CN116121992A - Laundry treatment apparatus and control method in laundry treatment apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a laundry treatment apparatus and a control method in the laundry treatment apparatus. The clothes treating apparatus comprises: a washing tank for storing the object to be washed and washing water; a pressing part for pressing the object to be cleaned in the cleaning tank; a suction unit for performing a suction operation for sucking the inside of the cleaning tank; an air introduction part for introducing air into the cleaning tank; and a control unit that controls the pressing unit and the suction unit to dewater the object to be cleaned, wherein the control unit causes the air introduction unit to perform a first operation of causing the air introduction unit to introduce air into the cleaning tank when the air pressure in the cleaning tank is a predetermined first negative pressure, and causing the air introduction unit to stop introducing air into the cleaning tank when the air pressure in the cleaning tank is a predetermined second negative pressure having an absolute value smaller than that of the first negative pressure.

Description

Laundry treatment apparatus and control method in laundry treatment apparatus

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a laundry treatment apparatus that washes laundry and the like, and a control method in the laundry treatment apparatus.

Background

In a conventional laundry machine, there are a pulsator type washing machine that agitates laundry and the like in a spin basket to wash the laundry, and a drum type washing machine that lifts the laundry in the spin basket in a spin direction of the spin basket and drops the laundry from above to perform a beat washing. In any of the laundry treatment apparatuses, the laundry is washed by applying mechanical force to the laundry in addition to chemical force of the detergent. In addition, in the dehydration of the washed laundry, the centrifugal force for separating the water from the laundry is generally utilized by the centrifugal force generated by the high-speed rotation of the rotary tub.

Pulsator washing machines and drum washing machines are prone to damage to cloth of an object to be washed, to cause the object to be washed to be wound and pulled, to cause the object to be washed to be deformed, and to cause the hand feeling of the object to be washed to be deteriorated.

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

The purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a laundry treatment apparatus that is less likely to damage an object to be cleaned and that can reduce the burden on a suction unit that performs dehydration of the object to be cleaned.

Solution for solving the problem

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a laundry treating apparatus. The clothes treatment device comprises: a washing tank (4) for storing the object to be washed and washing water; a pressing part for pressing the object to be cleaned in the cleaning tank; a suction unit for performing a suction operation for sucking the inside of the cleaning tank; an air introduction part for introducing air into the cleaning tank; and a control unit that controls the pressing unit and the suction unit to dewater the object to be cleaned, wherein the control unit causes the air introduction unit to perform a first operation of causing the air introduction unit to introduce air into the cleaning tank when the air pressure in the cleaning tank is a predetermined first negative pressure, and causing the air introduction unit to stop introducing air into the cleaning tank when the air pressure in the cleaning tank is a predetermined second negative pressure having an absolute value smaller than that of the first negative pressure.

The cleaning water is sucked from the object to be cleaned to suck and dewater the object to be cleaned, thereby dewatering can be effectively performed without damaging the object to be cleaned. In addition, when the air pressure in the cleaning tank is a predetermined first negative air pressure during dehydration, air is introduced into the cleaning tank, and when the air pressure in the cleaning tank is a second negative air pressure smaller than the first negative air pressure, air is stopped from being introduced into the cleaning tank, thereby increasing the air volume in the cleaning tank and generating an impact air flow in the cleaning tank, and water can be taken from the object to be cleaned to assist in enhancing the dehydration performance of the object to be cleaned. Further, the load on the suction unit can be reduced or the shortage of the dewatering performance of the suction unit can be compensated, and the target dewatering can be assisted and the service life of the suction unit can be prolonged.

In one exemplary embodiment, the control unit causes the air introduction unit to repeat the first operation during dehydration.

By repeatedly generating the impact air flow in the cleaning tank, the dewatering performance can be further enhanced, and the burden on the suction portion can be further reduced.

In one exemplary embodiment, the control unit further causes the air introduction unit to perform a second operation of introducing air into the cleaning tank when the air pressure in the cleaning tank is a predetermined third negative pressure having an absolute value larger than that of the first negative pressure, and causing the air introduction unit to stop introducing air into the cleaning tank when the air pressure in the cleaning tank is a predetermined fourth negative pressure having an absolute value smaller than that of the second negative pressure.

By increasing the air pressure difference between the introduction of air into the cleaning tank and the stop of the introduction of air, the strength of the impact air flow can be enhanced, the dewatering performance can be further enhanced, and the load on the suction unit can be further reduced.

In one exemplary embodiment, the control unit causes the air introduction unit to repeat the second operation during dehydration.

By repeatedly generating a stronger impact air flow in the cleaning tank, the dewatering performance can be further enhanced, and the burden of the suction part can be further reduced.

In one exemplary embodiment, the control unit causes the air introduction unit to repeatedly perform the second operation after the control unit causes the air introduction unit to repeatedly perform the first operation during dehydration.

The relatively weak impact airflow is generated at the initial stage of the dewatering operation to assist the dewatering, and the stronger impact airflow is generated at the later stage of the dewatering operation to assist the dewatering, so that the burden on the suction part can be reduced, and the target dewatering can be successfully completed by supplementing the insufficient dewatering performance at the later stage of the dewatering where the performance of the suction part may be insufficient. When the suction unit sucks the water with the same performance, the time required for the dewatering operation can be shortened.

In one exemplary embodiment, the control unit further causes the air introduction unit to perform a second to nth operation during dehydration, and the negative pressure of the air introduction unit and the negative pressure of the stopped air introduced into the cleaning tank during the first to nth operation are set so that the negative pressure of the introduced air and the negative pressure of the stopped air are different from each other during at least a part of the operations, wherein N is an integer of 2 or more.

Through setting up different air pressure differences and producing multiple impact air current that intensity is different, can assist in dewatering more nimble.

In an exemplary embodiment, the pressure difference between the negative pressure of the introduction air and the negative pressure of the introduction air is sequentially increased or decreased in the order from the first action to the nth action.

By sequentially increasing the pressure difference between the negative pressure of the introduction air and the introduction-stopped air in the dehydration step, the strength of the impact air flow generated in the washing tub can be sequentially increased, and the auxiliary performance for dehydration can be gradually enhanced. By sequentially reducing the pressure difference between the negative pressure of the introduced air and the negative pressure of the stopped introduced air in the dehydration step, more washing water can be carried away by a stronger impact air flow in the front stage where the water content in the object to be washed is large, and the suction unit can be assisted to complete the dehydration step more quickly.

In one exemplary embodiment, the air introduction unit includes an air introduction path connected to the cleaning tank, and an air volume adjustment unit provided in the air introduction path, the air volume adjustment unit being capable of opening and closing the air introduction path and adjusting an air volume of air introduced into the cleaning tank via the air introduction path.

By providing an air volume adjusting unit capable of adjusting the air volume, the frequency of generation of the impact air flow can be adjusted, and the frequency of the introduced air can be adjusted according to the suction operation of the suction unit and the information of the object to be cleaned, thereby more properly assisting the dehydration.

