JP3157429B2 - Washing machine - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a washing machine, and more particularly to a washing machine provided with a water supply channel and a pump water channel.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a washing machine with a water suction pump, a water supply valve is provided in a water supply passage, and a water absorption pump is provided in the pump water supply passage. Water supply is performed. Generally, a pump water supply channel is for effectively utilizing remaining hot water in a bath for washing, and an input unit for selecting a pump water supply channel, that is, use of bath water, is provided in an operation unit of this type of washing machine. Have been.

[0003] By the way, in a washing machine, a washing process,
A series of washing steps are performed in the order of a rinsing step and a dehydrating step. Of these, the rinsing step is usually repeated a plurality of times, for example, twice. Conventional rinsing methods include a so-called "water rinsing" in which a predetermined amount of water is supplied into a washing tub and a so-called "water rinsing", and a so-called "tanning rinse" in which a predetermined amount of water is stored in the washing tub. was there.

Recently, however, many products have been commercialized in which the first rinsing step is so-called "dehydration rinsing" for saving water. In this dehydration rinsing, water is supplied into the washing tub to such an extent that water permeates the entire laundry, and then the washing tub (dehydration tub) is rotated at a high speed to perform dehydration. A rinse is performed. In the dehydration rinsing, since it is sufficient to supply water to such an extent that the water soaks into the laundry, a considerable amount of water can be saved as compared with the rinsing with water and the rinsing with water.

[0005] As described above, dehydration rinsing has a great effect on water saving, but when remaining hot water in a bath can be used via a pump water supply channel, washing performance and rinsing performance are more important than water saving. In general, the rinsing performance is higher in the rinsing than in the dehydrating rinsing. Therefore, if there is no need to reduce the amount of water used, it is desirable to perform rinsing or rinsing with water.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and its object is to
An object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine that can effectively use bath water for washing and can ensure sufficient rinsing performance.

[0007]

Means for Solving the Problems, Embodiments and Effects To solve the above problems, the present invention provides a water supply valve and a pump water supply passage, and a water supply valve provided in the water supply passage. In the washing machine for supplying water to the washing tub by controlling the opening and closing of the pump and the operation of the water suction pump provided in the pump water supply path, respectively: a) To select the use of water from the pump water supply path in the rinsing step. operation means to be operated, b) if the use of the the manipulation means the pump water supply channel is selected, either the rinse or pouring rinse for normally performed, use of the pump water supply path selection If not , the water supply from the water supply channel and the high-speed rotation of the washing tub are combined , and the water is supplied to the laundry in the washing tub.
Water is soaked in the laundry by high-speed rotation of the washing tub
Control means for dehydrating the water that has entered and rinsing and dehydrating the laundry.

[0008] The control means in the washing machine according to the present invention comprises:
During the rinsing step, one of two rinsing methods is performed, either a rinsing or a water rinsing and a dehydrating rinsing. The selection of the rinsing method depends on the determination result as to whether or not the use of the pump water supply channel is selected in the operation means. In other words, when the use of the pump water supply channel is selected, the water suction pump is operated to supply water to the predetermined water level in the washing tub, and then the rinsing is performed or the operation of the water suction pump is continued. Perform one of the water rinses and, if the use of the pump water supply is not selected, the water supply from the water supply
Infiltrate water into the laundry in the washing tub for high-speed rotation of the washing tub
Therefore, the water soaked in the laundry is dehydrated, and the laundry is rinsed and dehydrated and rinsed.

Therefore, according to the present invention, when tap water is used in the rinsing step, a water-saving type dehydration rinsing that uses a small amount of water is performed, and when bath water is used, water is sufficiently supplied. Rinsing or water rinsing is performed because the rinsing performance is higher than that used. For this reason, when there is bath water, the bath water is effectively used and effective rinsing is performed.
When there is no bath water, sufficient rinsing performance is ensured while using less water.

[0010]

[0011]

[0012]

[0013]

[0014]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a washing machine according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an input key arrangement of an operation unit of the washing machine, FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a basic flow of a washing process, and FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the washing machine according to the present invention.

First, the configuration of the entire washing machine will be described with reference to FIG. An operation unit 11 having input keys is provided at an upper rear portion of the machine frame 10. An outer tub 12 is disposed inside the machine casing 10, and a washing tub 13, which also serves as a dehydration tub having a large number of dehydration holes on a peripheral wall, is installed inside the outer tub 12. A rotating wing 14 for stirring the laundry is provided at the bottom of the washing tub 13.
The rotation of the motor 15 is controlled by a motor pulley 16,
The power is transmitted to the washing tub 13 and the rotary blade 14 via the belt 17, the main pulley 18, and the power switching mechanism 19. The power switching mechanism 19 rotates only the rotor 14 during washing,
At the time of spin-drying, mechanical switching is performed to rotate the washing tub 13 and the rotary blade 14 together.

