JP2012019863A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress unnecessary consumption of electric power in the case in which bubble abnormal occurrence is detected.SOLUTION: A washing machine includes washing means for washing laundry in a water tank and a hot water heater for generating hot water by heating water stored in the water tank and further a bubble sensor for detecting bubble abnormally generated in the water tank. When the bubble abnormal occurrence is detected by the bubble sensor for a certain number of times (YES in S2), the control is made to reduce the energization amount of the hot water heater (S3). As a result, it becomes possible to suppress unnecessary consumption of electric power in the case in which bubble abnormal occurrence is detected.

Description

  Embodiments of the present invention relate to a washing machine having a hot water washing function using a hot water heater.

Conventionally, in a washing machine, a warm water heater is provided, the warm water heater is used to heat the water in the water tank to generate warm water, and the warm water washing function for washing the laundry with the warm water is provided, The laundry can be washed effectively.
Furthermore, in the case of itself, a device provided with a bubble sensor that detects the occurrence of bubbles in the water tank is provided (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2007-68678 A

  In the above-described one having the bubble sensor for detecting the occurrence of bubbles in the aquarium, when the bubble sensor detects the occurrence of bubbles in the aquarium, the water (warm water) in the aquarium is combined with the bubbles. After that, the operation of supplying new water into the water tank, heating the water with a warm water heater to generate warm water, and washing the laundry with the warm water is repeated.

  For this reason, when the number of occurrences of abnormal bubble occurrence is large, the water (warm water) in the water tank is discharged, the water is then supplied to the water tank, and the hot water heater supplied with the new water is supplied. The operation of washing and washing the laundry is repeated many times by the heated and generated warm water, and the consumption of electric power is increased due to the heating by the new water warm water heater each time. Further, in this case, it is conceivable that the foam is generated in the water tank abnormally when the laundry is less soiled. In such a situation, the above operation is repeated unnecessarily. The result was an increase in wasted consumption.

  Then, the washing machine which can suppress the wasteful consumption of electric power when abnormality generation | occurrence | production of foam is detected is provided.

  In the washing machine of the present embodiment, a water tub, cleaning means for cleaning the laundry inside the water tub, a hot water heater that heats water stored in the water tub to generate hot water, and abnormalities in foam in the water tub A bubble sensor for detecting the occurrence, and when the bubble sensor detects the occurrence of a bubble abnormality a predetermined number of times, control is performed to reduce the energization amount of the hot water heater.

A flowchart for explaining the operation of the first embodiment. Longitudinal side view of the entire washing machine with a part broken away Electrical configuration block diagram Control content diagram showing the second embodiment FIG. 1 equivalent view showing the third embodiment FIG. 4 equivalent view showing the fourth embodiment FIG. 4 equivalent view showing the fifth embodiment FIG. 4 equivalent view showing the sixth embodiment FIG. 4 equivalent view showing the seventh embodiment FIG. 4 equivalent diagram showing the eighth embodiment

The first embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.
First, FIG. 2 shows the overall structure of the drum type washing machine, and the outer box 1 is an outer shell. The outer box 1 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a laundry doorway 2 is formed at the center of the front surface (right side in FIG. 2) of the outer box 1 to open and close the laundry doorway 2. A door 3 is pivotally provided on the outer box 1. An operation panel 4 is provided at the upper part of the front portion of the outer box 1, and an operation-related electronic unit 5 that responds to the operation of the operation panel 4 is provided on the back side (inside the outer box 1). A drive system electronic unit 6 is provided on the back side of the lower portion of the front surface of the outer box 1.

A water tank 7 is disposed inside the outer box 1. This water tank 7 has a horizontal cylindrical shape whose axial direction is front and rear (right and left in FIG. 2), and is placed on the bottom plate 1a of the outer box 1 by a pair of left and right suspensions (only one is shown in FIG. 2). It is elastically supported in the form of an upward slope.
A motor 9 is attached to the back of the water tank 7. In this case, the motor 9 is composed of, for example, a direct current brushless motor, and is an outer rotor type. The rotating shaft 9b attached to the center of the rotor 9a is inserted into the water tank 7 through the bearing housing 10. ing.

