JP2014057769A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a washing machine capable of efficiently washing laundry even when there are much dirt of the laundry, without increasing a washing time or a detergent amount.SOLUTION: The washing machine includes: a cloth amount detector 35 for detecting an amount of laundry; a water supply part 5 for supplying washing water to a water tub 2; a water amount detector 9 for detecting an amount of washing water; a dirt detector 14 for detecting a dirt amount of laundry; and a controller 30. The controller 30 makes the cloth amount detector 35 detect the amount of laundry when starting washing, and after supplying washing water of an initial set amount which is set according to the amount of laundry and is smaller than a standard set amount of water, executes a washing process by supplying washing water to the standard set amount of water in the case where the dirt amount of laundry detected by the dirt detector 14 is small, and executes a washing process with a smaller amount of washing water than the standard set amount of water in the case where the amount of dirt of the laundry is small.

Description

  The present invention relates to a washing machine for washing laundry such as clothes.

  Conventionally, in this type of washing machine, after putting laundry into the drum, tap water is supplied from the outside of the washing machine by the water supply means, and a predetermined amount of detergent according to the amount of laundry is put in advance. The water is poured into the water tank containing the drum. After pouring water, wet the laundry sufficiently with washing water while rotating the drum at low speed, and then wet the laundry while rotating the drum for a certain period of time at a low speed so that the laundry does not stick to the drum wall surface. Cleaning is performed by removing dirt by the impact of falling from the top of the drum as it rotates. In such a drum-type washing machine, there is a problem that the detergency becomes insufficient with a predetermined amount of detergent or a fixed washing time, particularly when the amount of dirt attached to the laundry is larger than expected. .

  Therefore, it can be considered that the degree of dirt is judged by looking at the degree of dirt on the laundry with the dirt sensor, and if the degree of dirt is large, it is possible to compensate for the lack of detergent by adding an auxiliary agent. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  Further, turbidity detection means for detecting the turbidity of the washing water stored in the tank, conductivity detection means for detecting the conductivity of the washing water stored in the tank, and detection detected by the turbidity detection means By providing a dirt amount judging means for judging the amount of dirt based on the turbidity and the detected conductivity detected by the conductivity detecting means, and correcting the washing operation time based on the dirt amount judged by the dirt amount judging means. It is considered to perform an appropriate washing operation (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

JP-A 61-172593 JP-A-6-218183

  However, in the conventional configuration, when the amount of dirt on the laundry is large, the amount of detergent to be used increases, and although the cleaning power is improved, there is a problem in terms of energy saving. In addition, when the amount of dirt on the laundry is large, the washing power is improved by increasing the washing time, but there is a problem that the energy consumption is increased and the convenience is lowered due to the increase in the operation time.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and provides a washing machine capable of effectively washing with a small amount of water without increasing the washing time and the amount of detergent even when the laundry is heavily soiled. Objective.

In order to solve the conventional problems, a washing machine of the present invention includes a cloth amount detection unit that detects the amount of laundry put in a drum, a water supply unit that supplies cleaning water to the water tank, and the water tank. A water amount detection unit that detects the amount of supplied wash water, a stain detection unit that detects the amount of dirt on the laundry, and a control unit that sequentially controls each step of washing, rinsing, and dehydration, The laundry amount detection unit detects the amount of laundry at the start of washing, and supplies cleaning water with an initial set amount of water smaller than a standard set amount of water set according to the amount of laundry, and the stain detection unit If the amount of dirt detected in the laundry is small, the washing process is performed by supplying the washing water up to the standard set amount of water, and if the amount of dirt detected in the laundry detected by the stain detection unit is large, the standard set amount of water is exceeded. Try to perform the washing process with less wash water It is intended.

  This changes the amount of water used for washing according to the degree of dirt on the laundry, changes the detergent concentration of the washing water, and optimizes the detergent concentration according to the amount of laundry and the amount of dirt. It is possible to wash effectively with a small amount of water without increasing the time and the amount of detergent.

  The washing machine of the present invention optimizes the detergent concentration of washing water according to the amount of laundry and the amount of dirt, and can effectively wash with a small amount of water.

Sectional drawing of the principal part of the washing machine in Embodiment 1 of this invention Control block diagram of the washing machine The flowchart which shows the operation at the time of washing operation of the same washing machine The flowchart which shows the operation | movement at the time of the washing operation in Embodiment 2 of this invention. The flowchart which shows the operation | movement at the time of the washing operation in Embodiment 3 of this invention. The flowchart which shows the operation | movement at the time of the washing operation in Embodiment 4 of this invention.

