JP7093065B2 - washing machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a washing machine.

Conventionally, there is known a washing machine in which water stored in the bottom of an outer tub is pumped up by a circulation pump and the pumped water is sprayed into the washing / dehydrating tub from above the washing / dehydrating tub. For example, Patent Document 1 is provided with a water channel portion having a wide return port, and washing water pumped up by a circulation pump is sprayed over a wide range from the return port into an inner tub, that is, a washing / dehydrating tub. The machine is listed. During the washing process, detergent is mixed in the washing water, and water containing the detergent (hereinafter referred to as detergent water) is stored in the outer tank.

JP-A-2015-217181

The washing machine of Patent Document 1 does not have a function of heating the detergent water stored in the outer tub to make it hot water, and can spread the washing water widely and allow it to penetrate into the laundry satisfactorily. However, when the water temperature is low, such as in winter, it is difficult to sufficiently activate the detergent contained in the detergent water.

For example, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which the heater is arranged at the bottom of the outer tank, but in this case, there is a concern that the structure of the outer tank needs to be significantly changed. In addition, there is a concern that lint, dust, etc. generated from the laundry in the washing / dehydrating tub will adhere to the heater, and the heater will be easily soiled.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention solves such a problem, and provides a washing machine capable of making the detergent water sprayed on the laundry hot water with a structure that does not require a major structural change and the heater is not easily soiled. With the goal.

The washing machine according to the first aspect of the present invention has an outer tub elastically supported in the housing, a washing / dehydrating tub arranged in the outer tub, and a washing / dehydrating tub arranged in the housing and inside the outer tub. It is provided with a pump for pumping up the water stored in the washing machine and a spraying unit for spraying the water pumped up by the pump toward the inside of the washing / dehydrating tank. Here, the pump includes a pump casing in which an impeller is arranged . The pump casing includes a casing body formed of a resin material and having an open front end surface, a casing cover formed of a metal material and attached to the front end surface, and a suction port pipe connected to a central portion of the casing cover. ,including. A heater for heating the water in the pump casing via the outer wall surface is attached to the outer wall surface of the casing cover so as to surround the suction port pipe .

According to the above configuration, the water containing the detergent, that is, the detergent water can be made into warm water and sprayed on the laundry. As a result, the detergent that has permeated the laundry by spraying can be sufficiently activated, and the cleaning performance can be improved. Moreover, the structure of the pump casing may be partially changed in order to provide the heater, and a large structural change is unlikely to occur. Further, since the heater does not come into direct contact with the detergent water, there is no risk of lint, dust, etc. mixed in the detergent water adhering to the heater.

The washing machine according to the second aspect of the present invention has an outer tub elastically supported in the housing, a washing / dehydrating tub arranged in the outer tub, and a washing / dehydrating tub arranged in the housing and inside the outer tub. It is provided with a pump for pumping up the water stored in the washing machine, a spraying unit for spraying the water pumped up by the pump toward the inside of the washing / dehydrating tank, and a control unit. The pump includes a pump casing in which an impeller is arranged, and a heater for heating water in the pump casing is mounted on the outer wall surface of the pump casing via the outer wall surface. The control unit operates the heater while intermittently operating the pump with water stored in the outer tank. The on-time of the intermittent operation is set so that the water pumped up by the pump does not reach the spraying portion.

According to the above configuration, the detergent water easily flows between the outer tank and the pump, and the detergent water can be effectively heated.

In the washing machine according to the present embodiment, the spraying portion has a nozzle facing the inside of the washing / dehydrating tub, and includes a nozzle head for ejecting water pumped up by the pump from the nozzle toward the inside of the washing / dehydrating tub. It can be configured as such.

According to the above configuration, since the detergent water is sprayed on the laundry by the jet from the nozzle of the nozzle head, the detergent water can be strongly applied to the laundry. As a result, mechanical force due to the impact of the detergent water can be applied to the laundry, and the cleaning performance can be further improved.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a washing machine that does not require a major structural change and has a structure in which the heater is not easily soiled, and can use the detergent water sprayed on the laundry as hot water.

