JP2022168527A - washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a washing machine capable of washing a washing tub effectively.SOLUTION: A washing machine 1 includes: a motor 6; a washing tub 8 having an outer tub 3 and an inner tub 4; a separator 5 arranged in the inner tub 4; a drain passage 15 connected to a drain port 3G of the outer tub 3; an overflow passage 17 connected to an overflow port 3E arranged at a position higher than the drain port 3G in the outer tub 3; a drain valve 16 for opening/closing the drain passage 15; a water supply valve 14 for supplying water in the washing tub 8; and a microcomputer for executing a washing operation. In the case where a predetermined condition is fulfilled, the microcomputer rotates the pulsator 5 by the motor 6, in a state where the drain valve 16 is closed and water is stored in the washing tub 8 via the water supply valve 14, and generates a water flow, as washing processing of the washing tub 8 during a rinsing step, so as to ascend the water level in the washing tub 8 to a washing water level W higher than the overflow port 3E.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to washing machines.

The washing machine described in Patent Document 1 below includes an outer tub having a drain port at the bottom and an overflow port at the top, a drain pipe connected to the drain port, and an overflow connecting the overflow port and the drain pipe. It includes a hose, a washing and spin-drying tub positioned within the outer tub, and a pulsator positioned at the bottom of the washing and spin-drying tub. The washing machine can execute a tub cleaning course operation for cleaning the washing and dewatering tub. When the user operates the mode changeover switch provided in the washing machine to set the operation mode to the tub cleaning course and presses the start key, the operation of the tub cleaning course is started. As a result, the pulsator rotates after water is supplied and water is accumulated in the outer tub, so that a water flow is generated in the washing and dehydrating tub and the water level in the outer tub rises to the overflow port. Then, the detergent scum adhering to the outer wall of the washing and dehydrating tub is separated by the water flow and discharged from the overflow port together with the water.

JP-A-2000-308793

Not only in the washing machine of Patent Document 1, but also in the washing tub of a general washing machine, mold grows by feeding on a biofilm made up of detergent scum and sebum stains (hereinafter simply referred to as "dirt") left after the washing operation. It may occur and be distributed in a ring shape along the circumferential direction of the washing tub. Biofilms often form near the surface of the water that accumulates in the washing tub during the washing operation. Dirt needs to be removed.

Such dirt is also present at a position higher than the overflow port in the washing tub due to water splashing or the like. However, in the operation of the tub cleaning course of Patent Document 1, even if the pulsator is rotated, it is difficult for the water level in the washing tub to reach the dirt above the overflow port, so it is difficult to effectively remove the dirt with the water flow. is. In the first place, the operation of the tank cleaning course of Patent Document 1 is not executed unless the user manually sets it, so unless the user is conscious of it, it is not executed frequently. Therefore, it is difficult to keep the washing tub clean for a long period of time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine capable of effectively cleaning a washing tub.

The present invention provides an outer tank which is provided with a motor for generating a driving force, a drain port, and an overflow port disposed at a position higher than the drain port, in which water is stored, and a water tank between the outer tank and the outer tank. a washing tub having a through-hole provided in the outer tub for passing the laundry and an inner tub for containing the laundry; and a washing tub disposed in the inner tub and rotated by receiving the driving force of the motor. a water discharge passage connected to the water outlet for discharging water in the washing tub; and an overflow passage connected to the water outlet for guiding water in the washing tub from the water outlet to the water drainage passage. a drain valve for opening and closing the drain channel; a water supply unit for supplying water into the washing tub; and a control unit for controlling the motor, the drain valve and the water supply unit, wherein the water supply unit controls the inside of the washing tub. and a rinsing step of rinsing the laundry in the inner tub by supplying water to the washing tub from the water supply unit after the washing step. wherein, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, the control unit closes the drain valve and the water supply unit performs the In the washing machine, the water level in the washing tub is raised to a washing water level higher than the overflow port by generating a water flow by rotating the rotor blades with the motor while the washing tub is filled with water. .

Further, in the present invention, when the predetermined condition is satisfied, the number of washing operations is performed when the integrated value for each washing operation of the amount of laundry accommodated in the inner tub is equal to or greater than a first threshold value. is equal to or greater than a second threshold, or the elapsed time from the previous washing operation is equal to or greater than a third threshold.

Further, in the present invention, during the washing process, the control unit rotates the rotor blades for a predetermined time, then stops the rotation of the rotor blades, and the water supply unit supplies water into the washing tub. , the rotation of the rotor blade is restarted.

