JP4985836B2 - Washing machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a washing machine.

  Conventionally, Patent Document 1 proposes a washing machine in which water used for washing is stored in a water tank and water is recycled.

JP 2005-124626 A

  In a washing machine having a water tank, the water tank needs to be washed and kept clean. Moreover, if the washing tank washing and the water tank washing can be linked, it is convenient in terms of efficiency.

  This invention made | formed based on such a background aims at providing the sanitary washing machine with which the water tank is wash | cleaned.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide an efficient washing machine in which washing of the water tank and washing of the washing tub are linked.

  The invention described in claim 1 is a washing tub provided with a washing / dehydrating tub, a water storage tank for storing water discharged from the washing tub, and a guide for guiding water discharged from the washing tub to the water storage tank. Water storage control means, water supply means for supplying water to the washing tub, water supply means for supplying water to the washing tub, storing water in the washing tub and supplying a cleaning agent to wash the washing tub And a storage tank cleaning operation in which a part of the water containing the cleaning agent used for cleaning the washing tub is stored in the storage tank by the storage control means and the inside of the storage tank is cleaned. The washing machine is characterized by comprising washing operation execution means to be performed automatically.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the cleaning operation execution means provides a waiting time after the water supply means completes the supply of water up to a predetermined water level into the washing tub until the water supply is restarted. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein:

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the washing operation executing means rotates the washing / dehydrating tank to start the washing agent in the washing tank before the water storage control means starts storing water in the water tank. The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a stirring operation of stirring the contained water is performed.

  Invention of Claim 4 is equipped with the circulation means for circulating the water stored in the said water storage tank in the said water storage tank, The said washing operation execution means is the said water stored in the said water storage tank. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a circulation washing operation for washing the inside of the water storage tank by performing circulation through a circulation means is performed.

  A fifth aspect of the present invention is the washing machine according to the fourth aspect, wherein the cleaning operation execution means simultaneously performs the stirring operation and the circulating cleaning operation.

  The invention according to claim 6 is characterized in that the cleaning operation execution means performs the circulation cleaning operation after water corresponding to approximately half of the maximum water storage amount is accumulated in the water storage tank. Item 6. A washing machine according to Item 4 or 5.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the cleaning operation executing means includes a first step for stopping the washing / dehydrating tub, and the washing / dehydrating tub alternately in forward and reverse directions following the first step. The second step of rotating for a predetermined time and the third step of rotating the washing / dehydrating tub in the normal rotation direction for a predetermined time following the second step are repeated for a plurality of times. It is a washing machine in any one of Claims 1-6.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, when the washing operation is completed, the water supply means is supplied with tap water to rinse the inside of the washing tub, and the washing tub rinse operation is performed by the water storage control means. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a rinsing operation execution means for guiding the water to the water tank and rinsing the water tank.

  Invention of Claim 9 is equipped with the drainage means which drains the water of the said washing tub and the said storage tank, The said rinse operation execution means carries out the low speed rotation of the said washing and dehydration tank, and the waste_water | drain by the said drainage means, 9. The washing machine according to claim 8, wherein the water rinsing operation is performed at least within a predetermined time.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the washing operation execution means can link the washing tank washing operation to the washing tank washing operation in parallel, and can efficiently wash the washing tank and the water tank. A washing machine with good cleaning efficiency can be provided.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the cleaning agent can be supplied during the standby time, and the supplied cleaning agent can be dissolved in the water in the washing tub supplied to a predetermined water level. Therefore, compared with the case where the cleaning agent is directly supplied to the washing tub without dissolving in water, the concern that the parts of the washing tub are deteriorated by the cleaning agent can be solved. Thereby, the washing machine excellent in safety can be provided.

  According to invention of Claim 3, the washing | cleaning agent supplied in the washing tub can be melt | dissolved uniformly with respect to water (without remaining undissolved) by stirring operation, and the washing effect of a washing tub is improved. Can do. Moreover, when the water in which the cleaning agent is uniformly dissolved is stored in the water storage tank, the cleaning effect of the water storage tank can be improved. Thereby, the washing operation with a high washing effect can be performed, and a hygienic washing machine can be provided.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the cleaning operation executing means performs the circulation cleaning operation, whereby the water containing the cleaning agent is circulated in the water storage tank, so that the cleaning effect of the water storage tank can be improved. . Thereby, the washing | cleaning driving | operation (water tank washing | cleaning driving | operation) with a high washing | cleaning effect can be performed, and a hygienic washing machine can be provided.

  According to the fifth aspect of the invention, since the stirring operation and the circulation cleaning operation are performed simultaneously, the time required for the cleaning operation can be shortened.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the circulation cleaning operation is performed after water corresponding to approximately half of the maximum water storage amount is stored in the water storage tank. Therefore, it is possible to optimize the flow rate and circulation speed of the water in the water storage tank in the circulation cleaning operation, and to improve the cleaning effect of the water storage tank by the circulation cleaning operation. Thereby, the washing | cleaning driving | operation (water tank washing | cleaning driving | operation) with a high washing | cleaning effect can be performed, and a hygienic washing machine can be provided.

  According to the seventh aspect of the invention, the washing effect of the washing tub can be improved by the extra operation. Thereby, the washing | cleaning driving | operation (washing tank washing | cleaning driving | operation) with a high washing | cleaning effect can be performed, and a hygienic washing machine can be provided.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the washing tub rinsing operation and the water tub rinsing operation can be linked by the rinsing operation executing means, and a washing machine with high rinsing efficiency can be provided.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, since the low-speed rotation of the washing / dehydrating tub and the drainage are synchronized at least for a certain period by the submerged rinsing operation, the dirt component peeled off from the washing tub remains in the washing tub. It can drain without letting it go. Thereby, the rinse operation with a high rinse effect can be performed, and a hygienic washing machine can be provided.

It is a perspective view of the washing machine concerning one embodiment of this invention, and is the figure seen from the front slanting upper part. It is the schematic sectional side view which looked at the cross section when the washing machine which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention was cut | disconnected by the vertical surface along the front-back direction from the side. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control circuit in the washing machine illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 and illustrates a portion related to washing of a washing tub (drum and outer tub) and a tank. It is a timing diagram explaining a tank automatic washing operation. FIG. 6 is a timing chart for explaining the cleaning operation, in the case where water is not accumulated in the tank 4 at the start of the cleaning operation. In FIG. 5A, the water level in the tank 4 and the outer tub 5 is extracted and shown. FIG. 6 is a timing chart for explaining the cleaning operation, in the case where water is stored in the tank 4 in advance at the start of the cleaning operation. In FIG. 5C, the water level in the tank 4 and the outer tub 5 is extracted and shown. It is a timing diagram explaining a rinse operation. It is a timing diagram explaining the extraordinary operation.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the front obliquely upward.

  In the washing machine 1, an outer shell is constituted by a slightly vertically long housing 2. A water supply port 9 is provided on the upper surface of the housing 2, and a water supply facility such as a water supply is connected to the water supply port 9. An operation panel 56 is disposed above the front surface of the housing 1. By operating the operation panel 56, the user can cause the washing machine 1 to perform a desired operation.

  On the left side of the operation panel 56, an accommodating portion 7 for accommodating the detergent and the flexible material is disposed so as to be drawable.

  When viewed from the bottom to the top, the front surface of the housing 2 is a surface in which a lower portion rises vertically and is inclined gently and obliquely backward from the middle. A door 6 is provided near the center of the front surface. The door 6 has a square shape with rounded corners when viewed from the front side, and is provided with a circular seal packing (not shown) for closing the outer tub 5 described later. A front panel 2a that can be independently detached is provided below the front surface of the housing 2, and by removing the front panel 2a, the lower front portion of the washing machine 1 is exposed and provided at the lower front portion. Maintenance of a pump, a switching valve, a filter, and the like (which will be described later) can be easily performed.

