JP4466521B2 - Drum washing machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a drum-type washing machine that performs various processes such as washing, rinsing, and dewatering in a rotating drum having a rotating shaft in a horizontal direction or an oblique direction.

  A conventional drum type washing machine of this type will be described below.

  FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a drum type washing machine in which the rotating shaft of the rotating drum is in the horizontal direction. An outer tub 102 supported by a suspension and a rotating drum 103 rotatably supported in the outer tub 102 are disposed in a casing 101 of the drum type washing machine. The rotary drum 103 is rotationally driven by a drive motor 104. By opening the door body 105 that can be freely opened and closed on the front side of the housing 101, the laundry can be taken in and out of the rotary drum 103 through the opening 102a of the outer tub 102 and the opening 103a in the rotary drum 103. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  The washing process in such a drum type washing machine will be described. When the door body 105 is opened, laundry is put into the rotating drum 103, and a detergent is further put in to start the operation, first, the water supply valve 106 is opened and water is supplied into the outer tub 102 to a predetermined water level. Thereafter, when the rotary drum 103 is driven to rotate at a predetermined rotational speed by the drive motor 104, the laundry stored in the rotary drum 103 is hooked on the stirring protrusion 107 provided on the inner surface of the rotary drum 103 and lifted in the rotation direction. Then, it is dropped from a suitable height and washed with its impact force, so-called tapping.

  After this washing process, the dirty washing water is drained, and the rinsing process is performed using newly supplied water. When the rinsing process is completed, a dehydration process is performed in which the rotating drum 103 is rotated at a high speed.

In such a configuration, since the washing process is performed in a state where the laundry does not contain sufficient washing water, there is a problem that it takes time to wash in order to ensure insufficient washing power, uneven washing, and a certain washing power. there were.

In order to solve these problems, there is a technique for increasing the washing power by sucking the washing water accumulated in the outer tub 102 with a circulation pump and returning the washing water to the rotating drum to sufficiently supply the washing water to the laundry ( For example, see Patent Document 2).
JP-A-9-215894 JP-A-9-215893

  However, in such a conventional drum-type washing machine, the amount of water that can be circulated by the circulation pump varies depending on the size of the circulation pump, and thus a large circulation pump is required to supply the laundry with sufficient washing water. However, in order to make the washing machine main body compact, the circulation pump has to be made small, so that there is a problem that a sufficient amount of circulating water cannot be obtained. Further, since a new configuration called a circulation pump is required, the configuration becomes complicated and the manufacturing cost is high.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and by returning the washing water in the outer tub to the rotating drum without using a circulation pump or the like, the cleaning power can be improved and the cleaning unevenness can be reduced. At the same time, it is an object to provide a drum type washing machine that keeps the manufacturing cost low.

In order to achieve the above object, a drum-type washing machine of the present invention includes a housing, a cylindrical outer tub having a first opening that is included in the housing and has a first opening for entering and exiting clothes, and the outer tub. A bottomed cylindrical rotating drum having a second opening that is rotatably included and opens corresponding to the first opening , and a rotating shaft that is inclined downward from the front side to the back side of the housing; , Water supply means for supplying water into the outer tub, and water intake provided in the vicinity of the boundary between the inner surface of the outer tub bottom and the inner surface of the outer tub body and the washing water rotating in the outer tub as the rotating drum rotates. A mouth, a circulating water channel with one end communicating with the water intake port, a discharge port communicating with the other end of the circulating water channel and discharging washing water into the rotating drum, and washing, rinsing, dewatering, and the like. and control means, said control means, said rotary drum at a first predetermined rotational speed By rotating, the laundry sticking to eject the washing water from the discharge port causes stick to the inner peripheral wall of the rotary drum by centrifugal force stroke and the lower rotating drum than the first predetermined rotational speed second The laundry is lifted in the rotational direction by the rotation of the rotating drum and dropped from an appropriate height, and a small amount of washing water is discharged from the sticking stroke from the discharge port, or A tapping washing process that does not discharge washing water is performed.

In particular, by rotating the rotating drum at the first predetermined rotation speed in the sticking process, the washing water in the outer tub rotating with the rotation of the rotating drum is taken into the water intake provided in the outer tub, and from the water intake By discharging the taken-in washing water from the discharge port onto the rotating drum, the washing water can be sprinkled over the laundry and circulated , and a sufficient amount of circulating water can be ensured . As a result, since the washing water is easily contained in the laundry, the cleaning power is improved and the cleaning unevenness can be reduced.

The drum type washing machine of the present invention secures a sufficient amount of circulating water without using a circulation pump or the like, and returns the washing water in the outer tub to the rotating drum, thereby improving cleaning power and reducing cleaning unevenness. And manufacturing cost can be kept low.

A drum-type washing machine according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a housing, a bottomed cylindrical outer tub that is included in the housing and has a first opening for clothes in and out, and is rotatably included in the outer tub. A bottomed cylindrical rotating drum having a second opening that corresponds to the first opening and a rotating shaft that is inclined downward from the front side to the back side of the housing; and in the outer tub A water supply means for supplying water, a water intake provided near the boundary between the inner surface of the outer tub bottom and the inner surface of the outer tub body , and the wash water rotating inside the outer tub as the rotating drum rotates, and the water intake And a circulating water channel that communicates with one end of the circulating water channel, a discharge port that communicates with the other end of the circulating water channel and discharges washing water into the rotating drum, and a control unit that performs each step of washing, rinsing, dehydration, and the like. It said control means to rotate the rotary drum at a first predetermined rotational speed More, the laundry predetermined rotation from the discharge port causes stick to the inner wall and the stroke sticking to discharge washing water, the rotary drum and the second lower than the first predetermined rotational speed of the rotary drum by centrifugal force By rotating at a speed, the laundry is lifted in the rotational direction by the rotation of the rotating drum and dropped from an appropriate height, and a small amount of washing water is discharged from the discharge port from the sticking process or the washing water is discharged. A tapping washing process that does not discharge is performed.

