JP2005013577A - Drum type washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve a defoaming effect and to prevent the increase of the quantity of water. <P>SOLUTION: A circulation path 10 consists of: a water path 28 whose one end part is connected to a drain port not shown in the figure of a water reserving part 8; a branch pipe 29 connected to the other end part of the water path 28; a circulation pump 30 connected to one water exit of this branch pipe 29; and a water supply path 31 whose one end part is connected to the discharging port of the circulation pump 30 and the other end part of which is connected to a connection pipe part 32 formed at the upper part of a water tank 4. A controller not shown in the figure drives the circulation pump 30 when the occurrence of foam is detected by a foam occurrence detector not shown in the figure in a washing process of rotating the drum 5 forward and backward. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a drum-type washing machine with a countermeasure against foam.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventional detergents used in washing machines include non-low foaming detergents with high foaming and low foaming detergents with low foaming. The former non-low foaming detergent is easy to obtain, inexpensive and has many types, and is often used in so-called vertical washing machines. On the other hand, the latter low foaming detergent is suitable for a drum type washing machine. That is, since the drum type washing machine is a washing method in which the laundry is lifted and dropped by rotation of the drum (foam easily), a low foaming detergent with low foaming is suitable.
[0003]
By the way, the non-low foaming detergent has been used for a long time, and the price is low and it is easy to obtain. Therefore, this non-low foaming detergent is often used. In this case, in the drum type washing machine, bubbles may be abnormally generated during the washing process or the excessive process.
[0004]
If too much foam is generated, there is a problem that the foam between the water tank and the drum becomes a rotational resistance of the drum, and further, there is a problem that the time required for rinsing and the amount of water increase.
[0005]
As a countermeasure against this, there is one that includes foam generation detection means, and when the generation of foam is abnormal, the water supply valve for drying is opened and water is supplied from the cooling duct to eliminate the foam (patent) Reference 1).
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-33878
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the case of the above configuration, it is difficult to eliminate the bubbles between the drum and the water tank or in the drum, and since the water for removing bubbles is newly supplied, the washing water level increases from the set water level. There is.
[0008]
This invention is made | formed in view of the said situation, The objective is to provide the drum type washing machine which can improve a foam elimination effect, and also does not increase the amount of water.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The invention of claim 1 includes a water tank,
A drum provided in this water tank and having a large number of holes in the peripheral wall;
Foam generation detecting means for detecting the generation of bubbles in the water tank;
A water inlet is communicated with the lower part of the water tank, a water outlet is communicated with the water tank from the upper part of the water tank, and a circulation path provided with a circulation pump in the middle part;
And a control unit that drives the circulation pump when the generation of bubbles is detected by the bubble generation detection unit in the washing process of rotating the drum forward and backward.
[0010]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the generation of bubbles is detected by the bubble generation detecting means, the water in the water tank is supplied from the upper part of the water tank to the inside by the circulation pump. This water is applied to the outer surface of the drum and also enters the inside of the drum from the hole. As a result, the bubbles between the aquarium and the drum can be erased well, the bubbles in the drum can be erased well, and the bubbles are eliminated using the water in the aquarium, so the amount of water in the aquarium can be increased. Never come.
[0011]
In this case, as in the invention of claim 2, a part of the washing water may be discharged together with the driving of the circulation pump. This is effective for preventing the generation of bubbles.
[0012]
Further, as in the third aspect of the invention, the circulation pump may be driven in the drainage stroke after the washing stroke is completed. If it does in this way, drainage can be performed while aiming at bubble elimination also in a drainage process, and when a dehydration process is performed next, a bubble overcoming will become good.
[0013]
Further, as in the fourth aspect of the invention, the circulating pump may be driven and the drum may be rotated forward or backward in a lower speed or in a shorter time than during the washing stroke. If it does in this way, the position of the inside laundry will be changed by the forward / reverse rotation of the drum, and water will be applied evenly to the laundry, which is more effective in eliminating foam. In this case, since the drum is rotated in the forward and reverse directions at a lower speed or in a shorter time than the time of the washing process, there is no bubble generation itself due to the drum rotation.