  Further, a window 80 is formed on the right side of the front panel 2 a, and the window 80 is covered with a lid 81. When the lid 81 is removed, the filter 14 (which will be described later) is exposed, and the lint and the like captured by the filter 14 can be easily removed.

  The rear of the upper surface of the housing 2 is a low step surface 2b that is lowered by one step. In the washing machine 1, since the height of the housing 2 is relatively high, the upper portion of the housing 2 may interfere with the water tap when it is installed. Therefore, even when the water tap is low, a low-level step surface 2b is formed at the upper rear portion so that the washing machine 1 can be arranged without hindrance.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a cross section of the washing machine according to the embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the side when the washing machine is cut along a vertical plane along the front-rear direction. In the following, regarding the description of the washing machine 1 and its components (components) according to this embodiment, for the sake of convenience, the left side in FIG. 2 is the front (front) side, the right side is the back (rear) side, and the upper side is the upper surface (upper). The side and the lower side are described as the bottom (lower) side, the front is the right side, and the back is the left side.

  A drum 3 serving as a washing / dehydrating tub is disposed in the center of the housing 2.

  The drum 3 has a cylindrical shape, and is coaxially accommodated in the cylindrical outer tub 5. In this embodiment, the drum 3 and the outer tub 5 constitute a washing tub, and has a so-called oblique drum arrangement structure in which the front of the drum 3 faces obliquely upward. The front end surfaces of the drum 3 and the outer tub 5 are open, and the door 6 blocks it. A motor (not shown) is provided behind the rear end surface of the outer tub 5, and the drum 3 is rotated around the central axis of the drum 3 by a motor (not shown).

  A water supply pipe 8 disposed in the housing 2 is connected to the water supply port 9 on the upper surface of the housing 2 via a first switching valve 44 that is a four-way valve. The other end of the water supply pipe 8 opposite to one end connected to the water supply port 9 is connected to the uppermost part of the peripheral wall of the outer tub 5, and the water supply port 9 and the inside of the outer tub 5 are connected via the water supply pipe 8. Communicate. In the middle part of the water supply pipe 8, the storage part 7 described above is arranged.

  The accommodating portion 7 has a box (not shown) that can be pulled out forward of the housing 2, and the inside of the box is partitioned into a detergent accommodating chamber and a softener accommodating chamber. The box is pulled out, the detergent and softener are stored in the respective storage chambers, and the box is pushed in to complete the setting of the detergent and softener. When water is supplied to the storage unit 7 from the water supply pipe 8, the detergent and / or softener stored in the detergent storage room and the softener storage room respectively are supplied to the water supplied via the water supply pipe 8. Dissolved and supplied into the outer tub 5. It is also possible to selectively supply water in which the detergent and / or softener is not dissolved into the outer tub 5.

  In addition, one end of a priming pipe 48 is connected to the accommodating portion 7 in the middle of the rear side surface in the up-down direction. The other end of the priming pipe 48 is connected to a supply pump 33 provided in the housing 2, and when the supply pump 33 is driven to pump out water in the housing 2, the supply pump 33 is supplied from the housing portion 7. To supply priming water.

  The water supply pipe 8 branches into a detergent water supply pipe 42 and a softener water supply pipe 43 at the first switching valve 44, and the detergent water supply pipe 42 and the softener water supply pipe 43 merge in the housing portion 7.

  The first switching valve 44 includes an inlet through which water from the water supply port 9 flows, a detergent water outlet 45 connected to the detergent water supply pipe 42, and a softener water outlet 46 connected to the softener water supply pipe 43. .

  Therefore, by switching the first switching valve 44, the water flowing in from the inlet of the first switching valve 44 is allowed to flow from the detergent water outlet 45 to the above-described detergent storage chamber of the storage unit 7 via the detergent water supply pipe 42. Alternatively, it is possible to selectively flow from the softener water outlet 46 through the softener water supply pipe 43 to the above-described softener storage chamber of the storage unit 7.

  Next, washing and dehydration by the washing machine 1 will be specifically described. The clothes to be washed are stored in the drum 3 from the front surface of the housing 2 with the door 6 opened. After the door 6 is closed, water from the water supply pipe 8 is stored in the outer tub 5 during washing. The outer tub 5 is configured to be airtight and liquidtight, but the drum 3 has a large number of small holes formed on its peripheral surface. Therefore, when water is stored in the outer tub 5, the stored water also enters the drum 3, and cleaning water also collects in the drum 3. On the inner peripheral surface of the drum 3, baffles (not shown) project from appropriate positions. When the drum 3 is rotated by a motor (not shown), the clothes containing water in the drum 3 are lifted by a baffle (not shown), and so-called tapping which is naturally dropped is performed.

  A drainage port 10 opened rearward is formed at the lowermost end of the outer tub 5, that is, below the rear end surface, and a drainage valve 12 is attached to the rear side thereof. A drainage pipe 11 extending downward is connected to the drainage valve 12, and a filter 14 and a second switching valve 13 are inserted in this order. The drain pipe 11 is actually bent halfway and its opening is exposed from the lower end of the right side surface of the housing 2 (see FIG. 1).

  A branch pipe 15 is connected to the filter 14 in addition to the drain pipe 11. By switching the second switching valve 13, water passing through the filter 14 can be continuously removed from the housing 2 along the drain pipe 11. It is possible to select whether to discharge to the branch pipe 15 or to flow to the branch pipe 15.

  By opening the drain port 10 toward the rear of the outer tub 5 and disposing the drain valve 12 behind it, the positions of the drain port 10 and the drain valve 12 are substantially equal to the height of the lowermost end of the outer tub 5. Can be in position. Thereby, the drainage port 10 and the drainage valve 12 do not enter the arrangement space of the various components arranged below the outer tub 5, and a wide arrangement space of the various components can be secured. In particular, when the washing machine 1 is operated, the outer tub 5 vibrates. Therefore, when the drain port 10 and the drain valve 12 fixed to the outer tub 5 protrude downward from the outer tub 5, Since the drainage valve 12 vibrates together with the vibration 5, it is necessary to leave a space below in consideration of the vibration. In this embodiment, since the drainage port 10 and the drainage valve 12 are arranged using the rear of the outer tub 5, the lower space of the outer tub 5 can be used well for arranging other components.

  When the drain valve 12 and the second switching valve 13 are “open”, the water in the outer tub 5 is discharged out of the housing 2. On the other hand, when the drain valve 12 is “opened” and the second switching valve 13 is “closed”, the water in the outer tub 5 flows out to the branch pipe 15 through the filter 14.

  Then, after the water in the outer tub 5 is discharged, the drum 3 is dehydrated and rotated (high-speed rotation) by a motor (not shown), and the moisture contained in the clothes is dehydrated.

  The washing machine 1 according to this embodiment can perform drying in addition to washing and dehydration. For this purpose, an outlet 17 of the drying air passage 16 is connected below the rear end face of the outer tub 5. The drying air passage 16 extends obliquely upward along the rear end surface of the outer tub 5, wraps forward along the upper portion of the outer tub 5, extends forward along the upper peripheral surface of the outer tub 5, and the tip thereof is An inlet 18 is connected to the front peripheral surface of the outer tub 5. Thereby, the inside of the outer tub 5 and the dry air passage 16 communicate with each other. In the drying air passage 16, a region extending obliquely upward along the rear end surface of the outer tub 5 functions as a dehumidifying pipe 19. When the clothes are dried, the moisture contained in the clothes is vaporized into steam, and the hot and humid air in the drum 3 containing the steam exits from the outlet 17 and moves upward in the dehumidifying pipe 19. At this time, the water supplied from the heat exchange water supply pipe 49 is dropped in the dehumidifying pipe 19. Specifically, the heat exchange water supply pipe 49 has one end connected to the first switching valve 44 and the other end connected to the upper portion of the dehumidifying pipe 19. Therefore, by switching the first switching valve 44, the water from the water supply port 9 is dropped into the dehumidifying pipe 19 from the heat exchange water supply pipe 49. Apart from the heat exchange water supply pipe 49, water can also be supplied from the heat exchange tank water supply pipe 24 into the dehumidifying pipe 19. The heat exchange tank water supply pipe 24 will be described in detail later.

