JP2011092540A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a washing machine capable of shortening the required time of a rinsing operation by utilizing steam supply means for supplying steam to the inside of a rotary drum. <P>SOLUTION: The washing machine includes the steam supply means 5 for supplying steam to the inside of a rotary drum 3 which is supplied with laundry A and rotated. An operation control part 6 for controlling the operation of the washing machine operates the steam supply means 5 during the rinsing operation performed after a washing operation, supplies the steam generated by a steam generator 53 and jetted from a steam jet nozzle 59 through an opening 30 at the front to the inside of the rotary drum 3, and accelerates the removal of stains and detergent components remaining on the laundry by the action of the supplied steam. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a washing machine including steam supply means for supplying water vapor to a rotating drum that rotates in a washing tub.

  In recent years, oblique drum type washing machines have become widespread. This washing machine elastically supports a bottomed cylindrical washing tub with an opening on one side facing upward, and an axis inclined with respect to a horizontal plane, and a bottomed cylindrical rotating drum inside the washing tub Is arranged such that the opening on one side is rotatable coaxially with the opening on the same side as the opening of the washing tub. The laundry is put into the inside of the rotating drum through the opening of the washing tub and the rotating drum, immersed in the washing water accumulated at the bottom of the washing tub, repeatedly washed and lifted by the rotation of the rotating drum, and then washed. Finished through a rinse operation, a dehydration operation, and a drying operation.

  In this type of washing machine, proposals have been made to improve washing performance and realize various additional functions. As one of such proposals, there is a washing machine provided with a steam supply means for supplying steam to the inside of a rotating drum (for example, see Patent Documents 1 and 2).

  In the washing machine of Patent Document 1, the water vapor supplied to the inside of the rotating drum increases the temperature of the washing water in the washing tub during the washing operation to promote the washing of the laundry, and the laundry has a high temperature. It is used to make bactericidal action by applying water vapor. Furthermore, water is supplied during the drying operation, and water is applied to the laundry in the middle of drying to remove wrinkles from the laundry.

  Moreover, in the washing machine of patent document 2, water vapor | steam is supplied also during the dehydration operation before a drying operation. The steam supplied to the inside of the rotating drum is used to increase the temperature of the water contained in the laundry to increase the dehydration effect, and to shorten the time required for the drying operation by preheating the laundry before drying. Yes.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-141985 Special table 2007-1111396 gazette

  In the washing machine as described above, the washing operation, the rinsing operation, the dehydrating operation, and the drying operation are performed as a series of processes or individual processes according to the operation of the user. When these required times are compared, a lot of time is required for the rinsing operation together with the drying operation. Patent Document 2 described above is an invention aimed at reducing the time required for the drying operation, but in order to reduce the operation time of the washing machine, it is eagerly desired to reduce the time required for the rinsing operation. Yes.

  In the rinsing operation, generally, after the washing operation is completed, the water remaining in the washing tub is drained, the rinsing water is newly supplied, and the procedure for rotating the rotating drum as in the washing operation is performed a plurality of times. This operation is repeated to wash the laundry after washing and remove the remaining dirt and detergent components.

  As a measure to shorten the time required for such a rinsing operation, conventionally, dehydration is performed for a short time before water supply multiple times, and the detergent components remaining in the laundry are roughly removed together with the contained water. In addition, the water supply in the washing tub is circulated, and the laundry in the rotating drum is poured like a shower to increase the chance of contact with the laundry and promote the removal of the detergent components. These measures are effective for shortening the time required for the rinsing operation, but further reduction is required for the time required for the rinsing operation.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides a washing machine capable of further reducing the time required for the rinsing operation by utilizing a steam supply means for supplying water vapor to the inside of the rotating drum. The purpose is to do.

  The washing machine according to the present invention is a washing machine including a rotating drum that is rotated by being loaded with laundry, and a steam supply unit that supplies water vapor to the inside of the rotating drum, and rinses the laundry after washing. Control means for performing a part of the operation by operating the steam supply means is provided.

