JP3585668B2 - Rotary drum type washing machine and cleaning method thereof - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a rotating drum type washing machine and a cleaning method thereof.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The rotating drum type washing machine includes a water tank suspended in a washing machine main body by a suspension spring, and a rotating drum housed in the water tank so as to be rotatable around a horizontal axis, and clothes are placed in the rotating drum. The washing is performed by rotating the rotating drum at a low speed while the washing liquid is put in the water tub and the washing liquid is drained from the water tub, and the rotating drum is rotated at a high speed to perform dehydration. Thereafter, the clothes were dried by circulating hot air between the water tank and the duct.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In general, in a washing machine with a rotating drum type drying function having the above-described structure, dirt may accumulate on the outside of the rotating drum, the inside of the water tank, the door packing, etc., and black mold may be generated. In addition, it is necessary to sufficiently wash the rotating drum, the water tank, and the like. However, a conventional washing machine with a drum-type drying function does not have a function of automatically performing a washing operation, and a user manually performs a washing operation according to an instruction manual.
[0004]
An example of the procedure is as follows.
(1) Put the washing tub cleaner into the rotating drum.
(2) Close the door. Press the power key.
(3) Select "Blanket course" (high water level, no capacity sensing) with the course selection key.
(4) Press the start key to start driving.
(5) After 10 minutes, press the pause key to pause.
(6) After leaving for about 2 hours, press the start key to restart the operation.
[0005]
When performing the cleaning work in the above procedure, it takes time and effort for the user, and sometimes it is necessary to restart after stopping the operation, especially when using a chlorine-based cleaning cleaner. If the washing tub cleaner is left as it is for a long time, the rotating drum, the water tub and the rubber parts made of stainless steel may be corroded or deteriorated. An example of a conventional washing machine provided with a tub washing function is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-142587. In this example, a water tub and a rotary drum are provided in a vertical direction. This was a fully automatic washing machine of the type that rotates around a vertical axis, and could not be applied to a washing machine with a rotating drum type drying function equipped with door packing, a connection duct, and a drying system.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the problems of the conventional rotary drum type washing machine described above, and includes a rotary drum that can rotate around a horizontal axis in a water tank installed in the main body of the washing machine , A rotating drum type washing machine having a washing course for washing, rinsing, and dewatering the laundry put in the drum,
A dedicated course for washing the inside of the water tank is provided, the dedicated course is a water supply step of supplying water to the water tank to a higher water level than the washing course, a washing step of rotating the rotary drum for a predetermined time, and the washing step. A immersion washing step of stopping the rotation of the rotary drum until a predetermined time has elapsed after the completion, and a drainage step of draining water in the water tank after the immersion washing step is completed, and the dedicated course is provided. A tank cleaning key to be selected is provided, and the dedicated course can be executed independently by turning on the power and pressing the tank cleaning key .
[0007]
Therefore, according to the present invention, the rotating drum can be rotated for a predetermined time immediately after the water supply is completed, and thereafter, the immersion state can be achieved. As a result, when the washing tub cleaner is put in the water tub before the washing operation is started, the washing tub cleaner can be sufficiently dissolved in water by the rotation of the rotary drum, and the washing tub cleaner is immersed in the washing tub. Dirt adhering to the water tank, the rotating drum and the duct can be removed by the water mixed with the tank cleaner.
[0008]
Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the rotary drum type washing machine having the above configuration, the rotary drum is intermittently rotated during the immersion washing step. It is preferable that the rotating drum is intermittently rotated within 360 ° alternately left and right.
[0009]
Therefore, according to the present invention, the rotary drum is intermittently rotated in the immersion state. As a result, the washing tub cleaner sufficiently dissolved in water in the washing operation associated with the rotation of the rotary drum in the preceding stage before immersion does not settle even during immersion, and covers the entire inside of the water tub, the rotating drum, and the duct. To remove dirt adhering to those surfaces.
[0010]
Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the rotating drum type washing machine having the above-described configuration, the rotating drum is rotated to perform the dehydration operation after the immersion washing step.
