JP2002360975A - Washing machine and washer / dryer - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] To reduce the mechanical force applied to laundry in a washing process. A high concentration detergent solution having a detergent concentration of 200 to 300 times is produced by dissolving a detergent with a small amount of tap water,
This high-concentration detergent solution is diluted to a detergent concentration of 5 to 30 times and penetrated and immersed in the wet laundry, thereby exerting the chemical detergency of the detergent acting on the dirt attached to the laundry. Accordingly, the washing efficiency is increased, and thereafter, the amount of water required for washing is supplied to reduce the mechanical force applied to the laundry when washing the laundry, thereby reducing the damage and entanglement of the laundry.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a washing machine and a washing / drying machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A fully automatic washing machine detects the amount of laundry put into a washing and dewatering tub, and puts in an amount of detergent corresponding to the amount of laundry (laundry clothes). After supplying tap water (washing water) in an amount corresponding to the amount of laundry, rotate the stirring blades in the forward and reverse directions, or rotate the washing and dewatering tub in one direction, or rotate in the forward and reverse directions to apply mechanical power to the laundry. The washing process is performed, and then a tap water (rinsing water) is supplied, and the rinsing process is also performed to apply the same mechanical force to the laundry. This is a configuration for executing a dehydration step of centrifugally dehydrating contained rinse water. The washing / drying machine that performs the drying of the laundry clothes is configured to further execute a hot air drying step of blowing hot air to dry the washing clothes.

In such a fully automatic washing machine or washing / drying machine, the amount of a synthetic detergent dissolved in washing water in a washing step is generally about 20 g / 30 L (detergent amount / washing water amount). The detergent concentration is about 0.07%.

[0004] In order to perform washing to remove dirt attached to laundry with washing water having a low detergent concentration, it is necessary to increase the rotational force of a stirring blade or a washing and dewatering tank.
By increasing the washing time, the mechanical force acting on the laundry needs to be increased. As a result, at present, there is a drawback that the laundry is severely damaged by mechanical force and the laundry is entangled.

[0005] When the entanglement of the laundry is increased, the unevenness of washing is increased, and it becomes difficult to take out the laundry.
Further, in the washer / dryer, since it is difficult to perform hot air drying in the washing and dewatering tub due to the occurrence of uneven drying, etc., in order to perform hot air drying, the mechanical force acting on the laundry is reduced, It is necessary to reduce the entanglement of the cloth, and as a result, there is a disadvantage in that the stains are not easily removed.

[0006] In order to reduce the mechanical force acting on the laundry in the washing step, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-80182 adds a pre-soaking step of dipping the laundry in a high-concentration detergent solution before the washing step. Thus, a fully automatic washing machine that utilizes the chemical detergency of a highly concentrated detergent has been disclosed. Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-47594 discloses a washing machine for soaking or washing with washing water having a high detergent concentration.

The washing machine and the washer / dryer are configured such that means for performing washing, dehydration and drying can be housed in a limited form of housing (width, depth, height). desirable. In particular, a means for generating a high-concentration detergent solution and submerging it in laundry to effectively exert the chemical detergency of the detergent is a new means added to conventional washing machines and washing dryers. Therefore, it is necessary to devise these means in a housing to realize a practical washing machine and washing / drying machine. JP-A-7-80182
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. H11-163873 exemplifies that a detergent is dissolved in water twice the weight of the laundry to produce a high-concentration detergent solution. This is, for example, in washing 4 kg of laundry, 8 L of laundry is washed. It is difficult to install a means that generates and accumulates such a large amount of high-concentration detergent solution, which is equivalent to a high-concentration detergent solution.
Impractical.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One object of the present invention is to use a detergent to effectively exert the chemical detergency of the detergent so that it can act on laundry (laundry clothes) in the washing process. An object of the present invention is to propose a practical washing machine capable of greatly reducing the mechanical force to be applied.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a washing and drying machine for drying laundry which has been dehydrated in a washing and dewatering tub by blowing hot air into the washing and dehydrating tub, and a machine for acting on the laundry in a washing step. An object of the present invention is to reduce the force, reduce the entanglement of the laundry in the washing and dewatering tub without deteriorating the stain removal, improve the drying efficiency, and reduce the uneven drying.

It is still another object of the present invention to prevent the discoloration of laundry by dissolving and diluting the powdered synthetic detergent and dispersing the laundry with high-concentration detergent liquid.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, a detergent is dissolved in a small amount of detergent-dissolving water to produce a high-concentration detergent solution having a higher concentration than the detergent concentration of the wash water, and the high-concentration detergent solution is diluted. By descending on the laundry while sinking (penetrating),
The cleaning efficiency is enhanced by utilizing the chemical detergency of the detergent acting on the dirt attached to the laundry, and the mechanical force acting on the laundry in the subsequent washing is reduced.

[0012] The concentration of the detergent liquid to be dropped on the laundry and immersed in the laundry is determined by dissolving and diluting the powdered synthetic detergent with tap water so that the effective amount of the surfactant is increased by the hardness component contained in the tap water. The reduction is controlled to such an extent that it can be effectively suppressed by the function of the zeolite contained in the detergent. Here, the effective amount of the surfactant means an amount of the surfactant capable of retaining surface activity and acting on soil without binding to the hardness component in the washing liquid.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A high-concentration detergent solution is produced by dissolving a powdered synthetic detergent with a small amount of detergent-dissolving water, and the high-concentration detergent solution is immersed (penetrated) into laundry.
Since the chemical cleaning power of the high-concentration detergent liquid acts on the dirt adhering to the laundry to generate a cleaning action, the mechanical force acting on the laundry in the subsequent washing can be reduced. The chemical cleaning action is affected by the concentration of the highly concentrated detergent liquid which is submerged in the laundry.

