HK1158715B

HK1158715B - Washing apparatus

Info

Publication number: HK1158715B
Application number: HK11112962.6A
Authority: HK
Inventors: 桥本英夫
Original assignee: 哈比股份有限公司
Priority date: 2008-07-22
Filing date: 2009-06-24
Publication date: 2013-08-23

Abstract

A washing device, when the washing liquid is supplied into the housing (1) through the liquid supply flow path (3), the air inside the housing (1) is discharged into the outside air through the air flow path (5). As a result, it is possible to reduce the load when using detergent to fill and seal the housing (1), and to shorten the time required for filling and sealing. In addition, when discharging the washing liquid from the housing (1), air flows into the housing (1) through the air flow path (5), thereby reducing the load when discharging the washing liquid.

Description

Washing device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a washing apparatus for washing an object to be washed, and more particularly to a washing apparatus for washing an object to be washed in a washing tank filled and sealed with a washing liquid containing water, a petroleum solvent, an organic solvent, or the like.

Background

As conventional washing apparatuses, not only washing apparatuses having a washing tank in which a rotation axis is formed in a vertical direction, but also washing apparatuses having a washing tank in which a rotation axis is formed in a horizontal direction or a direction inclined to the horizontal direction (hereinafter simply referred to as "horizontal inclined direction") have been widely used. In addition, in a washing apparatus having a washing tub in which a rotation shaft is formed in a vertical direction, a pulsator provided at a bottom of the washing tub rotates to generate a rotational flow (vortex water flow) of a washing liquid in the washing tub. Then, the objects to be washed, such as clothes, are rubbed against each other by the generated rotational flow force of the washing liquid (the hand rubbing principle), thereby washing the objects to be washed. On the other hand, in a washing apparatus having a washing tub in which a rotation axis is formed in a horizontal direction or a horizontal inclined direction, by rotating the washing tub, an object to be washed is moved to an upper side of the washing tub by a blade protruding from an inner wall surface of the washing tub, and then the object to be washed is dropped by its own weight. When the laundry falls, the laundry is washed by an impact force (beating principle) generated by collision with the inner wall surface of the washing tub.

The washing liquid used for washing by such a device can be classified into: an aqueous cleaning solution such as water or a solvent in which a surfactant is mixed in water, and a nonaqueous cleaning solution such as a petroleum solvent or an organic solvent. When an aqueous cleaning solution is used, although water-soluble stains adhering to the object to be cleaned can be cleaned, the state of the object after cleaning is deteriorated because the fibers are hardened or damaged depending on the texture of the object to be cleaned. On the other hand, when a non-aqueous cleaning liquid is used, although the risk of damage to the object to be cleaned, as in the case of using an aqueous cleaning liquid, can be avoided, water-soluble stains cannot be reliably cleaned.

In view of the above, the present applicant has proposed a washing method (see patent document 1) and a washing apparatus (see patent document 2) in which a casing is provided in a washing tank having a central axis in a horizontal direction, and the washing tank is rotated in a state in which the inside of the casing is sealed with a washing liquid so that an object to be washed placed in the washing tank floats in the washing liquid. In the washing method of patent document 1 and the washing apparatus of patent document 2, the washing tank having the inner wall surface provided with the concave and convex portions continuously in the circumferential direction is rotated, and thus, in the washing liquid on the inner wall surface side of the washing tank, a vortex is generated at each concave and convex portion of the inner wall surface of the washing tank. Since such a vortex is continuously formed along the inner wall surface of the washing tub, a large water flow is generated in the washing liquid in the washing tub along the rotation of the washing tub. The eddy current and the large water flow generated by the eddy current affect the laundry, and therefore the laundry floats and spreads in the washing tub. Therefore, the contact area between the laundry and the cleaning liquid is enlarged, and the penetration force of the cleaning liquid into the laundry is improved, resulting in an improvement in the effect of cleaning the laundry with the cleaning liquid.

That is, as described in the washing method of patent document 1 and the washing apparatus of patent document 2, the present applicant can prevent the object to be washed from being damaged and can improve the washing effect by forming a pressure distribution in the washing liquid filled and sealed in the casing according to the rotation of the washing tank to perform washing. In addition, since the pressure distribution formed in the cleaning liquid affects the operation of the object to be cleaned in the cleaning liquid, in order to sufficiently exhibit these effects, it is necessary to effectively form the pressure distribution in the cleaning liquid filled and sealed in the casing.

Further, the present applicant has further verified the structures of patent documents 1 and 2, and as a result, it is obvious that: as described above, the pressure distribution can be formed in the cleaning liquid by the rotation of the uneven surface continuously provided in the circumferential direction on the inner wall surface of the cleaning tank. That is, the washing tub has a concave-convex surface formed along the rotation direction thereof. Therefore, when the washing tub rotates, the washing liquid in the concave portion moves in the rotating direction due to the convex portion, but the washing liquid itself stays, and thus a swirling flow is generated in the concave portion.

Since the spiral swirling flows are formed in the respective recesses, the washing liquid filled and sealed in the casing flows in the radial direction of the washing tub substantially concentrically and at different flow rates, and thus a pressure distribution is formed in the radial direction of the washing tub. The pressure distribution formed in the diameter direction of the washing tank causes the objects to float in the washing tank, and as a result, the objects floating in the washing liquid are spread out, thereby promoting the washing effect and preventing the objects from being damaged.

Patent document 1: patent 3841822 gazette

Patent document 2: patent 3863176 gazette

Disclosure of Invention

As a structure for filling and sealing the cleaning liquid in the casing, patent document 1 and patent document 2 each disclose a structure in which the cleaning liquid in the tank is supplied to the casing by a pump and the casing is filled and sealed. That is, the washing liquid is prepared in the water tank before being supplied to the housing. Then, a flow path is formed from the water tank to the casing, and then the washing liquid in the water tank is supplied into the casing by driving the pump, so that the casing is filled with the washing liquid and sealed. If it is detected that the inside of the casing is filled and sealed with the washing liquid, the washing tub is rotated to start washing.

As described above, in order to make the inside of the casing in a state filled and sealed with the cleaning liquid, it is necessary to discharge the air inside the casing, but the structures disclosed in patent documents 1 and 2 do not relate to an air flow path for discharging the air. By providing this air flow path, when the cleaning liquid is supplied into the casing, the air can be promoted to be discharged from the inside of the casing, and therefore, not only can the time required for filling and sealing the cleaning liquid into the casing be shortened, but also the load on the pump can be reduced.

However, when such an air flow path is simply installed, the cleaning liquid is discharged from the air flow path after the casing is filled and sealed with the cleaning liquid. Therefore, after confirming that the casing is filled and sealed with the cleaning liquid, the worker must perform an operation of closing the air flow path to prevent the cleaning liquid from being discharged from the air flow path installed in the casing.

In view of the above-described problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a washing device including an air flow path for discharging air in a casing so as to be able to efficiently fill and seal a washing liquid in the casing.

In order to achieve the above object, a washing apparatus of the present invention includes: a washing tank which rotates with a rotation axis inclined from a vertical direction to a horizontal direction or a horizontal direction and in which laundry is placed; a casing which is sleeved on the washing tank and is filled and sealed by the washing liquid; a liquid supply flow path for supplying the cleaning liquid to the housing; a liquid discharge flow path that discharges the cleaning liquid from the casing; the method is characterized in that: the method comprises the following steps: an air flow path connected to the housing and opening the inside of the housing to outside air; a detection unit that detects information that the inside of the casing is filled and sealed with the cleaning liquid, based on the amount of the cleaning liquid flowing into the air flow path; a pump for delivering the cleaning liquid from the liquid discharge flow path to the liquid supply flow path; when the laundry is washed, the laundry is placed in the washing tub, and then the casing is opened to the outside air by the air flow path, the washing liquid is supplied from the liquid supply flow path to the casing, and when the detection unit detects that the casing is in a state of being filled and sealed with the washing liquid based on the amount of the washing liquid flowing into the air flow path, the washing liquid from the liquid discharge flow path is allowed to circulate, and the washing liquid is circulated by the pump with respect to the casing filled and sealed with the washing liquid, and the washing tub is rotated, thereby starting the washing of the laundry.

In this washing apparatus, since the inner wall surface of the washing tank is provided with the unevenness, the pressure distribution is formed in the washing liquid in the washing tank by rotating the washing tank while the casing is filled and sealed with the washing liquid, and thus the washing can be performed without damaging the object to be washed.

