JP2002355494A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve washing performance by dissolving a detergent at the time of supplying water, generating the washing water of an appropriate concentration and spraying it to laundry. SOLUTION: A detergent feed box 25 provided with a shaft 32 on a center part is provided inside a water pouring case 26, a detergent case 28 provided with a mesh 30 on a side face and a bottom surface and formed in a conical shape for housing the detergent is supported by the shaft of the detergent feed box freely rotatably in a horizontal direction, and a nozzle 35 for spraying the water in a film shape to the detergent case is disposed on the upper part of the detergent case. A first water supply means supplying the water to the water pouring case and a second water supply means supplying the water to the nozzle are provided. The detergent is pressed to the mesh by the water sprayed from the nozzle, the detergent is dissolved by a water stream flowing around the detergent and the detergent liquid of a high concentration flows down from the mesh. By controlling the opening and closing of the first water supply means and the second water supply means, the detergent liquid of the appropriate concentration is generated and supplied to a washing tub.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a detergent dissolving apparatus utilizing the power of water, and a washing machine provided with means for controlling the concentration of a detergent liquid generated by the detergent dissolving apparatus and supplying it to a washing tub.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a detergent dissolving apparatus utilizing the power of water, there is a washing machine described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-323186. A cylindrical detergent container having an open top surface is supported in a substantially box-shaped detergent case having an opening on the bottom surface so as to be freely rotatable in the horizontal direction. The bottom surface and the outer peripheral surface of the detergent container are composed of a frame and a net portion, and a plurality of blades are provided on the outer periphery. A plurality of pins are provided on the lid fitting into the upper opening of the detergent case so as to protrude into the detergent container. A water injection mouthpiece having a plurality of small holes is provided opposite to the bottom opening of the detergent case and the blade of the porous detergent container.

When a powder detergent is put into a detergent container and water is supplied from a water inlet, water is sprayed from small holes toward blades provided on the outer periphery of the detergent container to rotate the detergent container.
The jetted water enters the detergent container from the bottom surface and the cylindrical surface of the detergent container and dissolves the detergent. At this time, since the detergent is rotating together with the detergent container, the detergent is stirred by the pins provided on the lid, and the detergent is dissolved. The melted detergent liquid flows out of the net of the detergent container and is supplied to the washing tub.

[0004]

In the above prior art, sufficient consideration was not given to the weakening of the force of the water jetted from the small holes, especially when the water pressure was low. When the water pressure is low and the force of the water jetted from the small holes becomes weak, the force for rotating the detergent container decreases. At this time, the powder detergent wetted with water has a high viscosity, and a pin provided on the lid acts as a resistor, so that the detergent container becomes difficult to rotate. In this case, consideration must be given to generation of undissolved detergent.
On the other hand, when the water pressure is high, the amount of water flowing into the detergent container increases, and it is conceivable that water overflows from the detergent container. Therefore, the detergent is supplied into the washing tub together with overflow water before the detergent is sufficiently dissolved. In addition, when there is a lot of detergent, the ratio of the detergent storage container net is often blocked by the detergent, water easily accumulates in the detergent storage container, the detergent and water can be sufficiently stirred by the pins, and the detergent dissolves. Is done. However, as the dissolution of the detergent progresses and the amount of the detergent in the detergent container decreases, the effective opening area of the net increases. For this reason, it is difficult for water to accumulate in the detergent container, and stirring cannot be performed sufficiently. In this case, there is a problem that a long time is required for dissolving the detergent. The concentration of the detergent solution is high in the early stage of dissolution when the amount of detergent in the detergent container is large, gradually decreases, and the concentration of the detergent solution changes. Such a change in the concentration of the detergent liquid is not preferable for washing. In addition, detergent case of detergent melting device,
The detergent container was not designed to be easily removed, and cleaning and repair were not sufficiently considered.

[0005] A first object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine having a detergent dissolving device capable of efficiently dissolving detergent with a simple structure. A second object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine provided with a detergent dissolving device capable of adjusting the concentration of the obtained detergent solution.

[0006]