The effects or significance of the present invention will be further clarified by the description of the embodiments shown below. However, the following embodiments are merely examples when the present invention is put into practice, and the present invention is not limited to those described in the following embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a fully automatic washing machine according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the fully automatic washing machine according to the embodiment, in which the top plate, the upper lid, the outer tub cover, the outer tub lid, and the hanging rod are omitted. 3A and 3B are a plan view and a bottom view of the nozzle head according to the embodiment, respectively, and FIG. 3C is attached to the outer tank cover according to the embodiment. It is a side sectional view of the nozzle head in a state. 4 (a) and 4 (b) are a partial side sectional view and a front view of a circulation pump equipped with a heater according to the embodiment, respectively. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a fully automatic washing machine according to an embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a control operation in the hot water jet injection cleaning process according to the embodiment. 7 (a) to 7 (d) are schematic views showing the flow of the cleaning operation performed in the hot water jet injection cleaning step according to the embodiment.

Hereinafter, the fully automatic washing machine 1, which is an embodiment of the washing machine of the present invention, will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of the fully automatic washing machine 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the fully automatic washing machine 1 in which the upper surface plate 12, the upper lid 15, the outer tub cover 20b, the outer tub lid 23, and the hanging rod 21 are omitted according to the present embodiment.

The fully automatic washing machine 1 includes a housing 10 that constitutes the appearance. The housing 10 includes a bottomed rectangular tubular body portion 11 having an open upper surface and a top plate 12 covering the upper surface of the body portion 11. Legs 13 are provided at four corners on the outer bottom surface of the housing 10. The top plate 12 is formed with an outer loading port 14 for loading laundry. The outer inlet 14 is covered with an openable and closable upper lid 15.

Inside the housing 10, the outer tank 20 is elastically suspended and supported by four suspension rods 21 having a vibration isolator. The outer tub 20 includes a substantially cylindrical outer tub main body 20a having an open upper surface, and an outer tub cover 20b constituting the upper surface of the outer tub 20 by covering the upper surface of the outer tub main body 20a. On the upper surface of the outer tub 20, that is, the outer tub cover 20b, an inner loading port 22 for loading laundry is formed at a position corresponding to the outer loading port 14. The inner inlet 22 is covered with an outer tank lid 23 so as to be openable and closable.

In the outer tub 20, a substantially cylindrical washing / dehydrating tub 24 having an open upper surface is arranged. A large number of dehydration holes 24a are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the washing / dehydrating tub 24 over the entire circumference. A balance ring 25 is provided on the upper part of the washing / dehydrating tub 24.

A pulsator 26 is arranged at the bottom of the outer tank 20. On the surface of the pulsator 26, a plurality of blades 26a extending radially from the center are formed. Further, on the back surface of the pulsator 26, a plurality of pumping blades 26b extending radially from the center are formed. These pumping blades 26b are arranged in a pump chamber 27 formed between the back surface of the pulsator 26 and the bottom surface of the washing / dehydrating tub 24.

A circulation water channel 28 extending in the vertical direction is arranged on the inner peripheral surface of the washing / dehydrating tub 24. The lower end of the circulation channel 28 is connected to the pump chamber 27. A slit-shaped discharge port 28a is formed in the upper part of the circulation water channel 28. Further, the circulation channel 28 is provided with a lint filter 29. By the rotation of the pumping blade 26b, the water in the pump chamber 27 is sent to the circulation water channel 28, and is discharged from the discharge port 28a toward the inside of the washing / dehydrating tub 24. As a result, circulating water is applied to the laundry located on the upper side in the washing / dehydrating tub 24. Further, the circulating water is returned to the washing / dehydrating tank 24 via the lint filter 29, so that lint, dust and the like contained in the circulating water are collected by the lint filter 29.

At the outer bottom of the outer tub 20, a drive unit 30 that generates torque for driving the washing / dehydrating tub 24 and the pulsator 26 is arranged. The drive unit 30 includes a drive motor 31, a transmission mechanism unit 32, a blade shaft 33, and a dehydration tank shaft 34. The blade shaft 33 is connected to the pulsator 26, and the dehydration tub shaft 34 is connected to the washing / dehydrating tub 24. The transmission mechanism unit 32 has a clutch mechanism 32a, and by the switching operation by the clutch mechanism 32a, in the washing step and the rinsing step, the torque of the drive motor 31 is transmitted only to the blade shaft 33 to rotate only the pulsator 26. In the dehydration step, the torque of the drive motor 31 is transmitted to the blade shaft 33 and the dehydration tank shaft 34 to integrally rotate the pulsator 26 and the washing / dehydration tank 24.

