JP6349387B2 - Cleaning method, washing machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a cleaning method for improving the cleaning power and a washing machine for performing the method.

  In a conventional fully automatic washing machine, as a method for improving the cleaning power, a method of optimizing the water flow in the washing tub and strengthening the mechanical force applied to clothing is common. For this reason, in order to optimize the water flow, the shape, rotation speed, forward / reverse switching control, etc. of the stirring blade (pulsator) provided rotatably in the washing tub are devised.

  As another method, an attempt has been made to increase the cleaning power by using a cleaning liquid having a high detergent concentration, infiltrating the cleaning liquid into the laundry, and utilizing the chemical power of the high concentration cleaning liquid. As an example of the method, according to Patent Literature 1, a high-concentration cleaning liquid containing a detergent is bubbled between a washing tub and an outer tub containing the washing tub, and through a circulation path separately provided in the outer tub, A foamed cleaning solution is supplied to the laundry stored from above the washing tub. Thus, a washing machine is disclosed in which the step of allowing a high concentration cleaning liquid to penetrate into the laundry is performed before the normal washing step.

  Apart from this, according to Patent Document 2, a washing machine is disclosed in which a high-concentration cleaning liquid is sprinkled by sprinkling the high-concentration cleaning liquid on the laundry from above the washing tub via a circulation pump and a circulation path. ing. In this washing machine as well, it is specified that the detergent uses a high-concentration cleaning liquid to enhance the cleaning power.

  In the above washing machine, a high concentration detergent solution is provided between the washing tub and the outer tub on a separate dedicated circulation pump or on the side wall or upper part of the washing tub in order to permeate the entire laundry with the high concentration cleaning liquid. It was necessary to provide a circulation path for circulation.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-260 Japanese Patent No. 4713392

  In the case of employing the above mechanism, it is necessary to increase the cost and reliability due to an increase in parts and processing, and to pass through a dedicated passage separately provided with a cleaning liquid. For this reason, the loss of the cleaning liquid, that is, passing through the circulation path, causes a high-concentration detergent residue in the water path, and contamination due to this becomes a problem.

  An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and at the same time, to provide a cleaning method for obtaining a high cleaning power without requiring a special mechanism and structure for bubbling with a high concentration cleaning liquid.

  Moreover, the objective of this invention is providing the washing machine which implement | achieves washing | cleaning with little washing unevenness.

  In order to achieve the above object, the washing method of the present invention determines that the amount (weight) of the laundry is less than the rated weight, thereby determining the reference water level rating (reference water level) according to the amount of laundry. ) Is decided. Wash water with an appropriate low amount of water that is smaller (lower) than the reference water amount (water level) and has a predetermined water amount ratio with respect to the reference water amount is supplied. Since the washing water is an appropriate low amount of water with respect to the reference water amount, the concentration of the detergent dissolved in the washing water becomes high. The washing water becomes a cleaning liquid containing a high concentration detergent. When the appropriate low amount of washing water is supplied, the laundry accommodates the foaming process in which the pulsator (stirring blade) is rotationally driven for a predetermined time to generate foam of the high-concentration cleaning liquid and the cleaning process with the foamed high-concentration cleaning liquid. Performed simultaneously in the same washing tub. The unbalanced state is detected during the bubbling with the high-concentration cleaning liquid with the appropriate low amount of water and the cleaning. When the imbalance detection is performed, the foaming process with the high-concentration cleaning liquid at the appropriate low water amount, and the cleaning process are stopped, and the washing water is supplied to a reference water level suitable for the amount of laundry to be washed, rinsed, and A washing operation consisting of each step of dehydration is performed.

  Here, the rated weight of the laundry is the maximum amount determined according to the washing ability of the washing machine. The reference water amount is an amount of water suitable for washing according to the amount of laundry. In the washing machine capable of changing the amount of water, this is the amount of washing water determined according to the amount of laundry in the washing process of the set washing operation course. In addition, the water ratio is a ratio between the appropriate low water quantity and the reference water quantity. As an example, 0.2 to 0.6 is good.

  As described above, according to the cleaning method of the present invention, if the imbalance is not detected, when the stirring blade rotates at the bottom of the washing tub storing the washing water, a water flow is formed around the rotation axis by the centrifugal force of the stirring blade. . By repeating forward / reverse inversion driving of the agitating blade in a state where the amount of water is less than the reference amount of water, it is possible to cause collision of the water flow that tries to flow in the reverse direction, and to cause foaming by making the water surface ripple.

  In addition, when the amount of washing water is less than the reference amount of water, the area where the thrown-in laundry is in contact with the air can be increased, so that the washing water can more easily take in air and increase foaming. Is obtained.

  Furthermore, by setting to a predetermined water amount ratio, it is possible to provide a cleaning environment with foam containing a high-concentration cleaning liquid that can immerse the entire laundry, and there is an effect of increasing the cleaning power.

  In addition, when the amount of water is less than the reference water level, the weight ratio (bath ratio) between the laundry and the cleaning liquid is lowered, so the effect of increasing the mechanical power such as scouring and rubbing of the laundry is obtained, so the cleaning power is increased. be able to.

  Moreover, time reduction is possible by performing foaming and washing | cleaning simultaneously and in the same washing tub.

  According to the present invention, when an excess weight or imbalance of the laundry is detected, the first washing process of washing, rinsing, and dehydrating washing operations based on the reference water level is executed, and a safe and smooth washing environment can be provided. .

  In addition, the present invention is a soaking step in which the foaming and washing steps are performed at the appropriate low water amount simultaneously and in the same manner in the washing tub, and the laundry is soaked in the foamed foam and high-concentration washing liquid for a predetermined time. Can also be executed. By carrying out this step, the high-concentration cleaning liquid containing foam sufficiently penetrates into the laundry.

  In order to execute the washing step at a level higher than the appropriate low water level after the placing step, the washing water is supplied so that the reference level corresponding to the amount of laundry is obtained.

  Further, the washing machine of the present invention rotates the drive unit that drives the stirring blade provided in the washing tub in order to perform foaming with the high-concentration washing liquid and washing the laundry with the washing liquid in the washing tub. A control unit for controlling is provided. Further, a cloth amount detecting means for detecting the amount of laundry is provided, and a reference water amount for performing the washing process is determined according to the output of the cloth amount detecting means. The control unit sets the appropriate low water amount based on the water amount ratio in order to perform foaming (generation of bubbles) with a high-concentration cleaning liquid with respect to the reference water amount based on the output from the cloth amount detecting means. That is, an appropriate low water amount (Ps) obtained by multiplying the reference water amount P by the water amount ratio Pr is set. By supplying this appropriate low amount of washing water, the control unit drives the agitating blade to rotate in the normal direction.