In an exemplary embodiment, the cleaning apparatus further includes a cleaning object information acquiring unit that acquires information of the cleaning object; and the control unit sets each negative pressure and an operation of the air introduction unit at each negative pressure in accordance with the information of the object to be cleaned based on the information of the object to be cleaned acquired by the object to be cleaned information acquisition unit.

The laundry treatment apparatus can acquire information of the object to be washed by the object to be washed information acquisition unit provided in the laundry treatment apparatus itself, and can set each negative pressure and an operation of the air introduction unit at each negative pressure based on the acquired information of the object to be washed, thereby generating an impact air flow suitable for the information of the object to be washed, and performing dehydration assistance in accordance with the information of the object to be washed.

In one exemplary embodiment, the control unit reads and sets the negative pressures corresponding to the information of the object to be cleaned acquired by the object to be cleaned information acquisition unit and the actions of the air introduction unit under the negative pressures from a storage unit storing the correspondence between the information of the object to be cleaned and the negative pressures and the actions of the air introduction unit under the negative pressures, based on the information of the object to be cleaned acquired by the object to be cleaned information acquisition unit.

The laundry treatment apparatus can set the negative pressure corresponding to the information of the object to be washed and the operation of the air introduction unit under the negative pressure based on the correspondence between the information of the object to be washed and the operation of the air introduction unit under the negative pressure stored in the storage unit, thereby generating the impact airflow suitable for the information of the object to be washed and performing the dehydration assistance corresponding to the information of the object to be washed.

In an exemplary embodiment, the object information acquiring unit is configured to acquire the information of the object by at least one of: the method comprises the steps that information of an object to be cleaned, which is input by a user through a man-machine interaction module, is acquired through the man-machine interaction module arranged on a clothes treatment device; detecting and acquiring information of the object to be washed by a sensor provided to the laundry treatment apparatus; and receiving the information of the washed object through a communication module arranged on the clothes processing device.

The laundry treatment apparatus can acquire information of the object to be cleaned in various ways, and can flexibly acquire the information of the object to be cleaned.

In an exemplary aspect, the information of the object to be cleaned includes at least one of object feature information including at least one of a weight, a volume, a kind, a material, a color, and a degree of dirt of the object to be cleaned, and user demand information including at least one of a washing mode, a dehydration intensity, a care intensity, a reservation time, a duration, a water consumption amount, a power consumption amount, and a sterilization demand.

The information of the object to be cleaned can include at least one of feature information of the object to be cleaned and user demand information, thereby flexibly coping with various demands and combinations thereof.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control method of a laundry treatment apparatus, the laundry treatment apparatus including: a washing tank for storing the object to be washed and washing water; a pressing part for pressing the object to be cleaned in the cleaning tank; a suction unit for sucking the cleaning water and air from the object to be cleaned; an air introduction part for introducing air into the cleaning tank; and a control unit that controls the pressing unit, the suction unit, and the air introduction unit, wherein the control method includes: the control unit controls the pressing unit and the suction unit to dewater the object to be cleaned, and at the time of dewatering, the control unit causes the air introduction unit to perform a first operation of introducing air into the cleaning tank when the air pressure in the cleaning tank is a predetermined first negative pressure, and stopping introducing air into the cleaning tank when the air pressure in the cleaning tank is a predetermined second negative pressure having an absolute value smaller than that of the first negative pressure.

According to the control method, the air quantity in the cleaning tank is increased and the impact air flow is generated in the cleaning tank during the dehydration, so that the water can be taken away from the object to be cleaned to assist in enhancing the dehydration performance of the object to be cleaned. Further, the load on the suction unit can be reduced or the shortage of the dewatering performance of the suction unit can be compensated, and the target dewatering can be assisted and the service life of the suction unit can be prolonged.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

According to the above aspects, the present disclosure provides a laundry treatment apparatus that is less likely to damage an object to be cleaned and that can reduce the load on a suction portion that performs dehydration of the object to be cleaned.

Other features and aspects of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments, features and aspects of the present disclosure and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.

Fig. 1 is a main part sectional view of a laundry treating apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2 is a main part sectional view of the laundry treating apparatus according to the present embodiment in a state in which the cover is opened.

Fig. 3A is a diagram showing the washing operation of the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present embodiment.

Fig. 3B is a diagram showing the washing operation of the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the action of the dewatering operation of the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a graph showing performance characteristics of the suction unit of the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present embodiment.

Fig. 6 is a schematic view for explaining generation of an impingement airflow and an action thereof in a dehydration operation of the laundry treatment apparatus of the present embodiment.

Fig. 7 is a diagram showing functional blocks related to the operation of the air introduction unit in the dewatering operation of the laundry machine according to the present embodiment.

Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the generation mode of the impingement air flow during the dewatering operation of the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present embodiment.

Fig. 9 is a diagram showing another example of the generation method of the impingement air flow during the dewatering operation of the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present embodiment.

Fig. 10 is a diagram showing another example of the generation method of the impingement air flow during the dewatering operation of the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present embodiment.

Fig. 11 is a diagram showing another example of the generation method of the impingement air flow during the dewatering operation of the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present embodiment.

Fig. 12 is a diagram showing another example of the generation method of the impingement air flow during the dewatering operation of the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present embodiment.

Fig. 13 is a diagram showing another example of each functional block related to the operation of the air introduction unit in the dewatering operation of the laundry machine according to the present embodiment.

Description of the reference numerals

1. A laundry treatment apparatus; 2. an object to be cleaned; 4. a cleaning tank; 7 (7 a, 7 b), pressurizing and depressurizing unit; 8 (8 a, 8 b), a pressing portion; 9. a pressurization path; 90. a pressure reducing path; 10. a pump (pressurizing section, suction section); 10a, an exhaust port; 10b, a suction inlet; 11 (11 a, 11 b), an opening/closing section; 26a, 1 st switching part; 26b, a 2 nd switching unit; 27. a suction path; 27a, a suction path opening and closing part; 28. an air introduction part; 29. an air volume control valve (air volume control unit); 30. a gas-liquid separation unit; 39. and a control unit.

Detailed Description

Various exemplary embodiments, features and aspects of the disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements. Although various aspects of the embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale unless specifically indicated.

The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, embodiment, or illustration. Any embodiment described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.

In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in the following detailed description in order to provide a better understanding of the present disclosure. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present disclosure may be practiced without some of these specific details. In some instances, methods, means, elements, and circuits well known to those skilled in the art have not been described in detail in order not to obscure the present disclosure.

Furthermore, for the sake of clarity in describing the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure, "first" and "second" and the like described in the embodiments of the present disclosure are used to distinguish between different objects or to distinguish between different processes on the same object, and are not used to describe a specific order of objects.

Fig. 1 is a main part sectional view of a laundry treating apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a main part sectional view of the laundry treating apparatus according to the present embodiment in a state in which the cover is opened. Fig. 3A and 3B are action diagrams showing the washing operation of the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present embodiment. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the action of the dewatering operation of the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present embodiment.

