JP2021007636A - Clothing treatment apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a clothing treatment apparatus capable of efficiently cleaning a supply path in a constitution in which a water supply valve is provided in a supply path for manual operation and an automatic supply path, respectively.SOLUTION: A clothing treatment apparatus includes an outer case, a clothing treatment tub which is provided inside the outer case for housing clothing, a tank for storing a clothing treatment agent for treating clothing, an automatic feed unit for feeding the clothing treatment agent stored in the tank into the clothing treatment tub, a supply path for manual operation to supply the clothing treatment agent which a user manually feeds into the clothing treatment tub, a water supply valve for manual operation to supply water into the supply path for manual operation, an automatic supply path to supply the clothing treatment agent which the automatic feed unit automatically feeds into the clothing treatment tub, an automatic water supply valve to supply water into the automatic supply path, and a control unit which controls operation of the water supply valve for manual operation and the automatic water supply valve. The control unit can perform cleaning processing for cleaning the supply paths by controlling the operation of the water supply valves.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a garment processing device.

Conventionally, in a washing machine which is an example of a clothes processing device for performing a predetermined treatment on clothes, a washing machine provided with a manual charging unit in which a clothes processing agent such as a detergent or a softener is manually added by a user is provided. ing. In recent years, in washing machines, in order to meet the demand for improving convenience for users, the clothes treatment agent is stored in the tank for automatic loading a plurality of times in advance, and the required amount is automatically stored from the tank during the washing operation. A configuration including an automatic charging unit for charging into a water tank has been developed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). That is, the development of a washing machine having both a manual loading section and an automatic loading section is in progress.

JP-A-2018-11618

By the way, in a washing machine, there is a concern that the clothes treatment agent may stick in the supply path for supplying the clothes treatment agent into the tub. Therefore, the development of a technique for cleaning the supply path is being promoted. .. Then, the inventor of the present application has a manual supply path for supplying the clothing treatment agent manually charged by the user into the tank, and the clothing treatment agent automatically charged by the automatic charging unit into the tank. Focusing on the configuration in which water supply valves are provided in each of the automatic supply paths, we are developing a technology that can efficiently clean the supply paths using this configuration.

Therefore, the present embodiment provides a garment processing apparatus capable of efficiently cleaning the supply path in a configuration in which a water supply valve is provided in each of the manual supply path and the automatic supply path.

The garment processing apparatus of the present embodiment is stored in an outer box, a garment processing tank provided inside the outer box and accommodating clothes, a tank for storing a garment processing agent for processing clothes, and the tank. An automatic charging unit for charging the garment treatment agent into the garment processing tank, a manual supply route for supplying the garment treatment agent manually charged by the user into the garment processing tank, and a manual supply route. Water is supplied to the manual water supply valve for supplying water to the clothes treatment tank, the automatic supply path for supplying the clothes treatment agent automatically charged by the automatic charging unit into the clothes processing tank, and the automatic supply path. The automatic water supply valve and a control unit for controlling the operation of the manual water supply valve and the automatic water supply valve are provided, and the control unit controls the operation of the manual water supply valve and the automatic water supply valve. Thereby, the cleaning process for cleaning the manual supply path and the automatic supply path can be executed.

Longitudinal side view schematically showing a configuration example of a washing machine according to this embodiment The figure which shows the structural example of the water supply part which concerns on this embodiment schematicly. A block diagram schematically showing a configuration example of a washing machine control system according to this embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the normal pattern which concerns on this embodiment schematicly. The figure which shows an example of the 1st deformation pattern which concerns on this embodiment schematicly. The figure which shows typically an example of the 2nd deformation pattern which concerns on this Embodiment The figure which shows an example of the 3rd deformation pattern which concerns on this embodiment schematicly. A flowchart illustrating a control example of the washing machine according to the present embodiment (No. 1) A flowchart illustrating a control example of the washing machine according to the present embodiment (Part 2)

Hereinafter, a plurality of embodiments relating to the garment processing apparatus will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, about substantially the same configuration in a plurality of embodiments, the same reference numerals are given and the description thereof will be omitted.

(First Embodiment)
The washing machine 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 is an example of a clothes processing device capable of performing a predetermined treatment, in this case, at least a washing treatment, a rinsing treatment, and a dehydration treatment on clothes. Further, the washing machine 1 is a so-called drum type washing machine in which the rotation center axis of the rotary tub extends in a horizontal direction or a direction inclined with respect to the horizontal direction.

The washing machine 1 is provided with a washing tub 3 for washing clothes inside a rectangular box-shaped outer box 2 constituting the outer shell. The washing tank 3 is an example of a garment processing tank, and has a configuration in which a bottomed cylindrical drum is rotatably provided inside a bottomed cylindrical water tank. A large number of small holes are provided in the peripheral wall of the drum, and a baffle for scooping up clothes is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the drum. The front opening of the cleaning tank 3 can be opened and closed by a door 5 provided on the front surface of the outer box 2. By opening the door 5, the user can put clothes in and out of the washing tank 3 through the front opening of the washing tank 3.