A cylindrical drainage port 20c is formed on the outer bottom of the outer tank 20. A drain valve 40 is provided in the drain port portion 20c. The drain valve 40 is connected to the drain hose 41. When the drain valve 40 is opened, the water stored in the washing / dehydrating tank 24 and the outer tank 20 is discharged to the outside of the machine through the drain hose 41.

Above the rear part of the outer tub 20, a water supply unit 50 for supplying tap water into the washing / dehydrating tub 24 is provided. The water supply unit 50 includes a water supply valve 51, a detergent box 52, and a water supply nozzle 53. The water supply valve 51 is located at the rear of the top plate 12 and is connected to a water supply hose (not shown) extending from the water tap. Detergent is put into the detergent box 52. The tip of the water supply nozzle 53 penetrates the outer tub cover 20b, and the water supply port 54 faces the inside of the washing / dehydrating tub 24. When the water supply valve 51 is opened, tap water is introduced into the water supply unit 50 from the tap. The introduced tap water passes through the detergent box 52 and the water supply nozzle 53, and flows out from the water supply port 54 into the washing / dehydrating tub 24. During the washing step, the detergent is put into the detergent box 52, so that the water mixed with the detergent, that is, the detergent water is supplied into the washing / dehydrating tank 24.

In the present embodiment, the fully automatic washing machine 1 is provided with a water injection device 60. The water injection device 60 includes a nozzle head 61, a circulation pump 62, a heater 63, a first connection pipe 64, and a second connection pipe 65. The circulation pump 62 corresponds to the pump of the present invention.

The nozzle head 61 is located above the washing / dehydrating tub 24 and at a position displaced rearward from the central axis C of the washing / dehydrating tub 24. The circulation pump 62 is arranged closer to the right side surface of the housing 10 in the lower rear portion of the housing 10. The first connecting pipe 64 is arranged between the nozzle head 61 and the circulation pump 62, and the second connecting pipe 65 is arranged between the circulation pump 62 and the outer tank 20. The circulation pump 62 may be arranged closer to the left side surface of the housing 10.

3A and 3B are a plan view and a bottom view of the nozzle head 61 according to the present embodiment, respectively, and FIG. 3C is an outer tank cover 20b according to the present embodiment. It is a side sectional view of the nozzle head 61 in the state of being attached to. In FIG. 3C, the nozzle head 61 and the outer tank cover 20b are cut at different positions in the left-right direction.

The nozzle head 61 has a shape that is long in the left-right direction and flat in the vertical direction, and is composed of an upper member 101 having an open lower surface and a lower member 102 having an open upper surface. The upper member 101 and the lower member 102 are formed of, for example, a resin material, are coupled in the vertical direction, and are fixed by a plurality of screws 103. The upper member 101 and the lower member 102 may be bonded by a bonding method such as heat welding.

The nozzle head 61 is provided with a circular tubular introduction port 104 extending upward at the rear right portion. Water discharged from the circulation pump 62 is introduced into the nozzle head 61 from the introduction port 104. Further, the nozzle head 61 is provided with a plurality of nozzles 105 protruding spherically on the bottom surface. The plurality of nozzles 105 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the left-right direction, which is the longitudinal direction of the nozzle head 61. Each nozzle 105 is formed with a slit-shaped injection port 106 that is long in the left-right direction, that is, in the direction in which the nozzles 105 are lined up. In the front-rear direction, the injection port 106 is directed in a direction inclined toward the front side opposite to the introduction port 104 side with respect to the direction directly below the nozzle head 61, that is, in an oblique forward direction.

The tip of the introduction port 104 of the nozzle head 61 is connected to the water injection port 20d provided in the outer tank cover 20b so that the left-right direction thereof is the left-right direction of the housing 10. The space between the introduction port 104 and the water injection port 20d is sealed by two O-rings 107. In a state where the nozzle head 61 is attached to the outer tub cover 20b, the introduction port 104 is located on the inner peripheral surface side of the washing / dehydrating tub 24 with respect to the nozzle 105 in the front-rear direction. Further, the nozzle 105 faces the inside of the washing / dehydrating tub 24.