In fig. 1 and 2, the laundry treating apparatus 1 includes a lower tub portion 6 and an upper cover 5. The water tank portion 6 includes a cleaning tank 4 formed in a square shape having a predetermined depth. An opening 3 is formed in the upper surface of the washing tub 4, and the opening 3 serves as an opening for placing laundry 2 such as clothes therein. The lid 5 is rotatably attached to the rear edge of the upper side of the water tank 6 by a hinge 6 a. And the lid 5 has a lid portion 5b for opening and closing the opening 3 of the cleaning tank 4.

It should be noted that, any suitable washing tank in the prior art may be adopted in the laundry treatment apparatus 1, and therefore, the present embodiment is not limited to this specific information regarding the installation position, structure, size, etc. of the washing tank 4, and in practical application, any suitable installation position, structure, or size may be selected according to the practical application requirement, which is limited by the space and will not be described herein.

The shape of the object 2 to be cleaned is set by the user and stored in the bottom 4a of the cleaning tank 4. In the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present embodiment, laundry or the like that is likely to be removed or broken is particularly effective when washing is performed by a normal laundry treatment apparatus that applies mechanical force to the object 2 to be washed. Examples of such an object 2 to be cleaned include a sweater and a woolen textile such as a placket sweater, and a scarf made of a delicate material made of very fine fibers.

A handle 5a is provided on the front surface of the cover 5. The user holds the handle 5a to rotate the lid 5 in the direction of arrow R1, thereby opening and closing the opening 3. Further, the opening 3 is configured to be held in an opened state. When the opening 3 is closed, the cover 5 is locked by a locking device (not shown) to hold the cover 5 in a closed state. When the opening 3 is opened, the locking device is unlocked by the operation of the handle 5a.

A pressing portion 8 and a pressurizing and depressurizing portion 7 are provided inside the lid body 5. In the present embodiment, the pressing portion 8 includes two sets, that is, the pressing portion 8a and the pressing portion 8b, and the pressure increasing and reducing portion 7 includes two sets, that is, the 1 st pressure increasing and reducing portion 7a and the 2 nd pressure increasing and reducing portion 7b.

The 1 st pressurizing/depressurizing unit 7a includes a pump 10, a pressurizing path 9 connecting the pressing unit 8a to the discharge port 10a of the pump 10, a 1 st switching unit 26a, a depressurizing path 90 connecting the pressing unit 8a to the suction port 10b of the pump 10, a 2 nd switching unit 26b, and an opening/closing unit 11a.

The 2 nd pressurizing/depressurizing unit 7b includes a pump 10, a pressurizing path 9 connecting the pressing unit 8b to the discharge port 10a of the pump 10, a 1 st switching unit 26a, a depressurizing path 90 connecting the pressing unit 8b to the suction port 10b of the pump 10, a 2 nd switching unit 26b, and an opening/closing unit 11b.

Here, the path from the pump 10 to the 1 st switching portion 26a and the path from the pump 10 to the 2 nd switching portion 26b are shared by the two pressure increasing and reducing portions 7.

The pump 10 is a pressurizing portion that supplies air to the pressing portions 8 (8 a, 8 b) to pressurize the air, and is also a suction portion that sucks air from the pressing portions 8 (8 a, 8 b) to depressurize the air. In addition, as will be described later, the pump 10 also has the following functions: by switching the paths, the suction unit sucks the cleaning water contained in the object 2 to be cleaned in the cleaning tank 4 and the air in the cleaning tank 4. The pump 10 serves as both the pressurizing portion and the suction portion described above.

The pressing portions 8 (8 a, 8 b) have a bellows shape, are formed in a bag shape, and have flexibility. The material of the pressing portion 8 (8 a, 8 b) is, for example, rubber or synthetic resin.

The reference numerals a and b of the pressurizing/depressurizing portions 7 (7 a and 7 b), the pressing portions 8 (8 a and 8 b), and the opening/closing portions 11 (11 a and 11 b) denote a plurality of units, respectively, and are omitted unless a distinction between the plurality is particularly required.

The pressing portion 8 and the discharge port 10a of the pump 10 are connected to the pressurizing path 9, and a 1 st switching portion 26a is provided midway. The 1 st path 9a constitutes a connection portion between the 1 st switching unit 26a and the pressing unit 8 a. The 2 nd path 9b constitutes a connection portion between the 1 st switching portion 26a and the pressing portion 8 b.

The pressure reducing path 90 is connected to the pressing portion 8 and the suction port 10b of the pump 10, and the 2 nd switching portion 26b is provided midway. The 3 rd path 9c constitutes a connection portion between the 2 nd switching portion 26b and the pressing portion 8 a. The 4 th path 9d constitutes a connection portion between the 2 nd switching portion 26b and the pressing portion 8 b.

The 1 st switching unit 26a provided in the pressurizing path 9 is configured to be capable of switching to communicate the discharge port 10a of the pump 10 with either one of the pressing units 8a, 8b or to communicate the discharge port 10a with all of the pressing units 8 (8 a, 8 b). The 2 nd switching unit 26b is configured to be capable of switching to connect the suction port 10b of the pump 10 to either one of the pressing units 8a and 8b or to disconnect the suction port 10b from all the pressing units 8 (8 a and 8 b).

The opening/closing parts 11 (11 a, 11 b) are provided in the pressing parts 8 (8 a, 8 b), respectively. The opening/closing unit 11 is controlled to be opened and closed by a control unit 39 described later, and when opened, communicates the inside of the pressing unit 8 with the outside air to discharge the air supplied to the pressing unit 8 by the pump 10 to the outside or to introduce the outside air.

The pressing portions 8 (8 a, 8 b) are provided with constant-pressure opening valves (not shown). When the inside of the pressing portion 8 becomes a predetermined pressure, the constant pressure opening valve opens to exhaust the air to the outside, thereby preventing the inside of the pressing portion 8 from being pressurized beyond the predetermined pressure. The pressing portion 8 is maintained at a predetermined value set by the constant pressure opening valve, and the object 2 to be cleaned is pressurized by the pressing portion 8 at a constant pressure. The constant pressure opening valve may be configured to have a function of the opening/closing portion 11.

In the present embodiment, the pressurizing/depressurizing unit 7 (7 a, 7 b) is composed of two groups. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be constituted by one or more groups.

The two pressurizing and depressurizing portions 7 are arranged in a row inside the cover 5. The pressing portion 8 is attached to the cleaning tank 4 side of the cover 5.

The pressing portion 8 is configured to be retractable by expanding and contracting, and to be retractable with respect to the object 2 stored in the bottom portion 4a of the cleaning tank 4. The pressing portion 8 has a pressing surface 8c for pressing the object 2 to be cleaned and a bellows-like expansion and contraction portion 8d. The pressing portion 8 extends to such an extent that the pressing surface 8c reaches the bottom 4a of the cleaning tank 4.

