank 20 and outputs a temperature signal according to the detected temperature to control unit 201.

Motor drive section 206 drives drive motor 30 according to a control signal from control section 201 . The motor drive unit 206 includes a rotation sensor that detects the rotation speed of the drive motor 30, an inverter circuit, etc., and adjusts drive power so that the drive motor 30 rotates at the rotation speed set by the control unit 201.

The water supply drive unit 207 drives the first water supply valve 64 , the second water supply valve 72 , and the third water supply valve 85 according to a control signal from the control unit 201 . Drain drive section 208 drives drain valve 40 according to a control signal from control section 201 .

Heater drive section 209 drives heater 66 according to a control signal from control section 201 . Valve drive section 210 drives supply valve 67 according to a control signal from control section 201 .

Pump driving section 211 drives supply pump 83 according to a control signal from control section 201 .

The storage unit 202 includes EEPROM, RAM, and the like. The storage unit 202 stores programs for executing washing operations of various washing courses. Furthermore, the storage unit 202 stores various parameters and various control flags used for executing these programs.

The control unit 201 operates a motor drive unit 206, a water supply drive unit 207, a drainage drive unit 208, according to a program stored in a storage unit 202 based on signals from an operation unit 203, a water level sensor 204, a temperature sensor 205, etc. The heater drive section 209, valve drive section 210, pump drive section 211, etc. are controlled. As a result, the control unit 201 controls the operations of the steam supply unit 60, the water supply unit 70, the detergent supply unit 80, and the drive motor 30 in the washing operation of the steam washing course described later.

Now, the drum type washing machine 1 performs washing operations of various washing courses based on the operation of the operation unit 203 by the user.

The washing courses include a standard washing course. In the standard washing course, in the washing process, water containing detergent is stored in the outer tank 20 up to a predetermined water level according to the amount of clothes loaded in the drum 23, and the clothes soaked in the water are stored in the drum 23. Tumbling is caused by repeated forward and reverse rotations. Water containing detergent penetrates into the inside of the clothing, and dirt adhering to the surface and inside of the clothing is removed by the power of the detergent and the mechanical force of tumbling.

Note that when the water containing detergent is stored in the outer tank 20, the detergent liquid and water are sprayed from the detergent nozzle 53 and the water nozzle 52, respectively. Therefore, when water is supplied, the detergent liquid and water are likely to be splashed onto the clothes, so that when the water level in the outer tank 20 reaches a predetermined water level, the water containing the detergent is likely to permeate the entire inside of the clothes.

After the washing step, an intermediate dehydration step, a rinsing step and a final dehydration step are performed in sequence. Also in the rinsing process, the drum 23 rotates forward and backward while water is stored in the outer tank 20 up to a predetermined level, and the clothes are tumbled.

The washing courses include a steam washing course in addition to a standard washing course. The steam washing process uses steam to wash clothes such as town jackets that do not want the entire interior to get wet, or clothes that have dirt on or near the surface, without accumulating water to a predetermined water level in the outer tank 20. This is a washing cycle where the clothes are washed in a dry manner.

Hereinafter, the washing operation of the steam washing course will be explained in detail.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the control process of the washing operation in the steam washing course. FIGS. 5A and 5B are flowcharts showing the control processing of the steam washing process and the steam rinsing process included in the washing operation of the steam washing course, respectively.

When the start button 203b is pressed after the steam washing course is selected using the course selection button 203c, the washing operation of the steam washing course is started. Note that before the washing operation is started, clothing such as a down jacket is put into the drum 23, and detergent is put into the detergent box 81.

Referring to FIG. 4, when the washing operation is started, control unit 201 first performs a preparation process (S1). That is, the control unit 201 controls the first water supply valve 64 and the heater 66 of the steam supply unit 60 to generate high-temperature and high-pressure steam in the boiler tank 65. Further, the control unit 201 controls the third water supply valve 85 of the detergent supply unit 80 to generate detergent liquid in the detergent box 81. Once the production of high-pressure steam and detergent liquid is completed, the preparation process ends.

