JP2011000318A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a washing machine which suppress unnecessary use of water for a tank washing operation by performing the tank washing operation at a proper time.SOLUTION: The washing machine is provided with: an addition means to add up the frequency (n) of a wash operation; and a storage means to store as the frequency (n) of the wash operation the frequency added up by the addition means. When the frequency (n) of the wash operation stored in the storage means amounts to a set frequency (ns) (step S15), a tank wash performance means for performing a tank wash operation automatically performes the tank wash operation (step S16). A control means changes a frequency of performing the tank wash operation by changing the set frequency (ns).

Description

  The present invention relates to a washing machine having a tank cleaning function for cleaning a tank.

  In a washing machine, it is known that when a washing operation is repeatedly executed, dirt such as detergent or soap adheres to the outside of the rotating tub or the inside of the outer tub, and black mold or the like is generated on the dirt. When such dirt increases, a bad odor may be generated, or the dirt may be easily washed and peeled off during operation and may adhere to the laundry.

  On the other hand, conventionally, a washing machine that automatically executes a tank washing operation for washing a tank and removing the above-described dirt when the number of washing operations reaches a set value (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below) ), A washing machine that automatically executes a tank washing operation after the end of the gluing process is known (see, for example, Patent Document 2 below).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-238088 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-12779

  However, in the washing machine of Patent Document 1, since the set value cannot be changed, even when the washing machine is performing a washing operation under a situation where dirt is difficult to adhere or dirt is likely to adhere. The frequency of automatically executing the tank cleaning operation becomes constant, and the tank cleaning operation may not be executed at an appropriate time. Therefore, even though the tank is kept clean, the tank cleaning operation is performed and unnecessary water is used.Although the tank is dirty, the tank cleaning operation is not performed and the bad odor is generated. There is a problem that occurs and dirt adheres to the laundry.

  Moreover, in the washing machine of patent document 2, since it always supplies water to a tank to a fixed water level irrespective of the water level at the time of a washing operation (gluing process), it is possible to execute a tank washing operation using an excessive amount of water. There is a problem.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and provides a washing machine that can execute a tank cleaning operation at an appropriate time and can suppress unnecessary use of water in the tank cleaning operation. With the goal.

  In the washing machine according to the present invention, a tank in which laundry is put, a tank cleaning execution unit that executes a tank cleaning operation for cleaning the tank, and a frequency at which the tank cleaning execution unit executes the tank cleaning operation is changed. And a control means.

  In the washing machine of the present invention, with the above configuration, the tank cleaning operation can be performed at an appropriate time, and unnecessary use of water in the tank cleaning operation can be suppressed.

It is a flowchart which shows the control content of the washing machine which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control content of the washing machine which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a vertical side view of the washing machine which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view of the operation panel of the washing machine which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of the washing machine which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the stroke content of a tank washing | cleaning driving | operation. It is a figure which shows the rotational speed of the spin-drying | dehydration process in a tank washing | cleaning driving | operation.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the washing machine A according to the present embodiment is a vertical axis type washing machine, and includes a rectangular tubular outer box 1 and a top cover 2 mounted on the upper part of the outer box 1. The outer shell of the washing machine A is formed. A tank 4 is disposed inside the outer box 1.

  The tank 4 is composed of a double tank composed of an outer tank 5 and an inner tank 6 disposed in the outer tank 5. Both the outer tub 5 and the inner tub 6 have a bottomed cylindrical shape, and are arranged in a vertical axis shape in which the respective central axes are directed in the vertical direction. The outer tub 5 has a configuration capable of storing water and is elastically supported by the outer box 1 via an elastic suspension mechanism 7. The inner tank 6 is rotatably accommodated in the outer tank 5 and has a large number of through holes 8 in the peripheral wall portion.

  A pulsator 10 is rotatably disposed at the bottom of the inner tank 6, and a driving device 11 is disposed at the outer bottom of the outer tank 5. The drive device 11 includes a motor 12 (see FIG. 5) capable of rotating forward and reverse, and a clutch mechanism (not shown), and selectively rotates the pulsator 10 and the inner tank 6 by switching the clutch mechanism. It has become. An annular tank cover 13 is provided on the upper surface of the outer tank 5, and an inner lid 14 is provided on the tank cover 13. The inner lid 14 is positioned above the opening on the upper surface of the inner tub 6 and can be opened and closed in the vertical direction via a hinge 14a on the rear side (left side in FIG. 3).

