JP2006192197A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To finish an operation in a short period of time despite of executing bacteria elimination for clothes. <P>SOLUTION: When a bacteria elimination course is set, this washing machine sequentially executes a second rinsing operation after a washing operation and a first rinsing operation, and executes a bacteria elimination process before an agitating process of the second rinsing operation. In the bacteria elimination process, the clothes in a drum 22 is heated with hot air to eliminate the bacteria and the drum 22 whose temperature is raised by the bacteria elimination process is cooled in the rinsing process after the bacteria elimination process. This constitution can dispense with a dedicated air blowing operation for cooling the drum 22 so as to finish the operation in a short period of time despite of executing the bacteria elimination for the clothes. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a washing machine having a function of sterilizing clothes in a washing tub based on heating with warm air.

Some of the washing machines have a configuration in which a sterilization process is performed after a washing process, a first rinsing process, a second rinsing process, and a dehydrating process are performed in this order.
Japanese Patent No. 3314144

  In the case of the above conventional configuration, the temperature of the washing tub is increased by heat during the sterilization process. For this reason, since it is necessary to send cooling air into the washing tub and cool the washing tub based on performing the blowing process after the sterilization process, the entire operation time from the start of the washing process to the end of the blowing process is It tends to be long.

  This invention is made | formed in view of the said situation, The objective is to provide the washing machine which can finish a driving | operation in a short time, disinfecting clothing.

  The washing machine of the present invention includes a washing tub into which clothes are put, a heater for heating the clothes in the washing tub based on supplying warm air into the washing tub, and clothes in the washing tub. A washing process for washing with water containing a detergent component, a rinsing process for washing clothes in the washing tub with water not containing a detergent component, a dehydration process for draining water from the clothes in the washing tub, and a garment in the washing tub Operation control means capable of performing a sterilization process for sterilization based on heating by the heater as a single washing course, and the operation control means performs the rinsing process in a single washing course. It is characterized in that it is performed a plurality of times and the sterilization process is performed between the first rinse process and the final rinse process.

  Since the sterilization process is performed within a period from the end of the first rinsing process to the start of the final rinsing process, the washing tub is cooled by the rinsing process after the sterilization process. For this reason, since the exclusive ventilation process which cools a washing tub can be abolished, it becomes possible to finish driving | running in a short time, disinfecting clothes. Here, the first rinsing process is the earliest of a plurality of rinsing processes, and the final rinsing process is the last one. For example, when the rinsing process is performed three times, the first rinsing process and the third rinsing process are the first rinsing process and the final rinsing process, and the sterilization process is performed for the third time after the first rinsing process is completed. It may be performed within a period until the rinsing process is started.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the outer box 1 has a box shape with an upper surface opened, and a top cover 2 is fixed to an upper end portion of the outer box 1. The top cover 2 has a frame shape having an outside entrance 3, and a front lid 4 and a rear lid 5 are attached to the top cover 2. The front lid 4 and the rear lid 5 are configured to be slidable in the front-rear direction along the inclination of the top cover 2, and the outer entrance 3 has the front lid 4 and the rear lid 5 at the center in the front-rear direction of the outer entrance 3. The front lid 4 and the rear lid 5 are closed based on contact with the mating side, and are opened based on sliding forward and backward from the state in which the front lid 4 and the rear lid 5 are in contact with the mating side.

  A water tank 6 is accommodated in the outer box 1. The water tank 6 has a horizontal cylindrical shape with both left and right end surfaces closed, and a water inlet / outlet 7 is formed in the water tank 6. The water tank 6 functions as a water storage container for receiving water, and is supported on the bottom plate of the outer box 1 via a plurality of dampers 8 for buffering and damping. An inner lid 9 is attached to the water tank 6 so as to be rotatable about a shaft 10, and the middle doorway 7 is opened and closed based on the rotation of the inner lid 9. A water level sensor 11 (see FIG. 2) is connected to the water tank 6, and the water level sensor 11 outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the water level in the water tank 6.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a drain pipe 12 is connected to the bottom of the water tank 6. The drain pipe 12 corresponds to a discharge passage for discharging the water in the water tank 6 to the outside of the machine, and a drain valve 13 is interposed in the drain pipe 12. The drain valve 13 has a drain valve solenoid 14 (see FIG. 2) as a drive source. The drain valve 13 has an open state in which the drain pipe 12 is opened in conjunction with the drain valve solenoid 14 being turned on and off. Switch to closed state to close.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a water supply valve 15 is accommodated in the top cover 2. The water supply valve 15 uses a water supply valve solenoid 16 (see FIG. 2) as a drive source, and is in an open state and a closed state in conjunction with the water supply valve solenoid 16 being turned on and off. A water tap is connected to the input port of the water supply valve 15. As shown in FIG. 1, an inlet of a water injection case 18 is connected to the output port of the water supply valve 15 via a hose 17. An outlet of the water injection case 18 is connected to the water tank 6 via a hose 19. Yes. This water injection case 18 refers to a detergent storage container fixed in the top cover 2. When the water supply valve 15 is opened for the first time in the washing course, tap water is injected into the water injection case 18 through the hose 17. The detergent in the case 18 is injected into the water tank 6 through the hose 19 from the outlet of the water injection case 18 together with tap water.