Since the amount of the powdery synthetic detergent used for washing is adjusted according to the amount of laundry, in order to produce a suitable high-concentration detergent solution which generates a favorable chemical detergency, this detergent is used. It is desirable to adjust the amount of water supply according to the amount of water. Specifically, the desired detergent concentration of the high-concentration detergent solution to be submerged in the laundry is 5 to 5 times the standard detergent concentration of the wash water.
The detergent concentration is 30 times, and the preferable detergent concentration is about 10 times. For example, a high-concentration detergent solution having a detergent concentration of 10 times is used in a general washing machine and a washer / dryer to obtain a detergent obtained by dissolving a synthetic powder detergent with 6 L of water in washing using 60 L of washing water. It is not preferable to use such a large-volume detergent dissolving container from the viewpoint of the installation location of the detergent dissolving container because it corresponds to a liquid, and therefore, the powder synthetic detergent is produced by dissolving in a tap water. The high-concentration detergent solution has a smaller amount necessary to dissolve the powdery synthetic detergent, for example, a higher-concentration state than a high-concentration detergent solution immersed in laundry with 200 to 300 mL of tap water, for example, a detergent concentration of washing water. And 200 to 300 times as high as that of the above, and this is soaked in the laundry while diluting it to a preferable detergent concentration.

The discoloration of the laundry due to the high-concentration detergent liquid becomes remarkable when the high-concentration detergent liquid permeates and sinks into the laundry. Therefore, it is desirable that the high-concentration detergent liquid is uniformly soaked by wetting the laundry with water and then descending while rotating at a low speed.

The present invention relates to a washing machine and a washer / dryer that make effective use of the chemical detergency of a high-concentration detergent solution. The washing machine is implemented in a form in which the drying mechanism of the washer / dryer is omitted. Therefore, an embodiment of the washing and drying machine will be described below.

The washing and drying machine according to this embodiment detects the amount of laundry and determines the amount of washing water (washing water level).
A detection step for determining the amount of the powdered synthetic detergent required, a high-concentration detergent liquid generating step for dissolving the powdered synthetic detergent with water to generate a high-concentration detergent liquid, and a wetting step for adding water to the laundry to wet it. And a dip process in which the high-concentration detergent liquid produced by dissolving the powdered synthetic detergent is diluted and dipped into wet laundry to be immersed, and a stationary process in which the high-concentration detergent liquid is immersed in the laundry (Omitted as necessary), a washing step, a rinsing step, a dehydrating step, and a hot-air drying step are executed.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a vertical section of a washing and drying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Reference numeral 1 denotes a frame constituting an outer shell. 2 is
The washing / dewatering tub has a water passage hole 2a on its peripheral wall, a fluid balancer 3 on its upper edge, and a rotatable stirring blade 4 inside the bottom. The stirring blade 4 is provided with a water passage hole 4a.
Having. Reference numeral 5 denotes an outer tub that contains the washing and dewatering tub 2. A driving device 6 is attached to the outside of the bottom by a steel plate-attached base 7, and a vibration isolating support device 8 is provided from four corners at the upper end of the outer frame 1. Support to be suspended.

The drive unit 6 incorporates a drive motor, an electric operation clutch mechanism and a planetary gear reduction mechanism, and
The washing / dewatering tub 2 and the stirring blade 4 are rotated integrally (the stirring mode), and the washing and dewatering tub 2 and the stirring blade 4 are rotated in the opposite directions (the washing mode), respectively. Has a selective drive function of rotating in the same direction (dehydration / drying mode).

Upper cover 9 having a clothing input opening 9a formed thereon
Is fitted to the edge of the opening so as to cover the upper opening of the frame 1 and is attached to the frame 1 together with the front panel 10 and the back panel 11 by attaching screws.

A front panel box 12 formed between the upper cover 9 and the front panel 10 has a power switch 13, an operation panel 14 having input switches and a display element group, and an operation panel 14 according to the water level in the outer tank 5. A water level sensor 15 for generating a water level signal and a control unit 16 are incorporated. These constitute a control device.

A back panel box 17 formed between the top cover 9 and the back panel 11 has a built-in washing water supply means and a high-concentration detergent liquid generating means arranged side by side.

The washing water supply means includes a water tap connection port 1 on the water inlet side.
8 and a main water supply solenoid valve 20 having a water outlet connected to a water inlet 19.

The high-concentration detergent liquid generating means supplies a small amount of detergent dissolving water from the auxiliary water supply solenoid valve 22 to the detergent dissolving container 21, and electrically drives the powdered synthetic detergent charged in the detergent dissolving container 21. The high-concentration detergent solution is produced by dissolving in the detergent-dissolving water while stirring with a stirring blade. The detergent dissolving container 21 has an overflow portion (not shown) connected to the water supply port 19, and further supplies the generated high-concentration detergent solution with water (dilution water supply).
By diluting and increasing the volume, the water overflows from the overflow section and is supplied to the water inlet 19. The detergent-dissolved water for producing the high-concentration detergent solution is set to such a small amount as not to overflow from the overflow portion of the detergent-dissolved container 21, and at the time of dilution water supply, it is diluted to a detergent concentration preferable for being immersed in laundry. Then, the main water supply solenoid valve 20 is also opened to supply the additional dilution water to the water inlet 19. The size of the detergent dissolving container 21 is desirably about 400 cc (400 mL) in order to be installed in the back panel box 17, and the preferable amount of the high-concentration detergent solution produced by dissolving the powdered synthetic detergent is 200 to 200 cc. Assuming that the washing water is 300 mL and the standard amount of washing water is 60 L, the detergent concentration of the high-concentration detergent solution produced by dissolving the synthetic powder detergent in the detergent dissolving water is 200 to 300 times the detergent concentration of the washing water. This highly concentrated detergent solution
When descending and soaking in the laundry, dilute it 5 to 30 times (preferably about 10 times).

When a washing aid (such as a finishing agent or a bleaching agent) is added to the detergent dissolving vessel 21 of the high-concentration detergent liquid producing means, an auxiliary water supply electromagnetic valve 22a used for the finishing agent introducing means is additionally provided. Is provided.