4 (a) and 4 (b) are a partial side sectional view and a front view of a circulation pump 62 equipped with a heater 63 according to the present embodiment, respectively.

The circulation pump 62 includes a pump casing 210, an impeller 220 arranged in the pump casing 210, and a motor 230 for rotating the impeller 220. The pump casing 210 includes a casing main body 211, a casing cover 212, and a suction port pipe 213. The casing main body 211 and the suction port pipe 213 are formed of a heat-resistant resin material such as FRPP, and the casing cover 212 is formed of a metal material such as stainless steel in order to increase thermal conductivity.

The casing body 211 has a cylindrical shape with the front end face open and the rear end face closed. The casing main body 211 is integrally provided with a cylindrical discharge port pipe 214 projecting upward on the peripheral surface.

The casing cover 212 has a substantially disk shape. The casing cover 212 is formed with a cylindrical connection port 215 projecting forward at the center, and an annular rib 216 projecting rearward at the outer peripheral edge. The casing cover 212 is attached to the front end surface of the casing main body 211 so that the front end portion of the casing main body 211 is fitted inside the rib 216. The space between the casing main body 211 and the rib 216 of the casing cover 212 is sealed by the O-ring 217.

The suction port pipe 213 has a cylindrical shape. The suction port pipe 213 is attached to the casing cover 212 by press-fitting the rear end portion into the inside of the connection port 215, and projects forward from the center of the casing cover 212. The space between the suction port pipe 213 and the connection port 215 of the casing cover 212 is sealed by the O-ring 218.

The heater 63 is a round bar-shaped heater bent so as to be close to a circle. As the heater 63, for example, a sheathed heater is used. The heater 63 is mounted on the casing cover 212, that is, the outer wall surface of the pump casing 210 so as to surround the suction port pipe 213 by the mounting bracket 240. The mounting bracket 240 is fixed to the boss 219 provided on the casing cover 212 with screws 250. The heater 63 is pressed by the mounting bracket 240 and is in close contact with the outer wall surface of the casing cover 212.

When the motor 230 operates and the impeller 220 rotates, water is sucked into the pump casing 210 through the suction port pipe 213, and water is discharged from the inside of the pump casing 210 through the discharge port pipe 214. When the heater 63 operates, the heat of the heater 63 is transferred to the inside of the pump casing 210 through the casing cover 212, and the water existing inside the pump casing 210 is heated.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the fully automatic washing machine 1 according to the present embodiment.

In addition to the above-described configuration, the fully automatic washing machine 1 includes a control unit 70, an operation unit 80, a water level sensor 91, and a temperature sensor 92. The control unit 70 includes a control unit 71, a storage unit 72, a motor drive unit 73, a clutch drive unit 74, a water supply drive unit 75, a pump drive unit 76, a drainage drive unit 77, and a heater drive unit 78. including.

The operation unit 80 is provided, for example, on the front portion of the top plate 12. Various operation buttons such as a power button 81, a start button 82, and a course selection button 83 are arranged on the operation unit 80. The power button 81 is a button for turning on and off the power of the fully automatic washing machine 1. The start button 82 is a button for starting the operation. The course selection button 83 is a button for selecting an arbitrary driving course from a plurality of driving courses related to washing operation. The operation unit 80 outputs an input signal corresponding to the button operated by the user from the various buttons such as the power button 81, the start button 82, and the course selection button 83 to the control unit 71.

The water level sensor 91 detects the water level in the outer tank 20 and outputs a water level detection signal corresponding to the detected water level to the control unit 71. The temperature sensor 92 is arranged at the bottom of the outer tank 20, for example, so that the temperature sensing portion faces the inside of the outer tank 20. The temperature sensor 92 detects the temperature of the water stored in the outer tank 20, and outputs a temperature detection signal corresponding to the detected temperature to the control unit 71.

The motor drive unit 73 drives the drive motor 31 according to a control signal from the control unit 71. The clutch drive unit 74 drives the clutch mechanism 32a according to the control signal output from the control unit 71.

The water supply drive unit 75 drives the water supply valve 51 according to a control signal from the control unit 71. The pump drive unit 76 drives the circulation pump 62 according to a control signal from the control unit 71. The drainage drive unit 77 drives the drainage valve 40 according to a control signal from the control unit 71. The heater drive unit 78 drives the heater 63 according to a control signal from the control unit 71.

