CN103502520B - Device for clothing processing - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention discloses a clothes processing device (100), which comprises: a storage tank (200) for storing clothes; and a steam supply mechanism (300) for supplying steam to the storage tank (200). The steam supply mechanism (300) includes a steam generator (420) having walls (431, 432) defining a chamber (430) for generating the steam, and a heater for heating the walls (431, 432). (425), and a water supply mechanism (500) for supplying water to the wall surfaces (431, 432) heated by the heater (425). During the water supply operation in which the water supply mechanism (500) intermittently supplies the water to the chamber (430), the period in which the water is supplied to the chamber (430) is longer than the period in which the water is not supplied to the chamber. The period of room (430) is short.

Description

Clothes treatment device

technical field

The present invention relates to a laundry treating device for washing, dehydrating and/or drying laundry.

Background technique

A washing machine has been developed that supplies steam to clothes to sterilize them (see Patent Document 1). The washing machine of Patent Document 1 generates steam using a heater immersed in water.

The washing machine in Patent Document 1 supplies steam to a drum containing laundry. However, the pressure of the steam supplied to the drum is low, so it is necessary to fill the space inside the drum with steam. Therefore, the washing machine in Patent Document 1 consumes a large amount of electric power to generate steam.

Previous technical literature

patent documents

Patent Document 1: European Patent Publication No. 2039823

Contents of the invention

An object of the present invention is to provide a clothes treating device having a structure for efficiently supplying steam to clothes.

A clothes treating device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a storage tank for storing clothes, and a steam supply mechanism for supplying steam to the storage tank. The steam supply mechanism includes a steam generator having a wall surface defining a chamber for generating the steam, a heater heating the wall surface, and a water supply mechanism supplying water to the wall surface heated by the heater. During a water supply operation in which the water supply mechanism intermittently supplies the water to the chamber, a period during which the water is supplied to the chamber is shorter than a period during which the water is not supplied to the chamber.

The clothes treating device according to the present invention can efficiently supply steam to clothes.

The purpose, characteristics, and advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a washing machine exemplified as a laundry treatment device according to a first embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective perspective view of the washing machine shown in Fig. 1 .

Fig. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a steam supply mechanism accommodated in a casing of the washing machine shown in Fig. 1 .

Fig. 4A is a schematic perspective view of a steam generating unit of the steam supply mechanism shown in Fig. 3 .

Fig. 4B is a schematic perspective view of a steam generating unit of the steam supply mechanism shown in Fig. 3 .

Fig. 5 is a schematic perspective view of an attachment structure for connecting the cover of the steam generating unit shown in Figs. 4A and 4B to the housing.

Fig. 6A is a schematic perspective view of a steam generator of the steam generating unit shown in Figs. 4A and 4B.

Fig. 6B is a schematic perspective view of a steam generator of the steam generating unit shown in Figs. 4A and 4B .

Fig. 7 is a schematic perspective view of a main piece of the steam generator shown in Figs. 6A and 6B.

Fig. 8 is a schematic developed perspective view of the steam generator shown in Figs. 6A and 6B.

Fig. 9 is a schematic perspective view of a cover sheet of the steam generator shown in Fig. 8 .

Fig. 10 is a schematic plan view of the main sheet shown in Fig. 7 .

Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram of a water supply mechanism of the steam supply mechanism shown in Fig. 3 .

Fig. 12 is a schematic rear view of the front part of the storage tank of the washing machine shown in Fig. 1 .

Fig. 13 is a graph schematically showing the relationship between the intermittent operation of the pump of the water supply mechanism shown in Fig. 11 and the temperature in the chamber space.

Fig. 14 is a diagram schematically showing changes in the temperature of water supplied to the water tank of the washing machine shown in Fig. 1 .

Fig. 15A is a timing chart schematically showing the timing of steam supply in the dehydration step.

Fig. 15B is a timing chart schematically showing the timing of steam supply in the dehydration step.

Fig. 15C is a timing chart schematically showing the timing of steam supply in the dehydration step.

Fig. 16 is a block diagram schematically showing the control of the door body based on the temperature of the steam generator shown in Fig. 6B.

Fig. 17 is a schematic developed perspective view of a steam generator used in the washing machine exemplified as the laundry treatment device according to the second embodiment.

Fig. 18 is a schematic perspective view of the steam generator shown in Fig. 17 .

detailed description

Hereinafter, a washing machine exemplified as a laundry treating apparatus will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, terms indicating directions such as "upper", "lower", "left", and "right" used in the following description are only for clarity of description. Therefore, these terms do not limit the principle of the laundry treatment device in any way. In addition, the principle of the clothes treatment device can be applied to a device having a function of washing and drying clothes (washing and drying machine), a device having only a function of drying clothes (dryer), or a device having only a function of washing clothes. (washing machine).

(first embodiment)

<washing machine>

Fig. 1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a washing machine 100 according to the first embodiment. The washing machine 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 1 .

Washing machine 100 includes housing 110 and storage tub 200 for storing laundry in housing 110 . The storage tank 200 includes a rotating drum 210 having a substantially cylindrical peripheral wall 211 surrounding the rotation axis RX, and a water tank 220 for accommodating the rotating drum 210 .

