JP2014036788A - Washing and drying machine - Google Patents

Abstract

[PROBLEMS] To provide a washing and drying machine capable of deodorizing, disinfecting and inhibiting mold on laundry such as clothing in a necessary and sufficient operation time, eliminating wasteful electric energy and time, and improving user safety. Realize.
A motor 4 that rotationally drives a washing tub 2, a heat pump unit 12 that heats air in an outer tub 3, a blower unit 9 that pumps and circulates air in a blower path 11, and electrostatic atomization An electrostatic atomizing unit 13 for supplying generated particles and ozone into the outer tub 3, an ozone sensor 15 for detecting the ozone concentration in the air blowing path 11, and a control means for controlling them are provided. The ozone concentration value detected by the ozone sensor 15 is a set value in the electrostatic atomization process in which the electroatomization unit 13 and the air blowing unit 9 are driven to deodorize and disinfect the laundry and suppress the mold in the washing tub 2. This is a washing / drying machine that ends its operation when it becomes larger than the above, and can solve the above problems.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  By supplying ozone and electrostatic atomization particles generated by the discharge device to the washing tub and outer tub, the present invention enables deodorization and sterilization of clothes and accessories, and suppression of mold inside the washing machine, etc. This relates to a washing and drying machine.

  In recent years, there are many products on the market that appeal to the effects of deodorizing and sterilizing clothing and controlling mold in washing machines, and laundry products also deodorize and remove clothing, fabric products, leather products, toys and accessories. 2. Description of the Related Art Washing / drying machines that have a function of killing bacteria and a function of suppressing mold inside a washing machine are on the market. In general, a dedicated course is set in which an object to be treated is put into a washing tub and several tens of minutes are operated.

JP 2009-100895 A

  However, in a washing machine equipped with a conventional discharge device, it is impossible to completely eliminate ozone gas generated during discharge, so control such as limiting the operation time or intermittently operating the discharge device is performed. Have gone. As a result, the original purpose of deodorizing, sterilizing, and mold control is insufficient, or the discharge device is operated intermittently for a long time to obtain a sufficient effect. There are problems such as becoming longer.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and performs deodorizing, sterilizing, and mold suppressing effects on an object in a necessary and sufficient operation time, eliminating wasteful electric energy and time, and user safety. Can also be improved.

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, the washing and drying machine of the present invention is configured to expose clothes / containers contained in a washing tub by exposing electrostatic atomization generated particles generated by discharge to a washing tub and an outer tub. Deodorizing and disinfecting small items and controlling mold in the washing machine, while simultaneously detecting ozone concentration with an ozone sensor (semiconductor sensor) installed in the air flow path, a sufficient effect is required automatically It can be done in a minimum amount of time, eliminating wasted electrical energy and time, and can safely terminate the operation.

  The washing / drying machine of the present invention can automatically detect the ozone concentration inside the washing / drying machine while deodorizing and sterilizing clothes and the like by the electrostatic atomization generating means and suppressing the mold of the washing machine. Thus, by performing a sufficient effect in the minimum necessary time and safely ending the operation, useless electric energy and time can be eliminated and the safety of the user can be improved.

Side view of the washer-dryer according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Rear view of the washer / dryer Perspective view of electrostatic atomizing unit, air blowing unit and heat pump unit of the washing / drying machine Sectional drawing of the principal part showing the configuration around the electrostatic atomization unit of the washing and drying machine Sectional view of the electrostatic atomization unit of the washer / dryer Flow chart of electrostatic atomization course of the washer / dryer Sequence diagram of electrostatic atomization course of the washer / dryer

  A first aspect of the invention is a washing tub for storing laundry such as clothes, an outer tub in which the washing tub is rotatably mounted, a housing that elastically supports the outer tub, and a motor that rotationally drives the washing tub. A water supply means for supplying washing water to the outer tub, a heating means for heating the air in the outer tub, and a ventilation path that allows the air in the outer tub to be circulated via the heating means, A blowing means for pumping and circulating the air in the blowing path; an electrostatic atomization generating means for supplying electrostatic atomization generating particles and ozone provided in the blowing path into the outer tank; An ozone sensor that is provided in the blowing path and detects an ozone concentration in the air flowing in the blowing path, the motor, the water supply means, the heating means, the blowing means, the electrostatic atomization generating means, and the ozone sensor Controlling the driving of the washing process, And a control means for executing an electrostatic atomization process, a drying process, and an electrostatic atomization process, wherein the control means drives the electrostatic atomization generating means and the air blowing means to deodorize and disinfect laundry, and In the electrostatic atomization step of suppressing mold in a washing tub, the washing and drying machine ends operation when an ozone concentration value detected by the ozone sensor becomes larger than a preset value.

