JP2007117707A - Washing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a washing method by which the washing performance of articles to be washed can be easily enhanced or a washing method by which washing time can be reduced and washing water can be saved. <P>SOLUTION: The articles to be washed is loaded with a detergent in advance before washing in a detergent adding step (step S0). The articles to be washed loaded with the detergent are directly exposed to high-temperature surrounding by steam (step S6) and mixed by the rotation of a drum 3 in a mixing step (step S7) after the detergent loading step. Thereby, the decomposing action of tough stain by the detergent is effectively promoted. Consequently, the washing performance of the articles to be washed can be easily enhanced. All the stain including relatively weak stain can be decomposed in the washing step following to the mixing step. Further, the stain decomposed in the mixing step and the stain decomposed by the washing step can be rinsed at one time in the rinsing step in the step S19 so the washing time can be reduced and the washing water can be saved in washing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a laundry washing method.

  Conventionally introduced in coin laundry stores, cleaning facilities, general homes, etc. For example, a drum-type washing machine is used to store laundry in the drum of the washing machine and perform washing, rinsing, dehydration, etc. The method is known. In such a washing method using a drum-type washing machine, a certain amount of water is stored in the outer tub, and then the drum is rotated to lift the laundry in the drum by a baffle protruding from the inner surface of the drum. So-called scrubbing, which repeats the action (tumbling) of naturally dropping from a certain height toward the water surface, is performed.

  And in such a washing | cleaning method, the detergent which has surfactant as a main component is thrown in in an outer tank, and washing (washing) is performed using the water in which the detergent mixed. However, when stubborn stains such as stains are attached to the laundry, the stains may not be removed satisfactorily even after normal washing. Usually, in such a case, a dedicated detergent is applied to a portion of the laundry where stubborn dirt is adhered, and then the work is performed by hand washing to remove the dirt. This work takes time and effort, such as applying steam to a portion of the laundry where stubborn dirt is attached to raise the dirt and sucking up the raised dirt.

Patent Document 1 proposes a washing machine that can improve the washing power of laundry by heating and pressurization.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-10479

  In the washing machine described in Patent Document 1, laundry and detergent are put into the washing tub, and after a certain amount of water is stored in the water storage tank, heat is exchanged between the heated heater and the water in the water storage tank. To heat the water. Therefore, there is a possibility that the detergent may flow down from the laundry, and because the heat of the heater is transmitted to the laundry via water, heat loss occurs during the transmission, so the heater against the washing power of the laundry There is a risk that the effect of heat is relatively low.

Moreover, the washing machine described in Patent Document 1 does not mention saving water used for washing and washing in a short time.
The present invention has been made under such a background, and an object thereof is to provide a washing method capable of easily improving the washing power of the laundry.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a washing method capable of shortening the washing time.

  Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a washing method capable of saving water.

The invention according to claim 1 is a detergent application step in which a detergent is preliminarily applied to the laundry before washing, and after the detergent application step, the laundry preliminarily applied with the detergent is removed from the laundry. A washing method, comprising: an agitation step of stirring in an accelerating temperature atmosphere; and a step of rinsing the laundry after the agitation step.
The invention according to claim 2 is the washing method according to claim 1, wherein the temperature for promoting the removal of dirt adhering to the laundry in the stirring step is relatively high.

Invention of Claim 3 includes the washing | cleaning process which dissolves a detergent in water between the said stirring process and the said rinse process, and wash | cleans laundry using the water by which the detergent was dissolved, The washing method according to claim 2.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the washing step includes a dissolution step for dissolving the detergent in a relatively small amount of hot water, and a dilution for adding a relatively large amount of water to the hot water in which the detergent is dissolved following the dissolution step. The washing method according to claim 3, further comprising a step.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the detergent is surely supplied to the portion of the laundry where stubborn dirt is adhered by the detergent application step. In the agitation process, the laundry and detergent are exposed to a temperature atmosphere that promotes the removal of dirt adhering to the laundry and further agitated, thereby effectively promoting the stubborn dirt decomposition action by the detergent. Is done. In the agitation step, the laundry and the detergent are exposed to the atmosphere described above, but are not immersed in the accumulated water, so there is no possibility that the detergent will flow down from the laundry. Further, in the rinsing step, the decomposed stubborn dirt can be reliably rinsed off from the laundry.