The housing 110 includes a front wall 111 formed with an inlet for putting clothes into the storage tank 200 , and a rear wall 112 opposite to the front wall 111 . The rotating drum 210 and the water tank 220 form an opening toward 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 the closed position which blocks the inlet formed in the front wall 111, and the open position which opens the inlet. The user can rotate the door body 120 to an open position, and put clothes into the storage tank 200 through the inlet of the front wall 111 . Afterwards, the user can move the door body 120 to the closed position to allow the washing machine 100 to wash the clothes. In addition, the door body 120 shown in FIG. 1 is in a closed position.

The rotating drum 210 rotates about a rotation axis RX extending between the front wall 111 and the rear wall 112 . The laundry put into storage tub 200 moves in rotary drum 210 as rotary drum 210 rotates, and undergoes various processes such as washing, rinsing, and/or dehydration.

The rotary drum 210 has a bottom wall 212 opposite to the door body 120 at the closed position. Water tub 220 includes bottom 221 surrounding bottom wall 212 and part of peripheral wall 211 of rotary drum 210 , and front part 222 surrounding other part of peripheral wall 211 of rotary drum 210 between bottom 221 and door 120 .

The receiving tank 200 includes a rotating shaft 230 installed on the bottom wall 212 of the rotating drum 210 . The rotation shaft 230 extends toward the rear wall 112 along the rotation axis RX. The rotating shaft 230 passes through the bottom 221 of the water tank 220 and is exposed between the water tank 220 and the rear wall 112 .

Washing machine 100 further includes motor 231 attached below water tub 220 , pulley 232 attached to rotating shaft 230 exposed outside water tub 220 , and belt 233 for transmitting power of motor 231 to pulley 232 . When the motor 231 operates, the power of the motor 231 is transmitted to the belt 233 , the pulley 232 and the rotation shaft 230 . As a result, rotary drum 210 rotates in water tank 220 .

The washing machine 100 further includes a gasket structure 130 disposed between the front portion 222 of the water tank 220 and the door 120 . Rotation of the door 120 to the closed position compresses the gasket structure 130 . As a result, the gasket structure 130 forms a watertight structure between the door body 120 and the front portion 222 .

The frame body 110 further includes a frame body top wall 113 extending substantially horizontally between the front wall 111 and the rear wall 112 , and a frame body bottom wall 114 opposite to the frame body top wall 113 . Washing machine 100 further includes water supply port 140 connected to a water tap (not shown), and distribution unit 141 for distributing water introduced through water supply port 140 . The water supply port 140 is exposed on the top wall 113 of the frame body. The distributing portion 141 is disposed between the frame top wall 113 and the receiving tank 200 . In this embodiment, a faucet is exemplified as an external water source.

Washing machine 100 further includes a detergent storage unit (described later) for storing detergent, and a steam supply mechanism 300 (described later) for injecting steam into storage tank 200 . Distribution unit 141 includes a plurality of water supply valves for selectively supplying water to storage tank 200 , detergent storage unit, and steam supply mechanism 300 . In addition, in FIG. 1, the water supply path to the storage tank 200 and a detergent storage part is not shown. For the water supply to the storage tank 200 and the detergent storage part, a technique used in a known washing machine is suitably applied.

<Steam Supply Mechanism>

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective perspective view of the washing machine 100 . FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the steam supply mechanism 300 accommodated in the housing 110 . In FIGS. 2 and 3 , the housing 110 is indicated by a dotted line. In FIG. 3 , the storage tank 200 is not shown. Arrows in FIG. 3 schematically indicate water supply paths. The steam supply mechanism 300 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 .

The steam supply mechanism 300 includes a water supply valve 310 used as a part of the distribution unit 141 and a water storage tank 320 disposed below the storage tank 200 . The water supply valve 310 is used to control water supply to the water storage tank 320 . When the water supply valve 310 is opened, water is supplied from the water supply port 140 to the water storage tank 320 . When the water supply valve 310 is closed, the water supply to the water storage tank 320 is stopped.

The steam supply mechanism 300 further includes a pump 330 attached to the water storage tank 320 and a steam generator 400 that receives water jetted from the pump 330 . The pump 330 operates to supply water to the steam generator 400 intermittently or continuously. During the intermittent water supply operation, the pump 330 supplies an appropriate amount of water adjusted to cause instantaneous steam generation to the steam generating unit 400 . If the pump 330 continuously supplies water to the steam generating unit 400 , impurities (scale) contained in the water used to generate steam are washed away from the steam generating unit 400 . The steam generation unit 400 will be described later.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the steam supply mechanism 300 further includes a steam conduit 340 extending downward from the steam generation unit 400 . As shown in FIG. 1 , the front portion 222 of the water tank 220 includes a peripheral wall portion 223 surrounding the peripheral wall 211 of the rotary drum 210 and an annular portion 224 cooperating with the gasket structure 130 to form a water sealing structure. The vapor conduction pipe 340 is connected to the peripheral wall portion 223 . The steam generated by the steam generator 400 is supplied to the storage tank 200 through the steam conduit 340 . In addition, the steam conduit 340 may also include a bellows pipe. The bellows can moderate the transmission of the vibration caused by the rotation of the storage tank 200 to the steam generating unit 400 .

4A and 4B are schematic perspective views of the steam generating unit 400 . The structure of the steam generating unit 400 and the arrangement of the steam generating unit 400 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4B .

The steam generating unit 400 includes a substantially rectangular box-shaped case 410 and a steam generator 420 accommodated in the case 410 . The case 410 includes a container portion 411 for accommodating the steam generator 420 and a cover portion 412 covering the container portion 411 .

