JP2003265888A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a low cost and compact detergent dissolving means with a simple structure and capable of effectively dissolving a detergent. <P>SOLUTION: The bottom of a detergent dissolving chamber 32 is made of a mesh 37, a showerhead 29 spraying water for dissolving the detergent is arranged facing relative to each other with a gap 33 interposed thereunder, the above gap is constructed so as to be filled with a liquid layer formed from the sprayed water from nozzles 29b of the above showerhead and a washing liquid flowing down through the mesh from the detergent dissolving chamber, and the detergent is effectively dissolved by effectively introducing the sprayed water from the nozzles into the detergent dissolving chamber to cause it to stagnate within the above detergent dissolving chamber and forming a mixing water flow. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a washing machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A washing machine provided with a detergent melting apparatus for supplying a detergent liquid produced by dissolving a powder detergent to be used into a washing tub has been proposed.

As a detergent melting apparatus for a washing machine, an electric method (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-47594) in which stirring is performed by a stirring blade driven by a motor is used, and a hydraulic method in which a water supply water is used to dissolve the detergent (special Kaihei 7-323186 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-276202) are known.

An electric detergent smelting device includes a cylindrical detergent dissolving case having a large number of small holes, a stirring blade provided on the bottom surface of the detergent dissolving case, a stirring motor for driving the stirring blade, and a detergent dissolving case. And a water supply means for supplying water to the detergent dissolution case, and the water from the detergent dissolution case and the water from the water supply means are agitated by the rotation of the stirring blades to dissolve the detergent and cause it to flow out from the small holes of the detergent dissolution case. It is a configuration for supplying to

[0005] A hydraulic-type detergent dissolving device is a device for assisting the dissolution of a powder detergent by utilizing the water force of water supply, and the device disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-323186 discloses that the outer peripheral surface and the bottom surface are meshed. The detergent storage container thus constructed is rotatably installed in the detergent case and rotated by the water pressure of the water supply to assist the dissolution of the detergent. Also, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-27620
The apparatus described in Japanese Patent No. 2 is configured such that the detergent is placed in a detergent storage container having a slit on the bottom surface in the installed state, and the nozzle located on the bottom surface is melted by spraying a fountain from the nozzle on the bottom surface.

[0006]

The electric detergent-dissolving device has a good detergent-dissolving performance, but it has many components and has a complicated structure and a high cost.

In the detergent-dissolving device of the hydraulic power system, in the detergent storage container rotating system, when the powder detergent in the detergent storage container gets wet with water and the viscosity increases, the detergent storage container becomes difficult to rotate,
If the water supply pressure is low, it will not rotate and the detergent will remain undissolved. Further, when the water supply pressure is high, the amount of water flowing into the detergent storage container increases, and undissolved detergent overflows from the detergent storage container and is supplied into the washing tub.

Regardless of which method is used, these detergent melting devices are stored in a rear storage box formed in the rear portion of the top cover of the washing machine, and therefore it is desirable that they have a compact form.

Further, the detergent case and the detergent container of the detergent melting apparatus should be constructed so that they can be easily removed and cleaned or repaired when the detergent adheres or becomes unsatisfactory. Is desirable.

An object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine equipped with a simple and low-cost, compact detergent-dissolving means which has a simple structure capable of efficiently dissolving powder detergent and supplying it to a washing tub.

Another object of the present invention is to spray a permeating detergent solution of an appropriate high concentration onto the laundry to permeate the laundry, thereby effectively utilizing the chemical detergency of the detergent to improve the cleaning rate. It is to provide a washing machine provided with a detergent dissolving means.

Still another object of the present invention is to realize a detergent dissolving means which is easy to clean and repair.

[0013]

According to the present invention, the bottom of a detergent-melting chamber is made of a mesh, and a shower head for spraying the detergent-melting water is installed under the mesh so as to face each other with a gap therebetween. Is constituted so that it is filled with a liquid layer formed by the fountain from the nozzle of the shower head and the detergent-dissolving chamber through the mesh, and the fountain from the nozzle is efficiently dissolved and introduced into the chamber. It is characterized in that it is retained in the melting chamber and a stirring water flow is generated to dissolve the detergent efficiently.

More specifically, the present invention is a washing tub for containing laundry, a water supply means for supplying water to the washing tub, a detergent dissolving means for dissolving powder detergent into the washing tub, and the washing. A drainage means for draining the water in the tank, the detergent dissolving means is provided in the middle of the water supply path of the water supply means box-like water injection case having an opening on the front surface or the upper surface, and in this water injection case A box-like detergent melting chamber which can be inserted and removed through the opening, has an upper surface opened and a mesh provided on the bottom surface, and a nozzle provided below the detergent melting chamber for spraying water toward the mesh in the detergent melting chamber. In a washing machine provided with a shower head provided, the shower head has a large number of nozzles of a size that opposes substantially the entire surface of the mesh of the detergent melting chamber and that is evenly distributed over the substantially entire surface. Wherein between the shower head and the detergent dissolving chamber mesh, characterized in that by interposing a gap filled with the liquid layer formed by the detergent solution flowing down through the mesh Fountain and detergent dissolving chamber from the nozzle.

Further, the water injection case is provided with a top plate portion which serves as a lid for closing the opening of the detergent melting chamber when the detergent melting chamber is pushed in, and the opening is provided on the upper side wall of the detergent melting chamber. Characterize.

Further, the water supply means comprises a main water supply means for directly supplying water into the water injection case and a detergent water supply means for supplying water to the shower head. The water is supplied from the shower head to be melted from the detergent melting chamber. The detergent liquid is mixed with the water supply by the main water supply means in the water injection case.

Further, the detergent water supply means is provided with a constant flow rate control means for reducing the flow passage area as the water supply pressure to the detergent water supply means increases.

