CN114829696A

CN114829696A - Washing machine

Info

Publication number: CN114829696A
Application number: CN202080087095.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 辻野圭则
Original assignee: Qingdao Haier Washing Machine Co Ltd; Haier Smart Home Co Ltd; Aqua Co Ltd
Current assignee: Qingdao Haier Washing Machine Co Ltd; Haier Smart Home Co Ltd; Aqua Co Ltd
Priority date: 2019-12-20
Filing date: 2020-11-25
Publication date: 2022-07-29
Anticipated expiration: 2040-11-25
Also published as: JP2021097846A; JP7492701B2; CN114829696B; WO2021121000A1

Abstract

The invention provides a washing machine, comprising: a load amount detection part (51) for detecting the load amount corresponding to the amount of the washings put into the washing and dehydrating barrel at the beginning of the washing process; a set water amount determining part (52) for determining the set water amount for supplying water to the washing and dewatering barrel based on the load amount detected by the load amount detecting part (51); a first water amount change detection part (53) which detects the water amount change between the first water amount in the washing and dewatering barrel when the cover body is opened and the second water amount in the washing and dewatering barrel when the cover body is closed under the condition that the cleaning process or the rinsing process is interrupted and the cover body for opening and closing the input port of the washings is opened and closed; a correction unit (55) that corrects the set water amount based on the water amount change detected by the first water amount change detection unit (53); and a water amount adjusting part (56) for adjusting the water amount in the washing and dehydrating barrel based on the set water amount corrected by the correcting part (55).

Description

Washing machine

Technical Field

The present invention relates to, for example, a washing machine capable of performing a washing process, a rinsing process, and a dehydrating process.

Background

In the case of washing in a washing machine, generally, after laundry is put into a washing and dehydrating tub, the washing machine is operated in sequence by a washing process, a rinsing process, and a dehydrating process. When a washing machine starts a washing process, a load amount corresponding to the amount of laundry put into a washing and dehydrating tub is detected, and water is supplied to the washing and dehydrating tub based on a set water amount according to the load amount. The load amount detection is performed in a state that water is not supplied into the washing and dehydrating tub, so that the amount of the washings can be properly detected.

In contrast, when water is added to the washing and dehydrating tub at the start of the washing process, the amount of laundry cannot be detected, and it is difficult to determine the optimum set water amount. In addition, when the operation is started from the rinsing step in a state where water is stored in advance after the washing step is finished, it is considered that the rinsing step is performed by the set water amount that has already been determined, but it is not clear whether or not the set water amount is the optimum set water amount for the amount of laundry to be subjected to the rinsing step.

For example, when the rinsing process is performed in a state where the amount of water is small relative to the amount of laundry, there is a problem that the laundry is damaged or the rinsing performance is degraded.

Therefore, as a washing machine which performs a rinsing operation with a large water level setting in consideration of damage to the cloth and insufficient rinsing performance, there is a washing machine which reduces the amount of water used, as follows: when the operation is started from the rinsing process, if a certain amount or more of water is added in the state where the rinsing operation is started, it is determined that the washing process is performed and the cloth amount of the laundry is measured, and the rinsing set water level is set with reference to the water level at the start of the rinsing operation (for example, patent document 1).

However, as a case of starting the rinsing process, a case of taking out a part of the laundry washed in the washing process or additionally separating the washed laundry and restarting the rinsing process may be considered. In this case, it is not appropriate to set the rinse set water level based on the water level at the start of the rinsing operation, unlike the amount of laundry at the start of the washing process.

In the washing machine of patent document 1, it is determined whether or not a certain amount of water or more is added in the rinsing operation start state, but it is not clear at which point after the washing process whether or not the operation is stopped, and for example, if the operation is stopped in the middle of the draining operation of the washing process, the water level may be lower than the final water level (an appropriate amount of water with respect to the amount of laundry) of the washing process. In such a case, the problem of damage to the laundry or reduction in rinsing performance cannot be solved.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open No. 2018-79167

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine capable of performing washing or rinsing with an appropriate amount of water even when a washing process or a rinsing process is restarted after being interrupted.

Means for solving the problems

That is, the present invention is a washing machine which can perform a washing process, a rinsing process, and a dehydrating process, and includes: a load amount detection unit for detecting the load amount corresponding to the amount of the washings put into the washing and dehydrating barrel at the beginning of the washing process; a set water amount determination unit for determining a set water amount for supplying water to the washing and dehydrating tub based on the load amount detected by the load amount detection unit; a first water amount change detection unit that detects a change in water amount between a first water amount in the washing and dehydrating tub when the lid is opened and a second water amount in the washing and dehydrating tub when the lid is closed, in a case where the washing process or the rinsing process is interrupted and the lid that opens and closes the inlet of the laundry is opened and closed after the set water amount determination unit determines the set water amount and starts the washing process; a correction unit that corrects the set water amount based on the water amount change detected by the first water amount change detection unit when the washing process or the rinsing process is restarted; and a water amount adjusting unit for adjusting the amount of water in the washing and dehydrating tub based on the set water amount corrected by the correcting unit.

