JP2018192191A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To utilize fine bubble water even more effectively even in other steps than a washing step, in a washing machine including a fine bubble generation device.SOLUTION: A washing machine includes: a washing tub in which clothing is stored; a water supply mechanism for supplying water in the washing tub; a fine bubble generation device for generating fine bubble water in which fine bubbles are mixed; an agitation mechanism for agitating the clothing in the washing tub; and a control device for executing a washing step including washing, rinsing by controlling each mechanism. In a rinsing step immediately after the washing step, fine bubble water generated by the fine bubble generation device is supplied, and the rinsing step is executed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a washing machine.

  Conventionally, in a drum type washing machine in which washing water in a drum is circulated by a circulation pump, an air mixing path for mixing air is provided in the circulation pump, and the air is crushed and finely divided in the circulation pump. It is considered to improve the cleaning power by increasing the action of the surfactant (detergent) by making the cleaning water containing fine bubbles that generate fine bubbles and retain the surfactant (for example, patents) Reference 1).

  In recent years, it has been considered that a device for generating fine bubbles (ultra fine bubbles or micro bubbles) having a diameter of, for example, several tens to several hundreds of nanometers as a fine bubble is provided in a washing machine (for example, Patent Documents). 2). This fine bubble generator uses the so-called Venturi effect of hydrodynamics to increase the flow rate of water, rapidly reduce the pressure, and precipitate a large amount of air dissolved in water as fine bubbles. It has become.

JP 2011-115360 A Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2017-32001

  In the prior art, water containing fine bubbles has only been used to improve detergency in the washing process. Therefore, it is desired to use the fine bubble water generated by the fine bubble generator more effectively than the washing process.

  Therefore, there is provided a washing machine equipped with a fine bubble generating device and capable of using the fine bubble water even more effectively outside the washing process.

  The washing machine of the embodiment includes a washing tub in which clothes are stored, a water supply mechanism for supplying water into the washing tub, a fine bubble generator for generating fine bubble water mixed with fine bubbles, and a A fine stirring mechanism comprising a stirring mechanism that stirs clothing and a control device that executes a washing process including washing and rinsing by controlling each of the mechanisms, and the fine bubbles generated by the fine bubble generator in the rinsing process immediately after the washing process. Run the rinse process by supplying bubble water.

  The “fine bubbles” or “fine bubbles” in the embodiment are concepts including, for example, microbubbles having a diameter of about 1 μm to several hundred μm and ultrafine bubbles having a diameter of about 50 nm to 1 μm. Fine bubble water refers to water containing a large amount of such fine bubbles.

1 is a longitudinal front view schematically showing a configuration of a washing machine according to the first embodiment. The figure which shows the structure of the water supply mechanism typically Block diagram schematically showing the electrical configuration centering on the control device Sectional drawing which shows the structure of the assembly | attachment part of a UFB unit The perspective view which shows the UFB unit seen from the downstream side An exploded perspective view seen from the downstream side of the UFB unit Exploded perspective view seen from upstream side of UFB unit Cross section of UFB unit Enlarged longitudinal side view along line X9-X9 in FIG. The figure which shows the control state in the rinse process after the washing process which a control apparatus performs The figure which shows the ratio of fine bubble water to the total water supply amount in each stroke The figure which shows the test result which investigated the cleaning performance when using fine bubble water The figure which shows 2nd Embodiment and shows the ratio of the fine bubble water with respect to the whole amount of water supply in each process and temperature division The 3rd Embodiment is a figure showing the control state in the rinse process from the washing process which a control device performs

  Hereinafter, some embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In the embodiment described below, the present invention is applied to a so-called vertical washing machine having a drying function. In addition, between several embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same part and new illustration and repeated description are abbreviate | omitted.

(1) First Embodiment A first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 schematically shows an overall configuration of a washing machine 1 according to the present embodiment. The washing machine 1 is formed of, for example, a synthetic resin on an upper portion of an outer box 2 configured as a rectangular box as a whole from a steel plate. A top cover 3 made of metal is provided. A water tub 4 capable of storing washing water is provided in the outer box 2 while being elastically suspended and supported by an elastic suspension mechanism (not shown) having a well-known configuration.

  Although not shown, a water tank cover having a laundry (clothing) doorway is provided at the upper end opening of the water tank 4. The water tank cover is provided with a water supply port and a hot air supply port. Although not shown in detail, a drain outlet is formed at the bottom of the water tank 4, and a drain passage having a drain valve 32 (shown only in FIG. 3) is connected to the drain outlet. Furthermore, a water level sensor 33 (shown only in FIG. 3) for detecting the water level in the water tank 4 is also provided in the outer box 2 via an air tube connected to an air trap provided at the bottom of the water tank 4. ing.

  In the water tank 4, a vertical washing tank (rotating tank) 5 also serving as a dewatering tank is rotatably provided. The washing tub 5 has a bottomed cylindrical shape, and a plurality of dewatering holes (not shown) are formed in the peripheral wall portion. For example, a liquid-filled rotary balancer 6 is attached to the upper end of the washing tub 5. A pulsator 7 constituting a stirring mechanism is disposed at the inner bottom of the washing tub 5. Clothes (not shown) are accommodated in the washing tub 5, and a washing operation and a drying operation including processes such as washing, rinsing, and dehydration of the clothes are performed.

