JP2017099805A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance washing performance by facilitating vertical position switching of laundry in a washing step and by immersing the whole laundry in washing water, in a so-called vertical axis type washing machine.SOLUTION: A washing machine includes: a water tub which is disposed in an outer case and in which washing water is stored; a dewatering tub which is disposed in the water tub in a communicating state, and in which laundry is stored; an agitator disposed at a bottom part of the dewatering tub; a drive mechanism for rotationally driving the dewatering tub and the agitator; a water supply mechanism for supplying water in the dewatering tub; a drainage mechanism for draining water from the dewatering tub; and a control device for controlling the drive mechanism, the water supply mechanism and the drainage mechanism, and for executing a washing operation comprising steps of washing, rinsing and dewatering. The control device includes means for executing an initial dewatering operation in which dewatering is performed after supplying water in the dewatering tub before the washing step at the start of the washing operation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a washing machine.

  In a so-called vertical type washing machine, generally, a dehydrating tub (washing tub) is provided in the water tub, and a stirring body is provided at the bottom of the dehydrating tub, and washing and rinsing are performed under the control of a control device including a microcomputer. It is comprised so that the process of spin-drying | dehydration may be performed in order (for example, refer patent document 1, 2). In this case, in Patent Document 1, the washing effect is enhanced by generating different water flows at each stage by controlling the stirrer while performing water supply in a plurality of stages in the washing process. Moreover, in patent document 2, while providing a water supply path in the side wall part of a dehydration tank, a pump blade is provided in the back surface side of a stirring body, the washing water of a bottom part of a dehydration tank is pumped through a water supply path, and water is poured from the upper part of a dehydration tank The cleaning effect is enhanced by circulating water flow.

Japanese Patent No. 3868886 JP-A-9-225175

  By the way, in this type of vertical washing machine, in order to remove stubborn dirt such as mud dirt on clothes, it is effective to apply the mechanical force of the stirring body to the laundry. However, in the conventional washing machine, the mechanical force of the stirrer is not effectively transmitted to the laundry positioned on the upper side in the dehydrating tub, and there are cases where the stain is not sufficiently removed. Moreover, since there is a tendency to reduce the amount of water used due to the recent trend toward saving water, the laundry tends to immerse only the lower part in the washing water in the dehydration tank, but the upper part of the laundry immerses the laundry by stirring. The actual situation is covered by the switching operation of the upper and lower sides. However, especially when the capacity of the laundry stored in the dewatering tub is large, there is only a slight change in the top and bottom of the laundry, which is partly due to insufficient immersion of the washing water in the upper part of the laundry. Uneven cleaning is likely to occur.

  In view of this, there is provided a washing machine that is a so-called vertical-axis type washing machine that promotes the interchange of the upper and lower sides of the laundry in the washing process, and can improve the washing performance by allowing the washing water to be immersed in the entire laundry.

  The washing machine according to the embodiment includes a water tub disposed in an outer box for storing washing water, a dewatering tub disposed in communication with the water tub to store laundry, and a bottom of the dewatering tub. , A drive mechanism that rotationally drives the dehydration tank and the stirrer, a water supply mechanism that supplies water into the dehydration tank, a drainage mechanism that drains water from the dehydration tank, the drive mechanism, and a water supply mechanism And a controller for controlling the drainage mechanism to perform a washing operation including a washing, rinsing, and dehydration process, and the control device includes the dewatering tank before the washing process at the start of the washing operation. Means for performing an initial dehydration operation for performing dehydration after supplying water into the inside is included.

1 is a vertical right side view schematically showing the overall configuration of the washing machine, showing the first embodiment. Block diagram schematically showing the electrical configuration of the washing machine Timing chart showing the operating state of each mechanism from the start of washing to the end of the washing process The flowchart which shows the procedure of the setting of the initial dehydration operation which the control apparatus performs immediately after washing start The figure which shows typically the mode of the laundry in the time of throwing into a dehydration tank (a), the end of initial dehydration operation (b), and the stirring of a washing process (c) The figure which shows typically the difference in the sticking degree to the inner wall surface of the dehydration tank by the difference in the rotation speed of a dehydration tank in initial dehydration operation. The figure which shows typically the mode of the laundry in the dehydration tank in the water supply at the time of initial dehydration operation The figure which shows typically the mode of the laundry in the dehydration tank in the water supply at the time of a washing process start The timing chart which shows 2nd Embodiment and shows the operation state of each mechanism from the washing start to the end of the washing process

(1) First Embodiment Hereinafter, a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. First, FIG. 1 schematically shows a configuration of a washing machine (fully automatic washing machine) 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 shows the electrical configuration of the washing machine 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the washing machine 1 includes an outer box 2 configured as a rectangular box as a whole from, for example, a steel plate. A base plate 4 having four legs 3 is provided at the bottom of the outer box 2.