[0014]
Furthermore, as in the invention of claim 5, the circulation pump may be driven in the water supply stroke before the rinsing stroke after the completion of the dehydration stroke. If it does in this way, the detergent part contained in the laundry can be diluted quickly, and foam generation can be suppressed. In other words, at the time of water supply to the aquarium, only water accumulates from the bottom of the aquarium (water accumulates from the bottom of the drum), so it takes time for water to penetrate into the laundry. Although it is difficult to dilute the detergent contained in the water quickly, in the invention of claim 5, since the water is also poured from the upper part of the water tank to the inside, the detergent contained in the laundry can be diluted quickly.
[0015]
Further, as in the invention of claim 6, the circulation pump may be driven in the rinsing process. If it does in this way, water can be poured on the laundry from the top, and generation of foam can be prevented effectively.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, a laundry doorway 2 is formed at the front portion of the outer box 1, and this is opened and closed in a watertight manner by the door 3. Inside the outer box 1, a cylindrical water tank 4 having an opening 4a in the front is provided via an elastic support mechanism 4b. Inside the water tank 4, a large number of holes 5a are formed in the peripheral wall. A drum 5 serving as a rotating tub is rotatably provided. The drum 5 is rotationally driven by a motor 6 comprising a DC brushless motor provided at the rear of the water tank 4. The back surface of the outer box 1 is configured by attaching an inspection plate 1c to the upper plate portion 1a and the lower plate portion 1b.
[0017]
The opening 4 a of the water tub 4 and the laundry entrance 2 are connected in a watertight and airtight manner by a bellows 7. A water reservoir 8 is provided at the bottom of the water tank 4, and a warm water heater 9 is disposed inside the water reservoir 8. Further, although not shown in the figure, a drain outlet is formed in the water reservoir 8, and a circulation path 10 and a drain path 11 described later are connected to the drain outlet.
[0018]
As shown in FIG. 3, a heat exchanger duct 12 is attached to the outside of the rear part of the water tank 4 so as to extend vertically, and a lower part thereof communicates with a vent 13 formed at a lower part of the rear part of the water tank 4. The duct 14 is connected to the suction side of the blower 15. The discharge side of the blower 15 is connected to one end of a heater 17 provided with a drying heater 16 inside, and the other end of the heater 17 communicates with the upper portion of the opening 4 a of the water tank 4 through a duct 18. . Note that a dehumidifying water injection pipe 19 is disposed inside the heat exchanger duct 12 to constitute a heat exchanger 20. In the drying process, when the blower 15 is driven and the heater 16 of the heater 17 is energized, as shown by the arrow A in the drawing, the warm air is supplied to the duct 18, the water tank 4, the drum 5, the vent 13, and the duct. 12, the duct 14, the blower 15, the heater 17, and the duct 18 are circulated. During this circulation, water is sprinkled from the water injection pipe 19 to dehumidify the moisture in the warm air.
[0019]
A water supply valve 21, a bath water pump 22, a water injector 23, and the like are disposed on the inside upper portion of the outer box 1, and the water supply valve 21 has a first water supply port 21 a and a second water supply port 21 a that are opened and closed independently. Water supply port 21b. The water inlet 21c of the water supply valve 21 is connected to the water supply, and when the first water supply port 21a is opened, the tap water passes through the water injector 23 and the water supply pipe 23a, and the water tank 21 The water is supplied into the water tank 4 (in the drum 5) from the upper part of the opening 4a. When the second water supply port 21b is opened, water is sprayed from the water injection pipe 19 into the heat exchanger 20.
[0020]
An air trap 24 communicating with the inside of the duct 12 is attached to a substantially middle portion of the duct 12 of the heat exchanger 20, and an air tube 25 extends upward from the air trap 24, It is connected to a pressure sensor 26 provided at the top. The air trap 24, the air tube 25, and the pressure sensor 26 constitute a bubble generation detection device 27 that is a bubble generation detection means.
[0021]
The foam generation detection device 27 is configured so that when bubbles generated in the water tank 4 (in the drum 5) enter the duct 12, the lower surface opening of the air trap 24 is closed to increase its internal pressure. 26 detects the pressure rise and detects the generation of bubbles (abnormal generation of bubbles).
