JP6677476B2 - Washing machine - Google Patents

Description

  Embodiments of the present invention relate to a washing machine.

  For example, in a fully automatic washing machine that automatically performs a washing process, a rinsing process, and dehydration, high water saving performance is required, and at the same time, disinfection by adequately spraying antibacterial water containing an antibacterial agent on clothes, There is a demand for improved deodorizing action.

JP 2008-279056 A

  Provided is a washing machine capable of improving a disinfecting and deodorizing effect by sufficiently spraying antibacterial water on clothes while maintaining water saving performance.

The washing machine according to the embodiment includes a rotary tub in which clothes are stored, a water tub that stores the rotary tub, and a circulation pump that circulates water in the water tub; a circulation path including the water tub; comprising a heating means for heating the water, and the antimicrobial agent supply unit provided to be contacted with water through the said circulation path be in the circulation path, at least. Further, it is possible to execute a washing course including at least a washing step and a rinsing step, and the circulation path includes means for pumping water in the water tank and spraying the water from the upper part of the water tank. The washing machine includes a final rinsing step to be performed last among the rinsing steps, and in the final rinsing step, heats the water in the water tank after draining a part of the water in the water tank, and Is controlled from above the water tank into the water tank through the circulation path.

Partially broken side view showing a schematic configuration of a washing machine according to an embodiment. Block diagram showing electrical configuration Time chart of washing process Rinse process time chart Time chart of final rinsing process Example of flow rate of circulation pump

  Hereinafter, a washing machine according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the embodiments, substantially the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. In the description, a vertical axis type fully automatic washing machine will be described as an example of the washing machine according to the embodiment.

  FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional side view showing an outline of the entire configuration of the washing machine 1. In FIG. 1, a water tub 3 having an open upper surface is elastically supported via an elastic suspension mechanism 4 inside an outer box 2 of the washing machine 1. In the water tank 3, a rotating tank 5 having an open upper surface is rotatably disposed. The rotating tub 5 is used for washing, rinsing, and dehydrating the laundry, and has a plurality of dehydration holes 6 through which water can pass through the peripheral wall. A balance ring 7 is attached to the periphery of the upper end of the rotary tub 5, and a pulsator 8 is rotatably disposed at the inner bottom of the rotary tub 5.

  A motor 9 and a mechanism 10 are provided on the outer bottom of the water tank 3. The mechanism unit 10 has a clutch, not shown, and transmits the rotation of the motor 9 to only the pulsator 8 to rotate only the pulsator 8 and the case where the pulsator 8 and the rotating tank 5 are simultaneously rotated. And a function to switch between

  A circulation path 15 is provided from the bottom to the top of the water tank 3. One end (suction-side end) 15 a of the circulation path 15 communicates with the inside of the water tank 3 at the bottom of the water tank 3, and the other end (discharge-side end) 15 b communicates with the top of the water tank 3. It faces the inside of the rotary tank 5 from above through the provided water tank cover 3a. The circulation path 15 is configured so that the water supplied into the rotary tank 5 is once discharged out of the rotary tank 5 and returned to the rotary tank 5 again.

  A lint filter 16 for removing lint and the like passing through the circulation path 15 is provided in the circulation path 15 on the side of the end 15a. A circulation pump 17 is provided on the downstream side of the lint filter 16 (on the end 15b side) in the circulation path 15. The circulation pump 17 is for circulating and supplying the water in the rotary tank 5 to the circulation path 15.

  Downstream of the circulation pump 17 in the circulation path 15, a heater 18 is provided as heating means for heating water passing through the circulation path 15. The heater 18 is constituted by, for example, a ceramic heater having a cylindrical shape that is long in the axial direction. Then, both ends 18 a and 18 b in the axial direction are connected to the circulation path 15, respectively, so that the water is heated when passing through the inside of the heater 18.

  A drainage passage 19 is connected to the passage between the lint filter 16 and the circulation pump 17 in the circulation passage 15, and the other end (not shown) of the drainage passage 19 is connected to the outer casing 2. It is located outside. A drain valve 20 is provided in the drain channel 19.

  An antimicrobial agent supply unit 40 is provided on the downstream side of the circulation pump 17 in the circulation path 15 and on the downstream side of the heater 18. The antibacterial agent supply section 40 uses, for example, an Ag antibacterial agent. When the water passing through the circulation path 15 comes into contact with the antibacterial agent supply unit 40, the Ag ions are eluted into the water, thereby generating antibacterial water (Ag antibacterial agent water) containing an Ag antibacterial agent exhibiting an antibacterial action. Is done. The water passing through the circulation path 15 is heated by the heater 18. This increases the amount of Ag ions eluted, thereby further improving the antibacterial action of antibacterial water.