  A water tub 6 for storing washing water is provided in the outer box 2 while being elastically supported (suspended) by an elastic suspension mechanism 7. As shown in part, the elastic suspension mechanism 7 has, for example, four suspension rods 7a provided at the four corners of the outer box 2, and springs 7b disposed at the lower ends of the suspension rods 7a. The known configuration is provided. A drain port 8 is formed at the bottom of the water tank 6. A drainage channel 10 having an electronically controlled drainage valve 9 is connected to the drainage port 8, and the drainage mechanism 5 is configured thereby. Although not shown in detail, an air trap is provided at the bottom of the water tank 6, and a water level sensor 28 (see FIG. 2) that detects the water level in the water tank 6 via an air tube connected to the air trap. Is provided.

  In the water tank 6, a dewatering tank 11 as a vertical rotating tank as a washing tank having a substantially bottomed cylindrical shape is rotatably provided. For example, a liquid-filled rotary balancer 12 is attached to the upper end of the dewatering tank 11. A number of dewatering holes 11 a are formed in the peripheral wall portion of the dewatering tank 11. A stirring body 13 called a pulsator is disposed at the inner bottom of the dehydration tank 11. A laundry (not shown) is accommodated in the dewatering tub 11, and a washing operation including washing, rinsing, and dewatering steps of the laundry is performed.

  A water tank cover 14 is attached to the upper part of the water tank 6. The water tank cover 14 is provided with an opening 14a for loading and unloading laundry at a substantially central portion, and an inner lid 15 for opening and closing the opening 14a is attached. A water supply port 16 for water supply is provided at the rear portion of the upper surface of the water tank cover 14. In this case, as shown also in FIG. 7, the water supply port 16 is arranged slightly to the left of the rear part, which is near the outer periphery of the upper part of the dewatering tank 13.

  In addition, a drive mechanism 17 having a well-known configuration is disposed at the lower portion (outer bottom portion) of the water tank 6. Although not shown or described in detail, the drive mechanism 17 includes a washing machine motor 29 (see FIG. 2) composed of an outer rotor type DC three-phase brushless motor, a hollow tank shaft 18, and a stirring shaft passing through the tank shaft 18. 19. A clutch mechanism 30 (see FIG. 2) for selectively transmitting the rotational driving force of the washing machine motor 29 to the shafts 18 and 19 is provided. The dehydrating tank 11 is connected to the upper end of the tank shaft 18, and the stirring body 13 is connected to the upper end of the stirring shaft 19.

  The clutch mechanism 30 uses, for example, a solenoid as a drive source, and is controlled by a control device 31 described later. Thus, the clutch mechanism 30 transmits the driving force of the washing machine motor 29 to the stirrer 13 via the stirring shaft 19 while the dewatering tank 11 is fixed (stopped) during washing and rinsing (washing process). Then, the agitator 13 is directly driven in forward and reverse rotation at a low speed. Further, at the time of dehydration (dehydration process) or the like, the clutch mechanism 30 transmits the driving force of the washing machine motor 29 to the dehydration tank 11 through the tank shaft 18 with the tank shaft 18 and the stirring shaft 19 connected. The dehydration tank 11 (and the stirring body 13) is directly driven to rotate in one direction. Although not shown, the washing machine motor 29 is provided with a rotation sensor 32 (see FIG. 2) for detecting the rotational position of the rotor, and the number of rotations is controlled based on the detection. It has become.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, a synthetic resin top cover 20 having a thin hollow box shape is attached to the upper portion of the outer box 2. A substantially circular laundry entrance / exit 20a is formed at the center of the top surface of the top cover 20 above the dewatering tub 11, and a bi-fold type lid 21 for opening and closing the laundry entrance / exit 20a is provided. It has been. A horizontally long operation panel 22 is provided on the front side of the top surface of the top cover 20. Although not shown in detail, the operation panel 22 includes an operation unit for the user to turn on and off the washing machine 1 and various settings / instructions, a display unit for performing necessary display, and the like. Yes. On the back side of the operation panel 22, an electronic unit 23 including a control device 31 composed of a microcomputer is provided.

