JP2017064078A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a washing machine capable of achieving improvement in a washing effect by a small amount of detergent water in a structure for accommodating laundry in a washing tub having an axis line extending vertically.SOLUTION: A washing machine 1 includes: a washing tub 4 having an axis line J extending vertically; a circulation path 11 for pumping detergent water in which a detergent is mixed from the washing tub 4 and returning it to the washing tub 4 from an upper side Z1; a pump 12 for taking in the detergent water in the washing tub 4 into the circulation path 11 and raising it in the circulation path 11; and a control part 30 for executing a washing operation. The washing operation includes a circulation permeation step which alternately repeats circulation processing for circulating the detergent water between the washing tub 4 and the circulation path 11 by driving the pump 12 and for splashing the detergent water to laundry Q, and permeation processing for stopping the drive of the pump 12 and permeating the detergent water to the laundry Q in the washing tub 4.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a washing machine.

  In a washing machine, when washing laundry with detergent water mixed with detergent, the higher the concentration of the detergent in the detergent water, the greater the washing effect of the laundry with the detergent water. In the drum type washing machine disclosed in Patent Document 1 below, a high-concentration detergent solution is sprayed from the hollow shaft of the drum onto the laundry in the drum. In the drum washing machine disclosed in Patent Document 2 below, highly concentrated washing water is sprayed onto the laundry in the drum, and the laundry is highly concentrated and washed.

JP 2005-65873 A Special table 2008-534049 gazette

  Prior to the main washing process in which the laundry is washed in earnest, the laundry may be put on and washed. In soaking, the laundry is soaked in detergent water to raise the dirt from the laundry and make it easier to remove the dirt in the subsequent main washing process. The general soaking is performed using approximately the same amount of detergent water as the amount of water supplied in the entire main washing process. When the concentration of the detergent in the detergent water is increased in order to enhance the cleaning effect of the extra washing, if the amount of the detergent is increased, the burden of the cost required for the detergent increases.

  On the contrary, when the concentration of the detergent in the detergent water is increased by reducing the amount of water without increasing the amount of the detergent, only a small amount of detergent water can be generated, so that it is difficult to bathe the detergent water uniformly on the laundry. In particular, unlike the drum-type washing machine disclosed in Patent Document 1 and the drum-type washing machine disclosed in Patent Document 2, in a vertical washing machine having a washing tub having a longitudinally extending axis, detergent water is concentrated on the bottom side in the washing tub. For this reason, there is a concern that the laundry in the washing tub may be sprayed with detergent water only at the bottom. This makes it difficult to improve the washing effect of the laundry with the detergent water.

  The present invention has been made under such a background, and an object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine capable of improving the cleaning effect with a small amount of detergent water in a configuration in which laundry is accommodated in a washing tub having a longitudinally extending axis. And

  The present invention has a longitudinally extending axis for storing laundry and storing water, and for drawing up detergent water mixed with detergent from the laundry tub and returning it to the laundry tub from above A circulation path, a pump that takes the detergent water in the washing tub into the circulation path and raises it in the circulation path, and circulates the detergent water between the washing tub and the circulation path by driving the pump. Executing means including a circulation and permeation step that alternately repeats a circulation process that is applied to the laundry and a permeation process that stops the driving of the pump and allows the detergent water to penetrate into the laundry in the washing tub. And a washing machine.

  Further, the present invention includes a motor for rotating the washing tub, and the execution means drives the motor to rotate the washing tub at a low speed below a predetermined speed in at least one circulation process. It is characterized by.

  Further, the present invention includes a motor for rotating the washing tub, and the execution means repeats intermittent rotation of the washing tub by controlling driving of the motor in at least one circulation process. To do.

  Further, the present invention includes a motor for rotating the washing tub, and the execution means stops the washing tub during the circulation process and starts the next circulation process in the circulation infiltration step. A motor is driven to rotate the washing tub by a predetermined angle.

  The present invention also includes a water supply channel for supplying water to the washing tub, and a water supply valve for opening and closing the water supply channel, and the washing operation includes the laundry after the circulation and penetration step and the circulation and penetration step. And a main washing step of storing water in the washing tub in order to wash in earnest, the execution means opens the water supply valve in the circulation permeation step, and the entire washing step A part of the amount of water supplied is supplied to the washing tub to produce detergent water.

  In addition, the present invention includes a detergent container that is connected to the water supply channel and stores a detergent, and the water supply channel passes the detergent container and flows water flowing through the water supply channel into the laundry in the washing tub. It has the discharge port which discharges toward the position which removed.

  Moreover, the present invention is characterized in that the execution means changes processing times of the circulation process and the permeation process according to the load amount of the laundry in the washing tub.

According to the present invention, in the washing machine, the laundry is accommodated in the washing tub having the longitudinally extending axis and the water is stored. The detergent water mixed with the detergent in the washing tub is taken into the circulation path by the pump and rises in the circulation path, and then is returned to the washing tub from the upper side.
The execution means executes a washing operation including a circulation infiltration step. In the circulation infiltration step, the execution means includes a circulation process in which the detergent water is circulated between the washing tub and the circulation path by driving the pump, and the laundry is bathed on the laundry, and the driving of the pump is stopped and the detergent in the washing tub. The osmosis treatment for allowing water to permeate the laundry is repeated alternately.
Even if the amount of detergent water is small, the detergent water is repeatedly bathed in the laundry in the washing tub by multiple circulation treatments, and it is applied evenly. Can be obtained. As a result, dirt effectively emerges from the entire laundry. Therefore, the cleaning effect can be improved with less detergent water.