[0022]
Now, the circulation path 10 will be described. One end of the water passage 28 (water inlet of the circulation passage 10) is connected to a drain outlet (not shown) of the water reservoir 8, and the other end thereof is connected to the branch pipe 29. One water outlet of the branch pipe 29 is connected to one end of a water supply path 31 through a circulation pump 30, and the other end of the water supply path 31 is an upper part of the water tank 4 (a vertical axis passing through the rotation center of the drum 5. It is connected to the connecting pipe part 32 (water outlet of the circulation path 10) formed in the upper part). In addition, the middle part of the water supply path 31 is configured in a bellows shape.
[0023]
On the other hand, the drainage channel 11 is configured by connecting the drainage valve 33 and the drainage pipe 34 to the other water outlet of the branch pipe 29 and connecting the overflow pipe 35 to the drainage pipe 34. The upper end of the overflow pipe 35 is connected to the upper part of the duct 12. The water conduit 28 constitutes a part of the circulation path 10 and a part of the drainage path 11.
A water level sensor 36 (see FIG. 3) is provided at the lower rear part of the water tank 4.
[0024]
Next, in FIG. 3 showing the electrical configuration, the operation input unit 37 is configured to include a start switch, a course selection switch, and the like provided on an operation panel (not shown). 38 is input.
[0025]
The control device 38 is a control means, and includes a microcomputer, an A / D converter, and the like. The output of the water level sensor 36 and the output of the pressure sensor 26 of the bubble generation detection device 27 are input to the control device 38. Further, the control device 38 drives and controls the motor 6 via the inverter circuit 39, and via the drive circuit 40, a display unit 41, a hot water heater 9, a drain valve 33 provided on an operation panel (not shown), The fan motor 15 a of the blower 15, the drying heater 16, the pump motor 30 a of the circulation pump 30, the bath water pump 22, and the water supply valve 21 are driven and controlled.
[0026]
Now, for example, when the fully automatic course is set and the start switch is turned on, the control device 38 controls the washing process and the rinsing process as shown in FIGS. That is, first, water supply is performed up to a set water level (steps S1 to S3). As a result, the water enters the water tank 4 and the drum 5 to the bottom thereof, and the water level rises sequentially to reach the set water level. Then, the motor 6 is turned on in the forward rotation direction for a predetermined time (step S4), turned off for a predetermined time (step S5), turned on in the reverse rotation direction for a predetermined time (step S6), turned off for a predetermined time (step S7), and washed. Run the journey. Then, based on the signal from the pressure sensor 26 of the bubble generation detection device 27, it is determined whether or not bubbles are generated (step S8). If bubbles are generated, the circulation pump 30 is used for a predetermined time, for example, 10 seconds. Is simultaneously turned on (driven), and the drain valve 33 is opened (steps S9 to S12).
[0027]
In this case, when the circulation pump 30 is turned on, water (washing water) in the water tank 4 is supplied into the water tank 4 from the upper part of the water tank 4 through the water supply path 31. As a result, when the water is applied to the outer surface of the drum 5, the bubbles between the water tank 4 and the drum 5 are erased, and when some water enters the drum 5 from the hole 5 a, the bubbles inside the drum 5 are erased. The At the same time, the generation of bubbles is suppressed by partially draining the water in the water tank 4.
[0028]
After step S13 or in “NO” in step S8, it is determined whether or not the washing process is finished (step S14, whether or not the washing time has reached a predetermined time), and the washing process is finished, and the draining process (steps S15 to S15). Step S19) is executed. In this drainage process, the circulation pump 30 is turned on, and the drainage can be performed while eliminating the bubbles. As a result, in the case of performing the next dehydration process, the bubble surmount is improved.
[0029]
Next, a dehydration process is performed (steps S20 to S22). In the water supply process (step S23 to step S26) before the rinsing process after the dehydration process is completed, the circulation pump 30 is turned on (step S24). Thereby, since water is poured also into the drum 5 from the upper part of the water tank 4 at the time of water supply, the detergent part contained in the laundry can be diluted quickly. Thereafter, a rinsing process is performed (steps S27 to S31). In this rinsing process, the circulation pump is turned on in step S24. As a result, water is applied to the laundry from above, and the generation of bubbles can be effectively prevented.