The storage unit 72 includes EEPROM, RAM, and the like. The storage unit 72 stores programs for executing washing operations of various driving courses. Further, various parameters and various control flags used for executing these programs are stored in the storage unit 72.

The control unit 71 has a motor drive unit 73, a clutch drive unit 74, a water supply drive unit 75, according to a program stored in the storage unit 72 based on each signal from the operation unit 80, the water level sensor 91, the temperature sensor 92, and the like. It controls the pump drive unit 76, the drainage drive unit 77, the heater drive unit 78, and the like.

In the fully automatic washing machine 1, washing operations of various operation courses are performed. In the washing operation, the washing step, the intermediate dehydration step, the rinsing step and the final dehydration step are executed in order.

In the washing step and the rinsing step, the pulsator 26 rotates to the right and to the left with water stored in the washing / dehydrating tub 24. The laundry in the washing / dehydrating tub 24 is washed or sooted by the action of the water flow generated by the rotation of the pulsator 26. In the washing step, the detergent is mixed in the water supplied to the washing / dehydrating tank 24, so that the washing performance of the detergent is also exhibited.

In the intermediate dehydration step and the final dehydration step, the washing / dehydrating tub 24 and the pulsator 26 are integrally rotated at high speed. The laundry is dehydrated by the action of the centrifugal force generated in the washing / dehydrating tub 24.

In the fully automatic washing machine 1 of the present embodiment, the circulation pump 62 operates in a state where water mixed with detergent is stored in the outer tub 20 at least in the washing step. The water in the outer tank 20 is pumped up and supplied to the nozzle head 61. Water is sprayed from each nozzle 105 of the nozzle head 61 toward a part of the washing / dehydrating tub 24 that is displaced rearward from the central axis C as shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. The jetted water is agitated by the rotation of the pulsator 26 and hits the upper laundry that has moved to the rear side in the washing / dehydrating tub 24. Not only the detergent contained in the water permeates the laundry, but also the mechanical force due to the impact when the high-pressure water hits the laundry is applied. As a result, the laundry on the upper side, which is difficult for the water flow by the pulsator 26 to reach, is washed.

In this way, by satisfactorily washing the upper laundry that is close to or out of the water surface, it becomes possible to put a large amount of laundry into the upper part of the washing / dehydrating tub 24, and the laundry can be washed. It is possible to increase the washing capacity without changing the size of the dehydration tub 24.

Further, since the nozzle head 61 is provided with a plurality of nozzles 105 at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction thereof, even if some of the nozzles 105 are hit by laundry and the injection port 106 is blocked, a part of the nozzle head 61 is provided. The pressure is increased by the amount that the injection port 106 is closed, and the water with increased momentum is injected from the injection port 106 of the other nozzle 105. Therefore, the decrease in the number of nozzles 105 on which water is sprayed is compensated for by the increase in the momentum of water, and the effect of cleaning the upper laundry is unlikely to decrease.

Further, since the injection port 106 of each nozzle 105 has a long shape in the arrangement direction of the nozzles 105, the sprayed water overlaps in the arrangement direction and easily hits the laundry, and the water easily hits the laundry evenly.

Further, in the nozzle head 61, the introduction port 104 is located behind each nozzle 105. Therefore, in the nozzle head 61, as shown by the solid line arrow in FIG. 3C, in addition to the water flow such that the water from the introduction port 104 goes directly to the injection port 106 of each nozzle 105, from the introduction port 104. The water of the water hits the front wall, and a flow of water is generated so as to be folded back toward the injection port 106. Therefore, when the injection port 106 of each nozzle 105 faces directly below, the water ejected from the injection port 106 due to the momentum of the folded water flow tends to face slightly rearward than directly below. In the present embodiment, since the injection port 106 of each nozzle 105 faces diagonally forward, the water injected from the injection port 106 is injected to a position substantially directly below the nozzle 105. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the water sprayed from each nozzle 105 from approaching the inner peripheral surface of the washing / dehydrating tub 24 and making it difficult to hit the laundry.

The nozzle head 61 sprays high-pressure water into the washing / dehydrating tank 24 by injecting water from the nozzle 105, and corresponds to the spraying portion of the present invention.

