JP2004337333A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve a detergency sufficiently spreading bubbles over the whole laundry in a soak washing process and performing the soak washing in a state of high concentration of detergent in a washing machine having a process of soak washing with a lowered washing level as a preprocess of a washing process. <P>SOLUTION: An inner tub 2 rotatably disposed with a stirring vane 4 in its inner bottom part is rotatably stored inside an outer tub 1, the outer tub 1 is formed with a bubble chamber 13 on its inside and a bubble delivery part 16 is disposed in the tip of a circulation passage 15 communicating with the bubble chamber 13. The rotating of the inner tub 2 forms the bubbles in detergent solution between the inner tub 2 and the outer tub 1, and the bubbles formed on the upper part of the detergent solution are collected in the bubble chamber 13, lifted upward, and delivered to the inner tub 2 from the upper part of the bubble delivery part 16. This washing machine is provided with the soak washing process performed at a lower level than the regular washing level, and the soak washing process is repeatedly performed prescribed times by combined with at least one process of a stirring process or a soaking process besides a bubble delivery process. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a washing machine having a washing step of lowering a washing water level and washing with water as a preceding step of a washing step.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In general, dirt left for several days after wearing, such as collective washing, and oily dirt accumulated by repeated wearing and washing, appear yellowish if not sufficiently removed.
[0003]
Conventionally, in order to wash such stubborn soiled laundry, in a state where the water level in the washing tub is lower than the washing water level and the detergent concentration is high, the soiled laundry is immersed for a predetermined time, and A washing process is performed after performing a soaking process of adsorbing an activator to decompose dirt (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-7-185185
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in such a conventional configuration, since the water level of the immersion washing is lower than the washing water level, the soiled laundry may partially protrude from the upper surface of the detergent liquid, and may not be immersed. Sometimes happened.
[0006]
The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and has an object to improve detergency by making foam sufficiently spread throughout the laundry in a soaking process and performing soaking with a high detergent concentration. .
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an inner tank in which a stirring blade is rotatably arranged on an inner bottom portion, rotatably accommodated in an outer tank, and rotatably drives the stirring blade or the inner tank by driving means. A foam chamber is formed on the inner surface of the tank, a foam discharge section is disposed at the end of the circulation path communicating with the foam chamber, and foam is supplied to the detergent liquid between the inner tank and the outer tank by rotating the inner tank. Generated, collected foam in the upper part of the detergent liquid is collected in the foam chamber, pumped upwards, and configured to discharge foam from above into the inner tub from the foam discharge section, and run at a water level lower than the normal washing water level It has a soaking washing process, and the soaking process is configured to repeatedly execute a predetermined number of times by combining at least one of a stirring process and a soaking process in addition to the foam discharging process.
[0008]
As a result, the foam can be sufficiently spread throughout the laundry in the soaking process, so that the washing can be performed in a state where the detergent concentration is high without increasing the water level, and the washing power is improved. Can be. Further, by performing the stirring process, unevenness in washing can be reduced, and by performing the preparatory process, dirt remaining inside the fiber can be decomposed and removed.
[0009]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention provides an inner tank in which a stirring blade is rotatably disposed on an inner bottom, an outer tank in which the inner tank is rotatably accommodated, and a rotation of the stirring blade or the inner tank. A driving unit for driving, a foam chamber formed on the inner surface of the outer tank, and a foam discharge unit disposed at a tip of a circulation path communicating with the foam chamber, wherein the inner tank is rotated by rotating the inner tank. And foam in the detergent liquid between the outer tub and the generated foam on the detergent liquid is collected in the foam chamber and pumped upward, and the foam is discharged from the foam discharge section into the inner tub from above. Having a soaking step performed at a water level lower than a normal washing water level, wherein the soaking step combines at least one of a stirring step and a soaking step in addition to a foam discharging step; This is repeated a predetermined number of times, and the foam is washed during the washing process. It is possible to sufficiently spread to the body, without raising the water level, to be able to detergent concentration of washing put in a high state, it is possible to improve the detergency. Further, by performing the stirring process, unevenness in washing can be reduced, and by performing the preparatory process, dirt remaining inside the fiber can be decomposed and removed.
[0010]
【Example】
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0011]
As shown in FIG. 1, an inner tank 2 rotatably arranged is included inside the outer tank 1, and a stirring blade 4 is rotatably arranged at the inner bottom of the inner tank 2 via a speed reduction mechanism 3. Has been established. An outer tank cover 6 is provided at the upper opening of the outer tank 1 via a packing 5, and is suspended from a housing 8 by a suspension rod 7.
[0012]
The motor (drive means) 9 drives the inner tank 2 or the stirring blade 4 via the speed reduction mechanism 3. The water supply valve 10 is for supplying water into the inner tank 2, the water level detecting means 11 is for detecting the water level in the outer tank 1, and the drain valve 12 is for draining the detergent liquid in the outer tank 1. is there.