[0011]
Therefore, according to the present invention, the rotating drum can be rotated for a predetermined period of time immediately after the water supply is completed, and thereafter, can be brought into the soaking state. The cleaning will be terminated. As a result, when the washing tub cleaner is put in the water tub before the washing is started, the washing tub cleaner can be sufficiently dissolved in water by the rotation of the rotary drum, and the washing tub cleaner is soaked in the soaked state. Dirt adhering to the water tank, the rotating drum and the duct can be removed by the water mixed with the tank cleaner. In addition, since the water is drained after the drainage, the water in the water tub or the rotating drum and the washing tub cleaner can be sufficiently removed, and the re-adhesion of the filth can be prevented.
[0012]
Further, according to the present invention, in the rotary drum type washing machine having the above-described configuration, the dedicated course detects an unbalance amount of the laundry during the spin-drying operation. It is characterized in that the amount of unbalance is not detected by dehydration.
[0013]
The present invention also provides the rotating drum type washing machine having the above-described configuration, wherein the dedicated course includes a drying step of supplying warm air heated by a drying heater into the rotating drum, and the drying step includes rotating the rotating drum. When the internal temperature reaches a predetermined value, the drying heater is weakened and the operation is continued until a predetermined time elapses.
[0014]
Further, the present invention provides the rotary drum type washing machine having the above-mentioned configuration, wherein a pause key for instructing a suspension of the washing operation is provided, and the suspension by the operation of the pause key is not accepted in the washing step and the soaking and washing step. It is characterized by doing so.
[0015]
Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the rotary drum type washing machine having the above configuration, when the power is turned off during the operation of the dedicated course, the interruption of the tub washing is notified when the power is turned on again.
[0016]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 are a side sectional view and a front sectional view, respectively, of a washing machine with a rotary drum type drying function embodying a washing method according to an embodiment of the present invention. A water tub 4 suspended by a suspension spring 3 in the washing machine main body 1 is a rotary drum arranged in the water tub 2, and a rotary shaft 5 rotatably supported by a bearing on the rear wall of the water tub 2 in a water-tight manner. The rear surface is fixed so that it can rotate in the water tank 2 with the rotation of the rotating shaft.
[0017]
The rotating drum 4 has three stirring baffles 5 arranged at equal intervals on the inner surface thereof, and has a number of small holes over the entire outer peripheral surface. The rotary drum 4 receives the rotation of the drive motor 6 via the belt 7 and the pulleys 8 and 9, and rotates at a speed corresponding to washing and dehydration. Reference numeral 10 denotes a door that opens and closes a clothes input port 11 provided on the entire surface of the washing machine main body 1. The door 10 is completely sealed by a door packing 12 provided on a peripheral edge of the clothes input port 11 when closed. Reference numeral 13 denotes a water supply pipe provided with a water supply valve 14 in the middle of the pipeline, and supplies the washing water to the water tub 2 via the detergent case 15 when the water supply valve 14 is opened. A water level sensor 16 detects the water level in the water tank and controls opening and closing of the water supply valve 14 via a microcomputer 35 described later.
[0018]
Reference numeral 17 denotes a drain duct led out from the bottom of the water tub 2 and is connected to a filter case 18 for removing lint, dirt, and the like contained in the drained washing water. A circulation pump 20 for circulating the washing water through the water tub 2 and a drain pump 22 for draining the washing water through a drain pipe 21 are connected.
[0019]
Reference numeral 23 denotes a cooling duct, the lower end of which is connected to the bottom of the water tank 2 via an exhaust duct 24, and the upper end of which is connected to the upper part of the water tank 2 via a drying unit 25. Although not shown in the cooling duct 23, water is supplied from the water supply pipe 13 via a drying water supply valve, and tap water is sprayed into the cooling duct 23 in a shower shape. The drying unit 25 includes a blower fan 26, a drying heater 27, a hot air duct 28, a temperature sensor 29 provided in the hot air duct 28, and a temperature sensor 30 provided in the cooling duct 23.