Further, according to the present invention, a washing tub for storing laundry, a main water supply means for supplying washing water to the washing tub, and a water supply path of the main water supply means are provided above the washing tub. A box-shaped water injection case having an opening water supply port and an opening on the front surface or the top surface, and a box-shaped detergent melting chamber having an opening on the top surface and a mesh on the bottom surface that can be put in and taken out from the opening in the water injection case. , A shower head provided below the detergent melting chamber for spraying water supplied from the detergent water supplying means toward the mesh of the detergent melting chamber, a draining means for draining water in the washing tub, and washing, In a washing machine provided with a control means for controlling each step of rinsing and dehydration, the shower head is of a size facing substantially the entire surface of the mesh of the detergent melting chamber and is evenly distributed over the substantially entire surface. Between the showerhead and the mesh of the detergent melting chamber, there is a gap filled with a liquid layer formed by the fountain from the nozzle and the detergent liquid flowing from the detergent melting chamber through the mesh. The water injection case functions to mix the detergent liquid melted out from the detergent melting chamber by the shower head with the water supply by the main water supply means and supply it to the washing tub, and the control means is the detergent dissolution room. The main water supply means in accordance with the amount of detergent stored in and / or the flow rate of water passing through the main water supply means and / or the water temperature of water passing through the detergent water supply means and / or the water supply elapsed time of the detergent water supply means. It is characterized by controlling the opening and closing of.

[0019]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of a washing machine of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a fully automatic washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a vertical side view taken along the line AA in FIG.

The fully automatic washing machine in this embodiment is
An outer tub 4 made of synthetic resin is provided in a steel frame outer frame 1 by a suspension rod 2 and a vibration isolator 3 made of a coil spring, elastic rubber or the like.
Is configured to be suspended and supported. The outer tub 4 functions to store and drain the washing water, and a stainless washing / dehydrating tub (hereinafter referred to as a washing tub) 5 is rotatably provided in the outer tub 4. The washing tub 5 is provided with a number of dehydration holes 5a on its side surface, and a fluid balancer 5b is provided on the upper part thereof.
Is provided, and the rotary blade 6 is rotatably provided at the center of the bottom.

In the washing and rinsing process, the rotary wing 6 is repeatedly rotated clockwise (forward) and counterclockwise (reverse) while the washing tub 5 is stationary. Also, in the dehydration process,
The washing tub 5 and the rotary wing 6 are integrated and rotated in one direction. The laundry tub 5 and the rotary wing 6 are rotationally driven by a drive device.

The drive device comprises an electric motor 7 and a clutch device 8 arranged coaxially with the electric motor 7. The clutch device 8 has a switching function for switching only the rotary blades 6 to be rotationally driven in the washing and rinsing steps and to integrally drive the washing tub 5 and the rotary blades 6 in the dehydration step. This drive device is fixed to the outer surface of the bottom of the outer tub 4 by using a support plate 9 made of steel plate.

In the outer tub 4, an air trap 4a for converting the water level in the outer tub 4 into pressure and transmitting it to the water level sensor 10.
A water temperature sensor 11 for changing the water supply temperature into an electric signal and a drain port 4b for draining the washing water in the outer tub 4 are provided. The air trap 4a is connected to the water level sensor 10 via an air tube 12 4b is connected to a drain hose 14 via a drain device 13 using a solenoid valve.

A top cover 15 is provided on the upper portion of the outer frame 1. The top cover 15 includes a laundry loading port 15a for loading and unloading laundry, a water tap 16 and a water supply solenoid valve device 1
7. A rear storage box 1 for accommodating water supply parts such as a detergent melting means 18, a bath water pump 19 (described later), and projecting the water tap 16 and the water intake 19a of the bath water pump 19
5b, a control circuit board 20 that constitutes a control processing unit by mounting a microcomputer and the like, and the water level sensor 10, and a front operation box 15c having an operation panel 21 attached to the upper surface thereof, and the laundry entry port And a lid 22 made of a synthetic resin that can be opened and closed so as to cover 15a.

On the operation panel 21 mounted on the upper surface of the front operation box 15c, as shown in FIG.
3, various display devices 24a to 24f, various operation button switches 25a to 25i, a buzzer 26 (described later), etc. are arranged, and the user operates the washing machine using the operation button switches 25a to 25i, and The operation status is displayed on the display 24
a to 24f and the buzzer 26 can be used for confirmation.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a state where the upper lid of the rear storage box 15b accommodating the washing water supply component is removed (cut along the line BB in FIG. 2).

Solenoid valve device 17 for water supply in the rear storage box 15b
Receives tap water from a tap tap 16 that connects a hose from a tap or the like, and performs various types of water supply control. Detergent dissolving means 18 and bath water pump 19 for supplying bath water to the washing tub 5.
Is installed next to the water supply solenoid valve device 17. The detergent melting means 18, which will be described in detail later, includes a water injection case 27, a detergent input box 28, and a shower head 29.

The water supply solenoid valve device 17 is a main water supply solenoid valve 17
a, detergent water supply solenoid valve 17b, finishing agent water supply solenoid valve 17c
It is a triple valve equipped with. The main water supply solenoid valve 17a is connected so as to supply water to the water injection case 27 via the main water supply pipe 30a. The detergent water supply solenoid valve 17b is used for the detergent water supply pipe 3
It connects so that it may supply water to the shower head 29 provided in the bottom face of the water injection case 27 via 0b. The finish agent water supply solenoid valve 17c is connected so as to supply water to the finish agent supply chamber 31 via the finish agent water supply pipe 30c. The tap water supplied from the main water supply pipe 30a to the water injection case 27 is connected to the bath water pump 19 via the priming pipe 19b so that a part of the tap water is diverted. The bath water supply pipe 19c of the bath water pump 19 is connected to the water injection case 27 so as to supply bath water.

The detergent input box 28 is a box-shaped body integrally formed by arranging the finishing agent input chamber 31 and the detergent melting chamber 32 side by side. The laundry input port 15 is provided on the front surface of the water injection case 27.
It is installed in such a manner that it can be inserted into and removed from the water injection case 27 by sliding it from the opening facing the opening a.

