JP7460463B2 - Laundry Equipment - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to sterilization or deodorization in laundry equipment.

Coin-operated laundromats provide customers with laundry equipment such as washer/dryers installed within the store. Users bring their clothes, futons, and other laundry items and pay a usage fee to have them washed. Coin-operated laundromats are generally unmanned, so they have a payment system that automates the payment process. The user inserts cash into the payment machine provided for each laundry machine and uses the laundry machine in a self-service manner.

Patent No. 4883978 Japanese Patent No. 5087663

The problem to be solved by the invention is to provide a laundry device that can effectively sterilize or deodorize clothes.

The laundry machine of the embodiment is a laundry machine that washes and dries clothes, and is characterized by comprising a drum in which the clothes can be stored, a motor that rotates the drum, a fan connected to the drum and discharging air inside the drum to the outside, a heating unit that heats air drawn into the drum from the outside, a sterilization/deodorization mechanism having at least one of an ozone generating unit that generates ozone, a charged fine particle generating unit that generates charged fine particles, and a mist generating unit that generates mist by atomizing a liquid having sterilization and/or deodorization effects, and a control device that operates the heating unit, the fan, and the motor to perform a drying operation in which hot air is flowed into the drum, and then stops the heating unit and the fan, and performs the sterilization/deodorization operation while agitating the clothes in the drum with the motor.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a laundry facility. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a dryer. It is a block diagram showing composition of a control system in a dryer. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a washing/drying machine. It is a block diagram showing composition of a control system in a washer-dryer. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the drum sterilization process. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of a clothing sterilization process. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of a clothing sterilization process according to Modification 1. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of a clothing sterilization process according to Modification 2.

Hereinafter, details of embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Laundry facility)
First, the overall configuration of the laundry facility according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a laundry facility.

As shown in FIG. 1, a laundry facility F is a store in which laundry equipment including, for example, washing machines, dryers, washer-dryers, shoe cleaners, compression pack machines, etc., are installed and can be used upon payment. In this embodiment, the laundry equipment installed in the laundry facility F includes a dryer 1 for drying clothes, a washer-dryer 2 for washing and drying clothes, and a payment machine 3 for processing the payment for using the laundry equipment.

Each of the dryer 1 and washer/dryer 2 is provided with a door D1 that closes a drum D into which clothes are loaded, and this door D1 has a handle as a grip for the user to open and close. A portion D2 is provided, and this handle portion D2 is subjected to antibacterial processing, for example, by antibacterial coating. Further, the dryer 1 and the washer/dryer 2 are equipped with a configuration for sterilizing the inside of the drum D, as described later.

The settlement machine 3 is provided with a touch panel display 31 for performing operations related to settlement and selecting the type of operation related to washing/drying clothes, and this touch panel display 31 is antibacterial treated with antibacterial wax, antibacterial cover glass, etc.

The laundry facility F is also equipped with an ozone sterilization device 4, a photocatalyst sterilization device 5, and a sterilizing mist sprayer 6 as devices for sterilizing the facility, specifically the space where users can enter and exit when using the laundry equipment.

The ozone sterilization device 4 is a device that generates ozone at a concentration below the permissible concentration indoors, and sterilizes the space with ozone. The photocatalyst sterilization device 5 is a device that performs sterilization and deodorization using photocatalysis, and is configured, for example, to pass air through a photocatalyst ceramic filter. The sterilization mist sprayer 6 is a device that sprays a mist that has a sterilizing effect, and sterilizes the space by generating and spraying a mist that contains hypochlorous acid water.

With such a laundry facility F, it is possible to reduce the number of pathogenic bacteria and viruses in areas that users touch and in the space within the facility, thereby preventing infection between users via equipment within the laundry facility F and infection via clothing.

(Dryer)
The configuration of the dryer will be described below. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the dryer. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control system in the dryer.

As shown in FIG. 2, the drying mechanism of the dryer 1 includes a drum D that defines a cylindrical space for storing the clothes to be dried, a motor M that rotates the drum D, an air intake path 11 for drawing air into the drum D from the outside, and an exhaust path 15 for exhausting the air from the drum D to the outside.

The intake passage 11 is provided with a heating unit 12 that heats the air being taken in, and an inlet temperature sensor 13 that measures the temperature in the intake passage 11. The exhaust path 15 is provided with an exit temperature sensor 16 that measures the temperature in the exhaust path 15, and a fan 17 that exhausts the air inside the drum to the outside.