[0020]
At the time of the drying step, the air generated by the drying heater 27 is sent into the rotating drum 4 by the blower fan 26 and becomes high-temperature and high-humidity air containing moisture evaporated from the wet laundry in the rotating drum 4. The gas enters the cooling duct 23 through the exhaust duct 24 from the exhaust port. Then, in the cooling duct 23, the moisture is condensed and removed by heat exchange when the shower-like cold water supplied via the drying water supply valve comes into contact with the moisture. The air thus cooled and removed from the moisture is sent to the blower fan 26 again, reheated by the drying heater 27 and circulated again to the rotary drum 4. The temperature sensors 29 and 30 detect the temperature of the circulated hot air and are used for determining the end of drying and detecting an abnormal temperature rise.
[0021]
In the figure, reference numeral 31 denotes an operation / display panel arranged on the front surface of the upper part of the main body 1 of the washing machine, which comprises a panel input section 32 and a display section 33 as shown in FIG. Reference numeral 34 denotes a control circuit provided on the back side of the operation / display panel 31. As shown in FIG. 4, a microcomputer which receives input signals from various input systems, performs a predetermined arithmetic operation, and outputs a control signal. (Hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer) 35, and an output circuit 36 for outputting a drive signal for driving various load units based on a control signal of the microcomputer 35.
[0022]
As an input system to the microcomputer 35, there are a panel input unit 32, a display unit 33, a power switch 37 and an input unit 38 such as a door switch, a pressure switch, a tachometer, and a water level sensor in the operation / display panel 31, and The load section includes the drive motor 6, the water supply valve 14, the drain pump 22, the drying unit 25, the door lock solenoid 39, the relay 40, and the reverse rotation relay 41 of the drive motor 6. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 42 denotes a power supply unit, which includes a power supply circuit 43, a rectifier circuit 44, and an oscillation circuit 45.
[0023]
The washing machine with a rotary drum type drying function of the present invention is configured as described above. Hereinafter, a dedicated tub washing course executed by the washing machine will be described with reference to the operation flowchart of FIG. When the power is turned on by operating the power key 32a and the bath cleaning key 32c is pressed (step S1), an indicator light 33a indicating that the dedicated bath cleaning course has been set is turned on (step S2). When the tank cleaning key 32c is pressed again (step S3), the storage unit of the microcomputer 35 stores that the tank drying operation has been additionally set, and the indicator light 33b indicating that the tank drying operation has been set turns on (step S3). S4).
[0024]
In this state, when the start key 32b on the operation / display panel 31 is pressed (step S5), the corresponding portion of the progress indicator array 32c indicating the progress of the tank cleaning blinks and the water supply valve 14 is turned on to start water supply. (Step S6). Then, with this water supply, the microcomputer 35 determines via the water level sensor whether or not the water level in the water tub 2 has reached the set water level for the tub washing (set higher than the water level in a normal washing course) (step S7). .
[0025]
When the water level in the water tank 2 reaches the set water level for tank cleaning, the microcomputer 35 turns off the water supply valve 14 to stop water supply (step S8), and drives the drive motor 6 to rotate the rotary drum 4 for a predetermined time (step S8). Step S9), the washing tub cleaner is sufficiently stirred. When the rotation time of the rotating drum 4 reaches a predetermined time (step S12), the rotation of the rotating drum 4 is stopped (step S13), and immersion is started. At this time, the microcomputer 35 intermittently rotates the rotary drum 4 via the drive motor 6 in order to enhance the washing effect of the soaked storage (step S14).
[0026]
At this time, the rotation of the rotating drum 4 is alternately rotated left and right to change the movement of the cleaning liquid so that the drain 17 and the deep portion of the exhaust duct 24 can be sufficiently cleaned. Further, at this time, the rotation of the rotary drum 4 is intermittently performed within 360 °, so that the entire circumference of the rotary drum 4 can be uniformly immersed in the solution of the washing tub cleaner. If the outlet is erroneously stopped during the washing course as described above due to disconnection of the outlet, the error indicator light 33d indicating the suspension of bath cleaning is turned on and notified when the outlet is next turned on (step). S11).
