Patent Grant
9139947
The present invention relates to a washing and drying machine.
Conventionally, there has been proposed a washing and drying machine provided with an ion generator for generating ions having sterilizing and deodorizing actions so as to exert functions of removing odor that has adhered to clothing and killing saprophytic bacteria and the like by supplying the ions having sterilizing and deodorizing actions into a dewatering tub (drum) accommodating the clothing (refer to Patent Literature 1). Unlike ozone, the ions are odor-free and harmless to a human body, and in addition, have been confirmed to be effective for removing odor and fungi such as mold grown on (adhering to) a wall.
In recent years, along with increasing awareness of health and cleanliness, more and more users hope removal of odor caused by humidity and of mold fungi from a sanitary space in which a washing and drying machine is installed. In this context, the most general sanitary space in which a washing and drying machine is installed is a lavatory adjacent to a bathroom. The space for the lavatory is adjacent to a bathroom, and is smaller in floor area than living spaces such as a dwelling room and a living room. For such reasons, the washing and drying machine is in an environment which is humid and liable to be odorous and moldy.
Further, when being not operated, the washing and drying machine is generally used as a container for dirty washing objects that have been taken off and not yet been washed. Thus, there is a problem that odor is caused by the dirty washing objects that have been put in a dewatering tub and fills the sanitary space.
Patent Literature 1: JP 2009-66217 A
However, the above-mentioned washing and drying machine disclosed in Patent Literature 1 is not intended for positive discharge of ions to an outside, but intended for sterilizing and deodorizing effects with respect to clothing and the like accommodated in the dewatering tub. Thus, the washing and drying machine cannot be expected to remove mold in a lavatory. Under present circumstances, in order to remove mold, time and effort are required for frequent cleaning with use of chlorine-based chemicals, which may leads problems of pungent odor of the chlorine-based chemicals and heavier burden of housework.
Under the circumstances, an air-outlet port for positively discharging ions to the outside of the machine needs to be provided through an outer casing. However, generally, washing and drying machines are installed in close contact with a wall surface provided with a water tap, and hence installation places are restricted. Therefore, it is difficult to overcome such a restriction merely by providing the air-outlet port to face a space outside the machine through the outer casing, and ions cannot be sufficiently supplied to places which are liable to be moldy (for example, the periphery of a bathroom door or around water taps). Consequently, an effect of suppressing mold cannot be satisfactorily obtained.
The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems. It is an object of the present invention to provide a washing and drying machine capable of efficiently removing odor and saprophytic bacteria in an installation space for the washing and drying machine (outside the machine), such as a lavatory, by discharging ions into the space outside the machine, the ions being generated by an ion generator, having sterilizing and deodorizing effects, and being harmless to a human body.
In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a washing and drying machine according to the present invention includes: an outer casing; a dewatering tub arranged in the outer casing; a drying unit which is arranged in an upper portion in the outer casing, and includes a heater and a blower fan accommodated in a blower box having an air-intake port and an air-exhaust port, the blower fan being driven to deliver air heated by the heater into the dewatering tub; an ion generator for generating ions having sterilizing and deodorizing actions into an airflow to flow in a flow path, the ion generator being mounted to the blower box; a vent provided through the blower box and opened vertically toward a flow path on a downstream side of the ion generator and on an upstream side of the heater; and an air-outlet tube connected to the vent and having an air-outlet port to substantially horizontally face a space outside the washing and drying machine, wherein the air-outlet tube is mounted to a top plate of the outer casing in an axially turnable manner.
According to this structure, when the ion generator is activated and the blower fan is driven, the ions having sterilizing and deodorizing actions are generated from the ion generator. Then, the ions are mixed into the air to flow in the flow path, and the ion wind thus generated flows through the vent into the air-outlet tube mounted to the top plate of the outer casing. As a result, the ion wind is delivered to the space outside the washing and drying machine from the air-outlet port substantially horizontally facing the space outside the washing and drying machine. By axially turning the air-outlet tube, a directional angle of the air-outlet port varies. Thus, a blow-out direction of the ion wind is freely variable at 360° horizontally, and hence sufficient ions can be efficiently supplied to places in the space outside the washing and drying machine, which are liable to be moldy. As a result, an effect of removing mold can be enhanced.
Further, in the present invention, the washing and drying machine structured as described above further includes: a disk body for holding the air-outlet tube; and a disk-body receiving portion formed on the top plate of the outer casing and having an insertion hole for the air-outlet tube, the insertion hole being provided at a center thereof, in which the air-outlet tube is passed through the insertion hole, and in which the disk body is turnably mounted to the disk-body receiving portion.
According to this structure, the air-outlet tube is passed through the insertion hole at the center of the disk-body receiving portion, and the disk body fixed to the air-outlet tube is turnably mounted to the disk-body receiving portion. In this way, together with the disk body, the air-outlet tube is mounted to the top plate of the outer casing so as to be turnable in the axial direction. Simultaneously, the air-outlet tube provided to the blower box is connected. Therefore, the air-outlet tube can be easily mounted and connected from the outside of the washing and drying machine. Further, the air-outlet tube can be mounted and removed from the outside of the washing and drying machine, and hence the air-outlet tube can be easily cleaned and replaced.
Further, in the present invention, the washing and drying machine structured as described above further includes an air-outlet-port cover including a diffuser to face the air-outlet port, in which the air-outlet-port cover is axially supported with respect to the disk body by a horizontal shaft.