  A water supply mechanism 24 for supplying water into the water tank 6 is provided at the rear portion of the top cover 20. The water supply mechanism 24 includes, for example, a triple-type water supply valve 25, a water injection case 26, and a flexible water supply hose 27, and the tip of the water supply hose 27 is connected to the water supply port 16. Although not shown in detail, in this embodiment, the water supply valve 25 includes a water supply receiving port 25a that is one inlet, and includes first to third three outlets, which are fully closed or any one outlet. It is comprised so that a part may be opened. A tip end of a connection hose connected to a faucet (not shown) is connected to the water supply receiving port 25a.

  Although not shown in detail, the water injection case 26 is provided with first to third water supply paths that are respectively connected to three outlet portions of the water supply valve 25. The first water supply path supplies the water supplied from the first outlet of the water supply valve 25 as it is into the dehydration tank 11 and the water tank 6 from the water supply port 16 through the water supply hose 27. The second water supply path is provided with a detergent container, and the water supplied from the second outlet of the water supply valve 25 passes through the detergent container and passes through the water supply hose 27 from the water supply port 16 into the dehydration tank 11 and the water tank. 6 is supplied. The third water supply path is provided with a finishing agent storage portion, for example, in the rinsing for the end of the rinsing process, the water supplied from the third outlet of the water supply valve 25 is passed through the finishing agent storage portion and the water supply hose 27 is passed through. Then, the water is supplied from the water supply port 16 into the dehydration tank 11 and the water tank 6.

  FIG. 2 schematically shows an electrical configuration of the washing machine 1 centering on the control device 31 described above. The control device 31 is mainly configured by a microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and controls the entire washing machine 1 to execute each step of the washing operation. The control device 31 receives an operation signal from the operation unit of the operation panel 22 and controls display on each display unit of the operation panel 22. In addition, detection signals from the water level sensor 28 and the rotation sensor 32 are input to the control device 31.

  The control device 31 drives and controls the washing machine motor 29 and the clutch mechanism 30 and controls the water supply valve 25 and the drain valve 9. With the above configuration, the control device 31 controls each mechanism of the washing machine 1 based on an input signal from each sensor or a prestored control program in accordance with an operation course set by the user on the operation panel 22. It is controlled to automatically execute a washing operation including well-known washing, rinsing and dehydration processes.

  At this time, in the standard course of the automatic operation, the control device 31 determines the amount of the laundry stored in the dewatering tub 11 at the start of the washing operation, that is, before the start of the washing process. Executes the cloth amount judgment operation. As is well known, the cloth amount determination operation uses a change in the rotational load of the stirring body 13 according to the cloth amount, and the stirring body 13 is rotated for a predetermined short time in a state before water supply. This is done by detecting the number of rotations of the washing machine motor 29 (number of output pulses of the rotation sensor 32). Therefore, the control circuit 31 functions as a cloth amount determination unit.

  By the way, in this embodiment, the control device 31 performs the washing operation when the execution of the washing operation is instructed (started) by the user's operation of the operation panel 22 in a state where any course of the automatic operation is set. Prior to the washing process at the start, after the water has been supplied into the dewatering tank 11, an initial dewatering operation for performing dewatering can be performed. At this time, in the present embodiment, the control device 31 performs the above-described cloth amount determination operation, and as a result, the condition is that a predetermined amount or more of cloth amount, for example, 50% or more of the rated cloth amount is determined. In addition, an initial dehydration operation is performed. For example, when the rated cloth amount is 10 kg, the initial dewatering operation is executed when the cloth amount of 5 kg or more is determined.

  As will be described in the following description of the operation, specifically, the control device 31 first opens the first outlet of the water supply valve 25 for a predetermined short time in order to execute the initial dehydration operation. Supply water directly (without dissolving detergent). In this initial water supply process, water is supplied while the dehydration tank 11 is rotated at a low speed. At this time, the number of rotations of the dewatering tank 11 at a low speed is, for example, 200 rp or less.