  As a result, when it is determined that the ozone concentration has exceeded the preset value, it is automatically determined that the oxidative decomposition of odorous substances, fungi, and mold has been sufficiently performed, and the operation of the electrostatic atomization process is performed. Will be completed, so it will be possible to deodorize and disinfect the clothes placed in the washing tub and suppress mold in the washing and drying machine in the minimum necessary time, eliminating wasted electrical energy and time. Can do.

  In a second aspect based on the first aspect, after the control means determines that the ozone concentration value detected by the ozone sensor has become larger than a preset value in the electrostatic atomization step. The concentration at which the electrostatic atomization generating means is stopped and the operation of the air blowing means and the detection of the ozone sensor are continuously performed so that the ozone concentration value detected by the ozone sensor does not affect a preset human body. By ending the operation at the time when it is determined that it has decreased to the end of the operation of the electrostatic atomization generating means for deodorizing and sterilizing the clothes and the like and suppressing the mold of the washing and drying machine, After judging by ozone concentration, it is controlled to wait for the ozone concentration to reach a preset value below the concentration that does not affect the human body, and then terminate the operation. Because, it is possible to prevent also be exposed to a high concentration of ozone when the user opens the door of the washing and drying machine, it is possible to improve the safety of the user.

(Embodiment 1)
A washing / drying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings for understanding of the present invention. The following description is a specific example of the present invention and does not limit the content of the claims.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the washing / drying machine 1 according to the present embodiment places the washing tub 2 in the outer tub 3 so that the rotation axis direction is horizontal or inclined downward from the horizontal direction toward the rear. is set up. Corresponding to the horizontal arrangement of the washing tub 2 or the inclination shown in the figure, a clothing input port 5 leading to the opening end of the washing tub 2 is formed on the front side of the outer tub 3 and formed on the front side of the washing dryer 1. The laundry can be taken in and out of the washing tub 2 by opening the door 7 that closes the opening provided on the upward inclined surface so as to be openable and closable. Since the door 7 is provided on the upward inclined surface, the work for putting in and out the laundry can be performed without bending the waist.

  In the washing tub 2, a large number of through holes 6 communicating with the outer tub 3 are formed on the peripheral surface, and stirring protrusions (not shown) are provided at a plurality of positions on the inner peripheral surface in the circumferential direction. The washing tub 2 is rotationally driven in the forward and reverse directions by a motor 4 attached to the rear lower side of the outer tub 3. The outer tank 3 is connected with a water injection pipe and a drain pipe, and water is poured into and drained into the outer tank 3 by controlling the water injection valve (water supply means) and the drain valve.

  Further, the washing / drying machine 1 sucks the humid air in the washing tub 2 by the air blowing unit 9 (air blowing means) and guides it through the through holes 6 to the heat pump unit 12 as the heating means, where the air is dehumidified and heated. Is circulated into the washing tub 2 again. As shown in FIG. 4, an electrostatic atomization unit 13 that supplies electrostatic atomization generation particles and ozone into the outer tub 3 and the temperature of the air flowing through the air passage 11 are detected in the air passage 11. A thermistor 14 is provided.

  Further, the washing dryer 1 controls the motor 4, the water injection valve, the drain valve, the blower unit 9, the heat pump unit 12, the electrostatic atomizing unit 13, and the like, so that the washing process, the rinsing process, the drying process, the electrostatic fog Control means (not shown) for performing the conversion step is provided.