According to this structure, by turning the air-outlet-port cover about the horizontal shaft, the elevation angle of the diffuser can be changed. Thus, the blow-out direction of the ion wind is freely variable also in a vertical direction, and hence sufficient ions can be more efficiently supplied to places in the space outside the washing and drying machine, which are liable to be moldy. As a result, the effect of removing mold can be further enhanced.
Further, in the present invention, in the washing and drying machine structured as described above, the disk body has a void in which a periphery of the air-outlet port of the air-outlet tube is accommodated, the void being formed by opening a lower surface of the disk body, the disk-body receiving portion includes: an annular support wall for supporting an outer peripheral portion of the disk body; and an annular bank wall circumferentially provided on an inner side of the annular support wall, the disk-body receiving portion includes a water path for water to intrude into the void, the water path being formed in a bottom surface of a part of the disk-body receiving portion, the part being surrounded by the annular support wall and the annular bank wall, and the disk-body receiving portion includes a drain hole to be opened to an outside of the washing and drying machine, the drain hole being formed at one point on the water path.
According to this structure, even when water intrudes into the void in the disk body from a gap between the air-outlet-port cover and the disk body and from the diffuser, as long as a height of the bank wall is not exceeded, the water is drained from the drain hole to the outside of the machine through the water path of the disk-body receiving portion. Therefore, the water is prevented from intruding into the drying unit.
Further, in the present invention, in the washing and drying machine structured as described above, the air-exhaust port is opened in a lower surface of the blower box, and a bottom surface of the flow path in the blower box is formed to have a gradient that becomes lower in a range from immediately below the vent toward the air-exhaust port.
According to this structure, even when water in the water path overflows the bank wall and intrudes into the drying unit through the air-outlet tube, or when water jumps directly into the air-outlet port from the diffuser and then similarly intrudes into the drying unit through the air-outlet tube, water that has dropped immediately below the vent flows down to the air-exhaust port along the gradient of the bottom surface of the flow path in the blower box. Then, the water is drained from the air-exhaust port into the dewatering tub. Thus, the drying unit is prevented from suffering from failures caused by water pooled in the flow path.
In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a washing and drying machine according to the present invention includes: a dewatering tub; a blower path leading to the dewatering tub; another blower path leading to an outside of the washing and drying machine; an ion generator for generating ions having sterilizing and deodorizing actions, the ion generator being arranged on the blower path; blower means for blowing the ions generated from the ion generator; blower-path switching means for switching the blower path leading to the dewatering tub and the another blower path leading to the outside of the washing and drying machine to each other; and control means for activating the ion generator, the blower means, and the blower-path switching means in a predetermined mode based on an operation condition of the washing and drying machine.
According to this structure, at the time of blowing the ions with the blower means, which are generated from the ion generator and have sterilizing and deodorizing actions, the ions can be blown into the space outside the washing and drying machine by switching the blower path leading to the dewatering tub to the another blower path leading to the outside of the washing and drying machine with the blower-path switching means. Thus, sterilization and deodorization outside the washing and drying machine can be performed by actions of the ions having sterilizing and deodorizing actions.
Further, in the present invention, in the washing and drying machine structured as described above, the ions are blown into the dewatering tub during an operation of washing, an operation of dewatering, or an operation of drying, and the ions are blown into a space outside the washing and drying machine after the operation of washing, the operation of dewatering, or the operation of drying.
According to this structure, sterilization and deodorization in the dewatering tub can be performed during the operation of washing, the operation of dewatering, or the operation of drying, and sterilization and deodorization outside the washing and drying machine can be performed after the operation of washing, the operation of dewatering, or the operation of drying.
Further, in the present invention, in the washing and drying machine structured as described above, the ions are blown into the dewatering tub during an operation of washing, an operation of dewatering, or an operation of drying, the ions are blown into the dewatering tub after the operation of washing or the operation of dewatering, and the ions are blown into a space outside the washing and drying machine after the operation of drying.
According to this structure, sterilization and deodorization in the dewatering tub can be performed during the operation of washing, the operation of dewatering, or the operation of drying and after the operation of washing or the operation of dewatering, and the ions can be blown into the space outside the washing and drying machine after the operation of drying.
Further, in the present invention, the washing and drying machine structured as described above further includes operation-mode switching means for switching operation-mode settings of ion-blowing operations so that an independent-operation mode in which the ion-blowing operations are separately performed independently of the operation of washing, the operation of dewatering, or the operation of drying is selectable.
According to this structure, independently of the operation of washing, the operation of dewatering, or the operation of drying, sterilization and deodorization in the dewatering tub or sterilization and deodorization outside the washing and drying machine can be arbitrarily performed by a user.
Further, in the present invention, the washing and drying machine structured as described above further includes blower-path changing means for changing settings of the blower path leading to the dewatering tub and the another blower path leading to the outside of the washing and drying machine so that, in the independent-operation mode of the ion-blowing operations, whether the ions are blown into the dewatering tub or the ions are blown into the space outside the washing and drying machine is selectable. Further, the ions may be allowed to be blown into the space outside the washing and drying machine during the operation of washing or the operation of dewatering.
