JP2003199989A - Drum type washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform washing at an appropriate water level at all times in a drum type washing machine. <P>SOLUTION: A water tub 20 and a drum 30 are provided inside a main body 10. The drum 30 is rotated around a roughly horizontal axis in the water tub 20 and washing is performed by lifting or dropping laundry by a baffle 34 inside the drum 30. A water supply means 50 supplies water to the water tub 20 and a water level detection means 70 detects a water level inside the drum 30. A control part 90 controls the operations of the entire washing machine. The water level in the drum 30 can be selected from among a plurality of the water levels by an operation on an operation panel 16 before the water is supplied. Corresponding to the selected water level, a different operation condition is selected. The control part 90 includes a storage device storing the conversion table of a water amount and the water level inside the drum 30 and the operation conditions corresponding to the water levels and the drum type washing machine is operated at the water level in a fixed range. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a drum type washing machine for lifting and dropping laundry in a drum by rotating the drum.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A drum rotating around a substantially horizontal axis is provided in a water tank provided in a main body of a washing machine, and a plurality of baffles provided inside the drum lifts and drops laundry. Washing machines that perform washing by so-called tumbling are well known in the art. This type of washing is a type of tap wash, and there is little damage to the cloth because the laundry is not entangled or twisted. Further, the washing liquid in which the detergent is dissolved is permeated into the laundry and the washing is performed by combining the mechanical power of tumbling and the washing power of the detergent, so that washing can be performed with a small amount of water. Furthermore, since the laundry is always unraveled, it is easy to pass air through the laundry, and it is easy to construct a washing and drying machine.

Needless to say, the water level in the washing machine has an important meaning when washing is performed in the washing machine. Especially in a spiral washing machine, water and the flow of the laundry are essential requirements for washing, and care is taken to ensure a water level suitable for the amount of laundry. For example, in Patent Document 1, in a washing machine control device that controls a water level with a water level sensor up to a predetermined basic water level, depending on user's preference, aging of the water level sensor, etc.,
It describes a control device that can easily deal with the need to adjust or change the basic water level.

[0004] Further, Patent Document 2 describes a washing machine in which the washing and rinsing steps can be performed at the water level desired by the user when the water level considered by the user does not match the prescribed water level. .

[0005]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-328484

[Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-129887

[0006]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention In the spiral type washing machine as described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 described above,
A cylindrical washing tub is arranged on the vertical axis, and there is a linear relationship between the increase in water level and the increase in water volume. However, a tumbler drum on the horizontal axis does not hold such a relationship. A slight rise in water level can lead to a significant increase in water volume.

When the amount of water in the drum is large, the laundry floats and is not caught by the baffle. Therefore, I can not lift the laundry, I just shake the laundry,
The washing effect does not increase. The load on the motor that rotates the drum also increases, and the efficiency decreases.

On the other hand, if the amount of water is small, the washing liquid will not penetrate into the entire laundry, and only the mechanical force of tumbling will act without a sufficient wet state being obtained, and the washing effect will not be improved.

As described above, in the drum type washing machine, the amount of water in the drum greatly affects the cleaning performance. Although the water level is detected to measure the water volume, the high water level does not necessarily mean that the water volume is high. In addition, the increase in water level and the increase in water volume are not linearly proportional.

For example, when the water containing 20 liters of water is supplied to a drum containing a small amount of laundry and the case of supplying water to a drum containing a large amount of laundry is compared, the water level becomes lower. This is because the laundry absorbs water.

Further, the appearance differs depending on the dry state of the laundry. If the laundry is put in a dry state, water is absorbed by the laundry and the water level becomes low. If the laundry is already wet, the water level will be higher since less water will be absorbed.

As described above, in the drum type washing machine, the delicate amount of water greatly affects the washing performance, and there is a more delicate aspect than the spiral washing machine in determining the water level. It is difficult for the user to determine whether or not the water level in the drum has reached an appropriate level, and it is difficult for the user to display a message to that effect. Hard to promote. Therefore, washing is performed with the set water level stored in the microcomputer.