In order to achieve the first object, a washing machine according to the present invention is a washing machine having a detergent dissolving device for dissolving and supplying a detergent to a washing tub for washing. The melting device is rotatably supported,
A mesh is provided on a bottom surface configured to cross the axis of rotation and a side surface configured to be substantially parallel to the axis of rotation, and a detergent case for containing a detergent, and a side surface and a bottom surface on which the mesh is provided. Water spraying means for making water into a film toward the water. More specifically, the configuration is preferably as follows. In a washing machine provided with a washing tub for washing, a water supply means for supplying water to the washing tub, and a drainage means for draining water in the washing tub, an opening is provided in the middle of a water supply path of the water supply means and has an opening at a front surface. A water injection case having a substantially box body, a detergent melting box having a substantially box body which can be put in and taken out of the opening through the opening, has an upper surface opened, and has a shaft portion in the center, and the shaft portion of the detergent melting box. A detergent case that is rotatably supported in the horizontal direction, has an upper surface opened, meshes are provided on the side and bottom surfaces, and is formed in a mortar-like shape with a low center to store a removable detergent, and a detergent case provided above the detergent case. It is preferable to have a detergent dissolving mechanism including water spraying means for spraying water in the form of a film toward the side surface and the bottom surface. As a result, the detergent is pressed against the mesh by the water spray in a film form, and high-speed water passes around the detergent, so that the detergent can be efficiently dissolved. Preferably, watering by the watering means is performed in a range where the longitudinal direction of the film-like watering substantially coincides with the radial direction of the detergent case and extends from the rotation center of the detergent case to the side surface, and watering by the watering means is performed with the detergent. It is good to tilt in the direction of rotation of the case. Thereby, since the detergent case rotates, water can be sprayed on the entire detergent in the detergent case, and the detergent can be efficiently dissolved. Further preferably, the watering means is constituted by a plurality of water spraying means, the longitudinal direction of the film-like watering by the plurality of watering means substantially coincides with the radial direction of the detergent case, and watering by the plurality of watering means is the detergent case. It is preferable that the spraying is performed in a range extending from the rotation center to the side surface, and that water spraying by at least one of the plurality of water spraying means is inclined in the rotation direction of the detergent case.
Thereby, even when the water pressure is low and the spread angle of the water spray in the form of a film is small, it is possible to spray water over the entire detergent while rotating the detergent case by a plurality of water spray means, and it is possible to dissolve the detergent efficiently. Preferably, the film-like watering by the watering means is inclined toward the center of the detergent case. Thereby, the detergent remaining in the detergent case is collected in the center of the bottom of the mortar-shaped detergent case, so that the detergent can be efficiently dissolved. The water supply means includes a first water supply means for directly supplying water into the water injection case and a second water supply means for supplying water to the water sprinkling means. The water from the first water supply means and the water from the water sprinkling means are mixed in the water injection case. It is good to do it. Further, it is preferable to provide a variable throttle mechanism in which the flow path area becomes smaller as the pressure of the water passing through the second water supply means becomes higher. Thereby, since the amount of water sprinkled from the second water supply means to the detergent case through the water sprinkling means can be suppressed, it is possible to prevent the detergent in the detergent case from being blown off and the undissolved detergent from flowing out of the detergent case due to overflow. In order to achieve the second object, the washing machine of the present invention is provided with a watering means for spraying water to the detergent case and a watering means for supplying water to the detergent liquid dissolved from the detergent case. Control means for controlling watering or water supply from the means.
For this purpose, in a washing machine provided with a detergent dissolving device for dissolving and supplying a detergent to a washing tub for washing, a detergent case having a mesh portion for containing the detergent, and water flowing toward the mesh portion of the detergent case. Watering means, a container for storing the detergent liquid dissolved from the detergent case, and a water supply means for supplying water to the container, wherein at least one of the water supply passage of the watering means and the water supply passage of the water supply means is opened and closed. And a means for changing the ratio of water supply from the watering means and the water supply means. More specifically, a washing tub for washing, a first water supply means for supplying water to the washing tub,
In a washing machine having drainage means for draining water in the washing tub and control means for controlling each step of washing, rinsing and dehydration, the washing machine is provided in the middle of a water supply path of the first water supply means and provided on a front surface. A substantially box-shaped water injection case having an opening, an approximately box-shaped detergent melting box which can be taken in and out of the opening in the general water injection case, has an upper surface opened, and has a shaft portion in the center, and a general detergent melting box. A detergent case which is rotatably supported in the horizontal direction by the shaft portion, has a top surface opened, has meshes on the side and bottom surfaces, and stores a mortar-shaped detergent having a low center, and a second case provided above the detergent case. Water spraying means for spraying water supplied from the water supply means toward the side and bottom surfaces of the detergent case in a film form, wherein the water supplied by the first water supply means and the water supplied by the previous water supply means are supplied into the water injection case. Detergent mixed with A caulking mechanism, wherein the control means includes: an amount of detergent accommodated in the detergent case; a flow rate of water passing through the first water supply means; a flow rate of water passing through the second water supply means; The opening and closing of the first water supply means and the second water supply means may be controlled according to the elapsed time of watering of the second water supply means. This makes it possible to supply the washing liquid having the adjusted detergent concentration to the washing tub.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an external view of a fully automatic washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG.

The fully automatic washing machine has a construction in which a synthetic resin outer tub 4 is suspended and supported by a suspension rod 2 and a vibration isolator 3 composed of a coil spring or elastic rubber in an outer frame 1 made of steel plate. . A stainless steel washing and dewatering tub 5 (hereinafter referred to as a washing tub) is rotatably provided in the outer tub 4 for storing the washing water. A number of dehydration holes 5a are provided on the side surface of the washing tub 5, a fluid balancer 5b is provided on an upper portion, and a rotating blade 6 is rotatably provided on a central bottom portion. During the washing and rinsing steps, the washing tub 5 is stopped, and the rotating blades 6 are rotated clockwise (forward) and counterclockwise (reverse). In the dehydrating step, the washing tub 5 and the rotary wing 6 are integrally rotated in one direction. The rotation of the rotary wing 6 and the washing tub 5 is performed by a driving device.

The driving device comprises an electric motor 7 and a clutch device 8 arranged coaxially with the electric motor 7. The clutch device 8 rotates only the rotary blade 6 during the washing and rinsing steps, or rotates the washing tub 5 during the spin-drying step. These driving devices are fixed to the bottom surface of the outer tub 4 using a support plate 9 made of steel plate.

The outer tub 4 is provided with a water level sensor tube 11 for transmitting the water pressure in the outer tub to a water level sensor 10 and a drainage device 12 for draining the washing water in the outer tub 4. The drainage device 12 is provided below the drainage port 4a on the bottom of the outer tank 4,
A drain hose 13 is connected to the drain device 12.