In the washing machine of the present invention, it is preferable that the correction unit decreases the set water amount when the first water amount is larger than the second water amount.

In the washing machine of the present invention, it is preferable that the correction unit increases the set water amount when the second water amount is larger than the first water amount.

In the washing machine of the present invention, it is preferable that the correction unit does not change the set water amount when the first water amount is the same as the second water amount.

In the washing machine of the present invention, it is preferable that the set water amount determination unit resets the set water amount that has been determined, in a case where the cover is not opened until a first predetermined time elapses after the washing process or the rinsing process is interrupted, or in a case where the cover is not closed until a second predetermined time elapses from when the cover is opened.

In the washing machine of the present invention, it is preferable that the washing machine includes: and a second water amount change detecting unit that detects a water amount change between a third water amount in the washing and drying tub when the washing process is restarted and a fourth water amount in the washing and drying tub when the washing process is restarted and is again interrupted after the washing process is restarted, in a case where the washing process is restarted and the water amount change is detected by the first water amount change detecting unit, and the correcting unit corrects the set water amount based on the water amount change detected by the first water amount change detecting unit and the water amount change detected by the second water amount change detecting unit, in a case where the washing process is restarted and the third water amount is larger than the fourth water amount.

Effects of the invention

In the washing machine of the present invention, in the case where the washing process or the rinsing process is restarted after being interrupted, the set water amount determined at the start of the washing process is corrected based on the change in the water amount in the washing and dehydrating tub after the interruption. Therefore, even when the washing process or the rinsing process is interrupted, a part of the laundry is taken out or the washing process is additionally separately cleaned, and then the washing process or the rinsing process is interrupted and restarted, the washing or the rinsing of the laundry can be performed with an appropriate amount of water with respect to the amount of the laundry.

In the washing machine of the present invention, in the case that the amount of water in the washing and dehydrating tub is reduced after the washing process or the rinsing process is interrupted, it is considered that the amount of laundry in the washing and dehydrating tub is smaller than that in the interruption, so that the amount of water in the washing and dehydrating tub can be adjusted by reducing the set amount of water.

In the washing machine of the present invention, in the case that the amount of water in the washing and dehydrating tub is increased after the washing process or the rinsing process is interrupted, it is considered that the amount of laundry in the washing and dehydrating tub is more than that at the time of the interruption, and thus the set amount of water can be increased to adjust the amount of water in the washing and dehydrating tub.

In the washing machine of the present invention, in the case where the amount of water in the washing and dehydrating tub does not change after the washing process or the rinsing process is interrupted, it is considered that the amount of laundry in the washing and dehydrating tub is the same as that at the time of the interruption, and thus the amount of water in the washing and dehydrating tub can not be changed.

In the washing machine of the present invention, when the cover 22 is not opened until the first predetermined time elapses after the washing process or the rinsing process is interrupted, or when the cover 22 is not closed until the second predetermined time elapses from when the cover 22 is opened, the control for restarting the interrupted operation is not necessary, and therefore the set water amount determined when the washing process is started is reset.

In the washing machine of the present invention, even if the water amount in the washing and dehydrating tub is changed after the washing process is interrupted, when the dry laundry is added, the water amount in the washing and dehydrating tub may be changed due to the moisture contained in the laundry. In this case, when the set water amount determined at the start of the washing course is corrected based on the water amount variation in the washing and dehydrating tub after the interruption, the set water amount is not corrected to an appropriate one. Therefore, the washing process is restarted without correcting the set water amount, and the water amount in the washing and dehydrating tub after the washing process is restarted is corrected to the set water amount determined at the start of the washing process in consideration of the state that the dry laundry contains water, thereby correcting to the proper set water amount.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a washing machine 100 according to the present embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a control block diagram of the washing machine 100 of fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of the operation in the case where the operation is interrupted after the washing operation in the washing process is completed.

Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of the water amount correction determination process.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of the operation in the case where the operation is interrupted in the middle of the cleaning operation in the cleaning process.

Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of the water replenishment judgment process.

Description of the figures

3: a washing dehydration barrel; 21: a throwing port; 22: a cover body; 50: a control unit; 51: a load amount detection unit (load amount detection means); 52: a set water amount determination unit (set water amount determination means); 53: a first water amount change detection unit (first water amount change detection means); 54: a second water amount change detection unit (second water amount change detection means); 55: a correction unit (correction means); 56: a water amount adjusting unit (water amount adjusting means); 100: a washing machine.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, a washing machine 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

The washing machine 100 is a vertical washing machine capable of performing a washing process, a rinsing process, and a spin-drying process, and the washing machine 100 includes an outer casing 1, and a bottomed cylindrical outer tub 2 supported by a plurality of hanging rods, not shown, suspended in the outer casing 1. The washing and dehydrating tub 3 having a large number of water passing holes in its periphery is rotatably supported inside the outer tub 2 around a support shaft 4 fixed to the bottom wall thereof. The stirring blade 5 is rotatably provided at the inner bottom of the washing and dehydrating tub 3 around an inner shaft 6 inserted into the support shaft 4.

