JP2016202372A - Washing machine and control method of washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a washing machine in which rinsing performance has been improved further.SOLUTION: A washing machine includes: an outer tub capable of storing water; an inner tub provided in the outer tub; a driving unit for rotationally driving the inner tub; a water supply unit for supplying water; a drain unit for performing drainage of the outer tub; and a control device. The control device performs a plurality of times of rinsing step having: a rotation shower rinsing operation for rotating the inner tub at low speed by controlling the driving unit, and also for sprinkling rinsing water toward laundry in the inner tub by the water supply unit while allowing the drain unit to perform a drainage operation; and a stored rinsing operation for storing rinsing water in the outer tub by controlling the water supply unit and the drain unit and for agitating the laundry by rotating the inner tub normally and reversely by controlling the driving unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

  The present invention relates to a washing machine and a method for controlling the washing machine.

  In recent years, energy saving of home appliances is progressing to prevent global warming. Washing machines obtain high cleaning power while reducing the physical force acting on the laundry by effectively using the chemical cleaning power of the detergent in the washing process. Electric power reduction and water saving are required. When the amount of water used is reduced, there is a problem that the washing power and the excessive performance are deteriorated because the washing water is not sufficiently distributed to the laundry.

Therefore, a washing machine having a washing water circulation mechanism is proposed in which washing water accumulated at the bottom of the washing tub is pumped up to the top of the washing tub with a circulation pump, and the drawn washing water is sprayed on the laundry (laundry). (See Patent Document 1).
In addition, a rotating shower that supplies the shower while rotating the washing and dewatering tub with the drain valve open is performed to infiltrate the laundry with the sprayed water, and then the shower is supplied with the drain valve open. Has been proposed, and the washing and dewatering tub is rotated at a predetermined rotation speed for a predetermined time to perform the permeation rinsing operation, thereby improving the rinsing performance with a small amount of water (see Patent Document 2). .

JP 2012-223305 A JP 2014-210122 A

  There is still a strong demand for energy saving, especially when compared to drum-type washing machines and vertical washing machines, the amount of water used by vertical washing machines is greater than that of drum-type washing machines, reducing the amount of laundry detergent remaining. It is desired to save water.

  This invention is made | formed in view of said subject, and it aims at providing the washing machine which improved the rinse performance more.

  In order to solve the above problems, the washing machine of the present invention includes an outer tub capable of storing water, an inner tub provided in the outer tub, a drive unit that rotationally drives the inner tub, a water supply unit that supplies water, A drainage unit for draining the outer tub, and a control device, wherein the control device controls the drive unit to rotate the inner tub at a low speed and performs the drainage operation of the drainage unit while performing the drainage operation. A rotary shower rinsing operation for spraying rinsing water toward the laundry in the inner tub by the unit, controlling the water supply unit and the drainage unit, storing the rinsing water in the outer tub, and controlling the driving unit A rinsing step having a rinsing operation for rotating the inner tub forward and backward to stir the laundry was performed a plurality of times.

  Also, the method for controlling the washing machine of the washing machine provided with the inner tub for storing the laundry of the present invention and the outer tub provided with the inner tub is the rinsing step, while rotating the inner tub at a low speed, A first rotary shower rinsing operation in which rinsing water is sprinkled and drained, and the rinsing water is stored in the outer tub, and the inner tub is rotated forward and backward to stir the laundry. Therefore, while the inner tub is rotated at a low speed, the rinsing water is sprinkled toward the laundry, the second rotating shower rinsing operation is performed to drain the rinsing water, and the rinsing water is stored in the outer tub. Then, the second rinsing operation is sequentially performed for rotating the inner tub forward and backward and stirring the laundry.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the washing machine which improved the rinse performance more can be provided. Thereby, even if it is a case where a detergent residual amount is the same as that of the past, or when it reduces, it can reduce rather than the amount of water conventionally used by rinsing, and can save water.

It is an external appearance perspective view which shows the vertical type washing-drying machine of embodiment. It is a longitudinal section showing a schematic structure of a washing machine of an embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the outer tank which accommodated the inner tank of the washing machine. It is a top view when an outer tank cover is seen from the back side. It is a functional block diagram explaining the structure of a control apparatus. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of operation | movement of the washing machine of this embodiment. It is a figure explaining the characteristic of a rinse process. It is a time chart explaining the rinse process of an Example. It is a time chart explaining the other rinse process of an Example. It is a figure explaining the effect of an Example.

Hereinafter, a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention is a so-called vertical washing and drying machine, and will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a state where the outer lid 3 is opened.
The washing machine 100 includes a housing 1 whose outer shell is configured by combining a steel plate and a resin molded product. A resin top cover 2 is provided on the top of the housing 1. The top cover 2 is provided with an outer lid 3 that opens and closes the upper part of the washing tub.

  The outer lid 3 is configured to open an opening 1a formed in the upper portion of the housing 1 by opening it rearward while being bent in a mountain shape so as to be convex upward. The outer lid 3 includes an operation panel 8 including various operation button switches 6 and a display 7. The operation panel 8 is electrically connected to a microcomputer 40 (hereinafter abbreviated as a microcomputer) provided at the bottom of the machine body. A power switch 5 for turning on / off the washing machine 100 is provided on the front surface of the top cover 2.