The hot air circulating drying means is formed so as to extend vertically upward along a rear outer wall surface of the outer tub 5 from a suction port 5a formed in a side wall near the bottom of the outer tub 5. A water-cooling dehumidifying duct 23 for blocking the washing water that has entered through the suction port 5a, and a cooling water sprinkling unit 2 that is located at an upper portion in the water-cooling dehumidifying duct 23 and supplies cooling water into the duct.
4, a descending air duct 25 which is turned up at a position higher than the water level of the outer tub 5 in the washing process and extends vertically toward the lower side of the outer tub 5 along the outer wall surface of the outer tub 5; 5, a circulating fan 26 arranged in the lower space to draw air from the downdraft duct 25 to generate circulating air;
A rising air duct 27 extending vertically upward from the discharge port of the circulation fan 26 along the outer wall surface of the outer tub 5;
A heater (PTC heater) 29 for heating the circulating air sent from the hopper 2 and an outlet 30 for blowing the circulating air heated by the heater 29 into the washing and dewatering tub 2 are provided.

The water-cooling dehumidifying duct 23, the descending air duct 25, and the rising air duct 27 are mounted on the outer wall surface on the rear side of the outer tub 5 in the circumferential direction of the outer tub 5.

The hot air circulating and drying means drains the washing water in the outer tub 5 after washing, rotates the washing and dewatering tub 2 at a high speed, spins the water, and then operates the circulation fan 26 while rotating at a low speed. Thereby, the cooling water supplied from the cooling water sprinkling section 24 into the water-cooled dehumidifying duct 23 in the process of sucking the humid air in the outer tub 5 and the washing and dewatering tub 3 from the suction port 5 a and moving up the water-cooled dehumidifying duct 23. To cool and dehumidify. Thereafter, the cooled and dehumidified air is lowered into the descending air duct 25 and is sucked into the circulation fan 26.
Then, the water is sent to the outlet 30 through the heater 29, heated by the heater 29, and blown toward the vicinity of the inner wall surface in the washing and dewatering tub 2 in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the washing and dewatering tub 2. The circulating air blown into the washing and dewatering tub 2 in this way touches the laundry in the washing and dewatering tub 2 to dry the laundry.

Clothing opening 9a formed in upper cover 9
Is openably and closably covered by an outer lid 31, and the outer tank upper cover 2
The opening 28 a formed in the opening 8 is configured to be opened and closed by the inner lid 32.

A drain port 5 b formed at the bottom of the outer tank 5 is connected to a drain hose 34 via a drain solenoid valve 33. The air trap 5c is connected to the water level sensor 15 via an air tube 35. A base 37 formed of a synthetic resin having legs 36 attached to four corners is attached to the lower edge of the frame 1.

Reference numeral 38 denotes the laundry put into the washing and dewatering tub 2.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional side view showing a specific configuration of the above-mentioned washing / drying machine. A description overlapping with the description of FIG. 1 is partially omitted.

The drive unit 6 includes a drive motor 61, an electrically operated clutch mechanism 62, a planetary gear reduction mechanism 63, a center output shaft 64, and an outer output shaft 65.
The mounting base 7 is attached to the lower surface of the outer tub 5 by screws.

The drive motor 61 is a reversible rotary motor having a plurality of stages or a continuously variable speed. In this embodiment, the rotation speed at which the stirring blades 4 are rotated at the time of detection, the rotation speed at which the washing and dewatering tub 2 and the stirring blades 4 are rotated at the time of wet water supply, and the high-concentration detergent liquid are dropped onto the laundry to be immersed therein. The rotation speed at which the washing and dewatering tub 2 and / or the stirring blades 4 are rotated at the time of sinking, the rotation speed at which the sun gear of the planetary gear reduction mechanism is rotated at the time of washing, and the washing and dewatering tub 2 and the stirring blades 4 at the time of dehydration are adjusted. It is possible to control the rotation speed for integrally rotating and the rotation speed for integrally rotating the washing and dewatering tub 2 and the stirring blade 4 during hot air drying to rotate the stirring blade 4 to a preferable value. Constitute.

The planetary gear reduction mechanism 63 has a configuration in which a carrier supporting the planetary gears is connected to the center output shaft 64, the internal gear is connected to the outer output shaft 65, and the sun gear is directly connected to the drive motor 61. .

Then, the electric operation clutch mechanism 62 selectively sets the stirring mode, the washing mode, and the dehydration / drying mode by operating the operation lever 62b by the electric operation device 62a. In the agitation mode, the internal gear of the planetary gear reduction mechanism 63 is engaged with the stationary member to apply a static force to the washing and spin-drying tub 2 so that the rotational force of the drive motor 61 is output to the central output of the planetary gear reduction mechanism 63 and the central output. Axis 64
The rotation of the stirring blade 4 is transmitted to the stirring blade 4 via the, and the detection of the cloth amount and the detection of the cloth based on the load amount acting on the stirring blade 4 are executed. In the washing mode, the rotational force of the drive motor 61 is applied to both the center output shaft 64 and the outer output shaft 65 by rotating the sun gear by the drive motor 61 with the internal gear of the planetary gear reduction mechanism 63 being freely rotatable. The transmission is performed in the opposite direction, and the washing and dewatering tub 2 and the stirring blade 4 are repeatedly rotated in the normal and reverse directions in the opposite direction to execute the washing.
In the dehydration / drying mode, the planetary gear reduction mechanism 62
The inner gear is connected to the drive motor 61 to drive the sun gear and the inner gear integrally by the drive motor 61 to rotate the center output shaft 64 and the outer output shaft 65 in the same direction to rotate the washing and dewatering tub 2. Then, the stirring blade 4 is rotated at a low speed in the same direction to perform preliminary water supply, rotated at a high speed to perform centrifugal dehydration, and rotated at a low speed to perform hot air drying.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the washing and drying machine.