  The top cover 2 is formed with a laundry entrance / exit 15 which is located above the inner lid 14 and allows the laundry to be taken in and out of the inner tub 6, and a lid 16 for opening and closing the laundry entrance / exit 15 is provided. It has been. The lid 16 is provided so as to be rotatable via a hinge 16a on the rear side, and is a two-fold type that is divided into two in the front-rear direction of the washing machine A.

  A control circuit unit 39 is provided inside the front portion of the top cover 2, and an operation panel 40 shown in FIG. 4 is provided on the top surface of the front portion of the top cover 2. The operation panel 40 includes an “ON” key 41 for power, a “OFF” key 42, a “START” key 43 (also serving as a “pause” key), a “BEAN CLEANING FREQUENCY” key 44, and “BAN CLEAN”. Key 45, “course” key 46, “dehydration” key 47, “rinse” key 48, “wash” key 49, “reservation” key 50, “water level” key 51, and “bath water” key 52 are provided. In addition, various displays 57 to 63 for displaying the contents and presence / absence of the selection or setting are provided.

  Among the indicators 57 to 63, the display unit 57 corresponding to the “tank cleaning frequency” key 44 displays the frequency of performing the tank cleaning operation for cleaning the tank 4.

  The display 58 corresponding to the “bath washing” key 45 is set to “automatic operation” for automatically washing the tub 4 (the outer tub 5 and the inner tub 6) after executing the washing operation course. An automatic operation display unit 58a for displaying this, and a tank cleaning display unit 58b for indicating that "tank cleaning" for cleaning the tank 4 (outer tank 5 and inner tank 6) is set regardless of the execution of the washing operation course. A tank cleaning agent display unit 58c for informing the user to clean the tank 4 (outer tank 5 and inner tank 6) using the tank cleaning agent, and a laundry presence / absence display unit 58d for displaying the presence / absence of laundry. There is.

  In the case of the present embodiment, the automatic operation display unit 58a, the tank cleaning display unit 58b, the tank cleaning agent display unit 58c, and the laundry presence / absence display unit 58d have “automatic operation”, “tank cleaning”, and “tank cleaning agent”, respectively. , "With laundry" is written. The automatic operation display unit 58a and the tank cleaning display unit 58b display that “automatic operation” and “tank cleaning” are set when the lamp is lit. The tank cleaning agent display unit 58c notifies the user of cleaning of the tank 4 (the outer tank 5 and the inner tank 6) using the tank cleaning agent at the time of lighting. Also, the laundry presence / absence display unit 58d displays “laundry is present” when it is lit, and “no laundry” when it is unlit.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the control circuit unit 39 is provided with a control circuit 65 mainly composed of a microcomputer. The control circuit 65 constitutes the control means of the present invention, and is connected to a storage unit 66 having a nonvolatile memory. Various control signals are input to the control circuit 65 from various control keys 41 to 52 provided on the operation panel 40, and a water level sensor provided to detect the water level in the outer tub 5 of the tub 4. A water level detection signal is input from 67, an opening / closing detection signal is input from a lid switch 69 (lid opening / closing detection means) for detecting opening / closing of the lid 16, and further, the number of revolutions of the motor 12 of the driving device 11 is detected. A rotation speed detection signal is input from the rotation sensor 70.

  The rotation sensor 70 and the control circuit 65 constitute weight detection means for detecting the weight of the laundry housed in the inner tub 6 and laundry detection means for detecting the presence or absence of the laundry in the inner tub 6. Specifically, the pulsator 10 is rotated by the motor 12, and the control circuit 65 is accommodated in the inner tank 6 based on the number of rotations of the rotation sensor 70 at that time and a data table stored in advance in the storage unit 66. Determine the weight of the laundry. When the amount (weight) of the laundry stored in the inner tub 6 is large, the number of rotations detected by the rotation sensor 70 is low, and when the amount of laundry is small, the number of rotations detected by the rotation sensor 70. Becomes higher.