Further, a water supply electromagnetic valve 4 (see FIG. 2) is provided behind the opening 1a inside the housing 1, and a connection port 4a (FIG. 2) for supplying tap water (fresh water) to the water supply electromagnetic valve 4 is provided. Is provided at the rear of the top cover 2. The top cover 2 is provided with a detergent / softener container 28, and the detergent / softener container 28 is covered with the outer lid 3 when the outer lid 3 is closed.
The circulation pump 16 is provided at the bottom of the housing 1 (below the outer tub 10) and pumps washing water and rinsing water stored in the bottom of the outer tub 10 into the inner tub 9.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a schematic structure of the washing machine of the embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 2, the washing machine 100 includes an inner tub 9, an outer tub 10, a pulsating blade 11 (rotary blade), a fluid balancer 12, a washing water circulation mechanism 50, and the like in the housing 1. ing.

  The inner tub 9 functions as a washing / dehydrating tub, is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape, and has a rotation axis in the vertical direction (vertical direction). The inner tub 9 has a plurality of small through holes 9a for water passage and ventilation on the outer peripheral wall thereof, and a plurality of through holes 9b for water passage and ventilation on the bottom wall thereof. Yes. The inner tank 9 is rotatably supported by the driving device 13.

  The outer tub 10 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape, and encloses the inner tub 9 on the same axis. In addition, the outer tub 10 has four support rods that are suspended and suspended from corner plates (not shown) provided at the four corners of the upper end of the casing 1 via a shock absorber (not shown). Elastically supported at the center of the body 1.

  An outer tank cover 14 is provided at the upper edge of the outer tank 10. The outer tank cover 14 is configured to close the upper part of the inner tank 9.

  The pulsating blade 11 (also referred to as a pulsator) is formed in a substantially disk shape and is provided at the bottom of the inner tank 9. Further, the pulsating blade 11 is rotatably supported by the driving device 13. Thus, the washing water can be stirred together with the laundry by rotating the pulsating blade 11 when washing or rinsing.

  The fluid balancer 12 is formed in a ring shape with synthetic resin or the like, and is provided at the upper edge (upper edge) of the body plate of the inner tank 9. The fluid balancer 12 is configured by enclosing a fluid having a large specific gravity (such as salt water) inside, and when the eccentricity occurs due to the bias of the laundry when the inner tub 9 rotates, the fluid balancer 12 It has the function of canceling eccentricity by movement and maintaining the balance of rotation.

  The drive device 13 includes an electric motor 13a that uses an inverter-driven electric motor or a reversible rotation type capacitor phase-separated single-phase induction motor, an electromagnetically operated clutch mechanism (clutch) 13b, and a planetary gear reduction mechanism. In addition, the driving device 13 controls the electric motor 13a and the clutch 13b by the microcomputer 40 so that the inner tub 9 is locked so as to be stationary or released so that it can freely rotate. It has a function of selectively executing a washing / rinsing drive mode for forward / reverse rotation and a dewatering drive mode for integrally rotating the inner tub 9 and the pulsating blade board 11 in the same direction.

  The washing water circulation mechanism 50 includes a circulation pump 16, a circulation pipe 17 (circulation path, return flow path), a circulation water path 18, a water path cover 30 having a discharge port 31, bellows tubes 29a and 29b, and the like.

  The circulation pump 16 is provided at the bottom of the housing 1 (below the outer tub 10), and the washing water stored at the bottom of the outer tub 10 through the circulation pipe 17 is provided at the bottom of the outer tub 10. It has a function of pumping up from the vent 10b toward the washing water inlet 14b of the circulation channel 18. In the present embodiment, the circulation pump 16 is disposed on the left side of the bottom in the housing 1.

The circulation pipe 17 constitutes a flow path that allows the water flow vent 10 b of the outer tub 10 and the washing water introduction port 14 b to communicate with each other, and the circulation pump 16 is provided in the middle of the circulation pipe 17.
Further, the circulation pipe 17 is provided with a foreign matter trap (not shown) upstream of the circulation pump 16, and a drainage hose 24 having a drain valve 15 is branched upstream of the foreign matter trap (not shown). It is connected.

  When the circulation pump 16 is driven at the time of washing or rinsing, the washing water at the bottom of the outer tub 10 passes through the circulation pipe 17 and the outside of the outer tub 10 from the water vent 10 b formed at the bottom of the outer tub 10. Then, it is carried to the upper part of the outer tub 10, introduced into the circulation water channel 18 from the washing water inlet 14 b, and circulated so as to return from the circulation water channel 18 into the inner tub 9.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the washing machine 100 includes a drying unit 60 that functions during a drying operation. The drying unit 60 can be configured by a known method, and a blower fan 19 (see FIG. 5) is connected to a drying duct 22 (only a part of which is shown) that allows the bottom of the outer tub 10 and the outer tub cover 14 to communicate with each other. And a heater 20 (see FIG. 5), a lint filter (not shown), and a dehumidifying mechanism (not shown). Thus, by operating the blower fan and energizing the heater, warm air is blown into the inner tub 9, the laundry in the inner tub 9 is warmed, and moisture evaporates. The high-temperature and high-humidity air passes through the drying duct to become low-humidity air by the dehumidifying mechanism, is heated again by the heater, and circulates so as to be blown into the inner tank 9.

