JP2000245991A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the damage of cloth while ensuring a washing effect to laundry. SOLUTION: A washing machine motor 15 rotationally drives a rotary tub and an agitator, and a control circuit 22 constitutes a dirty degree judging device 23 together with an optical sensor 16. In addition, when a judging result by the device 23 is larger than a prescribed dirty degree, the circuit 22 sets a driving mode with respect to the agitator to be a fixed driving mode for washing strongly without regard to the degree of the judging result and only when the judging result is smaller than the prescribed dirty degree, the circuit 22 sets the mode to be a driving mode for washing weakly and controls washing operation by the set driving mode.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a washing machine in which a measure against cloth damage is taken.

[0002]

As is well known, in a washing machine, a water flow is generated inside a rotating tub by rotating a stirrer during a washing operation, and laundry is washed by the water flow. I have. In this case, the stirrer is driven in a fixed drive pattern. By the way, in a conventional washing machine, since it is necessary to increase the washing effect on the laundry, the driving pattern is such that the washing power (eg, the strength of the water flow) on the laundry is increased.

[0003] However, in the above-mentioned conventional washing machine, the washing power is set to a high and constant level so that good washing power is exerted on the whole laundry. It sometimes acted excessively, sometimes causing fabric damage. In particular, when the degree of soiling of the laundry is low, when the cloth is soft, or when the temperature of the water used for washing (hereinafter referred to as washing water) is high, the detergency acts excessively more than necessary. There is.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine capable of preventing a cloth from being damaged while guaranteeing a cleaning effect on the laundry.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a stirrer provided inside a rotary tub so as to be rotationally driven by a driving source, and a stirrer for generating a washing water flow by the rotary drive; The degree of contamination determining means for determining the degree of contamination of water and the drive mode for the agitating body are set to be constant regardless of the size of the determination result when the result of the determination by the degree of contamination determination is equal to or greater than a predetermined degree of contamination. Mode setting means for setting the drive mode for strong washing, and setting the drive mode for weak washing only when the determination result is less than the predetermined degree of contamination, and a washing operation in the drive mode set by the mode setting means. And operation control means for controlling the operation.

[0006] Although the degree of occurrence of fabric damage increases when the cleaning power is large, the priority is generally given to the necessary cleaning effect on the laundry. However, in a situation where a relatively excessive detergency acts on the laundry, extra cloth damage due to the excessive detergency is generated. In this case, by suppressing the cleaning power to a necessary minimum, it is possible to reduce the damage to the cloth while obtaining the required cleaning effect. One of the situations in which excessive detergency acts on the above laundry,
There are cases where the degree of soiling of the laundry is not very large.

However, in the above configuration, the drive mode for the agitator is set to a constant strong cleaning drive mode regardless of the magnitude of the determination result when the determination result by the contamination determination means is equal to or higher than a predetermined contamination level. Then, only when the determination result is less than the predetermined stain level, the washing weak drive mode is set, and the washing operation is controlled in the set drive mode. The fabric damage can be reduced while obtaining the same.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an agitator which is provided inside a rotary tub so as to be rotationally driven by a driving source, and generates a washing water flow by the rotary drive, and determines a degree of contamination of water in the rotary tub. And a mode setting means for setting the drive mode of the stirrer, such that the smaller the result of the determination by the fouling degree determiner, the gentler the initial rise gradient of the rotation of the stirrer. And operation control means for controlling the washing operation in the drive mode set by the mode setting means.

According to the present inventor, when the agitator is driven to rotate, the more the initial gradient of the rotation rises, the more easily the fabric is damaged, while the cleaning power is increased, and conversely, the gradient is gentle. It was found that cloth damage was hardly generated. However, in the above configuration, the drive mode of the stirrer is set such that the smaller the result of the determination by the dirt degree determination means, the gentler the initial rise gradient of the rotation of the stirrer, and the washing operation is performed in the set drive mode. , It is possible to reduce the damage to the cloth while obtaining the necessary cleaning effect according to the degree of contamination. In particular, when the dirt is severe, an improvement in the cleaning effect can be expected.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rotary tub provided inside the outer tub so as to be rotatable by a drive source and capable of generating a water flow by the rotary drive, and a rotary drive inside the rotary tub by the drive source. A stirring body that is provided so as to generate a water flow by its rotational drive, a dirt degree determination unit for determining the degree of dirt of water in the rotary tank, and a drive mode for the rotary tank and the stirring body, A mode setting means for setting a driving mode for driving at least the rotary tub when a determination result by the dirt degree determining means is equal to or less than a predetermined dirt degree,
And an operation control means for controlling the washing operation in the drive mode set by the mode setting means.