  Moreover, the washing machine of this invention can change the rotation period of a stirring blade according to the quantity of the laundry detected by the said cloth amount detection means.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the washing | cleaning method and washing machine which can fully permeate the laundry with the high concentration washing | cleaning liquid with a high detergent density | concentration, are excellent in detergency, and there are few washing nonuniformities can be provided.

Sectional drawing which shows the internal structure of the washing machine in this invention. The block diagram which shows the control circuit structure of the washing machine of this invention. The flowchart for demonstrating the control procedure of the washing machine of this invention, and the control procedure by the washing | cleaning method of this invention. In order to explain the state of foaming according to the present invention, various water flows generated in the washing tub are schematically shown. (A) is a state when the amount of water is insufficient, and (b) is a state when an appropriate amount of water is used according to the present invention. In the case, (c) shows the case of the reference water amount supplied in the washing operation. 4A and 4B are schematic diagrams for explaining washing water at each water amount, air flow in and out, and the like, wherein FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram when the amount of water is small, and FIG. FIG. 4C is a schematic diagram at the reference water amount supplied during the washing operation. It is the figure which showed the relationship between the bubble which generate | occur | produced in each water amount in FIG. 4, and the amount of water supplied, (a) is a model figure showing the relationship between the bubble and water amount in a state with little water amount, (b) is The model figure showing the relationship between the foam | bubble and the amount of water in the state in which the amount of water in this invention is applied, (c) is the model figure showing the relationship between the reference | standard water amount supplied at the time of a washing operation, and a foam. It is a characteristic view which shows the rotation period and foaming state of the stirring blade (pulsator) provided in the washing tub in order to make the washing | cleaning liquid containing a detergent foam in this invention, (a) is a timing which shows the inversion period which rotates a stirring blade Chart, (b) is a characteristic diagram showing the bubbling state at that time. It is a characteristic diagram which shows the quantity and foaming state of the supplied washing water, (a) is a figure which shows water quantity and a foaming state, (b) is a figure which shows the amount of water to supply, the water level, and the whole quantity of foaming (C) is a characteristic view which shows the relationship between the amount of supplied water and detergent concentration. The characteristic view which shows the time which foams, and the actual foaming state. The characteristic view which shows the other method which further raises the cleaning power of this invention, and is a characteristic figure which shows the relationship between the foaming leaving time which makes a high concentration washing | cleaning liquid osmose | permeate the laundry after foaming, and a washing | cleaning ratio. The characteristic view which shows the relationship of the deviation of the cleaning ratio of the cleaning method in the present invention and the conventional cleaning method.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the internal structure of an example of a washing machine according to the present invention. The configuration of the washing machine according to the present invention will be described with reference to this figure.

(Structure of washing machine)
As shown in FIG. 1, the washing machine 1 is a vertical fully automatic washing machine, and is illustrated so that the left side of the drawing is the front surface and the right side is the back surface. The front and back sides of the drawing are both side surfaces. The washing machine 1 includes an outer box 10 made of metal or synthetic resin. The outer box 10 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape or a cylindrical shape, and the upper surface and the bottom surface are openings. A synthetic resin top plate 11 provided with an operation panel (operation unit) 71 and the like is fixed to the top opening of the outer box 10. A synthetic resin base (bottom base) 112 is fixed to the bottom opening of the outer box 10 with screws. Legs 113 for supporting the outer box 10 on the floor are provided at the four corners of the base 112.

  The upper surface plate 11 is formed with a laundry loading port 11a for loading the laundry into the washing machine 1 at a substantially central portion. An openable / closable upper lid 15 is provided at the laundry input port 11a. The upper lid 15 is pivotally supported on the upper surface plate 11 by a horizontal rotation shaft on the right side (back side of the washing machine) in FIG. When the upper lid 15 rotates the left side (front of the washing machine) upward from the state where the laundry input port 11a is covered from the top as shown in the drawing, the laundry input port 11a is opened, and the laundry is input or taken out. can do.

  An outer water tank 20 and an inner washing tub 30 are disposed inside the outer box 10. The water tank 20 is a suspension member that absorbs vibrations and suppresses shaking, and is suspended and supported inside the outer box 10 so as to be swingable in a horizontal plane by a suspension member 21 having an elastic member. The suspension member 21 is provided at a total of four locations (one is shown for convenience in the drawing) in such a manner as to connect the lower outer surface of the water tank 20 and the inner corner of the outer box 10, and the water tank 20 is swung in the outer box 10. I support it so that I can do it. Thereby, the water tank 20 is supported in a suspended manner, and is supported so as to reduce and absorb vibration.

  The washing tub 30 also serving as a dewatering tub is disposed inside the tub 20 so as to be rotatable concentrically with the tub 20. Both the water tub 20 and the washing tub 30 have a cylindrical cup shape with an open top surface, and each axis is in a vertical direction. The washing tub 30 has a tapered shape that gradually spreads upward. The peripheral wall of the washing tub 30 does not have an opening for allowing liquid to pass therethrough except for a plurality of dewatering holes 31 arranged in an annular shape at the top. That is, the washing tub 30 is formed in a so-called “no hole” type. An annular balancer 32 is attached to the edge of the upper opening of the washing tub 30 to suppress vibration when the washing tub 30 is rotated at a high speed for dehydrating the laundry.

  On the inner bottom surface of the washing tub 30, a stirring blade 33 (pulsator) for causing a flow of washing water or rinsing (rinsing) water (herein referred to as “washing water”) in the tub is rotatably arranged. Yes. A plurality of radially projecting blades 33a are formed on the upper surface of the pulsator 33, and a pump-up blade 33b known per se is provided on the lower surface to generate a water flow. The pump-up blade 33b is provided on the lower surface corresponding to the upper blade 33a, for example. Correspondingly, the circulation path 4b is provided in a part of the washing tub 30, and the pump-up blades 33b are rotated so that washing water is pumped from the bottom of the washing tub 30 through the circulation path 4b. It is supplied from the upper part of the washing tub 30 into the washing tub 30. A lint filter or the like (not shown) is provided at the supply site, and foreign matters such as fibers pumped up through the filter and contained in the washing water are removed and circulated and supplied.

  A drive unit 40 constituting a drive unit is mounted on the lower surface of the water tank 20. The drive unit 40 includes a motor 41, a belt transmission mechanism 42 that transmits the rotational output of the motor 41, and a clutch / brake mechanism 43. The clutch / brake mechanism 43 has a dewatering shaft 44 and a stirring blade shaft 45 projecting upward from the center thereof. The dewatering shaft 44 and the stirring blade shaft 45 have a double shaft structure in which the dewatering shaft 44 is disposed outside and the stirring blade shaft 45 is disposed inside. The dehydrating shaft 44 penetrates the bottom surface of the water tub 20 from below to above and supports the washing tub 30. The stirring blade shaft 45 passes through the water tub 20 from the lower side to the upper side and further passes through the bottom surface of the washing tub 30 to support the stirring blade 33. Seal members for preventing water leakage are disposed between the dewatering shaft 44 and the water tank 20 and between the dewatering shaft 44 and the stirring blade shaft 45, respectively.