A hollow pad 12 which can be deformed is provided annularly outside the pressing portion 8 in the lid portion 5b facing the cleaning tank 4. When the lid 5b is closed together with the lid 5, the gasket 12 is brought into close contact with the sealing portion 13, and the sealing portion 13 is formed in a concave shape along the peripheral edge portion of the opening 3 of the cleaning tank 4. Thus, when the lid 5b is closed, the inside of the cleaning tank 4 becomes a liquid-tight and airtight space. Therefore, water and air do not leak from the opening 3 to the outside when washing, rinsing, and dehydrating steps are performed.

The cover 5 is provided with a water supply path 16 for supplying the cleaning water to the cleaning tank 4. A water supply valve 14 is provided in the middle of the water supply path 16, and the water supply path 16 communicates with the inside of the washing tub 4 via a detergent box 15. The supply of tap water (cleaning water) into the cleaning tank 4 is performed by opening the water supply valve 14, and the supply of tap water (cleaning water) into the cleaning tank 4 is stopped by closing the water supply valve 14.

The water level detection unit 17 is provided in communication with the inside of the washing tank 4. The water level detection unit 17 includes a water level detection tank 18, a float 19, and a water level switch 20, the water level detection tank 18 having an opening in an upper portion thereof, the float 19 moving up and down in accordance with a fluctuation in the water level detection tank 18, and the water level switch 20 detecting when the float 19 rises to a predetermined position.

A drain hole 21 for draining the cleaning water used in the cleaning process and the like is formed in the bottom 4a of the cleaning tank 4. The drain hole 21 communicates with a drain path 23 provided with a drain valve 22. The drain of the washing water in the washing tub 4 is performed by opening the drain valve 22, and the drain of the washing water in the washing tub 4 is stopped by closing the drain valve 22.

The water tank 6 is provided with an overflow path 24, and the overflow path 24 is used to discharge the cleaning water in the cleaning tank 4 to the outside when the water level in the cleaning tank 4 is equal to or higher than a predetermined level. The overflow path 24 has an overflow hole 24a in an upper portion of the cleaning tank 4, and is connected to the drain path 23 on a downstream side of the drain valve 22.

The overflow path 24 is provided with a check valve (not shown). The check valve is configured to open the overflow path 24 in the discharge direction and close the overflow path 24 in the inflow direction. That is, the check valve is configured to pass the washing water flowing out from the overflow hole 24a and discharge the washing water to the outside in the washing process and the rinsing process. In the dehydration step, when the air in the washing tank 4 is sucked by the pump 10, which will be described later, the check valve prevents the inflow of outside air into the washing tank 4.

A suction port 25 is provided at a substantially central portion of the bottom portion 4a of the cleaning tank 4, and the suction port 25 is covered with the object 2 to be cleaned when the object 2 to be cleaned is placed in the cleaning tank 4.

The suction path 27 is provided in communication with the suction port 25. The suction path 27 connects the cleaning tank 4 to the suction port 10b of the pump 10 via the suction port 25. The pump 10 sucks the cleaning water from the air in the cleaning tank 4 and the object 2 to be cleaned via the suction path 27. As described above, the pump 10 functions as a suction unit at this time.

When the pump 10 sucks the cleaning water from the object 2, the air in the cleaning tank 4 is also sucked. Here, an air introduction portion 28 for introducing outside air from outside the cleaning tank 4 to inside the cleaning tank 4 is provided. The air introduction portion 28 may be provided with an opening at a position above the water level of the cleaning water stored in the cleaning tank 4. In the present embodiment, the opening is provided in the water level detecting portion 17 communicating with the inside of the washing tub 4.

The air introduction portion 28 includes an air introduction path communicating with the inside of the cleaning tank 4, and an air quantity control valve 29 is provided in the air introduction path as an air quantity control portion capable of controlling the quantity of air introduced. The air volume control valve 29 is, for example, an electronically controllable valve, and can control the amount of air sucked by the pump 10. The sucked outside air may be directly introduced from the outside of the laundry treating apparatus 1 or may be introduced through the internal space of the laundry treating apparatus 1.

The suction path 27 is provided with a gas-liquid separation portion 30, and the gas-liquid separation portion 30 is configured to separate air in the cleaning tank 4 from the cleaning water sucked from the object 2 to be cleaned and to accumulate the sucked cleaning water. The gas-liquid separation portion 30 is constituted by a pressure-resistant vessel. Further, a secondary communication port 31 communicating with the suction path 27 and a primary communication port 33 communicating with the suction port 10b of the pump 10 are provided above the gas-liquid separation portion 30. A suction path opening/closing portion 27a for opening/closing the suction path 27 is provided between the primary side communication port 33 of the gas-liquid separation portion 30 and the suction port 10b of the pump 10.

A blocking wall 34 is provided between the primary side communication port 33 and the secondary side communication port 31. The blocking wall 34 is formed to protrude downward from the top surface of the gas-liquid separation portion 30. Thereby preventing the wash water sucked into the gas-liquid separation portion 30 from the secondary side communication port 31 from entering the primary side communication port 33.

A dehydration drain 35 is provided at the bottom of the gas-liquid separation portion 30. The dewatering outlet 35 communicates with a dewatering outlet channel 37 having a dewatering outlet valve 36 which can be opened and closed.

An overflow detecting section 38 is provided at a predetermined height of the inner wall of the gas-liquid separation section 30. The overflow detecting section 38 is constituted by, for example, a pair of electrodes or the like, and detects that the amount of the cleaning water accumulated in the gas-liquid separating section 30 reaches a predetermined amount. When the overflow detecting section 38 detects the washing water, the dewatering drain valve 36 is opened to drain the washing water. The overflow detecting section 38 is provided so that a certain space exists between the lower end of the blocking wall 34 and the water surface when the washing water is detected.

The control unit 39 is disposed on the side surface of the inside of the cover 5. The operation display unit 40 is provided on the upper surface of the control unit 39. The control unit 39 controls the pump 10, the opening/closing unit 11, the water supply valve 14, the drain valve 22, the 1 st switching unit 26a, the 2 nd switching unit 26b, the suction path opening/closing unit 27a, the air volume control valve 29, the dewatering drain valve 36, and the like. The control unit 39 controls the washing step, the rinsing step, and the dehydrating step in this order, thereby executing the washing operation.

Hereinafter, the operation and operation of the laundry treatment apparatus 1 configured as described above will be described.

The user inputs selection of an operation program, time of each process, and the like from an operation display unit 40 provided in front of the upper surface of the lid 5. The control unit 39 executes the steps from washing to dewatering as a series of operations based on the setting contents. The setting operation may be performed after the object 2 to be cleaned is placed, which will be described later.

After the user operates the handle 5a and unlocks it, the user opens the cover 5, sorts the shape of the object 2 to be cleaned, and places it on the bottom 4a of the cleaning tank 4. Depending on the size of the object 2 to be cleaned, the object may be folded. When the cover 5 is closed and locked after the object 2 is placed, the control unit 39 starts the operation according to the operation program set by the operation display unit 40.