A drain port 20 is provided at the bottom of the outer tub 12 and drains through a drain pipe 21 which is opened and closed by a drain solenoid valve 22. An air trap 23 is provided at one corner of the bottom of the outer tub 12, and is connected to a water level sensor 25 via a pressure hose 24. The water level in the tank 12 is detected. Water supplied from the tap water supply channel 26 is injected into the washing tub 13 via the water supply electromagnetic valve 27, and water from the pump water supply channel 28 is sucked up by the water suction pump 29 and injected into the washing tub 13.

The water levels L _{1 to} L ₄ indicated by broken lines in the washing tub 13 in the figure are four pre-set washing (or rinsing) water level modes “minimum”, “low”, “medium” and "High"
Respectively.

Next, the arrangement of input keys on the operation unit 11 of FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The operation unit 11 includes an input unit 40 including a plurality of input keys, and a display unit 41 for displaying a mode or a numerical value selected by operating the input keys. Hereinafter, the function of each input key of the input unit 40 will be described in order.

The water level selection key 42 is used to change the amount of water during the washing step and the rinsing step to “minimum”, “low”,
This is an input key for the operator to manually select from among four modes of “medium” and “high”, and a portion of the selected water level mode in the display section 41 is turned on. Level of the washing tub 13 corresponding to the four modes is that shown in the position of L ₁ ~L ₄ in FIG. In addition, the water level in the washing step and the rinsing step is generally selected automatically in accordance with the amount of the laundry detected by the load sensor, and the selected water level mode is displayed.

The bath water use key 43 is connected to the pump water supply passage 28.
Is an input key for the operator to select which of the washing step, the first rinsing step, and the second rinsing step is to be used for the bath water supplied through the. As shown in FIG. 3, each time the bath water use key 43 is pressed once, the process of using the bath water changes, and the corresponding portion in the display section 41 is turned on.

The course selection key 44 is an input key for selecting one from a plurality of washing courses in which the washing time, the water flow, and the like are determined in advance according to the type of laundry and the degree of dirt. , Display unit 41 corresponding to the selected course
The part inside is lit.

The favorite course selection key 45 is an input key for the operator to freely set the time for washing and dehydration, the number of times of rinsing, etc., and a value corresponding to the input operation is displayed on the display unit 41. Is done. By temporarily storing these numerical settings and selecting “own style” using the course selection key 44, a series of washing steps can be executed as stored.

In addition, a reservation key 46 is an input key for reserving a washing start time, and a powder soap dissolving key 47 is used when powder laundry that is hardly soluble in water is used before the laundry is put into the washing tub 13. This is an input key operated when it is desired to dissolve the powdered soap in advance in the washing tub 13 by strong water flow.

Next, the electrical configuration of the washing machine according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. A key input signal from the input unit 40 of the operation unit 11 is transmitted to the control unit 30 mainly composed of a microcomputer.
The water level detection signal is input from the. The control unit 30 has a memory in which an operation program is stored, receives a key input from the input unit 40, and according to a corresponding operation program,
Motor drive unit 31 for driving motor 15, water supply solenoid valve 2
7. Control the operation or operation of the water suction pump 29 and the drain electromagnetic valve 22 and the like. In addition, the display unit 41 responds to a key input signal.
Is displayed as described above.

FIG. 5 shows the basic flow of the washing process of the washing machine having the above-described configuration. In accordance with the operation program, the control unit 30 first executes the washing step, sequentially executes the first rinsing step and the second rinsing step, and finally executes the dewatering step. As described above, by operating the favorite course selection key 45 by the operator, it is also possible to execute only a part of the washing process.

Hereinafter, a specific processing operation of the washing machine according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, a series of washing steps from washing to dehydration are performed along the basic washing step of FIG.

When the start key 48 is operated after the washing water level, bath water use and the like are selected by operating the input keys,
The control unit 30 executes the washing process according to the operation program. First, it is determined whether or not bath water use is set in the washing step to supply water in the washing step (step S10). That is, the water supply mode A shown in FIG.
In the case of B and C, use of bath water is set at the time of the washing process, so that the process proceeds to step S11.