A top cover 14 is provided above the outer frame 1. The top cover 14 includes a charging port 14a for charging laundry, a water tap 26, a water supply solenoid valve 23, a detergent dissolving mechanism 15, a rear storage box 14b for storing water supply path components such as a bath water supply pump 45, and a microcomputer. And the like, and a front operation box 14c for storing electric components such as the above, and a lid 16 made of an openable and closable synthetic resin attached so as to cover the input port 14a.

An operation panel 17a shown in FIG. 3 is mounted on the upper surface of the front operation box 14c, and a control circuit 17b containing a microcomputer as a control unit is provided below the operation panel 17a. In the front operation box 14c, there is provided a water level sensor 10 for detecting whether or not water has accumulated to a specified water level by detecting the water pressure in the outer tub 4. A power switch 18, various indicators 19, various operation buttons 20, a buzzer 21 (not shown), and the like are arranged on the operation panel 17a.
The user operates the washing machine with the operation button 20, and the operation state can be confirmed on the display 19 and the buzzer 21.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a rear side portion (a cross section indicated by a BB line in FIG. 1) of the rear storage box 14b in which components for a water supply path for washing water are removed (a front side is shown). Omitted).

The rear storage box 14b is provided with a water tap 22 to which a hose from a water tap or the like is connected. The water tap 22 is connected to a solenoid valve 23. Next to the solenoid valve 23, a detergent dissolving mechanism 15, a water injection case 26, and a bath water pump 45 for supplying bath water to the washing tub 5 are provided.

The solenoid valve 23 is a three-way valve including a water supply solenoid valve 23a, a detergent water supply solenoid valve 23b, and a finish agent solenoid valve 23c.
The water supply solenoid valve 23a is connected to the water supply case A2 by a water supply pipe A24a.
6 is connected. The detergent water supply solenoid valve 23b is connected to a nozzle 35 provided in the water injection case 26 by a water supply pipe B24b. The finish agent water supply valve 23c is a water supply pipe C24c.
To the water injection case 26.

Next, the detergent dissolving device or mechanism 15 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the detergent dissolving device 15 (a sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG. 4), and FIG.
Is a top view of the detergent input box 25. FIG. The resin-made detergent input box 25 is provided in a resin-made water injection case 26, and is drawn out of the water injection case 26 in the horizontal direction, so that a detergent or a soft finish is injected. Approximately box-shaped detergent input box 2
5 has an opening on the upper surface and is constituted by a detergent-dissolving storage section 40 and a softener storage section 27. The bottom surface of the softener storage portion 27 is formed in a mortar shape, and a siphon 38 is provided at the lowest portion. The siphon 38 is open to the water injection case 26.

The bottom surface 33 of the detergent dissolving container 40 is inclined so as to become lower as it goes deeper, and a notch 34 is formed at the innermost part. A shaft 32 is provided at the center of the bottom surface 33 of the detergent dissolving container 40. The upper end of the shaft 32 is spherical. 2 provided on the front face of the detergent input box 25
Reference numeral 5a denotes a grip used when the detergent input box 25 is pulled out from or attached to the water injection case 26.

The detergent dissolving container 40 has a detergent case 2
8 are provided. The detergent case 28 has an open top surface, a low mortar shape at the center, and a resin frame 29 and a resin mesh 30. The mesh 30 needs to have a size such that the entire mesh 30 is not hidden by the detergent even when a detergent corresponding to the maximum amount of water (maximum load) used in the washing machine is put into the detergent case 28. The size of the mesh 30 is set to such a size that the detergent particles do not spill.

At the center of the detergent case 28, an upwardly convex bearing portion 31 is formed. The detergent case 28 is supported rotatably in the horizontal direction by inserting the bearing portion 31 into the shaft 32 of the detergent dissolution housing portion 40. By pulling out the detergent charging box 25 from the water injection case 26 and lifting the detergent case 28 upward, the detergent dissolving box 25 can be easily removed from the detergent dissolving container 40. Therefore, cleaning and maintenance of the detergent case 28, the detergent dissolving storage section 40, and the softener storage section 27 can be easily performed. There is a gap between the bottom surface of the detergent case 28 and the bottom surface 33 of the detergent melting container 25.

A plurality of nozzles 35 are provided on the upper surface of the water injection case 26 and open toward the inside of the water injection case 26. The nozzle 35 is connected to a water supply pipe B24b from the detergent electromagnetic water supply valve 23b. FIG. 7 shows an example of the nozzle 35. 7A is a sectional view of the nozzle 35, FIG. 7B is a plan view of the tip of the nozzle 35, and FIG. 7C is a diagram showing a spray pattern of water sprayed from the nozzle 35. A groove 35b having a triangular cross section is formed at the tip 35a of the nozzle 35, and an oval small hole 35c is provided at the center of the groove 35b. The water injected from the small hole 35c is
A thin film-like spray pattern spreading in a fan shape in the longitudinal direction of 5b (the major axis direction of the small hole 35c). Spread angle θ1
Is wider as the angle θ2 of the groove 35b is smaller. Also,
The lower the supply water pressure to the nozzle, the narrower the spread angle θ1 becomes. The flow rate of the nozzle 35 is determined by the size of the small hole 35c.

Here, the film-shaped spray pattern has a large dimension in one direction (longitudinal direction) in a cross section (transverse cross section) perpendicular to the central axis line directed by the nozzle, and a direction perpendicular to this direction (film thickness direction). Is a spray pattern having a very small cross-sectional shape with respect to the longitudinal direction.

