JP2018029891A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a washing machine that is configured to be capable of executing a washing process for washing laundry by heating water in a water tub, in which water in the water tub is heated to an appropriate temperature according to the type of soiling of the laundry so as to wash the laundry more effectively.SOLUTION: The washing machine comprises a water tub for storing water, a rotary tub rotatably provided in the water tub for accommodating laundry, execution means that executes a washing process to perform a washing process for washing laundry in the rotary tub, and heating means that heats water in the water tub in the washing process. The heating means heats, in the washing process, water in the water tub to a temperature in a 50°C temperature zone and maintains it at a temperature in the 50°C temperature zone.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a washing machine.

  For example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, conventionally, a washing machine configured to perform a so-called warm water washing process in which washing is performed by heating water in a water tank in a washing process has been considered.

JP 2007-68681 A

  In the present embodiment, as described above, with respect to the washing machine configured to be able to execute the washing process of washing the laundry by heating the water in the aquarium, the water in the aquarium further corresponds to the type of dirt on the laundry. Provided is a washing machine which can wash laundry more effectively by heating to an appropriate temperature.

  The washing machine according to the present embodiment includes a water tub, a rotating tub, a washing process execution unit, and a heating unit. The water tank stores water. The rotating tub is rotatably provided in the water tub and accommodates laundry. The washing step execution means executes a washing step of washing the laundry in the rotating tub. The heating means heats the water in the water tank in the washing step. The heating means heats the water in the water tank to a temperature within a 50 ° C. temperature zone and maintains the temperature within the 50 ° C. temperature zone during the washing step.

Longitudinal side view schematically showing a configuration example of a washing machine according to the present embodiment The block diagram which shows roughly the structural example of the control system of the washing machine which concerns on this embodiment. The figure which shows schematically the example of control of the warm water washing process which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the test result for verifying the washing effect of the laundry by a warm water washing process The figure which shows schematically the example of control of the warm water washing process which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The figure which shows schematically the example of control of the warm water washing process which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. The figure which shows schematically the example of control of the hot water rinse process which concerns on 4th Embodiment The figure which shows schematically the example of control of the spin-drying | dehydration process which concerns on the modification of this embodiment. The figure which shows schematically the operation example of the circulation pump which concerns on the modification of this embodiment.

Hereinafter, a plurality of embodiments according to a washing machine will be described with reference to the drawings. In each embodiment, substantially the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.
(First embodiment)
A washing machine 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 is a so-called horizontal shaft type drum-type washing machine in which a rotation axis of a rotating tub is a horizontal axis or an inclined axis, and a water tub 12 is provided inside an outer box 11 constituting the outer shell. And a drum 13. The water tank 12 has a bottomed cylindrical shape capable of storing water, and is elastically supported by a pair of suspensions 14. The opening 12 a on the front surface of the water tank 12 is connected to the opening 11 a on the front of the outer box 11 through a bellows 15 in a watertight manner. The opening 11 a of the outer box 11 is opened and closed by a door 16.

  The drum 13 is an example of a rotating tub and is rotatably provided inside the water tub 12. The rotation axis of the drum 13 is inclined so that the rear surface side is lower than the front surface side along the front-rear direction of the washing machine 10, that is, the depth direction. The drum 13 is rotated by a motor 17 provided on the rear surface of the water tank 12. A plurality of through holes 13 a are provided on the peripheral side surface of the drum 13. A plurality of baffles 13 b are provided on the inner peripheral surface of the drum 13.

  The washing machine 10 includes a water supply mechanism 20 having a water supply valve 20a, a water injection case 20b, and the like, and a drainage mechanism 21 having a drain valve 21a and the like. The water supply mechanism 20 controls the water supply valve 20a in the washing process of washing the laundry stored in the drum 13 and the rinsing process of the laundry, so that the water supply mechanism 20 enters the water tank 12 from an external water source such as a water supply. Supply water. The water injection case 20b has a detergent input part (not shown). In the detergent input section, for example, a detergent or softener containing an enzyme that decomposes dirt is accommodated. The drain mechanism 21 discharges the water in the water tank 12 to the outside by controlling the drain valve 21a in the drain stroke. A concave heater housing 30 that opens into the water tank 12 is provided at the bottom of the water tank 12. A heater 31 for generating hot water for heating the water in the water tank 12 is provided inside the heater housing 30.