The rotational power of the motor 7 attached to the lower surface of the outer tub 2 is transmitted to the support shaft 4 and the inner shaft 6 via a transmission mechanism including a small pulley 9 fixed to a motor shaft 8, a V-belt 10, a large pulley 11, and the like, and a power switching mechanism 14 including a clutch mechanism 12 and a torque motor 13.

Mainly during the washing operation and the rinsing operation, the clutch mechanism 12 releases the connection between the large pulley 11 and the support shaft 4 in response to the operation of the torque motor 13, and rotates the stirring blade 5 in one direction or two directions via the inner shaft 6. On the other hand, during the spin-drying operation, the clutch mechanism 12 connects the large pulley 11 and the support shaft 4, and the washing and spin-drying tub 3 rotates in one direction integrally with the stirring blade 5.

A water supply pipe 15 connected to an external faucet is disposed at the rear of the upper portion of the outer case 1, and when the water supply valve 16 is opened, water introduced through the water supply pipe 15 flows into a water inlet 17 having a detergent container and is poured into the outer tub 2. On the other hand, a drain port 18 is provided at the bottom of the outer tub 2, and a drain pipe 19 connected to the drain port 18 is opened and closed by a drain valve 20.

The opening and closing operation of the discharge valve 20 is as follows: the drain valve 20 is closed when the agitation blade 5 is separated from the washing and dehydrating tub 3 and is in a state of being rotatable independently, and the drain valve 20 is opened when the agitation blade 5 is rotated integrally with the washing and dehydrating tub 3. The opening and closing operation of the drain valve 20 can be independent of the operation.

A lid 22 is provided to be openable and closable at an inlet 21 for laundry opened in the upper surface of the outer box 1. A cover opening/closing sensor 24 is provided in front of the upper portion in the outer box 1.

An operation portion 61 provided with various key switches is provided on the upper surface of the outer box 1 at a side of the inlet 21, but is not shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 2 is a control block diagram of the washing machine 100 of the present embodiment. As shown in fig. 2, control unit 50 of washing machine 100 is configured by, for example, a microcomputer or the like, and includes a CPU (central processing unit), a ROM (read-only memory) that stores a program for controlling the operation of washing machine 100, and a RAM (random access memory) that temporarily stores data and the like used when the program is executed. The operation of the washing machine 1 is controlled by the control unit 50.

The control unit 50 includes: a load amount detector 51, a set water amount determiner 52, a first water amount change detector 53, a second water amount change detector 54, a corrector 55, and a water amount adjuster 56.

The load amount detector 51 detects a load amount corresponding to an amount of laundry put into the washing and spin-drying tub 3 at the start of the washing process. Specifically, after the motor 7 is turned on for a short time to rotate the driving blade 5, the load amount detection unit 51 counts pulse signals synchronized with the rotation of the motor 7 during the idle rotation period when the motor 7 is turned off, and detects the load amount from the count value. The larger the load amount, the larger the resistance against the rotation of the stirring wing 5, and therefore the shorter the duration of the idle rotation.

The set water amount determining part 52 determines the set water amount to be supplied to the washing and dehydrating tub 3 based on the load amount detected by the load amount detecting part 51, and stores the determined set water amount. Specifically, the set water amount determining unit 52 determines the set water amount set in multiple stages or in multiple stages based on the load amount. The set water amount determination unit 52 determines the set water amount so that the set water amount increases as the load amount increases.

The first water amount change detecting unit 53 detects a change in the amount of water in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 when the set water amount is determined by the set water amount determining unit 52 and the washing process is started, the washing process or the rinsing process is interrupted, and the lid 22 is opened and closed.

Therefore, the first water amount change detecting part 53 has a first water amount detecting part 53a and a second water amount detecting part 53 b.

When the lid 22 is opened or closed after the washing or rinsing process is interrupted, the first water amount detector 53a detects the first water amount in the washing/dehydrating tub 3 when the lid 22 is opened, based on the output of the water level sensor 62.

The second water amount detector 53b detects the second water amount in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 when the cover 22 is closed based on the output of the water level sensor 62 when the cover 22 is opened or closed after the washing process or the rinsing process is interrupted.

Thus, the first water amount change detecting unit 53 detects a change in the amount of water from when the lid 22 is opened to when the lid 22 is closed after the washing process or the rinsing process is interrupted, based on the first water amount detected by the first water amount detecting unit 53a and the second water amount detected by the second water amount detecting unit 53 b.

When the cleaning process is resumed after being interrupted and the lid body 22 is opened and closed after the cleaning process is interrupted and there is a change in the amount of water in the washing and dehydrating tub 3, the second water amount change detecting portion 54 detects the change in the amount of water in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 after the cleaning process is resumed.