In the case of using bath water, the water suction pump 29 is activated to start supplying water from the pump water supply passage 28 (step S11). Next, based on the detection signal from the water level sensor 25, it is determined whether the water level in the washing tub 13 has reached the washing water level selected by the operator or automatically set according to the amount of laundry. (Step S12). That is, it is determined whether or not the water levels L _{1 to} L ₄ corresponding to any of the “extremely”, “low”, “medium”, and “high” modes have been reached. If the washing water level has been reached, the process proceeds to step S14, where the operation of the water suction pump 29 is stopped, and the washing process is executed (step S15). At this time, the control unit 30 controls the motor driving unit 31 to rotate only the rotary blade 14 at a predetermined rotation speed at a low speed, thereby performing washing.

If the water level in the washing tub 13 has not reached the washing water level in step S12, it is then determined whether or not the water level has risen in order to determine whether there is an abnormality in the pump water supply (step S12). Step S13). Here, for example, 5
If the water level has risen by a certain amount or more after a lapse of seconds, it is determined that the water level has risen. If there is a rise in the water level, the process returns to step S12, and it is determined again whether the water level in the washing tub 13 has reached the wash water level. Therefore, as long as there is no abnormality in the pump water supply such as running out of the bath water, the pump water supply is continued until the water level in the washing tub 13 reaches the washing water level by the processes in steps S12 and S13.

If there is no rise in the water level in step S13, it can be determined that an abnormality has occurred in the pump water supply because the bath water has run out or the filter at the suction port has been clogged. In this case, the operation of the water suction pump 29 is stopped (step S24), and the operation is shifted to tap water supply as described later.

In step S15, a washing step is performed.
Once the dirty detergent water has been drained, a first rinsing step is then performed. In the first rinsing step, first, the water suction pump 29 is started to start supplying water from the pump water supply passage 28 (step S16). Subsequently, as in step S12, the washing tub 13 is set based on the detection signal from the water level sensor 25.
It is determined whether or not the water level in the inside has reached the rinse water level (step S17). When the water level has reached the rinsing water level, the process proceeds to step S18, where the operation of the water suction pump 29 is stopped, and the rinsing step is performed (step S1).
9). At this time, the control unit 30 controls the motor driving unit 31 in the same manner as in the case of washing, thereby rotating only the rotary wings 14 at a predetermined rotation speed at a low speed, thereby performing rinsing.

If the water level in the washing tub 13 has not reached the rinsing water level in step S17, the process proceeds to step S20, and it is determined whether the water level has risen as in step S13. If there is a rise in the water level, the process returns to step 17, and subsequently, water is supplied to the rinse water level by pump water supply. If it is determined in step S20 that the water level has not risen, the water supply solenoid valve 27 is opened and the water supply
Water supply from 6 is started (step S21). After tap water is supplied to the rinse water level by the detection signal of the water level sensor 25 (step S22), the water supply electromagnetic valve 27 is closed (step S23).

The operation of the water suction pump 29 is continued during the supply of tap water, and when the supply of water is completed, the operation is stopped (step S18), and the rinsing step is executed as the first rinsing step. (Step S19). Therefore, when the pump water supply is restarted even after the water supply electromagnetic valve 27 is opened and the water supply is started in step S21, for example, the filter at the suction port of the pump water supply passage 28 may be used. When the clog is removed, pump water supply and tap water supply are performed in parallel. According to this, bath water will be used more effectively. Of course, the operation of the water suction pump 29 may be stopped at the same time as the start of tap water supply, or after a certain period of time after the start of tap water supply.

When the use of bath water is not set in the first step 10 (that is, in the water supply mode D), only tap water is used for all washing steps. In this case, first, the water supply electromagnetic valve 27 is opened, and water supply from the water supply water supply path 26 is started (step S25). Water level sensor 2
Based on the detection signal of No. 5, the water supply is continued until the water level in the washing tub 13 reaches the washing water level selected by the operator or automatically set according to the amount of the laundry (step S26). When water up to the washing water level has accumulated, the water supply solenoid valve 27 is closed (step S27), and step S15 is performed.
A washing step is performed in the same manner as in (Step S28).

When the washing step is completed, the control unit 3
0 executes the first rinsing step (step S29). Here, the first rinsing step is not a rinsing but a dehydrating rinsing. In this dewatering and rinsing step, the drainage electromagnetic valve 22
Are kept open to drain the detergent water at the end of the washing process. Then, the water supply electromagnetic valve 27 is opened, and tap water is supplied into the washing tub 13. At this time, the control unit 30 controls the motor drive unit 31 and controls the washing tub (dehydration tub).
13 and the rotor 14 are slowly rotated together. As the water is supplied while the washing tub 13 rotates slowly, the water falls almost uniformly on the laundry in the washing tub 13, and water permeates the entire laundry. The amount of water supplied at this time is, for example, about several liters to about 10 liters, which is much smaller than the amount of water required for rinsing and rinsing.