  Next, a configuration example of the control system of the washing machine 10 will be described. The control device 40 illustrated in FIG. 2 is configured mainly with a microcomputer, for example, and controls the overall operation of the washing machine 10 according to a control program. An operation panel (not shown) is provided above the opening 11 a of the outer box 11. The control device 40 is provided, for example, on the back side of the operation panel. Various drive units such as the motor 17, the water supply valve 20a, and the drain valve 21a are connected to the control device 40. The control device 40 executes various operation courses including a washing process for washing the laundry, a rinsing process for rinsing the laundry, a dehydration process for dehydrating the laundry, and the like by controlling the driving of various driving units according to the control program. To do.

  That is, the control device 40 executes various control units such as the washing process execution processing unit 51, the rinsing process execution processing unit 52, the dehydration process execution processing unit 53, and the heating processing unit 54 by software. Realize. In the control device 40, these processing units may be configured by hardware, or may be configured by a combination of software and hardware.

  The washing process execution processing unit 51 is an example of a washing process execution unit, and executes a washing process of washing the laundry in the drum 13. The rinsing process execution processing unit 52 is an example of a rinsing process execution unit, and executes a rinsing process of the laundry in the drum 13 after the washing process by the washing process execution processing unit 51. The dehydration process execution processing unit 53 is an example of a dehydration process execution unit, and executes a dehydration process of dehydrating the laundry in the drum 13 after the rinsing process by the rinsing process execution processing unit 52.

  The heat treatment unit 54 heats the water in the water tank 12 to a temperature within a predetermined temperature zone by turning on the heater 31 in the washing step performed by the washing step execution processing unit 51. And the heat processing part 54 maintains the water in the water tank 12 heated to the temperature in a predetermined temperature range at the temperature in the said temperature range. Thereby, the control apparatus 40 is comprised so that the so-called warm water washing process which heats the water in the water tank 12 and wash | cleans the laundry in the washing process can be performed. Further, the heating processing unit 54 can heat the water in the water tank 12 to a temperature within a predetermined temperature zone by turning on the heater 31 in the rinsing process performed by the rinsing process execution processing unit 52. Thereby, the control apparatus 40 is comprised so that what is called a warm water rinse process can be performed by heating the water in the water tank 12 and rinsing a laundry in a rinse process.

  The washing machine 10 includes a water temperature sensor 60 that detects the temperature of water in the water tank 12. When executing the warm water washing process or the warm water rinsing process, the control device 40 monitors the temperature of the water in the water tank 12 detected by the water temperature sensor 60 while the heat treatment unit 54 The water is adjusted to a temperature within a predetermined temperature range.

  Next, a control example in the warm water washing process described above will be described. As illustrated in FIG. 3, when starting the warm water washing process, the control device 40 first drives the water supply valve 20 a to supply water to the set water level in the water tank 12. The water level in the water tank 12 can be detected by, for example, a water level sensor (not shown). The set water level may be automatically set based on, for example, a well-known weight sensing result that specifies the amount of laundry put in the drum 13, or may be set according to an operation by the user. Good.

  When water is supplied to the set water level in the water tank 12, the control device 40 turns on the heater 31 and heats the water in the water tank 12 to a temperature within a 40 ° C. temperature zone including 40 ° C. In this case, the 40 ° C. temperature zone is set as a temperature zone of 35 ° C. to 45 ° C. Therefore, the temperature of the water in the water tank 12 is maintained within a temperature range of 35 ° C to 45 ° C. This 40 ° C. temperature zone is an example of a non-50 ° C. temperature zone including a predetermined temperature other than 50 ° C. And this 40 degreeC temperature range is a temperature range including the temperature which the enzyme contained in a detergent activates, for example, the temperature of about 40 degreeC. The temperature range of the 40 ° C. temperature zone can be changed as appropriate as long as it is a temperature range including at least 40 ° C. or a temperature around 40 ° C.