[0027]
After the washing, draining is performed, and then a spin-drying spin is performed to remove the washing tub cleaner solution adhering to the rotating drum 4 (step S20). Before the dehydration operation, an imbalance is detected in the same manner as in a normal washing operation in consideration of a case where laundry is put inside the rotating drum 4 (steps S18 and S19), and the unbalance amount is set to a predetermined value. If the value is equal to or more than the value, the loosening operation is performed to correct the unevenness of the laundry, and the rotating drum 4 is rotated at a high speed via the drive motor 6 to start high-speed dehydration (step S22).
[0028]
Next, water is supplied again and a rinsing process is started (steps S23 and S24). This rinsing step is performed by continuously rotating the rotating drum 4 alternately left and right. Even after the rinsing step, dewatering rotation (step S28) is performed after draining (step S25). If the unbalance amount is equal to or less than a predetermined value in the unbalance detection after the washing step (step S26), Imbalance detection and loosening operation are omitted, and high-speed dehydration starts immediately (step S28). By performing this control, the time for the tank cleaning operation can be reduced.
[0029]
In the last rinsing step of the set rinsing number, water is supplied to a water level higher than the water level of the washing step and the immediately preceding rinsing step, and rinsing is performed (steps S29 to S39). At the time when the final rinsing, drainage and dehydration are completed, it is determined whether or not the tank drying operation is set (step S40). If not set, the operation is stopped and the end is notified by a buzzer or the like. . When the tank drying operation is set, the operation automatically shifts to the drying operation.
[0030]
Since the load of the laundry is not applied in the tub cleaning course, the temperature inside the water tub 4 rises quickly, and the temperature of the hot air detected by the temperature sensors 29 and 30 becomes a predetermined value abnormal in a short time, and the drying is completed. Judgment ends drying. When the drying heater 27 of 1200 W is used, the time until the end of the drying operation with no load is about 20 to 30 minutes, and the remaining water of the door upper king 12 and the like does not dry. Therefore, in the present invention, when the temperature of the hot air detected by the temperature sensors 29 and 30 reaches the set value in the case of the tank drying, the drying heater 27 is switched to weak and the operation is continued for a predetermined time. Further, the drying heater 27 may be ON / OFF controlled.
[0031]
In the above embodiment, a washing machine with a drying function has been described as an example of a drum rotary washing machine. However, without being limited to this, the present invention can be applied to a washing machine without a drying function. Nor.
[0032]
【The invention's effect】
The present invention is configured as described above, and includes a rotating drum that can rotate around a horizontal axis in a water tub installed in the washing machine main body, with respect to the laundry put in the rotating drum. A rotating drum type washing machine having a washing course for washing, rinsing and dewatering ,
A dedicated course for washing the inside of the water tank is provided, the dedicated course is a water supply step of supplying water to the water tank to a higher water level than the washing course, a washing step of rotating the rotary drum for a predetermined time, and the washing step. A immersion washing step of stopping the rotation of the rotary drum until a predetermined time has elapsed after the completion, and a drainage step of draining water in the water tank after the immersion washing step is completed, and the dedicated course is provided. A rotary drum type washing machine characterized in that a dedicated tub cleaning key is provided, and the dedicated course can be independently executed by turning on a power and pressing the tub cleaning key .
[0033]
Therefore, according to the present invention, the rotating drum can be rotated for a predetermined time immediately after the water supply is completed, and thereafter, the immersion state can be achieved. As a result, if the washing tub cleaner is put into the water tub before the washing step, the washing tub cleaner can be sufficiently dissolved in water by the rotation of the rotary drum, and in the soaking step, The dirt adhering to the water tub, the rotating drum and the duct can be removed by the water mixed with the washing tub cleaner.
[0034]
Further, since the present invention rotates the rotary drum intermittently during the soaking and washing process, the washing tub cleaner sufficiently dissolved in water in the washing accompanying the rotation of the rotating drum before the soaking is also used in the soaking and washing process. Dirt adhering to the surface of the water tank, the rotating drum and the duct can be removed without settling. In addition, since the rotating drum is rotated intermittently within 360 ° alternately to the left and right, it is possible to sufficiently clean the inner part of the drainage and exhaust ducts, and the immersion time of the washing drum cleaner around the entire circumference of the rotating drum in the solution is uniform. Can be.