After water is supplied for a predetermined time so that water permeates the entire laundry, the water supply electromagnetic valve 27 is closed. Then, dehydration is performed by rotating the washing tub 13 at a high speed. At this time, the detergent soaked in the laundry is blown away with the water and discharged from the drain port 20.

The dehydration rinsing step comprises a series of flows of water supply while rotating the washing tub 13 slowly and dehydration by high-speed rotation. It may be executed repeatedly. Even when two cycles are repeated, the amount of water used can be reduced to half or less of the rinsing since it is used once.

When the first rinsing step is completed, the control unit 30
Performs a second rinsing step. In each of the case where the rinsing is performed in the first rinsing step (Step S19) and the case where the dehydration rinsing is performed (Step S29), the rinsing is performed in the second rinsing step. In the second rinsing step, as in the case of steps S25 to S27 of water supply in the washing step, first, the water supply electromagnetic valve 27 is opened with the drain electromagnetic valve 22 closed, and water supply is started (step S30). ). Water is supplied until the water level in the washing tub 13 reaches the rinse water level (step S31), and the water supply electromagnetic valve 27 is closed (step S3).
2). At this time, a finishing agent (clothing softener) may be introduced into the rinsing water.

When a predetermined amount of water has accumulated in the washing tub 13, the control unit 30 controls the motor driving unit 31 to
By rotating only 4 at a low speed, the rinsing is executed (step S33). Then, after the rinsing rotation is completed, the drain solenoid valve 22 is opened, and all the rinsing water is discharged from the drain port 20.
Is discharged from

When the two rinsings of the first and second rinsing steps are completed, the control unit 30 finally executes the dehydrating step (step S34). In the dehydration step, both the washing tub 13 and the rotary blade 14 are rotated at a high speed with the drainage electromagnetic valve 22 opened. As a result, the rinse water soaked into the laundry is blown off, dehydration is completed, and all the steps of the laundry are completed.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the rinsing step following the washing step is executed twice, and when the rinsing water is tap water, the first rinsing step is a dehydration rinse (step S29). In the second rinsing step, a rinsing is performed (step S33). If the use of bath water is set for the rinse water, the first rinse step is performed by bath water (step S19), and the second rinse step is performed by tap water (step S33). However, when the bath water cannot be supplied during the water supply in the first rinsing step (No in Step S20), the rinsing is performed because the insufficient rinsing water is replenished with tap water (Step S19). .

In the above embodiment, water rinsing may be performed instead of the rinsing. In the case of water injection rinsing, the operation of the water suction pump 29 is continued even after a predetermined amount of water has accumulated in the washing tub 13 or the water supply electromagnetic valve 2
By keeping the 7 open, the rotating blades 14 are rotated while water supply is continued to perform rinsing. At this time, the drain solenoid valve 22 is opened to such an extent that a predetermined amount of water is retained in the washing tub 13 and the water corresponding to the supplied water amount is discharged.

Also, in the above embodiment, the second rinsing step always uses tap water to perform rinsing. However, the use of bath water is set in the second rinsing step, and a sufficient amount of bath water is used. If water remains, it may be changed to perform rinsing due to bath water. However, since bath water may contain dirt such as dirt and soap scum, it is more sanitary to use tap water for the final rinsing step (last rinsing step when performing multiple rinsings). Preferred.

Further, it is apparent that the present invention can be applied to a case where all the washing steps are not continuously performed as in the embodiment of FIG. 6, for example, a case where only the rinsing step is performed. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a washing machine to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an arrangement of input keys of an operation unit of the washing machine.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a change in a water supply mode by a bath water use key operation.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an electric system of the washing machine.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a basic flow of a washing process.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a specific processing operation of the washing machine according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Operation part 12 ... Outer tub 13 ... Washing tub 25 ... Water level sensor 26 ... Water supply water supply path 27 ... Water supply solenoid valve 28 ... Pump water supply path 29 ... Water absorption pump 30 ... Control part

Continuation of the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) D06F 33/02 D06F 39/08 D06F 41/00

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A water supply channel and a pump water supply channel are provided, and the opening and closing of a water supply valve provided in the water supply channel and the operation of a water suction pump provided in the pump water supply channel are controlled to control the water supply to the washing tub. A) operating means operated to select the use of water from the pump water supply path in the rinsing step; and b) use of the pump water supply path is selected by the operation means. in this case, either the rinse or pouring rinse for normally performed, when the use of the pump water supply path is not selected, combining the high-speed rotation of the water supply and the washing tub from the water water channel, washing with water For laundry in the tub
Water is soaked in the laundry by high-speed rotation of the washing tub
Control means for dewatering the water that has entered and rinsing and dewatering the laundry.