  When the water in the water tank 12 is heated to a temperature in the 40 ° C. temperature zone, the control device 40 turns off the heater 31 and starts driving the motor 17. The control device 40 controls the driving of the motor 17 to rotate the drum 13 alternately in the normal rotation direction and the reverse rotation direction. Thereby, the laundry in the drum 13 is washed with water heated to a temperature in the 40 ° C. temperature zone. At this time, the control device 40 turns on the heater 31 to supply water in the water tank 12 when the temperature of the water in the water tank 12 is lower than the lower limit value of the temperature range of 40 ° C., in this case, 35 ° C. Heat. Further, the control device 40 turns off the heater 31 and heats the water in the water tank 12 when the temperature of the water in the water tank 12 is higher than the upper limit value of the temperature range of 40 ° C., in this case, 45 ° C. To stop. Thereby, the control apparatus 40 maintains the temperature of the water in the water tank 12 at the temperature in a 40 degreeC temperature range.

  The controller 40 stops the driving of the motor 17 when a predetermined first set period T1 has elapsed after the temperature of the water in the water tank 12 is heated to a temperature in the 40 ° C. temperature range and the driving of the motor 17 is started. To do. And the control apparatus 40 turns on the heater 31, and heats the water in the water tank 12 to the temperature in the 50 degreeC temperature range containing 50 degreeC. In this case, the 50 ° C. temperature zone is set as a temperature zone of 45 ° C. to 55 ° C. Therefore, the temperature of the water in the water tank 12 is maintained within a temperature range of 45 ° C to 55 ° C. This 50 ° C. temperature zone is a temperature zone including a temperature at which oil stains adhering to the laundry dissolve, for example, a temperature of about 50 ° C. Note that the temperature range of the 50 ° C. temperature zone can be changed as appropriate as long as it is a temperature range including at least 50 ° C. or a temperature around 50 ° C.

  When the water in the water tank 12 is heated to a temperature within the 50 ° C. temperature zone, the control device 40 turns off the heater 31 and starts driving the motor 17. The control device 40 controls the driving of the motor 17 to rotate the drum 13 alternately in the normal rotation direction and the reverse rotation direction. Thereby, the laundry in the drum 13 is washed with water heated to a temperature in the 50 ° C. temperature zone. At this time, when the temperature of the water in the water tank 12 is lower than the lower limit of the temperature range of 50 ° C., in this case, lower than 45 ° C., the control device 40 turns on the heater 31 to supply the water in the water tank 12. Heat. Further, the control device 40 turns off the heater 31 and heats the water in the water tank 12 when the temperature of the water in the water tank 12 is higher than the upper limit of the temperature range of 50 ° C., in this case, 55 ° C. To stop. Thereby, the control apparatus 40 maintains the temperature of the water in the water tank 12 at the temperature in a 50 degreeC temperature range.

  The controller 40 stops the driving of the motor 17 when a predetermined second set period T2 has elapsed since the temperature of the water in the water tank 12 was heated to a temperature in the 50 ° C. temperature range and the driving of the motor 17 started. To do. Thereby, the control apparatus 40 complete | finishes the warm water washing process which wash | cleans a laundry with a several temperature zone, the warm water of a 40 degreeC temperature zone and a 50 degreeC temperature zone in this case. In this warm water washing process, the period during which the water in the water tank 12 is maintained at a temperature within the non-50 ° C. temperature zone, in this case, within the 40 ° C. temperature zone, is the first set period T1. Moreover, in this warm water washing process, the period which maintains the water in the water tank 12 at the temperature in a 50 degreeC temperature range is the 2nd setting period T2. The first setting period T1 and the second setting period T2 can be appropriately changed and set, for example, according to the amount of laundry in the drum 13.

  Next, the test results conducted by the applicant for verifying the washing effect of the laundry by the hot water washing process according to the present embodiment will be described. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the test consists of pattern A in which the water in the water tank 12 is heated to the temperature in the 40 ° C. temperature zone and the temperature in the 50 ° C. temperature zone in order to perform the washing process, and the water in the water tank 12. The pattern B was heated to a temperature in the temperature range of 40 ° C. and the washing process was executed, and the pattern C was executed without the water in the water tank 12 being heated, and the pattern C was compared. In addition, the temperature of the water when not heating the water in the water tank 12 is about 20 ° C. That is, in patterns A and B, the temperature of water before heating was about 20 ° C., and in pattern C, the entire washing process was performed with 20 ° C. water. The test was conducted in an environment where the room temperature was about 20 ° C.