Note that the generation of steam in the steam generation device 61 under the control of the first water supply valve 64 and the heater 66 is continued until the steam rinsing process is completed and the final dehydration process begins. That is, when the amount of steam in the boiler tank 65 decreases, the heater 66 is operated, and when the amount of water in the boiler tank 65 decreases, the first water supply valve 64 is opened.

Next, the control unit 201 performs a steam cleaning process (S2).

Referring to FIG. 5A, in the steam washing process, the control unit 201 first performs a detergent liquid injection process (S101). That is, the control unit 201 operates the supply pump 83 of the detergent supply unit 80. As a result, the detergent liquid is supplied to the detergent nozzle 53, and the detergent liquid is sprayed from the detergent nozzle 53 into the inside of the drum 23. The spray amount of the detergent liquid is, for example, 0.5 L/min. Simultaneously with spraying the detergent liquid, the control unit 201 rotates the drive motor 30 alternately in the forward direction and in the reverse direction with a stop in between. The drum 23 repeats forward rotation and reverse rotation with stops in between, and the clothes inside the drum 23 are agitated. The rotation speed of the drum 23 is, for example, 30 rpm, which is lower than the rotation speed of the drum 23 in the washing step of the standard washing course. Thus, the clothes are slowly agitated. The sprayed detergent liquid evenly falls on the surface of the clothing, and the detergent liquid spreads over many areas on and near the surface. The detergent liquid injection process is performed for a predetermined detergent supply time, for example, one minute. When the detergent supply time has elapsed, the control unit 201 stops the supply pump 83.

Next, the control unit 201 performs a water injection step (S102). That is, the control unit 201 opens the second water supply valve 72 of the water supply unit 70. As a result, water is supplied to the water nozzle 52, and water is sprayed from the water nozzle 52 into the inside of the drum 23. The amount of water sprayed is, for example, 1 L/min. At this time, the stirring of the clothes by the forward and reverse rotation of the drum 23 continues. The sprayed water evenly falls on the surface of the clothing, and the water spreads the detergent contained in the clothing, spreading the detergent to a wider area on and near the surface of the clothing.

The water injection process is performed for a predetermined first water supply time, for example, 5 seconds. When the first water supply time has elapsed, the control unit 201 closes the second water supply valve 72.

Next, the control unit 201 performs a steam injection process (S103). That is, the control unit 201 opens the supply valve 67 of the steam supply unit 60. As a result, high-temperature and high-pressure steam is supplied to the steam nozzle 51, and the high-temperature and high-pressure steam is injected from the steam nozzle 51 into the inside of the drum 23. The amount of steam injected is, for example, about 80 g/min. At this time, the stirring of the clothes by the forward and reverse rotation of the drum 23 continues. The steam is vigorously and evenly blown onto the surface of the clothing, and the dirt adhering to the surface or near the surface of the clothing is peeled off by the heat of the steam and the force of lifting the dirt due to moisture and the mechanical force of the spraying of the steam. In addition, the heat of the steam increases the temperature of the detergent liquid contained in the clothes, activating the detergent, and the power of the activated detergent is added to help remove stains.

The steam injection process is performed for a predetermined steam supply time, for example, 2 minutes. When the steam supply time has elapsed, the control unit 201 closes the supply valve 67.

Next, the control unit 201 performs the water injection process for a second water supply time that is longer than the first water supply time, for example, one minute (S104). The water sprayed from the water nozzle 52 evenly falls on the surface of the clothes, and the dirt peeled off from the clothes is washed away by the falling water and separated from the clothes. This makes it difficult for dirt to re-adhere to clothing. In addition, when the clothes are agitated, a force is applied to the clothes that presses against the inner peripheral surface of the drum 23, so this pressing effect makes it easier to drain water containing dirt from the clothes, removing dirt from the clothes. The removal effect is enhanced. Furthermore, since the sprayed water cools the clothing, the temperature of the clothing is less likely to rise excessively, and damage to the clothing due to heat can be prevented.