The detergent dissolving means 18 is shown in FIGS.
It will be described using 0. FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional side view of the detergent melting means 18 (a sectional view taken along the line C-C in FIG. 4), FIG.
Is a cross-sectional plan view taken along the line D-D in FIG. 5, and FIG.
5 is a vertical sectional front view taken along the line EE in FIG. 5, FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional front view of the shower head 29, FIG. 9 is a plan view showing an example of the nozzle array of the shower head 29, and FIG. 10 is a constant flow rate. It is a vertical side view of a means.

The water injection case 27 and the detergent injection box 28 are respectively formed by resin molding, and the detergent injection box 28 is slidably installed in the water injection case 27 so as to be detachable, and pulled out horizontally from the water injection case 27. It is configured to add detergent and softening agent. The upper surface of the shower head 29 installed on the bottom surface of the water injection case 27 and the detergent input box 28
The lower surface of the detergent melting chamber 32 provided in the above is faced through a gap 33 so as to spread in a substantially equal area, and a water passage 34 is formed on the rear side and the left and right sides of the shower head 29. The gap 33 guides the fountain from the shower head 29 into the detergent-melting chamber 32, melts the powder detergent in the detergent-melting chamber 32 to generate a detergent liquid, and regulates the flow for flowing out the generated detergent liquid. To function. The bottom surface of the water pouring case 27 is formed as an inclined surface with the front side (laundry entry port 15a) side lowered, and the laundry entry port 15a is provided at the forefront.
A water supply port 35 that opens to face is formed.

The finisher charging chamber 31 and the detergent melting chamber 32 of the detergent charging box 28 have their upper surfaces opened. The bottom of the finishing agent charging chamber 31 is molded into a mortar shape, and the siphon 36 is provided at the lowest position. This siphon 36
Is made to flow through when the finish agent in the finish agent feeding chamber 31 is diluted by the water supply from the finish agent water supply pipe 30c and the water level becomes equal to or higher than a threshold value, and the finish agent is discharged to the water passage 34 at the bottom of the water injection case 27. Works like. The detergent melting chamber 32 has a mesh 37 made of resin on almost the entire bottom surface thereof. The detergent melting chamber 32 may have a tubular shape, or may have a shape that extends upward from about half of the case so that the detergent can be easily put therein.

The mesh size of the mesh 37 on the bottom of the detergent melting chamber 32 is set to a size such that the particles of the powder detergent do not fall out. However, if the mesh size is too small, the mesh 37 becomes a resistance and the shower head 2
The momentum of the fountain sprayed from the nozzle 9 is weakened and it becomes difficult for the detergent to enter the detergent melting chamber 32, and the undissolved detergent is likely to remain undissolved. Therefore, the mesh size is preferably 30 to 50 mesh (30 mesh: 1
There are 30 threads in an inch. The larger the number, the smaller the mesh size).

The height of the detergent melting chamber 32 is determined by the rear storage box 1
It is better to be as high as possible within the range that can be accommodated in 5b. this is,
This is because when the height is low, the undissolved detergent is sprayed to the upper portion of the detergent melting chamber 32 by the water spray from the shower head 29 and is prevented from overflowing from the opening. In this embodiment, in order to prevent overflow of undissolved detergent, the detergent input box 28 is attached to the water injection case 27.
The top plate portion 27a of the water injection case 27 is configured to function as a lid that presses against the upper edge of the detergent melting chamber 32 and closes the opening on the upper surface in a state of being pressed and set in. However, the opening of the detergent melting chamber 32 is not hermetically closed, but a slit 32a is provided in a part (upper edge of the back side in this embodiment) to allow the detergent liquid to overflow and vent (breath). .

The detergent input box 28 is constructed so that it can be easily removed from the water injection case 27 by pulling it out from the water injection case 27 and lifting it upwards, so that the shower head 29, the finishing agent injection chamber 31, the siphon 3 are formed.
6, facilitate cleaning and maintenance work of the detergent melting chamber 32.

The shower head 29 has a detergent melting chamber 32.
Is provided with a nozzle surface 29a having substantially the same area as the bottom area, and the nozzle surface 29a is provided with a large number of nozzles 29b. Nozzle 2
The nozzles 9b are provided substantially evenly distributed on the nozzle surface 29a so that the detergent can be sprayed toward almost the entire area of the mesh 37 and water can be supplied into the detergent dissolving chamber 32 to agitate the detergent.

To this end, the shower head 29 has a water supply chamber 29c provided therein, and the nozzle 29b is vertically provided so as to connect the water supply chamber 29c and the nozzle surface 29a. The water supply chamber 29c is provided so that water can be sprayed uniformly from a large number of nozzles 29b, and the height of the water supply chamber 29c is preferably 5 mm or more. This water supply chamber 29c receives the detergent supply water (detergent-dissolved supply water) from the inflow port 29d in the horizontal direction, changes the flow direction upward in this water supply chamber 29c, and sprays it from the nozzle 29b. By forming a sufficient volume, it is possible to realize a uniform fountain by making the water pressure distribution even in the water supply chamber 29c. In addition, each nozzle 29b
The hole shape may be any shape such as a circle, an ellipse, or a corner. Further, it may be modified to have a plurality of slit-shaped nozzles.

The gap 33 between the nozzle surface 29a and the mesh 37 efficiently introduces the fountain from the shower head 29 into the detergent melting chamber 32 to generate a turbulent stirring water flow in the detergent melting chamber 32. This agitating water flow is used to cause the detergent in the detergent dissolving chamber 32 to be dissolved while being stirred so that the detergent liquid produced is caused to flow out. The gap 33 is filled with a liquid layer formed by the fountain from the nozzle 29b and the detergent liquid flowing down from the detergent melting chamber 32. Gap 33
The liquid layer formed on the nozzle surface is the nozzle surface 2 of the shower head 26.
Although it flows down from the peripheral edge of 9a to the water passage 34 in the water injection case 27, it can be limited by the size of the gap at the peripheral edge of the gap 33 (the size of the gap between the shower head 29 and the detergent input box 28). Therefore, if the amount of water sprayed from the shower head 29 is increased, the gap 33 can be filled with the liquid layer except for the peripheral portion thereof.