  A drum 11 is disposed inside the water tank 7. This drum 11 also has a horizontal cylindrical shape in which the axial direction is front and rear, and by attaching it to the tip of the rotating shaft of the motor 9 at the center of the rear part, the drum 11 is concentric with the water tank 7 and rises forward. I support it. As a result, the drum 11 is rotated by the motor 9. Therefore, the drum 11 is a rotating tank, and the motor 9 functions as a rotating tank driving device that rotates the drum 11. .

  A large number of small holes 12 are formed in the peripheral side portion (body portion) of the drum 11 over the entire area (only a part is shown). The drum 11 and the water tank 7 both have openings 13 and 14 on the front surface, and the opening 14 of the water tank 7 and the laundry entrance / exit 2 are connected by an annular bellows 15. . As a result, the laundry entrance 2 is connected to the inside of the drum 11 through the bellows 15, the opening 14 of the water tank 7, and the opening 13 of the drum 11.

  A water reservoir 16 is provided at the bottom of the water tank 7 so as to communicate with the inside of the water tank 7. A water heater 17 and a water temperature sensor 18 are provided inside the water tank 16. Further, a drain pipe 20 is connected to the rear part of the bottom, which is the lowest part of the water reservoir 16, via a drain valve 19.

  Further, a circulation pump 21 is disposed below the water tank 7 (the bottom of the outer box 1), and an inlet portion of the circulation pump 21 is communicated with an inner and lower portion of the water tank 7 through a suction pipe 22, and an outlet is provided. The portion faces the opening 13 of the drum 11 through the discharge pipe 23. Therefore, the circulation pump 21 sucks the water stored in the water tank 7 through the suction pipe 22 and discharges the water from the opening 13 of the drum 11 into the drum 11 through the discharge pipe 23, and thus the water tank. The water stored in 7 is circulated to increase the washing effect of the laundry.

  A drying unit 24 is disposed from the back to the top of the water tank 7. The drying unit 24 includes a dehumidifier 25, a blower 26, and a heater 27. The drying unit 24 sucks and dehumidifies the air in the drum 11, and then heats and circulates it back into the drum 11. As a result, the laundry is dried.

  Here, the dehumidifier 25 is mainly composed of a duct 25a located at the back of the water tank 7, with the lower part communicating with the inside of the water tank 7 and the upper part communicating with the blower 26. The air in the drum 11 flows through the water tank 7 from the lower part to the upper part through the water tank 7. Further, a water injector 25b is incorporated in the upper part of the duct 25a, and the water flowing through the duct 25a is cooled and condensed as described above to dehumidify by injecting water into the duct 25a from the water injector 25b. It is like that.

  An air temperature sensor 28 for detecting the temperature of the air entering the duct 25a is provided at the lower part of the duct 25a, and an output for detecting the temperature of the air exiting from the duct 25a is provided at the upper part of the duct 25a. A temperature sensor 29 is provided.

  Therefore, the water supply valve 30 is disposed above the dehumidifier 25. The water supply valve 30 also includes two water supply valves 30a for washing and 30b for dehumidification shown in FIG. 3 in detail, and their inlet portions are connected in common to a tap faucet (not shown) for dehumidification. The outlet portion of the water supply valve 30b is connected to the water injector 25b of the dehumidifier 25 through the dehumidifying water supply pipe 31, and water is injected from the water injector 25b into the duct 25a as described above.

  On the other hand, the outlet portion of the washing water supply valve 30a is connected to a water supply box 33 disposed above the front portion of the water tank 7 through the washing water supply pipe 32, and further from the water supply box 33 to the water supply pipe 34. By connecting to the upper part of the water tank 7 through the water, water is supplied to the inside of the water tank 7.