  In the present embodiment, a circular concave area in which the pulsator 7 is disposed is provided at the inner bottom of the washing tub 5, and a pump chamber 8 is formed between the pulsator 7 and the inside. At this time, the pulsator 7 has a disk shape having a convex portion 7a for generating a rotating water flow on the surface (upper surface), and a plurality of water passage holes (not shown) so as to penetrate up and down the surface of the disk. Is formed. A plurality of pump blades 9 are integrally provided on the back surface of the pulsator 7. The pump blade 9 has a thin plate shape extending in the radial direction (radial direction) from the center. Outflow ports 8a (only two are shown) are provided at three locations on the outer periphery of the pump chamber 8 that are arranged at intervals of 120 degrees in the circumferential direction.

  The side walls of the washing tub 5 are provided with three water passages 10 (only two are shown) for pumping washing water from the pump chamber 8 so as to extend upward from the respective outlets 8a. Yes. These water passages 10 have discharge ports 10 a below the upper rotary balancer 6 in the washing tub 5. As a result, the washing water in the washing tub 5 (fine bubble water in which a detergent described later is dissolved, fine bubble water for rinsing, etc.) in the washing tub 5 is caused by the rotation of the pulsator 7 in the pump chamber 8, that is, the pump blade 9. Are discharged from the three outlets 8a toward the outer periphery. The washing water rises (pumps) in the water passage 10 and is discharged (sprinkled) into the washing tub 5 from the discharge port 10a.

  In addition, a well-known drive mechanism 11 that constitutes a stirring mechanism together with the pulsator 7 is disposed on the outer bottom of the water tank 4. Although not shown and described in detail, the drive mechanism 11 includes a washing machine motor 34 (see FIG. 3) made of, for example, an outer rotor type DC three-phase brushless motor, and the driving force of the washing machine motor 34 is supplied to the pulsator. 7 or a clutch mechanism (not shown) that selectively transmits to the washing tub 5. The washing machine motor 34 and the clutch mechanism are controlled by a control device 31 to be described later, and transmit the driving force of the washing machine motor 34 to the pulsator 7 while the washing tub 5 is fixed (stopped) at the time of washing and rinsing. Then, the pulsator 7 is directly driven forward and reverse at a low speed. Further, at the time of dehydration rinsing or dehydration, the clutch mechanism transmits the driving force of the washing machine motor 34 to the washing tub 5 and rotationally drives the washing tub 5 (and the pulsator 7) in one direction at a high speed.

  A water supply mechanism 12 for supplying water into the water tub 4 (washing tub 5) is provided in the top cover 3 as shown in part in FIG. The water supply mechanism 12 will be described later. In the present embodiment, a drying unit (warm air supply mechanism) 28 is provided in the top cover 3. Although not shown in detail, the drying unit 28 includes a heater and a blower for generating hot air, sucks air in the water tank 4, heats it into hot air, and heats the hot air from the hot air supply hose 29. It is comprised so that it may supply in the water tank 4 again through a supply port.

The water supply mechanism 12 includes a water supply path 13, for example, three water supply valves 20 to 22, a water injection case 18, a water injection port 19 that is an outlet of the water injection case 18, and the like. The water supply path 13 has a hose connection port 14 connected to a water supply source such as water supply on the base end side. After extending from the hose connection port 14, the water supply path 13 is branched into three, and becomes a main water supply path 15, an FB water supply path 16, and a softener water supply path 17 as shown in FIG. 2. A flow meter 35 for measuring the flow rate of water is provided on the base end side (upstream) side of the branch portion in the base end portion of the water supply path 13. The hose connection port 14 is connected to a tap and supplied with water at a predetermined household water pressure (eg, about 1.0 to 3.0 kgf / cm ² (0.1 to 0.29 MPa)). It has become so.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the water injection case 18 has a rectangular box shape, and the middle portion thereof is located on the right side in the figure, and has a detergent container 23 in which detergent (powder detergent and liquid detergent) is housed. A softening agent storage portion 24 that is provided on the left side and that stores softening agent and the like is provided. The detergent container 23 and the softener container 24 are constructed as a drawer type. A first upper space 25 and a second upper space 26 are provided in the upper part of the water injection case 18 by being partitioned by the partition plate 18a, so as to be positioned above the detergent container 23 and the softener container 24, respectively. ing. The leading ends of the main water supply path 15 and the FB water supply path 16 are connected to the upper wall of the water injection case 18 so as to communicate with the first upper space 25. The distal end portion of the softener water supply path 17 is connected to the upper wall of the water injection case 18 so as to communicate with the second upper space 26.