By the way, since the set water level in the drum type washing machine is such that water is shallowly accumulated at the bottom of the drum, it seems to the user that the amount of water is small and makes the user feel uneasy as to whether or not washing can be done well. There is a strong demand to control the water volume by yourself. However, it is difficult to judge whether or not the water level has reached an appropriate level as described above, even if the water is added at the discretion of the user after the automatic water supply, and it is time consuming to manually supply the water after the automatic water supply. There was a problem of inviting.

That is, in the drum type washing machine, the amount of water used is small as described above (about half that of the spiral washing machine). Even when adjusting the amount of water, the amount of water to add is small, about 1 to 3 liters, but since the cylindrical drum is laid down sideways, even if the same amount of water is added, the water level in the drum This causes a big difference in the rise of the water surface.

For example, the diameter is 60 cm and the depth is 30 cm.
Consider the case where the drum is concentrically placed in a water tank with a horizontal axis and water is poured into the water tank. When the water volume in the water tank is increased from 20 liters to 22 liters, the water level (water level) rises by about 1.2 cm, and when the water volume of 20 liters is increased by 23 liters, the water level (water level) rises by 1.8 cm. When adding 1 liter of water, the water surface rise is only 0.6 cm, and it is difficult for the user to set an appropriate water amount and water level.

As described above, it is more difficult to adjust the water level in the drum type washing machine than in the spiral type washing machine. However, if an appropriate water level is not set, problems such as deterioration of cleaning performance, heat generation due to overload of the motor, and energy loss may occur.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to make it possible to always wash at an appropriate water level in a drum type washing machine.

[0018]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a water tub provided in a main body of a washing machine and a tub which is rotated around a substantially horizontal axis in the water tub are provided so that laundry can be lifted upward. In a drum type washing machine equipped with a drum which is lifted up and dropped, a water supply means for supplying water to the water tank, a water level detection means for detecting the water level in the drum, and a control section for controlling the operation of the entire washing machine. The water level can be selected from a plurality of water levels.

According to this structure, the washing can be performed at an appropriate water level selected from a plurality of water levels, and the desired washing performance can be reliably exhibited in the drum type washing machine in which it is difficult to control the amount of water. You can

Further, in the present invention, the plurality of water levels are water levels in the washing step.

According to this structure, the water level in the washing step, which is particularly important for the cleaning performance, can be set to an appropriate water level, and the dirt can be removed surely and sufficiently.

Further, in the present invention, the water level of the rinsing process is set in association with the water level of the selected washing process.

According to this structure, the amount of water in the rinsing step can be appropriately set according to the amount of water used in the washing step, necessary and sufficient rinsing can be performed, and the excess rinsing water can be used. Economical operation becomes possible without accompanying increase in power consumption of the motor.

Further, in the present invention, the water level in the rinsing step is set independently of the water level in the selected washing step.

According to this constitution, there is an option that the amount of water in the rinsing step is not linked to the amount of water used in the washing step, and it is desirable to use the rinsing water in excess of the rinsing water amount usually set in the drum type washing machine. It can provide various options to users who do not have it.

Further, in the present invention, different operating conditions are selected depending on the selected water level.

With this configuration, washing can be performed under appropriate operating conditions according to the amount of water, and the best cleaning performance can always be obtained without complicated operating condition settings.

Further, in the present invention, the storage means for storing the operating conditions is provided so that the stored operating conditions can be replaced with the operating conditions after the water level is selected.

According to this structure, once the water level is selected, the operating conditions are automatically read out when the water level is used thereafter. Therefore, it is not necessary to read out the operating conditions selected by the operator one by one, and the operation can be performed. It will be easy.