  In each of the patterns A to C described above, about 5 kg of general clothing standardized by the Japan Electrical Manufacturers' Association (JEMA) was introduced into the drum 13. Moreover, the detergent containing the enzyme currently marketed generally was used. The amount of detergent used was adjusted to be the same in each of the patterns A to C described above. In each of the patterns A to C described above, demiglace sauce and beef tallow were adhered to the laundry put into the drum 13 as dirt. The amount of dirt adhered was adjusted so as to be the same in each of the patterns A to C described above.

  In the pattern A, the period in which the water in the water tank 12 is heated to the temperature in the 40 ° C. temperature range, that is, the first setting period T1 is 15 minutes, and the water in the water tank 12 is in the temperature in the 50 ° C. temperature range. The period of heating and maintaining, that is, the second setting period T2, was also 15 minutes. Moreover, in the pattern B, the period which heats and maintains the water in the water tank 12 to the temperature in a 40 degreeC temperature range was 30 minutes. That is, in the patterns A and B, the period during which the water in the water tank 12 is heated to and maintained at a temperature within a predetermined temperature range is the same in 30 minutes.

  Under the above conditions, the three patterns A to C described above were measured and compared for the color difference ΔE after the washing process was performed. According to this test result, the color difference ΔE when the water in the water tank 12 is heated to a temperature in the 40 ° C. temperature zone is 4.9, and the water in the water tank 12 is heated to a temperature in the 50 ° C. temperature zone. The color difference ΔE was 3.7, and the color difference ΔE when the water in the water tank 12 was not heated was 27.3. The smaller the color difference ΔE, the more dirt is removed from the laundry. Therefore, it was confirmed that the washing effect of the laundry can be improved by heating the water in the water tank 12 and performing the washing process as compared with the case of performing the washing process without heating the water in the water tank 12. Moreover, it was confirmed that the washing | cleaning effect of a laundry can be improved, so that the temperature of the water in the water tank 12 is high.

  According to the washing machine 10 which concerns on this embodiment, the control apparatus 40 heats the water in the water tank 12 to the temperature in the temperature range containing predetermined temperature in the washing process. According to this configuration, the laundry is heated by heating the water in the aquarium 12 to a temperature range corresponding to the type of stain on the laundry, that is, a temperature included in a temperature range most effective for removing the stain. Can be washed more effectively.

  In the present embodiment, the control device 40 maintains the temperature in the water tank 12 at a temperature within the 50 ° C. temperature zone and the temperature within the 40 ° C. temperature zone, which is a non-50 ° C. temperature zone, during the washing process. And a period. Here, according to the hot water heated to a temperature in the 50 ° C. temperature zone, it is possible to effectively dissolve oil stains such as animal fats and oils attached to the laundry. Moreover, according to warm water heated to a temperature within the 40 ° C. temperature zone, the enzyme contained in the detergent can be activated effectively. Therefore, even if there are multiple types of dirt on the laundry, in this case, oil dirt, and dirt that is easily decomposed by enzymes, each of the dirt can be washed off effectively. Can be washed more effectively.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the control device 40 has a temperature in the 40 ° C. temperature zone that is lower than the period in which the water in the water tank 12 is maintained at a temperature in the higher temperature 50 ° C. temperature zone. There is a period to maintain. Therefore, it can be avoided that the enzyme is deactivated when the water in the water tank 12 is heated to a higher temperature in the 50 ° C. temperature zone, and the cleaning effect by the enzyme is effectively exhibited. be able to.

  In addition, the washing machine 10 is comprised so that adjustment of the execution time of a washing process according to operation by a user, for example. Therefore, when the execution time of the washing process is increased as a result of the adjustment of the execution time of the washing process, the control device 40 maintains the water in the water tank 12 at a temperature in the 40 ° C. temperature range, that is, the first time. The increase amount of the set period T1 may be configured to be larger than the period during which the water in the water tank 12 is maintained at a temperature in the temperature range of 50 ° C., that is, the increase amount of the second set period T2.