The control unit 16, which receives power via the power switch 13, is constituted mainly by a microcomputer 16a, and includes a power circuit 16b, a driving device 6, a main water supply solenoid valve 20, an auxiliary water supply solenoid valve 22, a detergent stirring motor. A drive circuit 1 having a group of semiconductor AC switching elements (FLS) for controlling power supply to a solenoid valve 39, a drain solenoid valve 33, a circulation fan 26, a heater 29, and a cooling water spray solenoid valve 24a.
6c.

The drive motor 61 of the drive device 6 has a stator winding 61a and a rotation sensor 61b, and the electric operation clutch mechanism 62 has an electric operation machine 62a and a position sensor 62c for detecting an operation position.

The drive circuit 16c controls the power supply to the stator winding 61a of the drive motor 61 in the drive device 6 by controlling the two semiconductor AC switching elements (FLS) 16c1 and 16c2 for forward and reverse rotation control. Is provided. FLS16c1 is a semiconductor switching element for forward rotation power supply control, and FLS16c2 is a semiconductor AC switching element for reverse rotation power supply control. In this embodiment, the rotation speed of the drive motor 61 is controlled by the stator winding 6.
Although the power supply to 1a is performed by controlling the phases by the FLSs 16c1 and 16c2, the configuration using an inverter-driven brushless motor can be configured to be performed by PWM control or PAM control. Further, an FLS 16c3 for controlling power supply of the electric operation clutch mechanism 62 of the driving device 6 to the electric operation device 62a is provided.

The drive circuit 16c includes the main water supply solenoid valve 2
0, water supply solenoid valve 22, detergent stirring motor 39, drainage solenoid valve 33, circulation fan 26, heater 29, cooling watering solenoid valve 2
FLS 16c4 to 16c10 for controlling power supply to 4aa. Then, the drive circuit 16c operates according to instructions from the microcomputer 16a.
By controlling the conduction state of the LS 16c10, the power supply to the subordinate load is controlled.

The microcomputer 16a is further connected to a rotation sensor 61b of the drive motor 61, a position sensor 62c of the electric operation clutch mechanism 62, a water level sensor 15 for detecting a washing water level in the outer tub 5, and an operation panel 14. By executing a control processing program incorporated in advance, signals from the input switch group 14a of the operation panel 14, the water level sensor 15, the rotation sensor 61b, and the position sensor 62c are taken in, and by controlling the drive circuit 16c, detection, The respective steps of high concentration detergent liquid generation, laundry wetting, high concentration detergent liquid immersion, deferment, washing, rinsing, dehydration and hot air drying are performed, and the display element group 14b of the operation panel 14 is executed.
To display the progress.

Input switch group 14a of operation panel 14
If necessary, a cloth setting switch or a type of laundry (shape or color) for setting information for effectively generating a chemical detergency by immersing a high-concentration detergent solution in the laundry 38 is used. Pattern)
A setting switch, a washing method setting switch, and the like are provided. The washing mode setting switch is also provided with a switch for setting a washing mode in which the step of immersing the high concentration detergent solution in the laundry 38 is omitted.

Next, each of the above-described steps will be described by exemplifying a case where a high-concentration detergent solution is immersed in laundry to effectively generate a chemical detergency of the detergent for washing, dehydration and drying. I do.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of each of the steps executed by the microcomputer 16a in the control unit 16.

When the washing start button switch in the input switch group 14a is turned on, the microcomputer 16a executes the following control processing.

Step 401 The laundry 38 is put into the washing / dewatering tub 2 and the operation panel 1
4 to operate the input switch group 14a to perform initial setting,
When the washing start button switch is pressed, the automatic operation control processing of each step is started.

In the initial setting, various kinds of information are set to avoid discoloration caused by immersing the high-concentration detergent solution in the laundry 38 and keeping the same. Specifically, information such as the cloth quality of the laundry 38, the type (shape and color pattern) of the laundry, and the washing method is set as necessary.

Step 402: A detection control process of the amount of laundry of the laundry 38 is performed. This cloth amount detection controls the electric operation clutch mechanism 62 of the driving device 6 to the stirring mode or the washing mode in a dry cloth state before water supply, energizes the driving electric motor 61 for a short time to rotationally drive the stirring blade 4, This is performed by detecting the ultimate rotation speed during driving. The amount of washing water and the amount of detergent for producing washing water having a preferable detergent concentration are calculated and determined based on the detection result (the amount of laundry), and the detergent amount is displayed on the display element group 14b to dissolve the detergent. The amount of the powdered synthetic detergent corresponding to the container 21 is charged.

Step 403: The electric operation clutch mechanism 62 of the driving device 6 is controlled to the dewatering / drying mode, and the driving motor 61 is operated at a low speed to rotate the washing / dewatering tub 2 and the stirring blade 4 at a low speed while the main water supply solenoid valve 2 is rotated.
Opening 0, the tap water is supplied directly to the water inlet 19, and the tap water is sprayed on the laundry 38 in the washing and dewatering tub 2. The laundry 38, which has been moistened by absorbing the sprayed tap water, has a reduced bulk, and the high-concentration detergent liquid uniformly and well penetrates and is easily immersed. The spray amount of tap water at this time is controlled in accordance with the amount of the laundry 38 detected in the detection process, and is controlled so as to decrease when the amount of the laundry 38 is small and increase as the amount of the laundry 38 increases. The amount of tap water sprayed on the laundry 38 is, for example, about 4 L when the amount of the laundry 38 is less than 4 kg, and 10 L when the amount of the laundry 38 is 4 kg to 8 kg. This amount of water supply is controlled by the opening time of the main water supply solenoid valve 20.

Then, if necessary, the tap water is kept in a wet state for a predetermined time so that the tap water sufficiently penetrates into the laundry 38. The stationary time is controlled according to the amount of the laundry 38 and the amount of the tap water sprayed. The washing and dewatering tub 2 may be in a stopped state during the stationary time for sufficiently permeating the sprayed tap water into the laundry 38. It is good to rotate at speed.