  A washing motor 20 is fixed to the water tank 6, and the rotation shaft of the washing motor 20 protrudes into the water tank 6. The washing motor 20 is composed of a synchronous motor (specifically, a three-phase DC brushless motor) capable of speed control, and has a speed sensor 21 (see FIG. 2). The speed sensor 21 is stationary relative to the rotor of the washing motor 20 and is composed of a magnetic sensor that detects the rotor magnet of the washing motor 20 and outputs an electrical signal.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a drum 22 corresponding to the washing tub located in the water tub 6 is fixed to the rotating shaft of the washing motor 20. The drum 22 has a horizontal cylindrical shape with both left and right end surfaces closed, and the drum 22 has a plurality of through holes. These through holes connect the internal space of the drum 22 to the internal space of the water tank 6, and the water in the water tank 6 circulates in the drum 22 through the plurality of through holes. An inner entrance 23 is formed in the drum 22, and the inner entrance 23 is opened and closed based on the rotation of the inner lid 24. The inner lid 24 is mounted on the drum 22 so as to be rotatable about a shaft 25. Inside the drum 22, the outer entrance 3 of the top cover 2 through the inner entrance 7 of the water tank 6 and the inner entrance 23 of the drum 22 are provided. The laundry is put in and out. The drum 22 functions as a washing tub for washing laundry, a rinsing tub for washing, and a dehydration tub for dehydrating the laundry. When the drum 22 is rotated at a relatively low speed, the drum 22 falls after being lifted. The operation is repeated, and the laundry rotates while being stuck to the inner peripheral surface of the drum 22 by centrifugal force when the drum 22 rotates at a relatively high speed.

  A heat exchanger 26 is fixed to the water tank 6. The heat exchanger 26 is in the form of a duct through which air and water can flow. The lower end of the heat exchanger 26 is connected to the water tank 6, and the upper end of the heat exchanger 26 is connected to the air inlet of the fan casing 27. It is connected. An inlet of a duct 28 is connected to the exhaust port of the fan casing 27, and an outlet of the duct 28 is connected to the water tank 6.

  A fan 29 is housed in the fan casing 27, and the fan 29 is connected to a rotating shaft of a fan motor 30 (see FIG. 2). The fan motor 30 is composed of a synchronous motor (specifically, a three-phase DC brushless motor) capable of speed control, and has a speed sensor 31 (see FIG. 2). When the fan motor 30 is driven, the air in the water tank 6 flows into the heat exchanger 26 from the lower end of the heat exchanger 26, rises in the heat exchanger 26, and then passes through the fan casing 27 and the duct 28. It is discharged inside. That is, the fan motor 30 generates circulating air from the water tank 6 through the heat exchanger 26 and returns to the water tank 6, and the heat exchanger 26, the fan casing 27, and the duct 28 are circulating paths through which the circulating air flows. Is configured.

  A heater 32 (see FIG. 2) corresponding to a heat source is accommodated in the duct 28. The heater 32 heats the air flowing through the duct 28, and when the fan motor 30 and the heater 32 are driven, warm air circulates in the water tank 6 and the drum 22, and warm air flows to the laundry in the drum 22. Is sprayed. A hot air sensor 60 (see FIG. 2) is accommodated in the duct 28, and the hot air sensor 60 outputs an electric signal corresponding to the temperature of the hot air flowing through the duct 28. That is, the heat exchanger 26, the fan casing 27, the duct 28, the fan 29, the fan motor 30 and the heater 32 constitute a hot air circulator 62 (see FIG. 1) for heating the laundry in the drum 22. The hot air circulator 62 corresponds to a heater.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a water discharge valve 33 is accommodated in the top cover 2. The water discharge valve 33 is driven by a water discharge valve solenoid 34 (see FIG. 2), and is opened and closed in conjunction with the water discharge valve solenoid 34 being turned on and off. A water faucet is connected to the input port of the water discharge valve 33, and a water discharge pipe 35 is connected to the output port of the water discharge valve 33. As shown in FIG. 1, the water discharge pipe 35 is housed in the upper end of the heat exchanger 26, and tap water is supplied into the water discharge pipe 35 from a water tap when the water discharge valve 33 is open. The water is discharged from the outlet of the water discharge pipe 35 into the heat exchanger 26. This tap water is scattered in the form of mist by the hot air rising in the heat exchanger 26, and the hot air is cooled in the heat exchanger 26 based on contact with the mist-like tap water. That is, the heat exchanger 26 and the water discharge pipe 35 constitute a dehumidifier that dehumidifies based on cooling of the hot air, and the heater 32 is a low-humidity temperature based on heating of the dehumidified cooling air. Generate wind.

  As shown in FIG. 3, an operation panel 36 is fixed to the top cover 2. The operation panel 36 includes a course switch 37, a drying changeover switch 38, a reservation switch 39, a washing switch 40, a rinse switch 41, and a dehydration switch. 42, a drying switch 43, a bath water switch 44, and a start switch 45 are mounted. The course switch 37 selects a washing course from a plurality of options. When the start switch 45 is operated after the selection of the washing course, the washing operation is executed in a pattern according to the setting result of the washing course. The course switch 37 corresponds to an operation means.