According to the present invention, in a washing apparatus for washing an object to be washed in a state where a washing liquid is filled and sealed in a casing, an air flow path is provided in the casing, and the inside of the casing passing through the air flow path is opened to the atmosphere. Therefore, air exchange can be performed between the inside and outside of the casing, and the supply and discharge of the cleaning liquid to and from the casing can be performed in a short time. Further, since the detection unit is provided to detect the state in which the casing is filled and sealed with the washing liquid based on the amount of the washing liquid flowing into the air flow path, the washing can be reliably started after the inside of the casing is filled and sealed with the washing liquid. Further, since the pump for circulating the washing liquid is provided, the washing liquid can be supplied to and discharged from the casing during the washing process. This prevents the washing liquid from staying in the casing after washing, and as a result, the washing effect of the laundry can be improved.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the relationship between flow paths around a casing constituting a washing apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a structure of a washing tub provided in a casing of the washing apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of the washing tank shown in FIG. 2, taken perpendicular to the direction of the rotation axis of the washing tank;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a main portion of the wash tank shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of piping in the washing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of piping in a washing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 7 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of piping in a washing apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Description of the reference numerals

1 casing

2 washing tank

3 liquid supply flow path

4 liquid discharge flow path

5 air flow path

21 opening part

22 concave-convex curved surface

22a recess

22b convex part

23 slit

24 bottom surface

25 rotating shaft

26 drive mechanism

31 sink

32 pump

33 suction side piping for pump

34 pump discharge side piping

35. 37 control valve

36 pipe for supplying water tank

38 liquid volume detection sensor

41 liquid discharge pipe

42 drainage piping

43. 44 waste liquid treatment section

45 waste liquid treatment section discharge side piping

46. 47 control valve

51 air valve

52 pipe for air suction and exhaust

61 liquid supply pipe

62. 63 control valve

64 pipe for liquid discharge

65 drainage piping

66 waste liquid treatment section

67-69 control valve

100 control part

221 bottom

222 top part

223 connecting part

Detailed Description

< basic constitution >

The basic structure of the washing apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the relationship between the flow paths around the casing constituting the washing apparatus of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a structure of a washing tub provided in a casing of the washing apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of the washing tub, which is perpendicular to the direction of the rotation axis of the washing tub shown in FIG. 2; fig. 4 is an enlarged view of a main portion of the washing tank of fig. 3.

1. Washing process of washing device

As shown in fig. 1, the washing apparatus of the present invention includes, as its basic constitution, the following main parts: a casing 1 in which a cleaning solution is filled and sealed; a washing tank 2 which is provided in the casing 1 and has a cylindrical shape; a liquid supply passage 3 for supplying a cleaning liquid into the casing 1; a liquid discharge flow path 4 for discharging the cleaning liquid from the casing 1; the air flow path 5 discharges and sucks air from the casing 1. The central axis of the washing tub 2 is inclined from the vertical direction toward the horizontal direction, and the washing tub rotates within the housing 1 about the central axis. However, the casing 1 is not limited to a cylindrical shape having a cross section concentric with the washing tub, and may be a shape in which the washing tub 2 can freely rotate.

In the washing apparatus configured as described above, when the interior of the casing 1 is sealed by filling with the washing liquid, the liquid discharge passage 4 is closed by the valve, and the washing liquid is supplied from the liquid supply passage 3. At this time, since the air flow path 5 is in an open state, the air in the housing 1 is discharged to the outside air through the air flow path 5. Accordingly, the air in the casing 1 is discharged by replacing the cleaning liquid supplied from the liquid supply flow path 3, so that the cleaning liquid can be smoothly supplied into the casing 1, and the load required by a pump or the like, not shown, for supplying the cleaning liquid can be reduced.

Further, if the casing 1 is in a state of being filled and sealed with the cleaning liquid, the liquid discharge flow path 4 is opened, and the cleaning liquid discharged from the liquid discharge flow path 4 is caused to flow to the liquid supply flow path 3 by a pump not shown, whereby the cleaning liquid is supplied into the casing 1 again. That is, the supply of the cleaning liquid by the liquid supply flow path 3 and the discharge of the cleaning liquid by the liquid discharge flow path 4 are realized, whereby the cleaning liquid circulates in the casing 1. At this time, in the case 1 filled and sealed with the cleaning liquid, the washing tub 2 rotates about the rotation axis, and the object to be washed placed in the washing tub 2 is washed with the cleaning liquid. The structure of washing tub 2 and the washing by the rotation of washing tub 2 will be described later.

Thus, the casing 1 is filled and sealed with the cleaning liquid, and the cleaning liquid circulates through the liquid supply flow path 3 and the liquid discharge flow path 4, whereby the cleaning liquid in the cleaning tank 2 rotating in the casing 1 also rotates. In this case, the cleaning liquid discharged from the liquid discharge flow path 4 may be purified and regenerated by performing a waste liquid treatment such as filtration. The air flow path 5 is described later in each of the following embodiments, but may be configured to be closed at the same time as the casing 1 is filled and sealed with the cleaning liquid by providing an air valve or the like having a float valve body, or may be configured to serve as a drain flow path after the casing 1 is filled and sealed with the cleaning liquid.

The washing liquid filled and sealed in the housing 1 may be an aqueous or non-aqueous washing liquid. The aqueous cleaning solution may be water or a cleaning solution prepared by mixing a surfactant with water. The aqueous cleaning solution can wash off water-soluble stains. In addition, when a surfactant is formulated, the surfactant chemically reacts with stains, and thus oily stains can be washed. On the other hand, as the nonaqueous cleaning liquid, a petroleum-based (hydrocarbon-based) solvent, an organic solvent, or the like can be used. The nonaqueous cleaning solution has characteristics that it can mainly clean oily stains and has good drying properties compared with an aqueous cleaning solution.

Further, if the washing in which the washing liquid filled and sealed in the casing 1 is circulated by the liquid supply flow path 3 and the liquid discharge flow path 4 is completed, the washing liquid filled and sealed in the casing 1 is discharged so that the objects to be washed placed in the washing tank 2 of the casing 1 can be taken out. At this time, since the cleaning liquid is discharged through a drain pipe, not shown, branched from the drain flow path 4 toward the pump direction flow path, not shown, the cleaning liquid can be discharged from a circulation path of the cleaning liquid constituted by the casing 1, the liquid supply flow path 3, and the drain flow path 4. Further, since the air flow path 5 is opened to the outside air, air can be supplied from the outside air into the casing 1 to open the inside of the casing 1 to the atmosphere, and thus all the cleaning liquid in the casing 1 can be discharged.

After the cleaning liquid supplied into the casing 1 is filled and sealed in this manner, the washing object is washed by circulating the cleaning liquid and the spin washing tub 2, and if the washing process is completed, all the cleaning liquid filled and sealed in the casing 1 and circulated is discharged. In this case, the discharged cleaning liquid may be a cleaning liquid which has been subjected to a waste liquid treatment such as filtration and then purified and regenerated. In addition, if the cleaning liquid used for the washing is an aqueous cleaning liquid containing a surfactant, the same operation as that in the above-described washing is performed for rinsing the object with water, that is, after the inside of the sealed casing 1 is filled with water, the object is rinsed by the circulation of water and the rotation of the washing tub 2.

The same applies to the case of washing with different types of washing liquids, such as filling the sealed casing 1 with a nonaqueous washing liquid and then washing, and then filling the sealed casing 1 with an aqueous washing liquid and then washing. That is, when different types of cleaning liquids are used, the operation steps of filling the sealed casing 1 with the cleaning liquid, circulating the cleaning liquid, and rotating the washing tub 2 to discharge the cleaning liquid from the casing 1 are repeated, whereby the objects to be washed can be washed or rinsed a plurality of times with the different types of cleaning liquids.

2. Structure of washing tank and washing by rotation of washing tank

As described above, the washing tub 2 having the objects to be washed placed therein is rotated in the casing 1 filled with the washing liquid, whereby the pressure distribution is generated in the washing liquid in the washing tub 2, and the objects to be washed can be washed without being damaged by the flow of the washing liquid in the washing tub 2. To describe the washing by the flow of washing liquid, first, the structure of the washing tank 2 that forms the flow of washing liquid in the washing liquid filled and sealed in the casing 1 will be described with reference to fig. 2 to 4.

As shown in fig. 2, the washing tub 2, which is configured to have a cylindrical shape with a rotation axis inclined from the vertical direction to the horizontal direction, has a basket shape having an opening 21 opened in one bottom surface thereof. The inner wall surface of the washing tub 2 includes: a concave-convex curved surface 22 having a continuous concave-convex shape in the circumferential direction perpendicular to the cross section of the rotation axis of the washing tub 2; slit 23 is opened with the longitudinal direction thereof being the rotation axis direction of washing tub 2. Then, as shown in fig. 3, in a cross section of the inner wall surface of washing tub 2 perpendicular to the rotation axis of washing tub 2, concave-convex curved surfaces 22 and slits 23 are alternately formed along the circumferential direction.