  When the execution time of the washing process decreases as a result of the adjustment of the execution time of the washing process, the control device 40 maintains the water in the water tank 12 at a temperature within the 40 ° C. temperature range, that is, the first time. The amount of decrease in the set period T1 may be configured to be less than the period in which the water in the water tank 12 is maintained at a temperature within the 50 ° C. temperature range, that is, the amount of decrease in the second set period T2.

  That is, the effect of decomposing dirt by the enzyme contained in the detergent increases as the time increases. On the other hand, for example, the effect of dissolving oil stains such as animal fats and oils cannot be expected to increase significantly over time. Therefore, when the execution time of the washing process is increased, the increase is maintained in a period during which the enzyme contained in the detergent is activated, that is, the first set period T1 in which the water in the water tank 12 is maintained at a temperature in the 40 ° C. temperature zone. When the execution time of the washing process is reduced, the decrease is reduced to the period in which the enzyme contained in the detergent is activated, that is, the water in the water tank 12 is set to a temperature in the 40 ° C. temperature range. By allocating as little as possible to the first setting period T1 to be maintained, it is possible to ensure the period during which the enzyme contained in the detergent is activated as long as possible. Therefore, the washing effect by the enzyme can be utilized more effectively, and the laundry can be washed more effectively.

(Second Embodiment)
As illustrated in FIG. 5, in this embodiment, the control device 40 heats the water in the water tank 12 to a temperature in the 50 ° C. temperature range and starts driving the motor 17, and then performs a predetermined second time. When the set period T2 elapses, the driving of the motor 17 is stopped. And the control apparatus 40 turns ON the heater 31 further, and heats the water in the water tank 12 to the temperature in the 60 degreeC temperature range containing 60 degreeC. In this case, the 60 ° C. temperature zone is set as a temperature zone of 55 ° C. to 65 ° C. Therefore, the temperature of the water in the water tank 12 is maintained within a temperature range of 55 ° C to 65 ° C. The 60 ° C. temperature zone is an example of a temperature zone above 50 ° C. including a temperature exceeding 50 ° C. And this 60 degreeC temperature range is a temperature range including the temperature which can disinfect the water in the water tank 12, for example, about 60 degreeC. The temperature range of the 60 ° C. temperature zone can be changed as appropriate as long as the temperature range includes at least 60 ° C. or a temperature around 60 ° C. In addition, a certain degree of sterilization effect can be expected even with warm water heated to a temperature in the above-described 50 ° C. temperature zone. Therefore, the 50 ° C. temperature zone can also be defined as a temperature zone including a temperature at which water in the water tank 12 can be sterilized.

  When the water in the water tank 12 is heated to a temperature within the 60 ° C. temperature zone, the control device 40 turns off the heater 31 and starts driving the motor 17. The control device 40 controls the driving of the motor 17 to rotate the drum 13 alternately in the normal rotation direction and the reverse rotation direction. Thereby, the laundry in the drum 13 is washed with water heated to a temperature in the 60 ° C. temperature zone. At this time, when the temperature of the water in the aquarium 12 is lower than the lower limit of the temperature range of 60 ° C., in this case, 55 ° C., the control device 40 turns on the heater 31 to supply the water in the aquarium 12. Heat. In addition, the controller 40 turns off the heater 31 and heats the water in the water tank 12 when the temperature of the water in the water tank 12 is higher than the upper limit of the temperature range of 60 ° C., in this case, 65 ° C. To stop. Thereby, the control apparatus 40 maintains the temperature of the water in the water tank 12 at the temperature in a 60 degreeC temperature range.

  The controller 40 stops the driving of the motor 17 when a predetermined third set period T3 has elapsed since the temperature of the water in the water tank 12 was heated to a temperature in the 60 ° C. temperature range and the driving of the motor 17 was started. To do. Thereby, the control apparatus 40 complete | finishes the warm water washing process which wash | cleans a laundry with several temperature zones, in this case, 40 degreeC temperature zone, 50 degreeC temperature zone, and 60 degreeC temperature zone warm water. In this warm water washing process, the period during which the water in the water tank 12 is maintained at a temperature in the temperature range above 50 ° C., in this case, in the temperature range in the 60 ° C., is a third setting period T3. The third setting period T3 can also be changed and set as appropriate, for example, according to the amount of laundry in the drum 13. In this washing process, the 50 ° C. temperature zone excludes the temperature in the temperature zone including the temperature at which the enzyme contained in the detergent is activated, in this case, the temperature in the 40 ° C. temperature zone and the water in the water tank 12. It can be defined as a temperature range including a temperature within a temperature range including a temperature at which bacteria can be killed, in this case, a temperature between the temperature range within the 60 ° C. temperature range.