  The control circuit 65 is provided to supply water to the motor 12 and the tank 4 (inside the inner tank 6) based on the various input signals described above and a control program stored in the storage unit 66 in advance. Provided to lock the water supply valve 71, the drain valve 34, various indicators 57 to 63 provided on the operation panel 40, a buzzer 72 as an alarm, and the lid 16 in a closed state. The lid lock mechanism 73 is controlled via a drive circuit 74, respectively.

  In the washing machine A controlled by the control circuit 65, a plurality of washing operation courses combining a washing process, a rinsing process, and a dehydrating process are set in advance. By operating the “course” key 46, a plurality of washing operations are performed. A desired course is selected from the driving course.

  The plurality of washing operation courses set in the washing machine A have different operation intensities in each of the washing process, the rinsing process, and the dehydrating process. For example, “standard”, “replacement”, “speedy”, “memory”, “Dry”, “Blanket”, etc. are set. If necessary, the contents of the washing process, the rinsing process, the dehydration process, the water level setting, the strength of the water flow, and the presence / absence of water supply for the bath water can be set with a “dehydration” key 47, a “rinse” key 48, a “wash” key 49 The “water level” key 51 and the “water bath” key 52 are used for setting.

  Moreover, the washing machine A can set the tank washing course which wash | cleans the tank 4 (the outer tank 5 and the inner tank 6) besides the washing driving course.

  Specifically, in the washing machine A, for example, “automatic operation” in which the tub 4 (the outer tub 5 and the inner tub 6) is automatically washed after the washing operation course is executed, regardless of the execution of the washing operation course. Two types of tank cleaning courses of “tank cleaning” for cleaning the tank 4 (the outer tank 5 and the inner tank 6) are set. The user operates the “bath cleaning” key 45 to select a desired tank cleaning course from these tank cleaning courses.

  When “automatic operation” is selected from the tank cleaning course, the frequency of executing the tank cleaning operation for cleaning the tank 4 is changed by operating the “tank cleaning frequency” key. Specifically, there are five types of setting times ns of “1 time”, “15 times”, “30 times”, “60 times”, and “90 times”, and one type of setting times is selected from the setting times ns. To do. When “once” is selected, the tank washing operation for washing the tank 4 is executed every time after the washing operation course is executed. When “15 times”, “30 times”, “60 times”, or “90 times” is selected, the number of times of washing operation n in the washing operation course is accumulated 15 times and 30 times since the previous tank washing operation was executed. , 60 and 90 times, the tank 4 is washed. That is, the frequency with which the control circuit 65 executes the tank cleaning operation is changed by changing the selected number of times of selection.

  When the setting of each course is completed, operation is started by operating the “start” key 43. When the washing operation course is executed, the laundry is put into the inner tub 6 until the “start” key 43 is operated to start the operation of the selected course.

  In the washing machine A as described above, when “automatic operation” is selected from the tank cleaning course, automatic tank cleaning is performed in which the tank cleaning operation is executed after the washing operation course ends.

  Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the user first sets a washing operation course to be executed on the operation panel 40 (step S1). Here, when the user sets automatic tank cleaning, when the washing operation course is selected and set, the “tank cleaning” key 45 is operated. Furthermore, when changing the frequency of executing the tank cleaning operation, the “tank cleaning frequency” key is operated in a state where “automatic operation” is selected from the tank cleaning course.

  Thereby, the control circuit 65 sets automatic tank cleaning, turns on the automatic operation display unit 58a, and displays the frequency of executing the tank cleaning operation set in the display unit 57. Further, the fact that automatic tank cleaning is set is stored in the storage unit 66. This automatic bath cleaning setting is stored as it is set at the next washing until it is canceled once it is set.

  To cancel the automatic tank washing setting, the user re-operates the “bath washing” key 45 while the washing course is selected and set. Then, the indicator 58 corresponding to the “bath cleaning” key 45 is turned off, and the control circuit 65 cancels the automatic tank cleaning setting and stores the cancellation in the storage unit 66, and the automatic tank cleaning is performed again. Until it is set, it is treated that there is no automatic tub washing setting at the next washing.