According to this configuration, in particular, by rotating the rotating drum at the first predetermined rotation speed in the sticking process, the washing water in the outer tub rotating with the rotation of the rotating drum is taken into the water intake provided in the outer tub. By discharging the wash water taken in from the water intake port to the rotary drum from the discharge port, the wash water can be sprinkled over the laundry and circulated , and a sufficient amount of circulating water can be secured. As a result, since the washing water is easily contained in the laundry, the cleaning power is improved and the cleaning unevenness can be reduced. In the sticking process, the laundry is stuck to the inner wall of the rotating drum by centrifugal force by rotating the rotating drum at the first predetermined rotational speed, and the washing water containing foam is circulated to the rotating drum to wash the laundry. Can penetrate. Further, in the tapping washing process, the laundry is rotated without rotating the rotating water at the second predetermined rotation speed lower than the first predetermined rotation speed, or the washing water is circulated or less circulated than the sticking process. Without being attached to the inner wall of the rotating drum, it is lifted in the direction of rotation of the rotating drum and dropped from an appropriate height to perform washing, so that washing water continues to be discharged into the rotating drum. It is possible to prevent a situation in which the detergent foam is filled and the detergent foam serves as a cushion and the effect of tapping is not sufficiently obtained.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the control means executes the tapping process for a first predetermined time and executes the sticking process for a second predetermined time shorter than the first predetermined time. Is.

  According to this configuration, since the time for performing the sticking process is shorter than the time for performing the washing process, the detergent bubbles generated by the impact of the laundry and the inner peripheral surface of the rotating drum when the washing water is discharged from the discharge port. Can be suppressed.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the sticking step and the tapping washing step are repeatedly performed a predetermined number of times or until a third predetermined time elapses.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to repeatedly perform the sticking process in which the washing water accumulated in the outer tub is circulated in the rotating drum and the washing water is infiltrated into the laundry and the washing process in which the washing is performed. The washing can be performed many times in a state where the washing water is sufficiently contained, and the detergency can be improved.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first to third aspects, the control means rotates the rotating drum at a third predetermined rotational speed higher than the first predetermined rotational speed, thereby washing water in the outer tub. The foam generation process is performed to make the foam.

  According to this configuration, a large amount of detergent foam can be generated in the foam generation process, and the detergent foam can be permeated into the laundry, so that the cleaning power can be increased. Moreover, since it rotates at the 3rd predetermined rotation speed higher than the 1st predetermined rotation speed, the amount of circulating water can be ensured even at a low water level.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the water level in the foam generation process is lower than the water level in the tapping process and the sticking process.

  According to this configuration, by reducing the water level in the foam generation process, a high-concentration detergent foam can be generated at the initial stage of the washing process and sprinkled on the clothes to be circulated, thereby increasing the cleaning power. In addition, by increasing the water level in the scouring process and sticking process, the detergent concentration is lowered and foaming is suppressed, and since the water level is high, the rotational speed of the rotating drum is set lower than the foaming process in order to suppress foaming. In addition, a sufficient amount of circulating water can be obtained.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the fourth or fifth aspect, the control means executes the bubble generation process before the scouring process and the sticking process.

  According to this configuration, detergent bubbles are generated in the foam generation process, penetrated into the laundry, and then washed by tapping, so that the cleaning power of the detergent can be increased.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the sixth aspect, the control means supplies the water after the foam generation process and before the sticking process, so that the detergent concentration in the sticking process is changed to the detergent concentration in the foam generation process. It is a lower one.

  According to this configuration, the detergent concentration in the sticking process becomes low and foaming is suppressed, and the water level is high, so even if the rotation speed of the rotating drum is lower than the foam generation process in order to suppress foaming, a sufficient amount of circulating water is obtained. be able to.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the first to seventh aspects of the present invention, the water supply means includes a first water supply means for supplying water into the rotary drum from the second opening of the rotary drum, and a detergent case for storing the detergent. The control means is configured to supply water to the predetermined water level by the second water supply means after performing water supply by the first water supply means for a predetermined time.

  According to this configuration, compared with the case where the same amount of water is supplied only by the second water supply means, the amount of washing water collected in the outer tub is reduced because the amount of water contained in the laundry is increased, and the laundry collected in the outer tub. Can reduce water. Thereby, the volume of the washing water containing the detergent foam can be reduced. Moreover, since the time for the detergent to be put into the outer tub is delayed, the time for the washing water to be scraped up to the rib can be shortened, and the amount of detergent foam generated can be limited.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the first to eighth aspects of the present invention, the control means executes a detergent dissolving step of rotating the rotating drum to dissolve the detergent before the foam generating step.

  According to this configuration, the detergent can be prevented from dissolving in the washing water and adhering to the laundry, and the detergent is dissolved before the washing stain is dissolved in the washing water, so that the dirt is dissolved in the washing water. By doing, it can prevent generation | occurrence | production of detergent foam in the foam production | generation process.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a drum-type washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a bottomed cylindrical outer tub 6 is supported in a casing 1 of a drum-type washing machine in a state inclined downward from the front side to the back side of the casing 1 by a suspension structure (not shown). ing. The outer tub 6 is composed of an outer tub main body 2 and an outer tub cover 3, and is connected and fixed via a first packing member 4 at the connection portion. The outer tub 6 rotatably supports a rotating drum 5 formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom on the inner side so that the rotating shaft inclines downward from the front side of the housing 1 toward the back side. .