After that, the control unit 201 repeats the steam injection process in S103 and the water injection process in S104 a first number of times, for example, three times. By repeating the steam injection process and the water injection process in this way, the time for each steam injection process can be shortened. This makes it difficult for the temperature of the clothing to rise excessively during the steam injection process, thereby preventing damage to the clothing due to heat.

When the steam injection process and the water injection process are repeated the first number of times (S105: YES), the control unit 201 performs the stirring process (S106). That is, the control unit 201 continues to rotate the drum 23 in the forward and reverse directions for a predetermined stirring time, for example, one minute, so that more water containing dirt is discharged from the clothes due to the washing effect. Then, when the stirring process is completed, the control unit 201 stops the drive motor 30 and stops the drum 23.

Next, the control unit 201 performs a drainage process (S107). That is, the control unit 201 opens the drain valve 40. As a result, water is drained from the outer tank 20. When the drainage process is completed, the control unit 201 ends the steam washing process while keeping the drainage valve 40 open.

Returning to FIG. 4, when the steam washing process is completed, the control unit 201 performs an intermediate dehydration process (S3). That is, the control unit 201 drives the drive motor 30 to rotate the drum 23 in one direction at a high speed at a predetermined dewatering rotation speed. The centrifugal force forces the clothes against the inner peripheral surface of the drum 23 and dehydrates them.

The dehydration rotation speed in the intermediate dehydration step of the steam washing course is, for example, 400 rpm, which is lower than the dehydration rotation speed in the intermediate dehydration step of the standard washing course. As a result, even if the laundry is delicate, the fabric is less likely to be damaged. Furthermore, in the steam washing course, the amount of water contained in the clothes before the intermediate dehydration step is lower than in the standard washing course, so that adequate dehydration can be achieved even at a low spin speed.

When a predetermined dewatering time, for example, 1 minute has elapsed after reaching the dewatering rotation speed, the control unit 201 stops the drive motor 30 and stops the drum 23. Further, the control unit 201 closes the drain valve 40. In this way, the intermediate dehydration step is completed.

Next, the control unit 201 performs a steam rinsing process (S4).

Referring to FIG. 5(b), in the steam rinsing process, the control unit 201 first performs the water injection process for a third water supply time that is longer than the second water supply time, for example, 2 minutes (S201). The water sprayed from the water nozzle 52 evenly falls on the surface of the clothes, and the detergent contained in the clothes is removed from the clothes as it is washed away by the sprayed water. Furthermore, when the clothes are agitated, a force is applied to the clothes that presses against the inner circumferential surface of the drum 23, so water containing detergent is easily discharged from the clothes, thereby increasing the effect of rinsing the clothes.

Next, the control unit 201 performs a steam supply time and a steam injection process (S202). As the temperature of the clothes increases due to the heat of the steam, the detergent remaining on the clothes becomes more soluble in water, making it easier to be removed along with the water.

After that, the control unit 201 repeats the water injection process of S201 and the steam injection process of S202 a second time, for example, twice, and when it ends (S203: YES), performs the drainage process (S204). When the drainage process is completed, the steam rinsing process is completed.

Returning to FIG. 4, the control unit 201 repeats the intermediate dehydration process of S3 and the steam rinsing process of S4 twice, and when they are completed (S5: YES), performs the final dehydration process (S6). In the final dehydration step, dehydration is performed for a longer time than in the intermediate dehydration step. The dehydration rotation speed in the final dehydration step may be the same as or higher than the dehydration rotation speed in the intermediate dehydration step.

When the final dehydration step is completed, the washing operation of the steam washing course is completed.

<Effects of the embodiment>
According to the present embodiment, since high-pressure steam is injected from the steam nozzle 51 into the inside of the drum 23, the steam can be vigorously sprayed onto the clothing inside the drum 23. As a result, it is possible to apply not only the force of lifting dirt due to the heat of steam and moisture to the clothes in the drum 23, but also the mechanical force of blowing the steam, so that dirt adhering to or near the surface of the clothes can be easily removed. .