Furthermore, as a sterilization/deodorization mechanism, the dryer 1 is equipped with an ozone generating unit 14, a charged fine particle generating unit NE, and a mist generating unit MG. The ozone generating unit 14 is provided in the intake passage 11 and generates ozone that has a sterilization and deodorization effect. The charged fine particle generating unit NE generates charged fine particles and is provided near the drum D so that the charged fine particles are supplied into the drum D. Here, the charged fine particles are negative oxygen ions, positive hydrogen ions, charged fine particle water, active oxygen, etc., and have a sterilization and deodorization effect. The mist generating unit MG is provided in the intake passage 11 and generates a mist by atomizing a liquid having a sterilization effect, such as hydrogen subchloride water or hypohydrochloride water. Here, atomization refers to the liquid being atomized to a particle size large enough to float in the air, and the mist generating unit MG generates the mist using known means such as a spray nozzle or an ultrasonic vibrator. The ozone generator 14, charged fine particle generator NE, and mist generator MG may be installed in any position as long as the air containing the objects to be generated flows into the drum D.

As shown in FIG. 3, the dryer 1 has a control system including a control device 90A having a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 901, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 902, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 903, an input IF (Interface) 91, and an output IF 92.

The control device 90A is a device that controls the dryer 1 by the cooperation of the CPU 901, ROM 902, and RAM 903, and controls the inlet side temperature sensor 13, the outlet side temperature sensor 16, and the operation panel CP ( (see FIG. 1), acquires input from the opening/closing sensor DS, and controls the heating unit 12, motor M, ozone generator 14, fan 17, door lock DL, and charged particle generator NE via the output IF 92. Here, the open/close sensor DS is a sensor that detects the open/close state of the door D1 (see FIG. 1) of the drum D, and the door lock DL is a device that locks the door D1.

The control device 90A controls the heating unit 12, the fan 17, and the motor M to perform a general drying operation in which the drum D rotates while hot air is sucked into the drum D, and also performs drum sterilization processing and clothing sterilization processing, which will be described in detail later.

(Washing and drying machine)
The configuration of the washer/dryer will be described below. Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the washer/dryer. Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control system in the washer/dryer.

As shown in FIG. 4, the washer/dryer 2 is a dryer in that it further includes a water supply channel 21 for supplying water into the drum D and a drainage channel 22 for discharging water from the drum D as a washing mechanism. 1, the water supply channel 21 is provided with a water supply valve 21V, and the drain channel 22 is provided with a drain valve 22V. The water supply valve 21V and the drain valve 22V switch the water supply channel 21 and the drain channel 22 to a closed state or an open state, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the control device 90B of the washer/dryer 2, a water level sensor 23 (not shown in FIG. 4) that detects the water level in the drum D is connected to the control device 90 via an input IF 91. It differs from the control device 90A of the dryer 1 in that it is connected to a water supply valve 21V and a drain valve 22V via an output IF 92.

In addition to the drying operation, drum sterilization process, and clothing sterilization process described above, the control device 90B controls the water supply valve 21V, the drain valve 22V, and the motor M to rotate the drum D with water being supplied into the drum D. Perform general washing operations. In addition, in the following description, if the control devices 90A and 90B are not distinguished, they will be collectively referred to as the control device 90.

(Drum sterilization treatment)
The drum sterilization process will now be described with reference to a flow chart of the operation of the drum sterilization process.

The drum sterilization process is a process performed prior to the operation of the dryer 1 and washer/dryer 2, that is, the drying operation in the dryer 1, and the washing or drying operation in the washer/dryer 2. The operation panel CP is also provided with a drum sterilization button for setting whether or not to perform drum sterilization processing, and a lamp or a 7-segment display that indicates the instruction status of this button. It is also assumed that the control device 90 is set to be able to perform one drum sterilization process prior to operation in accordance with the payment.

As shown in FIG. 6, the control device 90 first determines whether the remaining number of times of drum sterilization processing is one or more (S101).

If the remaining number of times is one or more (S101, YES), the control device 90 determines whether or not the drum sterilization button has been pressed on the operation panel CP (S102).

If the drum sterilization button is pressed (S102, YES), the control device 90 uses the open/close sensor DS to determine whether the door D1 is closed (S103).

If door D1 is closed (S103, YES), the control device 90 activates the door lock DL to lock door D1 (S104), performs a sterilization/deodorization operation (S105), and then performs a discharge operation (S106), completing the drum sterilization process.