  Further, according to the present invention, the execution means drives the motor to rotate the washing tub at a low speed below a predetermined speed in at least one circulation process. Thereby, the detergent water returned from the circulation path into the washing tub can be uniformly applied to the laundry in the washing tub over the entire area in the rotation direction of the washing tub. Therefore, the cleaning effect by the detergent water can be further improved.

  According to the present invention, the execution means repeats intermittent rotation of the washing tub by controlling the drive of the motor in at least one circulation process. Thereby, the detergent water returned from the circulation path into the washing tub can be uniformly applied to the laundry in the washing tub over the entire area in the rotation direction of the washing tub. Therefore, the cleaning effect by the detergent water can be further improved.

  Further, according to the present invention, in the circulation infiltration step, the execution means stops the washing tub during the circulation process, and drives the motor to rotate the washing tub by a predetermined angle before starting the next circulation process. Thereby, in a state where the washing tub is stopped during the circulation process, the washing water can be concentrated and bathed in one place in the rotation direction of the laundry tub in the laundry. Then, by rotating the washing tub slightly before starting the next circulation process, in the next circulation process, the laundry is washed in a part different from the part where the washing water is bathed in the previous circulation process. Can concentrate water. Thus, by repeating the circulation process a plurality of times while gradually changing the position where the detergent water is applied to the laundry, a sufficient amount of the detergent water is finally supplied to the laundry in the laundry tub. It is possible to bathe all over the entire area in the rotation direction. Therefore, the cleaning effect by the detergent water can be further improved.

  Further, according to the present invention, in the case where the washing process is constituted by the circulation and infiltration process and the main washing process, the execution means opens the water supply valve in the circulation and infiltration process before the main washing process. The detergent water is generated by supplying a part of the water supply amount determined in the entire washing process to the washing tub. Thereby, high concentration detergent water can be generated.

  Moreover, according to this invention, the discharge outlet of a water supply channel discharges the water which put the detergent through the detergent accommodating part toward the position which removed the laundry in a washing tub. As a result, it is possible to prevent the entire laundry from being unable to be washed evenly because the ultra-high concentration detergent before being completely dissolved in water adheres to only a part of the surface of the laundry.

  Further, according to the present invention, the execution means changes the processing time of the circulation process and the permeation process according to the load amount of the laundry in the washing tub, so it is optimal for each load amount. Simple circulation and infiltration process. Therefore, it is possible to further improve the cleaning effect of the detergent water in the circulation and penetration step.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a washing machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the washing machine. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a control operation in the circulation permeation process. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the washing machine according to the first modification. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a washing machine according to a second modification. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a washing machine according to a third modification.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a washing machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The up and down direction in FIG. 1 is referred to as the up and down direction Z of the washing machine 1, and the left and right direction in FIG. The vertical direction Z coincides with the vertical direction, and the horizontal direction Y coincides with the horizontal direction. In the vertical direction Z, the upper side is referred to as the upper side Z1, and the lower side is referred to as the lower side Z2.

  The washing machine 1 includes a washing machine having a drying function. Hereinafter, the washing machine 1 will be described by taking a washing machine in which the drying function is omitted and only a washing operation is performed as an example. The washing machine 1 includes a housing 2, an outer tub 3, a washing tub 4, a motor 5, a water supply path 6, a water supply valve 7, a detergent container 8, a drainage path 9, a drainage valve 10, A circulation path 11 and a pump 12 are included.

  The housing | casing 2 is metal, for example, and is formed in a box shape. An entrance / exit 2 </ b> B that communicates the inside and outside of the housing 2 is formed on the upper surface 2 </ b> A of the housing 2. The upper surface 2A is provided with a door 14 that opens and closes the entrance 2B and a display operation unit 15 configured by a switch, a liquid crystal panel, or the like. The user operates the switch of the display operation unit 15 to turn the power of the washing machine 1 ON / OFF, freely set the course of the washing operation, or start the washing operation for the washing machine 1 Can be instructed to stop or stop. Information on the washing operation is displayed on the liquid crystal panel of the display operation unit 15 so as to be visible.

  The outer tub 3 is made of, for example, resin, is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape, and is elastically supported by the housing 2 via an elastic support member (not shown) such as a so-called hanging rod. Water is stored in the outer tub 3. An imaginary straight line passing through the circle center of the outer tub 3 is the axis J of the outer tub 3. The axis J extends in the vertical direction or in a direction slightly inclined with respect to the vertical direction, that is, in the vertical direction. The bottomed cylindrical outer tub 3 includes a substantially cylindrical circumferential wall 3A disposed along the axis J, a disk-shaped bottom wall 3B that blocks the hollow portion of the circumferential wall 3A from the lower side Z2, and a circumferential wall. A ring-shaped annular wall 3C projecting toward the axis J side while trimming the upper end edge of 3A. The outer tub 3 has a circular entrance / exit 3D surrounded by the annular wall 3C and opposed to the entrance / exit 2B of the housing 2 from the lower side Z2, and a through hole 3E penetrating in the vertical direction Z through the circular center portion of the bottom wall 3B. And are formed.