Further, in the present invention, the washing and drying machine structured as described above further includes operation-mode switching means for switching operation-mode settings of ion-blowing operations, in which the control means performs the ion-blowing operations independently of the operation of washing, the operation of dewatering, or the operation of drying when the independent-operation mode of the ion-blowing operations is selected by the operation-mode switching means.
Further, in the present invention, the washing and drying machine structured as described above further includes: timekeeping means; time setting means; and regular-operation setting means for scheduling regular execution of the independent-operation mode of the ion-blowing operations, the independent-operation mode of the ion-blowing operations being executed every day at a fixed time set by a user. According to this structure, the ion-blowing operations are automatically performed every day at a fixed time. In this way, sterilization and deodorization in the dewatering tub or sterilization and deodorization outside the washing and drying machine can be regularly performed.
Further, in the present invention, the washing and drying machine structured as described above further includes: humidity detecting means for detecting humidity in the dewatering tub or humidity in the space outside the washing and drying machine; and regular-operation setting means for scheduling regular execution of the independent-operation mode of the ion-blowing operations, the independent-operation mode of the ion-blowing operations being appropriately executed when humidity at which mold is liable to develop is detected. According to this structure, the humidity at which mold is liable to develop is detected, and the ion-blowing operations are automatically and appropriately executed. In this way, sterilization and deodorization in the dewatering tub or sterilization and deodorization outside the washing and drying machine can be regularly performed.
Further, in the present invention, the washing and drying machine structured as described above further includes: temperature detecting means for detecting temperature in the dewatering tub or temperature in the space outside the washing and drying machine; and regular-operation setting means for scheduling regular execution of the independent-operation mode of the ion-blowing operations, the independent-operation mode of the ion-blowing operations being appropriately executed when temperature at which mold is liable to develop is detected. According to this structure, the temperature at which mold is liable to develop is detected, and the ion-blowing operations are automatically and appropriately executed. In this way, sterilization and deodorization in the dewatering tub or sterilization and deodorization outside the washing and drying machine can be regularly performed.
Further, in the present invention, the washing and drying machine structured as described above further includes: odor detecting means for detecting odor in the dewatering tub or odor in the space outside the washing and drying machine; and regular-operation setting means for scheduling appropriate execution of the independent-operation mode of the ion-blowing operations, the independent-operation mode of the ion-blowing operations being appropriately executed when odor of a predetermined value or more is detected. According to this structure, the odor in the dewatering tub or the odor outside the washing and drying machine is detected, and the ion-blowing operations are automatically and appropriately executed. In this way, sterilization and deodorization in the dewatering tub or sterilization and deodorization outside the washing and drying machine can be regularly performed.
According to the washing and drying machine of the present invention, the blow-out direction of the ion wind is variable, and hence sufficient ions can be efficiently supplied to places in the space outside the washing and drying machine, which are liable to be moldy. As a result, the effect of removing mold can be enhanced.
Further, according to the washing and drying machine of the present invention, odor and saprophytic bacteria in an installation space for the washing and drying machine (outside the washing and drying machine), such as a lavatory, can be efficiently removed by discharging ions into the space outside the machine, the ions being generated by the ion generator, having sterilizing and deodorizing effects, and being harmless to a human body.
In the following, detailed description is made of an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings.
On the rear surface side of the washing and drying machine, a back panel 14 made of a synthetic resin is fixed to the outer casing 10 or the upper surface plate 11 with male screws, and an upper lid 15 is movably arranged between the back panel 14 and the upper surface plate 11. The back panel 14 also forms the top plate of the outer casing 10.
To a lower open portion of the outer casing 10, a quadrangular base 16 made of a synthetic resin is fixed with male screws. At four corners of the base 16, there are provided leg portions 16a and 16b for supporting the outer casing 10 on a floor. The leg portions 16a on the front surface side are adjustable legs variable in height for the purpose of leveling, and the leg portions 16b on the rear surface side are fixed legs molded integrally with the base 16.
A washing-object inlet port 11a through which washing objects are put into the washing and drying machine is formed through the upper surface plate 11. The upper lid 15 for opening and closing the washing-object inlet port 11a is coupled to a front end portion of the back panel 14 with a hinge portion 15a so as to be turnable in a perpendicular plane. In a closed state as illustrated in
The water tub 20 is supported in a suspended manner by a plurality of suspension members 21 from the support plate 12 so as to be rockable in a horizontal plane. Further, the dewatering tub 30 is disposed on an inner side of the water tub 20 concentrically with the water tub 20, and serves also as a washing tub. Each of the water tub 20 and the dewatering tub 30 has a shape of cylindrical cup opened on an upper side, and an axial line thereof extends along a vertical direction.
The dewatering tub 30 has a tapered peripheral wall gradually widened upward. No opening portion for passing liquid is formed through the peripheral wall other than a plurality of dewatering holes 31 annularly arranged at an uppermost portion thereof, and hence the dewatering tub 30 is what is called a “hole-free” type dewatering tub. An annular balancer 32 is mounted along a rim of an upper open portion of the dewatering tub 30. The balancer 32 has a function of suppressing vibration of the dewatering tub 30 at the time of high-speed rotation thereof for dewatering washing objects. Stirring blades 33 for fluidizing washing water and rinsing water in the tub are arranged on an inner bottom surface of the dewatering tub 30.