  When water falls in the dehumidifying pipe 19, the water and hot and humid air exchange heat, and the hot and humid air is cooled and dehumidified. The water that has been liquefied when dehumidified falls through the dehumidifying pipe 19, and then reaches the drain port 10 through the outer tank 5 from the outlet 17.

  A filter 20 is inserted into the drying air passage 16 on the downstream side of the dehumidifying pipe 19 when viewed in the air flow direction, and a blower 21 is further provided on the downstream side thereof. By rotating the blower 21, the air in the drum 3 exits from the outlet 17, moves in the drying air passage 16, and is supplied again into the drum 3 from the inlet 18. A heater 22 is inserted downstream of the blower 21 in the drying air passage 16. The air passing through the drying air passage 16 is dehumidified in the dehumidifying pipe 19, and then heated by the heater 22 and supplied from the inlet 18 to the drum 3.

  Below the drum 3, a tank 4 as a water storage tank is provided. This tank 4 is for storing water after being used in the outer tub 5, and is a tank having a sealed structure. In order to guide the water in the outer tub 5 to the tank 4, the other end of the branch pipe 15 opposite to the one end connected to the filter 14 is opened in the tank 4. Specifically, a water storage valve 25 is inserted in the middle of the branch pipe 15, and the branch pipe 15 extends obliquely upward from the filter 14 toward the water storage valve 25 in the range from the filter 14 to the water storage valve 25. The water storage valve 25 extends downward and penetrates the upper surface of the tank 4, and the other end of the branch pipe 15 is arranged in the vertical direction in the tank 4.

  Therefore, the water in the outer tub 5 is guided into the tank 4 by closing the second switching valve 13 and opening the drain valve 12 and the water storage valve 25.

  Further, one end of an air bleeding hose 51 is connected to the tank 4. The air bleeding hose 51 extends upward from the tank 4 through the rear of the outer tub 5, and the other end is connected to the upper portion of the dehumidifying pipe 19. Thereby, the inside of the tank 4 and the dry air path 16 are connected.

  The tank 4 is provided with a pressure adjusting drain pipe 29 as an overflow channel having an inlet 26 opened in the tank 4. A check valve 28 is interposed in the middle of the pressure adjusting drain pipe 29. The outlet side of the pressure adjusting drain pipe 29 is joined downstream of the second switching valve 13 of the drain pipe 11.

  An overflow pipe 23 is also connected to the pressure adjusting drain pipe 29. Therefore, when a predetermined amount or more of water is supplied into the outer tub 5, the predetermined amount or more of the water overflows to the outside of the outer tub 5 through the overflow pipe 23 and is discharged outside the machine through the drain pipe 11. The

  In order to circulate the water stored in the tank 4, the tank 4 is provided with a circulation pipe 32 that communicates between the outlet 31 and the inlet 30 formed on the side thereof. In the circulation pipe 32, a supply pump 33, a third switching valve 34, and an ejector 35 are inserted in order from the outlet 31 toward the inlet 30 along the water circulation direction.

  The third switching valve 34 is a five-way valve, and switches so that water discharged from the supply pump 33 and flowing in from one direction flows out in any of the four directions. That is, it has a first outlet 36, a second outlet 37, a third outlet 38 and a fourth outlet 39 for returning water from the inlet 30 to the tank 4 via the ejector 35.

  A tank drain pipe 40 is connected to the second outlet 37, and the tank drain pipe 40 is joined downstream of the check valve 28 of the pressure adjusting drain pipe 29.

  One end of the heat exchange tank water supply pipe 24 described above is connected to the third outlet 38. The other end of the heat exchange tank water supply pipe 24 is connected to the upper portion of the dehumidifying pipe 19.

  One end of a tank water supply pipe 41 is connected to the fourth outlet 39, and the other end of the tank water supply pipe 41 is connected to the water supply pipe 8 via the accommodating portion 7.

  Therefore, by switching the third switching valve 34, the water in the tank 4 can be pumped out by the supply pump 33 and circulated through the circulation pipe 32.

  Further, by switching the third switching valve 34, the water in the tank 4 is pumped out by the supply pump 33 and drained outside the machine through the tank drain pipe 40, the pressure adjusting drain pipe 29 and the drain pipe 11. it can.

  Further, by switching the third switching valve 34, the water in the tank 4 can be pumped out by the supply pump 33 and supplied to the dehumidifying pipe 19 through the heat exchange tank water supply pipe 24, and is replaced with tap water. Thus, the water and the hot and humid air in the dehumidifying pipe 19 can be subjected to heat exchange to cool and dehumidify the hot and humid air.

  Further, by switching the third switching valve 34, the water in the tank 4 is pumped out by the supply pump 33, sent from the tank water supply pipe 41 to the water supply pipe 8, and stored in the outer tub 5 for reuse in washing. Can do.

  An ozone generator 47 is provided in the vicinity of the tank 4. The ozone generator 47 is an apparatus that generates ozone by performing silent discharge on air taken in through a filter (not shown). The air that has passed through the ozone generator 47 contains ozone.

  In this embodiment, air containing ozone output from the ozone generator 47 is supplied to the ejector 35 using the first supply path 53. The ozone supplied through the first supply path 53 is mixed with the water in the circulating tank 4 in the ejector 35. More specifically, in the ejector 35, the air containing ozone supplied from the first supply path 53 is mixed as fine bubbles in the water due to the negative pressure generated when water passes through the ejector 35. And when the pigment | dye, the odor component, and various germs are contained in water, these are oxidized by ozone and the water in the tank 4 is decolored, deodorized, and disinfected.

  When ozone continues to be supplied to the water in the tank 4 via the ejector 35, the pressure in the tank 4 increases with the supply of ozone, and the water is pushed out of the tank 4 by the supplied ozone. Since the ozone generator 47 outputs not only ozone but also air containing ozone, the air containing ozone is mixed into water in the ejector 35 as fine bubbles. Of the fine bubbles mixed in the water, ozone disappears due to the oxidation reaction in water, but the air gradually accumulates in the tank 4 and pressurizes the water in the tank 4. A part of the air in the tank 4 is released to the drying air passage 16 by the air vent hose 51, but when the atmospheric pressure in the tank 4 rises, the water in the tank 4 flows from the inlet 26 to the pressure adjusting drain pipe 29. Then, the water is discharged out of the housing 2 through the drain pipe 11. The amount of water discharged varies according to the amount of ozone supplied to the tank 4.

  The discharged water is water purified by the supplied ozone, and the ozone has disappeared due to the oxidation reaction. Therefore, the discharged water is purified and harmless water.

  Further, as described above, the inside of the tank 4 and the inside of the outer tub 5 communicate with each other via the pressure adjusting drain pipe 29 and the overflow pipe 23. For this reason, the water stored in the tank 4 stops being drained according to the difference between the air pressure in the tank 4 and the air pressure in the outer tub 5, and the water in the tank 4 is excessively discharged outside the housing 2. Can be prevented.