Further, in the present invention, the water tub provided in the main body of the washing machine and the water tub which rotates about a substantially horizontal axis in the water tub,
A drum for lifting and dropping laundry inside, a water supply means for supplying water to the aquarium, a water level detection means for detecting the water level in the drum, and a control section for controlling the operation of the entire washing machine. In the drum type washing machine, the control unit includes a conversion table for the amount of water in the drum and the water level and a storage device for storing operating conditions corresponding to the water level, so that the control unit operates in a certain range of water level according to the selected course. It is the one.

According to this structure, according to the washing course selected by the user, such as the standard course, the blanket course, and the dry course, the washing operation is carried out within a certain range of water level that covers the water level suitable for the course and corresponds to the water level. Since it is performed under operating conditions, the characteristics of the drum type washing machine can be fully utilized to perform highly efficient washing.

Further, according to the present invention, the water tub provided in the main body of the washing machine and the tub which rotates about a substantially horizontal axis in the water tub,
A drum that lifts and drops laundry inside, a water supply unit that supplies water to the aquarium, a water level detection unit that detects the water level in the drum, and a water level preset as the water level in the drum are changed. In a drum-type washing machine including a water level changing unit for controlling the operation of the entire washing machine, the control unit controls the preset water level when the water level changing unit is operated. The adjustment is made within a certain range.

According to this structure, when the water level changing means is operated, the water level is adjusted within a certain range, and the water level is excessively changed, which causes an excessive load on the washing machine. There is no.

Further, in the present invention, the above-mentioned certain range has a predetermined cleaning performance and / or cleaning performance in the washing step and / or the rinsing step.
Alternatively, the water level should be within the range where rinsing performance is obtained.

According to this structure, although it is possible to operate the water level changing means to adjust the water level, the adjustment is performed only within the range where the desired effective cleaning performance and / or rinsing performance can be obtained. Be retained. Therefore, it is good to adjust the water level, but it does not happen that the dirt removal worsens.

[0036]

1 to 6 show an embodiment of a drum type washing machine of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a drum type washing machine, FIG.
FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of a drum type washing machine. The drum type washing machine 1 has a water tank 20 and a drum 30 arranged inside a box-shaped main body 10. Both the water tank 20 and the drum 30 have a cylindrical shape, and have laundry input ports 21 and 31 on one end face. A shaft 32 projects outward from the center of the bottom of the drum 30, and the shaft 32 is supported by a bearing 22 provided at the center of the bottom of the water tank 20. It is a concentric arrangement outside.

A suspension mechanism (not shown) has a water tank 20.
And support the drum 30. The water tank 20 and the drum 30 are arranged such that their axes are substantially horizontal. In the illustrated embodiment, the axes of the water tank 20 and the drum 30 are inclined at an angle θ with respect to the horizontal plane, and the laundry inlets 21 and 31 are slightly raised. This is for making it easy to see the inside of the drum 30 and for making it easy to put the laundry in and out.

An opening 11 is provided on the front outer wall of the main body 10 so as to face the laundry inlets 21 and 31.
On the front surface of the opening 11, a laterally opening door 12 is provided. Door packing 13 made of soft synthetic resin or rubber has opening 1
1 and the laundry inlet 21 are connected. Door packing 13
Is a splash of water generated in the drum 30, water drops when putting wet laundry in and out, or the laundry inlet 2
It prevents that the overflow water etc. from 1 wets the inside of the main body 10.

An annular lip 14 is integrally formed on the inner peripheral surface of the door packing 13, and the lip 14 comes into close contact with the outer periphery of a projection 15 provided on the inner surface of the door 12, so that the door packing 13
Prevents water from leaking through the gap between the door 12 and the door. The protrusion 15 plays a role of preventing the laundry in the drum 30 from protruding from the laundry inlet 21. The protrusion 15 may be formed of a transparent material so that the inside of the drum 30 can be seen through.

A large number of small holes 33 are formed on the peripheral wall of the drum 30. Through the small hole 33, the drum 30 and the water tank 2
Water (washing liquid) flows back and forth between 0 and 0. The small holes 33 also function as dehydration holes during dehydration. A plurality of baffles 34 are provided on the inner peripheral surface of the drum 30 at predetermined intervals. The baffle 34 hooks and lifts the laundry as the drum 30 rotates, and drops the laundry from above.

