JP2013128641A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a washing machine capable of rapidly raising a water temperature without considerably changing the structure and quickly and evenly including heated cleaning liquid into the whole of laundry.SOLUTION: The washing machine includes: an intake port 5 which is connected to a lower portion of an outer tank to make the cleaning liquid enter therein; a circulation passage 12 which has one end communicated with the intake port 5; a discharge port 11 which is communicated with the other end of the circulation passage 12 to discharge the cleaning liquid to the inside of a washing tank 3; a circulation pump 13 which takes the cleaning liquid into the circulation passage 12 to discharge the cleaning liquid to the inside of the washing tank 3 from the discharge port 11; a hot water heater 14 which is provided at the bottom of the outer tank 2 to heat the cleaning liquid; and control means 16 for controlling the washing machine. The control means 16 stops the circulation pump 13 not to discharge the cleaning liquid from the discharge port 11 to the inside of the drum 3 in a process for heating the cleaning liquid by the hot water heater 14.

Description

  The present invention relates to heating of washing liquid in a washing machine.

  Conventionally, this type of washing machine is provided with a path for circulating the washing liquid collected at the bottom of the washing machine's water tank in the rotating drum in order to improve washing and rinsing performance and water saving performance. Was injected as circulating water. With this configuration, there are effects such as that the washing liquid quickly comes into contact with the laundry such as clothes, the dirt is separated by the spray force of the circulating water, and the laundry is sufficiently wet even with a small amount of water.

  Furthermore, there has been a washing machine having a heating means at the bottom of the outer tub and improving the washing performance by heating the washing liquid. Here, in particular, in a drum type washing machine with a small amount of water, when the washing liquid is circulated, the liquid level of the washing liquid at the bottom of the outer tub may decrease, and the surface of the heating means may come out of the liquid level of the washing liquid. There is. If the heating means is continuously energized in this state, the surface of the heating means becomes overheated, the resin material constituting the outer tub is dissolved, and further, the heating means itself may be disconnected. In order to prevent this, a temperature detecting means is usually provided in the vicinity of the heating means, or a water level detecting means for detecting the level of the washing liquid at the bottom of the outer tub, that is, the water level. With this configuration, there has been a washing machine that stops energization of the heating means when the temperature of the heating means becomes abnormally high and the washing liquid level is too low (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2007-117135 A

  However, in the conventional configuration, in order to ensure safety, the water level of the washing liquid is set higher than usual, and energization of the heating means is stopped each time the water level drops. For this reason, the temperature of the washing liquid cannot be continuously increased quickly, so that it takes time for cleaning, and it is difficult to improve the cleaning performance.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and without increasing the structure of the conventional structure, the water temperature of the washing liquid can be raised quickly, and the heated washing liquid can be quickly and uniformly contained in the entire laundry. An object is to provide a washing machine that can be used.

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, the washing machine of the present invention is connected to the lower portion of the outer tub, and includes a water intake port through which the washing liquid enters, a circulation path that communicates with the water intake port, and one end of the circulation path. A discharge port for discharging the washing liquid into the washing tub, a circulation pump for taking the washing liquid into the circulation path and discharging the washing liquid into the washing tub from the discharge port, and heating the washing liquid provided at the bottom of the outer tub A hot water heater and a control means for controlling the washing machine are provided, and the control means stops the circulation pump in the process of heating the washing liquid by the hot water heater and does not discharge the washing liquid into the washing tub. As a result, there is no drop in the water level in the process of heating the washing liquid with the hot water heater. It can be included in the whole thing.

  The washing machine of the present invention does not circulate the washing liquid through the circulation path in the process of heating the washing liquid with the hot water heater. In this case, since there is no drop in the water level, the water temperature can be quickly raised without stopping the energization of the heating means, and the heated washing liquid can be quickly and uniformly contained in the entire laundry. For this reason, since the detergent of the washing liquid penetrates into the laundry at a high temperature and the dirt is easily removed, the washing performance can always be ensured.