As shown in fig. 2, in the concave-convex curved surface 22 provided on the inner wall surface of the washing tub 2, a cross section of the concave-convex shape perpendicular to the rotation axis of the washing tub 2 forms a continuous curved surface in the rotation axis direction of the washing tub 2. That is, concave portions 22a and convex portions 22b (see fig. 3) each having a longitudinal direction in the rotation axis direction of washing tub 2 are formed so as to be alternately continuous along a circumferential direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of washing tub 2, whereby concave-convex curved surfaces 22 are formed on the inner wall surface of washing tub 2. Further, since slit 23 penetrates from the inner wall of washing tub 2 toward the outer wall, the washing liquid in washing tub 2 is discharged to the region between casing 1 and washing tub 2 through slit 23, and the washing liquid in the region between casing 1 and washing tub 2 flows into washing tub 2.

In the configuration of fig. 2, slit 23 is open in the longitudinal direction of the rotation axis of washing tub 2, but slit 23 may be formed by arranging a plurality of holes in the rotation axis of washing tub 2. The slit 23 may be provided not only on the inner wall surface forming the circumferential surface of the washing tank 2 but also on the bottom surface 24 facing the opening surface 21, or may be formed by providing a gap between the housing 1 (see fig. 1) and the opening surface 21. Further, the slit 23 may be provided between the case 1 and the opening surface 21 or only on the bottom surface 24. Further, the configuration of the washing tank 2 is not limited to the configuration in which the uneven curved surface 22 and the slits 23 are alternately formed on the inner wall surface of the washing tank 2, and the uneven curved surface 22 may be formed on the entire circumferential surface of the inner wall surface of the washing tank 2 and the slits 23 may be provided in a part of the concave portion 22a (see fig. 3).

As shown in fig. 3, in washing tub 2 configured as described above, concave-convex curved surface 22 provided between adjacent slits 23 in the circumferential direction of washing tub 2 is configured by alternately forming a plurality of concave portions 22a and a plurality of convex portions 22 b. At this time, as shown in fig. 4, the shape change of the bottom 221 of the concave portion 22a, the top 222 of the convex portion 22b, and the connecting portion 223 between the concave portion 22a and the convex portion 22b is made gentle, whereby the cross-sectional curve in the circumferential direction of the concave-convex curved surface 22 becomes smooth.

Accordingly, when the concave-convex curved surface 22 rotates in the circumferential direction of the washing tub 2, the convex portion 22b forms a flow on the fluid inside the concave portion 22a, and turbulence affecting the flow can be suppressed. The concave-convex curved surface 22 may be formed to have the same width in the circumferential direction of the washing tub 2. As shown in fig. 3, the washing tub 2 may have a different width along the circumferential direction. The curved concave-convex surface 22 may be formed by being attached to an inner wall surface of the washing tub 2 formed of a curved thin metal plate and having a cylindrical basket shape in which the slit 23 is provided.

As shown in fig. 2, a rotary shaft 25 of a drive mechanism 26 for rotating washing tub 2 is connected to a center position of bottom surface 24 of washing tub 2. The driving mechanism 26 may be constituted by a motor having the rotating shaft 25, or may be constituted by a motor that indirectly rotates the rotating shaft 25, a pulley that transmits the rotation of the motor to the rotating shaft 25, and a belt. Since driving mechanism 26 is provided outside casing 1, not shown in fig. 2, rotary shaft 25 is inserted into casing 1 and connected to washing tub 2. Thus, the housing 1 is provided with a bearing portion into which the rotary shaft 25 is inserted. The bearing portion includes a seal structure so that the washing liquid in the housing 1 cannot leak to the outside.

Washing tub 2 having the structure shown in fig. 2 to 4 is rotated in casing 1 filled with a sealing washing liquid according to a rotational force transmitted from driving mechanism 26 through rotary shaft 25, thereby washing or rinsing the laundry placed in washing tub 2. Referring to fig. 3 and 4, the relationship between the operation of the washing liquid in the washing tub 2 and the objects to be washed will be briefly described.

When the washing tub 2 rotates in the direction of arrow a shown in fig. 4, the cleaning liquid in the region R surrounded by the two convex portions 22b and the concave portion 22a located on both sides of the concave portion 22a moves in the rotation direction (arrow a) because the concave portion 22b located on the rear surface side of the concave portion 22a moves to the position of the concave portion 22a in the rotation direction (arrow a). However, in the region R, in the side closer to the top 221 of the convex portion 22b, the interval of the convex portion 22b sandwiched by both sides of the concave portion 22a is larger, and therefore, the influence by the movement of the convex portion 22b is smaller. Therefore, the washing liquid located closer to the top 222 of the projection 22b is retained, whereby the projection 22b rotating in the direction indicated by the arrow A forms a larger flow.

As described above, the cleaning liquid located in the vicinity of the inner wall surface of the cleaning tank 2 forms a large liquid flow in the rotating direction (arrow a) by the rotation of the concave-convex curved surface 22, and forms a vortex flow flowing along the concave portion 22a and the convex portion 22b in each region R formed by the concave portion 22a and the convex portion 22b in the concave-convex curved surface 22. On the other hand, since the washing liquid in the region on the rotation axis side of the washing tub 2 is away from the concave-convex curved surface 22, the influence of the rotation of the concave-convex curved surface 22 is small. According to the above description, the large liquid flow that is formed by the rotation of the concave-convex curved surface 22 and rotates in the rotation direction (arrow a) and the vortex flow that flows along the concave portion 22a and the convex portion 22b propagate in the radial direction toward the central axis of the washing tub 2.

Thereby, the washing liquid in the washing tub 2 forms a liquid flow layer of the washing liquid having different flow rates from the inner wall surface of the washing tub 2 toward the rotation axis on the cross section perpendicular to the rotation axis of the washing tub 2. That is, a flow layer of the cleaning liquid having the highest flow velocity is formed in the circumferential direction on the inner wall surface side in the cleaning tank 2, and a flow layer of the cleaning liquid having a lower flow velocity is formed toward the rotation axis of the cleaning tank 2. Thus, the washing liquid filled and sealed in the washing tub 2 has a pressure distribution in the radial direction from the inner wall surface toward the rotary shaft, and the laundry floats in the washing liquid according to the pressure distribution. That is, the laundry placed in the washing liquid filled and sealed in the washing tub 2 shows an action similar to swimming in a state without gravity, by the influence of the distribution of pressure generated in the washing liquid, buoyancy, or the like. Thus, the objects to be washed in the washing tub 2 float in the washing liquid while spreading themselves.

As described above, since the pressure distribution can be generated by forming the liquid flow layers having different flow rates in the washing liquid in the washing tank 2 as shown in fig. 4, when the objects to be washed in the washing liquid move to the inner wall surface side of the washing tank 2, an operation is exhibited which is influenced by the rapid flow of the washing liquid. That is, since a large flow in the rotation direction is added to the eddy formed by the uneven curved surface 22, the object to be washed can be prevented from colliding with the inner wall surface of the washing tub 2 and can be forcibly moved to the rotation axis side along with the flow of the washing liquid. Further, since the pressure distribution is formed due to the different flow rates of the washing liquid, the laundry influenced by the flow rates of the respective layers spreads in a floating manner in the washing liquid. Accordingly, the contact area between the object to be washed and the liquid molecules of the washing liquid is enlarged, and therefore, not only the washing effect and the rinsing effect of the washing liquid are improved, but also the load of the object to be washed that is entangled with or collides with the washing tub due to the flow of the washing liquid can be reduced, and thus damage by washing can be reduced.

The washing or rinsing of the laundry can be performed by rotating the washing tub 2 in the above-described manner and forming a pressure distribution in the washing liquid in the washing tub 2 so that the laundry floats in the washing liquid in a spreading manner. The rotation of the washing tub 2 for washing or rinsing the laundry may be a continuous rotation in a fixed direction only for a predetermined time period, or may be an intermittent rotation in a predetermined direction at predetermined time intervals. That is, washing tub 2 may be continuously rotated in the normal rotation direction (or reverse rotation direction) for a predetermined time, or a rotation period during which washing tub 2 is rotated in the normal rotation direction (or reverse rotation direction) and a stop period during which washing tub 2 stops rotating may be repeated for a predetermined time. When the washing tub 2 for washing or rinsing is intermittently rotated, the rotation direction may be switched to the reverse direction every time the intermittent rotation is started. That is, the rotation period in which washing tub 2 is rotated and the stop period in which washing tub 2 stops rotating are repeated for a predetermined time, and the rotation direction of washing tub 2 is switched between the normal rotation direction and the reverse rotation direction for each rotation period.

The washing apparatuses of the following embodiments share the structure of the washing apparatus described in the above basic configuration, and share the steps in the washing described in the above basic configuration. The following describes the features of the washing apparatus in each embodiment in detail, and the description of the common parts in the basic configuration is omitted.

