JP6074922B2 - Clothing processing equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a clothing processing apparatus for washing, dewatering and / or drying clothing.

  A washing machine that supplies steam to clothes and sterilizes has been developed (see Patent Document 1). The washing machine of patent document 1 heats the water which flows through the inside of a pipe line with a heater, and generates steam. The steam is supplied from a steam generator to a storage tank that stores clothing. As a result, the storage tank is filled with steam.

European Patent No. 1863968

  Water generally contains impurities. If the water evaporates due to the generation of steam, impurities in the water may precipitate. Deposition of impurities in the steam generation system that generates and supplies steam may cause clogging of the steam supply path. Or the heat transfer rate to water may fall as a result of precipitation of an impurity.

  An object of this invention is to provide the clothing processing apparatus which has a structure which can process the impurity in water appropriately.

  A clothing processing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes a storage tank that stores clothing, a steam generator that generates steam to be injected into the storage tank, a heater that heats the steam generator, and the steam. A nozzle that injects into the storage tank; and a guide tube that guides the steam from the steam generator to the nozzle. The guide pipe includes a branch pipe having a parent pipe into which the steam flows, a first pipe toward the nozzle, and a second pipe different from the first pipe. The first pipe includes a portion disposed above a branch portion of the branch pipe.

  According to the said structure, the steam generator heated with the heater generates the vapor | steam injected into the storage tank which accommodates clothing. The steam is injected into the storage tank through the nozzle. As a result, the garment is processed using steam.

  The guide pipe that guides the steam from the steam generator to the nozzle includes a branch pipe having a parent pipe into which the steam flows, a first pipe that goes to the nozzle, and a second pipe that is different from the first pipe. Since the first pipe includes a portion disposed above the branch portion of the branch pipe, the steam is appropriately guided to the nozzle. On the other hand, the impurities are less likely to go to the first pipe due to the gravitational action, and thus go to the second pipe. Impurities are appropriately processed through the second tube.

  In the above configuration, the clothing processing apparatus may include a water supply mechanism that supplies water into the steam generator. The water may flow down through the second pipe while the water supply mechanism performs a continuous water supply operation.

  According to the above configuration, the steam generator is washed if the water supply mechanism performs a continuous water supply operation. Therefore, since the lump of impurities that cause a decrease in heat exchange efficiency is removed from the steam generator, the steam generator can efficiently generate steam. As water flows down through the second pipe, the lump of impurities separated from the steam generator is less likely to go to the nozzle.

  In the above configuration, the first pipe may branch upward from the parent pipe. The second pipe may branch downward from the parent pipe. While the water supply mechanism intermittently supplies the water to the steam generator, the steam may be injected from the nozzle through the parent pipe and the first pipe. While the water supply mechanism continuously supplies the water to the steam generator, the water may flow into the storage tank through the parent pipe and the second pipe.

  According to the above configuration, since the first pipe branches upward from the parent pipe, steam is supplied to the nozzle through the parent pipe and the first pipe while the water supply mechanism intermittently supplies water to the steam generator. Is injected from. As a result, the garment is processed using steam. Since the second pipe branches downward from the parent pipe, water flows into the storage tank through the parent pipe and the second pipe while the water supply mechanism continuously supplies water to the steam generator. As a result, the lump of impurities separated from the steam generator is less likely to clog the nozzle.

  The said structure WHEREIN: The said water supply mechanism may also include the pump which supplies the said water to the said steam generator intermittently or continuously.

  According to the said structure, since a pump supplies water to a steam generator intermittently or continuously, according to operation | movement of a pump, a steam generation and washing | cleaning of a steam generator will be selectively made.

  The said structure WHEREIN: The said storage tank may also contain the rotating drum which has a cylindrical surrounding wall surrounding a rotating shaft, and the water tank which accommodates this rotating drum. The water flowing down through the second pipe may be guided between the rotating drum and the water tank.

  According to the above configuration, the water flowing down through the second pipe is guided between the rotating drum having a cylindrical peripheral wall surrounding the rotating shaft and the water tank containing the rotating drum, so that the lump of impurities contained in the water Contact with clothing is less likely to occur.

  The said structure WHEREIN: The clothing processing apparatus may further be provided with the drainage path for draining from the said storage tank. The water flowing down through the second pipe may be guided to the drainage path.

  According to the above configuration, since the water flowing down through the second pipe is guided to the drainage path, the lump of impurities separated from the steam generator is appropriately discharged from the clothing processing apparatus.

  The said structure WHEREIN: It is preferable that the piping resistance of the said flow path | route which goes to the said 1st pipe | tube from the said parent pipe is smaller than the piping resistance of the said flow path | route going to the said 2nd pipe from the said parent pipe.

  According to the above configuration, since the pipe resistance of the flow path from the parent pipe to the first pipe is smaller than the pipe resistance of the flow path from the parent pipe to the second pipe, most of the steam passes through the parent pipe through the first pipe. Flows into the pipe. Thereafter, the steam is jetted from the nozzle into the storage tank. As a result, the garment is properly processed using steam. On the other hand, the water continuously supplied to the steam generator is strongly subjected to the gravitational action, and therefore flows into the second pipe through the parent pipe. Impurities flow into the storage tank through the parent pipe and the second pipe together with the continuously supplied water. Therefore, the impurities in water will be appropriately treated.

  In the above configuration, it is preferable that a branch angle between the parent tube and the first tube is an obtuse angle, and a branch angle between the parent tube and the second tube is an acute angle.

  According to the above configuration, the branch angle between the parent tube and the first tube is an obtuse angle, and the branch angle between the parent tube and the second tube is an acute angle. The piping resistance of the flowing flow path is smaller than the piping resistance of the flowing path from the parent pipe to the second pipe. Therefore, much of the steam flows into the first pipe through the parent pipe. Thereafter, the steam is jetted from the nozzle into the storage tank. As a result, the garment is properly processed using steam. On the other hand, the water continuously supplied to the steam generator is strongly subjected to the gravitational action, and therefore flows into the second pipe through the parent pipe. Impurities flow into the storage tank through the parent pipe and the second pipe together with the continuously supplied water. Therefore, the impurities in water will be appropriately treated.

  The said structure WHEREIN: After the heating by the said heater is stopped, the said water supply mechanism may perform the said continuous water supply operation | movement.

  According to the above configuration, after the heating by the heater is stopped, the water supply mechanism performs a continuous water supply operation, so that the temperature of the steam generator heated by the heater drops rapidly.

  In the above configuration, the clothing processing apparatus may further include a control unit that controls the heater and the pump. The controller may cause the pump to continuously supply the water to the steam generator after stopping the heating of the steam generator by the heater.

  According to the above configuration, since the control unit causes the pump to continuously supply the water to the steam generator after stopping the heating of the steam generator by the heater, the temperature of the steam generator heated by the heater is Descent rapidly.

  In the above configuration, the clothing processing apparatus may further include a detection unit that detects the temperature of the steam generator. The control unit may cause the pump to continuously supply the water to the steam generator until the temperature detected by the detection unit becomes a predetermined temperature or less.