  The washing tub 4 is a metal drum formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape that is slightly smaller than the outer tub 3, and can store the laundry Q therein. The washing tub 4 is accommodated coaxially in the outer tub 3. Therefore, the axis of the washing tub 4 is the axis J described above. The bottomed cylindrical washing tub 4 includes a substantially cylindrical circumferential wall 4A disposed along the axis J, a disk-shaped bottom wall 4B that blocks the hollow portion of the circumferential wall 4A from the lower side Z2, and a circumferential wall. It has a ring-shaped annular wall 4C that protrudes toward the axis J while edging the upper end edge of 4A. The washing tub 4 includes a circular doorway 4D surrounded by the annular wall 4C and facing the doorway 3D of the outer tub 3 from the lower side Z2, and a large number of through holes 4E penetrating the circumferential wall 4A and the bottom wall 4B. It is formed.

  When the door 14 is opened, the doorway 2B, the doorway 3D, and the doorway 4D are exposed from the upper surface 2A of the housing 2 to the upper side Z1 in a state where they are aligned in the vertical direction Z. The laundry Q can be taken in and out. The water in the outer tub 3 moves between the outer tub 3 and the washing tub 4 through the through hole 4 </ b> E and accumulates in the washing tub 4. Therefore, the water level in the outer tub 3 matches the water level in the washing tub 4. At the center position of the circle of the bottom wall 4B, a rotating shaft 17 that protrudes downward Z2 along the axis J is provided. The rotating shaft 17 is inserted into the through hole 3E of the bottom wall 3B of the outer tub 3 from the upper side Z1.

  The motor 5 is constituted by, for example, an inverter motor. The motor 5 is disposed on the lower side Z2 of the outer tub 3 in the housing 2, and is fixed to the bottom wall 3B of the outer tub 3 via a stay (not shown). The motor 5 has an output shaft 18 that rotates about the axis J. The output shaft 18 is connected to the rotating shaft 17 of the washing tub 4. When the motor 5 is driven, the driving force generated by the motor 5 is transmitted from the rotating shaft 17 to the output shaft 18, and the washing tub 4 rotates around the axis line J by this driving force. A transmission mechanism (not shown) constituted by a clutch or the like may be interposed between the rotating shaft 17 and the output shaft 18. The washing tub 4 is provided with a pulsator (not shown) that rotates to stir the stored laundry Q, and the driving force of the motor 5 is transmitted from the transmission mechanism to one or both of the washing tub 4 and the pulsator. May be selectively transmitted. In this embodiment, for the convenience of explanation, the rotational speed of the motor 5 is the same as the rotational speeds of the washing tub 4 and the pulsator.

  The water supply path 6 is a flow path having one end 6A connected to a faucet (not shown) and the other end 6C in which the discharge port 6B is formed. The other end 6C of the water supply channel 6 penetrates the annular wall 3C of the outer tub 3 from the upper side Z1, and the discharge port 6B is in the lateral direction Y between the circumferential wall 3A of the outer tub 3 and the circumferential wall 4A of the washing tub 4. It arrange | positions so that the clearance gap 19 may face from upper side Z1.

  The water supply valve 7 is provided in the middle of the water supply path 6. When the water supply valve 7 is opened, the water supply path 6 is opened. As a result, the water from the faucet flows through the water supply path 6 from the discharge port 6B to the gap 19 and accumulates in the outer tub 3 as indicated by the thick solid line arrow. At this time, the discharge port 6B discharges the water flowing through the water supply channel 6 toward the gap 19 between the outer tub 3 and the washing tub 4, that is, toward the position where the laundry Q in the washing tub 4 is removed. The water collected in the outer tub 3 is also collected in the washing tub 4 through the through hole 4E of the washing tub 4. In this way, when the water supply valve 7 is opened, water is supplied from the water supply channel 6 to the washing tub 4. On the other hand, when the water supply valve 7 is closed, the water supply path 6 is closed, so that water supply can be stopped.

  The detergent accommodating portion 8 is formed in a box shape that accommodates the detergent, and is connected in the middle of the water supply path 6. The internal space of the detergent container 8 constitutes a middle portion of the water supply channel 6. When the water supply valve 7 is opened and water supply is started, the water from the faucet passes through the detergent container 8 and puts the detergent, and after flowing through the water supply path 6, is supplied to the outer tub 3 and the washing tub 4 from the discharge port 6B. The Thereby, detergent water mixed with detergent is stored in the outer tub 3 and the washing tub 4.

  The drainage channel 9 was pulled out of the housing 2 at a position lower than the one end 9A and one end 9A connected from the lower side Z2 to a position avoiding the through hole 3E in the bottom wall 3B of the outer tub 3. A flow path having the other end 9B.

  The drain valve 10 is provided in the middle of the drain channel 9. When the drain valve 10 is opened, the drain channel 9 is opened. Thereby, the detergent water accumulated in the outer tub 3 and the washing tub 4 is discharged out of the machine through the drainage channel 9. When the drain valve 10 is closed in such a drained state, the drainage channel 9 is closed, so that drainage can be stopped.