< first embodiment >

A first embodiment of the washing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a pipe in the embodiment of the present invention. The washing apparatus of the present embodiment includes the casing 1 and the washing tub 2 having the configurations described in the above-described basic configuration, and is configured with the flow paths for filling and sealing the washing liquid in the casing 1 as shown in fig. 5.

(constitution of washing apparatus)

First, as shown in fig. 5, the liquid supply passage 3 (see fig. 1) of the washing apparatus includes: a water tank 31 for temporarily storing a washing liquid; a pump 32 for sucking up the cleaning liquid stored in the tank 31; a pump intake side pipe 33 connecting between the water tank 31 and the pump 32; a pump discharge side pipe 34 connecting the pump 32 and the casing 1; the control valve 35 is provided in the pump intake side pipe 33. The tank 31 is provided with a tank supply pipe 36 having a control valve 37 for supplying the washing liquid into the tank 31, and a liquid amount detection sensor 38 for detecting the amount of the washing liquid in the tank 31. In addition, when the liquid amount detection sensor 38 is configured by, for example, a liquid level sensor including a float floating on the liquid surface of the washing liquid in the tank 31, information on the joint angle or the height position connected to the float can be converted into an electric signal indicating the amount of the washing liquid and output.

The liquid discharge flow path 4 (see fig. 1) includes: a liquid discharge pipe 41 connected to the casing 1; a drainage pipe 42 branched from the drainage pipe 41; waste liquid treatment units 43 and 44 connected to the liquid discharge pipe 41 and the water discharge pipe 42, respectively; a waste liquid treatment unit discharge side pipe 45 connecting the waste liquid treatment unit 43 and the pump 32; the control valves 46 and 47 are provided in the drain pipe 42 and the waste liquid treatment section discharge side pipe 45, respectively. The waste liquid treatment section discharge-side pipe 45 is branched from the pump suction-side pipe 33 at a position between the pump 32 and the control valve 35. Further, the liquid discharge flow path 4 is preferably formed vertically below the casing 1 because it discharges the cleaning liquid to the outside of the casing 1 through the water discharge pipe 42.

Further, in the casing 1, an air flow path 5 is formed perpendicular to the upper side of the casing 1, and an air valve 51 is provided in the air flow path 5 to prevent the washing liquid from being discharged to the outside when the casing 1 is filled and sealed with the washing liquid. The air valve 51 may be configured as follows: for example, the air valve 51 is formed in a double-layer tube shape provided at an end portion of the air flow passage 5, and has a float valve in an outer tube in a state of being opened to the atmosphere and in an inner tube communicating with the outer tube so as to slide in contact with a tube wall thereof. In this case, the outer pipe is provided with an atmosphere opening hole having an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the float valve.

With the above configuration, when air is discharged from the housing 1 through the air flow path 5, the air is discharged to the outside air through the gap between the outer pipe and the inner pipe constituting the air valve 51. When the cleaning liquid flows into the air flow path 5, the cleaning liquid flows into the outer pipe and the inner pipe, respectively, but the float valve moves in a sliding manner in the inner pipe, and the atmosphere opening hole provided in the outer pipe is closed. Since the atmospheric opening hole is closed by the float valve, the cleaning liquid can be prevented from leaking to the outside from the atmospheric opening hole provided in the outside pipe.

In the air valve 51, for example, a conductor may be provided in a portion where the atmosphere opening hole provided in the outer pipe and the float valve are in contact with each other, and a structure that can conduct electricity when the atmosphere opening hole and the float valve are in contact with each other may be designed. With this configuration of the air valve 51, after the casing 1 is filled and sealed with the cleaning liquid, the air valve 51 can generate an electric signal for closing the float valve to the atmosphere opening hole to prohibit the discharge of the cleaning liquid and to notify the filling and sealing of the cleaning liquid.

In addition, the washing apparatus shown in fig. 5 includes a control section 100 that receives electric signals from the liquid amount detection sensor 38 and the air valve 51, and controls the driving of the pump 32 and the opening and closing of the control valves 35, 37, 46, 47. That is, when the washing apparatus performs washing, the control unit 100 detects the filling and sealing of the washing liquid in the casing 1 based on the electric signal from the air valve 51. The control unit 100 controls the opening and closing of the control valves 35, 37, 46, and 47 to determine a pipe connected to the casing 1, and controls the driving of the pump 32 to supply, discharge, and circulate the cleaning solution.

(control flow of washing)

1. Supply of washing liquid

Next, a control flow of each step of washing by a washing apparatus having a pipe having the configuration shown in fig. 5 will be described. The control unit 100 sends control signals to the control valve 35 and the pump 32 so that the control valve 35 is in a closed state and the pump 32 is in a stopped state. Then, the control unit 100 sends a control signal to the control valve 37 to open the valve, thereby supplying the cleaning solution into the tank 31 through the tank supply pipe 36. However, since the supply of the cleaning liquid to the casing 1 is prohibited and the cleaning liquid in the tank 31 is in a supplied state, the control valves 46 and 47 may be in any state of the switch as long as the control valve 35 is in the closed state.

At this time, since the casing 1 is opened to the atmosphere by the air valve 51, the worker opens a door, not shown, provided in the casing 1 to place the laundry in the washing tub 2. When the laundry is placed in washing tub 2, the worker closes a door, not shown, to close casing 1. The process of placing the laundry in the housing 1 may be a process which is performed automatically by a non-operator by a loading device. When an aqueous cleaning solution mixed with a surfactant is used as the cleaning solution filled and sealed in the casing 1, the surfactant is mixed with water supplied through the tank supply pipe 36 in the tank 31.

Thus, when the washing liquid is supplied to the tank 31 and the washing liquid is stored in the tank 31, an electric signal from the liquid amount detection sensor 38 provided in the tank 31 is transmitted to the control unit 100, whereby the amount of the washing liquid in the tank 31 is detected. Then, it is checked from the electric signal from the liquid amount detection sensor 38 whether or not the amount of the washing liquid stored in the water tank 31 is sufficiently larger than the sum of the capacity of the washing liquid formed in the circulation path of the casing 1, i.e., the capacity of the washing liquid formed in the pump 32, the pump suction-side pipe 33, the pump discharge-side pipe 34, the liquid discharge pipe 41, the waste liquid treatment unit 43, and the waste liquid treatment unit discharge-side pipe 45, and the capacity of the casing 1. That is, it is checked whether or not the amount of the washing liquid stored in the water tank 31 reaches the amount of the washing liquid that can be circulated while filling the sealed casing 1, based on the electric signal from the liquid amount detection sensor 38.

2. Filling seal for housing

The control unit 100 confirms whether or not the amount of the washing liquid stored in the water tank 31 reaches a liquid amount that can be circulated for filling and sealing the casing 1 based on the electric signal from the liquid amount detection sensor 38, and if it is confirmed, the control unit 100 sends a control signal to the control valve 37 to close the control valve 37. Thereby, the supply of the cleaning solution to the water tank 31 through the water tank supply pipe 36 is stopped. Then, the control portion 100 sends control signals to the control valves 35, 46, 47 to open the control valves 35, 47 and close the control valve 46. That is, the circulation path of the cleaning liquid including the casing 1 is opened, and the supply path of the cleaning liquid from the water tank 31 to the pump 32 is opened. Thus, if the cleaning liquid flow path is formed, the pump 32 is driven to pump the cleaning liquid in the water tank 31 and start the supply to the casing 1. In order to reduce the load on the pump 32, the control valve 47 may be initially closed, and the pump 32 may be driven to start the extraction of the cleaning liquid and then the control valve 47 may be opened.

When the pump 32 starts to be driven, the cleaning liquid in the tank 31 is pumped up to the pump 32 through the pump intake-side pipe 33 and then supplied into the casing 1 through the pump discharge-side pipe 34. The cleaning liquid supplied into the casing 1 flows into the liquid discharge pipe 41, the waste liquid treatment section 43, and the waste liquid treatment section discharge side pipe 45. Then, if the liquid discharge pipe 41, the waste liquid treatment section 43, and the waste liquid treatment section discharge side pipe 45 are filled with the cleaning liquid, the casing 1 is also filled with the cleaning liquid. At this time, the air respectively included in the casing 1, the pump 32, the pump intake-side pipe 33, the pump discharge-side pipe 34, the liquid discharge pipe 41, the waste liquid treatment unit 43, and the waste liquid treatment unit discharge-side pipe 45 is discharged to the outside air through the air valve 51 of the air flow path 5. Further, when the inside of the casing 1 is to be filled and sealed with the cleaning liquid, since the cleaning liquid flows into the air flow path 5, the air valve 51 is in a closed state by the cleaning liquid, and thus the cleaning liquid can be prevented from leaking out of the air flow path 5.