Further, since the detergent liquid is sprayed into the drum 23 from the detergent nozzle 53, the detergent can be impregnated on or near the surface of the clothes in the drum 23. This allows the detergent activated by the heat of the steam to remove stains from clothes more effectively.

Furthermore, since water is jetted into the drum 23 from the water nozzle 52, water can be impregnated on or near the surface of the clothing inside the drum 23. Thereby, the detergent solution can be spread with water to make it easier to spread over the clothes, and the dirt peeled off from the clothes can be washed away with water, making it easier to remove the dirt from the clothes.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, clothes can be washed successfully using steam.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the steam nozzle 51, the detergent nozzle 53, and the water nozzle 52 are arranged side by side above the peripheral edge 20b of the opening 20a of the outer tank 20. As a result, high-pressure steam, detergent liquid, and water are sprayed from the steam nozzle 51, detergent nozzle 53, and water nozzle 52, respectively, toward the center of the drum 23 without being obstructed by other nozzles. I can do it. In addition, even if the clothes harden into lumps at the bottom of the drum 23, high-pressure steam, detergent liquid, and water can be pumped into the deep space inside the drum 23 without being disturbed by the lumps. can be directed towards

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, etc., and the embodiments of the present invention can also be modified in various ways other than the above. be.

<Change example 1>
FIG. 6(a) is a sectional view of main parts of the outer tank 20 and drum 23 cut at the position of the steam nozzle 51 according to modification example 1, and FIG. 6(b) and (c) are respectively FIG. 3 is a front view and a front sectional view of a baffle 300 according to Example 1. FIG.

Three baffles 300, which extend in the axial direction of the drum 23 and are hollow inside, are provided on the inner peripheral surface of the drum 23 at equal intervals. A circular intake port 301 connected to the inside of the baffle 300 is formed in the front end surface 300a of each baffle 300. Furthermore, a plurality of circular discharge holes 302 are formed throughout the side surface 300b of each baffle 300.

As shown in FIG. 6(a), in the steam injection process, when high-temperature and high-pressure steam is being injected from the steam nozzle 51, when each baffle 300 passes in front of the steam nozzle 51 due to the rotation of the drum 23, At least a portion of the injected steam is taken into the drum 23 through the intake port 301 (see the dashed line in FIG. 2(a)). The captured steam is released to the outside of the baffle 300 from the plurality of release holes 302 (see arrows in FIG. 2(a)). Thereby, even when a large number of clothes are packed in the drum 23, steam can be brought into contact with the surface of the clothes on the back side of the drum 23 through the baffle 300.

Therefore, according to the configuration of this modified example, even when a large number of clothes are packed in the drum 23, the dirt attached to the surface or near the surface of the clothes on the back side of the drum 23 can be removed by steam. becomes possible.

<Change example 2>
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of the detergent supply section 80 according to the second modification.

In this modification, the detergent supply section 80 includes a switching valve 86 and a circulation pipe 87. The switching valve 86 is provided downstream of the supply pump 83 in the detergent liquid supply pipe 82 . One end of the circulation pipe 87 is connected to the switching valve 86, and the other end is connected to a return port 81c provided on the top surface of the detergent box 81. The switching valve 86 switches between a first state in which the detergent liquid discharged from the supply pump 83 flows toward the detergent nozzle 53 side and a second state in which it flows toward the circulation pipe 87 side. The switching valve 86 is switched by the control unit 201.

When detergent is put into detergent box 81 and water is stored, first, switching valve 86 is switched to the second state and supply pump 83 is driven. As shown by the broken line arrow in FIG. 7, the detergent and water in the detergent box 81 circulate between the detergent box 81, the detergent liquid supply pipe 82, and the circulation pipe 87. As a result, the detergent and water are well mixed, so even if the detergent is powder, it is difficult for the detergent to remain undissolved in the water. Next, the switching valve 86 is switched to the first state and the supply pump 83 is driven. As shown by the solid arrow in FIG. 7, the detergent liquid in the detergent box 81 is supplied to the detergent nozzle 53.