  The circulation path 11 is a flow path having one end portion 11A connected to a portion between the one end portion 9A and the drain valve 10 in the drainage channel 9 and the other end portion 11C in which the water discharge port 11B is formed. The circulation path 11 bends after extending in the lateral direction Y from the one end 11A, extends through the gap between the housing 2 and the outer tub 3 to the upper side Z1, and then bends toward the axis J to reach the other end 11C. . The other end portion 11C bends to the lower side Z2 just above the entrance / exit 3D of the outer tub 3, the spout port 11B opens at the lower end of the other end portion 11C, and faces the entrance / exit 4D of the washing tub 4 from the upper side Z1.

  The pump 12 is a spiral pump or the like that incorporates a rotating impeller (not shown), and is provided in the middle of the circulation path 11. When the pump 12 is driven, the detergent water in the outer tub 3 and the washing tub 4 is taken into the one end portion 11 </ b> A of the circulation path 11 via the drainage path 9 and is raised in the circulation path 11. Thereby, the detergent water is pumped up into the circulation path 11 from the inside of the outer tub 3 and the washing tub 4 and discharged from the water outlet 11B of the other end portion 11C. The detergent water discharged from the water discharge port 11B flows down to the entrance 4D of the washing tub 4 and is returned from the upper side Z1 into the washing tub 4 as indicated by a thick broken line arrow. When the pump 12 is continuously driven, the detergent water circulates between the washing tub 4 and the circulation path 11.

  The washing machine 1 includes a control unit 30 as execution means. The control unit 30 is, for example, a microcomputer including a CPU and a memory unit such as a ROM or a RAM, and is arranged in the housing 2.

  Referring to FIG. 2, which is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of washing machine 1, washing machine 1 further includes a water level sensor 31, a rotation sensor 32, and a timer 33 for timing. The water level sensor 31, the rotation sensor 32, the timer 33, and the motor 5, the pump 12, the display operation unit 15, the water supply valve 7, and the drain valve 10 are electrically connected to the control unit 30.

  The water level sensor 31 is a sensor that detects the water level of the outer tub 3 and the washing tub 4, and the detection result of the water level sensor 31 is input to the control unit 30 in real time.

  The rotation sensor 32 is a device that reads the number of rotations of the motor 5, strictly speaking, the number of rotations of the output shaft 18 in the motor 5. For example, a hall that outputs a pulse every time the output shaft 18 rotates by a predetermined rotation angle. It is composed of an IC (not shown). The number of rotations read by the rotation sensor 32 is input to the control unit 30 in real time. The control unit 30 controls the voltage applied to the motor 5, specifically the duty ratio of the voltage applied to the motor 5, based on the input rotational speed so as to rotate the motor 5 at a desired rotational speed. To drive. The control unit 30 also controls driving of the pump 12.

  As described above, when the user operates the display operation unit 15 to select a washing operation condition or the like, the control unit 30 receives the selection. The control unit 30 displays necessary information on the display operation unit 15 so as to be visible to the user. The control unit 30 controls the opening and closing of the water supply valve 7 and the drain valve 10. Therefore, the controller 30 can supply water to the washing tub 4 by opening the water supply valve 7 with the drain valve 10 closed, and can drain the washing tub 4 by opening the drain valve 10.

  Next, the washing operation performed by the control unit 30 in the washing machine 1 will be described. The washing operation includes a washing process composed of an initial circulation infiltration process and a main washing process after the circulation infiltration process, a rinsing process after the washing process, and a dehydration process. The circulation permeation process may be regarded as an independent process in the washing operation, or may be regarded as a part of the washing process as in the present embodiment. The dehydration process includes a final dehydration process performed at the end of the washing operation and an intermediate dehydration process performed immediately after the washing process and the rinsing process.

  Prior to the start of the washing operation, the control unit 30 detects the amount of the laundry Q in the washing tub 4 as a load amount. The unit of the load amount is, for example, kg. As an example of load amount detection, the control unit 30 may acquire the load amount from the weight of the laundry Q detected by a weight sensor (not shown) provided in the washing machine 1. Moreover, you may detect load amount by the dispersion | variation in the rotation speed of the motor 5 when the washing tub 4 is rotated regularly at low speed. Further, when the pulsator described above is provided, the control unit 30 stops the driving of the motor 5 immediately after rotating the pulsator on which the laundry Q is placed for a predetermined time and rotates the motor 5 by inertia, The inertial rotation amount of the motor 5 is measured. The greater the load amount, the smaller the inertial rotation amount of the motor 5 connected to the pulsator on which the heavy laundry Q is placed. The smaller the load amount, the greater the inertial rotation amount of the motor 5 connected to the pulsator on which the light laundry Q is placed. The control unit 30 detects the load amount according to the magnitude of the inertia rotation speed.

  With reference to the flowchart of FIG. 3, the circulation permeation step will be described. During the circulation and infiltration process, the drain valve 10 is always closed. The control unit 30 supplies water to the washing tub 4 by opening the water supply valve 7 for a predetermined time with the start of the circulation and infiltration step (step S1). Thereby, detergent water accumulates in the washing tub 4 to a predetermined water level.

  Next, the control unit 30 performs the first circulation process (step S2). In the circulation process, the control unit 30 drives the pump 12 to circulate the detergent water between the washing tub 4 and the circulation path 11, and at this time, the water is discharged from the water outlet 11 </ b> B of the circulation path 11 into the washing tub 4. Soak the laundry Q in detergent water. The processing time in the circulation processing, that is, the time for driving the pump 12 is, for example, about 15 seconds. Further, in the detergent water that passes through the pump 12 in the circulation path 11, the detergent is finely crushed by the impeller of the pump 12 and dissolved in water, so that highly concentrated detergent water can be generated.

