AU4893000A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION NAME OF APPLICANT(S): Hitachi, Ltd.

ADDRESS FOR SERVICE: DAVIES COLLISON CAVE Patent Attorneys 1 Little Collins Street, Melbourne, 3000.

INVENTION TITLE: Washing machine The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:lA BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a washing machine and to technique for raising a washing effect by removing hardening components from water used for washing.

1. 0 PRIOR ART Cations of 2 valences such as calcium ion, magnesium ion as water-hardening components affect greatly on the detergency of detergent when the cations are included in the washing water used for washing. Those hardening components react with a surfactant contained in the detergent to produce non-dissoluble metallic soap, reduce an amount of the surfactant contributing to washing ooooo: and reduce the detergency.

A washing machine performing washing by removing evil affection of metal ions is disclosed in JP A 11- 151397. In this washing machine, a flow passage passing through a water softener employing cation-exchange resin and a flow passage directly supplying water into a washing tub, by-passing the water softener are provided for a water supply course to the washing tub. On the water supply course, there are provided a hardness sensor and a sodium sensor, and the water softener is provided with an automatic regenerating mechanism of the ion-exchange resin.

A quantity of water to be softened is adjusted according to the hardness of service water, and soft water dissolves detergent at a detergent injecting portion and flows down into the washing tub. Further, the sodium sensor detects the time that the ion-exchange resin should be regenerated and the regeneration is effected automatically.

On the other hand, as a method of rinsing with a small amount of water, shower rinsing is known. This is 10 the method in which intermediate rising is performed after washing, and then, water is put onto clothes while rotating a washing tub to effectively remove the detergent remaining in the clothes.

Hardening components influences on rinsing also, as well as a washing step using a detergent. In a conventional washing machine, the influence of the hardening components on this rinsing step is not :....sufficiently considered. The rinsing is performed to remove dirt components removed from clothes by washing out of the washing tub, thereby not to adhere to the clothes again, and to remove the detergent adsorbed on the clothes.

A surfactant contained in the detergent adsorbed on the clothes is diluted by rinsing water and separated from the clothes. At this time, in the case where the rinsing water is hard water containing a lot of hardening components, the hardening components and surfactant join each other to produce metallic soap. When the surfactant is made into metallic soap under the condition that the surfactant is adsorbed on the clothes, it is difficult to remove it.

In the case where a water softener is provided midway through a feed course to the washing machine, the treatment ability of the water softener becomes a problem.

For the treatment ability, it is necessary to consider a feed water quantity per unit time and a total amount of water which can be treated. The treatment ability is necessary to be studied together with miniaturization of 10 the water softener to install it inside the washing machine. Particularly, in the case where ion-exchange resin is used as in the above-mentioned device, since there is a limit to an amount of hardening components which the ion-exchange resin can remove, regeneration treatment is necessary, so that it becomes necessary to consider miniaturization of the device, frequencies of the regeneration treatment and a feed water quantity per unit time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine which is able to raise a rinsing effect with a small amount of water.

In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, rinsing is performed by sprinkling softened water in a shower form onto the washing while rotating a washing tub (hereunder, called shower rising), whereby the detergent remaining on clothes can be effectively removed with a small amount of water, so that water saving and high rinsing performance can be realized at the same time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a fully automatic washing machine; Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of a fully 10 automatic washing machine according to the present S. invention; Fig. 3 is a plan view of an inside of a rear containing box according to the present invention; eo Fig. 4 is a block diagram of water supply course according to the present invention; V Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view of an ion removing apparatus according to the present invention; 6 is a block diagram of electric connection of a fully automatic washing machine according to the present invention; Fig. 7 is a plan view of a rear containing box of another fully automatic washing machine according to the present invention; Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view of another ion removing apparatus according to the present invention; Fig. 9 is a plan view of said another ion removing apparatus according to the present invention; and Fig. 10 is a plan view of a saltwater flow passage of said another ion removing apparatus according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION Hereunder, a washing machine of an embodiment of the present invention will be explained, referring to the drawings.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a fully automatic 10 washing machine of an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken along a line

A-A.

The fully automatic washing machine is made so as to suspend an outer tub 4 made of synthetic resin by suspension rods 2 and a vibration isolator 3 composed of coil springs or elastic rubber inside an outer flame 1 made of steel plate. In the outer tub 4 storing water for washing, a stainless tub 5 jointly used for washing and dehydration (hereunder, called washing tub) is rotatably provided. The washing tub 5 has a lot of dehydration holes formed thereon and a rotating blade 6 rotatably mounted at its center bottom. In steps of washing and rinsing, the washing tub 5 is at a standstill, and the rotating blade 6 is rotated in normal and reverse directions. Further, in step of dehydrating, the washing tub 5 and rotating blade 6 are made like an one-piece and rotated together. The rotating blade 6 and the washing tub 5 are driven by a 6 driving apparatus.

The driving apparatus comprises a motor 7, a transmission device 8 comprising a pulley 8a and a belt 8b for transmitting rotation of the motor 7 to the rotating blade 6 and the washing tub 5, a clutch device 9 for rotating only the rotating blade 6 in the washing and rinsing steps or rotating the washing tub 5 in the dehydrating step, and a clutch solenoid 9a for effecting the switching thereof. The driving apparatus is fixed to a bottom surface of the outer tub 4 by using a support plate :1 0 of steel plate.

Further, the outer tub 4 is provided with a water level sensor tube 12 transmitting water pressure inside the outer tub to a water level sensor 11, and a drainage or drainage device 13 draining washing water inside the outer tub 4. The drainage device 13 is provided immediately downstream of a drain port 14 of the bottom surface of the •outer tub 4, and a drain hose 15 is connected to the a drainage device 13. Washing water is stored in the outer tub 4 by closing a drain valve of the drainage device 13, and drained out of the washing machine through the drain hose 15 by opening the drain valve of the drainage device 13.