The nozzle 35 is mounted such that the longitudinal direction of the spray pattern (the longitudinal direction of the groove 35b) and the radial direction passing through the center of rotation of the detergent case 28 substantially coincide with each other, and the nozzle 35 is inclined toward the center of the detergent case 28. I have. By appropriately setting the spread angle θ1 of the nozzle 35, the detergent case 28
Water can be sprayed over the range from the side surface to the rotation center of the bottom surface. The reason why the nozzle 35 is inclined toward the center of the detergent case 28 is to collect the detergent at the center of the bottom of the mortar-shaped detergent case 28 by the force of the water sprayed from the nozzle.

When the water pressure is low, the spread angle θ1 of the nozzle 35 becomes narrow, and it becomes difficult for one nozzle to cover the entire range from the side surface of the detergent case 28 to the rotation center of the bottom surface. Therefore, by providing a plurality of nozzles 35 (in this embodiment, two nozzles are shown), water can be sprayed from the side surface of the detergent case 28 to the center of rotation.

As the water pressure increases, the flow rate from the nozzle 35 increases, and the velocity of the jet increases, so that the following problems are more likely to occur. That is, the detergent in the detergent case 28 is blown off or overflows from the detergent case 28, and the detergent flows out without being dissolved.

Therefore, in order to prevent this, a variable throttle 46 is provided in the detergent water supply solenoid valve 23b or in the water supply pipe B24b.
Is attached. The variable throttle 46 is configured such that the flow passage area becomes narrower as the water pressure increases. Variable aperture 4
FIG. 8 shows an example of No. 6. The variable aperture 46 has a small hole 47 in the center.
a, and a rubber-made deformable disc-shaped deformable member 48 located upstream thereof,
Here, a case is shown in which it is installed in the water supply pipe B24b. The cylindrical member 47 is attached without any gap to the inner peripheral surface of the water supply pipe B24b, and has a gap Δd between the outer peripheral surface of the deformable member 48 and the inner peripheral surface of the water supply pipe B24b. Three small projections 47b are provided on the end surface of the water supply cylindrical member 47 on the deforming member 48 side.
And the deformation member 48 have a gap h.

Water flows from the upstream side through the gap Δd in the outer peripheral portion of the deformable member 48, and flows from the gap h to the downstream side via the small hole 47a. As the pressure increases, the deformable member 48 is pressed against the cylindrical member 47, and the deformable member 48 is deformed, so that the gap h becomes smaller and the flow path area decreases. Therefore, an increase in the flow rate when the water pressure is high can be suppressed, and the undissolved detergent can be prevented from flowing out of the detergent case 28.

At least one of the nozzles 35 is also installed at an angle in the direction of rotation of the detergent case 28 in order to rotate the detergent case 28. In order to rotate the detergent case 28 most efficiently (to ensure rotation even at a low water pressure), the nozzle 35 that sprays water to the outermost side surface is used.
(The right nozzle in FIG. 5) is preferably inclined in the direction of rotation of the detergent case 28. As described above, the detergent case 28 is formed by using the nozzle having the fan-shaped film-like spray pattern.
Is rotated, the entire surface of the detergent case 28 can be covered with a small number of nozzles.

The shape of the nozzle 35 is not limited to the shape shown in FIG. 7, and may be, for example, a nozzle having a slit-shaped ejection port.

A water inlet 26a is provided on the back of the water injection case 26.
And a bath water inlet 26c. Inlet 2
6a is provided with a water supply hose 24a from a water supply electromagnetic valve 23a,
A bath water pipe 45c from a bath water pump 45 is connected to the bath water inlet 26c. The water inlet 26a is connected to a water supply channel 36 provided at an upper part of the water injection case 26. The water supply passage 36 is formed up to the front surface of the water injection case 26. The water supply passage 36 has a rear discharge port 36a opening on the back side of the water injection case 26, and a front discharge port 36 opening toward the gap 40a between the front surface of the detergent dissolving container 40 and the detergent case 28.
b and a priming outlet 26b for connecting a priming pipe 45e of the bath water pump 45.

The bottom surface of the water injection case 26 is provided with an inclined flow channel 37 which becomes lower toward the front (the left side in FIG. 5). The inclined flow channel 37 has a plurality of convex portions 37a perpendicular to the inclined direction.
Is formed.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a washing machine control section mainly composed of the microcomputer 41. The microcomputer 41 is also connected to the operation button input circuit 42 and the water level sensor 10, and receives a user's button operation and an information signal of the water level for washing in the washing tub. The output from the microcomputer 41 is connected to a drive circuit 43 composed of a bidirectional three-terminal thyristor or the like, and the motor 7, the water supply solenoid valve 23a, the detergent water supply solenoid valve 23b, the drainage device 12
For example, a commercial power supply is supplied to these devices to control their opening and closing or rotation. Also, to inform the user of the operation of the washing machine,
It is also connected to notification means such as a buzzer 21 and a display 19. The power supply circuit 44 rectifies and smoothes a commercial power supply to create a DC power supply required for the microcomputer 41. Reference numeral 50 denotes an EEPROM which is an electrically writable nonvolatile memory for storing operating conditions of the washing machine.

Next, the operation of the detergent dissolving device 15 according to the present invention will be described. The user puts the laundry in the washing tub 5 and presses the power switch 18.