  In the present invention, the water vapor supply means operates during the rinsing operation for rinsing the laundry after washing, and supplies water vapor to the inside of the rotating drum. The supplied water vapor heats and wets the laundry, thereby facilitating removal of dirt and detergent components remaining in the laundry, and acting to shorten the time of the rinsing operation.

  The washing machine according to the present invention is characterized in that the control means operates the steam supply means while rotating the rotating drum during the rinsing operation.

  In the present invention, when the washing operation is finished and the rinsing operation is started, water vapor is supplied to the inside of the rotating rotary drum, and the water vapor is uniformly applied to the laundry in the rotating drum, so that the laundry is applied to the laundry. It makes it easy to remove many remaining dirt and detergent components. Also, if water vapor is supplied at the time of high-speed dehydration, the laundry is wetted, and further dehydration is performed, the time required for acceleration / deceleration of the dehydration operation becomes unnecessary, and the operation time can be further shortened.

  In the washing machine according to the present invention, since water vapor is supplied to the inside of the rotating drum during the rinsing operation performed after the washing operation, dirt and detergent components remaining in the laundry in the rotating drum are dissolved by the action of water vapor. The present invention has an excellent effect such that the time required for the rinsing operation for rinsing the laundry after washing can be shortened and the operation time of the washing machine including the rinsing operation can be shortened. Play.

1 is a perspective view schematically showing an appearance of a washing machine according to the present invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows schematically the internal structure of the washing machine which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of a vapor | steam supply means. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control system of the washing machine which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement content of the operation control part in a rinse operation.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings illustrating embodiments thereof. FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the appearance of a washing machine according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically showing the internal configuration of the washing machine according to the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the washing machine according to the present invention includes a washing tub 2 and a rotating drum 3 inside an outer box 1 constituting an exterior. The washing tub 2 is a large-diameter bottomed cylinder having an opening 20 on one side, and a plurality of support legs 21 (only one is shown) erected on the bottom surface of the outer box 1 to the side of the opening 20. And is elastically supported while maintaining an inclined posture with the axis inclined with respect to the horizontal plane.

  On the front surface of the outer box 1 (the left side surface in FIG. 2), a loading port 11 for the laundry A is opened at a position facing the opening 20 of the washing tub 2 so as to be opened and closed by the lid 10. And the opening 20 of the washing tub 2 are liquid-tightly sealed by a bellows 12. The applicant of the present application also provides a lid (inner lid) on the opening 20 of the washing tub 2, and this lid plate is opened and closed in conjunction with the lid 10 (outer lid) of the inlet 11 of the outer box 1. The lid structure has been proposed previously, and it goes without saying that the same lid structure can be adopted in the washing machine of the present invention.

  A rotating drum 3 is supported coaxially inside the washing tub 2. The rotating drum 3 is a bottomed cylinder having a slightly smaller diameter than the washing tub 2, and an opening 30 for loading the laundry A is opened on one side. The rotating drum 3 is connected to the end of the output shaft 40 of the drum motor 4 fixed at the center of the bottom of the washing tub 2 with the opening 30 facing the inside of the opening 20 of the washing tub 2. The drum motor 4 is driven to rotate inside the washing tub 2.

  The rotary drum 3 includes a fluid balancer 31 provided around the opening 30. The fluid balancer 31 functions to absorb and mitigate vibrations associated with the rotation of the rotary drum 3. The drum motor 4 is fixed inside a motor chamber 41 connected to the outside of the bottom plate of the washing tub 2. The output shaft 40 of the drum motor 4 protrudes through the bottom plate of the washing tub 2 in a liquid-tight manner inside the washing tub 2, and the rotary drum 3 is connected to the protruding end.