  The clutch / brake mechanism 43 is operated by electromagnetic force, and alternatively connects one of the dehydrating shaft 44 and the stirring blade shaft 45 to the motor 41. The clutch / brake mechanism 43 brakes the rotation of the dehydrating shaft 44 by electromagnetic force and releases the brake.

  On the back side of the washing machine of the upper surface plate 11, an inflow port 12 is provided so as to penetrate the upper surface plate 11. The inflow port 12 is connected to a water tap and a connector to supply tap water, so that city water can be supplied. The inflow port 12 is connected to a water supply pipe 14 via a water supply valve 13 provided below the upper surface plate 11 and electromagnetically opened and closed. Further, the downstream side of the water supply valve 13 is connected to a container-shaped water supply port 50 disposed at a position facing the inside of the washing tub 30. The water supply port 50 is provided with a storage unit through which a user puts detergent or the like before washing, and the washing water is supplied to the washing tub 30 together with the detergent through the water supply valve 13. In addition to the inflow port 12, a bath water supply port for pumping up and pouring bath water is provided. The bath water is pumped up as wash water by operating the bath water pump, and is supplied to the detergent case 50 via a route different from the water supply pipe 14.

  Further, on the front side of the top plate 11, an operation key 71a that is selected and operated by the user, and an operation unit 71 that includes a display unit 71b that is turned on according to the operated key are arranged. A control circuit unit 73 that drives and controls the drive unit 40 described above, a water supply valve 13 and a drain valve (61), which will be described later, and the like according to the operation state of the operation unit 71 is disposed below the operation unit 71. Further, a pressure switch 72 for detecting the amount of water supplied to the washing tub 30 and a safety switch 16 which is a sensor constituting unbalance detection means for detecting the vibration state of the water tub 20 are arranged on the upper surface plate 11. Yes.

  On the other hand, a plurality of drain holes 46 are formed around the center of the bottom where the washing tub 30 is connected to and supported by the dewatering shaft 44. The drain hole 46 communicates with a drain channel 60 provided in a watertight manner from other parts including the water tank 20. The drainage channel 60 communicates with a drainage hose 62 that drains to the outside of the outer box 10 via a drainage valve 61. In addition, a drainage port 22 is provided at the bottom of the water tank 20 for draining the dewatering that flows out through the dewatering hole 31 of the washing tub 30 during dewatering. The drain port 22 communicates with the drain hose 62 directly via the dewatering pipe 23.

  In addition, an air trap 63 that converts the storage pressure of the washing tub 30 into air pressure is provided in the drainage path 60 extending from the washing tub 30 to the drain valve 61 in the vicinity of the drain valve 61. The converted air pressure is introduced into the pressure sensor 72, which is a water amount sensor, through the pressure guiding tube 64 wound around a part of the suspension 21 for hanging the water tank along the outer box 10. The pressure guiding tube 64 is flexible and deformable. One end of the pressure guiding tube 64 is connected to the air trap 63 and the other end is connected to a pressure sensor 72 for detecting the amount of washing water stored in the washing tub 30. The pressure sensor 72 sends the detection signal, that is, the water level (the amount of washing water) to the control circuit unit 73.

  Next, the configuration of the control circuit unit 73 that controls the washing operation and the like of the washing machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the control circuit unit 73 of the washing machine 1. The control circuit unit 73 of the washing machine 1 is provided with a control unit 80 including a microcomputer that controls each unit. The control unit 80 includes a washing tub 30, a motor 41 for rotating the pulsator 33, a clutch 43 a and a brake 43 b of the clutch / brake mechanism 43, a water supply valve 13 for controlling the supply of tap water, A drain valve 61 and the like for draining the washing water are connected. Further, in the case of providing a drying function, although not shown in FIG. 1, a drying device including a blower 51, a heater 54, and the like is provided in the washing machine, and the blower 51, the heater 54, and the like are included in the control unit. 80 is connected as a control target.

  Further, the control unit 80 includes an operation unit 71, a lid opening / closing sensor 55 for detecting opening / closing of the upper lid (not shown in FIG. 1), a temperature sensor 56, a humidity sensor 57, and the amount of water poured into the washing tub 30 according to the present invention. Detection signals from a water level (water amount) sensor (pressure sensor) 72 and the like are input. Furthermore, the safety switch 16 according to the present invention is connected. The temperature sensor 56 and the humidity sensor 57 are disposed at appropriate positions in the air blowing path in order to control the heater 54, the blower 51, and the like constituting the drying device. The safety switch 16 detects the shaking of the large water tank 20 that comes into contact with the outer box 10. In addition to the safety switch 16, an acceleration sensor or the like may be used, but the present invention is not limited to these. In short, any device that detects an unbalanced state in which the water tub 20 is greatly shaken at the time of high-speed rotation of the washing tub 30 may be used, and is provided for safety.

  The lid open / close sensor 55 detects the open / close state of the upper lid 15. The water level sensor 72 detects the water level (water amount) supplied to the washing tub 30. The temperature sensor 56 detects the temperature inside the washing tub 30. The humidity sensor 57 detects the humidity inside the dehydration tank 30. The temperature sensor 56 and the humidity sensor 57 are used when a drying operation is performed. The safety switch 16 detects shaking of the aquarium 20, and detects abnormal vibration that occurs in an unbalanced state.

(Washing machine washing method according to the first embodiment of the present invention and its control operation)
The operation of the washing machine configured as described above, particularly the control procedure in the cleaning method will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the cleaning course selected by the user. The washing course according to the present invention uses washing water with a high concentration of detergent before normal washing operation for performing washing, rinsing, and dehydration steps, foaming, and using washing water with a high concentration of detergent. And a normal washing operation is performed after the foaming cleaning process described below is performed.

  First, the upper lid 15 of the washing machine 1 is opened, the laundry is put into the washing tub 30, and the user appropriately selects and operates the operation key 71a for the operation course or the like (step S1). In response to the operation, the control unit 80 displays the display unit 71b of the operation unit 71 according to the washing operation course, and executes the control. And it confirms that the start key arrange | positioned at the operation part 71 is operated (step S2). If it is confirmed that the start key is operated, the capacity of the laundry, that is, the total amount (weight) of the loaded laundry is detected. The detection of the amount of laundry put in is well known, and can be detected by, for example, driving the motor 41 and detecting the rotation acceleration or the like by rotating the stirring blade 33 in the normal direction or the reverse direction. These constitute laundry amount detection means.