In the first washing step of the operation program, the control unit 39 first performs a water supply operation. The control unit 39 opens the water supply valve 14 to supply tap water and detergent as washing water from the water supply path 16 into the washing tub 4. At this time, the air volume control valve 29 is opened, and the drain valve 22, the suction path opening/closing portion 27a, and the dewatering drain valve 36 are closed. The supplied cleaning water gradually permeates the object 2 to be cleaned, and is contained between the fibers of the object 2 to be cleaned. The control unit 39 supplies the cleaning water to the inside of the cleaning tank 4 to a predetermined water level, and closes the water supply valve 14 when the predetermined water level is detected by the water level switch 20 of the water level detection unit 17.

When the water supply is completed, the control unit 39 closes the opening/closing unit 11 and the air volume adjusting valve 29. The control unit 39 switches the 1 st switching unit 26a to communicate only the discharge port 10a and the pressing unit 8a via the 1 st path 9a, and switches the 2 nd switching unit 26b to communicate only the suction port 10b and the pressing unit 8b via the 4 th path 9 d.

Next, the control unit 39 drives the pump 10 for a predetermined time or until the pressing unit 8a reaches a predetermined pressure. Thereby, the air in the pressing portion 8b is sucked through the 4 th path 9d, and the air is supplied into the pressing portion 8a through the 1 st path 9 a. Then, as shown in fig. 3A, the pressing portion 8B contracts (arrow B1), and the pressing portion 8a expands (arrow A1).

Specifically, the expansion and contraction portion 8d of the pressing portion 8a is extended, and the pressing portion 8a is extended in the direction of the arrow A1 toward the object 2 to be cleaned. Thereby, the portion of the object 2 to be cleaned below the pressing portion 8a pressed by the pressing surface 8c is compressed, and the thickness is reduced. As the object 2 is compressed and changes its volume, a part of the washing water contained in the object 2 is pushed out of the object 2. In this way, a water flow is generated inside the object 2, and dirt adhering to the object 2 is separated from the fibers by the water flow, thereby removing the dirt.

In addition, a part of the cleaning water contained in the object 2 moves in the direction indicated by the arrow C1 from the lower side of the pressing portion 8a to the lower side of the pressing portion 8b in the object 2. The cleaning water thus moved pushes up the pressing surface 8c of the pressing portion 8b while expanding the object 2 under the pressing portion 8 b.

Next, the control unit 39 switches the 1 st switching unit 26a to communicate only the discharge port 10a and the pressing unit 8b via the 2 nd path 9b, and switches the 2 nd switching unit 26b to communicate only the suction port 10b and the pressing unit 8a via the 3 rd path 9c, with the opening/closing unit 11 and the air volume adjusting valve 29 being closed.

Next, the control unit 39 drives the pump 10 for a predetermined time or until the pressing unit 8b reaches a predetermined pressure. Thereby, the air in the pressing portion 8a is sucked through the 3 rd path 9c, and the air is supplied into the pressing portion 8b through the 2 nd path 9 b. Then, as shown in fig. 3B, the pressing portion 8a contracts (arrow A2), and the pressing portion 8B expands (arrow B2).

Specifically, the expansion and contraction portion 8d of the pressing portion 8B is extended, and the pressing portion 8B is extended in the direction of the arrow B2 toward the object 2 to be cleaned. Thereby, the portion of the object 2 to be cleaned below the pressing portion 8b pressed by the pressing surface 8c is compressed, and the thickness is reduced. As the object 2 is compressed and changes its volume, a part of the washing water contained in the object 2 is pushed out of the object 2. In this way, a water flow is generated inside the object 2, and dirt adhering to the object 2 is separated from the fibers by the water flow, thereby removing the dirt.

In addition, a part of the cleaning water contained in the object 2 moves in the direction indicated by the arrow C2 from below the pressing portion 8b to below the pressing portion 8a in the object 2. The cleaning water thus moved pushes up the pressing surface 8c of the pressing portion 8a while expanding the object 2 under the pressing portion 8 a.

In this way, in the washing step, the pressing portion 8a and the pressing portion 8b are repeatedly inflated and deflated at alternately different timings for a predetermined time (for example, 10 minutes) (for example, the pressurization by inflation of the pressing portion 8a is performed for 1 second, and the depressurization by deflation of the pressing portion 8b is performed for 1 second).

Thus, the object 2 to be cleaned is pressed and washed, and the cleaning effect is exhibited. That is, the dirt can be removed by generating a multidirectional water flow inside the object 2 without applying mechanical force generated by stirring, beating, or the like to the object 2. In addition, in addition to the expansion and contraction of the pressing portions 8a and 8b being alternately performed at predetermined times as described above, the expansion and contraction of the pressing portions 8a and 8b may be alternately performed at a predetermined pressure.

When the washing process from the washing process to the dehydrating process is set, the control unit 39 sequentially executes the rinsing process and the dehydrating process following the washing process.

In the rinsing step, for example, after the draining operation and the intermediate dehydrating operation are performed, the water storage rinsing operation is performed.

In the draining operation, the drain valve 22 is opened, and the washing water in the washing tub 4 is discharged to the outside through the drain hole 21 and the drain path 23. At this time, the control unit 39 opens the air volume control valve 29 to communicate the cleaning tank 4 with the outside air, thereby promoting air replacement and smoothly discharging the cleaning water.

In the intermediate dehydration operation, the control unit 39 opens the opening/closing unit 11 and the suction path opening/closing unit 27a in a state where the drain valve 22 is closed. The control unit 39 switches the 1 st switching unit 26a so that the discharge port 10a and the pressing unit 8a communicate via the 1 st path 9a and the discharge port 10a and the pressing unit 8b communicate via the 2 nd path 9 b. That is, the air supply to all the pressing portions 8 is switched. Further, the control unit 39 closes the 2 nd switching unit 26b so as to cut off the communication between the suction port 10b and all the pressing units 8.

Next, the control unit 39 drives the pump 10. The pump 10 sucks the air in the cleaning tank 4 and the cleaning water in the object 2 to be cleaned from the suction port 25 through the suction path 27. The suctioned cleaning water flows out from the suction port 25 to the suction path 27 from the cleaning tank 4 as indicated by an arrow C3, and moves and is stored in the gas-liquid separation portion 30.

The air in the suctioned cleaning tank 4 is supplied to the pressing portions 8a and 8b through the 1 st path 9a and the 2 nd path 9b via the gas-liquid separation portion 30 and the pump 10. Thereby, as shown in fig. 4, the pressing portion 8a is inflated (arrow A3), and the pressing portion 8B is inflated (arrow B3). The intermediate dehydration operation is performed for a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute).

The air sucked together with the cleaning water passes through the suction path 27 from the suction port 25 and enters the gas-liquid separation portion 30 through the secondary communication port 31. Then, the air is sucked into the pump 10 from the primary communication port 33 and discharged to the pressing portion 8. The cleaning water falls from the secondary side communication port 31 by gravity. The cleaning water is stored in the gas-liquid separator 30 by the blocking wall 34 provided between the primary communication port 33 and the secondary communication port 31, and does not enter the primary communication port 33.