  Further, the antibacterial agent supply unit 40 is provided at a position at least above the minimum water level L1 of the water in the water tank 3. Further, it may be provided at a position above the maximum water level L2 of the water in the water tank 3. As a result, the period during which the antimicrobial agent supply unit 40 comes into contact with water can be shortened, and the antimicrobial agent supply unit 40 can be prevented from being wastefully reduced in Ag antimicrobial agent. Can be.

  A top cover 25 is provided on the upper part of the outer box 2. The top cover 25 has a laundry door (not shown) formed above the rotary tub 5 and a two-fold type laundry lid 26 for opening and closing the laundry door. I have.

  Behind the washing lid 26, a water supply hose 27 and a water supply valve 28 which constitute water supply means for supplying water into the rotary tub 5 from outside (outside the outer box 2) are provided. One end of the water supply valve 28 is connected to a tap water tap, and the other end of the water supply valve 28 is connected to a drain hose 27, and the end 27 a of the drain hose 27 is connected to the water tank cover 3 a of the water tank 3. Through the rotary tank 5 from above.

  A heater 41 is provided in the middle of the water supply hose 27. Water passing through the water supply hose 27 can be heated by the heater 41. In addition, a hot air supply unit 42 that supplies hot air into the rotary tank 5 is provided above the rotary tank 5. The hot air supplied from the hot air supply unit 42 is supplied into the water tub 3 and the rotary tub 5, and can heat laundry and water in the rotary tub 5. Hot air is supplied to the hot air supply unit 42 from an air passage (not shown). The air path of the hot air supply unit 42 may be provided so as to be adjacent to the antibacterial agent supply unit 40 or to be in contact with the outer peripheral portion of the antibacterial agent supply unit 40. Since warm air passes through the air passage, the antibacterial agent supply unit 40 is heated by this, the elution amount of Ag ions (antibacterial components) increases, and the disinfection and antibacterial action of antibacterial water can be improved.

  2, a water level sensor 31 for detecting the water level of the water and a temperature sensor 32 such as a thermistor for detecting the temperature of the water are provided in the water tank 3. Although not shown, an operation panel is provided at the front of the top cover 25.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a portion related to the gist of the present invention in the electrical configuration of the washing machine. In FIG. 2, a control device 35 constituting a control means mainly includes a microcomputer, and is provided on the back side of the operation panel. The control device 35 has a function of controlling the washing operation of washing, rinsing, and dehydrating the laundry. Signals from the water level sensor 31, the temperature sensor 32, an operation unit 36 provided on an operation panel, and the like are input to the control device 35.

  The control device 35 controls the water supply valve 28, the drain valve 20, the circulation pump 17, the heater 18, the motor 9, the display 37 provided on the operation panel, and the like based on these input signals and a control program provided in advance. It has a function of controlling via the drive circuit 38. The display 37 is for displaying an operation state and the like.

  Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. FIGS. 3 to 5 show time charts of the water level in the water tank 3, the water supply valve 28, the pulsator 8, the circulation pump 17, and the heater 18 during the washing process, the rinsing process, and the final rinsing process of the washing machine 1. I have. In the figure, ON indicates driving or opening, and OFF indicates stopping or closing.

  In the washing process, as shown in FIG. 3, at the time of water supply, the control device 35 starts water supply by first turning on (opening) the water supply valve 28 of the water supply means with the drain valve 20 turned off (closed). Control is performed (time t0). By driving the water supply valve 28, water (tap water), not shown, is supplied through the water supply hose 27 into the rotary tub 5 and eventually into the water tub 3, and soaks into the laundry. At this time, the detergent added in advance is gradually dissolved by the supplied water. The control device 35 controls the pulsator 8 to repeatedly rotate and stop in a predetermined drive pattern.

  The control device 35 performs control to start water supply by turning on (opening) the water supply valve 28 at time t0, time t2, and time t4. The water level in the water tank 3 rises in the order of the water level A1, the water level A2, the water level A3, and the water level A4. The water level A2 is, for example, such a level that the water fills the upstream side of the circulation pump 17 and the drain valve 20 in the circulation path 15 and the pulsator 8 is immersed. The water level is detected by the water level sensor 31.