  In this step S3, the control unit 80 detects the total amount of the laundry stored in the washing tub 30 by the cloth amount detecting means, so that the control unit 80 performs the optimum water level (water amount) according to the amount and agitation. The rotation time of the wing 33 is obtained. This is the amount of water for bubbling in the present invention described below and the rotation period for rotationally driving the stirring blade 33. In addition, when the control part 80 performs the washing operation which performs each process of washing | cleaning, a rinse, and spin-drying | dehydration after step S12 according to the detected amount of laundry, the reference | standard water amount of the washing water according to the amount of laundry In addition, the rinsing time, dehydration time, etc. are automatically set. Here, the reference water amount is an appropriate amount of washing water supplied in a washing process in a normal washing operation, and is an amount of water corresponding to the amount of laundry. This reference amount of water is not always determined as a constant amount regardless of the amount of laundry. That is, in the washing machine 1, when executing the washing process, an appropriate amount of water is determined for removing the dirt on the laundry, and the amount is variable according to the amount of the laundry.

  Here, in step S4, it is determined whether or not the total amount of laundry put in exceeds a predetermined capacity. This predetermined capacity will be described.

  In general, the washable capacity of the laundry by the washing machine 1, that is, the weight is determined by the amount that the washing tub 30 can accommodate. That is, the weight is determined according to the washing ability of the washing machine 1. Therefore, the maximum weight that can be washed by the washing machine 1 is set as the rated weight (rated capacity).

  With respect to this rated weight, the predetermined capacity for enhancing the cleaning effect by foaming according to the present invention described below is less than 80%. However, if the laundry is heavily soiled with oil, a sufficient cleaning effect may not be obtained. Therefore, considering such a case, the predetermined capacity is preferably set to less than 50% of the rated capacity. Furthermore, although it demonstrates preferably below, it becomes possible to improve a cleaning effect by setting it as less than 30%.

  As described above, the cloth amount detection means detects the laundry having a predetermined capacity or more with respect to the rated weight, and when the weight exceeds the normal weight, the normal washing operation process after step S12 described later is executed. This makes it possible to achieve safe and smooth washing by avoiding the wasteful cleaning process and moving to a normal washing operation.

  When the cloth amount detecting means detects the capacity of the laundry less than the predetermined capacity with respect to the rated capacity, the control unit 80 opens the water supply valve 13 and supplies the washing water (step S5). At this time, the supplied water is supplied to the washing tub 30 as washing water together with the detergent previously supplied to the supply port 50 by the user. The amount of wash water supplied is detected by a water level sensor 72. The control unit 80 determines whether or not the appropriate amount of washing water corresponding to the laundry volume detected by the cloth amount detection means has been supplied (step S6).

  The appropriate low water amount in the present invention will be described below. The appropriate low water amount of the present invention is that the reference water amount of the washing water described above that is supplied according to the total amount of the laundry is 100% during general washing operation, and about 50% of the reference water amount is an appropriate amount. Yes. If the supply amount of washing water at this time is less than 20%, the detergent concentration of the washing water is very high, but the foam generated due to the lack of water amount and the washing liquid (high concentration washing liquid) which is the washing water with high concentration response. It will not be possible to provide enough laundry. For this reason, the high-concentration cleaning liquid does not sufficiently permeate into the laundry, resulting in uneven washing, and the cleaning effect cannot be expected. Moreover, when the amount of washing water is about 100%, the washing operation is performed in a normal manner, and the cleaning effect in the present invention by foaming cannot be expected.

  On the other hand, in order to increase the cleaning effect in the present invention, the cleaning effect is remarkably enhanced by setting the amount of washing water to about 50% with respect to the reference water amount. That is, the detergent concentration contained in the washing water is high, and the foaming by the high-concentration washing liquid is improved by rotating the stirring blade 33. As will be described below, the supplied washing water (appropriate amount) and the generated foam The entire bulk covers the entire laundry, and the laundry can be effectively infiltrated with a sufficiently high concentration cleaning liquid.

  The appropriate low water amount is merely an example, and the supply amount of the washing water described above may be 20% or more and 70% or less, and more preferably, the supply amount of 30% to 50% is an appropriate amount. In this respect, the understanding of the present invention will be deepened by the following description of the operation.

  As described above, if it is determined in step S6 that the washing water containing the detergent has reached an appropriate amount, the water supply valve 13 is closed and the supply of the washing water is stopped (step S7). Thereby, the control part 80 performs the foaming washing | cleaning process by the high concentration detergent (high concentration washing | cleaning liquid) of the washing water in a low water level (step S8). Therefore, the control unit 80 rotates the stirring blade 33 with the power of the motor 41 through the belt transmission mechanism 42 and the stirring blade shaft 45. The stirring blade 33 is driven to switch alternately between right rotation and left rotation for a predetermined period and for a predetermined time. In accordance with the operation of the stirring blade 33, the laundry in the washing tub 30 and the washing water containing the detergent in a high concentration state are agitated, foaming by the washing water having a high detergent concentration is promoted, and the washing effect of the laundry is enhanced. It is done. The steps of foaming and washing are performed simultaneously in the washing tub 30 containing the laundry.

  The state in which foaming in step S8 and foaming by the cleaning process are generated will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 schematically shows a state in which the laundry water containing the detergent is supplied to the solid water level while the laundry is put into the washing tub 30. Further, by rotating the stirring blade 33, the velocity components of the water flow in the respective directions of the washing water by the action of the centrifugal force of the blades 33a and 33b on the front and rear surfaces are indicated by xyz and w. Symbol w is a component of the rotational speed due to the rotation of the stirring blade 33, symbol x is a velocity component in the rotational circumferential direction (radial direction), y is a velocity component in the rotational direction, and z is a velocity component in the direction perpendicular to the rotation surface. Respectively. Further, when the rotation direction of the stirring blade 33 is reversed, the direction of the rotation speed component w is reversed, and the speed component y is reversed in the direction indicated by the broken line. The direction of the other velocity components x and z is unchanged.

  4 (a) shows the state of supply of washing water at less than 20% as described above, and FIG. 4 (c) shows washing according to the amount of laundry for performing the washing process during normal washing operation. The supply state of 100% water (reference water amount), (b) shows the supply state of washing water of about 40% in the present invention.

  Therefore, in FIG. 4, the water flow in the rotation direction w is reversed in the forward and reverse directions by the reverse rotation of the stirring blade 33, so that the water flows collide with each other, and the velocity component z in the direction perpendicular to the rotation surface is instantaneously Increase. At this time, the liquid surface is disturbed by the velocity component z, thereby taking in air and promoting foaming.

  In the case of (a), the water flow in each direction of the entire water flow due to the rotation of the stirring blade 33 tends to be faster in the amount of washing water as described above. On the other hand, in the case of (c), the speed of the water flow is generally slow and foaming is suppressed. On the other hand, in the case of (b) according to the present invention, the detergent concentration of the washing water is somewhat lower than that in (a), but the water flow speed is much faster than in (c). As with, foaming is promoted. Moreover, since the amount of washing water is large, the liquid level is severely disturbed and foaming becomes very good.