  According to the above configuration, the detection unit detects the temperature of the steam generator heated by the heater. The control unit causes the pump to continuously supply water to the steam generator until the temperature detected by the detection unit falls below a predetermined temperature, so that the temperature of the steam generator heated by the heater rapidly decreases. .

  The clothing processing apparatus according to the present invention can appropriately treat impurities in water.

It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the washing machine illustrated as a clothing processing apparatus of 1st Embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the washing machine shown in FIG. 1. It is a schematic perspective view of the steam supply mechanism accommodated in the housing of the washing machine shown in FIG. It is a schematic perspective view of the steam generation part of the steam supply mechanism shown by FIG. It is a schematic perspective view of the steam generation part of the steam supply mechanism shown by FIG. It is a schematic perspective view of the attachment part for connecting the cover part and housing | casing of the steam generation part shown by FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B. It is a schematic perspective view of the steam generation part fixed to the housing | casing top wall using the attachment part shown by FIG. It is a schematic perspective view of the steam generation part connected to the 1st reinforcement frame and the 2nd reinforcement frame. It is a schematic perspective view of the steam generator of the steam generation unit shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. It is a schematic perspective view of the steam generator of the steam generation unit shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. It is a schematic perspective view of the main piece of the steam generator shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B. FIG. 9 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the steam generator shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B. It is a schematic perspective view of the cover piece of the steam generator shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view of the main piece shown in FIG. 9. It is the schematic of the water supply mechanism of the steam supply mechanism shown by FIG. It is a schematic rear view of the front part of the storage tub of the washing machine shown in FIG. It is a graph which represents roughly the relationship between the intermittent operation | movement of the pump of the water supply mechanism shown by FIG. 13, and the temperature in chamber space. FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram representing various elements of a washing machine used in a washing process. It is a schematic flowchart showing the control for adjusting the temperature of washing water. It is a graph which represents roughly the change of the temperature of the water supplied to the water tank of the washing machine shown by FIG. It is a schematic timing chart showing the timing of the vapor | steam supply in a spin-drying | dehydration process. It is a schematic timing chart showing the timing of the vapor | steam supply in a spin-drying | dehydration process. It is a schematic timing chart showing the timing of the vapor | steam supply in a spin-drying | dehydration process. It is a schematic perspective view of the washing machine shown in FIG. FIG. 21 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the front wall of the washing machine shown in FIG. 20. It is sectional drawing which represents roughly operation | movement of the locking mechanism of the washing machine shown by FIG. It is sectional drawing which represents roughly operation | movement of the locking mechanism of the washing machine shown by FIG. It is sectional drawing which represents roughly operation | movement of the locking mechanism of the washing machine shown by FIG. It is a block diagram showing roughly control to a door based on temperature of a steam generator shown in Drawing 8B. It is a schematic flowchart of control with respect to a door body. It is a general | schematic expansion | deployment perspective view of the steam generator used for the washing machine illustrated as a clothing processing apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 26 is a schematic perspective view of the steam generator shown in FIG. 25.

  Hereinafter, a washing machine exemplified as a clothing processing apparatus will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the terms such as “up”, “down”, “left”, and “right” used in the following description are merely for the purpose of clarifying the explanation, and the principle of the washing machine is used. It is not limited at all. The principle of the washing machine can also be applied to a device that performs a drying process, a dehydrating process, and other processes on clothes.

<First Embodiment>
<Washing machine>
FIG. 1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a washing machine 100 exemplified as a clothing processing apparatus according to the first embodiment. The washing machine 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The washing machine 100 includes a casing 110 and a storage tank 200 that stores clothes in the casing 110. The storage tank 200 includes a rotary drum 210 having a substantially cylindrical peripheral wall 211 that surrounds the rotation axis RX, and a water tank 220 that stores the rotary drum 210. The storage tank 200 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape surrounding the rotation axis RX. In the washing process described later, the storage tank 200 stores clothes and washing water for washing clothes. In the dehydration process described later, the washing water is drained from the storage tank 200. Thereafter, the rotating drum 210 rotates at a high speed.

  The washing machine 100 includes a hot water heater 160 for heating the washing water. The hot water heater 160 is disposed below the water tank 220. Control using the hot water heater 160 will be described later.

  The case 110 includes a front wall 111 in which an input port 119 for inputting clothes into the storage tub 200 is formed, and a rear wall 112 opposite to the front wall 111. The housing 110 includes a housing top wall 113 that extends substantially horizontally between the front wall 111 and the rear wall 112, and a housing bottom wall 114 on the opposite side of the housing top wall 113. The rotating drum 210 and the water tank 220 are formed with openings 213 and 227 communicating with the charging port 119 formed in the front wall 111, respectively.

  The washing machine 100 further includes a door body 120 attached to the front wall 111. The door body 120 rotates between a closed position that closes the input port 119 formed in the front wall 111 and an open position that opens the input port 119. The user can turn the door 120 to the open position and put the clothes into the storage tub 200 through the insertion port 119 of the front wall 111. Thereafter, the user can move the door 120 to the closed position and cause the washing machine 100 to wash clothes. Note that the door 120 shown in FIG. 1 is in the closed position. The door 120 closes the storage tank 200 in the closed position.

  The rotating drum 210 rotates around a rotation axis RX extending between the front wall 111 and the rear wall 112. The clothes put in the storage tank 200 move in the rotary drum 210 as the rotary drum 210 rotates, and are subjected to various processes such as washing, rinsing and / or dehydration.

  The rotating drum 210 includes a bottom wall 212 facing the door body 120 in the closed position. The water tank 220 includes a bottom 221 that surrounds a part of the bottom wall 212 and the peripheral wall 211 of the rotary drum 210, and a front part 222 that surrounds the other part of the peripheral wall 211 of the rotary drum 210 between the bottom 221 and the door body 120. .

  The storage tank 200 includes a rotating shaft 230 attached to 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 appears between the water tank 220 and the rear wall 112.

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

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

  The washing machine 100 further includes a water supply port 140 connected to a faucet (not shown), and a distribution unit 141 for distributing water introduced through the water supply port 140. The water supply port 140 appears on the housing top wall 113 lying on the storage tank 200. The distribution unit 141 is disposed between the housing top wall 113 and the storage tank 200.

  The washing machine 100 further includes a detergent storage part (not shown) in which the detergent is stored and a steam supply mechanism 300 (described later) that jets steam to the storage tank 200. The distribution unit 141 includes a plurality of water supply valves for selectively supplying water to the storage tank 200, the detergent storage unit, and the steam supply mechanism 300. In addition, in FIG. 1, the water supply path | route to the storage tank 200 and a detergent storage part is not shown. A technique used in a known washing machine is suitably applied to water supply to the storage tank 200 and the detergent storage unit.