The steam generator 420 is connected to the pump 330 with a connection pipe 421 and a pipe (not shown). In addition, the steam generator 420 is connected to the steam conduction pipe 340 with an exhaust pipe 422 . The container portion 411 includes a bottom wall portion 414 formed with an opening portion 413 . The connection pipe 421 and the exhaust pipe 422 protrude downward through the opening 413 .

Since the pump 330 forcibly supplies water from the water storage tank 320 to the steam generator 420 in the steam generating unit 400 , the steam generator 420 may be disposed above the water storage tank 320 . If water is supplied from the water storage tank to the steam generator without using a pump, it is necessary to send the water in the water storage tank to the steam generator by the action of gravity. In this case, the steam generator must be arranged below the water storage tank. In this embodiment, the pump 330 is used to supply water to the steam generator 420 . Water is forcibly supplied from the water storage tank 320 to the steam generator 420 by the pressure of the pump 330 . Therefore, in the design of washing machine 100 according to the present embodiment, there are few restrictions on the vertical positional relationship between steam generator 420 and water storage tank 320 . Since the arrangement design of the steam generator 420 and the water storage tank 320 has a high degree of freedom, the internal space of the housing 110 can be efficiently used.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the steam generator 420 is disposed above the water storage tank 320 . The pump 330 can appropriately supply water from the water storage tank 320 to the steam generator 420 .

If the steam generator is disposed below the water storage tank, water may accidentally flow into the steam generator due to a failure in the water supply path to the steam generator. As a result, steam may be generated unnecessarily.

In this embodiment, since the pump 330 is used to supply water to the steam generator 420 , the water storage tank 320 may be disposed below the steam generator 420 . Even if the pump 330 breaks down and the water supply to the steam generator 420 is stopped, the water remaining in the hose connecting the water storage tank 320 , the pump 330 and the steam generator 420 hardly flows into the steam generator 420 .

As described above, if the water supply path from the water storage tank to the steam generator is designed without a pump, the steam generator must be arranged below the water storage tank. For example, if a control member such as an on-off valve installed to control water supply from the water storage tank to the steam generator fails, water supply control to the steam generator cannot be performed. As a result, water flows into the steam generator from the water storage tank unnecessarily due to the action of gravity. In this embodiment, since the pump 330 is used to supply water from the water storage tank 320 to the steam generator 420 , unnecessary water supply from the water storage tank 320 to the steam generator 420 is unlikely to occur.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the housing 110 includes a right wall 115 erected between the front wall 111 and the rear wall 112 , and a left wall 116 opposite to the right wall 115 . The water storage tank 320 is arranged at a corner defined by the housing bottom wall 114 , the rear wall 112 , and the left wall 116 . The steam generator 420 is disposed at a corner defined by the right wall 115 , the housing top wall 113 , and the front wall 111 . In this way, the steam generator 420 and the water storage tank 320 are arranged at approximately symmetrical positions with respect to the central axis (rotation axis RX) of the storage tank 200 .

As shown in FIG. 2 , detergent container 101 is disposed at a corner defined by front wall 111 , housing top wall 113 , and left wall 116 . Other corners of the frame body 110 can also be efficiently used for the arrangement of the water storage tank 320 and the steam generator 420 . As shown in FIG. 2 , the water storage tank 320 is arranged at a corner defined by the housing bottom wall 114 , the rear wall 112 , and the left wall 116 . The steam generator 420 is disposed at a corner defined by the right wall 115 , the housing top wall 113 , and the front wall 111 . The frame body 110 is a substantially rectangular box, and the receiving tank 200 is cylindrical, so a large space is formed at the corners of the frame body 110 . As described above, the large spaces at the corners are efficiently used for the arrangement of the detergent storage unit 101, the water storage tank 320, and the steam generator 420, respectively. The water storage tank 320 and the steam generator 420 can be designed larger according to the corners of the frame body 110 .

In addition, the detergent container may be arranged at a corner defined by the front wall, the housing top wall, and the right wall. In this case, the steam generator may be disposed at a corner defined by the left wall, the housing top wall, and the front wall. The water storage tank may be arranged at one of the corners defined by the bottom wall of the housing according to the piping design for the steam generator.

For example, the water storage tank may be arranged at a substantially rotationally symmetrical position of the detergent container about the rotation axis of the storage tank, and the steam generator may be arranged symmetrically to the water storage tank with respect to a horizontal plane including the rotation axis of the storage tank. Also in this layout design, the internal space of the housing is effectively utilized similarly to the layout design shown in FIG. 2 .

The water storage tank may be arranged below the detergent container arranged at a corner defined by the front wall, the housing top wall, and the left or right wall. In this case, the steam generator may be arranged at a substantially rotationally symmetrical position of the water storage tank about the rotation axis of the storage tank. Also in this layout design, the internal space of the housing is effectively utilized similarly to the layout design shown in FIG. 2 .

In this embodiment, the rotation axis RX of the storage tank 200 is substantially horizontal. Alternatively, the receiving tank can also be rotated about an inclined axis of rotation. For example, the rotation axis may also be inclined upward from the rear wall toward the front wall. The water storage tank may be arranged below the plane including the inclined rotation axis, while the steam generator may be arranged above the plane. In addition, if the water storage tank is arranged on the left or right with respect to a vertical plane including an inclined rotation axis, the steam generator may be arranged on the right or left with respect to the vertical plane. Under this layout design, the space between the frame body and the storage tank is effectively utilized.

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of an attachment structure for connecting the cover portion 412 and the housing 110 . The mounting structure between the cover portion 412 and the frame body 110 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 , 4A and 5 .