  The foaming state depending on the direction and speed of the washing water flow shown in FIG. 4 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an intake state of washing water based on a generated water flow that drives the agitating blade 33 forward and backward. The arrow shown in FIG. 5 has shown the change of the state which contact | connects air with the water flow of washing water. FIG. 5 shows the amount of washing water supplied in the same manner as FIG. 4 (less than 20% (a), about 40% (b), and 100% (c)).

  In cases (a) and (b) where the amount of washing water is small, since the laundry has many surfaces that come into contact with the air, a large amount of washing water that flows into the laundry is supplied with air or supplied through the laundry. More water. In accordance with this, many bubbles are generated in the washing tub 30. On the other hand, as shown in (c), when all of the laundry is immersed in the washing water, there is almost no intake of air, and the washing with the detergent dissolved in the washing water is the washing water flow, washing by the movement of the laundry. Is done.

  FIG. 6 shows a state in which the washing water containing the detergent described in FIGS. 4 and 5 is stirred and foamed by the forward rotation of the stirring blade 33, and the foamed foam and the amount of the washing water supplied in advance are combined. It is a schematic diagram which shows. As shown in this figure, when the detergent concentration of washing water is high, that is, when there is little washing water, many bubbles are generated, and the entire washing water (high concentration washing liquid) including the generated bubbles, The laundry can be covered.

  Here, when the supply amount of washing water is small (a), the amount of foam is large, but the laundry is not sufficiently covered (soaked) in the washing water including foam. Therefore, washing water having a high detergent concentration including foam in the laundry cannot sufficiently penetrate. In the case of (c) having a large amount of washing water, foaming cannot be expected, and washing water having a low detergent concentration only penetrates into the laundry.

  On the other hand, in the case of (b) in which an appropriate amount is supplied in a state where there is little washing water according to the present invention, the entire laundry is covered (soaked) with the supplied washing water and the entire washing water including sufficiently foamed foam. It is possible. Therefore, it is possible to sufficiently infiltrate the laundry with a high-concentration washing liquid that is a washing water having a high detergent concentration. Therefore, in the washing operation in the washing process performed after step S15, since the high-concentration washing liquid permeates the laundry without any trouble, washing unevenness is eliminated, and the washing effect is remarkably enhanced as described below.

Subsequently, the bubbling state based on the rotation of the stirring blade 33, the switching of the rotation direction, the driving time, and the like will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7A shows the drive time Ta at the time of forward rotation and reverse rotation of the motor 41 that rotationally drives the stirring blade 33. A pause time Ts for switching from normal rotation to reverse is provided. The pause time Ts is set to a time shorter than the drive time Ta, and is preferably set to a time as short as possible. That is, when the switching time (resting time) is short, for example, a water flow that reverses the water flow at the time of forward rotation is abruptly generated, so that the effect of taking in the washing water is increased and the foaming effect is promoted.
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7B, the state in which the amount of bubbles can be increased by increasing the rotation time Ta of the motor 41 is shown. By increasing the rotation time Ta of the motor 41, the velocity component x and velocity component y of the rotating water flow w are increased, and the vertical velocity component z formed thereby can be increased. As a result, the amount of air taken in can be increased. In this case, the rotation time Ta of the motor 41 is preferably 0.2 to 2.0 (seconds). In other words, even if Ta is controlled to exceed 2.0 (seconds), the bubbling state is almost saturated, and no further bubbling can be expected, resulting in wasted cleaning time and wasteful power consumption. .

  Further, when Ta is shorter than 0.2 (seconds), sufficient foaming does not occur. Therefore, by setting Ta to 0.2 (seconds) or more, more preferably 1.0 (seconds) or more, the foaming state exceeds 80% of that at the time of saturation.

  The optimum rotation time Ta of the motor 41 is set to be longer within the above range as the weight of the laundry increases. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the rotation time of the motor 41 is adjusted according to the signal detected by the cloth amount detection means. This makes it possible to perform high-concentration foam washing at an appropriate low water level over a wide range of laundry weights.

  As described above, the control unit 80 drives the stirring blade 33 in the “foaming cleaning process” in step S8. This promotes foaming due to washing water having a high detergent concentration, and at the same time, washing of the laundry is performed. At this time, the control unit 80 can perform the foaming of the washing water satisfactorily as shown in FIG. 7B by controlling including the drive time Ta of the stirring blade 33 and the rest time Ts. The reason why foaming can be satisfactorily performed by driving the stirring blade 33 in this way is to supply washing water with an appropriate low amount of water according to the amount of laundry as described above.

  Therefore, an appropriate low amount of washing water supplied in the “foaming washing step” will be described below. Hereinafter, a description will be given assuming that the appropriate low water amount is Ps, and the reference water amount supplied in accordance with the amount (weight) of the laundry during normal washing operation is P. Further, the water amount ratio (Pr) between the appropriate low water amount Ps and the reference water amount P is shown in the following formula 1.

Pr (water volume ratio) = Ps (appropriate low water volume) / P (reference water volume) (Equation 1)
FIG. 8 shows a characteristic diagram confirming the bubbling state based on the water ratio Pr. Fig.8 (a) shows the quantity of the bubble in the state which actually bubbled with respect to water amount ratio Pr. FIG. 8B shows the total water level including the supplied water amount Ps and the foamed bubbles with respect to the water amount ratio Pr. FIG. 8C shows the concentration of the detergent dissolved in the wash water supplied at the water amount ratio Pr, where the concentration of the detergent dissolved in the reference amount of wash water supplied during the normal washing operation is 1. When the water ratio is 0.5, the detergent concentration is doubled. When the water ratio is 0.3, the detergent concentration is 3.33 times.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the appropriate low water amount Ps in the foaming washing step S8 with the appropriate low water amount and the high detergent concentration greatly affects the foaming of the washing water. It tends to improve. The appropriate low water amount Ps of the washing water supplied in step S8 is based on the amount (weight) of the laundry that has been input, based on the amount (weight) of normal laundry, that is, the reference amount of washing water supplied in the “washing process” in step S15 ( It can be said that the water amount is 20 to 70% (water ratio Pr: 0.2 to 0.7) with respect to P). In particular, it was confirmed that foaming was well achieved by setting the amount of water having a water amount ratio of 0.2 to 0.7 represented by the following formula 1.

  Therefore, it can be said that the appropriate low water amount (Ps) of the washing water supplied in the step S8 is preferably supplied within a range of 20 to 70% with respect to the reference water amount P as shown in the following formula 2.

Ps = Pr · P (Formula 2)
Further, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the water amount ratio Pr is very good in the range of 0.3 to 0.5, and it can be said that about 0.4 is optimal.