  The washing machine 100 includes rubber bellows tubes 29a, 29b, 29c, and 29d. These bellows tubes 29a to 29d are the outer tub 10 and the outer tub cover 14 provided on the vibration displacement side, the drying duct 22 provided on the fixed side (such as the housing 1 and the top cover 2), the water supply electromagnetic valve 4, and the circulation pump 16. Used for connection with

  The tap water (fresh water) supplied to the connection port 4a is controlled in flow by the water supply electromagnetic valve 4 and supplied to the water supply introduction port 14d (see FIG. 3), and the water spray port 14f (FIG. 4) of the outer tank cover 14 is supplied. The water is sprayed into the inner tub 9 from the reference). At this time, the water spout 14 f is installed on the inner peripheral side of the inner tank 9.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the outer tub 10 containing the inner tub 9. FIG. 3 shows a state where an inner lid (not shown) provided on the outer tank cover 14 is removed.
As shown in FIG. 3, the outer tub cover 14 has a substantially trapezoidal laundry input port 14 a (input port) formed on the front side. The outer tub cover 14 is provided with an inner lid (not shown) that opens and closes the laundry input port 14a. The inner lid is configured to close the entire laundry input port 14a via a hinge mechanism (not shown) provided at the rear end of the laundry input port 14a.

  Further, the outer tub cover 14 has a washing water introduction port 14b for introducing washing water into the inner tub 9, a hot air introduction port 14c for introducing warm air into the outer tub 10, behind the laundry input port 14a, A water supply inlet 14d for introducing water from the water tap is provided. The washing water inlet 14b is located at the left end.

  The pulsating blade plate 11 includes a plurality of raised portions 11a formed of a plurality of inclined surfaces that are gently inclined in the rotation direction so as to repeatedly generate a vertical movement in the laundry on the upper surface by rotating, and a plurality of water drains. And a through hole 11b. The raised portion 11a has a surface inclined in the radial direction so as to be inclined in the circumferential direction and so that the outer peripheral portion is sequentially increased. In the present embodiment, two raised portions 11a (only one is shown) are provided, but the number is not limited to two, and may be three or more. Further, the raised shape of the pulsating blade 11 is an example and is not limited to the present embodiment.

  As the pulsating blade 11 rotates, the laundry on the pulsating blade 11 rotates in the rotational direction of the pulsating blade 11 while sliding on the pulsating blade 11, and is pushed up by the raised portion 11a. Vibrates up and down. At this time, the washing water can be spread over the laundry by sprinkling water from above the laundry while circulating the washing water (or rinsing water, the same applies hereinafter). By doing so, the laundry can be washed without storing the washing water so that the laundry is immersed in the washing water in the inner tub 9, and water can be saved drastically. By the way, if the washing water can be uniformly sprayed on the laundry, the washing power and the rinsing power are improved, which leads to shortening of the washing time. A detailed configuration for uniformly spraying the washing water will be described later.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the outer tub cover as viewed from the back side. FIG. 4 shows a state in which the water channel cover 30 is attached to the outer tank cover 14.
As shown in FIG. 4, the laundry insertion opening 14 a is positioned rearward of the center O in the radial direction and is positioned forward of the center O and the straight portion 14 a 1 extending in the left-right direction (width direction). A linear portion 14a2 extending in the left-right direction, an arc portion 14a3 connecting one end (left end) of the linear portion 14a1 and one end (left end) of the linear portion 14a2, and the other end (right end) of the linear portion 14a1 and the linear portion 14a2. Arc part 14a4 which connects the other end (right end). In addition, the shape in planar view of the laundry input port 14a is not limited to the shape of FIG. 4, For example, the linear part 14a2 is circular arc shape, and may be formed in the substantially radial shape as a whole. . Further, the outer peripheral portion of the laundry input port 14 a of the outer tub cover 14 is opposed to the fluid balancer 12.

  The water channel cover 30 is provided on the back surface of the outer tank cover 14 (the surface on the inner tank 9 side), so that the water channel cover 30 and the outer tank cover 14 constitute the circulation water channel 18. Further, the water channel cover 30 has a substantially triangular shape in a plan view, and has a discharge port 31 (return port) extending linearly along the straight portion 14a1 of the laundry input port 14a. The discharge port 31 is formed shorter than the straight portion 14a1.

  In addition, the water channel cover 30 has the washing water inlet 14 b located on one end side (left end side) of the discharge port 31. Further, the water channel cover 30 extends from the linear outer peripheral portion 32a extending along the straight portion 14a1 and from one end (left end, right side in the drawing) of the outer peripheral portion 32a toward the washing water inlet 14b. The outer peripheral portion 32b has an outer peripheral portion 32c extending from the other end (right end, left side in the drawing) of the outer peripheral portion 32a toward the washing water inlet 14b. Further, the outer peripheral edge of the water channel cover 30 is fixed to the outer tub cover 14 with screws at a plurality of locations. Further, the outer peripheral edge portion of the water channel cover 30 and the outer tub cover 14 are configured to be watertight via a packing (not shown).