Therefore, the second water amount change detecting unit 54 includes a third water amount detecting unit 54a and a fourth water amount detecting unit 54 b.

When the washing process is resumed after being interrupted, the third water amount detector 54a detects the third amount of water in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 at the time of resumption of the washing process based on the output of the water level sensor 62.

When the washing process is resumed after being interrupted, the fourth water amount detector 54b detects the fourth water amount in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 when the washing process is resumed after a third predetermined time and is again interrupted, based on the output of the water level sensor 62.

Thus, the second water amount change detecting unit 54 detects a change in the water amount for a third predetermined time after the cleaning process is restarted after the interruption based on the third water amount detected by the third water amount detecting unit 54a and the fourth water amount detected by the fourth water amount detecting unit 54 b.

When the cleaning process or the rinsing process is resumed after being interrupted, the correction unit 55 corrects the set water amount stored in the set water amount determination unit 52 based on the water amount change detected by the first water amount change detection unit 53.

Specifically, the correcting unit 55 corrects the set water amount to the reduced water amount α 1 in a case where the first water amount change detecting unit 53 detects a reduction in the water amount (a case where the first water amount is larger than the second water amount), since it is considered that the amount of the laundry in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 is reduced. The water amount α 1 (where α 1 > 0) is a water amount corresponding to the amount of decrease in the water amount detected by the first water amount change detection portion 53.

Further, the correcting portion 55 corrects the set water amount to the increased water amount α 2 in a case where the increase of the water amount is detected by the first water amount change detecting portion 53 (a case where the first water amount is smaller than the second water amount), considering that the amount of the laundry in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 is increased. The water amount α 2 (where α 2 > 0) is a water amount corresponding to the amount of increase in the water amount detected by the first water amount change detecting portion 53.

In addition, the correcting unit 55 does not correct the set water amount when the first water amount change detecting unit 53 detects that the water amount has not changed (when the first water amount is the same as the second water amount).

Further, the calibration unit 55 clears the set water amount when the lid 22 is not opened until the first predetermined time elapses after the cleaning process or the rinsing process is interrupted and when the lid 22 is not closed until the second predetermined time elapses from when the lid 22 is opened.

Further, in the case where the amount of water in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 is decreased when the washing process is restarted after the interruption of the washing process, the correction portion 55 corrects the set water amount based on the water amount change detected by the second water amount change detection portion 54.

Specifically, when the second water amount change detector 54 detects that the water amount is decreased (when the third water amount is larger than the fourth water amount), the corrector 55 corrects the set water amount to the increased water amount α 3, considering that the dry laundry is put into the washing and dehydrating tub 3 after the washing process is interrupted. The water amount α 3 (where α 3 > 0) is a water amount corresponding to the amount of decrease in the water amount detected by the second water amount change detection portion 54.

The water amount adjusting unit 56 adjusts the amount of water in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 based on the set water amount corrected by the correcting unit 55 when the washing process or the rinsing process is interrupted.

The controller 50 is connected to an operation unit 61, a cover opening/closing sensor 24, and a water level sensor 62. Therefore, in the control section 50, an operation signal is input from the operation section 61, and an on/off signal is input from the lid opening/closing sensing device 24. The on signal from the cover opening/closing sensing device 24 indicates a closed state in which the cover 22 is closed, and the off signal from the cover opening/closing sensing device 24 indicates an open state in which the cover 22 is open. Further, an output signal corresponding to the amount of water in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 is inputted from the water level sensor 62 to the control part 50.

The motor 7, the torque motor 13, the water supply valve 16, and the drain valve 20 are connected to the control unit 50.

Therefore, control unit 50 controls motor 7 and torque motor 13 to perform the washing operation of washing machine 100. As the washing operation of the washing machine 100, a washing process, a rinsing process, and a dehydrating process are sequentially performed. In the washing process, a water supply operation, a washing operation, a water discharge operation, and a dehydration operation are performed. In the rinsing process, a water supply operation, a rinsing operation, a water discharge operation, and a dewatering operation are performed. Further, the control part 50 switches the supply of water to the washing and dehydrating tub 3 or the discharge of water from the washing and dehydrating tub 3 by controlling the water supply valve 16 and the water discharge valve 20, thereby adjusting the amount of water in the washing and dehydrating tub 3.

The operation unit 61 is an operation panel having a plurality of operation keys, and includes, as the operation keys: a power key, an operation designating part including a mode key for selecting an operation mode, etc., a start/pause key for designating start and pause of washing operation, etc. In the following description, the start/pause key is sometimes referred to as a start key when a start of a washing stroke is instructed, and a pause key when a pause of the washing stroke is instructed.

(case where the operation is interrupted after the washing operation in the washing process is completed)

The operation in the case where the operation is interrupted after the washing operation in the washing process is completed will be described with reference to fig. 3.

< step S1 >

When the user puts the laundry into the washing and dehydrating tub 3 and presses the start key according to the appropriate setting of the operation part 61, the control part 50 starts the washing process in step S1.

< step S2 >

In step S2, the control unit 50 detects the load amount.