The fully automatic washing machine 1 of the present embodiment includes a hot water jet jet operation course in which the hot water jet jet washing step is performed as a washing step. In the hot water jet jet cleaning step, the water containing the detergent stored in the outer tub 20, that is, the detergent water is made into hot water, sprayed from each nozzle 105 of the nozzle head 61, and sprayed into the washing / dehydrating tub 24. If the amount of detergent water stored in the outer tub 20 is large, the time required to turn the detergent water into hot water becomes long, and the time required for the entire washing operation becomes long. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the washing time is prioritized, and the hot water jet injection operation course is an operation course for washing small-volume to medium-capacity laundry.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a control operation in the hot water jet injection cleaning process according to the present embodiment. 7 (a) to 7 (d) are schematic views showing the flow of the cleaning operation performed in the hot water jet injection cleaning step according to the present embodiment.

When the hot water jet injection cleaning process is started, the control unit 71 opens the water supply valve 51 (S1). As a result, water is supplied from the water supply unit 50 into the outer tank 20 as shown in FIG. 7A. At this time, since the detergent is charged into the detergent box 52 in the water supply unit 50, the water supplied to the outer tank 20 contains the detergent. Therefore, water containing detergent, that is, detergent water is stored in the outer tank 20. The detergent water also collects in the pump casing 210 of the circulation pump 62.

The control unit 71 monitors whether or not the water level in the outer tank 20 has reached the heater operating water level L1 based on the water level detection result by the water level sensor 91 (S2). The heater operating water level L1 is set to, for example, a water level slightly lower than the position of the outer bottom surface of the washing / dehydrating tub 24 so that the detergent water does not come into contact with the laundry in the washing / dehydrating tub 24.

When the water level in the outer tank 20 reaches the heater operating water level L1 (S2: YES), the control unit 71 closes the water supply valve 51 (S3). Water supply to the outer tank 20 is stopped. Next, the control unit 71 operates the heater 63 and intermittently operates the circulation pump 62 (S4). At this time, the on-time of the intermittent operation may be set so that the detergent water pumped up by the circulation pump 62 stops in the middle of the first connecting pipe 64 and does not reach the nozzle head 61.

When the circulation pump 62 operates intermittently, the detergent water in the outer tank 20 moves back and forth between the outer tank 20 and the first connecting pipe 64 with the circulation pump 62 interposed therebetween. During this time, the detergent water is heated by the heater 63 in the pump casing 210. In this way, the temperature of the detergent water in the outer tank 20 rises.

When the detergent water in the pump casing 210 is heated, the detergent water gradually flows between the bottom of the outer tank 20 and the pump casing 210 by natural convection. However, when the circulation pump 62 is intermittently operated as in the present embodiment, the detergent water positively flows between the bottom of the outer tank 20 and the pump casing 210. Therefore, the detergent water stored in the outer tank 20 can be effectively heated by the heater 63 located at the position of the pump casing 210. When the detergent is a powder detergent, the detergent water is heated while flowing, so that the detergent is easily dissolved in water.

The control unit 71 monitors whether or not the temperature of the detergent water in the outer tank 20 has reached the set temperature based on the temperature detection result by the temperature sensor 92 (S5). After the detergent water is heated at the heater operating water level L1, when the water is increased to the washing water level L2, the temperature of the detergent water drops. The set temperature is set in advance so that the temperature of the detergent water becomes a temperature of about 40 ° C. (hereinafter referred to as a target temperature) at which the detergent is easily activated when water is stored in the outer tub 20 up to the washing water level L2. Be done. For example, the set temperature can be determined based on the amount of water at the heater operating water level L1, the amount of water at the washing water level L2, and the average water supply temperature. Further, the water supply temperature may be measured by the temperature sensor 92 until the heater operating water level L1 is reached, and the control unit 71 may calculate the set temperature each time using the water supply temperature. The set temperature may be a relatively high temperature, for example, about 60 ° C., but since the detergent water does not easily come into contact with the laundry, the laundry is not easily damaged by the temperature.

When the temperature of the detergent water in the outer tank 20 reaches the set temperature (S5: YES), the control unit 71 stops the heater 63 and the circulation pump 62 (S6), and then opens the water supply valve 51 (S7). .. Then, the control unit 71 monitors whether or not the water level in the outer tub 20 has reached the washing water level L2 (S8). In the hot water jet injection operation course, the washing water level L2 is a low water level when targeting small to medium capacity laundry. As shown in FIG. 7 (c), the detergent water is stored in the outer tub 20 up to the washing water level L2, and the temperature of the detergent water becomes close to the target temperature.