Configuration diagram of washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention Flowchart of washing machine in Embodiment 1 of the present invention

  The first invention is a laundry tub that accommodates and rotates laundry, an outer tub that accommodates a laundry tub, a water intake connected to the lower portion of the outer tub, and a circulation in which the water intake and one end communicate with each other. A path, a discharge port that communicates with the other end of the circulation path, and discharges the washing liquid into the washing tub; a circulation pump that takes the washing liquid into the circulation path and discharges the washing liquid into the washing tub from the discharge opening; Provided with a hot water heater for heating the washing liquid and a control means for controlling the washing machine, wherein the control means stops the circulation pump in the step of heating the washing liquid with the hot water heater, Is not discharged into the washing tub. Accordingly, since there is no interruption in heating in the step of heating the washing liquid with the hot water heater, the water temperature can be quickly raised, and the heated washing liquid can be quickly and uniformly included in the entire laundry.

  According to a second aspect of the invention, in the step of heating the washing liquid by the hot water heater of the first aspect, the control means stops the circulation pump until a predetermined time elapses, and the washing liquid is not discharged into the washing tub. Because there is no interruption of heating until the predetermined time of the process of heating the washing liquid with the hot water heater elapses, the temperature rises to a certain water temperature quickly, and the heated washing liquid is quickly and uniformly applied to the entire laundry. Can be included.

  The third invention further comprises a temperature sensor in the vicinity of the hot water heater, and in the step of heating the washing liquid by the hot water heater of the first invention, the control means is a circulation pump until the temperature sensor detects a predetermined water temperature. The washing liquid is not discharged into the washing tub, and in the process of heating the washing liquid with the hot water heater, the heating is not interrupted until the predetermined water temperature is reached. The washed liquid can be quickly and uniformly contained in the entire laundry.

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 1, an outer tub 2 is disposed inside an outer box 1 of the entire washing machine, and a drum 3 as a washing tub can be rotated inside the outer tub 2 by a rotating shaft slightly inclined from the horizontal direction. It is arranged in the state. The drum 3 is connected to a motor 4 on the back surface, and the drum 3 is rotated by the rotation of the motor 4. The drum 3 is provided with a plurality of water holes on the outer peripheral surface, and functions as a washing tub, a dewatering tub, and a drying tub.

  A water intake 5 is connected to the lowermost part of the outer tub 2 and is connected to a drain valve 6. The drain valve 6 is connected to a drain pipe 7.

  A water level sensor 8 which is a water level detecting means for detecting the water level of the outer tub 2 and the drum 3 is installed in the water intake 5. The water level sensor 8 is installed at a position that reacts immediately after the start of water supply, and detects the water level by detecting, for example, the pressure applied to the diaphragm as a deformation of the membrane. As a method for detecting the deformation of the diaphragm, a change in capacitance or a strain gauge is used.

  The water supply port 9 is connected to the water supply, and when the water supply valve 10 is opened, the tap water sequentially flows into the outer tub 2 and the drum 3 as a washing liquid through a detergent case (not shown).

  Further, a circulation path 12 connected to the discharge port 11 for discharging the washing liquid taken in from the water intake port 5 to the drum 3 communicates between the water intake port 5 and the drain valve 6. The laundry liquid that meets the requirements can be circulated. When the washing liquid is taken into the circulation path 12 by using the circulation pump 13, the washing liquid can be circulated in the circulation path 12 only by controlling the circulation pump 13. That is, the washing machine according to the present embodiment can circulate the washing liquid regardless of the normal washing control such as the water flow caused by the rotation of the drum 3.

  A hot water heater 14 as a heating means is provided at the bottom of the outer tub 2. The hot water heater 14 is composed of, for example, a sheathed heater, and heats the washing liquid. Thereby, the laundry inside the drum 3 is washed with warm water.

  If the circulating water at the time of circulation contains a lot of foreign matter such as laundry fibers and hair, the circulation pump 13 and the drain pipe 7 may be clogged. Therefore, a filter 15 is installed at the end of the water intake 5. And foreign objects such as laundry fibers and hair are removed.