< step S3 >

In step S3, the control unit 50 determines the set water amount based on the load amount detected in step S2.

< step S4 >

In step S4, controller 50 performs a water supply operation for supplying water to washing and dehydrating tub 3 based on the set water amount detected in step S3. Specifically, the controller 50 opens the water supply valve 16 to supply water into the washing and dehydrating tub 3 to a water level corresponding to the set water amount.

< step S5 >

In step S5, control unit 50 performs a cleaning operation. As the cleaning operation, the control unit 50 performs the cleaning operation by rotating the stirring blade 5 at a predetermined speed in one direction or two directions.

< step S6 >

When the user presses the pause key after the washing operation is completed, the control unit 50 interrupts the operation of the washing process in step S6.

< step S7 >

In step S7, the control unit 50 performs water amount correction determination. Specifically, the control unit 50 sets the first correction flag to any one of 0, 1, and 2 or clears the set water amount based on a change in the water amount in the washing/dewatering tub 3. The water amount correction determination is explained in detail below.

< step S8 >

When the user presses the start key after interrupting the operation of the washing process, the control part 50 adjusts the amount of water in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 in step S8 in steps S9 to S14.

< step S9 >

In step S9, the control unit 50 determines whether the set water amount is determined based on the load amount, that is, whether the set water amount is not cleared. Then, the process proceeds to step S10.

< step S10 >

When the control unit 50 determines in step S9 that the set water amount has been determined, the process proceeds to step S10, and the control unit 50 determines whether or not the first correction flag is 0. If the control unit 50 determines in step S10 that the first correction flag is 0, the control unit 50 proceeds to step S15 without changing the amount of water in the washing and dehydrating tub 3.

< step S11 >

If control unit 50 determines in step S10 that the first correction flag is not 0, the process proceeds to step S11, and control unit 50 determines whether or not the first correction flag is 1.

< step S12 >

If the control unit 50 determines in step S11 that the first correction flag is 1, the flow proceeds to step S12, and the control unit 50 adjusts the water amount in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 to reduce the water amount α 1, and then proceeds to step S15.

< step S13 >

If the control unit 50 determines in step S11 that the first correction flag is not 1, the first correction flag is 2, and the process proceeds to step S13, and the control unit 50 performs water amount adjustment so as to increase the water amount in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 by the water amount α 2, and then proceeds to step S15.

< step S14 >

If the control unit 50 determines in step S9 that the set water amount is cleared, the flow proceeds to step S14, and the control unit 50 adjusts the water amount in the washing and spin-drying tub 3 to the maximum water amount, and then proceeds to step S15.

< step S15 >

The control part 50 restarts from the rinsing course. In the rinsing step, the control unit 50 supplies a predetermined amount of water into the washing and dehydrating tub 3, and rotates the paddle 5 to perform the storage rinsing in the same manner as the washing operation of step S5. When the rinsing process is finished, the control part 50 opens the drain valve 20 to drain the water in the washing and dehydrating tub 3.

< step S16 >

As the dehydration process, the control part 50 performs final dehydration by rotating the washing dehydration tub 3 integrally with the agitating blade 5 at a high speed.

(Water amount correction judgment)

The process of the water amount correction determination in step S7 described above will be described with reference to fig. 4.

< step S101 >

In step S101, the control unit 50 determines whether or not the lid 22 is opened after the operation is interrupted.

< step S102 >)

If it is determined by control unit 50 that lid 22 is opened in step S101, the flow proceeds to step S102, where the first water amount in washing and spin-drying tub 3 when lid 22 is opened is detected. Then, the process proceeds to step S103.

< step S103 >

In step S103, the control unit 50 determines whether or not the lid 22 is closed.

< step S104 >)

If it is determined by the control unit 50 that the lid 22 is closed in step S103, the flow proceeds to step S104, where the second amount of water in the washing and spin-drying tub 3 when the lid 22 is closed is detected. Then, the process proceeds to step S105.

< step S105 >

In step S105, the control unit 50 compares the first water amount with the second water amount to determine whether the water amount is decreased. The control unit 50 determines that the water amount is decreased when the difference between the first water amount and the second water amount is greater than 0, and determines that the water amount is not decreased when the difference between the first water amount and the second water amount is 0 or less.

< step S106 >)

If the control unit 50 determines in step S105 that the amount of water is reduced, the process proceeds to step S106, where the first correction flag is set to 1, and the process ends.

< step S107 >

If the control unit 50 determines in step S105 that the amount of water has not decreased, the process proceeds to step S107, and the control unit 50 compares the first amount of water with the second amount of water to determine whether the amount of water has increased. The control unit 50 determines that the water amount is increased when the difference between the second water amount and the first water amount is greater than 0, and determines that the water amount is unchanged when the difference between the second water amount and the first water amount is 0, and ends the process.

< step S108 >

If the control unit 50 determines in step S107 that the amount of water is reduced, the process proceeds to step S108, where the first correction flag is set to 2, and the process ends.