In the water storage rinsing operation, the water supply valve 14 is opened to supply a predetermined amount of washing water into the washing tub 4. Then, the pump 10 is driven in the same manner as in the washing step. The expansion and contraction of the pressing portions 8a and 8b are alternately repeated, and the detergent concentration of the cleaning water in the object 2 to be cleaned is diluted. The rinsing process is repeated a plurality of times (for example, twice).

The control unit 39 executes the rinsing step and then the dehydrating step. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the operation of the laundry machine according to the present embodiment in the dehydration step. In the dehydration step, a water discharge operation and a final dehydration operation are performed.

First, the control unit 39 performs a water discharge operation. That is, the drain valve 22 is opened, and the washing water in the washing tub 4 is discharged to the outside through the drain hole 21 and the drain path 23. At this time, the air volume control valve 29 is opened to communicate the inside of the washing tub 4 with the outside, thereby smoothly discharging the washing water. The air volume control valve 29 is opened, all the opening and closing portions 11 are closed, and the dewatering drain valve 36 is closed.

The control unit 39 performs the final dewatering operation after the water discharge operation is completed. The control unit 39 opens the opening/closing unit 11 and the suction path opening/closing unit 27a in a state where the drain valve 22 is closed. The control unit 39 switches the 1 st switching unit 26a so that the discharge port 10a and the pressing unit 8a communicate via the 1 st path 9a and the discharge port 10a and the pressing unit 8b communicate via the 2 nd path 9 b. That is, all the pressing portions 8 are communicated to supply air. Thus, the pressing portion 8 communicates with the outside air, and the inside is at the atmospheric pressure. The control unit 39 closes the 2 nd switching unit 26b to shut off the communication between the suction port 10b and all the pressing units 8.

Next, the control unit 39 drives the pump 10. The pump 10 sucks the air in the cleaning tank 4 and the cleaning water in the object 2 to be cleaned from the suction port 25 through the suction path 27. The suctioned cleaning water flows out from the suction port 25 to the suction path 27 from the cleaning tank 4 as indicated by an arrow C3, and moves and is stored in the gas-liquid separation portion 30.

The air in the suctioned cleaning tank 4 is supplied to the pressing portions 8a and 8b through the 1 st path 9a and the 2 nd path 9b via the gas-liquid separation portion 30 and the pump 10. Thereby, as shown in fig. 4, the pressing portion 8a is inflated (arrow A3), and the pressing portion 8B is inflated (arrow B3).

When sucking the air in the cleaning tank 4, the control section 39 controls the air introduction section 28 to introduce the outside air into the interior of the cleaning tank 4. Although outside air is introduced into the cleaning tank 4, the pressure inside the cleaning tank 4 is also lower than the pressure of the outside air. Therefore, the outside air flows into the pressing portion 8 from the opened opening/closing portion 11 due to the pressure difference between the outside air and the inside of the cleaning tank 4, and the pressing portion 8 expands to press the object 2 to be cleaned.

By the structure and action of the pressing portion 8, the pressing surface 8c can be pressed in close contact with the object 2 to be cleaned. The cleaning water contained in the object 2 to be cleaned can be forcibly squeezed out.

The outside air flowing into the cleaning tank 4 from the air introduction portion 28 extrudes the cleaning water retained between the fibers of the object 2 to be cleaned, and moves the water to the suction port 25. The cleaning water sent to the suction port 25 is sent from the suction port 25 to the gas-liquid separation portion 30 through the suction path 27, and is effectively dehydrated from the object 2 to be cleaned.

The control unit 39 sucks the cleaning water together with the outside air introduced into the cleaning tank 4 by the pump 10. When a predetermined time (for example, 4 minutes) elapses, the driving of the pump 10 is stopped, and the dehydration step is terminated.

In the dehydration step, when the purge water flows into the gas-liquid separation portion 30 beyond a predetermined amount, the control portion 39 detects this at the overflow detection portion 38, and stops the pump 10. Then, the closed drain valve 36 is opened to drain the washing water to the outside.

In the dewatering operation, there is a case where the performance of the suction unit is insufficient, and the target dewatering cannot be achieved, which will be described with reference to fig. 5.

Fig. 5 is a graph showing performance characteristics of the suction unit of the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present embodiment. In the figure, the horizontal axis represents the pressure inside the cleaning tank, and the right to left represents the negative pressure inside the cleaning tank, that is, the absolute value of the negative pressure increases, and the vertical axis represents the air volume generated by suction of the suction unit, and the bottom to top represents the generated air volume increases. The solid line and the broken line in the figure represent the Q-P characteristic (air volume-air pressure characteristic) curves of the air pump as the suction unit in the ideal case and the actual case, respectively, and the darker region is a region where the combination of the air volume and the pressure of the dehydration target of the thick coat can be achieved, and the lighter region is a region where the combination of the air volume and the pressure of the dehydration target of the shirt can be achieved.

As shown in the figure, in the case of the ideal air pump characteristic, the shirt can be dehydrated in the pressure range from about negative pressure Pb to negative pressure Pg in the cleaning tank, and the thick coat can be dehydrated in the pressure range from about negative pressure Pc to negative pressure Pg in the cleaning tank. However, in actual cases, the performance of the air pump may become low for various reasons, for example, the pressure range in which the dewatering target of the shirt can be achieved becomes narrow to about negative pressure Pb to about negative pressure Pe. In this case, when the pressure inside the washing tank is lower than the negative pressure Pe, the dewatering target of the shirt will not be achieved. In addition, in the illustrated case, the dehydration target of the thick jacket cannot be achieved after the performance of the air pump is lowered. That is, the decrease or shortage of the suction portion performance may result in the decrease or shortage of the dehydration performance.

To solve this problem, in the laundry treatment apparatus of the present disclosure, as shown in fig. 6 and 7, in a dehydration operation in which the control unit 39 controls the pressing unit 8 and the suction unit 10 to suck the inside of the washing tub 4 by the suction unit 10 in a state in which the pressing unit 8 presses the object to be washed, the air pressure in the washing tub 4 is detected by the air pressure sensor 411, and when the air pressure in the washing tub 4 is detected to be a predetermined first negative pressure, the control unit 39 controls the air introduction unit 28 to introduce air into the washing tub 4, and then when the air pressure in the washing tub 4 is detected to be a predetermined second negative pressure higher than the first negative pressure, that is, when a second negative pressure having an absolute value smaller than the absolute value of the first negative pressure is detected, the control unit 39 controls the air introduction unit 28 to stop introducing air into the washing tub 4. In this way, not only the air volume in the washing tub 4 is increased, but also the impact air flow is generated in the washing tub 4 to take away the moisture in the clothes, thereby supplementing the performance of the suction part and assisting in enhancing the dehydration performance of the washed object.

An example of the generation and operation of the impingement air flow during the dewatering operation of the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 5 and 8.

Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the generation mode of the impingement air flow during the dewatering operation of the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present embodiment. In fig. 8 (a), a comparative example in which the air pressure in the cleaning tank 4 is maintained constant without generating the impingement air flow in the cleaning tank 4 is shown, and in fig. 8 (b), the present disclosure in which the impingement air flow is generated in the cleaning tank 4 is shown.