  The drying changeover switch 38, the washing switch 40, the rinsing switch 41, the dehydration switch 42, and the drying switch 43 are for the user to change the operation content of the washing course, and when the washing switch 40 is operated and the rinsing switch 41 is operated. Sometimes the time required for the washing operation and the number of times of the rinsing operation are changed in the washing course, and the time required for the dehydration operation and the time required for the drying operation in the washing course when the dehydration switch 42 is operated and when the drying switch 43 is operated. Is changed. The drying changeover switch 38 selects a drying pattern such as a “quality finish pattern” and a “shrinkage reduction pattern”. When the drying changeover switch 38 is operated, the drying operation in the washing course is executed based on the selection result of the drying pattern. The

  The reservation switch 39 is for the user to specify the start timing of the washing operation. When the reservation switch 39 is operated, the washing course is automatically started at the specified timing. The bath water switch 44 is for washing using bath water. When the bath water switch 44 is operated, the bath water pump 46 (see FIG. 2) is driven in a specific water supply process in the washing course, and the bathtub Bath water is supplied into the water tank 6.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the operation panel 36 has a plurality of course display portions 47 formed therein. These course display portions 47 indicate the washing courses with translucent character patterns from “standard” to “tank drying”, and LEDs 48 (see FIG. 2) are arranged below each course display portion 47. . These LEDs 48 constitute a notification device 49 (see FIG. 2) for notifying the user of the setting result of the washing course, and each course display section 47 is illuminated based on the lighting of the lower LED 48.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a control device 50 corresponding to the operation control means, the first end determination means, and the second end determination means is accommodated in the outer box 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 50 includes a CPU 51, a ROM 52, and a RAM 53, and the CPU 51 sets a washing course based on the operation content of the course switch 37. The control device 50 has an LED driving unit 54. The LED drive unit 54 turns on and off the LED 48, and the CPU 51 of the control device 50 selectively turns on the LED 48 according to the setting result of the washing course based on outputting a command to the LED drive unit 54. The course display unit 47 corresponding to the setting result of the washing course is illuminated.

  The control device 50 includes a solenoid drive unit 55, an inverter drive unit 56, and a heater drive unit 57. The solenoid drive unit 55 turns on and off the drain valve solenoid 14, the water supply valve solenoid 16 and the water discharge valve solenoid 34, and the CPU 51 of the control device 50 outputs the command to the solenoid drive unit 55. The water supply valve solenoid 16 and the water discharge valve solenoid 34 are controlled to open and close. The inverter drive unit 56 drives the washing motor 20 and the fan motor 30 with an inverter, and the CPU 51 of the control device 50 controls the speed of the washing motor 20 and the fan motor 30 based on outputting a command to the inverter drive unit 56. . The heater drive unit 57 turns the heater 32 on and off, and the CPU 51 of the control device 50 controls the heating output of the heater 32 based on outputting a command to the heater drive unit 57.

A control program and control data are recorded in the ROM 52 of the control device 50. The CPU 51 of the control device 50 has a drain valve solenoid 14, a water supply valve solenoid 16, a washing motor 20, a fan motor 30, a heater 32, a water discharge valve solenoid 34, and the like. By washing the bath water pump 46 based on the control program and control data, the washing operation is executed in a pattern corresponding to the setting result of the washing course. Hereinafter, the processing content of the control apparatus 50 is demonstrated.
1. Description of Standard Course (No Drying) The standard course without drying is set by the CPU 51 of the control device 50 based on the operation content of the course switch 37. When the CPU 51 sets the standard course without drying, the steps of FIG. In S1, the operation of the start switch 45 is awaited. When the operation of the start switch 45 is detected here, the process proceeds to step S2, and the amount of laundry input is detected. In this process, the laundry motor 20 is driven with a constant weight detection pattern, and the amount of laundry is determined to be “large” or “medium” based on the rotational speed of the laundry motor 20 when a certain time has elapsed after the laundry motor 20 starts to be driven. The CPU 51 detects the rotational speed of the washing motor 20 on the basis of the output signal from the speed sensor 21.

  When the CPU 51 detects the amount of laundry in step S2, the CPU 51 sets the water level in step S3. This water level is set based on the detection result of the amount of laundry. According to the detection result of the amount of laundry, there are four levels: “high water level”, “medium water level”, “low water level” and “very low water level”. Is set.

  If CPU51 sets a water level by step S3, it will transfer to the water supply process of step S4. This water supply step is a step of storing water at a set water level in the water tank 6, and the CPU 51 opens the water supply valve 15 based on turning on the water supply valve solenoid 16 with the drain valve solenoid 14 turned off, and the water tank 6 Inject tap water containing detergent. When it is detected that the water level in the water tank 6 has reached the set result based on the output signal from the water level sensor 11, the water supply valve solenoid 16 is turned off, and the water supply process is finished based on closing the water supply valve 15. .

  CPU51 transfers to the stirring process of step S5, after finishing the water supply process of step S4. In this stirring process, the drum 22 is rotated in the forward direction and the reverse direction based on the forward / reverse rotation of the washing motor 20 at a relatively low washing speed, and the CPU 51 sets the set time from the start of the stirring process. The stirring process of step S5 is finished based on detecting that it has passed. That is, the agitation process of step S5 discharges the dirt from the clothes based on repeating the operation of dropping the clothes in the drum 22 into the water containing the detergent.

  CPU51 transfers to the drainage process of step S6, after finishing the stirring process of step S5. Here, the drain valve 13 is opened based on the drain valve solenoid 14 being turned on, and the water in the water tank 6 is discharged. This draining process is completed based on the fact that the water in the water tank 6 is sufficiently discharged, and the CPU 51 determines that the water in the water tank 6 is sufficiently discharged based on the output signal from the water level sensor 11. To detect. In addition, the water supply process of step S4-the drainage process of step S6 is called washing operation.