  On the front side of the housing 1, a housing opening 1a for taking in and out the laundry is provided, and a door body 8 that covers the housing opening 1a in an openable and closable manner is provided.

  The outer tank cover 3 is provided with an outer tank cover opening (first opening) 3a at a position corresponding to the housing opening 1a, and the rotating drum 5 is provided with the housing opening 1a and the outer tank cover opening. A rotary drum opening 5a (second opening) is provided at a position corresponding to the portion 3a. The laundry is put into and out of the rotating drum 5 from the outside of the casing 1 through the casing opening 1a, the outer tub cover opening 3a, and the rotating drum opening 5a.

  The rotating drum 5 includes a rotating drum front surface portion 5b provided with a rotating drum opening 5a, a rotating drum body portion 5c constituting a bottomed cylindrical body portion, and a rotating drum bottom portion 5d constituting a bottom portion. A plurality of agitation protrusions 5e are provided on the inner surface of the drum body 5c, and are rotationally driven by a drive motor 7 attached to the outer side of the outer tank main body bottom 2c of the outer tank main body 2, and the rotational speed and direction of rotation thereof. Is variable.

  One end of the first water supply hose 10a is connected to the first water supply valve (first water supply means) 9, and the other end of the first water supply hose 10a is connected to the water injection cap 10b. The water injection cap portion 10 b is opened in a slit shape so that water to be injected is injected into the rotating drum 5 while spreading in a substantially horizontal direction, and water is injected so as to spread into the rotating drum 5.

  One end of a second water supply hose 13a is connected to the second water supply valve (second water supply means) 11, and the other end of the second water supply hose 13a is connected to a detergent case 13c that houses the detergent 13b. One end of the third water supply hose 13d is connected to the lower part of the case 13c, and the other end of the third water supply hose 13d is connected to the outer tub 6 so that water can be supplied into the outer tub 6.

  The upper surface of the detergent case 13c is provided with a plurality of water injection holes 13e for pouring water supplied by the second water supply hose 13a into the detergent case 13c in a shower shape, and the shower-like water coming out of the water injection holes 13e is detergent. It falls onto 13b and flows into the outer tub 6 together with the detergent 13b. The washing water that has flowed down into the outer tub 6 is drained out of the outer tub 6 by opening a drain valve 43 provided in the middle of the drain pipe 42.

  In addition, the drum type washing machine in the first embodiment has a drying function of drying the laundry in the rotating drum 5. FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view showing a circulation ventilation path for blowing air into the outer tub 6 in the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 shows the inside of the outer tub 6 in the first embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the circulation ventilation path | route which ventilates.

As shown in FIG. 2, a fan case 46 in which a heater 44 and a blower fan 45 are housed is provided above the housing 1. By rotating the blower fan 45, an air flow is generated in the circulation blower path, and the air in the rotary drum 5 passes through the water passage hole 5 g provided in the side wall of the rotary drum 5, and the body of the outer tub 6. One end is exhausted from a hot air intake 47 provided in the section to a heat exchange path 48 communicating with the hot air intake 47. In this heat exchange path 48, the air is dehumidified and further fed into the fan case 46 via a first bellows hose 49 communicating with the other end of the heat exchange path 48. The air heated by the heater 44 in the fan case 46 passes through the hot air blowing path 51 via the second bellows hose 50 that communicates with the fan case 46 at one end, and is further provided on the back surface of the outer tub 6 to supply hot air. Air is blown into the outer tub 6 from the hot air blowing port 52 communicating with the other end of the path 51, and is blown again into the rotating drum 5 through the back surface through-hole 5 h provided on the back surface of the rotating drum 5.

  The laundry is dried by repeating such air circulation for a predetermined time.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the hot air blowing path 51 is provided with a foam detecting means 53 for detecting the intrusion of the detergent foam. When the detergent bubbles are excessively generated in the outer tub 6 and enter the hot air blowing path 51 and reach the position of the bubble detecting means 53, the foam detecting means 53 detects the detergent bubbles. When the foam detection means 53 detects the detergent foam, in order not to increase the detergent foam any more, the process proceeds to the second water supply process (described later) without performing the foam generation process (described later). This is because if detergent bubbles are further generated and enter further into the warm air blowing path 51 than the position of the bubble detecting means 53, the detergent bubbles adhere to electric parts such as the blower fan 45 and the heater 44, and so on. This is because the above problem occurs.

  Furthermore, a cloth amount detecting means 12 for detecting the amount of laundry from the load change received by the drive motor 7 according to the amount of laundry, and a water level detecting means 14 for detecting the water level of the washing water in the outer tub 6 (see FIG. 4). And a control device 15 (shown in FIG. 4) for controlling a series of operation steps from the washing process to the dehydration process.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the control device 15 in the first embodiment of the present invention. The control device 15 includes a control unit 16, a setting unit 17, a storage unit 18, a power switching unit 19, and the like. The control means 16 constituted by a microcomputer issues a control command to the power switching means 19 using a control program stored in the storage means 18 in response to a setting input such as selection of an operation course input from the setting means 17. Output.

  The power switching means 19 is configured by using a switching element such as an SCR, and the drive motor 7, the first water supply valve 9, the second water supply valve 11, the drain valve 43 and the like according to a control command from the control means 16. To control the operation.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the outer tub main body 2 in the first embodiment of the present invention. The outer tank main body 2 is a bottomed cylindrical type having an outer tank main body opening 2a, an outer tank main body body 2b, and an outer tank main body bottom 2c.