And by such a washing method, the operator who performs washing can be released from the work which requires time and effort to remove stubborn dirt from the laundry by hand washing.
Therefore, it is possible to easily improve the washing power of the laundry.
According to the invention of claim 2, the temperature for promoting the removal of dirt adhering to the laundry in the stirring step is relatively high, for example, higher than the temperature in normal washing, so in the stirring step, The stubborn dirt decomposition action by the detergent is more efficiently promoted.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, by performing normal washing in the washing step after the stirring step, it is possible to decompose all dirt including relatively weak dirt against the stubborn dirt described above. In the rinsing step, the soil decomposed in the stirring step and the soil decomposed in the washing step can be rinsed from the laundry at a time, thereby shortening the washing time and saving water.

  According to the invention described in claim 4, by dissolving the detergent in a relatively small amount of hot water in the dissolving step, a cleaning liquid having a relatively high temperature and high concentration is made, and this cleaning liquid accelerates the decomposition of the dirt on the laundry. The Moreover, by using hot water, the heat generated in the stirring step can be effectively utilized for the decomposition of dirt without being wasted. In the dilution step, washing unevenness can be eliminated from the laundry by diluting the cleaning liquid prepared in the dissolution step with a relatively large amount of water. Further, the washing time can be further shortened and the water can be further saved by performing the dilution step subsequent to the dissolution step without performing dehydration or the like in the middle.

Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a cross-section of a drum-type washing machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the side when cut along a vertical plane along the front-rear direction. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the drum type washing machine 1. Hereinafter, a specific configuration of the drum type washing machine 1 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 with the left side in FIG. 1 being the front and the right side being the rear.

The drum type washing machine 1 includes a substantially cylindrical drum 3 that can rotate around a rotating shaft 2 that extends in the horizontal direction, and the laundry can be stored in the drum 3 for washing. Introduced mainly in coin laundry stores, cleaning facilities, and general households.
The drum type washing machine 1 is partitioned by a casing 4 having an approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape. An outer tub 5 capable of storing water therein is disposed in the housing 4. The outer tub 5 includes a substantially cylindrical peripheral wall 6 whose central axis extends horizontally along the front-rear direction, and end walls (front wall 7 and rear wall 8) that block both front and rear end faces of the peripheral wall 6. I have.

  The drum 3 is disposed in the outer tub 5. The drum 3 includes a substantially cylindrical peripheral wall 9 whose central axis extends horizontally along the front-rear direction, and end wall (front wall 10 and rear wall 11) that closes both front and rear end surfaces of the peripheral wall 9. ing. The rotating shaft 2 extends horizontally in the front-rear direction along the center axis of the drum 3, and the front end portion thereof is attached to the center portion of the rear surface wall 11 of the drum 3. The central portion of the rotating shaft 2 is rotatably held by a bearing 12 provided on the rear wall 8 of the outer tub 5.

  A motor 13 for rotationally driving the drum 3 is disposed below the rear side of the outer tub 5. The drive shaft 14 of the motor 13 extends rearward, and a pulley 15 is attached to the rear end thereof. A pulley 16 is attached to the rear end portion of the rotating shaft 2 of the drum 3. A belt 17 is wound around the two pulleys 15 and 16 with a predetermined tension. When the motor 13 is driven, the driving force is transmitted to the rotary shaft 2 via the belt 17 and the drum 3 is It is rotated.

  The front wall 10 of the drum 3 is formed with a substantially circular slot 18 for taking laundry into and out of the drum 3. Further, a substantially circular opening 19 is formed in the front wall 7 of the outer tub 5 at a position facing the charging port 18 of the drum 3. A substantially circular opening / closing door 20 for opening and closing the inlet 18 of the drum 3 is rotatably attached to the front surface of the housing 4. A substantially annular packing 21 made of an elastic body such as rubber is attached to the opening / closing door 20 on the peripheral edge of the surface (rear surface) facing the insertion port 18 in the closed state. When 20 is closed, the packing 21 is pressed against the peripheral edge portion of the opening 19 in the front wall 7 of the outer tub 5 so that the opening 19 is closed in a watertight manner.