  The control device 35 drives the circulation pump 17. The control device 35 controls the water in the rotary tank 5 to be sent to the circulation path 15, heats the water passing through the circulation path 15, and returns the water to the rotary tank 5 again. The water returned into the rotating tub 5 is sent to the circulation path 15 again while soaking into the laundry.

  The circulation pump 17 repeats ON and OFF at the time of driving. The circulation pump 17 is driven by a drive pattern of, for example, 10 seconds ON / 10 seconds OFF. In the drive starting from time t1 and t3, the circulation pump 17 performs, for example, three ON / OFF operations from time t1 to t2, and thereafter stops driving until time t3. From the time t3 to the time t4, the ON / OFF operation is performed three times, and thereafter, the driving is stopped until the time t5.

  After the water level reaches A4, the control device 35 starts driving the circulation pump 17 (t5). That is, the control device 35 performs control to repeatedly and continuously drive the circulation pump 17 for 10 seconds ON / 10 seconds OFF from the time t5 to the time t6 when the washing process ends. In the washing process, the heater 18 is turned on. When the heater 18 is turned on and the water in the water tub 3 is heated, the washing effect of the laundry is improved.

When the washing process is completed, the control device 35 performs drainage, and then performs a rinsing process.
In the rinsing stroke, as shown in FIG. 4, at the time of water supply, the control device 35 performs control to drive (open), that is, to start water supply by turning on the water supply valve 28 (time u0). By driving the water supply valve 28, tap water (not shown) is supplied through the water supply hose 27 into the rotary tub 5, and eventually into the water tub 3, and soaks into the laundry. The control device 35 controls the pulsator 8 to repeatedly rotate and stop in a predetermined drive pattern.

  When the water supply valve 28 is turned on, the water level in the water tank 3 rises as the water level B1, the water level B2, the water level B3, and the water level B4 by the water supply started at the time u0, the time u3, and the time u5. The water level is detected by the water level sensor 31.

  The control device 35 drives the circulating pump 17 from time u1 when a predetermined time has elapsed after the water supply was started. The control device 35 controls the water in the rotary tank 5 to be sent to the circulation path 15, heats the water passing through the circulation path 15, and returns the water to the rotary tank 5 again. The water returned into the rotating tub 5 is sent to the circulation path 15 again while soaking into the laundry.

  The control device 35 controls the circulation pump 17 to repeat ON and OFF from time u1 to time u7 at which the rinsing stroke ends. The control device 35 controls the circulation pump 17 to be driven by a drive pattern of, for example, 20 seconds ON / 10 seconds OFF. The control device 35 controls the drive of the circulation pump 17 so that the driving time is longer in the rinsing stroke than in the washing stroke. That is, control is performed so that the total driving time of the circulation pump 17 is longer in the rinsing stroke.

  By controlling the drive time of the circulation pump 17, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, the flow rate or the total flow rate by the circulation pump 17 in the rinsing step is larger than the flow rate or the total flow rate by the circulation pump 17 in the washing step. It is controlled to become.

  In this drive control, control may be performed such that the drive time is longer than that in the washing process in a predetermined period during the rinsing process. Thereby, the circulation flow rate of the water by the circulation pump 17 is larger in the rinsing process than in the washing process. Alternatively, control may be performed such that the number of rotations during driving is higher in the rinsing stroke than in the washing stroke. Thereby, in the predetermined period, the circulation flow rate of water by the circulation pump 17 is larger in the rinsing process than in the washing process.

  An antibacterial agent supply unit 40 is provided in the circulation path 15. Therefore, when the driving time of the circulation pump 17, that is, the circulation flow rate of the circulation pump 17 increases, more antibacterial water is sprayed on the laundry in the rotating tub 5, and the antibacterial action increases. Further, the antibacterial action is more effective in an environment with less detergent. Therefore, the antibacterial action of the antibacterial water can be more effectively improved by increasing the circulating flow rate by the circulation pump 17 in the rinsing step with less detergent than in the rinsing step with more detergent.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the final rinsing step includes a final rinsing step (time v0 to v5) and a final rinsing drain step (time v5 to v9). The final rinsing step is the last rinsing step among the rinsing steps performed a plurality of times, and the rinsing step performed for the first time may be the final rinsing step. The final rinsing step is provided immediately before the final dewatering step.