Thereafter, when the user operates the start button 20, the microcomputer 41 measures the amount of the laundry with the cloth amount sensor, displays the amount of water and the amount of detergent according to the measurement result on the display 19, and provides the user with the information. Inform. The user pulls out the detergent dissolving box 25 from the water injection case 26, puts an appropriate amount of detergent into the detergent case 28 with reference to the display, and puts a soft finish into the soft finish accommodating section 27 as necessary, and then melts the detergent. The box 25 is pushed into the water injection case 26 and set. As the detergent, a tablet detergent or a type in which the detergent is wrapped in a sheet soluble in water can be used in addition to the powder detergent.

Thereafter, the microcomputer 44 opens the detergent water supply solenoid valve 23b to start dissolving the detergent.
Tap water is sprayed from the tap 26 through the detergent water supply solenoid valve 23b, through the water supply pipe 24b, into a film shape while spreading in a fan shape from the nozzle 35 toward the detergent case 28. The water is jetted at high speed because it is throttled by the nozzle 35. Since the longitudinal direction of the film-like jet water substantially coincides with the radial direction of the detergent case 28, water can be sprayed over a range from the side surface of the detergent case 28 to the bearing 31 on the bottom surface. Detergent case 28
The water sprayed into the detergent case 28 dissolves the detergent.
, And flows down to the storage portion 40 in which the detergent is dissolved. The water jetted at a high speed from the nozzle 35 presses the detergent against the mesh 30, and the high-speed water flows around the detergent. At this flow rate, the detergent is rapidly dissolved, and the detergent can be efficiently dissolved with a small amount of water.

Further, of the nozzles 35, the nozzles sprayed to the outer peripheral side of the detergent case 28 are installed at an angle in the rotation direction of the detergent case 28, so that the sprayed water hits the inner peripheral wall surface of the detergent case 28. , The detergent case 28 starts to rotate. The detergent in the detergent case 28 is wetted by the water that has been successively sprayed, is dissolved and passes through the mesh 30, and flows down to the detergent dissolving container 40. At this time, the tip of the shaft 32 of the detergent-dissolving storage section 40 is spherical, and is substantially in point contact with the bearing section 31 of the detergent case 28, so that the frictional resistance is reduced. Therefore, even when the water pressure is low and the flow rate of the water jetted from the nozzle 35 is low, the detergent case 28
Rotates easily.

The detergent remaining in the detergent case 28 is rotating together with the detergent case 28. FIG. 10 is a view schematically showing a portion where the film-like jet passes through the mesh 28. The detergent rotating with the detergent case and 28,
Since the water is dammed by the film-like jet and receives a strong stirring action immediately before the jet, the dissolution of the detergent is further promoted.

As the dissolution of the detergent proceeds, the detergent case 2
The amount of detergent remaining in the melt 8 is reduced, the opening ratio of the mesh 30 is increased, and the detergent dissolving effect due to the stirring described with reference to FIG. 10 is reduced. Therefore, it takes a long time to completely dissolve the detergent. However, as in the present embodiment, the nozzle 35 is attached in a posture inclined toward the center of the detergent case 28. The water sprayed from the nozzle 35 also has a function of collecting the detergent at the center (lowest portion) of the detergent case 28 formed in a mortar shape. That is, by collecting the remaining undissolved detergent at the center of the detergent case 28, the detergent dissolving action by the agitation of FIG. 10 is maintained even when the amount of detergent is reduced, and the detergent dissolving time can be shortened.

The detergent liquid that has flowed down to the detergent-dissolving storage section 40 flows through the bottom surface 33 of the detergent-dissolving storage section 40 that has become sloped, and from the notch 34, the inclined flow path 37 of the water injection case 26.
Water supply port 3 between the detergent input box 25 and the water injection case 26
From 9, water is sprayed on the laundry in the washing tub 5.

By the way, the amount of laundry is large and the detergent case 2
In the case where the amount of the detergent to be charged into the nozzle 8 is large, the opening area of the mesh 30 of the detergent case 28 decreases, and when water is supplied from the nozzle 35, the water in which the detergent is dissolved cannot completely flow down from the mesh 30 and the detergent case 28 Overflow may occur and undissolved detergent may escape. The overflow can be prevented by controlling the detergent water supply electromagnetic valve 23b as follows. That is, the detergent water supply electromagnetic valve 23b is opened intermittently, not continuously. By doing this,
Since the amount of water flowing into the detergent case 28 can be reduced, overflow from the detergent case 28 does not occur.

When the detergent electromagnetic water supply valve 23b is closed and the water supply from the nozzle is stopped, the rotation speed of the detergent case 28 decreases. Then, when the detergent electromagnetic water supply valve 23b is opened and the injection of water from the nozzle 35 is restarted, the rotation speed of the detergent case 28 increases. By intermittently supplying water, the average rotation speed of the detergent case becomes lower than when water is supplied continuously. Further, since the water supply from the nozzle 35 is restarted in a state where the rotation speed of the detergent case 28 is reduced, the contact time between the water jetted at a high speed from the nozzle 35 and the detergent pressed against the mesh 30 is longer. This also has the effect of promoting the dissolution of the detergent.