A detergent accommodating portion 27 for accommodating a detergent is formed at the upper front end in the housing 4.
The detergent used for washing is a dedicated detergent that can remove stubborn dirt (such as spots) adhering to the laundry, and the following can be employed.
・ Detergent mixed with form stabilizer, oleic acid, release agent and antioxidant ・ Detergent made by reacting titanium and magnesium with neutral directional bleach (magtan bleach)
-Detergent made of percarbonate-Detergent made of hydrogen peroxide (for example, concentration of about 35%) The detergent container 27 is opened forward from an opening 28 formed on the front surface of the housing 4. The opening 28 can be opened and closed by a lid 29 that is rotatably attached to the front surface of the housing 4. When the detergent is stored in the detergent container 27, a predetermined amount of detergent is put in the dedicated measuring cup 30, the lid 29 is opened, and the detergent is stored together with the measuring cup 30 in the detergent container 27 from the opening 28. One end (upper end) of the detergent supply pipe 31 is connected to the bottom surface of the detergent container 27, and a detergent supply valve 46 is interposed in the middle of the detergent supply pipe 31.

  A first detergent supply pipe 22 is disposed in the rotation shaft 2 of the drum 3 along the axial direction (front-rear direction). The first detergent supply pipe 22 is loosely fitted in the rotary shaft 2 so that the first detergent supply pipe 22 does not rotate even when the rotary shaft 2 rotates. One end portion (front end portion) of the first detergent supply pipe 22 passes through the rear wall 11 of the drum 3 from the front end of the rotating shaft 2 and faces the drum 3, and the liquid is sprayed on the one end portion thereof (or The 1st detergent supply nozzle 23 which can be sprayed radially is attached. The other end of the first detergent supply pipe 22 is connected to the other end (lower end) of the detergent supply pipe 31 described above.

  A second detergent supply pipe 24 is disposed in the opening / closing door 20 along the axial direction (front-rear direction). One end (rear end) of the second detergent supply pipe 24 faces the inside of the drum 3 from the center of the rear surface of the opening / closing door 20 through the opening 19 of the outer tub 5 and the inlet 18 of the drum 3. The 2nd detergent supply nozzle 25 which can inject a liquid to a mist form (or radial form) is attached to the one end part. The other end of the second detergent supply pipe 24 is connected to the other end (lower end) of the detergent supply pipe 31 described above.

  In the housing 4, a water supply pipe 32 whose one end reaches a water supply facility (such as a water tap) outside the apparatus is disposed. The other end of the water supply pipe 32 communicates with the inside of the outer tub 5 from the uppermost portion of the peripheral wall 6 of the outer tub 5. In the middle of the water supply pipe 32, it extends in the front-rear direction through the upper portion in the housing 4 (above the outer tub 5), and one end portion (front end portion) extends from the upper surface of the detergent accommodating portion 27 into the detergent accommodating portion 27. The other end portion (rear end portion) of the branch pipe 33 that faces is connected. A water supply valve 34 is interposed at a connection portion between the water supply pipe 32 and the branch pipe 33. With this water supply valve 34, the upstream side of the water supply pipe 32 with respect to the water supply valve 34 communicates only with the downstream side of the water supply pipe 32 with respect to the water supply valve 34 (water supply state), and the upstream side of the water supply pipe 32 with respect to the water supply valve 34 is the branch pipe 33. It is possible to switch to a state (detergent supply state) communicated with.

A drain outlet 35 for draining water in the outer tub 5 is formed at the lowermost portion of the peripheral wall 6 of the outer tub 5. The drain port 35 is connected to the other end of a drain pipe 36 whose one end reaches a drainage facility (such as a sewer) outside the machine. A drain valve 37 is interposed in the middle of the drain pipe 36 (directly downstream of the drain port 35).
If water supply is performed with the water supply valve 34 being in a water supply state with the drain valve 37 closed, water in which no detergent is mixed can be stored in the outer tub 5 through the water supply pipe 32 from the water supply facility. On the other hand, with the drain valve 37 closed, water is supplied with the water supply valve 34 in a detergent supply state, water is supplied from the water supply equipment to the detergent container 27 through the water supply pipe 32 and the branch pipe 33, and the detergent is supplied to the water. The detergent accommodated in the accommodating portion 27 (the detergent in the measuring cup 30) is mixed. The water in which the detergent is mixed is supplied to the drum 3 side through the first detergent supply pipe 22 and the second detergent supply pipe 24 by opening the detergent supply valve 46. The detergent supplied from the detergent container 27 to the drum 3 side via the first detergent supply pipe 22 is sprayed into the drum 3 from the rotary shaft 2 by the first detergent supply nozzle 23. The detergent supplied from the detergent container 27 to the drum 3 side via the second detergent supply pipe 24 is sprayed into the drum 3 from the open / close door 20 by the second detergent supply nozzle 25. In this embodiment, the first detergent supply nozzle 23 and the second detergent supply nozzle 25 can spray detergent into the drum 3 from both front and rear end surfaces of the drum 3. If the detergent is not mixed into the water supplied into the detergent container 27, water containing no detergent is sprayed into the drum 3 from the first detergent supply nozzle 23 and the second detergent supply nozzle 25. Can be injected.