Thereby, the cleaning liquid is filled in the circulation path, that is, the casing 1, the pump 32, the pump suction-side pipe 33, the pump discharge-side pipe 34, the liquid discharge pipe 41, the waste liquid treatment unit 43, and the waste liquid treatment unit discharge-side pipe 45, respectively, and the inside of the casing 1 is filled and sealed with the cleaning liquid. At this time, since the air valve 51 is closed, an electric signal indicating that the air valve 51 is closed is transmitted to the control part 100, whereby the control part 100 recognizes that the housing 1 has been filled and sealed with the washing liquid.

3. Washing process

If the control part 100 detects that the housing 1 has been filled and sealed with the washing liquid based on the electric signal from the air valve 51, a control signal is sent toward the control valve 35 to close the control valve 35. That is, only the control valve 47 is opened, and the circulation of the washing liquid to the casing 1 is started by the driving of the pump 32. When circulation of the washing liquid in the casing 1 is started, the control unit 100 instructs the drive mechanism 26 (see fig. 2) to start the rotational drive to rotate the washing tub 2 so as to wash the laundry placed in the washing tub 2. Thereby, the washing process of the laundry by the circulation of the washing liquid in the casing 1 and the rotation of the washing tub 2 is started.

The circulation of the washing liquid in the washing step will be briefly described. The pump 32 feeds the cleaning liquid from the pump intake-side pipe 33 to the pump discharge-side pipe 34, and the cleaning liquid flowing through the pump discharge-side pipe 34 is supplied to the casing 1. Then, in the housing 1, since the washing tub 2 is rotated as described above, a pressure distribution of the washing liquid is formed in the washing tub 2, thereby washing or rinsing the laundry. Since the washing tub 2 has the slit 23 shown in fig. 2, the washing liquid can be exchanged between the outside and the inside of the washing tub 2. That is, the cleaning liquid supplied into casing 1 flows into washing tub 2 through slits 23, and the cleaning liquid washed in washing tub 2 flows out of washing tub 2 through slits 23.

Further, since the casing 1 is supplied with the cleaning liquid from the pump discharge side pipe 34, the cleaning liquid in the casing 1 is discharged to the liquid discharge pipe 41 when the casing 1 is in a filled and sealed state. The cleaning liquid discharged from the casing 1 to the liquid discharge pipe 41 is supplied to the waste liquid treatment section 43, and is subjected to regeneration treatment such as filtration to remove impurities containing dirt. If the washing liquid subjected to the regeneration treatment is discharged from the waste liquid treatment section 43 to the waste liquid treatment section discharge side pipe 45, the washing liquid is supplied to the pump 32 through the pump suction side pipe 33.

Thus, the cleaning liquid can be circulated through the casing 1 by driving the pump 32, opening the control valve 47, and closing the control valves 35 and 46. At this time, if it is confirmed that the cleaning liquid is too dirty, the control unit 100 may temporarily reduce the opening degree of the control valve 47 and open the control valves 35 and 46 to make the opening degree almost equal to the opening degree of the control valve 47. The sensor for detecting the soiled state of the cleaning liquid may be an optical sensor for measuring stains by the amount of light received by transmitted light or scattered light, an electrical sensor for measuring stains by measuring the conductivity or resistivity of the cleaning liquid, or a PH sensor for measuring the PH of the cleaning liquid. Thus, with respect to the cleaning liquid circulation path including the casing 1, the dirty cleaning liquid discharged from the casing 1 can be discharged to the drain pipe 42, and a new, clean cleaning liquid can be supplied through the water tank 31. At this time, if the contamination of the cleaning liquid flowing through the circulation path including the casing 1 is reduced, the control unit 100 again increases the opening degree of the control valve 47 and completely closes the control valves 35 and 46, thereby circulating the cleaning liquid to continue the washing of the objects to be washed.

4. Discharge of washing liquid

After the rotation of the washing tub 2 is started, the control unit 100 checks whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed to detect whether or not the washing process by the circulation of the washing liquid and the rotation of the washing tub 2 has ended. In addition, the completion of the washing step may be detected by: a sensor for measuring impurities mixed in the washing liquid is provided in the circulation path including the casing 1, and when the control unit 100 confirms that the stains of the laundry have fallen based on the measurement value of the sensor, it detects that the washing process has ended. Based on the detection result that the washing process is completed, the control unit 100 starts to discharge the washing liquid filled and sealed in the casing 1 in order to take out the washed object from the casing 1.

That is, in order to start discharging the cleaning liquid filled and sealed in the casing 1, the control unit 100 stops driving of the pump 32 and opens the control valve 46. Thereby, the cleaning liquid in the casing 1 is discharged to the outside through the liquid discharge pipe 41 and the water discharge pipe 42. Since the discharged cleaning liquid is supplied to the waste liquid treatment section 44, a regeneration treatment such as filtration or a chemical treatment can be performed. At this time, since the cleaning liquid level in the air flow path 5 is lowered, the air valve 51 is opened to open the casing 1 to the atmosphere. This allows the atmospheric air to flow into the casing 1, and the casing 1 is filled with air instead of the cleaning liquid, thereby facilitating the discharge of the cleaning liquid.

After all the washing liquid filled and sealed in the casing 1 is discharged, when the laundry placed in the washing tub 2 and having been washed is taken out, the operator opens the door of the casing 1 to take out the laundry. In addition, when rinsing is performed after washing or washing is performed with a washing liquid different from the washing liquid used for the washing, the above-described steps are repeated. Taking the case of rinsing after washing as an example, when the washing liquid is discharged from the casing 1 as described above, the washing liquid is also discharged from the water tank 31. Then, in the same manner as the above operation, water as a cleaning liquid is first supplied into the water tank 31 through the water tank supply pipe 36. Then, the pump 32 is driven to supply water to the casing 1, and after a circulation path including the casing 1 is filled with water and sealed, the washing tub 2 is rotated while circulating the water to perform a rinsing process. When the rinsing step is completed, water for rinsing is discharged from the casing 1 through the water discharge pipe 42.

As described above, the washing apparatus of the present embodiment has the following structure: the air flow path 5 is provided to open the casing 1 to the atmosphere, and the air valve 51 is provided in the air flow path 5, whereby leakage of the cleaning liquid can be prevented when the sealed casing 1 is filled with the cleaning liquid. This makes it possible to smoothly supply and discharge the cleaning liquid to and from the casing 1, and to reduce the load on the pump 32 when supplying and discharging the cleaning liquid to and from the casing 1.

< second embodiment >

Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the washing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of piping in the washing apparatus according to the present embodiment. In the structure shown in fig. 6, the same reference numerals are given to portions used for the same purpose as the structure shown in fig. 5, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

(constitution of washing apparatus)

In the washing apparatus of the present embodiment, unlike the washing apparatus of the first embodiment (see fig. 5), the water tank 31 is provided in the circulation path of the washing liquid circulating in the casing 1, and the drain pipe 41 and the drain pipe 42 are provided in other positions of the casing 1. That is, as shown in fig. 6, in the washing apparatus of the present embodiment, the pump discharge side pipe 34, the liquid discharge pipe 41, the drain pipe 42, and the air flow path 5 are all connected to the casing 1. Thus, the casing 1 is supplied with the cleaning liquid from the pump discharge side pipe 34, discharged with the cleaning liquid from the liquid discharge pipe 41 and the drain pipe 42, and sucked and discharged with the air through the air flow path 5.

In this washing apparatus, a liquid supply pipe 61 is provided instead of the tank supply pipe 36 (see fig. 5) connected to the pump discharge side pipe 34, and the washing liquid is supplied from the outside to a pipe system of the washing apparatus through the liquid supply pipe 61. Further, a liquid discharge pipe 64 for a water tank for discharging the cleaning liquid from the water tank 31 and a waste liquid treatment section 66 for discharging the cleaning liquid flowing from the liquid discharge pipe 64 to the pump suction side pipe 33 are provided, and the liquid discharge pipe 41 is connected to the water tank 31 in place of the waste liquid treatment section 43 and the waste liquid treatment section discharge side pipe 45, respectively, in the liquid discharge pipe 64 and the waste liquid treatment section 66. That is, a return flow path for supplying the cleaning liquid discharged from the casing 1 through the water tank 31 to the pump 32 after the regeneration treatment in the waste liquid treatment section 66 is formed by the liquid discharge pipes 41 and 64 and the pump suction pipe 33.