  Thus, in the present embodiment, the outer tub cover 14 and the water channel cover 30 constitute the circulation water channel 18 that leads from the washing water introduction port 14 b to the discharge port 31. By configuring one surface (upper surface) of the wall of the circulating water channel 18 with the outer tub cover 14, the amount of protrusion protruding downward (inner tub 9 side) from the outer tub cover 14 can be reduced, and the washing water is located at a higher position. Can be sprayed from.

  Further, as described above, a plurality of guide protrusions are formed in the circulating water channel 18 constituted by the outer tub cover 14 and the water channel cover 30. By these guide protrusions, the washing water introduced from the washing water introduction port 14b (or rinsing water; the same applies hereinafter) is rectified toward one end of the discharge port 31, and the inner flow from the discharge port 31 is uniform. It is discharged into the tank 9.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram illustrating the configuration of the control device 110 of the washing machine 100 according to the present embodiment. The control device 110 is configured around the microcomputer 40.
The microcomputer 40 includes an operation pattern database 111, a process control unit 112, a rotation speed calculation unit 113, a laundry weight calculation unit 114, a water quality measurement unit 115, and a detergent amount / wash time determination unit 116.

The microcomputer 40 calls the driving pattern corresponding to the driving course input from the operation button switch 6 from the driving pattern database 111, and starts washing or / and drying.
The process control unit 112 operates and controls each process of the water supply process, the washing process, the rinsing process, the dehydration process, and the drying process based on the operation pattern called from the operation pattern database 111.

Specifically, the microcomputer 40 controls the water supply electromagnetic valve 4 to control the supply of washing water or rinsing water, and controls the drain valve 15 to discharge the washing water or rinsing water.
Further, the microcomputer 40 drives the electric motor 13a by the motor drive circuit 121 and controls the clutch mechanism 13b by the clutch control circuit 122, thereby controlling the rotational drive of the inner tub 9 and the pulsating blade 11 and washing machine 100. Perform washing operation, dehydration operation, and rinsing operation.

Further, the microcomputer 40 controls ON / OFF of the heater 20 by the heater switch 123 and drives the blower fan 19 by the fan drive circuit 124. Thereby, the drying operation of the washing machine 100 is performed.
Further, the microcomputer 40 drives and controls the circulation pump 16 by the circulation pump drive circuit 125 to circulate the wash water or the rinse water of the wash water circulation mechanism 50.

The rotation speed calculation unit 113 calculates the rotation speed of the electric motor 13a based on the detection value from the rotation detection device 28 that detects the rotation of the electric motor 13a.
The laundry weight calculation unit 114 calculates the weight of the laundry in the inner tub 9 based on the rotation speed of the electric motor 13 a calculated by the rotation speed calculation unit 113 and the detection value of the motor current detection device 29. Specifically, since the rotational load of the inner tub 9 increases as the weight of the laundry increases and a large motor current of the electric motor 13a is required, the weight of the laundry is calculated from the motor current and the rotational speed of the electric motor 13a. To do.

The water level sensor 21 is a sensor for detecting the water level of the washing water or the rinsing water in the inner tub 9. The microcomputer 40 supplies a predetermined amount of wash water or rinse water to the inner tub 9 based on the detection result of the water level sensor 21. In addition, when the predetermined water level is not satisfied, water replenishment is performed.
The temperature sensor 26 is a sensor that detects the temperature of tap water. When the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 26 is high, the microcomputer 40 displays on the display unit 25 so as to reduce the amount of detergent to be added, thereby shortening the washing time.
The vibration sensor 27 is installed outside the side surface of the outer tub 10 and detects vibration during dehydration in which the inner tub 9 rotates at a high speed. When the output result of the vibration sensor 27 is outside the allowable range, the microcomputer 40 stops the high-speed rotation of the inner tub 9, performs uniform stirring of the laundry, performs dehydration again, or stops operation as an abnormality. .

  The water quality sensor 120 detects electric conductivity of washing water or rinsing water during operation (washing, rinsing, dehydration) before washing, and is disposed at the bottom of the outer tub 10. The microcomputer 40 determines the amount of washing water based on the detection result of the water quality sensor 120 and sets the time for the detergent dissolution process, determines the amount of detergent remaining in the rinse water, and sets the rinsing time or the number of times of rinsing.

Next, the outline of the processing of the washing machine of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
The microcomputer 40 is activated when the power switch 5 is pressed and the power is turned on, and executes the basic control processing program of the flowchart of FIG.

First, the microcomputer 40 performs state confirmation and initial setting of the washing machine 100 (S601).
Next, the microcomputer 40 turns on the display 7 of the operation panel 8 and sets an operation course according to an input instruction from the operation button switch 6 (S602).
Then, the microcomputer 40 monitors the start switch (operation button switch 6) of the operation panel 8. When the start switch is pressed, the washing / drying operation is started (S603).

  In step S604, the microcomputer 40 rotates the pulsating blade 11 in one direction with the inner tub 9 stationary, and the dry cloth state put into the inner tub 9 based on the rotation state of the electric motor 13a at this time. Detect the amount of laundry. Based on the detected amount, the amount of detergent, the washing time, and the number of rotations are determined.