  Next, the electrostatic atomization unit 13 (electrostatic atomization generation means) mounted in the washing / drying machine 1 of this Embodiment is demonstrated along FIGS. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the electrostatic atomizing unit 13 is provided at a position downstream of the air blowing unit 9 in the air blowing path 11. As shown in FIG. 3, the electrostatic atomizing unit 13 is fixed to and integrated with the heat pump unit 12 together with the air blowing unit 9 and the thermistor 14, and is disposed in the lower rear part in the washing / drying machine 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the electrostatic atomization unit 13 has a bypass path 83 that branches and merges in two directions inside, and in the bypass path 83, moisture (humidity) in the air is electrostatically fogged. An atomizing discharge block 84 is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the atomizing discharge block 84 constituting the electrostatic atomizing unit 13 includes a discharge electrode 84a, a counter electrode 84b arranged to face the discharge electrode 84a, and water supply means for supplying water to the discharge electrode 84a. 84c and voltage applying means 84d for applying a high voltage between the discharge electrode 84a and the counter electrode 84b, and applying a high voltage between the discharge electrode 84a and the counter electrode 84b by the voltage applying means 84d. The water supplied to the discharge electrode 84a is electrostatically atomized. Here, a negative voltage of 4.85 kV is applied to cause electrostatic atomization, and feedback control is performed so that the discharge current value at that time is about 6 μA.

  In the electrostatic atomization, when a high voltage is applied, the discharge electrode 84a side becomes a negative electrode and charges concentrate, and water attached to the surface of the discharge electrode 84a rises in a cone shape to form a Taylor cone. It is performed by repeating Rayleigh splitting in which water is split and scattered in such a way that the charge concentrates at the tip and becomes high density and is repelled by the repulsive force of this high density charge. At this time, the formation of the Taylor cone is affected by the wettability of the surface of the discharge electrode 84a. If the wettability is low, a predetermined Taylor cone is not formed and electrostatic atomization cannot be performed. It is necessary to secure a predetermined amount.

  The water supply means 84c is provided with a cooling means composed of a Peltier element 84e. The cooling means cools the discharge electrode 84a so that moisture (humidity) in the air is condensed on the surface of the distal end portion of the discharge electrode 84a. It supplies water with Here, the amount of water required for electrostatic atomization is about 0.5 ml / h. The end of the Peltier element 84e on the discharge electrode 84a side is a cooling portion 84f, and the opposite end is a heat dissipation portion 84g. The cooling portion 84f is thermally connected to the discharge electrode 84a, and the heat dissipation portion. 84g is thermally connected to the radiation fin 84h.

  The air flowing in the bypass path 83 of the electrostatic atomizing unit 13 is configured to flow in contact with the heat radiation fins 84h, and this air flow is used for heat dissipation when atomizing discharge is performed. In the case of the Peltier-type atomizing discharge block, the necessary heat radiation amount at the time of atomizing discharge is determined. Therefore, if the fin for heat radiation is determined, the necessary minimum wind speed is determined. In this configuration, 0.5 m / s or more is required, but a sufficient wind speed is secured. By using the air circulating in the air blowing path 11 for heat dissipation, the heat dissipating means that is originally required can be eliminated.

  In addition, an ozone sensor 15 that measures the ozone concentration in the flowing air is provided in the blower path 11, specifically, in the bypass path 83 of the electrostatic atomization unit 13 and in the vicinity upstream of the atomization discharge block 84. ing. The ozone sensor 15 is configured such that a thin film semiconductor is held in contact with a pair of electrodes, and a voltage is applied between the electrodes. A change in resistance value that occurs when ozone gas contacts the surface of the thin film semiconductor ( Change in electrical conductivity). Thereby, the ozone concentration in the air in the bypass path 83 (in the air supply path 11) is quantified.

  Then, the detail of operation | movement and an effect | action in each operation course of the washing / drying machine 1 of this Embodiment is demonstrated.

  The operation course of the washing / drying machine 1 in the present embodiment includes a washing course in which only a washing process is performed, a drying course in which only drying is performed, a washing / drying course in which washing is continuously performed from washing to drying, and deodorization of clothes in the washing tub. There are four types of deodorant courses to perform.