A flange portion 22 is extended inward at an upper end portion of the water tub 20, and an inner lid 24 provided with an exhaust air filter 23 is mounted to the flange portion 22 with a hinge 24a so as to be turnable. The inner lid 24 prevents washing objects and water from jumping out of the dewatering tub 30 during washing, rinsing, and dewatering.
A drive unit 40 is mounted to a lower portion of the water tub 20. The drive unit 40 includes a drive motor 41, a belt transmission mechanism 42 for transmitting rotation output from the drive motor 41, and a clutch-and-brake mechanism 43. From a central portion of the drive unit 40, a cylindrical dewatering shaft 44 and a stirring-blade shaft 45 project upward.
The dewatering shaft 44 and the stirring-blade shaft 45 form a dual shaft structure in which the dewatering shaft 44 is arranged on the outer side and the stirring-blade shaft 45 is arranged on the inner side. The dewatering shaft 44 is inserted upward from below into the water tub 20, and then coupled to the dewatering tub 30 so as to support the dewatering tub 30. The stirring-blade shaft 45 is further inserted upward from below into the dewatering tub 30 by passing through the water tub 20, and then coupled to the stirring blades 33 so as to support the stirring blades 33. The stirring blades 33 are rotated at from 55 to 300 rpm so as to perform washing or rinsing, and during dewatering, the stirring blades 33 are rotated at from 0 to 1,000 rpm together with the dewatering tub 30 so as to perform dewatering. Between the dewatering shaft 44 and the water tub 20 and between the dewatering shaft 44 and the stirring-blade shaft 45, there are respectively arranged sealing members for preventing water leakage.
There is a space between the support plate 12 and the back panel 14, and a water supply valve (not shown) which is electromagnetically opened and closed is arranged in the space. A water supply hose for supplying clean water such as tap water is connected to a connecting pipe 50 which is connected to the water supply valve and projects upward in a manner of vertically passing through the back panel 14. Further, the water supply valve is connected to a vessel-like water supply port arranged at a position at which the vessel-like water supply port faces the inner side of the dewatering tub 30.
A drain hose 60 for draining water in the water tub 20 and the dewatering tub 30 to the outside of the outer casing 10 is mounted to a bottom portion of the water tub 20. Water flows into the drain hose 60 from a drain port 61 communicating to the bottom portions of the water tub 20 and the dewatering tub 30. Water that has flown out from the dewatering tub 30 at the time of dewatering is drained from the drain hose 60 through a drain pipe (not shown).
Drain holes 62 are circumferentially provided at four points in the dewatering tub 30, and the drain holes 62 each introduce the water in the dewatering tub 30 from the drain port 61 onto a drain valve 63 which is electromagnetically opened and closed.
With the above-mentioned structure, at the time of washing during which the rotary blades 33 are rotated, the water in the dewatering tub 30 is stopped with the drain valve 63 and stored in the dewatering tub 30. At the time of performing dewatering, the drain valve 63 is opened, and the water in the dewatering tub 30 is drained to the outside. At this time, among the dewatering shaft 44, the stirring-blade shaft 45, and the dewatering tub 30 which are rotated by the drive motor 41, the dewatering shaft 44 and the stirring-blade shaft 45 are rotatable relative to each other, and a water-tight structure is maintained.
A control circuit (control means) 51 is arranged on the front surface side of the outer casing 10. The control circuit 51 is arranged on a lower side of the upper surface plate 11. The control circuit 51 receives a control command from a user through intermediation of the operating portion 90 provided on an upper surface of the upper surface plate 11, and issues an operation command to the drive unit 40, the water supply valve, and the drain valve 63. Further, the control circuit 51 also issues a display command signal to an operation/display portion.
The drying unit K includes the blower means 70 and a heater 80 as heating means, and heats air, which is caused to flow through a flow path by driving the blower means 70, with the heater 80 and delivers the heated air into the dewatering tub 30. The filter 100 as foreign-matter removing means is provided to prevent foreign matter such as dust from an air-intake port 71a from entering into a blower box 71. Further, the foreign-matter accommodating box 90 is provided to accommodate foreign matter removed by the filter 100. The filter 100 is mounted to the foreign-matter accommodating box 90, and the foreign-matter accommodating box 90 is arranged on an air-inlet path of the blower means 70.
The blower means 70 includes the blower box 71 having the air-intake port 71a and an air-exhaust port 71b, and a blower fan 73 to be driven by a fan motor 72 and disposed inside the blower box 71 in a manner that a rotary shaft thereof vertically extends. In this embodiment, as the blower fan 73, there is used a centrifugal fan (for example, sirocco fan) which takes in air from a lower plane thereof into an axial direction and sends the air into a tangential direction of an outer periphery thereof.
The air-intake port 71a communicates to the through-hole 13 opened through the support plate 12 and an open portion 17 opened through a rear surface of the outer casing 10. The heater 80 as heating means for heating the air blown by the blower fan 73 is arranged in the flow path inside a duct 71c. Further, one end of a bellows tube 74 having another end to face the inner side of the dewatering tub 30 is connected to the air-exhaust port 71b at a leading end of the duct 71c. The another end of the bellows tube 74 is fitted into a fitting hole opened through the flange portion 22. The duct 71c and the bellows tube 74 constitute an air-exhaust path (blower path) leading to the dewatering tub 30.