  In addition, a water level sensor 35 and a bubble sensor 36 are disposed above the water tank 7. These sensors 35 and 36 are both pressure sensors, and the water level sensor 35 detects the water level in the water tank 7 by the change of the pressure given from the lower part of the water tank 7 through the air tube 37. The bubble sensor 36 detects the occurrence of bubbles in the water tank 7 by the change in pressure applied from the upper part of the duct 25a of the dehumidifier 25 via the air tube 38.

  Next, FIG. 3 shows an electrical configuration of the entire washing machine of the present embodiment, and mainly includes a control device 39 which is a control means. The control device 39 is included in the electronic unit 6 of the drive system, and is composed of, for example, a microcomputer. The control device 39 is supplied with drive power from a commercial power supply 40 via a power supply circuit 41. The power supply circuit 41 is connected to a power switch (not shown) on the operation panel 4. ) To respond to the operation.

  The control device 39 also receives various operation signals from an operation unit 42 configured by the electronic unit 5 of the operation system, in addition, a water level detection signal from the water level sensor 35, a bubble detection signal from the bubble sensor 36, A temperature detection signal is input from the water temperature sensor 18, a temperature detection signal is also input from the air temperature sensor 28, and a temperature detection signal is also input from the air temperature sensor 29.

  Then, the control device 39 controls the various indicators 43 and the buzzer 44 existing in the operation panel 4 based on the respective inputs and the pre-stored control program, as well as the motor 9 and the washing water supply valve. 30a, the dehumidifying water supply valve 30b, the drain valve 19, the hot water heater 17, the heater 27a of the heater 27 in the drying unit 24, the motor 26a of the blower 26 in the drying unit 24, and the circulation pump 21. It has become.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described.
In the above configuration, when the control device 39 starts the operation based on the operation of the operation panel 4, the operation is typically performed in the order of the washing process, the dehydration process, the rinsing process, and so on. Among them, in the washing process, first, a weight detection operation for detecting the amount of laundry accommodated in the drum 11 is performed, and then the water supply valve 30a for washing is opened to the water level corresponding to the detected laundry amount. A water supply operation is performed to supply water to the inside. At this time, the detergent set in the water supply box 33 is supplied together with the water supply.

  After the water supply operation, the drum 11 is rotated to perform a cloth quality detection operation for detecting the cloth quality of the laundry contained in the drum 11, and the drum 11 is continuously rotated to agitate the laundry up and down. Then, the washing operation is mainly performed. Accordingly, at this time, the motor 9 and the drum 11 function as a washing means for washing the laundry inside the water tank 7.

When this washing operation is performed, if “warm water washing” is selected by operating the operation panel 4, the hot water heater 17 is energized to generate heat. Thereby, the water stored in the water tank 7 is heated to produce warm water, and the laundry is effectively washed with the warm water.
At this time, it is determined by the control device 39 that the water temperature has reached the heating target temperature of the hot water heater 17 based on the detection result of the water temperature sensor 18 that detects the temperature of the hot water, or the energization time of the hot water heater 17 has expired. When it is determined by the control device 39 or when it is determined by the control device 39 that the washing operation time has expired, the hot water heater 17 is turned off and the generation of the hot water is terminated.

  Further, if the hot water heater 17 is energized when the water level in the water tank 7 is excessively low, so-called emptying may occur, which may lead to problems such as dissolution of the water tank 7. Is detected at all times, and when the control device 39 determines that the water level in the water tank 7 is equal to or lower than the predetermined water level, the hot water heater 17 is turned off and the generation of hot water is stopped.

  At this time, the bubble sensor 36 detects the presence or absence of bubble abnormality in the water tank 7. Here, if it is judged by the control apparatus 39 that the bubble abnormality has occurred in the water tank 7, the drain valve 19 is opened and the water in the water tank 7 is discharged together with the foam. Also, if the detection of the occurrence of the bubble abnormality is in the water supply, the water supply is stopped and drained. After the drainage based on the detection of the abnormal occurrence of the bubbles, when a predetermined time for discharging the bubbles as much as possible has elapsed, the drain valve 19 is closed and the washing water supply valve 30a is opened instead, and the water tank 7 is opened. Supply new water. After the water supply, the hot water heater 17 is energized to generate heat as described above to generate hot water, and the laundry is effectively washed with the hot water.