On an upper portion of the outer frame i, a top cover 17 is provided. The top cover 17 is constructed of an inlet 17a for throwing the washing in through the inlet, a rear containing box 17b containing feed line parts such as a feed electromagnetic valve water-line plughole 26, an ion removing device 29, a bath water feed pump 45, etc. and a front operation box 17c containing electric parts such as a microcomputer, etc., and an opening/closing lid 18 of synthetic resin is mounted so as to cover the inlet 17a.

On an upper surface of the front operation box 17c, an operation panel 19a is mounted, and thereunder, a control circuit 19b which contains therein the microcomputer, etc. and which is a control part is 10 provided. Further, inside the front operation box 17c, provided is the water level sensor 11 judging whether water Sgis stored at a prescribed level by detecting the water pressure inside the outer tub 4. On the operation panel go 19, arranged are a power switch 20, various kinds of displays 21, various kinds of operation buttons 22, a .999 buzzer 23 shown in Fig. 6, etc., and it is constructed so that a user operates the washing machine by the operation button 22, and the operation condition can be confirmed by 9*e 99 the display 21 and the buzzer 23.

Fig. 3 is a plan view (a section shown by a line B- B in Fig. 1) of the back containing box 17b which contains therein the feed line parts for washing water and from which the upper lid is removed, and Fig. 4 is a block diagram of the feed course. In the back containing box 17b, contained are the water-line plughole 26 to which a hose from an outer water supply source such as a water-line hydrant, successively feed electromagnetic valve 27 and a 8 saltwater feed electromagnetic valve 28 are connected, the ion removing apparatus 29, a slope flow passage 46 through which washing water flows down into the washing tub 5, that is, which becomes a feed outlet to an inside of the washing tub 5, a pressurizing pump 48, a shower head 49, etc. A chamber 47 partitioned by a partition 47a is arranged upstream of the slop flow passage 46. An upper portion of the partition 47a is opened and the chamber 47 and the slope flow passage 46 communicate with each other.

10 The pressurizing pump 48 is shown about a case where it is jointly used with a bath feed pump. A switching valve a 44 is connected to a suction port 48a of the pressurizing pump 48. A suction pipe 44b communicating the bottom of the chamber 47 and a bath water suction port ooo.

44a are connected to a switching valve A 44, and the .*oo switching valve A 44 switches them. A switching valve B is connected to a delivery port 48b of the pressurizing "".pump 48. A delivery pipe 45a connected to the shower head 49 and a bath water pipe 45b are connected to the switching valve B 45, and the switching valve B 45 switches them.

Further, the pressurizing pump 48 and the chamber 47 are connected by a priming water pipe 48c. Further, the priming water pipe 48c is provided with a check valve 48d which prevents priming water from flowing from the pressurizing pump 48 to the chamber 47 through the priming water pipe 48c. The shower head 49 is provided in multisteps (two steps) to the slope flow passage 46 under the 9 slope flow passage 46, and opened to the washing tub The shower head 49 is a shower nozzle which is provided to sprinkle water in a shower shape in a wider range than an opening area of an outlet thereof.

Fig. 5 shows details in a vertical section of the ion removing apparatus 29. The ion removing.apparatus 29 is composed of a cylindrical container 30, a saltwater container 31 provided on the upper portion of the cylindrical container 30, and a salt container 32 provided .o oo 10 inside the saltwater container 31. A resin case 33 is S' provided in the cylindrical container 30 so as to have therein an upper space 39a and a lower space 39b. On the upper surface of the resin case 33, an upper lid 34 is OO Ir provided and fixed to the resin case 33 by-adhering or by eoo* means of screw.

Mesh filters 33a are provided around a center and *e at a lower surface of the resin case 33, respectively, and a resin chamber 33c is formed between the upper and lower mesh filters 33a. The resin chamber 33c is filled with sodium type strong acidity cation-exchange resin 43 (hereunder, called ion-exchange resin) as ion-exchanger having an ion-exchanging function.

The ion-exchange resin is synthetic resin that ion exchange group such as sulfonic group is chemically joined a bridged three-dimensional high polymer substrate as well known. When service water containing cations (hardening components) of two valences such as calcium, magnesium, etc. flows in the cation-exchange resin, the sulfonic group which is ion-exchange group of the cation-exchange resin and cations in the service water are ion-exchanged, as a result, the cations in the service water are removed.

Concretely, sodium ions of the ion-exchange resin and cations in the service water are replaced, and the hardening components are removed from the service water.

When all sodium ions in the ion-exchange resin exchange with calcium ions and magnesium ions, the ionooo 10 exchange resin loses the ion removing ability, so that it is necessary to regenerate it. In the case of sodium type cation-exchange resin, saltwater is used for:regeneration o oo oooo thereof. When saltwater of high concentration is flowed on the ion-exchange resin which has adsorbed calcium ions and magnesium ions, calcium ions and magnesium ions of the resin ion-exchange with sodium ions and the ion-exchange resin is regenerated. It is known that for the concentration of saltwater used for regeneration, about or so is the most efficient.

An amount of the ion-exchange resin 43 is set such an amount that hardness 100 ppm of service water can be reduced to 40 ppm or less, in the case where a washing machine of rated capacity 8 kg is supplied with water at the maximum level (68 L) in the present embodiment.

Concretely, an amount of the resin is 100 ml and particle diameter of the resin is 0.2 mm.

11 The ion-exchange resin 43 can be used even if the resin shape is a fiber-like shape, other than a beady shape which is generally used widely.

In the lower space 39b of the cylindrical container 30, a water inlet (water supply inlet) 30a communicating with the feed electromagnetic valve 27 is provided. A regeneration water drain port 30c is provided at the bottom of the lower space 39b. On the regeneration drain port a drain tube 41 is mounted, and the other end of the 10 drain tube 41 is connected to the drain port 14 of the outer tub 4. Further, the upper space 39a communicates with a delivery port (water supply outlet) 30b provided on the cylindrical container 30, and the delivery port 30b is connected to (communicates with) the chamber 47.