  Next, the control unit 30 performs the first permeation process (step S3). In the permeation process, the control unit 30 stops the driving of the pump 12 and permeates the laundry Q with the detergent water in the washing tub 4. Specifically, the detergent water bathed from the upper side Z1 with respect to the laundry Q in the circulation process soaks into the laundry Q by its own weight. Further, in the permeation treatment, the drain valve 10 is still in the closed state, so that the detergent water remains in the washing tub 4 to some extent, and the lower part of the laundry Q is immersed in the detergent water. The processing time in the infiltration processing, that is, the time for stopping the pump 12 is, for example, about 45 seconds.

  Next, the control unit 30 performs a second circulation process (step S4), and then performs a second permeation process (step S5). Incidentally, since the pump 12 is stopped in the osmosis treatment immediately before the circulation treatment, the detergent water is accumulated in the outer tub 3 and the washing tub 4 at the start of the circulation treatment, and one end portion of the drainage passage 9 and the circulation passage 11. 11A is also in a state of accumulation. Therefore, in the circulation process immediately after the infiltration process, the pump 12 can quickly start the circulation of the detergent water without idling. In the first circulation process, since the laundry Q before washing is in a state where it can dry and absorb a lot of detergent water, the treatment time is set longer, but in the second and subsequent circulation processes, the laundry is washed. Since the product Q is in a state of absorbing a certain amount of detergent water, the processing time is set shorter than the first circulation processing. For the same reason, the processing time is set longer in the first permeation process, but the processing time is set shorter in the second and subsequent permeation processes than in the first permeation process.

  The control unit 30 alternately repeats the circulation process (step S4) and the permeation process (step S5) a plurality of times until a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of water supply in step S1 (NO in step S6). The predetermined time here is, for example, 30 minutes. In this case, the circulation process and the permeation process are repeated 30 times in total. Even if the amount of the detergent water is small, the detergent water is repeatedly bathed in the laundry Q in the washing tub 4 by a plurality of circulation treatments, and it is uniformly applied. It is in a state equivalent to soaking with water. As a result, dirt effectively emerges from the entire laundry Q. Therefore, the cleaning effect can be improved with less detergent water.

  And when predetermined time passes (it is YES at step S6), a circulation penetration process is complete | finished and the control part 30 implements the main washing process which is a next process. With the start of the main washing process, the control unit 30 supplies water to the washing tub 4 additionally by opening the water supply valve 7 with the drain valve 10 closed. Thereby, detergent water accumulates in the washing tub 4 to a water level higher than the water level of the detergent water accumulated by the water supply in step S1. In the main washing process, the control unit 30 drives the motor 5 to rotate the washing tub 4 or the pulsator described above in a state where the detergent water is accumulated in the washing tub 4. Thereby, in the washing tub 4, the water flow of detergent water is generated and the laundry Q is stirred. The laundry Q is washed in earnest by removing dirt from the laundry Q by mechanical force such as friction and vibration applied to the laundry Q by the water flow, or by chemically decomposing the dirt with the detergent water. In particular, since the laundry Q is in a state in which dirt is raised and easily removed by the circulation and infiltration step immediately before the main washing step, a high cleaning effect can be exhibited in the main washing step.

  The controller 30 may execute a first process in which the motor 5 is driven to rotate the washing tub 4 at a low rotation speed at a predetermined speed or less in at least one circulation process. The rotational speed of the motor 5 when rotating the washing tub 4 at a low speed is, for example, 50 rpm. Incidentally, the rotation speed of the motor 5 when rotating the washing tub 4 at a high speed in the dehydration process is, for example, 600 rpm to 800 rpm. By rotating the washing tub 4 at a low speed in the circulation process, it is possible to suppress the bias of the laundry Q in the washing tub 4 and the splashing of the detergent water in the washing tub 4 from the entrance 4D. Moreover, the control part 30 may perform the 2nd process which repeats the intermittent rotation of the washing tub 4 by controlling the drive of the motor 5 in at least one circulation process. The intermittent rotation of the washing tub 4 is that the washing tub 4 is repeatedly stopped and rotated by repeatedly turning the motor 5 on and off.

  The detergent water returned from the circulation path 11 into the washing tub 4 by the first treatment and the second treatment is all over the entire area in the rotation direction of the washing tub 4 with respect to the laundry Q in the washing tub 4. Can be bathed evenly. Therefore, the cleaning effect by the detergent water can be further improved.

  In the circulation infiltration step, the control unit 30 stops the washing tub 4 during the circulation process, and drives the motor 5 to rotate the washing tub 4 by a predetermined angle before starting the next circulation process. May be executed. Thereby, in a state where the washing tub 4 is stopped during the circulation process, the washing water can be concentrated in one place in the rotation direction of the washing tub 4 in the laundry Q. And since the washing tub 4 rotates a little before starting the next circulation process, in the said next circulation process, the part different from the part where the washing water was bathed in the previous circulation process in the laundry Q It is possible to concentrate the washing water in the bath. Thus, by repeating the circulation process a plurality of times while gradually changing the position where the detergent water is applied in the laundry Q, finally, a sufficient amount of the detergent water is supplied to the laundry Q in the laundry tub 4. The washing tub 4 can be bathed uniformly over the entire area in the rotation direction. Therefore, the cleaning effect by the detergent water can be further improved. In the case of the third process, the washing tub 4 may be stopped even in the permeation process immediately after the circulation process in which the washing tub 4 is stopped, or the washing tub 4 may be rotated in the permeation process. When the washing tub 4 is rotated by the permeation process, the stop position of the washing tub 4 in the previous circulation process is temporarily stored by the control unit 30.