  The washing machine 100 includes a main pipe line 180 connected to the water tank 220, a filter unit 181 for filtering water discharged from the water tank 220 through the main pipe line 180, and a circulation connected to a pipe line extending from the filter unit 181. A pump 182, a circulation pipe 183 connected to the circulation pump 182 and the water tank 220, a drain pump 184 connected to a pipe extending from the filter unit 181, and a water tank from the drain pump 184 to the outside of the housing 110. And a drain line 185 for guiding water from 220. If the circulation pump 182 operates, the water discharged from the water tank 220 to the main pipe line 180 is returned to the water tank 220 again. If the drainage pump 184 operates, the water discharged from the water tank 220 to the main pipeline 180 is flowed out of the housing 110.

<Steam supply mechanism>
FIG. 2 is a schematic 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. 2 and 3, the housing 110 is represented by a dotted line. In FIG. 3, the storage tank 200 is not shown. The arrows in FIG. 3 schematically represent the water supply path. The steam supply mechanism 300 is described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the distribution unit 141 includes a first water supply valve 310 used in the steam supply mechanism 300, a second water supply valve 142 that opens and closes a water supply path to the detergent storage unit in which the detergent is stored, and a water tank 220. And a third water supply valve 143 that opens and closes the water supply path to. The water supplied to the detergent container by the opening operation of the second water supply valve 142 is supplied to the container 200 as washing water (water in which the detergent is dissolved). The water directly supplied to the water tank 220 by the opening operation of the third water supply valve 143 adjusts the concentration of the detergent in the washing water in the storage tank 200, adjusts the water level in the storage tank 200, and adjusts the turbidity of the washing water. May be used for

  The steam supply mechanism 300 includes a water storage tank 320 disposed below the storage tank 200 in addition to the first water supply valve 310 described above. The first water supply valve 310 is used to open and close the water supply path to the water storage tank 320. When the first water supply valve 310 is opened, water is supplied from the water supply port 140 to the water storage tank 320. When the first water supply valve 310 is closed, 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 discharged from the pump 330. The pump 330 performs a water supply operation intermittently or continuously to the steam generation unit 400. During the intermittent water supply operation, the pump 330 supplies an appropriate amount of water adjusted so that instantaneous steam generation occurs to the steam generation unit 400. If the pump 330 continuously supplies water to the steam generation unit 400, impurities (scale) contained in the water used for generating steam are washed away from the steam generation unit 400.

  The steam generator 400 is heated to a high temperature in order to generate steam to be injected into the storage tank 200. Since the housing 110 houses the housing tank 200 including the rotating drum 210 that rotates and the steam generator 400 heated to a high temperature, the housing tank 200 and the steam generator 400 are appropriately isolated from the user. The Therefore, the user can operate the washing machine 100 safely.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the steam supply mechanism 300 further includes a steam conduction pipe 340 that extends 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 that surrounds the peripheral wall 211 of the rotating drum 210 and an annular portion 224 that cooperates with the packing structure 130 to form a watertight seal structure. The steam conduction pipe 340 is connected to the peripheral wall part 223. The steam generated by the steam generation unit 400 is supplied to the storage tank 200 through the steam conduction pipe 340. In addition, it is preferable that the vapor | steam conduction pipe | tube 340 is made into a bellows shape so that the vibration at the time of rotating the storage tank 200 may not be transmitted to the steam generation part 400. FIG.

  Since the pump 330 forcibly supplies water from the water storage tank 320 to the steam generator 420 in the steam generation unit 400, the steam generator 420 can be disposed above the water storage tank 320. When water is supplied from the water storage tank 320 to the steam generator 420 without providing the pump 330, the water in the water storage tank 320 must be sent to the steam generator 420 by the action of gravity, so that the steam generator 420 is stored in the water storage tank. It must be placed lower than 320. Compared with this, by arranging the pump 330, water is forcibly supplied from the water storage tank 320 to the steam generator 420 by the pressure of the pump 330, so that the arrangement of the steam generator 420 and the water storage tank 320 is accompanied. It is difficult for the constraints of mutual vertical relationships to occur. Since the degree of freedom increases in the arrangement of the water storage tank 320 and the steam generator 420, the space in the housing 110 can be used effectively.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the steam generator 420 is disposed above the water storage tank 320, but water is supplied from the water storage tank 320 to the steam generator 420 by the pump 330 without any problem.

  If water inadvertently flows into the steam generator due to factors such as accidental failure, steam is generated unnecessarily. However, as a result of the arrangement of the pump 330, the water storage tank 320 can be disposed below the steam generator 420. Even when the pump 330 is stopped due to a malfunction due to a failure and the supply of water to the steam generator 420 cannot be controlled, the water staying in the water tank 320 and the hose connecting the pump 330 and the steam generator 420 is retained. However, it does not flow into the steam generator 420 inadvertently. As described above, when the pump 330 is not provided, the steam generator 420 must be disposed below the water storage tank 320. For example, when a control component such as an on-off valve provided to control the supply of water from the water storage tank 320 to the steam generator 420 fails, the supply of water to the steam generator 420 cannot be controlled, and the action of gravity As a result, water is inadvertently supplied from the water storage tank 320 to the steam generator 420. Compared with this, since the pump 330 is arranged, a situation where water is inadvertently supplied from the water storage tank 320 to the steam generator 420 is avoided.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the steam generator 420 is disposed above the storage tank 200. At this time, the impurities contained in the water supplied to the steam generator 420 are the wall surfaces forming the chamber space 430 such as the outer chamber wall 431, the inner chamber wall 432, the upper surface 429, and the lower surface 434 of the lid piece 424 when vaporized. It adheres to or deposits on. If impurities adhere to or deposit on the wall surface forming the chamber space 430 and accumulate, heat transfer is not properly performed between the wall surface and the supplied water, and evaporation is difficult. However, if the steam generator 420 is disposed above the storage tank 200, the adhered or deposited impurities are discharged or dropped below the steam generator 420 by the action of pressure and gravity during vaporization. . Therefore, the impurities are easily discharged from the chamber space 430 to the storage tank 200. As a result, accumulation of impurities adhered or precipitated in the chamber of the steam generator 420 is prevented. In addition, a reduction in vaporization ability due to the accumulation of impurities is prevented in advance.

  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 rotation axis RX extends along the right wall 115 and the left wall 116 (that is, the rotation axis RX extends substantially parallel to the right wall 115 and the left wall 116).

  In FIG. 2, the vertical plane VP that passes through the rotation axis RX is represented by a one-dot chain line. The water storage tank 320 is disposed in a lower left space of the housing 110 (a space between the vertical plane VP and the left wall 116). The steam generator 420 is disposed in the upper right space of the housing 110 (the space between the vertical plane VP and the right wall 115). As described above, the steam generator 420 and the water storage tank 320 are disposed at substantially symmetrical positions with respect to the central axis (rotation axis RX) of the storage tank 200. In addition, the water tank 320 is disposed near the rear wall 112, while the steam generator 420 is disposed near the front wall 111 rather than the rear wall 112.