.15 A check valve 35 is provided above the upper space 39a. The check valve 35 is composed of a ball 35a made of polyproplyene and a valve seat 35b made of rubber.

Above the cylindrical container 30, a square-shaped saltwater container 31 is provided, and a lid 40 is provided on an upper portion of the saltwater container 31.

The saltwater container 31 is closed at the upper surface and provided with a siphon 37 at the bottom center. A hole 37a is formed at the center of the siphon, and the saltwater container 31 and the upper space 39a of the cylindrical container 30 communicates with each other through a center hole of the valve seat 12 A water supply pipe 31a led from a saltwater feed electromagnetic valve 28 is provided on one side of the saltwater container 31. The salt container 32 which is square-shaped is detachably arranged inside the saltwater container 31. The salt container 32 is opened at the upper surface and provided with mesh filters 32c on the bottom and sides thereof. The bottom and the sides of the salt container 32 are arranged with a gap from the saltwater container 31.

Salt 42 is contained in advance inside the salt S•container 32 by a user. As salt for use, refined salt of cost is small in impurity (so-called mineral components such as calcium, magnesium, etc.) and optimum. The mesh filters 32c of the salt container 32 prevent outflow of 15 salt particles and prevents dried salt from falling out of the container during putting-in operation of salt.

ooo e An input of salt is a quantity necessary to generate plural times, and about 500 g in the present eeeoe embodiment. This quantity corresponds to 33 times regeneration when a quantity of salt necessary for once regeneration of the ion-exchange resin 43 is 15g, which is described later. A volume of the salt container 32 is made 500 ml to 550 ml, whereby 500 g of dried salt can be contained.

A hose from the water-line hydrant is connected to the water-line plughole 26. Service water is introduced into the water inlet 30a of the cylindrical container 30 by 13 opening the feed electromagnetic valve 27, fully enters the lower space 39b, and then passes while rising in the resin chamber 33c filled with ion-exchange resin 43. The service water is softened here, that is, calcium ions and magnesium ions are removed, and the service water fully enters the upper space 39a. Upon rising of a water level in the upper space 39a, the ball 35a and the valve seat 35b are intimately contacted by floating force to close the check valve 35. The water flows from the delivery port 30b into the chamber 47. The water has become the same pressure at S: the delivery port 30b as atmospheric pressure because of pressure drop at the ion-exchange resin 43. When the water level in the chamber 47 exceeds the partition 47a, the water flows in the slope flow passage 46 and flows down 15 into the washing tub 5 (the outer tub wherebywater is supplied.

Here, explanation will be made, referring back to Fig. 3. Under the condition that water is stored in the chamber 47, the switching valve A 44 is operated so that the suction pipe 44b communicates with the suction port 48a, and the switching valve B 45 is operated so that the delivery pipe 45b and the delivery port 48b communicate with each other. Upon operation of the pressurizing pump 48, water inside the chamber 47 is sucked through the suction pipe 44b and pressurized, passes through the delivery pipe 45b, is jetted out of the shower head 49 and supplied in a shower shape onto the washing inside the 14 washing tub 5. At this time, since the check valve 48d is closed, the water does not flow back into the chamber 47 through the priming water pipe 48c.

Regeneration of the ion-exchange resin 43 is performed as follows. The saltwater feed electromagnetic valve 26 is opened to store water in the saltwater container 31, whereby salt is dissolved with water led through the mesh filters 32c and saltwater is produced.

Injection of water of about 130 ml dissolves salt of about 15g, whereby saltwater of the concentration of 10% can be produced. The saltwater flows down in the upper space 39a by the siphon 37, and passes through the ion-exchange resin 43 to regenerate the ion-exchange resin. The regeneration drain containing a lot of hardening components flows in the lower space 39b, and flow out into the drain port 14 through the drain tube 41.

Fig. 6 is a block diagram of a washing machine control part which is constructed with a microcomputer cocoI as a center. The microcomputer 50 is connected to operation button input circuits 51 (51a to 51c) and the water level sensor 11, and receives information signals from the button operation and the level of washing water inside the washing tub. Output of the microcomputer 50 is connected to driving circuits 52 composed of bidirectional three-terminal thyristors, etc., to supply commercial power to the motor 7, feed electromagnetic valve 27, saltwater feed electromagnetic valve 28, pressurizing pump 48, drainage device 13, etc. and control opening/closing or rotating of them. Further, it is connected to a communicator or alarm such as the buzzer 23 and display 21 for noticing operation of the washing machine to a user. A power circuit 53 rectifies to flatten the commercial power to generate a DC power supply necessary for the microcomputer 22A denotes an operation button selecting a rinsing method, and the button is used to determine a rinsing method such as showerrinsing, batch rinsing, overflow o rinsing, etc., rinsing times and whether or not use of soft water is necessary, etc. The microcomputer 50 displays the set contents on the display 21.

denotes a light-emitting diode which lights to 15 display supplementation of salt. The light-emitting diode lights when the supplementation of salt to the salt container 32 is necessary, thereby to notice it to a user.

An operation button 25 is a button that the user presses oeoeo: when the supplementation of salt has completed. By pressing the operation button 25, the microcomputer lights the light-emitting diode Next, operation of the fully automatic washing machine according to the present invention will be explained.

With respect to a washing step, the same water supply course is taken even if any washing courses are elected. In a rinsing step, water supply courses and 16 regeneration timing of the ion-exchange resin are different according to the selection of the rinsing courses. Here, explanation is made about operation in the case where such setting that the user performs shower rinsing with soft water, finally once performs batch rinsing and then dehydration is effected by a selection button 22A..

The user puts the washing into the washing tub and then pushes the power switch 20. He sets a washing course (washing, rinsing, dehydration condition are set) and operates a start button to instruct the start of Swashing. The microcomputer 50 opens the feed 00 electromagnetic valve 27. Service water flows into the cylindrical container 30 from the water-line hydrant through the feed electromagnetic valve 27, passes through the ion-exchange resin 43 to be removed of hardening components, enters the chamber 47 and stores in the outer tub 4 (washing tub 5) through the slope flow passage 46.