[0030]
As described above, according to this embodiment, when the generation of bubbles is detected by the bubble generation detection device 27, the water in the water tank 4 is supplied from the upper part of the water tank 4 to the inside by the circulation pump 30. This water is applied to the outer surface of the drum 5 and also enters the drum 5 from the hole 5a. As a result, the bubbles between the water tank 4 and the drum 5 can be erased satisfactorily, the bubbles in the drum 5 can also be favorably erased, and the bubbles are erased using the water in the water tank 4. There will be no increase in the amount of water.
[0031]
Further, in the washing process, since part of the washing water is discharged together with the driving of the circulation pump 30, it is further effective in preventing foam generation.
[0032]
Further, since the circulation pump 30 is driven in the drainage process after the end of the washing process, the drainage can be performed while eliminating the bubbles in the drainage process. .
[0033]
Furthermore, since the circulation pump 30 is driven in the water supply stroke before the rinsing stroke after the dehydration stroke is completed, the detergent contained in the laundry can be diluted quickly and foam generation can be suppressed. That is, since water is supplied into the water tank 4 only from the bottom of the water tank 4 (water is collected from the bottom of the drum 5), it takes time for water to penetrate into the laundry. Although it is difficult to dilute the detergent contained in the article quickly, in this embodiment, water is also poured from the upper part of the water tank 4 into the drum 5, so that the detergent contained in the laundry can be diluted quickly.
Further, since the circulation pump is driven in the rinsing process, water can be poured onto the laundry from above, and the generation of bubbles can be effectively prevented.
[0034]
In the first embodiment, the circulation pump 30 is driven in the drainage process after the end of the washing process (steps S15 to S19). FIG. 7 shows the second example of the present invention. As described above, the circulation pump 30 may be driven and the drum 5 may be rotated forward and backward in a shorter time than during the washing process (step S01 ′ to step S04 ′). In this way, the forward / reverse rotation by a short rotation that does not generate bubbles in the drum 5 changes the position of the internal laundry so that the water is evenly applied to the laundry and is more effective in eliminating bubbles. is there. In this case, the drum 5 may be rotated at a low speed. As the bubble generation detecting means, another method such as a method of detecting bubbles with an optical sensor may be used. Furthermore, “10 seconds” in step S11 may be appropriately changed.
[0035]
【The invention's effect】
As is apparent from the above description, the present invention has an excellent effect that the bubble erasing effect is improved and the amount of water is not increased.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a circulation path portion showing a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an overall vertical side view. FIG. 3 is an overall rear view with a lower plate and an inspection lid removed. 4 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing control contents. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing control contents. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing control contents according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Explanation】
4 is a water tank, 5 is a drum, 12 is a duct, 20 is a heat exchanger, 24 is an air trap, 26 is a pressure sensor, 27 is a foam generation detection device (foam generation detection means), 30 is a circulation pump, and 38 is a control device (Control means) is shown.

Claims (6)

A tank,
A drum provided in this water tank and having a large number of holes in the peripheral wall;
Foam generation detecting means for detecting the generation of bubbles in the water tank;
A water inlet is communicated with the lower part of the water tank, a water outlet is communicated with the water tank from the upper part of the water tank, and a circulation path provided with a circulation pump in the middle part;
A drum type washing machine comprising: control means for driving the circulation pump when foam generation is detected by the foam generation detection means in a washing process of rotating the drum forward and backward. 2. The drum type washing machine according to claim 1, wherein a part of the washing water is discharged together with the driving of the circulation pump. 2. The drum type washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the circulation pump is driven in a draining process after the washing process is completed. 4. The drum type washing machine according to claim 3, wherein the circulating pump is driven and the drum is rotated forward and reverse at a lower speed or in a shorter time than at the time of the washing process. 2. The drum type washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the circulation pump is driven in a water supply stroke after the dehydration stroke and before the rinsing stroke. 2. The drum type washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the circulation pump is driven in the rinsing process.

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