A balance weight (balancer) 35 is attached to the outer surface of the drum 30 and the laundry inlet 31. FIG. 2 shows only the annular balance weight 35 attached to the laundry input port 31. The balance weight 35 is the drum 3
This is to suppress the vibration generated when 0 rotates at high speed.

A motor 40 is attached to the outer surface of the bottom of the water tank 20. The motor 40 is of a direct drive type, and the shaft 32 of the drum 30 is connected and fixed to the rotor thereof. The bearing 22 is attached to the housing of the motor 40 and is a part of the constituent elements of the motor 40.

Reference numeral 51 is a water supply pipe for pouring tap water or the like into the water tank 20. The water supply pipe 51 sends water to a water supply nozzle 52 connected to the upper part of the door packing 13. An electromagnetic water supply valve 53 is provided in the middle of the water supply pipe 51. Water supply pipe 51,
The water supply nozzle 52 and the water supply valve 53 constitute the water supply means 50. A detergent case 54 is attached to the water supply nozzle 52.

The drainage port 2 is provided at the lowest point of the water tank 20.
3 is provided, to which one end of the drainage pipe 60 is connected. The other end of the drainage pipe 60 is connected to the filter housing 61.
A thread waste filter 62 is inserted in the filter housing 61. The lint filter 62 is formed of a mesh or cloth of synthetic resin and collects lint in the washing liquid. One end of the filter housing 61 is closed by a removable cap 63, and the cap 63 is removed to remove the thread waste filter 62.
Can be cleaned or replaced.

A drain pipe 64 is connected to the filter housing 61, and the drainage that has passed through the filter 62 is discharged to the outside of the main body 10. A drainage pump 65 is provided in the middle of the drainage pipe 64. Although not shown in FIG. 2, the drainage pipe 64 is once fixed in such a manner that it rises upward.

An air trap 71 is connected to the filter housing 61, and a water level sensor 73 is provided at the upper end of a pressure guiding pipe 72 led out from the air trap 71.
The water level sensor 73 moves a magnetic material in the coil in response to a pressure change in the air trap 71, detects a resulting inductance change in the coil as a change in oscillation frequency, and reads the water level from the change in oscillation frequency. is there. What is read here is the water level in the drum 30.
Air trap 71, pressure guiding pipe 72, and water level sensor 7
3 constitutes the water level detection means 70.

FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of the drum type washing machine 1. Reference numeral 80 is a power supply unit connected to a commercial power source via a power switch 81, 82 is a display unit including a liquid crystal panel and a buzzer described later, 83 is an input unit including a water level sensor 71, a door switch and a humidity sensor (not shown), Reference numeral 84 denotes an operation switch section including an operation key group of various switches. The display section 82 and the operation switch section 84 are arranged on the operation panel 16 provided on the front upper surface of the main body 10.

Reference numeral 90 is a control unit having a microcomputer as a main component. The control unit 90 includes a necessary storage device such as a memory and also serves as a storage unit. 91 is a control unit 90
It is an output unit that drives a load unit in response to a command from. The control unit 90 and the output unit 91 are provided on the operation panel 16 in the main body 10.
And is located in close proximity. A storage device in the control unit 90 stores a conversion table between the amount of water in the drum 30 and the water level and operating conditions corresponding to the water level.

The load section includes a motor 40, a water supply valve 53, a drainage pump 65, and a door lock 1 for locking the door 12.
7. Drying unit 6 that sends hot air into the drum 30
6. A circulation pump 67 for circulating the water (washing liquid) in the water tank 20 through the lint filter 62 is included. The door lock 17, the drying unit 66, and the circulation pump 67 are not shown in FIG.

The motor 40 is supplied with electric power from the inverter circuit 41. A rotation detector 42 is attached to the motor 40, but this is not shown in FIG.