Further, the washing machine 1 includes a water supply unit 4 for supplying water into the washing tub 3 and a drainage unit 6 for draining the water in the washing tub 3 to the outside of the machine. The water supply unit 4 is configured to include a water supply valve unit 10 or the like in the middle of a water supply path extending from a water source (not shown) such as a water supply to the washing tank 3. Further, the drainage unit 6 is configured to include a drainage valve 7 or the like in the middle of the drainage path extending from the bottom of the cleaning tank 3 to the outside of the machine. When the drain valve 7 is closed, the water supply unit 4 supplies water to the cleaning tank 3, so that the water is stored in the cleaning tank 3. Further, when the drain valve 7 is opened, the water in the washing tank 3 is discharged to the outside of the machine through the drainage path.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the water supply unit 4 is configured to include a water supply valve unit 10, an automatic charging unit 11, a water injection case 12, and the like in the middle of a water supply path extending from a water source (not shown) to the washing tank 3. .. The inlet of the water supply valve unit 10 is connected to a water source (not shown) such as water services. Further, the water supply valve unit 10 has at least two water supply valves 10a and 10b. The water supply valve 10a is an example of a manual water supply valve, and is connected to the water injection case 12 via a manual supply path 13a. The water supply valve 10b is an example of an automatic water supply valve, and is connected to the water injection case 12 via the automatic supply path 13b. Hereinafter, the water supply valve 10a will be referred to as a manual water supply valve 10a, and the water supply valve 10b will be referred to as an automatic water supply valve 10b. The outlet of the water injection case 12 is connected to the cleaning tank 3 via the water supply hose 14.

The automatic charging section 11 includes a detergent tank 15 and a softener tank 16. The detergent tank 15 and the softener tank 16 are detachably provided with respect to the water supply unit 4. In the detergent tank 15, a clothes treatment agent for a plurality of operations, in this case, a detergent for washing clothes in the washing tank 3 can be stored. The fabric softener tank 16 can store a fabric softener for a plurality of operations, in this case, a fabric softener for softening the clothes in the washing tank 3.

The detergent tank 15 is connected to the automatic supply path 13b via a detergent measuring pump 17. The detergent measuring pump 17 is configured to suck and deliver a liquid by driving a piston by an actuator such as a motor or a solenoid, for example. The detergent measuring pump 17 sucks a predetermined amount of detergent from the detergent tank 15, in this case, an amount of detergent used for one operation, and sends the sucked detergent into the automatic supply path 13b. Then, the detergent delivered into the automatic supply path 13b is introduced into the water injection case 12 together with the water supplied from the automatic water supply valve 10b of the water supply valve unit 10. Then, the detergent introduced into the water injection case 12 is supplied to the cleaning tank 3 via the water supply hose 14 together with the water also introduced into the water injection case 12. As a result, the detergent is automatically charged from the detergent tank 15 into the cleaning tank 3. The detergent measuring pump 17 is not limited to the one that sucks the liquid, and may be, for example, the one that pushes out the liquid.

The softener tank 16 is connected to the automatic supply path 13b via the softener measuring pump 18. The fabric softener measuring pump 18 is configured to suck and deliver a liquid by driving a piston by an actuator such as a motor or a solenoid, for example. The softener measuring pump 18 sucks a predetermined amount of the softener, in this case, an amount used for one operation from the softener tank 16, and sends the sucked softener into the automatic supply path 13b. .. Then, the softener delivered into the automatic supply path 13b is introduced into the water injection case 12 together with the water supplied from the automatic water supply valve 10b of the water supply valve unit 10. Then, the softener introduced into the water injection case 12 is supplied to the cleaning tank 3 via the water supply hose 14 together with the water also introduced into the water injection case 12. As a result, the softener is automatically charged from the softener tank 16 into the cleaning tank 3. The softener measuring pump 18 is not limited to the one that sucks the liquid, and may be, for example, the one that pushes out the liquid.

Further, a manual charging case 12a is housed in the water injection case 12 so that it can be taken in and out. In the manual charging case 12a, a manual detergent charging section (not shown) in which the detergent is manually charged by the user and a manual softener charging section (not shown) in which the softener is manually charged by the user are provided. There is. The detergent charged into the manual detergent charging section or the softener charged into the manual softener charging section is combined with the water injected from the water supply valve unit 10 into the water injection case 12 via the manual supply path 13a. It is supplied into the washing tank 3 via the water supply hose 14.

In the water supply unit 4 configured as described above, the manual supply path 13a constitutes a supply path for supplying the clothes treatment agent such as detergent and fabric softener manually added by the user into the washing tank 3. ing. Further, the automatic supply path 13b constitutes a supply path for supplying a clothing treatment agent such as a detergent or a softener that is automatically charged by the automatic charging unit 11 into the washing tank 3.

Next, a configuration example of the control system of the washing machine 1 will be described. The control device 50 illustrated in FIG. 3 is an example of a control unit. The control device 50 is mainly composed of, for example, a microcomputer, and controls the overall operation of the washing machine 1 based on a control program and various setting information. The control device 50 includes various drive system components such as a drain valve 7, a manual water supply valve 10a, an automatic water supply valve 10b, a detergent measuring pump 17, a softener measuring pump 18, and a drum rotation motor (not shown). It is connected and the control device 50 controls these operations. Further, a water temperature sensor 19 is connected to the control device 50 as an example of the sensor. The water temperature sensor 19 is mainly composed of, for example, a thermistor, and in this case, the water temperature sensor 19 is configured to be able to detect the temperature of water supplied to the water supply valve unit 10.