In the water supply / detergent charging step (S605), the water supply electromagnetic valve 4 is opened to supply tap water to the outer tub 10, and a predetermined amount of washing water is stored. When the amount of laundry is within a predetermined range (appropriate amount), the amount of washing water is the amount of water (water level) that maintains the water level that does not exceed the pulsating blade 11 and accumulates at the bottom of the outer tub 10.
At this time, the tap water is also supplied to the detergent / softener container 28, and the laundry detergent and tap water are put into the outer tub 10. And the inner tank 9 or the pulsation blade board 11 is driven, water is stirred, and a laundry detergent is dissolved.
Subsequently, when tap water is supplied to the outer tub 10 and a predetermined amount of washing water is stored, the process proceeds to the next washing step (S606).

  In the washing step (S606), the microcomputer 40 intermittently performs agitation to rotate the pulsating blade plate 11 forward and backward while the inner tank 9 is stationary, and the circulation pump 16 is turned on during forward and reverse rotation of the pulsating blade plate 11. By operating, washing water (washing water) at the bottom of the outer tub 10 is drawn up by the circulation pipe 17, and the washing water is introduced into the water channel cover 30 from the washing water inlet 14 b formed in the outer tub cover 14. Then, the washing water is sprayed horizontally on the laundry from the discharge port 31 formed in the water channel cover 30. In this way, since the washing water is sprayed from the discharge port 31 while the inner tub 9 is rotating forward and backward, the washing water can be sprayed over the entire laundry.

  In addition, the microcomputer 40 opens the water supply electromagnetic valve 4 while referring to the detection signal of the water level sensor 21 during the stop period of the pulsating blade 11 and the circulation pump 16 to perform makeup water so that the water level does not exceed the set water level. Thereby, at the initial stage of the washing process, the high-concentration washing water uniformly penetrates into the laundry. The high-concentration washing water that has permeated the laundry has a high oil-dissolving ability, has a great effect of dissolving fat and oil stains and floating the stain from the laundry, and provides a high detergency.

  The washing operation is continued for a predetermined time even after the washing water has been replenished to a predetermined water level. Also at this time, the washing pump (washing water) collected at the bottom of the outer tub 10 by operating the circulation pump 16 while rotating the pulsating blade 11 forward and backward while the inner tub 9 is stationary is supplied to the water channel cover 30. The pulsation blade 11 is stirred in a state where the circulation of the washing water sprayed on the laundry from the formed discharge port 31 is performed for about 2 minutes and the circulation pump 16 is stopped to stop the circulation of the washing water (washing water). Repeat the cloth loosening and stirring for about 1 minute, rotating forward and backward.

When the washing operation for a predetermined time elapses, the microcomputer 40 stops the operation of the circulation pump 16, performs the uniform agitation to rotate the pulsating blade board 11 forward and backward in a state where the circulation of the washing water is stopped, and then performs the washing operation. Exit.
Thereafter, a rinsing step 1 (S607) and a rinsing step 2 (S608), which will be described in detail later, are performed. Here, the description is omitted.

  In the dehydration step (S609), the microcomputer 40 performs final dehydration. In the final dehydration, the inner tub 9 and the pulsation blade 11 are integrally rotated at a high speed of about 1000 rpm in a state with the drain valve 15 opened, and the laundry in the inner tub 9 is centrifugally dehydrated. The operation time for the final dehydration is set to a time for obtaining a desired dehydration rate.

Next, it is determined whether a washing / drying course is set (S610).
When it is determined that the washing / drying course is not set (No in S610), the operation of the washing machine 100 is terminated.
When it is determined that the washing / drying course is set (Yes in S610), the next drying step (S611) is executed.

In the drying step (S611), the microcomputer 40 keeps the drain valve 15 open and, like the washing step, rotates the pulsating blade 11 forward and backward with the inner tub 9 stationary, ) Is operated. Thereby, the air in the outer tub 10 is sucked into the drying duct (not shown) from the water flow vent 10b (see FIG. 2), and the dehumidifying mechanism installed in the drying duct when passing through the drying duct. The water is cooled and dehumidified by touching the cooling water flowing down from it. The cooled and dehumidified air collects lint through a lint filter and is heated by the heater 20 and then blown into the inner tank 9 from the hot air inlet 14c (see FIG. 3).
The microcomputer 40 ends the above control after the elapse of a predetermined time, and ends the drying step (S611).

Next, details of the rinsing steps 1 and 2 (S607 and S608) of the washing machine 100 of the present embodiment will be described.
First, the characteristics of the rinsing process of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing the inside of the inner tank 9 in the rinsing step. One rinsing process of the present embodiment performs two types of rinsing operations: a rotary shower rinsing operation and a rinsing operation. The left figure of FIG. 7 represents the inside of the inner tank 9 at the time of the rotary shower rinsing operation, and the right figure of FIG. 7 represents the inside of the inner tank 9 at the time of the rinsing operation.