Step 404 The auxiliary water supply electromagnetic valve 22 is opened to supply a small amount of tap water (detergent dissolving water) so as not to overflow the detergent dissolving container 21, and the detergent dissolving supplied to generate the washing water having a preferable detergent concentration. A high-concentration detergent solution is generated by dissolving the powdered synthetic detergent in the container 21 while stirring with a stirring blade. The amount of the detergent dissolving water is such that the volume (size) of the detergent dissolving vessel 21 and the amount of the powdery synthetic detergent used for washing are uniformly and efficiently dissolved while being stirred by the stirring blade, and the zeolite contained in the detergent. Is the amount of water that can substantially prevent the production of metal soap by the hardness component of the detergent-dissolved water, for example, 200
Set to ~ 300mL and 200 ~ 3 of detergent concentration of washing water
Produces a high concentration detergent solution with a high concentration of 00 times.

Step 405 Controls the electric operation clutch mechanism 62 of the driving device 6 to the dewatering / drying mode, and operates the driving motor 61 at low speed to rotate the washing / dewatering tub 2 and the stirring blade 4 at a low speed to supply the auxiliary water supply electromagnetic force. The valve 22 is opened and diluted detergent water is supplied to the detergent dissolving container 21 to dilute the high-concentration detergent solution and overflow it from the overflow portion to feed it into the water inlet 19 and to supply the main supply electromagnetic valve 2.
0 is opened and water is supplied to the water inlet 19 to dilute the high-concentration detergent solution into a preferable high-concentration detergent solution to wash the laundry 3 in the washing and dewatering tub 2.
8 to sink into the laundry 38. The preferred detergent concentration of the high-concentration detergent solution at this time will be described later. The laundry 38 in the washing and dewatering tub 2 is
, The high-concentration detergent liquid flowing down from the water inlet 19 is evenly lowered on the laundry 38 and sinks. The rotation of the laundry 38 may be performed by rotating the agitating blades 4 while the washing and dewatering tub 2 is stationary, thereby stirring the laundry.

The high-concentration detergent liquid that has fallen on the laundry 38 quickly penetrates into and sinks into the interior of the laundry 38 and causes the detergent component to act on the dirt attached to the laundry 38.

Step 406 The laundry 38 having the high-concentration detergent liquid lowered and immersed therein is left for a predetermined time. This deferment is a time for further promoting the penetration of the high-concentration detergent solution into the laundry 38 and the effect of the detergent's chemical detergency on stains, and is omitted as necessary.

Here, the improvement of the cleaning degree by the high concentration detergent solution will be described.

The powdery synthetic detergent contains, as detergent components, a surfactant which removes dirt, and an additive such as an alkaline agent, a zeolite, an enzyme, a builder such as an anti-redeposition agent, and an optical brightener which assist the activator. In. Zeolite removes divalent or higher valent metal ions (hardness component) contained in tap water (softening water) to suppress the production of metal soap,
Although it functions to suppress the decrease in the amount of effective surfactant in the wash water, the effective amount of zeolite in the wash water generated by dissolving the powdered synthetic detergent in a large amount of tap water is insufficient. The agent is greatly reduced.

However, a high-concentration detergent solution produced by dissolving a powdered synthetic detergent in a small amount of tap water (detergent-dissolved water) (for example, a detergent concentration 10 times the detergent concentration of the wash water)
Since the amount of divalent or higher metal ions is small, the zeolite functions sufficiently and the decrease in effective surfactant can be suppressed to a very small amount (about 2%). Accordingly, the detergent liquid having such a high concentration falls on the laundry and is immersed in the laundry, so that the detergent liquid is rapidly applied to the laundry (dirty clothes) (for example, about 4% of the washing water is applied to the JISC9606 contaminated cloth). Penetrates at twice the speed) and quickly reaches the soil, the surfactant promotes the emulsification and dispersion of the soil, the alkaline agent promotes the swelling and saponification of the oil stain, and the enzyme decomposes the fat and protein stains Effectively demonstrates detergency.

FIG. 5 shows the effective amount of surfactant (chemical detergency) when the powdered synthetic detergent is dissolved in washing water (detergent concentration is 1) and the laundry 38 is soaked, and the powdered synthetic detergent is dissolved. The amount of effective surfactant (chemical detergency) and use when a high concentration detergent solution (detergent concentration 5 times, 10 times) produced by dissolving with a small amount of detergent dissolving water is immersed in laundry. It shows the relationship of the hardness of the water.

As described above, the amount of the effective surfactant (chemical detergency) in the detergent solution produced by dissolving the powdered synthetic detergent in water is determined by the amount of the hardness component contained in the water, that is, Affected by water hardness. Therefore, the effective amount of surfactant is reduced by as much as 10% when the hardness of the used water is 100 ppm at the detergent concentration (1 time) of the washing water, but 5%.
In the case of a 10-fold high concentration detergent solution, the reduction is only 2%, and a high detergency can be maintained.

FIG. 6 is a characteristic diagram of a beaker test showing the relationship between the concentration of the detergent liquid immersed in laundry and the chemical cleaning rate.
In this test, the relationship between the detergent concentration of a detergent solution produced by dissolving a powdered synthetic detergent in detergent-dissolved water having a hardness of 100 ppm and the washing rate was observed. The cleaning rate at the detergent concentration (1 time) of the washing water is about 3%, but at 5 times the detergent concentration, 1%.
It can be seen that a cleaning rate of 2% was obtained, and a cleaning rate of 15% was obtained at a detergent concentration of 10 times.

FIG. 7 is a characteristic diagram showing the relationship between the detergent concentration of the detergent solution and the alkalinity (PH value). The alkalinity is
As the detergent concentration increases, the alkalinity (PH value) at a detergent concentration of 10 times higher than that of the detergent water at a detergent concentration of approximately 10 is approximately 11, and the chemical detergency is increased.