The microcomputer 50, which detected, by the lever sensor 11, that the washing tub 5 was supplied with a prescribed quantity of water, closes the feed electromagnetic valve 27 to stop the water supply. Then, the rotating blade 6 is rotated in normal and reverse directions to agitate the washing, whereby a washing step is started. The washing water has been turned to soft water that hardening components such as calcium, magnesium, etc. are removed. The hardening components react with a surfactant contained in the detergent to produce metallic 17 soap which is not dissolved in water, and reduces the surfactant contributing to washing to reduce the detergency. However, since the hardening components are removed during water supply, an effect of the detergent is fully displayed and a high detergency is obtained.

In a case where a quantity of water supply is at a high level, almost of all the ion-exchange ability (the ability of removing hardening components) of the ionexchange resin 43 has been lost, and it is necessary to regenerate it in order to soften the water which is supplied then.

When the washing step terminates, the microcomputer 50 opens the drainage device 13. The washing water in the washing tub 5 is drained from the drain port 14 through the drain hose 15. A step from the washing step to this drainage can be considered to be a washing step.

Since the next shower rinsing is necessary to be performed by using soft water, regeneration of the iono ie exchange resin 43 is performed by the time of start of rinsing after the termination of water supply in the washing step. Therefore, it can be performed during intermediate dehydration. In the present embodiment, regeneration of ion-exchange resin is performed during drainage after washing in the washing step. The regeneration is as mentioned above.

The reason that the regeneration is performed during drainage is as follows.

18 A lot of hardening components are contained in the regeneration drain water used for regeneration of the ionexchange resin 43. The regeneration drain water is flowed in the drain port 14 of the bottom portion of the outer tub 4 through the drain tube 41. When the regeneration drain water flows down during the washing step in which the drainage device 13 is closed, softened washingwater and the regeneration drain water are mixed, thereby to raise the hardness of the washing water, and an effect of the water supply done by passing through the ion-exchange device has been lost.

On the other hand, when the regeneration is performed during drainage, the regeneration drain water is drained from the drain hose 15 together with drain water, oo 15 so thatthe regeneration drain water does not flow in the outer tub 4 and the washing tub 5. That is, the regeneration drain water does not cause such a thing that it contacts with the washing, joins the surfactant of detergent adsorbed in the washing to produce metallic soap.

When countermeasures for preventing the regeneration drain water from being mixed with washing water is taken, any problem does not occur even if the ionexchange resin 43 is regenerated during washing. For example, it is sufficient if the outlet side of the drain tube 41 is connected to a downstream side of the drainage device 13. In this case, since water to be supplied to the washing tub has been drained through the drain tube 41, it is sufficient if a valve for preventing drainage is provided at any one place of an upstream side, an outlet portion and a halfway of the drain tube 41.

After completion of draining and regeneration of the ion-exchange resin, intermediate dehydration is performed. After completion of the intermediate dehydration, it is shifted to a rinsing step. In the rinsing step, since a shower rinsing is taken, first, the washing tub 5 is rotated. The number of revolutions of the 10 washing tub 5 is sufficient to be one at which centrifugal force necessary for causing water supplied for shower rinsing to pass through the washing can be obtained. Of course, it is sufficient to keep the rotation as it is without stopping the rotation in the previous intermediate dehydration step, or it is sufficient if the rinsing is started under the condition that the rotation is decreased prescribed revolution numbers after the dehydration.

Thereby, it can save energy and time required for completely stopping the rotation of the washing tub 5 and restarting it. And, the feed electromagnetic valve 27 is opened and water supply is started in the same manner as in the water supply for washing. Since regeneration of the ion-exchange resin 43 has been already completed, hardening components are removed during passing through the ionexchange apparatus 29, and soft water flows into the chamber 47 from the delivery port 30b and is stored in the chamber 47, whereby the water level rises.

When water starts to be stored in the chamber 47, operation of the pressurizing pump 48 is started by changing over the switching valve A 44 to the side of the suction pipe 48a and the switching valve B 45 to the side of the delivery pipe 45b. The soft water inside the chamber 47 enters the pressurizing pump 48 from the suction pipe 48a to be pressurized, and the pressurized water is introduced from the delivery tube 48b to the shower head 49 and supplied into the washing tub 5 in a shower-like shape.

At this time, the washing inside the washing tub 5 has been t pressed on a wall surface of the washing tub 5 by centrifugal force, and the majority of the washing is not disposed at the center. Therefore, the shower is set so that an injection direction of the shower is directed to 15 the wall surface of the washing tub. Further, since the water is pressurized by the pressurizing pump 48, the water c is forcibly jetted from the shower head 49 by the water pressure and rinsing water also surely reaches to the :..'-washing on the washing tub bottom portion far away from the shower head.

Further, with respect to the shape of water jet portion of the shower head 49, there are a general type of providing a lot of small holes, a type of jetting water in a radial shape (in a circular cone-shape) by a swirling flow, etc., however, it is sufficient if water is uniformly put on the washing in intimate contact with the wall surface of the washing tub 5. The rinsing water on the 21 washing passes through the washing, goes out of the washing tub 5 into the outer tub 4 through dehydration holes provided on the wall surface of the washing tub 5 together with the detergent contained in the washing, and is drained from the drain port 14.

A flow rate of water for shower rinsing is preferable to be about 4 to 10 i/min because of making rebound water minimum when the water impinges on the washing. On the contrary, a flow rate of feed water passing through the ion-exchange apparatus 29 changes depending on a water-line water pressure, and is about 5-20 1i/min. When a flow rate of feed water is more than the a flow rate of shower rinsing water, water in the chamber 47 flows over the partition 47a, flows into the washing tub .r 15 through the slope flow passage 46, and uselessly consumes soft water. However, by intermittently opening and closing the feed electromagnetic valve 27, it is possible to make a apparent feed water flow rate small, and reduce an amount of soft water used uselessly. On the other hand, in the case where a flow rate of feed water is smaller than a flow rate of water used for shower rinsing, a water level in the chamber 47 lowers, the pressurizing pump 48 sucks air and a normal pump performance can not be effected. In this case, the pump performance can be maintained by intermittently operating the pressurizing pump 48.