  As shown in FIG. 2, many small holes 32 are formed through the entire surface of the peripheral wall of the rotary drum 3, and a baffle 33 extending in the axial length direction is formed on the inner surface of the rotary drum 3 in the circumferential direction. Plural protrusions are made evenly. In FIG. 2, only a part of the small hole 32 and one baffle 33 are shown.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a door opening button 13 is provided in the vicinity of the lid 10 on the front surface of the outer box 1. The lid body 10 is provided with a pressing portion 14 for performing a pressing operation when the lid body 10 is closed. The lid 10 is opened by the operation of the door opening button 13, and is closed by gripping the peripheral portion and performing a closing operation, and pressing the pressing portion 14 from the outside. An insertion port 11 provided on the front surface of the outer box 1 faces the openings 20 and 30 of the washing tub 2 and the rotary drum 3, and the laundry A introduced from the insertion port 11 passes through the openings 20 and 30. As shown by a broken line in FIG. 2, it is introduced into the inside of the rotating drum 3, and is located in a state where it is deposited near the lowermost part of the rotating drum 3 that is supported by tilting.

  The washing operation of the washing machine configured as described above is performed by opening the insertion port 11 with the lid body 10 on the front surface of the outer box 1 and feeding the laundry A, and closing the lid body 10 as described later. Washing water is supplied to the inside of the washing tub 2, and the drum motor 4 is driven to rotate the rotating drum 3. As described above, a large number of small holes 32 are formed through the peripheral wall of the rotating drum 3, and a plurality of baffles 33 project from the inner surface of the rotating drum 3. The object A is immersed in the wash water flowing into the rotary drum 3 through the small holes 32, and is stirred and washed together with the wash water including lifting and dropping by the action of the baffle 33.

  The drying operation of the washing machine is performed through the rinsing operation and the dehydrating operation after the above washing operation. In this drying operation, the rotating drum 3 is rotated by driving the drum motor 4, and drying air is circulated inside the rotating drum 3.

  In FIG. 2, illustration of the circulation air path of the dry air is omitted. This circulation air passage connects the inlet opening opened at the rear lower part of the washing tub 2 and the outlet opening opened at the front upper part by a duct that goes around the outside of the washing tub 2, and in the middle, a filter for capturing dust, It has a known configuration in which a blower fan 65 (see FIG. 4) for raising dry air and a PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) heater 66 (see FIG. 4) for heating the dry air are provided.

  The drying air is heated into the rotating drum 3 through the outlet by being heated by the PTC heater 66, hits the laundry A rotating in the rotary drum 3, removes moisture from the laundry A, and opens the inlet. After that, it returns to the circulation air passage. The drying air that has returned to the circulation air passage is once cooled, liquefied and separated from the contained water, then passed through the filter, captured by dust, reheated by the PTC heater 66, and introduced into the rotary drum 3. The

  As the rotary drum 3 rotates, the laundry A inside the rotary drum 3 is lifted by the action of the baffle 33 on the peripheral surface, spreads and drops as shown by a two-dot chain line in the figure, and the drying is performed during this time. It can be dried by repeated contact with the wind.

  A water supply port 17 serving as a connection end to the water supply is provided on the rear upper surface of the outer box 1, and the water supply port 17 is connected to a water supply valve 18 provided inside the outer box 1. The water supply valve 18 is a multiple solenoid valve having a plurality of water supply outlets. The first water supply outlet of the water supply valve 18 is connected to the upper peripheral surface in the vicinity of the bottom plate of the washing tub 2 via the water supply pipe 19, and when the water supply valve 18 is switched to the first water supply outlet, the water supply outlet 17 Is supplied to the inside of the washing tub 2 through a water supply valve 18 and a water supply pipe 19. A detergent case may be arranged in the middle of the water supply pipe 19 so that an appropriate amount of detergent is introduced together with the water supply.

  Further, a water conduit 22 is connected to the washing tank 2 on the peripheral surface near the bottom plate, which is the lowest position, and this water conduit 22 is a cylindrical filter case fixedly supported at the front lower part inside the outer box 1. Connected to 23. Inside the filter case 23 is housed a lint filter 24 that captures foreign matters such as fiber waste. The lower part of the filter case 23 is connected to a drain pipe 26 laid along the bottom surface of the outer box 1 through a drain valve 25. A return pipe 28 is connected to the rear end of the filter case 23 via a circulation pump 27, and the return pipe 28 extends upward along the front part of the washing tub 2. Is inserted and connected to a fixed flange 2a that is provided so as to surround the outside of the opening 20.