According to the present inventor, when comparing the water flow obtained by rotationally driving the rotary tank with the water flow obtained by rotationally driving the stirrer, it is found that the former case has less cloth damage. Was. However, in the above configuration, the drive mode for the rotary tank and the stirring body is set to a drive mode for driving at least the rotary tank when the result of the determination by the dirt degree determination unit is equal to or less than the predetermined degree of dirt. Since the washing operation is controlled in the mode, it is possible to contribute to the further reduction of cloth damage while obtaining a necessary cleaning effect according to the degree of contamination.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an agitator which is provided inside a rotary tub so as to be rotationally driven by a drive source and generates a washing water flow by the rotational drive, and a cloth quality determination for determining the cloth quality of the laundry. Means and a drive mode for the stirring body,
When the determination result by the cloth quality determination means is hard,
A mode setting unit that sets a constant strong cleaning drive mode regardless of the size of the determination result, and sets a weak cleaning drive mode only when the determination result is soft. Operation control means for controlling the washing operation in the driven mode.

Another example of a situation in which a relatively excessive detergency acts on the laundry is when the laundry has a soft cloth. However, in the above configuration,
The drive mode for the agitator is set to a constant strong cleaning drive mode regardless of the size of the determination result when the determination result by the cloth quality determination unit is hard, and only when the determination result is soft. Set the drive mode for weak cleaning,
Since the washing operation is controlled in the set driving mode,
Depending on the quality of the cloth, it is possible to reduce the damage to the cloth while obtaining the necessary cleaning effect.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a stirrer which is provided inside a rotary tub so as to be rotationally driven by a driving source and generates a washing water flow by the rotational driving, and a cloth quality determination for determining the cloth quality of the laundry. Means, and mode setting means for setting the drive mode of the stirrer so that the initial rise gradient of the rotation of the stirrer becomes gentler as the result of the determination by the cloth quality determining means is softer. Operation control means for controlling the washing operation in the drive mode set by the means.

In this configuration, the drive mode of the stirrer is set such that the initial rise gradient of the rotation of the stirrer becomes gentler as the result of the determination by the cloth quality determining means becomes softer. Since the washing operation is controlled in the mode, it is possible to reduce the damage to the cloth while obtaining the necessary cleaning effect according to the cloth quality. In particular, when the cloth is hard, an improvement in the cleaning effect can be expected.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rotary tub provided inside the outer tub so as to be rotatable by a drive source and capable of generating a water flow by the rotary drive, and a rotary drive inside the rotary tub by the drive source. The agitation body which is provided so as to generate a water flow by its rotational drive, the cloth quality determination means for determining the cloth quality of the laundry, and the drive mode for the rotating tub and the agitation body are determined by the cloth quality determination means. When the result is soft, at least the mode setting means for setting the drive mode for driving the rotary tub, and the operation control means for controlling the washing operation in the drive mode set by the mode setting means. You.

In this configuration, the drive mode for the rotary tub and the stirrer is set to at least the drive mode for driving the rotary tub when the result of the determination by the cloth quality determining means is soft, and the set drive mode is set. The washing operation is controlled in accordance with the above, so that it is possible to contribute to the further reduction of damage to the cloth while obtaining the necessary cleaning effect according to the cloth quality.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an agitator which is provided inside a rotary tub so as to be rotationally driven by a drive source, and generates a washing water flow by the rotational driving, and a water temperature detection for detecting the temperature of the washing water. Means, a drive mode for the stirring body, when the detection result by the water temperature detection means is less than a predetermined temperature, set to a constant strong cleaning drive mode regardless of the size of the detection result, the detection result Mode setting means for setting the drive mode for weak washing only when the temperature is equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature, and operation control means for controlling the washing operation in the drive mode set by the mode setting means.

Still another example of a situation in which a relatively excessive detergency acts on the laundry is when the temperature of the washing water is high. That is, when the temperature of the washing water is high, the dirt is easily removed, and the cleaning power tends to be relatively excessive. However, in the above configuration, the drive mode for the agitator is set to a constant strong cleaning drive mode regardless of the size of the detection result when the detection result by the water temperature detection unit is lower than the predetermined temperature, and the detection result is Set the drive mode for weak cleaning only when the temperature is equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature, and control the washing operation in this set drive mode.According to the water temperature of the washing water, reduce the damage to the cloth while obtaining the required cleaning effect. become able to.

[0020] The invention according to claim 8 is a stirrer provided inside the rotary tub so as to be rotationally driven by a driving source, which generates a washing water flow by the rotational driving, and a water temperature detection for detecting the temperature of the washing water. Means and a drive mode of the stirring body,
Mode setting means for setting the initial rising gradient of the agitator to be gentler as the detection result of the water temperature detecting means is higher, and an operation for controlling the washing operation in the drive mode set by the mode setting means. And control means.

In this configuration, the drive mode of the stirrer is set such that the higher the result of detection by the water temperature detecting means, the gentler the initial rise gradient of the stirrer rotation. Thus, the cloth damage can be reduced while obtaining the necessary cleaning effect. Particularly when the water temperature is low, an improvement in the cleaning effect can be expected.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rotary tub provided inside the outer tub so as to be rotatable by a drive source and capable of generating a water flow by the rotary drive, and a rotary drive inside the rotary tub by the drive source. The agitator which is provided so as to generate a water flow by its rotational drive, a water temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the washing water, and a drive mode for the rotary tub and the agitator, the detection result of the water temperature detecting means. A mode setting means for setting at least a drive mode for driving the rotary tub when the degree of contamination is equal to or more than a predetermined degree of contamination, and an operation control means for controlling a washing operation in the drive mode set by the mode setting means. Is done.