  A communication hole 25 a communicating with the detergent container 23 is provided at the bottom of the first upper space 25, and a communication hole 26 a communicating with the softener container 24 is provided at the bottom of the second upper space 26. ing. The outlet 23 a of the detergent container 23 and the outlet 24 a of the softener container 24 are in communication with the lower space 27 in the water injection case 18, and the lower space 27 is in communication with the water inlet 19. A main water supply valve 20 is provided in the main water supply path 15. The FB water supply path 16 is provided with an FB water supply valve 21 for fine bubbles and a UFB unit 51 described later. A softener water supply valve 22 is provided in the softener path 17. These water supply valves 20, 21, and 22 are open / close valves that open and close electromagnetically, and are controlled by the control device 31 as shown in FIG. 3.

  Thus, when the main water supply valve 20 is opened, the water from the water supply source flows through the main water supply path 15 to the detergent container 23 of the water injection case 18, and when the detergent is stored, the detergent is removed. It is discharged from the water inlet 19 while being melted, and poured into the water tank 4 (washing tub 5). In this case, tap water not containing fine bubbles is supplied into the aquarium 4 as it is through the main water supply path 15.

  In addition, when the fine bubble FB water supply valve 21 is opened, water from the water supply source flows through the FB water supply path 16 to the detergent accommodating portion 23 of the water pouring case 18 and the detergent is accommodated. Is discharged from the water inlet 19 while dissolving the detergent, and poured into the water tank 4. At this time, as will be described later, the water flowing through the FB water supply path 16 passes through the UFB unit 51 to become fine bubble water containing a large amount of fine bubbles, and the washing water in which the detergent is dissolved in the fine bubble water becomes the water tank. 4 (washing tub 5).

  Further, when the softener water supply valve 22 for softener is opened, water from the water supply source flows through the softener water supply path 17 to the softener container 24 of the water injection case 18 and the softener is stored. If the softener is dissolved, the softener is discharged from the water inlet 19 and poured into the water tank 4 (washing tub 5). The softening agent is supplied into the water tank 4 in the rinsing process for the last time, for example. Although not shown in detail, the top cover 3 is also provided with a doorway for clothes, a lid for opening and closing the doorway, an operation panel 36 (see FIG. 3), and the like. The operation panel 36 includes an operation unit for the user to turn on and off the washing machine 1 and perform various settings / instructions, a display unit for performing necessary display, and the like.

  By the way, in this embodiment, as described above, the fine bubbles are formed by utilizing the principle of the venturi pipe so as to be incorporated in the vicinity of the outlet portion on the downstream side of the FB water supply valve 21 in the FB water supply path 16. A UFB unit 51 is provided as a fine bubble generating device that generates (hereinafter referred to as “fine bubbles”). The UFB unit 51 will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, the UFB unit 51 is configured by combining two parts of an upstream flow path member 52 and a downstream flow path member 53, both of which are made of synthetic resin.

  That is, as shown in FIGS. 8, 4 and the like, the UFB unit 51 as a whole has a columnar shape in which the axial direction is the left-right direction in the drawing and the rear end portion (right end portion in the drawing) has a flange portion 54. In the central portion (axial center portion), there is formed a flow channel 55 that penetrates in the left-right direction in the figure and in which water flows in the direction of arrow A. The flow path 55 has an opening 55a on the right side in the drawing as an inflow port 55a and an opening on the left side in the drawing as an outflow port 55b. A narrowed portion 55c is formed in the intermediate portion of the flow channel 55 by a protruding portion 56 protruding to the inner peripheral side. The flow path 55 is configured to have a tapered shape in which the flow path cross-sectional area gradually decreases from the inflow port 55a to about 1/4 of the entire length, and the remaining portion is substantially constant except for the throttle portion 55c. It is configured in a straight shape with an inner diameter.

  The UFB unit 51 includes an upstream-side channel member 52 that integrally includes a protruding portion 56 that forms the upstream side of the channel 55 and narrows the channel cross-sectional area of the throttle portion 55c, as shown in FIG. It has the downstream flow path member 53 which comprises the downstream rather than the said protrusion part 56, and is comprised combining them. As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the upstream-side flow path portion 52 is integrally provided with a slightly smaller diameter barrel portion 57 on the distal end side (left side in the drawing) of the flange portion 54, and the barrel portion thereof. A small-diameter portion 58 having a smaller diameter is provided on the distal end side of 57. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 8, an upstream half of the flow channel 55 is formed inside the upstream flow channel portion 52.