  In the case of a general washing machine, a detergent container that accommodates detergent is disposed on one of the left side and the right side in front of the upper part of the housing. The space outside the substantially cylindrical storage tank 200 excluding the position occupied by the detergent storage section is effectively utilized for arranging the water storage tank 320 and the steam generator 420, respectively. For example, if the detergent container is disposed on the left side in front of the upper portion of the housing 110, the water storage tank 320 is disposed on the lower left side of the housing 110 as shown in FIG. 2. At this time, if the steam generator 420 is disposed in front of the upper right side of the housing 110, the internal space between the inner surface of the substantially rectangular box-shaped housing 110 and the outer surface of the substantially cylindrical storage tank 200 is: The storage tank 320 and the steam generator 420 are effectively used for the arrangement. As a result, the water tank 320 and the steam generator 420 may be designed to be as large as possible within the allowed space.

  Further, when the detergent container is in the position as described above, the water storage tank 320 is disposed at a position substantially symmetrical to the detergent container with respect to the central axis (rotation axis RX) of the container tank 200, and steam is generated. If the container 420 is disposed at a position substantially symmetrical to the water storage tank 320 with respect to the horizontal plane HP including the rotation axis RX of the storage tank 200, the space inside the housing 110 is effectively utilized as described above. .

  Further, when the detergent container is in the above-described position, the steam generator 420 may be disposed above the water tank 320 if the water tank 320 is disposed below the detergent container. At this time, the steam generator 420 may be disposed at a position substantially symmetrical to the water storage tank 320 with respect to a vertical plane including the rotation axis RX of the storage tank 200. As a result, the space inside the housing 110 is effectively utilized as described above.

  Further, when the rotation axis RX of the storage tank 200 is inclined in the front-rear direction of the housing 110 (for example, the rotation axis RX of the rotation drum 210 is inclined upward from the rear wall 112 toward the front wall 111). In such a case, the water storage tank 320 and the steam generator 420 may be arranged at substantially symmetrical positions with respect to the rotation axis RX of the storage tank 200 or the horizontal plane HP including the rotation axis RX. If the water storage tank 320 and the steam generator 420 are disposed at a position that is substantially symmetrical with respect to a vertical plane that passes through the approximate center in the front-rear direction of the casing 110, the space between the inner surface of the casing 110 and the outer surface of the storage tank 200 is reduced. The internal space is effectively utilized for arranging the water storage tank 320 and the steam generator 420.

  4A and 4B are schematic perspective views of the steam generation unit 400. FIG. The steam generator 400 is described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 4B.

  The steam generation unit 400 includes a case 410 having a substantially rectangular box shape, and a steam generator 420 surrounded by the case 410. The case 410 includes a container part 411 for housing the steam generator 420 and a lid part 412 that closes the container part 411.

  The steam generator 420 is connected to the pump 330 using a connection pipe 421 and a tube (not shown). Further, the steam generator 420 is connected to the steam conduction pipe 340 using the exhaust pipe 422. The container part 411 includes a bottom wall part 414 in which an opening 413 is formed. The connection pipe 421 and the exhaust pipe 422 protrude downward through the opening 413.

<Mounting structure to the housing>
FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the attachment portion 150 attached to the lid portion 412. The attachment part 150 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 5.

  The lid 412 includes a substantially rectangular upper wall 415, a lid peripheral wall 416 that protrudes downward from the edge of the upper wall 415, and a protruding piece 417 that protrudes forward from the lid peripheral wall 416. The washing machine 100 includes an attachment portion 150 that is attached to the lid portion 412. The mounting portion 150 includes a first mounting piece 151 fixed to the upper wall 415 and a second mounting piece 152 fixed to the protruding piece 417. The first attachment piece 151 and the second attachment piece 152 protrude upward from the lid portion 412.

  The first attachment piece 151 includes a first connection plate 153 connected to the upper wall 415, a first upright plate 154 protruding upward from the first connection plate 153, and a pair protruding rightward from the first upright plate 154. First engaging piece 155. The second mounting piece 152 includes a second connecting plate 156 connected to the protruding piece 417, a second upright plate 157 protruding upward from the second connecting plate 156, and a second protruding forward from the second upright plate 157. Engaging piece 158.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of the steam generation unit 400 fixed to the housing top wall 113 using the attachment unit 150. The attachment of the steam generation unit 400 to the housing top wall 113 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 6.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the housing 110 includes a first reinforcement frame 117 disposed along the upper edge of the right wall 115 and a second reinforcement frame 118 disposed along the upper edge of the front wall 111. And further comprising.

  As shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of openings 171 are formed in the first reinforcing frame 117. The first engagement piece 155 of the first attachment piece 151 is inserted into the opening 171. As a result, the first attachment piece 151 is engaged with the first reinforcement frame 117.

  The first attachment piece 151 includes a plurality of first fins 159 formed at corners between the first connection plate 153 and the first upright plate 154. Since most of the heat of the steam generating unit 400 is radiated through the first fins 159, the amount of heat transmitted to the first reinforcing frame 117 and the case ceiling wall 113 is reduced.

  An opening is also formed in the second reinforcing frame 118. As shown in FIG. 6, the second engagement piece 158 of the second attachment piece 152 is inserted into the opening of the second reinforcement frame 118. As a result, the second attachment piece 152 is engaged with the second reinforcing frame 118. As a result, the steam generating unit 400 is fixed to the housing top wall 113 by the first mounting piece 151 and the second mounting piece 152. The steam generator 400 is separated from the housing top wall 113 by a first upright plate 154 and a second upright plate 157 that are erected upward. As a result, an air layer exists between the lid portion 412 and the housing top wall 113. Therefore, the heat transfer from the steam generation part 400 to the housing top wall 113 is alleviated.

  The protruding piece 417 to which the second connection plate 156 of the second mounting piece 152 is connected includes a plurality of second fins 418 protruding downward. Since most of the heat of the steam generating unit 400 is radiated through the second fins 418, the amount of heat transmitted to the second connection plate 156 is reduced. The second upright plate 157 is narrower than the second connection plate 156. Therefore, the amount of heat conducted from the second connection plate 156 to the second upright plate 157 is reduced. As a result, the amount of heat transferred to the second reinforcing frame 118 and the case ceiling wall 113 via the second upright plate 157 is reduced.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of the steam generating unit 400 connected to the first reinforcing frame 117 and the second reinforcing frame 118. The attachment of the steam generation unit 400 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 7, the outer contour of the housing 110 is represented using a one-dot chain line. The first reinforcing frame 117 includes an outer edge 172 close to the right wall 115 extending downward from the housing top wall 113, and an inner edge 173 farther from the right wall 115 than the outer edge 172. The first reinforcing frame 117 further includes a rib 174 extending downward from the inner edge 173. The opening 171 described above is formed in the rib 174. The first engagement piece 155 of the first attachment piece 151 is inserted into the opening 171 and protrudes toward the right wall 115. The first attachment piece 151 is connected along the right edge of the lid portion 412. Therefore, the steam generation unit 400 is appropriately separated from the right wall 115 of the housing 110 by the first attachment piece 151. As a result, heat transfer from the steam generator 400 to the right wall 115 is alleviated.