  1st invention is a water tank, the drum provided rotatably in the said water tank, the drum drive part which rotationally drives the said drum, and the cloth amount detection part which detects the quantity of the laundry thrown in in the said drum A water supply unit that supplies cleaning water to the water tank, a water amount detection unit that detects the amount of cleaning water supplied to the water tank, a stain detection unit that detects the amount of dirt in the laundry, and washing, rinsing, and dehydrating A control unit that sequentially controls each of the steps, the control unit detects the amount of laundry by the cloth amount detection unit at the start of washing, and a standard setting that is set according to the amount of laundry When the washing water having an initial set amount of water smaller than the amount of water is supplied and the amount of laundry detected by the stain detection unit is small, the washing process is performed by supplying the washing water to the standard set amount of water, and the stain detection unit If the amount of dirt on the laundry detected by Since the washing process is executed with less washing water than the standard setting amount of water, the amount of washing used is changed according to the degree of soiling of the laundry, and the detergent concentration of the washing water is changed. By optimizing the detergent concentration according to the amount of dirt, it is possible to effectively wash with a small amount of water without increasing the washing time and the amount of detergent.

  In the second aspect of the invention, in particular, the control unit of the first aspect of the invention sets the initial set amount of water to be supplied at the start of washing less than the set amount of water when the amount of dirt in the laundry is large, and detects the washing detected by the dirt detection unit. When there is a large amount of dirt on the item, the washing process is performed by supplying water up to the set amount of water when the amount of dirt is large. Can be increased.

  In the third aspect of the invention, in particular, after the control unit of the first aspect of the invention detects the amount of dirt by setting the initial set amount of water supplied at the start of washing as the set amount of water when the amount of dirt in the laundry is large. The washing process can be performed without additional supply of washing water, and the washing time can be secured to enhance the washing effect.

  According to a fourth aspect of the invention, in particular, the stain detection unit according to any one of the first to third inventions sets the degree of small amount of detected laundry in a plurality of stages, and the control unit includes the stain detection unit. When the amount of dirt detected is slightly lower, the washing process is performed with a larger amount of washing water than when the amount of dirt is small, and less than the standard set amount of water, so that the detergent concentration relative to the amount of dirt is optimized. The laundry can be washed effectively with less water.

  In the fifth aspect of the invention, in particular, the dirt detection unit according to any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention is a laundry with a predetermined amount of washing water less than a standard set amount of water set according to the amount of laundry. By detecting the amount of dirt, it is possible to accurately detect the degree of dirt with the amount of washing water corresponding to the amount of laundry.

  In a sixth aspect of the present invention, in particular, in any one of the first to fifth aspects of the present invention, a water circulation unit that discharges the wash water in the water tank into the drum is provided, and the control unit is configured to wash the inside of the drum by the water circulation unit. Even when the amount of water is small, the water circulation unit is used to wash the water squeezed out of the clothes with the centrifugal force, even when the amount of water is small. This allows the laundry to be rehydrated, allowing washing water with a high concentration of detergent to act on the laundry without reducing the wettability of the washing water to clothing, and realizing high detergency. it can.

  According to the seventh aspect of the invention, in particular, the control unit of the sixth aspect of the invention is configured such that the greater the amount of dirt detected by the dirt detection unit, the longer the time of the centrifugal force process, so that even when the amount of water is small, Depending on the amount, the time for which the washing water having a high detergent concentration is allowed to act on the laundry can be lengthened, and a high detergency can be realized.

  In the eighth aspect of the invention, in particular, the controller of the sixth or seventh aspect of the invention increases the number of revolutions per unit time of the drum in the centrifugal force process as the amount of dirt detected by the dirt detector increases. Therefore, even when the amount of water is small, the washing water squeezed out of the clothes with a large centrifugal force can be rehydrated in the laundry by the water circulation part, and the detergent concentration can be reduced without reducing the wettability of the washing water to the clothes. High cleaning water can be effectively applied to the laundry to achieve high cleaning power.

  In the ninth aspect of the invention, in particular, when the amount of dirt detected by the dirt detection unit is large, the control unit of any one of the first to eighth inventions determines the amount of water supplied in the rinsing process according to the amount of laundry. By making the amount larger than the set standard set amount, detergent components (such as surfactants) remaining on the clothing can be effectively discharged by allowing the clothing to contain washing water with a high detergent concentration. The rinsing performance can be improved.

  According to a tenth aspect of the invention, in particular, the dirt detection unit according to any one of the first to ninth aspects includes at least one sensor that detects the turbidity, conductivity, and color of cleaning water. In addition, it is possible to accurately detect the amount of dirt corresponding to various dirt components adhering to the laundry, and it is possible to cope with cleaning according to dirt.

  In an eleventh aspect of the invention, in particular, in any one of the first to tenth aspects of the invention, there is provided a drying means for drying the washed clothes and a controller for sequentially controlling each step of washing, rinsing, dehydrating and drying. It has a drying function, so that even when there is a lot of dirt on the laundry, the washing performance can be improved without increasing the washing time and the amount of the detergent, and the laundry can be transferred without moving the laundry. Can be dried after washing.

  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.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the washing machine, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation during the washing operation.

In FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, a substantially cylindrical drum 1 having a bottom surface with a front opening for storing laundry is:
It is contained in a cylindrical water tank 2 that is supported in the housing 40 and stores cleaning water. A drum drive motor (drum drive unit) 3 is attached to the rear surface of the water tank 2 to rotate the rotating shaft 1a of the drum 1 while tilting it forward.