  At this time, a protruding portion 56 that protrudes from the inner peripheral surface of the flow channel 55 toward the center is integrally formed at the distal end portion of the small-diameter portion 58. As shown in FIG. 9, the protrusions 56 are positioned at four positions on the top, bottom, left, and right (interval of 90 degrees) in the figure and extend in a form in which the tip is pointed toward the inner peripheral side (the center of the flow path). The channel 55 is narrowed, and the portion of the throttle section 55c having the smallest channel cross-sectional area has an X-shaped (cross-shaped) slit shape.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 8, the downstream flow path member 53 has a cylindrical shape having an outer diameter equivalent to that of the body portion 57, and is on the base end side (right end side in the drawing). A circular recess 59 into which the small-diameter portion 58 of the upstream flow path portion 52 is fitted is formed. A straight hole constituting the downstream half of the channel 55 is formed in the downstream channel member 53 so as to penetrate in the left-right direction in the drawing.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 9, the inner diameter dimension of the circular recess 59 is configured to be slightly larger than the outer dimension of the small diameter section 58, and as shown in FIG. For example, four press-fitting ribs 60 are provided integrally extending in the axial direction (left-right direction) at intervals of 90 degrees. As shown in FIG. 9, as the small diameter portion 58 of the upstream flow path member 52 is inserted (press-fitted) into the circular recess 59 of the downstream flow path member 53, the press-fit rib 60 is The small diameter part 58 and the circular recessed part 59 are firmly fixed so as to be crushed.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, the water injection case 18 is integrally provided with an inlet pipe 42 as an inlet portion of water. An outlet pipe 44 of the FB water supply valve 21 is connected to the inlet pipe 42. The outlet pipe 44 has a circular tube shape, and a small-diameter portion 44a in which the outer peripheral surface has a small diameter is provided at the tip portion thereof by forming a step. The UFB unit 51 is assembled so as to be sandwiched between the outlet pipe 44 of the FB water supply valve 21 and the inlet pipe 42 of the water injection case 18.

  The inlet pipe 42 has such a shape that its inner diameter gradually decreases in three steps from the inlet side (right side in the figure), and includes a first large diameter portion 42a, a second large diameter portion 42b, and a small diameter portion 42c. Is provided. The inner diameter dimension of the first large diameter portion 42 a corresponds to (can be fitted to) the outer diameter dimension of the outlet pipe 44. The inner diameter dimension of the second large diameter portion 42 b corresponds to (can be fitted to) the outer diameter dimension of the small diameter portion 44 a of the outlet pipe 44 and the flange portion 54 of the UFB unit 51. The inner diameter dimension of the small diameter portion 42 c corresponds to (can be fitted to) the outer diameter dimension of the UFB unit 51. At the end of the back side (left side in the figure) of the inlet pipe 42, a rib 45 is provided on which the front end surface of the UFB unit 51 is locked. In the center of the rib 45, a communication hole 45a is formed which is continuous with the same diameter as the outlet 55b of the flow channel 55 and communicates with the inside of the water injection case 18 (detergent storage case).

  As shown in FIG. 4, the UFB unit 51 is inserted into the inner side of the inlet pipe 42 in a state where the upstream flow path member 52 and the downstream flow path member 53 are combined. As a result, the front end surface of the UFB unit 51 (downstream flow path member 53) abuts on the rib 45, and the outer periphery (mainly the outer periphery of the downstream flow path member 53) except the rear end portion of the UFB unit 51 has a small diameter. It fits in the inner periphery of the part 42c. Further, the outer periphery of the flange portion 54 of the UFB unit 51 (upstream flow path member 52) is fitted to the inner periphery of the second large diameter portion 42b. At this time, a gap is generated between the outer peripheral surface of the trunk portion 57 of the upstream flow path member 52 and the inner peripheral surface of the second large diameter portion 42b of the inlet pipe 42. An O-ring 46 is provided as a seal member for hermetically sealing.

  And in this state, the front-end | tip part of the outlet pipe 44 of the said FB water supply valve 21 is inserted and connected to the opening edge part side in the inlet pipe 42. FIG. In this case, the outer periphery of the distal end portion of the outlet pipe 44 is fitted to the inner periphery of the first large diameter portion 42 a of the inlet pipe 42. At the same time, the front end surface of the outlet pipe 44 comes into contact with the rear end surface of the UFB unit 51 (upstream flow path member 52). An O-ring 47 for preventing water leakage is also provided between the outer peripheral surface of the small-diameter portion 44a of the outlet pipe 44 and the inner peripheral surface of the first large-diameter portion 42a of the inlet pipe 42. It has become.

  In the above configuration, as shown in FIG. 4, when the FB water supply valve 21 is opened, for example, when water is supplied, relatively high-pressure tap water is supplied from the outlet pipe 44 to the UFB unit 51, and from the inflow port 55a. It flows through the flow path 55 in the direction of arrow A. In the UFB unit 51, the throttle portion 55 c formed by the projecting portion 56 is provided in the middle of the flow path 55, so that the flow velocity is increased and the pressure is rapidly decreased by the so-called Venturi effect of hydrodynamics. Thereby, a large amount of air dissolved in water can be deposited as fine bubbles.

The UFB unit 51 of the present embodiment can generate a large amount of fine bubbles (fine bubbles) including ultra fine bubbles having a diameter of about 50 nm to 1 μm and micro bubbles having a diameter of about 1 μm to several hundreds of μm. . Thus, fine bubble water containing a large amount of fine bubbles can be poured into the water pouring case 18 (detergent housing part 23) and then into the water tank 4 through the communication hole 45a from the outlet 55b. In the UFB unit 51 of this embodiment, fine bubble water containing fine bubbles having a diameter of 50 nm to 300 nm, for example, at a concentration of 10 ⁶ / ml or more per milliliter is generated.