Rinsing is effected for removing the detergent adsorbed on the washing by washing. However, when the hardness of rinsing water is high, a surfactant adsorbed on the washing and hardening components join each other to produce metallic soap (hydrophilic radicals of the surfactant and the hardening components join each other).

The metallic soap is hydrophobic and non-dissoluble substance, and since it is not dissolved in water, it remains on the washing. On the contrary, when the rinsing is performed by soft water, any metallic soap is not produced and the surfactant can be efficiently removed from *fee 10 the washing.

0*ee However, soft water having passed through the ion removing apparatus 29 has a pressure nearly equal to atmospheric pressure at the delivery port 30b because. of pressure loss due to passing through the ion-exchange resin 15 43. Therefore, when the soft water is flowed down into the rotating washing.tub 5 from the slope flow passage 46as it is, only energy corresponding to the height can be used.

SOS.

Therefore, it is difficult to control water running in a 555...

falling direction, it is difficult to uniformly put water onto the washing in the shower rinsing, an amount of water uselessly drained without being put on the washing becomes large, and the efficiency is bad. [0052] By providing the pressurizing pump 48 as in the present invention, the shower rinsing which can effectively and uniformly put soft water effective for removing a detergent onto the washing can be realized, and a saving of water and an improvement of rinsing performance can be achieved simultaneously.

Provision of the pressurizing pump 48 has the following effect. That is, in the case where the pressure of service water is used for shower rinsing, output of shower water greatly changes depending on the pressure of service water. Particularly, since the shower is not forcibly injected at a place where the water pressure is low, there was the problem that water was not put onthe washing. On the contrary, provision of the pressurizing pump can secure a constant water pressure irrespective of the pressure of service water. Therefore, always the same shower can be realized and a constant shower performance can be obtained.

After the shower rinsing is finished, batch rinsing that water is stored in the washing tub 5 and the washing is rotated by the rotating blade 6 is effected. Detailed explanation of water supply for batch rinsing is omitted because water flows in the same flow courses as the time of 0.0.

eeoc water supply for the washing. An amount of water used for 20 soft water shower rinsing in the previous step is about liters at maximum and the ion removing ability of the ionexchange resin 43 remains sufficiently, so that water for rinsing can be softened. Therefore, the possibility that the surfactant of detergent which can not be removed by the shower rinsing joins the hardening components in the water to produce metallic soap becomes small. Therefore, such finishing is realized that the reminder of surfactant on the washing is small.

Further, at the time of batch rinsing as mentioned above, it is possible to use jointly the shower rinsing by operating thepressurizing pump 48. After the shower rinsing is finished, the washing is in a state that the washing is stuck to the washing tub 5 by dehydration.

After water supply for batch rinsing is finished, even if the rotating blade 6 is rotated in normal and reverse directions, an amount of the washing on'the rotating blade is small and the force of the blade is not effectively applied on the washing, and the washing stuck to the washing tub 5 is not separated therefrom, so that there is a problem that the washing can not be efficiently agitated (rinsing performance lowers). Therefore, when the shower supply is jointly used at the time of water supply, the .".washing contains a lot of water to become heavier in eoee weight, so that the washing becomes easy to be separated o from the washing tub 5 by its weight. Therefore, upon rotation of the rotating blade 6 in the normal and reverse 20 directions, the washing is agitated immediately and rinsing performance is improved.

When the batch rinsing is finished and drain is started, the ion-exchange resin 43 is regenerated to soften washing water for the next washing. A regeneration method is the same as the regeneration conducted after the abovementioned washing.

After drainage and regeneration of ion-exchange resin are finished, final dehydration is conducted, thereby to terminate the washing.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, a construction that the chamber 47 is provided for storing soft water having passed through the ion removing apparatus 29 is taken, however, the same operation effect can-be attained even by the following construction. That is, it is a construction that the suction pipe 48a is directly connected to the upper space 39a of the ion removing apparatus 29, instead of the chamber 47. In this case, it :is better that the delivery port 30b is arranged at an extremely upper side of the cylindrical container 30 and a volume of the upper space 39a is made as large as possible.

This is because the possibility that the pressurizing pump 48 sucks air can be suppressed by storing water in the upper space 39a as much as possible. In the case of the o present construction, also, shower water supply from the shower head 49 and usual water supply from the slope flow .oo 20 passage 46 can be switched depending on whether or not the pressurizing pump 48 is operated.

By constructing in this manner, even in a washing machine of small capacity in which the volume of the back containing box 17b is small and it is difficult to provide the chamber 47, it is possible to perform shower rinsing with soft water.

26 On the above, the case where the pressurizing pump and bath water sucking pump are jointly used has been described. In a washing machine on which the bath water sucking pump is not mounted, it is constructed so that the switching valve A 44 and the switching valve B 45 are taken off from the above-mentioned embodiment, and the suction pipe 44b is connected to the suction port 48a and the delivery pipe 45b is connected to the delivery port 48b.

Further, the pressurizing pump and bath water sucking pump can be provided separately. For the pressurizing pump, a property that it is excellent in pressurizing is required and a property of large flow rate is required for the bath water suction pump. Therefore, provision of separate pumps provides an advantage that pump types suitable for respective properties can be elected.