  The water supply port 4 is connected to the water supply, and supplies water to the water tank 2 and the drum 1 through a water supply valve (water supply unit) 5. Between the water supply valve 5 and the water tank 2, a detergent case (detergent input unit) 18 for supplying a predetermined amount of detergent is provided in advance, and the supplied water and the detergent are mixed with each other through the water supply pipe 19. The water is supplied into the water tank 2.

  Although not shown in the lowest part of the water tank 2, a heater (heating part) 28 including a sheathed heater for heating the cleaning water stored in the water tank 2 is provided, and the tap water supplied from the water supply port 4 has a low temperature. Even in this case, the detergent can be activated and the cleaning power can be increased by increasing the temperature of the cleaning water.

  In addition, a water intake 6 is connected to the lowest part of the water tank 2, and washing water after washing and washing water after rinsing are drained out of the machine through a drainage valve (drainage part) 7. can do.

  The water intake 6 is provided with a water level sensor (water amount detection unit) 9 for detecting the amount of cleaning water supplied to the water tank 2 and the drum 1 based on the water level. The amount of water can be detected not only by the level of the washing water supplied to the water tank 2 but also by the weight of the water tank 2. In the present embodiment, the amount of water will be described below in terms of water level.

  The water level sensor 9 that detects the amount of water is installed at a position that reacts immediately after the start of water supply, and detects the water level by detecting, for example, pressure applied to the diaphragm (diaphragm) as deformation of the membrane. As a method for detecting the deformation of the diaphragm, a change in capacitance or a strain gauge is used.

  Further, a circulation water channel 11 connected to a discharge port 10 for discharging wash water taken from the water intake port 6 to the drum 1 communicates between the water intake port 6 and the drain valve 7. The wash water inside can be circulated.

  The intake of the wash water into the circulation channel 11 is performed using a circulation pump (water circulation unit) 12. As a result, the wash water can be circulated by the circulation water channel 11 only by the control of the circulation pump 12 and can be circulated irrespective of the washing control for controlling the normal washing power such as the water flow by the rotation of the drum 1.

  If the washing water circulating through the circulation channel 11 contains foreign matter such as fibers or hair released from the laundry, there is a risk that it will adhere to the circulation pump 12 and accumulate, so a drain filter 13 is installed downstream of the water intake 6. However, foreign substances such as fibers and hair released from the laundry are removed.

  In the circulation water channel 11, a dirt sensor (dirt detection unit) 14 including a turbidity sensor and a conductivity sensor is installed to detect the dirt of the cleaning water.

  The turbidity sensor is composed of, for example, a light emitting element such as an LED and a light receiving element such as a phototransistor, and the path between the elements is formed of a translucent material and emits light from the light emitting element. Light is received by the light receiving element through the washing water, converted into a voltage and output. Turbidity is converted from the output voltage of the light receiving element of the turbidity sensor, and the higher the turbidity, the lower the voltage. That is, when a large amount of dirt of the laundry is dissolved in the washing water passing through the circulation channel 11 and the turbidity is increased, a low voltage is output.

  The conductivity sensor detects the conductivity of the wash water flowing through the circulation channel 11 by installing electrodes at two locations in the circulation channel 11 where the water is surely submerged and sensing the resistance value of water between the electrodes. I am doing so. Thereby, the amount of conductive dirt such as sweat or spilled food can be detected. Note that the dirt sensor 14 may be configured to use either a turbidity sensor or a conductivity sensor, or may detect color loss or the like with a color sensor (RGB sensor).

  The housing 40 is provided with a door 15 facing the opening 1b provided on the front surface side of the drum 1, and the user opens the door 15 to wash the laundry ( Clothes, etc.).

  A plurality of protrusions 16 are provided on the inner peripheral wall of the drum 1. By rotating the drum 1 at a low speed, the clothes are hooked by the protrusions 16 and lifted upward, and then dropped at an appropriate height. Such a stirring operation (tumbling operation) can be given, and dirt can be removed by the action of tapping.

  A number of through holes 17 are provided in the inner peripheral wall of the drum 1 so that water can freely pass between the drum 1 and the water tank 2.

  The control unit 30 is disposed below the front part in the housing 40. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the control unit 30 displays setting information input from the user via the input setting unit 31 on the display unit 32, and based on the setting information and the operation state monitoring of each unit, Controls a series of driving operations from rinsing to dehydration.

  The control unit 30 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) (not shown), a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores programs, a RAM (Random Access Memory) that stores programs and data when various processes are executed, an input / output interface, and these Can be configured by a bus connecting the two.

  The control unit 30 has a timer 33. As the timer 33, an internal timer incorporated as an internal function in the operation of the control unit 30 can be used. As the timer 33, a timer device independent from the control unit 30 can be used.

  In the washing machine, AC power 20 is rectified by a rectifier 24 and then smoothed by a smoothing circuit including a choke coil 25 and a smoothing capacitor 26. Then, the drum drive motor 3 is rotationally driven by the inverter circuit 22 using the smoothed DC power as drive power.