When the gap 33 is filled with the liquid layer, the fountain from the shower head 29 suppresses lateral dispersion of the water force, and therefore passes through the mesh 37 and efficiently enters the detergent dissolving chamber 32. Then, it stays in the detergent melting chamber 32 to generate a detergent stirring water flow. Then, the detergent liquid generated by melting the powder detergent passes through the mesh 37 from the area avoiding the fountain, flows down into the gap 33, and flows between the fountains and flows down from the peripheral edge of the gap to the water passage 34. .

In this way, the gap 33 is filled with the liquid layer, and the fountain from the shower head 29 is efficiently dissolved in the detergent chamber 32.
Although it depends on the form of the fountain from the shower head 29, the gap 33 may be introduced in order to generate a strong stirring water flow.
Is preferably about 2 to 3 mm. If the gap 33 is too wide, the amount of water staying in the gap 33 will be large (the liquid layer will be thick), and the water pressure of the fountain from the nozzle 29 will weaken before reaching the mesh 37. Sufficient stirring power cannot be obtained. If the gap 33 is too narrow, the amount of the detergent liquid flowing down the mesh 37 is reduced, and the interior of the detergent dissolving chamber 32 is filled with water. Therefore, the fountain from the nozzle 29 thereafter is in the detergent dissolving chamber 32. Since it becomes difficult for the detergent to enter the space, the detergent agitation force due to the fountain flow is weakened, and the detergent dissolution performance deteriorates.

The tap water pressure, which is the water source for supplying the shower head 29 with the detergent, varies depending on the location, and is generally 0.
It is in the range of 03 MPa to 0.8 MPa. Therefore, in order to stably dissolve the detergent, the nozzle 2 that sprays water from the shower head 29 at a sufficient flow rate even at the minimum water pressure.
It is necessary to form 9b. However, the nozzle 29b designed to be suitable for the minimum water pressure has an excessively large flow rate of the fountain in a place where the water pressure is high, and the undissolved detergent is scattered from the detergent melting chamber 32 and water leaks from the water injection case 27. There is a risk of malfunction. In addition, the concentration of the detergent solution obtained also differs depending on the flow rate.

Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to quantify the detergent supply flow rate, the constant flow rate control means 38 is installed in the detergent supply pipe 30b. The constant flow rate adjusting means 38 is configured to narrow the flow passage area as the water supply pressure increases.

As shown in FIG. 10, the constant flow rate adjusting means 38 comprises a cylindrical member 38b having a small hole 38a in the center and an elastically deformable disc-shaped deformable member 38c made of rubber located upstream thereof. Prepare

The cylindrical member 38b is the detergent water supply pipe 3
0b inside the inner peripheral surface of the deformable member 38c and the inner peripheral surface of the detergent water supply pipe 30b with no gap Δ.
d is provided. Three small protrusions 38d are provided on the end surface of the water supply cylindrical member 38b on the side of the deforming member 38c, and when there is no pressure (water supply pressure), the cylindrical member 38b and the deforming member 38c.
A gap h is formed between them.

In the constant flow rate adjusting means 38, the detergent water is supplied by
It flows from the upstream detergent water supply solenoid valve 17b through the gap Δd in the outer peripheral portion of the deformable member 38c, and then flows out of the gap h to the downstream shower head 29 through the small hole 38a. When the water pressure on the upstream side becomes high, the deforming member 38c is pushed toward the cylindrical member 38b side and deforms, so that the gap h becomes smaller and the flow passage area decreases. Therefore, an increase in the flow rate when the water supply pressure is high can be suppressed, and the undissolved detergent is dissolved in the detergent dissolving chamber 32.
Since it can be prevented from overflowing, the influence of the water supply pressure can be reduced, and the detergent liquid having substantially the same concentration can be generated and supplied.

The water supply case 27 receives the main water supply from the main water supply pipe 30a into the flow dividing chamber 27c from the main water inlet 27b,
Water is supplied from the sprinkling gap 27d to the water passage 34 and is supplied from the priming water supply port 27e to the priming pipe 19b. Further, the bath water is received from the bath water supply pipe 19c to the bath water receiving port 27f and supplied to the water passage 34 of the water injection case 27.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of control means mainly composed of a microcomputer.

The microcomputer 41 is a built-in memory or an electrically writable nonvolatile memory E
The washing and dehydration operation control processing is executed according to the control program and the operating conditions stored in the EPROM 42.

The microcomputer 41 supplies power from a commercial power source through the power switch 23, the step-down power transformer 43, and the control power circuit 44. The microcomputer 41 inputs detection signals from the water level sensor 10 and the water temperature sensor 11, and operates the operation button switches 25a ...
An operation signal from 25i is input through the operation button input circuit 45, and the washing and dehydration operation control process is executed. Then, the main water supply solenoid valve 1 is driven through the drive circuits 46 to 52.
7a, bath water pump 19, drainage device 13, electric motor 7, clutch 8, detergent water supply solenoid valve 17b, and finish agent water supply solenoid valve 17c are controlled to execute washing and dehydration operations, and the operating states thereof are indicated by the indicators 24a to. It is displayed by turning on 24f or ringing the buzzer 26.

The control power supply circuit 44 rectifies and smoothes the AC voltage, outputs a DC voltage, and supplies the DC voltage to the microcomputer 41. In addition, each of the drive circuits 46 to 52
Is composed of an AC switching element such as a bidirectional three-terminal thyristor, and an AC voltage received from a commercial power source via the power switch 23 is supplied to the main water supply solenoid valve 17a and the bath water pump 1 according to an instruction signal from the microcomputer 41.
9, the drainage device 13, the electric motor 7, the clutch 8, the detergent water supply solenoid valve 17b, the finishing agent water supply solenoid valve 17c.

This fully automatic washing machine operates as follows. The user puts the laundry in the washing tub 5 and the power switch 2
By putting in 3, washing and dehydration operations are enabled.