Further, an operation unit 20 is connected to the control device 50. The operation unit 20 includes, for example, a touch button formed on the display panel 40 provided on the upper front surface of the outer box 2, a mechanical operation button provided near the display panel 40, and the like. The operation unit 20 includes various information related to driving, for example, a setting button for setting a driving course to be executed, a driving time, and the like, and a button for starting or pausing the driving. In addition, the operation unit 20 includes a setting button for setting execution or non-execution of automatic charging of a clothing treatment agent such as detergent or fabric softener by the automatic charging unit 11. In this case, the operation unit 20 can separately set execution or non-execution of the automatic addition of the detergent and the automatic addition of the softener.

A storage unit 21 is connected to the control device 50. The storage unit 21 is composed of a storage medium such as a memory, and stores various information related to operation, for example, setting contents set via the operation unit 20. Further, the storage unit 21 can store the operation history in the past, for example, the number of times the operation has been executed in the past, and further, the operation is executed in a state where the execution of the automatic charging of the clothing treatment agent is set. It is possible to store the number of times of operation by dividing it into the number of times the operation is performed and the number of times the operation is executed in a state where the execution of automatic charging of the clothing treatment agent is not set.

In the washing machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the control device 50 is configured to be able to execute a washing process for washing a plurality of supply paths, in this case, a manual supply path 13a and an automatic supply path 13b. In this case, the control device 50 is configured to execute the cleaning process of the supply path by controlling the operation of the manual water supply valve 10a and the automatic water supply valve 10b. Hereinafter, this cleaning process will be described in detail.

In the washing machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the control device 50 is configured so that the washing process can be switched and executed by a plurality of patterns. Hereinafter, each pattern will be described in order.

(Normal pattern)
As illustrated in FIG. 4, the usual pattern includes a plurality, in this case two cleaning sets. And the first set contains a plurality, in this case seven periods, and the second set includes a plurality, in this case seven periods.

In the first period of the first set, the control device 50 operates the manual water supply valve 10a for a predetermined time, for example, about 10 seconds. At this time, the control device 50 stops the operation of the automatic water supply valve 10b. As a result, in the first period of the first set, water is supplied to the manual supply path 13a. Then, in the second period of the first set, the control device 50 operates the automatic water supply valve 10b for a predetermined time, for example, about 10 seconds. At this time, the control device 50 stops the operation of the manual water supply valve 10a. As a result, in the second period of the first set, water is supplied to the automatic supply path 13b.

Here, in the first period and the second period of the first set, the control device 50 operates the manual water supply valve 10a and the automatic water supply valve 10b independently. That is, the control device 50 operates the manual water supply valve 10a and the automatic water supply valve 10b in the independent operation mode. Further, the control device 50 sets the time for operating the manual water supply valve 10a and the time for operating the automatic water supply valve 10b at the same time in this independent operation mode. However, the control device 50 may set the time for operating the manual water supply valve 10a and the time for operating the automatic water supply valve 10b at different times.

Then, in the third period, the fourth period, and the fifth period of the first set, the control device 50 stops the operation of both the manual water supply valve 10a and the automatic water supply valve 10b. As a result, in the third period, the fourth period, and the fifth period of the first set, the supply of water to the manual supply path 13a and the automatic supply path 13b is stopped. Then, in the sixth period of the first set, the control device 50 operates the automatic water supply valve 10b for a predetermined time, for example, about 10 seconds. At this time, the control device 50 stops the operation of the manual water supply valve 10a. As a result, in the sixth period of the first set, water is supplied to the automatic supply path 13b.

In the cleaning process, it is also possible to clean the inside of the detergent tank 15 and the inside of the softener tank 16. In this case, the user stores water or hot water in the detergent tank 15 and the softener tank 16. Further, the user sets the execution of the pump cleaning process for cleaning the inside of the detergent tank 15 and the inside of the softener tank 16 via the operation unit 20. The liquid stored in the detergent tank 15 or the softener tank 16 in the cleaning treatment may be a liquid agent for cleaning. As the cleaning liquid, for example, a liquid containing a component having a cleaning function such as citric acid, water, hot water and the like can be considered.

Then, when the execution of the pump cleaning process is set, the control device 50 operates the automatic charging unit 11 in the first to sixth periods of the first set. The predetermined time for operating the automatic closing unit 11, in other words, the time required from the start of the first period to the end of the sixth period is, for example, about 300 seconds. Further, when the automatic charging unit 11 is operated, both the detergent measuring pump 17 and the softener measuring pump 18 may be operated, or either the detergent measuring pump 17 or the softener measuring pump 18 may be operated. One may be operated. Further, the detergent measuring pump 17 and the softener measuring pump 18 may be operated while being alternately switched, or the detergent measuring pump 17 and the softener measuring pump 18 may be operated at the same time.