The above-described water not containing the detergent and water containing the detergent are stored in the drum 3 and the outer tub 5, but when the drain valve 37 is opened, the drain port 35 and the drain pipe 36 are used. Can be discharged outside the machine.
An upper portion of the rear wall 8 of the outer tub 5 has an overflow pipe 38 for overflowing the predetermined amount of water to the outside of the outer tub 5 when a predetermined amount or more of water is supplied into the outer tub 5. One end is connected. The overflow pipe 38 extends downward through the rear of the outer tub 5, and the other end is connected to the middle part of the drain pipe 36 (downstream side of the drain valve 37). Water that has overflowed from the inside of the outer tub 5 to the overflow pipe 38 is discharged to the outside through the drain pipe 36.

  A steam supply device 41 (see FIG. 2) for supplying steam generated by a steam generator (not shown) outside the machine into the outer tub 5 and the drum 3 is arranged in the housing 4. The other end portion of the steam supply pipe 42 whose one end portion is connected to the uppermost portion of the peripheral wall 6 of the outer tub 5 is connected to the steam supply device 41. A steam supply valve 43 is interposed in the middle of the steam supply pipe 42. If steam is supplied by the steam supply device 41 with the steam supply valve 43 open, the steam can be supplied into the outer tub 5 via the steam supply pipe 42.

In the case of washing with the drum type washing machine 1, for example, a washing operation for washing laundry using a detergent, a rinsing operation for diluting detergent components contained in the laundry, and moisture contained in the laundry. The dehydrating operation for removal is performed in this order.
In this embodiment, steam is supplied from the steam supply device 41 into the drum 3 while rotating the drum 3 during the washing operation. Thereby, at the time of washing, the laundry stored in the rotating drum 3 can be exposed to the steam supplied from the steam supply device 41 into the drum 3. Moreover, since washing is performed using steam, the amount of water used for washing can be reduced as compared with a conventional configuration in which water is stored in the outer tub 5 for washing. And while giving moderate water | moisture content to a laundry, since it prevents a detergent from flowing down from the surface of a laundry, a cleaning power improves compared with the conventional structure.

  Further, in this embodiment, laundry is accommodated in the rotating drum 3 by spraying detergent into the drum 3 from the first detergent supply nozzle 23 and the second detergent supply nozzle 25 during the washing operation. The detergent can permeate evenly. When washing is performed by supplying steam into the drum 3, unlike normal cases where water is stored in the outer tub 5 and detergent is mixed in the water, washing is performed on the laundry in the drum 3. Although it is difficult to allow the detergent to penetrate evenly, as in this embodiment, if the detergent is sprayed into the drum 3 from the first detergent supply nozzle 23 and the second detergent supply nozzle 25 into the drum 3, the laundry is evenly distributed. The detergent can be infiltrated, and the detergency is further improved.

In addition, it is difficult to inject the detergent into the drum 3 from the peripheral surface of the rotating drum 3, but if the detergent is injected into the drum 3 from both end surfaces of the drum 3 as in this embodiment, the drum 3 The detergent can be easily injected into the inside.
In particular, in this embodiment, the first detergent supply nozzle 23 that injects detergent into the drum 3 from the rotary shaft 2 and the second detergent supply nozzle 25 that injects detergent into the drum 3 from the open / close door 20 are respectively drums. The detergent can be easily sprayed into 3.