After that, when the user operates the start button switch 25a, the microcomputer 41 executes the cloth amount detection control process. In this cloth amount detection, the electric motor 7 is driven for a predetermined short time in a state where the laundry is dry before water is supplied to rotationally drive the rotor blades 6, and the reached rotation speed at this time is detected. Based on the estimated amount of laundry. Then, an appropriate amount of water and amount of detergent are determined (set) for the detected amount of cloth (amount of laundry), and the indicator 2
It is displayed on 4f to inform the user.

The user inserts the detergent input box 28 into the water injection case 2
7, the appropriate amount of the powder detergent is poured into the detergent melting chamber 32 by referring to the display, and the softening agent is thrown into the softening loading chamber 31 if necessary, and then the detergent feeding box 28
Is pushed into the water injection case 27 and set.

After a predetermined time has passed, the microcomputer 41 opens the detergent water supply solenoid valve 17b to start the detergent water supply. When the detergent water supply solenoid valve 17b is opened, the tap water (detergent water supply) supplied from the tap 16 passes through the detergent water supply pipe 30b and is made into a constant flow rate by the constant flow rate control means 38 to be supplied to the water supply chamber 29c of the shower head 29. And sprays water from the nozzle 29b toward the mesh 37 on the bottom of the detergent melting chamber 32 above. The fountain passes through the mesh 37 and enters the detergent melting chamber 32. While stirring the powder detergent charged in the detergent melting chamber 32, the fountain accumulates in the detergent melting chamber 32 to generate a stirring water flow. . This stirring water flow has a high possibility that a part of the detergent will be solidified and left undissolved unless the powder detergent in the detergent melting chamber 32 is blown up and dispersed in the water (especially when the water temperature is low and the detergent is difficult to dissolve). ). For this purpose, it is necessary that the nozzle 29a and the detergent melting chamber 32 have appropriate shapes. This will be described later.

The detergent liquid produced by melting the powder detergent with the stirring water flow in the detergent dissolving chamber 32 passes through the mesh 37 and flows down into the gap 33, and then flows from the peripheral edge of the nozzle head 29 (gap 33) into the water injection case 27. It flows out into the water channel 34 and flows down from the inclined surface of the bottom surface through the water supply port 35 onto the laundry in the washing tub 5. The undissolved detergent in the detergent melting chamber 32 is blown up by the fountain flow and flows down together with the detergent solution to form the mesh 37.
It settles up and melts while being stirred so that it can be blown up again (moving vertically in the detergent melting chamber 32).

When the amount of the powder detergent in the detergent dissolving chamber 32 is large, the mesh 37 is covered with the undissolved powder detergent at the initial stage of dissolving the detergent, and the mesh 37 has a small opening area. The flow rate of the detergent liquid flowing down from 37 is small, and the water level in the detergent melting chamber 32 rises. When the detergent dissolving chamber 32 is filled with detergent water, the detergent dissolving chamber 32 overflows with the undissolved powder detergent. However, if the height of the detergent melting chamber 32 is sufficient, the undissolved detergent lifted by the fountain flow settles before reaching the slit 32a of the detergent melting chamber 32, so that the undissolved overflow does not occur. Absent. However, in general, when it is difficult to secure a sufficient height because the height of the detergent melting chamber 32 is limited by the size of the rear storage box 14b that accommodates the detergent melting means 18, it is difficult to ensure the undissolved powder detergent. May overflow.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the upper portion of the detergent melting chamber 32 is provided with the detergent input box 28 and the water injection case 2.
When it is pushed into 7 and set, it is closed by the top plate portion 27a of the water injection case 27. However, if the upper opening of the detergent melting chamber 32 is blocked, the following problems may occur depending on the water temperature and the type and amount of detergent. That is, overflow can be prevented by closing the upper opening of the detergent melting chamber 32.
If the detergent melting chamber 32 is filled with detergent water,
After that, it becomes difficult for the fountain from the nozzle 29b to pass through the mesh 37 and flow into the detergent melting chamber 32, so that the agitation water flow in the detergent melting chamber 32 weakens and the detergent may harden.

In order to prevent this, in this embodiment,
A slit 32a for overflowing a small amount of detergent liquid is provided at the upper edge of the detergent melting chamber 32. The slit 32a functions to exhaust the interior of the detergent solution chamber 32 to facilitate the entry of the fountain at the beginning of the detergent water supply, and when the detergent solution chamber 32 is filled with the water supply (detergent liquid). Overflows part of it,
After that, the function of facilitating the entrance of the fountain and reducing the weakening of the water force of the stirring water flow in the detergent melting chamber 32 is ensured, and the detergent can be surely dissolved. If the slit 32a is too large, undissolved powder detergent will flow out, so the slit 32a has a minimum size (the opening width of the slit 32a is 0.5 to 1).
It is good to set it to about mm).

As the powder detergent in the detergent melting chamber 32 is dissolved, the mesh 37 is reduced in the area covered with the undissolved detergent and the substantial opening area is increased.
The flow rate of the detergent liquid flowing down from the mesh 37 increases, and the water level in the detergent dissolving chamber 32 decreases. Then, when the amount of inflowing water and the amount of water flowing down become equal, the powder detergent is stirred by the jet of the fountain while the water level is kept substantially constant, and the powder detergent is efficiently dissolved.

The fountain from the nozzle 29b is the mesh 37.
Flowing from the bottom to the top and flowing into the detergent melting chamber 32 to flow from the bottom to the top of the detergent melting chamber 32,
The detergent liquid produced by dissolving the powder detergent flows through the mesh 37 from top to bottom. For this reason, the undissolved detergent that tends to adhere to the mesh 37 is washed by the fountain from the nozzle 29b, and the mesh 37 is not clogged with the powder detergent.

When the dissolution of the detergent is completed, the detergent water supply solenoid valve 17b is closed. To determine whether or not to dissolve the detergent, the amount of the powdered detergent charged into the detergent melting chamber 32 and the detergent water supply time required to completely dissolve the detergent are determined in advance, and the amount of the powdered detergent determined and displayed based on the detection of the amount of laundry is displayed. Is assumed to have been put into the detergent melting chamber 32, and the time required to dissolve the powder detergent is managed. Also,
It may be performed by a detector (for example, an electric conductivity sensor is provided) that detects whether or not the water supply flowing through the water passage 34 of the water injection case 27 contains a detergent component.