In the case where bath water is used for washing water, the switching valve A 44 is set on the side of the bath water suction port 44a and the switching valve B 45 is set on the side of the bath water pipe 45a. First of all, eeeee: 20 water from the water-line plughole 26 is jetted into the chamber 47 through the ion removing apparatus 29 by opening the feed electromagnetic valve 27. By using velocity energy of water jetted in the chamber 47, a part of the water is sent to the pressurizing pump 48 to prime the pump through a priming pipe 48c. Then, the pump is rotated to suck bath water from the bath water suction port 44a, delivers into the slope flow passage 46 from the bath water 27 pipe 45a, and supplies the bath water to the washing tub By making piping so as to deliver water into the slope flow passage 46 from the bath water pipe 45a without passing through the chamber 47, it is possible to prevent dusts, etc. contained in bath water from being stored in the chamber 47.

In the case where bath water is used as washing water, a quantity of water passing through the ion-exchange resin 43 is about 5-10 liters for priming, the ion removing ability of the ion-exchange resin 43 remains sufficiently.

Therefore, it is unnecessary to regenerate the ion-exchange resin 43 regenerated during drainage of washing water.

Further, even in the case where service water is used as washing water, if it is unnecessary to make rinsing water into soft water, it is unnecessary to regenerate the ion-exchange resin during drainage of the washing water.

Next, a washing machine of another embodiment of o the present invention will be explained, referring to the drawings.

ooooo 20 A feature of the present embodiment resides in that an ion removing apparatus for the exclusive use of shower water supply instead of the pressurizing pump for shower water supply, and the pressure of water line is used for shower.

Fig. 7 is a plan view (a section shown by a B-B line in Fig. 1) of a back side when an upper lid of the back containing box 17b containing parts for water supply 28 courses of washing water of the fully automatic washing machine of the present embodiment is removed. The saltwater container and salt container of the ion removing apparatus are omitted. Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view of an ion removing apparatus 29', Fig. 9 is a plan view of the ion-exchange apparatus 29', viewed from a two-dotted line A-A direction of Fig. 8, and Fig. 10 is a plan view of a saltwater flow passage 72, viewed from a two-dotted line B-B direction of Fig. 8. The same symbols as symbols in Fig. 3 and Fig. 5 denote the same parts.

In the rear containing box 17b, a water line plughole 26, successively, feed electromagnetic valve, feed electromagnetic valve B 60, salt feed electromagnetic valve 28, ion removing apparatus 29', shower head 49, bath water supply pump 75, detergent injection container 79, feed passage 78, slope flow passage 80, etc. are contained.

The ion- exchange apparatus 29' is composed of a cylindrical container 61, a saltwater container 31 and a salt container 32 provided inside the saltwater container.

ooooo: The saltwater container 31 and the salt container 32 are the same as those in the embodiment of Fig. 5. In the cylindrical container 61, a resin case 62 is provided. The resin case 62 has an upper lid 63 provided on the upper surface. The resin case 62 and the upper lid 63 are fixed to the cylindrical container 61 by a fixing member 64 (fastened by screws in the present embodiment). The resin case 62 is divided into two chambers, a resin chamber A 66 29 and a resin chamber B 68, and mesh filters 62a, 69a are provided on upper and lower surfaces, respectively. The resin chambers are filled with ion-exchange resin 43a and 43b. The resin chamber A is for usual water supply, and the resin chamber B is for shower water supply, and the resin chamber A through which a large quantity of water passes is made larger in volume.

As for an amount of ion-exchange resin in the case where it is applied to a washing machine of rated capacity of 8 kg (maximum water quantity 68 liters), the ionexchange resin 43a is 100 ml and the ion-exchange resin 43b oooo is 30 ml (resin particle diameter 0.2 mm). Thereby, in the case where when the hardness of service water is 100 ppm, the water is supplied at a flow rate of 15 i/min. by usual water supply until it reaches a maximum quantity, the hardness of washing water can be reduced to 40 ppm or less.

Further, in the case where shower water supply is performed at a flow rate 5 i/min, the hardness of shower water can be reduced to 20 ppm or less.

20 To the cylindrical container 61, a lower space A is provided under the resin chamber A 66, and a lower space B 71a is provided under the resin chamber B 68. The lower space A 70a is provided with a water inlet (water supply inlet) A 61a and a regeneration water drain port A 61e, and the lower space B 71a is provided with a water inlet (water supply inlet) B 61b and a regeneration water drain port B 61f. The regeneration water drain ports have drain tubes 41a, 41b mounted thereto, respectively, and the other ends of the drain tubes are connected to the drain port 14 of the bottom of the outer tub 4.

Further, to the upper lid 63, an upper space A is provided over the resin chamber A 66, and an upper space B 71b is provided over the resin chamber B 68. The upper space A 70b is provided with a delivery port A 61c (water supply outlet), and the upper space B 71 is provided with a delivery port (water supply outlet) B 61d. The delivery port A 61c is connected to a feed water passage 78, and the delivery port B 61d is connected to the shower head 49.

A saltwater flow passage 72 is formed between the upper lid 63 and the fixing member 64 by a wall 72a. The saltwater container 31 is mounted on the upper lid 63; and the saltwater container and the saltwater flow passage 72 are communicated through a hole 37a of the siphon 37. A check valve A 65 is provided on an upper portion of the upper space A 70b, and a check valve B 67 is provided on an upper portion of the upper space B 71b. A hole 65a, 67a provided at the center of each check valve 65, 67 communicates with the saltwater flow passage 72.

Operation of the fully automatic washing machine of the present embodiment is explained. Washing courses are washing, shower rinsing, batch rinsing and dehydration, which are the same as in the first embodiment. Here, explanation will be mainly taken about water flows when water is supplied.

31 Water flows as follows when water is supplied for washing. Service water from the water-line plughole 26 flows into the lower space A 70a through the feed electromagnetic valve 27 and the water inlet A 61a, further flows through the resin chamber A filled with ion-exchange resin 43a to be removed of hardening components and turned to be soft water, enters the upper space A 70b, and flows into the supply water passage 78 through the delivery port 61c. Further, the water flows down into the detergent injection container 79 through a lot of small holes 78a.

provided in the water supply passage and is stored in the washing tub 5 through the slope flow passage 80. When water is supplied to be a maximum water quantity, almost all the hardening component removing the ability of ionexchange resin 43a is lost, so that it is necessary to regenerate it in order to soften water supplied after that.