An outward ion-discharge mechanism is formed of the blower means 70 (blower box 71, blower fan 73, and fan motor 72), the ion generating means (ion generator 75), the air-exhaust-path switching means (damper 76 and damper control motor 77), the air-exhaust-path branching means (vent 71f), the air-exhaust path leading to the air-outlet port 81a (blower path leading to the outside of the machine) (air-outlet tube 81), and the air-outlet port 81a.
In this embodiment, in the wide downstream portion of the circular-arc flow path 71e of the blower box 71, in which the space for disposing additional components is easily secured, the ion generating means, the air-exhaust-path switching means, and the air-exhaust-path branching means of the outward ion-discharge mechanism are arranged in a concentrated manner. Further, the blower means of the outward ion-discharge mechanism is capable of doubling as the blower means 70 that has already been provided to the drying unit K. Thus, almost all the components of the outward ion-discharge mechanism can be unified in the drying unit K. The unification can be achieved with only a small change of a molding die for the blower box 71, and changes in entire shape and size of the drying unit K can be minimized. Therefore, the outward ion-discharge mechanism can be compactly formed at low cost.
The ion generating portions 751 and 752 respectively include discharge-electrode projecting portions 751a and 752a each having a sharp shape, and annular induction electrodes 751b and 752b respectively surrounding the discharge-electrode projecting portions 751a and 752a. The discharge-electrode projecting portions 751a and 752a are arranged respectively at central portions of the annular induction electrodes 751b and 752b, and the one ion generating portion 751 generates positive ions, and the another ion generating portion 752 generate negative ions.
A positive voltage is applied to the positive-ion generating portion 751, and water molecules in the air are electrically decomposed in a plasma region generated by electrical discharge, and hydrogen ions H+ are mainly generated. Then, the water molecules in the air aggregate around the hydrogen ions thus generated. As a result, positively charged stable cluster ions H+(H2O)m are formed.
A negative voltage is applied to the negative-ion generating portion 752, and oxygen molecules in the air are electrically decomposed in a plasma region generated by electrical discharge, and oxygen ions O2− are mainly generated. Then, the water molecules in the air aggregate around the oxygen ions thus generated. As a result, negatively charged stable cluster ions O2−(H2O)n are formed. Note that, m and n are each an arbitrary integer number.
Herein, the expression “positive ions” represents positive cluster ions, and the expression “negative ions” represents negative cluster ions. Note that, generation of the positive and negative cluster ions has been confirmed by time-of-flight mass spectrometry analysis.
When being simultaneously discharged into the air, positive ions and negative ions aggregate on surfaces of microbes such as bacteria, mold, and viruses, and then surround them. Then, instantaneously, the positive ions and negative ions bond to each other, and [.OH] (hydroxyl radical) which is an active species having markedly high oxidizing power and H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide) are generated through aggregation on the surfaces of the microbes. After that, protein on the surfaces of the microbes is decomposed by chemical reactions, and a function thereof is suppressed. The hydroxyl radical and the hydrogen peroxide generated as described above also have an effect of decomposing odor components.
As illustrated in
In other words, the ion generator 75 is arranged in an upper portion of the circular-arc flow path 71e in a manner that the ion generating portions 751 and 752 (electrical discharge regions) are directed downward. With this, even when washing water overflows or scatters on an upper side or a lateral side on the outside of the drying unit K, the electrical discharge regions of the ion generator 75 do not get wet. Thus, the ions can be stably generated.
As illustrated in
Therefore, positive ions and negative ions are generated in the circular-arc flow path 71e while being shifted on track from each other. In addition, the distance from the rotation center of the blower fan 73 to the positive-ion generating portion 751 on the upstream side is short, and the distance from the rotation center of the blower fan 73 to the negative-ion generating portion 752 on the downstream side is long. Thus, the space-saving ion generator 75 can be arranged along a flowing direction in the gradually widened circular-arc flow path 71e. Thus, the space-saving ion generator 75 can be arranged in the drying unit K, and simultaneously, positive ions and negative ions are prevented from being neutralized and eliminated. As a result, ions can be efficiently carried by a high-speed airflow.
As illustrated in
The damper 76 is provided to open and close the vent 71f. As illustrated in
A groove 71k in conformity with a shape of the damper 76 is formed in the upper wall of the cylindrical portion 71d of the blower box 71 in a manner that the vent 71f is included in a region of the groove 71k. At a position at which the damper 76 closes the vent 71f, the damper 76 is accommodated in the groove 71k. With this, a flow in the circular-arc flow path 71e is not hindered by an obstacle, and the vent 71f is reliably closed.
The damper 76 has a cut surface 76a formed on one side along a curvature of an outer periphery of the blower fan 73, and arranged in an orientation in which the cut surface 76a comes close to the outer periphery of the blower fan 73. With this, the damper 76 can be arranged in a vicinity of the outer periphery of the blower fan 73 without hindering rotation of the blower fan 73, which contributes to space saving.
Further, the damper 76 is controlled by the damper control motor 77 so as to turn at angles of taking a first posture of closing the vent 71f and opening the air-exhaust path leading to the dewatering tub 30 as illustrated in
The second posture of
A void 82a is formed by opening a front surface, an upper surface, and a lower surface of the disk body 82. In the void 82a, the nozzle portion 81b of the air-outlet tube 81 is accommodated and the nozzle cover 83 is arranged. An upper surface portion of the nozzle cover 83 comes to a position of an upper surface open portion of the void 82a and closes the same, and a diffuser 83a comes to a position of a front surface open portion of the void 82a and closes the same. However, a lower surface open portion of the void 82a is not closed because a lower surface of the nozzle cover 83 is opened. Shaft holes (not shown) are opened through side walls on the left and right of the void 82a.