  The control means 16 is constituted by a microcomputer or the like, and receives a water level detection signal from the water level sensor 8 and controls the opening and closing of the drain valve 6 and the water supply valve 10, the control of the motor 4, the circulation pump 13, the hot water heater 14, and the like. By doing so, the control of all washing steps is performed. Further, the control means 16 detects the weight of the drum 3 by detecting a current signal flowing through the motor 4 and a rotation angle. Since the weight of the drum 3 alone is known, the control means 16 determines the weight of the laundry from the detected weight.

  Next, operation | movement of the washing machine of this Embodiment is demonstrated using the flowchart of FIG.

  When the laundry is put into the washing machine and the laundry is started, the control means 16 detects the amount of the laundry (S1). The detection of the amount of laundry is information related to motor operation when the motor 3 is controlled to rotate the drum 3 together with the laundry, for example, the magnitude of the current signal of the motor 4, the amount of change in the current, the change in the rotation angle, etc. , By detecting at least one of the following.

  The basic water supply amount is determined based on the amount of laundry. For example, when it is determined that the amount of laundry is “low”, the control means 16 sets the water level to “low”, and when the amount of laundry is determined to be “medium”, the water level is set to “medium”. When it is determined that the amount of water is “large”, the water level is set to “high”. At the same time, the control means 16 determines the set time for washing according to the amount of each laundry (S2).

  Next, the control means 16 opens the water supply valve 10 (S3), and supplies water until the water level of the outer tub 2 and the drum 3 reaches the set water level (NO in S4).

  During the water supply until the set water level is reached, the control means 16 controls the circulation pump 13 to circulate the washing liquid supplied together with the detergent from the discharge port 11 to the outer tub 2 via the circulation path 12. Promotes water solubility. When the circulating water is discharged from the discharge port 11 into the drum 3, the laundry absorbs the water before the detergent dissolves in the water. Therefore, the circulating flow rate of the circulation pump 13 is such that the circulating water is not discharged into the drum 3 so much. It is desirable to weaken. Alternatively, it is desirable that the circulation pump 13 is driven in an intermittent operation for a very short time.

  Next, when the washing liquid reaches the set water level (YES in S4), the control means 16 closes the water supply valve 10 (S5) and starts stirring the laundry while rotating the drum 3 at a low speed (S6). . The rotation speed of the drum 3 is preferably such that the laundry does not stick to the wall surface of the drum 3 due to centrifugal force. Thereby, after the laundry is lifted in the drum 3, it falls from the upper part of the drum 3 by gravity, and the kinetic energy at the time of dropping is effectively added. The specific rotation speed of the drum 3 is preferably 60 rpm or less although it depends on the amount of laundry. Further, the rotation direction of the drum 3 may be reversed not only in the same direction but also periodically.

  Next, the control means 16 energizes the hot water heater 14 for a predetermined time (for example, 10 minutes) to heat the washing liquid (S7). When the predetermined time has elapsed, the control means 16 ends the heating, starts the circulation pump 13 (S8), and sets the washing liquid to pass through the circulation path 12 for 2 minutes (NO in S9). In this way, the washing liquid circulates from the discharge port 11 into the drum 3 through the circulation path 12.

  When two minutes have elapsed since the activation of the circulation pump 13 (YES in S9), the control means 16 stops the circulation pump 13 (S10), and the circulation of the washing liquid is stopped. Circulation pump 13 is stopped for 2 minutes (NO in S11).

  When 2 minutes have elapsed since the circulation pump 13 was stopped (YES in S11) and the set time for the cleaning process has not elapsed (NO in S12), the control means 16 activates the circulation pump 13 again. And repeat the flow from S8. On the other hand, if two minutes have elapsed since the circulation pump 13 was stopped (YES in S11) and the set time for the cleaning process has elapsed (YES in S12), the control means 16 ends the cleaning process, and Rinse and dehydrate. Here, although the setting time of the washing | cleaning process in S12 is good also as a fixed value, you may make it the time according to the quantity of the laundry at the time of a laundry start. For example, when the amount of laundry is small, energy saving can be realized by shortening the setting time of the washing process, and when the amount of laundry is large, by sufficiently securing the setting time of the washing process, Cleaning performance can be maintained.