[0013]
On the inner surface of the outer tub 1, a foam chamber 13 located above the inner bottom 1 a of the outer tub 1 is formed. While sealing with the formed lid part 14 (shown in FIG. 3), a part of the circulation path 15 is formed in a part of the lid part 14, and a bubble discharge part 16 is disposed at the tip of the circulation path 15. are doing.
[0014]
Next, as shown in FIG. 2, the side plate 17 constituting the outer peripheral portion of the bubble chamber 13 is formed so as to extend outward from the inner surface of the outer tub 1 in the rotational direction. A partition plate 18 for partitioning the inside of the tank 1 is provided. The guide plate 19 constituting the bottom surface of the bubble chamber 13 is formed so as to be curved upward in the rotation direction.
[0015]
Next, as shown in FIG. 3, the bubble discharge unit 16 is configured such that the discharge direction of the bubble is the same as the rotation direction of the inner tank 2, and the discharged bubbles are transferred from the substantially central portion 2 a to the outer peripheral portion 2 b of the inner tank 2. It is configured as such.
[0016]
The control device 20 is configured as shown in FIG. 4, and the control unit 21 is configured by a microcomputer, and controls the operations of the motor 9, the water supply valve 10, the drain valve 12, and the like via the power switching unit 22. A series of processes such as washing, rinsing, and dehydration are sequentially controlled.
[0017]
Here, the control means 21 has, as a preceding step of the washing step, a soaking step performed at a water level lower than a normal washing water level, and the soaking step includes a foam discharging step, a stirring step, and a soaking step. It is executed a predetermined number of times.
[0018]
The input setting means 23 sets a driving course and the like, and the control means 21 inputs information from the input setting means 23 and displays it on the display means 24 based on the information to notify the user. In addition, 25 is a commercial power supply, and 26 is a power switch.
[0019]
The operation will be described in the above configuration. After the laundry and the detergent are put into the inner tub 2, a course having a soaking process is set by the input setting means 23 and the operation is started. To start water supply. When the water level detecting means 11 detects a predetermined water level lower than the normal washing water level (for example, about 1/4 of the washing water level), a signal is sent to the control means 21 and the operation of the water supply valve 10 is stopped. Thereafter, the process moves to the detergent dissolving process, and the motor 9 is driven by the control means 21 to rotate the inner tank 2. Since the rotation speed at this time is set lower than the subsequent foaming stroke, the detergent dissolves without discharging the detergent liquid from the foam discharge unit 16 before dissolving the detergent.
[0020]
Next, a soaking process is performed. The soaking process is repeated 5 times, for a total of 10 minutes, a foam discharging process for 1 minute, a stirring process for 2 minutes, and a soaking process for 7 minutes. In the foam discharge process, the inner tank 2 is rotated at a higher rotation speed than the detergent dissolving process, so that a large amount of air is sent into the detergent liquid between the inner tank 2 and the outer tank 1 to mix them, thereby producing a large amount of foam. Generate. Then, since a large amount of generated foam has a low specific gravity, it moves to the upper part of the detergent liquid, and vigorously enters the foam chamber 13 while rotating inside the outer tank 1.
[0021]
The foam that has entered the foam chamber 13 is pumped upward by converting its velocity component from a horizontal direction to a vertical direction along a guide plate 19, and is transferred from the foam discharge section 16 into the inner tank 2 through the circulation path 15. Discharge from above. At this time, since the foam discharge direction of the foam is in the same direction as the rotation direction of the inner tub 2, the speed difference between the discharged foam and the laundry in the inner tub 1 or the inner tub 2 is reduced. It is possible to prevent the falling foam from hitting the inner tub 2 or the laundry in the inner tub 2 and jumping.
[0022]
Further, since the foam discharging section 16 is configured such that the discharged foam covers the substantially central portion 2a of the inner tub 2 to the outer peripheral portion 2b, the laundry in the inner tub 2 partially projects from the upper surface of the detergent liquid. Even if the inner tub 2 rotates, the foam can be applied evenly to the laundry in the inner tub 2.
[0023]
Here, the bubbles will be described in detail. Generally, when the detergent molecule A is modeled, as shown in FIG. 5, it is composed of a hydrophilic group a and a lipophilic group b. Therefore, when a state in which the detergent is dissolved in water is represented, as shown in FIG. 6, the detergent molecules A are arranged at the interface (water surface), and the detergent molecules that cannot be arranged exist individually or as micelles (collectively) in the water. Then, as soon as the detergent molecules at the interface are removed, the detergent molecules in the water have the function of moving to the interface and supplementing them.
[0024]
Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, when the bubbles B are sent into the detergent liquid, the bubbles B rise and reach the interface, and are aligned with the interface, and the bubbles C in the form of holding the detergent molecules A as they are in the foam curtain. Occurs. That is, a bubble C is obtained in which the detergent molecules A are arranged as much as possible, and the detergent concentration is high. At this time, to replenish the detergent molecules carried away as bubbles, the detergent molecules in the liquid move, and if bubbles B are sent one after another, bubbles C will be created one after another. At this time, the lipophilic group b is directed toward the inside and outside of the foam film.