In the washing machine, when an abnormally large amount of foam is generated in the water tank 7, the foam becomes a cushion and the cleaning effect is lowered. In particular, in a drum-type washing machine in which laundry is stirred up and down by rotating the horizontal axis of the drum 11 and the washing effect is largely reduced due to the cushioning action of the foam, the foam in the water tank 7 is abnormal. When it is detected that a large amount of water is generated, the bubbles are drained and the bubbles are discharged as described above, and the water is newly supplied and washed again. When the occurrence is detected, drainage and water supply are repeated, and it can be considered that the occurrence of bubbles in the water tank 7 including the drainage and water supply is detected once.
It should be noted that the operation of drainage and water supply at the time of detecting the occurrence of the bubble abnormality is a process for reducing the generated bubbles, in short, a bubble treatment process, and in particular, a bubble reduction process.

  However, even though an abnormally large number of bubbles are generated in the water tank 7, if drainage is performed during “warm water cleaning”, warm water is discharged, and new water supply reinforces the generation of warm water. In particular, when the number of occurrences of foam abnormality is high, drainage (warm water discharge), new water supply thereafter, heating with the hot water heater supplied, washing of the laundry with the generated hot water The operation is repeated many times, and the power consumption increases especially because of the heating by the new hot water heater each time. Further, in this case, it is conceivable that the foam is generated in the water tank abnormally when the laundry is less soiled. In such a situation, the above operation is repeated unnecessarily. As described above, the wasteful consumption is increased in the conventional case.

  On the other hand, in the above configuration, when the bubble sensor 36 detects the occurrence of the bubble abnormality a predetermined number of times (for example, 6 times), the energization time of the hot water heater 17 is shortened to reduce the energization amount of the hot water heater 17. Control to reduce. FIG. 1 schematically shows an aspect of control by the control device 39 at this time. Based on the start (start) of “warm water washing”, the energizing time of the hot water heater 17 is set (step S1), and then the bubble is generated. It is determined whether or not the bubble abnormality has been detected by the sensor 36 a predetermined number of times or more (step S2). If it is determined that it has not been detected (NO), the energization time of the hot water heater 17 is not changed and “warm water” is determined. If “YES” is determined, the energization time of the hot water heater 17 is reduced by a predetermined time (in this case, 5 minutes), and the “hot water cleaning” is continued.

  As described above, in the above configuration, the motor 9 and the drum 11 are provided as washing means for washing the laundry inside the water tank 7, and the hot water heater 17 that generates hot water by heating the water stored in the water tank 7 is provided. And a bubble sensor 36 for detecting the occurrence of bubble abnormality in the water tank 7, and when the bubble sensor 36 detects the occurrence of bubble abnormality for a predetermined number of times, control is performed to reduce the energization amount of the hot water heater 17. Like to do. Thereby, it is possible to suppress wasteful consumption of power when the occurrence of bubble abnormality is detected.

  In the above configuration, the control for reducing the energization amount of the hot water heater 17 is executed by shortening the energization time of the hot water heater 17 when the bubble sensor 36 detects the occurrence of the bubble abnormality a predetermined number of times. Accordingly, it is possible to reliably suppress wasteful consumption of electric power when an abnormal bubble is detected.

4 to 10 show the second to eighth embodiments. The same parts as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted. Only the part is described.
[Second Embodiment]
In the second embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the energization time of the hot water heater 17 is changed in accordance with the number of bubble abnormality occurrences detected by the bubble sensor 36.

  Specifically, in the case where the heating target temperature of the hot water heater 17 is 60 [° C.] when performing “warm water cleaning” in the “standard” operation course, when no abnormal bubble is detected. The energizing time of the hot water heater 17 is set to 60 [min], and thereafter the energizing time of the hot water heater 17 is increased to 55 [min] and 50 [ When the number of occurrences of bubble abnormality occurrence reaches 6 times, the hot water heater 17 is not further energized.