Further, according to the present invention, the inner tub is rotated by receiving the driving force of the motor, and the washing operation is performed by the controller rotating the inner tub by the motor between the washing process and the rinsing process. The washing machine includes a detection unit that detects the amount of eccentricity of the laundry in the inner tub during the dehydration step, and the control unit, based on the detection result of the detection unit, It is characterized in that it is determined whether or not to perform the cleaning process during the rinsing process.

According to the present invention, in the washing machine, in the washing tub having the outer tub and the inner tub within the outer tub, the water supplied from the water supply unit passes through the through hole of the inner tub and flows between the outer tub and the inner tub. By moving back and forth in the outer tub and the inner tub, that is, the entire washing tub. When the drain valve opens the drain channel, the water in the washing tub is discharged from the drain port of the outer tub through the drain channel. When the water level in the washing tub rises to the overflow port located at a higher position than the drain port in the outer tub, the water on the water surface side, that is, the upper side of the washing tub is led from the overflow port to the drainage channel through the overflow channel. It is discharged through the sewers.

When the predetermined condition is satisfied, the controller of the washing machine executes the washing process of the washing tub as part of the rinsing process in the washing operation. Specifically, in the rinsing process, the controller closes the drain valve and causes the water supply unit to fill the washing tub with water. to a flush level above the overflow. As a result, the water flow of the water raised to the washing water level in the washing tub reaches the dirt at a position higher than the overflow port in the washing tub, so that the dirt can be removed by the water flow. Since the removed dirt is guided to the drainage channel through the overflow channel from the overflow port together with the water on the water surface side in the washing tub, the dirt can be prevented from adhering to the washing tub again. By such a cleaning process, the washing tub can be effectively cleaned.

Further, according to the present invention, when the predetermined condition is satisfied, when the integrated value for each washing operation for the amount of laundry accommodated in the inner tub is equal to or greater than the first threshold value, the number of washing operations is the first. It is at least one of two thresholds or more, and a case where the elapsed time from the previous washing operation is equal to or more than a third threshold. That is, when the dirt in the washing tub is likely to increase at a position higher than the overflow port due to repeated washing operations or the passage of time after the washing operation, the washing process is executed, so the washing tub is washed at an appropriate timing. be able to.

Further, according to the present invention, during the washing process, the control unit rotates the rotor blades for a predetermined period of time and then stops the rotation of the rotor blades so that the water supply unit supplies water into the washing tub, Since the rotation of the rotor blades is restarted, the washing tub can be effectively washed by maintaining the water level in the washing tub at the washing water level for a long period of time.

Further, according to the present invention, the control unit determines whether or not to perform the washing process during the rinsing process according to the amount of eccentricity of the laundry detected during the dewatering process before the rinsing process. As a result, for example, if the washing process is performed when the eccentricity is small enough to allow the water level in the washing tub to rise smoothly to the washing water level, the washing tub can be washed at an appropriate timing.

1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a washing machine according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. It is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the washing machine. It is a flowchart which shows the washing operation performed in a washing machine. It is a flow chart which shows the rinsing process in washing operation. 4 is a flow chart showing a cleaning process in a rinsing process;

Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a washing machine 1 according to one embodiment of the invention. The vertical direction in FIG. 1 is called the vertical direction Z of the washing machine 1, the upper side of the vertical direction Z is called the upper side Z1, and the lower side is called the lower side Z2. The washing machine 1 includes a housing 2 forming its outer shell, an outer tub 3 arranged within the housing 2, an inner tub 4 housed within the outer tub 3, and a rotary drum disposed within the inner tub 4. It includes a pulsator 5 as an example of blades, a motor 6 that generates driving force for rotating the inner tank 4 and the pulsator 5, and a clutch 7 as an example of a switching unit that switches the transmission destination of the driving force of the motor 6. A collection of the outer tub 3 and the inner tub 4 is called a washing tub 8 . The washing machine 1 also includes a heater 9 located within the washing tub 8 .

The housing 2 is made of metal, for example, and formed in a box shape. The upper surface 2A of the housing 2 is formed with an opening 2B that allows the inside and outside of the housing 2 to communicate with each other. A door 10 for opening and closing the opening 2B is provided on the upper surface 2A. A display operation unit 11 configured by a liquid crystal operation panel or the like is provided around the opening 2B on the upper surface 2A. By operating the display operation unit 11, the user of the washing machine 1 selects the operating conditions for the washing operation to be performed by the washing machine 1, and instructs the washing machine 1 to start or stop the washing operation. can give instructions. Information for the user is displayed on the display operation unit 11 .