  The control unit 30 controls the rotation of the drum drive motor 3 based on the driving instruction input from the input setting unit 31 and the monitoring information of the driving state detected by each detection unit. Further, the control unit 30 controls operations of necessary loads such as the water supply valve 5, the drain valve 7, the circulation pump 12, and the heater 28 via the load driving unit 23.

  The drum drive motor 3 includes, for example, a stator having three-phase windings 3a, 3b, and 3c and a rotor having a two-pole permanent magnet, and is configured as a DC brushless motor provided with three position detection elements 27a to 27c. can do. The drum drive motor 3 can be rotationally controlled by an inverter circuit 22 configured to be capable of PWM control by the switching elements 22a to 22f.

Here, rotor position detection signals detected by the position detection elements 27 a to 27 c are input to the control unit 30. Then, the control unit 30 outputs a control signal to the inverter drive circuit 21 based on the rotor position detection signal, and performs PWM control of the on / off states of the switching elements 22a to 22f via the inverter drive circuit 21. In this way, the control unit 30 controls energization of the three-phase windings 3a, 3b, and 3c of the stator, and rotates the rotor of the drum drive motor 3 at a desired rotational speed.

  The control unit 30 detects the cycle whenever the signal state of any of the three position detection elements 27a to 27c changes, and calculates the rotation speed of the rotor from the cycle by the rotation number detection unit 34 as an internal function. To do.

  Further, the cloth amount detection unit 35 detects a current signal flowing through the drum drive motor 3 to determine the weight of the drum 1, that is, the weight of the laundry.

  The operation and action of the washing machine configured as described above will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the laundry is put into the drum 1 and the washing is started, the control unit 30 detects the amount of the inputted laundry, that is, the cloth amount by the cloth amount detection unit 35 (S1). The amount of cloth is detected by controlling at least one motor operation, such as the magnitude of the current signal of the drum drive motor 3 when the drum 1 is rotated together with the laundry by controlling the drum drive motor 3, and the change in the current change amount or rotation angle. By detecting information about.

  The control unit 30 determines the amount of detergent corresponding to the detected amount of laundry (S2), and displays the standard on the display unit 32. The user puts the detergent into the detergent case 18 according to the displayed guideline for the amount of detergent. For example, when it is determined that the amount of laundry is “large”, “1.1 detergent spoon”, when the amount of laundry is “medium”, “0.8 detergent spoon”, the amount of laundry Is judged as “low”, “0.4 detergent spoon” is displayed.

  Next, the control unit 30 determines an initial setting water level (initial setting water amount) (S3), opens the water supply valve 5 (S4), and supplies water to the water tank 2 and the drum 1 until the initial setting water level is reached (S5). ).

  As shown in Table 1, the initial water level is determined based on the detected amount of laundry. For example, when it is determined that the amount of laundry is “low”, the WL1 at the “low” water level (for example, 8 liters of water) is set as the initial set water level. When it is determined that the amount of laundry is “medium”, WL2 at the “medium” water level (for example, 10 liters of water) is set as the initial set water level. In addition, when it is determined that the amount of laundry is “large”, the WL3 at the “high” water level (for example, 15 liters of water) is set as the initial set water level.

  The initial set water level is set lower than the set water level (set water amount) at the time of the washing process set to “low”, “medium”, and “high” according to the amount of laundry.

During water supply, the circulation pump 12 is driven by the control unit 30, and the cleaning water supplied together with the detergent is circulated from the discharge port 10 to the water tank 2 through the circulation water channel 11, thereby promoting the dissolution of the detergent into the water. To do. When washing water is discharged from the discharge port 10 into the drum 1, clothing absorbs water before the detergent dissolves in the water. Therefore, the rotational speed of the circulation pump 12 is set so that the washing water is not discharged into the drum 1. It is desirable.

  Next, when the initial set water level is reached (YES in S5), the water supply valve 5 is closed (S6), and stirring of the laundry is started while rotating the drum 1 at a low speed (S7). The rotation speed of the drum 1 is such that the laundry is lifted in the rotation direction by the protrusions 16 in the drum 1 and falls from the upper part of the drum 1 by gravity, and the kinetic energy at the time of dropping is effectively applied. The number of rotations is set so as not to stick to the wall surface of 1 due to centrifugal force, and depending on the amount of laundry, for example, about 40 to 50 rpm is preferable. The rotation direction may be the same direction or periodically switched.

  At this time, the control unit 30 drives the circulation pump 12 to circulate the washing water in which the detergent is sufficiently dissolved into the drum 1 from the discharge port 10 through the circulation water channel 11, so that the washing water penetrates into the laundry. Promote. For this reason, the rotation speed of the circulation pump 12 is set to a rotation speed at which the washing water is firmly discharged into the drum 1 so that the washing water can easily penetrate into the laundry.

  Due to the tapping effect that acts on the laundry by rotating the drum 1 and the penetration effect of the washing water discharged by the circulation pump 12 into the laundry, the amount of water set for each cloth amount and a small amount of washing water by the amount of detergent are The stains on the laundry can be washed out effectively.