  An outer tank body bottom groove 2d formed in a substantially concave shape is formed on the inner surface of the outer tank body bottom 2c, in the vicinity of the boundary between the outer tank body bottom 2c and the outer tank body body 2b, and the outer tank body body 2b. It is provided in a substantially concentric circular arc shape. The outer tub main body bottom groove 2d has an outer tub main body groove lid 23 having a shape corresponding to the outer tub main body bottom groove 2d from the inner surface side through the second packing member 24 provided in the vicinity of the outer periphery. The outer tub main body bottom groove 2d and the outer tub main body groove lid 23 form a first circulation water channel 22 which is fixed by screws 25.

  The water intake 20 which is one end of the first circulating water channel 22 communicates with the guide recess 21 whose bottom surface gradually changes from the bottom surface of the outer tank main body bottom groove 2d to the inner surface of the outer tank main body bottom 2c. The outer tub main body 2 is integrally formed with a pipe-like second circulation water channel 26 communicating from the outer tub main body opening 2a to the outer tub main body bottom 2c outside the outer tub main body 2b. The end of the second circulating water channel 26 on the outer tub main body bottom 2 c side communicates with the other end of the first circulating water channel 22.

  FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the outer tub cover 3 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The outer tank cover 3 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape having an outer tank cover front surface portion 3b provided with an outer tank cover opening 3a, an outer tank cover body portion 3c, and an outer tank cover rear opening 3d.

  The outer tank cover 3 has a third circulation that communicates from the outer tank cover rear opening 3d to the outer tank cover front surface portion 3b at a position corresponding to the second circulation water channel 26 outside the outer tank cover body 3c. The water channel 27 is integrally formed.

  On the inner surface of the outer tub cover front surface portion 3b, an outer tub cover front surface groove portion 3e formed in a substantially concave shape is bifurcated in the middle as it approaches the outer tub cover opening portion 3a from the outer peripheral side of the outer tub cover front surface portion 3b. It is provided in a substantially Y shape. An outer tub cover groove cover 29 having a shape corresponding to the shape of the outer tub cover front groove 3e is formed on the outer tub cover front groove 3e via the third packing member 30 provided in the vicinity of the outer periphery thereof. The outer periphery is fixed with screws 31. The outer tub cover front groove 3e and the outer tub cover groove lid 29 form a substantially Y-shaped fourth circulation water channel 28.

  One end, which is the substantially Y-shaped lower end of the fourth circulating water channel 28, communicates with the end of the third circulating water channel 27 on the outer tank cover front surface portion 3 b side. The outer tub cover groove cover 29 is provided with circulation nozzles 34 for discharging washing water in the vicinity of the bifurcated tip portion.

  With this configuration, as shown in FIG. 6, the circulation nozzle 34 is in the vicinity of the outer periphery of the outer tank cover opening 3a and on the inner surface side of the outer tank cover front surface 3b, and faces the rotary drum opening 5a. It is arranged like this.

  In addition, in a state where the outer tub body 2 and the outer tub cover 3 are connected and fixed and supported by the housing 1 as the outer tub 6, the circulation nozzle 34 is located in the lower half of the outer tub cover front surface portion 5c, and takes in water. It is provided so as to be lower than the mouth 20.

  Further, when the outer tub main body 2 and the outer tub cover 3 are connected and fixed, the second circulating water channel 26 and the third circulating water channel 27 are connected and fixed to the outer tub main body 2 and the outer tub cover 3 described above. In the same manner as above, it is connected and fixed via the first packing member 4.

  FIG. 7A is a front view of the circulation nozzle 34 in the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7B is a plan view of the circulation nozzle 34, and FIG. 7C is a side cross-section of the circulation nozzle 34. FIG. The circulation nozzle 34 has one end communicating with the fourth circulation water channel 28 and the other end protruding toward the inner surface of the rotary drum 5. The lower half is the lower half of the end protruding from the nozzle 34 a. The upper half is inclined so as to move away from the nozzle 34a toward the inner surface side of the rotating drum 5, and the upper end of the upper half is substantially the same height as the upper end of the nozzle 34a. A disc-shaped adjusting plate 33 is used. The discharge port 32 is formed by separating the upper half of the adjustment plate 33 from the nozzle 34a. Further, by adjusting the inclination angle of the adjustment plate 33, the discharge angle of the washing water that has passed through the first to fourth circulation water channels 22, 26, 27, and 28 can be adjusted.

  FIG. 8 is a plan view from the outside of the rotating drum bottom 5d of the rotating drum 5 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of the rotating drum 5. FIG.

  The rotating drum bottom 5d is formed in a substantially concave shape by providing a flange portion 5f protruding outward on the outer periphery thereof, and the rear end portion of the rotating drum body 5c and the flange portion 5f are connected by caulking or welding or the like. ing.

  Inside the flange portion 5f on the outer surface side of the rotating drum bottom portion 5d, there are provided a drum fixing member 35 made of aluminum die cast having three extending portions 35a substantially radially, and between the three extending portions 35a. In addition, a substantially arc-shaped rib attachment member 37 formed along the outer periphery of the rotating drum bottom 5d is provided.

  The drum fixing member 35 is connected to a shaft 7 a extending from the motor 7 at a central portion thereof, and transmits the rotation of the motor 7 to the rotating drum 5.

  The rib attachment member 37 is formed in a substantially concave shape by providing an outer wall 40 and an inner wall 41 that protrude rearward on the outer periphery, and a plurality of ribs 38 that connect the outer wall 40 and the inner wall 41 are formed therein. 41 is inclined at a predetermined angle toward the flow direction of the washing water rotating in the outer tub 6 as it goes to the outer peripheral side at the same height as 41, and the flow direction of the washing water rotating in the outer tub 6 It is curved to be convex in the opposite direction.

  About the drum type washing machine comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below. 10 and 11 are flowcharts of the washing process, FIG. 10 is a flowchart from the cloth amount determination process to the foam generation process, and FIG. 11 is a flowchart from the second water supply process to the sticking process.