  The air containing ozone generated by the ozone generator 47 is further supplied to the drying air passage 16 by the second supply passage 54. The given position is the downstream side of the filter 20 in the drying air passage 16 and the upstream side of the blower 21 (the suction side of the blower 21). When the blower 21 rotates, the suction side becomes negative pressure, and air containing ozone is sucked into the blower 21 through the second supply path 54. Then, ozone is mixed into the air circulated through the drying air passage 16, and the ozone is supplied from the inlet 18 to the drum 3. The air is circulated through the drying air passage 16 when the clothes in the drum 3 are dried. For this reason, ozone is supplied with respect to the clothing to be dried, and the odor component and various germ components adhering to the clothing are oxidized, deodorized, or sterilized by the supplied ozone.

  Thus, in the washing machine 1 according to this embodiment, the ozone generated by the ozone generator 47 is utilized in two ways. One is that the water after use in the drum 3 and the outer tub 5 is stored in the tank 4 and used for purification such as decolorization, deodorization, sterilization, and decomposition of dirt. In addition to the purification of water, ozone is supplied to the drum 3 during the drying operation, which is used for deodorization and sterilization of the clothes to be dried.

  In addition, the outer tub 5 containing the drum 3 has a liquid-tight and air-tight structure, and the ozone generated by the ozone generator 47 is generated by the tank 4 and the outer tub 5 in the overflow pipe 23 and the air vent hose 51. Due to the connected structure, it flows between the tank 4 and the outer tub 5 but does not leak from the housing 2 to the outside. Therefore, it can be set as the apparatus which is safe and has no inconvenience in use, in which the ozone smell does not drift outside.

  The drain valve 12, the water storage valve 25, the second switching valve 13, the drain pipe 11 and the branch pipe 15 function as a water storage control means, and the first switching valve 44, the water supply pipe 8, the water supply port 9, and the tank water water supply pipe. 41, the 3rd switching valve 34, the supply pump 33, and the circulation path 32 function as a water supply means. The circulation path 32, the supply pump 33, and the third switching valve 34 function as circulation means, and the circulation path 32, the supply pump 33, the third switching valve 34, the tank drain pipe 40, the pressure adjusting drain pipe 29, and the drain pipe. 11 functions as a drainage means.

  The features of the washing machine 1 according to this embodiment are the washing of the washing tub (drum 3 and outer tub 5) and the tank 4 and the execution means for performing this washing, which will be described below.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control circuit configuration in the washing machine shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and shows a portion related to washing of the washing tub (drum and outer tub) and the tank.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the washing machine 1 is provided with a control unit 55 configured as a water tank automatic cleaning operation execution means, a cleaning operation execution means, and a rinsing operation execution means, which is constituted by, for example, a microcomputer.

  The control unit 55 controls the drainage valve 12, the second switching valve 13, the blower 21, the heater 22, the water storage valve 25, the supply pump 33, the third switching valve 34, according to the operation of the operation panel 56 and the built-in counter 58. Switching control of the first switching valve 44, the ozone generator 47, the drum 3 and the door lock 60 is performed.

  The counter 58 counts the number of washings in the washing machine 1.

  The door lock 60 locks the door 6 in a closed state.

  The operation unit 56 is provided on the surface of the front upper end portion of the housing 2, and an operation status display panel 66 as a display unit and various operation keys are disposed therein.

  The driving status display panel 66 indicates the driving status of the washing machine 1. Thereby, the user can grasp | ascertain a driving condition easily and the usability of the washing machine 1 is good.

  In addition, among the operation keys, there are a cleaning key 64 and a stop key 65 as a water tank automatic cleaning operation stop means, which are related to the present embodiment. A corresponding signal is input to the control unit 55.

  The cleaning key 64 is a key that is pressed when the washing tub (drum 3 and outer tub 5) and the tank 4 are cleaned.

  The stop key 65 is a key that is pressed when each operation of the washing machine 1 is stopped.

  In the washing machine 1, when washing is started, for example, the washing and drying course is performed in the following order: washing process → dehydration → rinse 1 process → dehydration → rinse 2 process → dehydration → drying process.

  In the washing and drying course, as shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 55 closes the drain valve 12 and then switches the first switching valve 44 to supply tap water from a water tap (not shown) to the water supply pipe 8. The detergent stored in the outer tub 5 is supplied to the outer tub 5 while being dissolved in tap water, and the motor 3 (not shown) is driven to rotate the drum 3 to rotate the clothes. The washing process is performed. In addition, the water previously stored in the tank 4 in the washing step may be supplied to the outer tub 5.

  After the washing process is completed, the control unit 55 closes the water storage valve 25, then opens the drain valve 12 and the second switching valve 13, and supplies the washing water in the outer tub 5 used in the washing process from the drain pipe 11. Perform dehydration to the outside. In dehydration, the control unit 55 rotates the drum 3 at a high speed, so that the washing water contained in the clothes is also discharged outside the apparatus.

  After dehydration, the control unit 55 closes the drain valve 12 and the second switching valve 13 and switches the first switching valve 44 so that tap water from a water tap (not shown) is removed via the water supply pipe 8. It is stored in the tub 5, and a motor (not shown) is driven to rotate the drum 3, thereby rinsing clothes.

  The control unit 55 closes the water storage valve 25 and opens the drain valve 12 and the second switching valve 13 to discharge the rinse water used in the rinsing process from the drain pipe 11 to the outside of the machine.

  After completion of the rinsing process, the control unit 55 performs dehydration of the rinsing water, and performs the rinsing process again after the dehydration. The previous rinsing step is the above-described one rinsing step, and the rinsing step after the rinsing one step is the two rinsing steps. Further, in the second rinsing process, the control unit 55 closes the second switching valve 13, opens the drain valve 12 and the water storage valve 25, and causes the rinse water to flow through the branch pipe 15 and accumulate in the tank 4. In the washing machine 1, the rinsing water used in the two rinsing steps is led to the tank 4 regardless of whether or not the water stored in the tank 4 is used for washing. Therefore, when the amount of water stored in the tank 4 exceeds a predetermined amount, the excess is discharged outside the apparatus. Further, in the dehydration after the second rinsing step, the water in the outer tub 5 may be led to the tank 4 via the branch pipe 15 without being discharged outside the apparatus.

  Then, after the two rinsing steps are completed, the control unit 55 dehydrates the rinsing water, and performs the drying step described below after the dehydration is completed.

  In the drying process, the control unit 55 turns on the heater 22, rotates the blower 21 and the drum 3, circulates hot air in the drying air passage 16, the drum 3, and the outer tub 5, and is included in the clothes in the drum 3. Evaporate moisture and dry clothes. At this time, the control unit 55 switches the first switching valve 44 to drop the tap water from the tap (not shown) from the heat exchange water supply pipe 49 into the dehumidifying pipe 19 as described above. Then, the vaporized water (water vapor) is liquefied. The control unit 55 drives the supply pump 33 and switches the third switching valve 34 so that the water stored in the tank 4 is replaced with the above-mentioned tap water from the tank water supply pipe 24 for heat exchange. It may be dropped into the dehumidifying pipe 19. Then, the control unit 55 opens the drain valve 12, opens the water storage valve 25 or the second switching valve 13, and drops water and liquefied water into the dehumidifying pipe 19 when the water storage valve 25 is opened. When the second switching valve 13 is opened, it is discharged out of the machine.

  In the drying process, the controller 55 constantly monitors the temperature of the outlet 17 measured by a temperature sensor (not shown) as time passes. The temperature of the outlet 17 is the temperature of the air that is heated by the heater 22, enters the drum 3 through the inlet 18, absorbs moisture from the clothing, and passes through the outlet 17. The controller 55 determines the degree of drying of the clothes based on the temperature of the outlet 17. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the drying of the garment is almost completed depending on whether or not the temperature of the outlet 17 has reached a predetermined temperature (high limiter).