As shown in the left diagram of FIG. 7, the laundry in the inner tub 9 after high-speed dewatering is in a recessed state in which the laundry is uniformly pressed against the inner periphery of the inner tub 9. In the rotary shower rinsing operation, the inner tub 9 and the pulsating blade 11 are rotated together at a low speed (about 50 rpm), and tap water is supplied to the laundry in the inner tub 9 from the water spout 14f (see FIG. 4) of the outer tub cover 14. The shower is watering.
In the rotary shower rinse operation, the sprayed clear water always permeates into the laundry, the laundry detergent and dirt move between the laundry fibers, and the laundry detergent and dirt moved immediately drain the water. As a result, the washing detergent and dirt are not reattached to the laundry, and the rinsing effect is high.

However, since the laundry in the inner tub 9 after high-speed dewatering is in a concave state, the laundry pressed against the high position on the inner surface of the inner tub 9 and the laundry at the bottom of the inner tub 9 The state of penetration and dehydration are different. For this reason, in this embodiment, shower water is sprayed toward the laundry at a high position, and the amount of shower water spray and the rotation of the inner tub 9 are set so that the water penetrates and dehydrates about half of the entire laundry. The number (about 50 rpm) is adjusted.
That is, in the rotary shower rinsing operation of the present embodiment, half of the laundry is in a state where laundry detergent and dirt are likely to be reduced and easily rinsed, but the remaining half is difficult to rinse.
The reason why the rotational speed is adjusted is that when the rotational speed increases, the centrifugal force increases, so that the amount of centrifugal dewatering increases and the penetration of rinsing water into the laundry decreases.

Therefore, in this embodiment, in the rinsing process, after the rotary shower rinsing operation, the rinsing operation is performed as shown in the right diagram of FIG. As a result, the portion where the rinsing of the laundry is weak is rinsed, and the laundry is agitated to make the rinsing state of the laundry uniform.
Therefore, the rinsing operation is performed by intermittently stirring the pulsating blade 11 while rotating the pulsating blade 11 with the inner tub 9 fixed, and stirring the rinsing water and washing. However, the rinsing water should be circulated. (Hereinafter, this is referred to as a rinsing operation for circulation).

Specifically, in the rinsing operation for circulation, the agitation for intermittently rotating the pulsating blade plate 11 in a state where the inner tank 9 is fixed is intermittently performed, and the circulation pump 16 is operated during the normal and reverse rotation of the pulsating blade plate 11. Thus, the rinsing water (washing water) at the bottom of the outer tub 10 is pumped through the circulation pipe 17, and the washing water is introduced into the water channel cover 30 from the washing water inlet 14 b formed in the outer tub cover 14. Then, rinsing water is sprinkled on the laundry from the discharge port 31 formed in the water channel cover 30 in the form of a horizontal character. Thus, since the rinse water is sprinkled from the discharge port 31 while the inner tub 9 rotates forward and backward, the rinse water is sprinkled throughout the laundry.
Thereby, the amount of rinse water can be reduced, and the rinsing performance is also improved.

  In the washing machine 100 of the present embodiment, the rinsing operation is performed for circulation after the rotary shower rinsing operation in one rinsing process, and the rinsing process is performed at least twice in the washing / drying operation. As a result, the portion of the laundry to be rinsed in the rotary shower can be made uniform, and the entire laundry can be free of dirt and the residual detergent can be reduced.

  Next, the rinsing process of the washing machine 100 of the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a time chart of process diagrams of the rinsing process 1 in step S607 and the rinsing process 2 in step S608 of FIG. The name of each process is described in the upper part of the figure, the rotation state of the inner tank 9 or the pulsating blade board 11 is shown in the middle part, and the motor 13a, the water supply electromagnetic valve 4, the softener charging, the drain valve 15 and the circulation pump 16 are shown in the lower part. The control state is shown.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the rinsing step 1 (S607) and the rinsing step 2 (S608) perform the rotary shower rinse operation and the rinse operation for circulation, respectively, and before the rotary shower rinse operation and the circulation rinse operation. In addition, dehydration operation is performed.
Specifically, in the rinsing step 1, the operation of the rinsing 1 is performed in order for the dehydration 1, the rotary shower rinsing 1 and the dehydration 2 to circulate, and in the rinsing step 2, the operation of the dehydration 3, the rotary shower rinsing 2, the dehydration 4 and the rinsing 2 for the circulation is performed. Let's go sequentially.
Next, the contents of each operation will be described.

In the operation of the dehydration 1, the electric motor 13 a is operated (ON) while the drain valve 15 is open (ON), and the inner tank 9 and the pulsating blade 11 are integrally rotated at a high speed in one direction (about 1000 rpm), and the laundry in the inner tub 9 is centrifugally dehydrated.
At this time, the rinsing water contained in the laundry is drained into the outer tub 10 from the through-hole 9a of the outer peripheral wall of the inner tub 9, but the inner tub 9 is kept so that the drainage from the outer tub 10 does not stay. Increase the rotation stepwise.

When the predetermined time has elapsed, the electric motor 13a is stopped (OFF), and when the inner tub 9 reaches the number of rotations of the next rotary shower rinse 1, the operation of the dehydration 1 is completed.
In addition, at the end of the washing process before the operation of the dehydration 1, since the uniform agitation in which the pulsation blade 11 is rotated in the forward and reverse directions with the circulation of the washing water stopped, the laundry is in an unbalanced state. Is gone.