In the washing apparatus of fig. 6, the drain pipe 42 is directly connected to the casing 1, and a drain pipe 65 for a water tank branched from the drain pipe 64 and connected to the drain pipe 42 is provided. The control valves 62 and 63 are provided in the pump discharge side pipe 34 and the liquid supply pipe 61, respectively, and thereby the flow rate of the cleaning liquid supplied to the casing 1 can be controlled. Further, since the control valve 67 is provided in the drain pipe 65, the flow rate of the washing liquid discharged from the water tank 31 is controlled. Further, since the liquid discharge pipes 41 and 64 are provided with the control valves 68 and 69, respectively, the flow rate of the cleaning liquid circulating after being discharged from the casing 1 is controlled. The control valve 69 is provided between the branching portion toward the drain pipe 65 and the waste liquid treatment unit 66.

In the washing apparatus of fig. 6, it is preferable that the pump discharge side pipe 34, the drain pipe 41, and the air flow path 5 are connected to the upper side of the casing 1 in the vertical direction; a drain pipe 42 is connected to the lower side of the casing 1. That is, since the drain pipe 41 is provided above the casing 1, when the casing 1 is filled and sealed with the cleaning liquid, the cleaning liquid flows into the water tank 31 from the drain pipe 41. Further, since the drain pipe 42 is provided on the lower side of the casing 1, when the cleaning liquid is discharged from the piping system of the cleaning apparatus, the cleaning liquid can be easily discharged through the drain pipe 42.

The drain pipe 64 is preferably connected to the lower side of the water tank 31 in the vertical direction. Thus, when the cleaning liquid is discharged from the piping system of the cleaning apparatus, the cleaning liquid can be easily discharged from the tank 31 through the drain piping 65. However, the present invention is not limited to the configuration of fig. 6, and the water tank 31 may be connected to the drain pipe 65 and the drain pipe 64 separately, as in the case of the casing 1. At this time, when the drain pipe 65 is connected to the lower side of the water tank 31, the cleaning liquid can be easily discharged from the water tank 31 through the drain pipe 65 when the cleaning liquid is discharged from the pipe system of the cleaning apparatus, and therefore, the connection position of the drain pipe 64 to the water tank 31 is not limited to the lower side of the water tank 31.

(control flow in washing)

The control flow of each step of washing by the washing apparatus of fig. 6 configured as described above will be described below. Electric signals of the air valve 51 and the liquid amount detection sensor 38 are input to the control unit 100, and the control unit 100 outputs control signals to the control valves 46, 62, 63, 67 to 69 and the pump 32.

1. Filling seal for housing

The control portion 100 puts the control valves 46, 68 into the closed state and puts the control valve 63 into the open state by sending control signals to the control valves 46, 63, and 68. Further, the pump 32 may be stopped, and the control valves 62, 67, and 69 may be opened or closed. Thereby, the cleaning liquid is supplied into the casing 1 through the liquid supply pipe 61. Since the control valve 46 is closed to prohibit the flow of the cleaning liquid from the drain pipe 42 connected to the lower portion of the casing 1, the casing 1 is filled with the cleaning liquid.

Then, if the cleaning liquid is filled and sealed in the housing 1, the air valve 51 provided in the air passage 5 for discharging the air in the housing 1 is closed, and therefore, the control unit 100 to which an electric signal from the air valve 51 is input confirms that the air valve 51 is closed. Thus, the control portion 100 recognizes that the housing 1 is sealed by the washing liquid, and sends a control signal to the control valve 69 to close the control valve 69, and then sends a control signal to the control valve 68 to open the control valve 68. Therefore, the supply of the cleaning liquid is continued through the liquid supply pipe 61, and the cleaning liquid overflowing from the casing 1 is supplied to the water tank 31 through the liquid discharge pipe 41. At this time, the control valves 63 and 68 are opened to prevent the flow rate of the cleaning liquid supplied from the liquid supply pipe 61 from being smaller than the flow rate of the cleaning liquid discharged from the liquid discharge pipe 41. Thereby, the casing 1 can be kept in a state filled and sealed with the cleaning liquid.

By opening the control valve 68 in this manner, the cleaning liquid discharged from the casing 1 is supplied to the water tank 31. At this time, since the control valves 67 and 69 are closed, the cleaning liquid from the water tank 31 can be prevented from being discharged to the liquid discharge pipe 64, and thus the cleaning liquid can be stored in the water tank 31. In addition, when washing is performed with an aqueous washing solution mixed with a surfactant, the surfactant is mixed with the washing solution stored in the water tank 31. That is, the cleaning liquid supplied from the liquid supply pipe 61 is used as water, and the water is supplied to the casing 1 and the water tank 31, and then the surfactant is prepared in the water tank 31.

As described above, when the washing liquid is stored in the tank 31, the amount of the washing liquid stored in the tank 31 is detected by sending an electric signal detected by the liquid amount detection sensor 38 provided in the tank 31 to the control unit 100. If the control section 100 determines that the amount of the washing liquid stored in the water tank 31 is sufficient for circulation based on the electric signal from the liquid amount detection sensor 38, a control signal is sent to the control valve 69 to open the control valve 69. Then, the control section 100 also sends a control signal to the control valve 62 to open the control valve 62, and then sends a control signal to the pump 32 and drives the pump 32.

Thus, the circulation of the cleaning liquid in the casing 1 is started by driving the pump 32, and the cleaning liquid flowing from the water tank 31 into the pump 32 through the waste liquid treatment unit 66 is supplied to the casing 1 again. Then, the control unit 100 sends a control signal to the control valve 63 to close the control valve 63, and adjusts the opening degrees of the control valves 62 and 68 so that the casing 1 is kept in a state filled and sealed with the cleaning liquid. That is, the opening degrees of the control valves 62 and 68 are adjusted by the control unit 100 in order to prevent the flow rate of the cleaning liquid supplied from the pump discharge side pipe 34 from being smaller than the flow rate of the cleaning liquid discharged from the liquid discharge pipe 41. The control unit 100 may adjust the opening degree of the control valve 69 based on an electric signal from the liquid amount detection sensor 38 so as to maintain a predetermined amount of the washing liquid in the water tank 31.

2. Washing process

When circulation of the washing liquid is started as described above, the control unit 100 instructs the drive mechanism 26 (see fig. 2) to start the rotational drive, thereby starting rotation of the washing tub 2 and washing the laundry placed in the washing tub 2. That is, the washing tub 2 rotates in the hermetically filled casing 1, whereby a pressure distribution according to a flow velocity distribution is formed in the washing tub 2, and the laundry is washed as described above. At this time, the cleaning liquid in the cleaning tank 2 circulates by the above-described rotation, and the cleaning liquid inside the cleaning tank 2 is exchanged between the cleaning liquid in the cleaning tank 2 and the cleaning liquid outside the cleaning tank 2 in the slit 23 (see fig. 2).

In the casing 1 having the washing tank 2 therein, the washing liquid pumped up from the water tank 31 by the pump 32 is supplied to the casing 1 through the pump discharge-side pipe 34, and the washing liquid having been washed is discharged from the liquid discharge pipe 41. The cleaning liquid flowing through the liquid discharge pipe 41 and discharged from the casing 1 is transferred to the water tank 31 and temporarily stored in the water tank 31. The cleaning liquid in the water tank 31 is supplied to the waste liquid treatment section 66 through the liquid discharge pipe 64, subjected to a regeneration treatment of the cleaning liquid to remove impurities in the cleaning liquid, and then output to the pump 32 through the pump suction-side pipe 33.

In this way, the cleaning liquid can be circulated in the casing 1 by driving the pump 32, controlling the open state of the valves 62, 68, 69, and controlling the closed state of the valves 46, 63, 67. Since the water tank 31 is provided in the circulation path, the washing liquid can be temporarily stored and then regenerated and circulated by the waste liquid treatment unit 66. At this time, the control unit 100 may operate as follows: the amount of the washing liquid in the water tank 31 is checked based on the electric signal from the liquid amount detection sensor 38, and the relationship between the supply amount and the discharge amount of the washing liquid to the casing 1 is known.

That is, when the amount of liquid in the water tank 31 is small, since the supply amount to the casing 1 is large, the supply amount to the casing 1 is suppressed by reducing the flow rate of the pump 32 or the opening degree of at least one of the control valves 62 and 69. Conversely, the opening degree of the control valve 68 may be increased to increase the discharge amount from the housing 1. On the other hand, when the amount of liquid in the water tank 31 is large, since the supply amount to the inside of the casing 1 is small, the supply amount to the inside of the casing 1 is increased by increasing the flow rate of the pump 32 or increasing the opening degrees of the two control valves 62 and 69. Conversely, the opening degree of the control valve 68 may be reduced for suppressing the discharge amount from the housing 1.