In this configuration, the drive mode for the rotary tub and the agitator is set to at least the drive mode for driving the rotary tub when the result of detection by the water temperature detecting means is equal to or higher than a predetermined degree of contamination. Since the washing operation is controlled in the mode, it is possible to further reduce the damage to the cloth while obtaining a necessary washing effect according to the temperature of the washing water.

[0024]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention (corresponding to claim 1) will be described below with reference to FIGS. First, in FIG. 2 showing the entire configuration of the fully automatic washing machine, an outer tub 2 for receiving dewatered water is elastically supported via an elastic suspension mechanism 3 in an outer box 1 which is a main body of the washing machine. . Inside the outer tub 2, a rotatable tub 4 serving as a washing tub and a dewatering tub is rotatably disposed. A stirring body 5 is rotatably disposed at the inner bottom of the rotating tank 4.

The rotary tank 4 has a tank main body 4a in the form of a tapered cylinder slightly expanding upward, and an inner cylinder 4b provided inside the tank main body 4a to form a water passage gap.
And a balance ring 4 provided at the upper end of the tank body 4a.
c. When the rotary tub 4 is rotationally driven, the water inside rises along the inner peripheral surface of the tank main body 4a by centrifugal force, and the dewatering hole 4 formed in the upper part of the tank main body 4a.
d, and is discharged into the outer tank 2. The inner cylinder 4b has a large number of water passage holes 4e.
A water passage 4f is formed at the bottom of the tank body 4a of the rotary tank 4.

Also, at the right end of the bottom of the outer tank 2 in FIG.
A drain port 6 is formed. The drain port 6 is provided with a drain valve 7 and a drain hose 8 is connected thereto. The drain port 6 communicates with the water outlet 4f via a drain passage 2a formed in the outer tub 2. The drain valve 7 is a valve that is opened and closed by a drain valve motor 9 (see FIG. 1) as a drain valve driving means, and is configured as a so-called motor type drain valve. In the drain stroke in which the drain valve motor 9 is driven to open the drain valve 7, the water in the rotary tank 4 is drained through the water inlet 4f, the drain passage 2a, the drain 6, the drain valve 7, and the drain hose 8. You.

Further, an auxiliary drain port 10 is formed at the bottom end of the outer tub 2 at the left end in FIG. 2, and the auxiliary drain port 10 is connected to a drain hose 8 via a connecting hose (not shown). . The auxiliary drain port 10 is for draining water that has been dehydrated from its upper part and discharged into the outer tub 2 when the rotary tub 4 is dewatered and rotated.

A mechanism base 11 is attached to the outer bottom of the outer tub 2. A shaft support cylinder 12 is formed at the center of the mechanism base 11 so as to extend in the vertical direction. A hollow tank shaft 13 having an upper end connected to the rotary tank 4 is rotatably inserted into and supported by the shaft support cylinder 12. A stirring shaft 14 having a stirring body 5 connected to the upper end is rotatably inserted and supported inside the tank shaft 13.

The mechanism base 11 is provided with a washing machine motor 15 which is a driving source composed of, for example, an outer rotor type brushless motor.
The lower end of the stirring shaft 14 protruding downward from 3 is connected. Therefore, when the washing machine motor 15 starts, the agitator 5 rotates integrally with the rotor.

Although not shown, a clutch is provided at the lower end of the tank shaft 13. This clutch engages and disengages between the tub shaft 13 and the rotor of the washing machine motor 15. During the spin-drying operation, the tub shaft 13 is connected to the washing machine motor 1.
5 is connected to the rotor 5 so that the rotary tub 4 is driven to rotate integrally with the stirrer 5. During the washing operation, the connection is released and only the stirrer 5 is driven to rotate by the rotor. ing.

The drain port 6 is provided with an optical sensor 16 and a temperature sensor 17. The optical sensor 16 is configured by arranging a light emitting unit 16a and a light receiving unit 16b to face each other.

FIG. 1 shows the electrical configuration. The electrical configuration of the drive control of the washing machine motor 15 will be described.
9 is connected to the output side of the DC power supply circuit 19, and an inverter main circuit 20 in which switching elements such as IGBTs are connected in a three-phase bridge.

On the output side of the inverter main circuit 20,
The stator coil 15a of the washing machine motor 15 is connected. This washing machine motor 15 includes Hall ICs 21a to 21c as position detecting elements and rotation speed detecting means. The control circuit 22 includes a microcomputer and has functions as a mode setting unit and an operation control unit. Further, the control circuit 22 and the optical sensor 16 are provided with a dirt degree determining device 2 as a dirt degree determining means.
3.