  In S100, when the laundry is put into the rotating drum 5 and the operation start is input, the control means 16 reads the control program from the storage means 18 and performs the following control operation.

  In S101, the amount of laundry is detected by rotating the rotary drum 5 by the cloth amount detection means 12, and the detected amount of laundry is stored in the storage means 18 (cloth amount determination process).

  Next, in S102, the first water supply valve 9 is opened, and water is injected into the rotary drum from the water injection cap 10b through the first water supply hose 10a. Since the water injection cap part 10b is opened in a slit shape, the injected water spreads in a substantially horizontal direction and sprinkles on the laundry in the rotating drum 5 and penetrates into the laundry. When water is supplied for a fourth predetermined time (for example, 60 seconds) (S103), the first water supply valve 9 is closed and the water supply is stopped in S104.

  Next, in S105, the second water supply valve 11 is opened, water is poured into the detergent case 13c through the second water supply hose 13a, and at the same time as the water supply from the first water supply valve 9 (S102) is started, the rotating drum 5 is rotated counterclockwise when viewed from the front side of the housing 1 at a fourth predetermined rotation speed (for example, 35 r / min). The water that has flowed into the detergent case 13c passes through a plurality of water injection holes 13e provided on the upper surface of the detergent case 13c, and flows down onto the detergent 13b in a shower-like manner. Thereafter, water flows into the outer tub 6 through the third water supply hose 13d connected to the lower portion of the detergent case 13c together with the detergent 13b. In S106, when the water level detection means 14 detects that water has been supplied up to the first water level, in S107, the second water supply valve 11 is closed to stop water supply, and the rotation of the rotary drum 5 is stopped.

  The reason why the rotating drum 5 is rotated counterclockwise in the first water supply process (S102 to S107) is to make it difficult for the foam detection means 53 provided in the hot air blowing path 51 to detect the washing foam. .

That is, since the rotating drum 5 is rotated at a low fourth predetermined rotation speed in the first water supply stroke, the water containing the detergent 13b accumulated in the outer tub 6 (hereinafter referred to as washing water) acts as a centrifugal force acting on it. Is small, it falls down in the middle without rotating the vicinity of the boundary between the outer tub main body body 2b and the outer tub main body bottom 2c. For this reason, washing water does not enter the water intake 21 provided above the bottom portion 2c of the outer tub main body, so that it is not circulated into the rotating drum 5, and detergent bubbles are generated in the outer tub 6 due to the rotation of the rotating drum 5. The volume of washing water will increase.

  Further, since the rib 38 is provided on the rotating drum bottom 5d of the rotating drum 5 as shown in FIG. 8, detergent bubbles are likely to be generated as compared with the case where the rib 38 is not provided. In particular, the rib 38 is formed in a state of being inclined toward the right rotation direction (direction of arrow B) when viewed from the front side of the housing 1 (FIG. 8 is a view seen from the rear side of the main body 1). When the rotating drum 5 is rotated to the right, a large amount of detergent bubbles are generated by the rib 38 scooping up more washing water.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the warm air blowing path 51 has a shape in which washing water is easily taken in the direction of arrow A when the rotating drum 5 is rotated to the right rather than to the left as viewed from the front side of the housing 1. (FIG. 3 is a view as seen from the back side of the housing 1), when it is rotated to the right, more detergent bubbles enter the warm air blowing path 51 having the bubble detecting means 53 inside.

  Therefore, when the rotation direction of the rotary drum 5 is set to the left rotation (arrow D in FIG. 9) when viewed from the front side of the housing 1, the rib 38 makes it difficult to scoop up the washing water and suppresses the generation of detergent bubbles. The detergent bubbles are prevented from entering the hot air blowing path 51.

  As described above, in the first water supply process, the first water supply valve 9 supplies water directly into the rotary drum 5 to infiltrate the laundry, and the second water supply valve 11 together with the detergent 13b in the outer tub 6 Therefore, the amount of washing water that penetrates into the laundry increases even when the same amount of water is supplied, so that the washing water that accumulates in the outer tub 6 is greater than the amount of water supplied by the second water supply means. As a result, the volume of washing water containing detergent foam can be reduced. Moreover, since the time for the detergent 13b to be put into the outer tub 6 is delayed, the time for the washing water to be scraped up to the ribs 38 can be shortened, and the generation of detergent bubbles can be restricted.

  Further, by supplying water while rotating the rotating drum 5, the laundry moves in the rotating drum 5, so that the washing water can be evenly applied to the laundry, and the washing water can penetrate substantially uniformly. . As a result, when the rotating drum 5 is rotated at a high rotation speed (100 r / min or more) in the subsequent foam generation process (S110 to S112), the washing water is unevenly permeated into the laundry. And the problem that the outer tub 6 vibrates abnormally can be prevented.

  Next, in step S108, the rotating drum 5 is rotated from the substantially stationary state by rotating to the right, so that the laundry is stuck to the inner peripheral surface of the rotating drum 5 by the first predetermined rotation speed (the centrifugal force accompanying the rotation of the rotating drum 5). By gradually accelerating to a speed (for example, 80 r / min), the laundry is stuck to the inner peripheral surface of the rotating drum 5 such that the centrifugal force is greater than the gravity acting on the laundry.

  In S109, the voltage applied to the drive motor 7 is fixed to such an extent that the rotation speed of the rotary drum 5 can be maintained at the first predetermined rotation speed, and the fluctuation of the rotation speed is measured in this state to determine whether the balance is good or bad. Determine. When it is determined that the balance state is good, the process proceeds to the next bubble generation process (S110 to S112). When it is determined that the balance state is bad, the rotation of the rotary drum 5 is stopped and the process returns to S108. S108 is executed, the balance state is determined again in S109, and when it is determined that the balance state is good, the process proceeds to a bubble generation process, and when it is determined that the balance state is bad again, the next bubble generation process is not performed. Then, the process proceeds to the second water supply process (S113 to S116).