< step S109 >

If the control unit 50 determines in step S107 that the amount of water has not changed, the process proceeds to step S109, where the first correction flag is set to 0, and the process ends.

< step S110 >

If the control unit 50 determines in step S101 that the lid 22 is not opened, the process proceeds to step S110, and the control unit 50 determines whether or not a first predetermined time has elapsed after the operation has been interrupted. If it is determined in step S110 that the first predetermined time period has not elapsed, the control unit 50 proceeds to step S101.

< step S111 >

If the control unit 50 determines in step S103 that the lid 22 is not closed, the process proceeds to step S111, where it is determined whether or not a second predetermined time has elapsed after the lid 22 is opened. If it is determined in step S111 that the second predetermined time period has not elapsed by the control unit 50, the process proceeds to step S103.

< step S112 >

If the control unit 50 determines that the first predetermined time has elapsed in step S110 and the control unit 50 determines that the second predetermined time has elapsed in step S111, the process proceeds to step S112, in which the set water amount is cleared, and the process is terminated.

(case where the operation is interrupted in the middle of the washing operation in the washing step)

The operation in the case where the operation is interrupted in the middle of the cleaning operation in the cleaning process will be described with reference to fig. 5.

< step S201 >

When the user puts the laundry into the washing and dehydrating tub 3 and presses the start key by setting the operation unit 51 appropriately, the control unit 50 starts the washing process in step S201.

< step S202 >

In step S202, the control unit 50 detects the load amount.

< step S203 >

In step S203, the control unit 50 determines the set water amount based on the load amount detected in step S202.

< step S204 >

In step S204, the control unit 50 performs a water supply operation for supplying water to the washing and dehydrating tub 3 based on the set water amount detected in step S203. Specifically, the controller 50 opens the water supply valve 16 to supply water into the washing and dehydrating tub 3 to a water level corresponding to the set water amount.

< step S205 >

In step S205, the control unit 50 starts the cleaning operation. As the cleaning operation, the control unit 50 performs the cleaning operation by rotating the stirring blade 5 at a predetermined speed in one direction or two directions.

< step S206 >

When the user presses the pause key after the cleaning operation is started, the control unit 50 interrupts the operation in the middle of the cleaning operation in the cleaning process in step S206.

< step S207 >

In step S207, the control unit 50 performs water amount correction determination. Specifically, the control unit 50 sets the first correction flag to any one of 0, 1, and 2 or clears the set water amount in the water amount correction determination.

< step S208 >

In step S208, when the user presses the start key, the control part 50 adjusts the amount of water in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 in steps S209 to S219.

< step S209 >

In step S209, the control unit 50 determines whether the set water amount is determined based on the load amount, that is, whether the set water amount is not cleared. Then, the process proceeds to step S210.

< step S210 >

If the control unit 50 determines in step S209 that the set water amount is determined, the process proceeds to step S210, and the control unit 50 determines whether or not the first correction flag is 0. If the control unit 50 determines in step S210 that the first correction flag is 0, the control unit 50 proceeds to step S220 without changing the amount of water in the washing and dehydrating tub 3.

< step S211 >

If the control unit 50 determines in step S210 that the first correction flag is not 0, the process proceeds to step S211, and the control unit 50 performs water replenishment determination. Specifically, the control unit 50 sets the second correction flag to 1 when the water amount decreases for a third predetermined time after the cleaning process is interrupted. That is, the control unit 50 determines whether or not the amount of water needs to be replenished after correcting the amount of water in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 by the water amount correction determination. The water replenishment determination is described in detail below. Then, the process proceeds to step S212.

< step S212 >

In step S212, the control unit 50 determines whether or not the first correction flag is 1.

< step S213 >

If the control unit 50 determines in step S212 that the first correction flag is 1, the process proceeds to step S213, and the control unit 50 determines whether or not the second correction flag is 1.

< step S214 >

If the control unit 50 determines in step S213 that the second correction flag is not 1, the flow proceeds to step S214, and the control unit 50 adjusts the water amount in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 so as to reduce the water amount α 1, and then the flow proceeds to step S220.

< step S215 >

If the control unit 50 determines in step S213 that the second correction flag is 1, the flow proceeds to step S215, and the control unit 50 adjusts the water amount in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 so as to decrease the water amount α 1, then performs water amount adjustment by performing water amount replenishment so as to increase the water amount α 3, and then proceeds to step S220.

< step S216 >

If the control unit 50 determines in step S212 that the first correction flag is not 1, the first correction flag is 2, and therefore the process proceeds to step S216, and the control unit 50 determines whether or not the second correction flag is 1.

< step S217 >

If the control unit 50 determines in step S216 that the second correction flag is not 1, the flow proceeds to step S217, and the control unit 50 adjusts the water amount in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 to increase the water amount α 2, and then proceeds to step S220.

< step S218 >

If the control unit 50 determines in step S216 that the second correction flag is 1, the flow proceeds to step S218, and the control unit 50 adjusts the water amount in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 to increase the water amount α 2, then supplements the water amount to increase the water amount α 3, and adjusts the water amount, and then proceeds to step S220.