  When the garment is almost completely dried, a heater is set so that a preset time (which varies depending on the amount of clothes) set by a timer (not shown), for example, the temperature of the outlet 17 maintains the above-mentioned predetermined temperature for a predetermined time. 22 is appropriately turned ON or OFF by the control unit 55. At the same time as starting the control of the temperature of the outlet 17, the control unit 55 turns on the door lock 60 to lock the door 6 in a closed state (omitted if it has been locked before), and generates an ozone generator. 47 is operated. As a result, the air containing ozone generated by the ozone generator 47 is supplied to the drying air passage 16 through the second supply passage 54 and supplied from the inlet 18 to the clothes in the drum 3. For this reason, deodorization and sterilization of clothing are performed. As described above, since the clothing is exposed to ozone after the drying of the clothing is almost completed, the ozone penetrates efficiently into the clothing, and the effects of deodorizing and sterilizing the clothing can be improved. Further, since the door 6 is locked and is not opened carelessly, there is no fear that ozone supplied into the drum 3 leaks out.

  Then, after supplying ozone into the drum 3 until the set time, the control unit 55 stops the operation of the ozone generator 47, turns off the heater 22, and stops supplying ozone. The rotation of the blower 21 and the drum 3 is continued, and a so-called cool-down operation is performed for a predetermined time in which unheated air is supplied into the drum 3 and the clothing is cooled to a predetermined temperature. During this cool-down operation, all ozone in the housing 2 including the drum 3 is extinguished by the oxidation reaction, and the ozone concentration is lowered to a level that does not affect the human body. Moreover, since the door 6 is continuously locked for a predetermined time after the cool-down operation has been completed since the start of ozone supply into the drum 3, the door 6 is not opened carelessly. And control of ozone is safe. Thereafter, rotation of the blower 21 and the drum 3 is stopped, and the drying process is completed. For this reason, when the user opens the door 6 after the drying process, ozone odor or the like does not drift outside, which is safe. Moreover, since clothes are also cooled, they can be taken out comfortably.

  In the above example, the supply of ozone is started when the drying of the clothes is almost completed, but the supply of ozone may be started after the drying of the clothes is completely completed. In this case, ozone penetrates more efficiently into the clothing, and the effects of deodorizing and sterilizing the clothing can be further improved. Moreover, the deodorization and disinfection effect of clothing can be further improved by supplying ozone in advance to the dried clothing before the washing step.

  In addition, the control unit 55 switches the third switching valve 34 in response to an operation of an ozone cleaning key (not shown) on the operation panel 56 or in each washing process, and drives the supply pump 33 to store water in the tank 4. 4 and the circulation path 32, and the ozone generator 47 is operated, and the generated ozone is mixed with the water in the circulation path 32 via the first supply path 53 and the ejector 35. The water may be decolorized, deodorized and sterilized.

The above is the operation of the control unit 55 along the flow of the washing and drying course.
(Automatic tank cleaning operation)
In the washing machine 1, as described above, the rinsing water and the water used for dewatering can be stored in the tank 4 for purification and used for the next washing. However, even if the water stored in the tank 4 is purified by ozone, after a certain amount of time has passed, various germs grow and cannot be used for washing. In addition, since germs also propagate in the tank 4 that stores the water in which such germs propagate, the control unit 55 periodically cleans the tank 4 in order to maintain the tank 4 in a sanitary manner. (Water tank) Performs automatic cleaning operation.

  Specifically, when water is stored in the empty tank 4 (more specifically, after purification of water stored in the tank 4 with ozone is completed), the control unit 55, as shown in FIG. In 58, the count is started from the first washing.

  In the next washing, the counter 58 counts for the second time regardless of whether the water stored in the tank 4 is used in washing. In the subsequent washing, the counter 58 continues to count. For example, when the tenth count is performed, the control unit 55 performs the second rinsing process in the next washing, that is, the eleventh washing after the tenth counting. That is, in the final rinsing step in washing, the tank 4 is washed.

  FIG. 4 is a timing chart for explaining the automatic tank cleaning operation. The automatic tank cleaning operation will be described with time along this figure (see FIG. 2 for the components other than the components shown in FIG. 4).

  In the final stage (T1) of the two rinsing steps, the rotation of the drum 3 is stopped, the tank water level sensor 61 provided in the tank 4 is turned off, and the drain valve 12, the water storage valve 25, and the first switching valve 44 are The second switching valve 13 is closed, the third switching valve 34 is in a reset state (the tank water supply pipe 41 and the fourth outlet 39 are connected), and the supply pump 33 is not driven. The ozone generator 47 is not operated. The tank water level sensor 61 detects whether water of a predetermined water level, for example, water corresponding to half (about 20 L) of the maximum water storage amount of the tank 4 is stored in the tank 4. It is turned on if the above water is accumulated, and turned off if it is below a predetermined water level.

  Then, the two rinsing steps are completed (T2), and then, for example, when 5 seconds have elapsed, the drain valve 12 is opened, and the rinse water in the outer tub 5 is discharged from the drain pipe 11 to the outside of the machine.

  Then, the control part 55 opens the 1st switching valve 44, and the tap water from the water supply port 9 flows out into the drainage pipe 11 through the water supply pipe 8 and the outer tank 5 (T3). Further, since the water storage valve 25 is opened and the second switching valve 13 is closed, the tap water flowing out to the drain pipe 11 is stored in the tank 4 from the branch pipe 15. Thereby, the water level in the tank 4 rises and the tank water level sensor 61 is turned ON.

  When, for example, two minutes have elapsed since the tank water level sensor 61 was turned on and water supply into the tank 4 has been completed, the first switching valve 44 and the water storage valve 25 are closed, and the second switching valve 13 is opened ( T4). In addition, since the drain valve 12 is continuously opened, the water in the outer tub 5 is discharged from the drain pipe 11 to the outside of the apparatus. Then, the supply pump 33 is driven, the third switching valve 34 is switched (turned ON), and the first outlet 36 and the circulation path 32 are connected, so that the water in the tank 4 flows into the circulation path 32 and the tank 4. Circulated within. Further, the ozone generator 47 is operated, and ozone is supplied into the tank 4 through the first supply path 53 and the ejector 35, thereby functioning as a cleaning means, and purification in the tank 4 is performed. For example, a dedicated cleaning agent containing chlorine may be supplied into the tank 4 as a cleaning means, and the cleaning in the tank 4 may be performed with the cleaning agent. Of course, ozone and a cleaning agent may be used in combination. Further, in the outer tub 5, a motor (not shown) is driven to rotate forward, and the drum 3 is dehydrated and rotated. When the rotation of the drum 3 reaches a certain number of rotations, the number of rotations is maintained. By the dehydration rotation of the drum 3, the moisture contained in the clothes in the drum 3 is dehydrated and discharged to the outside through the drain pipe 11.

  Then, the operation of the ozone generator 47 is stopped, the third switching valve 34 is switched, the second outlet 37 and the tank drain pipe 40 are connected, and the water in the tank 4 is pumped out to the supply pump 33 and the tank It is discharged out of the machine through the drain pipe 40, the pressure adjusting drain pipe 29 and the drain pipe 11 (T5). Thereby, the water level in the tank 4 falls and the tank water level sensor 61 is turned OFF.