The inverter drive control circuit 24 includes the control circuit 2
2 on / off control of the switching element of the inverter main circuit 20 based on the motor operation command (PWM control command and commutation timing command) from the washing machine motor 1
5 is operated as required. The control circuit 22 includes the rotating tank 4
Water level sensor 25 for detecting the water level in the interior, switch input unit 2
6. Signals from the optical sensor 16 and the temperature sensor 17 are given, and a control command signal is output to the drain valve motor 9 and the water supply valve 27 for supplying water into the rotary tank 4. The switch input unit 26 is configured to include an automatic course selection switch, a manual course selection switch, a start switch also serving as a temporary stop, and the like. When each switch is operated, a signal corresponding to the switch is sent to the control circuit 22. Is to be given.

The function of the contamination degree determination device 23 and the function of the control circuit 22 as mode setting means and operation control means will be described. When the start switch is operated after the automatic course selection switch is operated and the automatic course is selected and set, the program for the automatic course is executed. Has become.

The control circuit 22 roughly executes the following steps in accordance with the automatic course program. First, a water supply step involving detergent supply is performed, and thereafter, a contamination degree determination step,
The washing process, the drain process, the water supply process, the rinsing process, the drain process, and the dewatering process are performed. In the dirt degree determination step, the washing machine motor 15 is driven to rotate for a certain period of time in a predetermined energizing pattern, and the transmittance signal from the optical sensor 16 is read at two predetermined timings. The change in the transmittance signal is calculated, and the larger the calculation result (the effect of the detergent is offset and the value corresponding to the degree of soiling), the greater the degree of soiling of the laundry. I do. That is, according to the calculation result, the degree of contamination is determined to be one of “large”, “medium”, and “small”.

In the next washing step, first, a drive mode for the stirrer 5 is set based on the result of the stain degree determination. The drive mode for the stirrer 5 is equivalent to the drive mode for the washing machine motor 15. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the drive mode for the washing machine motor 15 is a pattern in which forward rotation, pause, reverse rotation, and pause are sequentially repeated, and the forward rotation and the reverse rotation include the target rotation speed Nm and the target rotation speed Nm. , A rise time Δt, an on-time ton, and a brake time by, for example, a DC braking brake (this is fixedly set to 0.3 second).
Note that the pause time is fixedly set to 0.8 seconds.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the contamination degree determination result is "medium" or more, that is, "large" and "medium", the target rotation speed Nm is set to 120 r. p. m, rise time Δt to 0.1 second, and on time ton to 0.8
Set each to seconds. When the contamination degree determination result is less than “medium” (when it is “small”), the target rotation speed Nm
Is also 120r. p. m, the rise time Δt is set to 0.4 seconds, and the on-time ton is also set to 0.8 seconds. When this target rotation speed Nm is 120 r. p. The condition set to m is when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 17 is “more than 10 ° C. and less than 30 ° C.”, and the target rotation speed Nm is corrected according to the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 17. That is, as shown in FIG.
° C or lower ”, the target rotation speed Nm is“ +10 r.
p. m is set, and when it is "30 ° C. or more", "-10 rpm" is set to be subtracted.

After setting the drive mode, the control circuit 22
Is the target rotation speed Nm at the set rise time Δt.
The drive of the washing machine motor 15 is controlled so that This rise control will be described with reference to FIG. Control circuit 22
Is the PW corresponding to the target rotation speed Nm in step S1.
The target duty ratio d0 for the M control is set, the number T of stages for changing the duty ratio is set, and the unit duty ratio D0 per stage is set. The change stage number is obtained by dividing the rise time Δt by 0.02 seconds, where the change time interval is 0.02 seconds in this case. The unit duty ratio D0 is obtained by changing the target duty ratio d0 by the number of change stages T.
Divide by.

In the next step S2, the drive duty ratio D is set to an initial value of 0%. In step S3, a motor operation command including a PWM control command based on the drive duty ratio D is output. Upon receiving this command, the inverter drive control circuit 24 controls the switching element of the inverter main circuit 20 to turn on and off based on the command, and starts the washing machine motor 15 (when D = 0%, the machine is in a stopped state).

Thereafter, in step S4, it is determined whether or not the drive duty ratio D at this time has reached the target duty ratio d0. If not, the process proceeds to step S5, where the drive duty ratio D is converted into a unit. Duty ratio D0
It increases and returns to step S2. When Steps S3, S4, and S5 are repeated, Step S5 is executed at 0.02 second intervals. Then, in step S4, when the drive duty ratio D reaches the target duty ratio d0, that is, when the rotation speed of the washing machine motor 15 reaches the target rotation speed Nm, the process proceeds to step S3 and thereafter (the ON time ton has elapsed). Until the duty ratio d0).
5 is driven. After that, although not shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5, the brake by the DC braking is applied as described above, and the same duty ratio control is performed in the reverse rotation direction after a pause period.

In this way, in this washing step, the washing machine motor 15 is rotated forward and backward in the set driving pattern, and the stirring body 5 is also driven in this pattern. As a result, a washing water flow is formed in the rotating tub 4, and the laundry is washed by the water flow and the direct rubbing action on the laundry by the stirring body 5.