The operation of the drum type washing machine 1 will be described. Open the door 12 and put the laundry in the drum 30. Door 1
2 is closed, the operation switch section 84 is pressed to turn on the power by pressing the operation key of the power switch 81, and the start key is pressed, the door lock 17 locks the door 12, and the "washing step" is started.

In the "washing process", the water supply valve 53 is opened and water is supplied. The supplied water enters the detergent case 54,
Enter the drum 30 with the detergent. Since the drainage pump 65 is stopped and the drainage pipe 64 is once fixed in a state of being raised upward, water does not flow out from the drainage pipe 64 in this state. The water in the aquarium 20 is the control unit 90.
When the water level sensor 73 detects that the water level for washing stored in the table has been reached, the water supply valve 53 is closed and the water supply is stopped. Then, the driving of the motor 40 is started. Motor 4
0 rotates the drum 30 at the set rotation speed.

When the drum 30 rotates, the laundry inside is caught by the baffle 34, lifted and then dropped. Water is agitated by the falling of the laundry and the rotation of the drum 30, and the detergent is melted into a washing liquid.
Every time the laundry falls, it is soaked in the washing liquid, and the washing progresses by the synergistic action of mechanical tap washing and the dirt separation action of the detergent. The rotation direction of the drum 30 is reversed every predetermined time.

During the "washing step", the circulation pump 67 circulates the washing liquid in the water tub 20. The circulation is performed through the thread waste filter 62, and the thread waste contained in the washing liquid is captured by the thread waste filter 62. Therefore, the lint that has separated from the laundry does not redeposit on the laundry. The circulation of water by the circulation pump 67 is also performed in the "rinsing step".

When the predetermined washing time has passed, the "rinsing step" is started. In the "rinsing step", the drum 30 is once stopped and the drainage pump 65 is driven. After completely draining the washing liquid from the aquarium 20, stop driving the drainage pump 65,
The water supply valve 53 is opened. Then, rinse water is poured into the water tank 20. When the water level sensor 73 detects that the water in the water tank 20 has reached the rinsing water level stored in the storage device in the control unit 90, the water supply valve 53 is closed and the water supply is stopped. Then, the driving of the motor 40 is started.

The motor 40 rotates the drum 30 at a set rotation speed. When the drum 30 rotates, the laundry inside is caught by the baffle 34, lifted and then dropped. The point of fall is now in the rinse water, which causes the rinse.

The above is the "reserve rinsing" technique in which water is reserved and rinsed. After a predetermined time has elapsed, the drum 30 is stopped and the drainage pump 65 is driven to drain the rinse water.
After draining, the drum 30 is rotated at a high speed to shake off the detergent by centrifugal force, and new water is poured to restart the rinsing. This cycle is repeated a set number of times.

When the predetermined rinsing time has passed, the "dehydration step" is started. In the “dehydration step”, the drainage pump 65 is driven and the rinse water is drained from the water tank 20. Subsequently, the drum 30 is rotated at high speed, and the laundry is centrifugally dehydrated.
The drainage pump 65 drains the dehydrated water.

When the predetermined dehydration time has elapsed, the "drying step"
to go into. In the “drying process”, the drying unit 66 is driven and warm air is sent to the rotating drum 30. The warm air that has deprived the laundry of moisture passes through a cooler (not shown) provided in the main body 10, and the cooler condenses the moisture in the warm air to dehumidify it. The dehumidified warm air returns to the drying unit 66, is heated to a high temperature, and then enters the drum 30. And it drains water from the laundry again. In this way, the laundry is dried.

When the humidity sensor (not shown) detects that the humidity in the warm air has dropped below the set value, the "drying process" ends. The driving of the drying unit 66 stops,
The drum 30 also stops. Drum type washing machine 1 power is off
Then, the door lock 17 unlocks the door 12. When this happens, the user opens the door 12,
You can remove the dried laundry.