  CPU51 transfers to the spin-drying | dehydration process of step S7, after finishing the drainage process of step S6. This dewatering step is to drain water from the laundry by centrifugal force based on rotating the washing motor 20 at a relatively high dewatering speed with the drain valve 13 opened. The dehydration process is terminated based on detecting that it has passed.

  When the CPU 51 finishes the dehydration process in step S7, the process proceeds to the water supply process in step S8. This water supply step is to open the water supply valve 15 with the drain valve 13 closed, and the CPU 51 performs a step based on closing the water supply valve 15 when detecting that the water level in the water tank 6 has reached the set result. The water supply process of S8 is finished and the tap water which does not contain a detergent part in the water tank 6 is stored.

  CPU51 transfers to the stirring process of step S9, after finishing the water supply process of step S8. In this stirring process, the drum 22 is rotated in the forward direction and the reverse direction based on the forward and reverse rotations of the washing motor 20 at a relatively low rinsing speed. The CPU 51 sets the set time from the start of the stirring process. When it is detected that the time has passed, the stirring process is finished. And the drain valve 13 is open | released at the drainage process of step S10, and the stored water in the water tank 6 is discharged | emitted outside the apparatus. That is, the stirring process in step S9 is to wash the clothes in the drum 22 with water that does not contain detergent, and the dehydration process in step S7 is to drain moisture from the clothes in the drum 22 in advance. The dehydration process to the drainage process of step S10 are referred to as a first rinsing operation.

  When the CPU 51 finishes the draining process in step S10, the process proceeds from the dehydrating process in step S11 and the water supplying process in step S12 to the draining process in step S14 through the stirring process in step S13. The dehydration process of step S11 to the drainage process of step S14 are performed in the same manner as the dehydration process of step S7 to the drainage process of step S10, and the CPU 51 executes laundry on the basis of executing steps S11 to S14. Rinse again. The dehydration process of step S11 to the drainage process of step S14 is referred to as a second rinsing operation.

CPU51 transfers to the spin-drying | dehydration process of step S15, after finishing the drainage process of step S14. This dehydration process is the final process of discharging water from the laundry by centrifugal force based on rotating the washing motor 20 at the dehydration speed with the drain valve 13 opened, and the CPU 51 has passed a set time from the start of the dehydration process. The dehydration process is completed based on detecting that it has been. That is, in the standard course without drying, a single dehydration process is performed as a dehydration operation.
2. Standard course (with drying)
The standard course with drying is set based on the operation of the drying switch 43 after operating the course switch 37 to select the standard course. As shown in FIG. It differs from the standard course without drying in that the dehydration process is performed and the drying process in step S17 and the blowing process in step S18 are performed immediately after the dehydration operation. In the preheat dehydration step in step S16, the temperature in the water tank 6 is increased based on turning on the heater 32 while rotating the washing motor 20 at a dehydration speed and rotating the fan motor 30 at another dehydration speed (specifically, 3000 rpm). The air is circulated and is performed with the drain valve 13 open.

  The drying process in step S17 is to dry the laundry based on blowing warm air of low humidity onto the laundry in the drum 22, and in the drying process, the drain valve 13 is continuously opened from the preheat dehydration process. The The blowing process of step S18 cools the drum 22 and the laundry in the drum 22 based on circulating cold air in the drum 22, and in the blowing process, the drain valve 13 is continuously opened from the drying process. . Hereinafter, the details of the drying step and the blowing step will be described with reference to FIG.

  The CPU 51 outputs a command for opening the water discharge valve 33 to the solenoid driving unit 55 in step S21 of FIG. Then, the solenoid drive unit 55 turns on the water discharge valve solenoid 34 and discharges tap water into the heat exchanger 26.

  When the CPU 51 outputs a discharge command for the water discharge valve 33 in step S21, the CPU 51 outputs a drive command for the fan 29 to the inverter drive unit 56 in step S22, and outputs a drive command for the heater 32 to the heater drive unit 57 in step S23. Then, the inverter drive unit 56 circulates a constant flow rate of wind through the drum 22 based on rotating the fan motor 30 in a constant direction at a constant drying speed (specifically, 4400 rpm). Based on driving 32, the circulating air is warmed. The heater 32 is on / off controlled so that the output signal from the hot air sensor 60 converges to the target drying temperature, and hot air at a constant temperature circulates in the drum 22 at a constant flow rate.

  If CPU51 outputs a drive command to the heater drive part 57 by step S23, it will output the drive command of the drum 22 to the inverter drive part 56 by step S24. Then, the inverter drive unit 56 rotates the washing motor 20 forward and backward at a stirring speed that is a relatively low speed, and rotates the drum 22 in the forward direction and the reverse direction. That is, in the drying process, warm air of a constant temperature and low humidity is sprayed on the laundry while repeating the operation of dropping the laundry in the drum 22.

  When the CPU 51 outputs a drive command for the drum 22 to the inverter drive unit 56 in step S24, the CPU 51 detects an output signal from the water temperature sensor 61 (see FIG. 2) in step S25. The water temperature sensor 61 detects the temperature of the condensed water condensed in the heat exchanger 26. When the CPU 51 detects the temperature of the condensed water in step S25 of FIG. 6, the process proceeds to step S26, and the detection result of the water temperature. Calculate the absolute value of the time change rate of.

