JPH10263295A - Drum type washer / dryer - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] In a drum type washing and drying machine for washing, rinsing, and dewatering laundry in a drum arranged rotatably about a substantially horizontal rotation axis, vibration of a lid during dehydration, Prevent deformation. SOLUTION: A rotating drum having a rotating shaft in a substantially horizontal direction is encased in an outer tub 3, a rotating drum is rotated at a low speed during washing and drying by a motor 6, and a rotating drum is rotated at a high speed during dewatering. In the washing washer / dryer, an opening is provided in a circulation path 17 of heated air formed so as to pass through the inside of the rotary drum, the outer tub 3 and the vicinity of the heater 14, and the opening is made openable and closable by a valve 19, The valve 19 is configured to open as the air pressure in the circulation path rises.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a drum type washing and drying machine for washing, rinsing, spin-drying and drying laundry in a drum rotatably arranged about a substantially horizontal rotating shaft.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, this type of drum type washing machine has been configured as shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the configuration will be described.

[0003] As shown in FIG. 5, a rotary drum 1 has a large number of water passage holes 2 on the entire outer peripheral portion and is rotatably disposed in an outer tank 3. One end of the rotating shaft 4 is fixed to the rotation center of the rotating drum 1 in a substantially horizontal direction, and a drum pulley 5 is fixed to the other end of the rotating shaft 4. The motor 6 is connected to the drum pulley 5 by a belt 7 and drives the drum 1 to rotate.

The outer tub 3 is swingably suspended from the body 8 by a spring body 9, the vibration at the time of dehydration start is reduced by the vibration damper 10, and the vibration during the steady dehydration is prevented from being transmitted to the body 8. A balancer 11 that supports vibration and reduces vibration during dehydration is provided. The substantially cylindrical packing member 12 connects the opening of the outer tub 3 corresponding to the front opening of the rotary drum 1 and the front opening of the body 8. A window 13 is provided in the front opening of the body 8 so as to be freely opened and closed.

[0005] The heater 14 heats the air in the passage 17 during the drying process. Fan 1 rotated by blower motor 16
5 sends the heated air into the outer tub 3 through the path 17. The path 17 is a path of air circulating between the heater 14 and the outer tub 3.

The operation of the above configuration will be described.
3, the clothes are put into the rotating drum 1 and the operation is started. In the washing process, the rotating drum 1 is driven to rotate at a low speed (about 53 rpm) by the motor 6, and the clothes in the rotating drum 1 are lifted. Fall on the water surface. Thus, the washing process proceeds. The same operation as the washing process is performed in the rinsing process.

In the dehydration process, the rotating drum 1 is driven to rotate at a high speed (about 1000 rpm) by the motor 6, and the clothes are centrifugally dehydrated. At this time, when the clothes in the rotating drum 1 are shifted, that is, imbalance occurs, the swinging members such as the rotating drum 1 and the outer tub 3 vibrate (oscillate). Damping the vibration of the moving body,
During steady dehydration, the vibration is not transmitted to the body 8 by the vibration isolating mechanism of the vibration isolating damper 10.

Although the opening of the outer tub 3 and the front opening of the body 8 are connected by a substantially cylindrical packing member 12, the substantially cylindrical packing member 12 is swung by the rocking body. By bending, the substantially cylindrical packing member 12 is formed.
Vibration is not transmitted to the body 8 through the.

In the drying step, as in the washing step, the rotary drum 1 is driven to rotate at a low speed (about 53 rpm) by the motor 6, and the clothes in the rotary drum 1 are lifted and dropped. The dehydrated clothes containing moisture are warmed by the air heated by the heater 14. The moisture in the clothes becomes water vapor. The water vapor passes through the path 17, is cooled by the water 18, becomes water, and is discharged out of the body 8. The temperature sensor 27 checks the temperature in the path.

[0010]

In such a conventional structure, when the clothes in the rotating drum 1 are biased and unbalanced during the dewatering process, the swinging members of the rotating drum 1 and the outer tub 3 vibrate (oscillate). The air in the outer tub 3 pushes the window 13 due to the forward and backward movement of the outer tub 3 at this time, and the window 13 has a problem of being vibrated and deformed.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and has an object to prevent the window 13 from vibrating and deforming by releasing air to the outside of the outer tub 3 during dehydration.

[0012]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the object, the present invention provides a rotating drum having a rotating shaft in a substantially horizontal direction, an outer tub enclosing the rotating drum, and rotating the rotating drum at a low speed during washing. A motor for rotating and rotating the rotary drum at a high speed during spin-drying, a fan for feeding air heated by a heater into the rotary drum during drying, and an opening for releasing the heated air from the heater and air in an outer tub And an openable / closable valve for closing the valve, and the valve is configured to open as the air pressure in the outer tank rises.