The outer tank 3 is made of resin, for example, and formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom. The outer tank 3 includes a substantially cylindrical peripheral wall 3A arranged along the vertical direction Z, a bottom wall 3B closing the hollow portion of the peripheral wall 3A from the lower side Z2, and along the upper edge of the peripheral wall 3A and a ring-shaped annular wall 3C projecting toward the circle center side of the peripheral wall 3A. Inside the annular wall 3C, an opening 3D communicating with the hollow portion of the circumferential wall 3A from the upper side Z1 is provided. The opening 3D communicates with the opening 2B of the housing 2 from the lower side Z2. A door 12 for opening and closing the opening 3D may be provided on the annular wall 3C. An overflow port 3E is provided in the upper portion of the circumferential wall 3A, penetrating the circumferential wall 3A in the radial direction. The bottom wall 3B is formed in a disk shape extending substantially horizontally, and a through hole 3F is formed through the bottom wall 3B at the center position of the circle of the bottom wall 3B. A drain port 3G is provided at a position avoiding the through hole 3F in the bottom wall 3B. In the outer tank 3, the overflow port 3E is arranged at a position higher than the drain port 3G, and the opening 3D is arranged at a position higher than the overflow port 3E.

A water supply passage 13 connected to a tap water faucet is connected to the annular wall 3C of the outer tub 3 from the upper side Z1. A water supply valve 14 is provided in the middle of the water supply path 13 . The water supply valve 14 is configured by, for example, an electromagnetic valve. A drainage channel 15 is connected to the drainage port 3G of the bottom wall 3B of the outer tank 3 from the lower side Z2. A drain valve 16 is provided in the middle of the drain channel 15 . The drain valve 16 is opened and closed by, for example, a torque motor (not shown). The water supply valve 14, which is open and in the ON state, opens the entire water supply path 13 by opening the middle of the water supply path 13. - 特許庁The water supply valve 14, which is closed and in the OFF state, cuts off the water supply path 13 by closing the water supply path 13 in the middle. The drain valve 16, which is open and in the ON state, opens the entire drain channel 15 by opening the middle of the drain channel 15. - 特許庁The drain valve 16, which is closed and in the OFF state, cuts off the drain channel 15 in the middle by closing the drain channel 15 in the middle.

When the water supply valve 14 is opened while the drain valve 16 is closed, the water is supplied from the water supply path 13 into the outer tank 3 , and water is accumulated in the outer tank 3 . The water supply path 13 and the water supply valve 14 function as an example of a water supply unit that supplies water into the outer tub 3 , that is, the washing tub 8 . When the water supply valve 14 is closed, water supply is stopped. When the drain valve 16 opens, the water in the outer tub 3 is discharged out of the machine through the drain port 3G and the drain channel 15. - 特許庁The washing machine 1 has an overflow channel 17 having one end 17A connected to the overflow port 3E of the circumferential wall 3A and the other end 17B connected to a downstream portion of the drain channel 15 farther from the drain port 3G than the drain valve 16. Including further.

The inner tub 4 is made of metal, for example, and is formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom that is one size smaller than the outer tub 3, and can accommodate the laundry Q inside. The inner tub 4 is arranged coaxially within the outer tub 3 . The inner tub 4 housed in the outer tub 3 is rotatable around an axis J extending in the vertical direction Z forming its central axis. The washing machine 1 in which the inner tub 4, that is, the washing tub 8 is arranged vertically in this manner is a vertical fully automatic washing machine. The inner tank 4 includes a substantially cylindrical peripheral wall 4A arranged along the vertical direction Z, a bottom wall 4B closing the hollow portion of the peripheral wall 4A from the lower side Z2, and along the upper edge of the peripheral wall 4A. and a ring-shaped annular wall 4C projecting toward the axis J side. The radial direction described above is the radial direction R with the axis J as a reference.

The inner peripheral surface of the circumferential wall 4A is the inner peripheral surface of the inner tank 4 . The circumferential wall 4A is surrounded by the circumferential wall 3A of the outer tank 3. As shown in FIG. A bottom wall 4</b>B is provided at the lower end of the inner tank 4 . The annular wall 4C faces the annular wall 3C of the outer tank 3 from the lower side Z2. A doorway 4D is provided inside the annular wall 4C. The inlet/outlet 4D is positioned at the upper end of the inner tank 4 and exposes the hollow portion of the circumferential wall 4A to the upper side Z1. The inlet/outlet 4D communicates with the opening 3D of the outer tub 3 from the lower side Z2. The user takes the laundry Q into and out of the inner tub 4 from the upper side Z1 through the opened opening 2B, opening 3D and doorway 4D.