It is obvious that the overflow from the detergent case 28 can be prevented by making the volume of the detergent case 28 sufficiently large with respect to the amount of the supplied detergent and securing the opening area of the mesh 30. However, in recent washing machines, although the number of washing tubs 5 is large, the washing capacity is large, but the outer frame 1 is not large. For this reason, it is difficult to enlarge the rear storage box 14b for storing the water supply parts. Therefore, the detergent case 28 is made as small as possible,
By performing the intermittent water supply, overflow of the undissolved detergent can be prevented, and the size of the water injection case 26 and the volume of the rear storage box 14b can be reduced. If the depth dimension of the rear storage box 14b can be reduced, the loading opening 14a into which the laundry is loaded can be increased, and the workability of loading and unloading the laundry can be improved.

After opening the detergent electromagnetic water supply valve 23b to start dissolving the detergent, the microcomputer 41 opens the electromagnetic water supply valve 23a to start water supply. Tap water is a tap 26
The water flows into the water supply passage 36 from the water inlet 26a through the water supply pipe 24a through the water supply electromagnetic valve 27a. The flowing tap water is diverted in three directions. The first is that water flows into the water injection case 26 from the rear discharge port 36a that opens on the back side of the water injection case 26, passes through the inclined flow path 37 of the water injection case 26, and sprays water from the water supply port 39 to the laundry in the washing tub 5. Is done. The second is,
It flows down into the detergent dissolving storage unit 40 from the front discharge port 36b that opens toward the gap 40a between the front surface of the detergent dissolving storage unit 40 and the detergent case 28. Here, if the detergent is being melted, it merges with the detergent liquid flowing down from the detergent case 28, and if the detergent has been dissolved, the cutout portion 34 is formed only with tap water.
Then, the water flows into the water injection case 26, merges with the first water supply described above, and is sprayed to the laundry in the washing tub 5 through the inclined flow path 37. The reason why tap water is supplied from the discharge port 36b is to clean the detergent dissolving container 40 so that builders insoluble in detergent liquid and water contained in detergent (such as zeolite as a water softener) do not remain. The convex portion 37a provided in the inclined flow path 37 of the water injection case 26 is for stirring water flowing through the inclined flow path 37, and can uniformly mix the detergent liquid and tap water.

Third, the bath water pump 4 passes through the priming pipe 45e from the priming discharge port 36c and from the priming port 45d.
It flows into 5 as priming water.

When the detergent dissolution is completed, the detergent electromagnetic water supply valve 23b is closed. In order to determine the end of the detergent dissolution, a detector (for example, a conductivity sensor) for detecting whether or not the water flowing on the bottom surface 33 of the detergent dissolution container 40 contains a detergent component is required. Further, simply, the opening time of the detergent electromagnetic water supply valve 23b may be determined in advance in accordance with the amount of the supplied detergent. However, the detergent electromagnetic water supply valve 23b may be kept open for supplying water to the electromagnetic water supply valve 23a. By doing so, there is an advantage that the cleaning of the detergent case 28 can be performed at the end of the water supply without requiring any special control.

The microcomputer 41, which has learned from the water level sensor 10 that the specified amount of water has been supplied to the washing tub 5 (outer tub 4), closes the water supply solenoid valve 23a and the salt water supply solenoid valve 23b to stop water supply. . Then, the rotor 6 is rotated forward and backward to stir the laundry, and the washing process is started. The subsequent washing process is the same as that of a normal washing machine, and the description is omitted.

The detergent liquid obtained by the detergent dissolving mechanism 15 described above (the washing liquid flowing down from the detergent case 28).
FIG. 11 shows the change in density. The concentration of the detergent solution immediately after the start of dissolving the detergent in which a large amount of detergent is present in the detergent case 28 is about several tens to 100 times the standard concentration. As the time elapses (detergent dissolution of the detergent proceeds), the concentration decreases, and when all is dissolved, the concentration becomes zero. In addition, the concentration of the detergent liquid changes depending on the amount of the detergent charged into the detergent case 28, and the concentration of the detergent liquid increases as the amount of the detergent increases.

The higher the concentration of the detergent liquid, the more penetrating or emulsifying action of the surfactant in the detergent liquid, the alkali buffering action of the detergent liquid (saponification of free fatty acid stain, emulsification dispersion of oil stain).
As the dirt comes out of the clothes, the dirt is easily removed. Commercially available precare detergents for stains on collars and sleeves aim at this effect. Applying a pre-care detergent to the collar and sleeves in advance and then washing them normally in a washing machine makes it easier to remove dirt.

On the other hand, in a detergent containing a fluorescent whitening agent or a bleaching agent as an additive, there is a possibility that uneven color or discoloration of the laundry may occur due to the high concentration of the fluorescent whitening agent or the bleaching agent. In order to prevent such color unevenness and discoloration while maintaining high detergency, the concentration of the detergent solution should be 6 to 10 times lower than the standard concentration.
Must be about twice as large.

If the concentration of the detergent solution is controlled to 6 to 10 times the standard concentration and sprayed on the laundry, the same effect as the above-mentioned pre-care detergent is exerted, and the movement of the stirring blade 6 of the washing machine is reduced. High cleaning power can be obtained even if the mechanical power is reduced. Therefore,
A method of increasing the concentration of the detergent liquid generated by the detergent dissolving mechanism 15 to 6 to 10 times will be described.