[0035]
Further, the present invention is a rotary drum type washing wherein the rotary drum is rotated to perform a dehydration operation after the immersion washing step.
[0036]
Therefore, according to the present invention, the rotating drum can be rotated for a predetermined period of time immediately after the water supply is completed, and thereafter, can be brought into the soaking state. The cleaning will be terminated. As a result, if the washing tub cleaner is put in the water tub before the washing is started, the washing tub cleaner can be sufficiently dissolved in water by the rotation of the rotary drum, and the washing tub cleaner can be immersed in the washing tub. The water mixed with the cleaner can remove dirt attached to the water tank, the rotating drum and the duct. In addition, since the water is drained after the drainage, the water in the water tub or the rotating drum and the washing tub cleaner can be sufficiently removed, and the re-adhesion of the filth can be prevented.
[0040]
Further, according to the present invention, unbalance detection and loosening operation based on the detection result can be omitted, so that time can be reduced. In addition, since the drying operation is performed after the tank cleaning to dry the water tank, the door packing, and the like, it is possible to prevent slimming of the rubber parts and generation of mold due to moisture when not used for a long time. In addition, since the operation cannot be stopped in the middle of the washing process, corrosion of metal parts and rubber caused by leaving the washing tub cleaner (especially chlorine-based) Deterioration of parts can be prevented. Further, it is possible to prevent the washing tub cleaner from being left in the water tub for a long time due to an accident due to a power failure or the like and carelessness.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a rotary drum type washing machine with a drying function that embodies a cleaning method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a front sectional view of a rotating drum type washing machine with a drying function, which embodies the cleaning method of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a view showing an operation / display panel provided on a front surface of a washing machine having a rotary drum type drying function, which embodies the cleaning method of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a block electric circuit diagram showing a control circuit of a washing machine with a rotating drum type drying function which embodies the cleaning method of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation of the cleaning method according to the embodiment of the present invention;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Washing machine main body 2 Water tank 4 Rotary drum 6 Drive motor 14 Water supply valve 16 Water level sensor 23 Cooling duct 24 Drain duct 26 Blower fan 27 Drying heater 29 Temperature sensor 30 Temperature sensor 31 Operation / display panel 35 Microcomputer

Claims (8)

A rotating drum having a rotating drum rotatable about a horizontal axis in a water tub installed in a washing machine main body, and having a washing course for washing, rinsing and dewatering the laundry put in the rotating drum. Type washing machine,
A dedicated course for washing the inside of the water tank is provided, the dedicated course is a water supply step of supplying water to the water tank to a higher water level than the washing course, a washing step of rotating the rotary drum for a predetermined time, and the washing step. A immersion washing step of stopping the rotation of the rotary drum until a predetermined time has elapsed after the completion, and a drainage step of draining water in the water tank after the immersion washing step is completed, and the dedicated course is provided. A rotary drum type washing machine characterized in that a dedicated tub cleaning key is provided, and the dedicated course can be independently executed by turning on a power and pressing the tub cleaning key . Rotary drum-type washing machine as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that to intermittently rotate the rotary drum during the soaking washing step. The rotating drum type washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the rotating drum rotates intermittently within 360 degrees alternately left and right. The rotating drum type washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the rotating drum is rotated to perform a dehydration operation after the soaking and washing step . The dedicated course detects an unbalance amount of the laundry during the dehydration operation, and does not detect the unbalance amount in the dehydration after the rinsing step when the unbalance amount is equal to or less than a predetermined value. The rotating drum type washing machine according to claim 4 . The dedicated course includes a drying step of supplying warm air heated by a drying heater into the rotating drum, and the drying step weakens the drying heater when the temperature in the rotating drum reaches a predetermined value. The washing machine according to claim 1 , wherein the washing is continued until a predetermined time elapses . 2. The rotation according to claim 1, wherein a pause key for instructing a suspension of the washing operation is provided, and a pause due to an operation of the pause key is not accepted in the washing step and the immersion washing step. Drum type washing machine. The rotary drum type washing machine according to claim 1 , wherein when the power is turned off during the operation of the dedicated course, the interruption of the tank cleaning is notified when the power is turned on again .

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