Next, the microcomputer 41 opens the main water supply solenoid valve 17a to start supplying the wash water. Then, the water level in the washing tub 5 (outer tub 4) is monitored based on the water level detection signal from the water level sensor 10, and when it is detected that the water level has been set to the set water level based on the cloth amount detection result, the main water supply electromagnetic The valve 17a is closed to stop the water supply. And
The washing process of stirring the laundry by rotating the rotary blades 6 forward and backward is started. The subsequent washing and dewatering steps are the same as those in a normal fully automatic washing machine, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

In order to leave the powder detergent undissolved in the detergent melting chamber 32 and to dissolve the powder detergent in a short time, it is necessary to properly configure the shower head 29 and the detergent melting chamber 32. In particular, the flow velocity of the fountain ejected from the nozzle 29b and the distribution density of the nozzles 29b are important, and the flow velocity is preferably 4 m / s or more, and the density is preferably 2.5 to 3.5 pieces / cm ² . In consideration of clogging and workability, the hole diameter of the nozzle 29b is preferably 0.5 mm or more. Considering the ease with which the powder detergent is put into the detergent melting chamber 32, the detergent melting chamber 32 is preferably larger than a 60 mm square. In consideration of mounting the washing machine in the rear storage box 15b, the shower head 29 and the detergent melting chamber 32
The combined height of the (detergent box 28) is preferably as low as possible.

As an example, a case where the present invention is applied to a fully automatic washing machine having a washing capacity of 8 kg (a high water level corresponds to a water supply amount of 68 liters) will be described. The height of the shower head 29 is 20
mm, the nozzle 29b had a hole diameter of 0.5 mm, the number of holes was 104, and the detergent melting chamber 32 was a cube of 60 mm square. The flow rate for setting the flow velocity of the fountain from the nozzle 29b to 4 m / s is 5 liters / min. Therefore, the constant flow rate adjusting means 38 is designed to have a flow rate of about 5 liters / min without being affected by the water supply pressure. is there.

FIG. 12 shows the detergent dissolving means 18 of this specification.
FIG. 6 is a characteristic diagram showing a concentration change of the detergent liquid (laundry liquid flowing down from the detergent melting chamber 32) obtained by the above. This characteristic is a high water level (wash water volume 68 liters, powder detergent volume 45
g) and the minimum water level (24 liters of washing water, 1 of detergent powder)
It is the relationship between the detergent dissolution time and the concentration of the detergent liquid in 6 g). The detergent concentration is the standard concentration (recommended concentration of detergent manufacturer:
It is shown as a multiple of (concentration when 20 g of powder detergent is dissolved in 30 liters of water). The water temperature is 5 ° C., which is the most severe condition in winter.

The concentration of the detergent liquid immediately after the start of dissolution of the detergent is about 30 times the standard concentration when the detergent amount is 45 g. The concentration decreases as the dissolution time elapses (dissolution of the detergent progresses), and the concentration becomes 0 when all are dissolved. The concentration of the detergent liquid also changes depending on the amount of the powdered detergent charged in the detergent melting chamber 32, and the concentration of the detergent liquid increases as the amount of the introduced detergent increases.

The higher the concentration of the detergent liquid, the more the surfactant penetrates and emulsifies the detergent liquid, and the action of the alkaline agent component of the detergent liquid (saponification of free fatty acid stains, emulsification and dispersion of oil stains) results in laundry ( The dirt inside the clothes will come out, making it easier to remove the dirt. Commercially available pre-care detergents for collar and sleeve stains aim at this effect. You can easily remove stains by applying a pre-care detergent to the collar and sleeves in advance and then washing it in the washing machine normally.

On the other hand, in a powder detergent containing an optical brightening agent or a bleaching agent as an additive, uneven coloring or discoloration of laundry may occur due to the high concentration of the optical brightening agent or the bleaching agent. In order to prevent such color unevenness and discoloration while maintaining a high detergency, the concentration of the detergent solution should be 6 to 1 compared to the standard concentration.
It is desirable to make it about 0 times.

If the concentration of the detergent liquid is controlled to be 6 to 10 times the standard concentration and sprayed on the laundry, the same effect as that of the above-mentioned pre-care detergent is exhibited, and the stirring force of the rotary blades 6 of the washing machine is weakened. Even if the mechanical power is reduced, high cleaning power can be obtained. Therefore,
A method of increasing the concentration of the detergent liquid generated by the detergent dissolving means 18 to 6 to 10 times the standard concentration will be described.

From FIG. 12, when the detergent amount is 16 g, the detergent concentration starts from about 10 times when the detergent dissolution is started, so that the concentration adjustment is not necessary. However, in the case of a detergent amount of 45 g, the detergent concentration starts from about 30 times and becomes about 10 times after 20 seconds. Therefore, the concentration is adjusted only for 20 seconds from the start of detergent dissolution. In this detergent concentration adjustment, when the detergent water supply solenoid valve 17b is opened and the detergent is melted to start water supply, the main water supply solenoid valve 17a is also opened almost at the same time to supply water to the water injection case 27, and the detergent liquid flowing down from the detergent dissolution chamber 32 is injected. It is realized by mixing and diluting in the water passage 34 in the case 27. When the concentration of the detergent liquid decreases 20 seconds after the start of dissolution of the detergent, the main water supply solenoid valve 17a is closed and only the detergent water is supplied to generate and supply the detergent liquid.

FIG. 14 shows a time chart of opening / closing control of each water supply solenoid valve 17a, 17b for performing such water supply.