  By doing in this way, the energization amount of the warm water heater 17 can be reduced according to the number of bubble abnormality occurrences detected, and the wasteful consumption of power can be more precisely and more reliably suppressed.

[Third Embodiment]
In the third embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the control for reducing the energization amount of the hot water heater 17 when the bubble abnormality detection by the foam sensor 36 has been performed a predetermined number of times is performed by lowering the heating target temperature of the hot water heater 17. I'm trying to run it.

Specifically, based on the start (start) of “warm water cleaning”, the heating target temperature of the hot water heater 17 is set (step S101), and then whether or not the bubble sensor 36 has detected the occurrence of the bubble abnormality a predetermined number of times or more. If the determination is made (step S102) and it is determined that there is no (NO), the "warm water washing" is continued without changing the heating target temperature of the hot water heater 17, but it is determined that there is (YES). For example, the heating target temperature of the hot water heater 17 is reduced by a predetermined temperature (in this case, 10 [° C.]) and the “hot water cleaning” is continued.
Even if it does in this way, suppression of useless consumption of the electric power when abnormality occurrence of a bubble is detected can be certainly realized by a simple method.

[Fourth Embodiment]
In the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the heating target temperature of the hot water heater 17 is changed in accordance with the number of bubble abnormality occurrences detected by the bubble sensor 36.

Specifically, in the case where the heating target temperature of the hot water heater 17 is 60 [° C.] when performing “warm water cleaning” in the “standard” operation course, when no abnormal bubble is detected. The heating target temperature of the hot water heater 17 is set to 60 [° C.], and thereafter the heating target temperature of the hot water heater 17 is increased to 55 [° C.] every time the number of occurrences of bubble abnormality is increased once, twice,. When the number of occurrences of bubble abnormality reaches 6 times, the hot water heater 17 is not energized any more.
Even in this case, the energization amount of the hot water heater 17 can be reduced according to the number of times the bubble abnormality has been detected, and accordingly, unnecessary power consumption can be more precisely and reliably suppressed.

[Fifth Embodiment]
In the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the control for reducing the energization amount of the hot water heater 17 is made different according to the number of times the bubble abnormality is detected by the bubble sensor 36 for each course of operation.

  Specifically, in this case, when the control for reducing the energization amount of the hot water heater is executed by reducing the energization time of the hot water heater 17, the heating target temperature of the hot water heater 17 is 60 [° C.] The energizing time of the hot water heater 17 to be changed according to the number of times of occurrence of bubble abnormality by the bubble sensor 36 is made different between the “standard” operation course (a) and the “sterilization” operation course (b). Yes.

  More specifically, in this case, in the “standard” operation course (a), as shown in FIG. 4, the energization time of the hot water heater 17 when no bubble abnormality is detected is 60 minutes. Then, each time the number of occurrences of bubble abnormality is increased once, twice,..., The energization time of the hot water heater 17 is gradually reduced to 55 [minutes], 50 [minutes],. When the number of occurrence detection reaches 6 times, the hot water heater 17 is not energized any more.

  On the other hand, in the “sterilization” operation course (b), in order to perform sterilization with hot water more reliably, the hot water heater 17 from when no bubble abnormality was detected until it was detected twice. The energization time of the hot water heater 17 is increased to 60 [min], 50 [min],... When the number of detected bubble occurrences reaches eight, the hot water heater 17 is not energized any more.

  By doing in this way, the energization amount of the hot water heater 17 can be reduced according to the number of bubble abnormality occurrences detected for each course of operation, and the course of each operation can be executed as much as possible, while the power consumption is reduced. Unnecessary consumption can be more reliably suppressed in each driving course.

[Sixth Embodiment]
Also in the sixth embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the control for reducing the energization amount of the hot water heater 17 is made different according to the number of times the bubble abnormality is detected by the bubble sensor 36 for each course of operation.