Further, a sensor capable of detecting the state of the washing liquid may be provided in the water tank 31 so that stains in the washing liquid can be detected. The sensor for detecting the state of the cleaning liquid may be constituted by the various sensors described in the first embodiment. The following method is also possible: if it is confirmed that the cleaning liquid in the drain tank 31 is too dirty, the control unit 100 temporarily opens the control valves 63 and 46 to the same degree of opening. Thus, the dirty cleaning liquid discharged from the casing 1 is discharged from the drain pipe 42 to the cleaning liquid circulation path including the casing 1, and a new clean cleaning liquid is supplied through the liquid supply pipe 61.

Further, if the dirt in the cleaning liquid flowing through the circulation path including the casing 1 is reduced, the control unit 100 closes the control valves 63 and 46 completely again, and the washing of the laundry is continued by the circulation of the cleaning liquid. When a surfactant is added to the cleaning liquid, the surfactant may be added to the water tank 31 while the control valves 63 and 46 are opened. However, when the control valve 46 is opened, the control valve 67 may be opened to discharge the dirty cleaning liquid discharged from the casing 1 through the water tank 31 and the drain pipe 65.

3. Discharge of washing liquid

Further, as in the first embodiment, the control unit 100 detects whether or not the washing step by the circulation of the washing liquid and the rotation of the washing tub 2 has been completed, based on the time elapsed since the rotation of the washing tub 2, the contamination of the washing liquid, and the like. Based on the detection result that the washing process is completed, the control unit 100 starts to discharge the washing liquid filled and sealed in the casing 1 so as to take out the washed object from the casing 1. That is, as in the first embodiment, in order to start discharging the cleaning liquid filled and sealed in the casing 1, the control unit 100 stops driving of the pump 32 and opens the control valve 46. At this time, the control unit 100 also sends a control signal to the control valve 67 to open the control valve 67 in order to discharge the cleaning liquid from the tank 31 to the outside.

Thereby, the cleaning liquid in the casing 1 is discharged to the outside through the drain pipe 42, and the cleaning liquid in the water tank 31 is discharged to the outside through the drain pipe 65. Since the cleaning liquid discharged from the drainage pipes 42 and 65 is supplied to the waste liquid treatment section 44, the cleaning liquid can be subjected to regeneration treatment such as filtration or chemical treatment. At this time, as in the first embodiment, since the level of the cleaning liquid in the air flow path 5 is lowered, the air valve 51 is opened, and the casing 1 is opened to the atmosphere, and therefore, the inside of the casing 1 is filled with the alternative cleaning liquid air, and the discharge of the cleaning liquid is promoted. Then, as in the first embodiment, when the washed laundry placed in the washing tub 2 is taken out, the operator opens the door of the housing 1 to take out the laundry. In addition, when rinsing is performed after washing, or when washing is performed using a cleaning liquid different from the cleaning liquid used in the above-described washing step, the above-described step is performed again.

As described above, unlike the first embodiment, the washing apparatus of the present embodiment is configured to include the water tank 31 in the washing liquid circulation path to the casing 1. Thus, the cleaning liquid discharged from the casing 1 can be temporarily stored in the water tank 31, and therefore, the filling and sealing of the cleaning liquid in the casing 1 and the contamination of the cleaning liquid can be checked in the water tank 31. Thus, the state and flow rate of the washing liquid suitable for washing can be appropriately changed by controlling each part in the circulation path according to the state and flow rate of the washing liquid to be circulated.

< third embodiment >

A third embodiment of the washing apparatus of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of piping in the washing apparatus of the present embodiment. In the structure shown in fig. 7, the same reference numerals are given to portions used for the same purpose as the structure shown in fig. 6, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

(constitution of washing apparatus)

Unlike the washing apparatus of the second embodiment (see fig. 6), the washing apparatus of the present embodiment includes a pipe 52 for air suction and exhaust, which connects the housing 1 and the water tank 31, as the air flow path 5, and does not include the air valve 51. The water tank 31 is configured to be open to the atmosphere, and the air intake and exhaust pipe 52 is provided at the upper portion of the casing 1 in the vertical direction, as in the air flow path 5 of the first and second embodiments. Thus, the casing 1 is configured to be open to the atmosphere via the air intake and exhaust pipe 52 and the water tank 31. As will be described in detail later, since the cleaning liquid flows into the gas suction/discharge pipe 52 and is then transferred to the water tank 31 after the casing 1 is filled and sealed with the cleaning liquid, the gas suction/discharge pipe 52 functions similarly to the liquid discharge pipe 41.

(control flow in washing)

1. Filling seal for housing

The control flow of each step of washing by the washing apparatus of fig. 7 configured as described above will be described below. The control unit 100 sends control signals to the control valves 46, 63, 67 to 69, thereby closing the control valves 46, 67 to 69 and opening the control valve 63. In addition, in the case where the pump 32 is in the stopped state, the control valve 62 may be in any one of the open and closed states. Thus, as in the second embodiment, the cleaning liquid is supplied into the casing 1 through the liquid supply pipe 61. Since the control valve 46 is closed to prohibit the flow of the cleaning liquid from the drain pipe 42 connected to the lower portion of the casing 1, the cleaning liquid is filled in the casing 1.

Thus, while the casing 1 is filled with the cleaning liquid, the air in the casing 1 is discharged into the water tank 31, which is open to the outside air, through the air intake and exhaust pipe 52, and thus the air is discharged into the outside air through the water tank 31. Then, if the casing 1 is filled and sealed with the cleaning liquid, the cleaning liquid flows into the air intake and exhaust pipe 52, and therefore the cleaning liquid is supplied to the water tank 31 through the air intake and exhaust pipe 52. At this time, since the control valves 67 and 69 are closed and the cleaning liquid cannot be discharged from the tank 31, the cleaning liquid is stored in the tank 31. The opening degree of the control valve 63 is adjusted to prevent the flow rate of the cleaning liquid supplied from the liquid supply pipe 61 from being smaller than the flow rate of the cleaning liquid discharged from the self-priming exhaust pipe 52. Thereby, the casing 1 can be kept in a state filled and sealed with the cleaning liquid.

As described above, when the washing liquid is stored in the tank 31, the amount of the washing liquid stored in the tank 31 is detected by transmitting an electric signal from the liquid amount detection sensor 38 provided in the tank 31 to the control unit 100. In addition, in the case of washing with an aqueous washing solution mixed with a surfactant, the surfactant is mixed with the stored washing solution in the water tank 31, as in the second embodiment. Then, if the control unit 100 determines that the amount of the washing liquid stored in the tank 31 is sufficient for circulating the washing liquid based on the electric signal from the liquid amount detection sensor 38, it sends a control signal to the control valves 68 and 69 and opens the control valves 68 and 69, respectively. Then, the control portion 100 also sends a control signal to the control valve 62 to open the control valve 62, and then sends a control signal to the pump 32 to drive the pump 32.

As described above, as in the second embodiment, the circulation of the cleaning liquid with respect to the casing 1 is started by the driving of the pump 32, and then the control unit 100 sends a control signal to the control valve 63 to close the control valve 63, thereby stopping the supply of the cleaning liquid from the liquid supply pipe 61. Then, as in the second embodiment, the opening degrees of the control valves 62 and 68 are adjusted so that the casing 1 is kept in a state filled and sealed with the cleaning liquid. At this time, the control unit 100 may adjust the opening degree of the control valve 69 based on an electric signal from the liquid amount detection sensor 38 in order to keep the amount of the washing liquid in the water tank 31 at a predetermined amount.

When the casing 1 is filled and sealed with the cleaning liquid, the control valve 68 may be opened, and the cleaning liquid may be supplied to the water tank 31 through the liquid discharge pipe 41 and the air suction and exhaust pipe 52. At this time, the control unit 100 adjusts the opening degrees of the control valves 63 and 68 to prevent the amount of the washing liquid supplied from the liquid supply pipe 61 from being smaller than the amount of the washing liquid discharged from the liquid discharge pipe 41 and the gas suction and discharge pipe 52.

2. Washing process

If circulation of the washing liquid is started in the above-described manner, rotation of the washing tub 2 is started and the laundry placed in the washing tub 2 is washed, as in the second embodiment. In the casing 1 having the rotating washing tank 2 therein, the washing liquid pumped up from the water tank 31 by the pump 32 is supplied to the casing 1 through the pump discharge side pipe 34, and the washing liquid subjected to washing is discharged from the liquid discharge pipe 41 and the air suction and discharge pipe 52. The cleaning liquid discharged from the casing 1 through the liquid discharge pipe 41 and the air suction/discharge pipe 52 is sent to the water tank 31. The cleaning liquid in the water tank 31 is supplied to the waste liquid treatment unit 66 through the liquid discharge pipe 64, and after the cleaning liquid is regenerated in the waste liquid treatment unit 66, the cleaning liquid is sent to the pump 32 through the pump suction pipe 33.