A plurality of conversion tables for the amount of water and the water level in the drum 30 in the "washing process" are prepared and stored in the storage device in the control unit 90. Also, a plurality of types of operating conditions corresponding to the plurality of types of wash water levels are stored. The operating conditions include a washing operation control chart, a rinsing water level in the "rinsing step", and a rinsing operation control chart. The wash water level and the rinse water level can be selected in a linked state or independently of each other.

FIG. 4 shows the display section 82 when the power is turned on.
The liquid crystal screen of is shown. A touch panel is attached to the liquid crystal panel used here, and an operation key icon on the screen is lightly pressed with a finger to perform an operation. A water level changing operation in the drum 30 can be performed here, and the display section 82 serves as a water level changing means.

The user can select the water level (water amount) on the display section 82 without supplying water. To check what the set water level is, first press the water level change key 101 on the initial screen shown in FIG. Then, the screen switches to the water level change screen in FIG.

On the water level change screen of FIG. 5, numerical values of "collective change", "wash water level" and "rinse water level" are displayed in the form of a list. "Batch change" is used when selecting the wash water level and the rinse water level at the same time. The "wash water level" and "rinse water level" are used when the wash water level and the rinse water level are independently selected.

On the just-read-out water level change screen, the default wash water level and rinse water level stored in the storage means of the control unit 90 are highlighted or changed in color. In FIG. 5, the numerical value of “18” for the “wash water level” and the numerical value of “20” for the rinse water level are highlighted. The numerical value represents the amount of water in the water tank 20 in units of liter. In the example of FIG. 5, “18” and “20” are set as standard values.

In the leftmost column of the table, the changed values of "collective change" are "+1""+2""-1""-" with the standard value as a boundary.
2 ”is displayed. “+1” means that the standard value is increased by 1 liter, and “−1” indicates that the standard value is decreased by 1 liter.

When the water level is changed by "batch change", if "+1" is pressed, the set water amount converted to the water level is increased by 1 liter for both the wash water level and the rinse water level, and the highlight display is "18""20". From "" to "19" and "21". If "-1" is pressed, the set water amount converted into the water level for both the wash water level and the rinse water level is reduced by 1 liter, and the highlight display changes from "18""20" to "17""19". The changed value may be expressed not by the number of liters such as "+1" or "-1" but by a sensory expression such as "more" or "less".

After the water level is selected by the "batch change" as described above, the adoption key 102 or the registration key 103 is pressed.
Then, the screen returns to the initial screen of FIG. When the adoption key 102 is pressed, the selected water level is applied only to the current operation. When the power is turned off, the selection is cleared and the standard value is displayed again as the initial setting in the next operation.

When the registration key 103 is pressed, the initial screen of FIG. 4 is returned and the initially set water level is replaced with the water level selected this time. On the water level change screen after the next operation, the water level selected this time is automatically displayed as the initial setting.

When the washing water level and the rinsing water level are selected by the "batch change", the operating condition suitable for the water level selected from the plurality of operating conditions stored in the storage device in the control unit 90 is automatically set. To be selected. Therefore, when the start key 104 is pressed on the screen of FIG. 4, the “washing process” and the “rinsing process” are performed on the washing operation control chart and the rinse operation control chart which are suitable for the selected water level and differ from the standard setting.

To change only the wash water level or only the rinse water level, press the desired value in the "wash water level" column or the "rinse water level" column of the water level change screen. FIG. 6 shows a situation in which “19” is selected for “wash water level” and “22” is selected for “rinse water level”. The operating conditions are also adapted to this selected water level. In the example of FIG. 6, since the washing water level and the rinsing water level are selected other than the standard values, both the washing operation control chart and the rinsing operation control chart are different from the standard settings. If only the wash water level is changed, only the wash operation control chart is changed, and if only the rinse water level is changed, only the rinse operation control chart is changed.

By pressing the adoption key 102 in FIG. 6, the washing water level is set to "19" and the rinsing water level is set to "22", and the washing operation control chart and the rinse operation control chart adapted to the settings are used for the current washing.