The frame body 110 further includes a first reinforcement frame 117 arranged along the upper edge of the right wall 115 and a second reinforcement frame 118 arranged along the upper edge of the front wall 111 .

The cover 412 includes a substantially rectangular upper wall 415 , a cover peripheral wall 416 protruding downward from the edge of the upper wall 415 , and a protruding piece 417 protruding forward from the cover peripheral wall 416 . The washing machine 100 further includes a first mounting piece 151 connected to the first reinforcement frame 117 and the upper wall 415 , and a second mounting piece 152 connected to the second reinforcement frame 118 and the protruding piece 417 . The first mounting piece 151 and the second mounting piece 152 protrude upward from the cover portion 412 to separate the housing top wall 113 from the steam generating portion 400 . As a result, heat transfer from steam generating unit 400 to housing 110 becomes small. In this embodiment, the first mounting piece 151 and the second mounting piece 152 are exemplified as holding portions.

6A and 6B are schematic perspective views of the steam generator 420 . The steam generator 420 is explained with reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B .

The steam generator 420 includes a substantially rectangular main piece 423 , a cover piece 424 arranged on the main piece 423 , and a linear heater 425 arranged on the main piece 423 . In this embodiment, the main sheet 423 and the cover sheet 424 are formed of aluminum. Thus, the main sheet 423 and the cover sheet 424 are properly heated by the heater 425 .

The steam generator 420 further includes a thermistor 426 . In addition to the above-mentioned connection pipe 421 , exhaust pipe 422 and heater 425 , a thermistor 426 is also mounted on the main piece 423 . The heater 425 is controlled based on temperature information obtained through the thermistor 426 . Thus, the temperatures of the main sheet 423 and the cover sheet 424 remain substantially constant. In addition, the same effect can be obtained even if a thermostat that controls ON/OFF of the heater 425 at a predetermined temperature is used instead of the thermistor 426 .

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of the main piece 423 . The main sheet 423 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6B and 7 .

The main piece 423 includes a main piece lower surface 427 on which a connecting pipe 421 , an exhaust pipe 422 and a thermistor 426 are installed, a peripheral surface 428 with a heater 425 , and an upper surface 429 opposite to the main piece lower surface 427 . The main piece 423 also includes an outer chamber wall 431 standing upright from the upper surface 429 toward the cover piece 424 to define a substantially triangular-shaped chamber space 430 and a substantially J-shaped inner chamber defining a flow path of vapor in the chamber space 430 Chamber wall 432 .

FIG. 8 is a schematic expanded perspective view of the steam generator 420 . FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view of the cover sheet 424 . The steam generator 420 is described with reference to FIGS. 3 , 6B to 9 .

The steam generator 420 includes a gasket ring 433 attached to the main piece 423 so as to surround the outer chamber wall 431 . The backing ring 433 is formed of heat-resistant rubber.

The cover piece 424 has a lower surface 434 facing the main piece 423 and an outer seal wall 435 having substantially the same shape as the outer chamber wall 431 . The cover sheet 424 is pressed to the main sheet 423 . As a result, the outer seal wall 435 compresses the packing ring 433 to keep the chamber space 430 in a sealed state.

An inflow port 437 for allowing water supplied through the connection pipe 421 to flow into the chamber space 430 is formed on the main piece 423 . The inflow port 437 formed substantially in the center of the chamber space 430 is surrounded by the inner chamber wall 432 . If the pump 330 supplies a prescribed amount of water to the steam generator 420 , the water is ejected upward through the connection pipe 421 and the inflow port 437 . As a result, the water hits the inner chamber wall 432 , the upper surface 429 of the main piece 423 surrounded by the inner chamber wall 432 , and/or the lower surface 434 of the cover piece 424 located above the inlet 437 . The steam generator 420 is heated (eg, about 200° C.) by a heater 425 with high heat energy. The pump 330 that performs an intermittent water supply operation supplies an appropriate amount of water (for example, about 2 cc/time) with respect to the thermal energy of the steam generator 420 . As a result, the water ejected upward from the inflow port 437 evaporates instantaneously. In this embodiment, the chamber space 430 for generating steam is exemplified as a chamber. The inner chamber wall 432 collided by the water supplied through the inflow port 437 , the upper surface 429 of the main sheet 423 surrounded by the inner chamber wall 432 , and/or the lower surface 434 of the cover sheet 424 above the inflow port 437 are exemplified as wall surfaces. The inlet 437 to which the connecting pipe 421 is attached is exemplified as an attachment portion.

The water supplied by the pump 330 may contain impurities. When water is vaporized, impurities in the water may adhere to or deposit on the wall surface forming the chamber space 430 . As a result of the instantaneous evaporation of water, the internal pressure of the chamber space 430 rises sharply. As a result of the rapid increase in the internal pressure of the chamber space 430 , the impurities adhered to or deposited on the wall surface forming the chamber space 430 are detached from the wall surface under strong pressure. As a result, impurities are easily discharged to the outside of the chamber space 430 .

FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view of the main sheet 423 . The main sheet 423 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 , 6B and 10 .

The heater 425 extends along a substantially U-shaped path inside the main sheet 423 . Therefore, the heater 425 surrounds the inflow port 437 to which the connecting pipe 421 is attached. As a result, the inner chamber wall 432 and the region surrounded by the inner chamber wall 432 have the highest temperature in the chamber space 430 . Therefore, the water ejected through the inflow port 437 evaporates instantaneously.