  In the circulation infiltration step, only one of the first to third processes may be performed, or a plurality of kinds of processes in the first to third processes may be performed in combination. For example, only the first process may be performed in the first to fifth circulation processes in the beginning of the circulation infiltration process, and only the third process may be performed in the sixth and subsequent circulation processes. In this case, the first to fifth circulation treatments allow the entire laundry Q to be bathed with detergent water at an early stage in the circulation permeation process. In the sixth and subsequent circulation treatments, a large amount of detergent water is poured. By washing the laundry Q locally, it is possible to improve the cleaning effect in the portion of the laundry Q where the detergent water is applied.

  Moreover, the combination of the 1st-3rd process can be arbitrarily set according to the magnitude | size of the load amount of the laundry Q, or the course of washing operation. For example, when the load is small due to the small amount of laundry Q, or in the course of washing cotton etc. that easily absorbs water, the detergent water can be washed even if a small amount of detergent water is evenly showered on the laundry Q. Since it easily penetrates to the lower part of Q, the frequency of the first process and the second process is increased, and the frequency of the third process is decreased. On the other hand, if the load is large due to the large amount of laundry Q, or if the course is for washing thick blankets, etc., the detergent water will be washed unless a large amount of detergent water is concentrated on part of the laundry Q. Since it is difficult to penetrate to the lower part of the object Q, the frequency of the third process is increased, and the frequency of the first process and the second process is decreased.

  In step S <b> 1 in the circulation and infiltration process, the control unit 30 may open the water supply valve 7 and supply a part of the water supply amount in the entire washing process to the washing tub 4 to generate detergent water. That is, in the circulation infiltration process, the detergent water is generated using a part of the water supply amount determined in the entire washing process. Thereby, high concentration detergent water can be generated, without increasing the amount of water supply in the whole washing operation. Incidentally, the amount of water supply in the whole washing process is, for example, 60 L. In this case, the amount of water supply in the circulation infiltration step is set to about 1/3 to 1/2 of 60 L, for example, 20 L.

  As described above, in the circulation process, by repeating the circulation process and the permeation process in which a high concentration of detergent water is generated with a small amount of detergent and water, and this detergent water is uniformly permeated through the laundry Q by the pump 12, A cleaning effect equivalent to that obtained when using a large amount of high-concentration detergent water and washing it off can be obtained. Incidentally, the high concentration here is, for example, in the range of 2 to 3 times the concentration.

  In addition, as described above, when water is supplied in step S1, the discharge port 6B of the water supply channel 6 removes the laundry Q in the washing tub 4 from the detergent container 8 through which the detergent is placed. Dispense toward the position. That is, when water is supplied in the circulation infiltration step, the water on which the detergent in the detergent container 8 is placed is supplied so as not to directly hit the laundry Q. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the entire laundry Q from being uniformly washed because the ultra-high concentration detergent before being completely dissolved in water adheres to only a part of the surface of the laundry Q.

  The control unit 30 may change the processing times of the circulation process and the permeation process according to the load amount of the laundry Q in the washing tub 4. Specifically, when the load is large due to the large amount of laundry Q, it is necessary to immerse a large amount of detergent water in the laundry Q so that the control unit 30 can perform each of the circulation process and the permeation process. Set the processing time longer than usual. On the other hand, when the load is small due to the small amount of the laundry Q, a sufficient cleaning effect can be obtained by allowing a small amount of detergent water to penetrate the laundry Q and permeate it. Each processing time of processing is set shorter than usual. Thereby, the optimal circulation penetration process can be performed for every magnitude | size of load amount. Therefore, it is possible to further improve the cleaning effect of the detergent water in the circulation and penetration step.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.

  For example, in the embodiment described above, one end 11A of the circulation path 11 is connected to the drainage path 9 (see FIG. 1), but may be directly connected to the lower end of the outer tub 3.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the washing machine 1 according to the first modification. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the washing machine 1 according to the second modification. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the washing machine 1 according to the third modification. 4 to 6, the same parts as those described in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. As in the first to third modifications of FIGS. 4 to 6, the washing machine 1 may include a tank 21.

  Referring to FIG. 4, the tank 21 has a capacity capable of storing the detergent water generated in the circulation cleaning process, and is disposed in the space below Z <b> 2 from the outer tub 3 in the housing 2. The tank 21 is interposed in the drainage channel 9 between a connection part with the one end part 11A of the circulation path 11 and the one end part 9A. The internal space of the tank 21 constitutes a middle part of the drainage channel 9. In the drainage channel 9, a drainage valve 22 is provided between the one end 9 </ b> A and the tank 21. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the drain valve 10 is referred to as a first drain valve 10, and the drain valve 22 is referred to as a second drain valve 22. The opening and closing of the second drain valve 22 is controlled by the control unit 30.