FIG. 12 shows the water supply solenoid valve 23a and the nozzle 35
It is a figure which shows the relationship between the flow volume and water pressure. The reason why the flow rate of the nozzle 35 becomes substantially constant at a certain pressure or higher is that the variable throttle 46 is provided on the upstream side of the nozzle 35 as described with reference to FIG. Although the description is omitted, the electromagnetic water valve 2
A variable throttle is also provided in 3a so as to suppress the flow rate at high water pressure. For example, when the water pressure is p, the flow rate of the electromagnetic water supply valve 23a is Q1, and the flow rate of the nozzle 35 is Q2. The concentration of the detergent solution obtained by the detergent dissolving mechanism 15 is Y1
Assuming that the electromagnetic water supply valve 23a is opened during the dissolving of the detergent, the concentration Y2 of the detergent liquid mixed and stirred with the tap water in the water injection case 26 and diluted and supplied to the washing tub 5 is expressed by Expression 1. .

Y2 = (Y1 · Q2) / (Q1 + Q2) (Equation 1) Since the concentration Y1 decreases with the lapse of time as shown in FIG. 11, the electromagnetic water valve 23a and the nozzle 35 continuously output the concentration Y1. When the water supply is performed, the concentration Y2 of the washing liquid supplied to the washing tub 5 also decreases, and the above-described 6 to 1
The washing liquid concentration of 0 times cannot be obtained. However, the electromagnetic water valve 2
The concentration Y2 can be controlled by controlling the opening and closing of the detergent electromagnetic water supply valve 23b supplied to the nozzle 3a and the nozzle 35 and adjusting the flow rate from the electromagnetic water supply valve 23a and the nozzle 35. Adjusting the flow rate
The electromagnetic water valve may be opened intermittently.

For example, the flow rate Q1 of the electromagnetic water supply valve 23a is 15 L / min, and the flow rate Q2 of the nozzle 35 is 2 L / min. The concentration of the detergent solution obtained by the detergent dissolving mechanism 15 is shown in FIG.
Assuming that the amount of the detergent 1 is large, the concentration Y1 is about 100 times immediately after the start of the dissolution of the detergent, and the concentration Y2 is approximately 1
2 times, more than 10 times. In order to increase the concentration by 6 to 10 times, the electromagnetic water supply valve 23a is kept open and 15 L / min.
The detergent electromagnetic water supply valve 23b is opened intermittently and the nozzle 3
The flow rate Q2 from 5 may be about 1 L to 1.7 L per minute. Assuming that the time has elapsed and the concentration Y1 has increased 80 times, the electromagnetic water supply valve 23a is also opened intermittently to reduce the flow rate Q1 to 1
4L to 15L, flow rate Q2 is 1.1L to 1.9L per minute
What should I do? When the concentration Y1 is 50 times, the flow rate Q1 may be set to 8 to 15 L / min, and the flow rate Q2 may be set to 2 L / min. As described above, by controlling the electromagnetic water supply valve 23a and the detergent electromagnetic water supply valve 23b and adjusting the flow rates Q1 and Q2, the concentration of the detergent liquid can be controlled, and the detergent liquid having a concentration 6 to 10 times the standard concentration can be supplied to the washing tub. 5 can be supplied.

As shown in FIG. 11, the concentration of the detergent liquid generated by the detergent dissolving mechanism 15 depends on the detergent case 28.
And changes with the passage of time.
For this reason, it is necessary to change the opening time and closing time of the electromagnetic water supply valve 23a and the detergent electromagnetic water supply valve 23b with the passage of the detergent amount and the detergent dissolution time. For this, the relationship between the dissolution time and the detergent concentration of the detergent solution (the relationship in FIG. 11) is stored in the microcomputer 41 in advance in accordance with the detergent amount. As the detergent amount, the amount of the laundry is measured by the cloth amount sensor at the beginning of the washing process, and the value displayed on the display 19 is used accordingly.

Further, as shown in FIG. 12, the flow rate of the water supply changes according to the water pressure.
It is necessary to change the water supply flow rate. A method for detecting the flow rate of the supplied water will be described. The water supply time T from the zero point water level of the water level sensor to a water level higher than the water level and lower than the settable minimum water level is measured. The water supply time T is in an inversely proportional relationship that becomes shorter as the water supply flow rate Q increases, and the water supply flow rate Q can be known from the water supply time T. In detail, there is a slight difference depending on the amount of laundry even at the same water supply flow rate, but in practice, the average value may be used. The relationship between the water supply time T and the water supply flow rate Q is stored in the microcomputer 41 in advance, and the water supply flow rate Q obtained from the water supply time T is stored in the EEPROM 50.

As described above, the relationship between the detergent amount, the dissolution time, the concentration of the detergent solution, and the relationship between the water supply time and the water supply flow rate are tabulated and stored in the microcomputer 41 in advance. , It is possible to obtain a detergent solution having an appropriate concentration. Then, by spraying the detergent liquid on the laundry, it is possible to realize a washing machine having high detergency without causing color unevenness and discoloration of the laundry.
In order to save the memory of the microcomputer 41, a threshold may be set for the dissolution time or the water supply time, and the amount of table data may be reduced.

[0057]

According to the present invention, a detergent can be efficiently dissolved with a simple structure and a small amount of water. Further, by controlling the watering to the detergent case or the water supply to the detergent solution dissolved from the detergent case, the obtained detergent solution can be sprayed on the laundry at an appropriate concentration, and the color of the laundry can be improved. The cleaning power can be improved without causing unevenness or discoloration.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a fully automatic washing machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a fully automatic washing machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an operation panel diagram of the fully automatic washing machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the inside of the rear storage box according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of a detergent dissolving mechanism according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the detergent dispensing box of the detergent dissolving mechanism according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a detailed view of a nozzle of the detergent dissolving mechanism according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of a variable aperture of the detergent dissolving mechanism according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an electrical connection block diagram of the fully automatic washing machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a detergent dissolving state of the detergent dissolving mechanism according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a relationship between a detergent dissolution time and a detergent concentration of a detergent solution.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a relationship between water pressure and supply water flow rate.