[0025]
By passing the foam C thus produced through the surface of the soiled laundry or the laundry, the lipophilic group b is combined with the oil and the particle stains attached to the oil and carried away. Further, if the foam C breaks while passing through the laundry, the detergent liquid of high concentration will permeate into the laundry, which also makes it easy to remove dirt.
[0026]
After the foam discharge process, a stirring process is performed. In the stirring process, the motor 9 is driven by the control means 21 to invert the stirring blade 4. By applying mechanical force to the laundry by inverting the stirring blades 4, the foam can penetrate into the entire laundry and the position of the laundry can be changed. In the next foam discharge stroke, the foam becomes more solid in the laundry. And uneven washing can be reduced. Further, by performing the soaking process, the detergent component can be permeated and decomposed over a long period of time even for dirt remaining inside the fibers of the laundry. Further, since the immersion washing step is repeatedly performed a predetermined number of times, the washing power can be further improved, and the washing unevenness can be reduced.
[0027]
After the washing process, the control means 21 operates the water supply valve 10 to start water supply. When the water level detecting means 11 detects the set water level (normal washing water level), it sends a signal to the control means 21 to stop the operation of the water supply valve 10. Then, the control means 21 drives the motor 9 to invert the stirring blades 4 for a predetermined time, thereby executing the main washing step, removing dirt decomposed in the washing step from the laundry, and performing washing.
[0028]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the bubble chamber 13 is formed on the inner surface of the outer tank 1, the bubble discharge unit 16 is disposed at the tip of the circulation path 15 communicating with the bubble chamber 13, and the inner tank 2 is rotated. As a result, bubbles are generated in the detergent liquid between the inner tank 2 and the outer tank 1, and the generated bubbles on the upper part of the detergent liquid are collected in the bubble chamber 13 and pumped upward. Has a soaking process performed at a water level lower than the normal washing water level, and the soaking process combines a stirring process and a soaking process in addition to the foam discharging process. Since it is repeatedly executed a predetermined number of times, a large amount of foam is generated from the detergent liquid in the soaking process, and the foam can be spread over the laundry from above the inner tub 2 to sufficiently spread the foam throughout the laundry. Do not soak and raise the water level. Bets can be, it is possible to improve the detergency. Further, by performing the stirring process, unevenness in washing can be reduced, and by performing the preparatory process, dirt remaining inside the fiber can be decomposed and removed.
[0029]
In the present embodiment, the soaking process is composed of three steps: a foam discharge step, a stirring step, and a preparatory step. However, the foaming step includes a foam discharging step and a stirring step, or a foam discharging step and a preparatory step. You may comprise.
[0030]
In the foam discharging process, not only foam but also a mixture of foam and detergent liquid may be discharged.
[0031]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a foam chamber is formed on the inner surface of the outer tank, and a foam discharge section is disposed at the end of a circulation path communicating with the foam chamber. To generate bubbles in the detergent liquid between the inner tank and the outer tank, collect the generated bubbles on the upper part of the detergent liquid in the bubble chamber, pump the water upward, and then move the bubbles upward from the foam discharge part into the inner tank. It is configured to discharge more foam, and has a soaking step performed at a water level lower than a normal washing water level, and the soaking step includes at least one of a stirring step and a soaking step in addition to the foam discharging step. Since the combination is repeatedly executed a predetermined number of times, the foam can be sufficiently spread throughout the laundry in the soaking process, so that the washing can be performed in a state where the detergent concentration is high without raising the water level, Detergency can be improved. Further, by performing the stirring process, unevenness in washing can be reduced, and by performing the preparatory process, dirt remaining inside the fiber can be decomposed and removed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the outer tub of the washing machine with a part cut away. FIG. FIG. 4 is a block circuit diagram of the washing machine. FIG. 5 is a model diagram of detergent molecules. FIG. 6 is a model diagram of detergent molecules dissolved in water. FIG. 7 is bubbles in the detergent solution. Model diagram when passed through
1 outer tank 2 inner tank 4 stirring blade 9 motor (drive means)
13 foam chamber 15 circulation path 16 foam discharge section

Claims (1)

An inner tank in which stirring blades are rotatably arranged on the inner bottom, an outer tank in which the inner tank is rotatably housed, a driving means for rotating the stirring blades or the inner tank, and an inner surface of the outer tank. A foam chamber formed, and a foam discharge unit disposed at the end of a circulation path communicating with the foam chamber, wherein the inner tank is rotated to form bubbles in the detergent liquid between the inner tank and the outer tank. Is generated, the generated foam on the detergent liquid is collected in the foam chamber and is pumped upward, and the foam is discharged from the foam discharge section into the inner tub from above, so that the level is higher than a normal washing water level. A washing machine having a soaking step performed at a low water level, wherein the soaking step combines at least one of a stirring step and a soaking step in addition to a foam discharging step, and is repeatedly performed a predetermined number of times.

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