Since the substantially J-shaped inner chamber wall 432 protrudes into the chamber space 430 defined by the outer chamber wall 431 , a swirl-shaped flow path is drawn in the chamber space 430 . An exhaust port 438 formed at the terminal end of the flow path is formed in the main piece 423 . Vapor generated in the space surrounded by the inner chamber wall 432 moves toward the exhaust port 438 as the inner pressure of the chamber space 430 increases. The exhaust pipe 422 is attached to the exhaust port 438 . The vapor reaching the exhaust port 438 is exhausted downward through the exhaust pipe 422 .

The heater 425 extends in a U-shape along the outer path of the spiral flow path. Therefore, the vapor generated in the space surrounded by the inner chamber wall 432 is heated and directed toward the exhaust pipe 422 . Thus, high-temperature steam is discharged.

The steam generator 420 injects water onto the heated wall surface and evaporates it instantaneously. Therefore, compared with the conventional technology in which steam is generated by a heater immersed in water, the power consumption required to generate the same amount of steam is less.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the steam generator 420 is disposed above the storage tank 200 . When the water is vaporized in the chamber space 430, the impurities contained in the water supplied to the steam generator 420 are formed on the walls of the chamber space 430 (the outer chamber wall 431 of the main sheet 423, the inner chamber wall 432, the upper surface 429 And the lower surface 434 of the cover sheet 424) attaches or separates out. If impurities are accumulated on the wall surface forming the chamber space 430 , heat transfer efficiency between the wall surface and water supplied to the chamber space 430 decreases. As a result, water hardly evaporates in the chamber space 430 . However, in this embodiment, since the steam generator 420 is arranged above the storage tank 200, the impurities attached or precipitated are transferred to the steam generator 420 by the internal pressure and the action of gravity due to the vaporization of water. discharge or drop below. Therefore, impurities are easily discharged from the cavity space 430 to the storage tank 200 . As a result, impurities attached or deposited in the chamber of the steam generator 420 are less likely to accumulate. Therefore, reduction in gasification capacity due to accumulation of impurities hardly occurs.

<water supply agency>

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of the water supply mechanism 500 . The water supply mechanism 500 will be described with reference to FIG. 11 .

The water supply mechanism 500 for injecting water into the chamber space 430 of the steam generator 420 includes the above-mentioned water supply valve 310 , water storage tank 320 , pump 330 and connecting pipe 421 . The water supply mechanism 500 further includes a water level sensor 321 for measuring the water level in the water storage tank 320 . The water supply valve 310 can supply water to the water storage tank 320 or stop water supply to the water storage tank 320 according to the water level detected by the water level sensor 321 . In this embodiment, the water level sensor 321 is exemplified as the first detection element.

The water supply valve 310 may also be controlled according to the operation time and/or operation mode (intermittent water supply operation and/or continuous water supply operation) of the pump 330 . For example, when the operation of the pump 330 ends, the amount of water supplied from the water supply valve 310 may be adjusted so that the water storage tank 320 becomes empty. As a result, freezing of the water in the water storage tank 320 is less likely to occur.

The pump 330 supplies water stored in the water storage tank 320 to the chamber space 430 through the connection pipe 421 . The intermittent water supply operation of the pump 330 is adjusted so that the water injected into the chamber space 430 evaporates instantaneously.

As a result of evaporation of the water in the chamber space 430 , impurities contained in the water may accumulate in the chamber space 430 . The continuous water supply action of the pump 330 is adjusted to allow water to flow into the chamber space 430 at a flow rate sufficient to flush away accumulated impurities.

The exhaust pipe 422 is connected to the steam conduit 340 . The steam generated in the chamber space 430 by the intermittent water supply operation of the pump 330 and the water flowing into the chamber space 430 by the continuous water supply operation of the pump 330 flow into the storage tank 200 through the exhaust pipe 422 and the steam conduit 340 . .

<Supply of steam and water to the containment tank>

FIG. 12 is a schematic rear view of the front portion 222 of the storage tank 200 . The supply of steam and water to the storage tank 200 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 , 11 and 12 .

As shown in FIG. 1 , the annular portion 224 of the front portion 222 includes an inner surface 225 opposite to the rotating drum 210 and an outer surface 226 opposite to the front wall 111 of the frame body 110 . FIG. 12 mainly shows the inner face 225 .

The steam supply mechanism 300 includes a branch pipe 351 and a nozzle 352 attached to the inner surface 225 . The steam supply mechanism 300 further includes a steam pipe 353 connecting the branch pipe 351 and the nozzle 352 . The steam conduit 340 is connected to the branch pipe 351 through the peripheral wall portion 223 .

The vapor generated in the chamber space 430 flows into the vapor conduit 340 through the exhaust pipe 422 as the pressure in the chamber space 430 increases. After that, the steam reaches the branch pipe 351 from the steam conducting pipe 340 . The nozzle 352 is disposed above the branch pipe 351 . The high-temperature steam that has reached the branch pipe 351 is guided to the steam pipe 353 and reaches the nozzle 352 . Finally, steam is sprayed downward from the nozzle 352 . In this embodiment, the exhaust pipe 422 , the steam conduit 340 , the branch pipe 351 and the steam pipe 353 guide the steam generated in the chamber space 430 to the nozzle 352 . Therefore, the exhaust pipe 422, the steam conduction pipe 340, the branch pipe 351, and the steam pipe 353 are exemplified as guide pipes.