[Explanation of symbols]

4 ... outer tub, 5 ... washing and dewatering tub, 15 ... detergent dissolving mechanism,
17b: Rear storage box, 22: Tap, 23a: Solenoid valve for water supply, 23b: Solenoid valve for water supply of detergent, 25: Box for charging detergent, 2
6 ... water injection case, 28 ... detergent case, 30 ... mesh,
31: bearing part, 32: shaft, 35: nozzle, 36: water supply channel, 41: microcomputer.

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Toshinori Kamano 1-1-1 Higashitaga-cho, Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture Inside Hitachi Taga Electronics Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Takami Koyama 1-1-1-1 Higashitaga-cho, Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture Issued by Hitachi Taga Electronics Co., Ltd. (72) Isao Hiyama 1-1-1 Higashitaga-cho, Hitachi City, Ibaraki F-term (reference) 3B155 AA01 AA17 AA21 BA10 BB08 FA04 FA22 GA01 GA28 GB03 GB07 KA18 KA22 KA31 LB02 LB29 MA01 MA02 MA05 MA06 MA10

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A washing machine provided with a detergent dissolving device for dissolving and supplying a detergent to a washing tub for washing, wherein the detergent dissolving device is rotatably supported and is configured to cross a rotation axis. And a side surface configured to be substantially parallel to the axis, a mesh is provided, and a detergent case for storing a detergent; and a water spraying unit for bathing water in a film shape toward the side and bottom surfaces provided with the mesh. A washing machine comprising: 2. A washing machine comprising: a washing tub for washing; a water supply means for supplying water to the washing tub; and a drainage means for draining water in the washing tub. A substantially box-shaped water injection case provided with an opening at the front face, a detergent melting box of a substantially box body that can be taken in and out of the opening inside the water injection case, is open at the top, and has a shaft at the center. A detergent case which is rotatably supported in the horizontal direction by the shaft portion of the detergent melting box, has an upper surface opened, has meshes on the side and bottom surfaces, is formed in a mortar shape having a low center, and stores a detachable detergent; and A washing machine, comprising: a detergent dissolving device that is provided above and has water spraying means for spraying water in the form of a film toward a side surface and a bottom surface of the detergent case. 3. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein a longitudinal direction of the film-like water spray by the water spray means substantially coincides with a radial direction of the detergent case, and extends from a rotation center of the detergent case to a side surface. The washing machine is characterized in that the spraying is performed in a range, and the film-like watering by the watering means is inclined in a rotation direction of the detergent case. 4. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein said water spraying means is constituted by a plurality of water spraying means, and a longitudinal direction of film-like water spraying by said plurality of water spraying means is substantially equal to a radial direction of said detergent case. Watering by the plurality of watering means is performed in a range extending from the rotation center of the detergent case to the side surface, and the film-like watering by at least one watering means of the plurality of watering means is applied to the detergent case. A washing machine characterized by being inclined in the direction of rotation. 5. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein said film-like water spray by said water spray means is inclined toward a center of said detergent case. 6. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein said water supply means comprises a first water supply means for directly supplying water into said water injection case and a second water supply means for supplying water to said water sprinkling means. The water from the water supply means and the water from the water spray means are mixed in the water injection case. 7. A washing machine according to claim 6, wherein said second water supply means has a variable throttle mechanism in which the flow path area decreases as the pressure of water passing through said second water supply means increases. Features washing machine. 8. A washing machine provided with a detergent dissolving device for dissolving and supplying a detergent to a washing tub for washing, comprising: a detergent case having a mesh portion for containing a detergent; and a detergent case facing the mesh portion of the detergent case. A watering means for bathing water, a container for storing the detergent liquid dissolved from the detergent case, and a water supply means for supplying water to the container; and at least one of a water supply passage of the watering means and a water supply passage of the water supply means. A washing machine further comprising means for controlling one of the opening and closing to change a ratio of water supplied from the water sprinkling means and the water supplying means. 9. A washing tub for washing, a first water supply means for supplying water to the washing tub, a drainage means for draining water in the washing tub, and a control for controlling each step of washing, rinsing and dewatering. A water supply case of a substantially box body provided in the middle of the water supply path of the first water supply means and having an opening on the front surface, and can be put in and out of the water supply case through the opening. A detergent melting box of a substantially box body having an upper surface opened and having a shaft portion at the center, and a shaft provided at the shaft portion of the detergent melting box, which is rotatably supported in a horizontal direction, the upper surface is opened, and meshes are provided on side surfaces and a bottom surface. A detergent case containing a detergent formed in a low mortar shape, and water supplied from a second water supply means provided above the detergent case and sprinkled in a film form toward the side and bottom surfaces of the detergent case. And watering means, The water from the first water supply means and the water from the water sprinkling means have a detergent dissolving device for mixing in the water injection case, and the control means comprises: a detergent amount contained in the detergent case;
The first water supply means and the second water supply means vary depending on the flow rate of water passing through the first water supply means, the flow rate of water passing through the second water supply means, and the elapsed time of watering of the second water supply means. A washing machine for controlling opening and closing of a water supply means.