  In addition, fine water supply through the UFB unit 51 by opening the FB water supply valve 21 is limited in the flow rate of water when passing through the UFB unit 51, so the water supply amount (flow rate) per unit time is This is less than the water supply amount when the main water supply valve 20 and the softener water supply valve 22 are opened. For example, tap water supply through the main water supply valve 20 is performed at a flow rate about twice that of fine bubble water supply through the UFB unit 51.

  FIG. 3 schematically shows the electrical configuration of the washing machine 1 with the control device 31 as the center. The control device 31 is mainly composed of a computer, and controls the entire washing machine 1 to execute a washing operation and a drying operation including washing, rinsing, and dehydration processes. The control device 31 is connected to the operation panel 36 and receives detection signals from the water level sensor 33 and the flow meter 35. In this case, the control device 31 can calculate the amount of water supplied by integrating the detection signals of the flow meter 35. In the present embodiment, a water temperature sensor 37 that detects the temperature of the supplied water (or the outside air temperature) is provided, and the detection signal is input to the control device 31.

  Further, the control device 31 controls the washing machine motor 34, the drain valve 32, the main water supply valve 20, the FB water supply valve 21, the softener water supply valve 22, and the drying unit 28. With this configuration, the control device 31 controls each mechanism of the washing machine 1 based on an input signal from each sensor or a pre-stored control program in accordance with a driving course set by the user on the operation panel 36. In addition, a well-known washing operation including a washing process, a rinsing process, and a dehydrating process, and a drying operation by the drying unit 28 are automatically executed. In performing the washing operation, a well-known cloth amount detection operation is performed, and the water supply water level and operation time in the washing process and the rinsing process are automatically determined based on the detection result.

  As will be described in the following description of the operation, in the present embodiment, for example, when a normal course washing operation is selected by the user, a washing process, two rinsing processes, and a dehydrating process are sequentially performed. At this time, the control device 31 performs the rinsing process by supplying fine bubble water generated by the UFB unit 51 in the rinsing process immediately after the washing process mainly by the software configuration. This rinsing process is performed by driving the pulsator 7 for a predetermined time in a state where water is supplied to the predetermined rinsing water level in the water tub 4 (washing tub 5). In the present embodiment, after the washing process is completed, a draining operation is performed, and then the first rinsing process (water rinsing process) is performed without performing a dehydrating operation (dehydrating rinsing). .

In this case, water supply in the first rinsing process is performed by alternately opening the main water supply valve 20 and the FB water supply valve 21. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, the proportion of fine bubble water is 50% of the total amount of water supply, that is, tap water and fine bubble water are supplied at a ratio of 1: 1. Is done. Thus, for example, the number of fine bubbles, 10 ⁵ cells / ml was included in a concentration such that above fine bubble water is used. That is, fine bubble water and tap water are mixed at a predetermined ratio such that the number of fine bubbles is 10 ⁵ / ml or more.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, also in the 2nd (final) rinse process performed after the 1st rinse process, the rinse process is performed using the same fine bubble water as the 1st rinse process.

  In the present embodiment, fine bubble water generated by the UFB unit 51 is also supplied in the washing process, and the washing process using the fine bubble water is executed. In this case, at the start of the washing process, the main water supply valve 20 and the FB water supply valve 21 are alternately opened to supply water, and water is supplied in a form in which tap water and fine bubble water are mixed. As shown in FIG. 11, the ratio of fine bubble water to the total water supply at this time is 30%. Therefore, the fine bubble water used in the rinsing process is supplied so that the number of fine bubbles is larger than the fine bubble water in the washing process.

  Next, the operation of the washing machine 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. When starting the washing operation, the user puts clothes to be washed into the washing tub 5, stores a required amount of detergent in the detergent container 23 of the water injection case 18, and further stores a softener container as necessary. After a required amount of softening agent is stored in 24, a start operation is performed on the operation panel 36. Then, the control device 31 automatically executes a washing operation including steps such as washing, rinsing, and dehydration. When the washing operation is started, a well-known cloth amount detection operation is first performed, and the water supply level and the like are automatically determined based on the detection result, and the process proceeds to the washing process.

  In the washing process, as described above, first, the main water supply valve 20 and the FB water supply valve 21 are alternately opened, and as shown in FIG. 11, the wash water containing 30% fine bubble water is supplied to a predetermined water level. Is done. At this time, water supply to the water tank 4 is performed while dissolving the detergent in the detergent container 23, and washing water in which the detergent is dissolved in fine bubble water is supplied into the water tank 4. When water supply to a predetermined water level is performed, a washing process for driving the pulsator 7 to rotate forward and reverse is performed for a predetermined time.