  When the CPU 51 calculates the absolute value of the temperature change rate in step S26, the CPU 51 compares the calculation result with the drying determination value recorded in advance in the ROM 52 in step S27. Here, when it is detected that the calculation result has decreased to the dryness determination value, it is detected that the drying of the laundry has been completed. In step S28, an instruction to close the water discharge valve 33 is output to the solenoid drive unit 55, and in step S29, the heater is closed. A drive stop command for the heater 32 is output to the drive unit 57. Then, the solenoid drive unit 55 stops the tap water discharge operation based on turning off the water discharge valve solenoid 34, and the heater drive unit 57 stops heat generation based on turning off the heater 32.

  When the CPU 51 outputs a drive stop command to the heater drive unit 57 in step S29, the CPU 51 waits for the cooling time (specifically 10 minutes) recorded in advance in the ROM 52 to elapse in step S30. This cooling time starts the measurement with the cue that the CPU 51 has output a drive stop command for the heater 32 in step S29, and the drum 22 rotates at the stirring speed in the forward direction and the reverse direction while waiting for the cooling time to elapse. However, the fan 29 rotates in a certain direction, and the cooling air circulates in the drum 22.

When CPU 51 detects that the cooling time has elapsed in step S30, CPU 51 outputs a drive stop command for drum 22 to inverter drive unit 56 in step S31, and outputs a drive stop command for fan 29 to inverter drive unit 56 in step S32. . Then, the inverter drive unit 56 turns off the washing motor 20 and the fan motor 30 and stops the rotation of the drum 22 and the fan 29. These steps S30 to S32 correspond to the blowing process of step S18 of FIG. 5, and the drying process of step S17 to the blowing process of step S18 of FIG. 5 is referred to as a drying operation.
3. Sterilization course The sterilization course is set by the CPU 51 based on the operation content of the course switch 37. When the sterilization course is set, the CPU 51 waits for the operation of the start switch 45 in step S41 of FIG. Here, when the operation of the start switch 45 is detected, the process proceeds to step S42, and the input amount of the laundry is detected stepwise in the same manner as in step S2 of FIG. And it transfers to step S43 of FIG. 7, and sets a water level in steps similarly to step S3 of FIG.

  Control data is recorded in the ROM 52 of the control device 50. As shown in FIG. 8, this control data indicates the relationship between the amount of laundry, the sterilization time, and the sterilization temperature. When the CPU 51 sets the water level in step S43 in FIG. 7, the process proceeds to step S44. The sterilization time corresponding to the detection result of the amount of laundry is selectively set from the control data of FIG. And it transfers to step S45 of FIG. 7, and the disinfection temperature according to the detection result of the amount of laundry is selectively set from the control data of FIG. For example, when the detection result of the amount of laundry is “small amount”, “70 minutes” is set as the sterilization time, and “60 ° C.” is set as the sterilization temperature.

  When the sterilization temperature is set in step S45 in FIG. 7, the CPU 51 proceeds from the water supply process in step S46 to the draining process in step S48 through the stirring process in step S47. The water supply process in step S46 to the drainage process in step S48 are performed in the same manner as the water supply process in step S4 in FIG. 4 to the drainage process in step S6, and the CPU 51 performs the water supply process in step S46 in FIG. 7 to step S48. The washing operation is performed on the laundry in the drum 22 based on the draining process. That is, the agitation process in step S47 corresponds to a washing process in which the clothes in the drum 22 are agitated by dropping them into water containing the detergent, and the dirt is discharged from the clothes.

  When the CPU 51 finishes the draining process of step S48, the process proceeds from the dehydrating process of step S49 and the water supply process of step S50 to the draining process of step S52 through the stirring process of step S51. The dehydration process in step S49 to the drainage process in step S52 are performed in the same manner as the dehydration process in step S7 in FIG. 4 to the drainage process in step S10, and the CPU 51 executes steps S49 to S52 in FIG. Based on this, the laundry in the drum 22 is subjected to the first rinsing operation. That is, the agitation process in step S51 corresponds to the first rinsing process in which the clothes in the drum 22 are washed with water that does not contain detergent, and the dehydration process in step S49 is based on rotating the drum 22. This corresponds to a pre-rinse dehydration process in which moisture is discharged in advance from the clothes in the interior 22 by centrifugal force.

  When the first rinsing operation is completed, the CPU 51 proceeds to the sterilization process of step S53. This sterilization process is to remove the bacteria attached to the laundry based on blowing warm air on the laundry in the drum 22. In the sterilization process, the drain valve 13 continues from the drain process in step S52. Is released. This sterilization step includes a dehydration step in that a period for continuously operating the drum 22 at a dehydration speed is set, and details of the sterilization step are as follows.

  The CPU 51 outputs a dehydration start command to the inverter drive unit 56 in step S61 of FIG. Then, the inverter drive unit 57 sets the target speed of the washing motor 20 to the dehydration speed (specifically, 900 rpm) and starts driving the washing motor 20.