  A front wall 111 adjacent to the right wall 115 extends downward from the housing top wall 113. The second mounting piece 152 suspended from the second reinforcing frame 118 is curved in the direction opposite to the front wall 111 and is connected to the steam generating unit 400. Therefore, the steam generator 400 is appropriately separated from the front wall 111 of the housing 110 by the second mounting piece 152. Thus, the steam generation unit 400 is held by the mounting unit 150 away from the housing 110.

<Steam generator>
8A and 8B are schematic perspective views of the steam generator 420. The steam generator 420 is described with reference to FIGS. 8A and 8B.

  The steam generator 420 includes a substantially rectangular main piece 423, a lid piece 424 provided on the main piece 423, and a linear heater 425 provided on the main piece 423. In the present embodiment, the main piece 423 and the lid piece 424 are made of aluminum. Therefore, the main piece 423 and the lid piece 424 are appropriately heated by the heater 425.

  The steam generator 420 further includes a thermistor 426 that detects the temperature of the steam generator 420. In addition to the connection pipe 421, the exhaust pipe 422 and the heater 425, the thermistor 426 is also attached to the main piece 423. The heater 425 is controlled by temperature information obtained by the thermistor 426 using the thermistor 426. Therefore, the temperature of the main piece 423 and the lid piece 424 is kept substantially constant. The same effect can be obtained by using a thermostat that controls on / off of the heater 425 at a predetermined temperature instead of the thermistor 426. In the present embodiment, the thermistor 426 is exemplified as the detection unit.

  FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view of the main piece 423. The main piece 423 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8B and 9.

  The main piece 423 includes a main piece lower surface 427 to which the connection pipe 421, the exhaust pipe 422 and the thermistor 426 are attached, a peripheral surface 428 on which the heater 425 is disposed, and an upper surface 429 on the opposite side of the main piece lower surface 427. Including. The main piece 423 is erected from the upper surface 429 toward the lid piece 424, and has an outer chamber wall 431 that defines a substantially triangular chamber space 430, and a substantially J shape that defines a flow path for steam in the chamber space 430. And an inner chamber wall 432.

  FIG. 10 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the steam generator 420. FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view of the lid piece 424. The steam generator 420 is described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 8B to 11.

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

  The lid piece 424 includes a lower surface 434 facing the main piece 423, and an outer shield wall 435 having substantially the same shape as the outer chamber wall 431. The lid piece 424 is pressed against the main piece 423. As a result, the outer shield wall 435 compresses the packing ring 433 and keeps the chamber space 430 airtight.

  The main piece 423 is formed with an inflow port 437 through which water supplied through the connection pipe 421 flows into the chamber space 430. An inflow port 437 formed substantially at the center of the chamber space 430 is surrounded by the inner chamber wall 432. If the pump 330 supplies a predetermined amount of water to the steam generator 420, the water is injected upward through the connection pipe 421 and the inlet 437. As a result, the water collides with 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 lid piece 424 positioned above the inflow port 437. The steam generator 420 is heated by a heater 425 (eg, about 200 ° C.) and has high thermal energy. The pump 330 that performs intermittent water supply operation supplies an appropriate amount of water to the heat energy of the steam generator 420 (for example, about 2 cc / time). As a result, the water emitted upward from the inlet 437 evaporates instantaneously.

  As a result of the instantaneous evaporation of water, the internal pressure of the chamber space 430 increases rapidly. As a result, even if impurities contained in the water supplied to the steam generator 420 adhere or deposit on the wall surface forming the chamber space 430 during vaporization, the adhered or precipitated impurities are affected by the pressure during vaporization. It is easily discharged out of the chamber space 430.

  FIG. 12 is a schematic plan view of the main piece 423. The main piece 423 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8B and 12.

  The heater 425 extends along a substantially U-shaped path in the main piece 423. As a result, the heater 425 surrounds the inflow port 437 to which the connection 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 emitted through the inlet 437 evaporates instantaneously.

  Since the substantially J-shaped inner chamber wall 432 extends within the chamber space 430 defined by the outer chamber wall 431, the chamber space 430 describes a spiral flow path. The main piece 423 has an exhaust port 438 formed at the end of the flow path. The vapor generated in the space surrounded by the inner chamber wall 432 moves toward the exhaust port 438 as the internal pressure of the chamber space 430 increases. An exhaust pipe 422 is attached to the exhaust port 438. The steam that has reached 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 steam generated in the space surrounded by the inner chamber wall 432 moves toward the exhaust pipe 422 while being heated. Therefore, high-temperature steam is exhausted.

  Since the steam generator 420 emits water to the heated wall surface and instantly evaporates it, less power is required to generate the same amount of steam compared to the prior art that generates steam with a heater immersed in water. That's it.

<Water supply mechanism>
FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of the water supply mechanism 500. The water supply mechanism 500 is demonstrated using FIG.

  A water supply mechanism 500 that emits water to the chamber space 430 of the steam generator 420 includes the first water supply valve 310, the water storage tank 320, the pump 330, and the connection pipe 421. The water supply mechanism 500 further includes a water level sensor 321 for measuring the water level stored in the water storage tank 320. The first water supply valve 310 may 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.

  The first water supply valve 310 may be controlled according to the operation time and / or operation pattern of the pump 330 (intermittent water supply operation and / or continuous water supply operation). For example, the amount of water supplied from the first water supply valve 310 may be adjusted so that the water storage tank 320 becomes empty when the operation of the pump 330 is completed. As a result, the water in the water storage tank 320 is hardly frozen.

  The pump 330 supplies the 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 water emitted into the chamber space 430 is instantly evaporated.

  As a result of the evaporation of water in the chamber space 430, impurities contained in the water may be deposited in the chamber space 430. The continuous water supply operation of the pump 330 is adjusted so that water flows into the chamber space 430 at a flow rate sufficient to sweep away accumulated impurities.

  The exhaust pipe 422 is connected to the steam conduction pipe 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 enter the storage tank 200 through the exhaust pipe 422 and the steam conduction pipe 340. Inflow.

<Supply of steam and water to the storage tank>
FIG. 14 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, 13, and 14.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the annular portion 224 of the front portion 222 includes an inner surface 225 that faces the rotating drum 210 and an outer surface 226 that faces the front wall 111 of the housing 110. FIG. 14 mainly shows the inner surface 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 tube 353 that connects the branch pipe 351 and the nozzle 352. The steam conduction pipe 340 is connected to the branch pipe 351 through the peripheral wall portion 223.