FIG. 8 shows the relationship between the drive mode, the cleaning ratio (cleaning power), and the damage to the cloth. Here, the cloth damage is indicated by the number of threads that have been loosened when the cloth is washed, and it can be said that the greater the number of yarns, the greater the cloth damage. The characteristic line Q1 shows the relationship between the cleaning ratio and the cloth damage when both the target rotation speed Nm and the rotation initial rise gradient α are sequentially increased. The characteristic line Q2 indicates a case where the target rotation speed Nm is constant (110 rpm) and the rotation initial rising gradient α is sequentially increased. It can be seen from these characteristic lines Q1 and Q2 that when the initial rotation rise gradient α is small, the cleaning ratio decreases, but the cloth damage decreases, and conversely, when the above α increases, the cleaning ratio increases and the cloth damage increases. Further, if the target rotation speed Nm is set to an appropriate constant value (in this case, set to around 110 rpm), the cleaning ratio is set widely while the degree of cloth damage is averaged by setting the rotation initial rise gradient α. You can do it.

When the above-described washing process is executed for a preset washing time Ta, the process shifts to the next process. This washing time Ta is, as shown in FIG.
7 is corrected based on the detected temperature. That is, when the detected temperature is “more than 10 ° C. and less than 30 ° C.”, the washing time Ta is maintained, and when the detected temperature is “10 ° C. or less”, “+5 minutes” is added and “30 ° C. or more” is set. In the case of, "-2 minutes" is set to be subtracted.

In the above embodiment, the drive mode for the agitator 5 is changed to the rotation initial rising gradient α as shown in FIG.
Is set large (that is, the driving pattern for strong cleaning is set), and only when it is less than “medium”, the initial rotation rise gradient α is set small (that is, the driving pattern for weak cleaning is set). Since the washing operation is controlled by controlling the driving of the washing machine motor 15 in the drive mode, the cloth damage can be reduced according to the degree of dirt while obtaining a necessary washing effect.

In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the drive mode is set such that the initial rotation rise gradient α is different, but the target rotation speed Nm is set to be small when the contamination degree is “small”. In short, when the drive mode is equal to or more than the “dirty” degree, the drive mode is set to a constant strong cleaning drive mode regardless of the size (“large” or “medium”) of the dirt degree determination result. The drive mode for weak cleaning may be set only when the result is less than “medium”.

FIG. 9 shows a second embodiment (corresponding to the invention of claim 4) of the present invention. In the second embodiment, the control circuit 22 also functions as a cloth quality determination unit, and sets the drive mode based on the determination result. In this case, the cloth quality is determined as follows. After the above-described contamination degree determination, the power of the washing machine motor 15 is turned on and off in a predetermined intermittent drive mode, and the number of rotations is detected at a time for each cycle of the power cutoff. Are calculated, and the absolute values of the differences are summed up, and the cloth is determined to be one of “hard (stiff)”, “standard”, and “soft” (soft) according to the total value. In short, the cloth quality is determined by determining whether or not there is a large amount of uneven rotation based on the total value.

In the second embodiment, as can be seen from FIG. 9, the drive mode is changed according to the result of the cloth quality determination. That is, in FIG. 9, for example, looking at the difference in the drive mode depending on the cloth when the determination result of the degree of contamination is “medium”, when the determination result of the cloth is “standard” or more, the initial rotation start-up is performed. The gradient α is set to be large (that is, the driving pattern for strong cleaning is set as shown in columns b1 and b2),
Only when it is less than “standard”, the rotation initial rising gradient α is set small (that is, a weak cleaning drive pattern is set as shown in the column b3).

The second embodiment focuses on the following points. That is, as an example of a situation in which a relatively excessive detergency acts on the laundry, there is a case where the cloth quality of the laundry is soft. In this case, cloth damage due to excessive cleaning power occurs. However, in this embodiment, since the drive mode is set as described above, it is possible to reduce the damage to the cloth while obtaining the necessary cleaning effect according to the cloth quality.

FIG. 10 shows a third embodiment of the present invention.
Corresponding to the invention of the present invention), and in this embodiment,
The dirt degree detecting device 23 is not provided, and the temperature sensor 17 is sufficient for the water temperature detecting means, and has a function of correcting the target rotation speed Nm and the washing time Ta based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 17. Absent. In the third embodiment, the function of the control circuit 22 as the mode setting means is as follows. That is, the temperature sensor 1
7, when the detected temperature is less than 25 ° C., the rotation initial rise gradient α is set large (that is, the strong cleaning drive pattern is set as shown in columns c1 and c2). The rotation initial rising gradient α is set small (that is, the weak cleaning drive pattern is set as shown in the column c3).