As described above, since the pump 330 performing intermittent water supply operation injects an appropriate amount of water into the high-temperature chamber space 430 , the water evaporates instantaneously. As a result, the internal pressure of the chamber space 430 increases rapidly. Therefore, the steam is jetted from the nozzle 352 at high pressure, and crosses the inner space of the storage tank 200 up and down. The laundry tends to concentrate near the lower end of the rotary drum 210 due to gravity. Since the steam sprayed from the nozzle 352 installed on the upper portion of the storage tank 200 reaches the vicinity of the lower end of the rotary drum 210, the steam is efficiently supplied to the laundry.

The branch pipe 351 includes a main pipe 354 connected to the steam conduit 340 , an upper sub-pipe 355 bent upward from the main pipe 354 , and a lower sub-pipe 356 bent downward from the main pipe 354 . Steam or water flows into the main pipe 354 through the steam conduit 340 . The upper sub-pipe 355 is connected to the steam pipe 353 and regulates the upward path of the steam toward the nozzle 352 . In this embodiment, the upward path defined by the upper sub-pipe 355 and the steam pipe 353 is exemplified as the first path. The main pipe 354 is exemplified as an inflow pipe. The upper sub-pipe 355 is exemplified as the first pipe.

The lower sub-pipe 356 is different from the upper sub-pipe 355 and defines a downward path. While the pump 330 is continuously supplying water, the water flowing into the branch pipe 351 through the steam conduit 340 flows downward through the lower sub-pipe 356 due to gravity. In the present embodiment, the downward path defined by the lower sub-pipe 356 is exemplified as the second path. The lower tube 356 is exemplified as the second tube.

The included angle θ1 between the main pipe 354 and the upper sub-pipe 355 is shown in FIG. 12 . Moreover, FIG. 12 also shows the included angle θ2 between the main pipe 354 and the lower sub-pipe 356 . The angle θ1 is an obtuse angle, and the angle θ2 is an acute angle. Since the included angle θ2 is an acute angle, the flow loss from the main pipe 354 to the sub-pipe 356 is relatively large. Therefore, the vapor flowing into the main pipe 354 hardly flows into the lower sub-pipe 356 and mainly flows into the upper sub-pipe 355 . On the other hand, since the upper sub-pipe 355 defines an upward flow path, the water flowing into the main pipe 354 hardly flows into the upper sub-pipe 355 due to gravity, and mainly flows into the lower sub-pipe 356 . Thus, the flow path of steam and the flow path of water are properly separated.

<intermittent pump operation>

FIG. 13 is a graph schematically showing the relationship between the intermittent operation of the pump 330 and the temperature in the chamber space 430 . The intermittent operation of the pump 330 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 , 11 and 13 .

As shown in FIG. 13 , the period during which the pump 330 operates (ON period) is set to be shorter than the period during which the pump 330 is stopped (OFF period). As a result, an appropriate amount of water is injected into the chamber space 430 .

During the ON period, a predetermined amount of water is supplied to the chamber space 430 . As a result, water evaporates and turns into steam. The temperature of the chamber space 430 temporarily decreases due to the heat of vaporization due to the phase transition from water to vapor. As described above, since the OFF period is set relatively long, the heater 425 can sufficiently raise the temperature of the chamber space 430 during the OFF period. Therefore, while the pump 330 is intermittently operating, high-pressure steam is continuously supplied to the storage tank 200 . In particular, during the OFF period, the chamber space 430 is sufficiently heated, and during the ON period, an appropriate amount of water (for example, about 2 cc/time) that is instantaneously evaporated with respect to the heat energy that the steam generator 420 including the chamber space 430 has is supplied. ), therefore, the high-pressure steam is continuously supplied to the storage tank 200 well.

<Utilization of steam in the washing process>

FIG. 14 is a diagram schematically showing changes in the temperature of water supplied to water tank 220 in the washing process. The effect of the steam used in the washing process will be described with reference to FIG. 1 , FIG. 8 , FIG. 11 and FIG. 14 .

As shown in FIG. 1 , a warm water heater 160 is disposed below the water tank 220 . The warm water heater 160 is used to heat the water supplied into the water tank 220 . In this embodiment, the hot water heater 160 is exemplified as a second heater.

As shown in FIG. 14, water is supplied to the water tank 220 when the washing process starts. During this period, the temperature of the water contained in the laundry in water tub 220 is substantially constant. Thereafter, the water in the water tank 220 is heated by the warm water heater 160 . Since the hot water heater 160 emits a large amount of heat, the temperature of the water contained in the laundry in the water tank 220 rises rapidly. Thereafter, when the predetermined temperature is reached, the heating of the water in the water tank 220 is stopped.

In FIG. 14 , the dotted line after the heating is stopped indicates the change in the temperature of the water contained in the clothes when the heating by the warm water heater 160 is stopped and no steam is supplied. The solid line after the heating is stopped represents the change in the temperature of the water contained in the clothes when the heating by the warm water heater 160 is stopped and steam is supplied to the storage tub 200 .

Since the steam supplied to the storage tub 200 is high temperature as described above and is directly supplied to the clothes, the drop in temperature of the water contained in the clothes in the water tub 220 is moderated. The heater 425 used in the steam generator 420 consumes less power than the hot water heater 160 attached to the water tank 220 . Therefore, compared with the heat preservation of the water in the water tank 220 using the warm water heater 160, the heat preservation by supplying steam can achieve a small amount of power consumption. Therefore, it is preferable that the pump 330 performs an intermittent water supply operation after the warm water heater 160 is stopped.