  In the final rinsing step, at the time of water supply, the control device 35 performs control of driving (opening), that is, turning on the water supply valve 28 to start water supply (time v0). By driving the water supply valve 28, tap water (not shown) is supplied through the water supply hose 27 into the rotary tub 5, and eventually into the water tub 3, and soaks into the laundry.

  Further, the control device 35 turns on the heater 18 (time v0). Thereby, the water in the circulation path 15 is heated, and the water in the water tank 3 is heated. The control device 35 controls the pulsator 8 to repeatedly rotate and stop in a predetermined drive pattern.

  The controller 35 drives the circulation pump 17 in a predetermined pattern from time v1 when a predetermined time has elapsed after the start of water supply. The control device 35 controls the water in the rotary tank 5 to be sent to the circulation path 15, heats the water passing through the circulation path 15, and returns the water to the rotary tank 5 again. The water returned into the rotating tub 5 is sent to the circulation path 15 again while soaking into the laundry.

The control device 35 controls the circulation pump 17 to repeat ON and OFF in a predetermined drive pattern from time v1 to time v5 when the final rinsing step ends.
In the final rinsing drain step, as shown in FIG. 5, the control device 35 turns on the drain valve 20 for a predetermined period, that is, opens (time v5 to v6). By opening the drain valve 20, the water in the water tank 3 decreases, and a predetermined amount of water remains. The remaining amount of water at this time is, for example, an amount in which the laundry is immersed in the water and the water surface and the upper portion of the laundry are almost flush.

  After that, the control device 35 performs control to turn off the drain valve 20 at time v6, that is, close the drain valve 20 and then turn on the heater 18. Next, the driving of the circulation pump 17 is started at a time v7 after a predetermined time has elapsed from the time v6, and the water in the water tank 3 is circulated. Thereby, the water in the water tank 3 is heated. Further, Ag antibacterial water is generated by the antibacterial agent supply unit 40, and the Ag antibacterial water is sprayed on the laundry in the rotating tub 5. At this time, since the remaining amount of water in the water tank 3 is smaller than that in the washing process or the rinsing process, the concentration of Ag ions in the Ag antibacterial water generated by the antibacterial agent supply unit 40 is high. . Accordingly, it is possible to further improve the sterilization / antibacterial action on the laundry in the water tub 3.

  Further, since the remaining amount of water in the water tank 3 is small, the water in the water tank 3 is easily heated by the heater 18. Therefore, since the water in the water tank 3 is heated in a short time, the elution amount of the antibacterial agent in the antibacterial agent supply unit 40 increases. Thereby, the antibacterial action on the laundry in the water tub 3 can be further improved.

  After the heating by the heater 18 and the circulation of water by the circulation pump 17 have been performed for a predetermined time, the control device 35 performs control to turn off the heater 18 and the circulation pump 17 (time v8). Next, the control device 35 turns on (opens) the drain valve 20, drains all the water in the water tank 3, and ends the rinsing process (time v9).

  When the rinsing process is completed, the control device 35 rotates the rotary tub 5 to perform a spin-drying operation, and after a predetermined time elapses, stops the rotary tub 5 and the drain valve 20, ends the spin-drying operation, and terminates the washing course. End the entire process. After the dehydration operation, the laundry in the rotary tub 5 may be loosened. After the dehydration operation, the process may shift to the drying process.

According to the washing machine 1 described above, the following effects can be obtained.
In the washing machine 1 according to the embodiment, the antibacterial agent supply unit 40 is provided in the circulation path 15 so as to be in contact with the water in the circulation path 15 to generate antibacterial water, and the antibacterial water is sprayed from the upper part of the water tub 3 by the circulation pump 17. I made it. Thus, the antibacterial water can be evenly sprayed on the clothes while performing the washing process with a small amount of water, so that the sanitizing and antibacterial effects can be improved while maintaining the washing effect.

  Further, in the washing machine 1 according to the embodiment, the antibacterial agent supply unit 40 is provided at a position at least above the minimum water level L1 of the water in the water tub 3. Further, it may be provided at a position above the maximum water level L2 of the water in the water tank 3. Further, the antibacterial agent supply unit 40 is disposed downstream of the circulation pump 17. Thereby, the period during which the antibacterial agent supply unit 40 contacts the water can be shortened, and the antibacterial agent supply unit 40 can be prevented from being wastefully reduced, so that the antibacterial agent supply unit 40 can be made to last longer.