A plurality of through holes 4E are provided in the circumferential wall 4A and the bottom wall 4B of the inner tank 4, and the water in the outer tank 3 flows back and forth between the outer tank 3 and the inner tank 4 via the through holes 4E. , is stored in the inner tank 4 as well. Therefore, water accumulates in the outer tub 3 and the inner tub 4, that is, the entire washing tub 8, and the water level in the outer tub 3 and the water level in the inner tub 4 match. In addition, the through hole 4E may be provided only in the bottom wall 4B without being provided in the circumferential wall 4A.

The bottom wall 4B of the inner tank 4 is formed in a disc shape and extends substantially parallel to the bottom wall 3B of the outer tank 3 with a space therebetween on the upper side Z1. A through hole 4F penetrating through the bottom wall 4B is formed at the center of the circle that coincides with the axis J in the bottom wall 4B. The bottom wall 4B is provided with a tubular support shaft 18 extending downward Z2 along the axis J while surrounding the through hole 4F. The support shaft 18 is inserted through the through hole 3F of the bottom wall 3B of the outer tank 3, and the lower end of the support shaft 18 is located on the lower side Z2 of the bottom wall 3B.

The pulsator 5 is formed in a disc shape with the axis J as the center of the circle, and is arranged inside the inner tank 4 on the bottom wall 4B. A plurality of radially arranged vanes 5A are provided on the upper surface of the pulsator 5 facing the inlet/outlet 4D of the inner tank 4 . The pulsator 5 is provided with a rotating shaft 19 extending from the center of the circle along the axis J to the lower side Z2. The rotary shaft 19 is inserted through the hollow portion of the support shaft 18 , and the lower end of the rotary shaft 19 is positioned below the bottom wall 3</b>B of the outer tank 3 on the lower side Z<b>2 .

The motor 6 is an electric motor such as an inverter motor. The motor 6 is arranged on the lower side Z2 of the outer tub 3 inside the housing 2 . The motor 6 has an output shaft 20 that rotates about the axis J, and outputs the generated driving force from the output shaft 20 .

The clutch 7 is interposed between the lower ends of the support shaft 18 and the rotating shaft 19 and the upper end of the output shaft 20 projecting upward Z1 from the motor 6 . The clutch 7 selectively transmits the driving force output by the motor 6 from the output shaft 20 to one or both of the support shaft 18 and the rotary shaft 19 . When the driving force from the motor 6 is transmitted to the support shaft 18 , the inner tank 4 rotates around the axis J by receiving the driving force of the motor 6 . When the driving force from the motor 6 is transmitted to the rotary shaft 19 , the pulsator 5 rotates around the axis J by receiving the driving force of the motor 6 . A known electric transmission mechanism is used as the clutch 7 . A torque motor (not shown) as previously described may actuate the clutch 7 .

A known heater can be employed as the heater 9 . The heater 9 is arranged in the lower part of the washing tub 8, for example, between the bottom wall 3B of the outer tub 3 and the bottom wall 4B of the inner tub 4, so as to be submerged in the water accumulated in the washing tub 8.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the washing machine 1. As shown in FIG. The washing machine 1 includes a microcomputer 21 as an example of a water supply section and a control section. The microcomputer 21 includes, for example, a CPU 22, a memory 23 such as ROM and RAM, and a timer 24 for timekeeping, and is built in the housing 2 (see FIG. 1).

The motor 6, the clutch 7, the heater 9, the water supply valve 14, and the water discharge valve 16 are electrically connected to a microcomputer 21 via a drive circuit 25, for example. 21 is electrically connected. The microcomputer 21 turns on the motor 6 to drive it, or turns it off to stop it. Microcomputer 21 can also control the direction of rotation of motor 6 . Therefore, the motor 6 can rotate forward and backward. The microcomputer 21 controls the clutch 7 to switch the transmission destination of the driving force of the motor 6 to one or both of the inner tank 4 and the pulsator 5 .

The microcomputer 21 can operate the heater 9 to heat the water in the washing tub 8 . The microcomputer 21 controls the opening/closing of the water supply valve 14 and the water discharge valve 16, that is, ON/OFF. When the user operates the display/manipulation unit 11 to select an operating condition or the like, the microcomputer 21 accepts the selection. The microcomputer 21 controls the display contents of the display operation section 11 .

Washing machine 1 further includes buzzer 26 , rotation speed reading device 27 and water level detector 28 electrically connected to microcomputer 21 . The microcomputer 21 notifies the user of the start or end of the washing operation by generating a predetermined sound from the buzzer 26 .