Thus, in the washing apparatus of the present embodiment, as in the washing apparatus of the second embodiment, the washing liquid can be circulated to the casing 1 by driving the pump 32, opening the control valves 62, 68, 69, and closing the control valves 46, 63, 67. When the relationship between the supply amount and the discharge amount of the washing liquid to the casing 1 is recognized by the control unit 100 based on the electric signal from the liquid amount detection sensor 38, the flow rate of the circulating washing liquid can be controlled by adjusting the flow rate of the pump 32 or the opening degree of the control valves 62, 68, and 69, as in the second embodiment. This allows the casing 1 to be kept in a state filled and sealed with the washing liquid according to the amount of the washing liquid in the water tank 31.

Further, as in the second embodiment, a sensor capable of detecting the state of the washing liquid may be provided in the water tank 31 to detect the degree of contamination of the washing liquid. That is, when the degree of contamination of the cleaning liquid in the tank 31 is serious, the control valves 63 and 46 may be opened temporarily so that the degrees of opening thereof become the same, thereby adding the cleaning liquid from the outside. When the control valve 63 is opened to supply the cleaning liquid from the outside of the circulation path, the control valve 67 may be opened instead of the control valve 46 to discharge the soiled cleaning liquid in the circulation path through the water tank 31 and the drain pipe 65.

3. Discharge of washing liquid

Then, if the control unit 100 detects that the washing process by circulation of the washing liquid and rotation of the washing tub 2 is completed, the control valves 46 and 67 are opened to start discharging the washing liquid filled and sealed in the casing 1 while stopping the driving of the pump 32, as in the second embodiment. Thus, the washing apparatus of the present embodiment is also configured to discharge not only the washing liquid in the casing 1 but also the washing liquid in the water tank 31 to the waste liquid treatment unit 44, as in the washing apparatus of the second embodiment.

As described above, when the cleaning liquid is discharged from the casing 1 and the water tank 31, the water tank 31 is opened to the atmosphere, and therefore air first flows into the water tank 31 from the outside. Then, the air flowing into the water tank 31 from the outside flows into the casing 1 through the air intake and exhaust pipe 52. Accordingly, since the casing 1 and the water tank 31 are open to the atmosphere, the casing 1 and the water tank 31 are filled with air instead of the cleaning liquid, and the discharge of the cleaning liquid from the casing 1 and the water tank 31 is facilitated.

As described above, the washing apparatus of the present embodiment is different from the configuration of the second embodiment in that the air flow path is provided with the air suction/discharge pipe 52 for connecting the casing 1 and the water tank 31. Accordingly, the casing 1 can be opened to the atmosphere by the water tank 31 and the air suction and exhaust pipe 52 opened to the atmosphere, and therefore, the time required for supplying the cleaning liquid to the casing 1 and discharging the cleaning liquid can be reduced. Further, since the air suction/exhaust pipe 52 functions similarly to the liquid discharge pipe 41 after all the air in the casing 1 is discharged, the load of the liquid discharge pipe 41 when circulating the cleaning liquid can be distributed to the air suction/exhaust pipe 52, and the load can be reduced.

In addition, the present embodiment may be configured as follows: when the casing 1 is filled and sealed with the cleaning liquid, the control valve 68 is opened to discharge the air in the casing 1 to the water tank 31 through the liquid discharge pipe 41. That is, the drain pipe 41 functions similarly to the suction/exhaust pipe 52, and the discharge amount of the cleaning liquid from the casing 1 can be controlled by controlling the opening degree of the control valve 68 when the cleaning liquid is circulated. In addition, the present embodiment may be configured as follows: the control valve 68 and the gas suction and discharge pipe 52 are eliminated, and only the liquid discharge pipe 41 is provided, and the liquid discharge pipe 41 functions as the gas suction and discharge pipe 52.

In the second and third embodiments, the control valves 62, 68, and 69 are provided in the circulation path through which the washing liquid circulates in the casing 1, and thereby the supply amount of the washing liquid to the casing 1 and the discharge amount of the washing liquid discharged from the casing 1 are controlled, but the control of the flow rate of the washing liquid circulating in the casing 1 is not limited to this configuration. In this case, the control valves 62, 68, and 69 may be omitted from the piping structure, and the flow rate of the circulating cleaning liquid may be controlled according to the flow rate of each piping and the function of the pump 32.

That is, in the second embodiment, the piping area or the piping resistance may be set so that the flow rate of the washing liquid flowing through the liquid discharge piping 41 is substantially equal to or less than the flow rate of the washing liquid flowing through the pump discharge side piping 34. Alternatively, the following may be used: by controlling the flow rate by the pump 32, the supply amount of the cleaning liquid to the casing 1 and the discharge amount of the cleaning liquid discharged from the casing 1 are controlled so that the cleaning liquid can be circulated in a state where the casing 1 is filled and sealed.

The present invention can be applied to a washing apparatus for washing an object to be washed by rotating a washing tank in a casing filled with a sealed washing liquid. The cleaning liquid used in the cleaning apparatus may be an aqueous cleaning liquid or a nonaqueous cleaning liquid.

Claims

1. A washing device, comprising: a washing tank which rotates with a rotation axis inclined from a vertical direction to a horizontal direction or a horizontal direction and in which laundry is placed; a casing which is sleeved on the washing tank and is filled and sealed by the washing liquid; a liquid supply flow path for supplying the cleaning liquid to the housing; a liquid discharge flow path that discharges the cleaning liquid from the casing; the method is characterized in that: the method comprises the following steps:

an air flow path connected to the housing and opening the inside of the housing to outside air;

a detection unit that detects information that the inside of the casing is filled and sealed with the cleaning liquid, based on the amount of the cleaning liquid flowing into the air flow path;

a pump for delivering the cleaning liquid from the liquid discharge flow path to the liquid supply flow path;

when the laundry is washed, the water is sprayed to the laundry,

the washing machine is characterized in that the washing object is placed in the washing tank, and then the washing liquid is supplied from the liquid supply flow path to the casing in a state that the casing is opened to the outside air through the air flow path,

the detection unit allows circulation of the washing liquid from the liquid discharge flow path when detecting that the casing is in a state of being filled and sealed with the washing liquid based on the amount of the washing liquid flowing into the air flow path, and rotates the washing tank while circulating the washing liquid with respect to the casing filled and sealed with the washing liquid by the pump, thereby starting washing of the object to be washed.

2. A washing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the inner wall surface of the washing tank comprises a concave-convex curved surface which is concave-convex towards the diameter direction of the washing tank,

the concave-convex curved surface is a curve which is perpendicular to the section of the washing tank shaft and forms a continuous concave-convex shape in the circumferential direction, and the curve is made to be a continuous shape along the washing tank shaft.

3. A washing apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein: the washing tank includes a slit penetrating from an inner wall surface to an outer wall surface of the washing tank.

4. A washing apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: an air valve disposed on the air flow path, the air valve allowing air to flow in and out of the housing and prohibiting the washing liquid from being discharged from the housing;

the detection unit determines that the inside of the housing is filled and sealed with the cleaning liquid by closing the air valve after the cleaning liquid flows into the air flow path.

5. A washing apparatus as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that: includes a water tank in which the cleaning liquid is temporarily stored, and the cleaning liquid is discharged to the liquid supply flow path by the pump connected to the water tank.

6. A washing apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein: supplying the cleaning liquid from the water tank to the casing through the liquid supply flow path by the pump until the inside of the casing is filled and sealed with the cleaning liquid;

the detection unit detects that the inside of the casing is filled and sealed with the cleaning liquid, and then the pump conveys the cleaning liquid discharged from the liquid discharge flow path to the liquid supply flow path, thereby circulating the cleaning liquid.

7. A washing apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein: the liquid discharge flow path is connected with the water tank,

stopping the driving of the pump to supply the cleaning liquid directly from the liquid supply flow path to the casing before the inside of the casing is filled and sealed with the cleaning liquid;

the detection unit detects that the inside of the casing is filled and sealed with the cleaning liquid, and then the pump causes the cleaning liquid discharged from the liquid discharge flow path to the water tank to be supplied from the water tank to the liquid supply flow path, thereby circulating the cleaning liquid.

8. A washing apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: further comprising: a water tank connected to the liquid discharge flow path and the air flow path, the water tank temporarily storing the cleaning liquid therein, and the pump connected to the water tank discharging the cleaning liquid to the liquid supply flow path;

a liquid amount detection sensor that measures the amount of the washing liquid stored in the water tank;

wherein the content of the first and second substances,

the air flow path allows air in the housing to be discharged to the tank which is open to the atmosphere, and allows the cleaning solution in the housing to be discharged to the tank through the air flow path when the housing is filled and sealed with the cleaning solution;

the detection unit determines that the casing is filled and sealed with the washing liquid when the amount of the washing liquid stored in the water tank measured by the liquid amount detection sensor reaches a predetermined amount.