The settings of the pumps 17 and 18 to be operated in the pump cleaning process described above, in other words, the setting of which pumps 17 and 18 to be operated can be set by the user via the operation unit 20, for example. It has become. The pumps 17 and 18 to be operated in the pump cleaning process may be set automatically by the control device 50 according to, for example, the operation history of the washing machine 1.

Then, in the seventh period of the first set, the control device 50 stops the operation of the manual water supply valve 10a and the automatic water supply valve 10b. Further, the control device 50 stops the operation of the automatic closing unit 11. That is, this seventh period is provided as a waiting period in which cleaning is not substantially performed. The predetermined time for stopping the operation of the automatic water supply valve 10b, the manual water supply valve 10a, and the automatic charging unit 11, in other words, the time of the seventh period, which is the standby period, is, for example, about 20 seconds.

Next, in the first period of the second set, the control device 50 operates the manual water supply valve 10a for a predetermined time, for example, about 10 seconds. At this time, the control device 50 stops the operation of the automatic water supply valve 10b. As a result, in the first period of the second set, water is supplied to the manual supply path 13a. Then, in the second period, the third period, the fourth period, and the fifth period of the second set, the control device 50 stops the operation of both the manual water supply valve 10a and the automatic water supply valve 10b. As a result, in the second period, the third period, the fourth period, and the fifth period of the second set, the supply of water to the manual supply path 13a and the automatic supply path 13b is stopped. Then, in the sixth period of the second set, the control device 50 operates the automatic water supply valve 10b for a predetermined time, for example, about 10 seconds. At this time, the control device 50 stops the operation of the manual water supply valve 10a. As a result, in the sixth period of the second set, water is supplied to the automatic supply path 13b.

When the execution of the pump cleaning process is set, the control device 50 operates the automatic charging unit 11 in the first to sixth periods of the second set. The predetermined time for operating the automatic closing unit 11, in other words, the time required from the start of the first period to the end of the sixth period is, for example, about 300 seconds. Further, when the automatic charging unit 11 is operated, both the detergent measuring pump 17 and the softener measuring pump 18 may be operated, or either the detergent measuring pump 17 or the softener measuring pump 18 may be operated. One may be operated. Further, the detergent measuring pump 17 and the softener measuring pump 18 may be operated while being alternately switched, or the detergent measuring pump 17 and the softener measuring pump 18 may be operated at the same time.

The pumps 17 and 18 to be operated in the pump cleaning process described above may be set by manual operation by the user via the operation unit 20, or may be automatically set by the control device 50. You may.

Then, in the seventh period of the second set, the control device 50 stops the operation of the manual water supply valve 10a and the automatic water supply valve 10b. Further, the control device 50 stops the operation of the automatic closing unit 11. That is, this seventh period is provided as a waiting period in which cleaning is not substantially performed. The predetermined time for stopping the operation of the automatic water supply valve 10b, the manual water supply valve 10a, and the automatic charging unit 11, in other words, the time of the seventh period, which is the standby period, is, for example, about 40 seconds. That is, the control device 50 sets the waiting period in the first set and the waiting time in the second set at different times. The control device 50 may set the waiting period in the first set and the waiting time in the second set at the same time.

Further, in the normal pattern configured as described above, the control device 50 is configured to also control the operation of the drain valve 7. In this case, the control device 50 closes the drain valve 7 in the first period of the first set, and opens the drain valve 7 from the start of the second period of the first set thereafter to the end of the seventh period of the second set. It is configured in.

In addition to the normal pattern configured as described above, the control device 50 is configured to be capable of executing a plurality of, in this case, three deformation patterns. Hereinafter, each deformation pattern will be described.

(First deformation pattern)
The first deformation pattern is a pattern in which the operating time of the manual water supply valve 10a is changed based on the above-mentioned normal pattern. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the control device 50 continuously operates the manual water supply valve 10a over the first period and the second period of the first set. Therefore, the control device 50 operates the manual water supply valve 10a for a predetermined time, for example, about 20 seconds. At this time, the control device 50 stops the operation of the automatic water supply valve 10b.

Then, in the third period of the first set, the control device 50 operates the automatic water supply valve 10b for a predetermined time, for example, about 10 seconds. At this time, the control device 50 stops the operation of the manual water supply valve 10a. Here, in the first period, the second period, and the third period of the first set, the control device 50 operates the manual water supply valve 10a and the automatic water supply valve 10b independently. That is, the control device 50 operates the manual water supply valve 10a and the automatic water supply valve 10b in the independent operation mode. Further, the control device 50 sets the time for operating the manual water supply valve 10a and the time for operating the automatic water supply valve 10b at different times in this independent operation mode.

Then, in the fourth period and the fifth period of the first set, the control device 50 stops the operation of both the manual water supply valve 10a and the automatic water supply valve 10b. Then, in the sixth period of the first set, the control device 50 operates the automatic water supply valve 10b for a predetermined time, for example, about 10 seconds. At this time, the control device 50 stops the operation of the manual water supply valve 10a. Then, in the seventh period of the first set, the control device 50 stops the operation of the manual water supply valve 10a and the automatic water supply valve 10b.