Accordingly, when the air pressure in the outer tub rises due to the vibration of the outer tub during the dehydration process, the air in the outer tub can escape from the opening of the circulation path, and the vibration and deformation of the window can be prevented.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention is directed to a rotating drum having a rotating shaft in a substantially horizontal direction, an outer tub enclosing the rotating drum, and rotating the rotating drum at a low speed during washing. A motor for rotating and rotating the rotary drum at a high speed during spin-drying, a fan for feeding air heated by a heater during the drying to the rotary drum, and passing through the rotary drum, the outer tub and the vicinity of the heater. A circulation path for the heated air, an opening provided in the circulation path, and a valve for opening and closing the opening, and the valve is configured to open as the air pressure in the circulation path increases. In the dehydration process, when the air pressure in the outer tub rises due to the vibration of the outer tub in the dehydration process, the air in the outer tub is released from the opening of the circulation path,
Vibration and deformation of the window can be prevented.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the opening of the circulation path is disposed in front of the fan in the flow of air in the circulation path. In the foreground, since the air pressure in the circulation path is lower than the outside air pressure, the valve is pressed by the outside air pressure, so that the inflow of air into the circulation path can be prevented, and the influence of the outside air temperature on the drying performance can be prevented.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the opening of the circulation path has a cross section which crosses the open portion, and the valve has at least a part of a peripheral portion at the cross section. Is configured to be substantially radial so that the opening can be brought into contact with the valve, so that the entire valve covering the opening is not opened with respect to the variation in wind pressure in the opening range of the opening where the air pressure of the circulation path is applied. By increasing the number, the opening angle of each valve can be minimized, and the sound when the valve closes the opening can be suppressed.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect, the valve has a shape covering the opening of the circulation path.
Since the central part is fixed with screws, it can be composed of two parts, the valve and the screw, and the cost can be reduced.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect, the opening of the circulation path has a substantially circular shape, and the valve has a substantially circular shape covering the opening. Positioning at the time of mounting the valve with respect to the shape can be eliminated, and the assemblability can be improved.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect of the invention, the valve is provided with a substantially radial slit, and the function of the third aspect of the invention is provided in two parts, a valve and a screw. Can be satisfied.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, a cushioning material is provided on the contact surface of the valve around the opening of the circulation path, and the opening is opened and closed when the valve is opened and closed. It is possible to prevent the sound from hitting the outer periphery.

The invention according to claim 8 is characterized in that a rotating drum having a rotating shaft in a substantially horizontal direction, an outer tub surrounding the rotating drum, and rotating the rotating drum at a low speed during washing,
A motor for rotating the rotating drum at a high speed during dehydration,
A fan for feeding the air heated by the heater into the rotating drum during drying, a circulation path for the heating air formed so as to pass through the inside of the rotation drum, the outer tank and the vicinity of the heater, and an opening provided in the circulation path And a balloon member that can be contracted and expanded so as to cover the opening, and the balloon-shaped member is configured to expand and contract as the air pressure rises and decreases, and the dehydration process Thus, fluctuation of air pressure in the outer tank due to vibration of the outer tank can be prevented, and vibration and deformation of the window can be prevented.

[0022]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The same components as those in the conventional example are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

(Embodiment 1) In a first embodiment of the present invention, a substantially circular opening (hole) 20 is provided in a circulation path 17 as shown in FIGS. Is provided with a boss 22 to which a screw 21 for fixing the valve 19 is fitted. The boss 22 is held by a bar 23. The boss 22 has a rectangular projection 24 for positioning and preventing rotation of the valve 19.
Is provided. The valve 19 is substantially circular and has a slit 25.
Is provided. The slit 25 is arranged on the bar 23.
The washer 26 serves to prevent rotation of the valve 19 when the screw 21 is tightened.

The operation of the above configuration will be described.
3, the clothes are put into the rotating drum 1 and the operation is started. In the washing process, the rotating drum 1 is driven to rotate by the motor 6 at a low speed (about 53 rpm).
The clothes inside are lifted and dropped on the water surface. Thus, the washing process proceeds. The same operation as the washing process is performed in the rinsing process.

In the dehydration step, the rotating drum 1 is driven to rotate at a high speed (about 1000 rpm) by a dehydration motor, and the clothes are centrifugally dehydrated. At this time, if the clothes in the rotating drum 1 are unbalanced, that is, if imbalance occurs, the swinging members such as the rotating drum 1 and the outer tub 18 vibrate (swing). Is not transmitted to the body 8 by the vibration damping mechanism of the vibration damper 10 during steady dehydration.