  After the tank water level sensor 61 is turned off, the number of rotations of the drum 3 is reduced, and when the rotation of the drum 3 is stopped, the drain valve 12 is closed (T6). Thereafter, the drive of the supply pump 33 is stopped (T7). Then, the third switching valve 34 is switched to the reset state, and the tank automatic cleaning operation is completed. At this time, the user may be informed that the automatic tank cleaning operation has been completed by sounding a buzzer (not shown). The door lock 60 remains ON for a predetermined time until all the ozone in the main casing 2 disappears due to the oxidation reaction. Further, the time from when the tank water level sensor 61 is turned off to T7 is, for example, 3 minutes, and at T7, all the water in the tank 4 is discharged.

  By such automatic tank cleaning operation, the inside of the tank 4 is cleaned every time the number of washing times reaches a predetermined number of times, so that the inside of the tank 4 can be kept clean and the sanitary washing machine 1 can be provided. it can. Moreover, the tank 4 is cleaned more cleanly by performing automatic tank cleaning operation using clean tap water. Further, since ozone or a cleaning agent is used, the inside of the tank 4 is cleaned more cleanly. After the tank automatic cleaning operation, the tank 4 becomes empty, so that the tank 4 can be kept clean. Further, the cleaning power of the ozone or the cleaning agent supplied into the tank 4 is not spent on clean tap water but concentrated on the cleaning of the tank 4, so that the tank 4 is effectively cleaned.

  As described above, since the tank automatic cleaning operation is an operation performed by the control unit 55 every predetermined number of times of washing, the user does not intervene, but the user does not want to perform the tank automatic cleaning operation. Then, the execution of the automatic tank cleaning operation can be canceled by pressing the stop key 65 (see FIG. 3). Thereby, the usability of the washing machine 1 can be improved.

  In addition to the automatic tank cleaning operation, when the user presses the cleaning key 64 (see FIG. 3), the water tank (tank 4) and the washing tub (drum 3 and outer tub 5) are cleaned (water tank cleaning operation). And washing tub washing operation) and rinsing operation (water tank rinsing operation and washing tub rinsing operation). In addition, the water tank cleaning operation is an operation related to the tank 4 in the cleaning operation, and similarly, the washing tub cleaning operation is an operation related to the washing tub. Further, the water tank rinsing operation is an operation related to the tank 4 in the rinsing operation, and similarly, the washing tub rinsing operation is an operation related to the washing tub.

  FIG. 5 is a timing chart for explaining the cleaning operation, and FIG. 5A is a case where water is not accumulated in the tank 4 at the start of the cleaning operation (the tank water level sensor 61 is OFF), and FIG. In FIG. 5A, the water level in the tank 4 and the outer tank 5 is extracted and shown. 5C shows a case where water is stored in the tank 4 in advance at the start of the cleaning operation (the tank water level sensor 61 is ON), and FIG. 5D shows the tank 4 and the outer tank 5 in FIG. 5C. The water level in the inside is extracted and shown. FIG. 6 is a timing chart for explaining the rinsing operation, and FIG. 7 is a timing chart for explaining the extra driving.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the cleaning key 64 is pressed, the control unit 55 performs the cleaning operation and the rinsing operation in accordance with the timings of FIGS. The remaining time until the cleaning operation and the rinsing operation are completed is displayed in a time display window (not shown) of the operation panel 56.
(Washing operation)
<1> When Water is not Accumulated in Tank 4 at the Start of Cleaning Operation As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, when the cleaning operation is started, the first switching valve 44 is opened and the water supply port 9 Tap water is stored in the outer tub 5 (T1). At T1, the water levels in the tank 4 and the outer tub 5 are both empty (0 L).

  When the outer tank water level sensor 57 provided in the outer tank 5 detects that the water has been accumulated in the outer tank 5 up to a predetermined water level (cleaning agent supply water level, for example, about 10 L), the first switching valve 44 is closed. (T2). At this time, the door 6 can be opened to supply the cleaning agent described above into the outer tub 5. In addition, this cleaning agent can be dissolved in water by supplying the cleaning agent after water is stored in the outer tub 5 to the cleaning agent supply water level (about 10 L). Therefore, compared with the case where the cleaning agent is directly supplied to the washing tub without dissolving in water, the concern that the parts of the washing tub are deteriorated by the cleaning agent can be solved. Thereby, the safety of the washing machine 1 can be improved.

  For example, when one minute has elapsed from T2, even if no cleaning agent is supplied into the outer tub 5, the door lock 60 is turned on, the first switching valve 44 is opened, and tap water from the water supply port 9 is supplied. It is stored in the outer tub 5 (T3). The door lock 60 is turned on until the cleaning operation and the rinsing operation are completed.

  When the outer tank water level sensor 57 detects that the water has been accumulated in the outer tank 5 up to a predetermined water level (tank washing water level, for example, about 30 L), the first switching valve 44 is closed, and the drum 3 is rotated forward. It is rotated alternately in the reverse direction (T4). By alternately rotating the drum 3 in the forward and reverse directions (stirring operation), the cleaning agent supplied in the washing tub can be dissolved evenly (without remaining undissolved) in the water. The cleaning effect can be improved. Thereby, the sanitary washing machine 1 can be provided.

  Then, when the rotation of the drum 3 is continued for 2 minutes, for example, the water storage valve 25 is opened and the second switching valve 13 is closed (T5).

  Thereafter, the drain valve 12 is opened (T6). Thereby, the water in which the cleaning agent is stirred in the outer tub 5 is stored in the tank 4 through the branch pipe 15, and the water level in the outer tub 5 is lowered. As described above, since the water in which the cleaning agent is stirred and dissolved uniformly is stored in the tank 4, the cleaning effect of the tank 4 can be improved, and the sanitary washing machine 1 can be provided.

  Then, the outer tank water level sensor 57 detects that the water level in the outer tank 5 has dropped to the cleaning agent supply water level (about 10 L), and in the tank 4, half of the maximum amount of water stored in the tank 4 (about 20 L). When the tank water level sensor 61 detects that water has been accumulated, the drain valve 12 and the water storage valve 25 are closed, and the second switching valve 13 and the first switching valve 44 are opened (T7). Thereby, tap water is stored in the outer tub 5 from the water supply port 9.

  When the outer tank water level sensor 57 detects that water has been accumulated in the outer tank 5 up to the tank washing water level (about 30 L), the first switching valve 44 is closed and the drum 3 is alternately rotated in the forward and reverse directions. It is rotated (T8). At the same time, the third switching valve 34 is switched to connect the first outlet 36 and the circulation path 32. And the water in the tank 4 circulates between the tank 4 and the circulation path 32 by driving the supply pump 33 (T9). For this reason, the cleaning effect of the tank 4 can be improved by circulating the water containing the cleaning agent in the tank 4 (circulation cleaning operation). Further, as described above, this circulation cleaning operation is performed after half of the maximum amount of water stored in the tank 4 is accumulated. For this reason, the flow rate and the circulation speed of the water in the tank 4 in the circulation cleaning operation can be optimized, and the cleaning effect of the tank 4 by the circulation cleaning operation can be improved. Therefore, the sanitary washing machine 1 can be provided.

  Then, when the rotation (stirring operation) of the drum 3 is continued for 2 minutes, for example, the drive of the supply pump 33 is stopped (T10). At the same time, the water storage valve 25 is opened, the second switching valve 13 is closed, and the third switching valve 34 is switched to return to the reset state, and then the drain valve 12 is opened (T11). Thereby, the water in which the cleaning agent is stirred in the outer tub 5 is stored in the tank 4.

  When the outer tank water level sensor 57 detects that the water level in the outer tank 5 has decreased to the drainage stop water level (about 20 L), the drain valve 12 and the water storage valve 25 are closed, and the second switching valve 13 is opened (T12). . At this time, about 30 L of water is stored in the tank 4.