  After a certain time (for example, 2 minutes) has elapsed (YES in S8), the output of the dirt sensor 14 is read to determine the dirt amount (S9). That is, the amount of dirt on the laundry by the dirt sensor 14 is detected by the wash water supplied to the initial set water level (WL1, WL2, WL3) for each cloth amount determined based on the amount of laundry.

  If the output of the dirt sensor 14 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value A (for example, 100) (YES in S10), it is determined that the amount of dirt is “large”, and each set water level in the amount of each laundry is set with respect to the initial set water level. The value is increased by a predetermined amount (S11). That is, the set water level when the amount of laundry is “low” is WL11 (for example, 10 liters of water), the set water level when the amount of laundry is “medium” is WL21 (for example, 15 liters of water), and the amount of laundry is “large”. Is set to WL31 (for example, 20 liters of water).

  Further, if the output of the dirt sensor 14 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value B (for example, 50) (YES in S12), it is determined that the amount of dirt is “somewhat small”, and each set water level in the amount of each laundry is A predetermined amount higher than the initial set water level is set (S13). That is, the set water level when the amount of laundry is “low” is WL12 (for example, 15 liters of water), the set water level when the amount of laundry is “medium” is WL22 (for example, 20 liters of water), and the amount of laundry is “large”. Is set to WL32 (for example, water volume of 25 liters).

  Further, if the output of the dirt sensor 14 is less than the predetermined value B (NO in S12), it is determined that the amount of dirt is “small”, and the set water level in the amount of each laundry is higher than the initial set water level. A high water level is set (S14). That is, the set water level when the amount of laundry is “low” is WL13 (for example, 20 liters of water), the set water level when the amount of laundry is “medium” is WL23 (for example, 25 liters of water), and the amount of laundry is “large”. Is set to WL33 (for example, 30 liters of water). That is, the water level is set lower as the output value of the dirt sensor 14 is larger (the dirt amount is larger).

And the stain | pollution | contamination detection part 14 is made to detect the stain | pollution | contamination amount of the laundry with a predetermined amount less wash water with respect to the standard setting water level (WL10, WL20, WL30) set according to the amount of the laundry. . This makes it possible to accurately detect the degree of dirt according to the amount of laundry. In the present embodiment, the standard set water level (standard set water amount) set according to the amount of laundry is set to each set water level when the amount of dirt on the laundry is small.

  Next, the control unit 30 opens the water supply valve 5 again (S15), supplies water to the water tank 2 and the drum 1, and when the set water level is reached (YES in S16), closes the water supply valve 5 (S17), and then continues. Then, the drum low-speed stirring step is executed again (S18).

  In this step, the circulation pump 12 is driven in the same manner as in step S7, and the cleaning water is discharged from the discharge port 10 into the drum 1 through the circulation water channel 11. At this time, the drum 1 is rotated at a rotation speed capable of giving an agitation operation for dropping clothes from an appropriate height after the clothes are hooked by the protrusions 16 and lifted upward, and the circulation pump 12 is driven to discharge. Wash water is discharged from the outlet 10.

  Drum low-speed stirring process time can be washed with high detergent concentration even with a large amount of dirt, so operation with high cleaning power is possible without extension, and the amount of dirt is small. The same time as the case may be sufficient. When the predetermined washing time has elapsed (YES in S19), the washing process is terminated.

  In the above configuration, the initial set water levels (WL1, WL2, WL3) supplied at the start of washing are set lower than the set water levels (WL11, WL21, WL31) when the amount of dirt on the laundry is large. If the amount of dirt in the laundry detected by the dirt sensor 14 is large, the washing process is executed by supplying water to the set water level (WL11, WL21, WL31) when the amount of dirt is large.

  Table 2 shows another example. Initially set water levels (WL1, WL2, WL3) to be supplied at the start of washing are set to water levels (WL11, WL21, WL31) when the amount of dirt on the laundry is large. Same amount. As a result, if it is detected that the amount of dirt on the laundry is large, the washing process can be executed immediately without additional supply of washing water, and a washing time can be secured to enhance the washing effect.

  The dirt sensor 14 is set in a plurality of stages where the detected amount of dirt of the laundry is small, and in this embodiment, it is set in two stages, “slightly less” and “small”. When the amount of dirt detected by the dirt sensor 14 is “slightly less”, the washing process is executed with a larger amount of washing water than when the amount of dirt is “large” and less than the standard set water level. This makes it possible to optimize the detergent concentration for a level with a small amount of dirt, and the laundry can be effectively washed with a small amount of water.