At this time, if the outer tub 3 moves in the front-rear direction, a variation in air pressure in the outer tub 3 due to the unevenness of clothes is released to the outside of the outer tub 3 through the opening of the hole 20 provided in the circulation path 17. Vibration and deformation of the window 13 due to air pressure in the outer tub 3 can be prevented. That is, the valve 19 in which the slit 25 is provided in an elliptical shape due to an increase in the air pressure in the circulation path receives the air pressure from the opening of the hole 20 divided by the crosspiece 23 and is divided by the slit of the valve 19. The respective members are fixed only by the screwed portions, and the opening portion is opened and closed by lifting the peripheral portion, and the air pressure in the circulation path 17 is reduced by releasing the air.

Here, even if the air pressure fluctuates in the range of the opening of the hole 20, the valve 19 is opened to a plurality of members. Since only the valve is opened and closed, the opening angle of the valve member can be minimized, and it is possible to suppress the impact noise generated when the peripheral portion of the valve 19 that once floats closes the opening of the hole 20.

Although the front opening of the outer tub 3 and the front opening of the body 8 are connected by a substantially cylindrical packing member 12, the substantially cylindrical packing member 12 is swung by the swinging body. Due to the deflection, vibration is not transmitted to the body 8 through the substantially cylindrical packing member 12.

In the drying step, as in the washing step, the rotary drum 1 is driven to rotate at a low speed (about 53 rpm) by the motor 6, and the clothes in the rotary drum 1 are lifted and dropped. The dehydrated clothes containing moisture are warmed by the air heated by the heater 14. The moisture in the clothes becomes water vapor. The water vapor passes through the path 17, is cooled by the water 18, becomes water, and is discharged out of the body 8.

During drying, the air pressure around the hole 20 in the circulation path 17 is lower than that outside the path 17 due to the rotation of the fan 15, and the valve 19 is closed by the air pressure outside the circulation path 17. It is possible to prevent the air from flowing into the circulation path 17, prevent the temperature sensor in the path 17 from being affected by the outside air temperature, and prevent the air heated for drying from being released to the outside. A decrease in efficiency can be prevented.

The configuration of this embodiment is composed of three parts, the screw 21, the valve 19, and the washer 26, for the circulation path 17, so that the cost can be reduced. Further, the entire shape of the valve 19 is made substantially circular, and the substantially circular hole 20 radially divided by the bar 23 is covered, and the slit 2 is formed at a position corresponding to the bar 23.
5 are provided, and the center is fixed by screws 21. With this configuration, each of the members of the valve 19 divided by the slit 25 opens and closes independently of each other with respect to the opposing air pressure without being affected by other members, thereby reducing the impact sound of the valve 19 at the time of opening and closing. By reliably releasing the high-pressure air, the vibration and deformation of the window 13 due to the air pressure in the outer tub 3 can be reliably prevented.

Further, by providing a cushioning material at the peripheral portion of the hole 20 and the bar portion 23 with respect to the contact surface of the valve 19, the impact noise when the valve 19 closes can be further reduced.

(Embodiment 2) In a second embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 4, a substantially circular opening (hole) 20 is provided in the circulation path 17, and the opening is closed. A balloon 28 is provided.

In the dehydration step, the rotating drum 1 is driven at a high speed (about 1
000 rpm), and the clothes are centrifugally dehydrated. At this time, when the clothes in the rotating drum 1 are shifted, that is, imbalance occurs, the oscillating bodies such as the rotating drum 1 and the outer tub 3 vibrate (oscillate). At this time, the balloon member 28 expands and contracts with respect to the forward and backward movement of the rocking body, and the outer tub 3
The inside air pressure is kept constant, and the vibration and deformation of the window 13 due to the increase and decrease of the air pressure inside the outer tank 3 can be prevented.

Further, in this case, an increase in the air pressure is prevented by a change in the volume of air flowing into and out of the balloon member 28. Therefore, as in the case of the first embodiment, the opening is prevented. The arrangement position of the parts is not limited, there is no impact noise caused by the fluctuation of the air pressure, and only the balloon member 28 is used, so that it is useful for cost reduction.