As described above, in the balance process (S108 to S109), the laundry is stuck almost uniformly on the inner peripheral surface of the rotary drum 5, so that the rotary drum 5 is rotated at a high speed in the subsequent foam generation process (S110 to S112). Even if it is rotated at a speed (100 r / min or more), unbalance does not occur, and abnormal vibration of the outer tub 6 can be prevented.

  Further, the detergent 13b is dissolved by rotating the rotary drum 5 in this balance process (detergent dissolving process). By dissolving the detergent in this balance process, when the washing water in the outer tub 6 is circulated in the rotating drum 5 in the subsequent process, the detergent 13b does not dissolve in the washing water and adheres to the laundry. Can be prevented.

  Next, in S110, the rotational speed of the rotating drum 5 is increased from the first predetermined rotational speed to a third predetermined rotational speed (a rotational speed higher than the first predetermined rotational speed, for example, 120 r / min), and the outer tank The washing water in 6 is bubbled to produce detergent foam.

  FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the rotary drum 5 and the outer tub 6 (viewed from the front side of the housing 1). As shown in FIG. A drainage groove 54 is formed in a direction orthogonal to the right direction (arrow C direction). Since the side wall 54a of the drain groove 54 intersects the water flow direction (arrow D direction), when the rotating drum 5 is rotated to the right, a turbulent flow (arrow E) is generated in the water flow by the side wall 54a. Washing water can be bubbled to produce detergent foam.

  Further, since the ribs 38 formed on the rotating drum bottom 5d are inclined in the right rotation direction, the rotating drum 5 can be rotated to the right to scrape more washing water and further lather the washing water. it can.

  The detergent foam generated in a large amount in this way is filled between the outer tub 6 and the rotating drum 5 and rises toward the rotating drum opening 5a, and enters the rotating drum 5 one after another from the rotating drum opening 5a. To go. Further, the washing water containing detergent bubbles in the outer tub 6 is scraped up by the ribs 38, so that the washing water rotates in the vicinity of the boundary between the outer tub main body trunk 2b and the outer tub main body bottom 2c, and the outer tub main body bottom 2c. Are guided to the water intake 20 through the guide recesses 21 provided in the first through fourth circulation water passages 22, 26, 27, and 28 and discharged from the discharge port 32 into the rotary drum 5. Thereby, a large amount of washing water containing detergent bubbles can be circulated in the rotating drum 5.

  As described above, when the rotating drum 5 is rotated at the third predetermined rotation speed for the fifth predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) to generate detergent bubbles and the rotating drum 5 is filled with the detergent bubbles (S111), S112. The rotary drum 5 is stopped.

  When there is a large amount of detergent foam in the rotating drum 5, it is not possible to sufficiently obtain the effect of tapping in the tapping process described later. However, after the foam generation process (S110 to S112) and before the scouring process, water is supplied into the rotary drum 5 so that the detergent foam disappears. There is no problem even if a large amount of detergent foam is generated by rotating at a high rotational speed like the speed, but it is desirable to generate a large amount of detergent foam in this foam generation process in order to increase the cleaning power by the detergent.

  Further, since the water supplied in the first water supply process is absorbed by the laundry, the water level of the outer tub 6 in the foam generation process is much lower than the first predetermined water level supplied in the first water supply process. ing. However, since the rotating drum 5 is rotated at the third rotation speed, a sufficient amount of circulating water taken from the water intake 20 and circulated in the rotating drum 5 can be secured. Moreover, since the water level in a foam production | generation process is low, a highly concentrated detergent foam can be produced | generated and it can be made to osmose | permeate and can improve a cleaning power.

Further, since the rotational speed is gradually increased without changing the rotational direction from the balance stroke of the previous stroke, the laundry is rotating while being stuck to the inner peripheral surface of the rotary drum 5, and the laundry is partially The detergent foam can be permeated into the laundry in a wider range than the state of being hardened and rotating, and the detergent foam can permeate the entire laundry faster.

  As described above, in the foam generation process (S110 to S112), the detergent component easily acts on the dirt by making the washing water into a foam with a large volume and allowing the washing water to adhere to and penetrate into the laundry in the rotating drum 5, thereby increasing the concentration. This makes it easier for the detergent solution to soak in and prevents uneven washing, improving the cleaning power. In addition, since the washing power can be increased as the washing water containing the detergent bubbles penetrates into the laundry at an early stage, it is desirable to perform this foam generation process as early as possible.

  Next, in S113, the first water supply valve 9 is opened and water is supplied into the rotary drum 5 from the water injection cap 10b through the first water supply hose 10a, and the rotary drum 5 is supplied to the second predetermined rotational speed (into the rotary drum 5). When the stored laundry is lifted in the rotational direction by the rotation of the rotating drum 5 and moves to a height position where the weight of the laundry is higher than the inertia and centrifugal force associated with the rotation, it falls onto the lower inner peripheral surface of the rotating drum 5. The rotation is repeated in the order of right rotation / pause / left rotation / pause at a second predetermined rotation speed at a rotation speed indicating the behavior (for example, 45 r / min).

  When the water is supplied to the second predetermined water level (a water level that is the same as or lower than the first predetermined water level) (S114), the first water supply valve 9 is closed and the water supply is stopped in S115.

  When rotation and water supply are performed for a sixth predetermined time (for example, 1 minute 30 seconds) (S116), the process proceeds to the next tapping process (S117 to S120).