  Table 3 shows another example. The dirt sensor 14 sets the detected amount of dirt on the laundry in two stages, “large” and “small”.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the water tub 2, the drum 1 rotatably provided in the water tub 2, the drum driving unit 3 that rotationally drives the drum 1, and the laundry put into the drum 1. The amount of cloth detecting unit 35 for detecting the amount of water, the water supply unit 5 for supplying washing water to the aquarium 2, the water amount detecting unit 9 for detecting the amount of washing water supplied to the aquarium 2, and the amount of dirt on the laundry A stain detection unit 14 for detection and a control unit 30 for sequentially controlling each process of washing, rinsing, and dehydration are provided. The control unit 30 detects the amount of laundry with the cloth amount detection unit 35 at the start of washing. At the same time, when the washing water having an initial setting water amount smaller than the standard setting water amount set according to the amount of laundry is supplied and the amount of laundry detected by the dirt detector 14 is small, the washing water is supplied to the standard setting water amount. Laundry detected by the dirt detector 14 after supplying water and performing a washing process When the amount of dirt is large, the washing process is performed with less washing water than the standard setting water quantity. The amount of water used for washing is changed according to the degree of dirt on the laundry, and the detergent concentration of washing water is changed. By changing and optimizing the detergent concentration according to the amount of laundry and the amount of dirt, it is possible to effectively wash with a small amount of water without increasing the washing time and the amount of detergent.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation during a washing operation in the second embodiment of the present invention. A feature of the present embodiment is that a circulation pump (water circulation unit) 12 that discharges cleaning water in the water tank 2 into the drum 1 is provided, and the laundry in the drum 1 is hydrated by the circulation pump 12 while the drum drive motor ( The drum driving unit 3) performs a centrifugal force process for discharging washing water from the laundry by centrifugal force. The larger the amount of dirt detected by the dirt detector 14, the longer the time of the centrifugal force process. It is a thing. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations, and the detailed description of the first embodiment is used.

  The operation during the washing operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The flow (S1 to S18) from the start of washing to the drum low-speed stirring is the same as that in the first embodiment, and the flowchart in FIG. 3 and the description thereof are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  After reaching the set water level, the drum low speed stirring step (S18) is performed for 2 minutes (YES in S19), and then the centrifugal force step is executed. In this centrifugal force process, the laundry is stuck to the wall surface of the drum 1 due to the centrifugal force generated by rotating the drum 1 at a high speed (for example, 100 rpm), and the moisture contained in the laundry (washing) After the water is squeezed out, it passes through the through holes 17 of the drum 1 and moves to the water tank 2 side. The washing water sufficiently collected at the bottom of the water tank 2 in this manner is discharged into the drum 1 from the discharge port 10 by driving the circulation pump 12 again, and penetrates into the laundry in the drum 1.

The time of this centrifugal force process is determined according to the amount of dirt. When the amount of dirt is “large” (YES in S20), since the set water level is low, the time of the centrifugal force process is lengthened to increase the circulation amount of the washing water. The time of the centrifugal force process is determined according to the amount of laundry (S21). For example, the centrifugal force step when the amount of laundry is “low” is 20 seconds, the centrifugal step when the amount of laundry is “medium” is 40 seconds, and the centrifugal force step when the amount of laundry is “large” Is determined to be 60 seconds.

  If the amount of dirt is “slightly less” (YES in S22), the amount of dirt is determined to be slightly shorter than “large” in accordance with the amount of laundry (S23). For example, the centrifugal force step when the amount of laundry is “low” is 10 seconds, the centrifugal step when the amount of laundry is “medium” is 20 seconds, and the centrifugal force step when the amount of laundry is “large” Is determined to be 30 seconds.

  Then, the centrifugal force process is executed (S25), and when the time determined according to the amount of cloth and the amount of dirt elapses (YES in S26), the same low-speed drum stirring process as in (S18) is executed again (S27). ) When the predetermined washing time has elapsed (YES in S28), the washing process is terminated.

  Also, when the amount of dirt is “small” (NO in S22), the set water level is high and the penetration of washing water into the clothing is relatively easy, so the centrifugal force process is not performed (S24) and again as in (S18). The drum low-speed stirring step is executed (S27), and when a predetermined washing time has elapsed (YES in S28), the washing step is terminated.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the water circulation unit 12 that discharges the washing water in the water tub 2 into the drum 1 is provided, and the control unit 30 allows water to be contained in the laundry in the drum 1 by the water circulation unit 12. The drum driving unit 3 performs a centrifugal force process of discharging washing water from the laundry by centrifugal force. Even when the amount of water is small, the washing water squeezed out of the clothes by centrifugal force is re-applied by the water circulation unit 12. The laundry can be hydrated, and it is possible to cause the washing water having a high detergent concentration to act on the laundry without lowering the wettability of the washing water to the clothes, thereby realizing a high detergency.

  In addition, the greater the amount of dirt detected by the dirt detection unit 14, the longer the time for the centrifugal force process. Even when the amount of water is small, the water circulation unit 12 causes the washing water squeezed from the clothing by centrifugal force to be squeezed out. The laundry can be rehydrated, and washing water having a high detergent concentration can be applied to the laundry for a long period of time depending on the amount of dirt.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation during a washing operation in the third embodiment of the present invention. The feature of this embodiment is that the number of rotations per unit time of the drum 1 in the centrifugal force process is increased as the amount of contamination detected by the contamination detector 14 increases. Other configurations are the same as those in the first and second embodiments, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations, and the detailed description uses those in the first and second embodiments.