  When the process of initial water supply is completed, the process of initial dehydration for rotating the dewatering tank 11 is performed. In this embodiment, the rotation speed of the dewatering tank 11 at this time is set to a predetermined rotation speed or lower that is lower than the maximum rotation speed of the dewatering tank 11 in the normal dewatering process. Specifically, the maximum rotational speed in the normal dehydration process is 800 rpm, whereas the rotational speed in the initial dehydration process is 600 rp or less. In this initial dehydration process, the drain valve 9 is opened. Further, in the present embodiment, the control device 31 supplies water while rotating the dewatering tank 11 at a low speed during the water supply in the washing process after the initial dewatering operation.

  Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a timing chart showing the operating state of each mechanism under the control of the control device 31 from the start of washing to the end of the washing process. Here, in executing the washing operation in the washing machine 1, the user turns on the power of the washing machine 1, for example, opens the lid 21 and puts the laundry C (see FIGS. 5 to 8) in the dehydrating tub 11. At the same time, a desired course (for example, a standard automatic driving course) is set by the operation panel 22. In addition, the user puts a necessary detergent or softener into a predetermined position in the water injection case 27. 5 (a), 6 (a), and 7 (a) schematically show a state in which the laundry C is put into the dehydration tank 11, and the laundry C is in the dehydration tank 11. Housed in a distributed state throughout.

  When the washing operation is started by the operation of the user's start key, first, the control device 31 executes the cloth amount determination operation, and the washing water level and the like are determined based on the result of the cloth amount determination. At the same time, based on the result of the cloth amount determination, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. That is, in FIG. 4, first, in step S1, a cloth amount determination operation is executed. As shown in FIG. 3, in this cloth amount determination operation, the clutch mechanism 30 is switched to the stirrer (pulsator) 13 side, and the stirrer 13 is driven to rotate for a short time by driving the washing machine motor 29.

  In the next step S2, it is determined whether the determined cloth amount is a predetermined amount, in this case, 5 kg or more. If the amount of cloth is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount (Yes in step S2), execution of the initial dewatering operation is set in step S3. When the amount of cloth is small, the mechanical force of the stirring member 13 is easily transmitted effectively to the entire laundry C, and even if it is left as it is, the upper and lower parts of the laundry C are sufficiently switched, and the entire upper and lower laundry C is washed. Penetration and cleaning unevenness are unlikely to occur. Therefore, when the amount of cloth is less than the predetermined amount (No in step S2), in step S4, the normal process in which the initial dewatering operation is not performed, that is, the process of sequentially performing the washing, rinsing, and dewatering is performed. Is set. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the amount of the laundry C in the dewatering tub 11 is relatively large, the initial dewatering operation is performed.

  FIG. 3 shows a process in the case where the initial dewatering operation is performed before the washing process. When the cloth amount determining operation is completed, the clutch mechanism 30 is switched to the dewatering tank 11 side and the rotating tank 11 is used. Water is supplied into the (water tank 6). In this case, the first outlet of the water supply valve 25 (the water supply valve 1 in FIG. 3) is opened, and water is supplied directly into the dehydration tank 11 through the first water supply path of the water injection case 26. At this time, the drain valve 9 is closed. Moreover, the dehydration tank 11 is rotated at a low speed during the water supply.

  As a result, the laundry C in the dewatering tank 11 is in a water-containing state. As shown in FIG. 7A, water is supplied from the water supply port 16 near the outer periphery of the dewatering tank 11, and the dehydration tank. By rotating 11, water supply is performed while the position where the water is applied in the laundry C in the dewatering tub 11 is relatively changed. Therefore, even with a small amount of water, the entire laundry C can contain water. Can do. As shown in FIG. 3, this water supply operation is performed for a predetermined short period of time, for example, so that the clothes become wet. When the predetermined time elapses, the water supply valve 25 is closed and the water supply is stopped. The rotational drive at low speed of the water tank 11 is stopped.

  Subsequently, the dehydration operation is performed. In this process, as shown in FIG. 3, the drain valve 9 is first opened, and the dehydration tank 11 is drained. At the same time, the dehydration tank 11 is rotated with a slight delay. In this case, the dehydration tank 11 is driven to rotate at a medium speed, and in the present embodiment, the maximum rotation speed is 600 rpm or less. Thereby, in the state where the laundry C is moist, it is pressed against the inner wall portion of the dewatering tub 11 by centrifugal force to be squeezed, as shown in FIGS. 5B, 6C, and 7B. As described above, the laundry C adjacent to each other is entangled and bound together by moisture, so that it becomes a solid state. In FIGS. 7B and 8, the moisture content (three types of large, medium, and small) of the laundry C is represented by hatching density (density), as shown in FIG. 7B. In addition, the laundry C having a medium water content is positioned on the inner wall portion of the dewatering tank 11, and the laundry C having a small water content is disposed on the inner peripheral side thereof.