When the water level in the outer tub 20 reaches the washing water level L2 (S6: YES), the control unit 71 closes the water supply valve 51 (S9). Then, the control unit 71 operates the heater 63 and continuously operates the circulation pump 62 (S10). After that, the heater 63 is on / off controlled by the control unit 71 so as to maintain the target temperature, for example, 40 ° C. Further, the control unit 71 alternately rotates the drive motor 31 in the right direction and the left direction across the stop, and alternately rotates the pulsator 26 in the right direction and the left direction across the stop (S11). For example, the on-time of the drive motor 31 in the left-right direction and the right-direction can be set to about 2 seconds, and the stop time can be set to about 0.5 seconds. The on-time to the left and the on-time to the right may not be the same time but may be different times.

As shown in FIG. 7D, warm detergent water is sprayed from each nozzle 105 of the nozzle head 61. The laundry is agitated by the rotation of the pulsator 26, and the detergent water sprayed on the laundry moved below the nozzle head 61 is applied to wash the laundry. At this time, the detergent water is easily permeated onto the upper side of the laundry by spraying the detergent water from each nozzle 105, but further, since the detergent water is warm water, the detergent is sufficiently activated, so that a high cleaning effect is achieved. Can be demonstrated. Further, since the mechanical force is applied to the laundry by the impact of the sprayed detergent water, the cleaning effect can be further enhanced.

The control unit 71 monitors whether or not a predetermined washing time has elapsed since the water level in the outer tub 20 reached the washing water level L2 (S12). When the washing time elapses (S12: YES), the control unit 71 stops the heater 63 and the circulation pump 62 (S13), and also stops the drive motor 31 to stop the pulsator 26 (S14). After that, the control unit 71 opens the drain valve 40 (S15). Water is discharged from the outer tank 20, and the hot water jet injection cleaning step is completed.

If the washing capacity is prioritized over the operation time, the hot water jet injection operation course may be an operation course capable of washing from a small capacity laundry to a large capacity laundry. In this case, the larger the capacity of the laundry and the higher the washing water level L2 is set, the higher the set temperature is. However, if the set temperature becomes too high, there is a concern that the circulation pump 62, the outer tank 20, etc. may deteriorate, so that an upper limit temperature is set for the set temperature. When the set temperature is set to the upper limit temperature and becomes lower than the originally set temperature, the temperature when the washing water level L2 is reached may be significantly lower than the target temperature. In this case, the target temperature will be reached eventually by the operation of the heater 63 at the washing water level L2, but it is preferable that the washing time is lengthened by the amount of delay to the target temperature.

<Effect of embodiment>
As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the detergent water can be used as warm water and sprayed on the laundry, the detergent that has permeated the laundry can be sufficiently activated by the spraying, and the cleaning performance can be improved. Moreover, since the heater 63 is mounted on the outer wall surface of the pump casing 210 and the detergent water in the pump casing 210 is heated via the outer wall surface, when changing from a washing machine equipped with a circulation pump, Since the structure of the pump casing 210 may be partially changed to provide the heater 63, and when changing from a washing machine not equipped with a circulation pump, a heater and a box to which the heater is attached are attached to the lower part of the outer tub 20. Since it is not necessary to newly install the pump, major structural changes are unlikely to occur. Further, since the heater 63 does not come into direct contact with the detergent water, there is no possibility that lint, dust, etc. generated from the laundry and mixed in the detergent water will adhere to the heater 63.

Further, in the present embodiment, since the heater 63 is operated while intermittently operating the circulation pump 62 with the detergent water stored in the outer tank 20, between the outer tank 20 and the circulation pump 62. This makes it easier for the detergent water to flow, and the detergent water can be heated effectively.

Further, in the present embodiment, since the detergent water is sprayed on the laundry by the spray from each nozzle 105 of the nozzle head 61, the detergent water can be strongly applied to the laundry. As a result, mechanical force due to the impact of the detergent water can be applied to the laundry, and the cleaning performance can be further improved.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and the like, and the embodiments of the present invention can be changed in various ways other than the above. be.