<Utilization of steam in dehydration process>

The effect of the steam used in the dehydration process will be described with reference to FIG. 1 , FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 .

In the dehydration process, the rotary drum 210 rotates at a high speed. As shown in FIG. 1 , many small holes 219 are formed in the peripheral wall 211 of the rotary drum 210 . The laundry accommodated in the rotary drum 210 is pressed to the peripheral wall 211 by the centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the rotary drum 210 . As a result, moisture contained in the laundry is discharged to the outside of rotary drum 210 through small holes 219 . In this way, the laundry is properly dehydrated.

The fibers of the dehydrated laundry tend to hydrogen bond with each other. The hydrogen bonding of the fibers to each other causes the clothes to wrinkle. When steam is supplied into the rotary drum 210, the steam breaks the hydrogen bond between the fibers. As a result, wrinkles of clothing are reduced. Therefore, preferably, the pump 330 performs an intermittent water supply operation while the laundry is being dehydrated. As a result of the intermittent water supply operation, steam is sprayed from nozzle 352 into rotary drum 210 at high pressure. As described above, the steam sprayed from the nozzle 352 traverses the storage tank 200 , so that the steam is blown to the rotating clothes attached to the peripheral wall 211 without any omission. As a result, all the clothes in rotary drum 210 are less likely to be wrinkled.

15A to 15C are timing charts schematically showing the timing of steam supply in the dehydration step. The timing of steam supply will be described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIGS. 15A to 15C.

As shown in FIG. 15A , the steam supply mechanism 300 may start steam supply after a predetermined period ( T1 ) elapses from the start of the dehydration process. In this case, since the laundry contains little moisture, the laundry is efficiently humidified by the heat and moisture of the steam. As shown in FIGS. 15B and 15C , the steam supply mechanism 300 may start supplying steam in synchronization with the start of the dehydration process. In this case, since the temperature of the clothes is raised in the initial stage of the dehydration process, the clothes are efficiently moistened at a high temperature. As shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B , the steam supply mechanism 300 may supply steam during a part of the dehydration process. As shown in FIG. 15C , the period during which the steam supply mechanism 300 supplies steam may coincide with the period from the start to the end of the dehydration process.

<Cooling of steam generator>

The cooling process of the steam generator 420 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 11 .

Preferably, the steam generator 420 is cooled down as the treatment of the laundry using the steam ends. When the steam generator 420 is cooled, unnecessary injection of high-temperature steam into the storage tank 200 is prevented.

In order to cool the steam generator 420, power supply to the heater 425 is stopped. After that, the pump 330 starts a continuous water supply operation. As a result, water continuously flows from the water storage tank 320 into the chamber space 430 . The water flowing into the chamber space 430 absorbs heat from the steam generator 420 and flows into the storage tank 200 . Thus, the steam generator 420 is cooled in a short period of time.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram schematically showing control of the door body 120 based on the temperature of the steam generator 420 . The control of the door body 120 will be described with reference to FIG. 1 , FIG. 6B and FIG. 16 .

The washing machine 100 includes a lock mechanism 121 for locking the door body 120 at a closed position, and a control unit 122 for controlling locking and unlocking of the lock mechanism 121 . The mechanical and electrical mechanisms of the locking mechanism 121 may be those used in conventional washing machines.

As shown in FIG. 6B , the steam generator 420 includes a thermistor 426 . The thermistor 426 detects the temperature of the main sheet 423 and outputs a signal corresponding to the detected temperature to the control unit 122 . In this embodiment, the thermistor 426 is exemplified as the second detection element.

The control unit 122 maintains the locking of the door body 120 by the locking mechanism 121 until the signal output from the thermistor 426 indicates a temperature below a predetermined value. As a result, the internal space of the storage tank 200 is isolated from the outside until the temperature of the steam generator 420 becomes lower than a predetermined temperature. Thus, the washing machine 100 is very safe.

(second embodiment)

Fig. 17 is a schematic developed perspective view of a steam generator 420A used in a washing machine exemplified as a laundry treatment device according to a second embodiment. The washing machine of the second embodiment has the same structure as the washing machine 100 of the first embodiment except for the structure of the steam generator 420A. Therefore, differences from the first embodiment will be described below. The description of the first embodiment is applied to the washing machine of the second embodiment except for the following points of difference. In addition, the same code|symbol is attached|subjected to the same element as 1st Embodiment. Therefore, the description of the first embodiment is also applied to elements denoted by the same symbols.

The steam generator 420A includes a main piece 423A, a cover piece 424A, and a spacer ring 433 sandwiched between the main piece 423A and the cover piece 424A. Unlike the main piece 423 described in the first embodiment, no heater is mounted in the main piece 423A. On the other hand, a heater 425A is installed in the cover sheet 424A.

FIG. 18 is a schematic perspective view of the cover sheet 424A. The mounting structure of the heater 425A will be described with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18 .

The cover sheet 424A has an inner sealing wall 436 surrounded by an outer sealing wall 435 . The shape of the inner sealing wall 436 is substantially the same as that of the inner chamber wall 432 of the main piece 423A. The inner sealing wall 436 coincides with the inner chamber wall 432 . As a result, a spiral flow path is formed in the chamber space 430 . The area of the lower surface 434 surrounded by the inner seal wall 436 is opposed to the inlet 437 formed in the main piece 423A, and therefore is referred to as "opposed area 439" in the following description. The heater 425A is mounted in the cover sheet 424A so as to surround the opposing region 439 . When the flow rate of water is adjusted so that the water flowing in from the inflow port 437 reaches the cover sheet 424A, the temperature of the opposing region 439 becomes particularly high, so that instantaneous evaporation is realized.