  Here, the fine bubble causes a Brownian motion that causes an irregular motion in the liquid, for example, in water, and has a property of staying in the liquid for a long time because its speed is faster than the flying speed. And since the surface of the fine bubble is negatively charged, it adsorbs while dispersing the detergent component (surfactant) contained in the washing water while improving the dispersibility of the detergent. Play a role. Fine bubbles repel each other and do not combine. In addition, the fine bubbles that adsorb the detergent can easily enter into the gaps (for example, 10 μm) between the fibers of the clothes and efficiently carry the detergent into the clothes to remove the dirt. Suppresses reattachment to the surface. With such a fine bubble function, an excellent cleaning action can be obtained by performing a washing process using washing water obtained by dissolving a detergent in fine bubble water containing a large amount of fine bubbles.

  By the way, when the washing process for a predetermined time is completed, the process proceeds to the rinsing process (first rinsing process). FIG. 10 is a time chart showing the state of opening / closing control of the main water supply valve 20, the FB water supply valve 21, the softener water supply valve 22, and the drain valve 32 in the two rinsing strokes after the end of the washing stroke by the control device 31. It is a chart. As shown in FIG. 10, when the first rinsing process is started, first, the drain valve 32 is opened, and the water tank 4 is drained. At this time, all the water supply valves 20, 21, and 22 are closed.

  When the drainage is completed, the drain valve 32 is closed and water is supplied. Here, first, the main water supply valve 20 is opened (the FB water supply valve 21 and the softener water supply valve 22 are closed), and tap water is supplied. When tap water is supplied up to a half of the predetermined rinse water level (50%), the main water supply valve 20 is closed and the FB water supply valve 21 is opened. Thus, fine bubble water containing a large amount of fine bubbles is supplied into the water tank 4. When water is supplied to a predetermined rinse water level, the FB water supply valve 21 is closed. The order of opening the main water supply valve 20 and opening the FB water supply valve 21 may be reversed.

  Subsequently, a stirring operation for intermittently driving the pulsator 12 forward and reverse is executed, and rinsing is performed for a certain time. Here, according to the study by the present inventors, the knowledge that the effect of removing dirt on clothes can be obtained by using fine bubble water containing a large amount of fine bubbles even in the rinsing process immediately after the washing process. was gotten.

  That is, immediately after the washing process, a part of the detergent used in the washing process (the amount not removed by the drainage) remains and adheres to the clothing, and the remaining detergent (surfactant) by fine bubbles. ) Can be adsorbed and dispersed. This detergent can be reacted with clothes stains that could not be removed in the washing process, and a stain removal effect can be obtained. Furthermore, the effect of peeling off the dirt adhering to the clothing can be obtained by cavitation generated when the fine bubbles can be flipped. Thus, it is considered that the cleaning effect can be further enhanced by using fine bubble water in the rinsing process.

In this case, since the dehydration operation is not performed after the drainage after the washing process, the discharge of the detergent component accompanying the dehydration operation can be suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to shift to the rinsing process with a relatively large amount of detergent remaining as compared with the case where the dehydrating operation is performed. Further, according to the study by the present inventors, by setting the fine bubble water used in the rinsing process to a concentration of 10 ⁵ bubbles / ml or more, a good cleaning effect in the rinsing process can be obtained. It was confirmed that it was obtained.

Incidentally, FIG. 12 shows the test results of examining the washing performance when fine bubble water is used in the washing process and the rinsing process (first time). This test is performed according to “JIS C9811: 1999 Method for Measuring Performance of Home Electric Washing Machine”. However, evaluation was performed by measuring the color difference of the contaminated cloth after dyeing with oil violet, using the contaminated cloth with artificial sebum stain as a sample. In the test results, the horizontal axis indicates the concentration of fine bubbles in washing water (pieces / ml), and the vertical axis indicates the improvement rate of the cleaning performance with respect to the case where tap water is used. From this result, it can be understood that the use of fine bubble water having a concentration of 10 ⁵ bubbles / ml or more improves the cleaning performance not only in the washing step but also in the rinsing step. The higher the number (concentration) of fine bubbles, the higher the cleaning performance was obtained.

  Returning to FIG. 10, when the first rinsing operation is completed, the process proceeds to the second rinsing process. In the second rinsing process, the drain valve 32 is first opened to drain water, and then an intermediate dehydration operation (an operation for continuously rotating the washing tub 5 at a high speed) for a predetermined time while the drain valve 32 is opened is performed. Executed. When the intermediate dehydration operation is completed, the drain valve 32 is closed and water supply is started.

  Here, the softener water supply valve 22 is first opened (the main water supply valve 20 and the FB water supply valve 21 are closed), and tap water is supplied to the water tank 4 through the softener container 24 while dissolving the softener. The When tap water is supplied to a half water level (50%) of the predetermined rinse water level, the softener water supply valve 22 is closed and the FB water supply valve 21 is opened. Thus, fine bubble water containing a large amount of fine bubbles is supplied into the water tank 4. When water is supplied to a predetermined rinse water level, the FB water supply valve 21 is closed. The order of opening the softener water supply valve 22 and opening the FB water supply valve 21 may be reversed.