  As described above, according to the washing machine of the present invention, when the amount of laundry put into the washing machine is less than the rated weight before performing the washing process which is a normal washing operation, it is Supply low amount of washing water Ps. In step S8, a foaming and washing process is performed with washing water having a high detergent concentration. At this time, the stirring blade 33 is rotationally driven at a cycle shown in FIG. Due to this rotation, as shown in FIG. 4, when the initial water amount is small, a stronger water flow can be generated compared to the case where the amount of water is large when the rotor blades 33 are rotated with the same rotation period. And since the velocity component z shown in FIG. 4 near the water surface can be increased, foaming can be increased.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, when the amount of water is small, the laundry has many surfaces that come into contact with the air, so that the washing water supplied to the laundry or the washing water passing through the laundry has a lot of air. You can touch and capture. Thereby, many foams can be generated in the washing tub 30.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 6 (a) and 8 (b), when the water level is too low (less than the appropriate low water amount Ps), the total volume of foam and washing water is reduced. In this case, although a certain amount of foaming has occurred, since the amount of water is too small, as shown in FIG. 6A, the washing water including foam cannot gain a sufficient volume to immerse the entire laundry. . In such a state, the washing water including foam cannot uniformly permeate into the laundry, resulting in insufficient washing and uneven washing (unevenness).

  Therefore, at the time of execution of the low water level high concentration foaming washing process (S8) for providing washing water containing foam which is easy to foam and has a high concentration and can immerse the whole laundry, it is supplied in steps S5 to S7. The appropriate low water amount Ps for washing water is preferably in the range of 0.2 to 0.7 in terms of the water amount ratio relative to the reference water amount (P) during normal washing operation, and is supplied in the range of 0.3 to 0.6. Is more preferable.

  Moreover, by making the water level lower than the rated water level of the reference water amount P, the bath ratio is lowered, the rubbing and the fir of the laundry are increased, and a greater mechanical force than usual can be given to the laundry. By improving the physical action, the laundry can be easily cleaned.

  FIG. 9 shows time characteristics in the process of step S8. As shown in FIG. 9, the foaming tends to increase gradually with respect to the time of the foaming cleaning step S8. However, foaming is almost constant since 6 minutes have passed. Therefore, it is preferable to set the time Tc of the foaming washing step between 2 and 8 minutes. By executing this washing step S8, the entire washing time tends to be long. Therefore, it is desirable to suppress an increase in the washing time by shortening the time of step S8.

  In FIG. 9, the bubbling state stabilizes in about 6 minutes and becomes almost saturated in about 7 minutes. Moreover, it becomes almost saturated in about 3 minutes. Therefore, the cleaning time Tc in this foaming cleaning step is about 7 minutes or 6 minutes or less, and more preferably about 3 minutes or more. Accordingly, step S8 is set to a predetermined time Tc such as 3 to 7 minutes, and ends when this time elapses.

  In step S10, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time (cleaning time Tc) in the cleaning process in step S8 has elapsed. Further, while step S8 is continuously executed, unbalance detection is performed in step S9. In this unbalance detection, the safety switch 16 outputs a signal for detecting a large shaking of the water tank 20 as described above, so that the control unit 80 assumes that an unbalance has occurred, Stop driving. Note that unbalance detection can also be performed using an acceleration sensor. That is, in the foaming cleaning step, the stirring blade 33 is driven to rotate as described with reference to FIG. 7A without rotating the washing tub 30 as described above. The shaking of the washing tub 30 at this time is small as compared with the unbalanced shaking in the case of dehydration when the washing tub is rotated at a high speed. If a preset shaking is detected in the small shaking, it can be determined that the state is unbalanced.

  As described above, when imbalance is detected, the water supply valve 13 is opened in order to execute a normal washing operation, which will be described in detail later, and the washing water is supplied so that the reference water amount P is reached. If the supply is completed, the process proceeds to the washing step in step S15. By doing in this way, it is possible to realize safe and smooth washing.

  If the unbalanced state in step S9 is not detected, the foaming cleaning process is continuously executed for a predetermined time Tc. When the predetermined time Tc has elapsed, a lathering step is performed in which the laundry is affixed to the washing water containing frothed high-density foam for a preset time (step S11). In this foaming and placing step, a high-concentration cleaning liquid contained in the foam can penetrate the entire laundry. Therefore, high cleaning power can be ensured and washing unevenness can be reduced. During this setting time, the washing tub 30 and the stirring blade 33 may be stopped, but in order to infiltrate quickly, the speed is lower than the speed rotated in the foaming washing step (S8). The stirring blade 33 or the washing tub 30 may be rotated.

  FIG. 10 is a characteristic diagram showing the execution time of the foaming and placing step S11 and the degree of soiling of the laundry. In FIG. 10, the vertical axis indicates the rate of increase of the cleaning ratio with respect to the cleaning during the normal washing operation, and indicates data when the time of the foaming and placing step S11 is changed. According to this, it can be seen that even if the processing after step S12 is performed after performing the setting time of 0 minutes, that is, the process of step S8, the cleaning power is improved as compared with the cleaning by the normal washing operation. This is the effect of performing low-water level and high-concentration bubble cleaning as described above.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 10, since the increasing rate of the cleaning ratio increases with the setting time, it is understood that the cleaning performance can be further improved by putting the cleaning ratio on the foam of the high concentration cleaning liquid. This is because the high-concentration cleaning liquid with a high detergent concentration and the foam containing the washing water including the foam are in contact with the entire laundry without any trouble. This is because it is easy to fall. As shown in FIG. 10, the setting time (Tc) becomes saturated in about 10 minutes. Moreover, since sufficient cleaning can be expected when the cleaning ratio exceeds 120%, it is preferable that the setting time Td is 5 minutes or more. Accordingly, since the setting time Td becomes steady at 5 to 105 minutes, the setting time is preferably set to 5 to 105 minutes.

  After the “foaming and placing step” described above is completed (set time Td), the control unit 80 executes a normal washing operation, that is, a washing course. First, the control unit 80 opens the water supply valve 13 to start water supply (S12). Thus, it is determined whether or not the water level sensor 72 has detected that the wash water supplied reaches the reference water amount P (S13). If it is confirmed that the washing water has been supplied up to the reference water amount P corresponding to the amount of laundry, the control unit 80 closes the water supply valve 13 and executes the first “washing process” of the washing operation (S15). Therefore, the control unit 80 drives the motor 41 to cause the stirring blade 33 to reverse forward and reverse every predetermined time, and performs a cleaning process by a “washing process” for a time set according to the amount of laundry.

  If the “washing process” is completed, the control unit 80 executes the “rinsing process” (S16). If the process is completed, the control unit 80 executes the “dehydration process” (S17) and ends the washing operation. If the drying course is selected after the “dehydration step”, the drying step is executed.