The mixing water supply flow rate may be 10 times that of the detergent solution having a concentration of 30 times, so that water may be supplied from the main water supply solenoid valve 17a to the water injection case 27 at a flow rate about twice the detergent supply water flow rate. For example, the detergent supply flow rate is 5 liters / min
Therefore, the water supply flow rate from the main water supply solenoid valve 17a to the water injection case 27 is 10 liters / min. The concentration of the detergent solution whose concentration has been adjusted is about 10 times in the initial stage of dissolving the detergent, but becomes about 3 times after 20 seconds. Therefore,
When the concentration of the detergent liquid flowing down from the detergent melting chamber 32 into the water passage 34 becomes about 20 times, the flow rate of water supplied from the main water supply solenoid valve 17a is limited to 5 liters / min. By doing so, the concentration of the detergent liquid after 20 seconds from the start of dissolving the detergent becomes about 6 times, and the detergent liquid can be sprayed on the laundry under optimum conditions. To change the water supply flow rate by the main water supply solenoid valve 17a from 10 liters / min to 5 liters / min, for example, by intermittently controlling the opening and closing of the main water supply solenoid valve 17a, the average flow rate can be adjusted to a desired amount of water. Good.

Further, as shown in FIG. 13, since the water supply flow rate changes depending on the water pressure of the water supply which is the water source, the opening time and the closing time of the main water supply solenoid valve 17a also change depending on the water pressure (water supply flow rate). There is a need.

A method of detecting the water supply flow rate will be described. By referring to the detection signal of the water level sensor 10, the water supply time T from the zero point water level to a water level higher than the zero point water level and lower than the settable minimum water level is measured. Since the water supply time T has an inverse proportional relationship in which it decreases as the water supply flow rate Q increases, the water supply flow rate Q can be known from the water supply time T. In detail, even if the water supply flow rate is the same, there is a slight difference depending on the amount of laundry, 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,
The water supply flow rate Q obtained from the water supply time T is stored in the EEPROM 4
Store in 2.

As described above, the relationship between the amount of detergent, 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 in advance, and the internal memory of the microcomputer 41 or the EEP is used.
By storing it in the ROM 42 and controlling the opening time and closing time of the water supply solenoid valve using this, it is possible to obtain a detergent liquid of an appropriate concentration. Then, by spraying and permeating the detergent liquid onto the laundry, it is possible to realize a washing machine having high washing power without causing color unevenness or discoloration of the laundry. In order to save the memory of the microcomputer 41, a threshold value may be set for the dissolution time and the water supply time to reduce the table data amount.

Further, as shown in FIG. 15, even after the dissolution of the detergent, the detergent water supply solenoid valve 17b may be left open during the washing water supply by the main water supply solenoid valve 17a. By doing so, the wash water is supplied from both the water supply solenoid valves 17a and 17b, and the water supply flow rate increases, so that the water supply time can be shortened. Also, a detergent melting room 3
Since the water supply time to 2 becomes long, it is effective when it takes a long time to dissolve the detergent, such as when the water temperature is low such as in winter. Such water supply control according to the water temperature refers to the detection signal from the water temperature sensor 11, and when the water temperature is low (for example, 10 ° C. or less), the wash water is also supplied from the detergent water supply solenoid valve 17b. The detergent water supply solenoid valve 17b may be configured to control the water supply time to be long.

FIG. 16 is a time chart of a control process for cleaning the mesh 37 at the bottom of the detergent melting chamber 32.

The process until the dissolution of the detergent is the same as in FIG. When the detergent water supply solenoid valve 17b is closed, the detergent melting chamber 3
In the gap 33 between the shower head 29 and the shower head 29, the water remains accumulated due to the surface tension. If this pooled water is left undisturbed, any remaining detergent will be dissolved. Then, if the residual water obtained by dissolving the residual detergent mixes with the rinsing water flowing through the water passage 34 when the rinsing water is supplied, the detergent components are mixed with the rinsing water supplied to the washing tub 5. Therefore, it is desirable to discharge the residual water, which is obtained by dissolving the residual detergent in the gap 33, during the washing process.

Discharging the residual water after dissolving the residual detergent is performed by supplying the cleaning water by controlling the detergent electromagnetic water supply valve 17b to be opened for 5 to 20 seconds before draining the wash water (or during drainage). Can be realized. By opening the detergent water supply solenoid valve 17b at such a timing, the fountain from the shower head 29 dissolves the residual detergent in the gap 33, and the residual water is poured into the water injection case 2
It can be poured into the washing water in the washing tub 5 and poured into the washing tub 7. In this way, the cleaning water supply for flushing out the residual water in the gap 33 may be any time after the supply of the washing water until the end of the washing process, but the residual water leaving time should be set as long as possible before the washing water drainage. Alternatively, by performing it in the drainage, the residual detergent can be better dissolved and the mesh 37 can be kept clean.

15 and 16 exemplify the control when the detergent concentration is adjusted. When the detergent concentration is not adjusted, the main water supply solenoid valve 17a is not opened or closed when the detergent is dissolved.

[0081]

According to the present invention, the gap between the mesh at the bottom of the detergent melting chamber and the shower head provided under the detergent melting chamber is formed by the fountain from the nozzle and the detergent liquid flowing from the detergent melting chamber through the mesh. It is configured to be filled with a liquid layer to be efficiently melted, and the fountain from the nozzle is efficiently melted into the detergent and introduced into the chamber so that the detergent is melted and retained in the chamber, and a stirring water flow is generated to efficiently dissolve the detergent out. Thus, it is possible to provide a low-cost and compact washing machine having a detergent dissolving means with a simple structure capable of efficiently dissolving the powder detergent and supplying it to the washing tub.

Further, since the detergent liquid produced by dissolving the powder detergent in the detergent dissolving chamber is adjusted to an appropriate high concentration and sprayed and permeated into the laundry, the chemical cleaning power of the detergent can be improved. Can be effectively utilized to improve the cleaning rate.

Moreover, since the detergent dissolving chamber can be easily removed from the water injection case, it can be used as a detergent dissolving means which is easy to clean and repair.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional side view taken along the line AA of the fully automatic washing machine shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of an operation panel of the fully automatic washing machine shown in FIG.

4 is a cross-sectional plan view taken along the line BB in FIG. 2 showing the inside of the rear storage box of the fully automatic washing machine shown in FIG.