  When the CPU 51 outputs a dehydration start command in step S61, the rotational speed of the drum 22 is detected in step S62, and the rotational speed detection result is compared with a fixed unbalance detection value (specifically, 400 rpm). The unbalance detection value is recorded in advance in the ROM 52 of the control device 50. When the CPU 51 detects that the rotational speed of the drum 22 has reached the unbalance detection value in step S62, the process proceeds to step S63, and the inverter is driven. A constant output command is output to the unit 56. Then, the inverter drive part 56 drives the washing motor 20 with the fixed output (fixed duty ratio) for unbalance detection.

  When the CPU 51 outputs a constant output command to the inverter drive unit 56 in step S63, the temporal speed change rate of the drum 22 is detected in step S64, and the detection result of the speed change rate is recorded in advance in the ROM 52 in step S65. Compare with the balance judgment value. Here, when it is detected that the detection result of the speed change rate exceeds the unbalance determination value, it is determined that an unbalance has occurred. This unbalance refers to a load bias state in which the laundry is locally concentrated in the drum 22. When the CPU 51 determines that there is an unbalance in step S65, the unbalance of the drum 22 is transferred to the inverter drive unit 56 in step S66. A drive stop command is output and the sterilization course is terminated halfway. Then, the inverter drive unit 56 turns off the washing motor 20 and stops the rotation of the drum 22.

  When the CPU 51 detects in step S65 that the speed change rate detection result is equal to or less than the unbalance determination value, it determines that no imbalance has occurred. Then, the process proceeds to step S <b> 67 and a constant output cancellation command is output to the inverter driving unit 56. Then, the inverter drive part 56 complete | finishes the constant output drive of the washing motor 20, and restarts the process which accelerates the washing motor 20 toward a dehydration speed.

  When the CPU 51 outputs a constant output cancel command in step S67, the CPU 51 outputs a blow start command to the inverter drive unit 56 in step S68. Then, the inverter drive unit 56 sets the target speed of the fan motor 30 to a constant value (specifically 3000 rpm) that is lower than the drying process and the blowing process, and drives the fan motor 30 at a constant speed. Based on this, wind is circulated in the drum 22.

  If CPU51 outputs the ventilation start command to the inverter drive part 56 by step S68, it will output the sterilization start command to the heater drive part 57 by step S69. Then, the heater driving unit 57 drives the heater 32 to heat the wind circulating in the drum 22 based on heating by the heater 32. The heater 32 is driven at an on / off ratio at which the heating output becomes a fixed and constant sterilization value, and the hot air temperature rises with time. That is, the sterilization process is started when it is confirmed that there is no imbalance in step S65, and the fan 29 and the heater 32 are turned on until it is confirmed that there is no unbalance even if the sterilization process is started. Not.

  When the CPU 51 outputs a sterilization start command to the heater driving unit 57 in step S69, the CPU 51 detects the hot air temperature based on the output signal from the hot air sensor 60 in step S70, and the detection result of the hot air temperature is set as the sterilization temperature. Compare. The sterilization temperature is set by the CPU 51 in accordance with the laundry amount detection result in step S45 of FIG. 7. When the CPU 51 detects that the hot air temperature detection result has not reached the sterilization temperature, 9 shifts from step S70 to step S71.

  In step S71, the CPU 51 compares the rotation speed of the drum 22 with a dehydration speed “900 rpm” that is a target value. Here, when it is detected that the rotation speed of the drum 22 has reached the target value “900 rpm”, the process proceeds to step S72, and it is determined whether or not the dehydration time (specifically, 150 seconds) has elapsed. This dehydration time starts the measurement with the cue that the rotation speed of the drum 22 has reached the target value in step S71, and the CPU 51 detects that the dehydration time has not elapsed in step S72. Migrate to Here, the hot air temperature is detected, and the detection result of the hot air temperature is compared with the setting result of the sterilization temperature.

  When the CPU 51 detects that the dehydration time has elapsed in step S72, the CPU 51 outputs a deceleration command for the drum 22 to the inverter drive unit 56 in step S74. Then, the inverter drive part 56 decelerates the washing motor 20 with the preset deceleration pattern.

  When the CPU 51 outputs a deceleration command for the drum 22 to the inverter drive unit 56 in step S74, the rotational speed of the drum 22 is compared with a constant speed recorded in advance in the ROM 52 in step S75. This constant speed is set to about half of the dehydration speed (specifically, 400 rpm). When the CPU 51 detects that the rotation speed of the drum 22 has not decreased to the constant speed in step S75, the step is performed. The process proceeds to S76. Here, the hot air temperature is detected, and the detection result of the hot air temperature is compared with the setting result of the sterilization temperature.

  When the CPU 51 detects that the rotational speed of the drum 22 has decreased to a constant speed in step S75, the CPU 51 outputs a constant speed rotation command for the drum 22 to the inverter drive unit 56 in step S77. Then, the inverter drive unit 56 maintains the rotation speed of the washing motor 20 at the current value, and continuously rotates the washing motor 20 at the current speed. This constant speed rotation command is output when the rotation speed of the drum 22 decreases to a constant speed. The drum 22 continuously rotates at a constant speed after decelerating from the dewatering speed to the constant speed.

  When the CPU 51 outputs a constant speed rotation command to the inverter drive unit 56 in step S77, the CPU 51 determines whether or not the sterilization time has elapsed in step S78. This sterilization time is set by the CPU 51 in accordance with the result of detection of the amount of laundry in step S44 of FIG. 7, and is measured with a signal that a constant speed rotation command has been output to the inverter drive unit 56 in step S77 of FIG. It is what is started.