When the registration key 103 is pressed, the default water level is replaced with the water level selected this time, and the wash water level "19" and rinse water level "22" are displayed on the water level change screen after the next operation.
Is displayed as the default setting. The stored operating conditions are also replaced with the selection of the water level. Therefore,
The operating conditions that match the selected water level will be the initial settings after the next operation.

On the water level change screen, "wash water level"
Both the values of and the "rinsing water level" are lined up in increments of 1 liter, but it is not necessary to change them by the same amount. The "rinsing water level" may be increased or decreased by a scale width different from the "washing water level". Alternatively, each time the wash water level is selected, a rinse water level suitable for the wash water level may be calculated and determined.

Here, the change in the water level in the water tank 20 is calculated when the set water amount is increased by 1 liter from "20" to "21" and when it is decreased by 1 liter from "20" to "19". . To simplify the calculation, the axis of the aquarium 20 is horizontal, its diameter is 60 cm and its depth is 30 c.
Let m be m.

The water amount V (cm ³ ) and the water level h (cm) can be obtained by the following equation. ^{V = 1 / 2r 2 * D} * (2θ-sin2θ) h = r * (1-cosθ) r: aquarium radius (cm) D: aquarium Depth (cm) θ: 1/2 of the central angle (rad)

According to the above calculation formula, if the water amount is increased from "20" to "21" by 1 liter, the water surface rises by 0.6 cm. When the amount of water is reduced from "20" to "19" by 1 liter, the water surface is lowered by 0.7 cm. As described above, whether the amount of water is increased or decreased, the fluctuation of the water surface level is small, and it is difficult for the user to adjust it visually.

On the other hand, according to the present invention, if a water level is selected from a plurality of water levels, the water level is automatically adjusted to that level, so that it is possible to select an appropriate water level for washing and adjust the amount of water. In a difficult drum type washing machine, the desired effective cleaning performance can be surely exhibited.

If the water level in the drum 30 is too high or too low, the drum type washing machine 1 does not exhibit the desired performance. In the washing process, the desired effective cleaning performance cannot be obtained,
The desired effective rinsing performance cannot be obtained in the rinsing process. Therefore, although the water level in the drum 30 is adjustable, there is an upper limit and a lower limit that can be adjusted, and the drum type washing machine 1 operates at a water level within a certain range restricted in such a manner. The water level change screens of FIGS. 5 and 6 also show numerical values in the adjustable range.

The range of water level suitable for washing is the standard course,
Different for each laundry course such as blanket course and dry course. In the initial setting, for example, the wash water level of the standard course is "1.
8 "and the wash water level of the blanket course is set to" 30 ". Also on the water level changing screens of FIGS. 5 and 6, for each washing course selected by the user, the adjustable range of the water level that covers the water level suitable for the course is displayed.

As described above, when the display unit 82, which is the water level changing means, is operated, the control unit 90 adjusts the preset water level, which is the water level in the drum, within a certain range. Therefore, the water level is not excessively changed and the drum-type washing machine 1 is not overly burdened.

The above "certain range" means the washing step and / or
Or the desired effective cleaning performance in the rinsing process and / or
Or, it is a range of water level at which rinsing performance is obtained. Therefore,
It is good to adjust the water level, but this does not cause the situation that the dirt removal worsens.

The embodiment of the present invention has been described above.
In addition to the above, various modifications can be made and implemented without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the drum-type washing machine of the above-described embodiment is a front loading type that loads laundry from the front, but a top loading that loads the laundry from above by providing a side opening of the drum with a lid for loading and unloading the laundry The present invention is applicable even in the form.