The rotation speed reading device 27 is a device for reading the rotation speed of the motor 6, strictly speaking, the rotation speed of the output shaft 20 of the motor 6, and is composed of, for example, a Hall IC. The rotation speed read by the rotation speed reading device 27 is input to the microcomputer 21 in real time. The microcomputer 21 controls the motor 6 to rotate at a desired rotation speed by controlling the duty ratio of the voltage applied to the motor 6 based on the input rotation speed. The number of revolutions of each of the inner tank 4 and the pulsator 5 may be the same as the number of revolutions of the motor 6, or may be obtained by multiplying the number of revolutions of the motor 6 by a predetermined constant such as the reduction ratio of the clutch 7. can be any value.

The water level detector 28 is a water level sensor that detects the water level in the outer tub 3 , that is, the water level in the washing tub 8 . As an example of the water level detection unit 28, a pressure-type water level sensor that detects the water level in the washing tub 8 based on the pressure in the washing tub 8 can be employed. The water surface of the water accumulated in the washing tub 8 is not necessarily horizontal over the entire area, and the water level detection unit 28 detects the water level at the highest part of the water surface as the current water level in the washing tub 8 . The current water level in the washing tub 8 , that is, the detection result of the water level detector 28 is input to the microcomputer 21 .

The microcomputer 21 executes the washing operation by controlling the operations of the motor 6, the clutch 7, the heater 9, the water supply valve 14 and the water discharge valve 16. In the washing operation, water is supplied to the washing tub 8 by opening the water supply valve 14 to wash the laundry Q in the inner tub 4, and water is supplied to the washing tub 8 by opening the water supply valve 14 after the washing process. and a rinsing step for rinsing the laundry Q in the inner tub 4. Although the rinsing process is performed once in this embodiment, it may be performed multiple times. The washing operation in this embodiment also includes a dehydration step of dehydrating the laundry Q by rotating the inner tub 4 . The dehydration process includes an intermediate dehydration process that is performed between the washing process and the rinsing process, and a final dehydration process that is performed at the end of the washing operation. The washing machine 1 may be a washing and drying machine that also executes a drying process for drying the laundry Q after the dehydration process.

When the user puts the laundry Q into the inner tub 4 and instructs the start of the washing operation, the microcomputer 21 starts the washing operation. Incidentally, the user may put the detergent into the inner tub 4 before or after putting the laundry Q into it. Referring to the flowchart of FIG. 3, first, microcomputer 21 detects the amount of laundry Q in inner tub 4, that is, the amount of load (step S1).

As an example of load amount detection, the microcomputer 21 detects the load amount based on variations in the rotation speed of the motor 6 when the inner tank 4 is steadily rotated at a low speed. The microcomputer 21 determines the washing water level, which is the level of water to be supplied and stored in the washing tub 8, based on the previously detected load amount. The relationship between the washing water level and the load amount is obtained in advance by experiments or the like and stored in the memory 23 . The memory 23 also stores an integrated value of the amount of laundry Q stored in the inner tub 4 for each washing operation, the number of washing operations, that is, the number of times of washing, and the elapsed time since the previous washing operation. These information in memory 23 are updated and reset by microcomputer 21 .

Then, the microcomputer 21 executes the washing process (step S2). Specifically, as the water supply process, the microcomputer 21 continuously opens the water supply valve 14 to supply water into the washing tub 8 . Since the drain valve 16 is closed, the water level in the washing tub 8 rises. When the water level in the washing tub 8 rises to the previously determined washing water level, the microcomputer 21 closes the water supply valve 14 to stop the water supply.

Next, the microcomputer 21 executes the agitation process in a state where the washing tub 8 is filled with water. Specifically, the microcomputer 21 switches the clutch 7 as necessary so that the driving force of the motor 6 is transmitted to the pulsator 5 , and then drives the motor 6 to rotate the pulsator 5 . The pulsator 5 may rotate continuously in the same direction, but in this embodiment, the intermittent drive of the motor 6 causes the pulsator 5 to alternately repeat forward and reverse rotations at intervals of 1 to 2 seconds. do. In the agitation process, the laundry Q in the inner tub 4 is agitated and washed by the reversing pulsator 5 . It should be noted that the pulsator 5 may rotate even during the water supply process, which facilitates the dissolution of the detergent in water. The dirt on the laundry Q is decomposed by the detergent dissolved in water. After a predetermined stirring time has passed, the microcomputer 21 ends the stirring process, opens the drain valve 16 and drains the washing tub 8 . This completes the washing process.