In the sterilization/deodorization operation, the control device 90 rotates the drum D by the motor M and operates the ozone generation unit 14, the charged fine particle generation unit NE, and the mist generation unit MG. At this time, the fan 17 is stopped. This sterilization/deodorization operation fills the drum D with ozone generated by the ozone generation unit 14, the charged fine particles generated by the charged fine particle generation unit NE, and the mist generated by the mist generation unit MG, and the drum D is stirred by the rotation of the drum D, sterilizing and deodorizing the inside of the drum D. In addition, in the discharge operation, the control device 90 operates only the fan 17. As a result, the air containing the ozone, charged fine particles, and mist inside the drum D is discharged to the outside. In the sterilization/deodorization operation, it is sufficient that at least one of the ozone, charged fine particles, and mist flows into the drum D.

Also, in step S103, if door D1 is not in a closed state (S103, NO), the control device 90 again determines whether door D1 is in a closed state (S103).

In addition, in step S102, if the drum sterilization button is not pressed and an instruction to start a washing operation or a drying operation is given on the operation panel CP (S102, NO), the control device 90 ends the drum sterilization process.

Further, in step S101, if the remaining number of times is less than 1, that is, 0 (S101, NO), the control device 90 ends the drum sterilization process.

This drum sterilization process allows the inside of the drum D to be sterilized with ozone and charged fine particles before the dryer 1 or washer-dryer 2 is operated. This reduces pathogenic bacteria and viruses, preventing the spread of disease through the drum D. Note that the drum sterilization process can also be performed in a washing machine that does not have a drying mechanism and has only a washing function.

(Clothing sterilization treatment)
Clothing sterilization treatment will be explained. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the clothing sterilization process.

The clothing sterilization process is carried out in the dryer 1 or the washer/dryer 2 after the drying operation to sterilize the clothing. Note that in the clothing sterilization process, it is assumed that the door D1 is locked in advance by the door lock DL.

As shown in FIG. 7, the control device 90 performs a drying operation, that is, operates the heating unit 12, fan 17, and motor M to rotate the drum D with hot air sucked into the drum D, and then A cooling operation is performed to cool the inside of D (S201).

In the cooling operation, the control device 90 stops the heating unit 12, operates the fan 17 and the motor M, and agitates the clothes while flowing unheated air into the drum D, thereby reducing the temperature caused by the drying operation. Cool down your clothes.

After the cooling operation, the control device 90 performs a sterilization/deodorization operation to sterilize the clothes in the drum D (S202). This sterilization/deodorization operation is an operation that continues for a preset sterilization/deodorization time, and in the sterilization/deodorization operation, the control device 90 stops the fan 17 and operates the ozone generation unit 14, the charged fine particle generation unit NE, the mist generation unit MG, and the motor M to generate ozone and charged fine particles while stirring the clothes and generating an air flow in the drum D, thereby sterilizing and deodorizing the clothes with the ozone, charged fine particles, and mist. As with the drum sterilization process, in the sterilization/deodorization operation in the clothing sterilization process, it is sufficient that at least one of the ozone, charged fine particles, and mist is flowed into the drum D. In addition, the cooling operation can prevent a reduction in the sterilization and deodorization effect due to high temperatures, particularly the sterilization and deodorization effect of ozone, which is promoted by oxidation at high temperatures.

After the sterilization/deodorization operation, the control device 90 performs a discharge operation to discharge the ozone and charged fine particles in the drum D to the outside (S203), stops the door lock DL, and unlocks the door D1 (S204). In this discharge operation, the control device 90 stops the ozone generation unit 14, the charged fine particle generation unit NE, and the mist generation unit MG, and operates the fan 17 and the motor M to discharge the ozone, charged fine particles, and mist from the drum D. In addition, by unlocking the door D1 after the discharge operation, it is possible to prevent the user from being exposed to ozone, which can have adverse effects on the human body depending on its concentration.

This type of clothing sterilization treatment can reduce the number of bacteria and viruses that are pathogens attached to clothing, preventing the spread of disease through clothing.

(Modification example 1 of clothing sterilization treatment)
The clothing sterilization process according to this modification differs from the above-described clothing sterilization process in that the sterilization/deodorization operation is terminated based on instructions from the user. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the clothing sterilization process according to this modification.