  Also in the washing machine 10 according to the present embodiment, by heating the water in the water tank 12 to a temperature in a plurality of types of temperature zones, a plurality of types of dirt adhering to the laundry can be washed out, Things can be washed more effectively.

  In the present embodiment, the control device 40 provides a period during which the temperature is maintained within a temperature range of 60 ° C. that is a non-50 ° C. temperature range and a temperature range higher than 50 ° C. in the washing process. Here, according to the hot water heated to a temperature in the 60 ° C. temperature zone, the water in the water tank 12 can be sterilized. Therefore, it is possible to disinfect the water in the aquarium 12 and further the laundry after washing out a plurality of types of stains adhering to the laundry, in this case, oil stains and stains easily decomposed by enzymes. The laundry can be washed cleanly.

  Also in this embodiment, a period for maintaining the temperature in the lower temperature range of 40 ° C. is provided before the period for maintaining the temperature in the higher temperature range of 60 ° C. Therefore, inactivation of the enzyme can be avoided, and the cleaning effect by the enzyme can be effectively exhibited.

  The upper limit value of the 60 ° C. temperature zone may be 60 ° C., and the control device 40 may be configured to heat the water in the water tank 12 to a temperature of 60 ° C. or less in the washing process. If the laundry is washed with warm water exceeding 60 ° C., there is a high possibility that problems such as discoloration of the dye of the laundry and damage to the fabric of the laundry will occur. Therefore, by preventing the temperature of the water in the water tank 12 in the washing process from exceeding 60 ° C., it is possible to effectively wash away dirt such as animal fats and oils while suppressing problems such as discoloration and damage of the laundry. be able to.

(Third embodiment)
As illustrated in FIG. 6, in the present embodiment, the control device 40 is configured so that the drum 13 is rotated during normal rotation and during reversal in the first setting period T1 in which the water in the water tank 12 is maintained at a temperature in the 40 ° C. temperature zone. Is turned on for 7 seconds and turned off for 3 seconds, for example. Further, the control device 40 controls the rotation speed of the drum 13 to, for example, 45 rpm in the first setting period T1. On the other hand, in the second setting period T2 in which the water in the water tank 12 is maintained at a temperature in the temperature range of 50 ° C., the control device 40 turns on the drum 13 for 7 seconds and turns it off for 7 seconds, for example, during normal rotation and reverse rotation. To do. Further, the control device 40 controls the rotation speed of the drum 13 to 35 rpm, for example, in the second setting period T2. That is, in the second setting period T2 in which the water in the water tank 12 is maintained at a temperature within the 50 ° C. temperature zone during the washing process, the control device 40 also maintains the water within the water tank 12 within the 40 ° C. temperature zone during the washing process. The amount of rotation per unit time of the drum 13 is reduced more than the first setting period T1 that is maintained.

  In the period in which the water in the water tank 12 is maintained at a temperature in the higher temperature range of 50 ° C, the laundry is damaged by heat compared to the period in which the temperature is maintained in the lower temperature range of 40 ° C. Likely to happen. Therefore, in the second setting period T2 in which the water in the water tank 12 is maintained at a higher temperature in the 50 ° C. temperature zone, the drum 13 has a higher temperature than that in the lower temperature in the 40 ° C. temperature zone. By reducing the amount of rotation per unit time, the mechanical force applied to the laundry can be reduced, and the laundry can be prevented from being damaged.

(Fourth embodiment)
As illustrated in FIG. 7, in the present embodiment, the control device 40 heats the water in the water tank 12 even in the rinsing process performed after the washing process. That is, the control device 40 performs a warm water rinsing process in which the water in the water tub 12 is heated to rinse the laundry. In this case, when supplying water to the set water level in the water tank 12, the control device 40 turns on the heater 31 to heat the water in the water tank 12 to a temperature in the rinsing temperature zone. In this case, the rinsing temperature zone is set, for example, as a temperature zone of 35 ° C. to 45 ° C. like the 40 ° C. temperature zone. Therefore, the temperature of the water in the water tank 12 is maintained within a temperature range of 35 ° C to 45 ° C. In addition, when bath water is supplied into the water tank 12 in the rinsing process, the rinsing temperature zone may be set as a temperature zone of 55 ° C. to 65 ° C. as in the 60 ° C. temperature zone, for example. Thereby, the effect which can disinfect the germs contained in bath water can be expected.