  As described above, in the second water supply process (S113 to S116), by supplying water directly into the rotating drum 5, the detergent bubbles in the rotating drum 5 are reduced, and the detergent concentration of the washing water is lowered. In other words, if there is detergent bubbles in the rotating drum 5 during the subsequent tapping process, the detergent foam becomes a cushion and the tapping effect cannot be obtained sufficiently. Therefore, by supplying water in this second water supply process, detergent bubbles are reduced, and the detergent concentration is lowered to reduce foaming of washing water.

  Next, in S117, the first water supply valve 9 is opened and water is supplied to the inside of the rotary drum 5 from the water injection cap 10b through the first water supply hose 10a to the first predetermined water level, and the rotary drum 5 is supplied to the second predetermined rotation speed. The rotation is repeated in the order of right rotation / pause / left rotation / pause at the second predetermined rotation speed.

  When water is supplied to the first water level (S118), the first water supply valve 9 is closed and water supply is stopped in S119.

  When the rotating drum 5 is supplied and rotated for a first predetermined time (for example, 3 minutes and 30 seconds) (S120), the process proceeds to the next sticking process (S121 to S122).

  By rotating the rotating drum 5 at the second predetermined rotation speed, the stirring protrusions 5e provided at a plurality of positions on the inner peripheral surface of the rotating drum 5 hook the laundry in the rotating drum 5 and lift it in the rotation direction. The lifted laundry drops when its own weight is lifted to a height that exceeds the inertia and centrifugal force associated with rotation. Since the laundry is lifted and dropped one after another in this way, the positions are changed one after another, and the water supplied to the rotary drum 5 from the water injection cap 10b is almost uniformly sprinkled on the laundry and penetrates. Thereby, the detergent foam adhering and penetrating into the laundry by the foam generation process in the previous process further penetrates into the laundry by the water supplied from the water injection cap 10b. As described above, the laundry is washed with the impact force when it falls while the detergent foam penetrates the laundry as needed.

  Further, by rotating the rotary drum 5 at a second predetermined rotation speed lower than the first predetermined rotation speed, the amount of circulating water taken from the water intake 20 and circulated in the rotary drum 5 is changed in the sticking process of the subsequent process. The amount of water is less than the circulating water or is not circulated.

  That is, if the washing water is circulated for a long time and discharged from the discharge port 32, the washing water foams and a lot of detergent bubbles are generated due to the impact that hits the laundry or the inner peripheral surface of the rotating drum 5 when discharged. Since the first predetermined time for performing the tapping washing process is longer than the second predetermined time for performing the subsequent sticking process, the washing water is rotated by rotating at a low rotational speed so that detergent bubbles are not generated as much as possible. Circulating water volume is suppressed.

  Next, in S121, when the rotating drum 5 is rotated clockwise at the first predetermined rotational speed, the washing water in the outer tub 6 is scraped up by the rib 38 and taken into the water intake 20, and the first to fourth circulation channels 22, 26, 27, and 28 are discharged from the discharge port 32 into the rotary drum 5 and circulated in the rotary drum 5. By circulating the washing water, the washing water can penetrate more into the laundry.

  When the rotating drum 5 is rotated for a second predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) (S122), the process returns to S117 to start the washing process again. Thereby, the tapping washing process can be performed in a state where the washing water is sufficiently infiltrated into the laundry in the sticking process. The beat washing process and the sticking process are repeated until a third predetermined time (for example, 33 minutes) elapses, and when the third predetermined time elapses (S123), the process proceeds to a rinsing process (S124).

  The reason for rotating at the first rotation speed lower than the third rotation speed in this sticking process is to suppress the generation of detergent bubbles. That is, when a lot of detergent bubbles are generated in the outer tub 6 and the detergent bubbles enter the first to fourth circulation water channels 22, 26, 27, and 28, the detergent bubbles that are lighter than the washing water are near the discharge port 32. Therefore, the momentum when the washing water is discharged into the rotary drum 5 is weakened, and the circulated washing water is less likely to be applied to the laundry. Therefore, the generation of detergent bubbles is suppressed by rotating at a first predetermined rotation speed lower than the third predetermined rotation speed in the bubble generation process.

  In addition, since water is supplied so as to be at the first predetermined water level in the second water supply process and the scouring process before the sticking process, the water level of the outer tub 6 is higher than the water level in the foam generation process, A sufficient amount of circulating water can be secured even if the first predetermined rotation speed is lower than the third predetermined rotation speed in the bubble generation process. Furthermore, since the detergent concentration is lowered by supplying water in the previous step, the generation of detergent bubbles can be suppressed.

  By repeating the washing and sticking process as described above, the washing water can be circulated so that more washing water can penetrate into the laundry, and the washing is performed with the washing water sufficiently infiltrated into the laundry. Therefore, the cleaning power can be improved and the unevenness in cleaning can be reduced as compared with the case where the washing is performed in a state where the penetration of the washing water is insufficient.

  Further, the washing power can be increased without increasing the water level in the outer tub 6 by circulating the washing water. Furthermore, the time for obtaining the same cleaning effect is shortened, and the cleaning time can be shortened.

  After performing the above washing process (S100-S123), a rinse process and a dehydration process are performed.

In the first embodiment, the foam generation process, the tapping process, and the sticking process are performed in the washing process, but the tapping process and the sticking process may be performed without performing the foam generation process. The washing power in the inside 6 is circulated into the rotary drum 5 from the discharge port 32, and the washing power can be improved by performing the tapping washing in a state where the washing water is sufficiently infiltrated into the laundry.