However, the detergent supply nozzle is not limited to a configuration (first detergent supply nozzle 23 and second detergent supply nozzle 25) that jets detergent from both end faces of the drum 3, but jets detergent only from one end face of the drum 3. Such a configuration, that is, only one of the first detergent supply nozzle 23 and the second detergent supply nozzle 25 may be provided.
As shown in FIG. 2, the operation of the drum type washing machine 1 is controlled by a control unit 51 including a microcomputer. The control unit 51 includes a CPU 52, a RAM 53, a ROM 54, a timer 55, and the like. An operation unit 57 including a start button 56 that is operated to start the operation of the drum type washing machine 1 is disposed on the front surface of the housing 4. In the outer tub 5, a water level sensor 58 for detecting the water level in the outer tub 5 and a temperature sensor 59 for detecting the temperature in the outer tub 5 are provided. The control unit 51 controls the operation of the drum type washing machine 1 based on signals input from the operation unit 57, the water level sensor 58, and the temperature sensor 59.

Next, a washing operation and a rinsing operation in washing using the drum type washing machine 1 will be described.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of the washing operation, and FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of the rinsing operation.
(1) Washing operation Referring to FIG. 3, after the user opens door 20 to store laundry in drum 3 from insertion port 18, door 20 is closed (step S <b> 1), and operation unit 57 starts. When the washing operation is started by operating the button 56 (step S <b> 2), the control unit 51 starts measuring time with the timer 55. At this time, by operating a water supply selection button (not shown) provided in the operation unit 57, water from which the detergent from the water supply pipe 32 or the first detergent supply nozzle 23 and the second detergent supply nozzle 25 is not mixed is mixed. Or supply of steam from the steam supply pipe 42 is selected (step S3).

  In response to this selection, the controller 51 starts supplying water from the water supply pipe 32 or the first detergent supply nozzle 23 and the second detergent supply nozzle 25 into the outer tub 5 if water is supplied. (Step S4). The drain valve 37 is closed, and the water level in the outer tub 5 is measured by the water level sensor 58 (see FIG. 2), and the water level does not reach the predetermined first water level (step S5). NO), the supply of water is continued, and when the first water level is reached (YES in step S5), the supply of water is stopped and the drive of the motor 13 is controlled to start the rotation of the drum 3 ( Step S7). If steam is supplied, the controller 51 opens the steam supply valve 43 to supply a certain amount of steam from the steam supply pipe 42 into the outer tub 5 (step S6), and starts the rotation of the drum 3. (Step S7).

A baffle (not shown) for lifting the laundry in the drum 3 protrudes from the inner surface of the peripheral wall 9 of the drum 3. When the drum 3 is rotated, the laundry in the drum 3 is baffled. The operation (tumbling) of being lifted up by and falling naturally from a certain height is repeated.
When the start button 56 of the operation unit 57 is operated (step S2), if the timing for spraying the detergent is set, the control unit 51 responds to this setting after the rotation of the drum 3 is started (step S8). YES), the detergent supply valve 46 is opened. And the control part 51 injects a fixed quantity of mist-like detergent in the drum 3 from the 1st detergent supply nozzle 23 and the 2nd detergent supply nozzle 25 (step S9), and after that, in the outer tank 5 from the steam supply pipe 42 The supply of steam is started (step S10). At this time, as the steam penetrates into the laundry, the penetration of the detergent sprayed earlier into the laundry is also promoted, so that the cleaning power can be improved. It should be noted that the detergent injection here may be omitted (NO in step S8) and the process may proceed to step S10. In step S10, when steam is supplied into the outer tub 5, the temperature in the outer tub 5 rises.

  Further, when the start button 56 of the operation unit 57 is operated (step S2), if the timing is set so that the detergent is sprayed after the supply of steam is started in step S10, the supply of steam in step S10 After the start, according to this setting (YES in step S11), the control unit 51 injects a certain amount of mist-like detergent into the drum 3 from the first detergent supply nozzle 23 and the second detergent supply nozzle 25 (step S12). . Since the steam supply device 41 is maintained in a driving state, the supply of steam into the outer tub 5 is continued. At this time, as the vapor penetrates into the laundry, penetration of the sprayed detergent into the laundry is promoted, so that the cleaning power can be improved. In addition, if detergent injection was performed in step S9, detergent injection here can be abbreviate | omitted (NO of step S11).