The third embodiment focuses on the following points. A situation where a relatively excessive washing power acts on the laundry is when the temperature of the washing water is high. That is, when the temperature of the washing water is high, the dirt is easily removed, and the cleaning power tends to be relatively excessive. However, in the third embodiment, when the detection result of the temperature sensor 17 is less than 25 ° C., the drive mode is set to a constant strong cleaning drive mode regardless of the detected temperature.
Since the drive mode for weak cleaning is set only when the temperature is higher than or equal to ° C., the cloth damage can be reduced while obtaining a necessary cleaning effect according to the water temperature.

FIG. 11 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
5 and 5). Under the same condition (for example, “standard”) under the cloth quality determination result, when looking at the drive mode according to the stain degree determination result, as can be seen from the d1 column,
When the determination result of the degree of contamination is “large”, the initial rotation rise gradient α is 275 r. p. m / s drive mode and 1100 r. p. The driving mode is a combination of the driving mode of m / s. When the determination result of the contamination degree is “medium” as can be seen from the d2 column, the initial rotation rise gradient α is 275 r. p. The drive mode is m / s, and this drive mode is generally smaller (slower) than the drive mode at the time of “large”. When the dirt degree determination result is “small”, as can be seen from the column d3, the rotation initial rising gradient α is 275 r. p. m
/ S drive mode and 157 r. p. The drive mode is a combination of the drive mode of m / s and the drive mode as a whole is gentler than the case of the above “medium”. In short, the drive mode is set such that the smaller the result of the determination made by the dirt degree determining means, the gentler the initial rise gradient α.

Further, under the same condition (for example, when the result is “medium”), the driving mode according to the cloth quality determination result indicates that the cloth quality determination result is “hard” as seen from the column e1. ”, The rotation initial rising gradient α is 27
5r. p. m / s drive mode and 1100 r. p. m /
The driving mode is a combination of the driving mode of s. When the cloth quality determination result is “standard” as can be seen from the above-described d2 column, the rotation initial rising gradient α
Is 275 r. p. The drive mode is m / s, and the drive mode as a whole is smaller (slower) than the drive mode at the time of “hard”. When the cloth quality determination result is “soft”, as can be seen from the column e3, the rotation initial rising gradient α is 275 r. p. m / s
Drive mode and 157r. p. The driving mode is a combination of the driving mode of m / s and the driving mode as a whole is gentler than the case of the “standard”. In short, the drive mode is set such that the softer the determination result by the cloth quality determining means, the gentler the initial rotation rise gradient α.

In the fourth embodiment, it is possible to reduce the damage to the cloth while obtaining the required cleaning effect. In particular, when the dirt is severe, an improvement in the cleaning effect can be expected. Even when the cloth is hard, an improvement in the cleaning effect can be expected.

FIGS. 12 and 13 show a fifth embodiment of the present invention (corresponding to the second, third, fifth and sixth aspects of the present invention).
In this embodiment, the tub structure, the dewatering structure, and the drainage structure of the washing machine are different, and in addition to the washing mode by the forward / reverse rotation of the stirring body 5, the washing mode by the rotation of the rotary tub 32 is also provided. . First, structurally different parts will be described. The water reservoir 31 is configured to store water at the time of washing such as detergent washing and rinsing (the auxiliary drain port 10 in FIG. 2 is not provided). The rotary tub 32 has a large number of water holes 32a communicating with the water tub 31. During the washing, water is stored in a state of being communicated between the rotary tub 32 and the water tub 31. Things.

Then, the control circuit 22 changes the drive mode of the stirring body 15 and the rotary tank 32 according to the result of the stain degree judgment "large", "medium", "small" or the cloth quality judgment result as shown in FIG. Set to. That is, for example, under the same condition of the cloth quality determination result (for example, when “standard”), looking at the drive modes according to the stain degree determination result, the f1 column, the f2 column, and the f3 column
As can be seen from the column, the initial rotation rise gradient α is set to be gentler as the determination result of the contamination degree becomes “small”.

When the drive mode according to the stain degree determination result is examined under the condition that the cloth quality determination result is “soft”, the stain degree determination result is “large” as shown in columns g1 and g2. From “to” “middle”, the initial rotation gradient α of the stirring body 15 is set to be gentle, and when the low contamination degree range result is “small”, the rotary tank 32 is driven as can be seen from the column g3. Set the drive mode. The driving mode is such that the sump tank 31 and the rotary tank 32
With the water inside, the rotary tank 32 is set at 150 r. p. m
Is a drive mode for rotating for a predetermined time. When the rotary tank 32 is driven to rotate in this drive mode, the water in the rotary tank 32 is slightly pumped up and the water tank 31 through the upper water passage hole 32a.
Then, the circulation in which the lower water in the water reservoir 31 enters the rotary tank 32 through the water passage hole 32a is repeated. The water circulates by the centrifugal force to form a water flow, thereby washing the laundry. In such a form of washing, cloth damage is further reduced. In the mode for driving the rotary tub 32, a drive mode for rotating the stirrer 5 in the forward or reverse direction before or after the execution of the mode may be executed. That is, when the contamination degree determination result is equal to or less than the predetermined contamination degree, at least the driving mode for driving the rotary tank 32 may be set.