  When the water in the water tank 12 is heated to a temperature in the temperature zone for rinsing, the control device 40 turns off the heater 31 and starts driving the motor 17. The control device 40 controls the driving of the motor 17 to rotate the drum 13 alternately in the normal rotation direction and the reverse rotation direction. As a result, the laundry in the drum 13 is rinsed with water heated to a temperature within the rinsing temperature zone. At this time, the controller 40 turns on the heater 31 to heat the water in the water tank 12 when the temperature of the water in the water tank 12 becomes lower than the lower limit value of the temperature zone for rinsing. Moreover, the control apparatus 40 turns off the heater 31 and stops the heating of the water in the water tank 12 when the temperature of the water in the water tank 12 becomes higher than the upper limit of the temperature zone for rinse. Thereby, the control apparatus 40 maintains the temperature of the water in the water tank 12 at the temperature in the temperature zone for rinsing.

  The controller 40 stops the driving of the motor 17 when a predetermined fourth set period T4 has elapsed since the temperature of the water in the water tank 12 was heated to a temperature in the rinsing temperature zone and the driving of the motor 17 was started. To do. Thereby, the control apparatus 40 complete | finishes the warm water rinse process which rinses a laundry with the warm water heated to the temperature in the temperature zone for warm water rinse. In this warm water rinsing process, the period during which the water in the water tank 12 is maintained at the temperature in the temperature zone for rinsing is the fourth setting period T4. Note that the fourth setting period T4 can also be appropriately changed and set, for example, according to the amount of laundry in the drum 13.

  The dirt washed off from the laundry by the washing process may adhere to the surface of the water tank 12 or the surface of the drum 13. Therefore, there is a possibility that the dirt that has been washed away in the washing process is mixed with the water in the water tank 12 from the surface in the water tank 12 or the surface in the drum 13 and reattached to the laundry in the subsequent rinsing process. According to the washing machine 10 which concerns on this embodiment, the control apparatus 40 heats the water in the water tank 12 also in the rinse process performed after a washing process. As a result, even if dirt is reattached to the laundry, the dirt can be effectively rinsed from the laundry, and the laundry can be more effectively rinsed.

(Other embodiments)
The present embodiment is not limited to the above-described plurality of embodiments, and can be expanded or changed as follows, for example. For example, the washing machine according to the present embodiment may be configured by combining a plurality of the above-described embodiments. The present embodiment can also be applied to a so-called vertical type washing machine in which the rotation axis of the rotating tub is a vertical axis.

  Moreover, as illustrated in FIG. 8, when the washing machine 10 executes the washing process using hot water, the operation content in the subsequent dehydration process is the same as the case where the washing process is executed without using hot water. You may comprise so that it may differ. That is, since the viscosity of the heated water is reduced, the dehydration efficiency is improved when the washing process is performed by heating the water in the water tank 12. Therefore, when the washing process is performed using hot water, in the subsequent dehydration process, for example, the rotational speed of the drum 13 is reduced as compared with the case where hot water is not used, or the operation time of dehydration is not used. Even if it is shorter than the case, sufficient dehydration efficiency can be obtained. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the power consumption and the time of the dehydration process while obtaining sufficient dehydration efficiency.

  Moreover, the washing machine 10 is good also as a structure provided with the circulation mechanism part which circulates the water in the water tank 12. FIG. The circulation mechanism unit includes a circulation path communicating with the water tank 12, a circulation pump for circulating the water in the water tank 12 through the circulation path, and the like. The controller 40 circulates the water in the water tank 12 through the circulation path by, for example, driving the circulation pump in the washing process and the rinsing process, and the circulated water is discharged from the outlet at the tip of the circulation path into the water tank 12. Erupt in a shower. And this circulation mechanism part is provided with the disinfectant input part in the middle of the circulation path. For example, a disinfectant that elutes silver ions is input to the disinfectant input unit. According to this structure, the silver ion which is a disinfection component comes to be contained in the water which circulates through a circulation path, and is sprayed in the water tank 12 by shower shape. Therefore, it is possible to perform the washing process and the rinsing process while supplying water having a sterilization function by silver ions to the laundry in a shower shape, and the washing effect of the laundry can be further improved.