The disk body 82 includes a nozzle 82c surrounding the lower surface open portion and a flange portion 82d surrounding the nozzle 82c, the flange portion 82d being formed at a peripheral portion on a lower surface thereof by forming the nozzle 82c with a diameter somewhat smaller than a diameter of the disk body as a whole. The nozzle 82c is loosely fitted to an inner periphery of a support wall 14c, and the flange portion 82d is supported at an upper end of the support wall 14c. In this way, the disk body 82 is mounted to a disk-body receiving portion 14b.
The nozzle cover 83 is formed into a box-like shape in which a lower surface is opened, and the diffuser 83a for diffusing ion wind blown out from the air-outlet port 81a is provided in the front surface of the nozzle cover 83. Horizontal shafts (not shown) are projected from side surface portions on both the left and right of the nozzle cover 83. By fitting the horizontal shafts into the shaft holes provided through the side walls of the void 82a, the nozzle cover 83 is disposed tiltably with respect to the disk body 82. The diffuser 83a faces the air-outlet port 81a.
The cup-like disk-body receiving portion 14b, which has an insertion hole 14a provided at a center thereof, is provided integrally with the back panel 14. The disk-body receiving portion 14b includes the annular support wall 14c for supporting the disk body 82 at the flange portion 82d and an annular bank wall 14d circumferentially provided on an inner side of the support wall 14c and surrounding the insertion hole 14a. In a bottom surface of the disk-body receiving portion 14b, which corresponds to a part surrounded by the support wall 14c and the bank wall 14d, there is formed a water path 14e for water intruding into the void in the disk body 81. The water path 14e is formed to have a gradient of becoming lower rearward. A drain hole 14f to be opened to the outside of the machine is provided at a lowest position on the gradient.
Thus, even when water intrudes into the void 82a in the disk body 82 from a gap between the nozzle cover 83 and the disk body 82 and from the diffuser 83a, as long as the water does not exceed the height of the bank wall 14d, the water is drained from the drain hole 14f to the outside of the machine through the water path 14e of the disk-body receiving portion 14b. Therefore, the water is prevented from intruding into the drying unit K. Further, the bottom surface of the flow path in the duct 71c is formed to have a gradient of becoming lower from immediately below the vent 71f toward the air-exhaust port 71b. Thus, even when water in the water path 14e overflows the bank wall 14d and intrudes into the drying unit K through the air-outlet tube 81, or when water jumps directly into the air-outlet port 81a from the diffuser 83a and then similarly intrudes into the drying unit K through the air-outlet tube 81, water that has dropped immediately below the vent 71f flows down to the air-exhaust port 71b through a space formed between the lower end of the heater 80 and the bottom surface of the duct 71c along the gradient of the bottom surface of the flow path in the duct 71c. Then, the water is drained from the air-exhaust port 71b into the dewatering tub 30. Thus, the drying unit K is prevented from suffering from failures such as immersion of the heater 80 into water pooled in the flow path.
The insertion hole 14a is a nozzle projected downward, and a fixing tube 84 for positioning the air-outlet tube 81 is mounted into the insertion hole 14a by fitting and with screws. An O-ring 85 for sealing the air-outlet tube 81 is fitted along an inner periphery of the fixing tube 84. The vent 71f of the drying unit K is positioned immediately below the insertion hole 14a. When the air-outlet tube 81 combined with the disk body 82 and the nozzle cover 83 is fitted through the fixing tube 84, the air-outlet tube 81 is connected to the vent 71f by fitting.
In this embodiment, the nozzle cover 83 is tiltable. When the nozzle cover 83 is manually tilted, an elevation angle of the diffuser 83a is changed. As illustrated in
As illustrated in
Further, the disk body 82 is horizontally turnable at 360°. When the disk body 82 is manually turned, the air-outlet tube 81 and the nozzle cover 83 which are held by the disk body 82 turn together. Thus, a directional angle of the air-outlet port 81a is variable at 360°. In combination with tilting of the nozzle cover 83, a perpendicular angle of the diffuser 83a is changed, and hence ion wind can be blown out into an arbitrary direction.
With reference to
<In-Tub Ion-Blowing Operation>
When the blower fan 73 is rotated under the state in which the damper 76 is kept at the first posture as illustrated in
Positive ions and negative ions generated from the ion generator 75 are mixed into the air to be blown by the blower fan 73. In this way, ion wind is generated. The ion wind flows along an arrow d direction in the flow path in the duct 71c, and then is sent as indicated by an arrow e from the bellows tube 74 into the dewatering tub 30. In this way, the space inside the machine can be purified, and hence development of mold in the dewatering tub 30 and odor inside the machine can be suppressed. After that, the ion wind is discharged from the exhaust air filter 23 to the outside of the dewatering tub 30. Note that, the in-tub ion-blowing operation may be performed in an independent-operation mode independent of an operation of washing, dewatering, or drying, may be performed during the operation of washing, dewatering, or drying, or may be performed after the operation of washing or drying is finished.