  When detecting that the sterilization time has not elapsed in step S78, the CPU 51 detects the warm air temperature in step S79, and compares the detection result of the hot air temperature with the setting result of the sterilization temperature. Here, when it is detected that the detection result of the hot air temperature has reached the setting result of the sterilization temperature, or when it is detected that the sterilization time has elapsed in step S78, the process proceeds to step S80.

  In step S80, the CPU 51 outputs a drive stop command for the drum 22 to the inverter drive unit 56. In step S81, a drive stop command for the fan 29 is output to the inverter drive unit 56. In step S82, a drive stop command for the heater 32 is output to the heater drive unit 57, and the sterilization process is completed. Then, the inverter drive unit 56 stops the washing motor 20 and the fan motor 30 after decelerating, and the heater drive unit 57 stops the heat generation based on turning off the heater 32. These steps S80 to S82 are also executed when it is detected in any of step S70, step S73, and step S76 that the hot air temperature has reached the sterilization temperature, and in step S78, the sterilization time. When the hot air temperature reaches the sterilization temperature before the passage of time is detected, the sterilization process is completed based on the drum 22, the fan 29, and the heater 32 being stopped.

  FIG. 10 shows a change in the rotational speed of the drum 22 during the sterilization process in time series. The drum 22 starts to accelerate based on the output of the dehydration start command. When the rotational speed of the drum 22 reaches the unbalance detection value “400 rpm”, an unbalance detection process is performed, and when it is confirmed that no unbalance has occurred in the unbalance detection process, a blow start command and removal are performed. Bacteria start command is output. On the basis of the fan start command and the sterilization start command as signals, the fan 29 and the heater 32 are turned on to supply the warm air for sterilization into the drum 22 and the sterilization process is started.

  During the sterilization process, the drum 22 is dehydrated based on the constant rotation at the dehydration speed “900 rpm”, and the drum 22 is decelerated from the dehydration speed “900 rpm” based on the output of the deceleration command. Based on the output of the constant speed rotation command, the motor rotates continuously at the constant speed rotation speed “400 rpm”. The operation of measuring the sterilization time is started with the start of constant speed rotation of the drum 22 as a signal, and the drum 22, fan 29 and heater 32 are turned off when the sterilization time elapses, and the sterilization process is completed. . That is, the sterilization process is a fusion process of the pre-rinse dehydration process and the sterilization process, and the pre-rinse dehydration process is started before the sterilization process. In the sterilization process, the rotation speed of the drum 22 reaches the unbalance detection value. To start based on.

  After completing the sterilization process, the CPU 51 proceeds from the water supply process of step S54 in FIG. 7 to the draining process of step S56 through the stirring process of step S55. The water supply process of step S54 to the drainage process of step S56 are performed in the same manner as the water supply process of step S12 of FIG. 4 to the drainage process of step S14, and the sterilization process of step S53 of FIG. The draining process is referred to as the final (second) rinsing operation. That is, the agitation process in step S55 corresponds to the final rinsing process in which the clothes in the drum 22 are washed with water containing no detergent, and the fusion dehydration process started in step S61 in FIG. This is equivalent to a pre-rinse dehydration process in which moisture is discharged in advance from the clothes in the drum 22 by centrifugal force based on the rotational operation of the drum 22.

  CPU51 transfers to the spin-drying | dehydration process of step S57, after finishing the drainage process of FIG.7 S56. This dewatering process is the same as the dewatering process of step S15 in FIG. 4, in which the drum 22 is continuously rotated at the dewatering speed while the drain valve 13 is open, and the preheating is performed in that no hot air is injected. Different from dehydration. The dehydration process in step S57 corresponds to a dehydration process for discharging moisture from the clothes in the drum 22.

According to the said Example 1, there exists the following effect.
Since the sterilization process was performed before the final second rinsing process was started (see FIG. 11), the drum 22 is cooled by the second rinsing process after the sterilization process. For this reason, since the exclusive ventilation process which cools the drum 22 can be abolished, it becomes possible to finish driving | running in a short time, disinfecting clothing. Moreover, since the second rinsing process after the sterilization process improves the sticking of the garment to the drum 22, it is prevented that the inner lid 24 of the drum 22 becomes difficult to open due to the sticking of the garment. The

  A first rinsing process was performed before the sterilization process (see FIG. 11). For this reason, since the clothes in the drum 22 are sterilized after being washed with water, the sterilization effect of the clothes is enhanced. In addition, since the clothes in the drum 22 are not sterilized by heating while containing a large amount of detergent, it is possible to prevent the clothes from deteriorating due to the burn-in of the detergent.

The sterilization process was performed in the dehydration process before rinsing in the sterilization process. For this reason, since it is not necessary to carry out the sterilization treatment alone, the entire operation time is further shortened.
Since the drum 22 started rotating in the dehydration process before rinsing in the sterilization process, the sterilization process was started based on the fact that the rotation speed of the drum 22 reached the unbalance detection value. No processing is performed. For this reason, since warm air is uniformly supplied to the clothes in the drum 22 by the sterilization process, the clothes in the drum 22 are uniformly sterilized.

  When the hot air temperature reached the sterilization temperature in the sterilization process, the sterilization process was completed even before the sterilization time had elapsed. For this reason, since the temperature for disinfection can be added to the clothing in the drum 22 without waiting for the passage of the disinfection time, the entire operation time is further shortened.