As shown in FIG. 8, after the sterilization/deodorization operation (S202) starts, the control device 90 determines whether or not a preset sterilization/deodorization time has elapsed since the start of the sterilization/deodorization operation (S301). If the sterilization/deodorization time has not elapsed (S310, NO), the control device 90 determines whether or not an end instruction has been given by the user (S302). Here, the end instruction is given by pressing an end instruction button provided on the operation panel CP.

If an end command is issued (S302, YES), the control device 90 stops the sterilization/deodorization operation and executes the discharge operation (S203). On the other hand, if an end command is not issued (S302, NO), the control device 90 continues the sterilization/deodorization operation (S202).

Also, in step S301, if the sterilization/deodorization time has elapsed (S301), the control device 90 stops the sterilization/deodorization operation and executes the discharge operation (S203).

In this way, even during the sterilization/deodorization time when the sterilization/deodorization operation continues, the sterilization/deodorization operation is stopped based on the user's termination instruction, thereby improving user convenience. It is possible to lengthen the sterilization/deodorization time while taking this into consideration. Since the sterilization and deodorization effects of ozone are based on the product of ozone concentration and ozone exposure time, the sterilization and deodorization abilities can be improved by setting a longer sterilization/deodorization time.

(Modification example 2 of clothing sterilization treatment)
The clothing sterilization process according to this modification assumes a dryer or washer/dryer that does not have a door lock, and the point is that when the door is opened, the sterilization/deodorization operation ends and the discharge operation starts. This is different from the clothing sterilization process according to Modification 1.

As shown in FIG. 9, if the sterilization/deodorization time has not elapsed since the start of the sterilization/deodorization operation (S301, NO), the control device 90 determines whether the door D1 of the drum D is open based on detection by the open/close sensor DS (S401).

If the door D1 is open (S401, YES), the control device 90 stops the sterilization/deodorization operation and starts the discharge operation (S203).

On the other hand, when the door D1 is not in the open state (S401, NO), the control device 90 continues the sterilization/deodorization operation (S202).

In this way, if the door D1 is opened in a state where the sterilization/deodorization time has not elapsed since the start of the sterilization/deodorization operation, the sterilization/deodorization operation is stopped and the discharge operation is started. By doing so, it is possible to create a negative pressure inside the drum D and prevent the user from being exposed to ozone.

The embodiments of the invention are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. This novel embodiment can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. This embodiment and its modifications are included within the scope and gist of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalents.

1 Dryer (laundry equipment)
12 Heating unit 14 Ozone generator 14
17 Fan 90 Control device M Motor NE Charged particulate generator MG Fog generator

Claims (6)

A laundry machine for washing and drying clothes,
a drum capable of containing the garments;
A motor for rotating the drum;
A fan connected to the drum for discharging air from within the drum to the outside;
a heating unit for heating air drawn into the drum from the outside;
a sterilization/deodorization mechanism having at least one of an ozone generating unit that generates ozone, a charged fine particle generating unit that generates charged fine particles, and a mist generating unit that generates a mist by atomizing a liquid having a sterilization or deodorization effect;
a control device that operates the heating unit, the fan, and the motor to perform a drying operation in which hot air is blown into the drum, and then stops the heating unit and the fan, and performs the sterilization/deodorization operation while agitating the clothes in the drum with the motor;
A laundry machine comprising: The laundry machine according to claim 1 , wherein the sterilization/deodorization operation is performed after the heating unit is stopped and the dried clothes are cooled. 2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein after performing the sterilization/deodorization operation, the controller operates the fan to perform a discharge operation of discharging the ozone, the charged particles, or the mist. Laundry equipment listed. Further, an end instruction button is provided for instructing the sterilization/deodorization operation to be stopped,
The laundry machine according to claim 3, characterized in that, when the end instruction button is pressed even while the sterilization/deodorization operation is being performed, the control device stops the sterilization/deodorization operation and performs the discharge operation. further comprising a door lock for locking a door capable of closing the input port for the clothes into the drum;
The control device causes the door lock to lock the door while the sterilization/deodorization operation and the discharge operation are being performed, and causes the door lock to unlock the door after the discharge operation. 5. A laundry appliance according to claim 4. The washing machine further includes a door sensor for detecting an open/closed state of a door capable of closing the opening for inserting the clothes into the drum,
The laundry machine according to claim 3, characterized in that, when the door sensor detects that the door is open, even if the sterilization/deodorization operation is being performed, the control device stops the sterilization/deodorization operation and performs the discharge operation.