In this example, the suction unit 10 of the laundry machine is assumed to have the actual performance as shown in fig. 5, and the shirt is assumed to be dehydrated.

As shown in fig. 8 (a), in the comparative example, the shirt was dehydrated while maintaining the air pressure in the cleaning tank 4 at the negative pressure Pe. At this time, the negative pressure Pe may be at a critical point at which the target dewatering of the shirt can be achieved based on the actual performance of the suction unit shown in fig. 5.

In the present disclosure, as shown in fig. 8 (b), in the dewatering operation, the air pressure sensor 411 detects the air pressure in the cleaning tank 4, and when detecting that the air pressure in the cleaning tank 4 is a negative pressure Pf lower than the negative pressure Pe, the control unit 39 opens the air volume adjusting unit 29 provided in the air introducing unit 28, for example, an electronically controllable valve, to introduce air into the cleaning tank 4. After the air is introduced, when the air pressure sensor 411 detects that the air pressure in the cleaning tank 4 reaches the negative pressure Pd higher than the negative pressure Pe, the control unit 39 closes the air volume adjusting unit 29 provided in the air introducing unit 28 to stop the air introduction into the cleaning tank 4. The control unit 39 controls the air introduction unit 28 to repeat the above operation (first operation) until the dehydration is completed.

In the present disclosure, by the control as described above, as shown in fig. 8 (b), compared with the comparative example of fig. 8 (a) in which the air pressure in the cleaning tank 4 is maintained constant, the air volume passing through the object to be cleaned in the cleaning tank 4 increases and the impact air flow is generated in the cleaning tank 4 during the period of introducing air from the air introducing portion 28 into the cleaning tank 4. This can carry away more moisture in the clothes, and can assist the suction unit 10 in achieving target dewatering of the shirt.

In this example, the description has been made taking an example in which the impact air flow is generated to supplement the suction capacity shortage of the suction unit. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the impingement air flow of the present disclosure may be applied to assist dehydration in the case where the suction performance of the suction portion is sufficient to accomplish the target dehydration. In this case, the dewatering performance for the object to be cleaned can be enhanced, the load on the suction unit can be reduced, the operating time and energy consumption of the suction unit can be reduced, and the service life of the suction unit can be prolonged.

Next, another example of the generation method of the impact air current during the dewatering operation of the laundry machine according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 9.

In the example shown in fig. 9, in the early stage of the dehydration operation, the control unit 39 controls the air introduction unit 28 to repeat the first operation as in fig. 8. At the latter stage of the dehydration operation, when the air pressure sensor 411 detects that the air pressure in the cleaning tank 4 is a third negative pressure lower than the negative pressure Pf, the control unit 39 opens the air volume adjusting unit 29 provided in the air introducing unit 28 to introduce air into the cleaning tank 4. After the air is introduced, when the air pressure sensor 411 detects that the air pressure in the cleaning tank 4 reaches the fourth negative pressure higher than the negative pressure Pd, the control unit 39 closes the air volume adjusting unit 29 provided in the air introducing unit 28 to stop the air introduction into the cleaning tank 4. The control unit 39 controls the air introduction unit to repeat this operation (second operation) until the dehydration is completed.

In this example, the value of the third negative pressure and the value of the fourth negative pressure are not particularly limited as long as the third negative pressure is lower than the first negative pressure (i.e., the absolute value of the third negative pressure is greater than the absolute value of the first negative pressure), and the fourth negative pressure is higher than the second negative pressure (i.e., the absolute value of the fourth negative pressure is smaller than the absolute value of the second negative pressure).

In the initial stage of the dehydration operation, a large amount of water is contained in the object to be washed, and the water that can be sucked by the same suction force is reduced in the later stage of the dehydration operation, while maintaining the suction capacity. At this time, the pressure difference of the impact air flow is increased in the latter stage of the dehydration operation, so that a larger amount of air is introduced, and a stronger impact air flow is generated to carry away the moisture in the object to be cleaned. Thus, in the late stage of dehydration where the suction performance may be insufficient, the target dehydration can be completed smoothly with the insufficient supplementary dehydration performance. In addition, when the suction unit sucks the water with the same performance, the time required for the dewatering operation can be shortened.

In the above example, the control unit 39 controls the air introduction unit 28 to repeat the first operation and/or the second operation during the dehydration operation, but the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the first operation and/or the second operation may be performed only once or a predetermined number of times, and dehydration may be assisted to some extent, thereby reducing the load on the suction unit.

In the example shown in fig. 9, the description has been given taking the example in which the air introduction unit 28 is first subjected to the first operation and then subjected to the second operation in the dehydration operation, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in fig. 10, the air introduction unit 28 may be sequentially subjected to the first to nth operations of which N is an integer of 2 or more during the dehydration operation, and the negative pressure of the air introduced from the air introduction unit 28 into the cleaning tank 4 may be sequentially lower and the negative pressure of the air introduced from the air introduction unit 28 into the cleaning tank 4 may be sequentially higher during the first to nth operations.

As shown in fig. 11, in the first to nth operations, the negative pressure of the air introduced into the cleaning tank 4 may be sequentially higher, and the negative pressure of the air stopped from being introduced into the cleaning tank 4 may be sequentially lower. In this case, more water can be carried away by a stronger impact air flow in the early stage of the water content in the object to be cleaned, and the suction unit can be assisted to complete the dehydration quickly.

The present disclosure is not limited to the negative pressure of the air introduced into the cleaning tank 4 and the negative pressure of the air stopped from being introduced into the cleaning tank 4 being sequentially increased or decreased, but the pressure difference between the negative pressures of the air introduced into the cleaning tank 4 and the air stopped from being introduced into the cleaning tank may be sequentially increased or decreased in the first to nth operations. In the first to nth actions, the pressure difference may be different between adjacent actions as shown in fig. 12, instead of being sequentially increased or decreased. In addition, the pressure difference may be different in at least a part of the actions, not between the adjacent actions.

In the above examples, the air volume of the air introduced into the cleaning tank 4 via the air introduction unit 28 may be adjusted by the air volume adjusting unit 29. Thus, the frequency of the generation of the impact air flow can be adjusted, and the frequency of the generation of the impact air flow can be adjusted based on the suction operation of the suction unit and the information of the object to be cleaned, thereby more properly assisting the dehydration.

In the example of fig. 8, the description has been given taking the example of dewatering a shirt, but the present disclosure is not limited to this, and can be applied to all kinds of objects to be cleaned, and is effective particularly in the object to be cleaned which requires a suction portion such as a thick coat to have high performance, from the viewpoint of fig. 5. In addition, the dewatering assistance corresponding to the information of the object to be cleaned can be performed by setting the respective negative pressures and the operation of the air introduction unit 28 at the respective negative pressures in accordance with the information of the object to be cleaned.

Fig. 13 is a diagram showing another example of each functional block related to the operation of the air introduction unit in the dewatering operation of the laundry machine according to the present embodiment.