  When both the first drain valve 10 and the second drain valve 22 are opened, the water flowing out from the outer tub 3 to the drain channel 9 once reaches the other end 9B through the tank 21 and is discharged outside the apparatus. Is done. On the other hand, when the first drain valve 10 is closed while the second drain valve 22 is open, the water flowing out from the outer tub 3 to the drain channel 9 is stored in the tank 21 without being discharged outside the apparatus. One end portion 23A of the air vent pipe 23 is connected to the tank 21 from the upper side Z1. The air vent pipe 23 extends from the one end 23 </ b> A to the upper side Z <b> 1, and the other end 23 </ b> B is connected to the upper part of the circumferential wall 3 </ b> A of the outer tub 3. Thereby, the air in the tank 21 escapes into the outer tub 3 through the air vent pipe 23, so that the water flowing out from the outer tub 3 to the drainage channel 9 can smoothly flow into the tank 21. Even if the bubbles in the tank 21 enter the air vent pipe 23, the bubbles are guided into the outer tub 3, so that the air vent pipe 23 can be prevented from being clogged.

  Also in the first to third modifications, the control unit 30 executes the circulation and infiltration step described with reference to FIG. In the circulation infiltration step, the first drain valve 10 is always closed, but the second drain valve 22 may be opened and closed as necessary. By the way, when the second drain valve 22 is always open, the tank 21 functions only as a part of the drain channel 9, so that the circulation penetration process having the same contents as the case without the tank 21 is executed. The

  On the other hand, in the circulation permeation process in the case where the second drain valve 22 is opened and closed as necessary, the controller 30 supplies water with the second drain valve 22 opened in step S1, so that the detergent water is stored in the tank 21. Can be stored. Then, the control unit 30 alternately repeats the circulation process and the permeation process a plurality of times until a predetermined time elapses in step S6.

  In the circulation process of step S2 and step S4, after the detergent water collected in the tank 21 is taken into the circulation path 11 by the pump 12, the upper side of the laundry Q in the washing tub 4 from the water outlet 11B of the circulation path 11 Battered from Z1 (see thick dashed arrow in FIG. 4). The detergent water bathed in the laundry Q is accumulated in the tank 21 through the drainage channel 9 and is taken into the circulation channel 11 again by the pump 12 and bathed in the laundry Q. Thereby, in the circulation process, the detergent water is circulated between the washing tub 4 and the circulation path 11 via the tank 21. In the first circulation process in step S2, the second drain valve 22 is closed and the detergent water is stored in the washing tub 4 so that a large amount of the detergent water is soaked into the laundry Q that has been dried before washing. May be.

  On the other hand, in the permeation process of step S3 or step S5, the control unit 30 first closes the second drain valve 22 simultaneously with stopping the pump 12. As a result, the detergent water supplied from the circulation path 11 to the washing tub 4 in the immediately preceding circulation process is accumulated in the washing tub 4, so that the detergent water can easily soak into the laundry Q. And the control part 30 opens the 2nd drain valve 22 at the timing of the last stage when fixed time passed in the infiltration process. Thereby, since the detergent water in the washing tub 4 accumulates in the tank 21 through the drainage channel 9, the circulation of the detergent water can be started promptly in the immediately subsequent circulation process.

  When the predetermined time has elapsed (YES in step S6) and the main washing process is performed, the control unit 30 opens the water supply valve 7 with the second drain valve 22 closed with the start of the main washing process. In this case, water is supplied to the washing tub 4. At this time, the pump 12 is driven to move the detergent water in the tank 21 to the washing tub 4 via the circulation path 11. Thus, the amount of water supplied from the water supply path 6 can be reduced by using the detergent water in the tank 21 for water supply.

  As described above, the discharge port 6B of the water supply channel 6 has a thick solid line as a configuration for supplying the water loaded with the detergent so as not to directly hit the laundry Q during the water supply in step S1 in the circulation permeation process. As indicated by the arrows, the liquid is discharged toward the gap 19 between the outer tub 3 and the washing tub 4, that is, the position where the laundry Q in the washing tub 4 is removed. As a modified example of this configuration, a second modified example and a third modified example are given.

  In the second modification shown in FIG. 5, the water supply path 6 extends from the detergent container 8 between the circumferential wall 3 </ b> A of the outer tub 3 and the housing 2 to the lower side Z <b> 2 and the other end of the water supply path 6. 6C is connected to the lower end of the circumferential wall 3A. The water supply path 6 in this case is a flow path that passes outside the outer tub 3, and the discharge port 6 </ b> B of the other end 6 </ b> C faces the lower end of the gap 19 between the outer tub 3 and the washing tub 4 from the lateral direction Y. . On the other hand, the washing machine 1 of the second modified example includes a branch path 25 branched from the water supply path 6 in the detergent container 8. The branch path 25 is a flow path extending from the detergent container 8 to the lower side Z2, and a water supply port 25A facing the entrance 4D of the washing tub 4 from the upper side Z1 is provided at the lower end thereof. A water supply valve 26 is provided in the middle of the branch path 25. In the following description of the second modification, for convenience, the water supply valve 7 is referred to as a first water supply valve 7, and the water supply valve 26 is referred to as a second water supply valve 26. The opening and closing of the second water supply valve 26 is controlled by the control unit 30.