  The washing water supplied into the washing tub 2 is introduced into the filter case 23 through the water conduit 22 and fills the inside of the filter case 23. The circulation pump 27 attached to the filter case 23 is continuously or intermittently driven during the aforementioned washing operation. By this driving, the washing water inside the filter case 23 is sucked into the circulation pump 27 and is pressurized, and is fed to the upper part of the washing tub 2 through the return pipe 28, and from the tip of the return pipe 28 to the inside of the rotary drum 3. It pours onto the laundry A and acts to enhance the washing effect. The lint filter 24 provided in the filter case 23 functions to capture and remove foreign matters such as fiber waste contained in the circulating wash water as described above.

  The drain valve 25 provided at the lower part of the filter case 23 is opened after the above washing operation. With this opening, the washing water inside the washing tub 2 is drained to the drain pipe 26 through the water conduit 22 and the filter case 23. Even during this drainage, foreign matters contained in the wash water are captured and removed by the lint filter 24 in the filter case 23, so that there is no possibility of being discharged to the sewer pipe through the drain pipe 26, thereby reducing the environmental load. be able to.

  The second water supply outlet of the water supply valve 18 is connected to the steam supply means 5 through the water supply pipe 50. When the water supply valve 18 is switched to the second water supply outlet, the water supply to the water supply port 17 is the water supply The steam supply means 5 is supplied through a pipe 50.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the steam supply means 5. The steam supply means 5 includes a water tank 51, a metering pump 52 and a steam generator 53, and is disposed in the internal space of the outer box 1 on the upper side of the washing tub 2.

  The water tank 51 stores the water supply from the water supply pipe 50 connected to the upper part inside. The water tank 51 is connected to an overflow pipe 51a for sending excess water exceeding a certain water level. The surplus water sent out to the overflow pipe 51a is supplied to the inside of the above-described circulation path of the dry air, and reused as cooling water for contact cooling and dehumidification of the dry air flowing in the circulation air path. The surplus water sent to the overflow pipe 51a is supplied into the washing tub 2 and reused as part of the washing water.

  The metering pump 52 is configured as a tube pump including an elastic tube 52a and a pressing body 52b. The pressing body 52b is a disk-like member having pressing pieces protruding radially outward at a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction, fixed to the output end of the pump motor 54, and driven by the pump motor 54. Rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow in 3. The elastic tube 52a is bent in a circular shape so as to surround the outer side of the pressing body 52b. One end of the elastic tube 52a is connected to the water tank 51, and the water stored in the water tank 51 is introduced into the elastic tube 52a. The other end of the elastic tube 52a is connected to the steam generator 53.

  As shown in the figure, the pressing piece provided on the pressing body 52b crushes the corresponding portion of the elastic tube 52a at each tip, and moves according to the rotation of the pressing body 52b. This movement occurs from the connection side of the water tank 51 toward the connection side of the steam generator 53, and the water in the elastic tube 52a is sent out toward the steam generator 53. A plurality of (three in the figure) pressing pieces of the pressing body 52b are provided, and each of them moves in a state where the elastic tube 52a is crushed, so that the steam generator 53 is pressed by the pump motor 54. A certain amount of water is continuously supplied according to the rotation of the body 52b.

  The steam generator 53 is configured such that the flat bottom surface of the housing 53a is covered with a hot plate 53b in which a steam heater 55 is embedded. Water supplied from the metering pump 52 is introduced from a water supply opening that opens at the top of the housing 53a, and flows down on a hot plate 53b that faces the lower side of the water supply opening. The hot plate 53b generates heat by energization of the heater wire 71, and the flowing water is instantly evaporated by contact heating with the hot plate 53b, and water vapor is generated inside the housing 53a.