  The steam generated in the chamber space 430 of the steam generator 420 flows into the steam conducting pipe 340 through the exhaust pipe 422 as the pressure in the chamber space 430 increases. Thereafter, the steam reaches the branch pipe 351 from the steam conduction pipe 340. The nozzle 352 is disposed above the branch pipe 351. Since the steam reaching the branch pipe 351 is high temperature, it is guided to the steam tube 353 and reaches the nozzle 352. Eventually, the steam is jetted downward from the nozzle 352. As a result, the steam is sprayed directly on the clothes stored in the storage tank 200 through the opening 213 of the rotary drum 210. In the present embodiment, the exhaust pipe 422, the steam conduction pipe 340, the branch pipe 351, and the steam tube 353 guide the steam generated in the chamber space 430 to the nozzle 352. Therefore, the exhaust pipe 422, the steam conducting pipe 340, the branch pipe 351, and the steam tube 353 are exemplified as guide pipes that define the flow path of steam between the steam generator 420 and the nozzle 352.

  As described above, the pump 330 that performs the intermittent water supply operation emits an appropriate amount of water to the high-temperature chamber space 430, so that the water evaporates instantaneously. As a result, the internal pressure of the chamber space 430 increases rapidly. Therefore, the steam is injected from the nozzle 352 at a high pressure, and traverses the internal space of the storage tank 200 up and down. Clothing tends to gather near the lower end of the rotating drum 210 due to gravity. Since the vapor | steam sprayed from the nozzle 352 attached to the upper part of the storage tank 200 reaches | attains the lower end vicinity of the rotating drum 210, a vapor | steam will be efficiently supplied to clothing.

  The branch pipe 351 includes a parent pipe 354 connected to the steam conducting pipe 340, an upper pipe 355 bent upward from the parent pipe 354, and a lower pipe 356 bent downward from the parent pipe 354. The upper tube 355 is located above the branch point of the branch tube 351. Steam or water flows into the parent pipe 354 through the steam conducting pipe 340. The upper tube 355 is connected to the steam tube 353, and defines an upward path for the steam toward the nozzle 352. In the present embodiment, the upper tube 355 and the steam tube 353 are exemplified as the first tube.

  Unlike the upper tube 355, the lower tube 356 defines a downward path. While the pump 330 performs a continuous water supply operation, the water that flows into the branch pipe 351 through the steam conducting pipe 340 flows down through the lower pipe 356 by gravity. In the present embodiment, the lower tube 356 is exemplified as the second tube.

  FIG. 14 shows the included angle θ <b> 1 between the parent tube 354 and the upper child tube 355. FIG. 14 also shows the included angle θ <b> 2 between the parent tube 354 and the lower child tube 356. The included angle θ1 is an obtuse angle, while the included angle θ2 is an acute angle. Since the included angle θ2 is an acute angle, the piping loss from the parent tube 354 to the lower tube 356 is relatively large. Therefore, the steam that has flowed into the parent pipe 354 hardly flows to the lower child pipe 356 and flows mainly to the upper child pipe 355. On the other hand, since the upper tube 355 defines an upward flow path, the water flowing into the parent tube 354 hardly flows to the upper tube 355 and mainly flows to the lower tube 356 due to the action of gravity. Therefore, the flow path of steam and the flow path of water are appropriately separated.

  The water that has flowed into the lower tube 356 flows down by gravity. As a result, it is guided between the rotating drum 210 and the water tank 220. The scale contained in the water flowing into the lower tube 356 is then discharged out of the housing 110 through the drain pipe 185. In the present embodiment, the drain pipe 185 is exemplified as a drain path.

<Intermittent pump operation>
FIG. 15 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. 10, 13, and 15.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the period during which the pump 330 is operating (ON period) is set shorter than the period during which the pump 330 is stopped (OFF period). As a result, an appropriate amount of water is emitted into the chamber space 430.

  In the ON period, a predetermined amount of water is supplied to the chamber space 430. As a result, water evaporates and becomes steam. The temperature of the chamber space 430 temporarily decreases due to the heat of vaporization caused by the phase change from water to steam. As described above, since the OFF period is set to be relatively long, the heater 425 can sufficiently raise the temperature of the chamber space 430 during the OFF period. Therefore, high-pressure steam continues to be supplied to the storage tank 200 while the pump 330 is intermittently operated. In particular, the chamber space 430 is sufficiently heated during the OFF period, and an appropriate amount of water that instantaneously evaporates is supplied to the thermal energy of the steam generator 420 including the chamber space 430 during the ON period ( For example, about 2 cc / time), the high-pressure steam is continuously supplied to the storage tank 200.

<Use of steam in the washing process>
FIG. 16 is a schematic block diagram showing various elements of the washing machine 100 used in the washing process. The operation of the washing machine 100 in the washing process will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The washing machine 100 includes a control unit 122, a water temperature detection unit 161, and a water level detection unit 162 in addition to the distribution unit 141, the hot water heater 160, and the heater 425. The water temperature detector 161 detects the temperature of the washing water stored in the storage tub 200. An example of the water temperature detector 161 is a temperature sensor (not shown) attached to the water tank 220. The water level detection unit 162 detects the water level of the washing water in the storage tub 200. The water level detection unit 162 includes a water level sensor (not shown) attached to the water tank 220, a second water supply valve 142 and / or a flow meter and a second water supply valve attached to a path from the third water supply valve 143 to the water tank 220. 142 and / or a timer that counts from the opening time of the third water supply valve 143 may be used.

  The control unit 122 controls the distribution unit 141, opens the second water supply valve 142 and the third water supply valve 143, and supplies washing water to the storage tank 200. During this time, the controller 122 may heat the steam generator 420 under feedback control between the thermistor 426 and the heater 425.

  The water level detection unit 162 outputs a detection signal including information on the water level of the washing water in the storage tub 200 to the control unit 122. Based on the detection signal from the water level detection unit 162, the control unit 122 determines whether the hot water heater 160 is immersed in the wash water. If the hot water heater 160 is immersed in the washing water, the control unit 122 operates the hot water heater 160.

  The water temperature detection unit 161 outputs a detection signal including information on the temperature of the washing water in the storage tub 200 to the control unit 122. The control unit 122 determines whether the washing water has reached a predetermined temperature based on the detection signal from the water temperature detection unit 161. If the washing water has reached a predetermined temperature, the hot water heater 160 is stopped. Thereafter, the control unit 122 operates the pump 330 (steam supply mechanism 300: water supply mechanism 500). While the pump 330 is operating, the control unit 122 supplies water to the water storage tank 320 as necessary under feedback control of the water level sensor 321 and the first water supply valve 310.

  FIG. 17 is a schematic flowchart showing the control for adjusting the temperature of the washing water. The control for adjusting the temperature of the washing water will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 15 to 17.

(Step S110)
In step S <b> 110, the control unit 122 opens the second water supply valve 142 and / or the third water supply valve 143 to supply water to the storage tank 200. Thereafter, step S120 is executed.

(Step S120)
The control unit 122 stores in advance information related to the threshold value “LTH” determined for the water level of the washing water in the storage tub 200. In step S <b> 120, the control unit 122 uses the detection signal output from the water level detection unit 162 to compare the washing water level in the storage tub 200 with the threshold “LTH”. If the water level of the washing water exceeds the threshold “LTH”, step S130 is executed. In other cases, step S110 is executed. If the water level of the washing water exceeds the threshold value “LTH”, the threshold value “LTH” is appropriately determined so that the warm water heater 160 is immersed in the washing water.