  FIG. 6 shows the relationship between the number of rotations of the dewatering tub 11 and how the laundry C adheres to the inner wall of the dewatering tub 11 in this dewatering operation. If the dehydrating tank 11 is rotated at a high speed from the initial state of the laundry C being put into the dehydrating tank 11 (FIG. 6A), for example, the maximum number of rotations of the dehydrating tank 11 in a normal dehydration process (for example, When the speed is increased to 800 rpm, as shown in FIG. 6B, the laundry C is strongly adhered to the inner wall portion of the dewatering tank 11, and the laundry C is rather difficult to move in the washing process described later. There is a fear. On the other hand, when the dewatering tank 11 is rotated at a medium speed (for example, 600 rpm or less), the laundry C is pressed against the inner wall portion of the dewatering tank 11 with a relatively weak force as shown in FIG. It can be easily peeled off and moved.

  As shown in FIG. 3, when the initial dehydration operation is completed, the process proceeds to a washing process. When the washing process is started, the drain valve 9 is closed, and the second outlet of the water supply valve 25 (the water supply valve 2 in FIG. 3) is opened. Thus, the washing water is supplied into the dehydration tank 11 through the second water supply path of the water injection case 26 while dissolving the detergent contained in the detergent container. This water supply is executed until the water level sensor 28 detects the set water level. At the initial stage of the water supply, the clutch mechanism 30 is still on the dewatering tank 11 side, and the dewatering tank 11 is rotated at a low speed.

  With this, when the dehydration tank 11 is rotated at a low speed together with the water supply from the water supply port 16 into the dehydration tank 11, as shown in FIG. Water supply is performed while relatively changing the position where water is applied in the circumferential direction. Thereby, it is possible to supply water while gradually removing the laundry C attached to the inner wall surface of the dewatering tank 11. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 8, the laundry C positioned on the inner wall portion of the dewatering tub 11 has a large water content, and the water content of the laundry C arranged on the inner peripheral side is moderate. .

  Returning to FIG. 3, the low-speed rotation operation of the dewatering tank 11 is stopped in the middle of water supply, the clutch mechanism 30 is switched to the stirring body 13 side, and the rotational driving of the stirring body 13 is started. When the water supply is completed and the water supply valve 25 is closed, the stirrer 13 is continuously driven to rotate and the stirring operation is executed. When the stirring operation for a predetermined time is completed, the clutch mechanism 30 is switched to the dewatering tank 11 side, and the operations of draining and dewatering are executed. In this drainage / dehydration, the drainage valve 9 is opened and drainage is performed, and the dehydration tank 11 is rotated at a high speed (maximum rotation speed is, for example, 800 rpm) with a slight delay.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 5, the laundry C put into the dewatering tub 11 is subjected to the initial dewatering operation from the initial state shown in FIG. As described above, while the laundry C in a wet state due to centrifugal force is entangled and tied together, the laundry C is pressed against the inner wall of the dewatering tub 11 to become a solid state. In this state, when the washing process is started and the agitator 13 is rotated, the laundry C starts to move in a solid state, so that the laundry positioned on the lower side as shown in FIG. The article C moves under the mechanical force of the agitator 13, and the laundry C positioned on the upper side moves accordingly. Thereby, the change of the upper and lower positions of the laundry C is likely to occur. Therefore, at least in the initial stage of the washing process, it is possible to promote the replacement of the laundry C up and down, and perform stirring while applying the mechanical force of the stirring body 13 over the entire laundry C.

  Thus, according to the washing machine 1 of this embodiment, the following effect can be acquired. That is, the initial dehydration operation by the control device 31 can be performed before the washing process at the start of the washing operation. Thereby, it becomes possible to make the mechanical force of the stirring body 13 act on the whole laundry C, changing the laundry C up and down in the dewatering tank 11 in the washing process. As a result, the so-called vertical axis type washing machine 1 has an excellent effect that the cleaning unevenness can be suppressed and high cleaning performance can be obtained.