The operation of the manual water supply valve 10a and the automatic water supply valve 10b in the second set is the same as that in the first set in this case. However, the control device 50 sets the operation of the manual water supply valve 10a and the automatic water supply valve 10b in the second set to be different from the operation of the manual water supply valve 10a and the automatic water supply valve 10b in the first set. May be good. Further, the operations of the automatic charging section 11 and the drain valve 7 in this first deformation pattern are the same as those of the above-mentioned normal pattern. However, the control device 50 may set the operation of the automatic charging unit 11 and the drain valve 7 in this first deformation pattern with contents different from the above-mentioned normal pattern.

(Second deformation pattern)
The second deformation pattern is a pattern in which the operating time of the automatic water supply valve 10b is changed based on the above-mentioned normal pattern. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the control device 50 continuously operates the automatic water supply valve 10b over the first period and the second period of the first set. Therefore, the control device 50 operates the automatic water supply valve 10b for a predetermined time, for example, about 20 seconds. At this time, the control device 50 stops the operation of the manual water supply valve 10a.

Then, in the third period of the first set, the control device 50 operates the manual water supply valve 10a for a predetermined time, for example, about 10 seconds. At this time, the control device 50 stops the operation of the automatic water supply valve 10b. Here, in the first period, the second period, and the third period of the first set, the control device 50 operates the manual water supply valve 10a and the automatic water supply valve 10b independently. That is, the control device 50 operates the manual water supply valve 10a and the automatic water supply valve 10b in the independent operation mode. Further, the control device 50 sets the time for operating the manual water supply valve 10a and the time for operating the automatic water supply valve 10b at different times in this independent operation mode.

Then, in the fourth period and the fifth period of the first set, the control device 50 stops the operation of both the manual water supply valve 10a and the automatic water supply valve 10b. Then, in the sixth period of the first set, the control device 50 operates the automatic water supply valve 10b for a predetermined time, for example, about 10 seconds. At this time, the control device 50 stops the operation of the manual water supply valve 10a. Then, in the seventh period of the first set, the control device 50 stops the operation of the manual water supply valve 10a and the automatic water supply valve 10b.

The operation of the manual water supply valve 10a and the automatic water supply valve 10b in the second set is the same as that in the first set in this case. However, the control device 50 sets the operation of the manual water supply valve 10a and the automatic water supply valve 10b in the second set to be different from the operation of the manual water supply valve 10a and the automatic water supply valve 10b in the first set. May be good. Further, the operation of the automatic charging section 11 and the drain valve 7 in this second deformation pattern is the same as the above-mentioned normal pattern. However, the control device 50 may set the operation of the automatic charging unit 11 and the drain valve 7 in this second deformation pattern with contents different from the above-mentioned normal pattern.

(Third deformation pattern)
The third deformation pattern is a pattern in which the operating times of the automatic water supply valve 10b and the manual water supply valve 10b are changed based on the above-mentioned normal pattern. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the control device 50 operates both the automatic water supply valve 10b and the manual water supply valve 10b in the first period of the first set. Here, in the first period of the first set, the control device 50 operates both the manual water supply valve 10a and the automatic water supply valve 10b at the same time. That is, the control device 50 operates the manual water supply valve 10a and the automatic water supply valve 10b in the simultaneous operation mode. Further, the control device 50 sets the time for operating the manual water supply valve 10a and the time for operating the automatic water supply valve 10b at the same time in this simultaneous operation mode.

Then, in the second period of the first set, the control device 50 operates the manual water supply valve 10a for a predetermined time, for example, about 10 seconds. At this time, the control device 50 stops the operation of the automatic water supply valve 10b.

Then, in the third period, the fourth period, and the fifth period of the first set, the control device 50 stops the operation of both the manual water supply valve 10a and the automatic water supply valve 10b. Then, in the sixth period of the first set, the control device 50 operates the automatic water supply valve 10b for a predetermined time, for example, about 10 seconds. At this time, the control device 50 stops the operation of the manual water supply valve 10a. Then, in the seventh period of the first set, the control device 50 stops the operation of the manual water supply valve 10a and the automatic water supply valve 10b.

The operation of the manual water supply valve 10a and the automatic water supply valve 10b in the second set is the same as that in the first set in this case. However, the control device 50 sets the operation of the manual water supply valve 10a and the automatic water supply valve 10b in the second set to be different from the operation of the manual water supply valve 10a and the automatic water supply valve 10b in the first set. May be good. Further, the operation of the automatic charging section 11 and the drain valve 7 in this third deformation pattern is the same as the above-mentioned normal pattern. However, the control device 50 may set the operation of the automatic charging unit 11 and the drain valve 7 in this third deformation pattern with contents different from the above-mentioned normal pattern.

The control device 50 is configured to be able to appropriately switch and execute the plurality of patterns related to the cleaning process described above according to the conditions. Next, an example of the control flow when the control device 50 switches the pattern of the cleaning process will be described.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, the control device 50 confirms whether or not the number of executions of the operation executed in the past exceeds a predetermined number of times (A1). The predetermined number of times in step A1 can be appropriately changed and set, and in this case, for example, 30 times is set. Further, the number of executions of the operation executed in the past can be specified by storing the number of executions in the storage unit 21 each time the control device 50 executes the operation.