  A temperature detector 56 for detecting the temperature of the hot plate 53b is attached to the hot plate 53b of the steam generator 53. The hot plate 53b extends to the top surface of the housing 53a, and an abnormal temperature detector 57 is attached to the extended portion. The temperature detected by the temperature detector 56 is used to keep the temperature of the hot plate 53b at an appropriate temperature by the on / off control of the steam heater 55. The abnormal temperature detector 57 is provided to detect that the hot plate 53b is in an overheated state and forcibly cut off the energization to the steam heater 55. By this control, for example, abnormal overheating due to abnormality of the temperature detector 56 can be prevented, and safety can be improved.

  Inside the housing 53a, a delivery port is opened at a raised portion on one side of the bottom surface, and this delivery port is connected to a steam injection nozzle 59 via a steam pipe 58. The water vapor generated inside the housing 53a is supplied to the vapor injection nozzle 59 through the vapor pipe 58 and is injected from the vapor injection nozzle 59. Since the delivery port is provided in the stepped-up portion, the hot water before flowing into the hot plate 53b and becoming steam is not sent to the delivery port, and the steam injection nozzle 59 injects only steam. Can do.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the steam injection nozzle 59 is attached to the upper portion of the fixed flange 2a provided at the front portion of the washing tub 2 side by side with the return pipe 28 as described above. The steam injection nozzle 59 injects water vapor obliquely backward as indicated by an arrow in FIG. 2, and the water vapor is supplied into the rotary drum 3 through the front opening 30. The supply of water vapor is realized by switching the water supply valve 18 to the second water supply outlet, driving the metering pump 52, and energizing the heater 55 of the steam generator 53.

  The supply of water vapor to the inside of the rotating drum 3 is performed before the washing water is supplied or in parallel with the supply of the washing water, for example, during the washing operation. At this time, the laundry A inside the rotary drum 3 is positioned near the bottom of the rotary drum 3 as indicated by a broken line in FIG. Pour onto the top. The water vapor that pours down in this manner heats and wets the laundry A, softens and removes dirt components, and activates the detergent components in the wash water. These effects can enhance the washing effect in the washing operation performed as described above after the washing water is supplied.

  Further, the supply of water vapor to the inside of the rotary drum 3 is performed immediately before the completion of the drying in the drying operation. At this time, the laundry 3 is in a sufficiently dry state, and falls in a state where it is lifted and spread by the rotation of the rotating drum 3, as indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. The water vapor supplied into the rotating drum 3 gives a slight moisture to the laundry A, loosens the fibers hardened by drying, and acts to remove “wrinkles” generated in the laundry A. . Therefore, the finish of the laundry A after drying becomes good. In particular, a thick laundry such as towel cloth is raised and feels better.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an operation panel 15 including operation keys for various operations and a display unit for various displays is provided on the front upper portion of the outer box 1. The operation panel 15 is connected to an operation control unit 6 (see FIG. 2) provided inside the outer box 1 and located inside thereof. The rinsing operation and the dehydrating operation performed in the above are executed by the operation of the operation control unit 6 according to the operation of the operation panel 15.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the washing machine according to the present invention. As shown in the figure, the operation control unit 6 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 61, a memory 62, a timer 63, an input / output interface 64, and the like. The CPU 61 outputs a necessary control command for a control object provided in each part of the washing machine. The memory 62 stores a control program and various information necessary for the control operation of the CPU 61. The timer 63 outputs necessary time information according to an instruction from the CPU 61. The input / output interface 64 connects the operation control unit 6 and a control target so as to be able to exchange data.

  The operation control unit 6 controls the drum motor 4, the water supply valve 18, the drain valve 25, and the circulation pump 27, and the blower fan 65, the PTC heater 66, and the steam supply unit 5 provided in the drying air passage. The metering pump 52 and the steam heater 55 are controlled. The operation control unit 6 includes a rotation detection sensor 42 for detecting the rotation speed of the drum motor 4, a temperature detector 56 and an abnormal temperature detector 57 provided in the steam generator 53 of the steam supply means 5 as described above, A state detector provided for each control target is connected via an input / output interface 64.