  And in the structure with which the washing machine 10 is provided with such a circulation mechanism part, as illustrated in FIG. 9, when the control device 40 executes the washing process using hot water, the operation content of the circulation pump May be configured to be different from the case where the washing process is executed without using hot water. That is, when the circulation pump is operated when performing the washing process using warm water, the warm water flows through the circulation path, so that silver ions are more easily eluted than when warm water is not used. Therefore, when the circulation pump is operated when performing the washing process using hot water, for example, the rotational speed of the pump motor of the circulation pump is reduced compared with the case where hot water is not used, or the operation time is reduced. Even if it is shorter than the case where it is not used, the silver ions can be sufficiently eluted in the circulating water, and a sufficient sterilizing effect can be obtained. Therefore, while obtaining a sufficient sterilization effect, it is possible to reduce the amount of power consumption and the circulation time, and to avoid unnecessarily eluting silver ions.

  According to the washing machine which concerns on this embodiment, in the washing process, the water in a water tank is heated to the temperature in the temperature range containing predetermined temperature. According to this configuration, the laundry is heated by heating the water in the aquarium to a temperature range corresponding to the type of stain on the laundry, that is, a temperature range that is most effective for removing the stain. It can be washed more effectively.

  This embodiment is presented as an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. This embodiment and its modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

  In the drawings, 10 is a washing machine, 12 is a water tub, 13 is a drum (rotating tub), 51 is a washing process execution processing unit (washing process execution means), 52 is a rinsing process execution processing unit (rinsing process execution means), and 54 is A heat processing part (heating means) is shown.

Claims (10)

A water tank in which water is stored;
A rotating tub provided rotatably in the water tub, in which laundry is stored;
Washing step execution means for executing a washing step of washing the laundry in the rotating tub;
Heating means for heating the water in the water tank in the washing step,
The said heating means is a washing machine which heats the water in the said water tank to the temperature in a 50 degreeC temperature zone, and maintains the temperature in the said 50 degreeC temperature zone in the said washing process.   The heating means provides a period for maintaining the water in the water tank at a temperature within the 50 ° C. temperature zone and a period for maintaining the temperature within a temperature zone other than the 50 ° C. temperature zone during the washing step. The washing machine according to claim 1.   The heating means provides a period for maintaining the temperature in the 40 ° C temperature zone before the period for maintaining the water in the water tank at the temperature in the 50 ° C temperature zone in the washing step. The washing machine as described in.   The washing process execution means can set the execution time of the washing process, and when increasing the execution time, the amount of increase in the period during which the water in the water tank is maintained at the temperature within the 40 ° C. temperature zone. The washing machine according to claim 3, wherein the amount of water in the water tank is set to be larger than the amount of increase in the period for maintaining the temperature in the temperature range of 50 ° C.   From the said 1st, the said heating means provides the period which maintains the water in the said water tank in the temperature in the said 50 degreeC temperature range, and the period which maintains the temperature in a temperature range exceeding 50 degreeC in the said washing process. The washing machine according to any one of 4.   The laundry according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the heating means heats the water in the water tub to a temperature in a temperature range including a temperature at which oil stains of the laundry dissolve in the washing step. Machine.   The heating means is a temperature within a temperature range including a temperature between a temperature at which an enzyme contained in a detergent is activated and a temperature at which the water in the water tank is sterilized in the washing step. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the washing machine is heated to a temperature.   The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the heating means heats water in the water tank to a temperature of 60 ° C or lower in the washing step.   The said washing | cleaning process execution means reduces the rotation amount per unit time of the said rotation tank in the period which maintains the water in the said water tank at the temperature in the said 50 degreeC temperature range in the said washing process. The washing machine according to any one of the above. Rinsing process execution means for performing a rinsing process of rinsing the laundry in the rotating tub after the washing process,
The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the heating means heats water in the water tank even in the rinsing process.

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