[0036]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a rotating drum having a rotating shaft in a substantially horizontal direction, an outer tub containing the rotating drum, and the rotating drum during washing are provided. A motor that rotates the drum at a low speed and rotates the rotary drum at a high speed at the time of dehydration, a fan that sends air heated by a heater at the time of drying to the rotary drum, and the inside of the rotary drum, the outer tub, and the vicinity of the heater A circulation path of the heated air formed so as to perform the heating operation, an opening provided in the circulation path, and a valve for opening and closing the opening, and the valve opens as the air pressure in the circulation path increases. With this configuration, when the air pressure in the outer tub rises due to the vibration of the outer tub during the dehydration process, the air in the outer tub can escape from the opening of the circulation path, and the vibration and deformation of the window can be prevented.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the opening of the circulation path is disposed in front of the fan in the flow of air in the circulation path, the air pressure in the circulation path is short of the fan in the drying step. Since the pressure is lower than the outside air pressure, the valve is held down by the outside air pressure, so that the inflow of air into the circulation path can be prevented, and the influence of the outside air temperature on the drying performance can be prevented.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the opening of the circulation path has a cross section that crosses the open portion, and the valve is substantially arranged so that at least a part of the peripheral portion can contact the cross section. The radial configuration makes it possible to minimize the opening angle of the valve by increasing the number of valves against variations in wind pressure in the range of the substantially circular opening, and the sound when the valve closes the opening Can be suppressed.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the valve is formed to cover the opening of the circulation path and the central part is fixed with a screw, it can be constituted by two parts of the valve and the screw, and the cost can be reduced. .

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the opening of the circulation path has a substantially circular shape and the valve has a substantially circular shape covering the opening, the positioning of the valve with respect to the shape of the opening is eliminated. In addition, the assemblability can be improved.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the valve is provided with the slits in a substantially radial shape, the function of the third aspect of the invention can be satisfied in two parts of the valve and the screw.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, since the cushioning material is provided on the contact surface of the valve in the periphery of the opening of the circulation path, it is possible to prevent the sound from hitting the outer periphery of the opening when the valve is opened and closed. Can be.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, a rotating drum having a rotating shaft in a substantially horizontal direction, an outer tub surrounding the rotating drum, and rotating the rotating drum at a low speed during washing,
A motor for rotating the rotating drum at a high speed during dehydration,
A fan for feeding the air heated by the heater into the rotating drum during drying, a circulation path for the heating air formed so as to pass through the inside of the rotation drum, the outer tank and the vicinity of the heater, and an opening provided in the circulation path And a balloon member that can be contracted and expanded so as to cover the opening, and the balloon-shaped member is configured to expand and contract as the air pressure rises and decreases. Fluctuation of air pressure in the outer tank due to vibration in the tank can be prevented, and vibration and deformation of the window can be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an internal configuration diagram of a drum-type washing / drying machine provided with a valve according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the valve.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view in which the valve is attached to a circulation path.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a balloon member according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a conventional drum type washer / dryer.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 rotating drum 2 water hole 3 outer tub 4 rotating shaft 5 pulley 6 motor 7 belt 8 body 9 spring body 10 vibration-proof damper 11 balancer 12 packing member 13 window 14 heater 15 fan 16 motor 17 circulation path 18 water 19 valve 20 hole DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 Screw 22 Boss 23 Crosspiece 24 Projection 25 Slit 26 Washer 27 Temperature sensor 28 Balloon-shaped member

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A rotating drum having a rotating shaft in a substantially horizontal direction, an outer tub enclosing the rotating drum, and a motor for rotating the rotating drum at a low speed during washing and rotating the rotating drum at a high speed during spin-drying. A fan for sending air heated by a heater into the rotating drum during drying, a circulation path of heating air formed so as to pass through the inside of the rotation drum, the outer tank, and the vicinity of the heater, and provided in the circulation path. A drum type washing and drying machine comprising an opening and a valve for opening and closing the opening, wherein the valve is configured to open as the air pressure in the circulation path increases. 2. The drum type washing and drying machine according to claim 1, wherein the opening of the circulation path is disposed in front of the fan in the flow of air in the circulation path. 3. An opening of the circulation path has a bar crossing the open portion, and the valve is formed in a substantially radial shape so that at least a part of a peripheral portion can abut on the bar. The drum type washing / drying machine according to the above. 4. The valve is shaped to cover the opening of the circulation path,
The drum-type washing / drying machine according to claim 2, wherein a central portion is fixed by screws. 5. The drum type washing and drying machine according to claim 4, wherein the opening of the circulation path has a substantially circular shape, and the valve has a substantially circular shape covering the opening. 6. The drum-type washing / drying machine according to claim 5, wherein the valve is provided with a substantially radial slit. 7. The drum-type washing / drying machine according to claim 2, wherein a cushioning material is provided on an abutment surface of the valve around the opening of the circulation path. 8. A rotary drum having a rotary shaft in a substantially horizontal direction, an outer tub enclosing the rotary drum, and a motor for rotating the rotary drum at a low speed during washing and rotating the rotary drum at a high speed during spin-drying. A fan for sending air heated by a heater into the rotating drum during drying, a circulation path of heating air formed so as to pass through the inside of the rotation drum, the outer tank, and the vicinity of the heater, and provided in the circulation path. A drum-type washing and drying device comprising: an opening; and a balloon member that can be contracted and expanded so as to close the opening, and the balloon-shaped member is configured to expand and contract as the air pressure increases or decreases. Machine.