  Furthermore, the operation panel 15 is connected to the operation controller 6 via an input / output interface 64. The CPU 61 of the operation control unit 6 receives the operation content of the operation panel 15 and operates to execute the above-described washing operation and drying operation, and further the rinsing operation and the dehydration operation according to the operation content. Further, the CPU 61 of the operation control unit 6 outputs a control instruction to a display unit provided on the operation panel 15 to display various displays such as the operating state of the washing machine and abnormality of each unit.

  The user can designate an operation mode in which the washing operation, the rinsing operation, the dehydration operation, and the drying operation are executed as a series of processes or individual processes by operating the operation panel 15, and the CPU 61 of the operation control unit 6 It operates to execute the specified operation mode according to the control program stored in the memory 62.

  The washing operation and the drying operation are performed as described above. In the washing operation, the CPU 61 of the operation control unit 6 gives a closing command to the drain valve 25 and a switching command to the first water supply outlet to the water supply valve 18 to supply a predetermined amount of washing water into the washing tub 2. Then, a drive command is given to the drum motor 4 to rotate the rotary drum 3 at a low speed, and a drive command is given to the circulation pump 27 to circulate the washing water, and the inside of the rotary drum 3 is fed from the tip of the return pipe 28. It operates so as to pour onto the laundry A.

  In the drying operation, the CPU 61 of the operation control unit 6 gives a drive command to the blower fan 65 and the PTC heater 66 to cause the circulation of the above-described dry air, and also gives a drive command to the drum motor 4 to lower the rotating drum 3. Operates to rotate at speed. In these operations, the CPU 61 of the operation control unit 6 adjusts the rotation speed of the rotary drum 3 to an appropriate speed using the rotation speed of the drum motor 4 detected by the rotation detection sensor 42 as feedback information.

  Further, the CPU 61 of the operation control unit 6 gives an operation command to the metering pump 52 and the steam heater 55 of the steam supply means 5 before the start of the washing operation and before the end of the drying operation, and the second water supply to the water supply valve 18. A command for switching to the outlet is given, and the operation is performed to supply water vapor to the inside of the rotary drum 3 as described above.

  The dehydration operation is performed to remove water contained in the laundry A before the start of the drying operation. In the dehydration operation, the CPU 61 of the operation control unit 6 gives an open command to the drain valve 25 and also gives a drive command to the drum motor 4 so as to rotate the rotating drum 3 at a high speed. The laundry A is rotated at a high speed while sticking to the inner peripheral surface of the rotary drum 3, and the water contained in the laundry A is provided on the peripheral wall of the rotary drum 3 by the action of centrifugal force accompanying the high speed rotation. It is collected in the washing tub 2 through a large number of small holes 32 and drained into the drain pipe 26 through the water conduit 22 and the filter case 23.

  The rinsing operation is performed to remove dirt and detergent components remaining on the laundry A after the washing operation is completed. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation content of the operation control unit 6 in the rinsing operation.

  After the start of the rinsing operation, the CPU 61 of the operation control unit 6 determines whether steam rinsing is selected (step S1). Selection of the steam rinsing is made by operating the operation panel 15 by the user. When the steam rinsing is not selected (step S1: NO), the CPU 61 of the operation control unit 6 shifts the process to step S6 and executes a water rinsing process described later.

  When steam rinsing is selected (step S1: YES), the CPU 61 of the operation control unit 6 first executes a short dehydration process (step S2). This dehydration step is performed to dehydrate and remove the washing water contained in the laundry A after washing by the same control operation as the dehydration operation described above.

  After completion of the dehydration process, the CPU 61 of the operation control unit 6 gives an operation command to the metering pump 52 and the steam heater 55 of the steam supply means 5 and also gives a command to switch to the second water supply outlet to the water supply valve 18 to rotate. Water vapor is supplied to the inside of the drum 3 (step S3), a drive command is given to the drum motor 4 to rotate the rotating drum 3 at a low speed (step S4), and the control operation is performed for a predetermined time. Is continued (step S5: NO). The supply of water vapor may be performed while rotating the rotary drum 3 at high speed for dehydration. Since the supplied water vapor sufficiently penetrates the laundry A even during high-speed rotation, the laundry A can be wetted to obtain a rinsing effect. Thus, by supplying water vapor during high-speed dehydration, the time required for acceleration / deceleration of dehydration rotation becomes unnecessary, and the operation time can be further shortened.