  As described above, during the predetermined time during which the washing liquid is heated by the hot water heater 14, the drum 3 is only rotated, and the washing liquid is not circulated through the circulation path 12. Thereby, since the water level of the washing liquid does not decrease, the water temperature of the washing liquid quickly rises without stopping the energization of the hot water heater 14, and the heated washing liquid can be quickly and uniformly included in the entire laundry. For this reason, since the detergent of the washing liquid penetrates into the laundry at a high temperature and the dirt is easily removed, the washing performance can always be ensured.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the washing liquid is heated only for a predetermined time has been described. On the other hand, a temperature sensor, which is a temperature detecting means, is installed in the vicinity of the hot water heater 14 and the washing liquid is heated until a predetermined water temperature is reached. Until the predetermined water temperature is reached, only the drum 3 is rotated and the washing liquid is not circulated through the circulation path 12 until the water temperature is reached. Thereby, without stopping energization of the hot water heater 14 until the washing liquid reaches a predetermined water temperature, the washing liquid quickly rises to the predetermined water temperature, and the heated washing liquid is quickly and uniformly included in the entire laundry. Can do. For this reason, since the detergent of the washing liquid penetrates into the laundry at a high temperature and the dirt is easily removed, the washing performance can always be ensured.

  The predetermined time for heating by the hot water heater and the setting of the predetermined water temperature may be fixed values, or may be a time according to the amount of laundry at the start of washing. For example, when the amount of laundry is small, energy saving can be realized by shortening the setting time of the washing process, and when the amount of laundry is large, by sufficiently securing the setting time of the washing process, Cleaning performance can be maintained.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the case where the washing liquid is heated immediately after the rotation of the drum 3 is described, but after the drum 3 is rotated and the washing liquid is circulated for a while, the washing liquid is May be heated. In this case, since the detergent is sufficiently dissolved in the washing liquid and the washing liquid spreads quickly in the laundry, it is possible to quickly remove stains that are easily removed by the detergent or water even at a low temperature.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the drum type washing machine in which the washing tub has a rotation axis inclined from the horizontal direction is illustrated and described, but the drum type washing machine in which the washing tub has a rotation axis in the horizontal direction, and washing Even if the tub is a vertical washing machine having a vertical rotation axis, it can be similarly implemented.

  As described above, since the washing machine according to the present invention can always stably obtain the washing performance by using the circulation path and the heating means, it can be applied to uses such as a washing apparatus for fibers and the like.

1 Outer box 2 Outer tub 3 Drum (washing tub)
4 Motor 5 Water intake 6 Drain valve 7 Drain pipe 8 Water level sensor 9 Water supply port 10 Water supply valve 11 Discharge port 12 Circulation path 13 Circulation pump 14 Hot water heater 15 Filter 16 Control means

Claims (3)

A laundry tub that accommodates and rotates laundry;
An outer tub for accommodating the washing tub;
A water intake port connected to the lower part of the outer tub and into which the washing liquid enters;
A circulation path having one end communicating with the water intake;
A discharge port that communicates with the other end of the circulation path and discharges the washing liquid into the washing tub;
A circulation pump for taking the washing liquid into the circulation path and discharging the washing liquid into the washing tub from the discharge port;
A hot water heater that is provided at the bottom of the outer tub and heats the washing liquid;
A control means for controlling the washing machine,
In the step of heating the washing liquid by the hot water heater, the control means stops the circulation pump and does not discharge the washing liquid into the washing tub. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein, in the step of heating the washing liquid by the hot water heater, the control means stops the circulation pump until a predetermined time elapses and the washing liquid is not discharged into the washing tub. A temperature sensor is further provided in the vicinity of the hot water heater,
The process of heating the washing liquid by the hot water heater, wherein the control means stops the circulation pump until the temperature sensor detects a predetermined water temperature, and the washing liquid is not discharged into the washing tub. Washing machine.

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