In the case where bath water is used for washing, ***the bath water is sucked out through the hose connected to the bath water suction port 75a. First, the feed 2 0 electromagnetic valve 27 is opened, and service water is jetted into the water supply passage 78 through the ion removing apparatus 29'. By using the velocity energy of the water jetted in the water supply passage 78, a part of water is introduced from a priming tube 76 to a priming port 75c, and primes the bath water suction pump 75. Then, the bath water suction pump is operated to suck bath water through the bath water suction port 75a and delivers into 32 the slope flow passage 80 through the delivery port and supplies the washing tub 5 with bath water.

Next, water flows as follows when shower rinsing is performed. Service water flows through the feed electromagnetic valve B 60 and enters the lower space B 71a from the water inlet B 61b, further flows through the resin chamber B filled with ion-exchange resin 43b. Hardening components of the service water are removed during passing through the resin chamber B and turned into soft water and then flows in the upper space B 71b. The service water is introduced from the delivery port B 61d to the shower head 49 through the tube 73, and jetted onto the washing in the washing tub 5 from the shower head 49. The shower head 49 is set so that a flow rate is about 5 i/min.. When water 0006 passes through the resin chamber B 68, pressure loss occurs because of the flow resistance of the ion-exchange resin.

However, since the resistance at the shower head portion is :Soo 0 larger than the flow resistance of the ion-exchange resin, the water pressure is only slightly lower than the water pressure in the water-line at the delivery port B 61d and does not become any bar to shower jetting. However, since the pressure of the upper space B 71b becomes substantially the same as the water pressure in the water-line, a portion in which water for shower flows is necessary to be made in pressure-proof structure. However, the portion for shower is small in pressure-receiving area, so that it is easy to make it in a pressure-proof structure.

An effect by shower rinsing is the same as in the previous embodiment.

When drainage is started after the finish of final batch rinsing, the ion-exchange resin is regenerated for the next washing. Since a method of producing saltwater used for the regeneration is the same as in the previous embodiment, here, flow down of saltwater is explained.

The saltwater is flowed through the holes 37a by the siphon 37 and flows down into the saltwater flow passage 72 thereunder. Further, the saltwater flows as shown by arrows in Fig. 10, flows down in the upper spaces 70b, 71b from the holes 67a, 65a and flows through the inside of the resin chambers 66, 68. When flowing through the resin chambers; the ion-exchange resin 43a, 43b are regenerated. The regeneration water containing a lot of hardening components enters the lower space 70a, 71a, flows into the drain port 14 through the drain tubes 41a, 41b, and then is discharged out of the washing machine together with rinsing drain.

Further, in the case where the final batch rinsing is effected with soft water, it is necessary to regenerate the ion-exchange resin before water supply for the batch rinsing. Although there is a method of regeneration during drainage in the same manner as in the previous embodiment, saltwater flows also on the side of ion-exchange resin 43b for shower water supply not used as yet, so that the saltwater becomes useless. Therefore, the ion-exchange 34 resin 43a is regenerated during water supply for shower rinsing. During the water supply for shower rinsing, the check valve B 67 is closed and the check valve A 65 is opened. When the saltwater is flowed down into the saltwater flow passage 72 at this time, the saltwater flows through only the hole 65a, only the ion-exchange resin 53a can be regenerated. It is a matter of course that the quantity of saltwater becomes smaller than in the regeneration of both the ion-exchange resins since it is 10 sufficient if only the ion-exchange resin 43a can be regenerated. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress useless consumption of salt.

e:oe Further, for the above reason, when the batch rinsing is effected, it is possible to open both the feed o• *015 electromagnetic valve 27 and the feed electromagnetic valve B 60 simultaneously to supply water from the slope water 0*supply passage 80 and the shower head 49 simultaneously.

0 Thereby, the reason that the washing stuck to the wall *surface of the washing tub 5 becomes easily separated is the same as in the previous embodiment.

Further, during shower rinsing, the drainage device 13 is opened, so that the regeneration drain does not contact with the washing which is being rinsed.

The hole 65a is made larger in diameter than the hole 67a so as to meet the quantity of ion-exchange resin.

This is because a quantity of saltwater necessary for regeneration is proportional to a quantity of ion-exchange resin. In the present embodiment, the quantities of ionexchange resin 43a and 43b are 100 ml and 30 ml, respectively, so that a ratio of areas of the holes 65a and 67a can be set 10:3.

Further, the reason that the saltwater flow passage 72 is made in such a form is that drainage does not become sufficient when air remains, and the saltwater is not distributed correctly. When the saltwater flows down into the saltwater passage 72, the saltwater passage 72 is 10 filled with the saltwater, the saltwater is flows downward from the holes 65a, 67a. However, air is not extracted S. well from the saltwater flow passage without the wall 72a, and a stagnant air portion can be formed in the saltwater flow passage. Therefore, distribution of the saltwater 15 becomes incorrect (a quantity of the saltwater flowed down through the hole 76a farther from the hole 37a becomes small), and the ion-exchange resin 43b does not become sufficiently regenerated.

By providing the wall 72a in the saltwater flow passage 72 as in the present embodiment, the saltwater flows as shown by arrows in Fig. 10 while pressing air in the saltwater flow passage. The air is pressed out from the hole 65a. In this manner, since the air inside the saltwater flow passage becomes zero, the saltwater can be correctly distributed and it is possible to prevent the ion-exchange resin from being insufficiently regenerated.

36 In the present embodiment, ion-exchange resin for usual water supply and ion-exchange resin for shower water supply are provided, so that there is such an advantage that soft water shower rinsing can be realized without using a specific water storing portion (chamber), a pressurizing pump and a switching valve, and a water supply course can be made compact. Further, it is sufficient if the ion-exchange resin is regenerated once at the last stage of the washing course, and it results in shortening of the washing time.