  First, operation | movement and an effect | action of a washing process are demonstrated in order. Control means such as a control board provided on the inner side of the laundry dryer 1 by opening the door 7 and putting laundry and detergent into the washing tub 2 and operating the operation panel provided on the upper part of the front surface of the washing / drying machine 1, for example. When the operation is started through the control according to the above, a predetermined amount of water is injected into the outer tub 3 from the water injection pipe, and the washing tub 2 is driven to rotate by the motor 4 to start the washing process. By the rotation of the washing tub 2, the laundry stored in the washing tub 2 is lifted in the rotation direction by the stirring protrusion provided on the inner peripheral wall of the washing tub 2, and the stirring operation is performed to drop from the lifted appropriate height position Is repeated, so that the laundry has the effect of tapping and washing.

  After the required washing time, the dirty washing liquid is discharged from the drain pipe, and the washing liquid contained in the laundry is squeezed out by a dehydrating operation that rotates the washing tub 2 at a high speed, and then the water injection pipe in the outer tub 3. Rinsing is performed by pouring water from the road. Also in this rinsing step, the laundry stored in the washing tub 2 is repeatedly rinsed by the stirring operation of being lifted and dropped by the stirring protrusions by the rotation of the washing tub 2. When the rinsing process is finished, the water is drained, and the laundry is drained by a dehydrating operation that rotates the washing tub 2 at a high speed, thereby completing the washing process.

  Next, operation | movement and an effect | action of a drying process are demonstrated in order. The door 7 is opened, the laundry is put into the washing tub 2, and the operation by the operation panel provided at the upper part of the front surface of the washing / drying machine 1, for example, is controlled by the control means such as the control board provided inside the door. When the operation is started through, the air in the outer tub 3 is sucked through the air passage 11 by the air blowing unit 9 and is passed through the drying filter 8 to the heat pump unit 12 to be dehumidified and heated to circulate in the outer tub 3. Blow and dry the laundry. In the drying step, the rotation mode and the stationary mode of the washing tub 2 can be selected according to the object to be dried.

  The washing / drying course continuously performed from washing to drying is controlled so that the drying process is sequentially executed after the washing process.

Finally, the operation and action of the electrostatic atomization process in the two electrostatic atomization courses will be sequentially described along the operation flow and sequence shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. First, as shown in FIG. 6 (a), the electrostatic atomization (standard) course is operated by operating the operation panel provided on the upper part of the front surface of the washing / drying machine 1, for example. When selected and started, the operation is started through control by a control means such as a control board provided inside the washing / drying machine 1.

  First, the drying process (operating the blower unit 9 and the heat pump unit 12) described above is performed for a predetermined time (for example, 20 minutes), and the odorous components adhering to the clothing etc. by blowing warm air on the clothing etc. are stored in the washing tub 2. Spread in the air. As a result, the concentration of the odorous substance in the air becomes higher and the deodorizing effect becomes higher.

  Then, the heat pump unit 12 is stopped and an electrostatic atomization process (the air blowing unit 9 and the electrostatic atomization unit 13 are operated) is performed. And the ozone concentration detection by the ozone sensor 15 is performed simultaneously with the start of the operation of the electrostatic atomization unit 13 and the air blowing unit 9. At this time, electrostatically atomized water particles (hereinafter referred to as electrostatic atomized particles) and ozone generated from the electrostatic atomizing unit 13 are sent into the washing tub 2 through the air blowing path 11 and exist in the washing tub 2. Oxidative decomposition of odorous substances, fungi, mold, etc. Due to the oxidation reaction at this time, electrostatic atomized particles and ozone are reduced to harmless components such as moisture and oxygen, and thus are not detected by the ozone sensor 15.

  While the electrostatic atomization particles generated by the electrostatic atomization unit 13 are supplied into the washing tub 2 to deodorize and sterilize clothes and the like, and to suppress mold in the washing machine, the ozone sensor 15 detects the ozone concentration in the washing machine. Is always detected. At the beginning of operation, since the reaction of the electrostatic atomized particles generated by the electrostatic atomizing unit 13 or the ozone gas with the odorous substance, fungus, mold, etc., which are the objects to be oxidized, is actively performed, the ozone concentration inside the washing dryer 1 The rise of is suppressed. However, as the operation time proceeds, odorous substances, fungi, and mold that react with electrostatic atomized particles and ozone gas decrease, and the ozone concentration inside the washing dryer 1 increases. In this way, when the operation is continued and the oxidative decomposition of odorous substances, fungi, mold, etc. is sufficiently performed, the electrostatic atomized particles and the ozone concentration in the washing tub 2 are increased. The concentration is detected.