FIG. 8 is a characteristic diagram of a beaker test showing the relationship between the alkalinity (PH) and the chemical cleaning rate in washing water having a detergent concentration of 1 times. In this test, the washing rate was changed when the alkalinity was changed by adding an alkali agent to a detergent solution (washing water) having a detergent concentration of 1 times, which was produced by dissolving a powdered synthetic detergent in detergent water having a hardness of 0 ppm. Is observed.
At an alkalinity of 10 (corresponding to washing water with a detergent concentration of 1 times), the cleaning rate is about 6%, but at an alkalinity of 11 (corresponding to a detergent solution with a detergent concentration of 10 times), the cleaning rate increases to about 8%. You can see that.

FIG. 9 is a characteristic diagram of a beaker test showing the relationship between the detergent concentration of the detergent solution and the chemical detergency of the enzyme. In this test, the relationship between the concentration of a detergent liquid produced by dissolving a powder synthetic detergent containing an enzyme and a powder synthetic detergent containing no enzyme in detergent-dissolved water having a hardness of 0 ppm and the cleaning rate was observed. It can be seen that in the detergent solution in which the powdered synthetic detergent containing the enzyme was dissolved, the washing rate was significantly increased as the detergent concentration was increased.

Step 407 The main water supply solenoid valve 20 and the auxiliary water supply solenoid valve 22 are opened to start supplying tap water (wash water). The supply of the washing water is performed up to the amount of water determined in step 402,
During the supply of water, the operation is interrupted in order to detect the amount (cloth value) and the quality of the laundry 38. The suspended water level is a water level suitable for detecting the amount of compress and the quality of the cloth set in the microcomputer 16a in advance. The auxiliary water supply electromagnetic valve 22 is opened to clean the detergent dissolving container 21.

Step 408: The amount of the compress and the quality of the cloth are detected to correct the washing water supply amount and to determine the washing process (washing process and rinsing process). In this cloth detection, the water supply is interrupted at a predetermined low water level, the electric operation clutch mechanism 62 of the driving device 6 is controlled to the stirring mode or the washing mode, and the driving motor 61 is energized for a short time to rotate the stirring blade 4. The driving device detects the first characteristic (amount of compress cloth) at the ultimate rotation speed during driving, and then restarts the water supply and replenishes the wash water to a predetermined high water level.
The drive motor 61 is energized for a short time to rotationally drive the agitating blades 4 to detect a second characteristic at the ultimate rotation speed during driving, and to perform washing based on a difference between the first characteristic and the second characteristic. The cloth of the object 38 is detected. This cloth quality detection control is omitted when it becomes unnecessary by the initial setting. Then, the time and the water flow (the intensity of mechanical stirring) in the washing and rinsing steps are determined according to the fabric quality.

Step 409 Tap water is supplied to the water amount (water level) determined in step 402. By this water supply, the washing water is diluted with a high-concentration detergent solution to a detergent concentration (1 time) preferable for washing. As a result, the laundry 38 is immersed in the washing water having a predetermined detergent concentration (1 time) in the washing / dewatering tub 2.

In the water supply in steps 407 to 409, the high-concentration detergent solution is diluted with high-hardness tap water. However, since the detergent components have permeated the laundry in a high-concentration state and acted on the stains, However, the water supply does not hinder the cleaning action of the detergent components.

Step 410: The driving device 6 is controlled so as to perform the washing process with the washing water flow and washing time set in step 408. In this washing step, the drive device 6 controls the electric operation clutch mechanism 62 to the washing mode, and repeats the forward / reverse operation of the drive motor 61 to thereby repeatedly rotate the washing / dewatering tub 2 and the stirring blade 4 in the opposite direction. Rotate.

Here, the relationship between the washing time, the degree of washing, and the cloth entanglement ratio in the washing step will be described.

FIG. 10 shows the relationship between the washing time and the degree of washing. In the washing step, in order to remove dirt attached to the laundry 38, the washing and dewatering tub 2 and the stirring blade 4 are repeatedly rotated in the normal and reverse directions to apply mechanical force to the laundry 38. In addition, the detergent of the detergent 38 acts on the stains of the laundry 38.

The characteristic curve 1001 is obtained when the washing process is performed by dissolving the detergent with washing water without performing the step of soaking the high concentration detergent solution in the laundry 38. That is, it shows the washing time and the washing degree when the washing step is performed by the conventional washing method. Conventional washing method,
The laundry is washed by adding a detergent at a ratio of 20 g / 30 L, which is a detergent amount required for washing.

Washing removes dirt from the laundry by the synergistic effect of the chemical power of the detergent on the dirt on the laundry and the mechanical power of the washing machine. Therefore, the cleaning is performed according to the relationship between the washing time and the cleaning index shown in FIG. The degree improves. The conventional washing time is generally about 8 to 10 minutes, and the washing index at this time is about 50th.

The characteristic curve 1002 is obtained when the washing (stirring) step is performed after the high concentration detergent liquid is immersed in the laundry 38. In this embodiment, since the washing step is performed after the high concentration detergent liquid is immersed in the laundry 38, the degree of washing according to the characteristic curve 1002 can be obtained, and therefore, the washing time is relatively short. The required degree of cleaning can be obtained with a small mechanical force in the cleaning time.

As described above, after the high-concentration detergent solution is immersed, the process proceeds to the washing step and the stirring is performed for about 8 minutes, whereby a washing degree of 90 can be realized.

From this, the high concentration detergent solution is applied to the laundry 38.
By adopting the washing method of sinking and sinking the laundry 38, even if the washing time is within 5 minutes, the stains on the laundry 38 are removed better than before. Therefore, it is possible to provide a high-concentration washing method in which the washing power is improved even if the mechanical power of the washing machine is reduced.

Here, the mechanical force is used to adjust the ON / OFF time of the forward / reverse rotation of the washing / dewatering tub 2 and the stirring blade 4,
It can be controlled by adjusting the number of revolutions or adjusting the washing (stirring) time.