After the washing process, the microcomputer 21 rotates the inner tub 4 at high speed by operating the motor 6 with the drain valve 16 open as an intermediate dewatering process (step S3). The laundry Q in the inner tub 4 is dehydrated by the centrifugal force generated by this high-speed rotation. The water seeped out of the laundry Q due to dehydration is discharged outside the machine through the drainage channel 15. - 特許庁During the intermediate dehydration step, the microcomputer 21 detects the degree of deviation of the laundry Q in the inner tub 4, that is, the amount of eccentricity. Specifically, when the bias of the laundry Q increases, the variation in the number of rotations of the motor 6 increases. Therefore, the microcomputer 21 detects the amount of eccentricity by reading variations in the rotation speed of the motor 6 with the rotation speed reading device 27 and temporarily stores the detection result in the memory 23 . In this case, the microcomputer 21 and the rotation speed reading device 27 function as an example of a detection section that detects the amount of eccentricity of the laundry Q in the inner tub 4 .

At the final stage of the intermediate dewatering process, the microcomputer 21 switches the clutch 7 so that the driving force of the motor 6 is not transmitted to the inner tub 4 and stops the motor 6, so the inner tub 4 rotates by inertia. At the end of the intermediate dehydration process, the microcomputer 21 closes the drain valve 16 .

Next, the microcomputer 21 executes the rinsing process (step S4). Finally, the microcomputer 21 executes a final dehydration process similar to the intermediate dehydration process (step S5). However, the rotation conditions of the inner tub 4 may differ between the intermediate dehydration step and the final dehydration step. higher than The washing operation ends when the final dehydration step ends.

Next, the rinsing process of step S4 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, the microcomputer 21 confirms whether or not the previously determined washing water level, that is, the water level in the washing process, is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value A (step S11). When the washing water level is less than the threshold value A, that is, when the amount of laundry Q is small (NO in step S11), the microcomputer 21 performs water rinsing (step S12). The reservoir rinse is substantially the same as the wash process except that no detergent is present. Specifically, the microcomputer 21 rotates the pulsator 5 to agitate and rinse the laundry Q while the washing tub 8 is filled with water up to a predetermined water level. After that, when the microcomputer 21 drains the washing tub 8, the rinsing is completed. Accordingly, the rinsing process ends.

On the other hand, when the washing water level is equal to or higher than the threshold value A (YES in step S11), the microcomputer 21 confirms the detection result of the eccentricity in the immediately preceding intermediate dehydration step (step S13). When the eccentricity amount equal to or greater than the predetermined value is detected (YES in step S13), the microcomputer 21 performs water rinsing (step S12).

If the amount of eccentricity detected in the intermediate dehydration step is less than the predetermined value (NO in step S13), the microcomputer 21 refers to the memory 23 to determine the current amount of laundry Q for each washing operation. It is checked whether or not the integrated value is greater than or equal to a predetermined first threshold value B (step S14). If the integrated value is less than the first threshold value B (NO in step S14), the microcomputer 21 refers to the memory 23 to determine whether the current number of times of washing is equal to or greater than the second threshold value C. is confirmed (step S15). If the number of times of washing is less than the second threshold value C (NO in step S15), the microcomputer 21 refers to the memory 23 and determines that the elapsed time since the previous washing operation is equal to or greater than the third threshold value D. It is checked whether or not (step S16). When the elapsed time is less than the third threshold value D (NO in step S16), the microcomputer 21 performs water rinsing (step S12).

When the predetermined condition is satisfied, that is, when the integrated value of the amount of laundry Q for each washing operation is equal to or greater than the first threshold value B (YES in step S14), when the number of times of washing is equal to or greater than the second threshold value C (step YES in S15) and/or when the elapsed time since the previous washing operation is equal to or greater than the third threshold value D (YES in step S16), the microcomputer 21 executes the washing process of washing the washing tub 8. is performed during the rinsing process (step S17). Each of the first threshold value B and the second threshold value C assumes, for example, the timing at which dirt occurs in the washing tub 8, particularly at a position higher than the overflow port 3E of the outer tub 3, when the washing operation is performed every day. is set. An example of the second threshold C is 100 times. An example of the third threshold D is one week. In steps S14 to S16, the order of each process can be changed, and one of the processes may be omitted.

In this way, when the dirt in the washing tub 8 at a position higher than the overflow port 3E may increase due to the repetition of the washing operation or the passage of time after the washing operation, the washing process is executed, so that the washing is performed at an appropriate timing. Bath 8 can be cleaned. The cleaning process may be referred to as "rinsing with water". In this case, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, the rinsing process is changed from the normal water rinsing (step S12) to water rinsing (step S17). Note that the washing operation may have a plurality of courses, and water injection rinsing is performed in any course when a predetermined condition is satisfied.