  That is, in a washing machine of a water-saving type in which the amount of water used is reduced, the washing water is not sufficiently penetrated into the laundry located in the upper part, but according to the washing machine 1 of this embodiment, the upper and lower sides of the laundry C The replacement is frequently performed at least in the initial stage of stirring when the laundry C is in a solid state. Accordingly, the washing water can be uniformly permeated from above to below the laundry C. After that, the laundry C which has become wet is easily transmitted with stirring force, so that the above-described solid state is quickly solved. In addition, even if it is unraveled, the laundry C that already contains water as a whole has sufficient stirring power transmitted to the upper part thereof, so that the laundry C does not become difficult to move, thereby effectively preventing uneven washing. The washing process can be performed. In addition, in this case, since it can be realized only by adding a dehydrating operation, it can be inexpensively performed without changing or adding a structure.

  In particular, in the present embodiment, the rotation speed of the dewatering tank 11 in the initial dewatering operation is driven at a predetermined rotation speed (600 rpm) or lower, which is lower than the maximum rotation speed (800 rpm) of the dewatering tank 11 in the normal dewatering process. Thereby, the laundry C comes to be affixed to the inner wall portion of the dehydration tank 11 with a relatively weak force, and can be easily peeled off and moved. Moreover, since it is easy to break up the mass, it is possible to achieve both the penetration of the washing water into the entire laundry C in a solid state and the prevention of uneven washing due to the loose state. In this embodiment, when water is supplied in the initial dewatering operation, water is supplied from the water supply port 16 disposed near the outer periphery above the dewatering tank 11 while rotating the dewatering tank 11 at a low speed. In addition, water can be included in the entire laundry C in advance.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, water supply is performed while rotating the dewatering tank 11 at a low speed even during the water supply in the washing process after the initial dewatering operation. Water can be supplied while being peeled off from the inner wall surface of 11, which is effective. In this embodiment, the initial dewatering operation is executed on the condition that a predetermined or larger amount of cloth is determined as a result of the cloth amount determination operation. Thereby, when the amount of the cloth of the laundry C is relatively large, the initial dehydration operation is performed, and the washing performance in the washing process can be enhanced by the penetration of the washing water into the entire laundry C by the top and bottom change of the laundry C. . On the other hand, when the amount of the laundry C in the dewatering tub 11 is relatively small, the movement of the laundry C in the dewatering tub 11, that is, the upper and lower exchanges are performed well in the washing process. It does not have to be executed, and it saves time and water.

(2) Second Embodiment FIG. 9 shows a second embodiment. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the following points. That is, in the second embodiment, although not shown, the structure of the water supply valve constituting the water supply mechanism is different from that of the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, a so-called dual-type water supply valve is adopted, and this water supply valve has a water supply receiving port which is one inlet and has first and second outlet portions, and is fully closed or One of the outlet portions is configured to be opened.

  Although not shown in the figure, the water injection case is provided with first and second water supply paths connected to two outlet portions of the water supply valve, respectively. The first water supply path includes a detergent container, and water supplied from the first outlet of the water supply valve (water supply valve 1 in FIG. 9) passes through the detergent container and is supplied to the water supply port 16 through the water supply hose 27. To the dehydration tank 11 and the water tank 6. The second water supply path is provided with a finishing agent storage portion, for example, in the rinsing for the end of the rinsing process, the water supplied from the second outlet of the water supply valve (water supply valve 2 in FIG. 9) is used as the finishing agent storage portion. Then, the water is supplied from the water supply port 16 into the dehydration tank 11 and the water tank 6 through the water supply hose 27.

  Then, when the washing operation is started, the control device performs a cloth amount determination operation, and as a result, a cloth amount that is greater than a predetermined amount, for example, 50% or more of the rated cloth amount is determined. The initial dehydration operation is performed as follows. As shown in FIG. 9, when the cloth amount determination operation is completed, the clutch mechanism 30 is switched to the dewatering tank 11 side, the dewatering tank 11 is rotated at a low speed, the first outlet of the water supply valve is opened, and water injection is performed. It passes through the 1st water supply path of a case, and is supplied in the dehydration tank 11, melt | dissolving the detergent accommodated in the detergent accommodating part. At this time, the drain valve 9 is closed.

  When the water supply operation for a predetermined short period of time so that the clothes become wet is finished, the water supply valve 25 is closed and the water supply is stopped, and the low-speed rotation drive of the dewatering tank 11 is switched to the medium-speed rotation drive. It is done. Here, the drain valve 9 is not opened and remains closed. As a result, in the state where the laundry C contains washing water (water in which a part of the detergent is dissolved), the laundry C is pressed against the inner wall portion of the dehydration tank 11 by centrifugal force and is squeezed. As they become entangled and entangled with each other, they become solid. When the initial dehydration operation for a predetermined time is completed, the process proceeds to a washing process.