  Further, in the washing machine 1 according to the embodiment, the drive of the circulation pump 17 is controlled such that the rinsing stroke has a longer driving time than the washing stroke. That is, control is performed so that the total driving time of the circulation pump 17 is longer in the rinsing stroke. Thereby, the circulation flow rate of the water by the circulation pump 17 is larger in the rinsing process than in the washing process. Therefore, in the rinsing process without detergent, the antibacterial water can be made to act effectively, so that the germicidal and antibacterial effects can be improved.

  Further, according to the washing machine 1 of the embodiment, in the rinsing process, the water in the water tub 3 is heated using the heating means such as the heater 18, the heater 41, and the hot air supply unit 42. Thereby, since the temperature of the water contacting the antibacterial agent supply unit 40 can be increased, the amount of the antibacterial component eluted into the water can be increased. Therefore, the germicidal and antibacterial effects of the antibacterial water can be improved. The heating means is not limited to the above. For example, a heater (not shown) that is provided in the water tank 3 and heats the water stored in the water tank 3 may be used.

  Each embodiment is provided by way of example, and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These new embodiments can be implemented in other various forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The present embodiment and its modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

  In the drawing, 1 is a washing machine, 3 is a water tub, 5 is a rotary tub, 8 is a pulsator, 9 is a motor, 15 is a circulation path, 17 is a circulation pump, 18 is a heater, 40 is an antibacterial agent supply unit, 41 is a heater, Reference numeral 42 denotes a hot air supply unit.

Claims (10)

A rotating tank in which clothes are stored,
A water tank containing the rotating tank;
A pulsator provided at the bottom of the rotary tank,
A motor that rotationally drives the pulsator;
A circulation pump that circulates water in the water tank, a circulation path including the water tank,
Heating means for heating the water in the circulation path,
Wherein with said circulation route antimicrobial agent supply unit provided to be contacted with water through the In the circulation path, at least,
At least a washing course comprising a washing step and a rinsing step can be performed,
The circulation path, pumping the water in the water tank, and have a means for spraying from the top of the water tub,
Among the rinsing steps, a final rinsing step to be performed lastly is provided,
In the final rinsing step, heating the water in the water tank after draining a part of the water in the water tank, and performing control of spraying the water into the water tank from above the water tank through the circulation path.
Washing machine. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the heating means is a heater disposed in the water tub . The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the heating means is a heater disposed in the circulation path except for the water tub . A rotating tank in which clothes are stored,
A water tank containing the rotating tank;
A pulsator provided at the bottom of the rotary tank,
A motor that rotationally drives the pulsator;
A circulation pump that circulates water in the water tank, a circulation path including the water tank,
Heating means for heating the water in the circulation path,
An antimicrobial agent supply unit provided in the circulation path so as to be able to contact water passing through the circulation path,
At least a washing course comprising a washing step and a rinsing step can be performed,
The circulation path has means for pumping water in the water tank and spraying the water from the upper part of the water tank,
The heating means is a hot air supply unit arranged to be able to heat the laundry in the water tub,
Washing machine. A rotating tank in which clothes are stored,
A water tank containing the rotating tank;
A pulsator provided at the bottom of the rotary tank,
A motor that rotationally drives the pulsator;
A circulation pump that circulates water in the water tank, a circulation path including the water tank,
Heating means for heating the water in the circulation path,
An antibacterial agent supply unit provided in the circulation path so as to be able to contact water passing through the circulation path,
At least,
At least a washing course comprising a washing step and a rinsing step can be performed,
The circulation path has means for pumping water in the water tank and spraying the water from the upper part of the water tank,
The heating means is a heater arranged in the circulation path except the water tank,
The antibacterial agent supply unit is provided between the suction side end communicating with the bottom of the water tank and the discharge side end facing the water tank from above in the circulation path, and is provided downstream of the heating means. Have been
Washing machine. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the antibacterial agent supply unit is provided at a position above a minimum water level when storing water in the water tank . The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the antibacterial agent supply unit is provided at a position above a highest water level when water is stored in the water tank . The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a driving time of the circulating pump is longer in a rinsing stroke than in a washing stroke . The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a circulating flow rate of the circulating pump is larger in the rinsing process than in the washing process . In the rinsing step, by heating the water in the circulation path by the heating means, the amount of the antibacterial agent component eluted from the antibacterial agent supply unit into the water is increased, and water is sprayed from the upper part of the water tank. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein water containing the antibacterial agent component is sprayed into the water tub by means .

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