  If the preset time has elapsed by the timer 55 described above (YES in step S13), the control unit 51 stops the driving of the steam supply device 41, the supply of steam, and the rotation of the drum 3 for washing. The operation is terminated, and then the operation proceeds to the rinsing operation (step S19). For this reason, since drainage and dehydration after the washing operation are omitted, the time required for washing can be shortened.

  If the set time has not elapsed (NO in step S13), the control unit 51 determines whether to continue or stop the supply of steam according to the temperature in the outer tub 5 detected by the temperature sensor 59 (step S13). S14). Specifically, if the temperature in the outer tub 5 has reached a predetermined heating completion set temperature (YES in step S14), the control unit 51 stops driving the steam supply device 41. The supply of steam is stopped (step S16). On the other hand, if the temperature in the outer tub 5 has not reached the heating completion set temperature (NO in step S14), the control unit 51 continues to supply steam (step S15).

  If the supply of steam is stopped in step S16, the temperature in the outer tub 5 has decreased, and has reached a predetermined reheating start set temperature (a predetermined temperature lower than the heating completion set temperature) (step S17). The control unit 51 drives the steam supply device 41 again to restart the supply of steam into the outer tub 5 (step S15). If the temperature in the outer tub 5 has not reached the reheating start set temperature (NO in step S17) and the set time has elapsed (YES in step S18), the control unit 51 rotates the drum 3. Is stopped and the operation is shifted to the rinsing operation (step S19). If the set time has not elapsed (NO in step S18), the stop or restart of steam injection is repeated in step S17.

  In this embodiment, the temperature sensor 59 detects the temperature in the outer tub 5 and adjusts the amount of steam (steam supply or stoppage) supplied to the drum 3 according to the detected temperature. The pressure and temperature in the tub can be set to values suitable for washing, and it is possible to easily remove dirt adhering to the laundry. Therefore, stubborn dirt such as stains adhering to the laundry can be removed better, and the cleaning power is improved.

  Also, if detergent is applied to the laundry before the washing operation (step S0), the detergent injection during the subsequent washing operation (step S9 and step S12) is omitted, so that the time required for washing is shortened. Can do. Further, if the detergent injection during the washing operation (step S9 and step S12) is not omitted, the cleaning power can be further improved. In step S0, detergent may be applied to the laundry using a brush or the like, or a small amount of water is stored in the outer tub 5, and the detergent is dissolved in the water to form a cleaning liquid, and the cleaning liquid is applied to the laundry. It may be soaked. In other words, it is sufficient that the detergent is supplied in advance to the stubborn soiled portion of the laundry before washing, and for that purpose, it may be a manual operation or an automatic configuration.

  Also, if step S0 is set as a detergent application process, and it is set so that steam is supplied into the drum 3 via the outer tub 5 in step S3 through step S1 and step S2, the drum 3 is set in step S6. The laundry and detergent inside are directly exposed to high temperature atmosphere by steam. Then, by rotating the drum 3 in step S7, the laundry to which the detergent is applied is stirred in a high temperature atmosphere (step S7 is a stirring process), and the stubborn dirt decomposition action by the detergent is efficient. Promoted. Thereby, the washing power of laundry can be improved easily. In the agitation step, the laundry and the detergent are exposed to a high temperature atmosphere, but are not soaked in the pooled water, so there is no possibility that the detergent flows down from the laundry.

After step S8 (specifically following NO in step S8), the process proceeds to step S10, NO in step S11, and YES in step S13, and then proceeds to a rinsing operation (rinsing process) in step S19. Can be reliably rinsed from the laundry.
Further, by performing normal washing in the washing process subsequent to the above-described stirring process (step S7), it is possible to decompose all dirt including relatively weak dirt against the stubborn dirt described above. For example, detergent is supplied to the laundry in step S9, and steam is put into the outer tub 5 in step S10. At this time, if steam is added to the amount of saturated water vapor or more in the outer tub 5, a relatively small amount of hot water composed of liquefied steam is accumulated in the outer tub 5, and the detergent supplied in step S9 is stored in the hot water. By dissolving, a cleaning solution having a relatively high temperature and high concentration is produced. Here, step S10 is a dissolution process, and the washing liquid produced in the dissolution process and the continued rotation of the drum 3 promote the decomposition of the laundry stains. Further, by using hot water, the heat generated by the steam in the above-described stirring step can be effectively used for the decomposition of the dirt without being wasted. Then, following the dissolution process (step S10), for example, step S15 is used as a dilution process, and the washing liquid produced in the dissolution process is diluted with a relatively large amount of water (or hot water), thereby eliminating washing unevenness from the laundry. be able to. In addition, the washing time can be shortened and the water can be saved by performing the dilution step subsequent to the dissolution step without performing dehydration or the like in the middle.