The amount of the laundry Q described above may be a numerical value of the amount of the laundry Q itself, or may be an index representing the amount of the laundry Q. The same applies to the number of times of washing and the elapsed time described above. As an example of the index, the index is set to "1" when the amount of laundry Q is 1 kg, and the index is set to "2" when the amount of laundry Q is more than 1 kg and 3 kg or less. is more than 3 kg and 5 kg or less, the index is set to "3", and the index is set to "4" when the amount of laundry Q is more than 5 kg. Then, the rinsing process ends when the cleaning process ends.

Next, the cleaning process of step S17 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, the microcomputer 21 starts supplying water to the washing tub 8 by opening the water supply valve 14 with the drain valve 16 closed (step S21). Note that the drain valve 16 is always closed during the cleaning process. As described above, when the amount of laundry Q is small (NO in step S11), the amount of water supplied in step S21 is too large. (Steps S14 to S16) are skipped, and rinsing is performed (Step S12).

When the water level in the washing tub 8 reaches or exceeds the predetermined water level E (YES in step S22), the microcomputer 21 stops the water supply by closing the water supply valve 14, and then rotates the pulsator 5. Thus, a water flow is generated in the washing tub 8 (step S23). The water level E is set at the same height as the overflow port 3E of the outer tank 3 or at a position slightly lower than the overflow port 3E. When the water flow is generated, a vortex is generated in the washing tub 8, and the water surface S in the washing tub 8, as indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. It is curved in a U shape so that it becomes lower and the outer peripheral portion on the outer side in the radial direction R becomes higher. As a result, the water level in the washing tub 8 rises to a wash water level W that is higher than the overflow port 3E and lower than the opening 3D of the outer tub 3. Then, the water on the water surface S side, that is, the water on the upper side Z1 in the washing tub 8 overflows from the overflow port 3E, passes through the overflow channel 17, is led to the drain channel 15, and is discharged out of the machine through the drain channel 15. - 特許庁

The laundry Q can be agitated and rinsed by the water flow generated according to the rotation of the pulsator 5 . Furthermore, since the water flow of the water raised to the washing water level W in the washing tub 8 reaches the dirt at a position higher than the overflow port 3E in the washing tub 8, the dirt can be removed by the water flow. The removed dirt is discharged together with the water on the water surface side of the washing tub 8 from the overflow port 3E through the overflow channel 17 to the drainage channel 15, thereby preventing the dirt from adhering to the washing tub 8 again. can be prevented. The washing tub 8 can be effectively washed by washing away the area higher than the overflow port 3E in the washing tub 8 by such a washing process during the rinsing process. It should be noted that the maximum water level in the reservoir rinse (step S12) is lower than the overflow port 3E.

As described above, the microcomputer 21 determines whether or not to perform the cleaning process during the rinsing process based on the detection result of the amount of eccentricity in the intermediate dehydration process (step S13). As a result, the washing process is executed when the amount of eccentricity is small enough to allow the water level in the washing tub 8 to rise smoothly to the washing water level W, so the washing tub 8 can be washed at an appropriate timing. On the other hand, if the amount of eccentricity is large because the laundry Q is a highly absorbent blanket (YES in step S13), there is a possibility that the amount of eccentricity will be further increased by the water flow during the washing process. As described above, the microcomputer 21 skips the determination of the predetermined conditions (steps S14 to S16) regarding the execution of the cleaning process, and executes the water rinsing (step S12).

During the washing process, the water in the washing tub 8 flows out from the overflow port 3E accompanied by dirt, so that the water in the washing tub 8 decreases and the water level drops. Therefore, when a predetermined F seconds have passed since the start of rotation of the pulsator 5 (YES in step S24), the microcomputer 21 stops the generation of the water flow in the washing tub 8 by stopping the pulsator 5, and then closes the water supply valve. 14 is closed to start water supply (step S25). When the water level in the washing tub 8 reaches or exceeds the predetermined water level G (YES in step S26), the microcomputer 21 stops the water supply and generates a water flow in the washing tub 8 (step S27). ). The water level G may be the same as the water level E described above.

In this way, during the washing process, the microcomputer 21 rotates the pulsator 5 for a predetermined time, then stops the rotation of the pulsator 5 and opens the water supply valve 14 to supply water to the washing tub 8. The rotation of the pulsator 5 is restarted. Thus, by maintaining the water level in the washing tub 8 at the washing water level W for a long time, the washing tub 8 can be washed effectively.