FIG. 11 shows the relationship between the washing time and the cloth entanglement ratio. A characteristic curve 1101 is obtained when the washing process is performed with a small mechanical force.
This is when the washing process is performed with a large mechanical force.
The mechanical power in the washing process includes the washing and dewatering tub 2 and the stirring blade 4.
In order to generate a large mechanical force, the rotation angle between the washing and dewatering tub 2 and the stirring blades 4 increases, and the cloth entanglement rate increases in order to generate a large mechanical force. . In this embodiment, since the required detergency can be obtained with a small mechanical force, the characteristic curve 11
The washing process can be executed at a cloth entanglement rate of 01, and 10
% Or less can be realized. In other words, by adopting the high-concentration cleaning method, even if the mechanical power is small, the dirt on the laundry 38 can be removed better than the conventional cleaning method. And entanglement can be reduced.

Step 411 The drain solenoid valve 33 is opened to drain the washing water out of the machine.

Step 412 The main water supply solenoid valve 20 and the auxiliary water supply solenoid valve 22 are opened to supply rinsing water (tap water) to a set water amount. At this time (when water is supplied for final rinsing when performing multiple rinsing),
If necessary, the auxiliary water supply electromagnetic valve 22a is also opened and the finishing agent is supplied.

Step 413 The drive device 6 is controlled to execute the rinsing process. In the washing process using the high-concentration washing method, the amount of metal soap that increases the adsorption of the surfactant to the laundry 38 is suppressed,
The rinsing performance is improved (about 1.3 times), and a predetermined rinsing operation can be performed with a small rinsing force (mechanical force).

Step 414 The drain solenoid valve 33 is opened to drain the rinsing water out of the machine.

Step 415 The drain / electromagnetic valve 33 is kept open, the electric operation clutch mechanism 62 of the driving device 6 is controlled to the dehydration / drying mode, and the driving motor 61 is operated at a high speed.
And the stirring blade 4 are integrally rotated at a high speed to centrifugally dehydrate the water in the laundry 38. In a state where the centrifugal dehydration is completed, the laundry 38 is in a state of being pressed against and adhered to the side wall of the washing and dewatering tub 2.

Step 416 The electric operation clutch mechanism 62 of the driving device 6 is controlled to the dewatering / drying mode, and the driving motor 61 is operated at a low speed to rotate the washing and dewatering tub 2 and the stirring blade 4 at a low speed while the blower 26 is rotated.
Is operated to suck air from the outer tub 5 through the outlet 5a, and in the process of ascending in the water-cooled dehumidification duct 23, is cooled and dehumidified by cooling water supplied from the cooling water sprinkling section 24 into the water-cooled dehumidification duct 23. The air is sucked into the circulation fan 26 through the passage duct 25, sent from the circulation fan 26 to the outlet 30 through the ascending air passage duct 27 and the heater 29, heated by the heater 29, and heated by the heater 29.
The circulating air blown in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the washing and dewatering tub 2 toward the vicinity of the inner wall surface is generated, and the laundry in the washing and dewatering tub 2 is dried.

When the laundry 38, which has been centrifugally dehydrated and adhered to the side wall of the washing and dewatering tub 2, is dried with warm air, wrinkles are generated on the laundry 38. Therefore, the laundry 38 is periodically stirred during the drying time. The wings 4 are rotated forward and backward to dry the laundry 38 while moving it.

If the cloth entanglement ratio is 10% or less, unevenness and wrinkles can be prevented from occurring even when hot air drying is performed as described above after the final dehydration.

In this embodiment, the flow rate of the wet feed water for the wetting step in which the laundry is wetted with water and the flow rate of the detergent dissolving feed water for dissolving the powdery synthetic detergent to produce the high-concentration detergent solution, The dilution water supply flow rate and water amount for diluting the high-concentration detergent liquid are set based on the water supply flow rate (water passage area) and the water supply time of the main water supply solenoid valve 20 and the auxiliary water supply solenoid valve 22 for executing the water supply. However, the actual water supply flow rate varies depending on the water pressure of the water source (water supply). Accordingly, the flow rate of water through the main water supply solenoid valve 20 and the auxiliary water supply solenoid valve 22 is set based on the flow rate at the lowest possible water pressure, and the water level sensor 15 is monitored to supply water to a predetermined water level. The actual water supply time is measured, and the water pressure of the water source is obtained and stored by arithmetic processing based on the measured water supply time, and the main water supply solenoid valve 20 and the auxiliary water supply electromagnetic valve are used during the wet water supply, detergent dissolution water supply, and dilution water supply. By intermittently supplying water by opening and closing the valve 22 intermittently, flow control is performed so that the average value becomes a predetermined flow rate.

The above-described embodiment is a fully automatic washing and drying machine. However, when the washing machine without a drying function is implemented, the hot air circulating drying means and the hot air circulating drying means in the above-described embodiment are used. By omitting the control processing, it is possible to implement the same manner. That is, in the above-described embodiment, by omitting the hot air circulation drying means and omitting the drying control processing step 416 executed by the control unit 16 in the control device, a fully automatic washing machine without a drying function can be provided. Can be realized.

The washing machine and the washer / dryer of the present invention can employ different systems for washing and rinsing.

In the above-described embodiment, the vertical washing and dewatering tub 2 has been described as an example. However, a drum-type washing and dewatering tub of a horizontal type may be used.

The stirring blade 4 located at the center of the washing and dewatering tub for stirring the laundry in the forward and reverse directions is provided with a stirring blade called a pulsator pipe having blades on a disk or a large blade.
Agitating blades called an agitator type that can be rotated forward and reverse within 0 degrees for washing can be used. Further, a configuration in which a pulsator-shaped stirring blade for moving the laundry to move the laundry is provided integrally with the washing and dewatering tub at the bottom of the washing and dewatering tub may be adopted.

Further, the powdery synthetic detergent to be used can be changed to a liquid synthetic detergent having the same detergent components.