In the various embodiments described above, the water is ejected upward and becomes vapor in the chamber space. Instead, water can also drip downwards and be vaporized in the chamber space. Water can also be supplied to the side as required. The direction of water supply does not place any limitation on the principles of the disclosed embodiments.

The above-described embodiment mainly has the following configurations.

The clothes processing apparatus according to one aspect of the above-mentioned embodiment includes: a storage tank for storing clothes; and a steam supply mechanism for supplying steam to the storage tank. The steam supply mechanism includes: a steam generator having a wall surface defining a chamber for generating the steam, a heater for heating the wall surface, and a water supply mechanism for supplying water to the wall surface heated by the heater. . During a water supply operation in which the water supply mechanism intermittently supplies the water to the chamber, a period during which the water is supplied to the chamber is shorter than a period during which the water is not supplied to the chamber.

According to the above configuration, the steam generator has a wall surface defining a chamber for generating steam. The water supply mechanism supplies water to the wall surface heated by the heater. The injected water comes into contact with the wall surface heated by the heater and turns into water vapor, thereby generating vaporization pressure. As a result of the vaporization pressure, the pressure in the chamber increases rapidly, and the steam is sprayed toward the storage tank in which the clothes are stored. The period during which water is supplied to the chamber is shorter than the period during which the water is not supplied to the chamber. Although the temperature of the wall surface drops temporarily due to the supply of water, the heater can sufficiently heat the wall surface while the water supply mechanism is stopped, and restore the wall surface temperature to the temperature before the drop. By repeating the intermittent water supply operation of the water supply mechanism, spraying of steam with a substantially fixed amount and a substantially constant pressure is realized. This is different from the conventional technology that lets the steam leak out and puts the clothes in a steam atmosphere, since the steam is sprayed at a high pressure, the steam is directly supplied to the clothes. Therefore, the laundry treating apparatus can efficiently supply steam to laundry.

In the above structure, the water supply mechanism can adjust the amount of the water so that the water that touches the wall surface evaporates instantaneously.

According to the above structure, the water supply mechanism can adjust the amount of water suitable for the heat held in the chamber. As a result, the water in contact with the wall surface evaporates instantaneously, and the pressure in the chamber increases instantaneously. Although the temperature of the wall surface drops temporarily due to the supply of water, the period during which the temperature of the wall surface drops is short because the amount of water evaporated instantaneously is supplied. The heater can sufficiently heat the wall surface during the stoppage of the water supply mechanism, so that the temperature of the wall surface can be restored to the temperature before the drop. By repeating the water supply operation of intermittently supplying an appropriate amount of water by the water supply mechanism, jetting of steam with a substantially fixed amount and a substantially constant pressure is realized. Therefore, the steam supply mechanism can spray steam to the storage tub in which the clothes are stored. This is different from the conventional technology that lets the steam leak out and puts the clothes in a steam atmosphere, since the steam is sprayed at a high pressure, the steam is directly supplied to the clothes. Therefore, the laundry treating apparatus can efficiently supply steam to laundry.

In the above structure, the laundry treating apparatus may further include a pump supplying water to the steam generator. The period during which the pump operates is shorter than the period during which the pump is stopped.

According to the above configuration, if the pump performs intermittent water supply operation, the period during which the pump operates can be set to be shorter than the period during which the pump is stopped. The temperature of the wall is temporarily lowered by the supply of water. However, the heater can sufficiently heat the wall surface while the pump is stopped, and return the wall surface temperature to the temperature before the drop. Therefore, by repeating the water supply operation of intermittently supplying an appropriate amount of water by the pump, spraying of steam at a substantially constant amount and at a substantially constant pressure is realized. As a result, the clothes treating device can efficiently supply steam to clothes.

Industrial availability

The principles of the various embodiments described above are suitable for use in a device for treating clothes with steam.

Claims (3)

1. A clothes treatment device, characterized in that it comprises: storage tanks for clothing; and a steam supply mechanism that supplies steam to the storage tank; wherein, The steam supply mechanism includes: a steam generator having a wall surface defining a chamber for generating the steam, a heater heating the wall surface, and a water supply mechanism supplying water upward to the wall surface heated by the heater. mechanism, The steam generator includes a main sheet formed with an inflow port for the water to flow upward into the chamber and a cover sheet above the inflow port, said wall surfaces include an upper surface of said main piece, a lower surface of said cover piece, an outer chamber wall defining said chamber and an inner chamber wall defining a flow path of said vapor, During a water supply operation in which the water supply means intermittently supplies the water to the chamber, a period during which the water is supplied to the chamber is shorter than a period during which the water is not supplied to the chamber, the heater surrounds the inflow port, During the water supply operation in which the water supply mechanism intermittently supplies the water to the chamber, the water supply mechanism causes the water flowing upward into the chamber to collide with the underside of the cover sheet and from the inner surface. The upper side of the main piece is surrounded by chamber walls. 2 . The laundry treatment device according to claim 1 , wherein the water supply mechanism adjusts the amount of the water so that the water contacting the wall evaporates instantaneously. 3 . 3. The laundry treatment device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: a pump for supplying water to the steam generator, wherein, The period during which the pump operates is shorter than the period during which the pump is stopped.