  Specifically, in this case, when the control for reducing the energization amount of the hot water heater is executed by reducing the heating target temperature of the hot water heater 17, the heating target temperature of the hot water heater 17 is 60 [° C.]. In the “standard” operation course (a) and the “sterilization” operation course (b), the heating target temperature of the hot water heater 17 to be changed in accordance with the number of times the bubble abnormality is detected by the bubble sensor 36 is changed. I have to.

  More specifically, in this case, in the “standard” operation course (a), as shown in FIG. 6, the heating target temperature of the hot water heater 17 when the occurrence of bubble abnormality is not detected is set to 60 [ After that, the energization time of the hot water heater 17 is gradually reduced to 55 [° C.], 50 [° C.], and so When the number of occurrences of abnormality has reached six, the hot water heater 17 is not energized any further.

  On the other hand, in the “sterilization” operation course (b), in order to perform sterilization with hot water more reliably, the hot water heater 17 from when no bubble abnormality was detected until it was detected twice. The heating target temperature is set to 60 [minutes], and the energization time of the hot water heater 17 is increased to 55 [° C.], 50 [° C.] each time the number of occurrences of bubble abnormality is increased three times, four times,. When the number of occurrences of bubble abnormality detection reaches 8 times, the hot water heater 17 is not further energized.

  Even in this case, it is possible to reduce the energization amount of the hot water heater 17 according to the number of bubble abnormality occurrences detected for each course of operation, and accordingly, each course of operation can be executed as effectively as possible while wasting power. Can be more reliably suppressed in each driving course.

[Seventh Embodiment]
In the seventh embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the control for reducing the energization amount of the hot water heater 17 is made different according to the number of detections of the occurrence of bubble abnormality by the bubble sensor 36 for each heating target temperature of the hot water heater 17. Yes.

  Specifically, in this case, the control for reducing the energization amount of the hot water heater is executed by reducing the energization time of the hot water heater 17, and the heating target temperature of the hot water heater 17 in the “sterilization course” is 60 [° C. ] And (b) where the target heating temperature of the hot water heater 17 of the “sterilization course” is 90 [° C.], depending on the number of occurrences of abnormal bubble generation by the bubble sensor 36. The energizing time of the hot water heater 17 to be changed is varied.

  More specifically, in this case, when the heating target temperature of the hot water heater 17 in the “sterilization course” is 60 [° C.], as shown in FIG. The energization time of the hot water heater 17 from when no abnormality occurrence is detected to when it is detected twice is set to 70 [minutes], and thereafter, the number of occurrences of bubble abnormality occurrence increases three times, four times, and so on. Every time, the energization time of the hot water heater 17 is gradually reduced to 60 [min], 50 [min],..., And when the number of occurrences of bubble abnormality reaches 8 times, the hot water heater 17 is not energized any more. I have to.

  On the other hand, when the heating target temperature of the warm water heater 17 of the “sterilization course” is 90 [° C.], in order to perform germicidal treatment with warm water more reliably, the occurrence of abnormal bubbles is detected. The energizing time of the hot water heater 17 is 120 [minutes], and the energizing time of the hot water heater 17 is 110 [min] each time the number of occurrences of bubble abnormality is increased once, twice,. , 100 [minutes],... Are gradually reduced, and when the number of occurrences of bubble abnormality reaches 8 times, the hot water heater 17 is not further energized.

  By doing in this way, the energization amount of the hot water heater 17 can be reduced according to the number of times of occurrence of bubble abnormality for each heating target temperature of the hot water heater, and each operation for each heating target temperature is made as effective as possible. While being able to be executed, wasteful consumption of electric power can be more reliably suppressed in each driving course.

[Eighth Embodiment]
Also in the eighth embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the control for reducing the energization amount of the hot water heater 17 is made different according to the number of times the bubble sensor 36 detects the abnormal occurrence of bubbles for each heating target temperature of the hot water heater 17. Yes.

  Specifically, in this case, the control for reducing the energization amount of the hot water heater is executed by reducing the heating target temperature of the hot water heater 17, and the heating target temperature of the hot water heater 17 in the “sterilization course” is 60 [ (A) and the case (b) where the heating target temperature of the hot water heater 17 of the “sterilization course” is 90 [° C.], depending on the number of occurrences of bubble abnormality detected by the bubble sensor 36. The heating target temperature of the hot water heater 17 to be changed is varied.