  In the control of the steam heater 55, the CPU 61 of the operation control unit 6 controls the energization of the steam heater 55 on and off based on the temperature detected by the temperature detector 56 as described above. Operates to generate water vapor underneath. Further, the CPU 61 of the operation control unit 6 operates to forcibly cut off the energization to the steam heater 55 based on the temperature detected by the abnormal temperature detector 57 in order to prevent the steam generator 53 from being overheated abnormally. In this case, it is preferable to give a control command to the display panel 15 so that a display for notifying the user of the occurrence of abnormality is performed.

  By the above control operation, the laundry A in the rotating drum 3 is roughly dehydrated, and then repeatedly lifts and drops due to the action of the baffle 33 provided on the inner peripheral surface as the rotating drum 3 rotates at a low speed. Water vapor is jetted and supplied into the rotary drum 3. The water vapor supplied in this way directly pours onto the laundry A during or after the fall, heating and wets the laundry A. Although dirt and detergent components remain in the laundry A after the completion of washing, the water vapor that wets the laundry A as described above softens the stain components, and dissolves the detergent components to facilitate removal. Water vapor supplied during high-speed rotation falls on the laundry A attached to the inner peripheral wall of the rotary drum 3 and sufficiently penetrates into the laundry A.

  After continuing the above control operation for a predetermined time (step S5: YES), the CPU 61 of the operation control unit 6 executes a water rinsing process (step S6). This water rinsing process is a process generally performed conventionally, and the CPU 61 of the operation control unit 6 executes a short-time dehydration process described above, and then issues a close command to the drain valve 25 and the water supply valve 18. A command for switching to the first water supply outlet is given, respectively, a predetermined amount of rinse water is supplied into the washing tub 2, a drive command is given to the drum motor 4, and the rotary drum 3 is rotated at a low speed. A drive command is given to the pump, and the washing water is circulated so as to be poured from the tip of the return pipe 28 into the rotary drum 3.

  In the water rinsing process described above, the laundry in the rotating drum 3 is immersed in the rinsing water flowing into the rotating drum 3 through the small holes 32 in the peripheral wall, and the baffle 33 acts as the rotating drum 3 rotates. Stir with rinse water, including lifting and dropping. Thereby, the stain | pollution | contamination and detergent component which remain in the laundry A melt | dissolve in a rinse water, and are removed.

  In the washing machine according to the present invention, before the above water rinsing process, steam rinsing is performed by rotating the rotating drum 3 while supplying water vapor, so that the water vapor is applied to the laundry A inside the rotating drum 3. ing. As described above, the water vapor hitting the laundry A softens the soil components and dissolves the detergent components so that they can be easily removed. It can be achieved with certainty.

  The water rinsing process described above is generally repeated a plurality of times. However, in the washing machine according to the present invention, steam rinsing is performed, which promotes removal of dirt and detergent components. The number of repetitions can be reduced, and the time required for the entire rinsing process can be greatly reduced.

  The steam rinsing execution order and the number of executions shown in FIG. 5 are not limited to the form shown in the flowchart shown in FIG. For example, a single water rinse may be performed first, followed by a steam rinse, and finally one or more water rinses, and the steam and water rinses may be performed multiple times each. You may implement alternately.

  Further, the supply of water vapor to the inside of the rotary drum 3 may be continuously performed during the water rinse. The steam supplied in this manner heats the laundry A and warms the rinsing water in the washing tub 2, so that the removal of dirt and detergent components remaining in the laundry A can be further promoted.

2 Washing tub 3 Rotating drum 5 Steam supply means 6 Operation control unit (control means)

Claims (2)

In a washing machine comprising a rotating drum that is loaded with laundry and rotates, and steam supply means for supplying water vapor to the inside of the rotating drum,
A washing machine comprising: control means for operating part of the rinsing operation for rinsing the laundry after washing by operating the steam supply means.   The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the control means operates the steam supply means while rotating the rotating drum during the rinsing operation.

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