<Outward Ion-Blowing Operation>
Under the state in which the damper 76 is kept at the second posture as illustrated in
<In-Tub-and-Outward Ion-Blowing Operation>
Under the state in which the damper 76 is kept at the third posture as illustrated in
The CPU 52 is formed of a control section 64 and an arithmetic section 65. The control section 64 reads out control programs pre-stored in the ROM 56 and decodes and executes a command. After that, the control section 64 stores temporarily generated date into the RAM 55. The arithmetic section 65 performs operations such as binary addition and subtraction, a logic operation, and comparison with respect to the data read out from the RAM 55 and data input from the I/O ports 18. Further, in the ROM 56, means for activating various control-subject devices, conditions set for various determinations, rules for controlling various information pieces are stored as fixed data.
To the plurality of I/O ports 18 of the microcomputer 39, there are connected a nonvolatile memory 34, a timekeeping circuit 35, an input-key circuit 36, a display-device drive circuit 37, a buzzer drive circuit 38, a condition detection circuit 46, and a load drive circuit 47. The operation buttons of the operating portion 90 are connected to the input-key circuit 36, and the display lamps of the operating portion 90 are connected to the display-device drive circuit 37. A buzzer 19 which issues an operation/alarm sound and the like is connected to the buzzer drive circuit 38. The timekeeping circuit 35 is provided for timekeeping. To the condition detection circuit 133, there are connected sensors such as a water level sensor 25 for detecting a water level in the dewatering tub 30, a temperature sensor 26 for detecting temperature outside the machine, a humidity sensor 27 for detecting humidity outside the machine, and an odor sensor 28. The condition detection circuit 46 includes a circuit for converting signals from those sensors to digital signals. The load drive circuit 136 drives a water supply valve 29, the drain valve 63, the drive motor 41, the fan motor 72, the ion generator 75, the damper control motor 77, and the heater 80.
The microcomputer 39 is activated with predetermined voltages supplied from a power source circuit 58 to power source terminals Vdd and Vss, and is reset with a RESET signal input from a reset circuit 59. When a user turns on power by pressing the power-on key 91, a standard course is set by initial setting of the CPU 52. In this state, every time the wash/dry switching key 94 is pressed, it is switched whether a washing operation from washing to dewatering (“STANDARD” and “WASH” of the course lamps 66 are lit) is executed or a washing and drying operation from washing to drying (“STANDARD” and “WASH/DRY” of the course lamps 66 are lit) is executed. Courses are switched every time the course key 95 is pressed. In accordance therewith, lit points of the course display lamps 66 varies. In the following, for the sake of simplicity in description, the standard course is exemplified.
The room purification key 96 is a key as operation-mode switching means for switching settings of operation modes of the ion-blowing operations. In other words, every time the room purification key 96 is pressed, it is switched whether or not the ion-blowing operation after the washing operation or the washing and drying operation is finished (hereinafter, also referred to as room purification step) is executed. In accordance therewith, it is switched which of the room-purification display lamps 67 is lit or darkened. When the room purification step (hereinafter, also referred to as washing and room purification mode or washing and drying and room purification mode) is set, an initial setting of the blower paths is made such that the ion-blowing operation is performed “IN-TUB” after the washing operation is finished, and performed “OUTSIDE MACHINE” after the washing and drying operation is finished. Every time the wash/dry switching key 94 is pressed, “IN-TUB” and “OUTSIDE MACHINE” are switched. In accordance therewith, lit points of the room-purification display lamps 67 vary. Note that, the blower paths according to the initial setting cannot be changed. Then, by pressing the start key 93, the washing and room purification mode or the washing and drying and room purification mode (first operation mode) is started.
Further, every time the room purification key 96 is pressed for a long period of time of few seconds (what is called a long press), it is switched whether or not the independent-operation mode in which the ion-blowing operations are performed independently of the operation of washing, dewatering, or drying is performed (hereinafter, also referred to as room purification mode). When the room purification mode is set, the room-purification display lamps 67 are lit, and the course display lamps 66 are darkened. In addition, the room purification key 96 itself may be lit. An initial setting of the blower paths when setting the room purification mode is made such that the ion-blowing operation is performed “OUTSIDE MACHINE.” The blower paths in this initial setting can be changed.
Even when the room purification step is not set, ions are blown into the dewatering tub 30 during execution of washing, rinsing, and dewatering steps in the washing operation, and also during execution of washing, rinsing, dewatering, and drying steps in the washing and drying operation.
In some cases, the room purification key 96 doubles as blower-path changing means for changing settings of the blower path leading to the dewatering tub or the outside the machine. In other words, every time the room purification key 96 is pressed (not a long press) after setting the room purification mode, a setting of “OUTSIDE MACHINE”/“IN-TUB” with respect to the blower paths is changed. Further, in accordance therewith, the lit points of the room-purification display lamps 67 vary. Further, when the room purification key 96 is pressed during execution of the washing operation or during execution of the washing step, the rising step, and the drying step in the washing and drying operation, the initial setting of “IN-TUB” with respect to the blower paths can be switched to “OUTSIDE MACHINE.” Then, by pressing the start key 93, the room purification mode (second operation mode) is started.