  In step S2, the control circuit 65 executes the washing operation course selected and set by the user in step S1.

  Specifically, the washing operation course is performed in the order of a washing process, a rinsing process, and a dehydrating process (some processes are not performed depending on the setting).

  In the washing process, a detergent is put in the inner tank 6 in advance. When performing the washing process, the control circuit 65 first detects the weight of the laundry stored in the inner tub 6. In the control circuit 65, for example, water supply water levels are preset in four stages of “high”, “medium”, “low”, and “low”. Determine the water level.

  The control circuit 65 supplies and stores water in the tank 4 by opening the water supply valve 71 with the drain valve 34 closed. The water level at this time is the water level determined based on the weight detection. Thereafter, the control circuit 65 causes the motor 12 to rotate the pulsator 10 forward and backward. Thereby, the laundry accommodated in the inner tub 6 is washed.

  When the washing process is completed, the drain valve 34 is opened, the water in the tank 4 is discharged from the drainage channel 35 to the outside of the machine, and the rinsing process is performed. The rinsing process is performed in the same manner as the washing process except that no detergent is used and no weight detection is performed.

  The dehydration process is performed by rotating the pulsator 10 and the inner tank 6 integrally at a high speed by the motor 12 with the drain valve 35 opened. Thereby, the laundry in the inner tub 6 is centrifugally dehydrated. Water discharged from the laundry is discharged from the drainage channel 35 to the outside of the machine.

  In step S3, this step is repeated until the washing operation course as described above ends. When the washing operation course ends, the process proceeds to step S4 to increment the number of washing operations n, and the process proceeds to step S5.

  In step S5, it is determined whether or not automatic tank cleaning is set. If automatic tank cleaning is set, the process proceeds to step S6. If automatic tank cleaning is not set, the operation is terminated.

  In step S6, the elapsed time from the end of the washing operation is measured, and it is determined whether or not a predetermined time set in advance, in this embodiment, 1 hour has passed. If the user has forgotten to take out the item or does not intend to take out the laundry, the operation is terminated. If one hour has not elapsed, the process proceeds to step S7 to determine whether or not the lid opening / closing detection has been performed.

  Normally, when the user knows that the washing operation has been completed by the notification by the buzzer 72, the lid 16 and the inner lid 14 are opened, the laundry in the inner tub 6 is taken out, and then the inner lid 14 and the lid are removed. 16 is closed. The control circuit 65 determines that the laundry has been taken out from the inner tub 6 by detecting the opening / closing operation of the lid 16 by the lid switch 69.

  That is, the control circuit 65 determines that the user has taken out the laundry from the inner tub 6 when the opening / closing operation of the lid 16 is detected within one hour after the washing operation is finished in steps S6 and S7, Proceed to S8.

  In step S8, it is determined whether or not the start key 43 has been operated. If the start key 43 has been operated, the process proceeds to step S9. If the start key 43 has not been operated, the process proceeds to step S10. In step S10, the elapsed time after opening / closing detection of the lid 16 is measured, and it is determined whether or not the elapsed time is a predetermined time set in advance, in this case, 30 minutes. If 30 minutes have passed, the process proceeds to step S9. If 30 minutes have not elapsed, the process returns to step S8.

  That is, in steps S8 and S10, the control circuit 65 determines whether or not the start key 43 has been operated until 30 minutes have elapsed since the opening / closing detection of the lid 16, and 30 minutes have elapsed since the opening / closing detection of the lid 16 was detected. If the start key 43 has been operated until this time, or if 30 minutes have elapsed since the opening / closing of the lid 16 was detected, the process proceeds to step S9.

  In step S9, the control circuit 65 operates the lid lock mechanism 73 to lock the lid 16 in the closed state, and then proceeds to step S11. Thereafter, the control circuit 65 performs weight detection in step S11. Note that the weight detection in step S11 is based on the magnitude of the rotation speed of the rotation sensor 70 at that time and the table previously stored in the control circuit 65, as in the washing process, when only the pulsator 10 is rotated by the motor 12. Determine the weight of the laundry.