  When the washing process is started, the first outlet of the water supply valve is opened again with the drain valve 9 closed, and the remaining water supply up to the set water level is performed. At the initial stage of the water supply, the clutch mechanism 30 is still on the dewatering tank 11 side, and the dewatering tank 11 is rotated at a low speed. Thereby, it is possible to supply water while gradually removing the laundry C attached to the inner wall surface of the dewatering tank 11. The low-speed rotation operation of the dewatering tank 11 is stopped in the middle of water supply, the clutch mechanism 30 is switched to the stirring body 13 side, and the rotational driving of the stirring body 13 is started. When the water supply is completed and the water supply valve 25 is closed, the stirrer 13 is continuously driven to rotate and the stirring operation is executed. When the stirring operation for a predetermined time is completed, the operation of draining / dehydrating is executed.

  Also in the second embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the initial dehydration operation is performed before the washing process at the start of the washing operation, so that the removal is performed at the initial stage of the washing process. The mechanical force of the stirring body 13 can be applied to the entire laundry C while the laundry C is exchanged up and down in the water tank 11. As a result, even in the so-called vertical washing machine 1, the washing water can be evenly contained in the entire top and bottom of the laundry C, and high washing performance can be obtained by suppressing washing unevenness. There is an effect. Further, since it can be realized only by adding a dehydrating operation, it can be inexpensively performed without changing or adding a structure.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the initial dehydration operation is automatically performed when the amount of cloth is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount based on the result of the cloth amount determination operation. May be configured to perform the initial dehydration operation, or may be configured to execute the initial dehydration operation unconditionally each time. Further, examples of the values such as the rotation speed of the dewatering tank in each process (operation) and the predetermined value (threshold value) of the cloth amount for determining whether or not to perform the initial dewatering operation shown in the above embodiment will be given. However, it can be changed as appropriate.

  Furthermore, various modifications can be made to the hardware configuration of the washing machine. For example, a configuration in which a clutch mechanism and a drain valve are interlocked may be used. In this case, the water supply and dehydration operations in the initial dehydration operation are performed while the drain valve is opened. However, the laundry C is wetted with water on the inner wall surface of the dehydration tank 11 as in the embodiment described above. Can be pasted. In addition, the present invention can be implemented with appropriate modifications without departing from the scope of the invention.

  In the drawings, 1 is a washing machine, 2 is an outer box, 5 is a drainage mechanism, 6 is a water tank, 9 is a drain valve, 11 is a dewatering tank, 13 is a stirring body, 16 is a water supply port, 17 is a drive mechanism, and 24 is water supply. A mechanism, 25 is a water supply valve, 30 is a clutch mechanism, 31 is a control device, and C is a laundry.

Claims (5)

A water tank that is arranged in an outer box and stores washing water;
A dehydration tub arranged in a communicating state in the water tub and storing laundry;
An agitator disposed at the bottom of the dehydration tank;
A drive mechanism for rotationally driving the dehydration tank and the stirring body;
A water supply mechanism for supplying water into the dewatering tank;
A drainage mechanism for draining from the dehydration tank;
A control device that controls the drive mechanism, the water supply mechanism, and the drainage mechanism, and executes a washing operation that includes washing, rinsing, and dehydration processes;
The said control apparatus is a washing machine containing the means to perform the initial spin-drying | dehydration operation | movement which dehydrates, after supplying water in the said dewatering tank before the said washing process at the time of the start of washing operation.   2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein, in the dehydration operation in the initial dehydration operation, the dehydration tank is rotationally driven at a predetermined number of revolutions or less that is lower than the maximum number of revolutions of the dehydration tank in a normal dehydration process. Washing machine. The water supply mechanism is configured to supply water from a water supply port arranged near the outer periphery above the dewatering tank,
The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control device supplies water while rotating the dewatering tank during water supply in the initial dewatering operation.   The said control apparatus is a washing machine as described in any one of Claim 1 to 3 which supplies water, rotating the said dewatering tank at the time of water supply in the washing process after the said initial dehydration operation. A cloth amount determining means for determining the amount of laundry contained in the dewatering tank;
The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control device causes the initial dehydration operation to be executed on condition that the cloth amount determination unit determines a cloth amount equal to or greater than a predetermined amount.

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