  When the washing operation described above is completed, the laundry is washed and dehydrated. FIG. 11 is a characteristic diagram showing the deviation of the laundry stain at this time. As shown in FIG. 11, it is understood that by performing the foaming cleaning step S8 and the foaming and cleaning step S11 with a high concentration cleaning liquid with an appropriate low amount of water, it is possible to improve the cleaning power deviation as compared with a normal washing operation. . This can be done by washing with high-concentration cleaning liquid and leaving it with foam containing high-concentration cleaning liquid for a certain period of time, so that the high-concentration cleaning liquid can sufficiently permeate the clothing, making it easy to remove dirt without any trouble. Because it is. This is possible because the entire garment can be immersed with bubbles made of a high-concentration cleaning liquid as shown in FIG.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to secure high cleaning power with the high-concentration cleaning liquid and reduce washing unevenness.

(Second Embodiment)
According to the first embodiment described above, the washing operation including the “foaming and placing step” in step S11 is executed in the control flow of the washing operation shown in FIG. By executing this step, the cleaning ratio is improved as shown in FIG. Further, the washing time in the “washing step (S15)” is set to the amount of laundry. Therefore, when the setting time Td is set to 10 minutes, for example, the control unit 80 performs the time for the “washing process” in a time shorter than the washing time (Te) set according to the amount of laundry. It may be.

  In other words, since the laundry is sufficiently permeated with a high-concentration cleaning liquid containing foam having a high detergent concentration, the effect of removing dirt from the laundry is promoted even in a time shorter than the time Te. Te) may be a short time.

  Thereby, it can suppress that the time of the whole washing operation including the time which performs a "foaming placing process" becomes long.

(Third embodiment)
In the third embodiment, the “foaming and placing step” in step S11 of FIG. 3 described in the first embodiment is omitted, and water supply is started directly so as to become the reference water amount in step S12. As a result, the processing time in the placing process is eliminated, and it is possible to suppress an increase in the entire processing time until the washing operation is completed, including the processing time in the “foaming cleaning process” in step S8.

  In this case, it is also possible to set the washing time Te in the “washing process” in step S16 to be short as described in the second embodiment. As described above, the washing water containing the high-concentration detergent containing the foamed foam, that is, the high-concentration cleaning liquid, is sufficiently permeated into the laundry by the foaming with the high-concentration detergent in step S12. Therefore, even if the time for the washing process is shortened, washing unevenness can be eliminated and dirt can be removed evenly. This washing time Te is a time set in advance according to the amount of laundry, and a time shorter than this washing time Te is set.

(Fourth embodiment)
In the washing machine 1 according to the present invention, the circulation path 4b is provided in part in the washing tub 30 as described with reference to FIG. In this circulation path 4b, a bag-shaped cover 4a is attached to a part of the inner wall surface of the washing tub 30, and the space formed between the inner wall surface of the washing tub is the circulation path 4b. The lower part (lower end) of the circulation path 4b corresponds to the pump-up blade 33b of the stirring blade 33, and a discharge port is formed in the upper part.

  When the stirring blade 33 rotates, the washing water on the lower surface of the stirring blade 33 is pushed out to the wall surface of the washing tub 30 by the pump-up blade 33b under the action of centrifugal force, and ascends the circulation path 4b. The raised washing water is sent into the washing tub 30 from the discharge port at the top of the circulation path 4b. The washing water rising up the circulation path 4 b falls on the laundry from the upper part accommodated in the washing tub 30.

  Accordingly, a part of the washing water in which the detergent is dissolved is supplied from the upper part of the laundry via the circulation path 4b by the rotation of the stirring blade 33. Laundry water contains highly concentrated detergent and is poured onto the laundry from above. Therefore, a highly concentrated cleaning liquid penetrates into the laundry. This circulation also promotes the foaming effect, and the foam penetrates into the laundry.

  The circulation path 4b is not specially provided in the present invention, but is provided to circulate a part of the washing water. Therefore, the structure is not particularly complicated, and, together with the foaming action described in the high-concentration foaming washing step S8, the action of washing water having a high detergent concentration (high-concentration washing liquid) penetrating into the laundry is promoted. It also becomes.

  From the above, since the high-concentration cleaning liquid sufficiently penetrates into the laundry, the cleaning effect is further enhanced as described above, and the effect of removing dirt is further enhanced.

  Note that a lint filter or the like for removing lint and the like contained in the washing water is provided at the discharge port portion of the circulation path 4b.

  As described above, the washing tub 30 of the present invention is of the “no hole” type, and is provided with a dewatering hole 31 provided in the upper portion of the washing tub 30, that is, near the balancer 32. Therefore, when supplying a suitable low water quantity (Ps) and performing a foaming process, it is performed in the washing tub 30. Further, the cleaning liquid having a high detergent concentration is stored in the washing tub 30 and does not leak to the water tub 20 side. Therefore, foaming cleaning is simultaneously performed in the same tank, and the generated foam and cleaning liquid do not leak into the water tank 20.

  From the above, the generated foam and the high-concentration cleaning liquid are supplied to the laundry without waste, and the permeation effect is further enhanced. Further, since the cleaning liquid is circulated in the washing tub 30 in the circulation path 4b, the cleaning liquid and foam are efficiently circulated and supplied to the laundry. Therefore, high-concentration foam including the cleaning liquid sufficiently penetrates into the laundry, thereby promoting the effect of increasing the cleaning power.

(Fifth embodiment)
Next, a cleaning method using the washing machine (1) described in the first embodiment described above as the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, the cleaning method of the present invention detects the amount of laundry accommodated (introduced) in the washing tub (30) (S3). For this detection, a well-known means may be used as described above. For example, it can be detected based on the electric power supplied when the laundry tub containing the laundry is rotated, for example, the motor (41) as the driving means, that is, the current. The amount (weight) of the laundry to be accommodated by providing a weight sensor or the like on the suspension member (21) that elastically suspends and supports the water tub (20) containing the washing tub (30) instead of the detection means. ) Can be detected.

  By detecting the amount of stored laundry, a reference water amount (P) of washing water for performing a washing operation including normal washing, rinsing, and dewatering steps according to the amount of laundry. Is decided. An appropriate low water amount (Ps) obtained by multiplying the reference water amount (P) by a predetermined water amount ratio (Pr) in Expression 2 is set. Simultaneously with the setting of the appropriate low water amount, the periods Ta and Ts for forward / reverse driving of the stirring blade (33) are set according to the amount of laundry.

  Usually, in the washing machine (1), the maximum rated capacity (rated weight) at which the laundry can be washed is determined according to the washing ability of the washing machine. It is compared (S4) whether the detected amount of laundry exceeds a predetermined amount set smaller than the rated capacity. If not, the cleaning process described below is executed. This is done before performing the first step described below. If it is determined that the amount of laundry has exceeded, the process proceeds to a normal washing operation step described later without performing the following first step.