In the rinsing operation (rinsing process) in step S19, the dirt decomposed in the stirring process and the dirt decomposed in the washing process can be rinsed from the laundry at a time, further reducing the washing time. Further water saving can be achieved.
In addition, as shown by step S6, although the high temperature atmosphere in the stirring process was formed with steam, you may form with a heater etc. instead of this.
(2) Rinsing Operation Referring to FIG. 4, when the washing operation is completed (step S101), control unit 51 starts measuring time by timer 55 and controls driving of motor 13 to rotate drum 3 Is started (step S102). In addition, as above-mentioned, when water is supplied in step S3 (refer FIG. 3) in a washing operation, the water level in the outer tank 5 after a washing operation is kept at the 1st water level. Moreover, the water level when steam is supplied in step S3 is lower than the first water level.

  The control unit 51 starts supplying water into the outer tub 5 from the water supply pipe 32 or the first detergent supply nozzle 23 and the second detergent supply nozzle 25 (step S103). If water is supplied by spraying water from the first detergent supply nozzle 23 and the second detergent supply nozzle 25 in the form of a mist, the laundry contained in the rotating drum 3 can be uniformly included. The amount of water used for rinsing can be reduced.

  When the water level in the outer tub 5 does not reach the predetermined second water level (NO in step S104), the water supply is continued (step S105), and when the second water level is reached (in step S104). In YES, the water supply is terminated (step S106). As a result, the rinsing operation is performed at the second water level higher than the first water level during the washing operation, so that the laundry stored in the drum 3 can sufficiently contain water and adhere to the laundry. It is possible to reliably rinse off the detergent components and dirt decomposed into the detergent from the laundry.

If the preset time set by the timer 55 has elapsed (YES in step S107), the control unit 51 stops the rotation of the drum 3 and finishes the rinsing operation, and the next step (second and subsequent rinses). Operation, drain operation, dehydration operation, etc.) (step S109).
If the set time has not elapsed (NO in step S107), the control unit 51 continues the rotation of the drum 3 (step S108).

The present invention is not limited to the contents of the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.
For example, the input port 18 for putting laundry in and out of the drum 3 is not limited to the configuration formed in the end surface (front wall 10) of the drum 3, but is formed in the peripheral wall 9 of the drum 3. Such a configuration may be adopted.

  The rotating shaft 2 of the drum 3 is not limited to a configuration extending in the horizontal direction, and may be configured to extend in a direction inclined by a predetermined angle (for example, 30 ° or less) with respect to the horizontal direction.

It is the schematic sectional side view which looked at the cross section when the drum type washing machine 1 which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention was cut | disconnected by the vertical surface along the front-back direction. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the drum type washing machine 1. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a washing operation. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a rinse operation.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Drum type washing machine 2 Rotating shaft 3 Drum 5 Outer tub 18 Input port 20 Opening / closing door 23 First detergent supply nozzle 25 Second detergent supply nozzle 32 Water supply pipe 34 Water supply valve 41 Steam supply device 42 Steam supply pipe 43 Steam supply valve 51 Control unit 59 Temperature sensor

Claims (4)

A detergent application step for applying a detergent to the laundry in advance before washing;
After the detergent application step, a stirring step in which the laundry pre-applied with the detergent is stirred in a temperature atmosphere that promotes the removal of dirt adhering to the laundry,
Rinsing the laundry after the stirring step;
A washing method, comprising:   The washing method according to claim 1, wherein the temperature for promoting the removal of dirt adhering to the laundry in the stirring step is relatively high.   The washing method according to claim 2, further comprising a washing step of dissolving the detergent in water and washing the laundry using the water in which the detergent is dissolved between the stirring step and the rinsing step. The washing step includes a dissolving step of dissolving the detergent in a relatively small amount of hot water, and a dilution step of adding a relatively large amount of water to the hot water in which the detergent is dissolved following the dissolving step. The washing method according to claim 3.

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