In the operation of the rotary shower rinse 1, the electric motor 13a is operated (ON) to set the inner tank 9 at a low speed (about 50 rpm). Then, the water supply electromagnetic valve 4 is actuated (ON), and shower water is sprinkled on the upper part of the laundry in a depressed state that is uniformly pressed against the inner periphery of the inner tub 9 in the operation of dehydration 1. The rinse water sprayed by the shower flows into the outer tub 10 from the through hole 9a of the outer peripheral wall of the inner tub 9, and is drained because the drain valve 15 is activated (ON).
When the predetermined time has elapsed, the operation of the rotary shower rinse 1 is terminated, and the next operation of dehydration 2 is performed.

Since the operation of the dehydration 2 may be performed in the same manner as the operation of the dehydration 1, the description thereof is omitted.
However, since the amount of rinse water contained in the laundry is smaller than that in the operation of dehydration 1, the dehydration time may be short, and the rotation of the inner tub 9 can be speeded up in a short time. Further, it can be rotated at a higher speed (about 1050 rpm) than the operation of dehydration 1.
After the operation of dehydration 2 for a predetermined time, the operation of rinse 1 is performed for the next circulation.

In the operation of rinsing 1 for circulation, the water supply electromagnetic valve 4 is operated (ON) to supply a predetermined amount of rinsing water to the outer tub 10.
Then, the electric pump 13a is operated (ON) and the inner tank 9 is kept stationary so that the pulsating blade 11 is intermittently agitated for forward and reverse rotation, and the circulating pump 16 is turned on during the forward and reverse rotation of the pulsating blade 11. Actuating (ON), the rinse water at the bottom of the outer tub 10 is drawn up, and the washing water is sprayed horizontally on the laundry from the discharge port 31 formed in the water channel cover 30.

After performing the above operation for a predetermined time, the drain valve 15 is operated to drain the water.
At this time, since the pulsation blade 11 is rotated in the forward and reverse directions to perform stirring, the unbalanced state of the laundry in the inner tub 9 is eliminated.
When the drainage is finished, the rinsing process 1 (S607) is finished, and the process proceeds to the next rinsing process 2 (S608).

In the rinsing step 2 (S608), the same operation as the rinsing step 1 (S607) is performed. Specifically, the operation of dehydration 3 is the same as the operation of dehydration 1, the operation of rotary shower rinse 2 is the same as the operation of rotary shower rinse 1, and the operation of dehydration 4 is the same as the operation of dehydration 2. In the operation of rinsing 2 for circulation, the same operation as the operation of rinsing 1 for circulation is performed, and the softener is further charged.
When drainage is completed in the operation of rinse 2 for circulation, the rinse process 2 (S608) is terminated, and the process proceeds to the dehydration process (S609).

In the rinsing step 2 (S608), the same operation as that in the rinsing step 1 (S607) may be performed. However, since the laundry is being rinsed, the operation time of the rinse 2 can be shortened for circulation. In this case, the remaining amount (alkalinity) of the rinse water to be described later is detected, and the operation time can be shortened according to the change from the remaining amount (alkalinity) of the rinse water in the rinse step 1. .
However, since the operation time of the rotary shower rinse 2 is draining the washing water in which the laundry detergent and dirt are moved, the rinse effect is high, and it is desirable to operate for the same time as the operation time of the rotary shower rinse 1. .

FIG. 9 shows a time chart of a process chart in the case where the rinsing process is operated in three processes of the rinsing process 1, the rinsing process 2 and the rinsing process 3.
The rinsing process 1 and the rinsing process 2 in FIG. 9 perform the same operation as the rinsing process 1 in FIG. 8, and the rinsing process 3 in FIG. 9 performs the same operation as the rinsing process 2 in FIG.
In FIG. 9, since the number of times of rinsing operations is larger than that in the rinsing step described in FIG. 8, a larger rinsing performance can be obtained.

  The rinsing process described in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 may be performed in the standard operation mode of the washing machine 100 or may be set as one of the operation courses by the operation button switch 6 of the operation panel 8. .

Next, the effect of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 10 shows measured values of the rinsing performance of a conventional washing machine having two types of rinsing processes, and measured values of the rinsing performance of the washing machine of this embodiment having the rinsing processes c and d described in FIGS. 8 and 9. Is shown.
There are two conventional rinsing steps: a rinsing step a for rinsing after shower rinsing and a rinsing step b for rinsing three times.

As the measured value of the rinsing performance, the amount of washing water including the washing step and the remaining amount of detergent in the rinsing water are shown.
Here, the detergent remaining amount of rinse water will be described.
The amount of detergent remaining in the rinse water does not directly indicate the amount of detergent remaining in the laundry being washed, but if the amount of detergent remaining in the rinse water is small, the amount of detergent released from the laundry due to rinsing is small and the laundry washed It is considered that no detergent remains on the object. The amount of detergent remaining in the rinse water is quantified by alkalinity, and is determined by the difference in alkalinity between tap water and rinse water. Therefore, if this value is small, it can be said that the amount of detergent remaining in the laundry is small.