  When the amount of the laundry does not exceed, the supply amount of the wash water with the appropriate low water amount (Ps) set as described above according to the amount of the laundry is controlled. This is the first step of the present invention, and steps S3 to S7 in FIG. 3 correspond to this, and this is controlled by the control unit 80. The supplied washing water is mixed with a detergent to be added according to the amount of laundry. At this time, since the amount of water is an appropriate low amount of water less than the reference amount of water, the washing water has a high detergent concentration.

  If this 1st step is completed, foaming by the high concentration washing | cleaning liquid which is washing water with a high detergent density | concentration will be performed. At the same time, the washing with the high-concentration washing liquid is set to be executed in the same washing tub. That is, a foaming washing process (S9) is performed. This is the second step of the present invention.

  As shown in the characteristic diagram of FIG. 9, the time (Tc) for performing this foaming washing step is set within 8 minutes, preferably 3 to 6 minutes. For example, the rotation drive by forward reversal of the stirring blade 33 is performed for 4 minutes at a predetermined cycle (Ta, Ts). When the stirring blade rotates at the bottom of the washing tub storing the washing water, various water flows are formed around the rotation axis by the centrifugal force of the stirring blade as shown in FIG. By repeating forward / reverse inversion driving of the stirring blade in the state shown in FIG. 4 (b) where the amount of water is less than the reference amount of water, the water flow that tries to flow in the reverse direction collides, and the water surface is greatly swung. Bubbles are generated.

  In addition, when the amount of washing water is less than the reference amount of water, the area where the thrown-in laundry is in contact with the air can be increased, so that the washing water can more easily take in air and increase foaming. Is obtained.

  It is confirmed whether or not the state is an unbalanced state within the period during which the second step is executed (S9). If imbalance detection is performed, the foam washing process (S8) is stopped, and water supply with a reference water amount (P) according to the amount of laundry is executed (S12 to S14). When this water supply is completed, a washing operation (washing course) step (processing of S12 to S17) including a washing process, a rinsing process, and a dehydration process is started. This is to perform safe and smooth washing without wastefully bubbling and washing with a high-concentration washing liquid by performing the washing operation without performing the second step in an unbalanced state. That is, in the unbalanced state, the washing water cannot be normally stirred, and unstable operation due to shaking of the washing machine is prevented from continuing. Therefore, safety can be ensured and normal washing operation can be performed.

  As described above, if unbalance detection is not performed, the process of the second step is completed after the set 4 minutes have elapsed (S10). In addition, as the cleaning method of the present invention, a foaming device in which the laundry is immersed in the washing water containing the foam generated in the foaming cleaning process as the next process and the high-concentration cleaning liquid after the second step for a predetermined time. A third step of performing the process can also be performed.

  The third step is a process of “soaking” the laundry into the generated foam and high concentration cleaning liquid. This “placement process” is a process performed in order for the laundry to uniformly and sufficiently permeate the foam and the high-concentration cleaning liquid. As shown in the characteristic diagram of FIG. 10, the execution time (Td) of the “placement process” is set within 10 minutes, preferably within 8 minutes. When this set time elapses, the process of the washing operation step is executed next.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 10, even if this setting process is not performed, it is sufficient to exceed 110% as compared with the case where a normal washing operation (course) is performed without executing the cleaning method of the present invention. The cleaning effect can be expected. Therefore, in order to execute the washing step (S15) with the reference water amount in order to execute the normal washing operation, the setting water step (S11) is omitted and the reference water amount (P) is supplied. Thereby, it can suppress that the whole washing operation time becomes long.

  The washing operation step is a normal washing process including a washing process, a rinsing process, and a dehydrating process. Therefore, the washing process is executed in a state where the washing water is supplied to the reference water amount. As a result of this treatment, the laundry has a sufficiently high concentration cleaning liquid and its foam sufficiently permeated, so that washing unevenness is eliminated and the cleaning power by the high concentration cleaning liquid is sufficiently performed. Therefore, by passing through the third step, a cleaning ratio exceeding 120% can be expected as shown in FIG. Even if the third step is omitted, a cleaning ratio exceeding 110% and about 120% can be expected.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Washing machine 4b Circulation path 10 Outer box 13 Water supply valve 16 Safety switch (unbalance detection means)
20 Water tank 30 Washing tank (for dehydration)
33 Stirring blade 33a Blade 33b Pump-up blade 40 Drive unit 41 Motor 72 Pressure sensor (water level sensor)
80 Control unit

Claims (5)

A reference amount of washing water supplied according to the amount of laundry accommodated in the washing tub (30) having no opening for passing liquid except for a plurality of dewatering holes arranged in an annular shape at the upper part of the surrounding wall. On the other hand, a first step (S5-S7) of supplying a low amount of washing water together with a detergent based on a preset water amount ratio,
After the first step (S5-S7), the agitating blade (33) provided in the washing tub (30) is forward-inverted at a predetermined cycle to be supplied to the washing tub (30). A second step (S8) of generating foaming with a high-concentration cleaning liquid that is a washing water containing a detergent, and simultaneously performing cleaning with the high-concentration cleaning liquid containing the generated foam in the same washing tub (30);
Washing steps (S12-S17) for executing the steps of washing (S15), rinsing (S16), and dehydrating (S17) with the reference amount of washing water
With
The washing step includes
When the amount of laundry stored in the washing tub (30) is equal to or less than a preset capacity (S4), the second step (S8) is continued for a set time and then reaches the reference water amount. The washing water is further supplied until it is executed (S12-S14),
When the amount of the laundry accommodated in the washing tub (30) exceeds a preset capacity (S4), the reference water amount can be reduced without executing the first and second steps. A washing method executed by supplying washing water together with a detergent (S12-S14). After the second step (S8), it has a third step (S11) for putting on the foam bubbled for a certain period of time and the laundry stored in the high-concentration cleaning liquid,
The washing | cleaning method of Claim 1 made to transition to the said washing | cleaning step (S12-S17) after the said 3rd step (S11).   If an unbalanced state of the laundry stored in the washing tub (30) is detected during the execution of the second step (S8) (S9), the second step (S8) is stopped and the washing step The washing method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein A washing machine (1) comprising a control unit (80) for performing the cleaning method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The washing machine
Detecting means for detecting the amount of laundry contained in the washing tub (30);
A water supply valve (13) for supplying washing water to the washing tub (30), and a drive unit (40) for driving the stirring blade (33) in a reverse direction,
The controller (80) controls the supply of the washing water with a low amount of water according to the amount of the laundry detected by the detecting means by controlling the opening and closing of the water supply valve in the first step (S5-S7). Then, in the second step (S8), the drive unit (40) is controlled to drive the agitating blade (33) in the reverse direction at a predetermined cycle, and the laundry is washed in the washing step (S12-S17). A washing machine that controls the execution of washing, rinsing and dehydration processes.   A circulation path (4b) for supplying washing water to the washing tub (30) from the upper part of the washing tub (30) by drawing up washing water at least below the stirring wing (33) by the rotation of the stirring wing (33). The washing machine according to claim 4, further comprising:

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