(Step S130)
In step S130, the control unit 122 operates the hot water heater 160. As a result, the wash water is heated rapidly. When heating of the washing water is started, step S140 is executed.

(Step S140)
The control unit 122 stores in advance information related to the threshold value “TTH” determined for the temperature of the washing water in the storage tub 200. In step S <b> 140, the control unit 122 compares the water temperature of the washing water in the storage tub 200 with the threshold “TTH” using the detection signal output from the water temperature detection unit 161. If the water temperature of the washing water exceeds the threshold “TTH”, step S150 is executed. In other cases, step S130 is executed.

(Step S150)
In step S150, the control unit 122 stops the hot water heater 160. Thereafter, step S160 is executed.

(Step S160)
In step S160, the control unit 122 operates the pump 330. The operation of the pump 330 in step S160 is an intermittent type as described with reference to FIG. The pump 330 may continue to operate intermittently until the washing process ends.

  FIG. 18 is a graph schematically showing a change in the temperature of the water supplied to the water tank 220 in the washing step. The effect of the steam used in the washing process will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 10, 13 and 18.

  As shown in FIG. 18, when the washing process is started, water is supplied to the water tank 220. During this time, the temperature of the water contained in the clothes in the water tank 220 is substantially constant. Thereafter, the water in the water tank 220 is heated using the hot water heater 160. Since the hot water heater 160 generates a large amount of heat, the temperature of the water contained in the clothes in the water tank 220 rises rapidly. Thereafter, when a predetermined temperature is reached, heating of water in the water tank 220 is stopped.

  In FIG. 18, a dotted line after stopping heating represents a change in the temperature of water contained in the clothing when heating by the hot water heater 160 is stopped and no steam is supplied. The solid line after stopping the heating represents a change in the temperature of the water contained in the clothing when the heating by the hot water heater 160 is stopped and the steam is supplied to the storage tank 200.

  As described above, the steam supplied to the storage tank 200 has a high temperature and is directly supplied to the clothing, so that the temperature drop of the water contained in the clothing in the water tank 220 is alleviated. 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 insulation of the water in the water tank 220 using the hot water heater 160, the heat insulation by the steam supply can achieve a small amount of power consumption. Therefore, the pump 330 preferably performs an intermittent water supply operation after the hot water heater 160 is stopped.

<Use of steam in the dehydration process>
The effect of the steam used in the dehydration process will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In the dehydration process, the rotary drum 210 is rotated at a high speed. As shown in FIG. 1, a large number of small holes 219 are formed in the peripheral wall 211 of the rotary drum 210. The clothing housed in the rotating drum 210 is pressed against the peripheral wall 211 by the centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the rotating drum 210. As a result, moisture contained in the clothing is released out of the rotating drum 210 through the small holes 219. Thus, the garment is properly dehydrated.

  The dehydrated clothing fibers tend to hydrogen bond with each other. The hydrogen bonds between the fibers result in clothing folds. If steam is supplied into the rotating drum 210, the steam breaks hydrogen bonds between the fibers. As a result, clothing wrinkles are reduced. Therefore, it is preferable that the pump 330 performs an intermittent water supply operation while the garment undergoes a dehydration process. As a result of the intermittent water supply operation, steam is injected into the rotating drum 210 from the nozzle 352 at a high pressure. As described above, the steam sprayed from the nozzle 352 crosses the storage tank 200, so that the steam sticks to the peripheral wall 211 and is uniformly sprayed on the rotating clothing. As a result, wrinkles are less likely to occur over the entire clothing in the rotating drum 210.

  19A to 19C are schematic timing charts showing the timing of supplying steam during the dehydration process. The timing of supplying steam is described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 19A to 19C.

  As shown in FIG. 19A, the steam supply mechanism 300 may start supplying steam after a predetermined period (T1) has elapsed from the start of the dehydration process. In this case, since the garment contains less moisture, the garment is efficiently moistened by the heat of steam and moisture. As shown in FIGS. 19B and 19C, 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 garment is raised at the initial stage of the dehydration process, the garment is effectively wetted at a high temperature. As shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B, the steam supply mechanism 300 may supply steam during a part of the dehydration process. As shown in FIG. 19C, 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.

<Control for door>
FIG. 20 is a schematic perspective view of the washing machine 100. The control structure for the door 120 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 20.

  Unlike the door body 120 shown in FIG. 1, the door body 120 shown in FIG. 20 is in an open position where the insertion port 119 is opened. The washing machine 100 includes a lock mechanism 121 that locks the door body 120 in the closed position. The door 120 in the closed position closes the storage tank 200 as shown in FIG.

  The lock mechanism 121 includes a hook portion 123 attached to the door body 120. A lock hole 124 formed corresponding to the hook portion 123 is formed in the front wall 111 of the housing 110. While the door body 120 is in the closed position, the hook portion 123 is inserted into the lock hole 124.

  FIG. 21 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the front wall 111 around the lock hole 124. The lock mechanism 121 is further described with reference to FIGS. 20 and 21.

  The lock mechanism 121 includes a lock box 125 that forms a lock hole 124 in cooperation with the front wall 111. The lock box 125 includes a lock casing 126 attached to the front wall 111 and a lock piece 127 disposed in the lock casing 126. The lock piece 127 moves up and down within the lock casing 126.

  22A to 22C are cross-sectional views schematically showing the operation of the lock mechanism 121. The operation of the lock mechanism 121 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 20 to 22C.

  The lock piece 127 shown in FIGS. 21 and 22A exists at the upper end position of the movement stroke of the lock piece 127. The lock piece 127 is formed with a recess 128 communicating with the lock hole 124 at the upper end position.

  While the door body 120 is in the open position (see FIG. 20), the lock piece 127 is in the upper end position. When the door body 120 subsequently moves to the closed position, the hook portion 123 is inserted into the recess 128 through the lock hole 124. As shown in FIGS. 22B and 22C, when the lock piece 127 is displaced downward, the hook portion 123 engages with the lock casing 126 attached to the front wall 111. Thereafter, when the lock piece 127 is displaced upward, the engagement between the hook portion 123 and the lock casing 126 is released.

  FIG. 23 is a block diagram schematically showing a control structure for door 120 based on the temperature of steam generator 420. The control with respect to the door body 120 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 8B, and 22A to 23.

  The thermistor 426 described with reference to FIG. 8B detects the temperature of the main piece 423. The thermistor 426 outputs a detection signal corresponding to the detected temperature to the control unit 122.

  The control unit 122 keeps the door 120 locked by the lock mechanism 121 until the detection signal output from the thermistor 426 indicates a temperature equal to or lower than a predetermined value. As a result, the internal space of the storage tank 200 is isolated from the outside until the steam generator 420 becomes a predetermined temperature or lower. Therefore, the washing machine 100 becomes very safe.

  FIG. 24 is a schematic flowchart of control for the door body 120 based on the temperature of the steam generator 420. The control with respect to the door body 120 is demonstrated using FIG.13, FIG.15, FIG.23 and FIG.