When the number of executions of the operation executed in the past does not exceed the predetermined number (A1: NO), the control device 50 sets the pattern of the cleaning process to the normal pattern and executes the cleaning process (A2). On the other hand, when the number of executions of the operation executed in the past exceeds a predetermined number (A1: YES), the control device 50 confirms whether or not the number of manual operations is larger than the number of automatic operations (A3). The manual number of times is the number of times the operation is executed in a state where the execution of the automatic charging of the clothing treatment agent is not set. The automatic number of times is the number of times the operation is executed with the execution of the automatic charging of the clothing treatment agent set. The manual number of times and the automatic number of times can be specified by storing the respective execution times in the storage unit 21 each time the control device 50 executes the operation.

When the number of manual operations is not greater than the number of automatic operations (A3: NO), the control device 50 sets the pattern of the cleaning process as the second deformation pattern and executes the cleaning process (A4). On the other hand, when the number of manual operations is larger than the number of automatic operations (A3: YES), the control device 50 sets the pattern of the cleaning process as the first deformation pattern and executes the cleaning process (A5).

Further, FIG. 9 shows an example of a control flow different from the control flow illustrated in FIG. That is, when the number of executions of the operation executed in the past does not exceed the predetermined number (B1: NO), or when the number of manual operations is not greater than the number of automatic operations (B3: NO), the control device 50 has The cleaning process is set to a normal pattern and the cleaning process is executed (B2). On the other hand, when the number of manual operations is larger than the number of automatic operations (B3: YES), the control device 50 sets the pattern of the cleaning process to the third deformation pattern and executes the cleaning process (B5).

According to the washing machine 1 described above, the control device 50 cleans the manual supply path 13a and the automatic supply path 13b by controlling the operation of the manual water supply valve 10a and the automatic water supply valve 10b. The process can be executed. According to this configuration, by appropriately switching the operations of the manual water supply valve 10a and the automatic water supply valve 10b, the water supply to the manual supply path 13a and the automatic supply path 13b can be intentionally switched, and the water supply to the manual water supply path 13a and the automatic supply path 13b can be intentionally switched. Each of the supply path 13a and the automatic supply path 13b can be cleaned. That is, according to the washing machine 1, the supply paths 13a and 13b can be efficiently washed by using the configuration in which the water supply valves 10a and 10b are provided in the manual supply path 13a and the automatic supply path 13b, respectively. Can be done.

Further, according to the washing machine 1, the control device 50 has an independent operation mode in which the manual water supply valve 10a and the automatic water supply valve 10b are operated independently in the washing process, and the manual water supply valve 10a and the automatic water supply valve 10a. It is possible to execute a simultaneous operation mode in which 10b is operated simultaneously.

Here, according to the independent operation mode in which the plurality of water supply valves 10a and 10b are operated independently, the manual supply path 13a to which the manual water supply valve 10a is connected or the automatic supply path 13b to which the automatic water supply valve 10b is connected is used. Water can be concentrated and supplied to each. On the other hand, according to the simultaneous operation mode in which a plurality of water supply valves 10a and 10b are operated at the same time, water is supplied to the manual supply path 13a to which the manual water supply valve 10a is connected and the automatic supply path 13b to which the automatic water supply valve 10b is connected. It can be distributed and supplied. Therefore, according to the washing machine 1, by appropriately switching the operation modes of the water supply valves 10a and 10b in this way, the water supply mode to the manual supply path 13a and the automatic supply path 13b, in other words, the washing mode can be changed. It can be switched as appropriate.

To explain a specific example, in the initial stage of the cleaning process, for example, it is assumed that the clothing treatment agent remains in the automatic supply path 13b, and in such a case, a large amount of water is supplied to the automatic supply path. If it is intensively supplied to the inside of 13b, there is a concern that foaming, water leakage, bubble leakage and the like may occur. Therefore, in the initial stage of the cleaning process, the water supply valves 10a and 10b are operated in the simultaneous operation mode to disperse the water in the respective supply paths 13a and 13b and suppress the amount of water supplied into the automatic supply path 13b. You should try to do it. Then, after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the cleaning treatment, it is assumed that the clothing treatment agent remaining in the automatic supply path 13b has been washed away to some extent or completely, so that the water supply valves 10a and 10b It is advisable to switch the operation mode to the independent operation mode. As a result, a large amount of water can be concentrated in the automatic supply path 13b, and the inside of the automatic supply path 13b can be efficiently washed.

As described above, according to the washing machine 1, by appropriately switching the operation modes of the water supply valves 10a and 10b to the independent operation mode and the simultaneous operation mode, appropriate cleaning is performed according to the degree of dirt in the supply paths 13a and 13b. It becomes possible.

Further, according to the washing machine 1, the control device 50 can also operate the automatic charging unit 11 when the automatic water supply valve 10b is operated to clean the automatic supply path 13b. According to this configuration, when the automatic water supply valve 10b is operated to clean the automatic supply path 13b, the automatic charging unit 11 is charged with water or hot water stored in the detergent tank 15 and the softener tank 16. By operating, the inside of the cleaning tank 15 and the inside of the softener tank 16 can also be cleaned. In this operation, the tank for storing water or hot water may be only one of the detergent tank 15 and the softener tank 16.