  In step S <b> 12, the control circuit 65 determines whether there is laundry in the inner tub 6. Here, the amount of the laundry is not determined, but is for determining whether or not the laundry remains in the inner tub 6, so that the laundry is compared with the threshold value when the amount is the smallest. Determine the presence or absence of objects. If it is determined in step S12 that there is no laundry, the process proceeds to step S13. If it is determined that there is laundry, the process proceeds to step S14.

In step S13, when there is a display of “laundry” in the laundry presence / absence display portion 58d, the display is erased (turned off), and after the storage of “laundry” in the storage unit 66 is erased, Proceeding to step S15 In step S14, “with laundry” is displayed (lighted) on the laundry presence / absence display portion 58d, and “with laundry” is stored in the storage unit 66, and then the procedure proceeds to step S19. By displaying “laundry present” on the laundry presence / absence display portion 58d, the user is informed that the laundry remains in the inner tub 6. The user notices that there is forgetting to take out the laundry by looking at the indication of “there is laundry” on the laundry presence / absence display portion 58d, opens the lid 16 and the inner lid 14 again, and opens the inner tub 6. The inner laundry is taken out, and then the inner lid 14 and the lid 16 are closed.

  In step S15, the control circuit 65 determines whether or not the number of times of washing operation n is equal to or greater than the set number of times ns. If the number of times of washing operation n is equal to or greater than the set number of times ns, the control circuit 65 proceeds to step S16. If less than ns, the process proceeds to step S18.

  In step S <b> 16, the control circuit 65 executes a tank cleaning operation for cleaning the tank 4. In this tank cleaning operation, as shown in FIG. 6, the content of the process performed in the tank cleaning operation differs depending on the frequency of executing the tank cleaning operation set in step S1, and the time for executing the tank cleaning operation differs. Yes.

  Specifically, when “one time” is selected as the set number of times ns as the frequency of executing the tank cleaning operation, the water supply process, the cleaning process, and the dehydration process are sequentially performed.

  When “one time” is selected for the set number of times ns, the water supply stroke supplies water to a water level that is higher by a predetermined amount than the water level during the washing operation performed immediately before the tank cleaning operation. For example, when the water supply level during washing operation is “high”, the water supply amount during washing operation is 69 liters while the water supply amount during washing operation is 69 liters, while the water supply level during washing operation is “medium”. In the case of the water supply amount in the washing operation is 45 liters, the water supply amount in the tank washing operation is 50 liters, and the water supply level in the washing operation is “low”, the water supply amount in the washing operation is 28 liters. When the water supply amount during the washing operation is 33 liters and the water supply level during the washing operation is “low”, the water supply amount during the washing operation is set to 12 liters and the water supply amount during the tank washing operation is set to 17 liters. Yes.

  That is, when “one time” is selected as the set number of times ns, the water level to be supplied in the water supply stroke differs depending on the water level during the washing operation performed immediately before the tank cleaning operation.

  In the water supply stroke, with the drain valve 34 closed, the water supply valve 71 is opened to supply and store water in the tank 4 while rotating the pulsator 10 forward and backward with the motor 12 to stir the supplied water. May be. Moreover, when bath water supply is selected during the washing operation, the bath water may be set to be supplied even during the water supply stroke in the tank cleaning operation.

  When the water supply process is completed, the washing process is performed next. In the washing process, the pulsator 10 is intermittently rotated forward and backward intermittently by the motor 12 for a predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes) to stir the water in the tank 4. By stirring in this way, water can reach a position higher than the level of the supplied water, and the tank 4 can be washed more effectively.

  In the washing process, when the room temperature (air temperature) at the place where the washing machine A is installed and the temperature of the water to be supplied are lower than a predetermined temperature, the room temperature (air temperature) at the place where the washing machine A is installed, such as increasing the operation strength of the washing process. ) And the operating intensity of the washing process may be changed according to the temperature of the water to be supplied.