  And the supply pump 33 is driven, the water in the tank 4 is supplied to the outer tank 5 through the tank water supply pipe 41 and the water supply pipe 8, and the water level in the outer tank 5 rises to the tank washing water level (about 30L). (T13).

  When the water level in the tank 4 decreases and the tank water level sensor 61 is turned off, the drive of the supply pump 33 is stopped, the third switching valve 34 is switched, and the first outlet 36 and the circulation path 32 are connected. The drum 3 is alternately rotated in the forward direction and the reverse direction (T14). At this time, about 20 L of water is stored in the tank 4.

  During the rotation of the drum 3, the supply pump 33 is driven, and the water in the tank 4 is circulated between the tank 4 and the circulation path 32, that is, a circulation cleaning operation is performed (T15).

  Then, when the rotation (stirring operation) of the drum 3 is continued for 2 minutes, for example, the drive of the supply pump 33 is stopped (T16). At the same time, the water storage valve 25 is opened, the second switching valve 13 is closed, and the third switching valve 34 is switched to return to the reset state, and then the drain valve 12 is opened (T17). Thereby, the water in which the cleaning agent is stirred in the outer tub 5 is stored in the tank 4.

  Then, when the outer tank water level sensor 57 detects that the water level of the outer tank 5 has dropped to the drainage stop water level (about 20 L), and the water level in the tank 4 increases and the tank water level sensor 61 is turned ON, The drain valve 12 and the water storage valve 25 are closed, and the second switching valve 13 and the first switching valve 44 are opened (T18). Thereby, tap water is stored in the outer tub 5 from the water supply port 9. At this time, about 30 L of water is stored in the tank 4.

  When the outer tank water level sensor 57 detects that water has been accumulated in the outer tank 5 up to the tank washing water level (about 30 L), the first switching valve 44 is closed and the drum 3 is alternately rotated in the forward and reverse directions. It is rotated (T19). At the same time, the third switching valve 34 is switched to connect the first outlet 36 and the circulation path 32.

  During the rotation of the drum 3, the drive pump 33 is driven, and the water in the tank 4 is circulated between the tank 4 and the circulation path 32, that is, the circulation cleaning operation is performed (T20). The circulation operation is performed during the rotation of the drum 3 from T20 to T21, for example, for 10 minutes.

  Then, when the rotation (stirring operation) of the drum 3 is continued for 25 minutes, for example, the rotation of the drum 3 is stopped (T22). And the extraordinary driving | running shown in FIG. 7 is performed for 11 hours, for example. In the setting operation, after a predetermined stationary time (first step), for example, after the drum 3 is alternately rotated in the normal rotation and reverse rotation directions (second step), for example, for 2 minutes, the drum 3 is rotated in the normal rotation direction, for example, 30 For example, a cycle of 10 minutes in total is continued for 11 hours as described above. Thereby, the washing | cleaning effect of a washing tub can be improved and the sanitary washing machine 1 can be provided.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 5A, when the extra operation is completed, the third switching valve 34 is switched again, the first outlet 36 and the circulation path 32 are connected, and the drum 3 rotates alternately in the forward and reverse directions. (T23). Then, the supply pump 33 is driven, and the circulation cleaning operation is performed (T24). When the drum 3 is rotated, for example, for 5 minutes, the cleaning operation is completed (T25).

  As described above, the stirring operation in which the drum 3 alternately rotates in the normal rotation direction and the reverse rotation direction and the circulation cleaning operation are performed at the same time, so that the time required for the cleaning operation can be shortened.

Moreover, since the water storage (water tank cleaning operation) and the circulation cleaning operation are performed a plurality of times in the water tank 4 in which the cleaning agent in the outer tank 5 is dissolved, the cleaning effect of the tank 4 can be improved, and the hygiene A typical washing machine 1 can be provided. Further, the washing tub cleaning operation can be linked to the washing tub cleaning operation in parallel, and the washing tub and the tank 4 can be efficiently cleaned, so that the cleaning efficiency can be improved.
<2> When water is stored in the tank 4 at the start of the cleaning operation As shown in FIGS. 5C and D, when the cleaning operation is started, the first switching valve 44 is opened and the water supply port 9 is opened. Of tap water is stored in the outer tub 5 (T1). At T1, the water level in the outer tub 5 is empty (0 L), and the water level in the tank 4 is about 30 L.

  When the outer tank water level sensor 57 provided in the outer tank 5 detects that water has been accumulated in the outer tank 5 up to the cleaning agent supply water level (about 10 L), the first switching valve 44 is closed (T2). At this time, the door 6 can be opened to supply the cleaning agent described above into the outer tub 5.

  For example, when 1 minute elapses from T2, the door lock 60 is turned on and the third switching valve 34 is switched to the reset state even if the cleaning agent is not supplied into the outer tub 5 (T3). The door lock 60 is turned on until the cleaning operation and the rinsing operation are completed.

  And the supply pump 33 is driven and the water in the tank 4 is supplied to the outer tank 5 through the tank water supply pipe 41 and the water supply pipe 8 (T4).

  Then, when the water level in the outer tub 5 rises to the drainage stop water level (about 20 L), while the water level in the tank 4 decreases to, for example, about 20 L, and the tank water level sensor 61 is turned off, the supply pump 33. Is stopped (T5).

  T6 is not different from T5. Thereafter, the first switching valve 44 is opened, and tap water is stored in the outer tub 5 from the water supply port 9 (T7).

  When the outer tank water level sensor 57 detects that water has been accumulated in the outer tank 5 up to the tank washing water level (about 30 L), the first switching valve 44 is closed and the drum 3 is alternately rotated in the forward and reverse directions. It is rotated (T8). At the same time, the third switching valve 34 is switched to connect the first outlet 36 and the circulation path 32. Thereafter, the supply pump 33 is driven to circulate the water in the tank 4 between the tank 4 and the circulation path 32 (T9).

  Then, when the rotation (stirring operation) of the drum 3 is continued for 2 minutes, for example, the drive of the supply pump 33 is stopped (T10). At the same time, the water storage valve 25 is opened, the second switching valve 13 is closed, and the third switching valve 34 is switched to return to the reset state. Thereafter, the drain valve 12 is opened, and the water in the outer tub 5 in which the cleaning agent is stirred is stored in the tank 4, whereby the water level in the tank 4 rises and the tank water level sensor 61 is turned on (T11). ).

  When the outer tank water level sensor 57 detects that the water level in the outer tank 5 has decreased to the drainage stop water level (about 20 L), the drain valve 12 and the water storage valve 25 are closed, and the second switching valve 13 is opened (T12). . At this time, about 30 L of water is stored in the tank 4.

The period after T12 is the same as the period after T12 in the cleaning operation when water is not accumulated in the tank 4 at the start of the above-described cleaning operation.
(Rinse operation)
As shown in FIG. 5A, when the cleaning operation is completed, the drive of the supply pump 33 is stopped, the first switching valve 44, the drain valve 12 and the water storage valve 25 are closed, and the second switching valve 13 is opened. (T25). Then, as shown in FIG. 6, when the rinsing operation is started, the water storage valve 25 is opened, the second switching valve 13 is closed, and the third switching valve 34 is switched to switch the second outlet 37 and the tank. After being connected to the drain pipe 40, the supply pump 33 is driven, and the water in the tank 4 is discharged outside the machine through the tank drain pipe 40, the pressure adjusting drain pipe 29 and the drain pipe 11. As the water in the tank 4 is discharged out of the machine, the water level in the tank 4 decreases, and when the water level falls below half of the maximum water storage amount (approximately 20 L) of the tank 4, the tank water level sensor 61 It is turned off.