Further, according to the washing machine 1, the control device 50 can change the operation of the manual water supply valve 10a and the automatic water supply valve 10b in the washing process according to the operation history. As the operation history of the washing machine 1, for example, the number of times of execution of the operation increases, it is assumed that the dirt in the manual supply path 13a and the automatic supply path 13b increases. Therefore, by appropriately changing the operations of the manual water supply valve 10a and the automatic water supply valve 10b in the cleaning process according to the number of times the operation is executed, the cleaning process can be performed according to the degree of dirt in the supply paths 13a and 13b. it can. The operation history is not limited to the number of times the operation is executed, and for example, the elapsed time since the previous cleaning process was executed may be referred to.

At this time, when the number of manual operations is larger than the automatic number of times in the past operation history, the control device 50 operates the manual water supply valve 10a independently in the independent operation mode to enter the manual supply path 13a. Can be washed intensively. On the other hand, when the number of automatic times is larger than the number of manual times in the past operation history, the control device 50 concentrates the inside of the automatic supply path 13b by operating the automatic water supply valve 10b independently in the independent operation mode. Can be washed.

Further, according to the washing machine 1, the control device 50 can provide a period for stopping the operation of both the manual water supply valve 10a and the automatic water supply valve 10b, that is, a standby period in the washing process. According to this configuration, in this standby period, the effect of dissolving the dirt in the manual supply path 13a and the automatic supply path 13b in water or the effect of the dirt being peeled off by water can be expected, and the supply path 13a can be expected. , 13b can be cleaned more effectively. Further, for example, by opening the drain valve 7 during this standby period, the water used for cleaning stored in the cleaning tank 3 can be quickly discharged to the outside of the machine, and the cleaning treatment of the supply paths 13a and 13b can be performed. It is possible to prevent the dirt removed by the above method from reattaching to the cleaning tank 3.

(Second Embodiment)
In this embodiment, the control device 50 operates the manual water supply valve 10a and the automatic water supply valve 10b in the cleaning process according to the detection result by the water temperature sensor 19, that is, the temperature of the water supplied to the water supply valve unit 10. Is configured to change. Specifically, when the water temperature detected by the water temperature sensor 19 is higher than the predetermined upper limit temperature, the control device 50 operates the manual water supply valve 10a and the automatic water supply valve 10b. At least one of the above is made shorter than the predetermined standard operating time. Further, when the water temperature detected by the water temperature sensor 19 is lower than the predetermined lower limit temperature, the control device 50 has at least one of the operating time for operating the manual water supply valve 10a and the operating time for operating the automatic water supply valve 10b. Make one longer than the prescribed standard operating time. The predetermined upper limit temperature, lower limit temperature, and standard operating time can be appropriately changed and set.

According to the second embodiment, when the water temperature is high, dirt can be easily removed by water. Therefore, even if the operating time of the water supply valves 10a and 10b is shortened, the supply paths 13a and 13b can be sufficiently cleaned. It is possible to shorten the cleaning time. On the other hand, when the water temperature is low, it becomes difficult to remove dirt by water, so that the cleaning of the supply paths 13a and 13b can be promoted by lengthening the operating time of the water supply valves 10a and 10b.

(Third Embodiment)
In this embodiment, the water temperature sensor 19 is provided in the washing tank 3 and is configured to detect the temperature of the water in the washing tank 3. During the execution of the cleaning process, water that has passed through the manual supply path 13a or the automatic supply path 13b is supplied into the cleaning tank 3. Therefore, by detecting the temperature of the water in the cleaning tank 3, the temperature of the water supplied in the manual supply path 13a or the automatic supply path 13b can be indirectly detected.

In this case, the control device 50 is configured to execute the detection process by the water temperature sensor 19 with the drain valve 7 closed. Further, also in this embodiment, the control device 50 is configured to change the operation of the manual water supply valve 10a and the automatic water supply valve 10b in the cleaning process according to the detection result by the water temperature sensor 19.

According to the third embodiment, the temperature of the water in the cleaning tank 3 is detected in the configuration of indirectly detecting the temperature of the water supplied in the supply paths 13a and 13b based on the temperature of the water in the cleaning tank 3. In this case, the drain valve 7 is closed. According to this configuration, the water temperature can be detected in a state where a sufficient amount of water is stored in the washing tank 3. Therefore, even when the water temperature is indirectly detected, the detection accuracy can be improved, and the operation of the water supply valves 10a and 10b can be controlled with high accuracy according to the water temperature.

(Other embodiments)
The present embodiment is not limited to the plurality of embodiments described above, and various changes and extensions can be made without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the plurality of embodiments described above can be appropriately combined and implemented. Further, the washing machine 1 may be configured to include a plurality of three or more supply paths and each of the plurality of supply paths is provided with a water supply valve. In this case as well, the plurality of supply paths can be efficiently cleaned by appropriately switching the operation of the plurality of water supply valves. Further, the sensor is not limited to the water temperature sensor 19, and may be, for example, an odor sensor, a water quality sensor, a humidity sensor, a turbidity sensor, or the like. Further, the washing machine 1 may be configured to include such a plurality of types of sensors.