  When the washing process is completed, a dehydration process is performed. In the dehydration process, first, the pulsator 10 and the inner tank 6 are integrated at a predetermined speed (for example, 70 to 200 rpm) by the motor 12 while the drain valve 35 is opened and the water in the tank 4 is drained from the drainage channel 35 to the outside of the machine. First dehydration is performed. Then, after the water in the tank 4 is drained, the second dehydration is performed in which the pulsator 10 and the inner tank 6 are integrally rotated at a faster speed (for example, 800 rpm) than in the first dehydration.

  In the first dehydration, the speed at which the pulsator 10 and the inner tub 6 are rotated may be changed according to the water level (water amount) supplied in the water supply stroke. For example, as shown in FIG. The lower the speed, the faster the rotation speed during the first dehydration. By setting in this way, even when the feed water level is low, the rotation speed can be increased so that the water can reach the high position and the tank 4 can be washed effectively, and when the feed water level is high, Water does not splash outside the machine during rotation.

  When “15 times” is selected as the set number of times ns as the frequency of executing the tank cleaning operation, the water supply process, the cleaning process, and the dehydration process are sequentially performed.

  When “15 times” is selected for the set number of times ns, the water level in the water supply stroke is set to the highest water level (that is, the water supply amount is 69 liters) regardless of the water level at the time of the washing operation performed immediately before. Except that the time for performing the washing process (for example, from 5 minutes to 10 minutes) is extended, the same as when “1 time” is selected for the set number of times ns described above. . When “15 times” is selected as the set number of times ns, the water supply level in the water supply stroke is always set to the highest water level, so the rotation speed at the first dehydration in the dewatering stroke is not changed and is always predetermined. The pulsator 10 and the inner tank 6 are rotated at a speed (for example, 70 rpm).

  When “30 times” is selected as the frequency of executing the tank cleaning operation, the water supply process, the soaking process, the washing process, and the dehydrating process are sequentially performed.

  When “30 times” is selected as the set number of times ns, the set number of times ns is set to the above-described number of times ns except that there is a soaking step that waits for a predetermined time (for example, 15 minutes) between the water supply process and the washing process. This is performed in the same manner as when “15 times” is selected. In the soaking process, the pulsator 10 may be intermittently rotated forward and backward by the motor 12 to stir the water in the tank 4.

  When “60 times” is selected as the frequency of executing the tank cleaning operation, the water supply process, the soaking process, the washing process, and the dehydrating process are sequentially performed.

  When “60 times” is selected as the set number of times ns, the time for performing the soaking process (for example, from 15 minutes to 30 minutes) is extended, and the time for executing the washing process (for example, 10 to 15 minutes) Except for the point that (1) is extended, the process is performed in the same manner as when “30 times” is selected as the set number of times ns.

  When “90 times” is selected as the frequency of executing the tank cleaning operation, the water supply process, the soaking process, the washing process, the dehydration process, the water supply process, the washing process, and the dehydration process are selected. And sequentially.

  When “90 times” is selected as the set number of times ns, the time for performing the soaking process (for example, from 30 minutes to 60 minutes) is extended, and after the dehydration process, the water supply process and the washing process are performed again. The point which performs a dehydration process sequentially, and the point which makes the tank cleaning agent display part 58c light, and performs the notification which urges | urges a user to wash | clean the tank 4 (outer tank 5 and inner tank 6) using a tank cleaning agent. Is performed in the same manner as when “60 times” is selected as the set number of times ns. The contents of the water supply process, the washing process, and the dehydration process performed after the dehydration process are the same as the water supply process, the washing process, and the dehydration process performed previously.

  Then, when the tank washing operation in step S16 is completed, the process proceeds to step S17, where the number of washing operations n is reset, and the process proceeds to step S18.

  In step S18, the cover 16 is unlocked by the cover lock mechanism 73, and then the operation is terminated.