  The operation during the washing operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The flow (S1 to S18) from the start of washing to the drum low-speed stirring is the same as that in the first embodiment, and the flowchart in FIG. 3 and the description thereof are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  After reaching the set water level, the drum low speed stirring step (S18) is performed for 2 minutes (YES in S19), and then the centrifugal force step is executed. In this centrifugal force process, the laundry is stuck to the wall surface of the drum 1 due to the centrifugal force generated by rotating the drum 1 at a high speed (for example, 80 to 120 rpm), and the moisture contained in the laundry. (Washing water) is squeezed out, then passes through the through hole 17 of the drum 1 and moves to the water tank 2 side. The washing water sufficiently collected at the bottom of the water tank 2 in this manner is discharged into the drum 1 from the discharge port 10 by driving the circulation pump 12 again, and penetrates into the laundry in the drum 1.

The number of drum rotations per unit time in this centrifugal force process is determined according to the amount of dirt. When the amount of dirt is “large” (YES in S20), since the set water level is low, the number of rotations of the drum in the centrifugal force process is increased to increase the circulation amount of the cleaning water. The drum rotation speed is determined according to the amount of laundry (S21). For example, when the amount of laundry is "low", the centrifugal speed of the centrifugal force step is 100 rpm, when the amount of laundry is "medium", the rotational speed of the drum is 110 rpm, and the amount of laundry is "high" The drum rotation speed of the force process is determined to be 120 rpm.

  If the amount of dirt is “slightly small” (YES in S22), the drum rotation speed is determined to be slightly lower than “large” in accordance with the amount of laundry (S23). For example, when the amount of laundry is “low”, the centrifugal rotation speed of the centrifugal force process is 80 rpm, when the amount of laundry is “medium”, the rotational speed of the drum is 90 rpm, and when the amount of laundry is “high” The drum rotation speed of the force process is determined to be 100 rpm.

  Then, a centrifugal force process is performed with the drum rotation speed determined according to the amount of cloth and the amount of dirt (S25), and when a certain time (for example, 30 seconds) has elapsed (YES in S26), the same as in (S18) again. A drum low-speed stirring step is executed (S27), and when a predetermined washing time has elapsed (YES in S28), the washing step is terminated.

  Also, when the amount of dirt is “small” (NO in S22), the set water level is high and the penetration of washing water into the clothing is relatively easy, so the centrifugal force process is not performed (S24) and again as in (S18). The drum low-speed stirring step is executed (S27), and when a predetermined washing time has elapsed (YES in S28), the washing step is terminated.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, as the amount of dirt detected by the dirt detector 14 increases, the number of rotations per unit time of the drum 1 in the centrifugal force process is increased, and the amount of water is increased. Even in the case of a small amount, the washing water squeezed out of the clothes with a large centrifugal force can be re-hydrated into the laundry by the water circulation unit 12, and the washing water having a high detergent concentration can be obtained without reducing the wettability of the washing water to the clothes. It becomes possible to make it act by penetrating into the laundry, and a high detergency can be realized.

(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation during a washing operation in the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The feature of the present embodiment is that when the amount of dirt detected by the dirt detector 14 is large, the amount of water supply in the rinsing process is made larger than the standard set amount set according to the amount of laundry. is there. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations, and the detailed description of the first embodiment is used.

  The operation during the washing operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The flow from the start of washing to the end of washing (S1 to S19) is the same as that in the first embodiment, and the flowchart in FIG. 3 and the description thereof are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  After the washing process, the process proceeds to the rinsing process shown in FIG. In the rinsing step, the set water level is determined after draining the wash water (S31) and intermediate dewatering (S32). The set water level in the rinsing process is determined according to the amount of dirt determined in the washing process.

  When the amount of dirt is “large” (YES in S33), the detergent concentration of the washing water in the washing process is high, and the amount of residual detergent contained in the laundry after intermediate dehydration also increases. Therefore, the set water level of the rinsing process is increased, the amount of water used in the rinsing process is increased (S34), and the amount of water penetrating into the laundry is increased.

  As shown in Table 4, the set water level when the amount of laundry is “low” is WL43 (for example, 30 liters of water), the set water level when the amount of laundry is “medium” is WL53 (for example, 35 liters of water), and the amount of laundry Is set to WL63 (for example, 40 liters of water).

  When the amount of dirt is “slightly small” (YES in S35), the set water level of the rinsing process is slightly lower than that when the amount of dirt is “large” (S36). That is, the set water level when the amount of laundry is “low” is WL42 (for example, 25 liters of water), the set water level when the amount of laundry is “medium” is WL52 (for example, 30 liters of water), and the amount of laundry is “large”. Is set to WL62 (for example, 35 liters of water).

  When the amount of dirt is “low” (NO in S35), the detergent concentration of the washing water in the washing process is standard, and the set water level in the rinsing process is set to a lower standard set water level (S37). That is, the set water level when the amount of laundry is “low” is WL41 (for example, 20 liters of water), the set water level when the amount of laundry is “medium” is WL51 (for example, 25 liters of water), and the amount of laundry is “large”. Is set to WL61 (for example, 30 liters of water).