The driving mode of the rotary tub 32 is also set when the result of the stain degree determination is "small" and the result of the cloth quality determination is "soft". The idea of setting the drive mode of the rotary tub 32 as described above can be applied to a device provided with a water temperature detecting unit.
That is, when the water temperature detection result is equal to or higher than the predetermined contamination degree, the driving mode for driving the rotary tank can be set. In this case, it is possible to further reduce damage to the cloth while obtaining a necessary cleaning effect according to the water temperature.

In each of the above embodiments, the initial rise gradient α of the rotation of the stirrer 5 is set to a linear gradient. However, as shown in FIG. 14 showing the sixth embodiment of the present invention, the gradient is slightly curved. In this case, it is preferable that the initial gradient Δα at the start of rotation is small.

[0060]

As apparent from the above description, the present invention has the following effects. According to the first aspect of the present invention, the drive mode for the stirring body is set to a constant strong cleaning drive mode regardless of the size of the determination result when the determination result by the contamination degree determination unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined contamination degree. Then, only when the determination result is less than the predetermined stain level, the washing weak drive mode is set, and the washing operation is controlled in the set drive mode. The fabric damage can be reduced while obtaining the same.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the drive mode of the stirrer is set such that the smaller the result of the determination by the dirt degree determining means, the gentler the initial rising gradient of the stirrer. Since the washing operation is controlled in the driving mode, the cloth damage can be reduced while obtaining the necessary cleaning effect according to the degree of dirt, and the cleaning effect can be improved particularly when the dirt is severe.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the drive mode for the rotary tank and the stirring body is set to a drive mode for driving at least the rotary tank when the result of the determination by the contamination degree determination means is equal to or less than a predetermined degree of contamination. Since the washing operation is controlled in the set drive mode, it is possible to contribute to the further reduction of cloth damage while obtaining a necessary washing effect according to the degree of contamination.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the drive mode for the agitator is set to a constant strong cleaning drive mode regardless of the size of the determination result when the determination result by the cloth quality determination means is hard. Set, set the drive mode for weak washing only when the determination result is soft, and control the washing operation in this set drive mode, depending on the fabric,
Cloth damage can be reduced while obtaining the necessary cleaning effect.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the drive mode of the stirrer is set such that the gentler the result of the determination by the cloth quality determining means, the gentler the initial rising gradient of the stirrer. Since the washing operation is controlled in the set driving mode, it is possible to reduce the damage to the cloth while obtaining the necessary cleaning effect according to the cloth quality, and to improve the cleaning effect especially when the cloth quality is hard. it can.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the drive mode for the rotary tub and the agitator is set to at least the drive mode for driving the rotary tub when the result of the determination by the cloth quality determining means is soft. Since the washing operation is controlled in the set driving mode, it is possible to contribute to the further reduction of damage to the cloth while obtaining a necessary cleaning effect according to the cloth quality.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the drive mode for the agitator is set to a constant strong cleaning drive mode regardless of the magnitude of the detection result when the detection result by the water temperature detection means is lower than a predetermined temperature. Then, the drive mode for weak washing is set only when the detection result is equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature, and the washing operation is controlled in the set drive mode. Therefore, a necessary washing effect is obtained in accordance with the temperature of the washing water. However, cloth damage can be reduced.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the drive mode of the stirring body is set such that the higher the detection result of the water temperature detecting means, the gentler the initial rising gradient of the rotation of the stirring body. In accordance with the water temperature, it is possible to reduce the damage to the cloth while obtaining the required cleaning effect, and it is possible to improve the cleaning effect especially when the water temperature is low.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the drive mode for the rotary tub and the stirrer is set to a drive mode for driving at least the rotary tub when the detection result of the water temperature detecting means is equal to or higher than a predetermined degree of contamination. Since the washing operation is controlled in the set drive mode, it is possible to further reduce damage to the cloth while obtaining a necessary washing effect according to the temperature of the washing water.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electrical configuration showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional side view of the washing machine.

FIG. 3 is a time chart of a rotation speed for explaining a drive mode.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the contents of a drive mode.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing rotation start control.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing water temperature detection results and washing time correction contents.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing water temperature detection results and target rotation speed correction contents.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a relationship among a drive mode, a cleaning ratio, and a cloth damage.

FIG. 9 shows a second embodiment of the present invention and shows the contents of a drive mode.

FIG. 10 shows a third embodiment of the present invention and shows the contents of a drive mode.

FIG. 11 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention and shows the contents of a drive mode.

FIG. 12 is a longitudinal sectional side view of a washing machine according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the contents of a drive mode.

FIG. 14 shows a sixth embodiment of the present invention, and is a time chart of a rotation speed for explaining a drive mode.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 is an outer tub, 4 is a rotary tub, 5 is a stirring body, 15 is a washing machine motor (drive source), 16 is an optical sensor, 17 is a temperature sensor,
2 is a control circuit (mode setting means and operation control means), 2
Reference numeral 3 denotes a dirt degree determination device (dirt degree determining means), 31 denotes a water storage tank, and 32 denotes a rotary tank.