(Step S210)
When the process for the clothing using steam such as the washing process and the dehydrating process is completed, step S210 is executed. The door 120 is locked by the lock mechanism 121 while clothing using steam is being processed.

  In step S <b> 210, the control unit 122 stops heating the steam generator 420 by the heater 425. Step S220 is performed after the heater 425 stops heating the steam generator 420 under the control of the control unit 122.

(Step S220)
The water level sensor 321 described with reference to FIG. 13 detects the water level in the water storage tank 320. The water level sensor 321 outputs a detection signal including information on the water level in the water storage tank 320 to the control unit 122.

  In step S <b> 220, the control unit 122 determines whether or not a sufficient amount of water for cooling the steam generator 420 is stored in the water storage tank 320 based on the detection signal from the water level sensor 321. If the amount of water in the water storage tank 320 is insufficient, step S230 is executed. In other cases, step S240 is executed.

(Step S230)
In step S230, the control unit 122 opens the first water supply valve 310. As a result, the water storage tank 320 can store water supplied to the steam generator 420. Thereafter, step S220 is executed again.

(Step S240)
In step S240, the control unit 122 closes the first water supply valve 310. Thereafter, step S250 is executed.

(Step S250)
In step S250, the control unit 122 controls the pump 330 to continuously supply water to the steam generator 420. As a result, the steam generator 420 is rapidly cooled. Thereafter, step S260 is executed.

(Step S260)
The control unit 122 stores in advance a threshold value “OTH” determined for the temperature of the steam generator 420. In step S260, the control unit 122 compares the temperature of the steam generator 420 indicated by the detection signal from the thermistor 426 with the threshold “OTH”. If the temperature of the steam generator 420 exceeds the threshold “OTH”, step S250 is executed again. In other cases, step S270 is executed. Therefore, the pump 330 continues to supply water continuously to the steam generator 420 under the control of the control unit 122 until the temperature of the steam generator 420 becomes equal to or lower than the threshold value “OTH”.

  Before step S210 (that is, while the heater 425 is heating the steam generator 420 under the control of the control unit 122), the pump 330 performs the intermittent water supply operation described with reference to FIG. . In step S260, the operation of the pump 330 is switched to a continuous water supply operation.

(Step S270)
In step S <b> 270, the control unit 122 controls the pump 330 and stops continuous water supply to the steam generator 420. The pump 330 may continue to operate until the water in the water storage tank 320 is almost completely consumed. Step S280 is performed after the continuous supply of water to the steam generator 420 is stopped.

(Step S280)
In step S280, the control unit 122 controls the lock mechanism 121 to release the lock of the door body 120. Thus, the control unit 122 can appropriately control the timing of unlocking by the lock mechanism 121 according to the temperature detected by the thermistor 426.

Second Embodiment
FIG. 25 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a steam generator 420A used in the washing machine exemplified as the clothing processing apparatus according to the 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. Except for the following differences, the description of the first embodiment is applied to the washing machine of the second embodiment. Moreover, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected with respect to the element same as 1st Embodiment. Therefore, the description of the first embodiment is also applied to elements having the same reference numerals.

  The steam generator 420A includes a main piece 423A, a lid piece 424A, and a packing ring 433 sandwiched between the main piece 423A and the lid piece 424A. Unlike the main piece 423 described in relation to the first embodiment, no heater is attached to the main piece 423A. On the other hand, a heater 425A is attached to the lid piece 424A.

  FIG. 26 is a schematic perspective view of the lid piece 424A. The mounting structure of the heater 425A will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The lid piece 424A includes an inner shield wall 436 surrounded by an outer shield wall 435. The inner shield wall 436 has substantially the same shape as the inner chamber wall 432 of the main piece 423A. The inner shield wall 436 overlaps the inner chamber wall 432. As a result, a spiral flow path is formed in the chamber space 430. Since the area of the lower surface 434 surrounded by the inner shield wall 436 faces the inflow port 437 formed in the main piece 423A, it will be referred to as “opposing area 439” in the following description. The heater 425A is attached in the lid piece 424A so as to surround the facing region 439. If the flow rate of the water is adjusted so that the water flowing in from the inflow port 437 reaches the lid piece 424A, the opposing region 439 is particularly hot, so that instantaneous evaporation is achieved.

  The present invention is suitably used for an apparatus for processing clothing using steam.

100 ... Washing machine 122 ... Control unit 200 ... Storage tank 330 ... ·········································· Pump 340 ··········· Steam conducting tube 351 ··· ······························ Steam tube 354 ... Master tube 355 ... Upper tube 356 ... .. Lower tube 420, 420A ... Steam generator 422 ... Exhaust tube 425, 425A ... Heater 426 ... ..Thermistor

Claims (10)

A storage tank which clothes Ru is accommodated,
A steam generator for generating steam to be injected into the storage tank,
A heater for heating the steam generator,
A nozzle for injecting the vapor into the storage tank;
A guide tube for guiding the steam from the steam generator to the nozzle;
A water supply mechanism for supplying water into the steam generator ,
The guide tube may include a parent pipe in which the vapor flows, the first tube toward the nozzle, the branch pipes having a different second tube from said first tube,
Said first tube, seen including a portion disposed above the bifurcation of the branch pipe,
The clothing processing apparatus in which the water flows down through the second pipe while the water supply mechanism performs a continuous water supply operation . The clothing processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the water supply mechanism performs the continuous water supply operation after heating by the heater is stopped . The first pipe branches upward from the parent pipe,
The second pipe branches downward from the parent pipe,
While the water supply mechanism intermittently supplies the water to the steam generator, the steam is injected from the nozzle through the parent pipe and the first pipe,
While the water supply mechanism continuously supplies the water to the steam generator, the water flows into the storage tank through the parent pipe and the second pipe.
The clothing processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. The water supply mechanism includes a pump that intermittently or continuously supplies the water to the steam generator.
The clothing processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 . The storage tank includes a rotary drum having a cylindrical peripheral wall surrounding a rotation shaft, and a water tank for storing the rotary drum,
The clothing processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the water flowing down through the second pipe is guided between the rotating drum and the water tank. A drainage path for draining from the storage tank;
The water flowing down through the second pipe is guided to the drainage path.
The clothing processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The pipe resistance will flow path suited from the parent pipe to the first pipe, the one from the parent tube of small again claims 1 to 6 than the pipe resistance will liquidity path suited to the second pipe 1 The clothing processing apparatus according to item. The branching angle between the parent pipe and the first pipe is an obtuse angle,
The clothing processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a branch angle between the parent tube and the second tube is an acute angle. A control unit for controlling the heater and the pump;
The controller causes the pump to continuously supply the water to the steam generator after stopping heating by the heater.
The clothing processing apparatus according to claim 4 . A detector for detecting the temperature of the steam generator;
The control unit causes the pump to continuously supply the water to the steam generator until the temperature detected by the detection unit falls below a predetermined temperature.
The clothing processing apparatus according to claim 9 .

Images