The service water becomes substantially the same as atmospheric pressure after passing through the ion removing apparatus (water softener) because of pressure loss at the S. ion-exchange resin portion when the service water flows through the water softening apparatus. The water having passed through the ion removing apparatus falls down into the washing tub thereunder by its weight to be supplied.

Usually, since intermediate dehydration is effected to remove a detergent in clothes as much as possible before rinsing, the clothes are stuck to the wall surface of the washing tub. When it is tried to use the water softened by the ion removing apparatus for rinsing, since the water only falls, it is difficult to control the water in the falling direction. Therefore, much water becomes fallen directly onto the bottom surface of the washing tub without being put on the clothes, as a result, the water is consumed uselessly. Further, it is difficult to put water 37 uniformly onto the clothes and the rinsing performance can not be raised.

As explained above, in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, since a pressurizing pump for shower rinsing is provided at the outlet of the ion removing apparatus, or the ion removing apparatus for shower rinsing is provided, soft water shower is put uniformly onto the washing without useless use thereof, whereby shower rinsing as well as washing can be performed by soft water, water saving and 10 rising performance (reduction of a detergent (a surfactant) 99o°•.

remaining on the clothes) can be realized simultaneously.

Further, if a quantity of water used at the time of rinsing can be reduced, such an effect can be attained that frequencies of the regeneration of ion-exchange resin can be reduced, or the ion-removing apparatuscan be made small in size with an ion-exchange resin quantity being reduced.

According to the present invention, softened water is sprinkled in a shower shape onto the washing to perform 9 9e° 9 rinsing while rotating the washing tub, whereby rinsing of high efficiency can be performed with water saved.

Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that that prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia.

Claims (7)

1. 2. A washing-machine according to claim i, wherein "said water softener provided upstream of saidnozzle and said water softener provided upstream of said feed water outlet are constructed as one water softener.
2. 3. A washing machine comprising a washing tub performing washing, a water supplying means for supplying water in said washing tub, a draining means for draining water in said washing tub, and an ion removing means for removing ions contained in said feed water, arranged midway through a feed course of said water supplying means, wherein said washing machine comprises: a water storing portion at an outlet of said ion removing means, a pressurizing means for sucking and pressurizing water stored in said water storing portion, a shower nozzle for sprinkling water to an inside of said washing tub, a first feed passage feeding water to said washing tub from said water storing portion without passing through said pressurizing means, a second feed passage feeding water from said water *"storing means to said washing tub through said shower nozzle, and .a controlling means for controlling water supply by said first feed passage and water supply by said second feed passage, said controlling means controlling so as to supply water through said second feed passage during rinsing.
3. 4. A washing machine according to claim 3, wherein water supply in a washing step and a rising step in which rinsing is performed with water stored in said washing tub is performed through said first feed passage, water supply in the rinsing performed while supplying water into said washing tub and rotating said washing tub is performed through said second feed passage. A washing machine according to claim 3, wherein the water supply for rinsing performed with water stored in said washing tub is performed through said first feed passage and said second feed passage.
4. 6. A washing machine according to claim 3, wherein said pressurizing means is jointly used for a bath water supplying means, a first switching valve for switching a flow passage from a bath and a flow passage from said water 10 storing portion is provided on the suction side of said pressurizing means, and a second switching valve for "switching a flow passage to said shower nozzle and a flow passage supplying bath water into said washing tub is provided on the delivery side of said pressurizing means. oooo
5. 7. A washing machine according to claim 1 or 3, wherein a controlling means for controlling each step of washing, rinsing and dehydrating is provided, said controlling means controls so as to perform the dehydrating step prior to the rinsing step, and to perform the rinsing step by starting water supply from said shower nozzle while keeping said washing tub rotating without stopping the rotation at the time of the dehydrating step. A washing machine according to claim 3, wherein 41 a controlling means for controlling each step of washing, rinsing and dehydrating is provided, said ion removing means is provided with ion- exchanger and a regenerating means for performing regeneration treatment by flowing a regenerating agent into the ion-exchanger, said controlling means controls so as to perform a regeneration step of regenerating said ion exchange resin by said regenerating agent during drainage of water in said 10 washing tub after the finish of said washing step, perform the dehydrating step by rotating said washing tub after the finish of said drainage and said regenerating step, and perform water supply from said second feed passage to said [.washing tub to rinse after said dehydrating step.
6. 9. A washing machine comprising a washing tub performing washing, a water supplying means for supplying water in said washing tub, a draining means for draining water in said washing tub, an ion removing apparatus for removing ions contained in said feed water, arranged midway through a feed course of said water supplying means, and a shower nozzle opened to said washing tub, wherein said ion removing apparatus has a resin container containing ion exchanger and a regenerating agent container containing a regenerating agent for regenerating an ion removing ability of the ion exchanger, said resin container is composed of a first resin 42 container and a second container, said first resin container is provided with a first water entry port, a first delivery port, an inflow port of the regenerating agent and a discharge port of the regenerating agent, said second resin container is provided with a second water entry port, a second delivery port, an inflow port of regenerating agent and a discharge port of regenerating agent, .000 0 said first water entry port is provided with a feed a valve, and said second water entry port is provided with a second feed valve, a first feed passage for supplying water from said first delivery port to said washing tub without passing through said shower nozzle, and a second feed passage for supplying water from said second delivery port to said washing tub through said shower nozzle are provided, water is supplied through said first feed passage at time of water supply in a washing step, and water is supplied through said second feed passage while rotating said washing tub during rising. 43 A washing machine substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings and/or Examples.
7. 11. The steps, features, compositions and compounds disclosed herein or referred to or indicated in the specification and/or claims of this application, individually or collectively, and any and all combinations of any two or more of said steps or features. 0 0 0* *0 0 0 0 0*0* DATED this THIRTY FIRST day of JULY 2000 Hitachi, Ltd. by DAVIES COLLISON CAVE Patent Attorneys for the applicant(s) 0 400* 0000*0 0 0 00 00 0 0 0