[0094]

According to the present invention, a detergent is dissolved in a small amount of detergent-dissolved water to prepare a high-concentration detergent solution (for example, 200% of the detergent concentration of the wash water).
３００300 times the concentration), and dilute the high-concentration detergent solution to descend and soak in the wet laundry to effectively exert the chemical detergency of the detergent. Thereby, the mechanical force applied to the laundry in the washing process can be effectively reduced.

The present invention also relates to a washing / drying machine for drying laundry which has been dehydrated in the washing / dewatering tub by blowing warm air into the washing / dehydrating tub. Unevenness can be reduced.

The present invention also provides a high-concentration detergent solution by dissolving an amount of detergent set according to the detected amount of laundry with a small amount of detergent-dissolving water, and diluting the detergent solution onto the laundry. As a result, a small amount of detergent suitable for washing is efficiently used, and a small detergent dissolving vessel can be used to generate a high-concentration detergent solution suitable for immersion and a washing water having a preferred detergent concentration.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a washing and drying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention in a longitudinal section.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional side view showing a specific configuration of the washing / drying machine shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the washing and drying machine shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a control process of each process executed by a microcomputer in the control unit of the washing and drying machine shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 5 is a characteristic diagram showing a relationship between hardness of water for dissolving a detergent, detergent concentration, and an effective amount of a surfactant.

FIG. 6 is a characteristic diagram of a beaker test showing a relationship between a concentration of a detergent solution to be immersed in laundry and a chemical cleaning rate.

FIG. 7 is a characteristic diagram showing a relationship between detergent concentration and alkalinity of a detergent solution produced by dissolving a powder synthetic detergent.

FIG. 8 shows the alkalinity (P
It is a characteristic diagram of the beaker test which shows the relationship between H) and a chemical cleaning rate.

FIG. 9 is a characteristic diagram of a beaker test showing a relationship between a detergent concentration of a detergent solution and a chemical detergency by an enzyme.

FIG. 10 is a characteristic diagram showing a relationship between a washing time and a washing degree.

FIG. 11 is a characteristic diagram showing a relationship between washing time and cloth entanglement.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 ... Washing and dewatering tub, 4 ... Agitating blade, 5 ... Outer tub, 6 ... Driver, 14 ... Operation panel, 16 ... Control unit,
19: water inlet, 20: main water supply solenoid valve, 21: detergent dissolving container, 22: auxiliary water supply solenoid valve, 23: water-cooled dehumidification duct, 2
4: cooling water sprinkling section, 26: circulation fan, 29: heater.

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Toshifumi Koike 502 Kandachi-cho, Tsuchiura-shi, Ibaraki Pref. Machinery Research Laboratory, Hitachi, Ltd. Issued by Hitachi Taga Electronics Co., Ltd. (72) Takami Koyama 1-1-1 Higashitaga-cho, Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture F term (reference) 3B155 AA01 AA12 AA17 AA21 BA09 BA10 CB07 CB52 FA04 GA01 GA28 GB03 GB10 HB05 KA02 LC28 MA02 MA05 MA06 MA08 4L019 EA01

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A washing and drying machine for sequentially performing each step of washing with washing water, rinsing with rinsing water, centrifugal dehydration, and hot air drying for laundry in a washing and dehydrating tub. A wetting step of supplying water into the tub to wet the laundry in the washing and dewatering tub; and a high-concentration detergent having a higher concentration than a detergent concentration dissolved in the washing water in the washing step by dissolving the detergent in the detergent dissolving water. A high-concentration detergent liquid process for generating a liquid, a dip process for diluting the high-concentration detergent solution and descending and sinking the laundry in the washing and dewatering tub, and supplying water after the dip process. A washing step of applying mechanical force to the laundry in the washed water, a rinsing step and a dehydrating step, and a drying step of supplying hot air into the washing and dewatering tub to dry the dehydrated laundry. A washing and drying machine characterized in that: 2. The washing and drying method according to claim 1, wherein the concentration of the detergent to be immersed in the laundry while diluting the high concentration detergent solution is 5 to 30 times the detergent concentration of the washing water in the washing step. Machine. 3. The washing and drying machine according to claim 1, wherein the amounts of the washing water and the detergent are set according to the amount of the laundry. 4. A washing and drying machine according to claim 1, wherein said detergent is a powdered synthetic detergent. 5. The laundry according to claim 4, wherein the detergent concentration of the high-concentration detergent solution formed by dissolving the powdered synthetic detergent in detergent-dissolved water is 200 to 300 times the detergent concentration of the wash water. Dryer. 6. The immersion step according to claim 4 or 5,
A washing and drying machine characterized in that the washing is performed while rotating or stirring. 7. A washing machine in which a laundry in a washing and dewatering tub is impregnated with a high-concentration detergent solution and then supplied with water to perform a washing and rinsing step, and thereafter to execute a dehydrating step. A wetting step of supplying water to wet the laundry in the washing and dewatering tub, and a high-concentration detergent liquid generating step of dissolving the detergent put in the detergent dissolving container with detergent-dissolving water to generate a high-concentration detergent liquid, An infiltration step in which the high-concentration detergent liquid is diluted with washing water in the washing step so as to have a detergent concentration of 5 to 30 times while descending and soaking in the laundry; A washing machine characterized by executing a washing step of applying a mechanical force to laundry in washing water generated by supplying an appropriate amount of water. 8. A washing machine according to claim 7, wherein the concentration of the detergent to be immersed in the laundry while diluting the high concentration detergent liquid is 5 to 30 times the detergent concentration of the washing water in the washing step. . 9. The washing machine according to claim 7, wherein the amounts of the washing water and the detergent are set according to the amount of the laundry. 10. The washing and drying machine according to claim 7, wherein the detergent is a powdered synthetic detergent. 11. The laundry according to claim 10, wherein the detergent concentration of the high-concentration detergent solution produced by dissolving the powdery synthetic detergent in detergent-dissolved water is 200 to 300 times the detergent concentration of the wash water. Dryer. 12. The washing and drying machine according to claim 10, wherein the immersion step is performed while rotating or stirring the laundry.