Further, the number of sets constituting the cleaning treatment is not limited to two, and may be one or a plurality of three or more. Further, the period constituting one set is not limited to 7 periods, and can be appropriately changed and set.

Further, the washing machine 1 may be configured to include a dedicated operation course for executing the above-mentioned washing process. By configuring the execution of such a dedicated driving course to be selectable by the operation of the operation unit 20, the cleaning process can be executed according to the intention of the user. The execution of such a dedicated driving course may be configured so that, for example, the control device 50 automatically executes the execution according to the operation history of the washing machine 1. That is, the control device 50 responds to the fact that, for example, after the completion of the normal washing course, clothes are taken out from the washing tub 3 and the door 5 is closed, based on the number of times the operation is executed exceeds the predetermined number of times. It may be configured to automatically execute a dedicated driving course. It should be noted that the closing of the door 5 can be determined, for example, based on the detection result of a well-known door lock sensor.

Further, when a waiting period is provided for the cleaning process, the control device 50 may be configured to execute a finishing process of supplying water to the supply paths 13a and 13b with a strong water flow before starting the waiting period. .. According to this configuration, it is possible to promote the removal of dirt in the supply paths 13a and 13b before entering the standby period, and it is possible to further improve the cleaning performance.

Further, the control device 50 is configured to operate the water supply valves 10a and 10b before stopping the operation of the automatic charging unit 11, in other words, the operation of the detergent measuring pump 17 and the softener measuring pump 18. Good. According to this configuration, after the operation of the automatic charging unit 11 is stopped, the residual liquid of the clothing treatment agent flowing out from the automatic charging unit 11 is flushed into the washing tank 3 by the water supplied from the water supply valves 10a and 10b. It is possible to prevent the residual liquid of the garment treatment agent from remaining in the supply paths 13a and 13b.

Further, the tank is not limited to the detergent tank 15 for storing the detergent and the softener tank 16 for storing the softener, and for example, a deodorant tank for storing the deodorant and a sterilizer for storing the disinfectant. Various types of tanks can be appropriately adopted as long as they are tanks for storing various treatment agents for treating clothes, such as agent tanks. Further, the plurality of tanks provided in the water supply unit 4 may be tanks for storing the same type of treatment agent or tanks for storing different types of treatment agents. Further, the washing machine 1 may be configured to include one tank in the water supply unit 4, or may be configured to include a plurality of three or more tanks. Further, the measuring pump 17 for detergent and the measuring pump 18 for softener are not limited to those that suck the liquid, and may be, for example, those that push out the liquid.

Further, the present embodiment can also be applied to a so-called vertical axis type washing machine in which the rotation center axis of the rotary tub extends in the vertical direction. The present embodiment can also be applied to a washing machine having a drying function. The present embodiment can also be applied to a washing machine having no drying function. In addition, the present embodiment can be applied to various clothing processing devices as long as they are devices that perform some treatment on clothing, such as deodorizing, deodorizing, and sterilizing clothing.

Although a plurality of embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other embodiments, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

In the drawing, 1 is a washing machine (clothing processing device), 2 is an outer box, 3 is a washing tank (clothing processing tank), 7 is a drain valve, 10a is a manual water supply valve, 10b is an automatic water supply valve, and 11 is automatic. Input section, 13a is manual supply path, 13b is automatic supply path, 15 is detergent tank (tank), 16 is softener tank (tank), 19 is water temperature sensor (sensor), 50 is control device (control section). Is shown.

Claims (8)

With the outer box
A garment processing tank provided inside the outer box and accommodating garments,
A tank that stores clothing treatment agents that process clothing, and
An automatic charging unit for charging the garment treatment agent stored in the tank into the garment treatment tank,
A manual supply route for supplying the garment treatment agent manually added by the user into the garment treatment tank, and
A manual water supply valve that supplies water to the manual supply path,
An automatic supply path for supplying the clothing treatment agent automatically charged by the automatic charging unit into the clothing processing tank, and
An automatic water supply valve that supplies water to the automatic supply path,
A control unit that controls the operation of the manual water supply valve and the automatic water supply valve,
With
The control unit is a clothing processing device capable of executing a cleaning process for cleaning the manual supply path and the automatic supply path by controlling the operation of the manual water supply valve and the automatic water supply valve. In the cleaning process, the control unit operates a single operation mode in which the manual water supply valve and the automatic water supply valve are operated independently, and a simultaneous operation mode in which the manual water supply valve and the automatic water supply valve are operated at the same time. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the garment processing apparatus is feasible. The garment processing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit also operates the automatic charging unit when the automatic water supply valve is operated to clean the automatic supply path. The clothing processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit includes a dedicated operation course for executing the cleaning process. The clothing processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control unit changes the operation of the manual water supply valve and the automatic water supply valve in the cleaning process according to the operation history. The clothing processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control unit provides a period for stopping the operation of the manual water supply valve and the automatic water supply valve in the cleaning process. The clothing processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the control unit changes the operation of the manual water supply valve and the automatic water supply valve in the cleaning process according to the detection result by the sensor. A drain valve for draining the water in the garment processing tank is provided.
The clothing processing device according to claim 7, wherein the control unit executes a detection process by the sensor with the drain valve closed.

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