  When, for example, 3 minutes elapses after the tank water level sensor 61 is turned off and the drive of the supply pump 33 is stopped, the water storage valve 25 is closed and the third switching valve 34 is switched to return to the reset state (T26). ). And the drain valve 12 and the 2nd switching valve 13 are opened, and the water in the outer tank 5 is discharged | emitted from the drain pipe 11 outside the apparatus. Thereby, the water in the outer tank 5 falls. For example, it takes 30 seconds for the water level in the outer tub 5 to decrease from the above-described cleaning agent supply water level (about 10 L) to empty (0 L).

  Then, when the outer tank water level sensor 57 detects that the water level in the outer tank 5 is empty (0 L), the first switching valve 44 and the water storage valve 25 are opened, and the second switching valve 13 is closed (T27). ). Thereby, the tap water from the water supply port 9 is stored in the tank 4 through the outer tank 5 and the branch pipe 15.

  When the water level in the tank 4 reaches half of the capacity of the tank 4 (about 20 L), the tank water level sensor 61 is turned on (T28). Then, after the drain valve 12 and the water storage valve 25 are closed, the second switching valve 13 is opened, and the third switching valve 34 is switched to connect the first outlet 36 and the circulation path 32, the supply pump 33 is For example, it is driven for 5 minutes.

  Since the first switching valve 44 is still open, when the outer tank water level sensor 57 detects that the water level in the outer tank 5 has risen and the water level has risen to the tank washing water level (about 30 L), The 1 switching valve 44 is closed (T29).

  When the drive of the supply pump 33 is stopped, the water storage valve 25 is opened, the second switching valve 13 is closed, and the third switching valve 34 is switched to return to the reset state (T30).

  When the drain valve 12 is opened and the water in the outer tub 5 is stored in the tank 4 and the outer tub water level sensor 57 detects that the water level in the outer tub 5 has decreased to the drain stop water level (about 20 L), The valve 12 and the water storage valve 25 are closed, the second switching valve 13 is opened, the third switching valve 34 is switched, and the first outlet 36 and the circulation path 32 are connected (T31).

  Thereafter, the supply pump 33 is driven to circulate the water in the tank 4 between the tank 4 and the circulation path 32, for example, for 10 minutes (T32).

  When the first switching valve 44 is opened simultaneously with the start of driving of the supply pump 33 and the outer tank water level sensor 57 detects that the water level in the outer tank 5 has risen to the tank washing water level (about 30 L), the first switching valve 44 Is closed, the drum 3 is alternately rotated in the forward and reverse directions (T33). At this time, the drum 3 is rotated at a low speed.

  Then, after the drum 3 is rotated for 3 minutes, for example, the drive of the supply pump 33 is stopped, the drain valve 12 and the water storage valve 25 are opened, and the second switching valve 13 is closed, so that the inside of the outer tub 5 Water flows into the tank 4 (T34). In addition, the rinsing rinse operation in which the rotation of the drum 3 and the inflow of water in the outer tub 5 into the tank 4 may be performed. In that case, the dirt component peeled from the washing tub can be drained without remaining in the washing tub. Thereby, the rinse effect can be improved and the sanitary washing machine 1 can be provided.

  When all the water in the outer tub 5 is discharged, the third switching valve 34 is switched, the second outlet 37 and the tank drain pipe 40 are connected, and the supply pump 33 is driven, so that the water in the tank 4 is Is discharged to the outside through the tank drain pipe 40, the pressure adjusting drain pipe 29 and the drain pipe 11 (T35).

  When the water level in the tank 4 falls below half of the maximum amount of water stored in the tank 4 (about 20 L), for example, after 3 minutes, all the water in the tank 4 is discharged (T36).

Then, when the cycle from T27 to T36 is performed twice, the drain valve 12 and the water storage valve 25 are closed, the drive of the supply pump 33 is stopped, and the third switching valve 34 is returned to the reset state. Driving is complete. Thereby, since the water storage and drainage (rinsing operation) of the outer tub 5 and the tank 4 are performed a plurality of times, the rinsing effect of the washing tub and the tank 4 can be improved, and the sanitary washing machine 1 can be provided. In the cleaning operation and the rinsing operation, the ozone generator 47 may be appropriately operated to supply ozone into the outer tub 5 and the tank 4 via the first supply path 53 and the second supply path 54. Thereby, the tank 4, the drum 3, and the outer tank 5 are deodorized and sterilized by ozone. In that case, after the rinsing operation is completed, the door lock 60 remains ON for a predetermined time until all ozone in the main body casing 2 disappears due to the oxidation reaction.

  As described above, the washing tub rinsing operation and the water tub rinsing operation can be linked to each other, and the rinsing efficiency can be improved.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims. Further, in this embodiment, a washing machine with a clothes drying function having an oblique drum arrangement structure has been described, but the present invention is also applicable to those in which drums are arranged horizontally or vertically, It can also be applied to clothes dryers.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Washing machine 3 Drum 4 Tank 5 Outer tub 8 Water supply pipe 9 Water supply port 11 Drain pipe 12 Drain valve 13 2nd switching valve 15 Branch pipe 25 Water storage valve 29 Drain pipe for pressure adjustment 32 Circulation path 33 Supply pump 34 3rd switching valve 41 Tank Water Reservoir 44 First Switch Valve 47 Ozone Generator 55 Control Unit 65 Stop Key 66 Operation Status Display Panel

Claims (9)

A washing tub equipped with a washing / dehydrating tub;
A water storage tank for storing water discharged from the washing tub;
Water storage control means for guiding water discharged from the washing tub to the water storage tub;
Water supply means for supplying water to the washing tub;
A washing tank cleaning operation for supplying water to the water supply means, storing water in the washing tub and supplying a cleaning agent to wash the washing tub, and a part of the water containing the cleaning agent used for cleaning the washing tub Cleaning operation executing means for storing the water in the water storage tank by the water storage control means, and performing a water tank cleaning operation for cleaning the inside of the water storage tank in parallel with each other,
A washing machine characterized by comprising:   The washing operation execution means has a waiting time after the water supply means completes water supply up to a predetermined water level into the washing tub until the water supply is restarted. 1. The washing machine according to 1.   The washing operation execution means rotates the washing / dehydrating tank and stirs the water containing the cleaning agent in the washing tub until the water storage control means starts storing water in the water storage tank. The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: A circulation means for circulating the water stored in the water tank in the water tank;
The said washing | cleaning operation execution means performs the circulation washing | cleaning driving | operation which wash | cleans the inside of the said water tank by circulating the water stored in the said water tank to the said circulation means, The any one of Claims 1-3 characterized by the above-mentioned. The washing machine according to crab.   The washing machine according to claim 4, wherein the washing operation execution means performs the stirring operation and the circulation washing operation at the same time.   The washing machine according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the washing operation execution means performs the circulation washing operation after water corresponding to approximately half of the maximum water storage amount is stored in the water storage tank. .   The washing operation executing means includes a first step of stopping the washing / dehydrating tub, and a second step of rotating the washing / dehydrating tub alternately in a normal rotation direction and a reverse rotation direction for a predetermined time following the first step. And the third step of rotating the washing / dehydrating tub in the normal rotation direction for a predetermined time following the second step is performed a repetitive operation that is repeated a plurality of times. The washing machine as described in.   When the washing operation is completed, the water supply means is supplied with tap water to rinse the inside of the washing tub, and the washing tub is rinsed. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a rinsing operation execution means for performing a water storage tank rinsing operation in the tank. A drainage means for draining water from the washing tub and the water storage tank;
9. The washing machine according to claim 8, wherein the rinsing operation executing means performs a submerged rinsing operation that synchronizes the low-speed rotation of the washing / dehydrating tub and the drainage by the drainage means at least within a predetermined time. .