  Next, the control part 30 opens the water supply valve 5 (S38), and supplies water until it reaches the set water level set above in the water tank 2 and the drum 1. When the set water level is reached (YES in S39), the water supply valve 5 is closed (S40), and the drum low-speed stirring step is executed again (S41).

  In the drum low-speed stirring step, the clothes are rinsed by discharging the detergent components remaining on the clothes by stirring the drum 1 while rotating the drum 1 at a low speed. The rotation speed of the drum 1 is such that the laundry is lifted in the rotation direction in the drum 1 and dropped from the upper part of the drum 1 by gravity, so that the kinetic energy at the time of dropping is effectively applied to the wall surface of the drum 1. Set the rotation speed so that it does not stick with force. The rotation direction of the drum 1 may be the same direction or periodically switched.

  At this time, the control unit 30 drives the circulation pump 12 to circulate newly supplied water, which does not include detergent, into the drum 1 from the discharge port 10 through the circulation water channel 11, thereby remaining in the laundry. Promotes the discharge of detergent ingredients. For this reason, the rotation speed of the circulation pump 12 is set to a rotation speed at which the washing water is firmly discharged into the drum 1 and the water penetrates into the laundry.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when the amount of dirt detected in the washing process by the dirt detection unit 14 is large, the amount of water supplied in the rinsing process is larger than the standard set water amount set according to the amount of laundry. It can be used to sufficiently penetrate water into the laundry, effectively drain detergent components (such as surfactants) remaining in the laundry, and improve rinsing performance. it can.

  In addition, in said embodiment, although the washing machine provided only with the washing function was demonstrated, it is applicable also to the washing machine provided with the drying function.

  As described above, the washing machine according to the present invention is useful as a washing machine because it can optimize the detergent concentration of washing water according to the amount of laundry and the amount of dirt and can effectively wash with a small amount of water. is there.

1 drum 2 water tank 3 drum drive motor (drum drive unit)
5 Water supply valve (water supply part)
9 Water level sensor (Water volume detection part)
14 Dirt sensor (dirt detector)
30 Control part 35 Cloth amount detection part

Claims (11)

A tank,
A drum rotatably provided in the water tank;
A drum drive for rotating the drum;
A cloth amount detection unit for detecting the amount of laundry put in the drum;
A water supply unit for supplying cleaning water to the water tank;
A water amount detection unit for detecting the amount of washing water supplied to the water tank;
A dirt detector for detecting the amount of dirt on the laundry;
And a controller that sequentially controls each step of washing, rinsing and dehydration,
The control unit detects the amount of laundry by the cloth amount detection unit at the start of washing, and supplies cleaning water with an initial set amount of water smaller than a standard set amount of water set according to the amount of laundry, When the amount of dirt on the laundry detected by the dirt detector is small, the washing process is performed by supplying cleaning water to the standard set amount of water, and when the amount of dirt on the laundry detected by the dirt detector is large, A washing machine that performs the washing process with less washing water than the standard set amount of water. The control unit reduces the initial set amount of water to be supplied at the start of washing less than the set amount of water when the amount of dirt on the laundry is large, and if the amount of dirt detected by the stain detection unit is large, the amount of dirt is large. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the washing process is executed by supplying water up to a set amount of water at the time. 2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the control unit sets an initial set amount of water supplied at the start of washing as a set amount of water when the amount of dirt on the laundry is large. The stain detection unit sets the degree of small amount of detected laundry in multiple stages,
The control unit, when the amount of dirt detected by the dirt detection unit is slightly less, a larger amount than when the amount of dirt is large, and the washing step is performed with a smaller amount of washing water than the standard set water amount. 4. The washing machine according to any one of 3 above. The dirt detection unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the dirt amount of the laundry is detected with a predetermined amount of washing water less than a standard set amount of water set according to the amount of laundry. The washing machine described. A water circulation part is provided to discharge the cleaning water in the water tank into the drum.
The controller is configured to perform a centrifugal force step of discharging washing water from the laundry by a centrifugal force by the drum driving unit while allowing the laundry in the drum to contain water by the water circulation unit. The washing machine according to Item 1. The washing machine according to claim 6, wherein the control unit increases the time of the centrifugal force step as the amount of dirt detected by the dirt detection unit increases. The washing machine according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the controller increases the number of revolutions per unit time of the drum in the centrifugal force step as the amount of dirt detected by the dirt detector increases. The control unit according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein when the amount of dirt detected by the dirt detection unit is large, the amount of water supply in the rinsing process is made larger than a standard set amount set according to the amount of laundry. The washing machine according to Item 1. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the dirt detection unit includes at least one sensor that detects turbidity, conductivity, and color of the washing water. Drying means for drying the washed clothes;
It has a control unit that sequentially controls each process of washing, rinsing, dehydration, and drying,
The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising a drying function.