  In step S19, the elapsed time is measured from the time when “laundry is present” is displayed on the laundry presence / absence display portion 58d, and it is determined whether or not a predetermined time set in advance, that is, 10 minutes in this case, has passed. If the operation has been completed, the operation is terminated. If 10 minutes have not elapsed, the process proceeds to step S20 to determine whether or not the lid opening / closing detection has been performed. That is, when the control circuit 65 detects the opening / closing operation of the lid 16 within 10 minutes from the time when “laundry is present” is displayed on the laundry presence / absence display portion 58d in steps S19 and S20, the user enters the inside of the inner tub 6. If it is determined that the laundry has been taken out, the process proceeds to step S6, and if the opening / closing operation of the lid 16 is not detected, the process proceeds to step S18, after the locked state of the lid 16 by the lid locking mechanism 73 is released, and the operation is terminated.

  In step S14, the control circuit 65 displays “laundry present” on the laundry presence / absence display portion 58d, and stores “laundry present” in the storage portion 66, as described above, for 10 minutes. Even if the opening / closing operation of the lid 16 is not detected, the tank washing operation is not performed, and the power is turned off, the “presence of laundry” is displayed (lighted) on the laundry presence / absence display portion 58d when the power is turned on next time. Let Thereby, it can inform a user that the laundry is left in the inner tub 6.

  As described above, the washing machine A of the present embodiment has the following effects. That is, in the washing machine A of the present embodiment, since the frequency of executing the tank cleaning operation can be changed, the tank cleaning operation can be executed at an appropriate time according to the usage state of the washing machine A. Use of necessary water can be suppressed.

  In addition, the washing machine A is configured to automatically execute the tank washing process when the number n of washing operations stored in the storage unit 66 reaches the set number ns, and the set number ns can be changed. It is composed. Therefore, by changing the set number ns, the frequency of executing the tank cleaning operation can be easily changed, and the washing machine A can be easily set to execute the tank cleaning operation at an appropriate time.

  Moreover, in the washing machine A, since the time for executing the tank cleaning process is changed depending on the frequency of executing the tank cleaning process, the tank cleaning process is set to an operation intensity corresponding to the contamination of the tank 4. Therefore, unnecessary use of water and power can be suppressed, and water saving and power saving can be achieved.

  In addition, when “one time” is selected as the frequency ns for executing the tank cleaning operation, the water supply level in the tank cleaning operation is higher than the water supply level in the washing operation executed immediately before the tank cleaning operation. The water level is set high only for quantitative determination. Therefore, it is possible to clean the bottom surface of the tank 4 and the position in the vicinity of the water surface where dirt easily adheres by the washing operation while suppressing the amount of water used for the tank cleaning operation.

  The washing machine A according to the present embodiment is configured to automatically execute the tank washing process when the washing operation number n stored in the storage unit 66 reaches the set number ns and the set number ns. However, for example, the washing operation time which is an integrated value of the execution time of the washing operation is stored in the storage unit 66, and this washing is performed. When the operation time reaches the set time, the tank cleaning process may be automatically executed, and the frequency of executing the tank cleaning process may be changed by changing the set time. . Thus, even if it is a case where the frequency which performs a tank washing | cleaning process is changed by changing setting time, it can set easily so that the washing machine A may perform a tank washing operation at an appropriate time.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 4 ... Tank 5 ... Outer tank 6 ... Inner tank 12 ... Motor 15 ... Laundry doorway 16 ... Cover 65 ... Control circuit 69 ... Cover switch 70 ... Rotation sensor

Claims (4)

A tank where the laundry can be placed;
A tank cleaning execution means for executing a tank cleaning operation for cleaning the tank;
A washing machine comprising: control means for changing a frequency at which the tank cleaning execution means executes the tank cleaning operation. Integration means for integrating the number of executions of the washing operation or the execution time of the washing operation;
Storage means for storing the number of washing operations or washing operation time accumulated in the accumulation means,
The tank cleaning execution means automatically executes the tank cleaning process when the number of washing operations or the washing operation time stored in the storage means reaches a set number or set time,
2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the control unit changes a frequency of executing the tank cleaning process by changing the set number of times or the set time.   In the case where the set number of times is set to 1 and the tank cleaning execution means executes the tank cleaning operation after executing the washing operation, the tank cleaning execution means performs the tank cleaning according to the water level at the last washing operation. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the water level during the washing operation is changed.   The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the tank cleaning execution unit changes a time for executing the tank cleaning operation according to a frequency of executing the tank cleaning operation.

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