5 is a vertical cross-sectional side view taken along the line C-C in FIG. 4 showing the detergent melting means of the fully automatic washing machine shown in FIG.

6 is a cross-sectional plan view taken along line D-D of the detergent melting means shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional front view taken along the line EE of the detergent dissolving means shown in FIG.

8 is a vertical cross-sectional front view of the shower head in the detergent melting means shown in FIG.

9 is a plan view showing an arrangement example of nozzles of a shower head in the detergent dissolving means shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional side view of the constant flow rate adjusting means in the detergent dissolving means shown in FIG.

11 is a block diagram showing electrical connection of the fully automatic washing machine shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

12 is a characteristic diagram showing a change in detergent concentration when the detergent is dissolved in the fully automatic washing machine shown in FIG.

FIG. 13 is a characteristic diagram showing a relationship between a water supply pressure and a water supply flow rate in the fully automatic washing machine shown in FIG.

FIG. 14 is a time chart showing an example of opening / closing timing of each water supply solenoid valve in the fully automatic washing machine shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 15 is a time chart showing an example of opening / closing timing of each water supply solenoid valve in the fully automatic washing machine shown in FIG. 1.

16 is a time chart showing still another example of opening / closing timing of each water supply solenoid valve in the fully automatic washing machine shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

4 ... Outer tub, 5 ... Washing / dehydrating tub (washing tub), 10 ... Water level sensor, 15 ... Top cover, 15b ... Rear storage box, 15
c ... Front operation box, 16 ... Water tap, 17 ... Water supply solenoid valve device, 17a ... Main water supply solenoid valve, 17b ... Detergent water supply solenoid valve,
17c ... Solenoid valve for supplying water for finishing agent, 18 ... Means for dissolving detergent,
20 ... Control circuit board, 23 ... Power switch, 24a-2
4f ... indicator, 28a-25i ... operation button switch,
27 ... Water injection case, 27a ... Top plate part, 28 ... Detergent input box, 29 ... Shower head, 29a ... Nozzle surface, 29b
… Nozzle, 29c… Water supply room, 32… Detergent melting room, 33
... Gap, 34 ... Water passage, 35 ... Water inlet, 37 ... Mesh, 38 ... Constant flow rate adjusting means, 41 ... Microcomputer.

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Yoshihiro Suzuki             1-1-1 Higashitaga-cho, Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture             Inside the ceremony company Hitachi Taga Electronics (72) Inventor Ryo Iidaka             1-1-1 Higashitaga-cho, Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture             Inside the ceremony company Hitachi Taga Electronics (72) Inventor Isao Hiyama             1-1-1 Higashitaga-cho, Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture             Inside the ceremony company Hitachi Taga Electronics F term (reference) 3B155 AA01 AA21 BB02 BB05 BB18                       CB06 FA04 FA22 GA28 GB03                       GB10 KA12 KA17 KB04 LB05                       LB29 LC02 MA01 MA02 MA05                       MA07 MA08 MA10

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A washing tub for containing laundry, a water supply means for supplying water to the washing tub, a detergent melting means for melting a powdered detergent and supplying it into the washing tub, and a drainage for draining water in the washing tub. And a means for dissolving the detergent, which is provided in the middle of the water supply path of the water supply means and has a box-like water injection case having an opening on the front surface or the upper surface, and which can be put in and taken out from the opening in the water injection case. A box-like detergent melting chamber having an opening on the top and a mesh on the bottom, and a shower head provided below the detergent melting chamber and having a nozzle for spraying water toward the mesh in the detergent melting chamber were provided. In the washing machine, the shower head has a large number of nozzles having a size facing substantially the entire surface of the mesh in the detergent melting chamber and uniformly distributed over the substantially entire surface. A washing machine characterized in that a gap filled with a liquid layer formed by the fountain from the nozzle and the detergent liquid flowing down from the detergent melting chamber through the mesh is interposed between the meshes of the melting chamber. 2. The water pouring case according to claim 1, further comprising a top plate portion that serves as a lid for closing the opening of the detergent melting chamber when the detergent melting chamber is pushed in, and is opened at an upper portion of a side wall of the detergent melting chamber. A washing machine characterized by having a. 3. The water supply means according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a main water supply means for directly supplying water into the water injection case and a detergent water supply means for supplying water to the shower head. A washing machine characterized in that a detergent liquid melted out from a detergent melting chamber is mixed with water supply by the main water supply means in the water injection case. 4. The detergent water supply means according to claim 3,
A washing machine comprising constant flow rate control means for reducing the flow passage area as the water supply pressure to the detergent water supply means increases. 5. A washing tub for storing laundry, a main water supply means for supplying washing water to the washing tub, and a water supply port provided in the middle of a water supply path of the main water supply means and opening above the washing tub. And a box-shaped water irrigation case having an opening on the front surface or the top surface, a box-shaped detergent smelting chamber with a mesh opening on the top surface and a mesh on the bottom surface that can be taken in and out from the water spilling case A shower head having a nozzle provided below the chamber for spraying water supplied from the detergent water supply unit toward the mesh of the chamber for dissolving the detergent, a drainage unit for draining water in the washing tub, and a washing, rinsing and dehydration unit. In a washing machine provided with a control means for controlling each step, the shower head has a large number of nozzles having a size facing substantially the entire surface of the mesh of the detergent melting chamber and uniformly distributed on the entire surface. Between the shower head and the mesh of the detergent melting chamber, there is a gap filled with a liquid layer formed by the fountain from the nozzle and the detergent liquid flowing from the detergent melting chamber through the mesh, The water injection case functions to mix the detergent liquid melted out from the detergent melting chamber by the shower head with the water supply by the main water supply means and supply it to the washing tub, and the control means is housed in the detergent melting room. The main water supply means is opened / closed in accordance with the amount of detergent used and / or the flow rate of water passing through the main water supply means and / or the water temperature of water passing through the detergent water supply means and / or the elapsed water supply time of the detergent water supply means. A washing machine characterized by being controlled.