As shown in FIG. 10, according to the rinsing steps c and d of the present embodiment, the amount of washing water increases, but the remaining amount of detergent (alkalinity) in the rinsing water is reduced, and the remaining amount of detergent in the laundry is reduced. Can be reduced. For example, in the comparison between the conventional rinsing step b and the rinsing step c of the present embodiment, the amount of washing water, the remaining amount of detergent (alkalinity) of the rinsing water, and the washing time are less than before.
In particular, the skin irritation of the surfactant contained in the laundry detergent may be a problem, but according to the rinsing step d shown in FIG. 9, it is said that there is no problem even for infants and people with weak skin. The remaining amount of detergent can be reduced to the level.

  Moreover, although not demonstrated in detail, since the neutralization effect | action of a detergent component falls by reducing the residual detergent of rinse water, the performance of a softening agent can fully be exhibited now.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and includes various modifications. The above-described embodiments have been described in detail for easy understanding in the present invention, and are not necessarily limited to those having all the configurations described. Further, a part of the configuration of an embodiment can be replaced with the configuration of another embodiment, and the configuration of another embodiment can be added to the configuration of an embodiment.

4 Water Supply Solenoid Valve 9 Inner Tank 10 Outer Tank 11 Pulsed Blade 13 Drive Device 15 Drain Valve 16 Circulation Pump 40 Microcomputer 110 Controller

Claims (10)

An outer tank capable of storing water,
An inner tank provided in the outer tank;
A drive unit for rotationally driving the inner tank;
A water supply section for supplying water;
A drainage section for draining the outer tank;
A control device,
The controller is
While rotating the inner tub at a low speed by controlling the drive unit, the rotary shower rinsing operation for sprinkling rinsing water toward the laundry of the inner tub by the water supply unit while draining the drainage unit,
Rinsing operation for controlling the water supply unit and the drainage unit to store rinsing water in the outer tub, and controlling the driving unit to rotate the inner tub forward and backward to stir the laundry,
A washing machine characterized by performing the rinsing process having a plurality of times. The washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising:
Rinse water circulation part that pumps up the rinse water of the outer tank and sprays water from the upper part of the inner tank to the inside of the inner tank, and
In the rinsing operation, the control device drives the rinsing water circulation unit to spray the rinsing water from the outer tub onto the laundry in the inner tub. In the washing machine according to claim 1 or 2,
The controller is
A washing machine that performs a dehydrating operation of rotating the inner tub at a high speed by controlling the driving unit between the rotating shower rinsing operation and the scouring operation while draining the draining unit. The washing machine according to claim 1,
In the rotary shower rinsing operation, the rinsing water is sprayed and drained on the upper part of the laundry pressed against the inner surface of the inner tub. A control method of a washing machine provided with an inner tub for storing laundry and an outer tub provided with the inner tub,
In the rinsing process,
A first rotating shower rinsing operation for sprinkling rinsing water toward the laundry while rotating the inner tub at a low speed, and draining the rinsing water;
Rinsing water is stored in the outer tub, and the first rinsing operation is performed to rotate the inner tub forward and backward to stir the laundry; and
A second rotating shower rinsing operation for sprinkling rinsing water toward the laundry and draining the rinsing water while rotating the inner tub at a low speed;
2. A washing machine control method comprising: sequentially rinsing operation for storing a rinse water in the outer tub, and rotating the inner tub forward and backward to stir the laundry. In the control method of the washing machine according to claim 5,
At least one of the first rinsing operation and the second rinsing operation,
A method of controlling a washing machine, characterized in that the rinse water in the outer tub is sprinkled on the laundry in the inner tub. In the control method of the washing machine according to claim 5,
After the inner tub is rotated at high speed while draining the rinsing water in the outer tub and the laundry is centrifugally dehydrated, the first rotary shower rinsing operation is performed,
After the inner tub is rotated at high speed while draining the rinsing water of the outer tub and the laundry is centrifugally dehydrated, a rinsing operation is performed for the first,
After the inner tub is rotated at high speed while draining the rinsing water in the outer tub and the laundry is centrifugally dehydrated, the second rotary shower rinsing operation is performed,
A method for controlling a washing machine, comprising: rinsing operation for the second after rotating the inner tub at a high speed while draining the rinsing water in the outer tub and centrifugally dehydrating the laundry. The method for controlling a washing machine according to claim 7,
In the rinsing operation for the second,
The second rinsing operation is controlled according to the difference between the remaining amount of the rinsing water in the rinsing operation for the first and the remaining amount of the rinsing water in the rinsing operation for the second. To control the washing machine. The method for controlling a washing machine according to claim 8,
The washing machine control method characterized in that the remaining amount of the rinse water detergent is determined from the alkalinity of the rinse water. A control method of a washing machine provided with an inner tub for storing laundry and an outer tub provided with the inner tub,
In the rinsing process,
Rinse operation for storing rinse water in the outer tub, rotating the inner tub forward and backward to stir the laundry,
Rotating shower rinsing operation for sprinkling rinsing water toward the laundry while draining the rinsing water while rotating the inner tub at a low speed,
A method for controlling a washing machine, wherein the steps are sequentially performed.

Images