  More specifically, in this case, when the heating target temperature of the hot water heater 17 of the “sterilization course” is 60 [° C.], as shown in FIG. The heating target temperature of the hot water heater 17 from when no abnormality is detected to when it is detected twice is set to 60 [° C.], and thereafter, the number of occurrences of bubble abnormality is detected three times, four times,. Each time the temperature is increased, the heating target temperature of the hot water heater 17 is gradually reduced to 55 [° C.], 50 [° C.], and when the number of detected bubble abnormalities reaches eight times, the hot water heater 17 is further energized. I am trying not to.

  On the other hand, when the heating target temperature of the warm water heater 17 of the “sterilization course” is 90 [° C.], in order to perform germicidal treatment with warm water more reliably, the occurrence of abnormal bubbles is detected. The heating target temperature of the hot water heater 17 from the time when it is not detected to the time when it is detected twice is set to 90 [° C.], and thereafter the hot water heater is increased every time the number of occurrences of bubble abnormality is increased three times, four times,. The heating target temperature of 17 is gradually reduced to 80 [° C.], 70 [° C.],..., And the hot water heater 17 is not further energized when the number of detected bubble occurrences reaches 8.

  Even if it does in this way, the energization amount of the hot water heater 17 can be reduced according to the frequency | count of a bubble abnormality detection according to the heating target temperature of a hot water heater, and each operation according to heating target temperature is performed as much as possible. While being able to do so, wasteful consumption of electric power can be more reliably suppressed in each driving course.

  The washing machine as a whole is not limited to the drum type, and can be similarly applied to a vertical washing machine having a water tank and a rotating tank in the vertical axis shape, and even if it does not have a drying function. good. In the vertical washing machine, a stirring body exists in the rotating tub, and the stirring body is rotated by a motor to wash the laundry. Functions as a cleaning means.

Further, in the second, fourth to eighth embodiments, when the number of occurrences of bubble abnormality reaches the number of times that the hot water heater 17 is not energized any more, the abnormality is detected by the display 43 and the buzzer 44 together. You may make it perform alerting | reporting.
Furthermore, this bubble treatment process (foam reduction process) at the time of detecting the occurrence of bubble abnormality may be merely a time instead of draining and water supply operations. When the occurrence detection is performed a predetermined number of times, it is possible to avoid waste of more time, thereby avoiding unnecessary lengthening of operation time.

  In addition, although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

  In the drawings, 7 is a water tank, 9 is a motor (cleaning means), 11 is a drum (cleaning means), 17 is a hot water heater, 18 is a water temperature sensor, 36 is a bubble sensor, and 39 is a control device.

Claims (7)

A tank,
Cleaning means for cleaning the laundry inside the aquarium;
A hot water heater for heating the water stored in the water tank to generate hot water;
A bubble sensor for detecting the occurrence of bubbles in the water tank;
The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein when the occurrence of foam abnormality by the foam sensor is detected a predetermined number of times, the energization amount of the hot water heater is controlled to be reduced.   The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the control for reducing the energization amount of the hot water heater is executed by shortening the energization time of the hot water heater.   The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the energization time of the hot water heater is changed according to the number of times of occurrence of foam abnormality detected by the foam sensor.   It is equipped with a water temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the hot water in the water tank, and controls the energization of the hot water heater based on the temperature detection result of the hot water. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the washing machine is executed by lowering.   The washing machine according to claim 4, wherein the heating target temperature of the hot water heater is changed according to the number of times of occurrence of foam abnormality detected by the foam sensor.   The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control for reducing the energization amount of the hot water heater is made different for each course of operation according to the number of times the bubble abnormality is detected by the bubble sensor.   It is equipped with a water temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the hot water in the water tank, and controls the energization of the hot water heater based on the temperature detection result of the hot water. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the washing machine is made different according to the number of times the bubble abnormality is detected by the bubble sensor.

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