  A sterilization course was set according to the operation content of the course switch 37. This eliminates the need for setting the sterilization course based on the individual operation of the washing switch 40, the rinsing switch 41, the dehydration switch 42, etc., thus improving the operability.

  When the drum 22 is rotated at a constant speed in the sterilization process, the rotation speed of the drum 22 is set to be lower than the maximum dehydration speed, so the clothes in the drum 22 are stuck on the inner peripheral surface of the drum 22. It becomes difficult to follow. In addition, since there is no resonance point, quietness is improved.

Since the drum 22 is rotated in a certain direction when rotating at a constant speed in the sterilization process, the load on the washing motor 20 is reduced.
Since the sterilization time and the sterilization temperature are set according to the detection result of the laundry amount in the dry cloth state, the sterilization process can be performed at an appropriate temperature and an appropriate time according to the laundry amount.

  In the said Example 1, although it was set as the structure which sets disinfection temperature to "60 degreeC" or "65 degreeC", it is not limited to this, According to the kind of microbe used as disinfection object. Set it.

  In the said Example 1, although it was set as the structure which sets sterilization time and sterilization temperature only based on the detection result of the amount of laundry, it is not limited to this, For example, tap water is included in the detection result of the amount of laundry. It is good also as a structure set in consideration of water temperature and external temperature. In the case of this configuration, it is preferable to correct the setting result based on the laundry amount of the sterilization time and the setting result based on the laundry amount of the sterilization temperature according to the detection result of the water temperature and the detection result of the outside air temperature.

  In Example 1 described above, the sterilization course is terminated halfway when an imbalance is detected in the sterilization step. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is good also as a structure which restarts a microbe course automatically from a stop time. This unbalance elimination operation is preferably performed by rotating the drum 22 in the forward direction and the reverse direction.

  In the said Example 1, although it was set as the structure which performs the rinse process 2 times in the microbe elimination course, it is not limited to this, For example, it is good also as a structure which performs the rinse process 3 times or more. In the case of this configuration, the sterilization process is preferably performed between the last rinse process and the last rinse process.

  In the first embodiment, the drain valve solenoid 14, the water supply valve solenoid 16, and the water discharge valve solenoid 34 are used as the drive source for the drain valve 13, the drive source for the water supply valve 15, and the drive source for the water discharge valve 33. For example, a drain valve motor, a water supply valve motor, or a water discharge valve motor may be used.

  In the first embodiment, the present invention is applied to the drum-type washing machine, but is not limited thereto, and may be applied to, for example, a vertical washing machine. The vertical washing machine refers to a washing machine configured to wash and rinse clothes in a washing tub with a water flow generated by a pulsator.

The figure which shows Example 1 (sectional drawing which shows the internal structure of a washing machine) Block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the washing machine Diagram showing the operation panel Flow chart showing the processing contents of the control device (figure for explaining the standard course without drying) Flow chart showing the processing contents of the control device (figure for explaining the standard course with drying) Flow chart showing processing contents of control device (figure for explaining drying operation) Flowchart showing the processing contents of the control device (figure for explaining the sterilization course) The figure which shows the control data of a control apparatus (The figure which shows the relationship between the amount of laundry, disinfection time, and disinfection temperature) The figure which shows the processing content of a control apparatus (figure for demonstrating a disinfection process) The figure which shows the rotation state of the drum in the disinfection process The figure which shows the list of the operation contents of the standard course without drying, the standard course with drying and the sanitization course

Explanation of symbols

22 is a drum (washing tub), 37 is a course switch (operation means), 50 is a control device (operation control means, first end determination means, second end determination means), 62 is a hot air circulator (heater) ).

Claims (5)

A washing tub into which clothing is put;
A heater for heating clothes in the washing tub based on supplying warm air into the washing tub;
Washing process of washing clothes in the washing tub with water containing detergent ・ Rinsing of clothes in the washing tub with water not containing detergent ・ Dehydration process to drain moisture from the clothes in the washing tub ・An operation control means capable of performing a sterilization process for sterilizing clothes in the washing tub based on heating by the heater as a single washing course,
The operation control means includes
The rinsing process is performed a plurality of times in a single washing course, and the sterilization process is performed within a period from the end of the first rinsing process to the start of the final rinsing process. A washing machine characterized by that. The operation control means includes
Before the start of the rinsing process, the dehydration process before rinsing to drain moisture from the clothes in the washing tub is performed, and the sterilization process is performed in the pre-rinse process. The washing machine according to claim 1. The operation control means includes
Based on rotating the washing tub, dehydration before rinsing is performed by discharging moisture from the clothes in the washing tub by centrifugal force, and the washing tub is started to rotate by the pre-rinsing dehydration. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the sterilization process is started based on the fact that the rotational speed of the washing tub has reached a set value. First end determination means for determining the end of the sterilization process based on an elapsed state of the processing time;
Second end determination means for determining the end of the sterilization process based on the temperature rise state of the warm air,
The operation control means performs control to finish the sterilization process regardless of the determination result of the first end determination means when the second end determination means determines the end of the sterilization process. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3. An operation means for instructing the operation control means to set a sterilization course,
When the setting of the sterilization course is instructed, the operation control means performs a washing course in which the washing process, the first rinsing process, the sterilization process, the final rinsing process, and the dehydration process are performed in this order. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the washing machine is set.

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