The scheduling key 97 is a key for setting a scheduled operation of the washing operation or the washing and drying operation. When the scheduling key 97 is pressed under the state in which the room purification mode is set, a regular operation of the room purification mode (hereinafter, also referred to as regular room-purification mode) can be scheduled. In other words, the scheduling key 97 has a function of regular-operation setting means for scheduling regular execution of the room purification mode. Note that, by pressing the scheduling key 97 once more, the regular room-purification mode can be cancelled. By pressing the scheduling key 97, setting a disclosed time by operating the time setting key 98 (INCREASE key/DECREASE key) as time setting means, and then pressing the start key 93, the regular room-purification mode (third operation mode) is started.
Note that, even when the start key 93 is pressed immediately after the regular room-purification mode is set without setting the time, other regular room-purification modes (fourth to sixth operation modes) are started.
Description is made of the operation modes of the ion-blowing operations performed by the washing and drying machine according to the present invention. Hereinabove, description is made of details of the ion-blowing operations with reference to
In the washing and drying and room purification mode (positive determination in Step S14), after the dewatering step, the drying step is performed in Step S15 (Step). During execution of the washing, rinsing, dewatering, and drying steps, the in-tub ion-blowing operation (refer to
In the washing and room purification mode in which the drying step is not executed (negative determination in Step S14), after the dewatering step, the in-tub ion-blowing operation as the room purification step (refer to
According to the first operation mode, by automatically switching the blower paths, during execution of the washing, rinsing, dewatering, and drying steps, sterilization and deodorization of washing objects in the dewatering tub and the dewatering tub itself are performed. After the washing and drying operation is finished, sterilization and deodorization of an installation space for the washing and drying machine (outside the machine), such as a lavatory, can be performed. Thus, excellent usability is achieved. Further, as for the washing operation in which the drying step is not performed, it is possible to meet the demand of a user who wants to preferentially remove odor caused by humidity left in the dewatering tub and mold odor by performing sterilization and deodorization not outside of the machine but in the dewatering tub after the operation is finished. In addition, for example, when moisture and smell of soap from the bath are left in a lavatory as an installation space for the washing and drying machine, some user may want to perform sterilization and deodorization outside of the machine even during execution of the washing, rinsing, or dewatering step. Thus, the blower paths can be switched by an operation of a user, and hence the washing and drying machine can be used in accordance with various life situations.
According to the second operation mode, there is provided a function of blowing ions to the outside of the machine or into the dewatering tub independently of the operation of washing, dewatering, and drying, and hence only sterilization and deodorization can be performed without performing the washing operation or the washing and drying operation. Thus, excellent usability is achieved, with the result that users' attention to health and cleanliness can be satisfied.
According to the third to sixth operation modes, there is provided a function of regularly blowing ions to the outside of the machine or into the dewatering tub. Specifically, the ion-blowing operations are performed every day at a preset time, or ions are blown when conditions of development of mold and generation of odor are established. Thus, excellent usability is achieved. Specifically, time and effort are saved for settings performed by users, and sterilization and deodorization outside the machine can be efficiently performed.
The scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned illustration. As for the first operation mode of the ion-blowing operations, there has been exemplified a case where the standard course is specified with the course key 95. However, also in the cases where other courses are specified, ions can be blown into the dewatering tub 30 during execution of the washing, rinsing, dewatering, or drying step, and the room purification steps can be executed after the courses are finished.
Further, the description has been made that, in the first operation mode of the ion-blowing operations, in the case where the room purification step is performed after the washing operation is finished, the in-tub ion-blowing operation is performed, and sterilization and deodorization in the dewatering tub are performed. Alternatively, similarly to the case where the washing and drying operation is finished, the outward ion-blowing operation may be performed to sterilize and deodorize the outside of the machine.
Still further, the description has been made that, in the fourth to sixth operation modes of the ion-blowing operations, the temperature sensor 26, the humidity sensor 27, and the odor sensor 28 respectively detect the temperature, humidity, and odor in the space outside the machine. Alternatively, the temperature, humidity, and odor in the dewatering tub 30 may be detected thereby.
Yet further, in the third to sixth operation modes of the ion-blowing operations, prior to main setting of the regular room-purification modes, the “IN-TUB” blower paths may be selectable as in the second operation mode. With this, sterilization and deodorization in the dewatering tub can also be regularly performed, and hence odor generated from dirty washing objects that have not yet been washed can be removed without involving time and effort.
Yet further, description is made of the case where the fourth to sixth operation modes of the ion-blowing operations are independent of each other. In this context, when two or more of the operation modes are arbitrarily used in combination, conditions of development of mold and generation of odor can be more reliably detected from a plurality of viewpoints. As a result, sterilization and deodorization outside the machine can be more efficiently performed.
The present invention is applicable to washing and drying machines.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009-182120 | Aug 2009 | JP | national |
| 2009-182122 | Aug 2009 | JP | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/JP2010/060436 | 6/21/2010 | WO | 00 | 1/10/2012 |
| Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| WO2011/016293 | 2/10/2011 | WO | A |
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20040216326 | Kitamura et al. | Nov 2004 | A1 |
| 20080252189 | Regan | Oct 2008 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 2006-57942 | Mar 2006 | JP |
| 2007-259978 | Oct 2007 | JP |
| 2009-34187 | Feb 2009 | JP |
| 2009-66054 | Apr 2009 | JP |
| 2009-66217 | Apr 2009 | JP |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20120111066 A1 | May 2012 | US |