  When the ozone concentration value T1 by the ozone sensor 15 is larger than the preset ozone concentration value T2, it is automatically determined that the oxidative decomposition of odor, fungus, mold, etc. in the washing tub 2 has been sufficiently performed. The driving is ended.

  Next, in the operation of the electrostatic atomization (solid) course, the ozone concentration value T2 for determining the end of operation in the control of the electrostatic atomization (standard) course is set higher than that of the electrostatic atomization (standard) course. In addition, the electrostatic atomization (solid) course can more securely deodorize and disinfect clothing and the like and suppress mold in the washing tub 2 than the electrostatic atomization (standard) course. However, since the ozone concentration in the washing tub 2 becomes too high in this course, if the operation is stopped immediately, the user may be exposed to high concentration ozone at the moment when the user opens the door 7.

  To prevent this, the electrostatic atomization (solid) course stops the operation of the electrostatic atomization unit 13 when detecting the ozone concentration value T2 for determining the end of the operation, as shown in FIG. 6B. Then, the operation of the blower unit 9 and the detection by the ozone sensor 15 are continuously performed. When it is detected that the ozone concentration value T1 is equal to or lower than the preset ozone concentration value T3 that has no influence on the human body, it is determined that there is no influence of residual ozone on the human body, and the operation is terminated.

  In addition, the operation | movement sequence of the ventilation unit 9, the heat pump unit 12, and the electrostatic atomization unit 13 in said two electrostatic atomization course is as showing in FIG. Further, in the electrostatic atomization course, the drying process is not necessarily a process that must be performed.

  As described above, the washing and drying machine according to the present invention supplies electrostatic atomization generating particles and ozone to the washing tub and the outer tub to deodorize and sterilize the objects in the washing tub and suppress mold in the washing tub. And the effect is that by detecting the ozone concentration in the washing and drying machine, it is judged that the oxidation reaction with the odorous substance, fungus, mold, etc. has been sufficiently performed, and the odorous substance, fungus, mold The necessary effects can be realized in a minimum amount of time regardless of the amount of the etc., such as washing and drying machines that require deodorization and sterilization of clothes and accessories and mold control inside the washing machine, etc. Suitable for household equipment.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Washing / drying machine 2 Washing tub 3 Outer tub 4 Motor 5 Clothes input 6 Through-hole 7 Door 8 Drying filter 9 Blower unit (blower means)
11 Blower path 12 Heat pump unit (heating means)
13 Electrostatic atomization unit (electrostatic atomization generating means)
14 Thermistor 15 Ozone sensor

Claims (2)

A washing tub for storing laundry such as clothes; an outer tub rotatably mounted on the washing tub; a housing for elastically supporting the outer tub; a motor for rotationally driving the washing tub; and the outer tub Water supply means for supplying washing water, heating means for heating the air in the outer tub, a blowing path for allowing the air in the outer tub to be circulated via the heating means, and air in the blowing path An air atomizing means for feeding and circulating the air, an electrostatic atomization generating means for supplying electrostatic atomization generating particles and ozone into the outer tank, and an air atomizing means provided in the air path. An ozone sensor that detects the ozone concentration in the air flowing through the air flow path, and controls the motor, the water supply means, the heating means, the air blowing means, the electrostatic atomization generating means, the drive of the ozone sensor, and the like. Washing process, rinsing process, drying Control means for performing an electrostatic atomization step, and the control means drives the electrostatic atomization generating means and the air blowing means to deodorize and disinfect the laundry and mold the laundry tub. In the electrostatic atomization step of performing suppression, the washing and drying machine ends operation when the ozone concentration value detected by the ozone sensor becomes larger than a preset value. The control means stops the electrostatic atomization generating means after determining that the ozone concentration value detected by the ozone sensor has become larger than a preset value in the electrostatic atomization step, The operation of the blowing means and the detection of the ozone sensor are continuously performed, and the operation is terminated when it is determined that the ozone concentration value detected by the ozone sensor has decreased to a concentration that does not affect the human body set in advance. The washing / drying machine according to claim 1.