< step S219 >

If the control unit 50 determines in step S209 that the set water amount is cleared, the flow proceeds to step S219, and the control unit 50 adjusts the water amount in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 to the maximum water amount, and then the flow proceeds to step S220.

< step S220 >

The control unit 50 restarts the cleaning operation of the cleaning process. When the washing process ends, the flow proceeds to step S221.

< step S221 >

In the rinsing step, the control unit 50 supplies a predetermined amount of water into the washing and dehydrating tub 3, and rotates the paddle 5 to perform the storage rinsing in the same manner as the washing operation in step S205. When the rinsing process is finished, the control part 50 opens the drain valve 20 to drain the water in the washing and dehydrating tub 3.

< step S222 >

(Water replenishment judgment)

The processing of the water replenishment judgment at step 211 described above will be described with reference to fig. 6.

< step S301 >

In step S301, the control unit 50 detects a third amount of water in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 when the washing operation is started. Then, the process proceeds to step S302.

< step S302 >)

In step S302, control unit 50 starts the cleaning operation.

< step S303 >

In step S303, the control unit 50 determines whether or not a third predetermined time has elapsed after the start of the cleaning operation. If the control unit 50 determines in step S303 that the third predetermined time period has not elapsed, the control unit 50 continues the cleaning operation.

< step S304 >

If the control unit 50 determines in step S303 that the third predetermined time has elapsed, the control unit 50 interrupts the cleaning operation. Then, the process proceeds to step S305.

< step S305 >

In step S305, the control unit 50 detects a fourth amount of water in the washing and spin-drying tub 3 when the washing operation is interrupted. Then, the process proceeds to step S306.

< step S306 >

In step S306, the control unit 50 compares the third water amount with the fourth water amount to determine whether the water amount is decreased. The control unit 50 determines that the water amount is decreased when the difference between the third water amount and the fourth water amount is greater than 0, and determines that the water amount is not decreased when the difference between the third water amount and the fourth water amount is 0 or less. If the control unit 50 determines in step S306 that the amount of water has not decreased, the process ends.

< step S307 >

If the control unit 50 determines in step S306 that the amount of water is reduced, the process proceeds to step S307, where the second correction flag is set to 1, and the process ends.

The washing machine 100 of the present embodiment is a washing machine capable of performing a washing process, a rinsing process, and a spin-drying process, and includes: a load amount detection part 51 as a load amount detection means for detecting a load amount corresponding to the amount of the laundry put into the washing and dehydrating tub 3 at the start of the washing process 0; a set water amount determining part 52 as set water amount determining means for determining the set water amount to be supplied to the washing and dehydrating tub 3 based on the load amount detected by the load amount detecting part 51; a first water amount change detecting unit 53 as first water amount change detecting means for detecting a change in water amount between a first water amount in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 when the cover 22 is opened and a second water amount in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 when the cover 22 is closed, when the cleaning process or the rinsing process is interrupted and the cover 22 for opening and closing the laundry inlet 21 is opened and closed after the set water amount is determined by the set water amount determining unit 52 and the cleaning process is started; a correcting unit 55 as a correcting means for correcting the set water amount based on the water amount change detected by the first water amount change detecting unit 53 when the washing process or the rinsing process is restarted; and a water amount adjusting unit 56 as water amount adjusting means for adjusting the amount of water in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 based on the set water amount corrected by the correcting unit 55.

Thus, in the washing machine 100 of the present embodiment, in the case where the washing process or the rinsing process is resumed after being interrupted, the set water amount determined at the start of the washing process is corrected based on the change in the water amount in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 after the interruption. Therefore, even when the washing process or the rinsing process is interrupted, a part of the laundry is taken out or the separately cleaned laundry is added and then the washing process or the rinsing process is restarted, the washing or the rinsing of the laundry can be performed with an appropriate amount of water with respect to the amount of the laundry.

In the washing machine 100 of the present embodiment, the correcting unit 55 reduces the set water amount when the first water amount is larger than the second water amount.

Thus, in the washing machine 100 of the present embodiment, when the amount of water in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 is reduced after the washing process or the rinsing process is interrupted, the amount of laundry in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 is considered to be smaller than that in the interruption, and therefore the amount of water in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 can be adjusted by reducing the set amount of water.

In the washing machine 100 of the present embodiment, the correcting unit 55 increases the set water amount when the second water amount is larger than the first water amount.

Thus, in the washing machine 100 of the present embodiment, when the amount of water in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 increases after the washing process or the rinsing process is interrupted, it is considered that the amount of laundry in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 is larger than that at the time of the interruption, and therefore the amount of water in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 can be adjusted by increasing the set amount of water.

In the washing machine 100 of the present embodiment, the correcting unit 55 does not change the set water amount when the first water amount is the same as the second water amount.