For example, in the above embodiment, the circulation pump 62 is used at the heater operating water level L1 where the amount of water is smaller than the washing water level L2 so that the time required to heat the detergent water stored in the outer tub 20 is as short as possible. A configuration was adopted in which the heater 63 was operated while being operated intermittently. However, the control operation for turning the detergent water into hot water is not limited to the above configuration. That is, although it may take longer to heat than the above configuration, for example, after storing the detergent water in the outer tub 20 up to the washing water level L2, the heater 63 is operated while the circulation pump 62 is intermittently operated to operate the detergent water. A configuration may be adopted in which the circulation pump 62 is switched to continuous operation when the temperature reaches a target temperature at which the detergent is likely to be activated. Alternatively, after storing the detergent water in the outer tub 20 up to the washing water level L2, the heater 63 is operated while continuously operating the circulation pump 62, and the temperature of the detergent water is raised to the target temperature while spraying the detergent water on the washing machine. The structure may be adopted.

Further, in the above embodiment, the detergent water is sprayed on the laundry by spraying from each nozzle 105 of the nozzle head 61. However, the configuration in which the detergent water is sprayed on the laundry is not limited to such a configuration, and may be any configuration. For example, a shower head may be provided above the washing / dehydrating tub 24 so that shower-like detergent water is sprayed on the laundry. Alternatively, a head portion having a long slit-shaped opening may be provided above the washing / dehydrating tub 24, and the detergent water widely discharged from the slit-shaped opening may be sprayed on the laundry.

Further, in the above embodiment, the heater 63 is mounted on the outer wall surface of the front end surface of the pump casing 210. However, the heater 63 may be mounted on the outer wall surface of the peripheral surface of the pump casing 210. In this case, it is desirable that the heater 63 has an arc shape so as to surround the peripheral surface of the pump casing 210. Further, it is desirable that the casing main body 211 is formed of a metal material, and the casing cover 212 and the suction port pipe 213 are integrally formed of a resin material.

Further, in the above embodiment, when there is a concern about a problem due to intrusion of lint or the like into the circulation pump 62 or the nozzle head 61, lint or the like contained in the water sucked into the circulation pump 62 upstream of the circulation pump 62. A filter for collecting the water may be provided.

Further, in the above embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to the fully automatic washing machine 1 not equipped with the clothes drying function is shown. However, the present invention can also be applied to a fully automatic washer-dryer equipped with a clothes drying function.

In addition, various modifications of the embodiment of the present invention can be made as appropriate within the scope of the technical idea shown in the claims.

1 Fully automatic washing machine (washing machine)
10 housing
20 outer tank
24 Washing and dehydration tub
61 Nozzle head (spraying part)
62 Circulation pump (pump)
63 Heater
105 nozzle
210 pump casing
220 impeller

Claims (3)

An outer tank elastically supported inside the housing,
The washing and dehydrating tub arranged in the outer tub and
A pump arranged in the housing and pumping water stored in the outer tank,
A spraying unit for spraying the water pumped up by the pump toward the inside of the washing / dehydrating tank is provided.
The pump includes a pump casing in which the impeller is located.
The pump casing is
A casing body made of resin material with an open front end face,
A casing cover formed of a metal material and attached to the front end face,
Including a suction pipe connected to the central portion of the casing cover.
A heater for heating the water in the pump casing via the outer wall surface is attached to the outer wall surface of the casing cover so as to surround the suction port pipe .
A washing machine that features that. An outer tank elastically supported inside the housing,
The washing and dehydrating tub arranged in the outer tub and
A pump arranged in the housing and pumping water stored in the outer tank,
A spraying unit that sprays the water pumped up by the pump toward the inside of the washing / dehydrating tank, and
With a control unit,
The pump includes a pump casing in which the impeller is located.
A heater for heating the water in the pump casing is attached to the outer wall surface of the pump casing via the outer wall surface.
The control unit operates the heater while intermittently operating the pump in a state where water is stored in the outer tank .
The on-time of the intermittent operation is set so that the water pumped up by the pump does not reach the spraying portion.
A washing machine that features that. In the washing machine according to claim 1 or 2.
The spraying portion has a nozzle facing the inside of the washing / dehydrating tub, and includes a nozzle head for injecting water pumped up by the pump from the nozzle toward the inside of the washing / dehydrating tub.
A washing machine that features that.

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