Continued on the front page F term (reference) 3B155 AA01 CA06 CB06 HB02 HB03 JC12 JC14 KA03 KA12 KA15 LA02 LA11 LB05 LB17 LB18 LB32 MA01 MA05 MA06 MA07 MA08

Claims (9)

[Claims] An agitator provided inside a rotary tub so as to be rotationally driven by a driving source and generating a washing water flow by the rotary drive, and a dirt level for determining a dirt level of water in the rotary tub. Determining means, the drive mode for the stirring body, when the determination result by the contamination degree determination means is equal to or more than a predetermined contamination degree, set to a constant strong cleaning drive mode regardless of the size of the determination result, Mode setting means for setting the drive mode for weak cleaning only when the determination result is less than the predetermined degree of contamination, and operation control means for controlling the washing operation in the drive mode set by the mode setting means. Washing machine. 2. A stirrer provided inside the rotary tub so as to be rotationally driven by a drive source and generating a washing water flow by the rotary drive; and a dirt level for determining a dirt level of water in the rotary tub. Determining means; and a mode setting means for setting the drive mode of the stirrer such that the smaller the result of the determination by the dirt degree determining means, the gentler the initial rise gradient of the rotation of the stirrer. And a drive control means for controlling the washing operation in the drive mode set by the control unit. 3. A rotary tub provided inside the outer tub so as to be rotatable by a drive source and capable of generating a water flow by the rotary drive, and provided inside the rotary tub so as to be rotatably driven by the drive source. A stirrer that generates a water flow by its rotation drive; a dirt degree determining unit for determining a degree of dirt of water in the rotary tank; and a drive mode for the rotary tank and the stirrer, the dirt degree determining unit determines When the judgment result is less than the predetermined degree of contamination,
A washing machine comprising: mode setting means for setting at least a drive mode for driving the rotary tub; and operation control means for controlling a washing operation in the drive mode set by the mode setting means. 4. A stirrer provided inside the rotary tub so as to be rotationally driven by a driving source, and a stirrer for generating a washing water flow by the rotational driving; a cloth quality determining means for determining a cloth quality of the laundry; The drive mode for the body, when the determination result by the cloth quality determination means is hard, set a constant strong cleaning drive mode regardless of the size of the determination result, when the determination result is soft A washing machine comprising: mode setting means for setting only a weak-washing drive mode; and operation control means for controlling a washing operation in the drive mode set by the mode setting means. 5. A stirrer provided inside the rotary tub so as to be rotationally driven by a driving source, and a stirrer for generating a washing water flow by the rotational driving; a cloth quality determining means for determining a cloth quality of the laundry; Mode setting means for setting the body driving mode so that the initial rise gradient of the rotation of the agitator becomes gentler as the result of the determination by the cloth quality determining means is softer; and A washing machine comprising: operation control means for controlling a washing operation in a drive mode. 6. A rotary tub provided inside the outer tub so as to be rotatable by a drive source and capable of generating a water flow by the rotary drive, and provided inside the rotary tub so as to be rotatably driven by the drive source. A rotating body that generates a water flow by rotating the rotating body, a cloth quality determining unit that determines the cloth quality of the laundry, and a drive mode for the rotating tub and the stirring body. A washing machine comprising: at least a mode setting means for setting at least a drive mode for driving the rotary tub; and an operation control means for controlling a washing operation in the drive mode set by the mode setting means. 7. A stirrer provided inside the rotary tub so as to be rotationally driven by a drive source, and a stirrer for generating a washing water flow by the rotational driving; a water temperature detecting means for detecting a temperature of the washing water; When the detection result by the water temperature detection means is lower than a predetermined temperature, the drive mode for the body is set to a constant strong cleaning drive mode regardless of the size of the detection result,
A washing machine comprising: mode setting means for setting a weak washing drive mode only when the detection result is equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature; and operation control means for controlling a washing operation in the drive mode set by the mode setting means. Machine. 8. A stirrer provided inside the rotary tub so as to be rotationally driven by a driving source, and a stirrer for generating a washing water flow by the rotational driving; a water temperature detecting means for detecting a temperature of the washing water; A mode setting means for setting a drive mode of the body such that the higher the result of detection by the water temperature detecting means, the gentler the initial rising gradient of the stirring body becomes; and a drive mode set by the mode setting means. A washing machine comprising: operation control means for controlling a washing operation. 9. A rotary tub provided inside the outer tub so as to be rotatable by a drive source and capable of generating a water flow by the rotary drive, and provided inside the rotary tub so as to be rotatably driven by the drive source. A stirrer that generates a water flow by its rotation drive; a water temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the washing water; and a drive mode for the rotating tub and the stirrer, wherein the detection result by the water temperature detecting means is equal to or higher than a predetermined degree of contamination. A washing machine comprising: a mode setting means for setting at least a driving mode for driving the rotary tub; and an operation control means for controlling a washing operation in the driving mode set by the mode setting means.