Thus, in the washing machine 100 of the present embodiment, in the case where the amount of water in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 does not change after the washing process or the rinsing process is interrupted, it is considered that the amount of laundry in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 is the same as that at the time of interruption, and therefore the amount of water in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 can not be changed.

In the washing machine 100 of the present embodiment, the set water amount determination unit 52 resets the determined set water amount when the lid 22 is not opened until the first predetermined time elapses after the washing process or the rinsing process is interrupted, or when the lid 22 is not closed until the second predetermined time elapses from when the lid 22 is opened.

Thus, in the washing machine 100 of the present embodiment, when the lid 22 is not opened until the first predetermined time elapses after the washing process or the rinsing process is interrupted, or when the lid 22 is not closed until the second predetermined time elapses from when the lid 22 is opened, it is not necessary to perform control for restarting the operation that was interrupted, and therefore the set water amount determined when the washing process was started is reset.

The washing machine 100 of the present embodiment includes: the second water amount change detecting unit 54 as the second water amount change detecting means detects a change in water amount between the third water amount in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 when the washing process is restarted and the fourth water amount in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 when the washing process is restarted and the third water amount is again interrupted after the washing process is restarted, when the washing process is restarted and the water amount change is detected by the first water amount change detecting unit 53, and the correcting unit 55 corrects the set water amount based on the water amount change detected by the first water amount change detecting unit 53 and the water amount change detected by the second water amount change detecting unit 54 when the washing process is restarted and the third water amount is larger than the fourth water amount.

Thus, in the washing machine 100 of the present embodiment, even when the amount of water in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 changes after the washing process is interrupted, if the dry laundry is added, the amount of water in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 may change due to the moisture contained in the laundry. In this case, when the set water amount determined at the start of the washing process is corrected based on the water amount variation in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 after the interruption, it is not corrected to the appropriate set water amount. Therefore, the washing process is restarted without correcting the set water amount, and the water amount in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 after the washing process is restarted is corrected to the set water amount determined at the start of the washing process in consideration of the state that the dry laundry contains moisture, thereby correcting to the appropriate set water amount.

While the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the specific configurations of the respective portions are not limited to the above-described embodiments.

For example, in the above embodiment, the description has been given of the operation in the case where the operation is interrupted after the cleaning operation in the cleaning process is completed and the operation in the case where the operation is interrupted in the middle of the cleaning operation in the cleaning process, but the same applies to the operation in the case where the operation is interrupted at a different stage in the cleaning process or the rinsing process.

In the above embodiment, the case where the operation is interrupted by the user pressing the pause key has been described, and the same applies to the case where the operation is interrupted by the user pressing the power key.

In the above embodiment, the washing machine 100 may have a display unit, and when the set water amount is corrected, the display unit may display the contents. Further, the correction of the set water amount may be canceled by a specific operation until a predetermined cancel time elapses after the content of the corrected set water amount is displayed on the display unit.

Claims

A washing machine capable of performing a washing process, a rinsing process, and a dehydrating process, the washing machine comprising:

a load amount detection unit for detecting the load amount corresponding to the amount of the washings put into the washing and dehydrating barrel at the beginning of the washing process;

a set water amount determination unit for determining a set water amount for supplying water to the washing and dehydrating tub based on the load amount detected by the load amount detection unit;

a first water amount change detection unit that detects a change in water amount between a first water amount in the washing and dehydrating tub when the lid is opened and a second water amount in the washing and dehydrating tub when the lid is closed, in a case where the washing process or the rinsing process is interrupted and the lid that opens and closes the inlet of the laundry is opened and closed after the set water amount determination unit determines the set water amount and starts the washing process;

a correction unit that corrects the set water amount based on the water amount change detected by the first water amount change detection unit when the washing process or the rinsing process is restarted; and

and a water amount adjusting unit for adjusting the amount of water in the washing and dehydrating tub based on the set water amount corrected by the correcting unit.
The washing machine as claimed in claim 1,

the correction unit reduces the set water amount when the first water amount is larger than the second water amount.
A washing machine according to claim 1 or 2,

the correction unit increases the set water amount when the second water amount is larger than the first water amount.
A washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3,

the correction unit does not change the set water amount when the first water amount is the same as the second water amount.
A washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4,

the set water amount determining unit resets the set water amount that has been determined in a case where the cover is not opened until a first prescribed time elapses after the washing process or the rinsing process is interrupted, or in a case where the cover is not closed from when the cover is opened until a second prescribed time elapses.
A washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by comprising:

a second water amount change detecting unit that detects a water amount change between a third water amount in the washing and dehydrating tub when the washing process is restarted and a fourth water amount in the washing and dehydrating tub when the washing process is restarted and interrupted again after the restarting, in a case where the washing process is restarted after the interruption of the washing process and the water amount change is detected by the first water amount change detecting unit,

the correction unit corrects the set water amount based on the change in the water amount detected by the first water amount change detection unit and the change in the water amount detected by the second water amount change detection unit when the washing process is restarted and the third water amount is larger than the fourth water amount.