[0085]

According to the present invention, in a drum type washing machine in which it is difficult to control the amount of water, it is possible to wash at a proper water level selected from a plurality of water levels and to reliably achieve the desired cleaning performance. it can. Further, the plurality of water levels are water levels in the washing step, and the water level in the washing step, which is particularly important for the cleaning performance, can be set as an appropriate water level to surely and sufficiently remove dirt. Furthermore, since the water level of the rinsing step is set in conjunction with the water level of the selected washing step, it is possible to perform necessary and sufficient rinsing, and use of excess rinsing water,
In addition, there is no increase in the power consumption of the motor due to this, and economical operation becomes possible. In addition, different operating conditions are selected depending on the selected water level, so it is possible to set appropriate operating conditions according to the amount of water simply by selecting the water level, and to perform troublesome operating condition setting operations. None, always the best washing effect. In addition, the control unit includes a conversion table for converting the amount of water in the drum and the water level and a storage device that stores the operating conditions corresponding to the water level, and operates in a certain range of water level according to the selected course. From
The washing operation is performed within a certain range of water level suitable for washing and under operating conditions corresponding to the water level, and the characteristics of the drum type washing machine can be fully utilized to perform highly efficient washing. Moreover, when the water level changing means is operated, the control unit adjusts the water level preset as the water level in the drum within a certain range, so that the water level is excessively changed and an excessive load is applied to the drum type washing machine. There is no such thing. Furthermore, since the predetermined range is a range of water level at which the desired effective cleaning performance and / or rinsing performance can be obtained in the washing step and / or the rinsing step, it is good to adjust the water level. Therefore, there is no chance that the dirt will be removed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a drum type washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

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

FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of the drum type washing machine.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of an initial screen on the display unit of the drum type washing machine.

FIG. 5 is a first exemplary view of a water level display screen on the display unit of the drum type washing machine.

FIG. 6 is a second exemplary view of a water level display screen on the display unit of the drum type washing machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Drum type washing machine 10 body 20 aquarium 30 drums 50 Water supply means 70 Water level detection means 82 Display (water level changing means) 90 control unit (storage means)

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Masahiro Sato             22-22 Nagaikecho, Abeno-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka             Inside the company F term (reference) 3B155 AA01 AA03 AA16 BB08 CA02                       CB07 JC09 JC12 KA19 LA14                       LB31 LC28 LC30 MA01 MA08                       MA10

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A water tub provided in a main body of a washing machine, a drum that rotates around a substantially horizontal axis in the water tub, lifts and drops laundry inside, and water supply for supplying water to the water tub. Means, a water level detecting means for detecting the water level in the drum, and a control section for controlling the operation of the entire washing machine, and the water level can be selected from a plurality of water levels. Washing machine. 2. The drum type washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of water levels are water levels in a washing process. 3. The water level of the rinsing process is set in association with the water level of the selected washing process.
Drum type washing machine described in. 4. The water level of the rinsing step is set independently of the water level of the selected washing step.
Drum type washing machine described in. 5. The drum type washing machine according to claim 1, wherein different operating conditions are selected according to the selected water level. 6. A storage means for storing the operating condition, wherein the stored operating condition can be replaced with the operating condition after the water level is selected. Drum type washing machine described in. 7. A water tub provided in a main body of a washing machine, a drum which rotates about a substantially horizontal axis in the water tub, lifts and drops laundry inside, and water supply for supplying water to the water tub. Means, a water level detection means for detecting the water level in the drum, and a control unit for controlling the operation of the entire washing machine, the control unit is a conversion table of the water amount in the drum and the water level and the operation corresponding to the water level. A storage device for storing the condition,
A drum-type washing machine that operates at a water level within a certain range according to the selected course. 8. A water tub provided in a main body of a washing machine, a drum which rotates around a substantially horizontal axis in the water tub, lifts and drops laundry inside, and water supply for supplying water to the water tub. Means, a water level detecting means for detecting a water level in the drum, a water level changing means for changing a water level preset as a water level in the drum, and a control section for controlling the operation of the entire washing machine, The control unit adjusts the preset water level within a certain range when the water level changing means is operated. 9. The predetermined range is a water level range in which desired cleaning performance and / or rinsing performance is obtained in the washing step and / or the rinsing step.
Drum type washing machine described in.