  Subsequently, a stirring operation for intermittently driving the pulsator 12 forward and reverse is executed, and rinsing is performed for a certain time. Even in the second rinsing step, it is possible to obtain a certain cleaning effect with fine bubble water as compared with the case where fine bubble water is not used. Moreover, the improvement about the performance of a rinse can also be aimed at by using fine bubble water. Although not shown, when the second rinsing process is completed, drainage is performed and a dehydration process is performed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the fine bubble water containing fine bubbles is also used in the rinsing process immediately after the washing process. Thereby, also in the rinsing process, the effect of washing with fine bubble water can be enhanced. As a result, it is possible to use the fine bubble water generated by the UFB unit 51 even more effectively outside the washing step, unlike the conventional case where the fine bubble water is only used for improving the washing power in the washing step. It becomes possible.

  In the present embodiment, after the washing process, the water supply operation of the rinsing process is performed without performing the dewatering operation after the draining operation. Thereby, since the dehydrating operation is not performed after the draining operation, the discharge of the detergent component accompanying the dehydrating operation is suppressed. Therefore, as compared with the case where the dehydrating operation is performed, the cleaning process is shifted to the rinsing process with a relatively large amount of detergent remaining, and the cleaning effect in the rinsing process can be further enhanced.

  In particular, in the present embodiment, the rinsing process is performed a plurality of times (twice), and the rinsing process is performed by supplying fine bubble water generated by the UFB unit 51 for the second rinsing process. I made it. Thereby, the fixed washing | cleaning effect by fine bubble water can be acquired also in the 2nd rinse process compared with the case where fine bubble water is not used.

In the present embodiment, the fine bubble water used in the rinsing process has a concentration of fine bubbles of 10 ⁵ / ml or more. Thereby, a good cleaning effect in the rinsing process was obtained. In this case, a fine bubble water, and tap water, fine bubbles speed is to perform the water while mixing at a predetermined ratio such that the 10 ⁵ cells / ml or more. Thereby, while the predetermined | prescribed washing | cleaning effect by fine bubble water can be acquired, the time required for water supply can be shortened by the part which used tap water.

  Further, particularly in the present embodiment, water supply is performed so that the concentration of fine bubble water used in the rinsing step is larger (the number of fine bubbles is larger) than the concentration of fine bubble water in the washing step. In the rinsing process, since the remaining amount of detergent is smaller than in the washing process, the number of fine bubbles in the fine bubble water (fine bubble concentration) used in the rinsing process should be increased compared to the washing process in order to enhance the cleaning effect. Thus, a better cleaning effect can be obtained.

(2) Second and Third Embodiments and Other Embodiments FIG. 13 shows a second embodiment. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the control in the washing process and the rinsing process performed by the control device 31. Specifically, the control device 31 changes the ratio of fine bubble water to the total water supply amount in the water supply in the washing process and the rinsing process according to the water temperature detected by the water temperature sensor 37.

  That is, when the water temperature (or outside air temperature) detected by the water temperature sensor 37 is a low temperature (less than 15 ° C.), a medium temperature (15 ° C. or higher and lower than 30 ° C.), and a high temperature (30 ° C. or higher). The fine bubble water supply amount (ratio to the total water supply amount) is changed, that is, the higher the water temperature, the smaller the fine bubble water proportion. Similarly to the first embodiment, in the same temperature range, the concentration of fine bubble water used in the rinsing process is larger than the concentration of fine bubble water in the washing process (the number of fine bubbles is smaller). Water supply is performed so that

  In this embodiment, at the time of water supply in the washing process, the ratio of fine bubble water to the total water supply amount is 80% when the water temperature is low, 50% when the water temperature is low, and 30% when the water temperature is high. It is said. Further, at the time of water supply in the rinsing process, the ratio of fine bubble water to the total water supply amount is 100% when the water temperature is low, 70% when the water temperature is low, and 50% when the water temperature is high.

  Here, in the washing process and the rinsing process, it is known that the higher the temperature of the supplied water, the higher the cleaning effect can be obtained. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, when the water temperature is relatively low, the cleaning effect is low, but by increasing the concentration of fine bubble water, the low water temperature is covered and the cleaning performance is ensured. be able to. On the other hand, when the water temperature is relatively high, a high cleaning effect can be obtained by the water temperature itself, and therefore the concentration of fine bubble water can be made relatively low to shorten the water supply time. Further, by raising the concentration of fine bubble water used in the rinsing process as compared with the washing process, a better cleaning effect in the rinsing process can be obtained.

  FIG. 14 shows a third embodiment. In the third embodiment, it is possible to execute an operation course in which soaking is performed during the washing process. This extra washing is to put the clothes on the washing water in the washing tub 5 for a certain period of time with the pulsator 7 stopped, and is effective when executed when the degree of dirt on the clothes is large. By operating the operation panel 36 by the user, it is possible to set the time for the extra-washing in a plurality of stages (including 0 hours, that is, not performing the extra-washing operation).