In this way, in this modification, detergent liquid can be produced satisfactorily within the detergent box 81.

<Other change examples>
In the embodiment described above, the detergent nozzle 53 is arranged at the highest position of the peripheral portion 20b, the water nozzle 52 is arranged to the left of the detergent nozzle 53, and the steam nozzle 51 is arranged to the left of the water nozzle 52. However, the steam nozzle 51, the water nozzle 52, and the detergent nozzle 53 may be placed in any position as long as they are lined up above the peripheral edge 20b of the opening 20a of the outer tank 20. They may be arranged in any order. However, if the detergent nozzle 53 is arranged at the highest position of the peripheral edge 20b as in the above embodiment, the detergent liquid will be spread evenly to the left and right sides of the drum 23, making it easier to apply it evenly to the clothes. , the most desirable.

Further, the configurations of the steam supply section 60, the water supply section 70, and the detergent supply section 80 are not limited to the configurations of the above embodiments. For example, the steam supply unit 60 may be configured without the water supply pipe 63 and the first water supply valve 64, so that the user manually replenishes water into the boiler tank 65 of the steam generation device 61. Further, for example, the water supply section 70 may be configured to be able to supply bath water pumped from a bathtub by a bath water pump to the water nozzle 52 in addition to or instead of water from a tap. Further, for example, the detergent supply unit 80 may be configured without the water supply pipe 84 and the third water supply valve 85, and may be configured such that the detergent liquid generated externally by the user is supplied into the detergent box 81.

Further, in the above embodiment, the drum type washing machine 1 is configured such that the drum 23 rotates around a horizontal axis. However, the drum-type washing machine 1 may be configured such that the drum 23 rotates around a rotation axis that is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction.

Further, although the drum-type washing machine 1 of the above embodiment does not have a drying function, the present invention can also be applied to a drum-type washing machine having a drying function, that is, a drum-type washer-dryer.

In addition, the embodiments of the present invention can be appropriately modified in various ways within the scope of the technical idea shown in the claims.

10 Housing
20 Outer tank
20a opening
20b Peripheral part
23 Drum
23a opening
51 Steam nozzle
52 Water nozzle
53 Detergent nozzle
60 Steam supply section
70 Water supply section
80 Detergent supply section
300 Baffle 300a Front end surface 300b Side surface
301 Intake port
302 Release hole

Claims (2)

An outer tank placed inside the housing;
a drum disposed in the outer tank and rotatable around a horizontal axis or a rotation axis tilted with respect to the horizontal direction;
a steam nozzle that injects high-pressure steam into the drum;
a steam supply unit that supplies high-pressure steam to the steam nozzle;
a detergent nozzle that sprays a detergent liquid into the drum;
a detergent supply unit that supplies detergent liquid to the detergent nozzle;
a water nozzle that sprays water into the drum;
a water supply unit that supplies water to the water nozzle;
Equipped with
the drum has an opening;
The outer tank has an opening in front of the opening of the drum,
The steam nozzle, the detergent nozzle, and the water nozzle are arranged side by side at the upper part of the periphery of the opening of the outer tank, and supply high-pressure steam and detergent, respectively, from the opening of the drum to the inside of the drum. Spray liquid and water,
the detergent nozzle is arranged at the highest position of the peripheral edge;
A drum-type washing machine characterized by: The drum type washing machine according to claim 1,
further comprising a hollow baffle provided on the inner peripheral surface of the drum and extending in the axial direction of the drum,
An intake port is provided on an end surface of the baffle for taking in high-pressure steam injected from the steam nozzle,
A plurality of discharge holes are provided on a side surface of the baffle for discharging the steam taken inside from the intake port.
A drum-type washing machine characterized by:

Images