When the operation program input by the user through the operation display unit 40 (corresponding to the man-machine interaction module) includes the dehydration step, the control unit 39 controls the pressing unit 8 and the suction unit 10 so that the suction unit 10 sucks the inside of the cleaning tank 4 to dehydrate the cleaning object while the pressing unit presses the cleaning object.

The control unit 39 sets the operation of the air introduction unit 28 corresponding to the information of the object to be cleaned by referring to the correspondence between the information of the object to be cleaned stored in the storage unit 393 in advance and the respective negative pressures and the operation of the air introduction unit 28 under the respective negative pressures, based on, for example, the information of the object to be cleaned acquired by the information acquisition unit 392 (corresponding to the object to be cleaned information acquisition unit) from the laundry sensor 412, the information of the object to be cleaned input by the user acquired by the information acquisition unit 392 from the operation display unit 40 (corresponding to the human-computer interaction module), or the information of the object to be cleaned acquired by the information acquisition unit 392 from the external device 413 via the communication unit 391 (corresponding to the communication module)

The information of the object to be cleaned includes, for example, at least one of object feature information and user demand information, and the object feature information includes, for example, at least one of a weight, a volume, a type, a material, a color, and a degree of dirt of the object to be cleaned, and the user demand information includes, for example, at least one of a washing pattern, a dehydration intensity, a care intensity, a reservation time, a time period, a water consumption amount, a power consumption amount, and a sterilization demand.

In the dehydration step, the control unit 39 causes the air introduction unit 28 to operate according to the set negative pressures and the operation of the air introduction unit 28 at the negative pressures, based on the negative pressure value of the air pressure in the washing tub 4 detected by the air pressure sensor 411, and causes the air introduction unit 28 to perform at least a part of the first to nth operations described above, for example, to perform dehydration assistance in accordance with the information of the object to be washed.

In the above example, the laundry processing apparatus has been described as having the communication unit 391, but the communication unit may not be provided.

In the above example, the control unit 39 refers to the correspondence relation stored in the storage unit 393 to perform the corresponding setting based on the information of the object to be cleaned, but the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the control unit 39 may calculate and set the respective negative pressures and the operation of the air introduction unit 28 at the respective negative pressures based on the information of the object to be cleaned.

Industrial applicability

As described above, the present disclosure can be applied to a laundry treatment apparatus that is less likely to damage an object to be cleaned and that can reduce the burden on a suction portion that performs dehydration of the object to be cleaned.

Claims (13)

1. A clothes treatment device is provided with:

a washing tank for storing the object to be washed and washing water;

a pressing part for pressing the object to be cleaned in the cleaning tank;

a suction unit for performing a suction operation for sucking the inside of the cleaning tank;

an air introduction part for introducing air into the cleaning tank; and

a control unit for controlling the pressing unit and the suction unit to dewater the object to be cleaned,

In the dehydration, the control unit causes the air introduction unit to perform a first operation of causing the air introduction unit to introduce air into the interior of the washing tub when the air pressure in the washing tub is a predetermined first negative pressure, and causing the air introduction unit to stop introducing air into the interior of the washing tub when the air pressure in the washing tub is a predetermined second negative pressure having an absolute value smaller than that of the first negative pressure.

2. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein,

the control unit repeats the first operation by the air introduction unit during dehydration.

3. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein,

the control unit may further cause the air introduction unit to perform a second operation of introducing air into the cleaning tank when the air pressure in the cleaning tank is a predetermined third negative pressure having an absolute value larger than an absolute value of the first negative pressure, and causing the air introduction unit to stop introducing air into the cleaning tank when the air pressure in the cleaning tank is a predetermined fourth negative pressure having an absolute value smaller than an absolute value of the second negative pressure.

4. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 3, wherein,

the control unit repeats the second operation by the air introduction unit during dehydration.

5. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein,

in the dehydration, the control unit may repeat the second operation by causing the air introduction unit to repeat the first operation after causing the control unit to repeat the first operation.

6. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein,

in the dewatering, the control unit further causes the air introduction unit to perform a second to nth operation, and in the first to nth operation, the negative pressure of the air introduction unit for introducing air into the cleaning tank and the negative pressure of the air for stopping introducing air are set so that the negative pressure of the air for introducing and the negative pressure of the air for stopping introducing are different from each other in at least a part of the operations, wherein N is an integer of 2 or more.

7. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 6, wherein,

the pressure difference between the negative pressure of the introduction air and the negative pressure of the introduction-stopped air becomes larger or smaller in the order from the first operation to the nth operation.

8. The laundry treating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein,

the air inlet includes an air inlet connected to the cleaning tank and an air volume adjusting unit provided in the air inlet, the air volume adjusting unit being capable of opening and closing the air inlet and adjusting the volume of air introduced into the cleaning tank via the air inlet.

9. The laundry treating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein,

the cleaning device further comprises a cleaning object information acquisition part, wherein the cleaning object information acquisition part acquires the information of the cleaning object; and

the control unit sets each negative pressure and an operation of the air introduction unit at each negative pressure in accordance with the information of the object to be cleaned based on the information of the object to be cleaned acquired by the object to be cleaned information acquisition unit.

10. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 9, wherein,

the control unit reads and sets the negative pressures corresponding to the information of the object to be cleaned acquired by the object information acquisition unit and the actions of the air introduction unit under the negative pressures from a storage unit storing the correspondence between the information of the object to be cleaned and the negative pressures and the actions of the air introduction unit under the negative pressures, based on the information of the object to be cleaned acquired by the object information acquisition unit.

11. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, wherein,

the object information acquiring unit is configured to acquire information of the object by at least one of:

the method comprises the steps that information of an object to be cleaned, which is input by a user through a man-machine interaction module, is acquired through the man-machine interaction module arranged on a clothes treatment device;

detecting and acquiring information of the object to be washed by a sensor provided to the laundry treatment apparatus; and

the information of the washed object is received through a communication module arranged on the clothes processing device.

12. The laundry treating apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein,

the information of the cleaned object comprises at least one of characteristic information of the cleaned object and user demand information,

the characteristic information of the cleaned object comprises at least one of the weight, the volume, the type, the material, the color and the dirt degree of the cleaned object,

the user demand information includes at least one of a washing mode, a dehydration intensity, a care intensity, a scheduled time, a time period, a water consumption amount, a power consumption amount, and a sterilization demand.

13. A control method in a laundry treating apparatus,

the laundry treatment apparatus includes: a washing tank for storing the object to be washed and washing water; a pressing part for pressing the object to be cleaned in the cleaning tank; a suction unit for sucking the cleaning water and air from the object to be cleaned; an air introduction part for introducing air into the cleaning tank; and a control unit that controls the pressing unit, the suction unit, and the air introduction unit,

the control method comprises the following steps: the control unit controls the pressing unit and the suction unit to dewater the object to be cleaned, and at the time of dewatering, the control unit causes the air introduction unit to perform a first operation of introducing air into the cleaning tank when the air pressure in the cleaning tank is a predetermined first negative pressure, and stopping introducing air into the cleaning tank when the air pressure in the cleaning tank is a predetermined second negative pressure having an absolute value smaller than that of the first negative pressure.

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