  In the circulation permeation process in the second modification, the control unit 30 opens the first water supply valve 7 with the second water supply valve 26 closed at the time of water supply in step S1. As a result, the water from the faucet passes through the detergent container 8, puts the detergent, and flows down the water supply channel 6, and then, as shown by the thick solid line arrow, the washing tub 4 is disposed in the outer tub 3 from the discharge port 6 </ b> B. It is supplied to the space 27 on the lower side Z2 with respect to the bottom wall 4B. At this time, the discharge port 6B discharges the water flowing through the water supply channel 6 toward the space 27, that is, the position where the laundry Q in the washing tub 4 is removed. Thereby, the water on which the detergent is placed is supplied so as not to directly hit the laundry Q. On the other hand, in the case of water supply in the main washing process after the circulation infiltration process, the control unit 30 opens the second water supply valve 26 with the first water supply valve 7 closed. Thereby, the water from the faucet is directly supplied into the washing tub 4 from the water supply port 25 </ b> A through the branch path 25. That is, the initial water supply is performed using the water supply channel 6, and the subsequent water supply is performed using the branch channel 25.

  In the third modification shown in FIG. 6, the other end 6C of the water supply channel 6 passes through the inlet / outlet 3D of the outer tub 3, and the discharge port 6B of the other end 6C faces the inlet / outlet 4D of the washing tub 4 from the upper side Z1. . In the washing machine 1 of the third modified example, a guide portion 28 is provided inside the washing tub 4. The guide portion 28 has a bowl shape extending in the up-down direction Z along the axis J over the range from the upper end portion to the lower end portion of the circumferential wall 4A of the washing tub 4, and the flat cross section is convexly curved toward the axis J side. It is formed in a circular arc shape. The guide portion 28 is fixed to the circumferential wall 4A so as to cover one place on the circumference of the circumferential wall 4A from the axis J side. Thereby, a guide channel 29 extending in the vertical direction Z is formed between the guide portion 28 and the circumferential wall 4A. The upper end portion of the guide portion 28 is a receiving portion 28A formed in a bowl shape that swells toward the axis J side. The guide channel 29 is exposed from the receiving portion 28A to the upper side Z1. The discharge port 6B is disposed to face the receiving portion 28A from the upper side Z1.

  In the circulation permeation process in the third modification, the control unit 30 opens the water supply valve 7 when water is supplied in step S1. As a result, water from the faucet passes through the detergent container 8, puts the detergent, passes through the water supply path 6, and falls from the discharge port 6 </ b> B to the receiving part 28 </ b> A of the guide part 28 as indicated by a thick solid arrow. . The water received by the receiving portion 28A flows down the guide channel 29, leaks out of the washing tub 4 from the through hole 4E of the washing tub 4, and is below the bottom wall 4B of the washing tub 4 in the outer tub 3. The space 27 of Z2 is reached. At this time, the discharge port 6B discharges the water flowing through the water supply channel 6 toward the guide portion 28, that is, the position where the laundry Q in the washing tub 4 is removed. Thereby, the water on which the detergent is placed is supplied so as not to directly hit the laundry Q.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Washing machine 4 Washing tub 5 Motor 6 Water supply path 6B Discharge port 7 Water supply valve 8 Detergent storage part 11 Circulation path 12 Pump 30 Control part J Axis line Q Laundry Z1 Upper side

Claims (7)

A laundry tub having a longitudinally extending axis, containing laundry and storing water;
A circulation path for drawing up detergent water mixed with detergent from the washing tub and returning it to the washing tub from above;
A pump that takes in the detergent water in the washing tub into the circulation path and raises it in the circulation path;
Circulation treatment in which detergent water is circulated between the washing tub and the circulation path by driving the pump so as to be put on the laundry, and the detergent is washed in the washing tub by stopping the driving of the pump. Execution means for performing a washing operation including a circulation permeation step that alternately repeats the permeation treatment to be permeated into
Including a washing machine. A motor for rotating the washing tub;
2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the execution unit drives the motor to rotate the washing tub at a low speed below a predetermined speed in at least one circulation process. A motor for rotating the washing tub;
The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the execution unit repeats intermittent rotation of the washing tub by controlling driving of the motor in at least one circulation process. A motor for rotating the washing tub;
The execution means stops the washing tub during the circulation process and drives the motor to rotate the washing tub by a predetermined angle before starting the next circulation process in the circulation infiltration step. Item 4. The washing machine according to any one of Items 1 to 3. A water supply channel for supplying water to the washing tub;
A water supply valve for opening and closing the water supply channel;
Including
The washing operation includes a washing step composed of the circulation and infiltration step, and a main washing step in which water is stored in the washing tub in order to thoroughly wash the laundry after the circulation and infiltration step,
The said execution means opens the said water supply valve in the said circulation infiltration process, and supplies a part of water supply amount in the whole of the said washing process to the said washing tub, and produces | generates detergent water any one of Claims 1-4 A washing machine according to claim 1. A detergent container connected to the water supply path and containing a detergent;
The washing machine according to claim 5, wherein the water supply passage has a discharge port that discharges water flowing through the water supply passage through the detergent container toward a position where the laundry is removed from the washing tub.   The said execution means changes each processing time of the said circulation process and the said osmosis | permeation process according to the magnitude | size of the load amount of the laundry in the said washing tub, The Claim 1 any one of Claims 1-6. Washing machine.

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