For example, when a predetermined H seconds have passed since the re-generation of the water flow (step S27) (YES in step S28), the microcomputer 21 stops the generation of the water flow in the washing tub 8 by stopping the pulsator 5. , the corresponding values of the integrated value, the number of times of washing, and the elapsed time in the memory 23 are reset (step S29). For example, in the case of cleaning processing due to the integrated value being equal to or greater than the first threshold value B (YES in step S14), the microcomputer 21 resets the integrated value in the memory 23. FIG. It should be noted that the microcomputer 21 may collectively reset all of the integrated value, the number of times of washing, and the elapsed time in step S29. The cleaning process ends in response to the reset. At the end of the washing process, the microcomputer 21 may open the drain valve 16 to drain the washing tub 8 .

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims.

For example, each of the numerical values E, F, G, and H described above is the washing process (YES in step S14) when the integrated value is equal to or greater than the first threshold value B, and the number of times of washing is equal to or greater than the second threshold value C. (YES in step S15) and the cleaning process when the elapsed time is equal to or greater than the third threshold value D (YES in step S16).

During the washing process described above, the microcomputer 21 may activate the heater 9 to heat the water in the washing tub 8 to warm water. Dirt in the washing tub 8 can be effectively removed by hot water. The washing process may be a dedicated process independent of the rinsing process. In that case, the water level of the hot water in the washing tub 8 is raised to the washing water level W by rotating the pulsator 5 or rotating the inner tub 4. , dirt at a position higher than the overflow port 3E may be removed by hot water and discharged from the overflow port 3E.

The axis J of the inner tub 4 in the washing machine 1 is arranged so as to extend vertically along the vertical direction Z in the above-described embodiment (see FIG. 1), but the washing machine 1, which is a vertical washing machine, has: A configuration in which the axis J is slightly inclined with respect to the vertical direction Z is also included.

1 Washing Machine 3 Outer Tub 3E Overflow Port 3G Drainage Port 4 Inner Tub 4E Through Hole 5 Pulsator 6 Motor 8 Washing Tub 13 Water Supply Channel 14 Water Supply Valve 15 Drainage Channel 16 Drainage Valve 17 Overflow Channel 21 Microcomputer 27 RPM Reader B th 1st threshold C 2nd threshold D 3rd threshold Q Laundry W Washing water level

Claims (4)

a motor that generates a driving force;
An outer tank provided with a drain port and an overflow port arranged at a position higher than the drain port to store water, and a through hole for allowing water to flow between the outer tank and the outer tank are provided. a washing tub having an inner tub arranged in the outer tub and containing the laundry;
a rotary blade arranged in the inner tank and rotated by receiving the driving force of the motor;
a drainage channel connected to the drainage port for discharging water in the washing tub;
an overflow channel connected to the overflow port for guiding water in the washing tub from the overflow port to the drain channel;
a drainage valve for opening and closing the drainage channel;
a water supply unit for supplying water into the washing tub;
a control unit for controlling the motor, the drain valve, and the water supply unit, wherein the water supply unit supplies water into the washing tub to wash the laundry in the inner tub; and the water supply after the washing step. a control unit for executing a washing operation having a rinsing step of supplying water into the washing tub by a unit to rinse the laundry in the inner tub,
When a predetermined condition is satisfied, the control unit closes the drain valve and rotates the rotary blade in a state in which water is stored in the washing tub by the water supply unit as the washing process of the washing tub during the rinsing process. A washing machine, wherein the water level in the washing tub is raised to a wash water level higher than the overflow port by rotating the motor to generate a water flow. When the predetermined condition is satisfied, the integrated value for each washing operation for the amount of laundry stored in the inner tub is equal to or greater than a first threshold, and the number of washing operations is equal to or greater than a second threshold. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the washing machine is at least one of the following cases: and the case where the elapsed time from the previous washing operation is equal to or greater than a third threshold. During the washing process, the control unit stops the rotation of the rotor blade after rotating the rotor blade for a predetermined time, supplies water to the washing tub by the water supply unit, and then rotates the rotor blade. 3. A washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein rotation is resumed. The inner tank rotates by receiving the driving force of the motor,
The washing operation has a dehydration step in which the control unit rotates the inner tub by the motor between the washing step and the rinsing step,
A detection unit that detects the amount of eccentricity of the laundry in the inner tub during the dehydration process,
The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control section determines whether or not to perform the cleaning process during the rinsing process based on the detection result of the detection section.

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