  Further, in the first embodiment, the case where the foam detection means 53 is provided in the hot air blowing path 51 has been described, but the position where the foam detection means 53 is provided is a position where the amount of washing foam in the outer tub 6 can be detected. As long as it is anywhere, the rotation direction of the rotary drum 5 in each stroke may be determined according to the position. Further, the rotation direction of the rotary drum 5 in each stroke may be determined regardless of the bubble detection means 53.

  In the first embodiment, the drum type washing machine having a drying function has been described. However, a drum type washing machine having no drying function can achieve the same effect.

  In addition, the shape of the rib 38 is not limited to the shape described in the first embodiment, and it is desirable that the shape of the rib 38 scoop up the washing water, but the washing water can be circulated without providing the rib 38. If so, the rib 38 may not be provided.

Also, in the first embodiment, the rotational speed of the rotary drum 5 has a different rotational speed stroke sticking bubbles generated stroke, by rotating the rotary drum 5 at the same rotational speed in the foam generating process and sticking stroke If the detergent foam is not excessively generated in the sticking process, the rotational speed in the sticking process may be higher than the rotational speed in the foam generating process. By rotating at a high rotation speed in the sticking process, the amount of circulating water can be increased. Furthermore, the amount of circulating water may be adjusted by changing the rotational speeds of the foam generation process, the tapping process, and the sticking process according to the set water level corresponding to the amount of laundry.

  In the first embodiment, the rotational speed is adjusted so that the circulating water amount in the tapping process is less than the circulating water amount in the sticking process or not circulated. However, the rotational speed is increased so that the washing water is sufficiently circulated. It may be. In this case, detergent bubbles may be generated and the washing power by tapping may be weakened. However, since a large amount of washing water can be permeated into the laundry, the washing power by the detergent can be increased.

  Further, the detergent dissolution process may be provided before the balance process, and by dissolving the detergent before the washing water is circulated into the rotating drum 5, the detergent 13b does not dissolve in the washing water and adheres to the laundry. Can be prevented.

  As described above, since the drum type washing machine according to the present invention can be washed without using a circulation pump, it is possible to improve cleaning power and reduce cleaning unevenness. The present invention can be widely applied not only to a washing machine but also to various devices and apparatuses that perform cleaning while rotating a rotating drum.

Sectional drawing of the drum type washing machine in Embodiment 1 of this invention Side cross-sectional view showing a circulation ventilation path for blowing air into the outer tub Sectional drawing which shows the circulation ventilation path which ventilates in the same outer tank Block diagram showing the configuration of the controller Perspective view of the outer tank body Perspective view of the outer tank cover (A) Front view of the circulation nozzle (b) Plan view of the circulation nozzle (c) Side sectional view of the circulation nozzle Plan view from the outside of the bottom of the rotating drum Vertical section of the same rotating drum Operation flowchart of the control means Operation flowchart of the control means Main cross section of outer tank and rotating drum Sectional drawing which shows the structure of the conventional drum type washing machine

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Housing | casing 2 Outer tank main body 3 Outer tank cover 5 Rotating drum 6 Outer tank 16 Control means 20 Water intake 22 First circulation water channel 26 Second circulation water channel 27 Third circulation water channel 28 Fourth circulation water channel 32 Discharge port

Claims (9)

A casing, a bottomed cylindrical outer tub enclosed in the casing and having a first opening for entering and exiting clothing, and a first opening that corresponds to the first opening and is rotatably included in the outer tub. A cylindrical rotating drum with a bottom having two openings and a rotating shaft inclined downward from the front side to the back side of the housing; water supply means for supplying water into the outer tub; and an inner surface of the outer tub bottom portion And a water intake port that is provided near the boundary between the outer tub body and the inner surface of the outer tub body and in which washing water that rotates in the outer tub as the rotary drum rotates, a circulation water channel that communicates at one end with the water intake port, and the circulation A discharge port that communicates with the other end of the water channel and discharges washing water into the rotary drum; and a control unit that performs each step of washing, rinsing, dewatering, and the like, and the control unit includes a first predetermined rotational speed. the rotating Dora in by rotating the rotary drum, the laundry by centrifugal force Sticking a process to discharge wash water from the discharge port causes stick to the inner wall of, by rotating the rotary drum at the first lower than a predetermined rotational speed a second predetermined rotational speed, the laundry The rotary drum is lifted in the rotational direction by the rotation of the rotating drum and dropped from an appropriate height, and a small amount of washing water is discharged from the sticking step from the sticking step, or a tapping washing step that does not discharge the washing water is performed. Drum-type washing machine featuring. 2. The drum type washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the control means executes the tapping process for a first predetermined time and executes the sticking process for a second predetermined time shorter than the first predetermined time. The drum type washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sticking step and the tapping washing step are repeated a predetermined number of times or until a third predetermined time elapses. The control means executes a foam generation step of foaming washing water in the outer tub by rotating the rotating drum at a third predetermined rotational speed higher than the first predetermined rotational speed. 4. The drum-type washing machine according to claim 1. The drum type washing machine according to claim 4, wherein the water level of the washing water in the foam generation process is lower than the water level of the washing water in the tap washing process and the sticking process. The drum type washing machine according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the control means executes the foam generation process before the tapping process and the sticking process. 7. The drum type according to claim 6, wherein the control means lowers the detergent concentration in the sticking process from the detergent concentration in the foam generating process by supplying water after the foam generating process and before the sticking process. Washing machine. The water supply means comprises a first water supply means for supplying water into the rotary drum from the second opening of the rotary drum, and a second water supply means for supplying water into the outer tub via a detergent case for storing the detergent, The drum according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the control means performs water supply to the predetermined water level by the second water supply means after performing water supply by the first water supply means for a predetermined time. Type washing machine. The drum-type washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the control means executes a detergent dissolution step for dissolving the detergent before the foam generation step.