  In the present embodiment, when soaking is set, the control device 31 drives the drying unit 28 up to 180 minutes from the start of the washing operation (first washing) to drive hot air. Is supplied into the water tank 4. Thereby, the washing water in the water tub 4 (washing tub 5) is heated at the time of putting up, and the temperature of washing water can be raised about 10 degree | times from the time of water supply.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the control device 31 performs the first washing operation for a predetermined time (for example, 20 minutes) after the water supply operation up to the predetermined water level in the washing process when the extra washing is set. After that, the pulsator 7 is stopped and the soaking is performed. At this time, as described above, the drying unit 28 is turned on from the start of the first washing, and the washing water is heated by the warm air. The drying unit 28 is turned off after the predetermined time, for example, during the extra washing, and the extra washing and the second washing are performed with the washing water whose temperature has increased by about 10 degrees.

  When the set washing for the set time is completed, the second washing operation is executed for a predetermined time (for example, 20 minutes) to finish the washing process. The water supply at the start of the washing process is performed by alternately opening the main water supply valve 20 and the FB water supply valve 21 to obtain wash water containing fine bubble water at a predetermined ratio. In this water supply, as shown in FIG. 13, the ratio of fine bubble water can also be determined according to the current water temperature or the water temperature increased by 10 degrees therefrom.

  When the washing process ends, the process proceeds to the rinsing process. This rinsing process includes a dehydrating operation and a rinsing for one time. After the drainage is performed, the dehydrating operation is performed for a predetermined time. Thereafter, the main water supply valve 20 and the FB water supply valve 21 are alternately opened to supply water up to a predetermined rinse water level. Also in this case, as shown in FIG. 13, the proportion of fine bubble water can be determined according to the current water temperature. Subsequently, a stirring operation for intermittently driving the pulsator 12 forward and reverse is executed.

  Even in the third embodiment, by using the fine bubble water containing fine bubbles in the rinsing process immediately after the washing process, the effect of washing with the fine bubble water can be achieved even in the rinsing process. An excellent effect of being able to be enhanced can be obtained. In addition, the use of extra washing can improve the washing performance in the washing process.

  In each of the above embodiments, stirring is performed after the completion of water supply in the rinsing process. However, in the rinsing process immediately after the washing process, a low water level during the supply of fine bubble water, for example, about 3/4 of the set water level. The stirring operation (drive of the pulsator 7) may be started from the water level. In this case, after a while from the start of stirring, water supply is completed, and stirring for a predetermined time including that time is performed. In this case, the fine bubble water supply takes longer time than the tap water supply, but before starting the water supply to the final rinse water level, the agitation is started to start rinsing accordingly. The time required for the entire process can be shortened.

  In addition, the specific values such as the time and water level, the number of fine bubbles (concentration), the ratio of tap water and fine bubble water, and the temperature classification used in each of the above embodiments are merely examples, and are appropriately changed. Can be implemented. Various changes can also be made to the content of the washing course, such as rinsing three or more times. Furthermore, in the said embodiment, although applied to the vertical type washing machine, it can apply not only to a vertical type washing machine but to general washing machines, such as a drum type washing machine. In addition, various changes can be made to the specific structure of the fine bubble generating device, the configuration of the water injection case and the water supply mechanism, and the like.

  The several embodiments described above have been presented by way of example and are 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. These embodiments and modifications thereof 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, 1 is a washing machine, 4 is a water tub, 5 is a washing tub, 7 is a pulsator (stirring mechanism), 11 is a drive mechanism, 12 is a water supply mechanism, 13 is a water supply path, 18 is a water supply case, and 20 is a main water supply valve. , 21 is a FB water supply valve, 28 is a drying unit, 31 is a control device, 32 is a drain valve, 33 is a water level sensor, 35 is a flow meter, 36 is an operation panel, 37 is a water temperature gauge, 51 is a UFB unit (fine bubbles) Generator).

Claims (7)

A washing tub in which clothing is stored;
A water supply mechanism for supplying water into the washing tub;
A fine bubble generator for generating fine bubble water mixed with fine bubbles;
An agitation mechanism for agitating the clothes in the washing tub;
A control device for controlling each of the mechanisms to perform washing and performing a washing process including rinsing, and
A washing machine for performing a rinsing step by supplying fine bubble water generated by the fine bubble generating device in a rinsing step immediately after the washing step.   2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein after the washing step, the draining operation is performed and then the rinsing step is performed without performing the dehydrating operation.   The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in the rinsing process immediately after the washing process, stirring by the stirring mechanism is started in the middle of water supply before reaching a predetermined rinsing water level.   4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rinsing process is performed a plurality of times, and the rinsing process is performed by supplying fine bubble water generated by the fine bubble generating device for the second and subsequent rinsing processes. A washing machine according to claim 1. The fine bubble water is used in the rinsing process, fine bubbles number, a washing machine according to claim 1, any one of 4 is 10 ⁵ cells / ml or more. Wherein in the rinsing process, according to claim for performing a fine-bubble water generated by the micro-bubble generating device, and a tap water, the water supply while mixing at a predetermined ratio, such as micro-bubbles number of 10 ⁵ cells / ml or more 5. The washing machine according to 5.   The washing step is performed using the fine bubble water, and the fine bubble water used in the rinsing step is supplied with water so that the number of fine bubbles is larger than the fine bubble water in the washing step. The washing machine according to any one of 1 to 6.

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